Hello Valerie. Amazing, incredible, powerful, dynamic vocals!! Really good work on the instrumental part too. Overall an amazing track, well done!

Nice voice, sounds amazing on the top end.

That voice! Those steel licks!! Great job.

Like the Steel guitar Solo. Great singing and arrangement.

Copyright Valerie Kramer 2013

I live up high in them hills
My mountain shine don't need no still
I spent my life slaving for the swells
I've done my time swallowing swill

When the work was done out in the fields
All the cotton spun in the old gin wheel
I took my pay bought an old six string
And that boss man saw the last of me

Nobody knows what lay ahead
Things left undone and left unsaid
Gotta do what's right gotta live my life
Let me go up to mountain shine

Play my guitar by firelight
I sing my songs all through the night
When the sun comes up I'm feeling fine
Cuz I don't need nothing, but my mountain shine

Mountain Shine

This Is Not The End

Recover

Smile

Free association is a psychoanalytic technique term (basically) for unfiltered conversation.
A Barroom is a place to get drunk.
This is a sad country love song.

Lyrics:
I'm just checking in
To see how you've been
It's been a long while since I made you cry
At that Airport adjacent Bar
Where the chem trails cross the sky
I'd call that an empathetic lie
Things changed
We rarely talk anymore
I have a hard time being reached on the phone

I miss...
How you talk all night
And how you set the world right
I miss...
Our barroom free association
How I miss that dress
My life's a mess
Oh, I miss
Our barroom free association

I rarely open myself up like this
But love affairs are in the eyes of the beholders
That what what they told ya

I could be your evening yet unplanned
I could be karaoke Plastic Ono Band
I could be 
With the Unseen Hand

I miss...
How your conversation  sorts the darkness through the light
I miss...
How you love the creatures of the night
I miss...
The way you enjoy the randomness of things
I miss...
How you love what every single day will bring
I miss...
Your forgiveness when I mess up everything that's right
I miss...
Our barroom free association

Barroom Free Association


Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synth, and composition

The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals and lyrics

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ, electric piano, and synth

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh –Collings mandolin, bowed upright double bass and Warwick four-string fretless electric bass guitar 

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- Timpani, steel pan, triangle, arpeggiated synth, synth effects, backing vocals, and production editing

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken — drums and percussion

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production


This song began its life when Chris put ass to chair and came up with it a while back. This is the latest of the massive song collection he laid on Eclectic Collective about a month and a half ago. Be prepared to hear a lot more of his songs coming through our fingers and voices, because we now have a plethora of great material from him. So, Chris came up with this arrangement on his acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and synth, but it was a pretty solid composition, even by his standards, and it had the magic already baked in.

  The first one of us to grab a hold of it was Carl, who immediately heard his vocal part, which he supplied with his always striking lyrics. JJ was the first instrumentalist to add his part, laying in the delightful organ, electric piano, and synth you hear throughout. Josh came out swinging next, adding his upright bass, which he bowed. He also added the delayed mandolin track you head trickling throughout, as well. Mark came along shortly after, adding his dramatic timpani, enchanting steel pan, cool triangle, arpeggiated synth, and synth effects to the mix. He also did some major editing, making room for Stephen's guitar solo, and adjusting some parts at the end. Mark also added some backing vocals, quoting George Harrison's Here Comes the Sun. If you listen closely, you can hear his Easter eggs in there. 

  At this point, the song sounded almost classical, especially Josh's bowed bass part. However, Ken still had something to say in here, adding his remarkable, driving drums to the whole thing. Josh, recognizing the sea change this created, added his fretless four-string to match Ken's kick. Stephen was able to blend the two in the production phase. But not before installing his absolutely thrilling electric guitar solo in there. Stephen did a wonderful job of producing, mixing, and mastering this for us, as always, when it was all in the can.

  This is the first song Carl has gotten to sing that Chris has written. We're all super excited to unleash this combo on the world. This song reminds Josh of one of his favorite bands, The Flaming Lips, too, which makes it a special treat for him, as well. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. 

