Words by Brent Kinder and Jana Persson, Music by Jana Persson
Additional musicians:
Janne Hedlund - drums, backing vocals
Hank Johnzon - lap steel, additional electric guitar
Words by Will Gough and Jana Persson, Music by Jana Persson
Additional musicians:
Janne Hedlund - drums
Hank Johnzon - guitar solo
Johan Dereborn - bass guitar
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…
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…
...And counterpointing the previous track, this fully arranged reprise of the opening of the album is the perfect ending to a perfect album.
I don't like to throw words like "brilliant" and "genius" around, but in the case of Stummindude's Kaleidoscopy, the words are warranted.
Well done, Jana. So well done.
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…
First look at the clock: 8:48... And after hearing the first notes, I can tell that I'll be happy to hear every second... And will probably play it again upon it's completion... And now I just hit the guitars at 2:30. Speechless.
To think that only 46 people have ever heard this song is criminal.
New music course offering here only at Alonetone: Epic Songs 101
First day of classes: "Falling Is Never"
Open enrollment starts now.
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…
As I listen through this album, I can't say enough about this album's perfect execution of Jana's musical vision. It doesn't take long to recognize that this album is the sound of a master at his craft.
A slow, scaled down, bluesy song with tremolo guitar, soaring organ and close up vocals.
Don't Ever
(Words & Music by Jana Persson)
I wanna hide no more
And I wanna close the door
Don't ever leave me
Never decieve me
Don't ever…
Flawlessly simple arrangement for a song so properly focused on the perfect delivery of soulful lyrics. It takes guts (and a ridiculous amount of talent) to arrange a song in this way. Outstanding.
This song is a tribute to the slick Californian music branded "Westcoast", that was all the rage back around the turn of the 1980's.
Katie
(Words by Will Gough and Jana Persson, Music by Jana Persson)
Back in the same old place
I take…
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…
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…
Incredible production. Big studio sound without any filter on Jana's perfect vision of great music both musically and lyrically... I could only dream of creating a song as clean and rich.
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…
As this song was produced in the week prior to February, it is not technically a part of the RPM Challenge project. It remains, however, an essential part of the Kaleidoscopy album.
Insatiable
(Words & Music by Jana Persson)
Do you…
Lyrics by Brian McCloskey in somewhat of a suprise collab. Musically a kind of feel-good soul-pop. I quite like how this turned out, and nominated it my prefered RPM-track this year.
New version uploaded 12 Dec 2010.
Lyrics by Brian McCloskey in somewhat of a suprise collab. Musically a kind of feel-good soul-pop. I quite like how this turned out, and nominated it my prefered RPM-track this year.
New version uploaded 12 Dec 2010.
Raised on vinyl and a needle that rides
To a paper circle at the end of both sides
Between the speakers, cover in hand
Sit in silence after Jungleland
I will not trade one bit of my soul for their pieces of gold
I've seen a world they'll…
Did a studio challenge this week from Joe Gilder to try to recreate an entire song from scratch, breaking it down and recording and producing everything. This could be considered a cover tune of "Something for the Pain" by She Drew the Gun. I…
As outraged as I've been over the past week, when I sat down to write about it, all I could think was, "How can I get through to someone?" This is the result.
I Know You and You're Not One of Them
You say you're defending the red from…
Don't tell me how it is, I'm good, I got it, I got it. But are we blind, and are there cracks in a facade? The riff was what came first, probably while watching the idiot box one evening. I am pretty sure it came very soon after RPM '15, and I…
Like a fine wine, you've matured well over the years, my friend. Nice, juicy, mellowed out sounds with good intensity, an edge of spicyness and a long aftertaste.
Here's a new one. Well, a new old one, actually... And a bit different than the last one!
Something old, something new, something borrowed, and, er, something blue...
****
**Nobody Loves You - A A J Russe**
Nobody loves you
Like you…
This song's going on 32 years old...
Some 12 years older than I was when I wrote it!!
I borrowed the title from one of my favourite madrigals, The Silver Swan by Orlando Gibbons:
"The silver swan who living hath no note, when death approached…
An instrumental guitar tune which combines some flashy rock "guitar hero" stuff with a strong melody. Couldn't think of a title so I just did what I always do in that situation... nick the name of an old movie from the '50s
This one went through many iterations before turning into what you hear. A key breakthrough came when I stumbled upon that keyboard part for the verses. That opened the whole thing up.
Oh, FUNKY!! And a clavinet to boot! Would really play along with the earlier disco tune as a B-side to the single, to be played in the small hours when the DJ:s brought out their secret personal favorites....
There is no reverb on any vox parts in this one. I loved how I was able to get the tone of the voices to have that mid-60s sound. This was aided by the fact I am running through an emulation of the Abbey Road mixing desk. ;)
Fun and playful intro followed by an axcellent melody in harmony - it can't be anything but a winner! :) Already on the second verse I'm loving it. And you're putting this one second to last? This is instantly catchy and you probably should feature it more prominently.
No offense meant to my English friends. ;) I grew up there as a kid, so we have common cause. Anyway, this song is more about the struggle between the material and spiritual, doing the right thing when you are called upon, etc. Hope you enjoy!
Good use of compressor to make the acoustic compete on equal terms with the electric. A bit weird vocal ambience but I'm guessing it's beyond my competence because it actually doesn't sound out of place. As a song it's a hit in my book. Rather sad though that my book isn't the trend setter.
As you may have picked up on, there's a lot this year about soldiering on when your world has been destroyed. So, this is a song of hope. Have faith, have faith...
Would have wished the guitars at the start, nice and juicy though they sound, to rest on the groove a bit more. It's a fab melody and song. Flangy bit at the end is a nice addition.
