tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16767787574011914722024-02-18T18:07:37.126-08:00Ramblings Regarding RENDO Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-80857798325866289902011-10-23T17:14:00.000-07:002011-10-25T18:28:23.975-07:00WE'LL BE REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo - Remembering Christmas</td></tr>
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Hello everyone!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFKvm9tV9SUq3sO_VCO17f3GDjiBniapNzfhor2WUPXs8K7GVl6-5vX1s6uzU4YfCEPRfOkS2Hq-axxfccdGI-ILL4KPiB4atUxhsF00eaSUdpSfvOHAJ-_eYSU_rqcsCwNxiRd0p4a8/s1600/Jesus+Alive+10-10-10+concertposter+new+poster+op%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFKvm9tV9SUq3sO_VCO17f3GDjiBniapNzfhor2WUPXs8K7GVl6-5vX1s6uzU4YfCEPRfOkS2Hq-axxfccdGI-ILL4KPiB4atUxhsF00eaSUdpSfvOHAJ-_eYSU_rqcsCwNxiRd0p4a8/s200/Jesus+Alive+10-10-10+concertposter+new+poster+op%255B1%255D.jpg" width="153" /></a>Unbelievably, it's been almost a full year since I've posted anything here at <b><i>Ramblings Regarding RENDO</i></b>. My, how time does get away from us, yes? It's hard for me to believe that it was over one year ago that Frank, along with <b>Orlando Pena</b> and many others, put on the show of the year at the <b>P</b><b>atchogue Theatre</b> in Patchogue, NY...the show, based on music solely composed by our mutual, late, dear friend, <b>Palma Pascale</b>. The show was titled <b>"DID YOU TALK TO HIM TODAY?"</b> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orlando Pena</td></tr>
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Though I was unable to attend the show live, I now have the DVD and can hear that it was warmly and enthusiastically received, and the show was an unqualified success. I'm positive Palma was quite pleased with the result of the show from her heavenly dwelling place. I have not written a blog specifically about this musical extravaganza, per se, but have intimated in other blogs how wonderfully it was done. If you'd like to read what I have penned so far about Frank, Orlando and <b>DID YOU TALK TO HIM TODAY?</b>, the show Palma composed the music for, check it out here: <a href="http://www.martinis-musings.blogspot.com/">www.martinis-musings.blogspot.com. </a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred Guarino tuning up for Frank's single,<br />
"Don't Laugh At Me."</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.martinis-musings.blogspot.com/"></a>There have been many things going on in Frank's life this year. Among them has been his recording efforts with several well-known musicians from the area at <b><i>T</i></b><b><i>iki Recording Studios</i></b>, under the masterful engineering of another mutual, good friend, <b>Fred Guarino</b>. <a href="http://www.TikiRecording.com/">www.TikiRecording.com</a> Though the recording has been for others, Frank does enjoy time in the studio. <br />
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He is also readying for another trip to Israel. He has been there a few times prior, and this trip will commence during January of 2012. As I understand it, it will be a 10-day journey to the Holy Land. I'm sure we'll hear lots of good stories & maybe see some great photographs as a result of this amazing trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Marquee at<br />
Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</td></tr>
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There have been numerous engagements and shows throughout Long Island as well as other cities in the great state of New York, along with Frank's regular first Saturday night at <b><i>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heave</i></b><b><i>n.</i></b> <a href="http://www.Samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/">www.Samanthaslilbitofheaven.org</a>. Frank has been performing on the first Saturday night at Samantha's for over 15 years. It's a perfect, intimate spot to share laughter, tears, prayers and goodwill along with Frank's repertoire of inspiring music. If you haven't had the opportunity yet to get to "Heaven," I would highly recommend you check it out on a first Saturday, soon. Owned and operated by yet another mutual, sweet friend, <b>Samantha Tetro</b>, whose ministry it is to have this wonderful coffee house and use it as a spiritual tool to facilitate not only gatherings for music like only Frank can provide; in addition, there are classes, and speakers, ministers and mighty laughter from many, most especially my 'fabu' friend, and a very good friend of Franks, the "<b><i>Clean Comedy Queen</i></b>," Funny <b>Pat Shea</b>. <a href="http://www.LaughingPat.blogspot.com/">www.LaughingPat.blogspot.com</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank with Funny Pat Shea & Samantha Tetro</td></tr>
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I've written about Frank's outstanding Christmas offering,<b> REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> over several years' time, now, yet it bears repeating time and again. The cd itself is a masterpiece, really. I can say that more with each passing year from a musician's standpoint, as well as from a proud friend's point of view. The cd was released in November of 2007.<br />
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This cd, as sung by Frank, arranged and conducted by <b>Palma Pascale</b>, and recorded with expert engineering by <b>Fred Guarino</b> is far and away my favorite Christmas cd. But beyond that - I have, personally, begun recording some of these very songs because they are such poignant, lovely songs and I can tell you from personal experience, though all three of these talented individuals make the listening of this cd most enjoyable, in what is seemingly an effortless flow of song, one to another....there is nothing "easy" about any of it!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank ~ Remembering Christmas</td></tr>
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To Frank, the "song," no matter the genre, seemingly, is interpreted with conviction and soul. He can make one visualize the scene instantly, and he brings the emotion out in every single word. When you've finished listening to something Frank sings, you might ask yourself "<i>how did he do all that, just with his voice</i>." Frank is an actor, as well - so you get two versions of artistry rolled-up into one with him. Easy, though? Easier for Frank, yes, because of his natural talent, but he worked hard to get to this point. There is nothing "easy" about the amount of effort one expends to get to the point of being able to "get out of your own way" and make the song come alive. Because of Frank's tremendous training and his commitment to bringing his songs to life by singing them from his very heart and soul, it looks effortless, indeed, from our seats. And these Christmas songs each do tell such rich stories.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Palma Pascale</td></tr>
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Duplicating these wonderful songs has been anything but easy, I can assure you. One cannot just "sing" them - the stories must be "told," if you get my meaning. Being able to "get out of your own way" and sing with conviction and heart I am learning each day is not something that just "happens." Nor is being able to compose, orchestrate, arrange, and play these songs "easy." Yet again, our Palma makes each one of these incredible songs burst with life, and it seems so effortless - all of the strings, flutes, oboes and clarinets - all of the drums and tuned percussion - the pianos, harp, brass and other wind instruments...they're all there, and each one flows in the music as if an entire symphony orchestra were present. Let me repeat again....there is nothing "easy" about this process, either. Yet for Palma, it seems as simple as tying her shoe. Palma <i>lived</i> the music - and her compositions, ~two of which appear in this compilation, <b><i>Remembering Christmas</i></b> and <i><b>Much Less Than Christmas</b></i>, ~ will live on so that generations' more musicians will be able to try their hand at recording and singing them. They are timeless, and of such quality that many others, I hope, will have opportunity to enjoy and perform them.<br />
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Listening to this exquisitely produced cd , I hear so many different instruments - played so wonderfully by Palma, and with such "<i>taste,</i>" always! What a talent she possessed. What an amazing talent she truly was.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo</td></tr>
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Please read on as the blog just prior to this one is also about<b> REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>. And there is another - the very first blog in <b><i>RamblingsRegardingRend</i></b>o is about meeting Frank, being asked to sing on the cd myself, and hearing this compilation for the first time. It seems like only yesterday in many ways.<br />
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If for some reason you don't have your own copy of <b>Frank Rendo's REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>, you can get one in various ways. You can e-mail either Frank (<a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>), or me (<a href="mailto:bmjfan@mchsi.com">bmjfan@mchsi.com</a>); you can purchase yours from CDBaby, <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">www.cdbaby.com</a>, download it digitally from CDBaby, purchase it from Amazon, <a href="http://www.Amazon.com/">www.Amazon.com</a>, or you can digitally download your own copy at iTunes. <a href="http://www.iTunes.com/">www.iTunes.com</a>.<br />
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And so, as you begin your preparations for this upcoming holiday season, take some time to be still.....and listen. Listen to your own heart - remember the words of God - listen to the Christmas story as re-told, in song, brilliantly interpreted and performed by my talented friend, <b>Frank Rendo</b>.<br />
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"...<i>We'll be </i><b><i>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</i></b><i> when the family was with us - the greatest of gifts we could own. Oh they'll never leave us...they're waiting to greet us...the gift of the memories at home..</i>.."<br />
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Merry Christmas, everyone!<br />
~Martini<br />
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<a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/frank%20rendo">http://www.reverbnation.com/frank%20rendo</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic">http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photos courtesy of Frank Rendo, the Palma Pascale collection, Dominick Avento III, Orlando Pena.</i></span> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-81552996768226908952010-11-21T21:00:00.000-08:002011-07-03T18:42:07.736-07:00Frank Rendo's REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Holiday Messages of Frank Rendo</span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>arranged & orchestrated by Palma Pascale</i></b></span></span><br />
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</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkipFvRYh-4dRfJpCkLKt7kT-N1te3OWHZ-kYq0J9zWpt77VN03RVPExI9DKsV_DF-WfpBDPfLrqzQzs1J2_fLmXNBPKZKEWGoEzqOAiExx5fwW6Xge2L9-GrgGzUoWzKgaVsnIkGx3A/s1600/IMG_0967aREMEMBERING+CHRISTMAS+hi+rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkipFvRYh-4dRfJpCkLKt7kT-N1te3OWHZ-kYq0J9zWpt77VN03RVPExI9DKsV_DF-WfpBDPfLrqzQzs1J2_fLmXNBPKZKEWGoEzqOAiExx5fwW6Xge2L9-GrgGzUoWzKgaVsnIkGx3A/s320/IMG_0967aREMEMBERING+CHRISTMAS+hi+rez.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Lovingly dedicated to Frank and Agnes Rendo, two very special, generous people who make a positive impact in the lives of others, and who consistently offer their support to Frank and his music ministry... I know they are so incredibly proud of his many accomplishments!</i></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZj9aO3Ficr6UBN64hW18047rPiPr5zJiVNpDFSv4S1wnB9PP9j96Ufwpdn-iyu9SMf-hXZ4B6evWKaD6TmJ7t51rwaW_i5WPLVQDfjmspgBgFLrOppGDbArBLl7BreeIasB4BotRl44/s1600/Frank+and+Agnes+-+DYTTHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZj9aO3Ficr6UBN64hW18047rPiPr5zJiVNpDFSv4S1wnB9PP9j96Ufwpdn-iyu9SMf-hXZ4B6evWKaD6TmJ7t51rwaW_i5WPLVQDfjmspgBgFLrOppGDbArBLl7BreeIasB4BotRl44/s320/Frank+and+Agnes+-+DYTTHT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank and Agnes Rendo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>And</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>~In loving memory of the incomparable Palma Pascale ~</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyJmee0ImMDGLPITig8SO8htOp-GswGRP74rRGUGyljkLE1rQVbGuJdytwU2WSjtP0f8twgvIigZl4EYpao2gw5gSNdfK1_JcTTQl7y8Cl9_j9wnVqrSDNPpgnFU0hip8fquLxOX0XmA/s1600/Palma-BrokenCup-retouchedandcropped2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyJmee0ImMDGLPITig8SO8htOp-GswGRP74rRGUGyljkLE1rQVbGuJdytwU2WSjtP0f8twgvIigZl4EYpao2gw5gSNdfK1_JcTTQl7y8Cl9_j9wnVqrSDNPpgnFU0hip8fquLxOX0XmA/s200/Palma-BrokenCup-retouchedandcropped2.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palma Pascale</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"...I don't know if you can hear me, or if you're even there...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I don't know if you will listen to this humble prayer?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>They tell me I am just an outcast - I shouldn't speak to you...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>But I see your face and often wonder, </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>were you once an outcast, too?..."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hello to you, fans and friends of my truly talented friend, <b>Frank Rendo</b>. Man, does this lyric hit home in <i>many</i> ways this year as I listen to Frank's version of "<b><i>God Help The Outcasts</i></b>," which can be found on his amazing Christmas CD, <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-8k50aFz5DAe8JNqup3bHIBxK3jsUpcDwAyg60yF8thyphenhyphenuVwDsRLCVthjnisQS8yBRDfMZVfAqXthq4rJQmctPW_hb9eVdlbpwjq1rdFzmMXx57mnR-egSRnJwRIOFlt7fS-MOMpNOqc/s1600/Don%2527t-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-8k50aFz5DAe8JNqup3bHIBxK3jsUpcDwAyg60yF8thyphenhyphenuVwDsRLCVthjnisQS8yBRDfMZVfAqXthq4rJQmctPW_hb9eVdlbpwjq1rdFzmMXx57mnR-egSRnJwRIOFlt7fS-MOMpNOqc/s200/Don%2527t-5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palma at home in the studio</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9neLm-dh_4VmRZGx7YCpyNSRuvsMrGAb7XZCHHxd7yqis7kip_7fHv00lcE8YC7PIOJ-BQx_RFRbFRdTC8qe21YJWBevnZ7-5i6yQhD5w5VTrsSmuNCAT191_3sH6dK9HZWFZCbGN7ZE/s1600/100_1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9neLm-dh_4VmRZGx7YCpyNSRuvsMrGAb7XZCHHxd7yqis7kip_7fHv00lcE8YC7PIOJ-BQx_RFRbFRdTC8qe21YJWBevnZ7-5i6yQhD5w5VTrsSmuNCAT191_3sH6dK9HZWFZCbGN7ZE/s200/100_1123.JPG" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiki's Fred Guarino</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Recorded in 2007 at Tiki Recording Studios in Glen Cove, NY, (<a href="http://www.tikirecording.com/">www.tikirecording.com</a>), by Tiki owner and master engineer <b>Fred Guarino</b>, and arranged and conducted by the creative mind and heart of the late <b>Palma Pascale</b>, this 14-track album is a beautiful reminder to us all of just what and who Christmas is really all about! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With selections such as "<b><i>Joseph's Song<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">"</span></i></b> and "<b><i>Someday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">"</span></i></b>, we hear Joseph and Mary both as they speak to their newborn child, the son of God. And the story of that "<b><i>Bethlehem Morning</i></b>" is dynamically proclaimed, reminding each of us that the birth of Christ <i>"... is more than just a memory, for the child that was born there, has come to set us free...</i>!" In the lovely "<b><i>What Her Heart Remembered</i></b>" the story of Mary, the mother of God, is told reminding us that Mary was just a human who, like all mothers do, had questions about what she should do and how she should do it to properly care for her newborn child.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP31arWvoGbbBkDKDizeObhT3tA5-Ru1K5klQt5UEtJPZn07aQci7wELAgdobzpcrL9sWuf1WJ4FpL4dJ27_P0h63WtadMiWCzyVs_9x5Cj80fXtIej2rdBFJhGbvgJjZV3tfH1KQx5Zc/s1600/Frank+at+the+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP31arWvoGbbBkDKDizeObhT3tA5-Ru1K5klQt5UEtJPZn07aQci7wELAgdobzpcrL9sWuf1WJ4FpL4dJ27_P0h63WtadMiWCzyVs_9x5Cj80fXtIej2rdBFJhGbvgJjZV3tfH1KQx5Zc/s320/Frank+at+the+fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo<br />
From the REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS photo shoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though I am apt to listen to <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> from first note to last at any time during the year, as I have done since the release of the disc, I thought yesterday (Saturday, November 20, 2010) would be the perfect time to listen to the CD in its entirety via my iPod as I worked outside in the yard on such a beautiful warm autumn day....and this way, I could be refreshing my memory about my favorite parts of the album in order to write about them, and so that I could simply enjoy it once again, as I always do. Yet, something very interesting happened that I wasn't expecting, at all.........</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first song that played, ironically, was "<b><i>God Help The Outcasts</i></b>." That was odd, as this is actually the 13th track on the CD. I don't recall having saved the compilation to my iPod in this way, but I must have absentmindedly done so. Hearing this, I felt like the sign was very clear that the focus of my writing today should definitely be on this story, which confirmed my original plan.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vuEFq3HaGYBt_E_10fKwIHPOAgPajAwNotBEfBwyMQ8CjWoUIj2p-Vj7EWEyDGrmTtnQwXl8vYjjLlfeQ72-9HkJ_ztvQLIn3MjSIM5dNXn2PZG0Zy9Z0q7EZGG3q6ikmLCG_fPxQ0Y/s1600/frank+lost+in+thought+at+the+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vuEFq3HaGYBt_E_10fKwIHPOAgPajAwNotBEfBwyMQ8CjWoUIj2p-Vj7EWEyDGrmTtnQwXl8vYjjLlfeQ72-9HkJ_ztvQLIn3MjSIM5dNXn2PZG0Zy9Z0q7EZGG3q6ikmLCG_fPxQ0Y/s320/frank+lost+in+thought+at+the+fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo<br />
From the REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS photo shoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The second surprise came as I suddenly found myself having completely stopped what I was doing & standing very still, listening most intently to this story that I have heard hundreds of times - yet the dynamics of it - the raw honesty of it - the gut-wrenching emotion of it seemed as if to be brand new!! It is such a moving song and Frank's conviction of the story comes across very beautifully and warmly. I heard not only a freshness to Frank's unmatchable voice, but in Palma's orchestration, as well. I get completely overwhelmed at how Palm could put her feelings into her orchestrations. I could hear her weep as the beautiful sound of the English Horn played, and I could hear her conviction as the strings took command, leading the way here and there.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7fijQmiUS8f2MoqSHGojExR0YxTDN0cQuQmGXEjuUR5QZskOvbqbJZwQ1RCP7ZtADb68sVaKkCWxRKen4YpWUuNZxtCrEIymVsTrIh-7EjRIZbLHwLjmthlHUEC96-UPlCDp2x6Kms8/s1600/Frank+and+Palm+4++Bay+Shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7fijQmiUS8f2MoqSHGojExR0YxTDN0cQuQmGXEjuUR5QZskOvbqbJZwQ1RCP7ZtADb68sVaKkCWxRKen4YpWUuNZxtCrEIymVsTrIh-7EjRIZbLHwLjmthlHUEC96-UPlCDp2x6Kms8/s320/Frank+and+Palm+4++Bay+Shore.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palma and Frank in concert together</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Palma had this special ability, and clearly, Frank has it, too. We have spoken about it many times. Yes, certainly both are talented, of that there can be no question. However, to produce something like <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> where every single note is in and of itself profoundly moving, requires something altogether different than mere talent. To reach the depths and the heights that this album reaches requires that special ingredient - <b><i>heart</i></b>! One must have the ability to "<i>get out of their own way</i>" in order to allow their genuine feeling to shine through. This distinctive ingredient is very much evident throughout this entire compilation.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Adding to this piece is the genius of talented recording engineer, <b>Fred Guarino</b>. Fred lets the record take on a life of its own. He knows all the right places to sharpen the edges, but as we have spoken about, he wants the music to be REAL. The ultimate compliment, methinks....Fred has told me before how enjoyable it is, working with Frank in the studio, because he makes the music real. I know I certainly enjoyed working with him last year there at Tiki.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL76efUC-5nqlCyDetze6gIMfip1sYEXyP9j_ouaMNQ6gCU_tJuyeJ9l6Y1qPCBWJrsEfdY0JzEOggmYmcS1Hvx6IYDly24zL_pSWudk5VRGHb8dKbr2m1ZvN0uHzAeKaM7Y1lrbZ_z8/s1600/Frank+looking+down%252C+hand+to+chin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL76efUC-5nqlCyDetze6gIMfip1sYEXyP9j_ouaMNQ6gCU_tJuyeJ9l6Y1qPCBWJrsEfdY0JzEOggmYmcS1Hvx6IYDly24zL_pSWudk5VRGHb8dKbr2m1ZvN0uHzAeKaM7Y1lrbZ_z8/s320/Frank+looking+down%252C+hand+to+chin.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's no wonder, then, when listening to this important message just why it is so all engulfing and had me stopped in my tracks listening, tears falling, and without being aware of it until the song ended. Then, when I realized how captivated I'd been - how lost I was in the story....I found I was smiling. I shared with Frank last night that his interpretation of it is often emotional for me because there is such honesty to his read of this song; it's so pure and I can tell it comes right from his heart.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I recall having a conversation with Frank a couple of years ago about why he put <b><i>"God Help The Outcasts</i></b>" on a Christmas CD. He told me that he had a 9 year-old student bring the sheet music for it to their voice lesson, as she hoped Frank would help her learn it. It struck a cord with Frank immediately. At that time, he'd listened to <b>Bette Midle<i>r</i></b>'s version from the <b>Disney</b> soundtrack of the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME</span></b> as well as what he termed "<i>a fantastic version</i>" by<b><i> </i>Cynthia Clawson</b>. For several years, he sang the song in concert to a piano track (before Palma did her rendo-ition of it, that is). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgy770qJXvMpxBDqZV4tK_Jjqz1_cS4JSBpo0iNNGJh8zlZ9jOv_wb8sPgubrqv_Es27rZR-nXccQlhywupQEUPmcI8612a3v93Y3An228lbuZ76SO1SAEGvG10XHv8tjbaqPPV0ZhSI/s1600/Frank+white%253Atan+sweater+by+the+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgy770qJXvMpxBDqZV4tK_Jjqz1_cS4JSBpo0iNNGJh8zlZ9jOv_wb8sPgubrqv_Es27rZR-nXccQlhywupQEUPmcI8612a3v93Y3An228lbuZ76SO1SAEGvG10XHv8tjbaqPPV0ZhSI/s320/Frank+white%253Atan+sweater+by+the+fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo<br />
From the REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS photo shoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Frank and Palma discussed the tracks Frank wanted to put on<b> REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>, "<b><i>God Help The Outcasts</i></b>" was definitely on his wish list. Palma knew Frank truly loved this song and enjoyed very much performing it live - so, as a gift to him, she created and recorded the magnificent track of "<b><i>God Help The Outcasts</i></b>," heard on <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>. What a gift!! It's the kind that literally keeps on giving. Frank is requested to perform this song often, and he told me "<i>the song never ceases to strike a cord with anyone who hears it...all year 'round. But it's especially poignant at the holiday time of the year, when loneliness is at an all time high.</i>" He continues<i>, "The fact that during the holidays there is so much need and hurt and "outcasting," the song really helps open our hearts and eyes to see others in a way that can be of help instead of exclusion.</i>" Yes, Frank...I would have to agree with you, completely.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTNolC1mjEc4VT46tX2qfM9UJ-a3UeznImqoKgDZ2RuoskUbJ1vQkGMN70QaekCJXaKF7wn_5dv76NI_XqMDlFEdcM6h-PyOCY908xyRC1RRCt-GE0S3jtFWeq2J_lGF9AObM-91L3Tg/s1600/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8.6.09+hi+rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTNolC1mjEc4VT46tX2qfM9UJ-a3UeznImqoKgDZ2RuoskUbJ1vQkGMN70QaekCJXaKF7wn_5dv76NI_XqMDlFEdcM6h-PyOCY908xyRC1RRCt-GE0S3jtFWeq2J_lGF9AObM-91L3Tg/s200/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8.6.09+hi+rez.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank's CD, DELIVER ME</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bullying is such a prevalent topic today - all of the daytime talk shows, especially "<b>ELLEN</b>" have put a focus on it, as it should be! One Texas Councilman took his time at a council meeting to discuss his heartfelt mission to help those being bullied. Young men and women are taking their own lives because they feel themselves to be "<i>outcasts</i>." Frank's "<b><i>God Help The Outcasts</i></b>," as well as his cover of the moving "<b><i>Don't Laugh At Me</i></b>" from his CD <b>DELIVER ME</b>, both have a focus that can help those who have been bullied and feel as though they have been "<i>outcast-ed</i>." Thank you, Frank, for having the fortitude and the heart to know just how important this message is...and how effective it has been in your personal ministry.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The other tracks comprising <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> include seasonal favorites like "<b><i>We Need A Little Christmas</i></b>," "<b><i>White Christmas</i></b>," "<b><i>Count Your Blessings</i></b>" and the widely recognized anthem "<b><i>O, Holy Night</i></b>." But that's where the "<i>typica</i><i>l</i>" Christmas messages end. Frank has been applauded for his selections on this CD, as they are not "typically" included by most artists. I've said it before and repeat it again - <b>Frank Rendo</b> has a mission - and a personal ministry. Though he loves laughter and fun, and all good comedy - here, he wanted to get to the real reason for the season, and he has succeeded admirably!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKItHjqBMaC4L_iWHdJelMUNnQKkxKkazknMKZSBpc1jzjR7_5_1mhkTDiz3VT62nITmxvI_KaTJYHUuOosBOaoGwVsfoBIR0vK8sz9LCnXZMEX0v-kY9yzZcWyaL7ShF1E36iGJ_8HXU/s1600/Frank+and+the+lamp+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKItHjqBMaC4L_iWHdJelMUNnQKkxKkazknMKZSBpc1jzjR7_5_1mhkTDiz3VT62nITmxvI_KaTJYHUuOosBOaoGwVsfoBIR0vK8sz9LCnXZMEX0v-kY9yzZcWyaL7ShF1E36iGJ_8HXU/s320/Frank+and+the+lamp+post.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo<br />
