Collaborations with Rodolfo Planes (Continental Collision)

Collaborations with Tom Régnier

As this is called ‘Wordlessly’ I’ll try to keep this brief. http://soundcloud.com/progrockdan1 approached me with this beautiful and unusual piece and I had his melody going around in my head for months with several sets of lyrics on different themes but I found myself drawn to this almost wordless version. http://soundcloud.com/progrockdan1 loved this but felt a female vocal would give more of a sense of dialogue and suggested https://soundcloud.com/lamara-marie, who brought a whole new dynamic to the piece. Behind the scenes, we ended up in a 3-way philosophical debate on the role of communication within relationships. Our communication was far from wordless.

I’d like to thank Dan and Lamara-Marie for their help and inspiration in this experimental journey. Please check out their clouds and also leave a comment if you have time.

All Music, Arrangement and Mix - http://soundcloud.com/progrockdan1

Additional Lyrics, Lead and Backing Vocals - https://soundcloud.com/lamara-marie

Lyrics, Lead and Backing Vocals - Me

My love and I, 
Have found the way 
To express, 
Our love, 
Wordlessly.

Wordlessly (collaboration with ProgRockDan1 & Lamara-Marie)

I felt inspired to collaborate when Tom posted his piece, 'Un Ange Passait' recently - https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier/un-ange-passait.

Original music, arrangement and production - @tom-r-gnier
Vocal and lyrics - @markjbennett
Image - Sculpture by Nathan Coley, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art 2, Edinburgh, photographed by Douglas Corrance.

Feels like a visitation,
Although not quite an apparition,
When an angel passed by.

We've all shared such strange sensations,
Often without complications,
When an angel passed by.

When an angel passed by... when an angel passed by

An Angel Passed By - Tom Régnier and Mark J Bennett

After our first collaboration https://soundcloud.com/markjbennett/an-angel-passed-by-tom-regnier-and-mark-j-bennett-1 I was pleased when Tom https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier offered me a wonderful piece (with the same title) to make into a song. He suggested that I didn't think too much about the meaning, just about the feeling. This was good advice as it almost wrote itself, based around almost rhymes of the word 'deposit'. Once we had the basis it made perfect sense to invite Jussi https://soundcloud.com/juswel to add some great guitar throughout. I owe a huge thank you to Tom and Jussi for this opportunity.
Hope you enjoy our song, thanks for listening.
Image of Empire State Building, NYC by Doug Corrance

I need a soul deposit,
Some joy inside my wallet.		
Life’s gonna get good for me!

I know joy’s here because it’s
Gonna flow just like a faucet.
Life’s gonna get good for me!

Don’t need to write a sonnet,
It’s happenin’, an’ I ain’t no prophet.
Life’s gonna get good for me!

Heart’s locked up in a locket,
Don’t care, if I’m bein’ honest
Life’s gonna get good for me!

I need a soul deposit,
A little joy inside my pocket.
Life’s gonna get good for me!

Gonna get good,
Gonna get good,
Right here, 
Somethin’s happenin’

Soul Deposit:Tom Régnier/MJBennett/Jussi Welin

www.continental-collision.com
Available on Bandcamp - https://continentalcollision.bandcamp.com/track/boring-town. 
Now on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5wf5isry5VTiOJo93dU38E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD_ThUpLBk8&list=OLAK5uy_lzXT1QxPKHH__ERx2AeZbUlK8tnKV7IIo

The second song to be released under the name ‘Continental Collision’ but this time with special guest and good friend Dave McKeown. Rodolfo first let me hear the original basis for ‘Boring Town’ back in June, yet somehow he didn’t sound excited about it. However from the first I knew it could be great. I was looking for the story in those two words as well as in the mood of the music and fortunately it came quite quickly and fitted like a glove. Singing this was a challenge for me, like everything we do, but it was exhilarating. I had introduced Rodolfo to Dave’s cloud and it felt right that we should ask Dave to help us complete the song. I hope we will have the opportunity to work with him again soon. 

Composition, instrumentation, arrangement and production: @rplanes
Lyrics and vocals: @markjbennett
Saxophone: Dave McKeown: @https://soundcloud.com/dave-mckeown
Photograph: Harlem NYC by Douglas Corrance

When I look around I see the light’s gone out this town,
Realising just a bit too late.
Streets have all gone quiet and feels like all the wires are down.
Tell me why I’m feeling in this state?
Not so long ago we felt that we’d be happy here,
Not just for now, but for always.
That’s all turned around now at least that much it is clear,
Not the old days, instead separate ways.
Like the loser on a game show.
Can you tell me where did all the fun go?
Darling without you,
It’s such a boring town,
Only coz you’re not around.

The bar, where we first met, is still there, though I never go,
Realised it’s lost its old appeal.
Crossing the park, where we might meet and stop to say hello,
Couldn’t deal with how it made me feel.
All the places we once loved I feel I must avoid
Not just for now, but for always.
I no longer know what I want, I feel I’m paranoid,
Not the old days, instead separate ways.
Like the loser on a game show.
Can you tell me where did all the fun go?
Darling without you, where did the love go?
Such a boring town,
Only coz you’re not around.

