A collection of stuff where I'm playing with at least one other person; mostly fine folks I've met here on Soundcloud, but also a few early tunes I recorded with family or friends a while back. Each one is a gem (the people, I mean). 

Note - Because I've recorded a bunch of stuff with the 'Eclectic Collective' group, I've got a playlist and an album dedicated to just those tunes. They're gems too.   ; )

Collaborations

One of the older recordings from around 2001; a 3-part medley made of 3 styles: funk, reggae, and 'game show' (?). Not sure that's a style but it is now. 
(Saxofunk is a rearranged piece based on the song 'Saxafunk' by Neville Brothers)

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve.  :)

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Saxofunk / Game Show / Pennywise

re-uploading an old tune from around 2001, remastered from original tape. This is definitely one of the ones I'd love to hear played on real orchestral instruments.

instruments include violin (bowed & plucked), cello, clarinet, accordion, percussion - all synth sounds. 

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. :)

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Aulde Europe

The sitar is one of those beautiful classical instruments that has so many rich subtleties to it... it's one of my favourite instruments but hard to replicate if you're not playing a real one! Nevertheless I've recorded a few tracks that feature sitar  - the others being "Tiger Raga" and "From Agra to Zanzibar". The other main instrument on this track is the santoor, a kind of dulcimer played with small sticks striking the strings. 

This is another older track from around 2001, which I keep meaning to re-do with better sound quality and mix. It’s dark with an upbeat rhythm, and a cool little bit around the middle. And as a drummer, I do like the percussion in this quite a bit. 

Comments always appreciated, but don't feel shy to give critical feedback - always trying to get better!

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Sitar & Santoor

kind of a dark jazzy/funky groove, with a pretty bonkers solo in the middle where the electric piano morphs into an electric 'guitar' and rips loose (the filthy interlude). Not sure I'm finished with this one yet...

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. :)

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Mark's Album (post-2020)

Suitcase (filthy interlude)

I was honoured to get a message from Mark Sartori (@user-83791253-79179570), whose music & guitar playing I'm a big fan of, asking if I might want to collaborate on one of his pieces of music. He suggested I add some percussion to his guitar, and this is what came together. Mark S has since recorded a new, solo version of the song as well. 

Thanks Mark, for giving me the nod to work with you on this really fine & catchy tune. Hope folks dig this pan-Pacific partnership!

Little Wind (Mark Sartori with MisterMark)

This collaboration came about when I was commenting on a track from @cosmic-ratzzz, saying how I was very inspired and influenced by his incredible music and style - both solo, and the over 100 (!) songs he & @Joerxworx have worked on together. Then suddenly, Ratzzz offered to send me a track he created - a complete backing arrangement (bass, drums, clav, synth, keys, some sax, effects, etc.) - and suggested I add something to it. I was apprehensive cause his stuff is top notch quality, but I took a stab at it, and this is what came out. My part is the 2 lead horns - sax & muted trumpet (both played on keyboard), and Ratzzz did everything else. 

The title comes from the fact that Ratzzz made it so easy to work with because of his incredible talent and a fully baked track to solo over. I tried to leave some space and work around what he was doing and I think it turned out quite nice for a first try.
The image is a bit of a mashup I did of both our SC avatars.

Thanks Ratzzz for your generosity and amazing music; hope you all like this!

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve.   :)

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Eazy Breezy (with Ratzzz & mistermark)

Like most of the guys playing parts on this song, this one's a pretty special one for me, because of my dad's love for country music and being an amazing guitarist who was a big influence on me to play music. Thanks to Josh for reaching out to invite us along for this one, and to all the guys for putting their hearts into the performances here!

Dedicated to Dad.

Cast of Characters:
mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Lead and harmony vocals, synth guitar intro, auxiliary percussion, mix, arrangement, and production
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– guitar, banjo, and mastering
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – mix and production
J.J. Terrell–@j-j-terrell –piano 
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums and vocal harmonies
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –-four string fretless bass, mandolin, and lap steel

This song began when Josh asked the rest of the guys if they'd be willing to put together a couple of songs for his father as a Christmas present. His dad is from West Virginia, and Josh was born there, too. The original version featured his son, Marshall, singing the lead with him, and hearing his grandson sing a song about West Virginia really meant a lot to elder Clary. Of course, everyone was enthusiastically generous in giving their time, effort, and skill to Josh's family for the holiday. 
 
 The story of the song itself is a little convoluted. After Josh asked for everyone's help, Ken laid down a rudimentary beat, to which Josh started the tonal part with the bass. Stephen added the guitar and banjo soon after, and Josh added the mandolin shortly after that. JJ inserted his piano around this time, too. We pretty much had it working enough for Josh and his son to sing it for his dad. Tez mixed that version perfectly suited to the occasion. 
  After presenting Josh's dad with the present, it sat for about a month, until we asked Mark if he'd get in on it, too. Mark not only sang it better the John Denver, but also arranged it so there is an instrumental break in the middle now. He also added the guitar lick around the beginning. Ken took the opportunity of having Mark's great vocals to sing against to add his terrific harmonies. Mark threw down a harmony line as well during the verse, and one of the 2 high chorus harmonies. Then Mark, being the perfectionist that he is, noticed that the slide part was missing from the second verse. So, Josh added it. Mark also mixed this version, with Stephen doing some mastering at the end. 
  We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed putting this personally meaningful piece together.

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. :)

(song written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver)

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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

Take Me Home, Country Roads (cover - with Eclectic Collective)

Dedicated to some folks in my life who've picked me up along the way, especially through music...

