The seeds of this song were sown years ago. If only those who left knew what they were headed for.
BACK TO SHORE
The sky was so high when you set out from shore
The sun at your back, you were longing for more
When it started to pour…
A few years back in a Portsmouth, NH bar, I saw a guy sitting across from a girl who was looking at him with such adoration and love - and I'm pretty sure the guy had no idea. This song's for you, young man. I hope you realized what you had…
There's a line in an Indigo Girls song that says, "If you need to know that you weathered the storm of cruel mortality, a hundred years later I'm sitting here living proof." For me, ever since hearing the words "cruel mortality," they have always…
Welcome to my RPM album. The line "You might not get what you want - You'll get what you deserve" came to me without me truly understanding it.
By the time I finished recording the album, it all made sense.
WHAT YOU DESERVE
Is this what…
O my brother
Where did you go?
Down to the river
To beg for your soul?
Did anyone see you?
Did you go there alone?
What did you offer
For one of their stones?
O my brother
Is there any way out?
Of the deal they offered?
Did they leave…
She stands alone in my mind
She'll make it home in her own time
I've always known that she's not mine
She gets closer to the line
Then turns and walks away
Breaks out the wine
Don't know how she survived another day
So you wanted your freedom
What from the past were you willing to take?
I'm sure you had your reasons
Too many promises you swore you'd never break
The world that you know is not coming back
Maybe it's time you start burning the tracks…
If I just slip the car in drive
I'll meet you on the other side
Or maybe I could turn back time
And we could both pretend to fly
Losing feeling inside out
No sense kneeling, no such doubt
Failed at saving, nothing lasts
Just repaving…
I know why you love The Starry Night
I know why you weren't all right
I know why you couldn't stay
I know why you're here today
I know why you couldn't see
I know why, 'cuz you were me
I know why you loved to paint in blue
I know why…
My Pepere was born before the great war
To God-fearing parents in Maine
Where the simplest of rules taught in Catholic schools
Was don't use the Lord's name in vain
Every day in that school, he'd adhere to that rule
But a loophole he often…
Walking in your footsteps
Can't see the world around me
Just a pace behind
I might as well be blind
Standing in the darkness
Nothing left to guide me
No footing I can find
The stairs, they start to wind
I might as well be blind
The…
O my brother
Where did you go?
Down to the river
To beg for your soul?
Did anyone see you?
Did you go there alone?
What did you offer
For one of their stones?
O my brother
Is there any way out?
Of the deal they offered?
Did they leave…
O my brother
Where did you go?
Down to the river
To beg for your soul?
Did anyone see you?
Did you go there alone?
What did you offer
For one of their stones?
O my brother
Is there any way out?
Of the deal they offered?
Did they leave…
I don't know
Where it comes from
Or where it goes
Just wait until it shows
You can't hold it
Too long
Then it's gone
The air off the water
The fire in your soul
A lucky man's daughter
Come in from the cold
I keep my heart open…
She stands alone in my mind
She'll make it home in her own time
I've always known that she's not mine
She gets closer to the line
Then turns and walks away
Breaks out the wine
Don't know how she survived another day
Put the phone down
Shut the cable and the lights
We're alone now
Step with me into the night
I found the candles
It really wasn't all that hard
Kick off your sandals
Tonight we dine under the stars
Don't let the moments slip away
They…
Maybe I shouldn't tell you what I was thinking
The first time I saw that sad smile in your eyes
I couldn't look away, and I don't recall blinking
It might've been better if we'd just said simple goodbyes
I've been down this road before once…
So you wanted your freedom
What from the past were you willing to take?
I'm sure you had your reasons
Too many promises you swore you'd never break
The world that you know is not coming back
Maybe it's time you start burning the tracks…
Just back again to listen to this brilliant piece of insanity. How can I fave something multiple times? Is there a super-fave button? GREAT song! Especially love the bridge with the backing harmonies.
Just plain brilliant.
Written with a buddy of mine Chris Clark in 1991. Initially he had a great guitar part and a harmony vocals part that was better than what I did here. This was recorded @ Halvorsound all parts performed by Hook.
One of the first songs I wrote for "Burning Wood (the Bonfire Sessions)", and one of the last to be completed, Sam lends her incredible vocal talents to this sunny-day driving song.
LIFE IS GOOD
Windows down, my baby by my side
Life is…
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…
...And counterpointing the previous track, this fully arranged reprise of the opening of the album is the perfect ending to a perfect album.
I don't like to throw words like "brilliant" and "genius" around, but in the case of Stummindude's Kaleidoscopy, the words are warranted.
Well done, Jana. So well done.
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…
First look at the clock: 8:48... And after hearing the first notes, I can tell that I'll be happy to hear every second... And will probably play it again upon it's completion... And now I just hit the guitars at 2:30. Speechless.
To think that only 46 people have ever heard this song is criminal.
New music course offering here only at Alonetone: Epic Songs 101
First day of classes: "Falling Is Never"
Open enrollment starts now.
