Lefty Mike

Monday Playlist week of 12/20/2021

Monday Playlist week of 1/17/2022

2022 NewPL

Some of the great folk music encountered on the vast ocean of SoundCloud gems.

Folky Folks, Felines and Fellas

Monday Playlist week of 3/13/2023

Out on the Bay  (Original)

Picture of Sarah Gray			c. 2021 by M. A. Manetz

V1
Johnny a young man of twenty,
His sweetheart was Sarah Gray.
White she wore for their wedding,
 Johnny wore khaki that day.
For he had to leave the next morning, 
A ship bound for Calais. 
Around his neck in a locket,
A picture of his sweet Sarah Gray.
Now he's gone far away...

V2
 Mud and blood in the trenches,
Men with death in their eyes.
The locket and picture she gave him,
Gave Johnny the will to survive.
The horrors of war he did spare her,		
His letters, he'd always say,
“The poppies of Flanders are pretty,
But not like my sweet Sarah Gray.”
Now he's gone far away...

V3
“For God and Country” they told him,
The Pale Horse of Death he must ride.
O'r the top went poor Johnny,
His breast, a bullet did find.
When they came to bury his body,
'Neath the fields of Flanders they say,
In his hand he held a locket,	
With a picture of his Sarah Gray.		
Now he's gone far away...

Picture Of Sarah Gray

I recorded a partial demo on my iphone of this one with chord structure, melody with partial lyrics. I gave it to Morry. He took it and created all the instrumentation, added a bridge etc. Then he bounced it back to me to lay down the vocals. We both have Tascam DP24s now so we can exchange the memory cards to work on songs individually and then eventually get back together to finish things up. It is always a fun process and interesting how different songs come about. Hope you enjoy this one. All the best to our SC friends.
*Picture is of my maternal grandparents, Harry and Margaret Paxson, leaving Honolulu on a ship. He had been stationed with the army in Hawaii early in their marriage. I believe this was in the early to mid 30s.

Take you in these arms

This is a light-hearted, teen boy aspirational girl crazy song written in the late 80s early 90s. Used a new condenser mic for vocs with layering, didn't use any EQ or effects yet on this mix and need to boost the bass a bit. Morry and I can't get together for about the next month so we'll probably remix then. Hope you enjoy this one. Not too PC by today's (or any) standards but we were truly teens when we first wrote this 30+ years ago. All the best to our SC friends.  

Image from Stef at Tumblr: https://stefwards.tumblr.com/post/10581061308

When It Rains It Pours

https://youtu.be/OKai3vc2a0c
[original guitar score by @john-byrne-117035719]

4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - IGNITION!

A final lap dance, one last drink
but baby don’t feel sorry for me.
'bout to ditch the thing
that makes your boobs swing,
back up the well to where the rocks roll free.

‘Cause I’m an asteroid miner (ooh-ooh!)
like my daddy and my paw-paw was.
And yeah, I wear manliner (ooh-ooh!)
just so you would know I’m not your earthworm cuz.

I’m an asteroid miner. (miner, miner, wooh-ooh!)
I’m an as-te-ro-oid mi-i-i-i-iner (ooh)

[break]

Yeah, baby, yeah, baby, yeah!
You're part of my therapy (ye-eah!)

Out in the Belt I’m closer to God
and I thank Him for pressurizing my pod.
I shoot from the hip and trust my gut
and gut anyone that tries to steal my cut!

‘Cause I’m an asteroid miner (wooh-ooh!)
born on a hull where we drink our piss.
But I wear designer (oh-ooh-ooh!)
just to let you know I’m not your broke-ass sis.

As-teroid mi-ne-er—mine that asteroid... (owww!)

I know who to sell to, who to bribe, and who to rob.
No Martian robot’s gonna steal my job.
Got a powerful lobby in the Solar Alliance.
We say, give us better ships
but fuck your science! (yeah, fuck your science!)

And I’m not gay, not even bi-curious.
When I sleep with other men it’s because I’m “Mercurious”
It’s okay to want a penis—
just pray it away when you slingshot from Venus.

