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…
Great track... Rings so true.
I have been there my friend, and man does this song hit home so perfectly! And the outstanding upbeat nature of the song is just a perfect counterpoint to the harsh sentiments of the insane person.
I wrote this one after visiting my daughter in Daytona Beach and seeing all the homeless people ,I live in a small town in central NY I had never seen homeless people before it was a shock
I'm really thinking of renaming the upcoming "Burning Wood... The Bonfire Sessions" album "Stealing Genius." I write something simple, put down some picking at the beginning, some acoustic guitar and some vocals, and send it off to people with…
I Got the Idea for this tune when I left Geir at Stanstead Airport.
Recorded it Last night after a Gig....
For the Folk Fest...
Pretty PennyWords and Music by Tharek Mokbul
-Lyrics-
Pretty Pennies sing about the troubles in the way.
Tells…
REALLY clean work here! Great production quality on this track, Brian!... And clearly a great deal of time was spent on this... And the fun created truly does come through.
Well done!
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…
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae64/mtcband/Mobile%20Uploads/th_AWARD.jpg
Thank you so much M.T.C. Music award committee for recognizing such a relatively simple acoustic track from such a relatively simple person... (puts hand over mic to ask presenter, "Are you sure I really won this... Did you read the wrong name?")...
I'd like to thank my new laptop for not crashing during the 2011 RPM process, and not developing an editing mind of it's own as the last one had. I'd also like to thank time, seeing as how I needed so friggin' much of it to get the fingerpicked portions of this song eventually done right.
A big thank you to the inspiration for the songs, my always-ready-to-go-no-matter-how-absurdly-cold-it-is daughters. And a special thank you to my beautiful (and extremely tolerant) wife Kimberly for taking these same terrific daughters off my hands during my February vacation (sorry, Florida, for the pink invasion).
Where's the after party!
Once upon a rainy day, we were out in the farm fields waiting on the sun to break through the gloom. We arrived in this dark world naked and were washed clean waiting for the sun. Little darling, here it comes...
I can always count on a little slice of perfection from Peter... Perfectly crafted song, my friend! I truly envy your mastery of your voice, virtuosity with your instruments, and flawless ear for arrangement.
This song is written by Keith Landry.
He asked me to sing it and off course I wanted that!!
Thank you Keith!
About "Keep It Simple (with Inge)"
Well, I wrote this song as a note to my wife (who makes lists from time to time). I thought…
Hey superstar! So glad to see this one posted on your page!... I'll be finding some time in the coming weeks to record yet another version (with my vocals alongside yours), but I don't think I could possibly top Willem's!
Along with her magnificent harmonizing vocal tracks, Inge sent me one track which was crashed by her 2-year old son Willem. He pretty much takes over the whole operation at about 3:00.
In the background you can hear the original rough vocals…
(@Reefwalker) I may go back and record a different version with the two of us singing together. It is daunting to try to keep up with her incredible vocal talents, though!
Corbin,
Just swinging by again to have a listen to this little piece of perfection. Hey, how many of the instruments are you playing on this? I'd love to hear the recording process for this song. It truly is one of the most perfectly crafted, arranged, and performed songs I have ever heard.
Be good and keep charging toward greatness!
Keith
My oldest is a serious mountain hiker, herself. I'll be playing this beautiful song for her later... If you want to hear my version of a hiking song (a day with my middle and youngest when they were really little), come on over for a listen!
http://alonetone.com/keithlandryacoustic/tracks/sleeping-beauty-mountain
I've got a bunch of other songs over there written about hiking in the mountains... But none so tremendously arranged as this gem of yours.
This evolved out of an exercise in a workbook I just got on music composition. The original task was to write a melody in the Dorian mode about water...
Oooooh... This is NICE. Faved almost instantly. I really will need to give your songs the serious time they deserve.
OUTSTANDING track... I have a feeling they're all gonna be this good.
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
Great track... Rings so true. I have been there my friend, and man does this song hit home so perfectly! And the outstanding upbeat nature of the song is just a perfect counterpoint to the harsh sentiments of the insane person.
Excellent arrangement!!! Love the acoustic sound. Faved when that third guitar dropped in at just the right time.
Faved for Kavin's slide guitar goodness!
How the hell did I miss this one! I gotta get my head out of my ass and swing by the osckilo part of the world more often! Well done, my friend!
REALLY clean work here! Great production quality on this track, Brian!... And clearly a great deal of time was spent on this... And the fun created truly does come through. Well done!
http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae64/mtcband/Mobile%20Uploads/th_AWARD.jpg Thank you so much M.T.C. Music award committee for recognizing such a relatively simple acoustic track from such a relatively simple person... (puts hand over mic to ask presenter, "Are you sure I really won this... Did you read the wrong name?")... I'd like to thank my new laptop for not crashing during the 2011 RPM process, and not developing an editing mind of it's own as the last one had. I'd also like to thank time, seeing as how I needed so friggin' much of it to get the fingerpicked portions of this song eventually done right. A big thank you to the inspiration for the songs, my always-ready-to-go-no-matter-how-absurdly-cold-it-is daughters. And a special thank you to my beautiful (and extremely tolerant) wife Kimberly for taking these same terrific daughters off my hands during my February vacation (sorry, Florida, for the pink invasion). Where's the after party!
I can always count on a little slice of perfection from Peter... Perfectly crafted song, my friend! I truly envy your mastery of your voice, virtuosity with your instruments, and flawless ear for arrangement.
Excellent track! So perfectly melodic and understated!
Hey superstar! So glad to see this one posted on your page!... I'll be finding some time in the coming weeks to record yet another version (with my vocals alongside yours), but I don't think I could possibly top Willem's!
(@Reefwalker) I may go back and record a different version with the two of us singing together. It is daunting to try to keep up with her incredible vocal talents, though!
Corbin, Just swinging by again to have a listen to this little piece of perfection. Hey, how many of the instruments are you playing on this? I'd love to hear the recording process for this song. It truly is one of the most perfectly crafted, arranged, and performed songs I have ever heard. Be good and keep charging toward greatness! Keith
What incredible music, Craig! I can't believe I've missed out on these perfect tunes for so long!
My oldest is a serious mountain hiker, herself. I'll be playing this beautiful song for her later... If you want to hear my version of a hiking song (a day with my middle and youngest when they were really little), come on over for a listen! http://alonetone.com/keithlandryacoustic/tracks/sleeping-beauty-mountain I've got a bunch of other songs over there written about hiking in the mountains... But none so tremendously arranged as this gem of yours.
Faved instantly!
I'm always blown away by what comes out of your mind, through your hands, in into a microphone. Such good sounds... Always such good sounds.
Oh goodness... How have I missed this all this time?!?!?! AMAZING.
My friend, you have a knowledge of your instrument that I could never hope to have. Magnificent piece of music.
Faved instantly.
Very nice haunting arrangement. Love the guitar coming in at around 1:20-ish. Really deftly handled orchestration throughout.
Oooooh... This is NICE. Faved almost instantly. I really will need to give your songs the serious time they deserve. OUTSTANDING track... I have a feeling they're all gonna be this good.