Even if you say stop, we won’t stop, won’t stop
I was very pleased with my ‘Whatever Happened’ album, but it didn’t receive as much attention as I would have liked. This track, the album version, is one of my favourite tracks of all time so here is a little fun video clip for it:
Well, it’s been an interesting year, beginning it with my hand in a cast and being unable to work for 10 weeks. Fortunately, this allowed me to focus on my music, although unable to play the keyboard with both hands.
After creating many new songs, having a few that missed previous albums and sone gems from previous decades, it made me feel the urge to create another album.
As it happens this new album contains only songs recorded in the last year or so.
The album could have have been called, We Won’t Stop, but due to the way these songs came about it is more appropriate to summarise it with a statement that sounds like a question. It is a mixture of old and new lyrics, that range from serious and controversial, to deep and sincere. The styles within this playlist are very varied too. How did such a variety come about? And what made me create them in the way that I did? Well, I say to myself “Whatever happened in life is the cause of how it developed and sounds, and now it is what it is for that reason”. And as it features my best mate Tim (a drummer, but guitarist and vocalist on the last song), who I formed a band with 40 years ago, it makes ‘We Won’t Stop’ a very apt song that can complete the album title statement (e.g. Whatever Happened – We Won’t Stop).
My target date for release of this album was before November. If the mixing isn’t completed in time then I will have to extend this date, and the last track still needs a bit of work. I do have the rest of this week off, but within 3 afternoons I need to finalise the mixes if I am going to guarantee releasing the album on time. I am also tempted to release one more single to gain more interest in the meantime. Which one though? ‘You’ is a very sincere and an appropriate ending to the variety of songs (a heavy ballad), but ‘Forever Together, You And Me’ is very soppy and could demonstrate another side to me. Both of these songs finalise the story on a very happy note, so I will focus on the latter songs this week.
There is a vague chance that ‘We Won’t Stop’ will be released separately, at a later date and then be included on a new ‘Best Of’ album. The songs included on such an album would either be determined by me, or the streaming figures. My favourites aren’t necessarily the same as the listeners’ so that could make things awkward.
If you like my music and lyrics please save my songs to your Spotify playlists, or purchase the songs on other streaming sites and then the next ‘Best Of’ album will become more genuine.
Thanks for reading this blog/post and I look forward to finally releasing this album I’ve been working on throughout 2022.
Colin E. Pyle The Lost Connection
Listen to Whatever Happened, an album by The Lost Connection on #SoundCloud
Whatever Happened
Well, over the last few years I have shared my song history on 10 albums. It was something I felt I had to do because I had nothing else to show for my existence in life, and these recordings were the best I could do at the time and, on the latter albums, the lyrics were very significant for those particular moments in time so I felt they had to be released while current and relevant.
As with ‘2020 Vision‘ and ‘The New Lost World -19-20-21‘, this next album, Whatever Happened, will be significant. It is a mish-mash of songs which I put together to form a concept once again. In summary, it is about getting through life in different ways and through different circumstances. In my case it all came good eventually. Major changes were made and a new life began. I’ve still managed to lose money and break a few of my bones but, overall, life is good and my music has progressed. This was due to having more time to learn, listen, practice and develop. Despite the struggles and misfortunes we get through life in some way or another and, in my case on this album, the best way – through love and commitment!
Taste is very subjective and, despite certain criticism, I am pleased with how my songs are now sounding. Songwriting has got me through life and I am now almost sounding as good as I was hoping to a few decades ago. Having a good job, a bit of money, good friends, a decent home, friendly neighbours all that stuff, helps to make life more pleasant but, even when life was shit my songwriting and recording never stopped. There are hints of anger in my voice throughout this playlist, but that’s because I was angry, although the happier songs do also sound a bit dark too, but at least it has a signature sound and a common thread running through the songs. (When you’re not in a good place and struggling, it’s hard to sound like Mary Poppins – not that I could anyway lol). I am now content in life, but this album is about battling through hard times to reach the good times (although comparisons with less fortunate ones is made) and self-justification for your endeavours.
And now, ‘Whatever Happened’ is virtually ready to be released. I could spend another 6 months adding extra parts and making every song absolutely faultless, but I’m not going to. I hope that the people who follow me online, and have liked my music up until now, will appreciate and enjoy how my music is now sounding.
Anyway, bye for now and watch this space for the release date of ‘Whatever Happened’.
Colin E. Pyle
The Lost Connection
PS. Whatever happened – don’t stop!!!!
