Cast of characters:

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Taylor T5z acoustic guitar, Tom Anderson Custom T electric guitar, Gibson Earl Scruggs banjo, Eastwood MandoCaster, mix, mastering, production, and composition

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums 

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Fender Precision four string bass, played with a plectrum 

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – harmonica, jaw harp, timpani, hambone percussion, and production editing  
   
This song began with Stephen, who recorded it on his acoustic guitar and bass to a programmed drum track a few months ago. We were all thrilled to work on it, even though it sat in BandLab as a project for almost a month before Stephen separated the tracks, thus allowing us to trickle in our parts. JJ was first to jump on it, because he could before the tracks were separated, as his part is completely his idea. He added the organ that really set up the entire sound of both dominant sections of the song. 

  Ken was first up to the project once the tracks were replaceable, making the wild, driving beat his own. Inspired by both JPJ and Michael Ivins, Josh laid down his bass line, trying to match Ken's energy. Last, but not least, Mark jumped in with the rumbling timpani. He also added the flavorful harmonica, and unique jaw harp you hear throughout, as well. Finally, Mark added the hambone percussion at the end of the song, too, which we all consider a treat.

Stephen wasn't done with it, though, and still had some magic to sprinkle. He went in and added the howling electric guitar you hear prominently in the second main section. Also, he added the tempting intro with his acoustic guitar and electric mandolin that looks like a Telecaster guitar. 

  Once it was in the bag, we thought it appropriate for our master mixer Stephen to put it to bed, which he did in his always expert manner. Mark did help with the production, though, as he's very good with editing and spotting mistakes that need to be corrected.

  This is a gift from Stephen to all of us, and you, too. It to
ok a lot of teamwork to make the dream work, as always for Eclectic Collective. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Country Ham - (Eclectic Collective)

The latest Texas Tea monster is loose.  This one started with a cool funky stroll inside of Terry's world and I enhanced it with some e-bow and a nice side of distorted groove here and there.  Terry with the composition, synth, beats and mix and me on the guitar machine.

Elevator

Elevator - A Texas Tea Production

Cast of Characters: 

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four-string bass, Paul Reed Smith semi hollow body electric Guitar 

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ and triangle (triangle of love)

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — production, mix, and mastering

This song, in case you're not familiar, was written by Medeski, Martin, and Wood with guitarist John Scofield, and performed by them on an album eponymously named A Go Go. Josh has always been a huge fan of both MMW and J.S., and has always wanted to play more of their music, as he used to cover a couple of their songs in one of his main old bands. 

  Josh laid down the bass and after going back an forth a couple of times with Ken and his thrilling drums, they established the rhythm section. Soon after, Josh added his jazzy guitar, as well. We needed someone to play John Medeski's part, too, of course. So, we asked JJ if he'd do the honors, which he did in grand fashion. He also added some triangle hits you can listen for, that add a little bit more pizzaz to the whole thing. 

  Once it was all laid down, we needed a good mix, and no one is gooder than Stephen, so we asked him to mix it for us, which he did in his always pro manner. 

  This was a lot of fun to record, and we hope that comes through. This is a stripped down Eclectic Collective collab, where most of what we're all doing is improv. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.

A Go Go - Eclectic Collective

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – beats, acoustic and electric guitar, vocals, composition, and production

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – five string fretless bass, organ, composition, and production editing

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– sitar, composition, and production

This was a seed that Chris came up with on his acoustic guitar, adding beats, and some subtle vocals, then shared with Josh and Stephen. They are always excited to work on Chris' songs, because he always comes up with magical tunes.

  Josh was first in line, adding his five string fretless bass, then the organ part. Stephen used Josh's chord structure to come up with his awe-inspiring, monster electric sitar part. After they both laid down their parts, Chris added the electric guitar you hear at the beginning, too. 
  The song was about twice the current length when Chris made it, but Josh chopped off the second half, as the crescendo fits right into the 2/3 slot now. This was mixed as a team effort in BandLab, too, which is a rarity, given both Stephen and Chris are expert producers. 

  This is an example of a song Chris came up with, that was taken to the next level by Josh and Stephen. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Juxtaposed They Went

Cast of Characters:

Surfers Like Us– @user-411502040 –Artur–composition, arrangement, and Fender Jaguar delayed, foundational rhythm guitar

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – Yamaha Genos 2 Synthesizer

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four-string bass

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, production, mix, and mastering

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar

The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl -- ovation acoustic guitar, vocals, and lyrics

This song began in Artur's jam room at his house, where he creates all of his amazing music on his Fender Jaguar, which is perfect for the surf sound, at which he's a master. He shared it with Josh, who shared it with the group.
 
  Before Josh could lay down a bass part to it, though, JJ came up with his elegantly moody synth and laid it down. The rhythm section, Josh and Ken, then did their usual dance, dialing it in with some back and forth. Stephen was next in line, adding a subtle duet with Artur's chords. Tez then played the ethereal lead throughout most of it. Stephen, after it was pretty much laid down, came through with the ripping wah solo towards the end.

  Once the music was all taken care of, Carl came up with some great lyrics for it, and sang them, as the newest member of the group. He also laid down an accompanying acoustic rhythm guitar part, too. After Carl did his thing, we turned it over to Stephen for a mix, which he did with his professional skill set.

  This is the latest in a long line of surf rock tunes Artur has shared with Eclectic Collective. If you dig the sound, he has plenty more great ones on his page, which are worth checking out, too. We tried to do this with a little nod to The Police, the band, not the profession. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it. Thanks for listening.

