Taking Back The Z

A real pleasure collaborating with Rosin Dust. To hear more of her violin go to: https://soundcloud.com/rosindust
Was just having some piano fun when Tatiana agreed to collaborate with her violin.

Some background to what I was thinking when writing this music:

There’s a book by Jared Diamond (Pulitzer prize winning author of “Guns, Germs & Steel”) called “Collapse” which attempts to analyze why civilizations fail. Some chapters talk about Montana, Viking settlements, the rise and fall of African empires and much more. A common theme is that the zenith is reached right before the collapse, frequently caused by the depletion of a natural resource needed to culturally or physically sustain society. He tries to paper over a fundamentally pessimistic outlook towards the end with talk about the promise of his daughter, but it certainly made me think.

Oblivious To Oblivion

Oblivious To Oblivion | Rosin Dust & TheGat(s)

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander

This is a long one...hope you find the time to listen. Extensive liner notes below to keep your attention.

Logic Pro X: Brooklyn Drums, Thumb Bass (3 lines, one high), Upright Bass
Korg SV-1: Full Tonewheel (Rhodes), Grand Piano 1

For the vocal I mainly started out with what in Logic is called "Warm Vocal" and and also the "Telephone Vocal". There are four vocal tracks in the chorus. The vocal effect at the end is achieved using Stereo Delay with different timing on the left and right channels. 

I spent some time working on  compression in Logic Pro X before mastering in Izotope Ozone. My objective was to get the compression "breathing" with the track. Happy to receive comments on this aspect.  

This started out as a Rhodes jam I called "G Bluesy" and just got longer and longer - I'm a little obsessed with the sound. I wanted to make a hopeful breakup song, giving the feeling of life moving on to a better place. I left many of the jammy elements in resulting in somewhat of a challenge when adding the other instruments as every here and there it goes off meter. For those of you that have heard my previous tracks there is nothing new and innovative here - its just me having fun with my favorite sounds.

As opposed to many other songs this one is in fact mostly autobiographical. When I got divorced back in the 1900s I ended up leaving the joint apartment in 15 min with a suitcase and my Roland Digital Piano (it still works 30 years later). I didn't have anywhere to go and moved from place to place for six months. It actually caused me some problems finding a new job as not having a permanent address didn't inspire a lot of confidence with the potential employers. One of those nights, when in my single bedroom apartment above a bakery, I was watching a VHS (the video rental was 15 meters from the entrance to my building) with Vivienne Leigh, and decided I wanted to live a more comfortable life like in the movie. The result was changing jobs and moving to South America after which I never looked back. I'll let you figure which movie I was watching by yourselves.

IT’S ALL OVER

It’s all over
Yeah
It’s all over

Said my last words
Packed my bag
Took a breath
Took a first deep drag
Closed the door
Sped through the night
No place to crash
No hope in sight

Ohh, I got me, myself and I
Yeah, no-one to care about
Ohh, what I was looking for
Yeah, it’s such a bore

As I think it through
And finally its true
It feels so sad
But it’s pretty fucking far from bad

It’s all over
It’s all over
It’s all over
I’m never going back 
It’s over

It’s all over
Yeah
It’s all over

Early AM 
Another reel repeat
Late night drill
Too much time to chill
Found my dream
With Vivien Leigh
Left all I knew
Sailed across the sea

Good times and bad times
Memories and losses
No regrets, no tears
I’ve left all my fears
All that’s past is gone
All that’s left is straight ahead

It’s all over
It’s all over
It’s all over
I’m never going back 
It’s over
It’s all over
It’s all over
It’s all over
I’m never going back 
It’s over

It's All Over

Violin: Rosin Dust (Tatiana Makarova) https://soundcloud.com/rosindust
Piano & Production: Jan Schonander

I wrote and played the piano for this piece a while back, but I always wanted real acoustic violin as accompaniment. More than happy to take the back seat to Tatiana's magnificent violin as she brilliantly takes over. With just a little classical percussion this is now a bonafide classical piece with maybe a little rock production & mastering wrapping it all up.

