So, my 2020 started with losing Bandit.
THE LAST LONG WALK
You woke me up at 4AM this morning
And told me that you had to see the sights
I'd read all the signs and heard the warnings
I couldn't put you through another night
So we walked…
Just a delicate little instrumental. Took my time getting it right, because, well, there was nowhere to be that day. Or any day after that. Or any day after that...
Where it all began.
THE PERFECT CRIME
When you told me you'd be leaving
Without even telling him goodbye
I couldn't stop smiling all that evening
The closest I've been to being high
Now you've got my poor mind racing
Trying to keep…
Just a little instrumental.
HYGGE
/ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/
noun: hygge
A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
Not sure how I got here... but yeah, this is WAY cool. And yes, I can hear those piano runs... I THINK I'd have recognised them if you hadn't said... but it saves me wondering later (when we're trying to decide what to watch) why I'm suggesting Thomas Crown Affair!
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…
Just a little instrumental.
HYGGE
/ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/
noun: hygge
A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
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…
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…
Well, this song showed up right at the end of the recording session, and it reminded me of why I do this - and it was just what I needed.
THANKS FOR COMING
I agreed to meet
I smile and take a seat
To hear you say how I could be a star…
This is my favorite track on the album, for a couple reasons. One, I know it wasn’t “planned.” I like that. I like imagining you channeling it. Two, the guitars. That nylon-stringed guitar adds a lovely texture. Three, your voice is superb on this. Perfect album closer. This album is certainly one to be proud of, my friend. Looking forward to seeing you in Portsmouth.
Of all the souvenirs, photos, baseball memorabilia, and musical instruments in my study, the item I value the most is one small 3x5 of my sister and me.
3x5 OF ME AND YOU
I sit with my belongings around me on the shelf
Pictures of my heroes…
The last of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers died not long ago. Go look them up if you don't know the story. These were some of the finest men to ever serve.
CODE TALKER
Boys were dying across the ocean
Words were stolen, and codes…
This one, too. I listened to the album over at RPM but came over here to seek out my favorites so I could comment on the individuals. This guitar work is my favorite, both the tone and how it complements the vocal line.
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…
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…
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…
Well EVERY album needs a love song!
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOU
Doctor says my numbers aren't where they're suppose to be
Gotta change my eating habits and work out more than once a week
I know I tend to get addicted to things that make me…
Sometimes we don't resist the brightest flame until it's too late.
ACETYLENE
Baby, you burn - I never learn until I'm on fire
A dangerous game - the hottest flame I've ever seen
I can't look away from your blinding display, drawn by desire…
Well, this song showed up right at the end of the recording session, and it reminded me of why I do this - and it was just what I needed.
THANKS FOR COMING
I agreed to meet
I smile and take a seat
To hear you say how I could be a star…
I've had this album playing through my house all morning. An absolute triumph, Keith. Magnificent performances, and the writing absolutely shines. Serious kudos!
Guitars, mandolin, keyboards, penny whistle: Doug Sparling
Arranger: Doug Sparling - 2005
Composer: Shaker Hymn
Old demo from the basement. I love this tune and someday I'll do it justice...
IIRC, I recorded and mixed this thing with a…
Guitars, mandolin, penny whistle: Doug Sparling
Composer: Doug Sparling
Recorded: 2006
From an out of print, self-released CD I put out in 2006 (titled "The Old Stone Bridge" - not the same one as the Old Stone Bridge tracks I've released…
Guitars, mandolin, penny whistle: Doug Sparling
Composer: Doug Sparling
Recorded: 2006
From an out of print, self-released CD I put out in 2006 (titled "The Old Stone Bridge" - not the same one as the Old Stone Bridge tracks I've released…
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…
Written: 2004
Composer: Doug Sparling
Midi demo written in vi on a Linux laptop.
Piano music created at the command line on a Linux laptop.
These are the first tunes I composed after switching from performing to writing. I don't own a piano…
Life is a quest for knowledge and a simple realization that not only is there so much we don't know but to declare it somehow is empowering. A great collaboration with Norm who is an amazing percussionist and a super cool guy! Thanks for the…
last eve there was a beautiful moon
dancing in a blue black sky
outside my piano room, it called to me
this tune is a one take playful moment, loosely based on the main theme from the 2nd mov of my piano sonata,,, i only toned down about…
Guitars/Mandolin: Doug Sparling
Composer: Traditional
Recorded: 2005
A couple of nice reels played on guitar, the first is The Cup of Tea, can't remember the name of the second one. Unfortunately my midi flute scratch track got added in the mix…
Guitars/Mandolin/Pennywhistle: Doug Sparling
Composer: Doug Sparling
Recorded: 2006
Nothing special, the last track I wrote and recorded for this unfinished CD.