Boring Town - Continental Collision (with Dave McKeown) - Now on Spotify/Bandcamp

https://open.spotify.com/track/3dPaPD819h1OuFm9C5Goga?si=YXojaSYFSQSYE7lS3uG05A&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1
http://www.continental-collision.com
https://continentalcollision.bandcamp.com/track/the-route-to-tomorrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMiidrWf6sM&list=OLAK5uy_mC-35nmJO3s19Cjj5Aet7UP0XGkLu3ido
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2moo0YwEYPM

Music, piano, bass, guitar solo and programming drums & synths: Rodolfo Planes (@rplanes)
Lead & backing vocals & lyrics: Mark J. Bennett
Backing vocals: Cecilia Mastropasqua: @cemastro
Rhythm guitar: Gonzalo J. Ares: @gonzalo-julian-ares

Featuring backing vocals by Cintia Galeano 

Image (view of Edinburgh from Gullane, Scotland): Courtesy of Douglas Corrance

This was my third collaborative song with Rodolfo, which we started in 2020. The original instrumental piece he gave me sounded like determined optimism and at that particular moment the pandemic made its way into anything I wrote although the beauty of the song is that anyone can bring their own interpretation to its meaning. Its original title was ‘Camino a Mañana’, that I translated as ‘The Route To Tomorrow’ - I guess I liked the alliteration - even though it was a bit of a tongue twister to sing.

I instantly loved the rhythmic punch of this track and recognised early on that it would require a punchy lyric and vocal. Initially I sung the harmony vocals that Rodolfo devised, but as we later developed into the band ‘Continental Collision’ it made sense to draw on all of the talent available in Ce and Gonza, and here introducing Cintia Galeano. Huge thanks to my wonderfully gifted collaborators, you helped make this song shine. I was stunned (as always) by Rodolfo’s attention to detail, his glorious guitar solos and particularly the drumming throughout. Although I might not add to the instrumentation personally, Rodolfo always encourages me to give him feedback. I am particularly fond of this collaboration and each time we work together I learn so much more. Hope you enjoy it too and many thanks for listening. 

Finding the way,
To get through night and day,
Is just too much.
Making your way
Once more through the fray,
Without losing touch,
Is too much,
For me, yeah.

Waiting in line, 
With no hint of a sign,
Is just too much.
Pretending I’m fine 
Knowing that you’re not mine,
It’s too, it’s just too much,
For me,
All of the time.

This is the route to tomorrow,
Beg, steal or borrow,
To getting through to the other side of all this sorrow.
This is the route to tomorrow,
That I have to follow,
To make it through to the other side of all this sorrow.

I’ll be OK, 
Whatever they say,
I can take it.
Know I can’t stay,
Gotta get me away
From here.
Before it gets too much for me, here.

I can survive,    
I might even just thrive.
If I make it.
I’m still alive,
Watch me as I arrive,
At the other side of all this pain and sorrow  

This is the route to tomorrow,
Beg, steal or borrow,
To getting through to the other side of all this sorrow.
This is the route to tomorrow,
That I have to follow,
To make it through to the other side of all this sorrow.

The Route To Tomorrow - Continental Collision (featuring Cintia Galeano)- Now on Spotify!

Midisound https://soundcloud.com/sonido-reflexivo asked me if I'd be interested in collaborating with him. He shared the instrumental of this, saying he could hear the line, "Kiss Me Now". I found a unique Latin passion in the melody and the exotic rhythm was very inspiring to me which meant that the song felt as if it wrote itself, with the music dictating the mood. 
We are delighted to share this, hopefully the first of many collaborations with Soundcloud. Many thanks to Paco for this opportunity, for the inspiration and for his endless patience.

Image of 'The Kiss' by Auguste Rodin

I knew the game was up,
That I’d run out of luck.
No room for a make-up,
You see me as a schmuck.

I knew that this would never last,
That we were bound to crash and burn.
Our best days are in the past,
It's me you spurn.

I knew you played a killer hand,
Give me a moment to savour.
Now it’s all out of my command,
Then grant me this favour.

Kiss me now,
Before you rip the very heart out of me.
One last time,
Kiss me now.
Give me this one thing to remember you by.
Kiss me now.

Leave some positivity to make it all worthwhile,
I know only too well that we can’t reconcile.
	
Kiss me now,
Before you trample my heart into the floor.
One last time,
Kiss me now,
Then turn around and walk right out through that door.
Kiss me now. 

Dismiss me now,
I’ll wallow in self-pity and reminisce.
Miss me now?
I don’t think so, as I face the abyss.

I knew the game was up,
That I’d run out of luck.

Kiss me, then dismiss me, I don’t matter anymore.

Kiss me now,
Before you rip the very heart out of me.
One last time,
Kiss me now.
Give me this one thing to remember you by.

Kiss me now, 
Just kiss me now.

Kiss Me Now (Midisound/Mark J Bennett)

You Complete Me

Music and Lyrics by Jimmy Rivas @j-rivas

Sung by Mark J Bennett

Image of Loch Ness, Scotland by Doug Corrance

I was knocked out when Jimmy offered this beautiful song to me to sing, but then it took me 3 months to build up the confidence and to practice it. Jimmy is one of my favourite singers on SC (or anywhere) and he makes everything sound easy as he is so professional, so I hope you don't mind my take on this. Thank you Jimmy for sharing your skills with me.

You complete me
no matter how I feel
even with my nerves of steel
when the day is done
I know something good has begun
you complete me
when the day is warm
and the blue skies form
we sail on a following sea
far away from big pine key

You Complete Me - J.Rivas & Mark J Bennett

A few weeks ago I first heard https://soundcloud.com/user-369089703/stay-original and could already feel the words filling my head before it had finished playing. The song reminded me of a favourite band of mine, Procol Harum because of the piano/organ arrangement. I asked if I could try to make a collaboration out of this wonderful melody and Pascal kindly agreed. Thank you so much for the opportunity Pascal and thank you for listening.

