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…
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
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
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!