From the REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS photo shoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"<b><i>Joseph's Song</i></b>" is a story from the heart of Joseph, the earthly father of the Christ Child. It's as if Joseph's deepest and most intimate thoughts are being shared with us. Joseph honestly cannot comprehend how he, a simple carpenter could possibly be the one chosen to be the father to the Son of God during Jesus' time here on earth. Such a poignant story, impeccably imparted by Frank, and Palma hits this one out of the park as well with her<i> "less is more</i>" philosophy clearly being followed here, to a heartwarming effect.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And from Mary's perspective comes the tender "<b><i>What Her Heart Remembered</i></b>." Such a sweet story - one that explains that the Baby, born in a cattle trough, was sent to her in order to free the world from sin and fear. It's all too big for Mary to comprehend, this whole idea of being the mother of the baby Jesus. She listens to to His soft breathing, the soft sounds of His swallowing and His beautiful soft, sweet sighs - all of these she knew would be memories to hold in her heart forever. I find it to be such a sweet story, and sung to us with such genuine feeling.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPQOdI8Nh1jDsc-7f0qRMR1ZDqJp_6J_vfg6B7UACaoFr1jCBEEIC5BxpvhqKMwe-nVFGOYxmFxujB2CV6U9FMIYqxeziZspCpEx5SLi1JY8THCZmhDWs3h_9FFWWITvzqqWsHjyVASM/s1600/Frank+gazing+at+the+Fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPQOdI8Nh1jDsc-7f0qRMR1ZDqJp_6J_vfg6B7UACaoFr1jCBEEIC5BxpvhqKMwe-nVFGOYxmFxujB2CV6U9FMIYqxeziZspCpEx5SLi1JY8THCZmhDWs3h_9FFWWITvzqqWsHjyVASM/s320/Frank+gazing+at+the+Fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo by the fire, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frank and Palma duet on "<b><i>Remembering Christmas</i></b>," the title track, written by Palma for one of her Broadway musicals. This one tells the story of recalling Christmases past when the family was all gathered. Different moments are remembered, and shared with us. It's quite nice. A typical "Palma" story! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other tracks include "<b><i>In The Bleak Midwinter</i></b>" along with the sad Christmas love story, also written by Palma, entitled "<b><i>Much Less Than Christmas</i></b>." Palma so knew how to tell a story both with her clever lyric, and her supporting orchestral arrangements. Frank's melancholy as he sings this 1973 composition is evident and the listener gets treated to a beautiful, though sad story of the holidays.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb6vmntbndS5vIgqHEzv3vSrcXY632F2unKKX4lDGvqDDPBvKyd9lwE4lZ1l4rzIkD4YSmtI9-3qgWhhzcBkSJSggkKMQDaD66joRUOe2fWJaoUqt8yTtry77HpsqHrO-7ApPMdd2RZw/s1600/Fr.+Charles+and+Frank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb6vmntbndS5vIgqHEzv3vSrcXY632F2unKKX4lDGvqDDPBvKyd9lwE4lZ1l4rzIkD4YSmtI9-3qgWhhzcBkSJSggkKMQDaD66joRUOe2fWJaoUqt8yTtry77HpsqHrO-7ApPMdd2RZw/s320/Fr.+Charles+and+Frank.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fr. Charles Mangano & Frank Rendo</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Included is a duet with Frank and <b>Fr. Charles Mangano</b> called "<b><i>We Wish You the Merriest</i></b>." Additional vocals for this one were contributed by <b>Laurie Mangano</b>, and <b>Palma Pascale</b>. </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"<b><i>Bethlehem Morning</i></b>" is also a feature, and it is one powerhouse of a song. Originally recorded by <b>Sandi Patty</b>, who made the song instantly recognizable - yet, it's Frank's version that is preferred by this writer. Frank has a soothing, full, rich, handsome voice and for as sweetly as he can sing, he can be every bit as powerful when that dynamic is called for. He hits every note spot on with that clear, full voice - each note perfectly placed and one as beautiful as the next. This one will tug at your heart, I can assure you.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixLPB46rM5yRtCR7v2KWp7zTOW3b1NaMiARaRbjplKC5oycN7koRDExlICem3E_HcKWZH0t4sKg9aMBWTO0IJM4hJnMYQRFFERlbJbSF3VxP_NAkjlkKiZNQ5r_3IMlsEWpJc6I5KHrc/s1600/frank+smiling+hand+on+chin+at+the+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixLPB46rM5yRtCR7v2KWp7zTOW3b1NaMiARaRbjplKC5oycN7koRDExlICem3E_HcKWZH0t4sKg9aMBWTO0IJM4hJnMYQRFFERlbJbSF3VxP_NAkjlkKiZNQ5r_3IMlsEWpJc6I5KHrc/s320/frank+smiling+hand+on+chin+at+the+fireplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo<br />
From the REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS photo shoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another story, as told by Mary to Jesus, is included and is one of my favorites! (Who am I trying to kid??....each of them is a favorite in one way or another). "<b><i>Someday</i></b>" is the story of a mother telling her child how, one day, He will walk among all the peoples of the world - that they will call Him Master and Savior, and just how important she knew His teachings and life on earth was to be - with the caveat "...<i>But tonight I'll rock you - stay a while with me, my son....let me rock you. Stay a while with me</i>..." Wow!! Frank's delivery of this special, special story is outstanding. It's worth the price of the CD to hear this one, alone!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE86mSPvL-cmNRynrUDVwAJQ45Q6ghB2ew3btH1lzeCdWccAMiYug-6WQXFV2fXuoJHxN9c8F4z74bL9_JahJr6-BqkeMFPAoH0AWT43O9LFvXlabG-3_woIS8CyC96yBzTMEJRNxDL4/s1600/Frank+green+jacket+at+the+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE86mSPvL-cmNRynrUDVwAJQ45Q6ghB2ew3btH1lzeCdWccAMiYug-6WQXFV2fXuoJHxN9c8F4z74bL9_JahJr6-BqkeMFPAoH0AWT43O9LFvXlabG-3_woIS8CyC96yBzTMEJRNxDL4/s320/Frank+green+jacket+at+the+fireplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo<br />
From the REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS photo shoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally, though this song really was written for Sinatra years ago, intended to be a "<i>feel-good</i>" song for the holidays, and it is one of the lighter selections on the album; still, it has a point that Frank is famous for making. A point that peeks out of many of the tunes he selects for his concerts throughout the year. This one talks about the importance of not making the gift at Christmas the end all and be all...that is, it's not about this once a year gift being given, but more about being the sort of individual who is giving of themselves all year through. That message is significant and it's well done in this theatrical sounding arrangement. Bravo for this fun song with such a serious message!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you don't own your own copy of <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>, you owe it to yourself to pick yours up this Christmas season. Remember the "outcast" - pray for the bullying to end, and see that outcasted individual for who they truly are - especially here at this holiday time of the year.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> can be purchased at <a href="http://www.cdBaby.com/">www.cdBaby.com</a>, <a href="http://www.iTunes.com/">www.iTunes.com</a>, or you can contact Frank at <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>, or me at <a href="mailto:bmjfan@mchsi.com">bmjfan@mchsi.com</a>, and we will see to it you receive a copy post haste.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtNhod_Zgd_dwbIpc3s0Ve_6xGjMqIgNcRxiDF0uXSVpMgrXIltemLTQHMynUDODWA0LIVR7VWXAJRHsNQI-ODXsOCC4fZ6V8ZPBy-RUTNhOisLWHME911E8DubgfS7mv7mNCEnYimPw/s1600/Frank+Remembering+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtNhod_Zgd_dwbIpc3s0Ve_6xGjMqIgNcRxiDF0uXSVpMgrXIltemLTQHMynUDODWA0LIVR7VWXAJRHsNQI-ODXsOCC4fZ6V8ZPBy-RUTNhOisLWHME911E8DubgfS7mv7mNCEnYimPw/s320/Frank+Remembering+Christmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Rendo<br />
In The Bleak Midwinter</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Such a well-done and meaningful Christmas CD. I'm telling you, you'll want to listen to it again and again - and all through the year, not just at Christmas. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"...The winds of misfortune have tossed them about, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>You made the outcasts, don't cast them out...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The poor and unlucky - the weak, and the odd...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I thought we all were the children of God..."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are some opportunities to<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"> see Frank in concert,</span></b> and hear him sing many of these beautiful selections, LIVE! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frank will appear for his annual Christmas Concert on <b>Saturday, December 4, 2010</b>, at the wonderful venue, S<b><i>amantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</i></b>,<b><i> 287 Larkfield Road, East Northport, NY.</i></b> Call for reservations (they're a must) <b>631-262-1212.</b> The doors will open at 8:00 p.m., and <b>Frank begins at 8:30 p.m.</b> <a href="http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/">http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frank performs on <b>Sunday, December 5, 2010</b>, at the quai<b><i>nt Binnewater Union Free Chapel</i></b> in <b>Kingston, NY.</b> Frank will be in concert for the <b>10:00 a.m</b>. service there.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also on <b>Sunday, December 5, 2010</b>, Frank performs at <b><i>Emmanuel United Church in Mechanicville, NY</i></b> at <b>7:00 p.m.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On<b> Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., </b>Frank will be in concert a<b><i>t Love and Mercy Fellowship</i></b> in <b><i>Bayshore, NY.</i></b></span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday, December 17th, Frank performs at <b>Bethpage Assembly of God</b> at 8:00 p.m. f<b><i>or "A Light of Hope" - an SLM Christmas Special</i></b></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bethpage Assembly of God 362 Stewart Avenue (at Emma Street) Bethpage, New York, 11714 Phone: 516.931.2378</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Merry Christmas from <b>RamblingsRegardingRENDO</b>, and from me, personally! Enjoy F<b>rank Rendo's</b> <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> this holiday season. You'll be so glad you took my advice as you will find you have been blessed by this man, this magnificent voice, and his messages! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~Tim</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/frank%20rendo">http://www.reverbnation.com/frank%20rendo</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic">http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo">http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">Most photographs from Frank Rendo's personal collection. <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> photo shoot credits to Dominick Avento III.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo of Frank and Agnes Rendo and Fr. Charles Mangano & Frank Rendo courtesy of Sue Rosen. </i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo of Palma Pascale courtesy "Estate of Palma Pascale" re-touched by Dominick Avento III.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo of Fred Guarino courtesy of Tim San Paolo.</i></span></span></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-1448686892605164692010-08-02T19:52:00.000-07:002011-07-03T18:41:56.499-07:00A new look at Frank Rendo's DON'T LAUGH AT ME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvhuBFBUBSBIMvQm9QuruGo6WhdXUspU8XFIXPmRpLVdruKBLldtfwFnlAZXwI9OLvw8xd23-xkRow_ZzoGvcj3mr5_w7zEqkBaw8ThSotlc5raKYq6Ku7czMnyFqlMp68SpIxbf-jgE/s1600/Don't+Laugh+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvhuBFBUBSBIMvQm9QuruGo6WhdXUspU8XFIXPmRpLVdruKBLldtfwFnlAZXwI9OLvw8xd23-xkRow_ZzoGvcj3mr5_w7zEqkBaw8ThSotlc5raKYq6Ku7czMnyFqlMp68SpIxbf-jgE/s400/Don't+Laugh+Photo.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hello fans and friends of Long Island's own awesome recording artist, <b>Frank Rendo</b>:</span></span></span></span><br />
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Many of you are aware by now that Frank's latest CD, a wonderfully crafted collection of songs by some gifted composers<b>, DELIVER ME</b>, also includes the single <b>DON'T LAUGH AT ME. </b><br />
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<b>"Don't Laugh At Me"</b> is a very important song in our society, and especially just now, as there have been so many recent reports of terrible injuries, deaths, and even suicides that have resulted from bullying! I have known way too many "victims" of bullying during my lifetime, and I want to do my part to stop this intolerable behavior. We all have a responsibility to educate those around us about the horrible effects of bullying, and to garner enough support to stomp it out altogether. We must unite on this effort.<br />
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Frank's interpretation of this beautiful song is heart-wrenching, as you will hear by clicking on the video, below. He sings it with such sincerity; such warmth and feeling - it is evident that the message is a most important one to him. <br />
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Frank's version of <b>DON'T LAUGH AT ME</b> has received airplay on various radio stations throughout the US, and it meets with nothing but positive, heartfelt comments from his listeners. This record needs to be played on<i><b> every</b></i> radio station in <b><i>every</i></b> town, and brought to <i><b>every</b></i> single school across America. Listening to Frank sing this story will bring a tear to your eye, and an awareness to your heart that this problem is such a real one in our society that must be dealt with, now!<br />
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Please enjoy this new video of <b>Frank Rendo's "</b><b>DON'T LAUGH AT ME</b>." Let's do our part to help Frank in his quest to stomp out bullying of any sort - children or adults, and get the message across that "...<i>you don't have to be my friend, but is it too much to ask...</i><b><i>Don't Laugh at Me</i></b>?..." <br />
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</div>Frank remains busy with singing engagements throughout the New York metropolitan area, and continues to appear at "<b>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</b>" on the first Saturday night of every month. <a href="http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/">www.SamanthasLilBitofHeaven.org</a><br />
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<b>"DON'T LAUGH AT ME"</b> is available on Frank's CD, <b>DELIVER ME</b>, which can be purchased at <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">www.cdbaby.com</a>; digital downloads are also available at cdbaby, as well as at <a href="http://www.iTunes.com/">www.iTunes.com</a>.<br />
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<b>Get your copy of Frank Rendo's incredibly touching interpretation of the moving composition "Don't Laugh At Me,</b><b>" today!</b><br />
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Wishing each of you my musical best,<br />
~Tim<br />
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Links to <b>FRANK RENDO</b>:<br />
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<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/frank-rendo/id271037974">http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/frank-rendo/id271037974</a><br />
<a href="http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic">http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo">http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo</a><br />
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Photo credit: Dominick Avento III Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-44082973551106453742010-03-17T19:12:00.000-07:002011-07-03T18:41:43.283-07:00AN EARLY INTERVIEW AND OTHER NEWS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQnUkMI_UQLKp_xamOUUzM8cMjLGllNzUp55n85CGOVAMMm0nbJMuMUN7zassWJ_krzWSjDyLJJi1m9xgBwW_0LtL1XUl4tI9mcD-DCxJ_t8wRz0wOwtxIj66wfNAKS_eOEAMFp1r9hI/s1600-h/Frank+close+up+-+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQnUkMI_UQLKp_xamOUUzM8cMjLGllNzUp55n85CGOVAMMm0nbJMuMUN7zassWJ_krzWSjDyLJJi1m9xgBwW_0LtL1XUl4tI9mcD-DCxJ_t8wRz0wOwtxIj66wfNAKS_eOEAMFp1r9hI/s200/Frank+close+up+-+face.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>Hello friends and fans of<b> Frank Rendo</b>:<br />
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On Easter Sunday of last year (April 12, 2009), I posted the first in a series of blogs regarding Frank's inaugural and quite successful CD, <b>HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</b> That blog only took us through a few of the selections on this stunning collection, and I have intended to get back to writing more and more about it. Frank's too fast for me though, (and I say that with a grin from ear to ear). That's a good thing, in other words.<br />
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You see, since I began sharing information and opinion with you regarding this truly wonderful and personal work of Frank's, he has been very busy doing shows and concerts - performing on other's CD's, and he's made yet another high-quality, indescribably beautiful CD, with yet more very personal songs included. That CD is titled <b>DELIVER ME</b>. <br />
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<b>DELIVER ME </b> is filled with questions and feelings. The work is a masterpiece of music designed to showcase inner conflict, and what to do about it. So...just as I would begin once again working on more writings regarding<b> HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN? </b>I would need to happily put it aside in order to concentrate on another accomplishment by Frank that deserved to be archived here at <b><i>RamblingsRegardingRENDO.</i></b><br />
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Though this writer has really only known Frank for a two-year period, he has, indeed, learned a great deal about Frank and has felt that each accomplishment deserved KUDOS independent of anything or anyone else. For example - Frank did a variety of shows and concerts in many areas of Long Island during that Spring and Summer of 2009. He caught the attention of Ms. Pag Hogeboom, an author and columnist for <b><i>Great South Bay Magazine</i></b>, a local Long Island publication.<br />
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Shortly after writing about and sharing this article with you, Frank decided the time had come to record a song he had been wanting to record for some years - "<b><i>Don't Laugh At Me</i></b>." "<b><i>Don' Laugh At Me</i></b>" is a really poignant story, and Frank delivered it with so much emotion. Yet, this song needed to be surrounded by even more beautiful music.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9xAYlNVCi4J2aHMq6-7LUJcUKAu2TfPvBohQBWWx2N-ddi5y5QpTQXNM1-0ihIzUQFe8IczlBeaFQIaDjAfF7c4qe9WAoOCoXPdtmWHFXqWIjABClLAfKMjeOZnvm942mqvQJ0wRvsg/s1600-h/Don't+Laugh+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9xAYlNVCi4J2aHMq6-7LUJcUKAu2TfPvBohQBWWx2N-ddi5y5QpTQXNM1-0ihIzUQFe8IczlBeaFQIaDjAfF7c4qe9WAoOCoXPdtmWHFXqWIjABClLAfKMjeOZnvm942mqvQJ0wRvsg/s200/Don't+Laugh+Photo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Therefore, along with working closely together with Long Island's brilliant singer/songwriter, the late <b>Palma Pascale</b>, on HER newest CD venture, <b>THIS MUST BE HEAVEN</b>, Frank and Palma began working on developing a new CD for him that would include Frank's single, "<b><i>Don't Laugh At Me</i></b>." Frank pulled some songs "f<i>rom the archive</i><i>s</i>" as he described it to me, for inclusion in this recording, and he added some fresh, new compositions by Palma. (<a href="http://www.palmapascale.com/">www.palmapascale.com</a>)<br />
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Plus, Frank engaged the unparalleled talents of another singer/songwriter in the greater New York area, <b>Peter Eldridge</b>, (<a href="http://www.petereldridge.com/">www.petereldridge.com</a>) to accompany him singing one of Peter's stellar compositions that Frank had, for years, hoped to one day record. The selection became the title song of the CD -<b> DELIVER ME</b>. Besides enjoying a solo career, Peter is also a member of the famed <b>New York Voices</b>. (<a href="http://www.newyorkvoices.com/">www.newyorkvoices.com/</a>)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKItFXXsu2zOcCNIAIGgN8UnmEGfgaSSY_BfTH322BNmzB76t_wsBeLirVjPyKTQqHQAPS0Bi5fAj_NWsBeSjHBKfmE6PvgylNIEuICMvv4O0AzkhVWglH6wc8xbZsVg1kAET1RfMp_N0/s1600-h/Frank+and+Peter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKItFXXsu2zOcCNIAIGgN8UnmEGfgaSSY_BfTH322BNmzB76t_wsBeLirVjPyKTQqHQAPS0Bi5fAj_NWsBeSjHBKfmE6PvgylNIEuICMvv4O0AzkhVWglH6wc8xbZsVg1kAET1RfMp_N0/s200/Frank+and+Peter.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktOwYiyAmN4WNRJrU1dkrIEicgcpO6W7Mwm_zoh1VonsplmQawQt8EzZEPDwg6tOuYI-hFKHI-LDsWcJGud6t-cfO5HvUJJi6iFnftBTkarwYKAZsDj6FFTniMOoedEagVn696-G8PIU/s1600-h/100_4349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktOwYiyAmN4WNRJrU1dkrIEicgcpO6W7Mwm_zoh1VonsplmQawQt8EzZEPDwg6tOuYI-hFKHI-LDsWcJGud6t-cfO5HvUJJi6iFnftBTkarwYKAZsDj6FFTniMOoedEagVn696-G8PIU/s200/100_4349.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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I wrote the <b>DELIVER ME</b> blog in late July as Frank had asked me to author both the Forward and the liner notes for the CD. I can't imagine he will ever really understand what a pleasure, and a true privilege it was for me to pen them; nor how important and humbling it was to me. It was good fun to wade through the details of each song with Frank, and to attempt to share with you, my readers, what a compelling listen this album really is. It was nice to see Frank in July face-to-face there at <b><i>Tiki Recording Studios</i></b> in Glen Cove, NY, (<a href="http://www.tikirecording.com/">www.tikirecording.com</a>), and go over a few of the details of a song or two, plus listen to Tiki owner and chief engineer, <b>Fred Guarino,</b> do some mastering of Frank's album. There was enough energy spent from all those who contributed in any way to the success of this amazing work to light up Long Island for a long time to come. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(pictured left: Frank with Peter Eldridge - Pictured right: Frank with Tim San Paolo, and Fred Guarino)</i></span><br />
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Since the release of <b> DELIVER ME,</b> Frank has continued to perform all over the greater NY area; tragically, he lost a close friend after her significant, brave battle with cancer. That was Frank's collaborator on his last 3 albums - singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/arranger/producer/director, <b>Palma Pascale</b>. It was just prior to the <b>DELIVER ME</b> CD release concert that Frank learned that Palma's imminent death was only a matter of days; sadly, she was so ill, there was no way for her to attend the opening and receive the accolades due her for such a fine production, such unbelievably beautiful orchestration, and of course, for the many beautiful compositions she'd written that Frank chose to include on the CD. Frank literally left her hospital bedside to go and do the release concert, then immediately went back to Palma's bedside and stayed with her until she left this world, only a couple of short days later.<br />
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Frank and I both felt this loss in a significantly painful way. Palma's long-time associate and her very close, trusted friend, <b>Fred Guarino</b> who, along with Palma, co-produced Frank's last three CD's, decided he wanted to finish and needed to share with the world the CD Palma (with help from Frank and others) had been working on for the prior 18 month period, between all of the other work for others she had been doing. So, Fred engaged both Frank and me to help him get the project completed.<br />
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T<b>HIS MUST BE HEAVEN</b> was readied for release between September 15th, and October 31st, 2009. It made its debut on November 21st, when Frank and others put on a wonderful tribute concert to Palma..."<b><i>In Her Own Words</i></b>." Each of the artists sang one of Palma's original compositions. They sang to a packed house, and there has since been talk of another show sometime, soon. Another CD of her beautiful work was slated to be released on the same night as <b>THIS MUST BE HEAVEN</b>, though there were some production issues with the artwork that held it up and prevented that from occurring. The CD, <b>I WORSHIP YOU</b> was actually released during the last week of December. Both of these CD's of Palma's are available at<a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/"> www.cdbaby.com.</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(pictured: Palma Pascale)</i></span><br />