PS. Here is a link to the next album to be: Whatever Happened
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/QQ2ed
If you could let me know what you think that may help me to decide. Here is the playlist as it stands. Here is an explanation about the songs that are likely to be featured on the new album:
The first song was written about the never ending desire to play music, despite what people think.
1/ We Won’t Stop (just me) – Mixing amendments still required, but it is the most liked song on SoundCloud so far.
This was composed with the James Bond (007) theme in mind:
2/ The Battle Within – I’m happy with this mix and consider this to be the best instrumental I have recorded so far.
An old tune, that was used in an unreleased song, was updated when I collaborated with a lady named Jodylynn. This was going to be sung by someone else but, for now, only me:
3/ Shattering – After much amending I think this is sounding good enough to be released. I could add more, but there is a limit.
This was inspired by a brief about about a bunch of people travelling from island to island, but the brief passed and I changed it slightly:
4/ (Feel The Vibe) With My Tribe – This began as a collaborative effort, but this final result was all of my own making. Almost as good as I want it, but a slight vocal volume adjustment needed in one part.
This was written and recorded within 24 hours of the ‘If’ idea being thrown at myself and other musicians:
5/ Ifs And Buts – It could be improved, but I am happy with this mix. The vocals on the first 2 verses could be improved but I am reasonably happy with this version.
A song based on a few silly errors that affected my trust in people and made me a bit paranoid. You cannot help the way you are, or prevent the way you have become sometimes.
6/ I Am Just Me – I think this could be released as a single as sounding pretty good all round.
A physicology that is worth understanding:
7/ The Fastest Man In The World – Another one that I think is ready for release.
This was written when I was not where I wanted to be, but alcohol and cigarettes were needed to get me through it, but I was still unsure as to what I needed. The answer was: a long break and a new job. This happened and so much more. I gave up smoking after meeting my (now) fiancée and we now live together, sold my house and bought a smaller new home, cleared my mortgage, released 10 albums and a single and life is now great.
8/ I Don’t Like What I Do – I’ve amended the lyrics since it was first written in 2018. It is not perfect yet, but almost there.
Based on a winning mentality and having a goal in life, as opposed to not wanting any success:
9/ The Best – A song written very quickly while thinking ‘sync’, but just a jigsaw piece in the concept of this playlist.
Here are 3 songs about different relationship/interaction scenarios:
A sad 50 years of marriage:
10/ Golden Anniversary – A song written in 1990 which was recorded very quickly and, despite room for improvements, I’ll probably make do with this version.
A guy encouraging a female friend into his car to get things moving, so-to-speak:
11/ Beep! Beep! – Another song written while in ‘sync’ mode, but became just a very unusual song. I have included it for it’s unique time signature and for a more variety.
A food advert inspired song, but could also be regarded as a song about a twisted lusting to please, even if it leads to death:
12/ Onion Man – Death By Quest For An Onion Lover – The lyrics are so whacky I had to record it (although 30 years later). Some synth brass parts could be slightly amended, but it’s getting better. Tricky one to sing as there are 2 different characters (male and female) within the song.
And then a bit of a deviation… This song questions our actions:
13/ What Is Justice? – I am debating about removing a small middle section in this song before the album is released. This is the most riskiest/controversial song on the album, and in my history so far, almost!
After a weird period of change, all came good and this is about the woman that made my life better.
14/ Bliss – I need a love song to balance out the different scenarios, but this sounds a bit gloomy, although sweet (musically) and very sentimental. I can’t sing love songs very well so the vocals aren’t very good.
And this is a love song that doesn’t sound like one, but is nonetheless:
15/ You – This was recorded from scratch on 24-03-22. I need to improve on this initial idea, but at least I’ve started it.
Other songs for consideration are:
1/ My Christmas Wish (A waltz song from last year)
2/ ‘We Won’t Stop (The L & F Version)
3/ A Very Merry Christmas (a new version of an old song, released in 2020)
4/ What My Father Said (This contains a lot of bad language and doesn’t fit as comfortably in this playlist, but was recorded to tie in with ‘We Won’t Stop’.
5/ This Gift (a song from 2015 and recorded a few years later).
6/ Cheap New Book (A song from 1990/91 which was re-recorded with my late mate, Steve Emm, in 2016.
7/ Squeeky – This contains lots of puns and innuendos.
8/ A Lost Love (A good song but not sure if it will be placed on any album now).
9/ Crazy In Love (A good song, but recorded a few years ago and most have been tecorded 2021 and 2022 so far.
Hopefully the current playlist will be released as album in the coming weeks or months.
You must be logged in to post a comment.