Tag: DuPont PA

Dollars for Diane Compilation

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Dollars for Diane CompilationSome of Pennsylvania’s finest artists have come together to donate their talents in support of Diane Kovaleski, a young woman from Wilkes-Barre, who suffered a major stroke during a routine surgery in 2007. All songs included on this 15-track CD are original compositions by artists from the Keystone State.

The CD gets kickin’ with the upbeat, roots-rock of Shawn Z’s “One End of the Candle” followed by the more somber, Bowie-esque “To the Dogs” by Stoney Creek. Pittsburgh’s Brad Yoder provides an excellent acoustic guitar and banjo folk blend with the hopeful, uplifting “Any Day”. Mycenea Worley next lends her fantastic talent with the song “Low” followed by hard rock sensations Pan.a.ce.a with their catchy hit “Stay”.

Some of the mid-state’s most popular acts then follow. Tripp McNeely provides some cool groove with their aptly title “Off and Running:, the legendary Darcie Miner gives her unmistakable voice to “Wide Awake in Silence”, while HotWingJones show how they’ve expanded their horizons with the intense new song “The Big Sea”. “Deuce” is a fun jam by Imaginary Lines that trades synth and guitar leads, while new wave legends Hormoans provide a rebellious anthem with “Not One of You”.

The only “live” song on the compilation is the flawless rendition of “Deeper” by Rhyne McCormick from his Capitol Theatre performance last year. This is followed by the well-produced and catchy “Atmosphere” by father-and-son tandem Craig & Alex Bannon and the intense “Judgement Eyes” by the acoustic-driven trio Ron Fleeger & the Stranger.

The album’s focal point is “Song for Diane”, which personalizes Diane’s situation. Written especially for this compilation by Ric Albano, the song was produced by Bret Alexander (who actually produced several of the songs on this CD) and performed by Diane’s cousin PJ Heckman.
Folk sensation Hannah Bingman caps off the album with “Finished, Fine’, Done”, a perfect closer in both title and mood.

All in all, the CD is an eclectic mix that explores the diverse talent of Pennsylvania artists without straying so far as to not be accessible and pleasant to most music lovers, no matter what genre he or she may favor. The Dollars for Diane Compilation is being sold independently with proceeds going to The University of Pennsylvania Center for Brain Injury and Repair as well as a scholarship fund for Diane’s daughter, Zayda. At only $5.00 each (that’s only 33 cents per song!), this is not only a charitable contribution but a great value as well.

td> 2009

Song   Artist  Year
 1.   One End Of the Candle     Shawn Z  2008
 2.   To The Dogs     Stoney Creek  2008
 3.   Any Day Brad Yoder  2006
 4.   Low Mycenea Worley  2009
 5.   Stay Pan.a.ce.a
 6.   Off and Running Tripp McNeely  2009
 7.   Wide Awake In Silence Darcie Miner<  2009
 8.   The Big Sea HotWingJones  2009
 9.   Deuce Imaginary Lines  2009
10.   Not One of You Hormoans  1981
11.   Deeper Rhyne McCormick  2009
12.   Atmosphere Craig & Alex Bannon  2010
13.   Judgement Eyes Ron Fleeger & the Stranger  2009
14.   Song For Diane P.J. Heckman  2010
15.   Finished Fine’ Done Hannah Bingman  2005

Deuce

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 5:29
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:Deuce.mp3]
Lyrics
I still remember how she chased me around
The first time that I walked across her floor
And I ran and I ran but she persisted behind
Until I could not run no more

Cool and serene she did preen but on a dime she turned mean
Catch the double-headed tiger by the tail
Disregarding albatross, she charged forward, fingers crossed
It was a plan destined to fail

But what more could she expect from angels with linguine necks…
Who would never dare to tell her what to do?
Give a zealous girl such power and sooner or later it turns sour
As darker demons are let loose, between reposeful sips of juice

Every once in a while you can see through her smile
That some innocence remains there too
But then where is the justice for Sinclair Soul?
What was the man supposed to do?
What was the man supposed to do?

She often spoke of irksome days when she would bounce from shore to shore
On an everlasting quest to find some truth
Until that afternoon in May when she opened up that door
And felt reality’s sharp tooth

Now all that she could do to keep her head on fire
Is to conjure up a bigger dose
And then she’ll doll up her walls and draw her plans in the sands
Until the tide gets much too close, the wrath of some deep-sea ghost

Every once in a while you catch a sense of her style
Like a new species signing up for the zoo
Until Old Man Soul could burn his hands on her wire
What was the man supposed to do?
What was the man supposed to do?
Born to be a poor, pathetic fool, just what is a man supposed to do?

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on August 25, 2006
Recorded starting on August 10, 2009
at Saturation Acres (II), DuPont, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Electric Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums and Percussion

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A driving, 1970s style song with wild drums, and early synth lead and a later majestic guitar lead through the coda, “Deuce” is a cool jam song which makes Imaginary Lines feel like a real band.

Song Trivia
This song was entitled “Deuce” simply becaue it was originally intended to be the closing song on Imaginary Lines II.