This is one I'm pretty proud of.  Oddly, it's the first time I’ve written a full original song with me singing my own lyrics. I'm joined by the uber talented @TexMex-Shaman, who is wielding the lead electric guitar starting at the first verse through to the end. (this is the second time now where my vocal melody is partly inspired by his magical playing!) He also lends his mastering skillz to great effect here. Thanks TMS for truly bringing this to life with your playing! 
All other instruments are played by me on the keyboard - acoustic guitar, bass, organ, Wurlitzer electric piano, 2nd electric guitar (the higher one in verse 2), horns, drums & percussion, words and voice. The chorus is supposed to sound like a 60's soul song, like Marvin Gaye meets Van Morrison. 
If you play this more than once I'm sorry but I'm afraid you'll be stuck with it in your head all day.  :)

This one's a personal one for me, so thanks for listening, and for picking us up with your music!

LYRICS: 

Verse 1
alone in the corner, that old six string whispers to me
ah but when daddy played, he could set your spirit free 
like the drops in the rain, or a forest tall and green
there's music alive all around
and mamma she told me, you must listen for more than the sound
and hear with your heart

Chorus     
(And then she’d) 
pick me up higher, pick me up higher, pick me up higher
pick me up, lift me up, build me up,  
pick me up higher, pick me up higher, pick me up higher
pick me up, lift me up, build me up, 
pick me up higher 

Verse 2
Now I’m writing my own song… makin’ music with old friends and new
But the joy of my days, are my beautiful daughter and you
And when you play that song, she would close her eyes and sway
all the while as she sings
And man when I hear her, whispered memories they lift me up still
like a bird on the wind

Chorus  

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Other credits: 
-second verse sample of 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' (by John Denver), performed by my 9 yr old daughter
-image design by me using Chat GPT
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here's a link to just the final chorus vocals and horns isolated: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/pick_me_up_vox_isolated

and here's a link that features mainly the sax solo & horn section:
https://on.soundcloud.com/y1PR8xv69y77n5CY5w
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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

-mark

Pick Me Up (with TexMex Shaman)

I was honoured to be given the OK to add some accompanying instrumentation to a lovely song written & performed by Takken Wish (https://soundcloud.com/takken-wish). The lyrics crept up on me as I was listening to the song for musical ideas; it reminds me of a similar long lost old friend from my younger years who drifted off to somewhere...

I'm playing the upright bass, organ, and cello here (all on keys), and we've each uploaded a slightly different version of the cello part. Check out Takken's version, which has a more layered cello arrangement:
https://soundcloud.com/takken-wish/seasons-make-sense-celli-chords

An earlier, alternate take with no additional accompaniment:
https://soundcloud.com/takken-wish/seasons-make-sense

Thanks so much Takken for writing this touching song, and letting me sprinkle on my own touches!

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image concept & design by me based on Takken's lyrics, and created using ChatGPT 4o

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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

Seasons Make Sense (collaboration with Takken Wish)

I've started posting a few tracks that feature isolated instruments on previously uploaded songs, just for fun. On this one, I've done a bit of a short remix to highlight the nasty harmonica solo at the end of one of my fave songs I collaborated on with the charming & talented Eclectic Collective gang. It was the first time I'd tried playing that style with the heavy echo/reverb effect, and I was surprised how it turned out. 
Here's a link to the original full song, featuring wicked solo turns by several members of the group:

https://on.soundcloud.com/NcZz44EUFyChiR4LA

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks
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image created using a mix of ChatGPT AI and Photoshop

A Brush With Death (BLUES HARP SOLO)

This is a song originally written and performed by Soundcloud artist 'A Girl From Wonder' (@user-712848711), whose music I've admired for a while. I've loved this one since the first time I heard it, and aways wanted to try some sort of collaboration, but it's hard to mess with the stark simple beauty of the original. But here's my attempt to add some dashes of colour to her voice and guitar strumming, adding instruments like upright bass, organ, banjo, cello, and percussion. The banjo parts are mainly a bunch of sound samples I found and cut up and arranged to fit in with the melody I wanted to play (wish I could just play banjo instead!). I tried to keep her evocative voice the main focal point, and we're both pretty happy with how this turned out. 

Thanks again Brittany for letting me work with your song, it's pretty special. 

Here's the original, and I encourage folks to check it out as well as other great tunes on her page. Thanks for listening!

https://soundcloud.com/user-712848711/wild-walking

Wild Walking (collab with A Girl From Wonder)

This is just a short sample of a blending test of the cool sounds on the mellotron instrument I use in GarageBand. If you’re not familiar with how a real mellotron works, it’s worth checking it out! Here's a very informative demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByD8gH7kYxs

The acoustic guitar is played using a VST guitar on keyboard.
The mellotron sounds are:
  - flute / strings blend
  - cello / strings blend
  - male / female choir blend
  - boys / female choir blend

Here’s a crazy song of mine where I’m using the mellotron is a really ominous chorus (Cut 2: "The Chase"):
https://on.soundcloud.com/mHrSTfwtJ2xxo7s5A

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

mellotron choir (SOUND DEMO)

Ever since I saw an incredible Canadian band (Recipe From a Small Planet) do a live Reggae jam and seamlessly slide into a cover of 'Watching The Detectives', I wanted to try something similar. In this case, I did the opposite, starting with the cover, and adding a kinda reggae/dub section at the end, which starts at 3:15. 

For the dub portion, I enlisted the help of one of the best talents I know - @Llanpsych (Tez) - to add his magic and 'dubbify' the whole instrumental section at the end. I'm singing and playing all the instruments here using my keyboard, and some echo effects, and Tez did the rest to produce that authentic dub atmosphere into the mix. I recommend listening to that part at least with headphones, and hope you enjoy the result! Thanks so much Tez, I couldn't have done this without your mad skillz!

Sharp ears may notice the following 2 details: 

  -  In the last few seconds, I threw in the theme from 'The Godfather', played on melodica (see credit below). 

