Stories within music, some myths retold and new ones created...

Stories & Legends (with Legacy of Thought)

Collaborations in which I've added my prose/poetry to an inspiring musical score by some of my talented friends here on Soundcloud.

Contemplative

Collaborations with both sung and spoken parts that I have written and performed.  As is usual, my lyrics and melodies are inspired by the wonderful music created by my talented friends here.

Sung from the Heart

Legacy of Thought - Inner & Outer Space

Collaborations with my fellow Mektoub Musicians in which I have played a part - either vocally or instrumentally.  Please visit Mektoub Music's page, @mektoub-music for the complete 30-track soundtrack!  Thank you for listening here :)

Mektoub Music Collaborations (The Call of Mektoub eBook, 2013)

Prologue to the story, "The Story Begins & How the Story Began".

December is almost here, so listen for the call: 

"Destiny's calling, it's waiting for you - the place where your wishes can come true..."

Composed and performed by:

Alexander Hallberg: https://soundcloud.com/booback (track composition & production)
Ed Haydon: https://soundcloud.com/edhaydon (additional orchestration)
Helen Suzanne: https://soundcloud.com/sleepingenius (lyrics, vocals, vocal melody)


Buy for MM charities

'Destiny (The Story Begins)' by Alexander Hallberg & Sleepingenius

Bonus track for Chapter 8 - "We Finally Meet Mektoub"

By:
http://soundcloud.com/edhaydon
http://soundcloud.com/booback
http://soundcloud.com/sleepingenius

"Jack stopped by the door as he passed and listened to Emma’s soft voice. The door was slightly open and he could just see the two of them propped against the plump white pillows in their snowy white castle. Emma’s head was tilted sideways over Lucy’s as she sang to her, and her curl fell softly across her brow. For those few precious moments, he forgot all about Whipper Whopper and the pain in his arm. 

“For as long as you believe, there will always be a better tomorrow,” he whispered to himself and quietly walked away."

Extract from Chapter 8 of "The Call of Mektoub" © Helen S Michaelsen (Sleepingenus Creative Enterprises) 2013.

Chapter 8 - 'Lullaby of Dreams (vocal version)' by Haydon, Hallberg & Sleepingenius

Soundtrack for Chapter 11 - "Best Laid Plans"

By:
http://soundcloud.com/ascoltadi - piano
http://soundcloud.com/sleepingenius (Helen Suzanne) - first synth and strings
http://soundcloud.com/absorption (David Pugh) - effects & string re-mastering

Chapter 11 - 'Moonrise' by Dirk Maassen, David Pugh & Sleepingenius

I was delighted to put my words to one of David Pugh's (aka absorption) most outstanding tracks last year, and here is the result ...

I consider David to be one of the masters of ambient music here on Soundcloud, so please visit his page for more dark and mysterious intertwining of notes and aural imagery:

https://soundcloud.com/absorption

'Anticipation' - Absorption with Sleepingenius

For 12th Night, you're invited to reflect on the words of "Emma's Poem - A Winter's Dream" from the story, "The Call of Mektoub" by Helen S Michaelsen.  The 24-chapter musical audiobook is available from  Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play and many more.

Music:
"Dreams of Childhood" composed by Sleepingenius, aka Helen S Michaelsen, copyright 2022. 
Piano interpretation arranged and performed by Caroline Mitchell
https://soundcloud.com/caroline-mitchell-18

Emma's Poem: A Winter’s Dream by Helen S Michaelsen...

Imagine a landscape all laden with snow,
Where thousands of fairy lights twinkle and glow,
Among frosty white pine trees so graceful and tall,
Where delicate snowflakes silently fall.

And there, in the quiet of this beautiful place,
A little girl stands with a smile on her face,
For here is the magic that few can behold
That secretly lives in a tale yet untold…

And maybe one day, the world that we plunder
Will be purged of its curses and touched by its wonder,
But, for now this forever-land can only be part
Of the dream in my head and the place in my heart.

By Helen S Michaelsen, copyright 2022.

The Call of Mektoub

'The Call of Mektoub' Epilogue - A Winter's Dream by Sleepingenius with Caroline Mitchell

The Secret - Rock Flexible & Sleepingenius
--------------------------------------------------------
This is my interpretation of Stefan's wonderful Open Collab song https://soundcloud.com/rock-flexible/nonameyet-playback-1-rock-flexible, to which I have added lyrics and vocals.  

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Stefan and his music.  I hope you enjoy listening!

The Track:
Music, mastering & production - Rock Flexible (@rock-flexible)
Lyrics, vocal melody & vocals - Sleepingenius

Artwork:
Original  - ForWallpaper.com
Enhancements - Sleepingenius
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Secret" - Lyrics by Helen Suzanne - January 2015

Tell me your secret
I'll tell you mine
But swear that you'll keep it 
Safe for all time

I walk with the silence 
Into the night
No time for dreaming 
Nothing feels right

Here in the starlight 
I hear not a sound 
Nothing to guide me 
No one around

Tell me your secret 
Honest and true
I'll make no judgement 
Cold or undue
... My promise to you

I feel your presence 
Deep in my soul 
Empty and wasted 
Losing control

So tired of waiting
Nothing makes sense
When trust has been broken 
There's no recompense

Waking and sleeping 
Time that we shape 
Running in circles 
There's no escape

Tell me your secret 
I need to know
All that you fear 
What you can't show 
... And refuse to let go

I walk with the silence 
Into the light
No hesitation
Gone is the night

Here in the sunlight
I shelter my eyes
The dawn of a new day 
Bears no disguise

Tell me 
Tell me ...