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…
As I listen through this album, I can't say enough about this album's perfect execution of Jana's musical vision. It doesn't take long to recognize that this album is the sound of a master at his craft.
A slow, scaled down, bluesy song with tremolo guitar, soaring organ and close up vocals.
Don't Ever
(Words & Music by Jana Persson)
I wanna hide no more
And I wanna close the door
Don't ever leave me
Never decieve me
Don't ever…
Flawlessly simple arrangement for a song so properly focused on the perfect delivery of soulful lyrics. It takes guts (and a ridiculous amount of talent) to arrange a song in this way. Outstanding.
This song is a tribute to the slick Californian music branded "Westcoast", that was all the rage back around the turn of the 1980's.
Katie
(Words by Will Gough and Jana Persson, Music by Jana Persson)
Back in the same old place
I take…
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…
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…
Incredible production. Big studio sound without any filter on Jana's perfect vision of great music both musically and lyrically... I could only dream of creating a song as clean and rich.
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…
A tune by my friend Darrin Kobetich, I added some electric guitar. Check out Darrin's stuff, available in all the usual places.
http://www.reverbnation.com/darrinkobetich
This is a song I have just recently finished recorded over the summer in my basement using all live recordings of real instruments (intro vocals were recorded literally on a cliffside), and this is the first of more to come. It's a song about…
Sometimes you need to stay up late to try to force yourself to dream.
When I wrote this song (and started singing it a bit), I knew that my voice could never give it what it needed... So I turned it over to one Sister Savage... And she did…
Comments on Keith Landry's stuff
Wow, you got Feb, Keith! Lyrics, melody, performance...Swoon!!!!!!!!
Beautiful, heartfelt song - and gorgeous vocal from Jessica.
Keith. Seriously. This is my favourite KL track of all time. Utterly moving...stunning...
<3 Wonderful ode to our beloved RPM Challenge and a cracking album opener to boot!
Keith this is cool
Oh Keith, this gave me chills. I’m in love with it.
What a great vocal! And the guitar work is haunting.
I LOVE THIS!
This is wonderful! And the meter change even better!
I love the drone notes...all of it actually.
I love this song.
Whoa, this guitar work sounds like a 12-string, but I think it's just the way you did the various parts. Awesome!
One man, one guitar. Nothing else is needed when your name is Keith Landry.
That mid-section! Awesome change!
Brilliant, Keith.
Great song, Keith. I really like the various parts overlaying each other. Killer performance...
I like how this has an almost bluesy feel to it, and how warm it sounds. Another great song, Keith.
Loving the left-right gtr work!
Great song, Keith. One man, one guitar...all that is needed.
Another great song with cool counterpoint and tonal colors. Killer, Keith, killer...
Comments made by Keith Landry
...Oh and this one is a true stroke of genius.
Just back again to listen to this brilliant piece of insanity. How can I fave something multiple times? Is there a super-fave button? GREAT song! Especially love the bridge with the backing harmonies. Just plain brilliant.
Great little song... Love the "laundry" line. So good, so real.
Ooooh... Excellent guitarwork... Great vocals... First rate all the way.
Faved at about the 0:07 mark. Great track, Brett... And now I run up the screen to click "Follow."
I had to fave it myself for Sam's perfectly playful vocals.
...And counterpointing the previous track, this fully arranged reprise of the opening of the album is the perfect ending to a perfect album. I don't like to throw words like "brilliant" and "genius" around, but in the case of Stummindude's Kaleidoscopy, the words are warranted. Well done, Jana. So well done.
First look at the clock: 8:48... And after hearing the first notes, I can tell that I'll be happy to hear every second... And will probably play it again upon it's completion... And now I just hit the guitars at 2:30. Speechless. To think that only 46 people have ever heard this song is criminal. New music course offering here only at Alonetone: Epic Songs 101 First day of classes: "Falling Is Never" Open enrollment starts now.
As I listen through this album, I can't say enough about this album's perfect execution of Jana's musical vision. It doesn't take long to recognize that this album is the sound of a master at his craft.
Flawlessly simple arrangement for a song so properly focused on the perfect delivery of soulful lyrics. It takes guts (and a ridiculous amount of talent) to arrange a song in this way. Outstanding.
Reminiscent of the opening notes of Billy Joel's "All About Soul" with well-crafted song to match. Radio-ready. Spot-on harmonies. So good.
Crazy good... In every way. Listening to Amanda sing on this outstanding track reassures me that the future of music is safe.
Incredible production. Big studio sound without any filter on Jana's perfect vision of great music both musically and lyrically... I could only dream of creating a song as clean and rich.
How I love this song. I am so envious of the purity.
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the floor. Great sound from these two instruments. Well done, guys.
Great to hear more from you, Corbin... Signature voice and guitar! This will be downloaded and in heavy circulation in the Landry vehicles.
So rarely can one create such a rich arrangement with such clean sounds. Beautifully done.
I love when I come across an artist that makes me say, "How have I missed this?!?!?!" Excellent track.
Oh, justice done my friend.
...Now with new and improved final vocal track from Tess!