Chris's vocals are fantastic and you're killing it on the jaw harp Mark!

Wow, ¡qué canción tan energética y bien producida! Me encanta cómo The Eclectic Collective ha logrado mezclar elementos de la música electrónica con la increíble voz de Jonathan Beckenstein. La melodía y

Very fun‼️ I love the uplifting vibes❣️

slinky folk twang with a twinge of country and Gabriel to add.  Love this.

i love this , the slide guitar is ace !! 😎🌟

Very Beatles esque early era .. love this !

@vincenpitch: many thanks good sir! we had a lot of fun 'jamming' on this one

Cool song! You had fun making this one.  I enjoyed listening!

mistermark Selection

As I've started doing lately, this is a short excerpt, focusing on just the closing section of a full piano tune I recorded around 2001. The approach kind of reminds of the ending of "Crime Of The Century" by Supertramp (obviously nowhere near as interesting). Apologies for the poor recording quality, and the piano sound wasn't the greatest back then. Still, this little 1-minute closing section is still one of my favourite things I've recorded. 
Here's a link to the original, full tune:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/the-last-days-of-november-2022-remaster?in=user-432503709/sets/mark-myoozik

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

Last Days of November (EXCERPT - ENDING)

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

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
-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)

Cosmic Soup

Written in 1995 coming back from a memorable trip to Norway on New Years Eve. After endless nights celebrating life and youth.  Surrounded by a breathtaking nature near Hardangervidda. Listening to Björk's 'Post' on repeat,  this what came out. Re-Recorded 30 years later in 2025.

Artwork by Dad.

Hege

“ Colpi Dritti “  by Luke 

During Medieval & Renaissance days the fencing word..
“Colpi Dritti”…means: “Vadi blows from the right side used to defend one self” as the warriors had to do…

Just a fun experimental piece …

Keys & Piano & Synthesizer & Guitar & Drums  by Luke
Created & Composed & Produced by Luke
Music & Track & Album Photos by Luke
Photography by Luke
I use Open A.i for Album art pictures 

                           Beats by Luke©️
                         S c h ü ß m a n n©️

“Colpi Dritti”  by Luke

Cinematic and Orchestral Music
Picture by MarWin55
Franck C Production
Music by Franck Charles
ASCAP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB4QzfTFg8A

Expedition

Cast of characters:
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Taylor T5z acoustic guitar, Tom Anderson Custom T electric guitar, Gibson Earle Scruggs banjo, Eastwood MandoCaster mix, mastering, production, and composition
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums 
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Fender Precision four string bass, played with a plectrum 
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – harmonica, jaw harp, timpani, hambone percussion, and production editing     
This song began with Stephen, who recorded it on his acoustic guitar and bass to a programmed drum track a few months ago. We were all thrilled to work on it, even though it sat in BandLab as a project for almost a month before Stephen separated the tracks, thus allowing us to trickle in our parts. JJ was first to jump on it, because he could before the tracks were separated, as his part is completely his idea. He added the organ that really set up the entire sound of both dominant sections of the song. 
  Ken was first up to the project once the tracks were replaceable, making the wild, driving beat his own. Inspired by both JPJ and Michael Ivins, Josh laid down his bass line, trying to match Ken's energy. Last, but not least, Mark jumped in with the rumbling timpani. He also added the flavorful harmonica, and unique jaw harp you hear throughout, as well. Finally, Stephen also got the idea to add the hambone percussion at the very end of the song, which we all consider a treat, and after showing us how it's done, Mark volunteered his percussion skills to give it a go. Stephen wasn't done, though, and still had some magic to sprinkle. He went in and added the howling electric guitar you hear prominently in the second main section. Also, he added the tempting intro with his acoustic guitar and electric mandolin. 
  Once it was in the bag, we thought it appropriate for our master mixer Stephen to put it to bed, which he did in his always expert manner. 
  This is a gift from Stephen to all of us, and you, too. It took a lot of teamwork to make the dream work, as always for Eclectic Collective. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Here's an isolated track of just the hambone bit at the very end of the song (thanks for showing us this technique Stephen!):
https://on.soundcloud.com/QdPGGUnJsHfowXdV9

Country Ham (The Eclectic Collective)

When The Wind Blows

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)

Hey everyone - Mr Spotty Book and I thought we'd quickly rattle off a chirpy little choon to try and capture the global mood of the moment.  You're welcome!

By rather clever use of an unedited, zero production, rough one-shot take, a woefully failing voice and the virtuoso  touch of a buzzing string, I think I've successfully managed to impart an air of total amateurishness to the piece.  A level of rustic backwoods front porch authenticity that them there pro's can only dream of.... :)

Have a brilliant day.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Good Earth Calls

Watching dust play evening’s light
Skips the beams, or so it seems
I’m wondering if dust has dreams
When it settles out of sight.
Finest diamond has its flaws
Don’t need perfection just because
I listen, and the good earth calls, tonight.

Misplaced trust, screaming lies
Pollen falls in howling squalls
A shattered world that just appals
Such a sorry sight that greets my eyes
As crypto fool’s gold they adore 
Flotsam morals wash these shores
I listen, and the good earth calls, tonight.

Staring at my feet what do I see
Best support I got and the only ones for free
Guess that’s how the hammer falls
I listen, and the good earth calls, for me

Made my peace to seek respite
Watching clouds for hours and hours
Prone within this bed of flowers
Withered as the line of hopes I’d write
Life’s pearl had deeply fissured cracks
Optimism took two steps back
I listened, and the good earth called, tonight.

Athena breathed life to my clay
Clay don’t cost much but that’s okay
Lord I listened, ……….when the good earth called, tonight.
________________________________________________________________________________
Photo by Patti Black on Unsplash

The Good Earth Calls

Stepping up

"Dans un voyage, on évolue, on change, on se transforme. Et souvent, on rentre et tout est annulé par le retour".

"During a journey, we evolve, we change, we transform. And often, we return, and everything is undone by coming back"

(Raymond Depardon, Errance, Paris 2000, pag. 40).
From the same work, the cover picture (page 4).

Composed by Michele Ansani (2016-2025).
Sax (reworked by me) is courtesy of Komorebi Audio - Sunset Jazz.
Posted on SoundCloud: 2025, April 17.

Everything is undone by coming back *

Hazy Moonlit Night

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)

This track uses sound samples from GarageBand which I then arranged into this thumpin’ thingamabobber. Like lots of my stuff, this is just an idea which may be developed into a fuller arrangement later.

Mark's Album

I, Spy

Peace and Love. Welcome to human made music... by lungs and hands. All words written with a pen and thought of by a brain. Thanks for all of your wonderful support. Much love, Carl

Love Earth to love yourself

We've Got It Made (The Eclectic Collective - feat. Jonathan Beckenstein)

mistermark

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