Just one song for this year's RPM Challenge. Live track. One mic.
NOT EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND
Woke up late last night, my knee in pain
Must've done it somewhere in the daily grind
Now I'm looking like a toddler just learning how to…
Just one song for this year's RPM Challenge. Live track. One mic.
NOT EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND
Woke up late last night, my knee in pain
Must've done it somewhere in the daily grind
Now I'm looking like a toddler just learning how to…
A lifetime of laughter when you were just kids
And all that came after the silly things you both did
Those times are long, long gone like they ran off and hid
Then the world got bigger with other places to play
And getting so caught up in…
A lifetime of laughter when you were just kids
And all that came after the silly things you both did
Those times are long, long gone like they ran off and hid
Then the world got bigger with other places to play
And getting so caught up in…
Everywhere I go, there's so much noise
They try to tell you you'll be fine if you purchase their new toys
But nothing on this Earth I've ever found
Can bring me back to life when the world's run me down
When nothing else can make it right…
The first lines of the chorus just crept into my head.
I had to write the rest.
ALL IN
You've been holding back for so long now
And I've been losing track of how many times I've written my vows
It feels like you're sleeping behind the…
A lifetime of laughter when you were just kids
And all that came after the silly things you both did
Those times are long, long gone like they ran off and hid
Then the world got bigger with other places to play
And getting so caught up in…
A lifetime of laughter when you were just kids
And all that came after the silly things you both did
Those times are long, long gone like they ran off and hid
Then the world got bigger with other places to play
And getting so caught up in…
Tharek sent me this beautifully played guitar arrangement and told me to have at it with the spirit of Christmas, so I wrote and recorded this little message of hope and peace. Somehow when I write music with and for fellow musicians across the…
The first lines of the chorus just crept into my head.
I had to write the rest.
ALL IN
You've been holding back for so long now
And I've been losing track of how many times I've written my vows
It feels like you're sleeping behind the…
The first lines of the chorus just crept into my head.
I had to write the rest.
ALL IN
You've been holding back for so long now
And I've been losing track of how many times I've written my vows
It feels like you're sleeping behind the…
Here we stand beneath the sky
Take my hand as time rolls by
Here we stand, nobody else around
Did we land on solid ground?
Along the ledge
Side by side
So near the edge
Of the great divide
For Heaven's sake
I have no doubt
The steps…
The last wood of the season burning
Another winter - see you on the other side
After everything has died
The last leaves of the season falling
Soon the air will be filled with dark and doubt
And the fire's going out
The last night of…
I met a buddy out for dinner
To catch up on our lives
Both way less saint and way more sinner
At least, according to our wives
But as he got himself a-talking
He sounded more and more insane
What he believed became so shocking
For who…
I keep searching for a sign
From the other side
To keep my hope alive
Trying to walk the line
God knows how hard I've tried
Don't know if I'll survive
Gotta let it slide
Man, these are trying times
If you attempt to fly
You wind up…
Raised on vinyl and a needle that rides
To a paper circle at the end of both sides
Between the speakers, cover in hand
Sit in silence after Jungleland
I will not trade one bit of my soul for their pieces of gold
I've seen a world they'll…
Everybody's looking for a savior
To tell them how to live before they die
As if they can't control their own behavior
Or trust what they can see with their own eyes
Mindlessly believing what you tell 'em
When everything you tell 'em is a…
The finished product! Oldest daughter shines!
We don't always see eye to eye
And there are some days I don't know how we get by
We spend so much time caught in the race
Gotta slow down the pace
When did the river get so wide
All I thought…
Everybody's looking for a savior
To tell them how to live before they die
As if they can't control their own behavior
Or trust what they can see with their own eyes
Mindlessly believing what you tell 'em
When everything you tell 'em is a…
Some say, "It's the price you gotta pay"
Some say, "You gotta learn to walk away"
But I'm still standing in the light
And I won't go down without a fight
Some say, "True love is just a lie"
Some say, "You'll give it up before you die…
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!
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…
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…
"I Was Born"
Lyrics and Music by Daniel Parkhill
Greetings to my only friend, sacrifical lamb.
Ask me where my mind has been, ask me where I stand.
Guess it isn't real, guess it doesn't matter much.