Lyrics - The Beautiful Dark

Who said we're different
We got our genes and our names
One human mission
Heart fused like fission
Real collective brains

Pure pine for pure
Pleased though holds hands
Reel in one love
Filter for our sands

I feel the same as you
No provocation ever making us blue
I feel the same as you
No provocation ever making us blue

I feel the same as you
Let music train our clue
No place like home we woo
I feel the same as you

I feel the same as you
Let music train our clue
No place like home we woo
I feel the same as you

I Feel the Same As You - w/ Eclectic Collective and Surfers Like Us

Here's the latest in Texas Tea flavor, called Black Coffee and it is a little dark and mysterious.  Terry had been on a fantastic voyage for a while, and this is our first since his return.  Hope you enjoy.  See the entire Texas Tea playlist here - https://soundcloud.com/texmex-shaman/sets/texas-tea-sea

Black Coffee - A Texas Tea Production with Tea R Sea

Cast of Characters:

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Fender Precision bass and Gibson SG electric guitar

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums

The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl -- vocals

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ and piano

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- VST string and VST sax

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, production, mix, and mastering

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar

This cover of the CCR version of this Screaming Jay Hawkins classic began as an idea Josh had for Eclectic Collective putting on a musical Halloween costume. He was inspired by his favorite band, Phish, who cover an entire album every Halloween as a musical costume. Although, which song we covered was up for debate from the start. 

  Once we decided on a song, Josh laid down the skeleton for it on his '71 SG. Once we had a framework to work with, Ken laid down his rocking drums, followed by Josh completing the rhythm section by adding his trusty P-bass. Even though the song was now in its infancy, Carl summoned all his Halloween spirit for his dynamic vocal performance.  

  Now that it was sounding like a real song, JJ dropped both the key piano part, as well as his expressive organ in there, too. Mark wasn't far behind, adding his magic via the sax to the solo section, and strings in the third verse. Stephen came through with the spooky tremolo guitar and the fiery first half of the guitar solo in the solo section right after. And to put the cherry on the musical sundae, Tez brought the lightning down for the second half of the guitar solo, as well as the solo work that leads the whole way to the end.

  We all enjoyed bringing this classic song back to life, and doing it in the spirit of what may be the most fun holiday on the callendar. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it. Happy Halloween!

I Put A Spell On You - Eclectic Collective

This is a track from a few years ago.  I recently remixed it with some new parts.  This song is why I think I have ADHD.   

You may know the title from the sound a teenager makes once they've figured out they know everything. 

lyrix:

woah!
ahhh ahh
scheau
scheau
crazy
i like parties 
scheau
lol
scheau
ohhh ohhh oh oh ohhh
(shamanic chants)
scheau x2
oh goddamn
crazy

Scheau

Gaz Brownie — @user-755327533 — Gaz — vocals, vocal harmonies, lyrics, and composition
K2 and the Three [and the Four] -- @k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – Warwick four-string fretless bass
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson custom T guitar
J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ and piano
Llanpsych–@llanpsych –Tez– mix, production, and mastering

This song began by Gaz composing it and on his acoustic guitar, and singing his original lyrics over it. Gaz is a brilliant songwriter, lyricist, and singer, with whom we've worked before. However, this is the first song he's shared with us. He gave it to Ken first, who started the project and invited the rest of us to it.

  Ken, who was the originator of the project, was actually the second person to lay down a part, which he did to Josh's bass, instead of the other way around, as they usually do it. Stephen then came in and replaced Gaz's acoustic guitar with his silky smooth electric guitar. JJ got down on his magical piano and organ parts not long after Stephen added his guitar. 

  This was a somewhat uncomplicated process, as Gaz gave us a fully realized song to work with right from the start. Tez sealed the deal with his expert production to cap it off, too.

  As mentioned, this is our second song starring Gaz, and we're very grateful to him for sharing his magic with us. We're all looking forward to working together again in the future, too. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it. 

Original lyrics by Gaz Brownie:
V1
Im drawing the conclusion that 
Im just being polite 
And questioning myself is it me our are they right
I’m feeling a little angry hope it’s not out of spite 
Is just a reaction to this uncomfortable night 

Chorus 
When did the world stop listening 
When did the world stop listening 


V2
As we compete for space to try & speak
Everyone’s on journey on a bus to shit creek
With condescending story’s of their bad & awesome week
And I’m working on finding just a better style of technique 

Chorus 

V3
I avoid catching that struggle bus 
Don’t wanna be part of my problem and be misunderstood 
What are you looking at is there something you wanna discuss 
I push his   face up the window cause I’ve had enough 


When Did The World Stop Listening - Eclectic Collective w/ Gaz Brownie

Here is this year's holiday track from MJ-Brewer and yours truly. It's called Santa's Surf Shop.

vidya - www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8oRYNgtr…t=RDMMP8oRYNgtrrA

song by MJ-Brewer
Background singers - Liberty, Justice and Beth Jackson
guitar, drums, mix, production - TexMex Shaman
bass, jaw harp and lead vocal - MJ-Brewer
lyrics by MJ-Brewer

Come on down to Santa's little surf shop baby
He only closes one day a year
He can look at you once look at you twice
Don't really care if you're naughty or nice
As long as you buy from him

Well I remember the first time I met Santa
He sold me my first boogie board
Said he traded his sleigh in Atlanta
And got a hot rod rag top ford

Come on down to Santa's little surf shop baby
He only closes one day a year
He can look at you once look at you twice
Don't really care if you're naughty or nice
As long as you buy from him

Well Santa Claus had to retire
His last gig put a strain on his heart
All of the other reindeer kept crying
Because of Dasher's

Come on down to Santa's little surf shop baby
He only closes one day a year
He can look at you once look at you twice
Don't really care if you're naughty or nice
As long as you buy from him

Ho ho ho

Santa's Surf Shop

Santa's Surf Shop w/ MJ-Brewer

After taking a break from this story for a whole year, The Smoking Trout is so happy to share with you all the final chapter in our epic ongoing tale, the Quest for the Holy Dumpling! Thanks to all who've joined us on this fantastic ride, as either listeners or musicians. See credits below to learn about the crew who contributed to this memorable final episode. You'll also find links to our BandCamp and our earlier album, plus Jeff & Jo's incredible lyrics!

