I really like the delicate and lacey feel to this piece.  So easy to listen to and also fantastic chord changes!

This is spectacular, right from the opening notes! You have a lovely organic, earthy voice too - loved listening to this great song :)

Chord it beautiful💞  Piano sound fantastic🌈

delicate delivery is the key to this lovely recording

Such a gorgeous elegant melody, delivered with beautiful precision, Mark.

Mark J Bennett & I

bless the mic...

——

guess I might
as well
bless the mic
cast spells

guess I might
as well
bless the mic
bless the mic

——

sirobosi frawstakwa
sorcerer supreme
lord of all chaos
law and order 

mastered the dark arts
spark the light to see
what oracles warned us 
of in horror 

watch out throughout
alternate realities
the very fabric of existence
is cloaked 

with the wave of a wand 
in a word it’s wizardry
stirring the cauldron 
it’s boiling over

where my witches and warlocks
up in here with me
get wicked and rock out
heads are rolling 

ceremonial offerings
blood to pour but please
don’t allow the power
to corrupt or control

will I torture souls nonstop
or set spirits free
either way let’s be honest
there’s no one

who wants all that drama
be gone at once and keep
on making that magic 
the moment

——

chanting ancient incantations 

——

guess I might
as well
bless the mic
cast spells

guess I might
as well
bless the mic
bless the mic

——

for more go here...

https://tsu.onelink.me/znrO/e83a21f4

use referral code @frawstakwa...

——

contact me here...

www.wowapp.com/w/frawstakwa

——

#frawstakwaforyou

bless the mic...

It ended up a lot more 80s than I originally intended.
---
Fish with anxiety problems
Lobsters with anxiety problems
Squid with anxiety problems

They think about
Disturbing facts
They think about
Things I don't want to
But I don't want to
Come across as
The kind of person
You'd walk away from so

I'm trying hard to be happy
Even though everything is wrong
I'm trying not to be down
Even though that doesn't really work

Girls with anxiety problems
Boys with anxiety problems
Robots with anxiety problems

They think too much
They focus on
On all the things that
That could go wrong but
But I don't want to
Come across as
The kind of person
You wouldn't talk to so

[Repeat chorus]

Fish with anxiety problems etc.

[Repeat chorus]
---
Produced arranged composed performed recorded & mixed (inexpertly) by Wheelwright in bedroom.
---
Original photo (I've messed about with it a bit) Sigmund https://unsplash.com/@sigmund
---

I'm Trying Hard To Be Happy

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

Written, performend and recorded by Neli CoKo
Bremen, 2021, all rights reserved.
Lyrics:
Beware of the beast inside you
Be aware of the beast inside you
1. Treachery is the mortal blow
to every kind of faith
No relationship can grow
Behind a doubled face
Beware of the beast inside you
Be aware of the beast inside you
2. Treachery is the brotherly kiss
with a dagger on one´s back
Foreside smiling innocence
Back side the attack
Beware of the beast inside you
Be aware of the beast inside you
3. Treachery is inexcusable
A scar that never heals
Treachery is unforgettable 
Once it is revealed
Beware of the beast inside you
Be aware of the beast inside you
(c) Neli CoKo

Neli CoKo  Treachery

How do you feel about the rights of others, or about your own?
A mood statement about otherness and uniqueness, sexuality and self-determination.

With great thanks to all involved, may the future be better!

---

Vocals
Milky Himself @milkyhimself
Malu https://www.instagram.com/lunartickband/
Marquis Zane @couch-king-presents
Peter Sparker @peter-sparker

Guitars
Fabi @theblacksuedeshoes

Keys, Bass, Drums
bitzone @bitzone

---

*Milky*
aye aye aye … listen up …

What were you conditioned to believe in?
Is a woman and a man equal are they even?
Love is unconditional then does it need a reason?
If a man loves a man is he a heathen?

If we both love girls have a threesome
bring her cousin, get our freak on
I don’t really care who I put meat on 
you can turn the lights off, baby leave the beat on

I be like …

Love who you wanna love.
fuck who you wanna fuck, suck who you wanna suck.
Love who you wanna love.
Plus you can never love too much

yeah and really though:

See I don’t fuck with the requirements
and I don’t chime in when the choir sings
Hose you down like the firemen
I think the patriarchy needs retirement, so I’m denying them.

• Are you under the rainbow looking up or on a high-horse looking down?

*Malu*
Gay pride wants you to fall, why don't you want that pot of gold. 

