What does a songwriter do when he's addicted to Doctor Who (and his new very cute companion)? He writes...
Amy Pond
Red hair and that pretty face beneath it
My how you've grown up after oh so many years
I've only been away for ten or…
When I was out for a walk recently I had your music on my mp3 player. And when I returned back home I almost felt like going for another round - to hear more of it! :)
Great song, as usual.
Regards,
Steffen
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…
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…
I like this song a lot more than the last three. The Landry siblings duo works very well in this song. Definitely, a song that I would wanna hear again.
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…
This song starts with a riff that sort of reminds me of the "That's the way" song by Led Zeppelin. It's a nice song but did not impress me as the other ones.
When the girl in the room is just too cute for me to concentrate on whatever it was I was trying to do.
Anything Done
How am I supposed to get anything done
With you looking like that
I'm so far gone
I'm forgetting where I'm at
How…
Starting with a nice ring of the guitar notes--quiet, subdued and relaxing--this is another good song of yours. However, I would have liked to hear a bit more on this one.
Inspired by a picture of my sister at the top of the Estes Cone (I was too out of shape to get up there myself... something I need to do when I return to RMNP).
From the Top of the World
On the top of the world
Nothing 'round 'cept mountain…
I like the pauses in this song. To me, the vocal point got a bit hoarse at some . Maybe that was on purpose but it kind of threw me off. This one was OK but not as good as the others.
Roughly recorded years ago... A little more properly recorded now.
Pass On Love
Falling off the fence in year twelve of your lifetime
Landing hard'll change your view of time
The minutes left in life will count down slowly
I need to…
Very quiet, personal and reflective song. It touched me. It's somewhat sad but asks the right questions. Excellent composition. Again, short and sweet.
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…
I have to admit I did not know who John Muir, the Scottish-born American naturalist, was until I google'd him. Hey, your song taught me something new. Again, the lyrics and the music is nicely done. It's a great story/message song. If I ever get to go to Yosemite national park, I will play this song on my iPod while hicking there, looking for his ghost! I like it a lot. The combination sounds of the ukulele and guitar works very well. To me, its pure Americana. Another great song, Keith!
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…
I can tell that talent runs deeps in the Landry family. Your sister has a great voice as well. The duet works well with two Landrys. It is a nice simple song--melodic, short and sweet. It totally relaxes me. I don't know why. My hat's off to both of you.
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…
like your arpeggios. That's how this song starts. Nice, melodic and great timing! Again the lyrics induce great imagery of star lights and "counting the constellations in the Massachusetts's sky" in my mind (having been born in the summer and lived most of my life in NE). Good job with this one too, Keith.
So I dropped the guitar into DADGAD tuning for the first time, threw a capo on the third fret, rifled off something nice, and sent it to Movement to Contact for his contribution, got it back, did some mixing...
Here is the result.
YOU NEED…
This song is my favorite not only in this album but in all the other albums I have listened to so far (and there are a lot of good songs this year in the RPM). The song starts with one strum of a chord that sounds like the beginning of the "Rain song" by Led Zeppelin. That grabbed my attention immediately but then the real character of the song is revealed. The melodic sound of the strings in the background go very well with guitar. The lyrics are very well done: "Baby where're you going, in such a hurry? Slow down and feel the grass between your toes once in a while...." I was humming that line all day the other day. I like the way the song climaxes to the lead guitar sections with a nice guitar rhythm and strings in the background. The only thing I would suggest is to work on your voice to get the high notes a bit better. Even though you got it, It sounded like they were a bit of a challenge. At any rate, in my humble opinion, this is a hit song!
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…
Good start to the album--slow and nice. I like the arpeggio parts and the way they melt into the nice rhythmic sounds of your chords--great introduction to the song. The timing is right-on. Again the imagery is wonderful. I could feel the late December. Good work!
So Jim of "Movement to Contact" asked me a couple of weeks ago to send him something...
I had no idea how ridiculously good the final result would come out.
