In memory of Nicole B

You were twenty four
On the Eastern Shore
Finally on your own
Drivin’ home alone

Headlights on the road
Where’d your exit go
Life won’t get you down
But you hate this town
Wish you could just turn around

Sister, sister
Tell me you’re alive
Sister, sister
I know you’ll arrive soon

Winter’s coming on
Like a Cajun song
Man it’s cold tonight
The world does not seem right

Make it ‘cross that bay
You’ve driven most the way
You had your life ahead
Then the light turned red
Screaming sirens blare, one last gasp of air

Sister, sister
Tell me you’re alive
Sister, sister
I know you’ll arrive soon

Now you’ll
Never see your wedding day
Never watch your children play
Things were finally settling down
Now you’re buried in the ground
I dream that you never left
Then I wake up out of breath
Sometimes life don’t make much sense
It crushes all our innocence

I think your eyes were blue
I barely got to know you
The days we had were so few

You could be a clown
You could party down
You were full of heart
Mine is torn apart
Where can I press restart
What a rotten deal you got

Sister, sister
Tell me you’re alive
Sister, sister
I know you’ll arrive soon

Copyright 2023 Penrose Bunnington

Sister, Sister (feat. Randie Goode)

Don't You Get Down On Your Case (feat. Jenna Doulong)

"I’m coquettish, I’m bridezilla 
You want mocha or vanilla?
I’m mild, no I’m saucy
I’m coy, you Mr. Darcy"

Love with a hi/lo Gemini can be maddeningly intoxicating. The underlying pulse is Uruguayan candombe beat.

Mad Love (feat. Jenna Doulong)

Work. More work. Loneliness. Pennies. Endless hot sun. Not much life.

The  Mountain (feat. Randie Goode)

How to Loot Brazil's "Happy 2 Be Angry" (morphed ever so slightly) over funk/hip-hop grooves, interspersed with horn soli.

Inspiration for conga beats: https://www.youtube.com/@APercussionLife

Happy to Be Angry - Funk/Hip-Hop Original Mix (feat. How to Loot Brazil)

Cion Daddy lays down a *masterful* rap here. I created a funk groove underneath, and mixed in about 4 teaspoons of guitar styling. This is the long version (loops around with a little different groove second time).

Check out Cion Daddy's other tracks!

Conga beat inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/@APercussionLife

Mi Mona Lisa - Original Funk Mix (feat. Cion Daddy)

I wrote a rock backing (with some horns) under Nina Moody's haunting and compelling vocals.

Satellite - Original Mix (feat. Nina Moody)

Under Clxrity's billowy, heartfelt vocals, I built - out of household materials - a supporting groove.

Run Away - Original Mix (feat. Clxrity)

Important notice: The deepest groove of this tune starts at the 2:00 mark, tunneling towards the earth's mantle. 

This rapid-fire rap by Cion Daddy is so good, I play it twice with two different foundations: The first is mambo-adjacent, and the second triangulates around reggaeton, with some funk highlights. Please enjoy immensely.

Se Me Dejas - Part 1 and 2 - Original Mix (feat. Cion Daddy)

Another sterling vocal track by Nina Moody. Under and around it, I put some rock and deep house, more or less.

Lost - Original Mix (feat. Nina Moody)

Awesome rap track by natjamesworld. I put some funk and accoutrements underneath, but tried to keep it relatively un-busy to let the vocals shine.

Top Down - Original Mix (feat. NJ)

I grafted this 1930s Duke Ellington staple onto a mostly mambo structure, and added a splash of house elements. Close to 40 percussion tracks, also.

Caravan - Mambo/Slight House Style (Juan Tizol / Duke Ellington)

In the pre-dawn hours, a woman in a touring band is driving home, where her partner is sleeping. Her mind wanders, thinking about life, relationships, the show, temptations of the road... She sees nighttime animals and poor parts of towns along the way. 
E-voices gradually blend with the human vocals on this track.

Gettin’ older as the time goes by
Sometimes all I do is wonder why
Me and my love see it eye to eye
Hope to make it home before sunrise

See the first light of the morning sky
Every time it’s hard to say goodbye
Got no secrets and we tell no lies
Hope to make it home before sunrise

When I walk inside, will he be sleeping?
Has he gotten used to all my leaving
I heard about relationships that crumble
Distant thunder, storm begins to rumble

I’m never gonna take this love for granted
What tricks do people do to stay enchanted
One last lonely hour till I’m back home
Don’t want my man to start his day alone

Owl perched upon the wire owns the night
Rabbit dashes for cover out of sight
Coyote in the field gives a glance
They’re my friends, and I give them a chance

Dilapidated buildings on my right
Survival every day must be a fight
There but for a twist of fate go I
Hope to make it home before sunrise - 
I roll on