BECAUSE YOU TAKE YOUR LIFE IN STRIDE

Because you take your life in stride

Because you aren’t afraid to kiss the dirt

Because a mind no other mind should try
to fool has always failed to fool your heart

But most because no best is quite so good 
you don’t conceive a better, 
and because no evil is so worse than 
worst you fall in hate with love

Human one mortally immortal I
can turn immense all time’s because to why

– e.e. cummings

In Stride with Rosin Dust

In Stride | Rosin Dust & TheGat(s)

Music & Lyrics, Organ, Bass, Vocal: Jan Schonander
Guitar: Eric T. https://soundcloud.com/boilerman-615719656
Drums: @Stonecatcherye

So many people that put up with bad behavior, being scorned and ridiculed and still find a way to smile and make the rest of us feel better. This song is for all of you.

This is based on the same drum track as DystOpia. Stoney sent a drum track that eventually became two different tracks - one more grungy (DystOpia) and this one a little more organ heavy. I asked Eric to come up with something different for this tune and boy did he deliver the goods.

TOUGH AS NAILS

Tough as nails
You fall down
Tough as nails
You rise again
Tough as nails
Your body a scar
Your spirit, your soul, your mind
It’s too hard to find
The time, the peace, the will
You reach down deep
You take a leap
You’re tough as nails
You’re tough as nails

Through the thick and thin
Through the good times and bad times
It all fades away
Through the quips and shame
The looks and sighs
Fade away….

Tough as nails
You rise again
Tough as nails 
You fall down
Gentle soul
You lift us up
Kind heart 
Never let us down
The sorrow, the sadness and pain
Washed away….
Your touch and your smile
Your smile
You’re tough as nails

Through the thick and thin
Through the good times and bad times
It all fades away
Through the quips and shame
The looks and sighs
Fade away….

And they just can’t see
And they don’t understand
They don’t understand you at all

And they just can’t see
And they don’t understand
They don’t understand you at all

Fade away, fade away, fade away…..

Tough As Nails

Tough As Nails (Fade Away) | The Boilerman 🎸

Cover of Gary Numan's "Are Friends Electric".

Unmitigated synth fun here...When doing covers I always try to give the same feeling as the original but without trying to reproduce an already fantastic track. For this one I switched up the vocal melody and added vocal melody to what were spoken parts in the original. That also forced me to take some artistic freedom with the lyrics. Instruments have changed a bit since 1979 and I also tried to give this  a much more lush sound than the original.

If you're wondering how I did this:
The main synth is a combination of the Korg SV-1 Tonewheel Organ (for gritty fuzziness) and the Logic Pro X Alchemy Classic Super Saw (for the smooth and bright sound). To get the swirliness out the SV-1 you have to use a pedal here and there. And of course with the Super Saw getting the envelope and touch on the keys right is the trick. For the "guitar" it's a Logic Pro X backward clean guitar which I post-processed with a British Combo Amp - it's all about the gain & timing when doing that. Actually finger played the kick and snare for the drums and combined that with the virtual drummer for the high-hat and fills (Smash drum kit). Used the Liverpool Bass and Alchemy Swarm Riser & Noise Tide synths for the effects.

ARE FRIENDS ELECTRIC

It's cold outside
And the paint's peeling off of my walls
There's a man outside
In a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette

Now the light fades out
And I'm wondering what I'm doing in a room like this
There's a knock on the door
And just for a second I thought I remembered you

Now I'm alone
I can think for myself
About little deals
And issues
And things that I just don't understand
Like white lies
Or a slight touch
I don't think it meant anything to you
I don't think it meant anything to you

So I open the door
It's the 'friend' that I'd left in the hallway
"Please sit down"
A candle lit a shadow on a wall near the bed

You know I hate to ask
But, are 'friends' electric?
Mine's broke down
And now I've no one to love

So I find out all your reasons
For the phone calls and all the smiles
And it hurts
And I'm so lonely
I should never have tried
And I missed you tonight
So it's time, time to leave

YouTube

Pyrrhic Victory

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander

Not being a drummer or having access to a collaborating drummer very often I have been moving away from using the Logic Pro virtual drummer and playing the drum grooves on my keyboard. I have to admit it has given me added respect for the art as it is not easy (at least for me) to keep a consistent beat even for a few bars. For this I used the Vintage Breaks+ drum kit, but to get the deep sound applied the Space D reverb, which I then also used to give the same overall sound to all the stems. The bass is a Logic Baby Bass treated with a Full Stack guitar amplifier. For the vocal in the chorus I used a reverse Space D reverb to achieve the ghostly effect. Lyrically I think this song speaks for itself.