Music/Arrangement/Production/All instrumentation except drums - Pascal PAVY 
 @user-369089703
Drums - Loïc
Lyrics and Vocals - @markjbennett
Photography - Douglas Corrance

Stay just a little closer,
Take me in your arms until the morning has come.
Bring me just a little closer,
Who knows what the day might yet become?

Soon it will be dawn,
And will the dream be gone?
Why is it that we cannot make it last,
Forever?

Stay just a little longer,
Hold me in your arms until the morning has come.
Hold me just a little longer,
Who knows what the day might yet become?

Stay, stay, stay, stay

Now it’s close to dawn,
Why can’t we carry on?
Why is it that we cannot make it last,
Forever?

Stay just a little longer,
Hold me in your arms until the morning has come.
Hold me just a little longer,
We know only too well what’s to come.

Please stay

Stay - Pascal P. Musiques/MarkJBennett

I'm very pleased to get to work with Karl's music yet again as we have collaborated on many projects together. When I first heard 'Haust' (Icelandic for Autumn), I was haunted by the richness of the bowed sound and the grinding industrial textures that spoke to me about the extreme environment in Iceland (https://soundcloud.com/sesar/haust). I asked Karl if I could contribute and a few weeks later I'm proud to present our 8th collaboration.

Music, instrumentation, arrangement and production - https://soundcloud.com/sesar
Lyrics/Vocals - me
Image - Douglas Corrance

What was grey becomes black, 
That sinking feeling, 
As darkness falls, 
Dark falls.  

Dawn's late, later still, 
That sinking feeling, 
As darkness falls, 
Dark falls.  

Grey to black as darkness falls.

Darkness Falls by Sesar & Mark J Bennett

Paco https://soundcloud.com/sonido-reflexivo shared these beautiful and evocative melodies with me and I couldn't help but want to collaborate with him again. He is most generous and encouraging, and his music is full of structure, energy and emotion. Thanks for this great opportunity Paco and thank you for listening. I'd like to dedicate this to David, Emily and Steven.

Whatever it is you want from life,
You better be ready to go and get it.
For time always flies,
No matter how much you think is left.

Make sure that you don’t take a moment for granted,
Coz you only get this chance to shine.
When you’ve got something more to give than you take,
Only then have you truly found the reason to live. 
  
Time flies, oh how time flies 
How time always flies,

Whatever it is you want from life,
You better be ready to go and get it.
For time always flies,
No matter how much you think is left.

Time flies, oh how time flies 
Time flies, oh how time flies 
Time flies, oh how time flies 
 
Whatever it is you want from life,
You better be ready to go and get it.
For time always flies,
No matter how much you think is left.

Time Flies (Midisound & Mark J Bennett)

A song based on an original composition by Tom https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier and Jussi https://soundcloud.com/juswel
https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier/evocation
Lyrics and Vocals by https://soundcloud.com/markjbennett

We were very keen to work on another collaboration and after several rounds of selections and revisions, I'm glad to be able to share this beautiful song. I feel eternally grateful to Tom and Jussi for their inspirational music and skilled playing (and their patience). I hope we will get to make more music together in the future.

The picture is by Douglas Corrance of the Old Stockbridge Market in Edinburgh.

Everytime I look at you,
I need to recognise that
It is only you who can make me happy. 
Everytime I look at you,
I realise that I do.

Everytime I’m close to you,
My heart races,
I feel like a fool,
And you seem so cool
It’s because I think that I love you,
Everytime I’m close to you,
I realise that I do.

Ainsi va la vie,	
Quand il s'agit de t'aimer.
(Such is life, when it comes to loving you) 
Everytime I look at you,
I realise that I do.

I’m looking for a sign,
That shows just how much you do. 
Everytime you look at me,
I realise that you do.

Ainsi va la vie,	
Quand il s'agit de t'aimer.
(Such is life, when it comes to loving you)
Everytime I look at you,
I realise that we do.

Ainsi Va La Vie - Tom Régnier/Jussi Welin/Mark J Bennett

Rodolfo https://soundcloud.com/rplanes first shared this beautiful piece with me 2 years ago, which has had a gradual development since I first wrote the lyrics back then. More recently Ce Mastro https://soundcloud.com/cemastro added some exciting backing vocals which transformed the chorus and then even more recently we invited Dave McKeown https://soundcloud.com/dave-mckeown to contribute some lovely sax that we believed was just what the song needed. Rodolfo's song has such a feeling of romantic innocence yet with a wonderful rhythmic flow, that I hoped the words might feel from a simpler time. We hope you all enjoy our song of innocence (and inexperience) which thankfully is a work of fiction. Thanks again to Rodolfo for sharing this magical piece and his great skills as well as Ce and Dave's unique gifts to make this one happen. 
We thank you all for taking the time to listen.

Rodolfo Planes - Music composition, instrumentation, arrangement, production and mix.
Ce Mastro - Backing vocals
Me - Lead vocals and lyrics
Dave McKeown - Sax solo and fills

https://continentalcollision.bandcamp.com/track/almost-lovers

Almost Lovers (by Rodolfo Planes / Mark Bennett)

Once we were almost lovers, without a care.
We weren’t like all the others, somehow we just didn’t dare.
We never faced the fact,
What we had wasn’t real,
Didn’t have to deal,
With the truth while we were putting on an act
We’d have to pay,
And quite how that would feel.