World is complicated
I’m just tryin' to make it
Seems that’s what we all do
Sister know I hear you	

The time alone makes my heart ache
The life I live could be a mistake
But music is my paradise
Hope to make it home before sunrise

I put up with the pickup lines
But sometimes one looks mighty fine 
I gotta say, it’s crossed my mind
Hope to make it home before sunrise

Been doin' this for so many years now
We’re gonna make it work for us somehow
I’ll be traveling to shows until I die
Can’t make it to the top until you try

We’re all thinkin' about the path we make
So much in our short lives is give and take
Somebody said that life is like a highway
Not really, cause we’re each findin' our own way

We thrilled em at the Show tonight
Got them on their feet, the ballads made em cry
Comin' down to earth from being so high
Hope to make it home before sunrise

I’m dazzled by a shooting star
A metaphor for what we are
I got so many feels inside
Hope to make it home before sunrise
  
When I drive my mind begins to race
It can wander off to space - 
and to darker places

Underneath the night sky
Make it through my goodbyes
No secrets and no lies
Make it home by sunrise

Underneath the night sky
Make it through my goodbyes
No secrets and no lies
Make it home by sunrise

Copyright 2023-2024, Penrose Bunnington

Before Sunrise (feat. Jenna Doulong)

While waiting for tracks with vocals to finish (2-3 more weeks), I came up with a disco instrumental number (with the aid of a power sander) that I hope makes you tap your feet or do low-impact aerobics. The second half turns more in a funk direction.

Disco Clown

I conjured up a grunge rock track to lock in with Stevie Rain's intense yet melodic vocals.

Original acapella vocal track: https://www.looperman.com/acapellas/detail/21804/burn-nirvana-lil-peep-grunge-80bpm-grunge-acapella

Burn (feat. Stevie Rain)

A tinge of sepia-toned nostalgia. Staying in to watch Gunsmoke, or going out for coffee with the Jensens...they're calling for rain tonight. Hope you enjoy the vibe.

They Said It Might Rain Tonight

Poking gentle fun at my hippie people.

It’s a 60s kind of day
Skies in London: cold and grey
Times are changing
All the aging leaders
Soon will give way 
To a new day...where we’re 

Sharing in prosperity, and
Upholding equality
No more wars’ll destroy nations
Finally we’ll all be free

We’ll wear jeans and miniskirts, and
Live on communes, till the earth
Come and join the revolution
Down with money, people first

Everyone’s into our scene
Black and white and in between
We’re the happenin' generation
Only we have such imagination...watch us

Care about ecology, and	
Form brand new societies
Can you feel the psychedelic
Brother sister energy?

We’re all wearing peace signs
And that shows that we are serious
Everyone’s accepted here
Especially if they agree with us

All the world will be as one
Peace and love for everyone, forever  

We won’t be like older folks
We’ll break down walls; have a toke
We’re for equal opportunity, and
Sharing wealth to stamp out poverty…now 

Hear our free love movement grow
On your transistor radios
Even the establishment
Can know which way the new wind blows

I’m sure that it’s close at hand
A unity across the land
Hendrix, Joplin, Grateful Dead
Are showing us the way ahead

Our kids will be cool like us
Travelin’ in our microbus
Getting culture at the love-in
Bein' open-minded and Aquarian...for

Individuality
And trippin’ out on LSD
Live in groovy harmony
We're one big human family

Dig the possibilities
Turn on to new realities
We’ll always be idealistic
Never turn materialistic 

All the world will be as one
Peace and love for everyone, forever
All the world will be as one
Peace and love for everyone, forever
All the world will be as one (It’s right here)
Peace and love for everyone, forever
All the world will be as one (if you dream)
Peace and love for everyone
All the world will be as one (with rock music)
Peace and love for everyone…

Peace And Love For Everyone (Forever) (feat. Jenna Doulong)

No one's actually met Mr. Punchy, but his parties are legendary. Good crowd tonight. Can I offer you some punch? Hey, nice vampire costume. Snacks and vitamin B12? Down the hall.

Mr. Punchy's Party (feat. Randie Goode)

Latest in a never-ending series of mixing elements from house, rock, D&B, and other genres. Fills in the gaps while working on longer-taking vocal-based tracks (disco and Latin) which should be ready in 2-3 weeks

House Mash 1

A love triangle, with the resolution left in the air, in two languages and with three vocalists. Goes to mambo mode at about 1:25.
Superb rap as always from Cion Daddy (via his acapella at https://www.looperman.com/acapellas/detail/11030/no-te-lleve-spanish-by-ciondaddy-95bpm-reggaeton-acapella), with Randie Goode and Jenna Doulong singing the other two parts.

Jealous Man (feat. Cion Daddy, Randie Goode, Jenna Doulong)

The cats return, with their aerobics routine - this time with (human) vocals and some high frequencies at around one minute that only cats can hear.