  -  at 0:39, you can faintly hear my dog barking in the background. I decided to keep it in, since she barked at the line, "red dogs under illegal legs", which I thought was funny timing!  :)

INSTRUMENTS:
bass, drums, rhythm & lead guitar, organ, piano, electric piano, melodica, steel pan drums, ukulele, synth horns, voice

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-song art designed using Chat GPT and Photoshop
-original song written by Elvis Costello
-theme from The Godfather, 'Speak Softy, Love' - written by Nino Rota

Watching the Dubtectives (cover + dub mix with Llanpsych)

Cast of Characters:

Mahan Mahan -- @mahan-mahan — Mahan — Washburn acoustic guitars, composition
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –- vocals, vocal harmonies, lyrics, four string Warwick fretless bass, Collings mandolin, and Korg piano, Roland Phantom VST strings, and arrangement
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– Earl Scriggs custom banjo, mix, mastering, and production
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – mellotron cello & strings, sound effects, editing production

This song began with Mahan writing a chord progression on his acoustic guitar in hopes of doing something different than his usual punk influenced raucous experimentation. He shared it with Josh and asked if he'd add some vocals. So Josh came up with the lyrics, vocal melodies, and harmonies. Then Mahan encouraged him to add more parts, so Josh also laid down a piano, mandolin, and bass part to go with it. At that point, it was sounding like a much bigger production than what either of them had accounted for.
That's when Josh got the rest of the Eclectic Collective involved. First in was Ken, who added his awesome drums to the mix. Josh and Ken went back and forth a couple of times, as they usually do when trying to dial in the rhythm section. Tez jumped in next with his dynamic electric guitar solo at the end. Then, Mark added the cool, proggy mellotron strings, too, as well as did some expert editing. At this point, it sounded so big that Josh decided to include some additional synth strings you hear throughout, too.
Once it was in the can, we turned it over to Stephen who not only mixed it brilliantly, but also added a trippy banjo you can hear in the second to last section.
We had so much fun recording this, in no small part because Mahan is such a brilliant and desirable collaborator. He really set us up with some magic, and we ran with it. All of his music is exciting and worth a listen on his page. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by Josh Clary:

I've been high
And I've been low
Been making plans
For when I go

Time moves by painfully fast
Everything goes and nothing lasts

We're only here for a very short time
You live your life and I'll live mine
Might as well have fun
Might as well go for a run
Hug my kids, my wife, and folks
Before I go x 2

Into forever dreamless sleep
Wish I had a soul to keep
Time’s like water in my hand
Can't stop the clock's
Relentless plans

When it all comes ‘round
I don’t let it get me down
‘Cause in the end,
I won't make a sound
This life is very short
And we're all very small
Everything’s in motion
On this spinning ball
Time flows only one way
I wish it were not so
I’m busy making plans for
When it’s time to go
Take the time to wonder
Make time to wonder
Wonder at it all



Wonder (Eclectic Collective with Mahan Mahan)

Cast of Characters:
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick four string fretless bass, Sigma acoustic guitar, PRS SE semi hollow body guitar, composition
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums and percussion
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – VST horns - trumpet, bone, & sax, latin drum ensemble, and editing production
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Production, mix, and mastering

This song began in the dead of winter on a cold night with Josh sitting in his studio with his acoustic guitar playing along to a looper beat. He loves Bossa Nova music and wanted to write a song in that style. Of course, he wrote it with the Eclectic Collective in mind.
Josh also came up with the bass line to the looper, but changed it once Ken weighed in with his perfectly suited drum kit. Ken also added the solid percussion keeping things tight. Then JJ got involved and laid down that wonderfully melodic organ part you hear in there. Josh, having not laid down a lead guitar part yet, used JJ melodic idea for the first verse, too, because it's so strong. Mark was last to the table, bringing several really stunning parts that added a lot of depth to the whole thing. He's responsible for the horn arrangements that joins in from JJ's organ around the middle, those funky percussion flourishes and fills, and then creating that percussion breakdown near the end, playing everything you hear in that break. 
This is an example of Josh exploring a less typical type of music, and it being picked up on and carried through expertly as a group unit. We all love bringing in different influences in the EC, and this fit the bill. We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.

And here’s a short excerpt of the the rhythm section with all the percussion action more isolated:

https://on.soundcloud.com/z7WcB9VvfZWHgAUu8

Meet The New Bossa (The Eclectic Collective)

I had so much fun getting the chance to let loose a bit in the percussion department on the latest song by The Eclectic Collective that I decided to post a short mix with just the isolated percussion. I'm joined here by Ken who's keeping on the steady with his perc work too, as well as Josh who is playing both the bass & rhythm guitar here. 

Here's the original song with the full EC gang playing (see description for full details):

Meet The New Bossa
https://on.soundcloud.com/kJpFgfnEE95H84U66

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

meet the new bossa (ISOLATED RHYTHM SECTION)

One of my favourite Soundcloud artists @remnant60 posted a gorgeous track that he left open for collaboration, so I jumped at the chance to try and add something that might fit with his ambient, mystical guitar sound. I settled on some ethereal cello chords (played on keyboard with some pitch bend modulation) and this is the result. I try to recommend listening with headphones when I think it's worth it, and I think it applies in this case.  :)

Check out his playlist where he compiled various other really cool adaptations of his original tune. Thanks Bill for continuing to inspire us with your magic! 