TWO SPEED

There’s vintage and new
All kinds and looks
On this brand new two speed highway
I can see you clearly
You’re holding on and dearly

There’s a clear road ahead
Slipping into 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th
There’s a lane you can choose instead
Letting go, letting go 

I’ll pass you by
Why don’t you even try
I want to love you 
I want to hold you

I can’t wait for you
Makes me wanna cry
Stay away from you
I’m afraid of you

Unless you help yourself
Take good care of yourself
And love yourself
Unless you help yourself
Take good care of yourself
And love yourself

So much more than you and me
Can’t slip into he said, she said, we said, they said
A shiny city on a hill  
I wanna get there, you wanna get there
 
Free flowing air
Full speed ahead, but
To be close to you
Spend time with you

I’m breaking free
I wish that you could see
I can’t love you
I can’t trust you

Unless you help yourself
Take good care of yourself
And love yourself
Help yourself
Good care of yourself
And love yourself

Two Speed

Music & Lyrics, Drums, Bass, Synth, Organ, Piano, Vocal : Jan Schonander
Music & Guitar: REKHA IYERN [FE] https://soundcloud.com/rekha-iyern-fe

Some rough’n’ready rocking with REKHA….

Too much time with over 300 passed away every day.

THE 300

A dependable man
Drives his kids to school
Takes his time from work
Doesn’t miss an event
Or a single bedtime story	

A standout woman
Young and old they need her
It’s her life’s work
Behind every event
And never needing glory

You’re gonna be
One of three hundred
You’re gonna be
One of the lucky
You’re gonna see
How you blundered
Didn’t have to be 
Three hundred
Two hundred
One hundred

Just a boy and a girl
A hand, a touch
A caress, a first kiss
Don’t miss a glance
Never straying afar

A curly haired child
Tent torchlight at night
An adventurous life
Doctor, astronaut, explorer 
A movie star

You’re gonna be
One of three hundred
You’re gonna be
One of the lucky
You’re gonna see
How you blundered
Didn’t have to be 
Three hundred
Two hundred
One hundred

They’re all together
The three hundred
They’re all together
The three hundred
They’re all together
The three hundred

You’re gonna be
One of three hundred
You’re gonna be
One of the lucky
You’re gonna see
How you blundered
Didn’t have to be 
Three hundred
Two hundred
One hundred

The 300

The 300 | TheGat(s) with guitar by REKHA IYERN [Fe]

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander

This is what happens when I get bored on a Saturday night. Probably one of the simpler tunes I have written - a D/Am/C/G progression repeated from beginning to end with some variation to how it is expressed. Lyrically there is a double entendre that some of you may catch.

FOR YESTERDAY

Yesterday felt so easy
Yesterday felt so good
Yesterday felt so easy
Yesterday felt so good

Walked to the gate
Not a worry in the sky
Turned to my baby and I waved her goodbye
Saw her through the window
Sweet tear in her eye
Oh I long for yesterday
I long for yesterday
Yesterday
I long for yesterday

I picked up the phone
Dialed a memorized number
Told her I love her didn’t talk about the weather
Sat at my desk
Wrote the first of many letters
Oh I long for yesterday
I long for yesterday
Yesterday
I long for yesterday

It was so easy
It was so good

I went to the bar
Started talking to my neighbor
Nobody thought I was a sicko stranger
Didn’t think twice
I gave my name and number
Oh I long for yesterday
I long for yesterday
Yesterday
I long for yesterday

It was so easy
It was so good
It was so easy
It was so good

For Yesterday

Music, Lyrics, Vocal, Drum Programming, Synths,  eBass, Organ: Jan Schonander
Music, Guitars, Vocal: REKHA IYERN FE https://soundcloud.com/rekha-iyern-fe

FOREVER LOVE

The first time I saw you
The last time I didn’t think of you
The one and only moment
The air, the time stood still
I could never get my fill

I will always remember
I will always look back
An instant for my ages
An endless fountain
My source of strength, my muse

Forever love
Forever my love
Forever in love
Forever love

The first time you touched me
The last time you held me
A current through my veins,
my heart, my soul
I could never be alone

Never be alone
Never be alone

I will always remember
I will always look ahead
An eternity together
An endless voyage
The wind in my sails, my life

