What does a songwriter do when he's addicted to Doctor Who (and his new very cute companion)? He writes...
Amy Pond
Red hair and that pretty face beneath it
My how you've grown up after oh so many years
I've only been away for ten or…
When I was out for a walk recently I had your music on my mp3 player. And when I returned back home I almost felt like going for another round - to hear more of it! :)
Great song, as usual.
Regards,
Steffen
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…
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…
I like this song a lot more than the last three. The Landry siblings duo works very well in this song. Definitely, a song that I would wanna hear again.
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…
This song starts with a riff that sort of reminds me of the "That's the way" song by Led Zeppelin. It's a nice song but did not impress me as the other ones.
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…
Starting with a nice ring of the guitar notes--quiet, subdued and relaxing--this is another good song of yours. However, I would have liked to hear a bit more on this one.
Inspired by a picture of my sister at the top of the Estes Cone (I was too out of shape to get up there myself... something I need to do when I return to RMNP).
From the Top of the World
On the top of the world
Nothing 'round 'cept mountain…
I like the pauses in this song. To me, the vocal point got a bit hoarse at some . Maybe that was on purpose but it kind of threw me off. This one was OK but not as good as the others.
Roughly recorded years ago... A little more properly recorded now.
Pass On Love
Falling off the fence in year twelve of your lifetime
Landing hard'll change your view of time
The minutes left in life will count down slowly
I need to…
Very quiet, personal and reflective song. It touched me. It's somewhat sad but asks the right questions. Excellent composition. Again, short and sweet.
So I'm watching Ken Burns' documentary on the National Parks and realize that I'd never written that John Muir song I had been meaning to get to... So I got to it. Tim Alexander (Letter Seventeen) mentioned that he thought the song needed a…
I have to admit I did not know who John Muir, the Scottish-born American naturalist, was until I google'd him. Hey, your song taught me something new. Again, the lyrics and the music is nicely done. It's a great story/message song. If I ever get to go to Yosemite national park, I will play this song on my iPod while hicking there, looking for his ghost! I like it a lot. The combination sounds of the ukulele and guitar works very well. To me, its pure Americana. Another great song, Keith!
Vocal excellence from girl named Sam... Do you really need any other reason to listen?
A Little Playing
Blue sky
Only getting clearer
Blue eyes
Like looking in a mirror
I can tell just what you're thinking
By that tiny little flicker…
I can tell that talent runs deeps in the Landry family. Your sister has a great voice as well. The duet works well with two Landrys. It is a nice simple song--melodic, short and sweet. It totally relaxes me. I don't know why. My hat's off to both of you.
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…
like your arpeggios. That's how this song starts. Nice, melodic and great timing! Again the lyrics induce great imagery of star lights and "counting the constellations in the Massachusetts's sky" in my mind (having been born in the summer and lived most of my life in NE). Good job with this one too, Keith.
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…
This song is my favorite not only in this album but in all the other albums I have listened to so far (and there are a lot of good songs this year in the RPM). The song starts with one strum of a chord that sounds like the beginning of the "Rain song" by Led Zeppelin. That grabbed my attention immediately but then the real character of the song is revealed. The melodic sound of the strings in the background go very well with guitar. The lyrics are very well done: "Baby where're you going, in such a hurry? Slow down and feel the grass between your toes once in a while...." I was humming that line all day the other day. I like the way the song climaxes to the lead guitar sections with a nice guitar rhythm and strings in the background. The only thing I would suggest is to work on your voice to get the high notes a bit better. Even though you got it, It sounded like they were a bit of a challenge. At any rate, in my humble opinion, this is a hit song!
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…
Good start to the album--slow and nice. I like the arpeggio parts and the way they melt into the nice rhythmic sounds of your chords--great introduction to the song. The timing is right-on. Again the imagery is wonderful. I could feel the late December. Good work!
So Jim of "Movement to Contact" asked me a couple of weeks ago to send him something...
I had no idea how ridiculously good the final result would come out.
KL: Vocals, lyrics, left side rhythm guitar and picking
MTC: Lead guitar, bass…
So Jim of "Movement to Contact" asked me a couple of weeks ago to send him something...
I had no idea how ridiculously good the final result would come out.
KL: Vocals, lyrics, left side rhythm guitar and picking
MTC: Lead guitar, bass…
After writing this song about our newly adopted dog, I asked Kavin if he like to play some slide guitar, knowing that he would come up with something terrific... I just had no idea how terrific.
