Conga and Bass brothers

This song was written for my beautiful wife Anita shortly after we both met. One of many I've written her, she is after all the love of my life. She put an end to that crazy mid-life crisis I was struggling with for 6 years! I really like this ballad and I re-recorded it this year and wanted Charlie to sing it but he cancelled out on several occasions for personal reasons, so I went ahead and sang it myself, I guess I should have waited!  (please forgive my awful vocals and harms!). It's a very basic and raw song and I didn't record a lot of instruments and I didn't do a lot of overdubs, maybe I should have, maybe a piano or some more strings would have helped it a bit. It's one of my favorite love songs that I have written and it's very personal, both lyrics and medley came to me rather easily and quickly, maybe an hour at most! Those are the best, the ones that come to you without you even having to think about it, they come straight from the heart. 

VIDEO - https://youtu.be/MpZ8iI_Sme4

The video is brand new and I had a lot of fun putting it together. I worked for several days on it. I hope everyone enjoys it and just in case anybody doesn't already know, my wife is "More Than Wonderful!"😂 I know a lot of people won't appreciate this song but it means the world to me! Thanks for listening and take care!🙏😎✌🏼

“MORE THAN WONDERFUL"

YOU’RE MORE THAN WONDERFUL MY DARLING,   
AND MORE THAN WONDERFUL YOU’LL STAY,   
JUST THE IDEA OF YOU TAKES MY BREATH AWAY,   
EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY,  
YOU’RE LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE,    
A MIRACLE TO FILL THIS BROKEN HEART,  
YOU’RE MORE THAN WONDERFUL,
MORE THAN WONDERFUL YOU ARE,     

YOU’RE SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL MY DARLING,  
AND BEAUTIFUL YOU’LL ALWAYS BE,   
GRACEFUL AS AN ANGEL AND GENTLE AS THE SEA,   
SOOTHING AS A SONGBIRD’S MELODY,   
YOU’RE THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS,   
BACK WHEN I WISHED UPON A STAR,   
YOU’RE MORE THAN WONDERFUL,   
MORE THAN WONDERFUL YOU ARE,
         
IT’S NO SURPRISE,       
HOW YOU HEALED ME IN AN INSTANT,        
CURED ME WITH A SMILE,        
NOW ALL THE WHILE,        
I’M LIKE A CHILD,        
AGAIN,

AND WITHOUT YOU HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS,  
I WOULDN’T GET TOO FAR,   
YOU’RE MORE THAN WONDERFUL,   
MORE THAN WONDERFUL YOU ARE,   
YOU’RE MORE THAN WONDERFUL,   
MORE THAN WONDERFUL YOU ARE,
YOU ARE.             
                            
BY JIM VALDES
 © 2005

"MORE THAN WONDERFUL" (Video - https://youtu.be/MpZ8iI_Sme4)

Every night at 2:13 a.m., the old carousel at the edge of town begins to turn—slowly, deliberately—though no one is ever seen near it. The fairground was shut down decades ago, fenced off and forgotten, but locals swear they’ve seen the horses rising and falling in the dark, their chipped paint gleaming under moonlight.

There’s no power. No wind. Just movement.

Some say a child vanished there on the fair’s final night. Others whisper that the carousel was built with parts from somewhere… not quite right. It doesn’t thrash or scream. It moves gently, like it remembers how to bring joy—but has no one left to share it with.

It’s not violent. It’s not loud. But it spins, always at 2:13, like it’s waiting for someone to come back.