Please offer your own analysis of Deuce by leaving a comment in the box below.

The Old Man In the Sea

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Written by Sue Kovaleski & Ric Albano Song Length: 3:54
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:TheOldManInTheSea.mp3]
Lyrics
Another time, another place, geo-era so sincere
The perfect rhyme, the sweetest taste, another summertime is here
And we would go sailing into the ocean

From near and far our sundry clan would congregate upon these shores
And at our heart there was one man who gave us all and so much more
And he would go sailing into the sea

So deep, so dark, yet able to fathom
So many of life’s unpredictable tides
The sailor’s heart helped us navigate her labyrinth
And we’d never run aground with him by our side
He gave us time…

He marked the time with his routines and let us know that we each had
A quite distinguished ardency to heaven’s character he’ll add
Now that he is the current of the sea

Now that he’s gone she will never be the same
Although to her we’ll return to reflect on the bliss
To listen to her tide whisper his unique name
Reassures us someday we will witness
Another time…

Another time, another place, all destinations lead to here
The endless prime, the smoothest pace
The endless summertime, it’s clear
That he is now sailing upon this ocean

Composition © 2006 Sue Kovaleski & Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on March 17, 2006
Recorded starting on October 5, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Janet Rains
Lead Vocals
Ric Albano
Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: Janet Rains takes lead vocals for much of this song, which includes a simple melody and arrangement and a nice outtro guitar, with a unique fading mix.

Song Trivia
“He Was the Ocean” was a poem written by Sue Kovaleski about her grandfather, Paul Heckman. It inspired this song as was its original title.

Please offer your own analysis of The Old Man In the Sea by leaving a comment in the box below.

Believe

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 4:19
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:Believe.mp3]
Lyrics
So what’s the point of quiet charity if it won’t get you the gig?
They don’t forgive irregularities just because your heart is big
And why leave home with an atlas stone when a flask of pebbles might do?
This quite excessive sense of diligence
Offends my reasoned confidence in you

I do my best to view the world from deep behind these eyes
I draw my energy from sources not simply surmised

But what’s the point of simple clarity in such a complex universe?
Should we not strive towards more parity,
By ripping out the contents of your purse?

I steer my ship by ancient stars and hold the wind with poise
I grasp at every passing wave in a quest to find pure joys

Believe, believe
Believe, believe

So what’s the point of quiet charity if you don’t bag some esteem?
Complied reduction of this narrowly sliced time just seems obscene
And who would roam with an atlas stone…
When there are so many sights to see?
What’s the point of true contention,
When the scientific evidence has been decreed?

I beat my path with head held high and wisdom at my heels
I don’t pretend to know that this is how we all should feel

Believe, believe
Believe, believe

In a pinch and you’re on the run, will ye come undone?
If it’s a cinch just to follow the sun,
Why then fear of this unusual one?

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on September 12, 2006
Recorded starting on September 14, 2006
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Ric Albano
Mixed and Mastered in 2007
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Lead Vocals
Ron Simasek
Percussion
Janet Rains
Backing Vocals

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: One of the few songs from Imaginary Lines II which were preserved in original form, “Believe” is a lyrical debate on God, with the simple, sparse musical arrangement of just paino and top-end drums.

Song Trivia
The song was recorded just two days after it was composed and it is the only recording on Imaginary Lines 33 from 2006.

Animal Society live version of “Believe”

Please offer your own analysis of Believe by leaving a comment in the box below.

She Said

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 3:09
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:SheSaid.mp3]
Lyrics
She says “I wonder if you’ll ever learn”
She says “A movement’s 6 stages while the 7th brings return”
She said “I know what it is like to be dead”
It’s all in the way that she says it
The subtle semantics may be revealed in the summertime

She says “Behind the beauty cracks appear”
She said “The future is uncertain and the end is always near”
She says “Keep them mower blades sharp”
It’s all in the phrasing she uses, the simpleton gets confused –

By her tones, by her freshly tossed bones
She at once seems perfectly content while she concocts a new argument
About war – man, she really hates war
But then she’s never had to fight for anything, no, she’s never had to fight
She never had to want for anything, never had an unconsummated delight

She says “Think as it was and then again it will be”
She says “Go sing your heart out to the infinite sea”
She says “I may make you feel but I can’t make you think”
It’s all in the way that you convey it
Was the promise of her ever real in the summertime?

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on May 31, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Lead Vocals
Erik Trabert
Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums and Percussion
Janet Rains
Background Vocals
Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: This is the best example of what was trying to be accomplished with Imaginary Lines II – a very simple song with a simple arrangement and structure, built on a rather complex piano pattern. This version suffers from slight timing issues and an acoustic too high in the mix, but that all dissipates under the excellent, moody guitar solo and building strings in the last verse./.span>

Song Trivia
the lyrics of “She Said” were intentionally meant to be a riddle, with each of the nine quotes (three in each of the three verses) being directly lifted from songs by nine different artists – eight by established, classic rock acts and one from Ric Albano’s previous life in Wahray and Soul. Can you identify the source of these quotes?

Please offer your own analysis of She Said by leaving a comment in the box below.