Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
The title track. At one point I had visions of everyone singing at the end of the album (and thank you to those of you that did), but I just couldn't get it to sound right (I don't really know what I'm doing after all). So instead of voices…
My wife woke up one morning and said "I had a dream about (someone we'd just lost) the other night." When I asked her if she was okay, she replied, "Yeah, it was good to see her again."
A simple as it is musically, this song pretty much sums it all up for me. What started as the simple appreciation of a hiking t-shirt evolved into this song about the duality of this domesticated artist who recognizes the importance of wandering…
OUSTANDING collaboration with the great Gary Fox.
ONE AND ONLY
How many times have you been
Captured by a camera
With no one really knowing who you are
Caught in the sight lines
In the background
In the corner of their eyes
Never…
A simple as it is musically, this song pretty much sums it all up for me. What started as the simple appreciation of a hiking t-shirt evolved into this song about the duality of this domesticated artist who recognizes the importance of wandering…
So I'm watching Ken Burns' documentary on the National Parks and realize that I'd never written that John Muir song I had been meaning to get to... So I got to it. Tim Alexander (Letter Seventeen) mentioned that he thought the song needed a…
A slightly destructive children's song... But I suspect that many of you have tried some of the things mentioned.
I have a great idea up in my head
Let's try it out this afternoon
We'll tie the dog up to the sled
Pretend we're launching…
Well, this may be the final tweaking of this nice little sing along song...
I sent this fun little sing along off to Jim of MTC fame, and once again he has outdone himself... And I can't thank him and his wife (who appears covertly) enough…
Vocal excellence from girl named Sam... Do you really need any other reason to listen?
A Little Playing
Blue sky
Only getting clearer
Blue eyes
Like looking in a mirror
I can tell just what you're thinking
By that tiny little flicker…
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
Three years ago, I brought my two youngest up to the summit of a local mountain (actually, we went up Shelving Rock Mountain, but that song wouldn't be as good). Have a listen to see how that hike went.
OUSTANDING collaboration with the great Gary Fox.
ONE AND ONLY
How many times have you been
Captured by a camera
With no one really knowing who you are
Caught in the sight lines
In the background
In the corner of their eyes
Never…
ahhh to the bards of that most elusive magic in the universe.... true love..... here's to the one and only for us all, well done gents... ps Wendy said it right!!
My first completed 2013 RPM track. Thanks to Kavin for turning a simple acoustic song into what you hear today.
ONE LAST DANCE
I never got to tell you what's been on my mind
It might be just as well now that we're running out of time…
Just a little cover tune I did in preparation for last year's live RPM Challenge album "Letters."
Nylon string Yamaha travel guitar, vocals, and one mic... Missed notes and all.
Just a little cover tune I did in preparation for last year's live RPM Challenge album "Letters."
Nylon string Yamaha travel guitar, vocals, and one mic... Missed notes and all.
Just a little cover tune I did in preparation for last year's live RPM Challenge album "Letters."
Nylon string Yamaha travel guitar, vocals, and one mic... Missed notes and all.
This is just another middle of the road pile of trot, this time about the amazing instant classics I write, but am so protective of that I daren't let any of you hear. No one will ever hear them. Sorry, but I'm afraid this shite will just have…
Thank you for being you
No one else would do
Thank you for being you
You're all I ask for
Too many nights alone
tonight I'm coming home
open up the wine cos I'm
gonna be with the one who's shown
Me the ways of old
Women into wives…
Keith Landry used his considerable vocal talents on this song, and he made a decent song sound great. I added one or two harmonies, but the lead vocals are his. I think he did a great job. What do you think?
ER
This one started as a the title line while driving in my car. All I had was the line and it's melody. I built the song around that about 6 months later. The lyrics are self explanatory.
As good an album closer as you will ever hear. Great big picture stuff here, Gary... Thanks for sharing the uncertainty through this perfectly crafted song.
A brief glimpse, but that's all. Inspired by last April. It's for everyone, but no one in particular. Yes, this one gives more than a passing nod to Ham and Evans. Thanks gents!
...And that guitar solo starting at 2:08 is about as ass-kicking as you will ever hear. If it doesn't put you in a good mood, find a bridge and jump off, for there truly is no hope for you any longer.
A brief glimpse, but that's all. Inspired by last April. It's for everyone, but no one in particular. Yes, this one gives more than a passing nod to Ham and Evans. Thanks gents!
Sassy Nation version!
Sister Savage and Mr Sandbags collaborated on the original of this wonderful heartbreaker of a song. I've been playing it on the guitar the last few days and it always seemed to come out with a grittier tone, so i asked…
Lyrics influenced by a conversation with a friend whose daughter was in a really bad way. Kind of set the mood for large parts of the challenge for me this year.
New version uploaded 12 Dec 2010.
Man... As the playlist runs down into the 2010 RPM submission, I realize that I need to hit the stop button or I'll be up all night listening to Strummindude's incredible music... I'LL BE BACK!!!