Stonerjazz @user-911083679 -- Lyrics, Vocals (intro/outro) Guitar (intro/middle)
Tot - @tot-beat -- Beat & Drums (intro/outro)
Tea R. Sea - @tea_are_sea -- Beat (middle), Synths (throughout), Production
Nadia Selvaggi - @nadiaselvaggi -- Vocals (middle)
TexMex Shaman @texmex-shaman -- Guitar & Guitar Special Effects (intro/middle/outro), final mastering
Nic - @nic_nic_nic -- Vocals, Synths/Keys (middle)
Jo Richter @sonic-textures -- Lyrics, Melodion

-------------
Catch up with all 12 tracks in the Smoking Trout's now-complete concept album, Quest for the Holy Dumpling: on.soundcloud.com/FR63a

Listen to the Smoking Trout's first album, The Land of Zed (2021-2022): on.soundcloud.com/WB34q

Find us on BandCamp! thesmokingtrout.bandcamp.com
-------------

Lyrics (by Stonerjazz & Jo Richter):

Everybody on the bus, Gus and Stu
and some others from Uriah, too, made up their minds
packed up their kinds and kith and kin
and decided unattachedly to pack it in
and Johnny, all nostalgic for the solitude of melancholic bedsheet ascetism, said
"We should go to Zed" and smiled in mild remembrance
"I saw a crack a couple light years back in the space time continuum,
with a sign that read, Zed, 50 miles straight ahead.
We might get there in time to liberate my lost accordion
from the clutches of the local patron
a relative of Mr Smith’, if I am not completely wrong.“

Uriah had a riot
when the dumplings disappeared
trampled by the herds of lust, desire
lampooned by the nerds of rust and fire
gobbled up by fast food throats and street flock trucks
and someone farted, burped and said they wanted seconds
and that was when the trouble started and ursurped the mental landscape
and who’s to blame but some minions from that moppet, Alfred Rufus Smith
who to his simian bewilderment was headed back to earth
in that stolen starship that he stole again, restole and stole for just another time
(the way rebirthing beings rack up karma by incarnating ceaselessly)
from the only holy spaceport of that karmic spacelord on the potted planet
frowned upon by Gus and Stu and all the riders of experience on the nirwana bus--

--"And so it was , they crossed the boundry into Zed, and landed lightly on the purple plain
and when they did, all the holograms on board the bus turned into real Girls and Boys
Would love to say thing turned out well but what the hell , who can tell
Uziel Wivress, Neal Nic and Nadia, jeff and Jo, Stephen Tot and Terry too enjoyed the view as the bus it hit the ground
in the golden grass near the end of June--
Gus and all the crew were happy to have arrived safe and sound
and without a scratch on that sacred patch of rock in space--

see the tarmac flotilla in karmic espandrilles
sharpen their common intuition
and like expanding armadillos
overcome respective inhibition
and cross across the crucial rift and ,riffing, raft the cosmic shift
and wake up in the place where Jonny is remembered as the bringer of the dumpling and the player
of the most beautiful instrument Divine --

The Smoking Trout - Quest for the Holy Dumpling: The End of the Line

Cast of Characters:

Paul Young — PRS SE semi-hollow body electric guitar

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – Upright double bass

K2 and the Three [and the Four] -- @k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums

TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– Earl Scruggs custom banjo, production, mix, and mastering

This is a song that Josh and his cousin Paul came up with on Thanksgiving night, after everyone went to bed. They were working on a much longer composition, but got stuck in the jam after looking at each other and wordlessly saying, "this is the magic, stick with it." We were playing an electric guitar and a stand-up bass to a looper disco beat when we recorded this. So, of course, Josh asked Ken if he'd add some real drums, which he did as though he were in the room jamming with us. Josh and Stephen also had the idea to add some banjo in here, which Stephen did like the excellent musician he is. He also managed to mix this live recording hybrid with exceptional skill. 

  This is an example of two musicians who are intimately familiar with each other, and each other's playing and sensibilities, accompanied by two other musicians who have become nearly as familiar over the past few years. Happy belated Turkey Day to everyone. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

The Ice Melts w/ Paul Young

Cast of Characters:
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals, lyrics, acoustic guitar and composition

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- VST strings and mellotron 

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – upright double bass, plucked and bowed

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – piano

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, Danelectro baritone electric guitar, and e-bow

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – production, mix, and mastering
 
Carl came up with this song at the beginning of November on his acoustic guitar, and shared it with the rest of us shortly after. Carl is a songwriting supernova, in case you're unfamiliar with our newest addition to the team. We're always excited and grateful to get to work on his music. 

  Mark was first to add his parts, although he tweaked them throughout the process. His work can be heard in the dramatic string arrangement and mellotron at the crescendo. Josh was next to jump in, adding his new upright bass to the song. He played not only the plucked part, but the bowed part in the strings section, too. Ken came along next with his perfect drums to complete the rhythm section. JJ wanted in on this, too, so he added the foundational piano you hear throughout. Last, but not least, Stephen dropped in his electrifying guitar solo and the accompanying textural chords using is Danelectro baritone guitar, followed at the very end by his magical e-bow part. 

  Once it was all in the bag, we asked Tez to produce and mix it for us, which he did in his always expert fashion. 

  This is our latest song of which Carl is the author. He's been making music with us for the past half a year now, and we can't get enough of his abundant creativity. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

  Also, Carl had this to say about his lyrics, "Labels and putting each other in a particular box is causing big problems on the planet. The song's meaning is born from trying to take labels out of our lessons. In a polarized world, the song pines how we will likely learn lessons properly if we leave ego out of what we are trying to learn. Maybe our art has more relevance for future generations if we do that instead of bolting it to the current people or ideas causing us problems."
Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:

Let's play cards
You lying runt
Word poker perfect
A joker to hunt
Motor makeup mouth
Dadless brain itched
Orange sith can shout
Cycle of old child bewitched

Leave out the names
Remove their power
Lessons find refrain
Fake turned to flower

All liars die
'As honest tongue
Dinnseanchas signs our true right and wrong
Transmutation
Time understood
Truth trump card for hate
More blossomed love

Leave out the names
Teach tomorrow's hour
Lessons find refrain
Pure honest power

Lies from power
Carry hidden agenda
Justice can save us from these malady members
Unless they break our sacred norms
They've changed the game with iron fisted porn

