Pink Floyd is one of my all time favorite groups, and The Wall an all time favorite album! It was a blast doing this cover, and in the end has really helped me to improve on my performance and recording techniques. I built this from the ground up in my home studio, with no pre-recorded audio or MIDI tracks used. The only exception are some background sounds from the original track at the beginning which I isolated and inserted to add authenticity. Hope you enjoy!

Nobody Home-Pink Floyd (Cover by Ross Smithe- Instruments and Vocals)

This is a worship song I composed in the late 1990's, and recently re-recorded, with my oldest daughter Sophia on background vocals. It is a "Scripture Song" based on John 15:12-15.

This Is My Commandment (John 15)

Here's an instrumental/vocal cover I did of Eric Clapton's classic Tears in Heaven

Tears In Heaven (Cover by Ross Smithe)

Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra was one of my favorite songs from the late 1970's, and arguably one of the happiest songs ever written! This project is a lead vocal cover over an enhanced and remixed recording of the original instrumental and backup vocal tracks. I played along with and layered over the instrumental tracks with similar sounding instruments, to give it more presence and punch! Didn't reinvent the wheel here, just polished up the rims a bit! Enjoy!

ELO- Mr Blue Sky- Vocal Cover and Instrumental Remix

Somewhere in my travels well over 10 years ago, I was on a home recording forum and came across a simply brilliant full reproduction/recreation cover recording of Queen’s classic tune “39".   This is a reproduction/collaboration using those tracks I downloaded back then (unfortunately I don't remember the artist's name to give credit). The fabulous guitar and bass tracks here are him; lead vocals, organ, and other assorted enhancements are me. BGV's are shared, along with a bit of synth voice. Incidentally, if you like this, on my YT channel I have it combined with a fun 2001: A Space Odyssey video (the song is about space exploration/time dialation). Enjoy!

Queen-39 (Full Reproduction Cover)

From a 2010 musical documentary I produced on the history of ancient sacred music.

All Creatures of Our God and King

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Be Thou My Vision (From Musical Documentary Soundtrack)

Here's a rocking recreation of the classic Token's tune (also featured in Disney's "The Lion King"). Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh!

The Lion Sleeps Tonight- 2023 Remake

A vocal/instrumental cover of If I Stand, composed and recorded by the late, great Rich Mullins on his 1988 album "Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth." Rich had a profound impact on me both spiritually and musically, and this song in particular holds a special place in my heart. Many may also remember the cover version of this done by Owl City/Adam Young.

There’s more that rises in the morning than the sun
And more that shines in the night than just the moon
It’s more than this fire here that keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger than this room

And there’s a loyalty that’s deeper than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing
The stuff of earth competes with allegiance
I owe only to the Giver of all good things

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That You will pull me through
And if I can’t let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You

And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be
As a man who is longing for his home

There’s more that dances on the prairies than the wind
And more that pulses in the ocean than the tide
There’s a love that’s fiercer than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother’s when her baby’s at her side

And there’s a loyalty that’s deeper than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing
The stuff of earth competes with allegiance
I owe only to the Giver of all good things

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That You will pull me through
And if I can’t let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You

And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be
As a man who is longing for his home
Oh

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That You will pull me through
And if I can’t let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You

And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be
As a man who is longing for his home

And if I weep let it be
As a man who is longing for his home

If I Stand (Rich Mullins Cover)

Concept for a short film soundtrack. Having fun with vocal echoes in the process! Be sure to listen to both sections of the song!

Into The Mist (Short Film Soundtrack)

Cover of Love Hurts, inspired by the Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris duet version. Fabulous female vocal part laid down by my good friend and long time duet partner Tone Hjelt (TJs Playground) from Oslo, Norway. Hope you enjoy our collaboration!

Love Hurts- Duet with Tone Hjelt (TJs Playground)

Here's an instrumental piece I composed and recorded for a short film called Work Before Play.

