SC Late 2024 Playlist

Cast of characters:
Ross Smithe -- @ross-smithe – foundational piano, synth, arrangement, lead vocals, first vocal harmony, mix and production.
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- electric piano, drums, and high vocal harmony
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – four-string fretless bass, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, and lowest harmony in the vocal break

This grateful Dead song has been a favorite of mine for most of my life. So, when Ross and I were tossing around ideas for a Dead song to cover, we landed on this one. Ross, being the superb musician that he is, laid down a skeleton for the whole song on his piano, and added his vocals, as well as some synth that you hear at the very beginning. 
  Once we had a solid foundation to work from, Ken added his raucous main drums. Then, to get the effect of two drummers, like the Dead, JJ added some simpler, back-up drums, too. Once the drums were there, Josh added his four string fretless bass to the stew. Now that the rhythm section was done, JJ added his Brent-like electric piano, sprinkling magic throughout. Then it was time for me to go to work with the 6-strings. First, I added a rhythm guitar, trying to do justice to Bob Weir. Once that was completed, I also got to lay down Jerry's lead part, which I enjoyed immensely.
  After the music was complete, JJ added his high harmony throughout the song. Josh also added the lowest harmony in the a cappella vocal break. Since all the pieces were now in place, it was time for a mix. 
  In the current version, Ross generously did a mix, including some automation, to replace my initial, rough  "audience" mix. This is the better "sound board" version of the song, as mixed expertly by Ross. 
  Our real goal with this one was to have a song we could show our deadhead friends with pride. We hope we did the Dead, their fans, and their music a service by keeping their amazing music alive. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

The Wheel by the Grateful Dead (The Eclectic Collective with Ross Smithe)

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

Moon Mood / Paploviante Open Collaboration Offer 
Paploviante: E-Bass, Composing, Arrangement, Mix and Mastering 
BPM 110
Free Download
Feel free to adding something !
If you publish it, you have to mention me in the description and title!

Moon Mood - Open Collaboration Offer

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

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)

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.

Krummhörn

Morten Jeamland