Leave out the names
Control our stream
Lessons mute ego
Brutes turn to dream

The system protects us from crazy one
One system collective
Agreement by sum
Normals described
Standards of power
Transmutation of evil
Never named gives real flower

Let's label our love
Let's teach that today
Let lessons of dove
Show us our way

Leave out the names
Remove their power
Lessons find refrain
Fake turned to flower

Leave out the names
Teach tomorrow hour
Lessons find refrain
Pure honest power

Leave Out the Names - Eclectic Collective

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synth, and composition

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

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ, electric piano, and synth

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – bowed upright double bass and Warwick four-string fretless electric bass guitar 

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- Timpani, steel pan, triangle, arpeggiated synth, synth effects, backing vocals, and production editing

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

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production

This song began its life when Chris put ass to chair and came up with it a while back. This is the latest of the massive song collection he laid on Eclectic Collective about a month and a half ago. Be prepared to hear a lot more of his songs coming through our fingers and voices, because we now have a plethora of great material from him. So, Chris came up with this arrangement on his acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and synth, but it was a pretty solid composition, even by his standards, and it had the magic already baked in.

  The first one of us to grab a hold of it was Carl, who immediately heard his vocal part, which he supplied with his always striking lyrics. JJ was the first instrumentalist to add his part, laying in the delightful organ, electric piano, and synth you hear throughout. Josh came out swinging next, adding his upright bass, which he bowed. Mark came along shortly after, adding his dramatic timpani, enchanting steel pan, cool triangle, arpeggiated synth, and synth effects to the mix. He also did some major editing, making room for Stephen's guitar solo, and adjusting some parts at the end. Mark also added some backing vocals, quoting George Harrison's Here Comes the Sun. If you listen closely, you can hear his Easter eggs in there. 

  At this point, the song sounded almost classical, especially Josh's bowed bass part. However, Ken still had something to say in here, adding his remarkable, driving drums to the whole thing. Josh, recognizing the sea change this created, added his fretless four-string to match Ken's kick. Stephen was able to blend the two in the production phase. But not before installing his absolutely thrilling electric guitar solo in there. Stephen did a wonderful job of producing, mixing, and mastering this for us, as always, when it was all in the can.

 This is the first song Carl has gotten to sing that Chris has written. We're all super excited to unleash this combo on the world. This song reminds Josh of one of his favorite bands, The Flaming Lips, too, which makes it a special treat for him, as well. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. 
Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:
Great nuclear beast
East horizon you meet
New life

Shine on us
Saving us from night

Birds take the first song
Beaks waking other ones
Wonder returns

Good morning sun
Just shine dear one
Sun shine on

Good greatest grace for thee
Dusts to Star
Our seed
Evolution breathes
Mass ejection beams

Our sun
Good morning
Fill good air with photon
The greatest good
Solar bent space time flood
Space fawn

Birds cannot be wronged
Once your fine light has songed
Wonder wound
Morning sound

Our dear Sun
Shine on

Good Morning Sun - Eclectic Collective

This is a track that Jeff and I originally did back in the Spring of '24 i believe.  But now that AI is under every rock you can find, I wanted to remake the video because Jeff's lyrics are really creative and lend themselves to a video narrative naturally,  So this is Shit Kickin and Toad Lickin with the new remix, the new video and with MJ-Brewer laying down a country bass on here 

check out the vidya here - https://youtu.be/k-bD4BemH6A?si=kWfulS3986senWIx


Song, Guitar, Drums, Production - TMS
Lyrics and Vocals - Stonerjazz
Bass - MJ-Brewer


Lyrics/Vocals : Stonerjazz

l was flying down state 95
just ten miles East of Blyth
Hot Rod Lincoln blaring on the radio
My ole pickup truck lt overheated
l had to stop and find some shade
underneath a Palo Verde tree
a blg ole Toad There he spoke to me
He sald "Why don't you give me just a little lick Right here, Right behind my ear

Now you may think lt's a little funny, but l can guarantee
You will thank me ln the end my Friend--

Not wanting to disappoint my new found friend
l took a little tiny lick
and washed lt down with a Beer
After Frothin at the mouth for a little blt
my Consciousness lt took a hit
and headed south ln a flood of light

There are no word that can describe what happened next-
but l can say for sure without a doubt, unequivocally
My brand new Paradigm got tangled up with my Epiphany!!


Shit Kickin and Toad Lickin - w/ Stonerjazz and MJ-Brewer

Cast of Characters:

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh –piano, Sigma acoustic guitar, upright double bass, and vocals 

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

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, pedal steel, mix, mastering, and production


This is a cover of a Jerry Jeff Walker song Josh has known since he was a kid. That's because his dad used to his favorite musician on a tape it was on all the time in his pickup truck when Josh was growing up. If you remember last year around this time, we released another song off the same live album, Live at Gruene Hall, called The Pickup Truck Song. Thus, it has become a tradition for Josh to enlist various members of Eclectic Collective to help him with his annual Xmas present for his father. 

  Josh learned the piano, rhythm guitar, and upright bass parts for this before turning it over to the other guys to fill in the rest. This year, both Stephen and Ken were gracious and generous enough to lend a hand. First, Ken very skillfully added his perfect brushes and waltz beat to it first. Then Stephen added some killer pedal steel, which he had to drive to his friend's nearby house in down in Texas to use in his barn studio. Talk about an authentic way to get the right sound! For those of you who don't know, Jerry Jeff was a Texas troubadour who came out of the Outlaw Country scene in the '70s. Stephen also added the delightfully melodic guitar in the solo section. Josh then sang the lyrics in his best baritone to cap it off.

  Once we had it recorded, we turned it over to Stephen for a mix, which he did in his always expert fashion. 

  This project really means a lot to Josh, not only because it made a wonderful gift for his dad, but because you can't grow up on a song and not have a special fondness for it. He is very grateful to both Stephen and Ken for all their time, effort, and musical expertise that got it over the finish line. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. We wish a very merry Christmas and happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year to all our friends out there in SoundCloud land!