Asteroid miner—pillar of the Solar economy
Asteroid miner—never a pillar of salt for sodomy (that was never me!)
Asteroid miner—never covet my pilot's wife
Asteroid miner—but my pilot’s torso makes me feel alive...

[instrumental break]

Lap dance over but don’t worry about me—
I’m headed to a place where everything hangs free.
It’s pretty cool if you like huge diamonds.
I’ll introduce you to my best friend Simon...

Ooh, Simon! He’s my favorite asteroid miner.

Support John

Asteroid Miner

Dedicated to My Good Buddy and BandMate - Bravei!
Big Star ©
Big Beat Beach
3B Records & Production - 2021
Music - Bravei Brasil
Lyrics, Vocals, Lead Guitar Add - Riff Beach
Once there was a Young Man
And he dreamed up 
A big plan
One day..... just up and ran away
I remember….. 
He always used to say….
I'll get myself a shiny new guitar 
And when I learn to play….
I'll learn to  play it well
Just give it Hell
And then I know 
There’s gotta’ be a way
To find a little
Fortune and Fame
If I don’t
I'll only have myself to blame
(Chorus)
For no matter what we are
You know one day
I’m gonna’ be 
A Big Star
Oooooh, I just gotta’ be
A Big Star
Over time, he found some Fans
Travelled in a Big Bus
All over this Land
Him…..and his Rock n’ Roll Band
And then he heard ‘em all say
No matter what anyone says you are
You found a way
And Now……Oh, Yeah
Why, He’s a Big Star
A Big Star
Oh Yeah, 
In a Rock n’ Roll Band
Never even has to drive his own car anymore
No, No, no.....not anymore
‘Cuz he’s….
Why, he’s a Big Star
He’s a Big Star
A Big Star
No matter what we are
He’s A Big Star
Big Star ©
Praia Big Beat
3B Records & Production - 2021
Música - Bravei Brasil
Letras, vocais e guitarra solo - Riff Beach
Era uma vez um jovem
E ele sonhou
Um grande plano
Um dia ..... apenas se levantou e fugiu
Eu lembro…..
Ele sempre costumava dizer….
Vou comprar uma guitarra novinha em folha
E quando eu aprender a jogar….
Vou aprender a jogar bem
Apenas dê o inferno
E então eu sei
Deve haver uma maneira
Para encontrar um pouco
Fortuna e Fama
Se eu não
Eu só terei a mim mesmo para culpar
(Refrão)
Pois não importa o que somos
Você sabe um dia
Eu vou ser
Uma grande estrela
Oooooh, eu só tenho que ser
Uma grande estrela
Com o tempo, ele encontrou alguns fãs
Viajou em um grande ônibus
Por toda esta terra
Ele ... e sua banda de Rock n 'Roll
E então ele ouviu todos eles dizerem
Não importa o que digam que você é
Você encontrou um caminho
E agora ... Oh, sim
Por que, ele é uma grande estrela
Uma grande estrela
Oh sim,
Em uma banda de Rock n 'Roll
Nunca mais precisa dirigir seu próprio carro
Não, não, não ..... não mais
_ Porque ele é ...
Por que, ele é uma grande estrela
Ele é uma grande estrela
Uma grande estrela
Não importa o que somos
Ele é uma grande estrela

Sunny Beaches All Around Us

Big Star  ©

Big Star © - Big Beat Beach Music

Good Rut		c. 2021 by M. A. Manetz

V1
Alarm goes off at six each and every workin' day,
Shower, shave, and breakfast, get the kids off on their way.
Same ol' traffic, same ol' job, same reload/replay.
Sometimes it feels like we're in a rut, but you know what? 

Chorus
It's a good rut,
'Cause I got you by my side,
We're in a good rut,
Together we have made this life...
(Into) Somethin' solid we can hold onto.
I'm happy in this good rut with you.


V2
When we met you swore you'd change my wild and crazy ways.
Now it's dinner, TV, bed by 10, darlin' that's ok.
As long as we're together at the end of the day.
We may be in what some folks call a rut...but...