26/06/2025

The Carousel

When I was a kid, I had toys on my brain but now kids today want video games.
***
She says there’s a really overpowered character in in this video game that she likes
There’s a really overpowered character in in this video game that she likes
It’s my favorite game daddy she says please won’t you let me buy it
I say no, no, no, no, no no, no, ten dollars a week that’s too much money to spend
Ten dollars a week five hundred twenty dollars a year
I say no, no, no, no, no no, no, ten dollars a week that’s too much money to spend
Ten dollars a week five hundred twenty dollars a year

When I was a kid I’d ask my parents for toys and a lot of times they’d say no
Cause funds were tight and there were places where the money had to go
And now the shoes on the other foot and I’m starting to understand
I’m not pooping money like Daddy Warbucks
I’m not buying expensive drinks at Starbucks
She keeps wearing me down and there’s only so much I can take
And I know that sooner or later my resolve is going to break
Food clothing and shelter, Maslov had a hierarchy of needs
But if you drill a little bit deeper down into the weeds
There’s lots of other things that we all want
I say no, no, but eventually I’ll give in, cause I’m fighting a battle that I know I just can’t win
I say No no but eventually I’ll give in, cause I’m fighting a battle that I know I just can’t win
I’m fighting a battle that I know I just can’t win

The No No Song

Welcome to my latest trilogy based on the famous children’s novel, ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ I’m a complete aficionado when it comes to film posters and album covers, so I hope you won’t mind me using a bit of poetic license introducing this series of tracks.

Part One:
Our story begins in the tiny Village of Daresbury in Cheshire, just off the busy A558. The village has a pub called the ‘Ring O’ Bells,’ which was once the courthouse. More famously, it boasts the church of All Saints, built in the 12th century. Two windows in the church give a clue to a famous inhabitant. They depict characters from the book, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ The book’s author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was born here on 27th January 1832. Charles later became known in the literary world under the pseudonym of Lewis Carroll. The gentle rolling hills nearby and the white rabbits that occupied them were thought to have inspired his first thoughts for the legendary novel.
Trivia: Lewis Carroll's pen name was derived from his real name, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. He used a clever wordplay by Latinising "Charles Lutwidge" to "Carolus Ludovicus," then translating it back into English, resulting in "Lewis Carroll."
Part 2 of his story follows on the next track…

Alice Trilogy

Alice No. 01 (Trilogy)

This year is the 50th anniversary of the ABC Movie of the week Trilogy of Terror- It was 3 chilling adaptions of 3 short stories written by the great sci fi author Richard Matheson. The late Karen Black ( not only a wonderful actress,she was also a great singer and songwriter) starred in all 3 of the features playing 4 characters.  As 12 year old kids of course we were the most horrified and terrified by the final story Amelia - a  story about  a demonic warrior doll that comes to life and starts attacking poor Ms. Black
here is a youtube link to Amelia the third story in the Trilogy of Terror ( 24 minutes)-https://youtu.be/hjr0ziHwraw

 Starts out pretty chill but the last 10 mins of that film were very intense for us in 1975 ..we kids couldn't sleep well for a few nights .. I wrote the song as an homage to the story/movie/Ms. Black ( she didnt really like the movie) as well as using the story as  metaphor for the demons that live in us all
my electric guitar playing scared the dog as usual
hope my silly song does not scare you too much
3 short clips from Amelia are spliced in there


Karen Black And That Creepy Doll Attack

The hunter and the hunted
The virtue and the sin
Inside of every creature
Light and dark reside in them

Zuni Hunter Fetish Doll
The puppet seeks its prey
That TV movie freaking out
Us kids back in the day

Trilogy of Terror
The duality of man
Unrestrained we let our monsters roam
On which side will you stand

The camera films a gruesome tale
Shag carpet bloody scenes
Kitchen knives and voodoo jive
A f$%ked up figurine

Karen Black
And that creepy doll attack
Wish I coulda been there
To pull it off her back
Karen Black
She ain't coming back
He who kills, all screech and shrill
Has got her mind hijacked

Break

The moral meets the message
Let fight defeat the fear
Repressed regret you can't forget
Like finger pricked by spear

She can't smother, drown or stab it
Or burn it up you see
When she locked it in a suitcase
It escaped eventually 

Take the hate from your heart
And turn it on its head
Or like the Zuni wooden doll
It hunts you down instead

Stand up against the doubters
Don't doubt the space you find
Ignore those dirty demon dolls
Who scream inside your mind

Ms. Karen Black
Why does she smile like that
Her Zuni fate, she sits in wait
Her Mama will get whacked
Karen Black
Such a creepy doll attack 
Quadruple billed her acting thrilled
My half century flashback

