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Richard Lunt and I go back quite some time. Recently we released an album with his vocal contributions to my compositions. A few weeks ago he sent me an “idea” with the request to create something out of it. (For those interested: a MIDI file and 69 rough vocal takes.) It took me some weeks, but there probably is nothing I like doing more. His voice, harmonies are beyond inspiring.

‘If love was God’ by JustVera. JustMagic.

​​I can’t choose
I need to
I want to walk with you
I need to hold your hand

I wanna have fun with you
Reach for the stars
Dance in the moonlight again

And they’ll look on like paper Gods like deity
You’re all fake varieties
Of the same conspiracy
If Love is a God I’m a deity

Now I’m not calling you all fools
Fools
For dragging your heels
Following their rules
Fools

Trying to please
Feeling bemused
Fools
You saw the Devil in yourself
You’re all fools

And as he looks on
He’ll smile to herself
If love is God
Just another soul
Or a trophy on my shelf

Then I am a deity
Please ignore my frailty

I’m a God
I can’t choose
I need to
I want to

I can’t choose
I need to
I want wanna, wanna hold your hand

I can’t choose
I need to
I want to wanna have some… fun
In the moonlight

I can’t choose
I need to
I want to wanna have some… fun

If you had to choose would you choose me
Don’t you in God’s eyes I am deity
Some people call me am crazy
I don’t want to just… want to have fun with you

Hell I just wanna hold your hand
And be with you
Reach for the stars

And they’ll gaze like paper Gods with human frailty
All shades, all shade of anxiety

Now I’m not calling you all fools
Fools
For dragging your heels
Spoiling the rules
Fools
Trying to believe
Feeling bemused
Fools
You saw the Devil in yourself
You are all fools

And as he looks on
He’ll smile to herself
If love is God
Just another soul
Or a trophy on my shelf
Then I am a deity

(Lyrics and vocals Richard Lunt)

For branding reasons the 2024-album by JustRzar with nine great songs featuring Richard Lunt has been re-released.

Check out JustVera!

Btw Except for Richard’s excellent vocal performance, you’ll find stunning contributions from Richard Bradley (audio-engineering/mastering), Chris Bouchard (drums), Don Chappell (guitars), Timothy Reid (guitars), Gustavo Riani (drums, bass), Daniele Silvestri (drums) and Eric Spiering (bass). Some album. Some team…

Really ancient solo stuff of mine… Pre JustVera. When things were subdued. We all have our phases, don’t we?-).

You seem to act, but you don’t.
You say you will, but you won’t.
You leave your sorrow with a friend,
like you leave yourself in the end.

You don’t react, ‘cause you’re stoned.
You say you do, but you don’t.
You leave your marks here in the sand,
like you leave yourself in the end.

I know why I’m here.
I know what to do.
Align in the queue ,
just waiting for who?

I know how to turn every knob.
And I know what it takes .
And when to stop.

Sure I know how to shower,
but I’d rather know you.

(Lyrics and vocals by Justus, 2010)

Sometimes it’s rock. Sometimes it’s alternative. But it’s always JustVera. This time with priceless contributions of Mitch Brody on guitar, Darren Womack on drums and lyrics&vocals by Mark Alan Dooley.
Bray with Jack!

Yo!
His name is Jack, the king of the farm,
With a bray so loud, he’ll set off alarms.

Donkey, donkey, he’s the star,
With hooves of gold and a heart so large,
Running wild, kicking up dust,
My pet donkey, someone I trust.
Donkey!

Jack’s coat is brown, shining in the sun,
He’s always ready for some fun.

Donkey, donkey, he’s the star,
With hooves of gold and a heart so large,
Running wild, kicking up dust,
My pet donkey, someone I trust.
Donkey, donkey.

My pet donkey, someone I trust.

His name is Jack,
The king of the farm,
A friend so true,
My pet donkey.
My pet donkey, someone I trust.

Donkey, donkey, he’s the star,
With hooves of gold and a heart so large.

So here’s to Jack, my donkey dear,
He’s always near,
A bond unbreakable, strong as can be,
My pet donkey,
He’s the star.

(Lyrics and vocals by Mark Alan Dooley)

‘A splendid time’ reflects the result of three years of continuous dedication to 30 songs, which I created via the online platform https://www.kompoz.com/. With the help of the 51 talented musicians from all over the world, listed below. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

00:00

Andrea Viotti
Alex Zulaika
Andrew Payne
Bill McCarthy
Bill Ray
Billy LeCoq-Mauvais
Brian Hallstoos
Buck M.
Cedric Camus
Chris Bouchard
Chris Matthews
Dan Rosati
Daniel Swain
Daniele Silvestri
David Grahame
Elizabeth Auzan
Eric Spiering
Frederic Osuch
Giles Gerry
Gustavo Riani
Jarek Adamowski
JC Beziz
Jean Lui Toudou
Jeff Braggs
Jim Bryan
JJ Lorenzo
Job Posthuma
Joel Sattler
Joey Sixstring
John Heavern
Jordi Ribas
Justus
Kat Orlando
Kelly Miller
Maarten Gelderman
Marc Brouwer
Mark Bowen
Mark Miller
Mark Murtha
Matt MacLennan
Nicola Offidani
Pere Mari
Peter Hendriks
Ramlee
Richard Lunt
Simone Leardini
Stephanie Gilliard
Steve Johnson
Tarjei Skarlund
Teek
Timothy Reid

Thank you all once more for collaborating with me. Your contribution makes ‘A splendid time’ the unique album it is.