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I made a quick trip to Long Island to work with Frank and Fred on a few of Palm's unfinished songs, and provided arrangements for several selections. I was also quite gratified to be able to sing alongside Frank, and work with Fred. And, of course, to be a musical contributor to one of our most talented songwriters/musicians of our day was beyond measure for me. It was a thrilling and unbelievably bittersweet experience for me to record Palma's songs on her CD - without her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk3dJ6J5NHLA7tbL7bNd3EayCy0DSw5CPNFE-s7mbzYdjF2ZDlVPHzT5PmP0s7YaD5t80Yd9PRvbKlAi3stCO64_clYnUVlHm2LPt7JHYI09rCBGNoeaPamNrvgNVUgeUYbFbh5gdCeU/s1600-h/Frank+likes+his+gift+-+Deliver+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk3dJ6J5NHLA7tbL7bNd3EayCy0DSw5CPNFE-s7mbzYdjF2ZDlVPHzT5PmP0s7YaD5t80Yd9PRvbKlAi3stCO64_clYnUVlHm2LPt7JHYI09rCBGNoeaPamNrvgNVUgeUYbFbh5gdCeU/s200/Frank+likes+his+gift+-+Deliver+Me.jpg" width="150" /></a>The highly successful release party for Frank's <b>DELIVER ME</b> CD was held at <b><i>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven </i></b>- <a href="http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/">www.SamanthasLilBitofHeaven.org</a> - on September 5th. Since that time, Frank has been receiving radio air time for not only<b> "Don't Laugh At Me</b>" but other of his recordings, as well. Concert appearances, personal appearances (TV and the like) and his directing and producing skills have also been called upon in a big way. He's been really busy, friends. And there is much more to be done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fFr0DVapLGlfrKQPCYcHKVwxqhhCLPi14WU6keYt190Cme4u2kG_iQ3_Z1K9tG9T2vhnXqLE_VjgEu__T9Wkzm9VnlGDv0nSHOzlZohPoxuo77KxJD7CnwqVXcuifWwsagEn_P6rhOc/s1600-h/Frank-Deliver+Me+-+question+expression.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fFr0DVapLGlfrKQPCYcHKVwxqhhCLPi14WU6keYt190Cme4u2kG_iQ3_Z1K9tG9T2vhnXqLE_VjgEu__T9Wkzm9VnlGDv0nSHOzlZohPoxuo77KxJD7CnwqVXcuifWwsagEn_P6rhOc/s200/Frank-Deliver+Me+-+question+expression.jpg" width="200" /></a>Palma passed a torch on to Frank - a very important torch - one that touched her heart in a huge way. She had been composing songs for a "playlet" (a play which will have very little actual spoken dialogue - its story will be told through the songs). The playlet now has a title, "<b>Did You Talk To Him Today?</b>" This title is taken from a <b>Palma Pascale</b> original song by the same name. The song can be found on her highly acclaimed Christian CD<b>, THE BROKEN CUP</b>. This event is for <b><i>Jesus Alive</i></b>, a ministry and organization that is committed to raising money for pantries and grassroots ministries from the East End of Long Island to New York City. (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://jesusaliveministries.org/">http://jesusaliveministries.org</a>/). </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjq0mJXuMNPhGoBJn-fXVUNhA7dY6m_LEwUB2Qo-UXge1ITJ9lfnoYqq89FiEtnxkum4XvULLn-_rnfJPbszHV7jJI8NJuzVk05whmd2R5SVdeIgpdbe4KJZnRuw-O_h96yuo2rNq-gM/s1600-h/FAR-Deliver+Me+-+full+shot,+sitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjq0mJXuMNPhGoBJn-fXVUNhA7dY6m_LEwUB2Qo-UXge1ITJ9lfnoYqq89FiEtnxkum4XvULLn-_rnfJPbszHV7jJI8NJuzVk05whmd2R5SVdeIgpdbe4KJZnRuw-O_h96yuo2rNq-gM/s320/FAR-Deliver+Me+-+full+shot,+sitting.jpg" /></a>Though Palma had, in fact, composed the majority of the music prior to her unexpected death on September 8th, 2009, there was much left to do towards readying this musical extravaganza she had been working on for the <b><i>Jesus Alive</i></b> ministry, and as one of her last, important requests, she left this as a job for Frank to carry out on her behalf. Frank, of course, assured Palma he would take the lead and would do everything necessary to ensure the program, which is slated to be performed on October 10, 2010 (10-10-10) is a solid success. Frank is now the Director of the program.<br />
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As the Director, Frank has devoted a great deal of time and energy to this important project, in between trying to live the rest of his life. He hasn't been completely alone - he has received help from many people, to include his close friends, <b>Jackie Carey,</b> <b>Fred Guarino</b>, and me<b>, Tim San Paolo</b> - as well as <b>Orlando Pena</b> of <b><i>Ovations Dance Academy</i></b> -(<a href="http://www.ovationsdance.com/52.htm">http://www.ovationsdance.com/52.htm</a>l). Frank tells me that Orlando's involvement has been invaluable to him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMzfphklWAVjpr-Ta_7Ks-4BqxMxWGc5D0joUDd2D3QPN4A4LXY53y0wdjJgsYCUxx3eTO3E6tBlv2gnzVEE5x1SZ3O1twh-L4OJOa_VYWjt7OOBsFWcZehzHtAZzOM0_T4YGCV5vklE/s1600-h/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMzfphklWAVjpr-Ta_7Ks-4BqxMxWGc5D0joUDd2D3QPN4A4LXY53y0wdjJgsYCUxx3eTO3E6tBlv2gnzVEE5x1SZ3O1twh-L4OJOa_VYWjt7OOBsFWcZehzHtAZzOM0_T4YGCV5vklE/s200/IMG_0031.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Besides all of that (yes friends, there's <b><i>MORE</i></b>) - as I mentioned briefly, Frank's music has been getting the attention of radio stations literally across the USA. He could be heard on<b><i> KTTS FM Radio</i></b> in Springfield, MO, <a href="http://www.ktts.com/">http://www.ktts.com/</a> as well as on <b><i>WHLI Radio</i></b> there on Long Island. <a href="http://www.whli.com/whli_trivia.htm">http://www.whli.com/</a> His music has recently been added to heavy rotation on the playlists of <b><i>Arise Radio</i></b>,<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.live365.com%2Fstations%2Fbrucbuzz&h=4aff06a8b9ddf2c8db8ccbcf0d8a779e">http://www.live365.com/stations/brucbuzz</a>, as well as<b><i> Carmen's Cafe</i></b>, an internet radio station Frank was the featured artist for on March 1st. <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/c/fan_reach/pt?eid=3530571_8394051&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstickam.com%2Fwram">http://stickam.com/wram</a><br />
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Not only has Frank been heard on the radio, listeners of two stations have nominated him in their top countdowns. <b><i> WHLI </i></b>announced that Frank was #29 on their "<b>T</b><b>OP 50 RELEASES OF 2009.</b>" Frank did a lengthy interview with the General Manager of <b><i>WHLI</i>, Paul Richards, </b>in early October of last year, as well. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Pictured: Paul Richards with Frank)</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFt_rm6R11ZIC-kl5e3rq6YDhUZZ1yz_ysto8rkCzZrPPKWMiIYzAtoCDQYjhvU_g-7rlHzRzB1MMZMTGXlR4RPML7_n0wqU7P2DHNYXZIELh6JynTt3zhUauXXqG8b_KnkDAEpimo9E/s1600-h/Arise+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFt_rm6R11ZIC-kl5e3rq6YDhUZZ1yz_ysto8rkCzZrPPKWMiIYzAtoCDQYjhvU_g-7rlHzRzB1MMZMTGXlR4RPML7_n0wqU7P2DHNYXZIELh6JynTt3zhUauXXqG8b_KnkDAEpimo9E/s200/Arise+Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a>New to<b><i> Arise Radio</i></b>, Frank's debut week placed him within the <b>TOP 20</b>, landing at #3 during that week. On week two, Frank landed in the #2 spot on the <b>TOP 20 lLIS</b>T. Personally, I was not a bit surprised at this news.<br />
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All of these things I mentioned take time to write about, and get all of the details for you - then to incorporate them into the blog, too. But, as you can see when you check - you'll find information about all of these important pieces that continue to move Frank's career just that much farther along.<br />
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The radio information provides me with a perfect segue, then, for the actual topic today - I'm bringing you a fun radio interview that I transcribed today; one that Frank did with <b>John Barilla</b> of <b><i>N</i></b><b><i>ew York Christian Music Showcase</i></b>. This is a VINTAGE interview, as it occurred in 1992, just shortly after Frank released <b>HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</b><br />
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You can easily detect that John was quite impressed with Frank, and the CD, itself. He mentions the magnificent voice of Frank and his tonal quality and control, throughout, as well as the music itself, and the sound quality of the recording.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoqq2oknFGclbCw8kKjiAjiIYATGUAfNBaPY_asqH2Ds36WvrTYEUKdgF8oWle5L9nbb96VuHD9vXhqOY1BBW2qoNghebg3wGFA1sz6ygfLImVWA9N7H-qB0oNxRsveHql2nOXa-lwI8/s1600-h/Frank+-+Deliver+Me+-+opening+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoqq2oknFGclbCw8kKjiAjiIYATGUAfNBaPY_asqH2Ds36WvrTYEUKdgF8oWle5L9nbb96VuHD9vXhqOY1BBW2qoNghebg3wGFA1sz6ygfLImVWA9N7H-qB0oNxRsveHql2nOXa-lwI8/s200/Frank+-+Deliver+Me+-+opening+gift.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
So, without further adieu, I offer you the following 1992 interview with <b>Frank Rendo</b> and <b>John Barilla</b>.<br />
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<b>JB</b> =<b> John Barilla</b><br />
<b> FAR = Frank Rendo</b><br />
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THE <b><i>NEW YORK CHRISTIAN MUSIC SHOWCASE</i></b> IS SPONSORED BY <b><i>JOHN BARILLA PRODUCTIONS</i></b> OF WHEATLY HEIGHTS, NY.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Good evening to ya - this is <b>John Barilla</b>, your host for the<b><i> New York Christian Music Showcase.</i></b><br />
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Well, tonight we have a quality musical project that we'd like to bring to your attention. It's a new album by <b>Frank Rendo</b> called "<b>HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</b>" and I'm really into this album because the quality of the sound is so great and the recording process that Frank went through to get it is something that is a very interesting process.<br />
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We have Frank here with us in the studio, and we'd like to welcome him to the<b><i> New York Christian Music Showcase.</i></b><br />
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<b>FAR</b> How ya doing? Thanks for having me, here.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Yeah, Frank - it's good to have ya. Tell us a little bit about your record and we're gonna be playing some music from it very shortly; but just tell us a little bit about the recording process that you did.<br />
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<b>FAR </b>Well, for the most part it was recorded here on Long Island.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8D-HeyfCEg73InGdl691c3FqaqvklmU00ISlbQPecv8YA8Prz1g7iqLx6Xq9g4VR-t3QgVQ6QfzPqZcHqhDu1eAOZY5H5zOVuDYnJWUSX9C2ZwjROCcBKzN3PUK2WzPDGGw7I4iwQ68/s1600-h/Frank+Deliver+Me+-+side+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8D-HeyfCEg73InGdl691c3FqaqvklmU00ISlbQPecv8YA8Prz1g7iqLx6Xq9g4VR-t3QgVQ6QfzPqZcHqhDu1eAOZY5H5zOVuDYnJWUSX9C2ZwjROCcBKzN3PUK2WzPDGGw7I4iwQ68/s320/Frank+Deliver+Me+-+side+view.jpg" /></a></div><b>JB</b> Home grown, huh?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Home grown, yes. I did most of the recording at the <b><i>New Covenant Church</i></b> in East Meadow, thanks to the generous folks over there. And, I had a fantastic engineer - his name is <b>Rick Bieder</b> - he recorded it and we mixed it and then it was mastered at <b><i>Cove City</i></b> in Glen Cove. I even had planned a trip to Israel and had some strings recorded over there for the album.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Wow! Are we going to be hearing some of the strings in this cut we're going to be playing?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Yes - on two of the cuts, I believe, yeah - the strings are there.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Great! Great! Well, let's jump right into the music and then we'll talk a little bit more to<b> Frank Rendo </b>about the production process and his ministry. Now, "<b>HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</b>" <br />
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-plays selection-<br />
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<b>JB</b> "<b>How Can You Say No To This Man?</b>" Well Frank, I wanna tell you that I really like that song - very much. It's a very sincere song and your voice really shines on it. You didn't use a lot of effects or gimmicks....ah....and I think that's probably because you really don't need effects and gimmicks - you have good control of your voice - you have to have some training - some background in singing. Is that true?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Well, I've been singing my whole life. That's all I really ever wanted to do, so I guess, I've done it all my life and one of the ways that I like to approach a song is communicating a story or an impression - like doing a painting. These are my paintings - making pictures.<br />
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<b>JB </b> Um hm....making concepts come to life, sort of?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Yeah, yeah - I love to do "story" songs, as well. I like to use all of myself to communicate, not just my voice. But like I've said, I've sung my whole life - I've had fantastic mentors and it's just the thing that I love to do. I just love to sing.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Well, that's great! And what else about your ministry can you tell us that would be, ah, an epitome of it?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> I can tell you what God has been speaking to my heart.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjCq-frXsyM2Gn-mBluNd83pZbZAw-NDx36vs_4Cff_bUzGyQ1z8lyt_ZHNa1w0TqSG9kBnYMSMOMr2kjvowzZa7-9UO-jgyr_C_unbwpFA82Z5x2CB01EXQNaff2ND4Satscv4owW5A/s1600-h/Frank-Deliver+Me+-+close+up+singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjCq-frXsyM2Gn-mBluNd83pZbZAw-NDx36vs_4Cff_bUzGyQ1z8lyt_ZHNa1w0TqSG9kBnYMSMOMr2kjvowzZa7-9UO-jgyr_C_unbwpFA82Z5x2CB01EXQNaff2ND4Satscv4owW5A/s320/Frank-Deliver+Me+-+close+up+singing.jpg" /></a></div><b>JB</b> Um hmmm - we'd like to hear that.<br />
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<b>FAR</b> (speaking to my heart) these past few years, actually, and that is "<b><i>Be In Me</i></b>." Not big directions, not big revelations - just <b><i>Be In Me</i></b>, which is a very simple and at the same time a very hard thing to do because all it requires is surrender on our part. It really doesn't require us to do a lot of things to earn God's approval. And, I might be going against the grain by saying this, but - we're taught<br />
a lot of that - a lot of the "earning" - a lot of the "ten steps to do this...."<br />
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<b>JB</b> Formula-type things...<br />
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<b>FAR</b> And, you know I've been a Christian now 10 years and I've tested a lot of that stuff, and a lot of it just doesn't work - at least, it doesn't work for me. God wants me to be real and He deals with me in a very real way, and the thing that He's been telling me is to just <b><i>Be In Me.</i></b> And, I have seen God work miracles. Things that I couldn't have accomplished on my own - it just happens - things just fall in my lap, like this interview, for instance. It's something that was such a blessing to me, to get the phone call from you ... and, here we are!<br />
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<b>JB</b> Well, it's a blessing for us, too! Ah, I'm sure it's some source of inspiration to a lot of the songwriters and vocalists and music ministers here on Long Island to know that people, right here at a local level, are doing professional quality projects such as yours.<br />
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Now, I know you had a lot of help with it, and you went to the right people - and you did the right things - and you spent, what was it, 13 months doing this project?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Yep! Thirteen months....and for the most part, it was a joy to do. There were sometimes, though, where it would seem long....like, is this ever going to be finished? Sometimes, you get some of the personnel together and nothing would happen, you know? Something would happen with the equipment - or something would happen with the arrangement, or you know....something....and you, well, I'm a perfectionist by nature and when I get frustrated, I internalize it and I get depressed and I get very quiet and, ah....God was able to bring me through all that, you know? So, I'm really glad the way the thing......well, I just pray that He gets glory from the album because I like what He did!<br />
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<b>JB</b> You like what He did...<i>through</i> you?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> <i>Through</i> me.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Well, that's the title of your next song by the way - <b>"Have Your Way In Me,"</b> and we both know the songwriter that's involved here.<br />
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<b>FAR </b> Yes, <b>David Ridgeway.</b><br />
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<b>JB</b> Say a few words about Dave.<br />
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<b>FAR David Ridgeway -</b> he's a brilliant songwriter, and I think we're gonna hear a lot of his music in the years to come. I hope so.<br />
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<b>JB</b> He's an amazing guy - he's got about a thousand songs in his book, and I look forward to hearing a lot more from him.<br />
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This is <b>Frank Rendo</b> doing <b>David Ridgeway's</b> song "<b>Have Your Way In Me</b>."<br />
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~plays "<b>Have Your Way In Me</b>"~<br />
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<b>JB Frank Rendo - "Have Your Way In Me."</b> Frank, I want to tell you that I really enjoy your vocal technique that you used in that song.<br />
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<b>FAR </b> Thanks!<br />
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<b>JB</b> The bridge part of it - where you did all of those, ah....very imagistic vocals there - reminded me a little bit of some of the early <b><i>Simon and Garfunkel</i></b> bridges - like from<b> "Bridge Over Troubled Waters</b>."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUXa1Pf3JaTO0mbWAkynPIxcXu3djQaUo5Lp1rpLMc0OnRHI9KQewxnBLwTQOwAkOeObuGAQPl_5TOY9InSjzAS8OdfUPRNZsKY4hTrlSRZzmSP1dqS2cpF2md3W8LfpsFadGJ6xkeYU/s1600-h/100_4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUXa1Pf3JaTO0mbWAkynPIxcXu3djQaUo5Lp1rpLMc0OnRHI9KQewxnBLwTQOwAkOeObuGAQPl_5TOY9InSjzAS8OdfUPRNZsKY4hTrlSRZzmSP1dqS2cpF2md3W8LfpsFadGJ6xkeYU/s320/100_4603.JPG" /></a><b>FAR</b> Yeah?<br />
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<b>JB</b> Yes, and others like that - so, that's really nice technique. Now, you did all the vocals on that yourself?<br />
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<b>FAR </b> Yes - I love this song and I think partly - maybe mostly, it's the message that it has...because it talks about a person who is broken - which......I've been there. In the journey with Christ, He brings us to those places where we do come to the surrendering - again and again and again. And when David first brought the song to my attention, I thought...well, vocally, it's very challenging because it does do a lot of things - it takes a lot of control, and it's hard to perform. But the message is what's most important...and that the words are understood.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Sure....the message is surrender, and of course we're hearing sometimes a different message frequently from the radio and on the pulpit that we shouldn't really say that we're hurting when we are hurting. Now, there's a little conflict there, and what does the Bible say?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> All I know is that repentance is a lifestyle. It's not just something you do once in your life and I believe that the Lord calls us to be real - and He said we will experience tribulations, so if I'm to go around saying I'm doing great all the time, "<i>Praise the Lord</i>" then I'm really.....I'm not being honest....I'm not being honest. I<br />
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<b>JB</b> That's true - that's true! I think we all need a little more honesty in the church, today.<br />
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<b>FAR</b> (chuckles) I think we need A LOT more honesty in the church today.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Ummm Hmmmm.....Well, we're gonna be back talking to<b> Frank Rendo</b> in just one second - I just wanna do a quick ID for the <b><i>New York Music Showcase</i></b>.<br />
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~ runs ID commercial for showcase~<br />
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<b>JB</b> Okay, so why don't we just plunge into another song? Frank....what are we listening to, here?<br />
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<b>FAR</b> This song is called "<b>I'll Keep My Eyes On You</b>" and it's my favorite one on the album because it really speaks from expereince what I've been through in my life, and how it's only God that matters.<br />
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~plays "<b>I'll Keep My Eyes On You</b>~<br />
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<b>JB "I'll Keep My Eyes On You"</b> by<b> Frank Rendo</b>. Frank, the tape that you played and shared with us today is a real work of art.<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Awww...thanks! Thanks! <br />
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<b>JB</b> I'm sure that a lot of our listeners will want to purchase it, so tell us where it will be available.<br />
<br />
<b>FAR</b> Well, on Long Island I know it's available at the <b><i>New Horizon's Bookstore*</i></b> in Coram, and it will be available at the <b><i>S</i><i>unshine Faith Bookstore*</i></b> in Ronkonkoma. They expressed an interest in selling it, so I'll be dropping off a lot of tapes there.<br />
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*[<b><i>The writer's 2010 aside]</i></b>: the<b><i> New Horizon's Bookstore</i></b> is no longer carrying any of Frank's CD's, and the <b><i>Sunshine Faith Bookstore</i></b> is no longer in business.<br />
<br />
<b>JB </b> Okay - if this is inconvenient for some people, I know the signal does occasionally make it into Connecticut or New Jersey - ah, would they be able to call you directly and get a copy of the tape?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>FAR </b> Yes, (Frank gives phone number)<br />
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<b>JB</b> Okay, now tell us about your concert engagements. I know you've spent a good part of your life traveling around the world, sharing the gospel with people...in music.<br />
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<b>FAR</b> I know I have one concert coming up here in the area on Long Island on June 27th, <b>[1992]</b>. I will be at the <b><i>Holy Cross Lutheran Church</i></b> - it's a Sunday night at 6 p.m. It's in Commack, and it's on Jericho Turnpike. That's June 27th <b>[1992]</b> at 6 p.m. <br />
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<b>JB </b>Great....Great! Anything else I can tell our listeners before we go?<br />
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<b>FAR </b>Oh, there's a whole lot!<br />
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<b>JB</b> You've got a couple of minutes.......<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Oh, you've put me on othe spot here. (ponders)...What do I want to say? There are so many things, I don't know where to start.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Any words of encouragement for artists coming up?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E4uB2jj09TNS16malDNk8I7bC5njCsT8bEqTrCAhrqiXGLRJ-F6M15kFWGR_zAE7xoOO1e2k2Z5Yye16RwtKZE4vD3uVBNbQtPDTafo07evS0LRVyPS3fCcfbcBjDhPmMRfW4gl5m2o/s1600-h/Frank+Rendo+at+Lil+Bit-DELIVER+ME+release+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E4uB2jj09TNS16malDNk8I7bC5njCsT8bEqTrCAhrqiXGLRJ-F6M15kFWGR_zAE7xoOO1e2k2Z5Yye16RwtKZE4vD3uVBNbQtPDTafo07evS0LRVyPS3fCcfbcBjDhPmMRfW4gl5m2o/s320/Frank+Rendo+at+Lil+Bit-DELIVER+ME+release+party.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>FAR</b> Well, I know for myself, I came up against a lot of things that would try to stop me or quench me from singing or making this album, and at times I got discouraged. But, I had the vision in my head and in my heart and I just followed it until it came to pass. I give all the credit - all the glory to the Lord for that, because in myself, I would have been too weak. I would have just given up and lay on my back. But God is the one - He's given the gift and He'll make a way for that gift and I give Him all the glory for it.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Well, one of the beautiful things about being a Christian is knowing when to say "<i>help me</i>" .... and, to have the humility to do that. A lot of artists try to do everything themselves.<br />
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<b>FAR</b> That was <b><i>ME</i></b> a few years ago - and I burned-out, trying to....you know....making the phone calls - doing the booking calls and having the pastor's not call back, or have them say they're not interested, or the secretaries say "well, if he's interested, he'll call you" and I just took it as a personal rejection. The artist has a very hard time separating himself from his work, and what he does.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Yeah....<br />
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<b>FAR</b> So, for my own peace of mind, I can't do that anymore. So I just pray that God will open the doors for me to do what I do.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtE9cIcms_Cs6NABWTlhipkprgSCS2gTonx6YBscScsGqgEzFMfZ9b7u7z9uMncC4H1VGsu17K4-emGsKoq7Qz0ACFw0W6GvJ-ESYJOf0SBNz7hU-4dm9RUF_kRKnZRkQURm7Z3j_dH0/s1600-h/Frank+solo+Jesus+Alive+Event.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtE9cIcms_Cs6NABWTlhipkprgSCS2gTonx6YBscScsGqgEzFMfZ9b7u7z9uMncC4H1VGsu17K4-emGsKoq7Qz0ACFw0W6GvJ-ESYJOf0SBNz7hU-4dm9RUF_kRKnZRkQURm7Z3j_dH0/s320/Frank+solo+Jesus+Alive+Event.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>JB</b> Well, I think in the wake of this album, I don't think you're gonna have a whole lot of problem with having to call people up - I think people are gonna be callin' you! So, I would like to give you the number one more time, if you wanna call <b>Frank Rendo</b> and have him come over to your church to minister in music and in song. And....I can tell from talking to him that what he does <b><i>IS</i></b>, in fact, ministry - it's not "entertainment" per se - although it is very entertaining and his voice is very professional, and the recording of the highest quality - I would just say that Frank is a minister of music...and the comfort that the Lord has given him, he will give to the people that listen to him. So give him a call at (John gives phone number).<br />
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We're here at the <b><i>New York Christian Music Showcase </i></b>to showcase the best of Long Island's Christian talent and artists, and to help them along the way. <br />
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Thanks very much for being with us today, Frank.<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Oh, thank <b><i>YOU</i></b>!<br />
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<b>JB</b> We wish you the best, and you've got so much more good material on the show, I think maybe we'll have you back in a few weeks and you can play a few new tunes for people.<br />
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<b>FAR</b> Thanks! I wish the best for your show, too - we really needed this on Long Island.<br />
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<b>JB</b> Ummm hmmm....yeah, we certainly do! So, God Bless you all out there in the listening audience, and tune in next week at the same time for the <b><i>New York Christian Music Showcase.</i></b><br />
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~end~<br />
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<br />
There you have it - a very nice conversation and interview by <b>John Barilla</b> of <b>Frank Rendo</b>, speaking about his ministry in music, his journey with God, and his first album, <b>HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN? </b> The album was in tape form at that time, but for the 15 year anniversary of its continued excellent sales, Frank had the songs remastered by<b> Fred Guarino</b> at <b><i>Tiki Recording </i></b>- some of them remixed - some of them embellished (sweetened) by pal and brilliant artist<b> Palma Pascale,</b> and it was re-released in CD form.<br />