Karen Black
Karen Black and that creepy doll attack 
Karen Black 
Karen Black and that creepy doll attack

Karen Black & that Creepy Doll Attack

Copyright Nat Daniels / GRR 2025
Just a simple experimental Country Pop track combining Stratocastor, Fiddle, Church Organ and Acoustic Guitars, along with intricate harmonies. leaning towards some insane choral vocalisation, and a solid country melody..  
a Song about love,  and the need to cut loose and to live a little     .  Thank you for listening xx Nat

Lyrics:

Reaching out with both hands
I see you in my dreams
reliving every moment,
behind the silver screen

(Verse)
Touch me where the heart lies
Like the sun would never set
Take me to forever
Where our souls have always met
  
(Chorus)
The hours hold no meaning
As I'm waiting through the Night
I will hold on 'till I see you 
If it breaks the morning light
'Cause every moment with you 
Is where I want to be
Take my hand and steal away with me

 (Verse)
Running fingers linger
Down the pearls of my spine
Bodies intertwining 
Like the sun,  moon and sky 

(Verse)
Kisses on my shoulder
Running breathless everywhere
And Im swept into this dream  
With no beginning or an end

(Chorus)
The hours hold no meaning
As im waiting through the Night 
I will hold on 'till I see you 
If it breaks the morning light
'Cause every moment with you
Is where I want to be
Take my hand and steal away with me

Steal Away With Me

Steal Away With Me - Nat Daniels

New song written and performed by David Cooper.

Lyrics:

High in a mountain sky
Feel yourself fly
Oh spread your wings

Run across the forest floor
Running by a sparkling stream
Just follow your dream

Chorus

Be, will you be the one
Be, will you be the one
Be, ah set us free
Baby let’s run

See, see the eagle fly
Across the sky
Over the mountains high

Fly away
Above the trees
To a place you need to be, need to be

Chorus

Solo

Chorus x 2

Baby, Let's Run

Feeling bummed that I had to write this.
****
Music , lyrics and vocals Joe Stroffolino
Copyright 2025
Instruments:
Organ:  Playing Midi Keyboard with Logic Pro Grand Organ
Wurlitzer (keys):  Playing Midi Keyboard with Logic Pro Wurlitzer Classic
Guitars and Bass: PG music real tracks
Drums:  EZ Drummer 3
***
Lyrics: 
Another shooting in the news, it made you sad and angry
You couldn’t get the images out of your head
You thought you’d get involved and maybe protest or send some money
But you’re sending out your thoughts and prayers instead

We’ll clean up the broken glass, allow more time to pass
And the next time it happens; we’ll just send out more thoughts and prayers again
We’ll wipe up the blood from the floor, say we can’t take it anymore
Thoughts and prayers are free; there’s no skin in the game for you and me

The images they really got you very angry
You tell yourself it’s time to stand and fight
Then you drink a few beers, and you binge watch all night on Netflix
And the next day everything feels all right

Sitting in your easy chair, sending out a thought and prayer, thinking maybe you should do more
But you’re just a cog in the machine, besides the world is cruel and mean
And really, it’s just easier to ignore

Thoughts and prayers, blowing a bunch of hot air
Maybe someday you’ll turn your platitudes into action
You go about you’re your busy day, hoping there’s a better way
but you spin your wheels and don't get any traction

Thoughts & Prayers

Raymond James was his name given at birth, but everybody called him Ray.
He lived nearby to me when I was growing up. Never had a lot to say.
Ray’s old man came home from the war in 45. Met a girl named Gwen, began to date her.
They were married soon & bought a little house.Ray came along just one year later.
All the kids in the neighborhood would meet at Ray’s. There was a vacant lot next door.
We played games until it got too dark to see. The next day we’d come back for more.