PLAYLIST: Variations On A Dream
https://soundcloud.com/remnant60/sets/variations-on-a-dream

Universal Language (collab with Remnant60)

@TexMex-Shaman of the Eclectic Collective had the cool idea to add a short hambone performance to the 'Country Ham' track he wrote and invited us to play on. He originally asked if anyone would like to try, but with no takers, he did it himself. I wasn't familiar with the term before but once I heard him perform it, I realized it was something I'd tried before too, and asked if I could take a stab at it after all. You hear it at the outro of the song as the music fades, but this is an isolated recording of just the hambone stuff - in this case boot stomps, hand & body slaps, and vocalizations. Thanks Tex for this awesome song, and teaching me this technique rich in Southern tradition. As a percussionist, this was a treat to record!

Here's the original, full song from The Eclectic Collective:
https://on.soundcloud.com/sVaGRayWtDCbR63v6

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

country hambone (ISOLATED hambone demo)

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, jaw harp, fiddle samples
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, and recommend 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 down n' dirty slide throughout. Last, but certainly not least, Mark came up with the driving harmonica and twangy jaw harp, and some fiddle samples he snipped together from loops, sprinkling these throughout 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 additional high vocal harmonies, 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 always expert fashion. 
  This song was a real treat for everyone in the band. 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
~chatter~
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 (The Eclectic Collective - feat. Jonathan Beckenstein)

just messing around with some less common time signatures with this cool sounding VST jazz drum kit I like. This is a little ruff but a short and fun example.   :) 

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

5/4 rhythm sample A

Cast of characters:

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–piano, drums, and composition
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four string bass, mandolin, and synth
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –  VST flute and symphonic VST horns, bells, 'wind' vocalization 

This song began on the last day of the cold January of this year, when Ken sat down at his piano and recorded an improvisational jam. This is the first song Eclectic Collective has done where Ken started it with a piano, so we were all very excited to work on it. 
  Josh was the first one to add a part, adding his fretless bass guitar, and going back and forth with Ken, while he added the drums to match the groove up right. Josh also added the mandolin after the guitars were laid down, as well as the descending synth blasts you hear throughout. Before all that, though, Stephen recorded the first 2 thirds of the thrilling guitar you hear in there. After Stephen had his part down, Tez came along and finished the guitar work in the latter sections (from the 'windy' section to the end). Last, but certainly not least, Mark added the amazing symphonic elements, specifically the horns and flute melody. He also added the cold January wind sound, created using his breath and some tinkling bells. 
  Once it was all wrapped up, we asked Stephen to put a bow on it with his expert production, which he came through with, as always.
  As mentioned, this is an extraordinary offering from EC, staring Ken not only on drums, but on the keys, as well. It felt like we were jamming all together in the same room, and hope it comes across that way. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Check out the original piano track of Ken playing solo, where this song evolved from: 
https://soundcloud.com/k2-kara/january-epiphany-solo-piano

January Epiphany (The Eclectic Collective)

Cast of Characters:
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, mix, production, and composition
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – synthesizer, claps, shaker, car FX, vocals, lyrics
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul electric guitar
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken– drums, percussion
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Fender Precision four string bass

This song started as a raunchy guitar composition Tez came up with while on holiday recently. Hey wrote it with Eclectic Collective in mind, inspired by ZZ Top, and shared it with the rest of us as soon as he was able to return home and record it. 
  Fist to the table was Stephen - Being from Texas, too, he's no stranger to "The Reverend" Billy Gibbons and he added some rhythm guitar and an insanely cool guitar solo around the middle. Ken then laid down his rocking drums and splashes of percussion, laying the groundwork for the groove, while Josh completed the rhythm section with a badass funky bass line. Mark rounded things out adding some synthesizer, hand claps and shaker, and the wild race car sound effects. He had suggested early on that we try to do the song in the style of ZZ Top, and took a stab at singing the gruff Billy Gibbons style vocals. We're all really happy with not only Mark's vocal performance, but also his lyrics on this one. He's been exploring different styles of singing lately, but The Eclectic Collective now has several members who can be called upon in the vocal department. 
  Once it was in the can, Tez decided to mix it, as it was his song to begin with. He did his always expert job with the task, too. 
  This is an example of Eclectic Collective getting down and dirty for a rocker that has the flavour of all of us firing on all cylinders. Special attention to both Tez and Mark for their inspiring generosity and hard work in conceptualizing this one, too. We all hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by mistermark:

I got the top down, driving around
Burnin’ down the road, no prisoners
Everybody knows that I’m on the run  
I’m gettin’ outta here do or die 
Black Jack paddy whack listen to me 
I ain’t giving no dog no bone
What’s mine is mine and what’s thine is thine
But if you want me just pick up the phone 
If you need my number I’m # 1
Mama raised me alone ‘cause I’m a son of a gun
Now I’m paying my dues but I’m almost done
So if you want a piece of me

Come and get me
Come and get me

Well, hey baby baby now what you say
You hitch a ride with me I’ll take you all the way 
She said hey there baby just step on the gas 
I got places to go I wanna get there fast
Well somewhere at around mile 103
I heard a rattling sound I had to check and see
We stopped right there on the side of the road 
Then what happened next it made my mind explode
The girl started laughing as she locked the door 
She put the pedal to the metal couldn’t push it no more 
Way off in the distance half a mile away 
My baby called out to me as I heard her say…

Come and get me
Come and get me

(-face melting guitar solo-)

My feet got draggin’ in the desert sand
But as she waved goodbye something fell from her hand
I picked up the paper it was plain to see 
My baby wrote down her number and she left it for me
I been ‘buked & scorned I been thrown some shade 
I wanted revenge 'cause I gotsta get paid
I called her up but I just got the machine 
And wattaya think that the message said…

Come and get me

Come and Get Me (The Eclectic Collective)

Another isolated track of a previously uploaded tune, in this case the strings section. Here's a link to the original full piano & strings version, with the description.
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/lives-of-our-days-piano-strings

And here's a cool version where the talented 'Big Al From the Grove'  added some sweet guitar to the strings:
https://soundcloud.com/user-543408605/lives-of-our-days