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You can find <b>HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</b> at <b>cdbaby</b> <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">http://www.cdbaby.com</a>, as well as at <b>Amazon.com -</b> <a href="http://www.Amazon.com/">http://www.Amazon.com</a>.<br />
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Hopefully, I will be finishing my writing about this wonderful collection of important songs, soon. Keep checking here at <b><i>RamblingsRegardingRENDO</i></b> for continued updates, and news about the very talented <b>Frank Rendo</b>.<br />
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Until next time then,<br />
I remain yours, musically,<br />
Tim <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/frank%20rendo"> http://www.ReverbNation.com/FrankRendo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic"> http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo"> http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo</a> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photographs, courtesy, Frank Rendo Collection, Tim San Paolo and Sue Rosen</span>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">All photos are of Frank Rendo, except where noted.</span> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-40348070118592541182010-02-26T16:45:00.000-08:002011-05-21T19:27:04.875-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vOuywQQf-vaiitvFGcnxea-FA1n1zjeDsMqN_Ud7xFE9lcyZHOzQWRSdSjQRnw5rStjESmHZNKcAehQ6-BdSG7iAJFep7HR0C47kiH79MifACtXeKZtxdfQSzvWEeNu3-WM1gmC0h_s/s1600-h/Don't+Laugh+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vOuywQQf-vaiitvFGcnxea-FA1n1zjeDsMqN_Ud7xFE9lcyZHOzQWRSdSjQRnw5rStjESmHZNKcAehQ6-BdSG7iAJFep7HR0C47kiH79MifACtXeKZtxdfQSzvWEeNu3-WM1gmC0h_s/s320/Don't+Laugh+Photo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>FRANK RENDO</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Spends his second Week on Top 20 List for</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Arise Radio!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Big <b>CONGRATULATIONS</b> are in order for Frank's second week on the upper end of <b>ARISE RADIO's TOP 20 LIST</b> .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Frank debuted on Arise Radio just last week (February 14-20) and shot to the<b> NUMBER THREE </b>spot for his wonderful rendition of <b>Palma Pascale's</b> composition, "<b><i>All I Ever Taught You</i></b>," which Frank recorded on his latest CD, <b>DELIVER ME</b>. Frank received<b> 986</b> positive reviews for this outstanding work.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This week, Frank landed in the <b><i>NUMBER TWO </i></b>spot, with<b> 1,146 positive comments</b> about his single from the<b> DELIVER ME</b> CD," <b><i>Don't Laugh At Me</i></b>." This song is one that has a familiar ring to many; they can relate to it well. It's a beautiful song first recorded by country singer <b>Mark Wills</b>. Frank's interpretation and presentation of it is <i>awesome. </i>He catches you up in the feeling as he sings this important piece.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Frank's CD's can be purchased or downloaded at <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">www.cdbaby.com</a>. For further information about Frank and his discography, here are some links.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ONCE AGAIN, FRANK!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">~Tim<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Listen to <b><i>ARISE RADIO </i></b>here: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.live365.com/stations/brucbuzz">http://www.live365.com/stations/brucbuzz</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Big thanks to Bruce!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ReverbNation.com/Frank%20Rendo"> http://www.ReverbNation.com/FrankRendo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic">http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo">http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo</a> </span></span></b></span> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-14525725925349678862010-02-19T15:27:00.000-08:002011-05-21T19:25:44.032-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfSCR9yhC9q_9ekV-m__KVzG_ae9HJvXqhBBYwovrTnSoQO5dnNpj4v4rY3OP14XE6q2qwv_VQco8fezrKcYFUPLeKylkuyP_vqlQSDnAP1dwSo12052Nf-cuH9TrcicnRDXImS6555M/s1600-h/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8%5B1%5D.6.09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfSCR9yhC9q_9ekV-m__KVzG_ae9HJvXqhBBYwovrTnSoQO5dnNpj4v4rY3OP14XE6q2qwv_VQco8fezrKcYFUPLeKylkuyP_vqlQSDnAP1dwSo12052Nf-cuH9TrcicnRDXImS6555M/s320/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8%5B1%5D.6.09.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>FRANK RENDO ON THE TOP 20 LIST DURING HIS DEBUT WEEK ON ARISE RADIO.</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span>Of course, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to announce that <b>Frank Rendo's</b> debut week on <b><i>Arise Radio</i></b> was highly successful! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Each Friday, <b><i>Arise Radio</i></b> likes to post the listing of the<b> 20 tracks which received the highest number of positive reviews </b>from their listeners.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><b>FRANK RENDO'S</b> debut of the <b>Palma Pascale</b> composition <b>ALL I EVER TAUGHT YOU</b>, from his <b>DELIVER ME</b> collection ranked <b><i>NUMBER 3</i></b> of the top 20, with <b>986</b> positive reviews for the week.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">I<b>SN'T THAT <i>AWESOME</i>???</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Plus, Bruce of <b><i>Arise Radio</i></b>, posted the video that Facebook friend, <b>Timo Kaarnioja</b>, from Helsinki, Finland, made for Frank and put up on his<b><i> YouTube</i></b> channel of a tune from Frank's <b>SHINE</b> album called "<b><i>SHINE DOWN ON ME</i></b>." Here is Bruces comment:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">"<i>T</i><i>he Very Limited Brain who maintains <b>Arise Radio</b> would like to thank his new friend <b>Tim</b> for making me aware of <b>FRANK RENDO</b>,</i> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/frankrendomusic">http://www.myspace.com/frankrendomusic</a>. I <i>wish I had a video of <b>this week's #3 song, ALL I EVER TAUGHT YOU, from Frank Rendo's recent album named DELIVER ME. </b> Since I would really like everyone to HEAR <b>Frank Rendo's</b> wonderful voice, please enjoy the following video where he sings "S<b>HINE DOWN ON ME</b>."</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">I have to tell you, everyone, this did my heart a lot of good. I was so pleased when I learned that Frank's songs were going to be on this new radio station, in the first place - and <i>then</i> to learn that not only are they being played - they are, apparently, quite <i>popular</i>. That's a lot of positive reviews for a week's time; <b>986! </b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><b>C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S F R A N K ! ! ! ! !</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Suffice to say, I am delighted.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Keep listening - to the radio - in the ethos - who knows where you'll hear it next, but you're going to hear the name, and the music of <b>FRANK RENDO</b> more and more often! I<i><b> guarantee</b></i> it!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Listen to <b><i>ARISE RADIO</i></b> here: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.live365.com%2Fstations%2Fbrucbuzz&h=4aff06a8b9ddf2c8db8ccbcf0d8a779e">http://www.live365.com/stations/brucbuzz</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">~Tim</span></i></span><br />
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</span> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-50989264357645997082010-01-07T09:56:00.001-08:002010-01-07T18:14:34.209-08:00All I Ever Taught You ~ FRANK RENDO<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXDvs8CU3v_2tU9HrWU6Sbi2CFIyx6Cjaasu3MrU_ysXbC7qZIkPRkBnX5F3LVyRdqOeA0sUKoHIkkrD-j8VeaSeGBFRCRKfV3cvw0sZimh8BcvURmvbc3CzLIBFUbHMriMFuv4a0HTg/s1600-h/Frank+solo+at+Bay+Shore.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXDvs8CU3v_2tU9HrWU6Sbi2CFIyx6Cjaasu3MrU_ysXbC7qZIkPRkBnX5F3LVyRdqOeA0sUKoHIkkrD-j8VeaSeGBFRCRKfV3cvw0sZimh8BcvURmvbc3CzLIBFUbHMriMFuv4a0HTg/s400/Frank+solo+at+Bay+Shore.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424186632144850002" /></a>
<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fmr-martini%2F08-all-i-ever-taught-you-final-master"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fmr-martini%2F08-all-i-ever-taught-you-final-master" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini/08-all-i-ever-taught-you-final-master">All I Ever Taught You</a> ~ Frank Rendo</span> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-70974969920533416672010-01-06T17:06:00.000-08:002011-07-03T18:41:30.577-07:00WHLI Radio's TOP 50 RELEASES OF 2009 includes, at #29, Frank Rendo's "DELIVER ME"<div style="text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR7HE9jLQRxFopIq7BwSFRvZb5WS_gRJOFKG9hGLds8dagd9RhcIZa_g96s85xB_QvHGzLZco-ucPpviYQFGfkR_TlNXgNqQKL1mo-lt3qrSp1xpT2Q0bzLddPJWVw8-iqcJFontzc60/s1600-h/Samantha+and+Frank+at+the+Premier+of+Deliver+Me.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423801323111949522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR7HE9jLQRxFopIq7BwSFRvZb5WS_gRJOFKG9hGLds8dagd9RhcIZa_g96s85xB_QvHGzLZco-ucPpviYQFGfkR_TlNXgNqQKL1mo-lt3qrSp1xpT2Q0bzLddPJWVw8-iqcJFontzc60/s400/Samantha+and+Frank+at+the+Premier+of+Deliver+Me.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Hello Friends and Fans of talented <b>Frank Rendo</b>~~<br />
<div>*</div><div>It really gives me great personal pleasure to announce to you that my good friend, Recording Artist <b>Frank Rendo,</b> of Long Island, NY, has made the <b>WHLI </b><b>T</b><b>OP 50 RELEASES OF 2009</b>, coming in at <b># 29</b> for his latest CD, "<b>DELIVER ME</b>." <a href="http://www.whli.com/whli_trivia.htm">http://www.whli.com/</a></div><div>*</div><div><b><i> CONGRATULATIONS</i></b>, Frank!</div><div>*</div><div>If you are a regular <b><i>RamblingsRegardingRendo</i></b> reader you have undoubtedly previously read about this outstanding CD that Frank released at <b><i>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</i></b> on September 5, 2009 to a most excited and anticipatory sold-out, full house! <a href="http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/">www.SamanthasLilBitofHeaven.org</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Pictured: Samantha Tetro/Frank Rendo)</i></span></div><div>*</div><div><b>"DELIVER ME"</b> has 12 tracks and some very special music is represented throughout this one. The single, <b><i>DON'T LAUGH AT ME</i></b> enjoyed airplay throughout various areas of the US, and continues to be played on <b>WHLI</b> regularly. </div><div>*</div><div>Frank was supported by many various artists throughout these selections, to include <b>Palma Pascale, Peter Eldridge, Fred Guarino</b> and <b>Jonathan Rayson</b>. The CD boasts 3 <b>Palma Pascale</b> original compositions.</div><div>*</div><div>Frank gives special thanks to <b>Paul Richards</b>, General Manager of <b>WHLI Radio</b>, as well as <b>Joe Satta</b> and <b>Bob Perry</b>, also of <b>WHLI</b>, who play his music, often. In particular, Frank is thankful to his co-producers, <b>Palma Pascale</b> and <b>Fred Guarino</b>. (Fred is owner of <b><i>TIKI Recording Studios</i></b>, Glen Cove, New York). <a href="http:// http://www.tikirecording.com/"> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http:// http://www.tikirecording.com/">http://www.tikirecording.com/</a></span></div><div>*</div><div>Said Frank: "..<i>.And special thanks goes out....of course to my production cohorts, Palma Pascale and Fred Guarino whose lives had and have continued to bless me with their presence, music, laughs, expertise, musicianship and compa<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>nionship</i>..." (Readers may already know that mutual friend Palma Pascale died on September 8, 2009, after a courageous, lengthy illness). Our sweet Palma is missed more and more, each day!</span></i></div><div>*</div><div>Here is an excerpt from the "<b>DELIVER ME"</b> blog, found below:</div><div>*</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div align="left">I recently told Frank that I found each one of the songs seemingly better than the one before it. It’s like a circle – there is no end to the creativity, beauty and majesty of them.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Though some of these cuts were initially recorded at various other studios at different times along the way, the final touches for this CD were completed at <strong><em>Tiki Recording Studios</em></strong> in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York. <a href="http://http://www.tikirecording.com/"> http://www.tikirecording.com/</a> Frank was surrounded by a group of extremely talented individuals as he added to, or freshly recorded these selections.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>Fred Guarino</strong>, owner of <strong><em>Tiki Recording Studios</em></strong> and a gifted guitarist, masterfully & painstakingly engineered this CD for Frank. I recently visited the studio as Fred was mixing one of the selections, and I must say that I marvel at his abilities. Fred can hear things</div><div align="left">I’d ne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW6gXbNW7jtMuqcubQh4HBaBxlKKc7D_Mw1cq0m_PMlAwhppzY1XcMnWka8uDkJLFohQTk4yFewGsJ3eNdziJjb8Ox21sSslx6KNCBHF7OIlsydRHl6UnUJUio0GcH1jRIaNQN4y_LVc/s1600-h/Fred+tuning+Don" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374694604979345234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW6gXbNW7jtMuqcubQh4HBaBxlKKc7D_Mw1cq0m_PMlAwhppzY1XcMnWka8uDkJLFohQTk4yFewGsJ3eNdziJjb8Ox21sSslx6KNCBHF7OIlsydRHl6UnUJUio0GcH1jRIaNQN4y_LVc/s320/Fred+tuning+Don%27t+Laugh+sessions+0420009.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; float: right; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 320px;" /></a>ver pick out – yet, because of this man and his immense talent, these important pieces are able to be heard as they blend beautifully to make the recording the best quality it can be. In part, because of Fred’s musicianship, he is adept at listening well and he knows what to listen for! But, the way he maneuvers the recording equipment to obtain the maximum effectiveness just blows me away. His talent here is sheer genius. It would certainly take more than a paragraph or two to</div><div align="left">describe things he has finessed, here. Suffice to say – he’s one brilliant engineer! <em>Pictured above: Fred Guarino)</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">Musical <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkniBwuLzLuWkz_8BtkxLFi6blCF4nBEvdkpHHAuaIE45OaO7-roXNCpRKuhTd1XP5kjV3JT47NQTpv7qh8im1s7NWJtd6D8HjjOLK_NqfwUQYM2XZutnmc7GY7teUWvAHX-9RsA9Zy0s/s1600-h/Palm+in+Atlantic+City.jpg" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374692739217321842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkniBwuLzLuWkz_8BtkxLFi6blCF4nBEvdkpHHAuaIE45OaO7-roXNCpRKuhTd1XP5kjV3JT47NQTpv7qh8im1s7NWJtd6D8HjjOLK_NqfwUQYM2XZutnmc7GY7teUWvAHX-9RsA9Zy0s/s320/Palm+in+Atlantic+City.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; float: left; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 144px;" /></a>direction for <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> was in the capable hands of <strong>Fr<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><strong>ank Rendo </strong>and my dear friend, composer, arranger, orchestrator, singer – multi-talent <strong>Palma Pascale</strong>. <a href="http://http://www.palmapascale.com">http://www.palmapascale.com</a> Palma’s creativity, her musical ability and her overall recording capabilities know no bounds. Palma composed three of the glittering selections on this CD and Frank’s interpretation of them is stunning! Palma expertly added orchestration, vocals and a good dose of encouragement to Frank throughout the process of completing this recording.</span></strong></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Palm and Frank work very well together – their voices blend perfectly and together they truly compliment one another.<em>(pictured: the late Palma Pascale)</em></div></span></div><div>*</div><div>And another excerpt about just one of these 12 wonderful selections:</div><div>*</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div align="left"><strong>ALL I EVER TAUGHT <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><strong>YOU</strong> is a 2009 <strong>Palma Pascale </strong>composition. This selection has been strategically placed in this spot in the line-up as a “<em>response</em>” to the previous track, <strong>MISSION OF LOVE.</strong></span></strong></div><div align="left"><b>*</b></div><div align="left">Frank shared with me that he feels these two complement each other well, as <strong>MISSION OF LOVE </strong>is all about the despair of an individual being judged, whereas this selection teaches us all a lesson <strong><em>NOT<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">to judge one another. I recall how excited Palma was when she described to me that she had written this one as she believed the message was such a vital one that needed to be heard; and of course, she is so right.</span></em></strong></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The story is relayed from God, who is displeased with the hatred, evil and greed He witnesses:</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>It’s a shame you couldn’t love them as I taught you. It’s too bad that you decided something different.</em></div><div align="left"><em> It’s a sin – you took the words I meant for good and turned them into judgment swords with which to pierce the hearts of man.</em></div><div align="left"><em>It’s a shame you didn’t understand my meaning. You let arrogance and judgment cloud your view. I’ll be watching from above, so tread lightly as a dove, and remember, All I ev<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><em>er taught you was to love</em>…”</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Didn’t I <em>tell </em>you? A remarkable story set to such a dazzling melody that is, again, captured expertly by our Mr. Rendo.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank’s vocals are so evocative…not embellished here, but delivered in a straight-forward, gentle fashion. His read of this awesome composition is <em>perfect</em> – and the listener is being treated to such sensitivity and warmth throughout the piece.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>Dominick Avento</strong> joins Frank in creating the rich backing vocals that are heard as the second verse begins.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Now – let’s talk about the composition, itself. I think this creation is a perfect vehicle for Frank. Palma’s treatment orchestrally does exactly what it is supposed to do – enhance the vocalist’s story. I have often written that Palma is so adept at having the chosen instruments “<em>speak</em>” to the listener as clearly as the lyrics do. She uses an English horn at various places throughout this one – she once told me how she felt an English horn was a sort of mild sounding instrument that lends a specific quality to a song – to me, it’s a combination of beauty tinged with sadness.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The English horn takes the lead, but surrounding that is a delightful grand piano, along with guitar and soft, warm strings. Not fussy at all –yet one instrument compliments the other so well. Each one fills an empty corner, when needed, to support Frank’s handsome vocals.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">There is a very dynamic modulation leading into the final verse that serves to bring us all to that next important level of intensity. I love the swirling string run Palma does, here. Frank softly and gently takes this one out as the song ritards, so as to accentuate these last, thoughtfully penned lines:</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><em>“…I’ll be watching from above, so tread lightly like a dove, and remember All I ever taught you was to…..love</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Such an expressive and touching composition!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424013872432829618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-CgnZGVflLl_0uVpT0xvDh2LMYMJb_QX0WelLGDdb_Wzh3wmd4rjJ53voGJntd0HorSDQ5IVP5mJ5JSXpnE4AKQD1Sz7ooOAQWVv9xcZUnCqhDI4CovR9P8Jbc2MecnxyleQxWIvFnI/s400/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8%5B1%5D.6.09.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And finally:</span></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The theme woven throughout the lyrics and heightened by the melodies in this masterpiece is, indeed, pointing not only towards one’s propensity toward identifying their own inner conflict, but also knowing it is He we can turn to in order to find the needed answers to resolve our conflicts and find true peace of mind.</div><div align="left"><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">This collection has touched me personally, on many different levels, time and again. <strong>Bravo </strong>to<strong> Frank Rendo</strong>, and <i>all</i> who participated in the making of this spectacular CD. What a <em>gift</em> we have been given.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong><em>“…Remember - - - - - Deliver - Me…”</em></strong></div><div align="left"><b><i>*</i></b></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My personal kudos and congratulations to Frank on this outstanding accomplishment! Making WHLI's TOP 50 NEW RELEASE list is a well-deserved compliment to the amazing talent that is......<b>Frank Rendo</b>! </span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;">*</span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Get your copy of "<b>DELIVER ME"</b> today at </span></span><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.cdbaby.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, or by writing to Frank at </span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/FrankRendo@Yahoo.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, or to me at </span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/bmjfan@mchsi.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">bmjfan@mchsi.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Digital downloads are also available at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">www.</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;"><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">cdbaby.com</a></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Photos courtesy of Dominick Avento III, and Frank Rendo.</i></span></span></div></div></span></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-39155916171626455452009-12-02T16:41:00.001-08:002009-12-04T19:08:10.834-08:00FRANK RENDO'S REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS CD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXl-NXnc-WbK9iuZ-0VuEmgGOM_DnYcMbmKaeXxLLfD5qP1Z-sKCsXTl3oRq8WUXDLI5_vITmiSVc1Vh6dF2UxDorEC_d9Ilf7q5po0JZwprKIoKZsMDmbUKrGKj7kgWWakhWoYFskjg/s1600-h/RememberingChristmas2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410805068837186178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXl-NXnc-WbK9iuZ-0VuEmgGOM_DnYcMbmKaeXxLLfD5qP1Z-sKCsXTl3oRq8WUXDLI5_vITmiSVc1Vh6dF2UxDorEC_d9Ilf7q5po0JZwprKIoKZsMDmbUKrGKj7kgWWakhWoYFskjg/s400/RememberingChristmas2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"...<b>We'll be Remembering Christmas, when the family was with us,</b></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><i><b>The greatest of gifts we could own.</b></i></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><i><b>Remembering Christmas and the spirit still lifts us - </b></i></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><i><b>The gifts of the memories at home</b>..."</i></div><i>
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These lines come from the title track of what has become a favorite holiday listen for literally thousands of people around the globe; <b><i>Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rendo</span></i></b>'s splendid CD, <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS. </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>(Pictured: Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rendo</span>/Remembering Christmas)</i></span>
<div align="center">~~
</div>I've several blogs in <b><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">RamblingsRegardingRENDO</span></i></b> about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">this one, but I wanted to offer you this reminder now as Christmas g<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ets</span> closer and closer. Don't hesitate to order your <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> CD today!!! You can get your copy at <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">http://www.cdbaby.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.itunes.com/">http://www.itunes.com/</a>, or by writing to me at <a href="mailto:bmjfan@mchsi.com">bmjfan@mchsi.com</a> or Frank <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>.</span>
<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff00;">~~</span></div><span style="color:#ffff00;"></span>
<ol><li>We Need a Little Christmas</li><li>In The Bleak Midwinter</li><li>Joseph's Song</li><li>Remembering Christmas</li><li>Bethlehem Morning</li><li>What Her Heart Remembered</li><li>The Secret of Christmas</li><li>The Prayer</li><li>We Wish You The Merriest</li><li>Much Less Than Christmas</li><li>Someday</li><li>O, Holy Night</li><li>God Help The Outcasts</li><li>Medley: White Christmas/Count Your Blessings</li></ol><p align="center">~~</p>Frank is joined on this remarkable compilation by the super-talented composer, producer, arranger, singer and orchestrator, our sweet friend, the late <b><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Palma</span> Pascale</i></b>. (<a href="http://www.palmapascale.com/">http://www.palmapascale.com/</a>) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Palma</span> composed the title track, as well as the moving ballad "<b><i>Much Less Than Christmas." </i>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS </b>was engineered by the brilliance of <em><strong>Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Guarin</span>o</strong></em>, owner and engineer of <b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tiki</span> Recording Studios</b> in Glen Cove, NY. <a href="http://www.tikirecording.com/">http://www.tikirecording.com/</a>.
