The following pieces of music were composed and performed by Raymond Benson and are all vintage recordings. They are not “professional” recordings by any means. In other words, they are of demo quality at best. Some are recordings of live performances in front of audiences.
Raymond has made some of his favorite pieces available to you by popular demand. They are for personal, home use only. By downloading any of them, you agree not to distribute or exploit them in any way without the permission of the copyright holder.
“Ghosts in the Ink”
Theme song for the short film, “Ghosts in the Ink” (2019), produced and written by Phil McCarron and directed by Igor Lewicki.
© Copyright 2019 by Raymond Benson.
“James Bond Suite”
This is Raymond live on WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio) in 2012, performing a suite of James Bond film music that he arranged. A slightly different version was performed in 2002 for John Barry, the Bond film producers, and many then-current and former Bond film actors and crew at a tribute to Barry in Slough, England.
“Ennio Morricone Medley”
This is Raymond live on WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio) in 2013, performing a medley by Ennio Morricone: “Once Upon a Time in the West” and “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly.”
“4th Floor Lament” from “Paper Tiger”
“Paper Tiger” is a theatre piece consisting of three cycles of poetry for the stage with words by Thomas Brasch and music by Raymond Benson. This number was performed recently by Cantor Cheryl Wunch at a concert in 2013. I’m at the piano.
© Copyright 1980 by Raymond Benson and Thomas Brasch.
“Bridget697”
This piece was also composed in 1995 and recorded at home on a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano.
© Copyright 1995 by Raymond Benson.
“Five Days in October”
This piece was composed in 1996 and recorded that same year at Viacom New Media sound studio after-hours. Raymond is on the keyboards. Michael Henry arranged and produced it.
© Copyright 1996 by Raymond Benson.
“Rudimentary Rag”
This piece was composed in 1983 and recorded at home on a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano sometime during the 1990s.
© Copyright 1983 by Raymond Benson.
“Of Earth and Ocean”
This piano piece was composed in 1995 and recorded at home on a Yamaha Clavinova.
© Copyright 1995 by Raymond Benson.
“Frederico’s Song”
This piece was composed for Viacom New Media’s computer game ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?—THE TALE OF ORPHEO’S CURSE, released in 1994. The music was arranged by “Audio Magic” and the vocals are by Andrew Daily.
© Copyright 1994 by Viacom New Media.
“Love Theme from ‘Ultima VII—The Black Gate’”
This piece was composed for Origin System’s computer game ULTIMA VII—THE BLACK GATE, released in 1992.
© Copyright 1994 by Origin Systems, Inc.
“The Right and Wrong Song” from “Deirdre”
Live: “The Right and Wrong Song” on YouTube
This piece was composed in 1981 for a musical theatre piece entitled “Deirdre,” with words by Norman Morrow. This is a demo recording made at home that same year. Raymond is on piano, Robin Moseley is on vocals. The live video version is from a 2013 concert with Kristina Cottone and Kim Kozel on vocals.
© Copyright 1981 by Raymond Benson and Norman Morrow.
“Think of Me With Kindness”
Recorded in 1996 for inclusion on a Gentle Giant tribute album entitled “Giant for a Life,” released in Italy in 1997 on Mellow Records. The song, written by Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, Phil Shulman, and Kerry Minnear, originally appeared on Gentle Giant’s 1972 album “Octopus.”
© Song copyright 1972 by Alucard Publishing Ltd.
© Recording copyright 1997 by Raymond Benson
“Pokerface Melodrama” from “Paper Tiger”
Recorded live during a performance at the New York Theater Ensemble, New York City, September 1980. “Paper Tiger” is a theatre piece consisting of three cycles of poetry for the stage with words by Thomas Brasch and music by Raymond Benson. Raymond is on the piano, Larry Zinn is on drums. Stuart Howard is on main vocals with the rest of the cast singing background.
© Copyright 1980 by Raymond Benson and Thomas Brasch.
“Thirty Years After Hitler/Stiffness” from “Paper Tiger”
Recorded live during a performance at the New York Theater Ensemble, New York City, September 1980. “Paper Tiger” is a theatre piece consisting of three cycles of poetry for the stage with words by Thomas Brasch and music by Raymond Benson. Raymond is on the piano, Larry Zinn is on drums. Holly Powell is on main vocals with backing vocals by Wendy Jo Belcher, Marianne Kammer, and Carolyn Titone.
© Copyright 1980 by Raymond Benson and Thomas Brasch.
“The Boat Song” from “Alice in Wonderland”
Composed for a production of Eva Le Gallienne’s adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” at the Alley Theatre, Houston, Texas, in 1978. Dual vocals are by Robin Moseley.
© Music copyright 1978 by Raymond Benson.
“Prologue” from “The Resurrection of Jackie Cramer”
Recorded live during a performance at the American Theatre of Actors, New York City, April 1980. “The Resurrection of Jackie Cramer” is an entirely sung musical theatre piece with words by Frank Gagliano and music by Raymond Benson. Raymond performs the keyboards here, with Beverly Robinson as “The Chorus,” Scott Ellis as “Jackie,” and the members of the cast as “The Ensemble.”
© Copyright 1977 by Raymond Benson and Frank Gagliano. Copyright renewed.
“Stayin’ Away From Home”
Words by James Goodner. Composed and recorded at home in 1982. Raymond is on piano. Stuart Howard and Raymond are singing.
© Copyright 1982 by Raymond Benson and James Goodner.
“Folk Dance”
Composed and recorded at home on a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano in 1992.
© Copyright 1992 by Raymond Benson.
“Sailing”
Composed and recorded at home on a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano in 1992.
© Copyright 1992 by Raymond Benson.