Work Before Play (Short Film Soundtrack)

Way back around 2002, one of the first software synth packages I owned was Reason 2.0, by what was then Propellerhead Software. One of the demo songs on there that I really dug was a short piece called I Dig Guitars (unfortunately don't remember the original artist's name). As you would expect with Reason, it wasn't truly a guitar song, but an electronic piece based around an cool, upbeat acoustic guitar riff. I downloaded the song at some point, and I recently rediscovered it on an old hard drive. I decided to do an extended and enhanced remix of the track. In addition to rearranging and reworking things, I also added new beats, sections, and a bunch of other new stuff. All new extended parts were done from scratch to blend with the original, except for the 4 bar acoustic guitar riff, which was looped behind everything. No stems were used. Except for the guitar loop, pretty much everything up to the 1:45 mark was new and done by me. From that point on, its basically the original song, along with several choice overdubs added. I don't usually do reworks/remixes like this, so I had an absolute blast with it! Hope you enjoy it!

I Dig Guitars (Propellerhead Reason 2.0 Demo- Extended Rework/Remix)

The Bridge (Piano Original)

A new arrangement I did of Hard to Get, by the late Rich Mullins. I used hammered dulcimer, upright piano, mandolin, and voice. Some of the most amazing lyrics he ever penned.

You who live in heaven
Hear the prayers of those of us who live on earth?
Who are afraid of being left by those we love
Who get hardened in the hurt
Do you remember when You lived down here?
Where we all scrape
To find the faith to ask the daily bread
Did You forget about us
After You had flown away?
Well, I memorized every word You said
Still I'm so scared, I'm holding my breath
While You're up there just playing hard to get

You who live in radiance
Hear the prayers of those of us who live in skin?
We have a love that's not as patient as Yours was
But still we do love now and then
Did You ever know loneliness?
You ever know need?
You remember just how long a night can get?
When You are barely holdin' on
And Your friends fall asleep
Who don't see the blood that's runnin' in Your sweat
Will those who mourn be left uncomforted
While You're up there just playin' hard to get?

And I know You bore our sorrows
And I know You feel our pain
And I know that it would not hurt any less
Even if it could be explained
And I know that I am only lashing out
At the One who loves me most
And after I have figured this all out
What I really need to know is if

You who live in eternity
Hear the prayers of those of us who live in time?
We can't see what's ahead and we cannot get free from what we've left behind
I'm reeling from these voices that keep screamin' in my ears
All these words of shame and doubt, blame and regret
I can't see how You're leading me
Unless You've led me here
To where I'm lost enough to let myself be led
And so You've been here all along, I guess
It's just Your ways and You are just plain hard to get

Hard to Get (Rich Mullins Cover)

Here's one of JS Bach's well known keyboard inventions, Invention 8, with a fun, modern twist!

Rock the BachBeat- RE-Invention 8!

In Time

I've wanted to cover this Grateful Dead tune for some time. Composed in 1970, the wonderful, timeless lyrics were penned by Robert Hunter, with music by Jerry Garcia. A bit of a departure from the band's early psychedelic music, it really hearkens back to Garcia's early roots in folk music. I tried to preserve the intimate character of the original song, while putting a bit of a different rhythmic vibe to it. Hard to do justice to this amazing classic, but I wanted to lend my hands and voice to it anyway.

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music?
Would you hold it near as it were your own?

It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow

Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow

You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.

Ripple (Grateful Dead Cover)

This is a re-imagining/redux of an original song written way back in 1985. It was a signature song for an LA band I was in at the time called The Program. Originally written as a straight ahead rock tune, the funky and catchy bass pattern was the central component of the song. This new arrangement and recording maintains that original bass pattern and vibe, but definitely takes the tune into completely new realms! Enjoy!