An eternal life
An eternal life together

Forever love
Forever my love
Forever in love
Forever love

Forever love
Forever my love
Forever in love
Forever love

For better or worse
To hold and behold
For rich and poor
This day forward
Forever love
Forever in love

If anybody is interested in the demo organ only version it can be found on my bits & bobs site here: https://soundcloud.com/user-212009311/forever-love-demo-organ-version

Forever Love

Forever Love | REKHA IYERN [Fe}🎸 & TheGat(s)

Cover of Jealous Guy by John Lennon

Came to think of this song as my Springer Spaniel "Rico" once again thrust himself between myself, my wife and my children just as I was trying to say hello after a short business trip. And that is what he is - a jealous guy. Think of this as being sung by him as he casually grabs a few love bites. Some "minor" changes to accommodate my vision for this song.

JEALOUS GUY 

I was dreaming of the past
And my heart was beating fast
I began to lose control
I began to lose control

I didn't mean to hurt you
I'm sorry that I made you cry
Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you
I'm just a jealous guy

I was feeling insecure
You might not love me anymore
I was shivering inside
I was shivering inside

Oh, I didn't mean to hurt you
I'm sorry that I made you cry
Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you
I'm just a jealous guy

I was trying to catch your eyes
Thought that you was trying to hide
I was swallowing my pain
I was swallowing my pain
I didn't mean to hurt you
I'm sorry that I made you cry
Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you
I'm just a jealous guy

Jealous Guy | Canine Special

Synth Strings: Gina Wood https://soundcloud.com/gina-wood-837506330
Guitars: Davy Vance https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
Idea, piano, bass, synths: Jan Schonander

An old track of ours remixed, remastered, to take advantage of some knowledge I have acquired over the last few years. Also replayed the piano and added a few things to make the line a little more interesting. Lastly, I changed some bass notes in the hope of pulling it all together better. And you have to visit Gina and Davy to hear more of their great music.

Delayed Ecstasy

Delayed Ecstasy Revisited | Gina Wood, Davy Vance & TheGat(s)

Cover of "The Passenger" by Iggy Pop
Performed by Jan Schonander

The Passenger was one of the 1st songs I recorded and published on Soundcloud. It was interesting for me to see what it would sound like 3 years later with different equipment and some better understanding of audio engineering. Below a link to my original upload (I will take this down eventually). 
https://soundcloud.com/thegats/the-passenger?in=thegats/sets/the-passenger/

Here are the main differences:

1. Replayed the piano on my Korg SV-1 instead of my 30 year old Roland Digital piano. Most importantly, in the 1st recording the only way I could record was running my piano through a guitar amplifier and from there a USB link into my computer. Today I connect my Korg into a Scarlet 2i4 and from there to my computer.

2. Resang using a AKG Condenser Mic through the Scarlett instead of through a nondescript USB Mic with an integrated amplifier. Little detail: the input volume at which I recorded was at most half the the input volume vs the 1st recording.

3. In the 1st recording I used a heavy dose of modulation delay whereas nowadays I use none of that and aim for a much more natural sound with some reverb and a little echo. I have also stopped the fairly massive equalization of my voice that I used to apply.

3. Post-reprocessed the organ (and a few extra bars) to get a much wider and swirly sound using a Logic Pro X effect called Ringshift.

4. Applied some reverb to the drums to get a fuller sound

5. In the original recording (GarageBand) I bounced the track with massive output volume with a lot of clipping and then uploaded to SC - basically I had no idea what I was doing. For this newer recording (Logic Pro X) I made sure the output  was around -8dB before applying some compression at a ratio of 2.5:1 and adjusting the release and attack to taste before bouncing and importing into Izotope OZONE for mastering. OZONE is a whole world itself and I am still learning to control all the variables. For this track I used a preset called "Adaptive Dynamics" and the main manual change I made was to allow the output volume to peak at -0.1dB.

I remember Justin (of GrevusAnjl) writing that in the beginning we all suck, and 3 years later I can only agree. The good part is that we can all learn and I hope this recording demonstrates this point. 

If you made it this far, thanks very much for listening and reading, and if you've never really payed any attention to the lyrics to this song, they're pretty good and pretty serious.

