Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
So I dropped the guitar into DADGAD tuning for the first time, threw a capo on the third fret, rifled off something nice, and sent it to Movement to Contact for his contribution, got it back, did some mixing...
Here is the result.
YOU NEED…
The song that really kicked off this second album of 2009.
"In time all the stars will fade away
Our kind won't get to see it anyway
No shine, just endless black between the gray
I won't be going out in that way"
Finally, the finishing touches seem to be put on this three-year-old song thanks to some very talented people.
The band is:
Liam (age 13 at the time of recording) on drums
A Girl Named Sam (she's no kid!) with the backing vocals
Genevieve…
A crazy little song written while considering Ed Robertson's plane crash from a few years back, "Any Landing" is given much legitimacy by Ashley's incredible voice and Kavin Allenson's (Kavin S. Acoustic Church) guitar.
Any Landing
Learning…
The first recorded version of this song, this little folk song was originally written fifteen or so years ago with just the four chord rhythm guitar and single vocal. The song became what it is today when I needed to write additional verses for…
Another old song that got a little country twang when it became obvious that the horn section wouldn't be showing up on my doorstep any time soon.
"You fools don't know what's going on inside her head"
The lyrics and the riff really work well on this one. Overall the lenghth is good but I would pare it down and build a chorus out of part of it. She tells me every day, that kind of love dont fade away, could be earlier, between verses to build that memory that makes us sing along.
The song that really kicked off this second album of 2009.
"In time all the stars will fade away
Our kind won't get to see it anyway
No shine, just endless black between the gray
I won't be going out in that way"
I was right. Your songs sound great when they have structure. I don't undersatnd why we need the repetition but for some reason it makes the song friendlier, more accessable. Very nice guitar work.
To get ready for every baseball season, my father used to pitch tennis balls to me in the backyard. He had invented a pitch that defied the laws of physics. To this day, I have no idea how he threw it. The damn thing would spin like crazy like…
Nice song. That one was easy to listen to. It had pretty good structure. Plus it took me back. I used to go to the Bowery in Salisbury when I was in my 20's. I used to do the batting cages too when I was even younger. My first time drunk was at 16 in at Salisbury Beach. I saw some good bands at the Frolics!
A few years back (when I lived it Texas), I drove out to an open field to watch the Geminids meteor shower... I really need to remember to look up at the night sky more often.
The Showers of December
Lying flat on my back
Looking…
A few years back (when I lived it Texas), I drove out to an open field to watch the Geminids meteor shower... I really need to remember to look up at the night sky more often.
The Showers of December
Lying flat on my back
Looking…
The contrast of this aging "summer boy" and his outdoors-loving daughter who is more than happy to run out into the cold.
Late December
Late December
The nights get so long
Turning embers
In the dark before dawn
Late December
For…
Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
Every christmas is different now!
It just gets better and better now my kid is here. Was just the same old stuff before...
This song captures that feeling perfectly.
Cant wait for this christmas. this is gonna be on the days soundtrack.
Superb track!
Well, about six months ago, I uploaded a rough study called "Songwriting Day One." I wasn't sure where the song would go, but words came in January just in time for this year's RPM album... And before I forget... Curse you Bm!!!
GENEVIEVE…
The contrast of this aging "summer boy" and his outdoors-loving daughter who is more than happy to run out into the cold.
Late December
Late December
The nights get so long
Turning embers
In the dark before dawn
Late December
For…
Finally got this song balanced properly (after so many weeks of listening and editing, listening and editing). It somehow seems so long ago that we were all covered in snow now that winter has finally relented.
A few years back (when I lived it Texas), I drove out to an open field to watch the Geminids meteor shower... I really need to remember to look up at the night sky more often.
The Showers of December
Lying flat on my back
Looking…
Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
Bookending the "Late December" CD, this song about my little girls on Christmas morning holds a special place in my heart. Thanks to Sam and Mick for making it perfect.
One Perfect Day
Go to sleep my blue-eyed girl
The sun is on its…
In 1979, my father came home from the record store with an album that forever changed my life, Pete Seeger's Circles & Seasons. Before I knew Pete to be the blacklisted folk icon that had been on the humanitarian side of every fight since…
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
greate tune
Nice. a sort of sweet and melancholy tune with a cool vibe.
What a beauty! Missed this one of yours
I like this one. Simple but well crafted. Nice riff adds interest. Good vocals too.
Keith this is my favorite from RPM this year. I really like this one. Outstanding song idea, great lyrics. Very well done
I really liked the guitar interlude. You and Ashley sound great together. You sound a little John Denver-ry in this one.
The lyrics and the riff really work well on this one. Overall the lenghth is good but I would pare it down and build a chorus out of part of it. She tells me every day, that kind of love dont fade away, could be earlier, between verses to build that memory that makes us sing along.
I was right. Your songs sound great when they have structure. I don't undersatnd why we need the repetition but for some reason it makes the song friendlier, more accessable. Very nice guitar work.
Real folksy. Good structure. This one even has a bridge! I like.
Nice song. That one was easy to listen to. It had pretty good structure. Plus it took me back. I used to go to the Bowery in Salisbury when I was in my 20's. I used to do the batting cages too when I was even younger. My first time drunk was at 16 in at Salisbury Beach. I saw some good bands at the Frolics!
I spent 6 months in Australia a few years ago -clear skies no light polution- I get where your coming from. Oh and really like the song :)
Absolutely wonderful! w;-)
Instant favorite! Love it! w;-)
Every christmas is different now! It just gets better and better now my kid is here. Was just the same old stuff before... This song captures that feeling perfectly. Cant wait for this christmas. this is gonna be on the days soundtrack. Superb track!
pretty piece,, i think the guitar and lyrics fit very well,, richard
Finally got this song balanced properly (after so many weeks of listening and editing, listening and editing). It somehow seems so long ago that we were all covered in snow now that winter has finally relented.
Nice guitar playing, keeps the beat going without being simplistic, and some really great moments vocally!
A perfect track.
What a lovely song , liked it from the off , great vocals
really like Your style...joyous
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!