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

lives of our days (ISOLATED string section)

Another example of a previously uploaded song, but with just one track isolated - the horns. The original, full song was performed by the Eclectic Collective, and written & sung by our multi-talented friend Ken. This is a condensed version of the horn section I had written for the chorus, which includes VST trumpet (x2), saxophone, and trombone.  Here's the original, full version of the song:
https://soundcloud.com/k2andthe3/happy-ever-after

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

(image created using ChatGPT 4o)

Happy Ever After (ISOLATED horns)

Another example of a previously uploaded song where I'm just isolating one instrument in the mix, this time the vocal track, with a bit of organ backing. Just some fun hootin' & hollerin' in the closing chorus section. And here's a link to the full song with the details, which is still probably one of my top two or three fave things I've recorded. 
https://on.soundcloud.com/KDuTKXBd2dyfYjnKA

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks


Pick Me Up (ISOLATED vocal chorus)

Dear Collective

CAST OF CHARACTERS:
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — VST orchestration, vocals, lyrics, and composition
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums, percussion
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four-string bass, Fender Precison four-string fretted bass, and Roland Phantom synthesizer
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson Custom T model electric guitar
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – VST string arrangement
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, mix, and production

This song began as a musical letter written, composed, and sung by Carl to Eclectic Collective. We'd been sniffing around each other's pages, admiring each other's work and collaborators. So Carl reached out with this friendly, uplifting song, as a gift to the band. 
Ken was first in line, adding his awesome, driving drums to give us a heartbeat to build upon. Josh came along next and completed the rhythm section with his trusty four-string fretless bass. Stephen was next up to bat, adding his dynamic raspy guitar, which almost sounds like an electrified fiddle. Next up, Mark added the tasteful VST strings arrangement in the second half of Carl's original composition. 
We had it pretty much sounding done, but wanted to spice it up a bit, so we came up with the idea for a coda. Josh added his bass and synth in the closing section, and Tez came up with the thrilling guitar part, as well. Tez also added the thrilling guitar intro, too. 
Once it was in the can, we asked Tez to mix and produce it for us, which he did in his always expert fashion.
This is the first song EC has done with Carl, but we know it won't be the last. We all admire him for his creativity, proficiency, and prolificacy. His page is worth a stroll, too, as it contains a lot of gems.
Thanks again Carl for the wonderful tribute! And as always, we hope folks enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark: 

Hey Collective Seeds,

Let's work things out across that water
There's a cable under sea,
We can send all sorts of...
Music/Words/Sounds - It's insane!
Look Lads,
That's life in the fast lane!

So it's ones and zeros
Mine and yours and theirs
We are all heroes...

Watching the fire,
From a distance we're warm
But not from their mire,
From this musical charm.
It's a bonfire,
An inferno.
Earth got plenty to turn off...

So we can sing to love
And we can play for more dove.
Let's combine our powers. Collective!
A Paddy/Yankee toasted sandwich

Tez festival streak
Psyched for more free
K2 to peak
Mistermark chimes ' found life fought
Give, You Entheogenic Psychonaught
Collective lands
Psyched for more free

Dear Collective (Eclectic Collective / The Beautiful Dark)

As I've started doing lately, this is another short segment of a previously uploaded song where I just feature one isolated track, in this case the synth string arrangement that comes in about 2/3 of the way in the full song. I've included Carl's synth track as well as accompaniment. 

The full song, which was originally written by Carl aka 'The Beautiful Dark' and performed together with 'The Eclectic Collective', can be heard here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/dear-collective-bl-master

Dear Collective (ISOLATED STRINGS & SYNTH)

Cast of Characters:
Steve's Planet -- @steve-vervaet — acoustic guitar, vocals, lyrics, and composition
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar
Mistrermark -- @user-432503709 — Mark — organ 
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –- four string fretless Warwick bass, Roland electric piano, organ
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– mix, mastering, and production
  
This song began with Steve, who wrote it, and recorded his guitar and singing parts on the same track, before sharing it with Eclectic Collective about half a year ago, back in the fall. Always grateful to Steve for sharing his amazing music with us, we kept it alive even though it had stalled out on us for whatever reason. 
  We had a decent skeleton from our original go at it, but decided to scrap it, and start fresh. After Stephen pulled some production wizardry to isolate Steve's vocal & guitar parts into two separate tracks, Ken, being the one who actually revived it, added his solid drums first, providing for a groovy foundation. Tez came next, surprisingly, adding his hooky guitar fills throughout. Mark hopped on shortly after, adding the organ you hear coming in around the 2:00 mark. Josh took his turn after that, by adding his fretless bass to complete the rhythm section. He also, in the same recording session, added the electric piano you hear throughout, as well as the backing organ in the first half. 
  Once it was in the can, we asked Stephen to mix it for us, in his always professional manner. 
  We all love working on Steve's songs, and admire him as a musician, singer, and songwriter. This makes almost a half dozen songs on which the EC has collaborated with Steve, and we're sure to add many more. We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by Steve's Planet

Please Come Home (The Eclectic Collective / Steve's Planet)

Doctor Who is a long running British science fiction TV series aired on the BBC since 1963. The period I watched was during the 80's (the best cast version of the 'Doctor' in my opinion!). My favourite part of the show was always the amazing and easily recognizable theme music, written by Ron Grainer. The opening theme has gone through various updates over the years, but when it first came out it was one of the first TV themes to use electronic music, and is regarded as a pretty innovative piece of electronic music recorded well before synthesizers or multitrack mixers became widely used. The story of how it was recorded is a quite fascinating. There's a great documentary about Delia Derbyshire, the woman who created much of the sounds in the original theme in BBC's Radiophonic Workshop, using recordings of found objects, cutting and manipulating tape by hand to create the 'electronic' sounds you hear in the music. She never got writing credit but should have. 
Here's a link to the documentary:

The Delian Mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXnmSgaeGAI 

This is a cover that focuses mostly on the original theme, but blends in a few elements of the more recent variations. I also added a second more atmospheric 'epilogue' section, that includes a sample of dialogue from one of the show's episodes. 

