First recording attempt ... lots of fun with Greg Marquis on acoustic bass and mandolin, Craig Lang on some lead acoustic lead.  Me on rhythm acoustic and vocals.

Song was written in fall of 1982, after spending a two week silent retreat at a Carmelite Hermitage in the backwoods of Digby County Nova Scotia.  Discerning my direction in life, Elijah's searching for and finding God in the quiet wind, in my case the quiet solitude of the wilderness on a series of lakes and woods.

Elijah's Call (Original - First recording)

I wrote this song in June 2006 ... spending three days alone in a cabin on a cliff outside of Alma NB, overlooking the Bay of Fundy.  Watching the full moon rise over Nova Scotia on the far shore and then coming up over the Bay !  It happened the way I wrote it, the feelings were there too!

Big thanks for Greg Marquis for playing mandolin and harmonies, Dan Cyr on bass and recording the Bay of Fundy waves in his front yard. To Dan and Harold Dobson for recording and to Dan for the mixing.  Such a gift to have a team effort! 

Finally thanks to Roy Bishop of Wolfville NS for giving permission to use this image that he took of the Bay of Fundy .... the figure on the shore can be you or me ... you choose ... "I don't know"

         FUNDY FULL MOON           June 2006  Alma        Rick C Benson                                                                                           
Sitting here on the Bay of Fundy
   Full moon arise above me.
The night so awesome
Let me show you				

That massive tide rolls on in
Hear the water flow on out
Ocean tide
Moves with your soul.       

Chorus:
Well I know, I don’t know
   You know well you shouldn’t know
God    knows
And  that’s  ok     right     now

Clouds drift in, cover the moon
Darken sky, darken my soul
  Drowning
I’m sinking so low.

I light a fire on the shore
Feel the warmth, so much more
Nature
How she touches your soul			

Chorus:

I look up , the stars awake
Oh my God, my soul’s at stake
Full Moon
How she sparkles up the Bay!

La  la    la di da		
La la     la di da
L a a  a  a   a aa
ah     La  di  da

								Chorus:


Fundy Full Moon(Original with Friends)

The first song I ever wrote.  My old dog Joe was  friend to people all over the country. Between fetching tires (Yes he really did)barking at jeeps (Which he hated)and eating ice cream (which he loved).  He lived and was looked after by many all over Canada!  Joe you are up in heaven chewing on a frisbee probably right now !
I can't believe it ... I forgot one verse .... next recording !  
Greg Marquis on Mandolin and harmonies
Dan Cyr on bass and mixer !       Thanks to you two !

Old Joe Dog                                                Ottawa 1985
Rick C. Benson (First song I ever wrote)
Old Joe dog, well he’s got his fame
A lot of people new his name
Even if he ain’t around anymore
We’ll tell the stories   We’ll tell the lore
Well old Joe dog he don’t like em small
He likes em big and he likes em tall
He’ll rip up a tree and go for a jog
Don’t give him a stick well he wants a log!
Chorus:
Well Old Joe dog we’d love to keep
Old Joe dog where’s that jeep?
Chase that Frisbee,  steal that ball
You were my best darn friend of all.
You know this dog had some brains ya see
He got his education from St F X, a degree
Just look it up don’t be quick to disagree
He as a grad Class of 83
After supper to play a tune
Ya know he’s want to be in that room
Give him a pat, well he’s give ya a burp
Smiling brown eyes , always alert!
Chorus:
LOL - Forgot to sing this verse ...
Late at night to take a pee
Tripped on the old black beast I didn’t see
A snarl from him and I’d bark back
Then he’d wag his tail, I’d given a pat.
Wolfville, Winnipeg, Antigonish town
He’d been in the cities and country all around
He wasn’t shy, he was quick to make a friend
And to these people, these words I send!
 


Old Joe Dog (Original with Friends)

A slow burn for the end of summer, and the first song to drop from Mike's upcoming fall album, entitled 'Smokey Mountain High'. 

'Grassfire' was co-written with Makayla Lynn Parry, produced by Quinn Bachand, mixed by Charles-Émile Beaudin, mastered by Philip Shaw Bova, and featuring Béatrix Méthé (Rosier, Diamond Day) on backing vocals and Clayton Linthicum (Deep Dark Woods, Kacy & Clayton) on pedal steel guitar.

Grassfire

Die in the West

Mother's love is priceless.

1976 Roselle Dulcimer, 1945 Martin 0-18 guitar, 1928 Gibson A2 mandolin.

Mother's Waltz

Sea Goat Jam

05 Not Yet (Acoustic)

01 No Shortcuts

I write all my songs of love about her. She hates this one the most. Interestingly it has the most likes...go figure

She wears her heart out on her sleeve. That can be a beautiful yet dangerous thing indeed.

I'll Love You Only

When the world has let you down
Who'll love you only?
When your friends have all left town
Who'll love you only?

When you fail to even try,
lose your way and wonder why.
Tell me baby.
Who'll love you only?

When you're lost and can't be found
Who'll love you only?
When you finally hit the ground
Who'll love you only?

When you hear no other sound,
cause there's no one left around,
Explain it to me.

Who'll love you only?

I'll love you only.
Can't you see it in my eyes?
I'll love you only.
Is it such a big surprise?

I'll love you only.

I'll love you only.

When you've had too much to drink
Who'll love you only?
As you're standing at the brink
Who'll love you only?

When your hope has all but flown,
and there's no one you can phone.
I ask sincerely.

Who'll love you only?

When your dreams have run amok.
Who'll love you only?
Or you're about to self destruct.
Who'll love you only?

When your cover's just been blown
cause you go it all alone
Please answer freely.

Who'll love you only?

I'll love you only.
Life holds just one guarantee.
I'll love you only.
Open up those eyes and see.

I'll love you only.
Break the chains and just be free.
I'll love you only.
Reach out for your destiny.

I'll love you only.

Open up your heart.
Make a brand new start.

I can be the one
So let me be the one
to love you only.

I'll love you only!

I'll love you only.
Doesn't matter where you go.
I'll love you only.
Makes no difference what you show.
I'll love you only.
God has given you the key.
I'll love you only.
It's the way it's meant to be.
I'll love you only.
Turn around and look at me.
I'll love you only.
Take this hand and let's be free.
I'll love you only.

I'll Love You Only

Take These Beads is a family and friend collaboration - an inspiring story of family connection in the face of PTSD.
I have some new banjo and guitar tunes up on YouTube. I'm really enjoy the musical connection to all styles around the world. 

As the former Director of Spiritual Care at a downtown Hospital, and Licensed Counsellor specializing in Grief , Loss and Life Transitions I have journey with patients and families in personal, grief and spiritual matters. I enjoyed using my guitar, banjo  and music in this setting, a gift to share when appropriate!

I am new to the recording side of things. My guitar (Larivee) does not sound nearly as crisp plugged in so need to mic it before posting more. (Jan 2014) That was pointed out from a music industry friend.  I started playing clawhammer style banjo around 2016 - I love it!Hope you enjoy