Walk In The Park by Lammbone published on 2024-03-29T20:17:44Z Hey…. So I put down the slide guitar the other day, and picked up the mandolin after a slide solo wasn’t working. Then did this little song. A rather surreal look at the metaphysics of stars as they relate to us. Occasionally, we are at a loss to make sense of this life. I find perspective in observing the night sky, among other things, even if for only a brief moment. Hanging out with others helps too. So does playing music. I usually laugh at myself in those moments and realize just how fascinating life can be. I mentioned this story before, but in a different context. I have been ‘caretaking’ a fire ant colony for over twenty years. The common sense of today’s world would seek to destroy the colony, as labeling them as ‘nuisance pests’ comes with a dire consequence for the ants. Fire ants bite only to get a grip and then sting (from the abdomen) and inject a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin. Anyway, the colony had been in my neighbor’s yard decades ago, and I did my best to encourage him not to destroy the colony. But after seeing a friend of his riding over the colony with a riding lawn mower, I knew the colony was doomed if it stayed there. Then one day, while emptying the kitchen compost bucket into the compost pile, I saw a long trail of fire ants coming from my neighbor’s yard into mine. They had begun to build a mound near a brush pile in the back. So the ants have been here for 5 years or so. Sure, they may strip an aspen sapling bare, or try and sneak into my vegetable garden, but for the most part, they have been good neighbors. They have come out of their mound now that it is a little warmer. I was cleaning up the gardens in the back, and noticed hundreds of them working on their mound. I looked yesterday and I saw this one ant carrying a large twig, way bigger than him, on top of the mound. As he walked, the twig was waving back and forth like a sword raised in the air. I laughed (to myself) and realized it had been a while since I had done so. This song is about all those little things in life, like that, that bring us back…. Hope you like it. Thanks for dropping by, Mark Genre Mandolin Jazz Comment by Little Lone Waltz Ooh this is an absolute beauty...love the dark edge and as always the magnificent playing and vocals. 2024-05-17T01:58:38Z Comment by Karin-Maria Brunner great! 2024-05-11T19:08:15Z Comment by Janne Hennie wonderful jazzy track! 2024-05-10T10:03:03Z Comment by Wayfarer DG Revisiting this... love it! 2024-05-04T11:43:12Z Comment by Larry Collen an good ode to your little friends 2024-04-30T15:54:04Z Comment by LARENGONAT Great smooth jazz, excellent👌 2024-04-23T14:49:31Z Comment by David Dunham As is usually the case I must listen, then read, then listen again. Your Cloud is a full and momentary escape, especially these lovely ruminations on guitar and mando, and your hushed, almost reverent singing. One seldom thinks of fire ants as good neighbors, but they have a purpose in the larger scheme of life which should be respected. 2024-04-23T14:47:01Z Comment by Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary) Hey man, this is thrilling! Wonderful mando playing! Brilliant composition for it to play over. Love this one! 2024-04-21T20:48:04Z Comment by Glenny G's One Man Band you captured a new pretty cool vocal tone on this . 2024-04-20T02:33:11Z Comment by hanklebury I like that urgent whisper, Mark. Great vocal! 2024-04-18T04:36:14Z Comment by Lillithe Magic mandolin! Really lovely song! 2024-04-13T18:12:47Z Comment by markjbennett Not sure where I've been these last two weeks, but I'm enjoying it now Mark. Thanks for sharing this gem and also for the fascinating story attached. Helping me understand nature better. Thank you so much 2024-04-13T17:53:49Z Comment by 1234567890 Man you da biz. Lovely work Mark - and inspirational too. You have inspired me to get off my fat arse, take my beautiful mandolin off the wall and learn to play the darned thing. I thank you, Sir. 2024-04-10T22:07:23Z Comment by DavidKilledTheGiant Love this! 2024-04-10T01:02:44Z Comment by Wayfarer DG This is so chill... just what I needed. 2024-04-09T13:23:35Z Comment by No killie fish This is really funky Mark, Coul dbe the theme song for a movie some great playing in there love that voice. Johnny 2024-04-08T17:50:24Z Comment by Peter Grimbeek Yes, the mandolin makes a lovely sound in your hands. Enjoy the tonal qualities of your singing but it is just on the edge of my easy hearing (with headphones on). 2024-04-08T13:41:42Z Comment by Peter Grimbeek Love your story about the fire ants. First person I've seen who did not describe them in demonic terms. I feel much the same way about the great variety of critters that live around us here (we're on about 15 acres in the midst of hills and trees, SE Queensland, Australia). 2024-04-08T13:40:36Z Comment by mistermark damn man, whatever else I'm listening to on Soundcloud, I know I can come here and find something that's laid bare and good for the soul. Keep doing what you do man! 2024-04-07T19:52:08Z Comment by Lizzie Taypen Magic Mando and Vocal Mark, loved my walk with you 2024-04-07T16:13:42Z Comment by Lizzie Taypen Oh yes... 2024-04-07T16:10:01Z Comment by Penelope's Thrill Loved the easy-going vibe and those mandolin runs! (and the story about the fire ants!) 2024-04-07T01:37:43Z Comment by Bogwell Hygiene Dazzling, impetuous mandolin playing. Terrific song. 2024-04-07T00:01:10Z Comment by IMRE LODBROG strolling with you Mark, totally charmed. 2024-04-04T20:16:38Z Comment by Graeme Winton Good work Mark! 2024-04-04T18:35:25Z Comment by The Gobi Desert Canoe Club Excellent musicianship, loving that mando. 2024-04-04T16:26:55Z Comment by burn-it-smith Mmm pure delight to the ears, something cathartic about a mandolin!!! 2024-04-03T14:37:57Z Comment by tbone711 Great original sound Mark! One of your best to date I think! 2024-04-03T13:01:41Z Comment by THE BOY Wonderful mandolin playing and vocal performance👏👏👏 2024-04-03T01:36:26Z Comment by Kurt Mottershead Very cool brother, great track 2024-04-02T22:18:40Z