The moment when I discovered, not wanting to share,
You with any of the others, that I just couldn’t bear.
But when my back was turned,
You made out with a guy,
I thought was my friend.
Then I knew that my world had been overturned,
Put out to dry,
And what a way to end.

It’s not the way that I’d hoped this scene would play out,
Leaving the stage in the first act. 
It was cruel but at least I was left in no doubt.
C’est la vie, as a matter of fact.

Were never really lovers, just make believe.
Like sister and brother, with only ourselves to deceive.
I should have known right then,
I’d be out on my ear 
Instead of in love.
Waiting for the finale, not knowing when,
I’d disappear,
When the push comes to shove.

It’s not the way that I’d hoped this scene would play out,
Leaving the stage in the first act. 
It was cruel but at least I was left in no doubt.
C’est la vie, as a matter of fact.

Almost Lovers - Continental Collision (featuring Ce Mastro & Dave McKeown) Now Available on Bandcamp

When Tom approached me with this piano melody, the initial arrangement and the title to which he hoped I’d add lyrics and vocals, I thought it was almost unnecessary as the piece already said everything required. Shortly afterwards, Jussi had added sublime guitar which offered a hopeful balance in the mood. Knowing what Tom was referring to without discussing it openly I wrote these words from a similar position of experience. I contrasted the first verse of a woman at her peak with the second verse of a woman in decline to heighten the emotion. I found that the spoken word approach allowed more emotion to flow from both the music and the words. Tom had the great idea to ask Hidefumi to complete the song with a phenomenal solo. Thank you to everyone who helped make this come together, and a very special thanks to all of you for listening.

Music composition, piano and other instrumentation - https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier
First guitar and guitar arrangement - https://soundcloud.com/juswel
Lyrics and vocals - https://soundcloud.com/markjbennett
Final guitar and guitar arrangement - https://soundcloud.com/boon-suzuki

Image of a painted door in Funchal, Madeira - Douglas Corrance (https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCorrancePhotographer)

She knows just what it feels like now.
I think she’s losing it, I think she’s losing it. 
When she is almost ready, 
She will lose her reserve 
And her inhibition too.
Then she’ll lose herself in herself and then she’ll be free,
To be what she wants, what she wants to be.

She knows not who she feels like now.
I know she’s losing it, I know she’s losing it. 
As if she's gone already, 
She has lost her reserve 
And her inhibition too.
Already lost herself in herself and now she’s elsewhere,
Knows not what she wants, nor who she used to be.

She's Losing It - Tom Régnier/Jussi Welin/Mark J Bennett/Boon-Suzuki

Rodolfo https://soundcloud.com/rplanes gave me this piece and title to write a lyric around. I was drawn to man's not unnatural obsession with the cosmos from the earliest days, through using it to navigate the world and gain power, to now potentially using it as a last ditch escape from our polluted and depleted home. I particularly enjoyed this song as I get to sing in Spanish and also a good proportion of this song is instrumental. So sit back and let this journey wash over you. Many thanks to Rodolfo for all his great work and a special thanks to you for listening. Mark

Available now on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5pfvPjop9XCJPrVL9a60U0

Rodolfo Planes - Music composition, instrumentation, arrangement, production and mix.
Me - Vocals and lyrics

Southern Star by Rodolfo Planes and Mark J Bennett

It’s written in the stars,
When seen from Earth,
Venus… even Mars.
Whatever it’s worth.

The Southern Star 
The Southern Star 

Is that ‘Pie in the Sky’? 
Take the bait,
Maybe just a lie,
Trust in fate?

The Southern Star 
The Southern Star 

Estrella del sur
Estrella del sur
Estrella del sur
Es la clave,
Del rumbo del destino
Del rumbo del destino.
(Southern star, it's the key from the course of destiny)

Man’s knowledge and skill,
Charts land and sea.
In order to fulfil,
Destiny			
 
The Southern Star 
The Southern Star 

Celestial sphere,
Obscured now by,				
Tears and fear.
The end is nigh.		

The Southern Star 
The Southern Star 

Estrella del sur
Estrella del sur
Estrella del sur
Sin la clave,
Nos niega el destino
El curso del…
El curso del	destino
(Southern star, without the key, fate denies us the course of destiny)

 
Need and hunger, 
Has our innocence
Rent asunder, 
By its wickedness
 
The Southern Star 
The Southern Star 

Escape to stars.
Throw right off of your
Shackles and bars.
We need to endure.

The Southern Star 
The Southern Star 

Estrella del sur
Estrella del sur
Estrella del sur
Sin la clave,
Nos niega el destino
El curso del…
El curso del destino
(Southern star, without the key, fate denies us the course of destiny)

Southern Star - Continental Collision (Rodolfo Planes/Mark J Bennett) on Spotify too

My friend and close collaborator @rplanes offered me this great arrangement and the title and theme that he thought might make an interesting subject matter. Initially, I was scratching my head as the topic seemed too vast but then the ideas started to attach themselves to his melodies and I was hooked. Humans en masse appear to be taking wrong-turnings and making things worse rather than better. This is me letting off a little steam with Rod's help. Thanks for taking the time to listen.
Link to tracks on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5pfvPjop9XCJPrVL9a60U0

Rodolfo Planes - Music composition, instrumentation, arrangement, production and mix.
Me - Vocals and lyrics
Photograph - Courtesy of Douglas Corrance

Reverse Entropy (by Rodolfo Planes and Mark J Bennett)
We drift from order to chaos,
Like it’s the norm.
Without a sense of pathos,
To see the storm.
Following your safe instinct,
Where it may go,
Or go where you are told.