I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight by Jerry Jeff Walker (Eclectic Collective)

Cast of Characters:
SunnyBeck-- @sunnybeck — Beck — synth and MIDI composition, and narration for this project
J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – piano, organ, synth, electric bass, guitar drums, acoustic guitar, vocals, lyrics, composition and arrangement
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – four and five string fretless and four string fretted electric bass guitars, upright double bass, piano, organ, synth, mandolin, banjo, sitar, lap steel, vocals, lyrics, composition, arrangement, art, and write-ups
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums, percussion, vocals, guitar, piano, bass, and composition
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — electric and acoustic guitar, banjo, keys, pedal steel, acoustic and electric sitar, slide guitar, composition, mix, mastering, and production
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals, lyrics, guitar, synth, drums, percussion, and composition
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – electric guitar, composition, production, mix, and mastering
Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synth, mandolin, bass, drums, vocals, lyrics, production, arrangement, composition, and art
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- VST instruments (including horns, strings, reeds, clavinet, upright bass, fiddle, mellotron, Middle Eastern Instruments), synth, piano, organ, flute, jaw harp, sound effects, vocals, lyrics, arrangement, production, editing, harmonica, percussion, drums, and composition
Surfers Like Us– @user-411502040 –Artur–composition, arrangement, and electric guitar
Q&A TIME STAMPS:
TexMex Shaman (6:11)
The Beautiful Dark (10:33)
Surfers Like Us (16:09)
Llanpsych (21:40)
Mistermark (27:40)
Entheogenic Psychonaught (33:12)
K2 and the Three (38:16)
J.J. Terrell (44:28)
This is a project that JJ has been putting together for us as a gift every year for the past couple of years, which gives us a way to speak to all our fans, friends, associates on SoundCloud. It is a compilation of a bunch of our songs from the past year, over which we all answer some questions in an interview style. This year, our interviewer is SunnyBeck, although it has been Jeff of Stonerjazz fame in the past. We have collaborated on a few songs with her, and now consider her part of the Eclectic Collective family.
We know this is a very long project, so please listen to as much as you want, and know this is as much for our collective listening pleasure as it is to show the world. The time stamps of all out appearances are included with our names, so if you just want to listen to a particular person while commenting on their page, please feel free to do that, too.
This is a time of year to take stock in and reflect on the past year. We all have a lot for which to be thankful. We added Carl to the group this year, which has been a delight to all of us. He and Chris have given us so many amazing compositions to work with. Chris is a full member of the band, although he doesn't appear as an interviewee in the documentary.
We also want to sincerely thank the other collaborators who have shared their magic with us this year. They include Jonathan Beckenstein, Jeff Roberts, MahanMahan, Didier Burli, Tea R. Sea, Mark F, E Ruizzo, Saskiagoethals, Joe Stroffolino, Sean Smith, Steve's Planet, Gaz Brownie, Nyla K, Scratch Kelly, and Single Use & Recycled. They are all spectacular musicians to whom we're very grateful.
Most of all, though, we're sincerely thankful for each one of you out there with whom we've been able to share our music and make a personal connection with. Your music delights us, as well, and we know that all the attention we get is actually just musicians like us checking poking their heads out and reaching for the same connection. We hope you enjoy listening to our music as much as we enjoy making it. We wish you a successful, creative, and meaningful New Year!

2025 Eclectic Collective Rockumentary

This one took a while mostly because it was written over the holidays.  Terry sent it over and once I was able to absorb it, I kept hearing a bed of noise under it.  Crazy noises was the direction I went with.  Terry did a heck of a job mixing it all together.   It also, at first , reminded me of  "The Stray Cats- Stray Cat Strut" progression in a way , and I almost put some rockabilly guitar over this, but that may come in a future production.  So here is Gloaming Hour, cool title and art by Terry.  Check out the rest on the Texas Tea playlist!

https://soundcloud.com/texmex-shaman/sets/texas-tea-sea

Gloaming Hour - A Texas Tea Production

Cast of Characters:

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh –Collings mandolin, upright double bass, and harmony vocals

Paul Young — Taylor acoustic guitar and lead vocals

Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – electric slide guitar

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

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Earl Scruggs custom banjo, production, mix, and mastering

This is a traditional bluegrass song, and is within the bluegrass cannon, is part of the Sunday morning category. Traditional bluegrass can be put in either the Saturday night or the Sunday morning category. Saturday night songs are mostly about heartbreak or true love, while the later category includes all the gospel bluegrass. Josh's cousin, Paul, who is in his mid-thirties, is a phenomenal bluegrass guitar flat-picker, who knows a bunch of songs, and can sing them all, too. Josh and he have been playing bluegrass together for decades, and their chemistry is about as good as it gets.  

  Paul came over to Josh's house for Thanksgiving this year, having moved back to Pittsburgh not so long ago. They recorded their after dinner jam session, and this was one of the songs they did, as Paul led it.

  Josh was very excited to share what he and his cousin had done with the group, too, of course. He added the upright bass part before turning it over to Eclectic Collective to add their magic to it, as well. 

  Chris hopped on first, adding that delightful, ethereal slide you hear throughout. Ken jumped on next, skillfuly adding his drums to the second section. That left Stephen with the task of not only adding his colorful banjo, but mixing and producing it for us expertly, as well.  

  This was a song that just jumped out during a jam session, but had bigger plans in life. There will be more bluegrass to come, too, as Josh plans to release a new one every Monday night for the next few weeks. So, stay tuned! We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it. 

  On a personal note, this is Josh's 200th song on SoundCloud. Which means he's been on here for almost four years now. He couldn't be more grateful to all the folks who take a couple minutes and listen to his songs, or more excited to keep the music flowing with Eclectic Collective, too!

Harbor of Love - w/Eclectic Collective and Cousin Paul Young

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – electric guitar, vocals, lyrics, and composition

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

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – organ

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh --  Fender Precision electric bass guitar

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster  electric guitar

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — mix, mastering, and production

This song began its life with the band all the way back in July, when Chris shared it with us all, having skillfully written it on his electric guitar. Ken added his rocking drums about a week after receiving the invitation to the project. JJ went next, adding his thrilling organ to the mix. Then Josh showed up and completed the rhythm section that Ken began. Tez came onboard a few months later, adding his fiery guitar to the stew, as well. 