This is the last song which will be added to the next JustVera album. And some song it turned out to be. Although my initial idea planted the seed, the final result of ‘Fruit flies rock’ exceeded my expectations. With the help of Elizabeth Auzan (lyrics), Tarjei Skarlund (vocals), JC Beziz (rhythm guitars), Billy LeCoq-Mauvais (lead guitar) and Gustavo Riani (both drums AND bass) it turned out next level.                                            These Kompoz talents rock big time.

The countdown’s on
Five, four, three, two, one
Little fruit fly in outer space
Feeling very out of place

It’s scary. I’m wary
From my glass cage
I can see white-coated humans coming near
What do they want to do, want to do to me? 
 
I hear them say, Now!
It’s time for decisions
Our mission, 
Our vision, ambition
Is human transition

Oh, my!
It’s scary. I’m wary.
But I don’t need to worry, they say, we share same DNA, 
They all love me.  There’ll be no pain

Oh, my!
It’s scary. I’m wary.
But I don’t need to worry, they say, we share same DNA, 
They all love me.  There’ll be no pain

Fruit flies, we rock. Yeah!
We rock. Yeah !

(Lyrics Elizabeth Auzan, vocals by Tarjei Skarlund)

For seven years I’ve been working on ‘Suspicion’. The contributions of Alex Zulaika (drums), Eric Spiering (bass) and Job Posthuma (intro lead guitar) kept me going, knowing there was a gem to be discovered. Then Richard Lunt came along. His original lyrics and stunning vocal performance were the missing pieces.
Do you think you heard it all? You might be in for a surprise…

(Note to self: never give up.)

You say suspicion is on your mind
You say you’ll try and leave those thoughts behind
They’ll only drag you down as far as your soul can fall

You’ll start fabricating
procrastinating over stories born in grey matter
that don’t matter at all

Suspicion is on your mind
You’re suspicious of what you might find
And you’re scared of it coming to fruition
And you’re scared of the truth

Oh the voices,
The choices
In my head

It’s like a video in my head
Fast forward, repeat, delete, repeat
It’s dragging me down to the ground

Blackmailing, water torture, humiliation, interrogation, music torture, nudity, pharmacological torture, exploitation of phobias, mock execution, leaving arachnophobes in a room full of spiders

All these thoughts are in silence

(Who would have thought)
Suspicion

And your scared of it coming to fruition

Oh the voices,
The choices
In my head
Suspicion

The voices, the choices

(Lyrics and vocals by Richard Lunt)

Bill Ray, Cedric Camus and Richard Lunt turned my initial idea into ‘Human Zoo’.

I waited 17 years for this moment. Can you imagine the joy and gratification I feel right now?…

You shouldn’t tell the truth
You shouldn’t believe their lies
You shouldn’t go to the human zoo
They put you in cages and control you

If you don’t mind, please don’t control my mind
Welcome to the human zoo
If you don’t mind, please don’t control my mind

You can stay for as long as you like
You can leave in the dead of night
You can beg and steal and borrow
Just don’t be disillusioned
You’re a loser

You belong in the human zoo

And they’ll ask you to take a name
Then they’ll point the finger of blame at you

And there’s nothing, nothing left to do
Except dissect you

It’s the human zoo
You shouldn’t tell the truth
You shouldn’t believe their lies

If you don’t mind, please don’t control my mind
Welcome to the human zoo
If you don’t mind, please don’t control my mind
I’m worried you might find

Welcome to the human zoo
Welcome what you decided
Welcome to the human zoo
You shouldn’t believe
What they told you

(Lyrics and vocals by Richard Lunt)

When your life looks grey for whatever reason, you might consider listening to ‘Just summer’.

(With warm regards from Chris Bouchard, Steve Johnson, Elizabeth Auzan, Kat Orlando, Katiria Mar and me.)

Baila conmigo
Baila conmigo

Rumba y salsa
Vengo con una propuesta
Dime, quien falta?
Time for the fiesta
Plumber, drummer, lover
Let’s enjoy the summer
Plumber, drummer, lover
Let’s enjoy the summer

Ocean breeze
Come with me
Let’s have some fun
Sex and sun
Let it be
Set me free
Summertime love
Hit and run

Summer love
Summer love

Caipirinha
Lazy siesta
Ken and Barbie
Marvelous party
Sun is shinning
Wine and dining
Catwalk stunner
Just strut the summer

Baila conmigo
Baila conmigo

Dime, que quieres cariño?
Que decida el destino
Si somos amigo
Solo baila conmigo, baila conmigo
Baila conmigo

(Lyrics Elizabeth Auzan/Katiria Mar, vocals Katiria Mar)