I've wanted to try playing this theme forever, and had some fun tinkering on my synthesizer to get the sounds as close as possible, especially that main ghostly synth melody. 
If you've heard it before this might bring back memories! Thanks for listening. 

- 'Doctor Who' theme written by Ron Grainer (& realized by Delia Derbyshire)
- vocal sample from the episode "Rose", 2005 season, episode 1
- Image art designed using Dall-E

'Doctor Who' TV Theme (cover + epilogue)

I've been on this kick lately posting short isolated tracks of previously uploaded full songs, just to highlight certain parts. In this one, it's an isolated section of the vocal track & harmonies, with a bit of percussion. Here's a link to the full song, a cover of the infectious "It's All Right" by Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions. I'm really not much of a fan of my own voice, but had some fun playing around with this one. :)

The full song details are at the linked page:
on.soundcloud.com/JG34TadM9uxvzEmi9

More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

thanks for listening!

It's All Right (ISOLATED vox)

Cast of Characters:
Cgmaness – https://open.spotify.com/album/42qOeOxPcclsxwxlPynFfL – Chris – Gretch bass, Guild Pelora electric guitar, SoundStone on a Harley Benton electric guitar, vocals, composition, mix, and production
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – organ
Llanpsych–@llanpsych –Tez– Fender Stratocaster electric guitar
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Roland Phantom synth
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Gibson Les Paul custom electric guitar

This song began as a mostly fully fleshed out idea from Chris. He presented it to the rest of Eclectic Collective as a bass line with a rhythm guitar chugging the goove. Awesomely powerful groove, but pretty stripped down compared with the final version. 
  
We did this in an odd order this time, for no particular reason. Probably because Chris' bass groove was so strong, Mark was able to first add his ripping organ throughout, inspired by Deep Purple. Tez, again surprisingly, was able to add the fiery solos at the end and the intro, even before the drums were up. Although, we didn't have to wait long for that, because Ken filled them in perfectly, as he always does. Once the structure and rhythm section was complete, Josh decided to add the synth solo in the middle, at the crescendo, which he really enjoyed doing. Stephen came last to the party, but replaced Chris' rudimentary rhythm guitar with a ferocious, but more riff oriented, and less chordy line throughout.
  
Once it was in the bag, Chris was the natural choice to mix it, since his productions are always top quality, and it was his song to begin with. During the production, he also decided to add the guitar, including the an e-bow like device called a SandStone that sounds a bit like a synth, and vocal tones to the middle and end. He also added the vocalizations you hear in those parts, as well. 
  
This is an example of an Eclectic Collective song started by Chris, whose music we adore and with whom are always excited to work. His music is all amazing; check out his page if you haven't already. He is also on Spotify, which is where you'll find his new album, which is amazing! We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.

The Collective (The Eclectic Collective with cgmaness)

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – https://on.soundcloud.com/4a2IWOT8tUQL3pbqdc – Chris – acoustic guitar, composition, production, and mix
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken– drums
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – Warwick four string fretless bass 
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- piano and lead synth
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – VST cello, strings, clarinet, flute, and synth pad
Nyla K-- @user-162163879 -- vocals and lyrics
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen–  Gibson Earle Scruggs banjo

This song started as many of our best do, with Chris coming up with it on his acoustic guitar. He shared it with the rest of us shortly after, and we were all very excited to tuck into it. 
  Ken was fist at the trough for this one, adding his jazzy, expressive drums. Josh came in as soon as he had a beat to work with, adding his signature fretless bass to the mix. Not long after that, JJ broke out the hauntingly melodic piano and Shine On You Crazy Diamond timbred synth you hear throughout. 
  Once it had a good structure to it, Mark came in and added the dynamic cello swells that open the song, some subtle strings, the melodic clarinet and flute, and a bit of synth pad near the end to spice up the soup a bit. He also had the great idea to ask Nyla to add some vocals, which she did in her typically dynamic and expressive way. Last, but definitely not least, we convinced Stephen to add some of his perfectly mood-setting banjo. 
  Once it was all in the can, it actually sat for several months before being revived by Chris, who also did the production and mix, expertly, as always.
   This song is an example of Eclectic Collective coming together to bring another one of Chris' brilliant songs to life. You should check out his new albums on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0RmKLMyiXe4eVeXa032MDV?
  Also, this is our first time collaborating with Nyla K. We wanted to find a way to include her talents on this one, and her vocals here are magical. You can hear a lot more of them on her page if you follow the link next to here name in the credits, too. We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by Nyla K: 

I once overheard 
a hushed up conversation 
'tween the fishes coming home 
and thank god for a holiday
yea
making the bull frogs sing for joy
as they awake
yea
...and this... is what they had to say

Spanish moss and bullfrogs
cattail cotton in the wind
yea...
and won't U take me to the river
yea...
take me on down to the river
and U better not say....

Better Not Say (Eclectic Collective with Nyla K)

This is another example of an excerpt of a previously uploaded track, originally written by steve vervaet, and performed by the Eclectic Collective. In this stripped down excerpt, it's just focusing on the organ part that comes in at the second half of the song, as well as Josh playing bass and electric piano, and Ken accompanying on the percussion. 