I'll tell you my secret
Then we'll run so far
To a place where no one can find us 
We can be just who we are

So tell me your secret
Not reason nor rhyme
Just all that runs deep 
Untouched and sublime 
And I swear that I'll keep it 
Safe for all time

What is the secret? 
All that we are 
Nothing to hide from 
No distance too far

Tell me your secret
I'll tell you mine
All that runs deep that's 
Untouched and sublime 
Knowing we'll keep it 
Safe for all time

----------------------------------------------------------

Production info:
Vocals: Audio Technica USB-Mic - Garage Band - Joemeek VC1 - Logic X 
Drums: Toontrack EZDrummer2 
Synths: NI Guitar Rig, NI FM8, Massive, Absynth
Meinl Percussion
Peavey Bass - Joemeek VC1 - Logic Bass Amp Pro
Fender Strat (JBHum) - Joemeek VC1 - Guitar Rig
Acoustic Instruments Channel Strip - RODE NT5MP - SPL GM - RME FF400 - Logic
Recorded in Logic Pro X
Mastering Chain - Gain, Lin_EQ, Waves J37, Compressor, Multipr, Waves L2, Level, bx_meter
Neither Bass nor guitar have been tuned before the recording.



'The Secret' - Rock Flexible & Sleepingenius

A year ago Dan very kindly asked me to add my words and voice to his beautiful track, which I was delighted to do.  Due to many personal obstacles, it has been somewhat long-winded in its evolution, so I must thank Dan for his enduring patience!  

Music & production - Dan (@dan-t-3)
Poetry & additional effects - Helen Suzanne (@sleepingenius)
Image (original) - John Wollwerth (dreamstime.com)

You will find in the words the lament of a soul whose spirit wanders in the dark mists of the forest.  It longs to be set free, but finds shelter only beneath the raven's wing - its warmth a blessing but also a curse...

Raven
By Helen Suzanne ©2015

Mon amour bat chaleureusement sous l'aile de mon corbeau

My love beats warm beneath the raven's wing,
Outstretched and soaring deep into the sky,
A leap of faith unto the winter's storm,
Once more to free my heart before I die.

I know not where my love will find its home,
So distant is the call that leads me on,
In hostile winds I battle with the fear
That once again the warmth will soon be gone.

I know not when my love will heed its call,
Obscured by darkness far beyond my sight,
No whisper of the soul to warm my heart,
Nor comfort in this cold and empty night.

I know not how my love will find the way,
To hear the voice within a sleep unsound,
Where echoes of the past will break these wings,
And watch me as I tumble to the ground.

Mon amour bat chaleureusement sous l'aile de mon corbeau

I know not why my love was cast aside
Abandoned, it lay bleeding in the soil,
And thrown unto the wolves that I may die
Bereft of thought for my compassion's toil

I know not whom my love will trust again
A silent path where I must walk alone
And though I yearn to rid myself of doubt
My shelter is a ruse that's all my own

My love beats warm beneath the raven's wing,
Though icy blows the wind outside my door,
Its flight will end when summoned by the storm,
And then one day my heart can love once more.


'Raven' - Dan-t & Sleepingenius

When Tom sent me his wonderful track and asked me if I might write something for it, I was delighted to do so.  For me there was a story already in the music, and it has been a true pleasure to work with Tom in developing this into what it is today. So please join us in escaping to that place where your heart, mind and soul are free to roam! 

Music and production: Tom Lubai @tolubai
Lyrics, vocals, vocal melody & harmony: Helen Suzanne
Artwork: Helen Suzanne (original painting of “Selene" anonymous)

Imagine a moonlit landscape reaching far out to the horizon.  A mystical place where two lovers, separated by circumstance, call upon the ancient spirits to reunite their souls…

Hear Me

In the distance
There's a sound
An ancient calling
So profound
The voice of spirits
In Pan's domain
Intoxicating
In sweet refrain

Never ending
It binds my will
With restless longing
To fulfil
Plucked and fallen by
Selene's breast
In passion tortuous
It finds no rest

* * *

Hear me now
Feel my soul
Touch the hope inside of me
Hear my voice
Feel my heart
It is waiting to be free

* * *

A blazing beacon
In the night
The flame is burning
But out of sight
With steps that falter
Thoughts that stray
Belief perpetuates
Another day

* * *

Hear me now
Call my name
Touch the love inside of me
Hear my thoughts
All my dreams
Only you can set them free

* * *

Misplaced illusion
St Elmo's fire
Guides the demons
Of desire
But from the ocean
To the shore
Eos summons now
The light so pure

