The song that really kicked off this second album of 2009.
"In time all the stars will fade away
Our kind won't get to see it anyway
No shine, just endless black between the gray
I won't be going out in that way"
Finally, the finishing touches seem to be put on this three-year-old song thanks to some very talented people.
The band is:
Liam (age 13 at the time of recording) on drums
A Girl Named Sam (she's no kid!) with the backing vocals
Genevieve…
A crazy little song written while considering Ed Robertson's plane crash from a few years back, "Any Landing" is given much legitimacy by Ashley's incredible voice and Kavin Allenson's (Kavin S. Acoustic Church) guitar.
Any Landing
Learning…
The first recorded version of this song, this little folk song was originally written fifteen or so years ago with just the four chord rhythm guitar and single vocal. The song became what it is today when I needed to write additional verses for…
Another old song that got a little country twang when it became obvious that the horn section wouldn't be showing up on my doorstep any time soon.
"You fools don't know what's going on inside her head"
The lyrics and the riff really work well on this one. Overall the lenghth is good but I would pare it down and build a chorus out of part of it. She tells me every day, that kind of love dont fade away, could be earlier, between verses to build that memory that makes us sing along.
The song that really kicked off this second album of 2009.
"In time all the stars will fade away
Our kind won't get to see it anyway
No shine, just endless black between the gray
I won't be going out in that way"
I was right. Your songs sound great when they have structure. I don't undersatnd why we need the repetition but for some reason it makes the song friendlier, more accessable. Very nice guitar work.
To get ready for every baseball season, my father used to pitch tennis balls to me in the backyard. He had invented a pitch that defied the laws of physics. To this day, I have no idea how he threw it. The damn thing would spin like crazy like…
Nice song. That one was easy to listen to. It had pretty good structure. Plus it took me back. I used to go to the Bowery in Salisbury when I was in my 20's. I used to do the batting cages too when I was even younger. My first time drunk was at 16 in at Salisbury Beach. I saw some good bands at the Frolics!
A few years back (when I lived it Texas), I drove out to an open field to watch the Geminids meteor shower... I really need to remember to look up at the night sky more often.
The Showers of December
Lying flat on my back
Looking…
A few years back (when I lived it Texas), I drove out to an open field to watch the Geminids meteor shower... I really need to remember to look up at the night sky more often.
The Showers of December
Lying flat on my back
Looking…
The contrast of this aging "summer boy" and his outdoors-loving daughter who is more than happy to run out into the cold.
Late December
Late December
The nights get so long
Turning embers
In the dark before dawn
Late December
For…
Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
Every christmas is different now!
It just gets better and better now my kid is here. Was just the same old stuff before...
This song captures that feeling perfectly.
Cant wait for this christmas. this is gonna be on the days soundtrack.
Superb track!
Well, about six months ago, I uploaded a rough study called "Songwriting Day One." I wasn't sure where the song would go, but words came in January just in time for this year's RPM album... And before I forget... Curse you Bm!!!
GENEVIEVE…
The contrast of this aging "summer boy" and his outdoors-loving daughter who is more than happy to run out into the cold.
Late December
Late December
The nights get so long
Turning embers
In the dark before dawn
Late December
For…
Finally got this song balanced properly (after so many weeks of listening and editing, listening and editing). It somehow seems so long ago that we were all covered in snow now that winter has finally relented.
A few years back (when I lived it Texas), I drove out to an open field to watch the Geminids meteor shower... I really need to remember to look up at the night sky more often.
The Showers of December
Lying flat on my back
Looking…
Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
In 1979, my father came home from the record store with an album that forever changed my life, Pete Seeger's Circles & Seasons. Before I knew Pete to be the blacklisted folk icon that had been on the humanitarian side of every fight since…
Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
"You gotta put your pencil to the paper. Don't bother with the intricate chords. Hell it doesn't matter if the damned thing doesn't rhyme. Write it down. Run it through. Make some noise." These were actually the first words I wrote when…
Bedtime here, so I have to stop listening to all the great music at this site for now. But I'll be back. And I have all your music on my mp3 player anyway. :)
Great as usual!
Next stop, Nashville.
Time to Let Go (Song for Ramona)
(Music by Jana Persson, Lyrics by Jana Persson and Will Gough)
Feel the hurt
Feel the pain
Aching heart
Not again
All the pleas
On my knees
Where's the cure for emotions like…
The window to the world opening. Have a listen, if you will!
Kaleidoscopy Overture
(Words & Music by Jana Persson)
Who will get it if they want?
You will
Who'll prevail as is their wont?
You will
Who will have a look
In my kaleidoscope…
"I Was Born"
Lyrics and Music by Daniel Parkhill
Greetings to my only friend, sacrifical lamb.
Ask me where my mind has been, ask me where I stand.
Guess it isn't real, guess it doesn't matter much.
Ash to ash and dust to dust, etcetera and such…
"Fail"
Lyrics by Daniel Parkhill, Music by Daniel Parkhill and Keith Landry
There's a price to pay to be the boy who popped out from a storybook
And every single day I find the jury's giving me the alibis.
So let me tell you:
I'm so-so tall…
A song about the five stages of grieving, as devised by the (late) Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Unfortunately knowing these stages does not help you get over them.
You've been managing expectations
Consultations end in tears
Even if you're optimistic…
Oooh... It's been a while since I heard this all-time-great... This is the best thing about RPM... I'm reminded of the incredible talent that I haven't listened to for so long!