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Since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Palma's</span> passing on September 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> of this year, "<b><i>Much Less Than Christmas"</i></b> takes on a whole new meaning for those of us who knew and loved her. She was truly a capital friend to have. A brilliant composer with a superior imagination - Palm composed both the music and lyrics using her "<i>less is more</i>" philosophy. Each of her creations is filled with subtle beauty and the stories are easy for anyone to understand. They are, typically,
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410809729335094530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB78B89-AEm_wqw2mXBXK8x5Aocw8D5yTnqEpdAScYekeoXcD9wXd6R5U3wY_3ETgkcbihaW4m9lyujHfDWAQYIpzAlolD1aIifshEkUCdUmEx8nww57kK8RFTOQsyok2kGU_Wixj2cKs/s320/Frank+and+Palm+4++Bay+Shore.jpg" border="0" />stories most can relate to, somehow on a personal level, which, then, brings the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">listener ever</span> closer to the exact emotion of the song.
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</div>Frank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Palma</span> make such a dynamic statement together on <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>. Both of these fine artists have so much talent. Frank shines on each and every tune in this CD. He has a voice that, at times, is as powerful and strong as steel, yet, he can also sing so softly, so dynamically that you may wonder out loud just how he does it. To watch him perform, Frank makes each note his own - completely effortless, and he adds so much expression in his voice that you just want to laugh or cry right along with him; whichever emotion is called for! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>(Pictured: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Palma</span> Pascale & Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Rendo</span> in concert.)</i></span>
<em><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></em>
<i><div align="center">~~
</div></i><b><i>"We Need A Little Christmas"</i></b> is a <b>Jerry Herman</b> composition and comes from the Broadway musical MAME, starring Angela Lansbury, which was later followed by the motion picture starring Lucille Ball. The story speaks of being able to celebrate Christmas "<i>right this very minute</i>" and the song is fun, lively and it certainly sets the perfect happy tone for the listen you are about to experience.
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</div><b><i>"In The Bleak Midwinter"</i></b> has lyrics penned by <b><i>Christina Rossetti</i></b>, the former poet, with music by <b><i>Gustav T. Holst</i></b>. This was one Christmas Song that had completely eluded me before hearing Frank's rendition of it. It's a very beautiful and intriguing song. You are sure to enjoy this one.
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</div>I had also never heard <b><i>Michael Card's "Joseph's Son</i></b><b><i>g"</i></b>, until I heard it performed by Frank, and this has turned out to be a favorite even above the traditional songs of yesteryear. I'm completely taken by this one - my father was a "<i>simple carpenter</i>" and this one really hits home in some ways for me. This song is unique in its perspective and tells a story from Joseph's point of view - quite different than most anything out there - and why not, as Joseph was definitely a major "player" in the grand scheme of things.
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</div>This song is stunning and Frank's read of it is nothing short of spectacular, truly. Filled with such rich emotion, and both orchestrated and sung so touchingly, "<b><i>Joseph's Song"</i></b> will leave you wishing to hear more. Brilliantly performed by Frank. <b><i>Bravo!</i></b>
<strong><em></em></strong>
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</div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Palma</span> composed <b><i>Remembering Christmas</i></b>, the title song, for one of her own Broadway Musicals.
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410815212871772738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1AGK5s7UDzzN8M7K3ubtE9sqhE_dh6lMhWU6Nl7S7z2138e1tR1d1pQyWHeH7LQU2Rm5Vh4JuDUtLd0A7faGAlUYDXyMzfFiltlup1Hvy8qcNipuybc3bN4g1aZWdtpCzGJ_GVt2mZs/s320/Frank+solo+2+Bay+Shore.jpg" border="0" />
Such a good story, it easily stood on its own merits as a smart choice to be included in this line-up. <b><i>Remembering Christmas </i></b>is about family and the memories that families make by carrying out tradition and by enjoying and loving o<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ne</span> another. And, it's about remembering Christmases past, when "<i>the family was with us</i>." It has a certain poignancy today that it didn't have last year. It's a fun song and Frank is even joined by an entire chorus of his friends at one point. Such an enjoyable piece.
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</div>It all but defies my abilities to describe <b><i>Morris Chapman</i></b>'s "<b>Bethlehem <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><b>Morning</b>." It's number 5 in the line-up. <b><i>Sandi Patty</i></b> made it popular, and as much as I enjoy her arrangements and that well-known power voice of hers, Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Rendo's</span> version leaves me, well....all filled-up! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Palma's</span> orchestration is spectacular. Many of the orchestra's voices can be heard as they work together to accompany that handsome, rich, clear voice of Frank's. He tells the story of this "<b>Bethlehem Morning" </b>flawlessly. Impeccable dynamics, intonation and phrasing - it's all there and the final result is one impressive song, to be sure.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i> (Pictured: Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Rendo</span> in concert.)</i></span></span></b>
<em><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></em>
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</div><b>"What Her Heart Remembered"</b> is another composition by <em><strong>Michael Card</strong></em> co-written with<em><strong> Scott Brasher</strong></em>. The previous story of Michael's that Frank told us was from Joseph's perspective - <strong>Joseph's Song</strong> was such a lovely way to tell this significant story.
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</div>Now, however, we get a story that, rather than this one being a story <i>from</i> Mary, it's one <i>about</i> Mary. This beautiful ballad discusses how Mary handled being a mother....how, though she was the Mother of Jesus, she was a human mother and this song helps to depict that in a very interesting, wonderful way. I particularly like the beginning of the chorus where Frank sings:
<div align="center">~~
</div>"...<i>Like a good mother would, she learned His cries.</i>
<i>If he'd awake with a belly ache from hunger or fright.</i>
<i>But, now and then, sometimes when the dark would descend</i>
<i>He would weep a dark so deep - for all her love, she couldn't comprehend</i>..."
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</div>Isn't that a great lyric? I enjoy this one, very much.
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</div>Do you know "<b>The Secret of Christmas</b>?" Frank believes he does and he shares it with you in this very nice tune with a laid-back Latin tempo. The theatrical orchestration on this one makes it a real stand-out and, in fact, at one time Frank had contemplated using this as the title of his CD. There's an interesting history to the actual song, and you can read more about it below in one of the blogs about <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>. One of the things I have learned about this tune is that Johnny Mercer had a hand in the writing of this one. Makes good sense to me.
<div align="center">~~
</div>Following "<b>The Secret of Christmas"</b> comes one implausibly powerful track where Frank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Palma</span> duet together, singing <b><i>Carole Bayer Sager</i></b> and <strong><em>David Foster</em></strong>'s "<b>THE PRAYER</b>." What a powerful composition this is. Very dramatic and just a lovely piece. Both Frank and Palm compliment one another as they interpret this power ballad. I've commented about this several times before, but it's such an important comment...
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410859715935061954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-Z6KEJ57OKsrbW__zFSQq5W1VoI2kRj20rbCJHU_7aL7E5UwmyhMq8N1mgQVmNRO9mq6HEv-pWPDugO-_Mc5m2AUj5vUYRvTrZ1pJhUD4z3IqPRL3LtpjdY-qx4D82iRihccY-ISN8c/s320/Frank+and+Palm+3+Jesus+Alive.jpg" border="0" />Frank and Palm are two artists who just sing well together. Some vocalists are like oil and water when trying to duet - but these two are more like Peanut Butter and Jelly. Seriously, I have watched them perform this one and found it pretty interesting that even their on-stage, non
-rehearsed interpretation of the song, via their stage gestures with their hands/etc. were right in-sync with one another right up to when they both reached "for" each other. It was something to take in. That sort of thing happens one of two ways: 1. Rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal and even that will tend to be very stiff and awkward looking, or 2. An absolute from the heart and soul sort of performance. This live performance by Frank and Palm easily fit only into category 2. Their interpretation is remarkably similar, and a real pleasure to observe.
<div align="center">~~
</div>I spoke to Palm about this once. She, too, was a bit taken aback when she realized how "choreographed" the performance was, yet the two of them never even discussed it. It truly came from that "place" way inside both of them. This is <b>NOT</b> an easy song to sing, or to perform live. Yet, Frank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Palma</span> do so with complete confidence and ease, and it comes through on this recording. So, sit back, crank it up, and enjoy this spectacular rendition of "<b>The Prayer</b>."
<div align="center">~~
</div>And from that, we move right into the fast moving, straight ahead swing tune called "<b>We Wish You The Merriest</b>." This is an outstanding number that will make you smile as you listen. Joined by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Palma</span>, and brother and sister team <b><i>Laurie and Father Charles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Mangano</span></i></b>, Frank swings this one expertly and easily. Also joining Frank on this one is a great Broadway player and sought-after studio musician, <b><i>Glen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Drewes</span></i></b> on the trumpet, and the fabulous<b><i> Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Tedesco</span> </i></b>on the drums. It moves - it swings - and it is a great job by all. This one, too, seems to have Johnny Mercer's writing touch involved. Sounds like a Mercer tune, doesn't it?
<div align="center">~~
</div><b>"Much Less Than Christmas</b>," actually written in 1973, and intended for the most popular duo of that time, <b><i>The Carpenters</i></b>, is a poignant story about an individual who will not be with the one he loves at Christmastime. In an interview with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">WHLI's</span> <b><i>Paul Richards</i></b>, (<a href="http://www.whli.com/">http://www.WHLI.com/</a>) Frank states "...<em>the song is very apropos for me because we're in war time, and it talks about people who are not with us right now or are no longer with us, and we kind of miss them - like "I'll Be Home For Christmas" was during WWII. I kind of sing it with that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">longin</span>g</em>...." And, it really works. "<b>Much Less Than Christmas"</b> - yet one more beauty written by the unparalleled talent of <b><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Palma</span> Pascale.</i></b>
<strong><em></em></strong>
<div align="center">~~
</div><b>"Someday"</b> is the next track - words and music to this absolutely gorgeous ballad are by<b> </b><i><b>Rick Vale. </b></i>
<strong><em></em></strong>
<b><i><div align="center">~~
</div></i></b>"..<i>.Someday, when this night is over and the star has faded and the angels fly - </i>
<i>I will look at you with wonder, dreaming of this first night when I heard you cry.</i>
<i>Someday, you'll take your tiny fingers, and with just a touch will...will cause the blind to see.</i>
<i>Someday, you will walk with strangers, but tonight, I'll rock you - stay awhile with me</i>..."
<div align="center">~~
</div>And if you think the <i>lyrics</i> are beautiful, just wait until you hear Frank's <i>interpretation</i> of this song, sung from the perspective of Mary. A really touching selection, this.
<div align="center">~~
</div>I have heard many, many artists throughout the years try their hands at interpreting and successfully singing the well-known <b>O, Holy Night</b>....and though I will admit to being the least bit biased, I have heard very few arrangements and vocal reads as literally "chilling" as Frank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Palma</span> do with this one. Is this a Christmas favorite for you? If so, this one song, alone, makes <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> the ideal Christmas album for you.
<div align="center">~~
</div>The beauty of this song as it builds, and unfolds is quite remarkable. Frank's vocals and his expression and intonation - they're all spot-on. Well, well done! <b><i>BRAVO!</i></b>
<div align="center">~~
</div>And, I'm guessing you just might not think of number 13 on this CD, "<b>God Help The Outcasts</b>," as a Christmas song, am I right? "<b>God Help The Outcasts"</b> has become a fan favorite, and Frank is requested to perform it, often. Frank discussed why he included this song on his Christmas CD with Paul Richards at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">WHLI</span> during his interview last December regarding <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>. Here is there exchange:
<div align="center">~~
</div><b>PR:</b> <i>"...the thought that went into this selection - how did you decide......I think I'll take something from a Disney animated feature and put it on my Christmas album...?"</i>
<div align="center">~~
</div><b>FR:</b> <i>"...Interestingly, I had been singing "<b>God Help The Outcasts"</b> for a few years and that song always struck a chord with my audiences, so, when we had the opportunity to do this record, I said, you know, I should just add it to this because what a better time to sing this message that's about loving and reaching out to those in need....?"</i>
<em></em>
<div align="center">~~
</div>It is, in fact, a song done so handsomely by Frank and orchestrated so outstandingly by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Palma</span>, that it couldn't miss on <i>ANY</i> CD, no matter the season.
<div align="center">~~
</div>You can feel the compassion from Frank as he performs this one from the center of his heart.
<div align="center">~~
</div>The final selection is an <b><i>Irving Berlin</i></b> Medley from the motion picture <b>White Christmas</b> - a staple in our home every single Christmas - "<b>White Christmas and Count Your Blessings."</b>It has some great songs for the season, with these two being the best of all of them.
<div align="center">~~
</div>It doesn't matter which genre Frank tackles - jazz ballads, swing tunes, pop ballads, or songs created for the theatre - he delivers them with style and flair. I encourage you to order your very own copy of Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Rendo's</span> fabulous <strong>R<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">EMEMBERING</span> CHRISTMAS</strong> CD today. There are several ways you can order:<a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">http://www.cdbaby.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.itunes.com/">http://www.itunes.com/</a>, or by
writing to me at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/bmjfan@mchsi.com">http://www.blogger.com/bmjfan@mchsi.com</a> or Frank at <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>. You can also find them at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">http://www.amazon.com/</a> in the event you want to add a few for friends, family, teachers, hairdressers - <i>anyone</i> you hope will have an exceptional holiday.
<div align="center">~~
</div>May your days be merry and bright - as you hear Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Rendo</span> sing tonight!
<div align="center">~~
</div>Merry Christmas to all my readers!
~Tim<div>
<div align="center">~~
</div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Photographs courtesy: Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Rendo</span></span></i>
<div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>~~</i></span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">WHLI</span>:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(68,85,102)" href="http://www.whli.com/whli_trivia.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.whli.com/</span></a>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">FRANK <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">RENDO</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (website links)</span>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Reverb</span> Nation</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a style="COLOR: rgb(68,85,102)" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/FrankRendo"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,191);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a style="COLOR: rgb(68,85,102)" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/FrankRendo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.ReverbNation.com/FrankRendo</span></a></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,191);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">MySpace</span>:</span></b><a style="COLOR: rgb(68,85,102)" href="http://www.myspace.com/FrankRendoMusic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic</span></a></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,191);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">ShoutLife</span>:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(68,85,102)" href="http://www.shoutlife.com/FrankRendo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo</span></a></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,191);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">TIKI Recording Studios:</span></b><a style="COLOR: rgb(68,85,102)" href="http://www.tikirecording.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.tikirecording.com/</span></a></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,191);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven:</span><a style="COLOR: rgb(68,85,102)" href="http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.SamanthasLilBitofHeaven.org</span></a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,191);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PALMA PASCALE:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></b><a href="http://www.palmapascale.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.palmapascale.com</span></span></a></span></span></span>
</span></i></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-3391508115205818402009-10-25T14:30:00.000-07:002011-05-21T19:26:53.101-07:00FRANK RENDO-WHLI INTERVIEW WITH PAUL RICHARDS ABOUT HIS NEW CD - DELIVER ME<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo79PdPtGwfxBVx1dXcfoyNUSmEanPv2_yM0jpE2JJUUdJcvgV5eTlboruP97y4OBhQsiAwf5EMUendm_nZvzDXHKYliSERHvbDKwYxzeiAsuzndrmcmPuwQWK1edfXne1q6tkoRoMV2c/s1600-h/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8[1].6.09.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396707100098572098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo79PdPtGwfxBVx1dXcfoyNUSmEanPv2_yM0jpE2JJUUdJcvgV5eTlboruP97y4OBhQsiAwf5EMUendm_nZvzDXHKYliSERHvbDKwYxzeiAsuzndrmcmPuwQWK1edfXne1q6tkoRoMV2c/s400/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8%5B1%5D.6.09.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px;" /></a> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">FRANK RENDO'S INTERVIEW WITH PAUL RICHARDS </span></b><br />
<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WHLI RADIO</span></b> <br />
<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ABOUT FRANK's NEW CD</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DELIVER ME</span></b> <br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10-06-09</span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IS-_8oFQg7yPWQKcdUlhStT2ZssdkJ-eQleGvWl-s3dyv7p4Xwzih9FeoB7YkpaUkQu6vZng0BNhFCJUQC8UdL1nEoEFWKhJ5O2h3PRi_HgzIWOsZye84IpMYqFRsQIQMdk3eP4_9bs/s1600-h/100_4603.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"> </a></span> Well, hello fans and friends of outstanding recording artist, Frank Rendo. I'm delighted today to be bringing you this radio interview that Frank did with <b>WHLI</b>'s own Paul Richards. Paul has interviewed Frank before, regarding his <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b> CD, and now, this great interview regarding <b>DELIVER ME</b>. <br />
<div></div><div>I've done my best to capture the entire interview here, for you. So, read on, and enjoy this chat between Paul Richards of <b>WHLI</b>, and my very talented friend, Frank Rendo as they discuss Frank's fabulous new album called <b>DELIVER ME</b>. This interview took place Tuesday, October 6, 2009. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(pictured: Frank Rendo - photo & artwork by Dominick Avento III)</i></span></div><div></div><div><b>PR</b>= Paul Richards</div><div><b>FR</b>= Frank Rendo</div><div></div><div>PR - My very special, in-studio guest this morning is the incomparable, the one and only Mr. Frank Rendo. Good morning Frank - it is great to see you.</div><div></div><div>FR: Good Morning.</div><div></div><div>PR: How are you, my friend?</div><div></div><div>FR: I'm doing well today, how 'bout yourself?</div><div></div><div>PR: I'm doing great - I'm as fine as the day! A little bit too busy, uh...I could use a couple of extra arms today - like an octopus....there's so much going on - I could use 8 arms</div><div></div><div>FR: (laughs)</div><div></div><div>PR: ....touch this, do that, run here, get this....talk to this one, interview an artist! (laughs)</div><div></div><div>FR: Well, thank you for making time for me today.</div><div></div><div>PR: Ah, it's no problem at all - it's always a pleasure to welcome you in.</div><div></div><div>FR: Thank you!</div><div></div><div>PR: So, a lot going on in your life? It's been - as the people know, cause we play a lot of Frank Rendo here on <b>WHLI</b>....</div><div></div><div>FR: I <i>HEAR</i> that!</div><div></div><div>PR: ....As I've been eluding to - it's kind of been a very, uh....how should we say - bittersweet month and a half for you?</div><div></div><div>FR: Absolutely - <b><i>VERY</i></b> bittersweet.</div><div></div><div>PR: The release of <b>DELIVER ME</b> has gotta be a thrill because it's great!</div><div></div><div>FR: It IS thrilling, but um...you know Palma Pascale, whom I collaborated on </div><div>with this project, died two days later.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yes.</div><div></div><div>FR: So she wasn't with me the day of the opening - I knew what was coming.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yeah.</div><div></div><div>FR: Ah...but, you know - here we are, and the music seems sweeter.</div><div></div><div>PR: I know - life goes on - it's just very, very profound. Some of the lyrics on the album and even some of the things that she wrote on albums of hers that are years old....</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes</div><div></div><div>PR: All of a sudden are coming back and saying....ah, you know - I could have been written yesterday!</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes - always fresh!</div><div></div><div>PR: Very, very haunting - the music is beautiful. The music goes on, and she left us, like the title of the song says - "<i>I'll Leave You The Music</i>" she left the music, for sure.</div><div></div><div>FR: And we have four projects of hers coming out in a month.</div><div></div><div>PR: Really?</div><div></div><div>FR? Yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: Let's hear about those.</div><div></div><div>FR: Well, the two pop CD's that you have - we're going to release them, you know, world-wide - and a Worship CD that she did, and a new project like <b>THE BROKEN CUP</b> is also gonna be finished.</div><div></div><div>PR: Really?</div><div></div><div>FR: So, we're working hard on that.</div><div></div><div>PR: Keep me informed, as always.</div><div></div><div>FR: I sure will.</div><div></div><div>PR: And another thing we're very happy to report, as we have been reporting for, uh, I guess about the better part of a week, now - <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a></div><div></div><div></div><div>FR: <i>YES</i>!</div><div></div><div>PR: ...and they have <b>DELIVER ME</b> available....</div><div></div><div>FR: YES! (laughs)</div><div></div><div>PR: What was the story? Was it lost in the basement?</div><div></div><div>FR: Yeah - I think they got the package and it got put somewhere behind a bunch of boxes and a table....</div><div></div><div>PR: Right..</div><div></div><div>FR: You know - it's one of those Hollywood stories!</div><div></div><div>PR: Yep!</div><div></div><div>FR: We've had to call them and find out where it is and they found it!</div><div></div><div>PR: UmHm....Because we had that wonderful CD release party at <b><i>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</i></b> a while ago, and I'm thinking I can't wait to get to work after the weekend because then we can tell people to head on over to <b>cdbaby</b>, we had the party and sure enough, the weeks went by and I kept checking every single day - it got frustrating and finally.....we uncovered it.</div><div></div><div>FR: Yeah, it was about a 3-week delay in the opening, unfortunately, but...</div><div></div><div>PR: But it IS available, ladies and gentleman, at <b><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a> DELIVER ME</b>, the very latest album from Frank Rendo.</div><div></div><div>FR: And the downloads, too!</div><div></div><div>PR: Exactly!</div><div></div><div>FR: You can get it as a download, as well.</div><div></div><div>PR: Exactly - and you can download either the entire album...or individual tracks if you choose...</div><div></div><div>FR: Right - and it'll be on <b><a href="http://itunes.com/">iTunes</a></b>, shortly.</div><div></div><div>PR: Okay.</div><div></div><div>FR: It kicks-in a little bit later to do the world-wide distribution of all that....</div><div></div><div>PR: Right, okay. We're gonna hear something from <b>DELIVER ME</b> right now - this is the single that you actually....you gave me the pleasure and privilege of breaking....</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes - </div><div></div><div>PR: ....a long, long time before the album actually came out!</div><div></div><div>FR: I think it was early May.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yeah, and we've had tremendous response on this song.</div><div></div><div>FR: I'm so glad!</div><div></div><div>PR: Tremendous response on the song. This is the single - you all know it cause we play it a lot here at <b>WHLI</b>; from <b>DELIVER ME</b>, Frank Rendo....."<i>Don't Laugh At Me</i>."</div><div></div><div>PLAYS --"<b><i>DON'T LAUGH AT ME</i></b>"</div><div></div><div>PR: The single from <b>DELIVER ME</b> - "<i>Don't Laugh At Me</i>." That still some song and it still gets some reaction in your concerts. It's just a wonderful piece</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396706342819993138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiundzRWWNgaTCFSEvOEkHvc6BDUTS_QPGSWvvytgFa0Aup-_qywxoY8xKg80GNLn8p3TWzEU3g74o2ErNI3B08erUeuG2veAwUeomZamqYevpxjt800jo4cfTPn19McjlETdiAAq5pSDA/s400/Don't+Laugh+Photo.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 397px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /> <br />