So listen carefully
For Echo's word
Repeating evermore
Undeterred
Reaching out
Two hands entwined
In everlasting truth
When combined

* * *

Hear me now
Take my hand
Touch the light inside of me
Hear my voice
Take my soul
To the place I long to be
[repeat]

Hear me now
Feel my soul
Touch the hope inside of me
Hear my voice
Feel my heart
It is waiting to be free

* * *

Hear me calling
Run with me
Through the darkness
Until we're free


"Hear Me" by Helen Suzanne (Sleepingenius) © July 2015
For collaboration with Tom Lubai (Tolubai)


'Hear Me' - Tolubai & Sleepingenius

A new version of the soundtrack for Chapter Two - Strange Visitors in the Night...

By @christian-welde & @sleepingenius 
Copyright 2015

Chapter 2 - 'Prelude To A Fairytale (vocal version)' - Christian Welde & Sleepingenius

Having listened to Stefan's beautiful acoustic version (On My Knees) only twice before it became a very special song for me, I have him to thank for the inspiration in waking me from my creativity slump once again!  Working with Stefan is always a pleasure.  Hope you enjoy our little musical creation :)

On Your Knees
Music by @rock-flexible
Lyrics & Vocal Melody  by Helen Suzanne (@Sleepingenius) 

I am here waiting
So reach out and find me...

There was a time
When I was afraid
Of living this life all on my own 
No one to love
And nothing to care for

All that I knew was to be alone

I feel you
Though I can't see you
Lost in the dark
When you're on your knees

You know that
I can be with you
Reach for my hand
Now you're on your knees

Now there's a time
When you feel afraid
You're living this life all on your own 
All those you lost
With nothing to care for

All that you know is to be alone
You feel me
Though you can't see me 
Lost in the dark
When you're on your knees

I know that
You can be with me
Reach for my hand
Now you're on your knees

Before time has run out
Reach up and find me
Then you'll be no longer on your knees...

3-10-16

--------------------------------------------------------
(c) 2016 - All rights reserved

Sleepingenius and Rock Flexible

'On Your Knees' - Rock Flexible & Sleepingenius

My grateful thanks to Roberto Sass (@dj-rubberman) for asking me to write something for his fantastic track, and also to Chris Held (@timeaway) for inviting me to join Legacy of Thought.  My first venture with the label has been the most enjoyable trip to Hell and back!  Please find lyrics below.

The track forms part of the "Nine Circles of Hell" album, on the LoT label.  The album concept is based on Dante Alighieri's Inferno and the underworld realms of Hades, and the nine circles that lie within it. 

Lyrics & Vocals - Helen Suzanne (@sleepingenius)
Music - Roberto Sass (@dj-rubberman)

Phlegethon, River of Flames

FIRE 

Look into my eyes
Deep into my soul
There the fire burns
Vanquishing control


Look into the river
Deep into its source
The fiery demon rising
Summoning its force

Feel the flow of water
Far beyond this hell
Your hope of resurrection
Drowning in its well

Let the fire consume you
Purify your heart
Sins of man within 
To flaming depths depart

Coiled within the maelstrom
Raging from its core
Two worlds fused in anguish
Till one exists no more


Passage of the Phlegethon
Converging with the Styx
With Thanatos and Erebus
Beneath the veil of Nyx

Hypnos in his wisdom
Eternity endures
In fiery retribution
This silent fate is yours

FIRE

Ancient tales
Foes of men
Sins of the human
Time and again

Feel the fire
Seize its light
Follow the darkness
Into the night

Blessed by the goddess
Cursed by her tears
There's no redemption
In life's souvenirs

Time is lost 
Bleak and true
The gateway to Hades
It waits for you

Just as love devours you 
Abandoning your mind
Strangled by its magnetism
Leaving sense behind...

From flesh and bone discarded
Conscience bears no grace
You sink below the precipice
That earth cannot replace

Feel the fire
Seize its light
Follow the darkness
Into the night

A coin between your lips
To bear your dying soul
The ferryman will guide you
And pay the river's toll

In finding your dystopia
Pursuing only power
Possession pays for nothing
In this your final hour

Reach out for the mantle
That wraps your earthly pain
The goddess sits beside you
To watch you die in vain

No chances left to plunder
Forgiveness takes its bow
From your unworthy shoulders
With penance to endow

Look into my eyes
Deep into my soul
There the fire burns
Let it take control

Written by Helen Suzanne 
For Phlegethon/River of Flames by Roberto Sass
© September 2016.

Other artists on the album:
@jcoke
@timeaway
@kiabeniki
@colin-stevens
@daturasonoris
@andawan
@ivan-black
@k37productions
@cat-friendly
@progeny-1-6177
@tuuligan
@mythprojects

Please visit: @legacy-of-thought
www.facebook.com/legacyofthought
twitter.com/legacyofthought
www.youtube.com/channel/UCMMxdVM6Yc5lMao_kVGYODw

www.junodownload.com/products/nine-…ll/3220046-02/
Also on amazon and spotify

Artwork by Roberto Sass
Released by: Legacy of Thought, 27 October 2016

'Phlegethon, River Of Flames' - Roberto Sass & Sleepingenius (LoT)

It's the 1st night of December, and time to reach for your advent calendar and settle down to a chapter of a magical story. So here's a little preview to get you started...  Let the story begin!