Chorus

Bridge
Without your love I don't know where I'd be...
Thank my lucky stars you stuck with me...in a good rut.



Chorus

Good Rut

I've known Chuck Aaron for as long as I've been on Sound Cloud and have always admired his songwriting and fine guitar work, so I was delighted when he invited me to add a few bits to this Merle classic penned by Sonny Throckmorton. Thanks for including me on it Chuck, it was a pleasure!

The Way I Am (Cover Collab w/ Chuck Aaron)

One of my very first recording projects ever posted on SoundCloud in 2008. ReMixed and tweaked. Hope it's enjoyed? As always...Thanks for Listening! :D)))
Memory in the Wind  ©
Riff Beach - RiffWerx, circa 2008
(Original AcoustaTronic Music)
Lyrics, Music, Vocals, Guitars, Production - Riff Beach
Pour a cup and wash me up
Take me to that place
Cleanse my soul and make me whole
Lord, Bathe me in your Grace
Dry your eyes and don’t despise
All the pain you hold inside
Life’s too short to break a Heart
Can’t believe it’s real
Say a prayer 
Let me know you care
And show me how you feel
Turn away from The Longing
That you feel within
Oooh, It’s just My Memory
Floating in the Wind
No time to feel alone
We’re all where we belong 
So let’s be strong and carry on
Soon we’ll be headed home
Turn away from The Longing
That you feel within
It’s just my Memory
Floating in the Wind
It’s just My Memory
Floating in the Wind
It’s just My Memory 
Floating in the Wind

Sunny Beaches

Memory in the Wind ©

Memory In The Wind  ©

Dragon And The Peacock

i tried to write a love song and this is what i ended up with.......close enough......thanks for having a listen

I ran across this old Merle Haggard tune that was written in the 70's
Boy did it hit home and sure fits with things today.  This is another song
that Mike (Lefty Mike) did a little magic and added bass, harp and his
vocals.  He really made the song.  Thanks again Mike and thanks SC
members for the listen.

Jesus Take A Hold ( cover- Lefty Mike and Chuck Aaron)

Durge wrote this one based on his recollection of the little red-headed girl that lived down the street from his childhood home. The song is done in an Irish folk style with tin whistle and accordion to set the tone. It recounts the aftermath of the little girl suddenly moving away, never to be heard from again, including the disappointment and realizations that came with that moment. We thank Sara Formoso for her valuable contribution on accordion.

Copyright 2023 Daniels & Durgy / Gentle Rain Records
Written, Produced and Performed by Nat Daniels & Craig Durgy

Nat Daniels: piano, vocals, guitar, tin whistle, bass & production
Craig Durgy: vocals
Sara Formoso (Fiverr): accordion

Lyrics: Heather of Welliver Lane by Daniels & Durgy

Cracks in the sidewalk and maple trees
July was just melting away
Riding my bike with a summer ease
Looking for friends that could play

Passing the Jamison’s door I spied
No drapes on the window pane
I stopped and I stared 
For the girl with red hair
Sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

No cat on the steps, or toys in the yard
The flag on the porch was no more
Nowhere a newspaper, no family car
As I walked up to knock on the door

But sure it was empty as I looked inside
And quietly called out her name
A thousand times no, I thought
How could she go
Sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

Yes, I knew then and there
Just how much I did care
For sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

How did I let her go
I’ll not, forget her now
Sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

Heather

Wintertime Blues - Lyrics by Tony/Bob - Music & Vocal Bob Warner - Original

Borderland  - Words & Music: Pravinand Maharaj aka Johnny Minstrel

There’s a wire fence running east
Keeping Eden out of bounds
And he speaks unto the least
Like a Sermon on the Mount
And as the living often do
Find a million ways to die
I was born loving you
A truth I still deny

It’s my inheritance they say
A house with many rooms
But I be homeless night and day
Until I’m in the tomb
Behind that solid door
Something else lies in
And when you open up you know
It was the same old thing