5 am, time to shout
Ready for feline workout

Knead the paws, stretch it out
Awesome feline workout

Let us in, let us out
We’re so hard to figure out

Roll on the floor, sleep some more
Awesome feline workout

Catnip, freak out
Time for feline workout

Toy mouse, gotta pounce
Disco cats can work out

Jonathan and Taylor Swift
Know that we’re sophisticates 

Black, orange, tabby cats
Use your humans’ yoga mats

Gato enigmático
Work out at the disco

We rule, no doubt
Time for feline workout

Tails up, claws out
Time for feline workout

Follow humans everywhere
But when they call, we don’t care

Attack the feet, then act sweet
Playing with humans is pretty neat

Bat stuff off the shelf
Need that space for ourself

Wash our fur, time to purr
Done with feline workout

Tails up, claws out
Awesome feline workout

Copyright 2024, Penrose Bunnington

Disco Fitness Cats (With Vocals!) (feat. Jenna Doulong)

Should have vocals in 2-3 months. E-vocals substitute for now.

Panic Tomorrow - Instrumental Preview

The latest endeavor in genre-bending. 3 songs in 1! Disco house, deep/trance(ish), and Latin-adjacent - all with a modified house undertow.

(It's also a good tempo for walking and aerobics.)

Cameo vocal: Jenna Doulong and Randie Goode

Omni House (Part 1 Thru 3)

Using basic masonry skills, I blended house and Latin/mambo elements into a (hopefully) fruitful combo.

Belinda's Paradise (El Paraíso De Belinda)

Rare vocal: Penrose B. Backup vocals: Randie Goode, Jenna Doulong. Cameo: Henry Kramer.

Put the jelly back
I said
Put the jelly back
I said

You know I don’t get down on your case
When you have those parties in your dorm room 
But now you’ve taken it to a whole new level

I didn’t complain when you bought a giant telly
Or when you said those things to Ted and Nellie 
But would you please bring forth the j-e-l-l-y - jelly?

Put the jelly back
You know I said
Put the jelly back

You don’t know what it’s like 
to be a traveling sales manager
And neither do I
But that’s beside the point

When you take a penny
Why don't ya leave a penny?
Same goes for j-e-l-l-y
That spells jelly  

Put the jelly back
I said
Put the jelly back
Come on, I know I said

On holidays I’m down with persimmon
And other fancy stuff
Every other day
Grape is good enough 

You wanna call it a fruity spread?
Fine by me if the council approves
You wanna be shot out of a cannon at the state fair?
You live your life, I’ll live mine; I got nothin to prove

Put the jelly back
I said
Put the jelly back
I know I said

I agree with you there; I wish these term papers would go away
But that don’t give you the right to leave with PB without the J

Put the jelly back
I said
Put the jelly back
Pretty sure you heard me

I don’t care if you call it jam or fruity spread
Who knows what’s goin on, inside your head

How dare you?
That’s crazy talk 

Everybody, down on the dance floor
Everybody, get back up
And put the jelly back

Put The Jelly Back!

In between working on some vocal numbers (blues, rock, funk, hip-hop - out soon) and engaging in arts and crafts and feats of derring-do, I assembled a collection of house beat mixed with rock, disco, Latin, jazz, whatever was around.

What Are You Talking About?

A woman leaving a bad situation, headed down-river, destination not quite known, maybe Baton Rouge. Bluesy vocals by Jenna Doulong.

They say you can’t go home
So I’ll go away
Take a boat down the river
Till I feel ok

Maybe find a new life
Can’t be worse than the old one
They say you can’t run away
But I’m not gonna stay, no, no

Gaslight someone else
Take someone else’s pay
Don’t try to call
I’ve gone away

I’m goin somewhere down south
Maybe Baton Rouge
I hear there’s good music there
But good wine’ll do

I’ll find some way to bide my time
I’ll start my life anew
I’ll invent a new history
The old me is through

Floating down the river
Watching the countryside
Make a new life
Kiss the old one goodbye
  
Yeah, bye bye
You won’t find me
Don’t feel sorry for me
You won’t see me

Gonna roll on down
Yeah, gonna float on down
Don’t care what’s up ahead
Yeah, don’t care what’s behind

Don’t know what town I’m in
Scared but I’m free
If I had an extra dollar I’d drink to that
A toast to me

Take a boat down the river
Ain’t lookin back
Take a boat down the river
The past is past
Mmm, hmm

Boat Down The River (feat. Jenna Doulong)

Teen guy meets chic, aloof, slightly older woman who, for one or more reasons, is just not that into him, but he's a bit neurotic about it for the next few years. Guitar-centric, seems like some 70s influence.