The Passenger

Original Composition, Music, All Instruments: Daniele Turani https://soundcloud.com/danieleturani
Lyrics & Vocals: Jan Schonander

COLD SWEAT

In a cold cold sweat
Can’t get any sleep
In a cold cold sweat 
Feelings running too deep

On the streets of ancient gods
Hit a red light, see a Greek memory
Push the gas, see the ghosts of ambition
It’s an avalanche only in your mind

Did you finish
Did you even start 
Do you have the time
Can you see the line
Do you even need it
Does anybody give or care

Home again there’s good and there’s bad
What a day will it ever get better
You think you did all that you could
Still feels like less than you should

You find yourself in a wet shirt
Can’t remember if you’re young or old
It’s a hot night and still you’re cold
Not the first time or the last time
Not the last time

It’s a cold cold sweat
Can’t get any sleep
It’s a cold cold sweat 
Feelings running too deep
It’s a cold cold sweat
It’s a cold cold sweat
Feelings running too deep

Days gone by you did the right thing
A great success admired by all
Sometimes you even forget
Sometimes
 
Sweet life no ifs and buts
Fall asleep in a star studded dream
A night like so many others
Not the first time, not the last time 
Not the last time

I can’t shake this cold sweat
I can’t shake this cold sweat

Cold Sweat

Cold Sweat | Daniele Turani & TheGat(s)

Music, Guitars, Vocal: REKHA IYERN [Fe] https://soundcloud.com/rekha-iyern-fe
Music, Lyrics, Organs, Bass, Drums, Vocal: Jan Schonander @thegats

The origin to this song is a guitar track by REKHA. I added som organ, synth bass and a keyboard played drum track as well as wrote lyrics and sang the underlying male vocal. REKHA finished it all off with the lead female vocal. This is long, but we do hope you enjoy listening.  And for all of you smokers and ex-smokers, you know what I'm talking about at the end...

FLAMES OF MY DESIRE

I can see 
I can feel
I can see you
I can feel you
Without you
I can feel you
Without you
I can be

I can see where you are
I can see where you’re going
I can see where you’ve been
I can feel what you want
I can feel what you need
I can feel your attraction
A chemical reaction
I can be your one and only fire
Your singular desire
Throw oil on the fire
Feed the flames of my desire
The flames of my desire

I can love
I can love
With you
Within you
I can be

I can drown in your scent
I can love your body
I can feel your reaction
I can lose my head
Be your one and only fire
Your singular desire
Feed the flames of my desire
Flames of my desire
Flames of my desire

I light up a cigarette
Open my window
I let out the steam
Signs and tells on the floor
The glow
The embers
The flames of my desire
The flames of my desire
The flames of my desire
The flames of my desire

Flames Of My Desire

Flames Of My Desire | REKHA IYERN [Fe]🎸 & TheGat(s)

Music & Lyrics: Francisco Repilado (popularized by the Buena Vista Social Club)
Instrumental performance: Wypernet
Vocal: Jan Schonander

Thanks very much to Wypernet https://soundcloud.com/wypernet for allowing me to add a vocal to his wonderful instrumental.

"Chan Chan" is a 1984 son composition by Cuban trovador Compay Segundo. It was first recorded in 1985 by Compay Segundo's own group. In 1987, he approached Eliades Ochoa, who agreed to record a version with the Cuarteto Patria. However, EGREM did not release these recordings until the second half of the 1990s. In November 1995, Compay recorded a new version in Madrid for his Antología, released on CD the following year. In March 1996, Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa and other veteran Cuban musicians recorded a new version of the song as part of the Buena Vista Social Club project. The song became the opening track of their eponymous album and the group's signature song, thereby achieving international fame.

Lyrically, the song is set on the beach and revolves around two central characters called Juanica and Chan Chan. The most complete explanation says: 'The song relates the story of a man and a woman (Chan Chan and Juanica) who are building a house, and go to the beach to get some sand. Chan Chan collects the sand and puts it on the jibe (a sieve for sand). Juanica shakes it, and to do so she shakes herself, making Chan Chan embarrassed. [...] The origin of this tale is a farmer song learnt by Compay Segundo when he was twelve years old.

The most recognizable part of the song is its chorus, whose lyrics are as follows:

De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto voy para Mayarí

From Alto Cedro I go to Marcané
I get to Cueto, then head for Mayarí

Background from Wikipedia

Chan Chan

Chan Chan | Wypernet & TheGat(s)

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander
Guitar: Davy Vance https://soundcloud.com/skub1955

Resung, remixed & remastered. A different mic and less effects on the vocal make a big difference. Also went for a more intimate delivery.