My grateful thanks to Kenny (@kenny-mitchell-28) for helping me out with the additional music at very short notice!

Please visit @mektoub-music to hear the complete eBook soundtrack.  Links to buy the eBook for iBooks and Kindle can be found there too!  All royalties go to the WWF project to save the Arctic and to children's charities.

"The Call of Mektoub" theme tune and story text written and performed by Helen Suzanne aka @sleepingenius (Helen S Michaelsen), © December 2016.  All rights reserved.  

Additional background music written and mastering by Kenny Mitchell.

eBook Soundtrack

'The Call of Mektoub - How the Story Began' by Sleepingenius with Kenny Mitchell

The story unfolds with a special edit of Chapter 11 of "The Call of Mektoub" for the eleventh night of December... 

Please see @mektoub-music for the original instrumental soundtrack and more information on the story.

Text written and narrated by Helen Suzanne (Helen S Michaelsen)aka @sleepingenius © 2013-2016.  All rights reserved.

Original music (Luna) by Dirk Maassen @ascoltadi & @dirk-maassen-official
Original Mektoub Music soundtrack (Moonrise) by Dirk Maassen with additional instrumentation and effects by David Pugh (@absorption) and Helen Suzanne (Sleepingenius)

Picture by Helen Jacobs from "The Land of Never Grow Old" by Stella Mead (1935)

'The Call of Mektoub, Chapter 11 (Narrated)' by Sleepingenius, Dirk Maassen & David Pugh

For Christmas Eve, one last "snippet" of the story from the final Chapter (24) and its ebook soundtrack "Snowfall", together with "A Magical World Awaits" ... We hope you rediscover your childhood dreams of Santa Claus within these 7 minutes. I can't give away too much of the story, so you will have to use your imagination ... 
Merry Christmas!

Original "Mektoub" theme tune and story text written and performed by Helen S Michaelsen (aka Helen Suzanne @sleepingenius).

"Snowfall" created by @oliversadie from the original theme tune, specifically for the eBook.

All music and text copyrighted to Sleepingenius Creative Enterprises & Mektoub Music.  Please see @mektoub-music for more information and Bandcamp/iBooks/Kindle/Nook links.

Illustration by Helen Jacobs from "The Land of Never Grow Old" by Stella Mead (1935)

'The Call of Mektoub - Closing Chapter (with Narration)' by Sleepingenius & Oliver Sadie

"Adieu à Paris" is the first track in the new Legacy of Thought album, "Route to Dakar". Based on the original rally route, it's time to leave the wonders of Paris to follow the call of Africa...
 
Many thanks to Chris Held (Time Away)for asking me to add un peu de Français to his music!  
Music & mastering: @timeaway
Vocals: @sleepingenius

With additional thanks to my friend, Josiane Delarboulas, for her assistance in translation to poetic French!

Lyrics (en Français):

 J’adore Paris
Qui s’affaire au soleil
Et danse sous la pluie

J’aime Paris
Cet endroit que jamais je n’abandonnerai
Je ne peux dire adieu 

Pourtant, l’Afrique m’interpelle 
Je dois partir
Et Loin derrière moi, je dois laisser Paris

Aahh aahh aahh
Ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh
Aahh aahh aahh
Ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh
Aahh aahh aahh
Ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh

Je ne peux dire adieu 
Mais Je dois partir

Je dois laisser Paris

English translation:

I adore Paris
It bustles in the sun
It dances in the rain
 
I love Paris
I can never leave this place
I cannot say goodbye
 
Yet Africa calls to me
I must go
I must leave Paris far behind me

Aahh aahh aahh... (as in French!)

I cannot say goodbye
But I must go

I must leave Paris

© Sleepingenius 2016 (Helen Suzanne & Josiane Delarboulas)

Legacy of Thought links:

www.facebook.com/legacyofthought
twitter.com/legacyofthought
www.youtube.com/channel/UCMMxdVM6Yc5lMao_kVGYODw
www.beatport.com/label/legacy-of-thought/56466
www.junodownload.com/labels/Legacy+…ught/releases/

Also on itunes, amazon and spotify

Other artists on the "Route to Dakar" album by @legacy-of-thought
jCoke: @jcoke
Time Away: @timeaway
Roberto Sass: @dj-rubberman
Nocturnal Rose: @kiabeniki
Colin Stevens: @colin-stevens
Der Bischof: @daturasonoris
Andawan: @andawan
Sleepingenius: @sleepingenius
Progeny-1: @progeny-1-617773258
Tuuligan: @tuuligan
Orbital Hum: @orbital-hum
Northstar11: @northstar11

'Adieu À Paris (Route to Dakar)' - Time Away & Sleepingenius (LoT)

Track 12 on the "Route to Dakar" album from Legacy Thought , "The Jewel of Mauritania" is a story in a poem written (by me) especially for the project, together with the musical wizardry of Chris Held (Time Away). It's a bewitching tale of the desert, taking you to another place in another time, on an adventure never to forget...  