We let others cloud our vision,
Like they know best.
What happened to our ambition
Never addressed.
Following your safe instinct,
Where it may go,
Before we get too old

You have the choice,
When you have the will,
And it’s backed with the,
Knowledge, and fulfilled by skill.
 
We fall for the theorists,
Like it’s gospel.
Go find yourself some realists,
Who’re less hostile.
Following your safe instinct,
Where it may go,
While you still have a hold.

We’ve been duped at every turn,
By those we trust.
Without alarm or concern,
Now we are bust.
Following your safe instinct,
Where it may go,
If you can still feel bold.

You have the choice,
When you have the will,
And it’s backed with the,
Knowledge and fulfilled by skill.

All our futures are in your hands
With all that it commands
Focus on how it now all stands
Before making your demands.

Reverse Entropy - Continental Collision (by Rodolfo Planes and Mark J Bennett) now on Spotify

An unforgettable classic from King Crimson at the end of a classic era.
The closing piece from their album 'Red' (1974) which is normally 12 minutes and 15 seconds long with an extended instrumental section, fusing jazz and rock in a complex arrangement. However, you may be pleased that we are offering the abridged version here. I hope we have made a respectful tribute to a landmark song in King Crimson's back catalogue. Thanks to Graham for believing that we could even try this one let alone hope to pull it off.

Mark Bennett - Artwork and Vocals 
https://soundcloud.com/lavallin - Guitars and all instrumentation and production 
Instrumentation: 
Fender Strat guitar through Apogee Gio pedal board interface to access the onboard GarageBand amps and FX for the 'Robert Fripp style' parts which in this instance was the 'Stadium Solo' sound. Also Fender Strat guitar through BossME70 pedalboard and Magic Stomp pedal with one of Charlie Hall's 'Echoes Of The Past' delays.
EWQL '72 Rickenbacker bass guitar, drums and percussion, viola and cello, and Bari sax
AMG Mellotron strings and Alto sax

The title and the refrain comes from a line in 'Under Milk Wood' by Dylan Thomas (1914-1953).

Starless by King Crimson

Sundown dazzling day
Gold through my eyes
But my eyes, turned within, only see
Starless and Bible black

Old friend charity
Cruel twisted smile
And the smile signals emptiness for me
Starless and Bible black

Ice blue silver sky
Fades into grey
To a grey hope that, oh, yearns to be
Starless and Bible black

Music by William Bruford, David Cross, Robert Fripp and John Wetton. Lyrics by John Wetton and Richard Palmer-James. 
Copyright: Universal Music Publishing Mgb Ltd., E.G. Music Ltd., Topographic Music Inc.


Starless (King Crimson Tribute) with Lavallin

Rodolfo Planes offered me this great arrangement and suggested the title of 'Professional Liars' as a starting point. I changed the title to Career Liars as it scanned better with the melody and although we didn’t discuss the subject closely we both had our own ideas who these usual suspects might be. You all may also have your own choices other than these potential ‘Comeback Kids’. 

This was first written in 2022, but has developed gradually over the last two years with Ce Mastro’s spectacular chorus harmony arrangement lifting the song to astonishing new heights, then lastly Georg’s additional sax work giving a renewed energy and power. Thanks to everyone for their valued collaboration on this. Thanks for taking the time to listen.

Rodolfo Planes - Music composition, instrumentation, arrangement, production and mix - https://soundcloud.com/rplanes 
Me - Vocals and lyrics
Ce Mastro - Backing vocals and chorus vocal arrangement - https://soundcloud.com/cemastro 
Georg Boehme - Sax solo and fills - https://soundcloud.com/georg-boehme

https://continentalcollision.bandcamp.com/track/career-liars

https://youtu.be/tHFD8lZXQII

 Career Liars by Rodolfo Planes and Mark J Bennett

How are you ever able to live with yourself? 
What do you really care about? 
You can cope just as long as you’re not left on the shelf, 
Hear me out. 

Are you ever conscious of the harm that you do?
 Or is all fair in love and in war?
And there is no depth that you and your crew won’t sink to. 
We’re done for.

Career liars, 
Truth deniers,
Big high flyers,
 Falsifiers.

Making all of your deals with your old cronies,
I think that is all that you’re good for. 
Nothing is ever sincere coz you’re real phoneys.
 Show them the door. 

Lying for a living, as long as we’re forgiving,
 We’ve been truly hood-winked this time for sure.
 We’re learning a lesson about the true cost of living 
Now we’re all poor.

Career liars, 
Truth deniers,
 Big high flyers, 
Falsifiers.

Career Liars - Continental Collision featuring Ce Mastro & Georg Boehme - Now Available on Bandcamp

Tom again approached me with a beautiful piano melody and an initial arrangement that he hoped I’d add lyrics and vocals. Shortly afterwards, Jussi gave the whole thing a wonderful rhythm and the first lead guitar you will hear.  Tom once again had the great idea to ask Hidefumi to complete the song with a powerful guitar solo in the coda. Thank you to everyone who helped make this come together, and a very special thanks to all of you for listening.

Music composition, piano and other instrumentation - @tom-r-gnier
First guitar and guitar arrangement - @juswel
Lyrics and vocals - @markjbennett
Final guitar and guitar arrangement - @boon-suzuki

I caught the light, 
shine on your hair.
You caught me 
beginning to stare.
You lift your head, 
and my heart soars.
Our eyes meet,
and I know I’m yours
Never be the same again, 
that’s for sure.