  After the music was all in the bag, it sat for months, awaiting vocals. Chris finally came through with some fairly recently, though, to tie a bow on it. Of course, every great song needs a great producer, and lucky for us, Stephen was up for the task. 

  This is the latest in a long line of great songs composed by Chris and shared with the rest of Eclectic Collective for us to expand upon. We love working on his songs, as they are always challenging, yet very fulfilling when we finish them. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

original lyrics by CGManess

Come close, 
let me whisper in your ear.
There’s nothing, 
there’s no one that we should fear.
Save for one.
Save for one.
Scrape my galaxy,
Defraud my seas.
~
Of life, precious time,
Make us see your sweet apple tree.
Sweet Apple Tree
~
Of life, precious time,
Make us see your sweet apple tree.
Sweet Apple Tree

Sweet Apple Tree - Eclectic Collective

Cast of Characters:

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh –Collings mandolin, upright double bass, and harmony vocals

Paul Young — Taylor acoustic guitar and lead vocals

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – piano and synth fiddle

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Earl Scruggs custom banjo, production, mix, and mastering

This is yet another live jam that we recorded when my cousin, Paul, came over to my house on Thanksgiving. It's been a couple of months and a few jam sessions since then, but we thought this was worthy of sharing. 

  Paul and I originally recorded this live on the mandolin and guitar. All the vocals you hear are from that initial session, as well. First thing I did after getting the recording was to add some acoustic upright bass to give it some foundation. JJ, just this past Saturday, added the hopping piano you hear throughout. He also very skillfully added the synth fiddle you hear in here, too. Stephen also added the banjo rhythm part in here. 

  After we were done adding our various parts, Stephen was generous enough to mix, produce, and master it for us. 

  This is the latest in my January Bluegrass Tuesdays series, which is all based on live recordings I've done with my very talented cousin. We've been playing this song for at least a decade and a half together, and I believe, even though it's been years since we lived near each other, this was a first take recording. Love making music with him, and with rest of my musical extended family, JJ and Stephen, too. And please look out for Bluegrass Tuesdays the rest of the month, and possibly beyond!
  We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

Old Home Place - w/ Cousin Paul


Cast of Characters:

Moe Kim — @moekim -- acoustic guitar, vocals, lyrics, and composition

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez –electric guitar

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – four string Fender Precision Bass and vocal harmonies

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

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- electric piano and synth

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– e-bow, production, mix, and mastering

This song started when Moe wrote it a while back on his acoustic guitar. He and Josh were mutual admirers, and decided they wanted to do a collaboration. So, Moe was kind enough to share this with Eclectic Collective to hear what it would sound like with a full band behind it. 

  Tez was first to bite into this dish, though, adding his monster electric guitar to suppliment Moe's acoustic guitar and bring out the fire and the dirt in it. Josh pulled up to the table next, adding his fretted four string bass to stew. He also sang the vocal harmonies you hear in here. Ken followed soon after, adding his heavy-pulsing, rocking drums to it. JJ finished the meal with his magical electric piano, and thrilling synth intro. 

  Once it was complete, we sent it over to our in house pro Stephen to produce, mix, and master for us, which he did expertly, as always.

  This is our first song with Moe, but we hope to do more with him in the near future. Not only is he a gifted guitarist and singer, but a brilliant composer and lyricist, as well. He's also an engaged, enthusiastic, and delightful collaborator. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by Moe Kim:
You call me names almost every night 
A game we play ‘cause it helps you pass the time 
Its just for fun, so I shouldn't complain 
But it always hit the mark 
The times you say: 
“You’re just like your dad” 
Actually I'm just a weaker man 
“You’re afraid to stand” 
But when I do, you’ll never stand a chance 

You don’t know the difference 
Since I never said so 
But I would never be with you 
If you had let go 
I'm waiting for a moment 
Waiting for the moment 
Waiting for this moment 
Like a perfect photo 
When you read this note 
That says you're all alone 

Days have passed and you are fine 
It’s easy when you only know your lines 
Maybe we were just made the same 
Cause It always hit the mark 
The times you’d say: 
“I’m just like my dad” 
I'll still try to be a better man 
“I’m afraid to stand” 
But when I do, you’ll never get the chance 
You don’t know the difference 
Since I never said so 
But I would never be with you 
If you had let go 
I'm waiting for a moment 
Waiting for the moment 
Waiting for this moment 
Like a perfect photo 
When you read this note 
That says you're all alone 

You don’t know the difference 
Since you take and borrow 
Everything I had so you 
Could bend your sorrows 
I waited for a minute 
Waited for the minute 
Waited for your minute 
Like there’s no tomorrow 
But you never showed 
Now you’re all alone 

It’ll be on your very best day 
You’ll come home to find my empty space 
And I won't be there to explain 
Just this note to tell you what’s the same 
This song is your only keep 
As you lay there, struggling to sleep

Perfect Photo - Eclectic Collective w/ Moe Kim

Cast of Characters:

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh –Collings mandolin, upright double bass, and harmony vocals

Paul Young — Taylor acoustic guitar and lead vocals

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Earl Scruggs custom banjo, production, mix, and mastering

This is the final January Bluegrass Tuesday song that I recorded as a jam with my cousin, Paul. We always have so much fun playing together, and have been doing it for decades. Paul's dad, my Uncle Bill, actually gave me my first mandolin, which is why I can even play bluegrass at all. This song is the fruit of a jam we did in the new year. Paul knew it and led it. This was my second time ever hearing it, but we played it once right before this take. This is a Saturday night bluegrass tune, because it's about love gone wrong. That is in contrast to Sunday morning tunes, which are mostly religious in nature. 
  Paul is playing his guitar and singing lead in here. I'm playing the mandolin and singing the high harmony part. I asked Stephen to add his banjo to the mix, too, which he did subtly and masterfully, as always. Also, I added the stand-up bass to the tune after Paul and I recorded it, too. 
  Stephen is responsible for the mix and making everything sound loud and clear, which he does masterfully, as well. 
  As I mentioned, this will be the last bluegrass Tuesday till probably March, at which point I'll probably start releasing a new batch. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we all enjoyed creating it.