Music & mastering: @timeaway
Poetry & vocals: @sleepingenius

Lyrics (by Helen Suzanne/Sleepingenius): 

On feathered wing 
Where eagles roam...

Mauritania
Calls me home

Sunrise

Creeping shadows shifting 
In shapes across the land 
I watch the new day dawning
Like honey, drawn from sand

Dunes that rise like mountains
In metamorphic stance
To fool the eyes and senses
Of those who play with chance

Far on the horizon
I see a lone, black horse
It rears its legs in earnest
And begs me follow course

Dark as desert nightfall
Where secrets lie unfound
With flowing mane it calls me
To somewhere westward bound

Mauritania 
Calls me home

A glimpse of my reflection
Is captured in its eyes
The shimmering oasis
That hope and truth defies

With outstretched wing I answer
And soar above sun
With sand and sky below me
My journey has begun

Within the cloudless silence
I hear the call again
A distant city sprawling
Its name, Port-Étienne

One hundred years before me
The horse's fate began
Where through the streets and markets
A fleeting figure ran

Pursued by thieving strangers
Of foreign tongue and land
The jewel of the desert
Held tightly in his hand

When plucked from his existence
A vulture swooped from high
To snatch the desert jewel
And steal it from the sky

Where once the figure stumbled
Now magic would prevail
And thus his cloak was rendered
A rippling, black tail

Mauritania
Calls me home

And so it fled the city
In dark equine disguise
The desert jewel now guarded
Within the horse's eyes

The call of Mauritania
Is now passed unto me
To find the jewel and finally
By nightfall set it free

The bustle of the city
Is choked by clouds of sand
I rest awhile upon a branch
And so peruse the land

Then somewhere in the distance
I hear a horse's bray
It calls me further westward
To rest in Arguin Bay

My path must be to follow
The long Atlantic shore
Where none have braved the ocean
Of those who went before

And so the black horse canters
Toward a watery grave
The jewel gleaming brightly
My destiny to save

The white mare of the ocean
Embraces now her steed
Upon the sparkling waters
The desert jewel is freed

And so just like the vulture
I spread my wings on high
The desert jewel to capture
And return it to the sky

Sunset

Creeping shadows shifting 
In shapes across the land
The desert sun is melting
Like honey in the hand

Dunes that rise like mountains
Hail the twilight's glow
The secret of the jewel
Is but for one to know

And as the darkness deepens
My flight from shores afar
Relights the desert jewel
Within a shooting star

The call of Mauritania
May bid me now goodbye
But always I'll remember
As I glide across the sky

Mauritania
Calls me home

"The Jewel of Mauritania"
By Helen Suzanne © October 2016 (All Rights Reserved)
For Chris Held/Legacy of Thought "Route to Dakar".

Original Artwork by Roberto Sass: www.facebook.com/roberto.sass.5

The links:
www.facebook.com/legacyofthought
twitter.com/legacyofthought
www.youtube.com/channel/UCMMxdVM6Yc5lMao_kVGYODw
www.beatport.com/label/legacy-of-thought/56466
www.junodownload.com/labels/Legacy+…ught/releases/

Also on itunes, amazon and spotify

Other artists on the "Route to Dakar" album by @legacy-of-thought:
jCoke: @jcoke
Time Away: @timeaway
Roberto Sass: @dj-rubberman
Nocturnal Rose: @kiabeniki
Colin Stevens: @colin-stevens
Der Bischof: @daturasonoris
Andawan: @andawan
Sleepingenius: @sleepingenius
Progeny-1: @progeny-1-617773258
Tuuligan: @tuuligan
Orbital Hum: @orbital-hum
Northstar11: @northstar11

'The Jewel Of Mauritania (Route to Dakar)' - Time Away & Sleepingenius (LoT)

As part of Legacy of Thought's latest album, "The Dead Painters Society Collection", "Boy on the White Horse" was inspired by the painting by Norwegian artist, Theodor Severin Kittelsen (1857-1914), which illustrates the legend of Nøkken.  

Nøkken is a river-dwelling monster, who shape-shifts in order to lure his victims into the water.  In children's fairy tales, Nøkken most often takes the form of a beautiful white horse, an image often reflected in other tales from Germanic mythology and folklore, such as Nix and Kelpie.

The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack was created by my dear friend, Alexander Hallberg, to which I added my poetry and vocals to retell the story of Nøkken.