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:

Great nuclear beast

East horizon you meet

New life


Shine on us

Saving us from night


Birds take the first song

Beaks waking other ones

Wonder returns


Good morning sun

Just shine dear one

Sun shine on


Good greatest grace for thee

Dusts to Star

Our seed

Evolution breathes

Mass ejection beams


Our sun

Good morning

Fill good air with photon

The greatest good

Solar bent space time flood

Space fawn


Birds cannot be wronged

Once your fine light has songed

Wonder wound

Morning sound


Our dear Sun

Shine on





Good Morning Sun (Eclectic Collective)

Cast of Characters:
Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synth, and composition
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals and lyrics
J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ, electric piano, and synth
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – bowed upright double bass and Warwick four-string fretless electric bass guitar
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- Timpani, steel pan, triangle, arpeggiated synth, synth effects, backing vocals, and production editing
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken — drums and percussion
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production

This song began its life when Chris put ass to chair and came up with it a while back. This is the latest of the massive song collection he laid on Eclectic Collective about a month and a half ago. Be prepared to hear a lot more of his songs coming through our fingers and voices, because we now have a plethora of great material from him. So, Chris came up with this arrangement on his acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and synth, but it was a pretty solid composition, even by his standards, and it had the magic already baked in.
The first one of us to grab a hold of it was Carl, who immediately heard his vocal part, which he supplied with his always striking lyrics. JJ was the first instrumentalist to add his part, laying in the delightful organ, electric piano, and synth you hear throughout. Josh came out swinging next, adding his upright bass, which he bowed. Mark came along shortly after, adding his dramatic timpani, enchanting steel pan, cool triangle, arpeggiated synth, and synth effects to the mix. He also did some major editing, making room for Stephen's guitar solo, and adjusting some parts at the end. Mark also added some backing vocals, quoting George Harrison's Here Comes the Sun. If you listen closely, you can hear his Easter eggs in there.
At this point, the song sounded almost classical, especially Josh's bowed bass part. However, Ken still had something to say in here, adding his remarkable, driving drums to the whole thing. Josh, recognizing the sea change this created, added his fretless four-string to match Ken's kick. Stephen was able to blend the two in the production phase. But not before installing his absolutely thrilling electric guitar solo in there. Stephen did a wonderful job of producing, mixing, and mastering this for us, as always, when it was all in the can.
This is the first song Carl has gotten to sing that Chris has written. We're all super excited to unleash this combo on the world. This song reminds Josh of one of his favorite bands, The Flaming Lips, too, which makes it a special treat for him, as well. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.
Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:
Great nuclear beast
East horizon you meet
New life

Shine on us
Saving us from night

Birds take the first song
Beaks waking other ones
Wonder returns

Good morning sun
Just shine dear one
Sun shine on

Good greatest grace for thee
Dusts to Star
Our seed
Evolution breathes
Mass ejection beams

Our sun
Good morning
Fill good air with photon
The greatest good
Solar bent space time flood
Space fawn

Birds cannot be wronged
Once your fine light has songed
Wonder wound
Morning sound

Our dear Sun
Shine on

Song composed by Chris and you can find him here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/ptRLJKlTA1Dz0dNFrO

Connect with everyone easily here: https://on.soundcloud.com/Borm7CgwG1TPuMliCp



Cast of Characters:
Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synth, and composition
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals and lyrics
J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ, electric piano, and synth
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – bowed upright double bass and Warwick four-string fretless electric bass guitar 
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- Timpani, steel pan, triangle, arpeggiated synth, synth effects, backing vocals, and production editing
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken — drums and percussion
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production

This song began its life when Chris put ass to chair and came up with it a while back. This is the latest of the massive song collection he laid on Eclectic Collective about a month and a half ago. Be prepared to hear a lot more of his songs coming through our fingers and voices, because we now have a plethora of great material from him. So, Chris came up with this arrangement on his acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and synth, but it was a pretty solid composition, even by his standards, and it had the magic already baked in.
  The first one of us to grab a hold of it was Carl, who immediately heard his vocal part, which he supplied with his always striking lyrics. JJ was the first instrumentalist to add his part, laying in the delightful organ, electric piano, and synth you hear throughout. Josh came out swinging next, adding his upright bass, which he bowed. Mark came along shortly after, adding his dramatic timpani, enchanting steel pan, cool triangle, arpeggiated synth, and synth effects to the mix. He also did some major editing, making room for Stephen's guitar solo, and adjusting some parts at the end. Mark also added some backing vocals, quoting George Harrison's Here Comes the Sun. If you listen closely, you can hear his Easter eggs in there. 
  At this point, the song sounded almost classical, especially Josh's bowed bass part. However, Ken still had something to say in here, adding his remarkable, driving drums to the whole thing. Josh, recognizing the sea change this created, added his fretless four-string to match Ken's kick. Stephen was able to blend the two in the production phase. But not before installing his absolutely thrilling electric guitar solo in there. Stephen did a wonderful job of producing, mixing, and mastering this for us, as always, when it was all in the can.
  This is the first song Carl has gotten to sing that Chris has written. We're all super excited to unleash this combo on the world. This song reminds Josh of one of his favorite bands, The Flaming Lips, too, which makes it a special treat for him, as well. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. 
Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:


Great nuclear beast
East horizon you meet
New life
Shine on us
Saving us from night

Birds take the first song
Beaks waking other ones
Wonder returns
Good morning sun
Just shine dear one
Sun shine on

Good greatest grace for thee
Dusts to Star
Our seed
Evolution breathes
Mass ejection beams
Our sun

Good morning sun
Good morning
Fill good air with photon
The greatest good
Solar bent space time flood
Space fawn

Birds cannot be wronged
Once your fine light has songed
Wonder wound
Morning sound

Our dear Sun
Shine on

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Vocal- Enlia

"Just For Now" by Danna Faulds

Just for now,
Without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness.

Just for now, lay down the weight
You so patiently bear upon your shoulders.

Feel the earth receive you,
And the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider,
as your awareness reaches up to meet it.

Just for now,
Allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience.
Breathe out whatever blocks you from the truth.

Just for now,
Be boundless, free, with awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet.

Drink in the possibility
Of being who and what you really are –
So fully alive that the world looks different,
Newly born and vibrant, just for now.

What Blocks You

I wanted this to be the last thing I posted for 2025.
'Firefly' is a song written & sung by a friend and previous coworker of mine, Rosemary Phelan, who was a community nurse, poet, author, and musician.  The song was part of the soundtrack for a play called "Chemo Brain!", in which her sister had performed. In Rosemary's time as a nurse, she had come to discover music as a means for comfort and healing, until she left the health care practice and delved into music full time.  She had an exquisite voice, and her music was a canvas for her incredible spirit and what was in her heart. Rosemary was one of those rare birds who you feel an instant connection to, and it's cliché to say, but she really had some kind of magic that touched your heart when you meet her. 

Rosemary was quite an accomplished and well known Canadian artist, winning several awards for her music, and collaborating with famous artists such as Murray Foster (bassist - Great Big Sea) and Juno award winning David Francey, who plays guitar and backing vocals on this song. But I never even knew that about her at the time - she was quite modest and always much more giving of herself.  I just knew her as Rosemary, the nurse, who had a beautiful new song she was working on and she asked me if I would play a bit of drum/percussion on it. 

The song of course was Firefly, and while I got to spend a few visits at her home discussing ideas, and trying out possible parts for the song, it was obviously all Rosemary's creation, together with the production of the talented multi-instrumentalist and producer Jason LaPrade, who adds the gorgeous dobro here, and would later become Rosemary's husband!  I got to perform the song once live on stage with Rosemary and David, which I only now realize what an honour that was, because I didn't understand at the time how famous these two were, living in my little bubble, lol! 

Sadly, Rosemary passed away from ovarian cancer in 2015. I don't think I ever really processed it or even fully acknowledged it at the time, but I've been thinking of her lately, and wanted to pay tribute to my friend by sharing this song she wrote. It's a gem. Just like Rosemary.

This is where Rosemary's music and writings can be found...
https://www.rosemaryphelan.com/

On Soundcloud:
Rosemary Phelan - https://soundcloud.com/rosemary-phelan
Jason LaPrade - https://soundcloud.com/jason-laprade
David Francey - https://soundcloud.com/davidfrancey

Firefly (by Rosemary, for Rosemary)

For me, writing music is like my soul coming up for air. My body and my conscious mind are, much of the time, held down under society's expectations. When my spirit can't breathe, it bursts forth and takes control. It fights with my conscious mind, and the struggle is exhausting. But, when my soul wins, the feeling of liberty is inexplicable. Singing is like this, too. I am who I am meant to be through music.

Mountain Shine

Valerie Kramer

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