'High Ground' .https://youtu.be/JDn_Zfr1mDc A track from Kit's 2010 Concept Rock Opera 'Conquest'.  Based on the event leading up to the 1066 arse kicking we got from the Orc's. This track is just before the battle.... Harold has it in him... He spent the last 6 days running down from Leeds...  with his army.. \m/.   we got this..... don't we?  we don't have the High Ground.  

Cap off to David Higham on Drums and Psi Hancock on Guitar

Oracles Oath - Conquest : already 10yrs in to the project.

The Video - https://youtu.be/JDn_Zfr1mDc
I'll give a prize to whoever PM's me with the point when Lancelot play air guitar!!  in the video

High Ground

Mick and the Jag's doing there ol' fav... 

Li'l Red Ridinghood

The dream of flying , far from this world, with the beloved one....

On Oubliera

P-Ice Gravity

Your sky in diamonds
so blue...

You can do everything,
but... you choose pink,
like a seductively painted
cake...

so beautiful...
oh!
and
a happy Hollywood smile

eternal blonde...

and we still...
still succumb...
to your cover...

not realizing
that the Barbie doll

looks
and sees no one...
doesn't cry...
- feels nothing.

inside under the plastic - empty

such beauty will not save this world!

but we still
still are led by the cover...
eternal blonde

we look with delight:

here is Kent and the limousine
at the door
yes
she is Barbie on the outside -
but inside there is nothing...

now...
they are happy
will drive away into the pink sunset. ..
and we will wait for them..
not realizing that
we give them life..
not allowing
them to lie on the shelf with a price tag,

and then we suffer..
and dream..
that this beauty will save
our stupid world

and for now:
eternal blonde - smile!!
you are all - ok!
because we still

still fall in love with your...
cover..

you are so beautiful
ah!

****
твоё небо в алмазах
такое голубое..

ты можешь любой -
но - выбираешь розовый 
как заманчиво раскрашенное
пирожное..

такая красивая ..
ай!
и
голливудская улыбка счастливая

вечная блоонди..

и мы всё ещё — 
всё еще ведёмся..
на твою обложку ..

но барби - кукла: 
смотрит
и никого не видит..
не плачет .. улыбаясь..
-- ничего не чувствуя.
внутри под пластмассой - пусто
....

такая красота не спасёт этот мир

но мы всё ещё 
всё еще ведёмся на обложку..
вечной блоонди

восторженно следим:
вот Кент и лимузин 
у двери
да
она снаружи барби - 
но ничего внутри ..

сейчас..
они счастливые 
уедут в розовый закат. ..
а мы останемся их ждать..
не понимая
что мы
их оживляем..
не позволяя
им на полке с ценником лежать

а потом страдаем.. 
и мечтаем ..
что эта красота спасёт 
наш круглый как
дурак — мир


а пока: 
вечная блондии -- улыбайся !
у тебя всё - о'кей !
ведь мы всё ещё 
всё ещё ведёмся на твою ..
обложку..


ты такая красивая 
ай!
и твоя
улыбка счастливая ..
ты смотришь
ничего не чувствуя...

Barbie

So what now?

The pieces are set,
The board is occupied,
The main actors have taken their positions.

The inevitable is coming,
Fear fills hearts and minds.

Will what many predict come to pass,
Or will fate turn in our favor?

The core of our beings has been seized by the machine.
The art that defined us is being smothered by a flood of perfect artificiality.

Simulation of emotions, simulation of art, simulation of humanity.
Where do we belong?

Where is my place?

And what now?

--------


This is a piece I improvised on March 23, 2025. I was surprised at how well it turned out. However, I didn't know what to do with it. I couldn't think of anything more, so I'm publishing it as is, with minor tweaks (I literally added six notes in three places).

With this piece I am starting a series in which I will be posting rather uncomplicated, short pieces, created out of the need of the moment, under the impression of something specific.

To compose it I used only 3 plugins/sounds
Spitfire LABS Autograph Grand (piano) (free)
Spitfire Originals Intimate Strings x2 (in octave)
And one patch from truly amazing synth from Arturia: Pigments

I hope you like it at least a little bit.

