A few months back, Jim (MTC) posted an outstanding acoustic track which summoned up a clear-as-day memory from my childhood. The vividness of that memory resulted in this song... Amazing how such significant events in your life (like recognizing…
The title track for this year's RPM album. One mic. Live take. Please forgive the missed notes.
LETTERS
Writing while I drive with voices in my mind
Passed along by friends I’ve never met
Trying to stay alive in one place in time…
The title track for this year's RPM album. One mic. Live take. Please forgive the missed notes.
LETTERS
Writing while I drive with voices in my mind
Passed along by friends I’ve never met
Trying to stay alive in one place in time…
The title track for this year's RPM album. One mic. Live take. Please forgive the missed notes.
LETTERS
Writing while I drive with voices in my mind
Passed along by friends I’ve never met
Trying to stay alive in one place in time…
DREAMS OF THE OCEAN
Your kids'll be waking up in the morning
Just a couple of hours after mine have gone to bed
I've got the coffee warming
While dreams of the ocean are in your daughters' heads
I taught them all 'bout it late last evening…
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
My contribution to this year's RPM Kitchen Challenge.
Very silly.
Well, can’t you see the baby’s crawling
And pulling up all by herself
I can’t imagine what will be falling
When she climbs up on the shelf
See how much she likes to…
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
My contribution to this year's RPM Kitchen Challenge.
Very silly.
Well, can’t you see the baby’s crawling
And pulling up all by herself
I can’t imagine what will be falling
When she climbs up on the shelf
See how much she likes to…
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
Some reflections after recording this song:
1. Mic positioning for a live take can drive you crazy
2. The lowest note I can comfortably sing is an A
3. A tortured soul can somehow write an amazing love song
4. I still have much to learn
My contribution to this year's RPM Kitchen Challenge.
Very silly.
Well, can’t you see the baby’s crawling
And pulling up all by herself
I can’t imagine what will be falling
When she climbs up on the shelf
See how much she likes to…
My contribution to this year's RPM Kitchen Challenge.
Very silly.
Well, can’t you see the baby’s crawling
And pulling up all by herself
I can’t imagine what will be falling
When she climbs up on the shelf
See how much she likes to…
My contribution to this year's RPM Kitchen Challenge.
Very silly.
Well, can’t you see the baby’s crawling
And pulling up all by herself
I can’t imagine what will be falling
When she climbs up on the shelf
See how much she likes to…
My contribution to this year's RPM Kitchen Challenge.
Very silly.
Well, can’t you see the baby’s crawling
And pulling up all by herself
I can’t imagine what will be falling
When she climbs up on the shelf
See how much she likes to…
My contribution to this year's RPM Kitchen Challenge.
Very silly.
Well, can’t you see the baby’s crawling
And pulling up all by herself
I can’t imagine what will be falling
When she climbs up on the shelf
See how much she likes to…
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
Great stuff Keith! Love your guitar accompaniments. This one sounds like there's a second high part. Almost sounds like a mandolin
Nice one Keith. Understated guitar, mellow tone. Brilliant lyric and well sung.
That's a nice one Keith! Love the way you vary the guitar part.
A departure on the intro guitar,really liked the instrumental contrast.
This is intimate, I felt intrusive just listening, Wow two of my faved people making me blush
Lovely tone, Mr Landry. Perfect choice for a cover - beautiful.
Beautiful lyrics, so tenderly sung. Good choice of cover.
great song! great cover!
Very nice!
1. Yes it can. 2. :) 3. To true. 4. We are always learning, everyday. This is a great version. Go man go.
Superb Keith! Great interpretation !!!!!
Exquisite...
Nice light-hearted tune
Lovely stuff Keith!
Great versh. I'd like more details on the mic placement. Are you just using one mic? More is better when recording acoustic.
Real creative sounds. Solid gold storytelling as usual.
Excellent!
Great stuff Keith! Love that percussion!
Nice knife work!
Good to see a new track up from you buddy. Take care :)
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.