Why You  Been Gone So Long  w/ Josh and Cousin Paul

Cast of Characters:

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Taylor acoustic guitar, Tom Anderson custom T electric guitar, production, mix, mastering, and composition

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh — Fender Precision four-string electric bass guitar

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – harmonica, piano, and organ

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- organ and production editing

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

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar

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

This song started as a brainchild of Stephen, who's always good for a catchy rock composition. Not only is he a very talented multi-instrumentalist and producer, but a formidable composer, as well. Inspired by an old friend of his, Ringo, he wrote it on his guitar and bass, with the intent of sharing it with the rest of Eclectic Collective. 

  Josh was the first one to add to this project, doing his best to imitate Stephen's original bass idea, while still making it his own. JJ was next up, adding his playful harmonica to the song. Around the same time, Mark came up with that dazzling organ part the comes in right around the middle. He also helped Stephen with some alignment and editing during the recording process. When something is misaligned in a project, we can always count on Mark to get it where it needs to be. Ken came through not long after that, though, adding his inimitable drums to complete the rhythm section. It was at this point that JJ added his thrilling organ and meaty piano to the mix. Tez sprinkled his magic next, adding the fiery guitar solo towards the end. Stephen also added some guitar fills at this point to thrill and build up to Tez's final explosion. Once the music was complete, it was Carl's turn to put the cherry on top with by singing his awesome original lyrics. 

  This is a great example of the Collective coming together to bring a Stephen song to life. We've done several others of his, similar to this, and have really had fun working on them, too. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. 

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:
How's the story going for you
Does today chart a chapter that's happy and true
Are we yearning yesterday
Or turned over to tomorrow
Jump into Ringo's ride
Cruise this moment with no sorrow
Cruise in Ringos ride
Bring on today until tomorrow
Let's live today until tomorrow

We passed out the past
Jammed breaks on future
Life lists as jalopy fast
Until this moment found suture
With Martys machine
Mind moved around like the tide
Oh now ebbed and flowed
Till it's Ringos ride

This ship we got memories
Some good
Some bad
We're planning for future
Head screwed on at last
From our centered existence
We no longer hide
Cruising this moment in Ringos ride
Ooooo yeah
'Got Ringo's ride
Ooooo Ringo's ride
Here we are in Ringo's ride

Ringo’s Ride - Eclectic Collective

The latest Texas Tea production, The Dankness.   This is a cool track Terry came up with and I really liked the intro rhythms.  The bass sounds he is getting in here are killer too.  I added a little epic rock guitar and an eBow section to round things out.  Check out the rest of the Texas Tea tracks on the SoundCloud playlist! -https://soundcloud.com/texmex-shaman/sets/texas-tea-sea

The Dankness - a Texas Tea Production

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – acoustic guitar, electric bass guitar, vocals, lyrics, and composition

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh — Collings mandolin and Gretch lap slide

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

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – B-3 voice organ, piano, megphone vocals, and "oohs and aahs" vocals

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- VST saxophone 

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — mix, mastering, and production

This song began many months ago when Chris wrote it on his acoustic guitar and bass. It's about when he had a very frustrating moment, and in a manic rage, smashed his prized acoustic guitar--his best friend. He wrote this heartbreaker with a bigger concept in mind, though, and shared it with Eclectic Collective as part of a large group of songs which he generously gifted to the band.

  Of course, Josh was thrilled to get to work on Chris's music, so he jumped in first, adding the slide and mandolin you hear throughout, inspired, in part, by Radiohead. Next up was Ken, who, after a few tries, landed the impressive drums that carry the whole thing through. I say impressive because, if you listen closely, the timing changes in nearly every verse just a tad, which Ken had to adjust the groove for. JJ came through next, adding his beautiful, yet gripping organ and piano. He also is responsible for the oohs and aahs, as well as the vocals toward the end, where he says, "Oh my God dude!! What have you done?!" Mark was the last musician on this track, spicing it up with the mellow sax track you hear in there, which he did using a VST instrument on his keyboard.

  When it was all said and done, we asked Stephen to throw a mix on it for us, which he did in his always professional way. 

  This song is the latest of the songs we got from Chris about half a year ago. Whenever you see one of his on our page, it probably had its genesis in that batch. I guess when it rains, it pours sometimes, because they're all, every one, great songs. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.




The Eclectic Collective - Hot Take


From Joe Stroffolino:
 
This song began with an email from Ken — https://soundcloud.com/k2andthe3 — suggesting we write a song about laundry: “the unforgiving, unfinished constant… it never stops.”
I laughed… and then I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
What started as a quirky idea quickly became a reflection on the cycles we all live through — youth, independence, nostalgia, and the realization that the “good old days” sometimes sneak up on us while we’re busy doing the wash.
Instruments & Performers
🥁 Ken — drums
https://soundcloud.com/k2andthe3
🎸 Stephen (TexMex Shaman) — electric guitar textures
https://soundcloud.com/texmex-shaman
🎤 Joe Stroffolino — Taylor 114ce acoustic guitar, lead and backing vocals
PG Music — bass
EZkeys 2 — piano

