Another terrifically successful collaboration. Superb production. The instrumentation really works well with the vibe of the lyric - sung brilliantly BTW. The more energetic sections give the song a lift in just the right places too. Fabulous!

Beautifully performed by both of you. Really. 👏👏👏👏👏

Remixes

Dignity (Remix 2025)

Sheet Music by Joseph Kosma
Piano version arranged by Jose M Armenta
No copyright infringement intended, all rights to this song go their owners.

Autumn Leaves

29Sep25
Created 10 years ago. This a slightly polished version of that track 😊

Strutolus

Lyrics
I look into that mirror,
Not liking what I see
Just a shadow of the man I was
Just a shadow of me 

There were times when you needed me
There were times when I needed you
There were times we needed each other
But those times were so very few

See you staring in that looking glass
Just holding back the tears
Too scared to go, too frightened to stay 
Just too many wasted years

There were times when you needed me
There were times when I needed you
There were times we needed each other
But those times were so very few

Instrumental

There were times when you needed me
There were times when I needed you
There were times we needed each other
But those times were so very few

When love becomes a habit
It sneaks right up on you
But I would sooner have it
Than no love at all

There were times when you needed me
There were times when I needed you
There were times we needed each other
But those times were very few

Repeat chorus to fade

There Were Times (when you needed me).wav

Stagehead

462. smells like teen spirit (nirvana).mp3

Cast of Characters:

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- VST Middle Eastern instruments (Duf Drum, Daire drum, Darbuka, Riq, Qanun, Zurna horn, Ney flute, strings), female vocal sample, 'ululation' (high pitch yodel), and composition

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Custom fretless 5-string bass 

Llanpsych - Fluffer for the keyboardist and keygrip

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

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – saz, shakuhachi, and synth

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

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — traditional gourd-body sitar and mastering.

  Josh had the idea for doing a traditional Palestinian song, as he is an avid fan of their music. He wanted to raise awareness of this music and tie it to the idea it may cease to exist as a living musical tradition sooner than later. Everyone in the band was immediately on board with this idea, and set about to make it happen. 

  Mark, who is an expert percussionist, learned a basic traditional Palestinian drum pattern, in a very authentic fashion. He laid it down, along with an Arabic sounding modal melody line portrayed by the quanun, which is a kind of zither. Josh found this pattern fascinating, and added his five string fretless bass to the it shortly after. Carl jumped in very shortly thereafter, and came up with some really amazing vocal melodies, as well as wonderfully prescient lyrics. He even learned more than several phrases in Arabic, which he sang in there, too. We were all very impressed by this, of course.

  JJ was next up, adding his magical, melodic, and exotic saz, shakuhachi, and synth to the mix. Ken threw in next, adding his perfectly timed brass and Chinese percussion to the mix, too. Last, but certainly not least, Stephen recorded his subtle, exotic, traditional sitar to the piece. 

  Once we had it all recorded, we turned it over to Mark for a mix, as the whole thing is really his baby. Stephen mastered it, though, as he is our resident professional producer.

  Our hope is that this song inspires you to dig into Palestinian music, and through that, you recognize the magic and the humanity of millions of Palestinian people who are suffering unimaginably right now. But most of all, we hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:

Sisters and brothers
Daughters and Sons
We would give you food
But the road is blocked to sun
Proud Palestine
Brave brethren
Our hearts are with you
Our souls are weeping

Inhumane blockade of bread
Pains collective minds 
We want gone this dread
Let's find our kind
Please be strong
As we right this wrong
Hope prays that day will not be long

We pine with your God
To find a normal truth
Where your kids can grow and learn good youth
Sisters and Brothers
Daughters and Sons
We are with you Palestine
Sending love through song

The eye sees but the arm is short ( العين ترى والذراع قصيرة )

We are in the same boat ( نحن في نفس القارب )

Winds do not blow as the ships wish ( لا تهب الرياح كما تشاء السفن )

Being alone is better then being with someone bad (أن تكون وحيدا أفضل من أن تكون مع شخص سيء )

What is hidden is more then what has happened ( ما هو مخفي أكثر مما حدث )

Every problem has a solution ( لكل مشكلة حل )

Good intentions count for as much as good actions ( النوايا الحسنة لها نفس أهمية الأفعال الحسنة )

All is well that ends well ( كل شيء على ما يرام إذا انتهى بشكل جيد )

Oh My Darlin' Palestine - Eclectic Collective

After the Goldrush (Neil Young cover).wav

A New track I am experimenting with with at the moment

Ominous (Rough Demo)

and we did 10.15.25

Such a pleasure to record another track with the great Todd McLean.

(V1)
Hand in hand, beneath the piney green
Sunlight and truth, peeking through the trees
Rain-softened earth smells like something is growing
You let go of my hand and you drift away
(V2)
A blanket of snow covers the city’s sharp edges below us
It’s the kind of day, that makes you think about your life
Northern light shines in your eyes
You drop your head and miss
whoever you’re missing
(C1)
You’re acting a part and playing pretend
It can’t be sustained, we’re reaching our end
You think I don’t notice, but I see it all
You’re walking a wire,
I’m waiting to fall, down
(V3)
We used to care what the other one thought
But I can see now, the store is closed
Making up reasons, not to be around
While my obligations have me
Tethered to this ground
(V4)
To avoid reality, you busy yourself
You never look me in the eye anymore
Too afraid to cut me loose,
but I know that’s what you want
(C2)
You’re acting a part and playing pretend
It can’t be sustained, we’re reaching our end
You think I don’t notice, but I see it all
You’re walking a wire,
I’m waiting to fall, down

Music / Production  :  Noobly
Lyrics / Vocals  :  Todd J McLean

Down   -   Todd J McLean & Noobly

Songwriter, producer, musician from Hampshire, England.   

No AI generated music here - I play everything you hear (except drum / percussion sounds and loops).

My main projects are “The New Vigos” and "Conscience of Kings". 

Various other collaborations with amazing talented people who I've met along the way - love working with different collab partners (mainly singer / songwriters).

My passion / focus is on the musical composition, instrumentation, arrangement and production whilst my collaborative partners are normally focused on lyrics, vocal melodies and recording which I then incorporate in the mix and produce to completion / mastering. 

Previously in “FGB” and “Vigo Lane”

Main gear:

Fender Strat American Performer
Gibson Les Paul Studio
Gretsch G2622
Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic
Fender Sonoran Acoustic
Lindo Bass
Reaper DAW
Focusrite 4i4 UI
Roland Juno D Synth
Korg Poly 800 synth
ARP Quartet Synth

Thanks for visiting and hope you hear something you like and enjoy

Down - Todd J McLean & Noobly

Andy H - aka “Noobly”

Recent comments

Becs

Heliopolis 5

Related tracks