Music: @booback
Poetry & vocals: @sleepingenius

Lyrics :
(by Sleepingenius © 2017)

Children in the meadow
Playing in the sun
Laughing by the river
So happily they run

Water lilies floating 
Near the river's hollow
There the white horse grazes
Inviting them to follow

Wherever I may be
Your spirit calls to me
Forever lead me on
Until all hope is gone

Lead me to the river
Tempted by the flowers
And sounds of haunting music
With mesmerising powers

A light upon the water
Glowing 'neath a pool
Draws me with its promise
My judgement thus to fool

To me the handsome stranger
From tales of ancient Norse
To children, in another guise -
A magical white horse

Spirit of the water
Tell me your desire
Show me why you linger 
Trapped within the mire

Seizing the unwary
You cast your charming lure
To feast upon your victim's soul
Innocent and pure

A needle to the water
While calling out your name
Nøkken, Nix or Kelpie
Your history the same

Or can I grasp your bridle?
While speaking out my riddle
Too late to flee the charming form
Playing harp and fiddle

But now I see the monster
Burning in your eyes
The golden glow is hailing
Will o' the wisp to rise

Take me to the river
From the light of day
Such beauty in the darkness
Leading me astray

Wherever I may be
Your spirit calls to me

Lights upon the water
Glowing in the night
Drawn by fate's illusion
Unto my destined plight

Forever lead me on
Until all hope is gone

Helpless I surrender
My soul is yours to keep
My heart to drown eternally
In your waters deep

The album:
Release date: 09-03-2017 on Legacy of Thought label:

Dead Painters Society Collection is the combination of different musical views inspired and motivated by paintings from different expressive artists, from different eras and artistic movements.
The compilation is a collective and heartfelt effort from composers of the Legacy of Thought Label touched by the art of many remarkable painters from the past.


The tracks:
1- AndAWan - Black Belt (Archibald Motley)
2- Time Away - Tableau 1 (Piet Mondrian)
3- Der Bischof - The Sin (Franz Von Stuck)
4- jCoke - Gagnefkulla (Anders Zorn)
5- AndAWan - Blind Man in Belsen (Alan Moore)
6- Der Bischof - The Ninth Wave (Ivan Aivazovsky)
7- Tuuligan - Sunrise (Claude Monet)
8- Nyx Orchid - Water Serpents II (Klimt)
9- Orbital Hum - The Persistence of Memory (Salvador Dali)
10- AndAWan - Spaceflight (Robert T. McCall)
11- Tolubai - Window out of the Pond (Friedensreich Hundertwasser)
12- Colin Stevens - Guernica (Picasso)
13- Ivan Black - Fall (Bridget Riley)
14- Nocturnal RoSe - The Flight (Salvador Dali)
15- Sleepingenius & Alexander Hallberg- Boy on the White Horse (Theodor Kittelsen)
16- Progeny-1 - Scotland Forever! (Lady Butler)
17- Der Bischof - The Garden of Earthly Delights (Hieronymus Bosch)

'Boy On The White Horse (Theodor Kittelsen)' - Alexander Hallberg & Sleepingenius (LoT)

The vocal version of the "Prefrontal Cortex" track from Legacy of Thought's "Voyage Through the Brain" album. Available in online stores 09.06.2017.  For all links, please see below!

Lyrics:

During our musical voyage through the brain, we follow the cerebral pathway along the most complex and mysterious organ of the body.

The Prefrontal Cortex lies at the very front of the brain, and is a region of higher brain activity. It is involved in managing complex processes, such as reasoning, logic, problem solving, decision-making, memory, expression, personality and behaviour.

It also functions in the inhibition of counter-productive impulses, and allows us to exhibit proper social behaviour.

This region of the brain has dense interconnections to other areas of the brain, and has many functions, some of which are not yet fully understood.

It is generally accepted that the prefrontal cortex contributes more than any other part of the brain in making us who we are as individuals. According to this perspective, if you were to remove our prefrontal cortex, we would be ruled by our desires and impulses, lacking an ability to plan for the future or think about the consequences of our actions.

Memories of my life
Buried so deep inside 
All that I am
All that I choose to hide

Mysteries of my soul
Truths I cannot reveal
All that you see
All I wish to conceal

Whom I've become
Each step I have taken
Every Emotion
Nothing Forsaken

Miracles of my mind
Roots of my sanctity
All that I learn
All that I strive to be

Whom I've become
Through moments endured
With every decision 
My judgement procured

Written by Helen Suzanne (@Sleepingenius) ©2017
For Voyage Through the Brain/Prefrontal Cortex (All That I Am) 
Music by Arild Nordstrand (@Northstar11)

Released by:
Legacy of Thought
Release date:
9 June 2017
The single:
Release date: 09-06-2017 on Legacy of Thought label:

The vocal version of the Pre-frontal Cortex track from the Legacy of Thought album, “Voyage Through the Brain”, is where we discover the secrets of our innermost selves. It unveils the control centre of our personal journey through life, and reveals the complexity of our personality, behaviour, hopes, dreams and fears.  “All That I Am’ takes you on a journey into the hub of our existence to reflect on the miracle that lies within us all.