Program Me (Inflated Mix)

Dunamis is the Greek word for power. I wrote this song way back around 1990, and have never recorded nor released it publicly until now. It was written as a subsequent companion piece to another piano composition "The Bridge" (posted here previously), The Bridge representing a spiritual journey and crossing, and Dunamis the arrival at personal wholeness, fulfillment, and victory. I've always had grand designs for this piece, and intend to do a full instrumental arrangement sometime soon! I remember many days back then sitting and banging it out on my old upright piano, and imagining in my head what a full arrangement would sound like, but lacking the means and resources at that time to flesh it out. It's so amazing to have the technology now to do at home what was only a studio dream back then, as well as digital platforms like this one to share your work with others! I hold this composition very near and dear to my heart, and really felt it appropriate to release it first in the manner it was originally expressed, as a solo piano piece. Hope you come along the journey with me!

Dunamis (Solo Piano Mix)

Simple recording of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me by EJ. Just keyboard and vocal. Love this tune, speaks louder than ever to me in this season of life.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Elton John Cover)

I definitely "put my back" into this one! I don't really know how to categorize this. Basically started with a beat and some ambient synth and vocal textures (all vocs except the really high voice are my voice, not samples), and took off from there. Kind of ambient-beat-rock, I guess? Anyway, I really enjoyed putting this together, and I hope you enjoy listening as well! Be sure to listen through to the end to catch a fun little mash-up, "Who" might it be?? ;)

What we need is love indeed...

Retrograde

Here's a collaboration I did with Scott (@nnainoa88) over on Bandlab of the Black Crowes classic. Scott laid down a fabulous guitar and lead vocal track, and I added organ and BGV's.

She Talks To Angels (Black Crowes Cover)

Elijah

Here's a collaboration I did with GBailey (@gbailey) over on Bandlab on this original composition of his. G laid down a fabulous guitar track, and I added piano, organ, bass, and percussion. Enjoy the ride to Green Mountain!

Road To Green Mountain (Collaboration with GBailey)

J.J. Terrell - Original Music Score, Arrangement, Piano, Cello, Strings on.soundcloud.com/ivM1E
Ross Smithe - Original Lyrics, Vocals, Mixing/Mastering and Final Production on.soundcloud.com/Qt1a1
Josh Clary - Mandolin, Bass on.soundcloud.com/PynZc

I had the privilege of being asked to collaborate (lyrics/vocals) on this beautiful original tune by J.J. Terrell.  Fabulous contribution also by Josh Clary (Entheogenic Psychonaught). Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating!

More details on how things came together... This is a song written on the piano by JJ, who wanted to share the creative process with two of his esteemed colleagues. He asked Ross to come up with some vocals and lyrics, which Ross did in a profoundly deep way. His experience with both life and singing is really evident in this. Then JJ asked Josh to add his multi-instrumental skills to the mix. So, Josh added bass and mandolin, with the great direction of JJ and Ross. Then JJ added some synth strings to the mix, too. Finally, Ross mixed, produced, and mastered it.
This is the first time, hopefully of many, that this trio has worked together. JJ and Josh, of course, are in the Eclectic Collective together, but this was their first time working with Ross. They were both really impressed with his work, and found him a real pleasure with whom to create.

We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording this!

Here In This Moment (J.J. Terrell, Ross Smithe, Josh Clary)

As we move into the holiday music season, here's a new arrangement and recording of the beloved Christmas hymn Silent Night. I actually started working on this around 10 years ago, and it just didn't come together at the time. I pulled it out of the archives and revisited this year, and things really fell into place! One bonus for me personally due to the long wait to complete... It has a couple of my daughters and their friend, much younger versions, singing BGV's on it from back then. Hope you enjoy!

Silent Night- Christmas 2023

Here is a rendition of the ever popular Pachebel Canon in D, with special Christmas lyrics added (in a similar vein to Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Canon). I actually did this instrumental recording about 15 years ago for a specific project at the time. I decided to pull it out of archives this year, and did few revisions, additions, a bit of remixing, and added in the Christmas themed vocals/lyrics. Hope you enjoy!

"Love and light to you on this Christmas night..."

Canon For Christmas (Pachebel's Canon In D)

Hi I'm Ross, and I'm a singer, musician, songwriter, and producer. Let's connect and share our creativity with one another!

"Let there be songs to fill the air..." Robert Hunter

Ross Smithe

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