OUSTANDING collaboration with the great Gary Fox.
ONE AND ONLY
How many times have you been
Captured by a camera
With no one really knowing who you are
Caught in the sight lines
In the background
In the corner of their eyes
Never…
When the girl in the room is just too cute for me to concentrate on whatever it was I was trying to do.
Anything Done
How am I supposed to get anything done
With you looking like that
I'm so far gone
I'm forgetting where I'm at
How…
Wrote this and performed it for my mom's 70th birthday party. Our family is a bit crazy.
FORTY-THIRTY
Well, your birthday rolled around again
The way all birthdays do
And this year it’s a big one
Once again you’re sixty-two
I’m sorry…
Well, I had to swear SOMEWHERE in the album.
GIRLS LIKE YOU
You’re young and pretty
Shy and smart and witty
With a face that could’ve
Launched a thousand ships
Tall, dark, and stupid
He must’ve paid off cupid
To get his ugly face…
Wrote this and performed it for my mom's 70th birthday party. Our family is a bit crazy.
FORTY-THIRTY
Well, your birthday rolled around again
The way all birthdays do
And this year it’s a big one
Once again you’re sixty-two
I’m sorry…
Wrote this and performed it for my mom's 70th birthday party. Our family is a bit crazy.
FORTY-THIRTY
Well, your birthday rolled around again
The way all birthdays do
And this year it’s a big one
Once again you’re sixty-two
I’m sorry…
The opening track to this year's RPM album.
PATCHWORK PLAN
You don’t have a job and I don’t have a place to stay
I make just enough for all the bills you have to pay
We won’t roll in dough but who needs money anyway
It don’t sound half…
Wrote this and performed it for my mom's 70th birthday party. Our family is a bit crazy.
FORTY-THIRTY
Well, your birthday rolled around again
The way all birthdays do
And this year it’s a big one
Once again you’re sixty-two
I’m sorry…
The title track to this year's RPM album. The lines actually forced themselves into being and then straightaway demanded that no other lines should be written.
When the songs speak that loudly, I do what I'm told.
OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR…
The title track to this year's RPM album. The lines actually forced themselves into being and then straightaway demanded that no other lines should be written.
When the songs speak that loudly, I do what I'm told.
OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR…
Wrote this and performed it for my mom's 70th birthday party. Our family is a bit crazy.
FORTY-THIRTY
Well, your birthday rolled around again
The way all birthdays do
And this year it’s a big one
Once again you’re sixty-two
I’m sorry…
THE LIGHTHOUSE
You hide an ancient soul
Behind your tired eyes
You keep a heart of gold
Buried deep inside
At least you tried
Always in control
Of what the world might see
Has taken quite a toll
You’re afraid that you might be
Lost…
The Barn Storm (another band here on alonetone) is about as good as it gets. I had the fleeting idea last year that I should make an album inspired by the names of as many great indie musician friends as possible.
This is the only one that…
When I was a junior in high school, I read the book "Illusions" by Richard Bach. It was "that book" for me and at age sixteen I started realizing what I was capable of becoming.
I read it again twenty-five years later, and as the line in the…
One of my favorites from this year's album, probably because I didn't have to write the back story.
Little sis wrote a novel called "The Wishmaker" set on an island off the coast of Maine. I'm betting y'all'll be seeing it on shelves soon…
THE LIGHT OF YOUR SMILING FACE
I’ve been warming my hands in the light of your smiling face
I never knew what I was missing
I thought I had it all
Summer fading in the distance
I wasn’t ready for the fall
Leaves turn gold
Just before…
When I was a junior in high school, I read the book "Illusions" by Richard Bach. It was "that book" for me and at age sixteen I started realizing what I was capable of becoming.
I read it again twenty-five years later, and as the line in the…
MIGHT BE A SIGN
I didn’t think about you all this weekend
While I was standing in the rain
I didn’t worry ‘bout where you were going
Or where you might have been
It might be a sign I’m going insane
I didn’t think about you all this evening…
One of my favorites from this year's album, probably because I didn't have to write the back story.
Little sis wrote a novel called "The Wishmaker" set on an island off the coast of Maine. I'm betting y'all'll be seeing it on shelves soon…
When I was a junior in high school, I read the book "Illusions" by Richard Bach. It was "that book" for me and at age sixteen I started realizing what I was capable of becoming.
I read it again twenty-five years later, and as the line in the…
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
This song sounds so good.. I think it is one of the best songs the meshes so well. ..but you still sound bald.
Wow. I really like this one. The rhythm isn't just "dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun.." its got some skip to it. Approved.
Loved your entire album this year. This one, in particular, stands out as a terrific story told with love. ER
Sometimes It's just necessary to use those words!
This is great stuff Keith! Wonderful lyrics!
Keith, this is excellent, fun, personal, and really great,, thanks rik
Nice lyric work to open this up Keith :)
3 or more kids with nothing to do... yep... that was the way back then, don't know how they (and we) did it! Fantastic lyrics and so true.
Cool title track - short and sweet, sounds great!
Wonderful, Keith! w;-)
This is so fun! w;-)
My fave so far. Just beautiful! w;-)
Absolutely love this. w;-)
Let's hope it's a while yet Keith.....
You're on roll! Can't wait to hear the entire project! w;-)
Love. w;-)
Absolutely beautiful track, Keith. w;-)
Wonderful lyrics. Wonderful track! w;-)
very nice, good luck to little sis
Wisdom in that book,.. Nice work, I like it Keith.
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.