Your cheek lit up, 
a vivid blush 
While I could feel, 
my heartbeat rush
I went to move, 
was frozen still
Your every gesture, 
gave me a thrill 
Do I believe in love,
at first sight?
This sensation was, 
a perfect delight 
Is it possible, 
that it’s mutual,
and not merely,
the usual?

You lift your head, 
and my heart soars.
Our eyes meet,
and I know I’m yours
Never be the same again, 
that’s for sure.

Do I believe in love at first sight?

Love At First Sight - Tom Régnier, Jussi Welin, Mark J Bennett & Boon-Suzuki

Mark says,
"Making music with Rodolfo is always exciting and often a challenge, although I know we both find it stimulating, as we always aim to reach high and this post is no exception. This new song, started its gestation almost a year ago, instantly showed a lot of promise and since has been through many stages of exploration and rounds of problem-solving. The painfully blunt lyrics were initially inspired by a friend's brutal relationship break-up, but the final result is much heavier. I hope you find it moving rather than disturbing, I was trying to match the mood of Rod's deeply dramatic music."

Rodolfo says,
"I think it's a fantastic song and you've done an amazing job on both the story and the vocals, especially those tough lines. When I was writing it, I just felt like a modern blues with a techno vibe was taking shape. The final sound was defined by the story and those really dramatic, emotional lyrics. You might want to make it clear that it's a fictional story to avoid giving our friends heart attacks."

We appreciate all of the kind support that the Soundcloud community has given our collaborations. Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts, Mark and Rodolfo

Now available on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5pfvPjop9XCJPrVL9a60U0

Rodolfo Planes - Music composition, instrumentation, arrangement, production and mix https://soundcloud.com/rplanes
Me - Vocals and lyrics

Moments of stress,
How did you deal with the rest?
All that is left of you and me,
Is wrecked.
How can we expect,
To go on when there’s nothing at all left?
 
…Left in the lurch,
You should have done more research.
I was truly never a safe bet for you…
For you could have made,
A much better match than you did with me.
 
Open your eyes,
I promise you won’t be surprised,
It’s been there before you,
All along, all of the way…
…Way before you had sensed,
That we had got it all so wrong by then.
 
Moments of stress,
All such a mess,
It’s anyone’s guess,
How it all went so wrong?
Moments of stress,
No more nor less,
Need I express,
How it all went so wrong?

Moments Of Stress - Continental Collision (by Rodolfo Planes/Mark J Bennett) on Spotify now

This is new take on a song that Rodolfo and I first worked on 4 years ago. He had always imagined it with fine saxophone and great backing harmonies and now that Continental Collision has a wonderful pool of talent to draw on, that has become a reality, thanks to Ce Mastro and Georg Boehme's beautiful contributions.
The song has been given so much more feeling and emotion.
Thanks to them and Rodolfo for believing that we could succeed  and thanks to all of you for listening.

Rodolfo Planes - Music composition, instrumentation, arrangement, production and mix - @rplanes
Me - Vocals and additional lyrics
Javier Rolando - Original song lyrics
Ce Mastro - Backing vocals and chorus vocal arrangement - @cemastro
Georg Boehme - Sax solo and fills - @georg-boehme
Image (Caithness, Scotland): Courtesy of Douglas Corrance

A Stranger In Your Heart - Continental Collision featuring Ce Mastro & Georg Boehme

I don't know what I've done wrong?
I don't know why you have gone?
Though I hope some day,
When I whisper your name,
We'll be together.
But today's too soon.
When I think of you, I dream.
Yet still, I'm a stranger,
Yet still, I'm a stranger in your heart.

Sometimes I feel like a fool.
Never knowing whether you'll,
Give me hope some day,
Still I call your name.
We'll be together.
Is today too soon?
When I think of you, I dream.
No longer a stranger,
No longer a stranger in your heart.

A Stranger In Your Heart - Continental Collision (featuring Ce Mastro and Georg Boehme)

Three Owls are
 Régulo Tortolero: Drums, Bass, Cuatro Venezolano and lyrics 
 Oorlab https://soundcloud.com/oorlab : Lead Vocals and Backing Vocals, Piano, Strings and lyrics
Mark Bennett: Lead and Backing Vocals and lyrics

Recorded at NoHum Studio, El Limón - Venezuela and Oorlab Studio, Amersfoort - Netherlands and Edinburgh, UK 2025. Mixed by: R.T. ©® NoHum Records 2025  All Rights Reserved

Recorded and Produced by Three Owls 
 Art Cover: Mark J Bennett

Régulo (AKA @kings-of-manguareo) in Venezuela started this project a year ago with a piece called ‘Al Paso C’.
After several evolutions involving Dick (Oorlab) and myself, then the new title was suggested by Régulo and we ventured into space, with a ‘Musical Consequences’ scenario. I started off the lyrics, then Régulo added some lines and finally Dick completed them. Soundcloud is a great place for experimentation. Many thanks to my collaborators and also to you for taking part by listening, Mark

Am I the follower?
 Pleiades am I bound? 
Pleiades I am bound,
 I am the follower.

Aldebaran, Aldebaran, Aldebaran, Aldebaran… 
Never going, never going… coming back!

The fiery eye of Taurus,
 Trains its gaze upon, 
Orion’s shiny belt 
And it's perfect triad
 Over all of us
 For all eternity…

As long as the sun will shine
 And the magnetic field  
Stays well aligned 
The World will keep itself  
On course.