The artwork:
Alexandre Bischof: https://soundcloud.com/daturasonoris (album)
and
Helen Suzanne: https://soundcloud.com/sleepingenius (single)

Mastering:
Chris Held: https://soundcloud.com/timeaway


The links:
https://www.facebook.com/legacyofthought
https://twitter.com/legacyofthought
https://play.spotify.com/user/21uctd3lr4p7ayim7pcfqwfyi/playlist/2gUTsBD0UHwYJhUeZd8wJu
https://www.beatport.com/label/legacy-of-thought/56466
http://www.junodownload.com/labels/Legacy+Of+Thought/releases/
https://soundcloud.com/legacy-of-thought
Also on iTunes and amazon

'Prefrontal Cortex - All That I Am' - Northstar11 & Sleepingenius (Vocal Version) LoT

My thanks to Tom for inviting me to collaborate on this exciting historical journey.  It's always a great pleasure to work with @tolubai. 

The Album: History of our Universe
Release date: 14-07-2017 on Legacy of Thought label:
The mapping of our universe through its billions of years of history. Experience it with Legacy of Thought's artists, each giving you one piece of the galactic music puzzle.

Links to artists, label and stores can be found at the bottom of the description!

The tracks:
Roberto Sass & Indii Moon - Quantum Flux
Tuuligan - Reionization Era 13.6 Ga
Ivan Black - Quasar CFQS J2329
Bronux - Mass Star Formation
Nocturnal Rose - The Fornax Constellation
Orbital Hum - Dawn of the Milky Way's Cosmic Halo
Time Away - Star Formation Peak Rate
Eagle Rays - Habitable Universe
Der Bischof - Oldest Known Evidence For Dark Energy
AndAWan - Dark Energy Exceeds Gravity
Cat Friendly - Solar Nebula Collapses
Tolubai & Sleepingenius - Birth of the Milky Way
The Big Beech ft Gintong Bahaghari Music - Milky Way Becomes a Spiral Galaxy
Morpheus-8 - Mizar Forms
Ambient Indigo - Alpha Centauri
Progeny-1 - The Formation of Proxima Centauri
Brainvoyager - The Sun Forms

The artwork:
Roberto Sass: https://www.facebook.com/roberto.sass.5

'Birth Of The Milky Way' - Tolubai & Sleepingenius (LoT)

This collaboration started out as a wonderfully dramatic piece of music by Alex.  He asked me if I would write and record something for it (see lyrics in description later), then asked Luke to add his piano wizardry.  We have all participated in its creative direction, until finally reaching this point, at which we feel satisfied.  So please, let us take you on a musical journey: 

Imagine an aerial view of a wind-blown cliff-top, with the waves crashing on the rocks below.  As you pan in closer, you see the solitary figure of a woman standing there, gazing out to the distant horizon ...

Lyrics (Copyright Helen Suzanne/Sleepingenius 2012):

I’ll run with you
The white mare that canters on the shore
Her long tail dancing on the crashing waves
A thousand stories drowned will cry no more

I’ll sail with you
The weathered boat that battles with the deep 
No storm can wreck the stalwart hull of steel
Nor from me can the wail of mermaids keep

I’ll fly with you
Upon the eagle’s wings that soar above
Though clouds may blur the edges of my view
The world can never quench its thirst for love

I’ll lie with you
As petticoats of snow around us fall
Where frozen in the earth with angels’ wings
Eternal sleep will soon embrace us all

Don’t leave me now
I stand alone atop the cliff and wait
Though time will be my enemy and friend
The message on the wind will seal our fate

Listen for the message
On the wind

Written by Helen Suzanne (aka Sleepingenius)

For instrumental piece “Cold” by Alexander Hallberg
27-08-2012

Please take a listen to Alex's work at  http://soundcloud.com/booback  
and Luke's at  http://soundcloud.com/freemondo88

'Message on the Wind' - Alexander Hallberg with Freemondo & Sleepingenius

This is a brand new track which was created wholly through mutual inspiration.  Often I add my words to a piece, but in this case both words and music evolved together.  I hope you'll enjoy this journey through the stars ...

To hear more music from Andreas, please visit http://soundcloud.com/andreas-akwara

'Starbound' - Andreas Akwara and Sleepingenius

This is the original theme tune for my story "The Call of Mektoub", which is available as a musical ebook from Vook.com, iBooks, Amazon (UK & US) and Barnes & Noble.  It appears in various forms throughout the story.

If you want to hear the music as the story unfolds, please follow http://soundcloud.com/mektoub-music where you will find more information about the ebook project and the Soundcloud musicians involved.

Many thanks for listening!

'The Call of Mektoub: Intro - A Magical World Awaits' by Helen Suzanne (Please Click for info)

This track was produced by Ed Haydon for the Piano Cloud's "Year of the Snake" Chinese New Year Challenge for February 2013.  Ed very kindly asked me to add lyrics and a vocal to his lovely piece.

The lyrics are original and inspired by the archetypical snake characteristics of the 6th animal symbol of The Shēngxiào (Chinese Zodiac), and laments from the Chinese Legend of Lady White Snake.

The Year of the Snake, 2013, in the Hsia calendar, is symbolized by two elements – with water sitting on top of fire.   According to the cycle of birth and destruction, which governs the inter-relationship between the elements, water is the destroyer of fire and they are therefore in a destructive cycle and have a conflicting relationship. The element of the Snake, contains not only strong fire, but also is the birthplace of Yang metal, which is a weapon.  Hence we cannot rule out violent clashes, revolutions and conflicts.   