ALWAYS ON MY MIND

My love
I hope you hear you this song
I can’t be without you for too long
And although, sometimes you’re on your own
You’re always, always on my mind

My love 
When you are far 
I can see your smile
I remind myself of your touch
You’re always on my mind

When I get lonely
I close my eyes
I think of you and then I smile

Always on my mind
Always on my mind
Always on my mind
Always on my mind

My love
Let me know you feel the same way
I wan’t to feel your love every single day
And although, sometimes its not so easy
Remember,  you’re always on my mind

My love, 
When you are near
I can’t lose, I lose all my fear
I know just how to begin
I reach out, I touch your skin

Into my arms, my arms my love
You’re my only love, you’re my only love

Yeah my darling, you’re my only love
You’re my only love

Always on my mind
Always on my mind
Always on my mind
Always on my mind

Always On My Mind

Always On My Mind | Davy Vance & TheGat(s)

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander
Guitar: Davy Vance https://soundcloud.com/skub1955

Not much I can do about the tragic events in Ukraine. I've decided that the aggressors can't appropriate the Z, so I'm taking it back in this metaphorical musical battle.

This is a tweaked master (for some of you this may be basics). I moved both the organ and vocal noisegate from last to first in the effects chain. This allows the effects such as delay to work and sound as intended. Also tried a saturator on the lead "high" vocal to make it stand out more in the mix. You will all let me know if this worked (it is most noticeable at the end where you can hear the organ fade out with the planned delay). On a side-note if anybody is interested in how the "sucking" effect is achieved on the drums it is using a combination of regular and reverse reverb. 

TAKING BACK THE Z

I’m taking back the Z
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
You can’t have it
It’s not white 
Z belongs to U
Yellow and blue
U
Yellow and blue
U

I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, no 

I’ll move from place to place
I’ll zig and I’ll zag
I’ll duck and I’ll hide
I’ll stay alive
I can’t let go, no

I’ll weave and I’ll bob
Be a thorn in your side
I’ll run and I’ll jump
No river’s too wide
I can’t let go, no

I’m taking back the Z
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s all mine
It’s not white
Z belongs to U
Yellow and blue
U
Yellow and blue
Yellow and blue

I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, it’s all I got
I can’t let go, no 

I’ll beg and I’ll pray, 
Turn every stone
I’ll rant and I’ll rave
I’ll never rest
I can’t let go, no

I’ll be your worst nightmare
No matter your might
Be your worst nightmare 
Both day & night
I can’t let go, no

It’s all mine…

Taking Back The Z | Davy Vance & TheGat(s)

Music & Piano: Jan Schonander

A Friday jam....warts and all. Piano is the Grand Piano native on my Korg SV-1 recorded with the Grand Piano settings in Logic Pro X. This track made it to the #1 spot on SoundClouds playlist Piano: New & Hot on 4/14/22 . I wonder how that happens. 
https://soundcloud.com/discover/sets/charts-trending:piano:us

Bridge To Nowhere

Music, Electric Piano, Drum Programming: Jan Schonander
Spanish Guitar: Dan van den Berg https://soundcloud.com/danarchx 
Electric piano is the Logic Pro X Classic Suitcase MkI. 

Sometimes a lost suitcase has a more interesting journey than the traveler. I remember flying domestically in Spain and my suitcase going on an extended  journey. It was only found because I remembered my flight from Madrid to Barcelona actually continued to Cairo. After a few missteps I convinced the airline to search at Cairo International and it all ended well, but only one day before I had to leave for home. This track could easily be modified if anybody wants to divert the suitcase to a different pair of countries. Just let me know and I'll send the stems.

Suitcase

Suitcase | Lost & Found | Dan van den Berg & TheGat(s)

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander

It sucks to get old, but it beats the alternative.

