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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
nicely done,, a classic progression,,, i enjoyed this a lot
den här låten gjorde min dag! Blir glad av den!
very beautifully done,,,i like this alot,,
If I made a movie of my life, this would be playing over the opening credits. Love it!
... sounds nice !
excellent vocal and music..ooh yeah!!!
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!
riktig arena låt =)!
Man, you have the right touch.
Very pretty. I'm downloading all your songs to listen thoroughly again later. And again. And again ... :)
Nice song and superb production.
Great music, my friend!
Wow, you still sound pro! Very nice music. Thanks for sharing!
incredible rpm. your songs are top notch and so is everything else.
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!