The long night will turn around
 Winter solstice is here 
Aldebaran will rise
 The ice will disappear

Aldebaran by Three Owls

Tom Régnier https://soundcloud.com/tom-r-gnier approached me with a beautiful piano piece and with the words 'Kiss Me Goodbye' to ask if I could make a song lyric out of this. After receiving my short sung part and having superb contributions from Jussi Welin https://soundcloud.com/juswel (Guitars and guitar arrangements) and Georg Boehme https://soundcloud.com/georg-boehme (Flute & Horns), Tom described it more as a journey than a song and I think he is right.
Painting by Paul Cézanne.


Kiss me goodbye
Now is the time
For us to part
Let it show
With all of your heart
Kiss me goodbye, let me go

Kiss Me Goodbye - Tom Régnier & Friends

Mark says - 
In the 5 years I have been working with Rod, I have been encouraged to reach as far as my experience allows me to, with complete support at all times. So far we have completed 11 songs and have experimented with several others that made for a great learning curve for me, with several more at other stages of development... Watch this space, however as we are methodical and patient, therefore it may take some time to get them off the ground.

The subject matter of this song may be based on a different scenario but it is also a token of my gratitude to my inspirational collaborator and friend Rod, who has given me much confidence to rise to the ambition of his musical creativity and meticulous arrangements. Thank you all for giving this song your time.

Rod says - 
This song was conceived a long time ago to be sung in Spanish, but Mark did a magnificent adaptation with his English lyrics, and the meaning is 100% faithful to the original spirit, even though he hadn't heard the original song in Spanish. Technically, there are three voices together, consolidating a multi-vocal performance. The synth sounds emulate my old analog and FM synths, and the guitars were routed through an old console to achieve the vintage sound I was looking for.

Rodolfo Planes - Music composition, instrumentation, arrangement, production and mix - @rplanes
Me - Vocals and lyrics
Image by Douglas Corrance

Thank You (Rodolfo Planes/Mark J Bennett)

I would like to tell you just how grateful I am,
And also how important you’ve been here in my life.
I know I don’t need to draw you a diagram,
Thank you for being there all this time as my wife.
I have to tell you just how good you’ve been for me,
And I hope that I have also been there for you,
When you needed me through all this trouble and strife.
 
No need to show me all of your gratitude,
I already know how much you show that you care,
When you were prepared to move to my latitude,
Then I was convinced I was ready to share,
My life with you whatever it threw at the both of us.
I know that it’s true, no matter what you care to say.
I’ll always need to express all of my thanks to you 
This will always be true on that I swear.
 
I would like to tell you just how grateful I am,
And also how important you’ve been in, in my life.
I have to tell you just how good you’ve been for me,
And I hope that I have also been there for you,
When you needed me through all this trouble and strife.
Then I was sure that I was ready to share,
My whole life with you, whatever that meant for the both of us.
I know that it’s true, whatever you say.

This song on Continental Collision's own cloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-517923604/thank-you

Also available on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5pfvPjop9XCJPrVL9a60U0

Thank You - Continental Collision (Rodolfo Planes & Mark J Bennett) on Spotify

Tom's piano melodies are so inspirational, not just to me (Mark) but also to Jussi, Georg and Boon. The energy of this piece carried us all off on a wonderful journey. We hope you enjoy the joyful enthusiasm that Tom initiated. Tom also gave me the key line, 'My Way Through' and I had to run with it as it made so much sense with this uplifting and hopeful music. Thanks for listening.

Tom Regnier -  @tom-r-gnier Music composition, piano and other instrumentation
Jussi Welin - @juswel First guitar and guitar arrangement
Georg Boehme - @georg-boehme Horns and horn arrangement
Boon Suzuki - @boon-suzuki Final guitar and guitar arrangement
Mark Bennett - Vocals and lyrics

Wherever you’re bound you know I’ll, 
Make my way through 
Sure may take a little while
 But I’ll make my way through

Wherever I’m bound I know I’ll,
 Make my way through
 It may take a longer while 
Till I make my way through

Wherever you’re bound,
…You’re bound
I know that I’m bound, yeah!

When I get there you know I’ll
Make my way through
Sure may need a broader smile
But I’ll make my way through.

Desamor - Tom Régnier, Jussi Welin, Boon Suzuki & Mark J Bennett

When Lee Lucas posted a collaborative version of this song before Christmas https://soundcloud.com/lee-lucas/lee-lucas-mark-j-bennett-the-parting-glass, he suggested that I put out an open invitation for anyone to collaborate with the original stem. Of course, I appreciate that grafting any type of arrangement on to an acapella vocal track isn't easy but I'd welcome any approach. This is an Irish traditional song but it may well withstand a modern arrangement. The vocal stem has lots of reverb and echo on it but should you need a drier stem to work with, just message me and I can send a naked version. Also feel free to take some liberties with this should it lend itself in any other treatment. 

I raise my glass to those brave enough to listen to me tightrope-walking and also to those who might consider taking on this challenge. Cheers!


Of all the money that e'er I had
I have spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ought to be
By a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass

Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all

The Parting Glass - Open Collaboration

Manuel kindly posted a great platform as an open collaboration - https://soundcloud.com/esemanolain-ruizzo/smiling-dudette-open-collaboration which felt melancholic and open to various interpretations including this reading of one of Wilfred Owen's most poignant World War One poems. Thanks for sharing this wonderful inspiring piece Manuel. 

For more information on Owen -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfred_Owen

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, -
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing down of blinds.

