Martin Howard: electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion and drum programming.

Mark Johnson: vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica.

Recorded remotely.  Mixed and mastered by Martin Howard.

Howard and Johnson Originals

The original songs of Howard and Johnson.
Mark Johnson= Lyrics, Vocals, Acoustic guitars and Harmonica.
Martin Howard= Everything else!
The Stories We Tell- video= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c9U3bF-bqA

Martin Howard and Mark Johnson- Their original songs

An original track co authored and performed by me and Mark Johnson of the Midnight River Crew.

Mark: vocals and acoustic guitar

Me: electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, drum programming and percussion.

“From the edge of darkness - into the black.
From out of the darkness - into the light.
Imagine all the colours - in your mind's eye.
As they slip - through the eye of the needle.

From the red eye - to the black eye.
The hook and I - at the eye of the storm.
From the mouth of the river - into the sea
It looks like summer out there - that's what I need to see.

Does your mood change as your eye rotates?"

What I Need To See by Martin Howard and Mark Johnson

The Person I Remember

A new version of an instrumental piece originally recorded a couple of years ago - this time with excellent and enigmatic lyrics written and performed by Mark Johnson of the Midnight River Crew.  Also available on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/pDoS8sLv9dk

Passing Time Vocal Version

This is my latest collaboration with Mark Johnson, leader of the Midnight River Crew.  Mark did a great job in writing some excellent lyrics and turning in a very good vocal performance as a well as a punchy harmonica solo towards the end.  I provided electric, acoustic and slide guitars (all tuned to DADGAD), bass, percussion and drum programming.  Hope you like it.

A Thousand Jewels

I knew someone- but not like you.
She felt caged then- that bird flew.
I tried to find her- yes, overseas.
Can’t describe what- came over me.

I found her somewhere- but not alone.
Not in my world- under a stone.
I looked outside- was she now free?
I looked inside- now free of me.

It’s the way you look.
and read your book.
It’s what you say.
That stirs me every day.

You made me see through- all those fools.
You helped me see through- all those rules.
I brought her silver- and a hundred jewels.
Hoping for- miracles.

Just begun- just in time.
You turned the page- you changed my mind.
I tried to find her- no, guarantees.
Can’t describe what- I can’t un-see.

I drifted nowhere- out to roam.
You said the word- when I came home.
I looked outside- you were so free.
I looked inside- then I found me.

It’s the way you act.
So…..., matter of fact.
It’s in the way you live.
Always looking to give.

I swept away- all those fools.
I locked away- all those rules.
I’ll buy you gold and- a thousand jewels.
Without working- miracles.

A Thousand Jewels

This is my latest original collaboration with Mark Johnson, leader of the Midnight River Crew.  Many thanks to Mark for his top quality contributions.

Also available on YouTube

https://youtu.be/8c9U3bF-bqA?feature=shared

Martin Howard: electric and acoustic guitars, bass, synthesiser and drum programming.

Mark Johnson: vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica.

The Stories we Tell

The light from the campfire casts - long shadows down the tracks.
During the stories we tell of our friends - who didn’t make it back.
Your canvas shoes and their silk laces - slip from your feet onto the floor.
While you sit upon a fallen branch - in silence as never before.

There is still a light in the darkness - that points us to the stars.
Where the killing moon drops to the water - unaware of where we are.
There is still a point to the darkness - that illuminates the stars.
There’s still a chance before the sunrise - that we’ll find out who we are.

The ghosts of old friends passing through - step in and out of time.
The ghosts of new friends dripping wet - talk of turning water into wine.
Let the heavens open wide - as the weather closes in
Watch the sun diminish - as night fall shuts us in.

There is no cause for concern, but - many lessons need to be learned.
This is natures’ retreat away from - the busy streets.
Where the quiet soothes the soul - away from the back beat.
Where the leaves start to turn in colour - and then, in turn, start to fall.

The ghosts of old friends dropping by - wander in and out of time.
The ghosts of new friends soaking wet - talk and sing in rhyme.
I still believe in future days, - as the future disappears within the haze.
I still look forward to dancing days - I know we’ll find our way.