Now you and I we learned
That freedom’s golden chains
Caused Paradise to burn
And we both took the blame
Still shaken from the fall
And I can’t get back up
They all are prison walls
Everything I touch

I’m crawling through the sands
To the setting sun
Into the Borderland
Where shadows overcome
Into the Borderland
Where shadows overcome


Borderland

Jesus We Praise Your Holy Name (lyrics by Tony Harris / music/vocals by the Speers) Original 2000

Musicians
 Stephen Peragallo electric and classical guitar
 Paul Buono guitar/mandolin
 Dr.Daniel Lewis steel guitar/dobro
 Jim Cabral piano/keyboard
 Jim Hadley bass
 Joe Hadley drums
 Gudula Urban cello
 Brain Silber violin/viola
Josh McAlexander vocals / acoustic guitar / harmonica

Background vocals
 Amy Hamm
 Annette Bednez
 Jim Hadley
 Jim Cabral
 Paul Buono

Produced by; Paul Buono and Jim Cabral
Song / traditional

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Songs come like waves. I live to give them out. Hopefully the words will bless someone. Perhaps I can produce them more professionally someday. For today it's catch and release. I hope you can enjoy them in their infancy. Peace to this place. America the Beautiful. All Races loved and loving each other. We are on our way. Walking through the fire. Keep your peace and love each other. Reflecting on July 8  USA, Love Urgency in this song. 
Update May. 
Oh, and now 2022, we need a supernatural power to stop the suffering of war, sickness of the human race and our beautiful planet earth! Little me, must be bold or fade away. I chose to share this song in the rawness of its infancy because it’s powerful and waiting is futile.

Galaxy (just me and my guitar in writing & recording mode)

Collaboration - Bravei Brasil and Riff Beach......... Lyrics in English and Portuguese (per Bravei) Below
"Don't Want To Be Here Without You ©" - Original - 2016 - Original 
Big Beat Beach - 3B Records & Production
Music & Production by Bravei (Brasil) 
Lyrics, Vocals - Riff Beach
Oh, Yeah!
Well, The Sun Comes Up
And, the Sun Goes Down
And......I'm Tired of Walking
The Streets of this Old Town
Haven't Seen You Around
Maybe I'll check at The Lost and Found
Oh Yeah, but, there's one thing
And I know it's True
Cuz', Baby, I ain't going Nowhere......
Without You
No, I ain't going nowhere 
Without You.....Yeah
That's Alright
Oh, Yeah, It's OK
Listen to what I say now
To what I say......
Cuz' The Sun Comes Up
And the Sun Goes Down
Said I'm Tired of Walking 
Around this Crazy Old Town
But, there's One Thing
And I know It's True
I don't want to be here 
Without You
No.... Without You
I Don't want to be here
Baby, Without You!
(REPEAT LAST LINES)
Portuguese  Translated Lyrics
Oh sim!
Bem, o sol nasce
E, o sol se põe
E ...... Estou cansado de andar
As ruas desta cidade velha
não te vi por aqui
Talvez eu vou encontra-te em achados e perdidos
Oh Sim, mas, há uma coisa
E eu sei que é verdade
Cuz, Bebê, eu não estou indo a lugar nenhum ......
Sem você
Não, eu não vou a lugar nenhum
Sem Você ..... Sim
Tudo bem
Oh, Sim, é OK
Ouça o que eu digo agora
Para o que eu digo......
Porque "o sol nasce
E o sol se põe
Disse que estou cansado de andar
Em torno desta cidade louca e Velha
Mas, há uma coisa
E eu sei que é verdade
Eu não quero estar aqui
Sem você
Não .... Sem Você
Eu não quero estar aqui
Bebê, sem você!

(Repete últimas linhas)

Don't Want To Be Here Without You ©

Tough one here.  In recent years, I have lost many family members and so many friend.  The deepest cut was the lost of my beautiful 31 year old daughter a few years ago this month.  As members of this human race we all share in these emotions and feelings.  Many, many good days, some sad.  SO IS LIFE

Dreams Don T Go Away (Original)

A Tribute to all the Wonderful People I have Met on Soundcloud.

