Beautiful laid back track, Mark. Well done all of you :)

Beautiful crafted song all of you, touching lyrics and vocals Mark!! Really lovely!!

Wonderful song about falling out of love and a cracking job by all involved here.  That nylon stringed guitar was jthe right instrument to top it all off I felt. TOP JOB Folks...

A quite intriguing song very melancholy and a really pleasant listen with cool instrumentation & l like your vocal approach Mark 👍

A well captured topic,Mark. A beautifully musical track,a pleasure to hear.

really sweet song Mark, Tom, Jussi, and Boon's musical contributions are excellent, love the electric and acoustic guitar leads and the Tom's piano piece and melody are very affecting, your lyrics and vocals bring further life to the piece, great emotionally resonating music by all, a total delight to hear!

what an all star line up , great song to all lads involved .

A great collaboration and a top quality song.

Collaborations with Tom Régnier

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

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

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.

My Way Through - Tom Régnier & Friends

Memories

More than a little indisposed, yet not fully out of service, there's always some great music to sing and play.

"Sotto le stelle del Jazz" was written by Paolo Conte in 1983, and released on his third eponymous album.

Guitar by my son Gideon.

We hope you'll enjoy it, and I whisper "I love you" ;)

I will not try an English translation this time, cause the lyrics are full of allegories, and after all I'm not a poet :). Luckily there are some poets around on SC, and so very special thanks so to Michele Ansani (@michele-ansani check out his music) for providing both an English translation, and food for thought. You can find his translation below.

lyrics

Certi capivano il jazz
L'argenteria spariva
Ladri di stelle e di jazz
Così eravamo noi, così eravamo noi
Pochi capivano il jazz
Troppe cravatte sbagliate
Ragazzi scimmia del jazz
Così eravamo noi, così eravamo noi

Sotto le stelle del jazz
Ma quanta notte è passata
Marisa, svegliami, abbracciami
È stato un sogno fortissimo
Le donne odiavano il jazz
Non si capisce il motivo

Sotto le stelle del jazz
Un uomo scimmia cammina
O forse balla, chissà

Duemila enigmi nel jazz
Ah, non si capisce il motivo
Nel tempo fatto di attimi
E settimane enigmistiche

Sotto la luna del jazz
And now here me jazz
I whisper, "I love you"
I whisper, "I love you"

English

Some could understand jazz,
while the silverware disappeared
thieves of stars and of jazz,
that’s what we were, that’s what we were.

Few could understand jazz,
too many wrong ties around,
monkey boys of jazz
that’s what we were, that’s what we were.

Under the stars of jazz
how many nights have gone by,
Marisa wake me, hold me close,
it was such a powerful dream.
Women used to hate jazz,
“the tune is hard to find”

Under the stars of jazz
a monkey-man is walking
or maybe he’s dancing, who knows.
Two thousand riddles in jazz,
“the tune is hard to find”
In time made of fleeting moments
and crossword-puzzle weeks.

Under the moon of jazz
and now listen to me, jazz,
I whisper: “I love you,”
I whisper: “I love you.”

Sotto le stelle del Jazz (Paolo Conte - Giddy and Rob Jam)

Zorba Remastered (Unloved)

Demo Songs

The Truth (Remix 2025)

Cast of Characters:
Single Use & Recycled -- @user-995867230 -- Bill — acousitc rhythm and lead guitar and composition
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four-string bass
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums and percussion
J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – synth strings
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — acoustic rhythm guitar, production, mix, and mastering
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals and lyrics

This song started as an idea Bill came up with on his acoustic guitar. Having found each other on the Cloud and enjoying each other's music, Josh and Bill decided to do a collab. Bill is a real deal guitarist, who's as prolific as he is skilled. Of course, Josh invited Eclectic Collective to the party, too.
  Shortly after doing so, he laid down a bass part to Bill's skeleton withi his four string fretless bass. Ken followed suit, and after a back and forth, completed the rhythms secion. JJ dug in next, adding the thrilling strings that highlight the high points of the melody. 
  There wasn't a whole lot of room for everyone on this, though, as Bill had the guitar parts nailed down tight. However, after sitting on the shelf for about half a year, Carl came along and added the missing piece with his raucuos vocals. Stephen also fattened up the sound a bit with his acoustic rhythm guitar.  
  Once it was in the can, we asked Stephen to work his production, mix, and mastering magic on it, too, which he came through with, as always.
  This brilliant song almost didn't see the light of day. It sat for what felt like forever, until we decided to revive it. This will not be the last collab we do with Bill, though, who was generous in not only sharing his music with us, but allowing us to do whatever we wanted with it, too. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.  

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:

Shifty shire
Ah, redistrict rot
Dividing a country for power by plot
Gerry's meandering
Not thinking of sane
What colourful friends can stop red rain?

