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
This year will be my fifth year coaching one of my daughters in tee ball, and although I played ball competitively into my thirties, coaching the kids is easily the most fun I've ever had on the diamond.
A song for my daughter.
My blue-eyed girl
Living in your blue-sky world
I'll do my best to keep the clouds away
Life is better on a sunny day
Smooth the road out where you go
Let your light shine and watch you grow
This year will be my fifth year coaching one of my daughters in tee ball, and although I played ball competitively into my thirties, coaching the kids is easily the most fun I've ever had on the diamond.
Believe it or not, this track was written as a pretty tame little song... Then I put new strings on the guitar and it simply refused to be played slow. Enjoy it for the drive and energy. Listen to the lyrics. For whatever reason, I hope you…
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
A quick little tune written in appreciation of a small expression of contentedness.
I can see in that little smile
You're living for the moment
Every once in a little while I catch it
No one else could match it
You're more than meets the eye
Believe it or not, this track was written as a pretty tame little song... Then I put new strings on the guitar and it simply refused to be played slow. Enjoy it for the drive and energy. Listen to the lyrics. For whatever reason, I hope you…
Believe it or not, this track was written as a pretty tame little song... Then I put new strings on the guitar and it simply refused to be played slow. Enjoy it for the drive and energy. Listen to the lyrics. For whatever reason, I hope you…
My response to John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High."
The first time I dropped my lowest string
Was for Rocky Mountain High
Last night I caught a flight
To see the fire in the sky
Where John found twenty-seven
Now I'm turning thirty-five…
"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…
Thank God!... Something up-beat. One of my colleagues has THE party of the year on Labor Day weekend every year, and I play around the bonfire from dusk until everyone is unconscious... and the ladies like to dance.
I've been listening to several of your songs, and I very much like what I've been hearing. You play and sing very well. Will be back to listen to more later.
ER
"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…
Three years ago, I brought my two youngest up to the summit of a local mountain (actually, we went up Shelving Rock Mountain, but that song wouldn't be as good). Have a listen to see how that hike went.
Thank God!... Something up-beat. One of my colleagues has THE party of the year on Labor Day weekend every year, and I play around the bonfire from dusk until everyone is unconscious... and the ladies like to dance.
This year will be my fifth year coaching one of my daughters in tee ball, and although I played ball competitively into my thirties, coaching the kids is easily the most fun I've ever had on the diamond.
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 song , nice work.
such feeling coming from your guitar playing...great vocal, great song.
Very cute and fun song...I too have coached my daughter in softball. Some great memories.
Were you Joni Mitchell in another life?
really nice lyrics and great voice!
awesome track!
wow man. Just great! Instant fav!!!
Very nice, pleasant like being touched by a beam of warm sunlight
Good tune,
Great vocals! :)
Mighty fine track :) w;-)
Awwww. RPM is so wonderful. (: This should be it's theme song!
I've been listening to several of your songs, and I very much like what I've been hearing. You play and sing very well. Will be back to listen to more later. ER
Very nice. Your guitar work is excellent. Love the chords.
Very nice! Love the harmonies!
Very nice laid back acoustic songwriter album. Makes me wanna do something like this next year RPM.
Loving this.
Lovely guitar tone, and then that wonderful soulful vox swoops in! Beautiful!
A very nice collection of songs
Great song and a great sentiment too.
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.