When Procol Harum’s ‘A Salty Dog’ was released in 1969, I was just seven. My Damascene moment came when an enlightened teenaged neighbour introduced me to the album of the same name when I was 12 and my life has never been quite the same since. Many people will have heard ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’, although few people will be as familiar with this equally beautiful and unforgettable song. The band Procol Harum is recognized as an influential force in the development of Progressive Rock, but for me the thing that makes them stand out is Gary Brooker’s unique voice. Often their lyrics are unfathomable, for example “We skipped the light fandango, Turned cartwheels ’cross the floor”, but always sound credible given Gary Brooker’s warm and authoritative delivery. 
This is one of those songs that should have a warning label saying ‘Don’t Try To Cover This – It’ll Only End In Tears’ but with Graham Lavallin’s confidence and wonderful support we persevered. However, I then had to find a way of making this my own as no-one can touch Mr Brooker’s version. Please check out Graham's wonderful cloud https://soundcloud.com/lavallin if you enjoyed his work here. Thanks for listening to our very British collaboration.
	
Mark J. Bennett 	Vocals and artwork (based on the original cover)
https://soundcloud.com/lavallin	Guitars, arrangement, production
Instrumentation: 	Fender Strat through Boss ME70 pedal board and Magic Stomp pedal
EWQL piano, drums and percussion, orchestral cello section, orchestral legato cellos, orchestral bass section, orchestral viola section, orchestral violin section, tremolo strings, pizzicato strings
Synth orchestra deep bass and synth flute
AMG mellotron strings
Atmospheres

All recorded and mixed in GarageBand

All hands on deck, we've run a float,
I heard the Captain cry.
Explore the ship, replace the cook,
Let no one leave alive.
Across the straits, around the horn,
How far can sailors fly?
A twisted path, our tortured course,
And no one left alive.

We sailed for parts unknown to man,
Where ships come home to die.
No lofty peak, nor fortress bold,
Could match our captain's eye.
Upon the seventh seasick day,
We made our port of call.
A sand so white, and sea so blue,
No mortal place at all.

We fired the guns, and burned the mast,
And rowed from ship to shore.
The captain cried, we sailors wept,
Our tears were tears of joy!
Now many moons and many Junes,
Have passed since we made land.
A Salty Dog, the seaman's log,
Your witness, my own hand.

Songwriters: KEITH REID, GARY BROOKER
A Salty Dog lyrics © ESSEX MUSIC INTERNATIONAL C/O THE RICHMOND ORGANIZATION


A Salty Dog (Procol Harum Cover) with Lavallin

Livonia (2013)

Lagrange Point L2

“Emotional Time” is for those seeking deep emotional immersion, ideal for accompanying moments of introspection.
With “Emotional Time”, treat yourself to a gentle interlude in which you can connect with your emotions, making it an invaluable addition to your neoclassical music playlists.
“Emotional Time” has the potential to reach a wide audience, resonating with the minimalist, emotional approach that thrills today's instrumental music lovers.

➡️ Listen now and let the piano guide you !

www.sambox-music.com




Emotional time

Porque eres espléndido y todo corazón,
Te dedico esta composición. 
(Dedicado a mi hermano Edu y mi tía Maribel por su cumpleaños)

Because you are wonderful and all heart,
I dedicate this song to you. 
(Dedicated to my brother Edu and my aunt Maribel for their birthdays)

El viaje a ninguna parte

Espléndido

compo20250507 (Espléndido)

Although it is considered a bad sign that so many gigantic, fantastic glaciers are melting globally, it must also be said how beautiful their ice floes and rushing water ravines and avalanches are to observe visually or to hear. Nature is amazing!

Mankind

Glacier Melting - Water Drops - Ice Floes

In Your Own Time

An intimate felt piano improvisation, recorded during quarantine. 

Also with calming visuals: https://youtu.be/WxyupgszQec

🎧 Out now on streaming platforms! 
Add 'Improv I' to your sleep / ambient playlists: 
https://songwhip.com/vyacheslavbasharov/improv-i

Improv I

Listen on Spotify

2nd collaboration in a lockdown series with the fabulous Sebastian Kromp, who is jamming away in North London while I'm, texturising, synthesising  and mixing down South.

Change Of Heart

Stellar View

Only two nice chords and all built over a lucky strumming improvisation
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g69JwLWkiv4
Enjoy

Busy Day

🎼 I play the keys 

. . . . . . 

💽 Releases:
 💿Improv I (Single, July 2021)
 💿Lullaby Letter (Single, 2018)
Stream links ‣ ‣ https://songwhip.com/vyacheslavbasharov
. . . . . . 

© Vyacheslav Basharov | Вячеслав Башаров

Improv I

Slav Basharov