Intro is like The Band on a stoned groove jam just before a Dylan concert. Great singing effort and structuring of the song. The signature riff is genius.
This one was a hard one to nail. The Wurlitzer riff was something I accidentally played and fell in love with immediately, so I needed to write a song that enhanced the mood that the tone of the Wurly evoked. The sound is so empty and spacious…
BIG Rhodes sound, interesting and tense start to the song. Develops nicely, although I'd have liked the Edge-guitar maybe to have debuted earlier. Very emotional.
Defiance, self-doubt, hubris, failure, choosing...It's all here to hear.
The title is a nod to my love of a certain guitar player and singer from a late 60's act; who's solo records were even better. The vibrato guitar is inspired by him…
When your world is destroyed as you know it, the ability to overcome and renew yourself is a very steep ascent. It may take years, and this song is about that struggle to 'let it go'
Here we go again with the driving tom groove. This would go down well at any disco about 50 yrs ago... ;) Funky horn riffs, I need to hire you for some songs!
It is easy to mock and ridicule, but much harder to learn and understand. Overcoming our own pig-headedness may be our biggest personal challenge. This song thinks about that. I also was rather happy with how my Telecaster sounds in the rhythm…
The song that led the way. I came up with the guitar sound first, and needed a song that evoked the pure energy that was coming from that guitar sound. It needed to be fast and intense. And it needed harmonies. We're full abandon 'cause it's time…
Well, I'm almost on a roll now - this little love song was written, arranged, and recorded in just a week. I've been meaning to attempt something like this for years, just never got round to it.
I'd actually settled down to finally record a…
Comments on strummindude's stuff
Another great song...love the changes and how the lead work weaves in and out of the chords.
This is fantastic. Great song...I am impressed you could use carbine in a song as well.
I love the chord progression and vox on this one. Great sound.
Oh man, you guys are blowing me away. Ha, this is the coolest ...... I'm a fan!
Ooo, I'm right in here! I love this, most appealing!
Such a super track, well written, sung, played and produced. Glad I found you!
first class album.........
Great track! Only 15? Incredible!
...And counterpointing the previous track, this fully arranged reprise of the opening of the album is the perfect ending to a perfect album. I don't like to throw words like "brilliant" and "genius" around, but in the case of Stummindude's Kaleidoscopy, the words are warranted. Well done, Jana. So well done.
First look at the clock: 8:48... And after hearing the first notes, I can tell that I'll be happy to hear every second... And will probably play it again upon it's completion... And now I just hit the guitars at 2:30. Speechless. To think that only 46 people have ever heard this song is criminal. New music course offering here only at Alonetone: Epic Songs 101 First day of classes: "Falling Is Never" Open enrollment starts now.
As I listen through this album, I can't say enough about this album's perfect execution of Jana's musical vision. It doesn't take long to recognize that this album is the sound of a master at his craft.
Flawlessly simple arrangement for a song so properly focused on the perfect delivery of soulful lyrics. It takes guts (and a ridiculous amount of talent) to arrange a song in this way. Outstanding.
Reminiscent of the opening notes of Billy Joel's "All About Soul" with well-crafted song to match. Radio-ready. Spot-on harmonies. So good.
Crazy good... In every way. Listening to Amanda sing on this outstanding track reassures me that the future of music is safe.
Incredible production. Big studio sound without any filter on Jana's perfect vision of great music both musically and lyrically... I could only dream of creating a song as clean and rich.
How I love this song. I am so envious of the purity.
Totally pro. Alan Parsons level of pro.
Love this. The harmonies are excellent. ER
Agree with Norm Beautiful vocal
Beautiful!
Comments made by strummindude
Great stuff Keith!
Well done!
Great song and sentiment. We're all grieveing the demise of the American democracy.
Like a fine wine, you've matured well over the years, my friend. Nice, juicy, mellowed out sounds with good intensity, an edge of spicyness and a long aftertaste.
Clean as a whistle, soulful expressions, masterfully produced. Top notch!
Super sound, very airy and dynamic arrangement, thoroughly enjoyable!
Excellent, skillful playing, spot on in the various very different styles and brilliant tone throughout. Impressed!
Playful and full of fun quirks. Deceptively effortless!
Nice tones and versatile playing!
Oh, FUNKY!! And a clavinet to boot! Would really play along with the earlier disco tune as a B-side to the single, to be played in the small hours when the DJ:s brought out their secret personal favorites....
Fun and playful intro followed by an axcellent melody in harmony - it can't be anything but a winner! :) Already on the second verse I'm loving it. And you're putting this one second to last? This is instantly catchy and you probably should feature it more prominently.
Good use of compressor to make the acoustic compete on equal terms with the electric. A bit weird vocal ambience but I'm guessing it's beyond my competence because it actually doesn't sound out of place. As a song it's a hit in my book. Rather sad though that my book isn't the trend setter.
Would have wished the guitars at the start, nice and juicy though they sound, to rest on the groove a bit more. It's a fab melody and song. Flangy bit at the end is a nice addition.
Intro is like The Band on a stoned groove jam just before a Dylan concert. Great singing effort and structuring of the song. The signature riff is genius.
BIG Rhodes sound, interesting and tense start to the song. Develops nicely, although I'd have liked the Edge-guitar maybe to have debuted earlier. Very emotional.
Interesting intro sounds and mono feel. Beatlesy bridge, leading nicely on to the chorus part. Great songwriting!
Here we go again with the driving tom groove. This would go down well at any disco about 50 yrs ago... ;) Funky horn riffs, I need to hire you for some songs!
The riff king gets in the groove. Love the mid-8 with the bw-efx and build.
The love child of The Who and AC/DC. Pumping like hot iron.
Sweet, free swinging guitar sounds. Enviable production. Maybe not single material but still captivating enough!