Picture Freepik: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-portrait-with-blue-lights-visual-effects_26813733.htm

And What Now?

Slow Motion Space Blues

I have been using a CPAP machine for several months.  I am sleeping much better and I decided to take a stab at writing a song about it.  
***
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure to help you breathe while you sleep.
***
Copyright 2025
Vocals, Lyrics and Chords: Joe Stroffolino
Guitars:  Joe Stroffolino: Taylor 114ce (two guitar strumming tracks) and Fender Squire Picking track
Drums:  Programmed using EZ drummer 3
Bass:  Pg Music Midi track with .vst sound from Native instruments Rickenbacker
Organ: Joe Stroffolino: Playing Midi Keyboard with vintage B3 Organ sound from Logic Pro
***
Cover art:  Real (Non-AI) Photo of a Halloween Skeleton wearing my actual CPAP mask  (I was going to take a picture of me wearing the mask but believe it or not, the skeleton looks more attractive) 
****
CPAP Lyrics: 
I was snoring, so I had a sleep study, and they gave me a CPAP machine
It took a bit of getting used to, it was uncomfortable at first, but now it’s part of my nightly routine
When I first put on that CPAP mask, I tried to pretend I was like Darth Vader, part man and part machine, but actually I look more l like Jason in that hockey mask on Friday the thirteenth
The doctor said if I don’t wear that mask, I’ll be gasping for breath all night long and I know I’d better keep wearing it, if I want my heart and brain to stay strong.  I just wish I looked a little bit more sexy while I was wearing it.
Every night when I go to bed I wear a mask that covers my mouth and my nose and on the top of my head, connected to the mask, there’s a big, long hose.
They say when it comes to romance, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover 
 But something about that CPAP mask makes me thinks it’s goanna be hard to find myself a new lover.
The doctor said if I don’t wear that mask, I’ll be gasping for breath all night long and I know I’d better keep wearing it, if I want my heart and brain to stay strong. I just wish I looked a little bit more sexy while I was wearing it.
Sometime you gotta try to put things in perspective
Sometimes you gotta try to be a little bit more objective
Sometimes you just gotta put function over form
Sometimes you gotta be willing to deviate from the norm
The doctor said if I don’t wear that mask, I’ll be gasping for breath all night long and I know I’d better keep wearing it, if I want my heart and brain to stay strong.
I know it’s very important to follow all the proper medical advice and I have every intention to keep using my CPAP device.  I just wish I looked a little bit more sexy while I was wearing it.

CPAP

Indie Summer Nights

Written by James Geer

Standing by the river
On uncle Cosmos farm
Let it wash my troubles away
Cleanse the consternation
So it won’t do no harm
Wash from me obnoxious thoughts that weigh
Wash away, wash away
Clear my conscience for another day
Standing by the river
On uncle Cosmos farm
Washing consternation away

Chucking that potato
On cosmic bowling night
Roll my consternation down the lane
Roll away my troubles
The pins can take the fight
Free me from obnoxious fhoughts again
Roll away, roll away
Clear my conscience for another day
Chucking that potato 
On cosmic bowling night
Rolling consternation away

Standing by the bonfires 
A cold November night
Burning consternation away
Fires warm and comforting 
The smoke goes out of sight
Taking with it troubles in flight
Burn away, burn away
Clear my conscience for another day
Standing by the bonfires 
A cold November night
Burning consternation away

Consternation

SOON to move to Bandcamp as an album - in the meantime, you can also listen in sequence here: soundcloud.com/sonic-textures/sets/scalar-fields
instruments: Jeff Gardiner and jo richter
voice: Jeff Gardiner
modulation, arrangement and all that: jo richter
lyrics: Jeff Gardiner in collaboration with jo richter
image: Jeff Gardiner in collaboration with jo richter

stepping off the edge with desire
he was the flyer on perception's broken wings
sixteen times he bounced and landed on the ledge
with the shack at the back where the
old man sat on some wooden crates
and spoke of gates in dreams
and trips and traps and strategies and
cautionary tales about inorganic beings
and how to catch a rabbit or lion or a squirrel
with some sticks and strings

scaler field pt 9: Sticks 'n' Strings with Sonic Structures and Silent Stretches

Tricky Cat Records,  The exclusive label for the non-profit 'Rose Pro Studio'.  We work with artists who are non-professional but do something in the local community   We make no charge. 