*Peter*
You do you I'ma do me
we don't gotta be enemies
jus because we disagree
everyone is entitled to their own opinion
not hurtin anyone continue livin how you livin
be who you are don't hide yoself
if you do then you'll always feel by yoself
I'm not gay but if I was
what other people thought I wouldn't give a fuck
so nothin against anybody that is
it's your choice to live the life you live
live it
people fear what they don't understand
it's double bad if you're a gay Black Man
some men love to see Women kiss
but not 2 men yo that don't make sense
but again people like what they like
but what what you likes not a reason to take yo life

• Are you under the rainbow looking up or on a high-horse looking down?

*Malu*
Misogyny and hate, your mother would be so ashamed. 
Within your lyrics, there beats a second pulse. 
But you don't care as long as you wear gold. 

*Couch*
Looking up not giving up
Sure footing not secure enough 
Thru signaling escape rebuff  
Still limiting by law will snuff

Ya think ya finna stand right up
Until ya bout to loose ya stuff 
Ya medals and your trophy cups
Your devils that a cause stir up

Your chance to be the best in club
Your stance that causes mass erupt
Societal division ta
Keep the power that is stuck  

This ain’t disorderly conduct   
When independence disrupts they don’t give a fuck 
When it comes down to it will I give it up 
Step down from looking down and start looking up

*Malu*
Gay pride wants you to fall, why don't you want that pot of gold. 
Within your lyrics, there beats a second pulse. 
But you don't care as long as you wear gold. 

• Are you under the rainbow looking up?

---

Mixed & Produced by bitzone 2022

Under The Rainbow

Under The Rainbow #Fabi|Milky Himself|Malu|Peter Sparker|Couch King

Decided to revise the original lyrics a bit after Merle Haggard died.

Wish I Could Go Back In Time - (Raw Original by Tony Harris)

Dedicated to all the bad girls in my life.
Lyrics:
Well, i've seen her around 
I've seen her hanging around Downtown
And walking in the halls
At Pomona Junior College
She has a leather jacket
And a Darby Crash T-shirt on
And I find it so attractive
When she tears out on the 
Museum Lawn
She has a Kawasaki death ray smile (2X)
She takes her charm gun
And she sets it to stun
You know she did. You know she did

They say opposites attract
She seems to be a spy for love
But she's actively rooting for its decline 
She set off the fire alarm
Just to see it rain inside
She gave me something for 'a trip'
And now I've lost my scholarship 
She has a Kawasaki death ray smile (2X)
Now she takes her charm gun
And sets it to stun
You know she did. You know she did

She says she is a heretic
But in her hair
Underneath her motorcycle helmet
She wears French barrettes
She has a Kawasaki death ray smile (2X)
She takes her charm gun
And set it to stun
You know she did. You know she did

She has a Kawasaki death ray smile
And there's no more looking back
For this all-American boy

Kawasaki Death Ray Smile

℗ © Copyright Ian Stokes. All Rights Reserved
Recorded and mixed using Logic. Mastered in Soundcloud
Guitars played: Morris Nylon String in standard tuning.
Photography: Thanks go to Nigel and Libby Hume at Hume Photography.

I wrote this instrumental as a tribute to all buskers who bring a little joyful music and light to our streets.

The Busker

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

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

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

Une exploration du réseau spatio-kairotique, avec le Souffle de Padirac... (un album complet est en préparation...)

Le Souffle de Padirac

Oh love divine so pure so bright

A song inspired on an article I once read about Aeham Ahmad, the piano player from Yarmouk, Syria, who's piano was burned by IS.  After this he flee from his country and ended up in Germany. He still plays the piano; you can also find him here on SoundCloud!  @aeham_ahmad




DISCONNECTED

I used to feel free
In my beloved country
There was nothing to image 
that could make me want to leave that place
I used to play piano
And sang songs of love and happiness
Now those days are  gone, those lovely days are gone

I am disconnected
disconnected

My piano is destroyed now
They burned out the devil
My piano was executed and I’m sure 
I would be next if I would stay around too long
So I started travelling
Without knowing where to go
I started travelling
I just had to go.

I am disconnected
Disconnected

I’ve travelled by car, by trains and busses
I walked for many hours
While I sat on boat on the endless sea
I thought it never ended
I’ve waited for gates, without food in the rain 
I crossed 9 borders
Now I here and 
I’m disconnected

I’m disconnected
disconnected

Disconnected

Carnet de croquis
Carnet de route
  ---- ----
Sketchbook
Travelogue

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:

An Angel Passed By - Tom Régnier and Mark J Bennett

markjbennett

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