Ash to ash and dust to dust, etcetera and such…
"Fail"
Lyrics by Daniel Parkhill, Music by Daniel Parkhill and Keith Landry
There's a price to pay to be the boy who popped out from a storybook
And every single day I find the jury's giving me the alibis.
So let me tell you:
I'm so-so tall…
A song about the five stages of grieving, as devised by the (late) Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Unfortunately knowing these stages does not help you get over them.
You've been managing expectations
Consultations end in tears
Even if you're optimistic…
Oooh... It's been a while since I heard this all-time-great... This is the best thing about RPM... I'm reminded of the incredible talent that I haven't listened to for so long!
All right... Last comment about this masterpiece... A full day of any songwriting course should revolve around this song... I'll shut up now and just listen to the perfection.
Just back to listen to this outstanding song... I'm so partial to the quickly played piano... and then the harmonica that comes in... Just outstanding!
Final version
it needs a fiddle but it has a mandolin, a chicken banjo and some excellent backing vocalists
my third demo for RPM 2011
The cat's in the window and
the rabbit's in the hutch
goat's in the meadow just
a-chewin on the…
This celtic folk piece is a collaboration with lyricist Donna Devine.
This is Donna's explanation:
===============================
Background: In earlier centuries, young men were captured by "press gangs" - often literally torn away from…
Vocals: Eric Savoie
Acoustic Guitar: Dan Clancy
Electric Guitars: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Trevor Tillotson
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Eric Savoie
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Vocals: Tricia Dovidio
Lyrics: Bob Beckley
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This one was tricky to do because the piano does not play at a fixed tempo, and it was an online collaboration (like all my collaborations).
A pop/rock tune in the veins of the 80s. At least that was the goal.
UPDATE: This is the Jan 2017 version!
Lyrics: Casia
Vocals: Jessica Rasche
Solo Guitar: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Jean Lui Toudou
Drums: Jay Carros
Composed, arranged…
Comments on Keith Landry's stuff
Sounds great... amazing it was recorded live with one mic. Wonderful lyrics, completely relatable (as the years add up...).
Great pipes man!
great tune love it .......cheers tony cee
This is a dynamite Keith Landry vocal.
Great sound on this, lots of space. Love the call and response outro. Excellent EP, Keith!
Love the guitar sound on this, crisp and clear. Heartbreaking lyrics.
Heartfelt and poetic, nicely done!
Really well done Keith. Nice use of space in the music. Smooth vocals as well.
Merry Christmas
Nice work, Keith.
Excellente!
Perfection again.
Perfection.
This is something I've experienced as well. And have used that in a song too! Great job, btw.
oh yes!! This is great. Beautiful voice you have (and cool guitar). The bridge is perfect....love that guitar. Congrats on your RPM :)
Great stuff Keith!
Very nice, one of my favorites of yours!
Great song. Lovely father-daughter harmonies. You’re a lucky man, Mr. Landry.
Sooooooooooooo good! I am freaking out over this song.
Another great tune just begging for a full band treatment.
Comments made by Keith Landry
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!
Such a professionally produced piece of excellence!
Faved at 0:15... Great track, Jana!
Great opening track... Faved at 0:12!
Hey Daniel! Good to hear this one in its completed form! Thanks for letting me come along for the ride! Keith
Oooh... It's been a while since I heard this all-time-great... This is the best thing about RPM... I'm reminded of the incredible talent that I haven't listened to for so long!
You really MUST post the lyrics to this!!!
All right... Last comment about this masterpiece... A full day of any songwriting course should revolve around this song... I'll shut up now and just listen to the perfection.
Where's the "all-time-fave" button? We really need to have that installed.
...And back for this all-time-favorite!
Just back to listen to this outstanding song... I'm so partial to the quickly played piano... and then the harmonica that comes in... Just outstanding!
Listening to this track right now with my daughter... Outstanding track!!! She says "it's silly, I like it, it makes me giggle!"
Looooove the celtic music! And again with the incredible vocals!
Another outstanding acoustic guitar track! This might be the best track here, Steffen!
Another fine mellow track. Where are you finding all these incredible vocalists!
Excellent track! Love that vocal from Jessica. Outstanding production quality on this one all around... Really tight arrangement and performance.