With freedom waning
Conversation is paused
A few rich men failing
With solidarity cause
Shift the shire!
At minority we've baulked
That mind inconvenient
New red lines are chalked

State turf wars are on
Ah, redistrict rot
Dividing a country for power by plot
For the rights of the white man
We missing those slaves
So legislate oppression
That skin 'aint red way

Shire (Eclectic Collective with Single Use & Recycled)

I decided to take another stab at this song for Halloween.
New instruments and added a strumming guitar track.    Completely new vocals and updated chorus.
***
In the dark of night, there's things that don't feel right.
Like a creature of the night with a healthy appetite
I saw a beautiful woman standing by the dance floor
I met her gaze she smiled at me
I knew the rest was history as my heart beat quickly in my chest.

The night past by in one big blur and in the morning there was no sign of her
I tried so hard to convince myself that it was only just a dream

Baby I want to see the sun shine on your face
Cause maybe you’re a vampire dressed in lace

As the day began to wane and darkness fell like bloody rain
I could feel a sense of foreboding in the air
I turned around and she was there
Next to me with long dark hair
Staring at me with a hungry pointy grin (hungry pointy grin)

Baby I want to see the sun shine on your face
Cause maybe you’re a vampire dressed in lace
Now she stops by every night and something tells me things aren’t right
Cause it’s been more than a week since I’ve seen the light of day

Now that you’ve heard my story, I hope you believe it’s true
My memory’s kind of foggy. There’s not much I can do
I’m sick of being stuck in this cold dark place
I want to feel the sun shine on my face
And I’m searching for a cure to what’s ailing me (what’s ailing me)

Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby I want to see the sun shine on your face
Cause maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe you’re a vampire dressed in lace

Baby I want to see the sun shine on your face
Cause maybe you’re a vampire dressed in lace

Vampire Dressed In Lace (2025)

Link to the Youtube vid - https://youtu.be/_nsDeIYUlIM

Lyrics
Well if love’s just a word that you heard 
There’d be no need to be scared of a word
But when down and you’re so solo down
You gotta fly to make someone your ground

What if hope’s just a smile that you show
Has every new path got a chance to be alone
Where I was scared now I’m feeling brave
You’re not the only one that we saved

Dream…I don’t dream anymore
Feel…Just like I’ve felt before 
and before and before

When your trust’s just a must to feel real
Can an empty bubble only dream to heal

Dream…I don’t dream anymore
Feel…Just like I’ve felt before
Seeing…People dying to be saved
Believing…That no good will come from grace 
Yeah no good can come from grace

Are you ready 
For your face to fit the place
To find a mind 
To hide inside 
Of that human race
But I’m still waiting 
For your fate to turn to faith
But is it fair 
To stop the race 
Before you start the chase

So how do you dream 
Cos I don’t dream anymore
How do you feel 
When you’ve felt it all before
What’s worth seeing 
If a worth less can’t be saved
No point believing  
Are you still holding out for faith
You’re telling me you’re giving me love for real
And hope I learn to trust the faith you deal
We know our dreams are bullets hidden inside our sleep
So it’s up to us to bleed the love we need
But you keep telling me you’re giving me love for real
And hope I learn to trust the faith we deal
We know our dreams are bullets hidden inside of sleep
So it’s up to us to bleed the love we need
It’s up to us to bleed the love we need 

But is it love that we need
Or just hope that we can feel
Is it love that we all find
Or just echoes lost inside
Is it love we must believe
An empty heart still has to breathe
So is it love we all need to find
Or is it just echoes lost deep inside
Are we just echoes deep inside
Are we just echoes lost inside


Love echoes

Skin In The Game

Here are some vocals on Freedownload . Who want can use all of it or parts of it mixing it with music or as featuring in another .song...
Also you can, if you feel like, modulate, make loops or special effects ...  
Of course, let me know you if you do a track in Collab, mention my name & I wil share it :)

My Friend Dean Grant aka RICO made yet 2 tracks with it  
https://soundcloud.com/ricochet8888/awake-awarececilia-rico
https://soundcloud.com/ricochet8888/awake-aware-cecilia-rico-1

AWAKE  & AWARE - Accapellas

This started with a very beautiful piano piece by Tom, then advanced by Jussi’s great electric guitar lead. I added an imagined lyric about someone not being able to commit to a relationship and the song was completed by Boon’s excellent acoustic guitar work. Thanks to all for their wonderful contributions. Thanks everyone for giving this a listen. Much appreciated by us all. 

Desamor by Tom Régnier, Jussi Welin, Boon Suzuki and Mark J Bennett

There’s an absence in my life, 
Perhaps of my own device. 
An awkward independence, 
Rendered me unable to share,
 My life with any other. 
Desamor, Desamor

There’s an absence in my life,
 Desamor, Desamor 
An awkward independence,
 Left me unable to share.
 Desamor, Desamor
 Keeping a distance from love and affection, 
Forbidding myself that joy.

There’s an absence in my life,
 Desamor, Desamor

Keeping a distance from love and affection, 
 Forbidding myself that joy.
 Desamor, Desamor

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

True

True (in the style of Spandau Ballet)

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:

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

markjbennett

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