<div>of music and I'll never, ever forget till the day I die, the honor I had back in May when, at one of your shows you had a copy for me and you just simply presented it to me....</div><div></div><div>FR: Right!</div><div></div><div>PR: Within two days we had it on the air, here that was an honor. </div><div></div><div>FR: Right - that was a very exciting time - yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yep, and a number of stations across the country are playing it...</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: And it's on <b>DELIVER ME</b>, which is available at <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a> you were talkin' about <b><a href="http://itunes.com/">iTunes</a></b>...now, how they either have some right now, or....what's the story?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (pictured: Frank Rendo - Photo by Dominick Avento III)</i></span></div><div></div><div>FR: Well, I know they have the single, "<i>Don't Laugh At Me</i>" because when I gave it to you, I also went ahead and had that song arranged for digital distribution - the album wasn't done yet - for about another two months or so. So, you know, with digital distribution it takes a while to kick-in - around the world is all different - well, it's not just <b><a href="http://itunes.com/">iTunes</a></b>, it's all the different web hosts that do digital distribution and they all get it at their own time.</div><div></div><div>PR: Alright, well - we'll keep checkin' <b><a href="http://itunes.com/">iTunes</a></b>, too, so we can let the people know, but at least right now, we know they can go to <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a></div><div></div><div>FR: Right - that's correct.</div><div></div><div>PR: And get either the physical copy of the album, download the entire album, or download individual tracks - three nice options.</div><div></div><div>FR: That's right - yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: So, you were a busy little boy this past weekend, eh? A couple of performances - how'd they go? </div><div></div><div>FR: Yeah, they went really well. We sold out at<i><b> Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</b></i> on Saturday night.</div><div></div><div>PR: Right....</div><div></div><div>FR: And we sold - gosh, hundreds of tickets for the benefit for St. John's.</div><div></div><div>PR: Which was the following afternoon?</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes, at <b><i>St. John's University.</i></b></div><div></div><div>PR: That's great!</div><div></div><div>FR: Yeah, great times.</div><div></div><div>PR: The more the merrier, actually. And now, you're back to your monthly excursion.</div><div></div><div>FR: (chuckles)</div><div></div><div>PR: <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">At </span><i>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</i></b> - That was my first time there, at the CD release party - what a wonderful place to relax - have a cup of coffee and a pastry, watch a great show in a non-pressure situation...</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes....</div><div></div><div>PR: The intermission is nice and long and leisurely - you know, you're not rushed - the lights are not blinking - you know 'GET BACK TO YOUR SEATS...THE PERFORMANCE IS ABOUT..." you know - everybody's casual and....</div><div></div><div>FR: and chatting, and....</div><div></div><div>PR: It's a beautifully decorated place - I love what she's done to the place, as they say.</div><div></div><div>FR: (laughs) - I'll be there again on November 7th.</div><div></div><div>PR: Alright! And we'll talk about that. We'll take a break and be back - Frank</div><div>Rendo, our special guest here at <b>WHLI</b>.</div><div></div><div><i>BREAK</i></div><div></div><div>PR: Back with our very special guest, Frank Rendo, here this Tuesday morning at <b>WHLI</b> - this next song from <b>DELIVER ME</b> was written by Palma.</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: And, uh, I wanna talk a little bit about the "team" because you know, uh, this team you work with - they are top notch! Fred and I have met a couple of times, but there's more - why not talk about these ladies and gentlemen a little bit, and the hard work they put in to make this project sound so wonderful.</div><div></div><div>FR: Thanks. Well, Fred Guarino sort of brought all these elements together for this particular album because there are so many songs I had recorded through the years, but hadn't released, so this was - ah, just opening the vaults and getting everything out there.</div><div></div><div>PR: Okay...</div><div></div><div>FR: And he blended it all. He's the engineer of <b><i>TIKI Recording Studios</i></b> - he's a producer, and he's also a musician. He played drums and he played some things on the CD, too, but...a brilliant guy and a really great guy. Real supportive of me. And, I met him through Palma Pascale. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(pictured: Frank Rendo & Fred Guarino)</i></span></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396705627637376466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKEdZb7MSEQebjcHrphBUiXGyK0ZlNfkCj9isCLm65b9Ez6OfIsayZXN7uAzMtCaxD99OFdt0USarhcNi9ruGqzktUpPJXumgiYuDSZmDvPIhyOmKD6ETEmrumzcHvGdkneEKLUmOEBs/s400/100_4354.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px;" /></div><div>PR: Okay....</div><div></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396668039780882770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMp4et95Fr4rJrTeMmOIXTByfbzJIoFbq36WVZP23cd2azjxujJsLMVZS1qS5CbvMuJzsw9KhOCKysGPCKkJqYXFR-OF7da0L5COCByM6fWkZNNV8g6WdN6hxVYGOpqwgXxV6A9eqcE0/s400/Palma+and+Frank+-+Singing.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 400px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 316px;" /></div><div>FR: Palma came to a program that I had done for <b>Jesus Alive </b>at the <b><i>Westbury Music Fair</i></b> in 2005. We, that is - I hosted an event there. And she kind of followed me around after that and made a phone call to me, and we chit-chatted for a long time, and I think that started a friendship.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yep...</div><div></div><div>FR: And, ah, we eventually started to work together and <b>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</b>, my CD, was the first thing that we did together.</div><div></div><div>PR: Ah! What a great Christmas album.</div><div></div><div>FR: She had written for the Carpenters, and she had written for Streisand, and for James Ingram, and oh, a lot of people. And just a brilliant musician herself.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yeah, and she plays a <i>billion</i> instruments!!!!</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes, she does!</div><div></div><div>PR: Is there an instrument she can't play? A lot of times, you look at the back of your albums and 99% of the instruments on this album have been played by Palma Pascale. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(pictured: Palma Pascale & Frank Rendo)</i></span></div><div></div><div>FR: (laughs) - I think I <i>did</i> write that once, yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: Unbelievable!</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes, I was very fortunate.</div><div></div><div>PR: And she did write this song, and before we hear it, it is now time to, ah, as promised - cause we've been saying that we're gonna give away a personally autographed copy of <b>DELIVER ME</b>, and we're gonna do that right now - to the 9th ... how about the 9th caller?</div><div></div><div>FR: The 9th caller is good!</div><div></div><div>PR: The 9th caller @ 955-<b>WHLI</b> - dial carefully - area code 631-955-9454 will win a personally autographed - and I just saw Frank autograph it...so, I'm your witness here....</div><div></div><div>FR: It's still <i>wet</i>!</div><div></div><div>PR: Yeah, see? It's still drying!</div><div></div><div>FR: (laughing)</div><div></div><div>PR: A personally autographed copy of the new <b>DELIVER ME</b> album which contains this track written by the late Palma Pascale - 9th caller, go for it!</div><div></div><div>PLAYS: "<i>To Keep You With Me</i>."</div><div></div><div>PR: Alright, that's Frank Rendo from <b>DELIVER ME</b>, "<i>To Keep You With Me</i>." Palma wrote that....obviously, ah, that's one of the rare, rare songs - Frank, why don't you tell us before we even go to the phones, before we talk to Tommy ......Tommy, by the way - we are NOT gonna do history and birthdays today - well, you know what? We'll do them at 11:30 - how's that?</div><div></div><div>So, at 11:30 we'll do histories and birthdays. This hour, we're gonna listen to a winning phone call because we just ran a contest and we do have a winner - but first, Frank, what about that song that Palma wrote?</div><div></div><div>FR: "<i>To Keep You With Me"</i> was written for a family who had lost a daughter to suicide. So, she wrote it to, you know, bring comfort to the family, and, actually, the family came to my concert last weekend.</div><div></div><div>PR: Really?</div><div></div><div>FR: Yeah, so I got to meet all of them. Yes, and it had such a great response that I said I want to do that song and I purposely put it in the place on the album where it is, after "<i>Don't Laugh At Me</i>."</div><div></div><div>PR: Yep!</div><div></div><div>FR: Cause so many people who are bullied are so depressed and wind up, you know, taking their own life. I feel that the song brings hope!</div><div></div><div>PR: Alright - um...hmmm.......Alright, Tommy - since we have a few minutes, here's the winning phone call. <b>WHLI</b>, Hi! Who's on the phone?</div><div></div><div>CALLER: OMG! this is Bridgette.</div><div></div><div>PR: Bridgette - how ya doin'?</div><div></div><div>B: What was that?</div><div></div><div>PR: How ya doin'?</div><div></div><div>B: OMG! I can't.....this is the first....you, (SHOUTS!) "<i>MA! GET DOWN HERE!</i>!!!"</div><div></div><div>Paul and Frank both laugh~</div><div></div><div>B: You don't know, we have been listening to your station since 1967 this is the first time I called!</div><div></div><div>PR: First time you called and you win?</div><div></div><div>B: OMG! I just got through and this is amazing what he's playing, OMG! This song he wrote with Palma Pascale - do you remember I talked to you about that?</div><div></div><div>PR: Umm...hmmm....</div><div></div><div>B: OMG! We have been listening....my mother's down....we moved here from Brooklyn to the Jersey Shore in 1967, my father bought a restaurant, my mother wanted music - she was foolin' around with the radio and she got this WH uh......<i>The Music of your Life</i>!!</div><div></div><div>PR: Bridgette, wouldn't it have been great if you'd been the 9th caller?</div><div></div><div>B: Oh, I'm sorry!</div><div></div><div>PR: No, no...I'm kidding - you ARE. I'm kidding. YOU WIN!!! I have for you a personally autographed copy of the new Frank Rendo album, <b>DELIVER ME</b>.</div><div></div><div>B: And this guy is <i>AMAZING</i>!!! I just can't believe the music - I've been listening to this.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yeah, he's good!</div><div></div><div>B: OMG!</div><div></div><div>PR: Hey, congratulations to you!</div><div></div><div>B: OMG! And, I thank you Mr. Frank Rendo.</div><div></div><div>PR: You sound like you need a little coffee!</div><div></div><div>B: Oh, I <i>do</i>! OMG!</div><div></div><div>PR: 10:30 - where is this hour going I ask you? 22 in front of 11 o'clock on a Tuesday, early in October - Frank Rendo our special guest. We're about to play a title tune from one of Palma's albums, Frank. "<i>I'll Leave You The Music</i>." Something's been.....there's been a burning question ever since we've been playing this song - you know we've been playing a couple of tracks from this album.</div><div></div><div>FR: Yeah.</div><div></div><div>PR: But there is no indication on the album as to when it came out. I have to know the year that this song came out, because this could have been written just about two months ago, or maybe even less than that - and I know that's not the case.</div><div></div><div>FR: I actually don't know when the copyright is for the song.</div><div></div><div>PR: Okay....</div><div></div><div>FR: I think that the album was probably recorded a few years ago.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yep! And that's what I'm saying - a few years is usually - cause normally you can look at the back of a CD and see the date when it came out!</div><div></div><div>FR: Right.</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396703841029551538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRc60wvWHJTF1IgTMnNcwygQG4R9YSbodkktri0J82TAIbqSpxHxiS-zpP1w-n7wa-eUaecwGpAlzPQbGJOEldYSB3G3FzIzVYWsSnCy_BJkhNPO9pvdG6BkXaxPfB04t3TqRuQEvC4o/s400/Palm+In+%26+Out+of+Love.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 130px;" /></div><div>PR: Cause people are saying....I've had more than one person saying she must have known! I'm saying but it's a couple of years old....</div><div></div><div>FR: No, she wrote that before anything about her illness.....</div><div></div><div>PR: That's what I felt.</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes!</div><div></div><div>PR: That's what I felt - but maybe she had a premonition?</div><div></div><div>FR: It's prophetic, isn't it? But I think originally she wrote the song as something that happened after a relationship ended.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (pictured: Palma Pascale)</i></span></div><div></div><div>PR: That's another thought I had.</div><div></div><div>FR: That was the intention. It just has a new meaning, now.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yes, it does.</div><div></div><div>FR: Like so many things that she's written and sings.</div><div></div><div>PR: Oh, yeah....I know. With that in mind, here is the late Palma Pascale. This is the title tune from one of her brilliant albums - this is "<i>I'll Leave You the Music</i>" on <b>WHLI</b>.</div><div></div><div>Plays "<i>I'll Leave You The Music</i>"</div><div></div><div>PR: That is SOME piece of music, Frank!</div><div></div><div>FR: <i>Beautiful</i>!</div><div></div><div>PR: Yep! The title track from one of Palma's great, great pop albums...<b>I'LL LEAVE YOU THE MUSIC</b>. It's the same album that contains this next, ah....was she channeling Gloria Estefan with this thing, or what?</div><div></div><div>FR: (laughs) That is a real hot number, isn't it?</div><div></div><div>PR: It is - it's a great Latin tune, you know? It's a great number on this same album - from the album <b>I'LL LEAVE YOU THE MUSIC</b> again, the late Palma Pascale, and "<i>Nowhere To Go</i>." If you feel like dancin', and you've been sitting around listening to Frank and I, which is nice, you have a cup of coffee at the table - you sit and relax, but now you gotta get up, those creaky joints.....and we'll talk about those creaky joints in the next hour as well - but right now, this'll help! This is Palma - "<i>Nowhere To Go</i>," it's called.</div><div></div><div>PLAYS "<i>Nowhere To Go</i>"</div><div></div><div>PR: "<i>Nowhere To Go</i>" - that's Palma Pascale.</div><div></div><div>FR: She's singing <i>everything</i> on there.</div><div></div><div>PR: Amazing - she is just (was) just amazing. I can see how this had to be such a hardship for everybody. Ans she was very, very young, too. She would have been 58 or 59 in November?</div><div></div><div>FR: Well, she would be 59 on November 1st.</div><div></div><div>PR: November 1st - yeah, she left us all too soon, but there's plenty of music left behind.</div><div></div><div>FR: Right!</div><div></div><div>PR: <i>WOW!!! </i>Where'd this hour go? Look at this - </div><div></div><div>FR: I dunno - air-time is not <i>real</i> time, is it?</div><div></div><div>PR: No - nope! We might as well be in the twilight zone.</div><div></div><div>FR: We have a lot of fun here at <b>WHLI</b>.</div><div></div><div>PR: We really do - we really do, and we enjoy playing your music and, uh, you know - we enjoy coming out and seeing your live concerts....</div><div></div><div>FR: Thank you so much.</div><div></div><div>PR: Yeah, right now, I'm lost for words because you're such a unique artist - you're not your average run-of-the-mill artist - you're a very, very <i>special</i> artist who does very, very <i>special</i> music.</div><div></div><div>FR: Thank you.</div><div></div><div>PR: You <i>really</i> are and this new album - congratulations on a <i>fine</i> album!</div><div></div><div>FR: Thank you very much!</div><div><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a> </div><div></div><div>PR: Which will be made available at and we'll keep you posted as to itunes. What, after all the different songs that are on there, all of a sudden, the old Louie Armstrong chestnut shows up.</div><div></div><div>FR: (laughs)</div><div></div><div>PR: ....which we're gonna end this interview with right now. How did this come about?</div><div></div><div>FR: I started doing it in my shows the last few years and it just seemed right to be put on this project. So, I did, and Palma did really beautiful things with the music.</div><div></div><div>PR: It sounds right! The first time we played it, we played it on the Joe Satta show when <b>DELIVER ME</b> first arrived and I said "<i>Joe, this is the track you're gonna get</i>" cause I had already played a couple of tracks on the morning show.</div><div></div><div>FR: Right...yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: So Joe's show started at noon - he's on from noon to five, and he goes "<i>what do I get from <b>DELIVER ME</b></i>?" I said, "<i>you get this</i>!" So, halfway through the song, he turns to me and goes "<i>I already like it better than Louie</i>" he said.</div><div></div><div>FR: Oh, <i>no</i>!</div><div></div><div>PR: Oh, yeah!</div><div></div><div>(both laugh)</div><div></div><div>PR: And, we <i>love </i>Louie around here! We simply love Louie - but Joe turned to me and I was standing right over there and said "<i>I already like it better than Louie's</i>."</div><div></div><div>FR: <i>Wow</i>! That's something.</div><div></div><div>PR: It is! Frank, all the best to you again with <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a> the album. It's a party today. So Frank, all the best to you. We'll see you real soon.</div><div></div><div>FR: Yes.</div><div></div><div>PR: Sell a lot of copies of <b>DELIVER ME</b> and, by the way folks, you heard that we gave away a copy on the air? Well, Frank threw me a curve ball - a surprise. He brought four extra copies....<i>FIVE </i>extra? Wow! So, in the coming days, whether it's this show or Joe's show, you'll have another chance and you signed those <i>too</i>?</div><div></div><div>FR: I <i>did</i>! I'm about to sign the last one.</div><div></div><div>PR: Alright! We have more, personally autographed copies of Frank Rendo's new <b>DELIVER ME</b> album and in the days to come here at <b>WHLI</b>, we'll be giving those away. We end the interview, we wish the best of luck to Frank, we say adios!</div><div></div><div>FR: <i>Bye!</i></div><div></div><div>PR: And we leave you with this track we're talking about from <b>DELIVER ME</b>.</div><div></div><div>~END~</div><div></div><div>Well folks, that's the interview, and it was a fun hour, seems like to me.</div><div></div><div>You will want to have your very own <b>DELIVER ME</b> CD, autographed or not.....it's one beautiful compilation of music, and gifted Frank Rendo definitely "delivers" throughout the entire album. Palma's contributions are nothing short of stellar, either. And Fred Guarino knows how to put a CD together and make it sound like the best it possibly can. He does that for Frank here, as he has always in the past.</div><div></div><div>I encourage you to download <b>DELIVER ME</b>, or go to <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo">http://www.CDBaby.com/Artist/FrankRendo</a> for your own copy. You will be blessed, and you will be thrilled, I assure you.</div><div></div><div>All the best to each of you,</div><div>~Tim</div><div></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHLI:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="http://www.whli.com/whli_trivia.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.whli.com/</span></a></div><div><b>FRANK RENDO:</b> (website links)</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000099;">Reverb Nation</span></b> <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/FrankRendo"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/FrankRendo">http://www.ReverbNation.com/FrankRendo</a> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>MySpace:</b> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/FrankRendoMusic">http://www.MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>ShoutLife:</b> <a href="http://www.shoutlife.com/FrankRendo">http://www.ShoutLife.com/FrankRendo</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>TIKI Recording Studios:</b> <a href="http://www.tikirecording.com/">http://www.tikirecording.com/</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven: <a href="http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/">www.SamanthasLilBitofHeaven.org</a> </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000bf; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">PALMA PASCALE: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span><a href="http://www.palmapascale.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.palmapascale.com</span></a> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Photos courtesy Frank Rendo</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-25531889129094485832009-09-30T19:26:00.000-07:002011-09-06T18:11:58.094-07:00FRANK RENDO'S "DELIVER ME" ~ ABOUT THE CD<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXQkOrNpbWcNj2Yw7e0o-384reN6hyphenhyphenLh3AFD9L7tYKbCtDczd0LaZ2OiTYTNkfDEbNgx53oXWWLnIXpbL2vgl__xfYH7KbIEIWzn5R_cJL6-kxKfQS5ezEXaWD1pjp-VMQLhBXKV8-MI/s1600-h/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8[1].6.09.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374691271249489218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXQkOrNpbWcNj2Yw7e0o-384reN6hyphenhyphenLh3AFD9L7tYKbCtDczd0LaZ2OiTYTNkfDEbNgx53oXWWLnIXpbL2vgl__xfYH7KbIEIWzn5R_cJL6-kxKfQS5ezEXaWD1pjp-VMQLhBXKV8-MI/s400/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8%5B1%5D.6.09.JPG" style="float: right; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 400px;" /></a> <br />
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">FRANK RENDO</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">DELIVER ME</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"</span></span></strong><br />
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“…<em>Please deliver me, cause I’m falling…please remember me, hear me calling- I…I keep lookin’ round and wondering why….sometimes You seem so hard to find- And I fall behind….I keep fallin’ behind</em>…”<br />
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<strong>Frank Rendo</strong> decidedly “delivers” in this, his 5th arresting compilation. There is a mixture of songs here; each an element of the CD that serves to create the “whole.” A myriad of styles and genres, each expertly expressed by Frank. It’s a real joy to try and describe it for you, here.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small; font-style: italic;">(pictured:Frank Rendo - Cover Art: Dominick <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Avento III)</span></em> </span></span><br />
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It’s been a most rewarding experience for me to have been able to walk-through the process of making this CD with Frank from start to finish. I have listened to variations of these songs and have watched Frank and the team of gifted talent who has worked with him sculpt each selection and hone them to the rich, powerful songs that now comprise <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>.<br />
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I recently told Frank that I found each one of the songs seemingly better than the one before it. It’s like a circle – there is no end to the creativity, beauty and majesty of them.<br />
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Though some of these cuts were initially recorded at various other studios at different times along the way, the final touches for this CD were completed at <strong><em>Tiki Recording Studios</em></strong> in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York. <a href="http://www.tikirecording.com/">http://www.tikirecording.com/</a> Frank was surrounded by a group of extremely talented individuals as he added to, or freshly recorded these selections.<br />
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<strong>Fred Guarino</strong>, owner of <strong><em>Tiki Recording Studios</em></strong> and a gifted guitarist, masterfully & painstakingly engineered this CD for Frank. I recently visited the studio as Fred was mixing one of the selections, and I must say that I marvel at his abilities. Fred can hear things I’d ne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW6gXbNW7jtMuqcubQh4HBaBxlKKc7D_Mw1cq0m_PMlAwhppzY1XcMnWka8uDkJLFohQTk4yFewGsJ3eNdziJjb8Ox21sSslx6KNCBHF7OIlsydRHl6UnUJUio0GcH1jRIaNQN4y_LVc/s1600-h/Fred+tuning+Don"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374694604979345234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW6gXbNW7jtMuqcubQh4HBaBxlKKc7D_Mw1cq0m_PMlAwhppzY1XcMnWka8uDkJLFohQTk4yFewGsJ3eNdziJjb8Ox21sSslx6KNCBHF7OIlsydRHl6UnUJUio0GcH1jRIaNQN4y_LVc/s320/Fred+tuning+Don%27t+Laugh+sessions+0420009.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a>ver pick out – yet, because of this man and his immense talent, these important pieces are able to be heard as they blend beautifully to make the recording the best quality it can be. In part, because of Fred’s musicianship, he is adept at listening well and he knows what to listen for! But, the way he maneuvers the recording equipment to obtain the maximum effectiveness just blows me away. His talent here is sheer genius. It would certainly take more than a paragraph or two to describe things he has finessed, here. Suffice to say – he’s one brilliant engineer! <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pictured above: Fred Guarino)</span></em><br />
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Musical <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkniBwuLzLuWkz_8BtkxLFi6blCF4nBEvdkpHHAuaIE45OaO7-roXNCpRKuhTd1XP5kjV3JT47NQTpv7qh8im1s7NWJtd6D8HjjOLK_NqfwUQYM2XZutnmc7GY7teUWvAHX-9RsA9Zy0s/s1600-h/Palm+in+Atlantic+City.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374692739217321842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkniBwuLzLuWkz_8BtkxLFi6blCF4nBEvdkpHHAuaIE45OaO7-roXNCpRKuhTd1XP5kjV3JT47NQTpv7qh8im1s7NWJtd6D8HjjOLK_NqfwUQYM2XZutnmc7GY7teUWvAHX-9RsA9Zy0s/s320/Palm+in+Atlantic+City.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 144px;" /></a>direction for <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> was in the capable hands of <strong>Frank Rendo </strong>and my dear friend, composer, arranger, orchestrator, singer – multi-talent <strong>Palma Pascale</strong>. <a href="http://www.palmapascale.com/">http://www.palmapascale.com/</a> Palma’s creativity, her musical ability and her overall recording capabilities knows no bounds. Palma composed three of the glittering selections on this CD and Frank’s interpretation of them is stunning! Palma expertly added orchestration, vocals and a good dose of encouragement to Frank throughout the process of completing this recording.<br />
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Palm and Frank work very well together – their voices blend perfectly and together they truly compliment one another. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured: Palma Pascale)</span></em><br />
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<strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> is another musician who Frank’s worked with on this CD as Peter penned the title song, <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> in 1997. Peter is a renowned New York based jazz artist and a member of <strong><em>The New York Voices</em></strong> – a jazz vocal group there in the city. His website, <a href="http://www.petereldridge.com/">http://www.petereldridge.com/</a>, says this: “<em><strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> has been called perennially classy [JazzTimes] and ranked in the celebrated tradition of melodic poets, most famously represented by such</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yu0XYZPX82wcO3BreXQORcI3dp8hELet43pbDS27PdbUbd7OtT2d9kmzjCvoFfF-bGXUUnBkJ4iBy2Om1Eox0KbCq48aMpdlNSt7RBPAM27oSwpk8p7nv0PmNdhRBe8VXwTuGU7lipU/s1600-h/Peter+Eldridge.jpg"><em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374693517163417442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yu0XYZPX82wcO3BreXQORcI3dp8hELet43pbDS27PdbUbd7OtT2d9kmzjCvoFfF-bGXUUnBkJ4iBy2Om1Eox0KbCq48aMpdlNSt7RBPAM27oSwpk8p7nv0PmNdhRBe8VXwTuGU7lipU/s400/Peter+Eldridge.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 130px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 105px;" /></em></a><em> disparate voices as <strong>Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison & Steely Dan</strong>…singer/songwriters who create catchy, beautiful tunes with insightful lyrics that are both personal & universal.” </em><br />
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Peter is an outstanding jazz artist and Frank’s reading of <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> is nothing short of spectacular! I know that Frank enjoyed working with Peter, and Peter himself told me “<em>I love the way Frank sings <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>. It was just a pleasure to record it with him</em>.” Frank discovered <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> some 11 years ago, having heard Peter for the first time perform it in concert at the old <strong>CBGB’s</strong> in New York City. Frank had hoped one day for the opportunity to record it with Peter. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured above: Peter Eldridge)</span></em><br />