Here's a link to the full version, including all the guys playing along to Steve's heartfelt vocals:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/please-come-home


More goodies in the "ISOLATED TRACKS" playlist:
soundcloud.com/user-432503709/sets/isolated-tracks

Please Come Home (stripped mix)

Boy, it's sure weird posting a song that was written for yourself! These gents (including our buddies J.J. & Chris who didn't make it onto this track, but equally deserving of mention) are a fine group of fellers who all come from good families and such, but over time have developed ways about them that just ain't right. Lol, I kid, but they are gems to a man, and I'm surprised, confused, honoured to have them pick on me with their weapon of choice, music. Special thanks to Carl for his boundless generosity and music energy, and for just being Carl in everything he does. 
Thanks boys!!!

Cast of characters:
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — acoustic guitar, vocals, lyrics, composition
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson custom T electric guitar, production, mix, mastering
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four-string bass, Roland organ
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitrar, mix, production
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – triangle, backing vocals

This song began when Carl was inspired to write a song about our bandmate, Mark. As you can tell from his lyrics, Carl shares our appreciation & respect for our resident Canadian singer & multi instrumentalist. So, when he had the chords and great vocal track worked out, he recorded them & started a project, to which the rest of Eclectic Collective were invited.
First up to bat was Ken, laying in his always clever, essential beat for the rest of us to work with. Stephen was the next person to lay down a track, which was his essential, but subtle electric rhythm track. Later, after it was almost done, he also added a fiery solo in the first part of the ending section. Josh came along right after Stephen, laying down his signature fretless bass. He also added the organ shortly after, as well. Tez entered the fray next, adding the lightning, Gilmore-esque final solo in the end section.
We considered what to do with this song for a while. The thought was whether to present it to Mark as a gift, or to include him in the mix. We decided to go with the latter, and he added the vocal whoops & hollers towards the end, as well as a bit of triangle.
Once we had it in the bag, we turned it over to Stephen for the production, mix, and mastering, which he always does in a very pro manner.
This is our second of hopefully many songs with Carl. Like the moon, he's everywhere, and he's a damn fine collaborator, too. We hope you enjoy hearing this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Carl also wanted to share this message about Mark, as well.
"This song is written for our Canadian friend Mark. Mark is a pivotal member of the Eclectic Collective who as a band and equally Mark as an individual I'm discovering are phenomenal to work with. I was particularly struck how multiple generations of Mark's family enjoy music and creating together. Thanks for your music man. You really do show a unique approach and I look forward to making more really enjoyable songs like this one with you buddy. In my head lyrically Mark is whoever you focus the love on. Rock and Real!" ----TBD

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:

You are the Mark
Mister Lark
Pedigree Bark
Stunning musical stark
Meet Mistermark

From Wonder to Bossa
All from I, 'Spy'
Projecting your best
Proud human melody cry

May 2019
Maybe some fear became esteem
Soft bands in garage channel a way
Internal dreams in sound found light this day

So Dad was a seed
Kudos big man
You do good breed
In music we learn with proper concern
I think now you found Josh the EP

So onto Collective
You expand their perspective
With you and your music
Now Earth gets more fuses
Because of your music
It's a better blue ball
I know I certainly love hearing Marks call

We pressed the remote
We having those jams
Let's get it on and get more brain tan
We singing to clan
Wham bam thank you man

Miss No Mark (Eclectic Collective with Beautiful Dark)

((**apologies for not being on Soundcloud nearly as often as I used to... I try to catch up on all the great music you are all putting out there just may take some time!**))

This tune is another variation of an old original piano melody that's gone through several drastic 'evolutions', appearing in a number of my other songs. In this version I'm playing a harp sound on the keyboard run through an arpeggiator. sounds very Enya-esque.

Here are the other very different versions based on the main piano theme:

- Away With The Rapids (2023 with the Eclectic Collective)
on.soundcloud.com/dFMUQdi9gWaLzkVj9

- Elementus III (2023 electronica version)
on.soundcloud.com/pzhhhyx1LiCpdVpP7

- Harp of My Dreams - reprise 2022  (an alternate version of this track)
https://on.soundcloud.com/16AGhnJ4Pa6XilB9I0

- Woman of my Dreams (electric piano 2001)
on.soundcloud.com/UGvhWvSRoM56csRb7

- Woman of my Dreams (original 1999 'band' version played on an old Casio)
on.soundcloud.com/e47FS1S2gUAUtmj79

Harp Of My Dreams - reprise

(I'm not on SC much these days, but should be more active again in another month or so, and hope to catch up on exploring all y'all's creations)

This is an older experimental tune from around 1998. It started off intending to be a classical type thing with just orchestral instruments, but I kinda got carried away! All instruments are played on my old Roland synthesizer. I hope to return to the original idea some day to record better performances of the guitar and trumpet sections (collaborations welcome!), or redo it entirely. But the cello intro & outro are a strong foundation, and the short interlude (oboe & plucked violin) at the 2:30 mark is among my favourite bits of all my stuff. Looking for a better title too  🧐.

Variations

Cast of characters:
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — Ovation acoustic guitar, lead vocals, lyrics, and compostion
Scratch Kelly -- @scratchkelly — Sarah —  backing vocals
one man verity show – @one-man-verity-show – Scotty – Epiphone Casino melodic  electric guitar, backing vocals, artwork
Joe Stroffolino-- @joseph-stroffolino --  backing vocals, art 'polishing'
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – triangle and backing vocal arrangement 
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Tom Anderson Custom T electric guitrar, mix, and production
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, production, mix, and mastering
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four-string bass

Mr Bringer-er Together-er is Josh. You may also know him as artist Entheogenic Psychnought, or the spine of Eclectic Collective. We all came across Josh in our own lucky ways, but he really sets a high bar for spreading constructive musical love and encouragement on SoundCloud. This song started out as a comment. I (Carl/TBD) went to call Josh Mr Bringer-er Together-er and my phone auto corrected it. the next morning K2 swooped in and said what I wanted so I used that as a trigger for the song.
So, I had a rough arrangement. We then invited a few artists, except Josh, to paint it for him. Then Scotty (One Man Verity Show) chimed in with some amazing guitar, trippy backing vocals, and the super artwork you get to enjoy. Mark brushed in a triangle and started things off with a 5-part harmony backing vocal arrangement. Then Scratch Kelly, aka Sarah, beamed through some amazing backing vocals, and not long behind Joe Stroffolino painted in some brilliant backing vox as well. Then Ken added those trusty drums. Tez then strutted in and added some super lead guitar, and not far behind him was Stephen with some epic rhythm guitar that showed the way for the song from that point of view showing a much better space to all the other instruments than the original demo guitar. That was a lovely lesson on less is more...