Lyrics
Rinse and Repeat
I’ve got laundry piling up on my bathroom floor
I should put it in the washing machine
Add some detergent, push a button
In forty-five minutes, those clothes will be clean
But I know as soon as they’re washed
They’re gonna get dirty all over again
It feels like a continuous cycle
That’s never gonna end
There are days when it feels like
All you do is rinse and repeat
And although you’ve got all these creature comforts
Your life feels incomplete
I think about my laundromat days
Back when I was young and in my prime
Washing my clothes with random strangers
Looking back, it was a pretty good time
Putting those coins in the dryer
Watching the timer count down
United in a common purpose
As we watched those clothes spin around
Adam and Eve were naked
Then they took a bite of that forbidden fruit
And they realized it was a bad idea
To walk around in your birthday suit
So they sewed some fig leaves together
Covered up their private parts
Then they invented underwear
And that’s how laundry starts
Life is what happens between each laundry load
Every day you keep going down that bumpy road
It’s easy to look back, see the past in a better light
Now they’ve got detergent
Where you can mix the dark and light
When I was a kid, I remember watching a nature show
A woman washing clothes by a riverbank
Eaten by a crocodile — that’s a bad way to go
When I used to go to the laundromat
I dreamed of the day
I’d have a house with a washing machine
Then life would be okay
But every milestone you reach
There’s another one ahead
And one day you realize
The status quo might be better instead
I think about my laundromat days
Back when I was young and in my prime
Washing my clothes with random strangers
Looking back, it was a pretty good time
Putting those coins in the dryer
Watching the timer count down
United in a common purpose
As we watched those clothes spin around

Rinse and Repeat w/ Joe and Ken

It has been a minute since I've released  a track with Jeff.  Not for lack of wanting to.  He sent this song over in two parts and it was just the vocal track for each one.  So i did some playing around and ended up merging the two songs into this.  I liked the idea of the "jazz inspector". I think its a funny concept.   Anyway, this most certainly isn't jazz, the inspector could tell you that.  

Golden Boy w/ Stonerjazz


Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @hiddenhands-760647700 – Chris – acoustic guitar and composition

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

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – piano and organ

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh — acoustic upright double bass

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

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — mix, mastering, and production

This song began its life in rural Arkansas, when Chris came up with it on his acoustic guitar. He genreously shared it with us along with a treasure trove of songs some months back. This one's time has come, though. 

  The first one of us to pounce on the project was Carl, who immediately heard his melodies, and added them with the skill and passion he's known for. JJ came in next, adding his beautiful piano and dreamy organ to the song. Josh went next, still reveling in the new upright, and added it to start the rhythm section. Ken very skillfully matched Josh's groove and added his drums soon after to complete the rhythm section. If anyone has any idea how hard it is to add drums to an acoustic tune that's already recorded, you'll appreciate Ken's work in here doubly, because he got the swing down perfectly. 

  All that remained was for Tez to juice it up with his trademark thrilling guitar solo. When it was finally complete, we asked Stephen to mix it for us, which he did in his always pro way. 

  This is just the latest, but not the last, song written by Mr. Maness. We all love his music, and consider it among the best on any of our pages. This was definitely a team effort, though, as the song was simply an acoustic guitar part when we got a hold of it. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we all enjoyed creating it. 
Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:
Lyrics for behind the track

Plateau of proof
I see a tree made root
Holding the fort
Great above and below tree sort
 
Graced level ground
Purge the pedestals
We found the sound

Elevations
Grounded revelations

Oh very best incline
Move us forward in time
Good golden ratio curve
Paint our lives
Give nerve

Graced level ground
Purge the pedestals
We found the sound

Elevations
Grounded revelations

Oh very best incline
Move us forward in time
Good golden ratio curve
Paint our lives
Give nerve

Plateau of proof
I see a tree made root
Holding the fort
Great above and below tree sort
Graced level ground
Purge the pedestals
We found the sound
We found the sound
We found the sound

Elevations - Eclectic Collective

Cast of Characters:

The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals, lyrics, ovation acoustic guitar, and composition

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- VST flute, synth pad, and hand drums

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Taylor acoustic guitar

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

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh — acoustic upright double bass

J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – Mainstays 3 liter whistling tea kettle 

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez –mix, mastering, and production

This song was written by Carl about a friend of Mark's, Rosemary Phelan, whom he had told us all about. She was an community nurse and accomplished musician, who died of cancer back in 2015. Here's what Carl has to say about her:

  "Upon hearing Marks [tribute]track, I was struck immediately and wrote a tribute song for Rosemary which we have for you here. This is the perfect example of synergy between artists that both still create and share together and that have passed on yet their music and spirit still inspires us forever. It's real connections with real feelings and we are very proud to share it with everyone today. The name Rosemary means "Dew of the Sea."

  Carl came up with this song on his acoustic guitar, and shared it right away with Mark, whose friend it's about. Mark added the thrilling hand drums you hear throughout, giving it a very distinct groove. He's also responsible for the thrilling flute solo and magical synth pads in here, too. Stephen threw in next, adding his magical melodic acoustic guitar, and doing the fills, too. Ken came along after, adding his groove strengthening drum kit. Now that it had a very solid rhythmic base, Josh added his upright acoustic bass, completing the rhythm section. Not to be outdone, JJ, oddly enough, found that his tea kettle was in the right key, so he recorded it, and put it in here, as well. 
  Once the recording was all wrapped up, we tapped Tez to do the mixing honors, which he did like the sonic wizard he is.

  This song was a labor of love, and we really tried to honor Rosemary in an authentic way, in a style befitting her musical legacy. Carl once again shows his amazing songwriting and compositional skills in here, and we're very grateful to him for sharing his magic with us, as always. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:
 A beautiful voice
Sowed splendid spirit
Soul spread with bows
Needy nursed
Rose hearted
Wolf cub howl of perfect sine
Words to mend
Healing all time

Selfless art
Reflect your being
An instant infinite therapy beam
You made your mark in forever with now
You tamed your time through healing wow

Dew of the sea

Perfect music
Perfect word
Unimposed
Soul suture surge
A beautiful Rose
Merry musical Mary
Finest fingers composed
Lungs of lark love fairy

A beautiful rose
Healing forever
Your spirit lives on
Compose for our clever
A beautiful voice
Sowed splendid spirit
Soul spread with bows
Needy nursed
Rose hearted

Dew of the sea
Great spirit infinitely

Here is a link to Rosemary's website where you can find some of her writings
www.rosemaryphelan.com
Here is a link to a performance by Rosemary and a nice interview.
https://youtu.be/N1v-jiR4eNE?is=-dCrzvFg8eea0qE9

TexMex Shaman

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