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…
"High Life" is a musical genre that originated in Ghana in the 1900s and spread to Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other West African countries by 1920. My friends from that part of the world consider this be the "go-to" rhythm for just about anything…
Love this track, Norm! Would you mind if I messed around with a little acoustic rhythm guitar alongside your outstanding drums? I've got the capo up on the second fret and this beat has me playing in a way I never have before!
A Song I wrote about a friend of mine who used to Jump out of planes a lot.
This is one of the hidden tracks on my new album "Black Cat" which features Beth, Keith and Reewfwalker from alonetone and Geir and Jim from Songcrafters.
Here is a…
Did this back in 2009.
Before me and Jim actually met each other...
The music was improvised to the notion of returning home from space.
Jim did the Lyrics in 5 mins over the net..
And here it is..
My Harmonica was broken by the way. My…
Tharek my friend!
I came by to have a listen to this song a while ago when I was crunched for time and didn't get a chance to let you know just how outstanding it is... So Dylan-esque in all the best ways!
Keith
Well, here's a quick stripped-down version of a song that I wrote a couple of weeks ago and needed to record just to get it out of my head... Also my first crack at harmonizing with myself (kinda cool, but a bit weird for me to hear me singing…
07 She dreams Of Simple Things
In her own room
She’s her own girl
Magazine posters plastered into place
In her headphones
She’s a pop star
Hair brush microphone
And paparazzi face
She dreams of simple
Tiaras, tutus, diamond rings…
02 Perfect
See that girl over there brush her hair beside her bedroom mirror
For all the world she doesn’t show of know the glow within her
She shines inside
She powders down
And lines her eyes
It isn’t worth it, she’s nearly perfect…
It seems a lot of you record with open mics and can relate. I record 1 track at a time with usually 4 or 5 tracks. So, Im only asking for about 15 minutes of Silence...IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK??? Anyway, my house is so loud, I get a lot of bloopers…
A new song that I've been working on, still yet to be titled, but heres a live recording as part of the Winter Bridge Sessions (video to accompany on youtube).
It was recorded on a bridge at night in the winter ... aka Winter Bridge Sessions…
Great live take, Corbin. For the perfection of the your studio tracks, it is the purity of your live performances (particularly the outstanding vocal delivery) that truly blow me away.
I look forward to hearing that jig-picked guitar more clearly on a studio recording someday... And loving the commentary at the end of this track. It's good to hear the voices of youth (bringing me back to my own and the crazy things we'd do... much like recording on a bridge in winter).
This is a new song that was written and performed with my friend Tim de Graauw. One evening we sat down for about 2 hours, hashed out ideas, got the creative juices flowin, played some G tar aaand out of that came this song.
This is just a rough…
Man, great live recording in the undisclosed stairway location!
This track really is better than anything on the radio today... In every way. This song and "One Step At a Time" really are as good as music gets, and has me thinking about how to improve as a writer.
To think that you've written, arranged, and recorded these two songs this early in your musical journey has me looking forward to where you'll be going!
About a place in the world that is very special.
But It would be just another bit of rock if it wasn't for the people I shared it with....
This one is called “Stoneâ€...
Peace
T
Vocal and Lyrics by Jim Higgins
we raced…
When I wrote this it was a cold cloudy and dark winter night here in vancouver but I was sitting in my room and was just in a sunny state of mind. I then picked up my Uke and started fiddlin around searching for a breezy chord progression, then…
Yup... I knew we'd be hearing some incredible stuff coming from you. Outstanding tune in every way, Corbin. Terrific songwriting, perfect arrangement, and spot-on performance.
Stay true to this acoustic sound, my friend, and I'll be following every step of your musical ascent to greatness!
Faved at the opening notes. Beautiful arrangement, writing, performance... Damn, great song! I surely will be stopping by at some point to listen to more of your music in the future!
This is simple test of East-West symphonic choirs solo soprano voice and East-West Hollywood strings contra-bass. I feel its a bit reminiscent of Lord of the Rings - of course, your mileage may vary - it is a very simple and direct arrangement…
I'll always come by to listen to the music of Middle-Earth. Perfectly captured Elven voice sound! Oh... And make sure you get in touch with an Elf that still prefers to speak Quenya if you ever get the chance to record a real one (the high-Elven speech really is quite beautiful although the Sindarin tongue has it's own elegant flow).
Very cool song (coming from this card-carrying Tolkien disciple). Well done!
For our beautiful son Willem, in French Guillaume.
recorded in my livingroom, 16-7-2009.
I called the song Guillaume before because of the beautiful sound.
Since 2012 I changed the title of the song into : Willem.
Because that makes much…
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
Love this track, Norm! Would you mind if I messed around with a little acoustic rhythm guitar alongside your outstanding drums? I've got the capo up on the second fret and this beat has me playing in a way I never have before!
I just need to comment on this one again... RIDICULOUSLY good track!
Faved at 0:12. Loving the perfect simplicity of the arrangement.
Man, this is way too good.
Tharek my friend! I came by to have a listen to this song a while ago when I was crunched for time and didn't get a chance to let you know just how outstanding it is... So Dylan-esque in all the best ways! Keith
Hey, thanks gang! Yeah, this next album might be a bit too happy and way too catchy.
Another a perfectly crafted song... An instant uglifruit classic.
Ridiculously good track. Outrageously hooky... Just seeing the song's name got the refrain going in my head again!
Just back again to listen to this epic piece of recording greatness!
Great live take, Corbin. For the perfection of the your studio tracks, it is the purity of your live performances (particularly the outstanding vocal delivery) that truly blow me away. I look forward to hearing that jig-picked guitar more clearly on a studio recording someday... And loving the commentary at the end of this track. It's good to hear the voices of youth (bringing me back to my own and the crazy things we'd do... much like recording on a bridge in winter).
How did this one slip under my radar? Love the stripped-down nature with the tempo change and spot-on harmonies. Damn.
Man, great live recording in the undisclosed stairway location! This track really is better than anything on the radio today... In every way. This song and "One Step At a Time" really are as good as music gets, and has me thinking about how to improve as a writer. To think that you've written, arranged, and recorded these two songs this early in your musical journey has me looking forward to where you'll be going!
Outstanding song... Beautifully crafted and performed. Well done, guys!
Playing this for my seventh graders right now... Starting the movement!
Yup... I knew we'd be hearing some incredible stuff coming from you. Outstanding tune in every way, Corbin. Terrific songwriting, perfect arrangement, and spot-on performance. Stay true to this acoustic sound, my friend, and I'll be following every step of your musical ascent to greatness!
OUTSTANDING!!! This is right up my alley, Kavin!... Now if I could only learn to play like this.
Faved at the opening notes. Beautiful arrangement, writing, performance... Damn, great song! I surely will be stopping by at some point to listen to more of your music in the future!
I'll always come by to listen to the music of Middle-Earth. Perfectly captured Elven voice sound! Oh... And make sure you get in touch with an Elf that still prefers to speak Quenya if you ever get the chance to record a real one (the high-Elven speech really is quite beautiful although the Sindarin tongue has it's own elegant flow). Very cool song (coming from this card-carrying Tolkien disciple). Well done!
...And this song is just a masterpiece.
Hey Inge, Just dropping by to listen to your good good stuff after some time away. As always, I'm amazed by the purity of your soulful vocals. Keith