Jonathon Beckenstein Selection

The Scorpio

comin’ over
to my place tonight
dressed in clover
whets my appetite

i want to know
the afterglow

slide on over
i’ll take it at the light
black bulldozer
tailin’ us tonight

i feel the flow
the undertow

cold turkey
no way
i’ll get there
someday

now it’s over
turnin’ out the light
bruised all over
exiting stage right

i feel the flow
the vertigo
and now you know
the scorpio

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

Thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisley-Paisley, and Wheelwright for consultations various.

Image by Hassan Sherif via Unsplash

The Scorpio

Mark Duffield: voice, vocal melody, lyrics https://soundcloud.com/markduffieldcollaboration
Jonathan Beckenstein: initial music, instruments, mixing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Across the bay
Many many many miles away
See a crescent moon
Reflected in a field of poppies bloomed

Take a step into this vision, soon
Grab a flower and throw it at the moon

(YOU)
Don’t ask me how you’re gonna get there soon
(Don’t ask me, don’t ask me, do)
(YOU)
You might as well throw a flower at the moon

Throw a flower, a flower, at the moon
Throw a flower, a flower, at the moon

Save our wrecks
Oh then, say the best
Get it off your chest
Just another shipwreck

Another shipwreck
Get it off your chest
Another shipwreck
Get it off your chest
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
image: Bart Ros via Unsplash

Poppies (with Mark Duffield)

poor bastard it’s on your face
the permanent frown
we’ll give it the coup de grâce
the jolly smack down

in the morning… slip away
on the move… going

cracked windshield don’t block the way
to getting around
start picking the weed bouquet
we’re heading for town

in the morning… steal away
on the move… going

cat mother she wrings her hands
just leave us alone
she never did understand
a house ain’t a home

in the morning… slip away
on the move… going
california… get away
gonna move… going

last round up around this place
you dig up the bones
raise canvas for anyplace
the skull and crossbones
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, David Weiss, and Wheelwright for early listening and massively good suggestions.

Image by Spencer Davis via Unsplash.

California Leaving

after school
runaways
was just the two of us
babe

leave our homes
leave our friends
see where the highway
ends

flying
trying

you never come around now

ever gone
here to stay
you live inside of me
Maeve

in my dream’s
shadow play
until tomorrow comes
stay

crying
trying

you never come around now

until tomorrow comes
stay
-------------------------------------------------------------------

thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, Wheelwright and Wodwo for patient support and great ideas.

image by Alexander Grey via Unsplash

Evergone

Moon dogs, also known as paraselenae, are bright spots on either side of the moon, symbolizing for some, spiritual growth, enhanced intuition, and self-reflection. The phenomenon is a reminder to embrace change and personal transformation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
once i was older
than i am today
I am floating     (outward bound)
half away                  


you want some answers
so do i
as we amble   (down this road) 
mystified

it’s just a moondog in the sky

time is a circle
each life a dream
let’s walk barefoot  (while we can)    
in the stream

on top of all the passion we bring
tomorrow doesn’t mean a thing

it’s just a twinkle in your eye

we’ll ride together
push it all the way
write the story   (write it down)  
burn the page

can’t protect now
going down

can’t deflect now
but don’t slow down

can’t take it with you
so just let go

kick it goodbye

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

image by Sebastian Saarloos  via  space.com

Thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, David Weiss and Wheelright and Wodwo for early listening and encouragement.

The Last Moondog

summer sunlight on the ground
i still see you fallen down

it happens every day (to the chosen) baby
the wounded find a way hey

every heartache, every fear
just a mistake brought us here

you have the secret knack (deep inside you) darling
the one that brings us back jack

into the weeds we’re going
spinning ‘round
but we’ll be back i know it
watch us now

hey honey don’t you know (don’t you know it) by now
you’ll never be alone, no

we’re grateful for today (we accept it) cherie
there is no other way hey

It Happens Every Day

Just for fun. 

I shared a rehearsal space in the basement of Westbeth Artist Housing (please see the photo) in the late 70’s. This music has to do with my dream-memory of the place.

The basement was labyrinthine. Until a few years ago, I still had recurring dreams of that environment. It was constructed of grey painted cinder block or some such stony material. There were many bands in many rooms down there, and as you walked the halls you’d hear all the musics leaking out from under steel doors in cacophony. Often you’d hear the band in the next cell right through your own stone wall as you were playing. That made it hard to record in there. We did it anyway. 