Sitting around in my shop a couple of days ago with the Goodall and the Zoom H4N. First time I've really messed with using the internal mics on the H4N in multitrack mode
Archival stuff from my distant past with former bandmates in Scartaglen. A set of traditional Irish tunes. Rescued from a cassette tape done at a concert back in the early 90's. Myself on Uilleann pipes and whistle. Mike dugger on guitar and fiddle…
More stuff from the ancient archives rescued from the same cassette tape as Last Nights Fun. This time a set of 3 Irish reels Live at a concert back around 1992
Just great stuff... I have that tendency from time to time to forget that music is a performance art, and that there's really nothing like live music. Thanks, Kirk, for putting this up!
"You gotta put your pencil to the paper. Don't bother with the intricate chords. Hell it doesn't matter if the damned thing doesn't rhyme. Write it down. Run it through. Make some noise." These were actually the first words I wrote when…
All right, so one of those silly songs needed to find its way onto the album. In an effort to teach the students on my middle school team about rhythm in poetry, I wrote this little bit of foolishness about a fictional character (so yes, you…
Just updating all the songs from "Keeping Constant Motion" with versions that have the vocals a bit more up front... Just had to favorite this one. Of all the songs I've ever written, this one and "Amy Pond" are the most requested... Just goes to show that silliness in songwriting often speaks to people more than seriousness.
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…
Rell Sunn, the Queen of Makaha, was a beautiful spirit and graceful surfer who lives in the hearts of all who knew her before she was called back home.
Comments on Keith Landry's stuff
OH MY HEART
lovely guitarwork
cool chordscheme enjoyed! KC
Liking this one! reminds me of a little ditty we did a few years back called Leaf Hate: https://themaadmen.bandcamp.com/track/leaf-hate
Love it!
Not sure how I got here... but yeah, this is WAY cool. And yes, I can hear those piano runs... I THINK I'd have recognised them if you hadn't said... but it saves me wondering later (when we're trying to decide what to watch) why I'm suggesting Thomas Crown Affair!
THIS KILLS ME
beautiful
You are a great lyricist
I really love this
This is my favorite track on the album, for a couple reasons. One, I know it wasn’t “planned.” I like that. I like imagining you channeling it. Two, the guitars. That nylon-stringed guitar adds a lovely texture. Three, your voice is superb on this. Perfect album closer. This album is certainly one to be proud of, my friend. Looking forward to seeing you in Portsmouth.
Here’s to sisters. Most boys who have one become better men.
This one, too. I listened to the album over at RPM but came over here to seek out my favorites so I could comment on the individuals. This guitar work is my favorite, both the tone and how it complements the vocal line.
Also, love the whistling. Axl Rose, eat your heart out
Your guitar tone on this one is delicious
Theme song for our shared insanity :)
This is incredible Keith, cheers
You went over and above! Nice!
Great songwriting! Really digging the album!
I've had this album playing through my house all morning. An absolute triumph, Keith. Magnificent performances, and the writing absolutely shines. Serious kudos!
Comments made by Keith Landry
Jeez... Every song is better than the one before... Keep playing great stuff, Doug!
Another reeeeeeally great track, Doug. So freakin' multi-talented.
Ah, very nice... This is right up my alley!
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. This is pure genius.
Wow, this is really great stuff, Doug!
GREAT song... What a feel to this one.
Very cool... I'm amazed by how you can play different tunings so smoothly. Just great stuff, Kavin. Damn, what a sound.
This is great! I'm a big fan of blatant anything... And even better when it's well played!
Great track, Colin! To think it was a part of the 24-hour challenge is mind-blowing!
Beautifully delicate piece, Richard!
Great track!
Very nice! How do you record your guitar to get such a clean sound?
Love that slide!!! I bow to the master.
Damn, this song is just plain beautiful... Everything I hope I can be someday as a guitarist (and know that I never will). Incredible stuff, Kirk!
Just more incredible stuff!
Just great stuff... I have that tendency from time to time to forget that music is a performance art, and that there's really nothing like live music. Thanks, Kirk, for putting this up!
All right... So I closed the album with the fun songs (note to self... next time START the album with the fun songs).
Just updating all the songs from "Keeping Constant Motion" with versions that have the vocals a bit more up front... Just had to favorite this one. Of all the songs I've ever written, this one and "Amy Pond" are the most requested... Just goes to show that silliness in songwriting often speaks to people more than seriousness.
Ahhhhh... One of the all-time-great songs!
Wow, Rick, this is great stuff!