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Broadway actor and singer <strong>Jonathan Rayson</strong> joined Frank on the single from the CD, <strong><em>DON’T LAUGH AT ME</em></strong>. Frank's and Jonathan's voices comp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PFGKr0gCF5TpUAkXeA5MkC4ZdkeBrbQOb-Hormn9JDWLYSUt-s_CkpSqol1sTj5ce6BrcpHZz-cCrgB77bHJwdSkztwCNJLj5me56-jWFhIfKJKe-VizKCIPSZ3dxHgaL40tvAWIUjY/s1600-h/Frank+and+Jonathan+at+TIKI.jpg"></a>limented one anot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbZs7HaIuXbAhrz4aggRtNDbs36xjIZWdGG6ezc5kRGJr5TWXnyk02AenlDq86b5dFZq_p_vDWlTtZvfPJm5QY_A_9yAOKPOUb1mPXCk_8fbD853YBzUrY9mtIR6wHW6wF1D1N0tGUVk/s1600-h/jonathan+vocal+booth.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374700312052786274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbZs7HaIuXbAhrz4aggRtNDbs36xjIZWdGG6ezc5kRGJr5TWXnyk02AenlDq86b5dFZq_p_vDWlTtZvfPJm5QY_A_9yAOKPOUb1mPXCk_8fbD853YBzUrY9mtIR6wHW6wF1D1N0tGUVk/s400/jonathan+vocal+booth.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px;" /></a>her and Jonathan has also told me what a real pleasure it was for him to get to record with Frank. Jonathan has been singing on stage since age 7. He began acting in Junior High and has been singing and acting ever since. He has performed both on and off Broadway, and he recently released his own first solo CD called <strong>SHINY AND NEW</strong>. Jonathan’s CD has 14 tracks to offer and he covers some wonderful selections from many well-known recording artists. You can find more information about Jonathan and his music at his website, <a href="http://www.jonathanrayson.com/">http://www.jonathanrayson.com/</a>. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured: Jonathan Rayson)</span></em><br />
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Joining Frank on the song the two of them co-composed is vocalist and long-time friend, <strong>Mary Aulet</strong>. Mary and Frank were part of the music program at Christian City Church, New York, some 10-years ago when Mary approached Frank with the lyrics and the melody of a song that Frank composed the accompaniment and arrangement for. This duo made quite a nice writing team.<br />
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There is no lack of impressive talent on this CD. And I know they each were delighted to be a part of a <strong>Frank Rendo</strong> recording. Hmmmm……any wonder why?<br />
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<strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> – the invocation - A most subdued start to the collection. <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> is one of the songs Frank is credited as co-composer with <strong>Tracey Cruz</strong> and <strong>Joe Cruz</strong> in 1997. A simple piano Baroque-styled intro, accompanied by a flute, leads Frank into the song where he sings:<br />
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“…<em>Open Heaven, Angels gather round…Open Heaven, Holy Spirit, come on down. I am ready to receive – Holy Spirit, shine your light on me</em>…”<br />
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Palma builds the song orchestrally upon <strong>Daniel Anderson’s</strong> original arrangement by adding the gutsy sound first of a church-styled Hammond organ, soon to be joined by some rich sounding strings. A wonderful vibrato is added to the organ sound as the dynamics begin to build moving towards the chorus. An electric guitar enters the mix here, really changing things up and making a full, grand sound as Frank sings the chorus, which ritards nicely while Palm adds to the regal feeling at the ritard with harpsichord.<br />
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After the chorus we are treated to a plethora of wonderful, warm, yet exciting instruments – the melody here is taken by a flute line - Frank is humming freely – a clarinet can be heard under the flute providing harmony and gorgeous, silky strings round out this instrumental verse which is full and lovely. To add to the intensity, the plucking of low strings can be detected along with the reintroduction of the harpsichord. Though all of these instruments are having their “say” and all together, I can hear Palma’s “<em>less is more</em>” philosophy come into play – the instruments keep out of the way of each other, not overpowering one another whatsoever; so delectably executed.<br />
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As Frank’s strong, rich voice returns on the chorus, it is punctuated with some tastefully implemented percussion, programmed by <strong>Fred Guarino</strong>. Such a dynamic is added by this inclusion. This chorus reaches a rousing crescendo toward the end; but then, as subtly as it began, Frank <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYdEY7VXA-shfeb_ySvS-gWiTYRRc2LskbeDOhReEgVA4JgnfC-RerHZuc5xMx-lJFA9UkVW1T7EzKm9IWJqojSGoUUuTROVilP5EGSwVcHESrVeBlbBu-FhpgBZNrP-0OvtqOHlQjes/s1600-h/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374695345063990946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYdEY7VXA-shfeb_ySvS-gWiTYRRc2LskbeDOhReEgVA4JgnfC-RerHZuc5xMx-lJFA9UkVW1T7EzKm9IWJqojSGoUUuTROVilP5EGSwVcHESrVeBlbBu-FhpgBZNrP-0OvtqOHlQjes/s400/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks%27.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px;" /></a>gently and delicately sings this beautiful melody beginning this time with the sole accompaniment of piano:<br />
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“…<em>Open Heaven, Angels gather round…Open Heaven, Holy Spirit, come on down. I am ready to receive – Holy Spirit, shine your light on me</em>…”<br />
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As you are captivated by the voice of this man singing the turnaround and tags in order to end the song, if you listen closely, you will note that most of the aforementioned instruments make one final statement each to add to the interest of Frank’s incredible vocal – taking each tag a bit softer, and a bit higher, with his final note being a high C, one full octave above middle C; and he hits it squarely, and he holds it for a good long while as Palma ritards to create a beautiful, elegantly executed ending behind this amazing vocal. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured: Frank Rendo)</span></em><br />
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And….this is <em>only the invocation!</em><br />
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<strong>WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD</strong> - Turn your mind now from an almost classical interpretation of the inspirational <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> to a lightly jazz-influenced, straight-ahead tune that was made quite popular in the 1960’s by the late, great <strong>Louis Armstrong</strong>. <strong>WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD</strong> is an audience favorite that Frank has been performing live for many years, now. Palma took the existing arrangement that Frank has used, and embellished it as only she can!<br />
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The feel of the song is the same triplet tempo as in the classic <strong>Unchained Melody</strong>. Frank easily captures a laid-back feeling as he sings:<br />
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“…<em>I see trees of green – red roses too. I see them bloom for me & for you And I think to myself – what a wonderful world</em>…”<br />
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Accompanying Frank, then, is a classic rhythm section comprised of electric piano, bass and drums. The embellishments added by Palma include the strings, which add to the relaxing feel of the song, an electric rhythm guitar, and at the same time, there is an underlying muted guitar sound of finger-plucked triplet notes. It’s subtle, but really interesting. The delicate addition of the orchestral bells punctuates the song in just the right spots. Frank shared with me that he really likes the strings mixed so that they sound the way an orchestra would naturally be placed on a soundstage. Knowing this, Fred replicated that sound with this song’s mix…the strings are mixed to the left and Palma’s electric guitar can be heard on the right. You’ll hear this many times throughout the CD.</div>
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Frank’s interpretation of this classic is impressive! It takes certain know-how to be able to sing jazz – <strong>Sinatra</strong> knew how – <strong>Buble’</strong> knows how – and Frank <em>definitely</em> knows what he’s doing on this front. His phrasing – his ability to “bend the notes,” if you will, when necessary – and his overall genuine feel for this type of song is evident, throughout. It’s a comfortable song, and that comfortable, relaxed feeling is easily transferred to the listener. Though this one comes in only at 2:17, it’s loaded with character and charm. “<em>Oh…….yeah</em>!”<br />
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<strong>IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD</strong> is track 3. It was an unexpected, pleasant surprise to this writer. Written by <strong>Maria Abraham</strong> and initially arranged by <strong>Chris O’Brien</strong> from whose original blueprint this arrangement was built upon. Frank was a back-up singer on this one when he was initially involved in the 1994 recording of it.<br />
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The song is an altogether captivating one because, I believe, of its simplistic structure. Yet, there is not one “<em>simple</em>” thing about it you will discover as you listen to it. Starting with an intro of electric piano and guitar, along with Frank’s soft humming, we are tenderly carried into the opening lines as warm, soft strings are added and Frank gently makes this request:<br />
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“…<em>Touch my life, Lord, with Your hands…and teach my heart to understand. Peace will fill me when I am in the presence of the Lord – in the presence of the Lord In the presence of the Lord I will be…be set free. I will be…be set free</em>…”<br />
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Frank’s voice here is so clear, so calm, so sure, so full and rich as he sings this song of praise. There is yet a completely different feel with this one that Frank expresses seemingly so easily. He may be singing softly, but he is filling each note full to overflowing, and he makes it sound as if it required no effort whatsoever.<br />
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As he begins verse two, Frank is heard harmonizing with himself and soon Palma is joining him for a chilling three-part enhancement to this pleasing track – yet just around the corner lies another surprise from our talented friend.<br />
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There comes an instrumental chorus, complete with a smoky sounding soprano sax solo performed by <strong>Denny Sant</strong>, and accompanied by both Frank and Palma adding interspersed ooo’s and aah’s, or sometimes humming, which maximizes the effect of this chorus. Additional players include <strong>Chris O’Brien</strong> on keyboards, renowned musician and songwriter <strong>Chris Falson</strong> <a href="http://chrisfalson.com/CF/">http://ChrisFalson.com/CF/</a> on guitar,<strong> Al Buonnono</strong> on bass, <strong>Alan Smallwood</strong> on keyboards, <strong>Anthony Cerebino</strong>, percussion and <strong>Peter Prianti</strong> on drums.<br />
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There is a pleasing modulation at the end of this chorus, leading into a three-part vocal repeat of the phrase: <br />
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* “…<em>In the presence of the Lord – In the presence of the Lord – In the presence of the Lord I will be….be set free – I will be….be set free</em>…”<br />
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Along with this beautifully repeated chorus, Frank employs his jazz chops to improvise some tantalizing phrases, which completely changes the complexion of this, until now, rather subdued piece. You will enjoy hearing Frank ‘stretch-out’ a bit with whatever message had entered his heart that he was elaborating on, here. It’s again, a place where Frank’s abilities to adapt to any style and any genre is evident. The song is <em>superbly</em> performed by Frank, and it showcases the versatility of his talent in a most powerful way.<br />
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<strong>DON’T LAUGH AT ME</strong> is a touching song that is the single Frank released from this CD. I heard Frank during an interview with <strong>WHLI</strong> Radio’s <strong>Paul Richards</strong> (<a href="http://www.whli.com/">http://www.whli.com/</a>) for his <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong> CD where the two of them discussed that this was this song that Paul had once commented on after one of Frank’s live performances. Frank recalls Paul telling him how much he liked this one and Frank let Paul know that at some point he intended to record it. So, having been reminded of that during this 2008 interview with Paul, Frank went into the studio in April of this year to make good on his intentions.<br />
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Frank is joined by <strong>Jonathan Rayson</strong>, <strong>Palma Pascale</strong> and <strong>Fred Guarino</strong> on this one.<br />
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Frank is nothing less than brilliant in his vocal and theatrical delivery of this song and story. The story is one that I would guess more people will relate to than not, from some point-in-time in their own lives.<br />
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The story is a decidedly poignant one – and I’m willing to offer that many of you will, indeed, find a tear in your eyes and a lump in your throat as you listen. I say this not only because of the message of the song, but because of the raw beauty of this recording, itself – and of course, Frank’s interpretation of it.<br />
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Well, here's a thought - why not hear it? Enjoy Frank Rendo here singing, in its entirety, <i><b>Don't Laugh At Me</b></i>.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px; white-space: pre;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; white-space: pre;"><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F2728975">
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<embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F2728975" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini/frank-rendo-dont-laugh-at-me-from-his-cd-deliver-me">FRANK RENDO - Don't Laugh At Me - from his CD, DELIVER ME</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini">Mr. Martini</a> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini/frank-rendo-deliver-me-01-dont-laugh-at-me-final-master-inspirational-320kbps">Frank Rendo - Don't Laugh At Me</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini">Mr. Martini</a> </span></span></div>
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span>DON’T LAUGH AT ME</strong> was written by <strong>Steve Seskin</strong> and <strong>Allen Shamblin</strong> for a national anti-bullying campaign called <strong>DON’T LAUGH AT ME (DLAM)</strong>. The program is intended to nurture children’s emotional, social and ethical development, teach conflict resolution and foster respect for others.</div>
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This cut is resplendent from the first note to the very last one. If you have read any of my reviews of Frank’s wo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1RSoguC_PF-h2vj-PRran9ZtFA1RYI-qt9QVyRmcIh1jkNFjoQcCIEcp1DJaULD-ZOav3o6A9_R0YlfGf4JGI-Dde-IXKE5I9x25Rndq2p90OHJd24rPCJYQQVbarf4F9yU0I-4NeDg/s1600-h/Don"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374697173731676338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1RSoguC_PF-h2vj-PRran9ZtFA1RYI-qt9QVyRmcIh1jkNFjoQcCIEcp1DJaULD-ZOav3o6A9_R0YlfGf4JGI-Dde-IXKE5I9x25Rndq2p90OHJd24rPCJYQQVbarf4F9yU0I-4NeDg/s400/Don't+laugh+At+Me.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 397px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a>rk in the past, you already know that I believe him to have been blessed by God with one of THE most handsome, full-bodied, rich and EXPRESSIVE voices this writer has ever encountered. There is a distinguished, <em>distinctive</em> quality to Frank’s voice. One listen to this amazing recording and you’ll immediately hear what I mean. It is so well crafted, and sung….and it is so evidently pulled from that “<em>special place</em>” way deep down within Frank. The melody may not present him with a vocal challenge, yet the story, itself, demands to be sung with a love and caring that Frank easily carries out. He sings it sort of “<em>respectfully</em>,” if you will.<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured: Frank Rendo)</span></em><br />
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Palma provides the magnificent orchestration. She, too, has a “<em>knack</em>” to know exactly which spot to sweeten just so, and which ones can stand all by themselves. Her “<em>less is more</em>” application works well here. This is a skill that most people need to work at and practice to get good at. Palma has the innate ability to already “<em>know</em>” and can already “hear” what she wants to do. She just sits, and does it. She may make more than one pass at it, but the ability is built-in and comes across as easily to Palm as walking does to most of the rest of us. Her simple, clean piano intro sets the tone for the song, perfectly.<br />
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Add some beautiful strings here and there to heighten the intensity, and another instrument or two, and <em><strong>voila</strong></em>! Another striking arrangement.<br />
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Frank is joined on the chorus by the crisp, strong and clear voice of Broadway’s own <strong>Jonathan Rayson</strong>. Jonathan’s vocal so compliments Frank’s – they sing perfectly together, and it is obviously done with “ease.” There are people who try to duet together – we’ve all heard them – they sound as though the two voices are competing with one another, or that it’s really an “effort” to be in sync with one another. Not true in this case. Jonathan easily followed Frank’s lead and you can immediately tell there was a distinct comfort level between the two – chemistry, of sorts. Jonathan first joins Frank on the chorus, and these two are so perfectly tuned-in with each other, that they sound like one voice.<br />
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Another element to this composition comes from the skilled engineer of the song, <strong>Fred Guarino</strong>. Fred has played guitar for many years. His true passion is for recording other incredible artists…and he’s amazing at what he does behind that console, believe me. But….Fred is quite a good, creative guitarist, as well. His guitar chops are rock solid. Fred adds such nice, tasteful guitar elements to this song – nothing overdone, and his guitar is a very important piece of the whole.<br />
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Now, not only did Fred do the wonderful guitar work – it’s his expertise that provides the awesome, perfectly timed and again, tastefully executed drums! <strong><em>Wow!</em></strong> Trust me, it’s not an “easy” task by any means to coordinate these drums and do it so that the drums are not overpowering…but they must help the expression of the song along – and Fred’s treatment here perfectly compliments the work of everyone else involved.<br />
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Are you feeling the sense of all of these separate pieces joining one another to end up as one solid creation? Fred pulls the well-done pieces together and provides the grout to make all the pieces seamless.<br />
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After a modulation where Frank’s lead vocal takes on just the slightest “<em>edge</em>” to accentuate the lyrics, and as he does so, the most awesome set of vocal “<em>aaahhhh’s</em>,” almost like “<em>pleas of heartfelt pain</em>” punctuate just how intense the story is getting, and we hear them for just 4 very important, chilling measures.<br />
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It’s here that not only Frank and Jonathan can be heard, but Palma’s voice is added to the mix, as well. Each vocal layer floats, one above the other, exact diction in-sync with one another, and this dynamic build not only moves the story towards a climactic point – it’s just absolutely touching and oh, so gorgeous.<br />
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Frank artfully sings a short bridge – we hear a waterfall of vocal <em>ooo’s</em> at one point, and then….an effective pause….a <em>SECOND </em>modulation, and suddenly, those wonderful stacked voices are back – a bit more powerfully and even <em>more</em> beautiful. Once the pinnacle of the song has been reached, Jonathan and Palma’s voices are no longer…that is, Frank turns around the chorus with everyone’s voices but then he takes it out on his own, just as he introduces it – in a tender voice that tells the listener an entire story, in and of its own accord. The vision you described to me early in this process, Frank, was spot-on. The song is stunning……simply, <em><strong>stunning</strong></em>!<br />
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<strong>TO KEEP YOU WITH ME</strong> comes in as the number 5 cut, and is a <em>hauntingly</em> beautiful <strong>Palma Pascale</strong> composition. Written for survivors of suicide victims, this exquisite number is read so captivatingly by Frank.<br />
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“….<em>Now that it’s final…now that it’s done – My friend, don’t you see that nobody won? Who is to say if we rewound the years – could we have dried-up all of your tears? What made you cross the line? Could I have saved you, just one more time?...”</em><br />
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Wow – see w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYJEQpW2PVv3sFMxCAI-WmH3o2JMmoW5Qh-pzrYcZP5o7VU5L6igcTfNc8NhkTWdlrDTE3NaJ2ACKd0iKIEQ7AA2kc_R7NPD930IvKJ2zbJQnDOjtJWuhRBmADkiN3TlvOlpIq-ZXt9Y/s1600-h/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374696705246359282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYJEQpW2PVv3sFMxCAI-WmH3o2JMmoW5Qh-pzrYcZP5o7VU5L6igcTfNc8NhkTWdlrDTE3NaJ2ACKd0iKIEQ7AA2kc_R7NPD930IvKJ2zbJQnDOjtJWuhRBmADkiN3TlvOlpIq-ZXt9Y/s400/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks2.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px;" /></a>hat I mean? Frank conveys those lyrics so carefully and thoughtfully – just as one might imagine them to be delivered if in conversation.<br />
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Starting so effectively with sounds of both harp and piano, Palma then layers some warm, smooth strings on top, enhancing both Frank’s vocal as well as the very lyrics he is singing; a touch she does <em>SO</em> well. An oboe accentuates one line of the lyric while a lilting flute captures another. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured: Frank Rendo)</span></em><br />
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“…<em>Only one question I will repeat over and over awake, and asleep. Why did you leave us and how could this be? What could I have done to keep you with me?...”</em><br />
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The slight crescendo & ritard at the end of verse two leading into the chorus is accentuated by a beautifully rolled cymbal crash which adds so much to the drama of the overall orchestration.<br />
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Soon we hear a more dynamic crescendo & ritard leading into a well-timed and expertly executed modulation: Palma, Frank and Fred all have a hand in creating the orchestration here, building the instrumentation with stronger strings, French horn, more of those gorgeous rolled cymbal crashes, and more. It is truly a breathtaking point in this heartbreaking story, which continues with Frank’s moving interpretation as he sings:<br />
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“…<em>Only one question burns in my heart…are you at peace, although we’re apart? Did you find heaven, and could it be… there was no way to keep you with me?...”</em><br />
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There’s a special tag line at the end that you will enjoy as you listen to this emotion-filled selection, which Frank relays to us so tenderly. <strong>BRAVO!</strong><br />
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<strong>IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW </strong>was written by <strong>Kim Noblitt</strong> in 1992 and is another arrangement that Frank has used for years to perform with live, and it finally gets its due on record here…it’s one of Frank’s most requested concert pieces. Palma embellished it for this compilation (Frank has, unfortunately, been unable to find the origin of the original arrangement). This pop ballad tells such a nice story, and Frank gets to be a bit creative with his vocals on it, as well.<br />
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Though there is a significant range to be accomplished when singing this one, Frank seemingly has no trouble whatsoever with either the very low or the very high notes. He again reveals a complete mastery of the melody and seems so at ease while singing it. There is a certain “mystique” that can be deduced as Frank conveys this glorious story to us. It’s a mood one can clearly denote immediately in his voice. I credit not only Frank’s theatrical training for helping get this across, but also his heart shows here, in a big way.<br />
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This one becomes highly dynamic as Frank executes the modulation, and in places his vocal intensity is abundant. Frank’s talent is unsurpassed. <strong><em>Magnificent!</em></strong><br />
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<strong>MISSION OF LOVE</strong> is a 1:33 powerhouse message. Composed in a strikingly dark, minor key, this song sings to both challenge and despair. It comes from a two-act musical play, (<strong>J-THREE-SIXTEEN</strong>). It doesn’t take more than a moment to figure out the real meaning of the play’s title, and this song provides a perfect backdrop for that famous quote from <strong>John 3:16</strong>.<br />
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Frank sings this compelling dirge with fervor amid a backdrop of dark electric piano and shadowy strings, carefully chosen by the original musician for the recording, <strong>Joe Cruz</strong>, who is responsible for the super arrangement of this selection. Palma is also heard here, retracing Joe’s string parts for added texture & fullness. In Frank’s vocals, there is evident recognition - it’s most captivating. Frank’s upper register is used here, and every single note is precise, clear and strong. His intonation is dead-on, consistently, and his rendering of this very minor melody brings that familiar “chill factor” to the listener. <strong><em>Impeccably</em> performed</strong>!<br />
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<strong>ALL I EVER TAUGHT YOU</strong> is a 2009 <strong>Palma Pascale</strong> composition. This selection has been strategically placed in this spot in the line-up as a “<em>response</em>” to the previous track, <strong>MISSION OF LOVE</strong>. Frank shared with me that he feels these two complement each other well, as <strong>MISSION OF LOVE</strong> is all about the despair of an individual being judged, whereas this selection teaches us all a lesson <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> to judge one another. I recall how excited Palma was when she described to me that she had written this one as she believed the message was such a vital one that needed to be heard; and of course she is so right.<br />
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The story is relayed from God, who is displeased with the hatred, evil and greed He witnesses:<br />
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“…<em>It’s a shame you couldn’t love them as I taught you. It’s too bad that you decided something different. It’s a sin – you took the words I meant for good and turned them into judgment swords with which to pierce the hearts of man. It’s a shame you didn’t understand my meaning. You let arrogance and judgment cloud your view. I’ll be watching from above, so tread lightly as a dove, and remember, All I ever taught you was to love</em>…”<br />
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Didn’t I <em>tell </em>you? A remarkable story set to such a dazzling melody that is, again, captured expertly by our Mr. Rendo.<br />
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Frank’s vocals are so evocative…not embellished here, but delivered in a straight-forward, gentle fashion. His read of this awesome composition is <em>perfect</em> – and the listener is being treated to such sensitivity and warmth throughout the piece.<br />
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<strong>Dominick Avento</strong> joins Frank in creating the rich backing vocals that are heard as the second verse begins.<br />
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Now – let’s talk about the composition, itself. I think this creation is a perfect vehicle for Frank. Palma’s treatment orchestrally does exactly what it is supposed to do – enhance the vocalist’s story. I have often written that Palma is so adept at having the chosen instruments “<em>speak</em>” to the listener as clearly as the lyrics do. She uses an English horn at various places throughout this one – she once told me how she felt an English horn was a sort of mild sounding instrument that lends a specific quality to a song – to me, it’s a combination of beauty tinged with sadness.<br />