The sonic qualities of this recording remind me of those hallways as do some of the somewhat antiquated guitar moves. And by the way, I love antiquated guitar moves!

Westbeth Catacombs

rotten weather   rollin’ in

we’ll go walkin’ anyway

‘gainst the wind


get your go-bag ready
load the car up


did you hear it?  distant roar

keep your ear down to the ground

check the score


get your hard hat ready
fill those bottles up


i can’t remember
were you there?
your fingers running
through my hair


let them come now  let them try

beating down the beautiful

of our tribe


purple mountains raging
blackened skies 
constitution’s aging
battle cry 

high angels  hiding

my country  dying

(not too late)   (late)

let’s listen  let’s breathe 

(not too late)   (late)

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

Thanks to Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, and Wheelwright for early listening and feedback.

Rotten Weather

We're back.

Janine: voices, vocal melody and harmony, lyrics https://soundcloud.com/janinelevinson
Jonathan: initial music, instruments, mix
David Levinson: image

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

Nature has conspired to bring a basketful of obstacles 
Pesky interfering things, not the things she ought to bring 
They pile up in my way like spiky beaver dams 
They just accumulate like unbrushed tresses,

Well surprise surprise, they can be wonderful

An infantry of shoulds and bags of promises 
Have all transmogrified and curl like willow branches 
That crown around my head and vine around my feet 
And where the fire burned, they slurp the ashes

But surprise surprise, they're kinda beautiful
 it’s all so beautiful


Surprise surprise, it’s pretty beautiful
Nature is a wild thing with no philosophy 
And where the atoms turn is helter skelter 
So on the sides of trees forever lichen grows 
And mossy destiny is in their shelter

Surprise surprise, it’s all so beautiful


Surprise Surprise (with Janine Levinson)

i clean up the world
you fall in beside me
i’ll cover the Wuhan lab
you shore up the army

i follow the news
the news is disaster
i’ve given up on my booze
to wash the world faster

every morning
every hour

stop at the top of mountains
soul care repair

it happens this way
to each generation
the entropy cabaret
and reason’s cessation

every morning
wake up to the truth
every hour
plenty more to do

stop at the top of mountains
rest there fresh air 

every morning
wake up to the truth
every hour plenty more to do

stop at the top of mountains 
pure prayer up there

Tikkun

at the disco
goin’ all the way
with a speedball
on an empty day

i wonder if i stopped my cryin’
i wonder if i stopped now

crooked halo
all you’ve got today
your dependents
better back away

i wonder if i stopped my cryin’
i wonder who i’d be now

in the moonlight
goin’ all the way
to the river
gonna watch for day

i wonder if i stop my crying’
i wonder what i’d see now

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

Thanks to Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, Jacques DiCroce, Janine Levinson, David Weiss, and Wheelwright for encouragement and the fine tooth comb.

Pity Party

i can’t get over you
i can’t let go

a randy catastrophe
a dark rodeo

i can’t get over you
i can’t let go

too feral to wait for me
too slinky for slow

i’ll be waiting
by the water
will you meet me
tomorrow?

high jungle of emptiness
footprints in the snow

i can’t get over you
i can’t let go
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Jacques DiCroce, Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, David Weiss and Wheelwright for early listening, support and ace suggestions.

I'll Be Waiting

Cast of characters:
Jonathan Beckenstein — @jonathan_beckenstein — acoustic guitar, composition
Cgmaness – @user-419254289-15129531 – Chris – bass, vocals, and lyrics
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums, percussion, and vocal harmonies
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Roland FP-10 piano and Collings mandolin
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson custom T slide guitar, production, mix, and mastering
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – harmonica, edited fiddle samples, and jaw harp
This song began when Jonathan wrote it on his acoustic guitar several months ago with the intention of developing it into a larger song. When Josh approached him about doing a collaboration, Jonathan thought this one would fit the bill. I should say at this point how much we all admire Jonathan and enjoy his music. On the unlikely chance you aren't already familiar with his music, I suggest you go hop on his page and check it out. 
  All that to explain the level of excitement that ran through Eclectic Collective when Josh shared the project with the group. Chris was first to jump on it, coming up with his intricate bass line even before Ken added his moving drums, although they went back and forth a couple of times to create the rhythm section. Josh jumped on right after that part was complete, adding his mandolin and piano to the mix. Steven was next up, adding his howling slide throughout. Last, but certainly not least, Mark came up with the driving harmonica and twangy jaw harp, and the raspy fiddle, adding them all to complete the instruments. 
  At this point, we had a pretty good instrumental song on our hands. However, Chris decided to give it the extra kick by adding the vocals, the lyrics for which he wrote himself. Our multitalented drummer, Ken, added the vocal harmonies shortly after, too.
  Now that it was in the bag, we needed some production for it. So, we turned to Stephen, who mixed and mastered it in his alwasy expert fashion. 
  This song is a real treat for everyone in the band, as I mentioned earlie. We are all very grateful to Jonathan for sharing this song with us, and had a wonderful time helping bring it to life. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Original lyrics by cgmaness:
 Come on now let's break a leg,
We've got it made in the shade.
One more day, go out and play.
I guarantee we've got it made.
Oh, we've got it made.
Happy to be with my friends today.
Fill up your drink whatever it may take.
I guarantee we've got it made.
~Gibberish~
Don't need a reason,
Or wait for the seasons to change.
That's what I claim.
Go out on this limb with me,
And realize, we've got it made.
We got it made in the shade.
Can't you see we got it made?
Oh, we've got it made.
Happy to be with my friends today.
Fill up your drink whatever it may take.
Can you believe that we've got it made?
Come on now let's shake a leg.
We've got it made in the shade.
Don't need a reason,
Or wait for the seasons to change.
That's what I claim.
Go out on this limb with me,
And realize, we've got it made.