All right... Last comment about this masterpiece... A full day of any songwriting course should revolve around this song... I'll shut up now and just listen to the perfection.
Just back to listen to this outstanding song... I'm so partial to the quickly played piano... and then the harmonica that comes in... Just outstanding!
Final version
it needs a fiddle but it has a mandolin, a chicken banjo and some excellent backing vocalists
my third demo for RPM 2011
The cat's in the window and
the rabbit's in the hutch
goat's in the meadow just
a-chewin on the…
This celtic folk piece is a collaboration with lyricist Donna Devine.
This is Donna's explanation:
===============================
Background: In earlier centuries, young men were captured by "press gangs" - often literally torn away from…
Vocals: Eric Savoie
Acoustic Guitar: Dan Clancy
Electric Guitars: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Trevor Tillotson
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Eric Savoie
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Vocals: Tricia Dovidio
Lyrics: Bob Beckley
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This one was tricky to do because the piano does not play at a fixed tempo, and it was an online collaboration (like all my collaborations).
A pop/rock tune in the veins of the 80s. At least that was the goal.
UPDATE: This is the Jan 2017 version!
Lyrics: Casia
Vocals: Jessica Rasche
Solo Guitar: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Jean Lui Toudou
Drums: Jay Carros
Composed, arranged…
Vocals: James Ryce
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Bass & Drums: Neal Vanderhoof
Guitar: Andrew Doherty
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
James is actually a country singer. This was the first time for him to sing a jazzy piano…
Great closing song to an outstanding, personal, perfect children's album. This collection of songs may be your crowning achievement. I suspect your little one will be singing these songs with you for years.
Comments on Keith Landry's stuff
What a beauty! Missed this one of yours
I like this one. Simple but well crafted. Nice riff adds interest. Good vocals too.
Keith this is my favorite from RPM this year. I really like this one. Outstanding song idea, great lyrics. Very well done
I really liked the guitar interlude. You and Ashley sound great together. You sound a little John Denver-ry in this one.
The lyrics and the riff really work well on this one. Overall the lenghth is good but I would pare it down and build a chorus out of part of it. She tells me every day, that kind of love dont fade away, could be earlier, between verses to build that memory that makes us sing along.
I was right. Your songs sound great when they have structure. I don't undersatnd why we need the repetition but for some reason it makes the song friendlier, more accessable. Very nice guitar work.
Real folksy. Good structure. This one even has a bridge! I like.
Nice song. That one was easy to listen to. It had pretty good structure. Plus it took me back. I used to go to the Bowery in Salisbury when I was in my 20's. I used to do the batting cages too when I was even younger. My first time drunk was at 16 in at Salisbury Beach. I saw some good bands at the Frolics!
I spent 6 months in Australia a few years ago -clear skies no light polution- I get where your coming from. Oh and really like the song :)
Absolutely wonderful! w;-)
Instant favorite! Love it! w;-)
Every christmas is different now! It just gets better and better now my kid is here. Was just the same old stuff before... This song captures that feeling perfectly. Cant wait for this christmas. this is gonna be on the days soundtrack. Superb track!
pretty piece,, i think the guitar and lyrics fit very well,, richard
Finally got this song balanced properly (after so many weeks of listening and editing, listening and editing). It somehow seems so long ago that we were all covered in snow now that winter has finally relented.
Nice guitar playing, keeps the beat going without being simplistic, and some really great moments vocally!
A perfect track.
What a lovely song , liked it from the off , great vocals
really like Your style...joyous
now, that is sounding just right
Bedtime here, so I have to stop listening to all the great music at this site for now. But I'll be back. And I have all your music on my mp3 player anyway. :) Great as usual!
Comments made by Keith Landry
Such a professionally produced piece of excellence!
Faved at 0:15... Great track, Jana!
Great opening track... Faved at 0:12!
Hey Daniel! Good to hear this one in its completed form! Thanks for letting me come along for the ride! Keith
Oooh... It's been a while since I heard this all-time-great... This is the best thing about RPM... I'm reminded of the incredible talent that I haven't listened to for so long!
You really MUST post the lyrics to this!!!
All right... Last comment about this masterpiece... A full day of any songwriting course should revolve around this song... I'll shut up now and just listen to the perfection.
Where's the "all-time-fave" button? We really need to have that installed.
...And back for this all-time-favorite!
Just back to listen to this outstanding song... I'm so partial to the quickly played piano... and then the harmonica that comes in... Just outstanding!
Listening to this track right now with my daughter... Outstanding track!!! She says "it's silly, I like it, it makes me giggle!"
Looooove the celtic music! And again with the incredible vocals!
Another outstanding acoustic guitar track! This might be the best track here, Steffen!
Another fine mellow track. Where are you finding all these incredible vocalists!
Excellent track! Love that vocal from Jessica. Outstanding production quality on this one all around... Really tight arrangement and performance.
So nice and relaxing... A great way to end a long day.
HA! "Our government are all bankers, too!"
Colin, this truly is a magnificent album. "Why are we eating beans on toast?" Brilliant!... an outstanding commentary on the financial world!
Great closing song to an outstanding, personal, perfect children's album. This collection of songs may be your crowning achievement. I suspect your little one will be singing these songs with you for years.
Outstanding, Colin... Not too dark at all. The reality of childhood is that it isn't always easy.