LYRICS  " Here's To All My Sound Cloud Friends "
COLORADO TO SCOTLAND
SOUTH CAROLINA TO JAPAN
CANADA TO ALABAMA 
SUNDERLAND AND FRANCE
HERE'S TO ALL THE ROCKERS
THE BLUES MEN ON GUITAR
TO ALL THE GREAT COMPOSERS
AND THE LYRICS FROM YOUR HEART
HERE'S TO ALL MY SOUND CLOUD FRIENDS 
HERE I UP AND GO AND WRITE AGAIN
MUSICS UNIVERSAL 
NO MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE YOU SING
IT REACHES EVERY COUNTRIES CORNERS
AND RIDES THOSE ANGELS WINGS 
HERE'S TO ALL MY SOUND CLOUD FRIENDS
TO ALL THE GREAT SINGERS
AND THE ORIGINALS THAT YOU WRITE
ROCK BLUES AND COUNTRY
THE MUSIC THAT NEVER DIES
MUSICS UNIVERSAL
NO MATTER WHAT STYLE YOU PLAY
IT CROSSES EVERY BORDER
AND BRIGHTENS UP YOUR DAYS
HERE'S TO ALL MY SOUND CLOUD FRIENDS

"Here's To All My Sound Cloud Friends" ( Original Tribute To All ) With Lyrics

Johnny Come Back Home

SEND THE RAIN  - A Song of Prayer.  If you or someone you love are in a drought: Emotional, physical, mental, financial or just need rain, this song is for you.  SEND THE RAIN YOUTUBE Videos: : https://youtu.be/0aFLE0XnU58
https://youtu.be/a2yYBqmogEA
Stephen Wallace covers SEND THE RAIN https://youtu.be/Hm4krdZOGo8
(Lyrics Below)
©1994 Songwriter- Beth Williams
From the 1997 ONE EMPTY CHAIR Album

SEND THE RAIN – A Prayer
words & music by Beth Williams

The crops are in the field Lord, under your Son
In the stillness I have labored, to get my work done
Oooooh….Send the rain….ooooh…Send the rain

I pull my hat down to shade my eyes, I watch & wait
for the burning air to disappear, and the sky to break
Oooooh….Send the rain….ooooh…Send the rain

Bridge

Oh this drought makes me weary, time leaves me less wise
Oh this drought makes me weary, look down you’ll still see my eyes

Though the night falls, no relief at all, my hope remains
In the shadow of the hand that holds cool, cool rain
Oooooh….Send the rain….ooooh…Send the rain

Send The Rain - Beth Williams

Tales of a Starless Night

My Nightmares

Written and Performed by Josh McAlexander

Why I sing Hosanna

Why I Sing Hosanna (Original)

Disclaimer, my dad was good father and a wonderful, gentle man, and this is in no way autobiographical.

This Haunted House

I first heard this tune from the great Tony Rice (bluegrass flat picker). I immediately wanted to pick it and I immediately realized that I was no
Tony and just could not keep up with him.  I still love this tune and had to slow it way down and adapt.   Just picking and singing.

Church Street Blues ( cover)   Tony Rice

Cover Collaboration with Tom Adams...many thanks to him for adding his guitar work.
Words by Ada Habershon in 1908 and reworked by the Carter Family in 1935... made famous by the Carter Family and many other artist.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Cover)- Vocal by Tony and Guitar by Tom Adams

This song during the “Black Lives Matter” movement over the summer with a desire to help make this Country feel loved again and hopefully heal the deep divide between our people. Gently not Judgingly is calling out to us to; “Take a walk in my shoes and you will see, you’re not that much different from me”. We wanted to inspire people to understand and sympathize with our differences instead of condemning and judging people. We believed it's time for real change.

ME is better with WE

Gently Not Judgingly

I write simple songs, mostly in a country/folk vein. All recordings posted here were done at home with minimal production on my little Tascam Pocket Studio. No great commercial intent here, just a love for the writing process and the hope that one day I will pen one really good one.  Thanks for taking the time to listen!