GETTING SOMEWHERE

About time 
Could it be there’s not enough
About love
The rush and the loss
About me
The highs and the lows
About us

All the missed opportunities
The places you didn’t go
The people you never held
All the lost laughs

You’re getting your fair share
If only you dare
You’re getting somewhere
If only you dare

About joy
Did I spread enough
About happiness
Did I live it up
About time
About time for me
About us

Time to punch in your ticket
There’s one final show
Time to empty your bucket
Let loose let go

Somewhere…

You’re getting your fair share
If only you dare
You’re getting somewhere
If only you dare
Somewhere
You’re getting there
Somewhere
You’re getting there

Somewhere
You’re getting somewhere
Somewhere
You’re getting somewhere

Getting Somewhere

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander
Guitar: Davy Vance https://soundcloud.com/skub1955

This "truddelutt" (in Swedish), or "lark" was Inspired by a friend of mine from my university days in Stockholm. She was never a lover of mine, but she did love the spell of new romance.  Singing a few words in Swedish…eventually I will sing an entire song in Swedish. Very grateful to Davy for joining in on the fun.

SHE LOVES TO LOVE

She loves to love
Looks down from above
Treats the boys like toys
Every first touch oh so much
Every first kiss lost in bliss
Every night ohh

She loves to love
More is never enough
Walks out dazzles a smile
Says she’ll stay for a while
Then goodbye with plenty of style
Sad sorry Lars ohh

Älskar att älska
Amour pour l’amour
Amar por amar
Juan-Pablo y Jose
Jean-Claude et Antoine
Björn och Lars ohh

She loves to love
Elation cloud nine
Always fun the boys want more
Every first touch oh so much
Every first kiss lost in bliss
That first night ohh

She Loves To Love

She Loves To Love | Davy Vance & TheGat(s)

Music, Organ, Bass, Drums, a few effects: Jan Schonander
Guitar: Laurent of Wypernet https://soundcloud.com/wypernet

Think
считать
думати
考える
Pense
思考
सोच
Pensad

The Madness

The Madness | Wypernet & TheGat(s)

Having a little fun with my new Nord Stage 3 - all sounds except the percussion are native to the Stage 3 (synth and organ engine). No sequencers were used, but I did enjoy using the pitch stick.

Thinking a bit about a Black Swan event as I produced this, the 1st half representing life as usual, the event as a synth "solo" and the altered reality afterwards. Towards the end I was inspired somewhat by the soundtrack to Dunkirk as the planes harass the troops on the beach and I have to admit that Vangelis Chariots of Fire was on my mind throughout the track although I skipped adding any piano.

A black swan is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, severe impact, and the widespread insistence they were obvious in hindsight. [according to Wikipedia]

Black Swan

Cover of Nick Cave's "People Ain't No Good" from The Boatsman's Call

Always liked this song from 1997, although I think most people might know it from the soundtrack to Shrek 2 (excellent soundtrack by the way). The original is a piano tune - I made an organ the lead instrument as well as changed the vocal melody and rhythm in parts. The lyrics are quite dark and sometimes one can feel that way although in general I think people (especially all you Soundcloud buddies) are better than Nick Cave would have us believe.

PEOPLE AIN'T NO GOOD

People just ain't no good
I think that's well understood
You can see it everywhere you look
People just ain't no good

We were married under cherry trees
Under blossoms we made our vows
All the blossoms came sailing down
Through the streets and through the playgrounds

The sun would stream on the sheets
Awoken by the morning bird
We'd buy the Sunday newspapers
And never read a single word

People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good

Seasons came, seasons went
The winter stripped the blossoms bare
A different tree now lines the streets
Shaking its fists in the air

The winter slammed us like a fist
The windows rattling in the gales
To which she drew the curtains
Made out of her wedding veils

People they ain't no good at all

To our love send a dozen white lilies
To our love send a coffin of wood
To our love let all the pink-eyed pigeons coo
That people they just ain't no good
To our love send back all the letters
To our love a valentine of blood
To our love let all the jilted lovers cry
That people they just ain't no good

It ain't that in their hearts they're bad
They can comfort you, some even try
They nurse you when you're ill of health
They bury you when you go and die

It ain't that in their hearts they're bad
They'd stick by you if they could
But that's just bull baby
People just ain't no good

People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good at all
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good at all

People Ain't No Good

Many times when I compose I come up with a lot of ideas and when I try to sing I realize that I need to simplify. Usually when I am done I delete the original draft, but in this case I liked all the organ pieces I came up with and decided to hang on to the draft. A simplified version of this eventually became the song "Easy For You" with Davy Vance. This is a sort of B3-ish organ fest that I really like - hopefully some of you out there feel the same way.