Ray never strayed too far from that old neighborhood except for those 2 years he was in ‘Nam.
Everyone that knew him knew that he was good. You’d be hard pressed to find a better man

When Ray came home from ‘Nam he settled in to stay. Went on a date with Mona Dunn.
First love is the best, they say, and that was true for Ray. The first, the last, the only one.
Ray and Mona built a house next door to mom & dad. His dad gave him that piece of land.
They worked well together built that house with their own hands, with just a little help from Uncle Sam.
Mona died from cancer, it was nineteen eighty one. Both his parents died in eighty-three
Ray stayed on in that old house, he said, “I’ll never run, this is still my house, makes sense to me.

Ray never strayed too far from that old neighborhood except for those 2 years he was in ‘Nam.
Everyone that knew him knew that he was good. You’d be hard pressed to find a better man

Found out yesterday that Ray had passed away last month. We all are struggling with our grief.
There’s been a pall on the whole damned neighborhood. No one knows what to believe.
You know they didn’t even have a service when he died, like they did for his wife, Mona.
None of us could have attended anyway. Thanks, again, Corona.
And so tonight we’re gonna celebrate the way we can. Hide’n Seek in the neighborhood.
The kids will all be playing – even moms and dads. Here’s to you, Ray, you were good.


You Were Good

Why would anyone write a song called "Cheeto Dust On My Tank Top"?  Because their daughter called them at 11pm from the train with her friends laughing and said "You need to write a song called Cheeto Dust on Your Tank Top"!   It was one of the first songs I've completed in collaboration with Suno AI.  I gave it my first verse and chorus and it did a really nice arrangement.  Kind of sounds like Bruno Mars. 

I gave it the words for the bridge without the meloday and what it came up with is something I would have never come up with.  I'm learning a little about modern song structure.  For better or worse, not a lot of harmonic variation.  They differentiate sections with Melody and Rhythm .  I suppose because everthing is looped these days.

It did, however, put this Eb chord in the bridge that I would have never thought of.   I like to have some hope in every song no matter what, and that Eb adds some hope.

[verse 1]
Cheeto dust on my tank top 
I got on two different color socks
My hair's a mess and I'm feeling so stressed
It's gonna be one of those days

[verse 2]
My coffee's cold in a paper cup  (ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Called my boss but she don't pick up (ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
And I guess I'll be late to the job that I hate
It's gonna be one of those days

[Chorus]
One of those days
When I feel like I will never win
One of those days
Where I wonder how to begin again
One of those days
Where I feel like I just don't fit in
One of those days
One of those days 
One of those days

[Bridge]
I know I can't let this go on forever (I know, I know, I know)
I know I need to finally get my shit together  (I know, I know, I know)

[Guitar solo over verse]

[Chorus]
One of those days
When I feel like I just scrape along
One of those days
Where it just all feels wrong
One of those days
When I don't quite feel that I belong
One of those days
One of those days 
One of those days

[Verse]
People keep texting me words of advice
Drives me crazy but they're trying to be nice
They like to say, where there's a will there's a way
It's gonna be one of those 
It's gonna be one of those
It's gonna be one of those days


Cheeto Dust On My Tank Top (Song Sketch)

**I NEVER USE A.I. IN ANY OF MY SONGS OR VIDEOS!** Hi everybody, my name is Jim and I’m a songwriter, I've written over 300 songs, I play guitar, bass, piano, and am an okay lyricist.  I play all types of music and have my own recording studio.  I use no A.I. or DAW or any computers to make my songs or my videos, all the instruments are played by me live on a multitrack studio recorder and Charlie, my vocalist, sings most of my songs and also plays the Harmonica on several tracks. I use video clips from Motion Array or Pexals or Pixabay for my videos. I'm not a pro or a great musician but I do what I can with the tools that I have! I belong to the "Keep Humans In Music Movement" (KHMM)! We're NOT perfect but we're REAL! Thanks everyone for listening and the world needs more music now, real music made by HUMANS not MACHINES! So let's all sing a song with our own voices, please! I do not consent to any of my songs or videos being used or sampled or lifted in any way or fashion. Take care!👍😎✌🏼.

"MORE THAN WONDERFUL" (Video - https://youtu.be/MpZ8iI_Sme4)

MIAMI JEFF