However, in 2013, the Yin water heavenly stem on top of the Snake is symbolized by “Morning Dew” which is much more gentle and humble.  Therefore, the conflicts could be less fierce than the previous Snake years.  

Composition and Production:  http://soundcloud.com/edhaydon
Vocals and Lyrics: Me

'Legacy of the Snake (Chinese New Year 2013)' - Ed Haydon & Sleepingenius

Originally a great instrumental by Karl (K37), as soon as I heard it I loved the mood of the track and found myself humming the beginnings of the vocal.  I asked Karl if I could add my words and voice to it, and he kindly agreed.  Hope you enjoy the result!

Music and production: http://soundcloud.com/k37productions
Lyrics and vocal: Helen Suzanne

'My Reflection' (vocal version) - K37 with Sleepingenius

It was Dirk's wonderful piano piece that inspired me to write this poem specifically for the track.  We've had a few delays in finishing this collaboration, due to other commitments, and then found we could not decide which version to post here!  So we agreed to upload two different versions - one on each of our pages.  

The two versions are our personal creative interpretations, so we hope you will listen to and enjoy both!  It's not a competition, so please just sit back, close your eyes and fly away ...

Please listen to Dirk's beautiful piano works at http://soundcloud.com/ascoltadi

Photography by Helen Suzanne, Branksome Dene Chine in Dorset 


'To The Sky' (vocal atmospheric version) - Dirk Maassen with Sleepingenius

Soundtrack for Chapter Three - Strange Visitors in the Night

http://soundcloud.com/ascoltadi - Piano 
http://soundcloud.com/booback - Strings & FX 
http://soundcloud.com/sleepingenius - Original Mektoub theme & sample editing

"...The strange, tall elfin man stood up and walked towards the sideboard. He ran his long fingers gently across the cover of The Book, then turned to Emma and asked, “May I?” with his hand poised to open The Book at Chapter Five.

“Yes, of course.” It suddenly dawned on Emma, that the loose page from The Book, the shooting star and the unlikely meeting with Jack Frost and Tweeny Bunting were not a coincidence.

As Jack carefully opened The Book, a faint tinkling sound echoed around the room and a shower of magical dust burst from its pages. Emma felt Lucy’s arm wrap itself tightly around hers. She had just walked back into the room and had seen the starburst of twinkling dust from the doorway. Neither could speak, but Lucy felt her mother’s hand squeeze her arm protectively.

	Jack’s face was sombre. “Whipper Whopper has returned.”

Jack did not like Whipper Whopper. In fact, he loathed him. Merely the mention of his name would make the normally quiet and dreamy-headed frost-maker tremble with rage.
 
The clock on the mantelpiece struck eight. Jack stared at it, stroking his chin thoughtfully..."

Excerpt from "The Call of Mektoub" by Helen S Michaelsen © 2013

Chapter 3 - 'Secrets of The Book' by Dirk Maassen, Alexander Hallberg & Sleepingenius

Sleepingenius: The creativity within, awakened by moments of inspiration...

Despite the name, I don't claim to be any type of genius!  Over time, Sleepingenius has simply become my "trademark", and all my writing is copyrighted to Sleepingenius Creative Enterprises.  It is simply an avatar that I created several years ago, whilst scribbling away into the night.  Similarly, "theHelenigma" became my Twitter avatar, as a humorous reflection of how we are perceived by those who don't really know us.  

When I started writing poetry and lyrics here in 2012, it was purely to fulfil a creative need to touch something beyond the boundaries of everyday living.  I never expected to sing my words as well as speak them, but if you like what you hear, then I am very grateful to be able to share it with you, and I respect everyone here who shares their talent and time.  

I was delighted to join the Legacy of Thought label in 2016,  and become part of its rapidly increasing catalogue of electronic music tracks and albums, together with several of my Soundcloud friends and peers.  

I truly appreciate having the opportunity to work with an ever-growing list of wonderfully talented musicians, some of whom have become very dear friends.  Please take a little time to listen to their work when you can...

https://soundcloud.com/northstar11
https://soundcloud.com/timeaway
https://soundcloud.com/dj-rubberman
https://soundcloud.com/christian-welde
https://soundcloud.com/tolubai
https://soundcloud.com/nickrdavies
https://soundcloud.com/kenny-mitchell-28
https://soundcloud.com/dan-t-3
https://soundcloud.com/rock-flexible
http://soundcloud.com/ted-morgan
http://soundcloud.com/ascoltadi
http://soundcloud.com/countersilence
http://soundcloud.com/k37productions
http://soundcloud.com/edhaydon
http://soundcloud.com/oystein-jorgensen
http://soundcloud.com/oliversadie 
http://soundcloud.com/andreas-akwara
http://soundcloud.com/booback
http://soundcloud.com/absorption 
http://soundcloud.com/oxfordambient

Thank you :)

Sleepingenius

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