This page is for Demo's and our back catalogue of previously released Albums, Tracks and Keepsakes.

Absolutely no money is made, gained, sort or demanded from the artists who record with us. 

Sound Engineers 
                             - Kit Gratrix
                             - Will Sidebottom
                             - Mike Bryant
Head Producer    - Kit Gratrix

Tricky Cat Records Artists & Band Members

The Mand'rols (Mini Mand'rols)								       
                                        Kit Gratrix - Guitars & Vocals
					Shadow - Vocals
					Alex Nuewham - Vocals
					Dinky - Drums
					Chuck Batsmear - Rock Bass

Tom and the Cats
					Tommy Catalos - Vocals
					Dexter Rohan -  Lead Guitars
					Les Shipperbottan - Drums
					Nick Botham - Bass
					Kittarix - Synths & Pianos
					Phil Limpton - Rhythm Guitars
					Betty Roadford - backing Vocals

Tabby and the Cats
					Tabby (Shadow) Northford - Vocals
					Dexter Rohan -  Lead Guitars
					Les Shipperbottan - Drums
					Nick Botham - Bass
					Kittarix - Synths & Pianos
					Phil Limpton - Rhythm Guitars
					Betty Roadford - backing Vocals
Radiance
					EVERYONE

Hawks Quest				
					Kit Gratrix	- Vocals, Synths, guitars
					Mike Bryant - Vocals & Acoustic & Electric Guitars
					Will Russell - Vocals & Ac Guitar
					Jana - Vocals & Bass
					Saz - Backing Vocals
					David Higham - Guitars, Drums & percussion

Oracles Oath
					Rob Lehane - Vocals
					Kit Gratrix	- Vocals, Synths, guitars
					Psi Hancock - Guitars and Lead Guitar
					Mike Bryant - Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
					Jana - Vocals & Bass
					Gwynn - Vocals
					David Higham - Drums & percussion


The Magick
					Muffy Numpitt - Vocals
					Will Russell - Ac Guitars & Vocals
					Kit Gratrix - Guitars & Synths
					Mike Bryant - Guitars & Vocals

Betty and the Boohoo's
					Betty Roadford - Vocals
					Dexter Rohan -  Lead Guitars
					Les Shipperbottan - Drums
					Nick Botham - Bass
					Kittarix - Synths & Pianos
					Phil Limpton - Rhythm Guitars
					Tommy Catalos - Backing Vocals

Head Case
					Bad Boy Lew - Vocals
					Dexter Rohan -  Lead Guitars
					Phil Limpton - Rhythm Guitars
					Les Shipperbottan - Drums
					Chuck Batsmear - Rock Bass
					Kit Gratrix - Synths

Shadow 
					Shadow - Vocals
					Dexter Rohan -  Lead Guitars
					Les Shipperbottan - Drums
					Nick Botham - Bass
					Kittarix - Synths & Pianos
					Phil Limpton - Rhythm Guitars
					Betty Roadford - backing Vocals

Falcon
					Mike Bryant - Guitars & Vocals - Writer
					Kit Gratrix - Synth’s & Percussion - Writer

Muso’s

Dexter Rohan -  Lead Guitars
Phil Limpton - Rhythm Guitars
Mike Bryant - Guitars & Vocals/Writer
Will Russell - Guitars & Vocals/Writer
Psi Hancock - Guitars
Dave Higham - Guitars Drums & Vocals
Kit Gratrix - Guitars/Writer
Tommy Catalos - Vocals

Chuck Batsmear - Rock Bass
Lyndon Johnson - Soul Bass
Nick Botham - Pop Bass

Kittarix - Synths & Pianos

Dinky - Drums
Les Shipperbottan - Drums

Jana - Vocals
Saz -Vocals
Kerry Bennett-King - Vocals
Betty Roadford - Vocals
Shadow / Tabby Northford - Vocals
Muffy Numpitt - Vocals
Alex Nuewham - Vocals