Anthem For Doomed Youth (Music by E-Ruizzo / Poetry by Wilfred Owen)

The title comes from an American arts magazine which recently called Glasgow born architect, artist and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928), 'The Prophet of Pure Perfection'. Mackintosh was initially internationally and critically acclaimed, then the architectural commissions dried up and he painted watercolours. With his wife and collaborator Margaret, he moved to France as it was cheaper to live there than in Britain at the time. A sad end to a brilliant career. Now his work is cashed in on by 'Mockintosh' merchandise ('the Profit of Cheap Imitation'). If you want to find out more about him, try the link, http://www.crmsociety.com/

Image of CRM's masterpiece Glasgow School of Art (courtesy of Doug Corrance)
   
Words and music by Mark Bennett - played and recorded using GarageBand. 

Pure Perfection in line and stone,
One of the city's very own,
To neglect and to disown.
Has since become a commodity,
In tea-towels, mugs and jewellery.

Pure perfection nature inspired,
Styles were changing, patrons grew tired,
Soon forgotten and retired,
Except his originality,
Stands for all humanity.

Pure perfection two souls as one,
Collaboration, all now is done,
Premature oblivion,
In rural French obscurity,
Lost in genteel poverty.

Pure perfection in line and stone.

Pure Perfection

Kings of Manguareo Present:
El Manguareo by Three Owls 
Music by: Régulo Tortolero and Dick Vestdijk (https://soundcloud.com/oorlab)
Lyrics by: Mark J Bennett 

Three Owls:
Régulo Tortolero: Bateria, Bajo, Cuatro, Maracas, Clave
Dick Vestdijk: Piano, Slide Guitar
Mark J Bennett: Lyrics and Lead and Backing Vocals
Recorded at NoHum Studio, El Limón - Venezuela and Oorlab Studio, Amersfoort - Netherlands, May 2018 and December 2019 and Edinburgh, UK January 2020.
Mixed by: R.T.
©® NoHum Records 2020 
All Rights Reserved

My very good friend Régulo (AKA https://soundcloud.com/kings-of-manguareo) in Venezuela asked me to write a lyric about 'El Manguareo', which means prevarication. I am very happy that he liked it as I was a bit nervous writing and singing in a very different genre. 
Photo of San Sebastian de La Gomera by Douglas Corrance (used with kind permission)

El Manguareo

Why would you do today, 
When you can put off ’til tomorrow?
You think that I’m being lazy, 
I’ve got all day, You’re just crazy
So why all the hurry,
Why do you scurry 
Around all the time?
This ain’t lethargy,
It’s my kind of energy

They call me 
‘El Manguareo’,
A sight to see
‘El Manguareo’

So what if I look rough?
My beard ain’t hurting anybody.  
Where is my need to put on a show,
When I’ve got nowhere at all to go?
Give me the incentive
I’ll be inventive,
Bang right on time.
Some motivation,
I’ll race to the station    

‘El Manguareo’

Why would you do today, 
When you can put off ’til tomorrow?
You think that I’m being lazy, 
I’ve got all day, You’re just crazy
So why all the hurry,
Why do you scurry 
Around all the time?
This ain’t lethargy,
It’s my kind of energy

Vocalese outro...

El Manguareo by Three Owls

A couple of months ago, Rodolfo Planes from Tierra del Fuego sent me a wonderful piece of music (in a different key and without lead guitar) that he hoped I’d write lyrics for… 
I was so excited that the first verse popped into my head almost straightaway, and with great patience and honesty, Rodolfo lead me through the learning curve that would be the gestation of this song.
The passionate music somehow stirred in me a sense of longing and belonging, combined with the enforced isolation from loved ones during lockdown. I think Rodolfo’s music helped me express this powerfully.
His solo still continues to move me even after countless listens. I am very grateful to him for this opportunity and I sincerely hope we can work on other projects. 
Thanks for listening and please check out Rodolfo’s cloud if you can.

Composition, instrumentation, arrangement and production: https://soundcloud.com/rplanes
Lyrics and vocals: https://soundcloud.com/markjbennett
Image of Loch Maree, Scotland used with kind permission of Douglas Corrance.

https://continentalcollision.bandcamp.com/track/set-me-down-that-road

I know where I’m going,
Though I don’t know where I am.
My drive ain’t slowing,
If it’s Birmingham, Alabam.
Gotta get me on the road,
Back to where I’m coming from,
Might not have the zip code,
But I know where I belong. 
I know, I know, I know that I belong.
It might take me some time,
But I’m on my way already.
Set me down that road.

I know what I’m missing,
And where I might find it.
Without even reminiscing,
I’m right back there, I admit.
Close my eyes, and I’m there,
Though in reality,
I’m still stuck in elsewhere,
And I’m the absentee.   
I know, I know, I know that I’ve done wrong.
It might take me some time,
But I’m on my way already.
Set me down that road.

I’ve been uninvited,
Yet I felt compelled to come
A need to be reunited,
Whatever the outcome.
This prodigal believes,
In the error of his ways.
He vows that he’ll never leave,
Where his hat now he lays
I know, I know, I know that I’m back home.
It has taken some time,
But I feel at home already.
I’ve been down that road.

Set Me Down That Road - Continental Collision - Now Available on Bandcamp

Dear listener, Feel free to leave comments and I'll try to reply.

I've been making music for around 16 years now but because of the wonderfully generous community that is SC, I have learned so much in a short time. I look forward to learning even more by collaborating. 
I suppose my strengths are in lyric-writing and singing. I feel fortunate to have been able to work with some stunning compositions by some very talented SCers.

My very best to you, Mark

Some links to recent Continental Collision streaming sites, etc are available below:

markjbennett

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