To conclude the album, here is the title track in a full band setting, featuring the great Rob Wirensjo on a riveting piano and also Hank Johnzon doing a jazzy pedal. The arrangement is a little reminiscent of turn of the 19th century can-can…
Soooooooooo good, Jana. Really a brilliant album. I will be playing this beautiful song over and over in the coming days. Anyone who listens to this album and doesn't come away with a smile (especially after hearing this sweet closing track) needs to get their heads checked... or kicked... their choice. Just outstanding, Jana, truly outstanding!
The Cacaphony of the Kaleidoscopy, and a nod to 70's progressive rock. Brace yourself - this is a long one!
Falling Is Never
(Lyrics by Aaron Strebs, Music by Jana Persson)
Years between life, between panic, a lie
between she who would…
Oh, now this track is just amazing... And I love the fact that you've taken the 8:48 to say what really needs saying lyrically and musically... And that guitar at around 2:20... Wow. I wish more artists would be more willing to return to a time when eight minutes of great music can be so damn good, and should NEVER be cut short if the song tells the artist that it NEEDS to be just that long.
A couple of ornate melodies on a string that Will worked really hard to decorate with words. Since the song has basically two different melodic themes, the idea is to portray a relationship from two perspectives.
Over You
(Words by Will Gough…
Jana, this is one hell of an album whether or not it was produced under the time constraint of RPM (and the fact that it was makes it all the more impressive).
Well done!
A funky track, featuring Amanda Persson, the 15 yo Daughter of Strummindude, on lead vocals. Amanda is currently competing in the 2011 Swedish Idol finals. (Oct 2011)
Take Me Dancing
(Words & Music by Jana Persson)
Take me up
Take…
This track is just incredible... Put together a music video and this will be HUGE in the states... And what a voice on that kid of yours!... I have a feeling it won't be very long until we'll all be saying, "and I heard her when she was only fifteen."
Top notch songwriting, arranging, performance... Just first rate all the way you two!
Comments on Keith Landry's stuff
Beautiful song, covered beautifully by you. w;-)
How did I miss this? I love it! w;-)
So moving, so gorgeous. Thank you, Keith w;-)
Had me hooked in the first five seconds. Lovely acoustic.
Excellent sound and great track :)
I have this on CD thanks to you Keith. w;-)
This is lovely. w;-)
How did I miss this? Love it! w;-)
What? I missed favoriting this? Really great track! w;-)
Gave me a big smile! w;-)
Excellent track Keith. Just excellent. w;-)
I just fell in love! How did I miss this? w;-)
Wow! Your voices were made for each other! I love this! w;-)
How did I miss this? A wonderful track, Keith! w;-)
Keith, this is beautiful! w;-)
ahhh to the bards of that most elusive magic in the universe.... true love..... here's to the one and only for us all, well done gents... ps Wendy said it right!!
I wish I could favor this a million times.
beautiful Keith, just beautiful. I love Indigo Girls and this is so on the money.
lovely
Very nice! ER
Comments made by Keith Landry
Absurdly catchy track... I need more bah bah bah bah's in my day.
Very nice!
Damn good track. Just back for another listen. Damn good.
Great groove!
Now this I really like!
Great buildup to this song... Outstanding arrangement!
Really liking these stripped-down acoustic tracks. Well done!
Oooooh... This is good! Outstanding musicianship!
Happy to contribute ER!
Such a good track!
As good an album closer as you will ever hear. Great big picture stuff here, Gary... Thanks for sharing the uncertainty through this perfectly crafted song.
...And that guitar solo starting at 2:08 is about as ass-kicking as you will ever hear. If it doesn't put you in a good mood, find a bridge and jump off, for there truly is no hope for you any longer.
...And this one is absurdly good.
Ridiculously good track. Good to have more stuff from Gary up on alonetone... Now I need to go back and listen to some of the old stuff, too.
Love the cover!!! Loved the original... Much love all around!
Man... As the playlist runs down into the 2010 RPM submission, I realize that I need to hit the stop button or I'll be up all night listening to Strummindude's incredible music... I'LL BE BACK!!!
Soooooooooo good, Jana. Really a brilliant album. I will be playing this beautiful song over and over in the coming days. Anyone who listens to this album and doesn't come away with a smile (especially after hearing this sweet closing track) needs to get their heads checked... or kicked... their choice. Just outstanding, Jana, truly outstanding!
Oh, now this track is just amazing... And I love the fact that you've taken the 8:48 to say what really needs saying lyrically and musically... And that guitar at around 2:20... Wow. I wish more artists would be more willing to return to a time when eight minutes of great music can be so damn good, and should NEVER be cut short if the song tells the artist that it NEEDS to be just that long.
Jana, this is one hell of an album whether or not it was produced under the time constraint of RPM (and the fact that it was makes it all the more impressive). Well done!
This track is just incredible... Put together a music video and this will be HUGE in the states... And what a voice on that kid of yours!... I have a feeling it won't be very long until we'll all be saying, "and I heard her when she was only fifteen." Top notch songwriting, arranging, performance... Just first rate all the way you two!