KL: Vocals, lyrics, left side rhythm guitar and picking
MTC: Lead guitar, bass…
So Jim of "Movement to Contact" asked me a couple of weeks ago to send him something...
I had no idea how ridiculously good the final result would come out.
KL: Vocals, lyrics, left side rhythm guitar and picking
MTC: Lead guitar, bass…
After writing this song about our newly adopted dog, I asked Kavin if he like to play some slide guitar, knowing that he would come up with something terrific... I just had no idea how terrific.
Bandit rides in the back of my truck
A big…
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…
Another formerly poorly recorded song... Really a piece of poetry that was put to music (a hit-or-miss approach for me that seemed to work well on this one).
Three Times More
Dad plants his spring garden
For a good summer bounty he's…
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
When I was out for a walk recently I had your music on my mp3 player. And when I returned back home I almost felt like going for another round - to hear more of it! :) Great song, as usual. Regards, Steffen
Just giving this a little bump in honor of the release of Pete Seeger's "Circles & Seasons" album on CD... About to play my newly acquired copy!
I like this song a lot more than the last three. The Landry siblings duo works very well in this song. Definitely, a song that I would wanna hear again.
This song starts with a riff that sort of reminds me of the "That's the way" song by Led Zeppelin. It's a nice song but did not impress me as the other ones.
Starting with a nice ring of the guitar notes--quiet, subdued and relaxing--this is another good song of yours. However, I would have liked to hear a bit more on this one.
I like the pauses in this song. To me, the vocal point got a bit hoarse at some . Maybe that was on purpose but it kind of threw me off. This one was OK but not as good as the others.
Very quiet, personal and reflective song. It touched me. It's somewhat sad but asks the right questions. Excellent composition. Again, short and sweet.
I have to admit I did not know who John Muir, the Scottish-born American naturalist, was until I google'd him. Hey, your song taught me something new. Again, the lyrics and the music is nicely done. It's a great story/message song. If I ever get to go to Yosemite national park, I will play this song on my iPod while hicking there, looking for his ghost! I like it a lot. The combination sounds of the ukulele and guitar works very well. To me, its pure Americana. Another great song, Keith!
I can tell that talent runs deeps in the Landry family. Your sister has a great voice as well. The duet works well with two Landrys. It is a nice simple song--melodic, short and sweet. It totally relaxes me. I don't know why. My hat's off to both of you.
like your arpeggios. That's how this song starts. Nice, melodic and great timing! Again the lyrics induce great imagery of star lights and "counting the constellations in the Massachusetts's sky" in my mind (having been born in the summer and lived most of my life in NE). Good job with this one too, Keith.
This song is my favorite not only in this album but in all the other albums I have listened to so far (and there are a lot of good songs this year in the RPM). The song starts with one strum of a chord that sounds like the beginning of the "Rain song" by Led Zeppelin. That grabbed my attention immediately but then the real character of the song is revealed. The melodic sound of the strings in the background go very well with guitar. The lyrics are very well done: "Baby where're you going, in such a hurry? Slow down and feel the grass between your toes once in a while...." I was humming that line all day the other day. I like the way the song climaxes to the lead guitar sections with a nice guitar rhythm and strings in the background. The only thing I would suggest is to work on your voice to get the high notes a bit better. Even though you got it, It sounded like they were a bit of a challenge. At any rate, in my humble opinion, this is a hit song!
Good start to the album--slow and nice. I like the arpeggio parts and the way they melt into the nice rhythmic sounds of your chords--great introduction to the song. The timing is right-on. Again the imagery is wonderful. I could feel the late December. Good work!
I haven't found a single song of yours yet that is NOT superb. :)
Won-der-ful!
Simply perfect. Do you have an idea how great your music sounds?
I'll tell you something, and I'm being serious: I like your music much more than most of the songs they play on the radio today.
I'll have to listen to original song, but this much I can tell you: I LOVE this version.
Lovely. Your songs are really pretty.
Beautiful.
Haha "Another poorly recorded song .." gimme a break :-p
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!