The song was now ready to give to the main man for him to paint, and he chose his trusty bass to put some strawberries on his own musical cake.

I now stared at 37 tracks and went... Hmmm Stephen, Help! Stephen mixed and mastered it to its crisp current form, and it was a very difficult mix. He basically had to merge 3 projects to one and really aced the challenging mix and master like the true shaman he is. We hope you enjoy the song that brought us together again. May it give us more togetherness like Josh so wonderfully demonstrates everyday.
You da brother man Josh 🤘🏽

Art by One Man Verity Show

(Lyrics)
Magnet of human
Moulded by melody mind
Just jester Josh delivers this kind
Collective of creed worth all our belief
Friendship
Togetherness through skill and relief

Sharing, Caring
Composer of purr
Human vibrations of the highest occur
Let's celebrate this human some more
It's Mr Bringer-er together-er

Mr Bringer-er together-er
Mr Bringer-er together-er

Loving, Not shoving
Honing, Not moaning
Positive to give
In music he live
Loving his kids
Like he loves us
The luckiest kids who take this EC bus
Josh is the driver
Mr Music Jeez
More Mr Bringer-ers together-ers please

Mr Bringer-er together-er
Mr Bringer-er together-er

The Joshua Tree collecting collective
Physical dreams
Metaphysical pleasures
Skills. New.
Unconditional prime time
The only thing we tow is how we making new time line

Mr Bringer-er together-er

You are the rod
You cast your spinners
You reel us back in from lake bitter winter
It's Spring all the time in your World and Page
Our Mr Bringer-er together-er sage

We all love ya mate

Mr Bringer-er together-er
Mr Bringer-er together-er Oh oo
Mr Bringer-er together-er
Mr Bringer-er together-er Oh oo

Mr Bringer-er Together-er (Eclectic Collective, with The Beautiful Dark & friends)

This tune began with just the upright bass & flute part that were inspired by an old song that I liked a lot by an English Jazz trio called The Herbaliser. Beyond the basic A - B - A arrangement I couldn't really think of much else to do with it, so I enlisted a couple blokes from the Eclectic Collective to help flesh it out. Namely Stephen (@texmex-shaman), and Chris (@hiddenhands-760647700).

Stephen added the trippy high pitch reverse guitar effect, and the sick bluesy lead guitar in the middle section (thus the title, Blue In The Middle). He also lent his mastering skills to great effect on this one. And Chris added some delightfully dark atmospheric backing guitar parts and effects, as well as the Portishead influenced drum track. I was then inspired to add the background echo guitar sound in the middle section, the vocal sample near the end, a bit of percussion and minor sound effects. All my parts were played on keyboard except the vocal sample (from Garageband) and the flute, which I played live. 
Thanks guys for bringing this to life, and hope folks enjoy this trippy little ditty.

Image art designed and created using ChatGPT 4o.

Blue In The Middle (with CGManess & TexMex Shaman)

Cast of characters:
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Telecaster electric guitar, mix, production, and composition
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – synthesizer, vocals, and lyrics
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four string bass
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson custom T electric guitar, sometimes with an ebow
J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – synth (bridge sections)

This song began as an idea Tez came up with on his guitar while on holiday not far from his home in Wales. It had such a punchy 80's rock sound that inspired Mark to write lyrics and come up with vocal melodies within a few days of hearing it for the first time. The two of them have written several songs like this, making them a solid songwriting source for Eclectic Collective. 
  Once the song had a more solid form, Ken added his dynamic, driving groove drums to it. As soon as Ken had the drums down, Josh took his turn, adding the fretless bass and solidifying the groove. Now that the basic framework was done, Stephen added some trippy electric guitar. Next up was JJ, adding his dancing organ and the really cool, psych synth lead part in the bridge sections. Mark also added some 80's sounding backing synth in the chorus parts. To wrap things up, Tez also dropped in the hot guitar solos towards the end and outro.
  Once we had it all in the can, it was time to turn it over to Tez for his expert production and mix. He came up with the idea of adding reverb to the drums, as well as some other compression tricks, which he employed with subtle style. 
   This, as mentioned, is a great example of what Eclectic Collective can do in house with the composition and songwriting skills of Tez and Mark. The rest of us really had fun working on this one, too, of course. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

Original lyrics by mistermark:

There’s something I’m seeking that I’ve never found
but the seed that you planted went deep in the ground 
there’s a journey that I’m on but the path is uncertain 
the magic fades when you pull back the curtain 

Wherever you go I will follow
there’s always another tomorrow 

There will never come a time when I do you harm
cause my soul is steady when I’m in your arms
and never have I heard music like your Voice 
when you call me to you I have no choice

Wherever you go I will follow
there’s always another tomorrow 

Like a puzzle on the table all the pieces fit
like I’m standing in the dark and a match is lit 
and what it all means man I just don’t know
but it’s a powerful feeling and it’s starting to grow

Wherever you go I will follow
there’s always another tomorrow

mistermark

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