The light from the campfire casts - long shadows down the tracks.
The stories that we tell ourselves - wishing - we hadn’t turned our backs.
Your canvas shoes and their silk laces - slip from your feet onto the floor.
While together we sit on a fallen branch - in silence as….never, before…..

The Stories We Tell

A better remix of this collaboration with Mark Johnson.  Also available on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/8c9U3bF-bqA?feature=shared

The Stories We Tell remix

This is the latest original collaboration between me and Mark Johnson, singer songwriter and leader of the Midnight River Crew.

Faith and Hope by Martin Howard and Mark Johnson

I don’t like being me, that’s why I’m here
I like seeing you and overcoming my fear
I like the things you do
But don’t do unto me, as I would unto you.

When does the future start?
For a Prisoner, a Priest, a Partner.
For belief, and for proof
Will you speak and show me the truth?

Beauty is more than skin deep
The water is more than waist deep
Don’t cross your heart and hope to die
Come into my world of faith and life.

When you think you’re above it all.
The dive is the hardest fall
Don’t cross your heart and hope to die
Come into my world of faith and life.

Don’t ask me to travel, that just doesn’t fit
Ask me to unravel, we’ll see how that sits
Life’s adventure exists in my mind
I still see it as a crime.

For the past, the present, the future
Through love, life, through death
For ever and one day
Let me help you to find your way.

Beauty is more than skin deep
The water is more than waist deep
Don’t cross your heart and hope to die
Come into my world of faith and life.

When you think you’re above it all.
The dive is the hardest fall
Don’t cross your heart and hope to die
Come into my world of faith and life.

Guitar Solo

Beauty is more than skin deep
The water is more than waist deep
Don’t cross your heart and hope to die
Come into my world of faith and life.

When you think you’re above it all.
The dive is the hardest fall
Don’t cross your heart and hope to die
Come into my world of faith and life.

Dreams come back to see me
They wake me from my sleep
 
Walking into the tide
My eyes bloodshot wide.

Mark: lyrics, vocals, acoustic guitar

Martin: electric and slide guitars, bass, keyboards and synthesiser, drum programming

Faith And Life

This is a new collaboration with Mark Johnson, leader of the Midnight River Crew.  Music and instrumentation (guitars, bass, electric piano and drums) by me.  Lyrics and vocals by Mark.

While I’m Still Counting

Let’s take walk in the snow- Let’s talk about the things we know
I’ll admit it’s a lot to show- I’ll confess it’s a long row to hoe.
 
Let’s take a drive through the mountains- Let’s take a drink at the fountain
 The stars in the sky- surrounding- Talk to me while I’m still counting
 
Let’s gather wood and light a fire- Let’s sleep against that log we both know we’re tired
Holding back from love to admire…- all those feelings we have that inspire…
 
Let’s take a drive through the mountains- Let’s take a drink at the fountain 
The stars in the sky- surrounding-  Talk to me while I’m still counting
 
You- You can break my bread-  You- You will always turn my head
I…I know the books you’ve read-  I…I know at times you’ve fled…
 
You- You can break my bread- You- You will always turn my head
I…I’ve seen the books you’ve read- I…I see the path you’d like to tread.

That moment you took my hand- On our first walk along the sand
As the sea met the land-  The horizon made us understand…
 
Let’s take a drive through the mountains- Let’s run around in the fountains
The stars in the sky- surrounding- Talk to me while I’m still counting
 
…while I’m still counting…- …while I’m still counting…
…while…I’m… still…

While I’m Still Counting

Martin Howard is an English guitarist, originally trained in the classical tradition who
has expanded into folk, blues and rock, both electric and acoustic. He specialises in
original instrumental music featuring both solo and ensemble electric and acoustic
guitars. He has also collaborated with a number of other artists, notably Mark
Johnson, leader of the Kent based band The Midnight River Crew.

Martin also records and shares cover versions under PRS licence LE - 0036402.