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…
Just caught this off your acoustic compilation album, Sis - Fabulous tune! The vocals are absolute money - I got a chuckle from your denial of reverb comment, but they truly sound perfect this way.
Awsome songwriting, awesome tune - Love it!
Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, the opening melodies to this song found their way into my head... A song of hiking, love, and life... Won't you come with me on the trail?
God this brings me right back to advo. Givin me hope that it'll all be back soon. Don't know about you, but I can't wait for school to start again. See you in 26 days (cuz it's almost midnight).
-Britt (the one and only ;))
Some girls have had it far too rough for their very few years.
How old were you when you'd seen enough
How old were you when your hide got tough
Your wounds have scarred
Sometimes they still sting
Close your eyes and hear her sing
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…
"The pictures that she paints while you're keeping time might just make you think again if you don't believe in the divine." Simply, it's a delicate little song appreciating the talents behind a beautifully written and performed song with the…
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
I'm hangin in there. Just the old job...crazy as always. I think I need to change things up so I will have more free time. ;) Good song. Nice clear vocals.
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
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…
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…
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
Another song from the archive... Written about a friend who somehow seemed to come out of her general sad manner... Thoughts go back to a lunar eclipse when the girl I was standing next to to watch it (way back in college) disappeared from sight…
Another song from the archive... Written about a friend who somehow seemed to come out of her general sad manner... Thoughts go back to a lunar eclipse when the girl I was standing next to to watch it (way back in college) disappeared from sight…
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…
Another oldie but goodie (again, apologies for the few seconds of silence it takes to get to the intro). This song is the first that I really tried to record properly, written around Christmastime four or five years ago with my seventh grade…
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…
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…
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
Inspired by Tess' little Morwenna and my (getting bigger) Jessica. Writing back and forth with Bethan, I came to realize that a song needed to be written about the significance of the statements that so often come from the mouths of babes…
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
Just caught this off your acoustic compilation album, Sis - Fabulous tune! The vocals are absolute money - I got a chuckle from your denial of reverb comment, but they truly sound perfect this way. Awsome songwriting, awesome tune - Love it!
God this brings me right back to advo. Givin me hope that it'll all be back soon. Don't know about you, but I can't wait for school to start again. See you in 26 days (cuz it's almost midnight). -Britt (the one and only ;))
That's a real beaut Keith!
lovin it man has a great tune to it you should keep that steady beet threw the whole song see what it sounds like
This is great song, man. Perfect way to start my day.
I'm hangin in there. Just the old job...crazy as always. I think I need to change things up so I will have more free time. ;) Good song. Nice clear vocals.
Top job Keith great lyrics very moving.
Nice one mate excellent.
Nice slide!! Well done!
Great song!
loooove this guitar part
Nice one Keith This is a great track mate.
Nice one Keith This is a great track mate.
This is great top job.
Nice song mate very cool.
Great vocals mate top track.
Great track mate dig it very cool.
This song makes me want to cry. You know there's bot much that does that to me so kudos on another great track!! -Britt
You swept me away with this one Keith. Great tune.
This is so poignant. Surprising where some of the best songs come from.
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.