We've Got It Made (Eclectic Collective with Jonathan Beckenstein)

on your mark

get ready to

cannonball

into the blue



after swimming

sparkle all around you

catch the sound

breakers breaking



stop the boat

get ready to

pick a spot

to slip into



after swimming

as the sunlight bakes you

summer sips

on a sand dune



after swimming

after swimming

come swimming

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

image by Leandro Crespi via Unsplash

After Swimming

Just for fun.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i’m comin’ around
i won’t back down
got a posy
i’m after you

i’m bringin’ a ring
forget everything
that i told you 
i am ready

god dammit if i have to
climb a mountain
i’ll man it with abandon
racing for you

you’re shootin’ me down
way down to the ground
still i saw you 
Seraphina

god dammit it if i have to
down a dragon
i’ll plan it for your pleasure
send it to me

has anybody
seen my baby
engine’s runnin’
get in

i’m down on my knees
cohabitees
for the weekend
will have to do

god dammit do you have to
always play me
god dammit do you have to
stove me in
god dammit it if i have to
slay a dragon

damn Phina

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

Thanks to Jacques Dicroce, Janine Levinson, Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely, Wheelwright and David Weiss for early listening, critique and encouragement.

Image from Daniel Radford via Unsplash

Seraphina

wait by the window
pray through the sight

for a dollar
in my pocket
for my country
who’d have thought?

don’t stand by the window
outmanned and alone

after drinking
(check my cheekpiece)
i can hit it
(pull the bolt back)
without thinking
(keep my hands loose)
what i’ve done

i’m waiting now by the window
i don’t know how to get home

for a dollar
in my pocket
for my country
wrong or right

after drinking
(check my cheekpiece)
i can hit it
(pull the bolt back)
without thinking
(keep my hands loose)
what i’ve done
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Janine Levinson and Cheesemont Paisely-Paisely for early listening and encouragement.

Special thanks to Wheelwright for sage editorial advice.

Image by Chandler Cruttenden via Unsplash



Window

live looping improvisation later re-composed and augmented in studio






Wait

Howdy,

Welcome to TBD.

Wow. What a place we have here. Yes we've been invaded by shitty AI music & tools which I am strongly against the use of at all until it's regulated and labelled properly but that said... SoundCloud is still Aaaaaamazing. We can weed out the messers and with a small web of genuine artists it is incredibly inspiring. Don't lose faith in your art because of the influx of fake, we need artists to shine through and continue saving and evolving artistic work and freedom. Just keep shining your real music. I have seen NOTHING yet that challenges a real artists creativity from AI or it's prompters. If anything it just confirms the path I took was worth it and is the only way to the full therapeutical effect music and writing can deliver your being!

You just need to PRACTICE a lot!

All these creations are made by hard work and years upon years upon years of practice and trying to explain this world and the human condition to myself in the process through poems & songs.

Thanks for all of your wonderful support.

Peace and Love to Everyone,

🫛



What playing music does to your brain🔽

https://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng?si=KJt33NWjUo63ieAm



A nice David Bowie Interview🔽

https://youtu.be/JRtZc_Nmo5w?si=1g1Wag87NdEumAc4


Jonathon Beckenstein Selection

The Beautiful Dark