Easy For You - Organ Obsession

Easy For You | Organ Party

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander

The toughest cages to break out of are often built by ourselves and entirely in our own minds.

BREAK OUT OF THIS CAGE

Break out of this cage
Why can’t I hold on to the bars
Is it all in my mind
The weight on my shoulders 

Better than that 
More than that
You deserve so much more
So much better than that

Round and round and round…..

Up and down
Round and round
Off the ground
I don’t want to hear a sound
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh….

Break out of this cage
Break out of this cage

Break out of this cage
Why can’t I hold on to the bars
Is it all in my mind
The weight on my shoulders 

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh…..

Round and round and round…..

My future
Your future
Our future
It’s all in the past
It’s all in the past
Get off of this circular path

Break out of this cage
Break out of this cage  

Break out of this cage
Why can’t I hold on to the bars

Break Out Of This Cage

2019 collaboration with Gina Wood recovered from the dark archives. 

Synth: Gina Wood https://soundcloud.com/gina-wood-837506330
Piano, electronica, bass, percussion: Jan Schonander

With a Roman Catholic upbringing I learned that one should forgive 70 times 7 times. If you are wronged 491 times...

Unforgiven

Unforgiven | Gina Wood & TheGat(s)

Music & Lyrics: Jan Schonander

LIE FOR YOU

If you tell me lies
I’ll follow you
If you tell me lies
I’ll like you too

If you spread the word
I’ll travel the land
If you call my name
I’ll give you a hand

You travel first class
I sleep on the street
When you drop your mask
I risk my life
And my family too.

If you tell me lies
I’ll follow you
If you tell me lies
I’ll like you too

When I’m standing back
I’m ready for you
When I’m standing by
I’m waiting for you

If you’re in my house
I’ll help you too
When you break the law
I’ll lie for you
 
If you tell me lies
I’ll follow through
If you tell me lies
I’ll fight for you

Lie To Me

Lie For You

Words & Music: Jan Schonander

This song is written from a man's perspective, but I think it could be equally valid for a woman. I have plenty of friends that have found their companions using dating apps. I also have a number of friends that have many - let's say - interesting experiences. And, maybe it's best to realize what you've got.

In terms of how this was recorded...there are no real guitars. I used Logic Pro X Revolving Lines with a couple of gain settings as well as the Distorted Stratocaster. There are two bass lines using the Prog Rock Bass and as always I am programming the virtual drummer. The various organs and piano are all Korg SV-1 native with some post processing. Basically it's the same stuff I used for "Forgot To Say" and "Feline Fever".

Lastly, I've noticed that some listeners interpret my lyrics as all personal experiences. In this case I would among many things be a three time felon, met my "working" wife on  a crossing and I would actually be African American - I can report that this is far from my ordinary life.

BLIND DATE

Choosing left and right
An ordinary night
On his own
Scotch in his hand
Microwave dinner
Looking for some company
Some sweet lovin
Looking for a friend
Didn’t want another dead end

Didn’t want another blind date
Looking for a better fate
Didn’t want another blind date
Looking for a much better mate

She stepped in the bar
Painted to the nines
Three martini lush & more
Preached about men
Layed down the rules
He looked in her eyes 
Made sure that she understood
She was more than he could
He left that chat for good

Didn’t want another blind date
Looking for a better fate
Didn’t want another blind date
Hoping for a much better mate

He looked left and right
Nothing recognizable in sight
And then she said “Hello,
I think you’re my beau”
A completely different woman
His face turned wooden
Oh its so tragic
Not his kind of magic

Didn’t want another blind date
Looking for a better fate
Didn’t want another blind date
Hoping for a much better mate

Staying at home
Staying at home
All on his own
Right next to his phone
He heard her chime
Turned on a dime
She said “Honey, I miss you”
He said “Not another blind date,
not another blind date”

Blind Date

Thanks for visiting. This is a retro eclectic music mix with a strong keyboard base.  Looming influences from among others Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Lou Reed & Jon Lord. 

I am always looking for a guitar player that wants to collaborate. Would be fun to find a real drummer also.

A Gat is a cat in Catalan - it all makes sense if you’re me.

To all of you likers and reposters that don't listen - what's the point?

TheGat(s)

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