I casually met her at seventeen
She drove an oversized car; she was fetchingly mean
I’m not afraid to say I was her biggest fan
Couldn’t help but notice she was never with a man
    
Her fashion was eclectic, but to me it was glam
She had intoxicating features, like the model Iman…help me

Immaculata, here I am

She made me feel very coarse and plain
She stirred something in me, I can’t explain
I had to win her over, there just had to be a way 
She killed me with her smile, then she’d cruelly walk away

But she must have known, I had something more to say
With her white face glitter, totally changed my day…hurt me

Immaculata, here I am

I asked her out, and I mumbled my words
She was noncommittal, but that’s not what I heard
I was pacing at the party till my head began to spin      
She briefly showed up, and she brushed against my skin

I wanted something more, but she wouldn’t let me in
I felt like half a man, between frustration and sin…mercy

Immaculata, here I am
Immaculata, here I am
Immaculata, here I am

Immaculata (feat. Randie Goode)

In this track, I tried to combine reggaeton with Southwestern styles, and even a bit of Mediterranean/Mideastern zils, in cinematic fashion.

(The "three sisters" is the synergistic planting of corn, beans, and squash in proximity, as done by the Iroquois, Senecas, Cherokees, Pecos, etc.)

"The Three Sisters" imaginary movie theme

Everybody put on your purple vest 
Cause we're goin down to the dance floor
 Everybody put on your purple vest
 Cause we're goin down to the dance floor
 What about lavender? 
You got it; I wanna shake your hand 
Everybody put on your purple vest
 Cause we're goin down to the dance floor

Pleased to meet ya, my name's Joe Molla
 If you see me next Tuesday, be sure to holla 
If you lent me a dime, I pay you back a dolla 
I like Tame Impala If you see me, holla
 If I'm at a checkpoint, I'll give my permit 
The name may change, but I guarantee it
Pleased to meet ya, my name's Joe Molla
 If you see me next Tuesday, be sure to holla 

Ha, ya though ya had me 
Ha, we thought we had ya
Ha, ya though ya had me 
Ha, we thought we had ya

Pleased to meet ya, my name's Joe Molla 
If you see me next Tuesday, be sure to holla
 If you lent me a dime, I pay you back a dolla
 I like Tame Impala If you see me, holla

Copyright 2024 Penrose Bunnington

My Name Is Joe Molla (Be Sure To Holla)

Started off as reggaeton but wound up more lo-fi, with a trace of hip-hop, as I partook of a tropical brew. Please enjoy mellowly.

Checkmate, Bro

Somewhat minimalist (for me, at least). Intended to be put in a loop that lasts six days. Kidding. It meanders between house and rock beats, with an occasional splash of ambience.

Did I Scare You With My Ninja Moves?

Two tunes in one! Both with an SUV cargo space's worth of 70's funk.

"Don't Ask Me To Smile" is the petulant plea of a provocative (but secretly kindhearted) poseur.

"Party Man" is the braggadocio of...well, he seems to be overcompensating for his insecurity. But he sure does like his Kia Soul. Probably a good friend, when you break through the facade.

Somewhat random lyrics:

Don’t tell me to smile
I smile all the time
Don’t tell me not to smile
I’ll smile when I want to

I’ll smile at the party
And I’ll cry on Tuesday
I’ll smile at the party
And I’ll cry on Tuesday
Yeah 

I’ll smile when I walk
And I'll walk a mile
But not for a camel
Cause camels are cool

Not 500 miles
but maybe a million miles
Like a millipede
They eat weeds

Maybe they smile
Maybe they don’t
Maybe they smiled yesterday
Now go away

— — — 

Last week
I went to a party
Next night
I went to a party
Night after that
I went to a party

Look at me
I’m a party machine
I party like
You never seen
I’m a party man
And I drive a Kia Soul
I’m a party man 
And I Drive a Kia Soul 

When you said I’m lyin’
I llmost LOL’d
I’m a party man
And I drive a Kia Soul     

Like relentless Phil 
And relentless Julie Jones
I’m a party man
And I drive a Kia Soul

I might upgrade to a grande
cause I fear the constable
I’m a Party man
And I drive a Kia Sol

Holy smokers
Where da pancakes go
I’m a party man
And I drive a Kia Soul

You said meet me at the shindig
But I saw you at the rave
I’m a party man
And I drive a Kia Soul

--

Hey, where ya headed?
Hey, you goin to Smoothie Queen?
Is there a party going down there?
Hey, nice car
Yeah, it's a Kia Soul

Copyright 2024, Penrose Bunnington

Don't Ask Me To Smile + Party Man (I Drive a Kia Soul) (feat. Randie Goode)

Scores for imaginary movies. Reconstituted funk riffs. Emo and stoic rock. Blues in nooks and crannies. Occasional house mix. Smoky blends with notes of heath and bamboo. Hope you enjoy the music.

(In collaboration with Gary H. Love)

Penrose Bunnington

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