Bandit rides in the back of my truck
A big…
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…
Another formerly poorly recorded song... Really a piece of poetry that was put to music (a hit-or-miss approach for me that seemed to work well on this one).
Three Times More
Dad plants his spring garden
For a good summer bounty he's…
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…
Vocals: James Ryce
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Bass & Drums: Neal Vanderhoof
Guitar: Andrew Doherty
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
James is actually a country singer. This was the first time for him to sing a jazzy piano…
Great closing song to an outstanding, personal, perfect children's album. This collection of songs may be your crowning achievement. I suspect your little one will be singing these songs with you for years.
Comments on Keith Landry's stuff
When I was out for a walk recently I had your music on my mp3 player. And when I returned back home I almost felt like going for another round - to hear more of it! :) Great song, as usual. Regards, Steffen
Just giving this a little bump in honor of the release of Pete Seeger's "Circles & Seasons" album on CD... About to play my newly acquired copy!
I like this song a lot more than the last three. The Landry siblings duo works very well in this song. Definitely, a song that I would wanna hear again.
This song starts with a riff that sort of reminds me of the "That's the way" song by Led Zeppelin. It's a nice song but did not impress me as the other ones.
Starting with a nice ring of the guitar notes--quiet, subdued and relaxing--this is another good song of yours. However, I would have liked to hear a bit more on this one.
I like the pauses in this song. To me, the vocal point got a bit hoarse at some . Maybe that was on purpose but it kind of threw me off. This one was OK but not as good as the others.
Very quiet, personal and reflective song. It touched me. It's somewhat sad but asks the right questions. Excellent composition. Again, short and sweet.
I have to admit I did not know who John Muir, the Scottish-born American naturalist, was until I google'd him. Hey, your song taught me something new. Again, the lyrics and the music is nicely done. It's a great story/message song. If I ever get to go to Yosemite national park, I will play this song on my iPod while hicking there, looking for his ghost! I like it a lot. The combination sounds of the ukulele and guitar works very well. To me, its pure Americana. Another great song, Keith!
I can tell that talent runs deeps in the Landry family. Your sister has a great voice as well. The duet works well with two Landrys. It is a nice simple song--melodic, short and sweet. It totally relaxes me. I don't know why. My hat's off to both of you.
like your arpeggios. That's how this song starts. Nice, melodic and great timing! Again the lyrics induce great imagery of star lights and "counting the constellations in the Massachusetts's sky" in my mind (having been born in the summer and lived most of my life in NE). Good job with this one too, Keith.
This song is my favorite not only in this album but in all the other albums I have listened to so far (and there are a lot of good songs this year in the RPM). The song starts with one strum of a chord that sounds like the beginning of the "Rain song" by Led Zeppelin. That grabbed my attention immediately but then the real character of the song is revealed. The melodic sound of the strings in the background go very well with guitar. The lyrics are very well done: "Baby where're you going, in such a hurry? Slow down and feel the grass between your toes once in a while...." I was humming that line all day the other day. I like the way the song climaxes to the lead guitar sections with a nice guitar rhythm and strings in the background. The only thing I would suggest is to work on your voice to get the high notes a bit better. Even though you got it, It sounded like they were a bit of a challenge. At any rate, in my humble opinion, this is a hit song!
Good start to the album--slow and nice. I like the arpeggio parts and the way they melt into the nice rhythmic sounds of your chords--great introduction to the song. The timing is right-on. Again the imagery is wonderful. I could feel the late December. Good work!
I haven't found a single song of yours yet that is NOT superb. :)
Won-der-ful!
Simply perfect. Do you have an idea how great your music sounds?
I'll tell you something, and I'm being serious: I like your music much more than most of the songs they play on the radio today.
I'll have to listen to original song, but this much I can tell you: I LOVE this version.
Lovely. Your songs are really pretty.
Beautiful.
Haha "Another poorly recorded song .." gimme a break :-p
Comments made by Keith Landry
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.
So nice and relaxing... A great way to end a long day.
HA! "Our government are all bankers, too!"
Colin, this truly is a magnificent album. "Why are we eating beans on toast?" Brilliant!... an outstanding commentary on the financial world!
Great closing song to an outstanding, personal, perfect children's album. This collection of songs may be your crowning achievement. I suspect your little one will be singing these songs with you for years.
Outstanding, Colin... Not too dark at all. The reality of childhood is that it isn't always easy.