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The English horn takes the lead, but surrounding that is a delightful grand piano, along with guitar and soft, warm strings. Not fussy at all –yet one instrument compliments the other so well. Each one fills an empty corner, when needed, to support Frank’s handsome vocals.<br />
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There is a very dynamic modulation leading into the final verse that serves to bring us all to that next important level of intensity. I love the swirling string run Palma does, here. Frank softly and gently takes this one out as the song ritards, so as to accentuate these last, thoughtfully penned lines:<br />
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<em>“…I’ll be watching from above, so tread lightly like a dove, and remember All I ever taught you was to…..love</em>…”<br />
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Such an expressive and touching composition!<br />
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<strong>I’LL BELIEVE IN YOU</strong> is the next selection, and it’s one that you will find you’ll be humming to yourself long after you’ve listened to it. It sticks with you and just <em>won’t</em> let go!<br />
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Perfor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9xYMdj3Ih6pZWmH3GdBVDm3r2LH71Z9eVUuAnBVR1ShVJA7GLG9PKq2NhpnC3UDQfrd7NIy8Su_oNfju9XcUGfbOMohqE6RVQWftdhHZcIQVCctGx3d9w5NPk1p3SC8OkSB7WJz7YMI/s1600-h/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374698198877222738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9xYMdj3Ih6pZWmH3GdBVDm3r2LH71Z9eVUuAnBVR1ShVJA7GLG9PKq2NhpnC3UDQfrd7NIy8Su_oNfju9XcUGfbOMohqE6RVQWftdhHZcIQVCctGx3d9w5NPk1p3SC8OkSB7WJz7YMI/s400/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 187px;" /></a>ming with Frank on this one is his co-composer, <strong>Mary Aulet</strong>. Originally produced by <strong>Spyros Poulos</strong>, and recorded in February of 1997 at <strong><em>Cove City Sound</em></strong> in Glen Cove, NY. <strong>Fred Guarino</strong> and Frank produced this new version at Tiki, after Fred transferred the original from the 2-inch master analogue tape to a digital recording, which he did at <strong><em>Cove City Sound</em></strong>.<br />
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Originally, Mary sang the lead and Frank backed her up. In this reproduced gem, Frank takes the lead, and Mary repeats Frank’s original backing vocals. Even after 10 years of not working together, this one was easily revisited by both.<br />
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The song is outstanding and has quickly become a favorite of this writer. The lyric tells a story that one can identify with, and the instruments used on this one make it soulful and a real fun listen. The synthesized soprano sax makes me think of being out on a sailboat on a bright, sunny day. The wonderful electric guitar work here was added by <strong>Reuben Orshan</strong>.<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured: Frank Rendo)</span></em><br />
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“…<em>In this life I find it’s harder each day to hold onto my dreams before they slip away. I want to live in peace, but a war wages within, so I keep coming back to You, time and time again</em>…”<br />
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Does this story have a familiar ring for you as it did me? The inner struggle, the “war that wages within,” is a consistent theme throughout <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>…and I feel it is so wise to recognize that it exists in all of us. There is an answer for us to control and understand that conflict, however, as the verse concludes and the chorus begins:<br />
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“…<em>So I keep coming back to you time and time again. You always told me all I have to do Is to put my faith and hope and my trust in You. So, I’ll believe in You with all my heart – You’ve been faithful and true, right from the start. There’s no other place to be than in the shelter of your love. Keep me in Your care, my Father, above</em>…”<br />
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A really moving piece that both Frank and Mary give a special feel to – one that remains with the listener in mind and heart.<br />
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<strong>A ROOM IN MY HEART</strong> is a dark sounding, magnetically charged composition composed by <strong>Palma Pascale</strong>. This brooding and haunting tale of conflict had me on the edge of my seat from my very first listen, and I knew it was to be one of my all-time favorite Pascale compositions.<br />
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The song is set in a minor key to immediately evoke that darkness – that turmoil that we hear lyrically, so incredibly portrayed by Frank’s vocal. As I understand it, this composition came about from Frank’s often mentioning the various “<em>rooms in our hearts</em>” when doing live performances. Palma created an amazing vehicle to express the story in a bit of a different way:<br />
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“…<em>There’s a room in my heart where nobody goes – Where the blind’s always shut & the door’s always closed. There’s a room in my heart that I don’t dare go in – It’s cold & it’s dark – I don’t want to show Him</em>….”<br />
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<strong><em>Brilliant!</em></strong> It’s giving me chills just writing about it. It goes on:<br />
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“…<em>If I just can pretend it’s not there – I have other good rooms that I’m willing to share If He knew what I hid in my heart...would He still love me? Would He love me?...”</em><br />
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By his own design, there is no intro to this one – Frank comes right in telling the story – his voice sounds as though he is truly weary - it comes across very well. He sounds apprehensive – uncertain – questioning. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt05ShFPx-1HryOa9PLwLlB4MzAEiKJcN5XL9Xa_xhKZeEx6kopWe3_TYxerugSvDVMx-sGZxgxUBGsCDkPTfkIEavohHfgezJ3QxKHzAfZAo5bC5x2GExS5VkrE2USbpyyDO8qAV8sBw/s1600-h/FrankandPalmAugust,2008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374699076006157506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt05ShFPx-1HryOa9PLwLlB4MzAEiKJcN5XL9Xa_xhKZeEx6kopWe3_TYxerugSvDVMx-sGZxgxUBGsCDkPTfkIEavohHfgezJ3QxKHzAfZAo5bC5x2GExS5VkrE2USbpyyDO8qAV8sBw/s400/FrankandPalmAugust,2008.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The instrumental structure of this song is kept to a minimum of instruments. Palma uses grand piano – smooth strings, and a “trilled” string is used quite sparingly, which not only accentuates the piece in all the right places, but also adds incredible texture and an element of audible confusion. <strong>Wow!</strong><br />
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As the story continues, the inner conflict continues as well, up until the well-timed modulation where, seemingly, our storyteller has made an important decision…one not easily made, yet made, nonetheless. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pictured: Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale)</span></em><br />
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In relaying this piece of the story, Frank’s tone and his inflections change immediately. There is a new command of the thought process and a determination to open that room, as hard as that might seem, because as a result;<br />
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“…<em>He will gather me into His arms and say He loves me….He still loves me. And….He loves ALL the rooms in my heart</em>…”<br />
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Between Frank’s reading and Palma’s arrangement, you’ll be left breathless after listening to this one!<br />
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<strong>DELIVER ME</strong> is the CD’s title track for many reasons. This 1997 <strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> composition is a tale of discord and internal struggle. The prayer here is to be delivered from such conflict and strife as one finds in their life. As I commented in my Forward, this is a most profound song, and Frank’s interpretation of it is splendid, indeed!<br />
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<strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> does the accompaniment for Frank on this, his own composition. Peter’s jazz influenced chord structure doesn’t go unnoticed. He gives us an interpretation of his piano-only accompaniment just as Frank does, vocally. Frank and Peter recorded this song live in the studio.</div>
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And…there is no question that Frank is masterful at allowing the conflict to be represented by his vocal elocution of <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>. That conflict that Frank is singing about here is evident in every single note; it makes the story come alive. He sings this with such perception – such confirmation.<br />
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The song begins with Frank singing an entire rubato, acapella verse (w/o benefit of instrument behind him), and his intonation is spot-on as Peter joins in. This first verse, showcasing only Frank’s incredible voice, sets the stage for the song both conceptually as well as interpretively. <strong><em>Whew!</em></strong><br />
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“…<em>It’s been said to find the Kingdom of Heav’n you must become like a child & start all over again. But, I don’t feel like a child no more – I guess I’ve seen way too much to be who I was before. I don’t know who to trust….or what to believe. How come the powerful ones got all those tricks up their sleeve? I’m hungry for truth – looking for some living proof. Something that makes sense….to me</em>…”<br />
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Something that makes sense to me, <em>indeed</em>! There is such dynamic in this song – so much room for individual interpretation – the sometimes seemingly dissonant chord structure, as well as the dissonance of the message are both important and appreciated.<br />
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“…<em>I try to be true to You, and true to myself- Somewhere between standing proud & screaming for help! I guess the best I can do is to keep hoping in You, and–hope You believe in me, with Your mercy</em>…”<br />
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It's quite powerful, most sincere and genuine! It's…<strong><em>STELLAR</em>!</strong><br />
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<strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> – the benediction- I like the way Frank has taken two very different versions of <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> and used them as bookends for this wonderful CD. And…this one clearly sounds like it <em>should</em> be the benediction. Very prayerfully sung – reverently & soft. It’s “celestial” sounding. Once again Frank’s vocals compliment the instruments, and vice versa. I love the fact that Palma adds only a “hint” of the Baroque sound in the instrumental portion, here which ties it in nicely with the invocation! The key signature of the benediction is 1 full step higher than the invocation, which, on its own, lends itself to a whole different sound.<br />
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I recall telling Frank <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMRKpmFagudqXBaURQJ35IS3_2W4R8pDPN2XV-WQfvhqUZZhgTJehn9wVKJjrzPd2blziCcP6Lle7HqGmAYQ-zqwOgSeyLMbH9c-i4hFqe9jvlwViXTScsUIikCJDQk_7EPPt4QBPQaE/s1600-h/PalmFrankFG.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374722614068587714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMRKpmFagudqXBaURQJ35IS3_2W4R8pDPN2XV-WQfvhqUZZhgTJehn9wVKJjrzPd2blziCcP6Lle7HqGmAYQ-zqwOgSeyLMbH9c-i4hFqe9jvlwViXTScsUIikCJDQk_7EPPt4QBPQaE/s400/PalmFrankFG.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px;" /></a>at one point how I enjoyed listening to his tasteful ‘<em>vocal calisthenics’</em> at various strategically placed areas throughout this compilation. To have such a powerful instrument as this and to be able to use it as eloquently as Frank does is, truly, a gift. Some of those ‘vocal calisthenics’ are evident in this sweetened version of <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong>. As I listen to this last track on the CD, I find it pulling together the entire compilation and wrapping-up the feeling of this ambitious effort quite nicely.<br />
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The theme woven throughout the lyrics and heightened by the melodies in this effort is, indeed, pointing not only towards one’s propensity toward identifying their own inner conflict, but also knowing it is He we can turn to in order to find the needed answers to resolve our conflicts and find true peace of mind. <em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(pictured: Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale/Fred Guarino)</span></em><br />
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This compilation has touched me personally, on many different levels, time and again. <strong>Bravo to Frank Rendo</strong>, and all who participated in the making of this spectacular CD. What a <em>gift</em> we have been given.<br />
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<strong><em>“…Remember - Deliver - Me…” </em></strong>* <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Timothy J. San Paolo – 8/27/09</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Photographs courtesy Palma Pascale, Frank Rendo. <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> cover design: Dominick Avento III</em></span></div>
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Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-50345649657834201052009-08-30T18:58:00.000-07:002010-05-31T11:52:56.442-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><h2 class="date-header" style="color: #558866; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 28px 0px 43px; text-transform: uppercase;">THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009</h2><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; margin: 0.3em 0px 25px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 13px; padding-right: 13px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1676778757401191472&postID=5034564965783420105" name="2553188912909448583"></a> <br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-image: url(http://www2.blogblog.com/rounders3/icon_arrow.gif); background-position: 10px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; color: #333333; display: block; font: bold 135% 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 2px; webkit-background-clip: initial; webkit-background-origin: initial;"><a href="http://ramblingsregardingrendo.blogspot.com/2009/08/frank-rendos-deliver-me-about-cd.html" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">FRANK RENDO'S "DELIVER ME" ~ ABOUT THE CD</a></h3><div class="post-header-line-1"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="border-bottom: rgb(238,238,204) 0px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXQkOrNpbWcNj2Yw7e0o-384reN6hyphenhyphenLh3AFD9L7tYKbCtDczd0LaZ2OiTYTNkfDEbNgx53oXWWLnIXpbL2vgl__xfYH7KbIEIWzn5R_cJL6-kxKfQS5ezEXaWD1pjp-VMQLhBXKV8-MI/s1600-h/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8[1].6.09.JPG" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374691271249489218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXQkOrNpbWcNj2Yw7e0o-384reN6hyphenhyphenLh3AFD9L7tYKbCtDczd0LaZ2OiTYTNkfDEbNgx53oXWWLnIXpbL2vgl__xfYH7KbIEIWzn5R_cJL6-kxKfQS5ezEXaWD1pjp-VMQLhBXKV8-MI/s400/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8%5B1%5D.6.09.JPG" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: right; height: 400px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 400px;" /></a> </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="border-bottom: rgb(238,238,204) 0px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 10px;"><strong>FRANK RENDO</strong></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="border-bottom: rgb(238,238,204) 0px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 10px;"><strong>"<em>DELIVER ME</em>"</strong></div></div><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; margin: 0.3em 0px 25px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 13px; padding-right: 13px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" style="border-bottom: rgb(238,238,204) 0px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 10px;"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="border-bottom: rgb(238,238,204) 0px dotted; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px dotted; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 0px dotted; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 10px;">“…<em>Please deliver me, cause I’m falling…please remember me, hear me calling- I…I keep lookin’ round and wondering why….sometimes You seem so hard to find- And I fall behind….I keep fallin’ behind</em>…” <br />
<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>Frank Rendo</strong> decidedly “delivers” in this, his 5th arresting compilation. There is a mixture of songs here; each an element of the CD that serves to create the “whole.” A myriad of styles and genres, each expertly expressed by Frank. It’s a real joy to try and describe it for you, here. <em>(pictured:Frank Rendo - Cover Art: Dominick Avento III)</em></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">It’s been a most rewarding experience for me to have been able to walk-through the process of making this CD with Frank from start to finish. I have listened to variations of these songs and have watched Frank and the team of gifted talent who has worked with him sculpt each selection and hone them to the rich, powerful songs that now comprise <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">I recently told Frank that I found each one of the songs seemingly better than the one before it. It’s like a circle – there is no end to the creativity, beauty and majesty of them. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Though some of these cuts were initially recorded at various other studios at different times along the way, the final touches for this CD were completed at <strong><em>Tiki Recording Studios</em></strong> in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York. <a href="http://www.tikirecording.com/" style="color: #445566;">http://www.tikirecording.com/</a> Frank was surrounded by a group of extremely talented individuals as he added to, or freshly recorded these selections. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>Fred Guarino</strong>, owner of <strong><em>Tiki Recording Studios</em></strong> and a gifted guitarist, masterfully & painstakingly engineered this CD for Frank. I recently visited the studio as Fred was mixing one of the selections, and I must say that I marvel at his abilities. Fred can hear things I’d ne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW6gXbNW7jtMuqcubQh4HBaBxlKKc7D_Mw1cq0m_PMlAwhppzY1XcMnWka8uDkJLFohQTk4yFewGsJ3eNdziJjb8Ox21sSslx6KNCBHF7OIlsydRHl6UnUJUio0GcH1jRIaNQN4y_LVc/s1600-h/Fred+tuning+Don" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374694604979345234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW6gXbNW7jtMuqcubQh4HBaBxlKKc7D_Mw1cq0m_PMlAwhppzY1XcMnWka8uDkJLFohQTk4yFewGsJ3eNdziJjb8Ox21sSslx6KNCBHF7OIlsydRHl6UnUJUio0GcH1jRIaNQN4y_LVc/s320/Fred+tuning+Don%27t+Laugh+sessions+0420009.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 320px;" /></a>ver pick out – yet, because of this man and his immense talent, these important pieces are able to be heard as they blend beautifully to make the recording the best quality it can be. In part, because of Fred’s musicianship, he is adept at listening well and he knows what to listen for! But, the way he maneuvers the recording equipment to obtain the maximum effectiveness just blows me away. His talent here is sheer genius. It would certainly take more than a paragraph or two to describe things he has finessed, here. Suffice to say – he’s one brilliant engineer! <em>Pictured above: Fred Guarino)</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">Musical <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkniBwuLzLuWkz_8BtkxLFi6blCF4nBEvdkpHHAuaIE45OaO7-roXNCpRKuhTd1XP5kjV3JT47NQTpv7qh8im1s7NWJtd6D8HjjOLK_NqfwUQYM2XZutnmc7GY7teUWvAHX-9RsA9Zy0s/s1600-h/Palm+in+Atlantic+City.jpg" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374692739217321842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkniBwuLzLuWkz_8BtkxLFi6blCF4nBEvdkpHHAuaIE45OaO7-roXNCpRKuhTd1XP5kjV3JT47NQTpv7qh8im1s7NWJtd6D8HjjOLK_NqfwUQYM2XZutnmc7GY7teUWvAHX-9RsA9Zy0s/s320/Palm+in+Atlantic+City.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 144px;" /></a>direction for <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> was in the capable hands of <strong>Frank Rendo </strong>and my dear friend, composer, arranger, orchestrator, singer – multi-talent <strong>Palma Pascale</strong>. <a href="http://www.palmapascale.com/" style="color: #445566;">http://www.palmapascale.com/</a>Palma’s creativity, her musical ability and her overall recording capabilities knows no bounds. Palma composed three of the glittering selections on this CD and Frank’s interpretation of them is stunning! Palma expertly added orchestration, vocals and a good dose of encouragement to Frank throughout the process of completing this recording.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Palm and Frank work very well together – their voices blend perfectly and together they truly compliment one another.<em>(pictured: Palma Pascale)</em> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> is another musician who Frank’s worked with on this CD as Peter penned the title song,<strong>DELIVER ME</strong> in 1997. Peter is a renowned New York based jazz artist and a member of <strong><em>The New York Voices</em></strong> – a jazz vocal group there in the city. His website, <a href="http://www.petereldridge.com/" style="color: #445566;">http://www.petereldridge.com/</a>, says this: “<em><strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> has been called perennially classy [JazzTimes] and ranked in the celebrated tradition of melodic poets, m</em><em>ost famously represented by such</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yu0XYZPX82wcO3BreXQORcI3dp8hELet43pbDS27PdbUbd7OtT2d9kmzjCvoFfF-bGXUUnBkJ4iBy2Om1Eox0KbCq48aMpdlNSt7RBPAM27oSwpk8p7nv0PmNdhRBe8VXwTuGU7lipU/s1600-h/Peter+Eldridge.jpg" style="color: #445566;"><em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374693517163417442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yu0XYZPX82wcO3BreXQORcI3dp8hELet43pbDS27PdbUbd7OtT2d9kmzjCvoFfF-bGXUUnBkJ4iBy2Om1Eox0KbCq48aMpdlNSt7RBPAM27oSwpk8p7nv0PmNdhRBe8VXwTuGU7lipU/s400/Peter+Eldridge.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: right; height: 130px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 105px;" /></em></a><em> disparate voices as <strong>Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison & </strong></em></div><div align="left"><em><strong>Steely Dan</strong>…singer/songwriters who create catchy, beautiful tunes with insightful lyrics that are b</em><em>oth personal & universal.”</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">Peter is an outstanding jazz artist and Frank’s reading of <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> is nothing short of spectacular! I know that Frank enjoyed working with Peter, and Peter himself told m<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376579788709072082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQB2uIKJwcP_Cp1F2CPpSuFG2K99CJ8clMwdbXC_J7neFZyBJrPuPf7aNjx_I9Ccnc6Khhgx78o3DGTdqaT8OXgtRFgfl17orxljD4LEfwxQp8yrJOCJ_at79wdeXw890xYgK2vy3Dt8/s400/Frank+Rendo+and+Peter+Eldridge.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 130px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 97px;" />e recently:</div><div align="left">“<em>I love the way Frank sings <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>. It was just a pleasure to record it with him</em>.” Frank discovered <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> some 11 years ago, having heard Peter for the first time perform it in concert at the old <strong>CBGB’s</strong> in New York City. Frank had hoped one day for the opportunity to record it with Peter. <em>(pictured above: Frank Rendo & Peter Eldridge - Peter Eldridge)</em> </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Broadway actor and singer <strong>Jonathan Rayson</strong> joined Frank on the single from the CD, <strong><em>DON’T LAUGH AT ME</em></strong>. There seemed to be an immediate comfort level with these two as they recorded together. Their voices comp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PFGKr0gCF5TpUAkXeA5MkC4ZdkeBrbQOb-Hormn9JDWLYSUt-s_CkpSqol1sTj5ce6BrcpHZz-cCrgB77bHJwdSkztwCNJLj5me56-jWFhIfKJKe-VizKCIPSZ3dxHgaL40tvAWIUjY/s1600-h/Frank+and+Jonathan+at+TIKI.jpg" style="color: #445566;"></a>limented one anot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbZs7HaIuXbAhrz4aggRtNDbs36xjIZWdGG6ezc5kRGJr5TWXnyk02AenlDq86b5dFZq_p_vDWlTtZvfPJm5QY_A_9yAOKPOUb1mPXCk_8fbD853YBzUrY9mtIR6wHW6wF1D1N0tGUVk/s1600-h/jonathan+vocal+booth.JPG" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374700312052786274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbZs7HaIuXbAhrz4aggRtNDbs36xjIZWdGG6ezc5kRGJr5TWXnyk02AenlDq86b5dFZq_p_vDWlTtZvfPJm5QY_A_9yAOKPOUb1mPXCk_8fbD853YBzUrY9mtIR6wHW6wF1D1N0tGUVk/s400/jonathan+vocal+booth.JPG" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 400px;" /></a>her and Jonathan has also told me what a real pleasure it was for him to get to record with Frank. Jonathan has been singing on stage since age 7. He began acting in Junior High and has been singing and acting ever since. He has performed both on and off Broadway, and he recently released his own first solo CD called <strong>SHINY AND NEW</strong>. Jonathan’s CD has 14 tracks to offer and he covers some wonderful selections from many well-known recording artists. You can find more information about Jonathan and his music at his website,<a href="http://www.jonathanrayson.com/" style="color: #445566;">http://www.jonathanrayson.com/</a>. <em>(pictured: Jonathan Rayson)</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">Joining Frank on the song the two of them co-composed is vocalist and long-time friend, <strong>Mary Aulet</strong>. Mary and Frank were part of the music program at Christian City Church, New York, some 10-years ago when Mary approached Frank with the lyrics and the melody of a song that Frank composed the accompaniment and arrangement for. This duo made quite a nice writing team. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">There is no lack of impressive talent on this CD. And I know they each were delighted to be a part of a <strong>Frank Rendo</strong> recording. Hmmmm……any wonder why? </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> – the invocation - A most subdued start to the collection. <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> is one of the songs Frank is credited as co-composer with <strong>Tracey Cruz</strong> and <strong>Joe Cruz</strong> in 1997. A simple piano Baroque-styled intro, accompanied by a flute, leads Frank into the song where he sings:</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>Open Heaven, Angels gather round…Open Heaven, Holy Spirit, come on down. I am ready to receive – Holy Spirit, shine your light on me</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Palma builds the song orchestrally upon <strong>Daniel Anderson’s</strong> original arrangement by adding the gutsy sound first of a church-styled Hammond organ, soon to be joined by some rich sounding strings. A wonderful vibrato is added to the organ sound as the dynamics begin to build moving towards the chorus. An electric guitar enters the mix here, really changing things up and making a full, grand sound as Frank sings the chorus, which ritards nicely while Palm adds to the regal feeling at the ritard with harpsichord.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">After the chorus we are treated to a plethora of wonderful, warm, yet exciting instruments – the melody here is taken by a flute line - Frank is humming freely – a clarinet can be heard under the flute providing harmony and gorgeous, silky strings round out this instrumental verse which is full and lovely. To add to the intensity, the plucking of low strings can be detected along with the reintroduction of the harpsichord. Though all of these instruments are having their “say” and all together, I can hear Palma’s “<em>less is more</em>” philosophy come into play – the instruments keep out of the way of each other, not overpowering one another whatsoever; so delectably executed.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">As Frank’s strong, rich voice returns on the chorus, it is punctuated with some tastefully implemented percussion, programmed by <strong>Fred Guarino</strong>. Such a dynamic is added by this inclusion. This chorus reaches a rousing crescendo toward the end; but then, as subtly as it began, Frank <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYdEY7VXA-shfeb_ySvS-gWiTYRRc2LskbeDOhReEgVA4JgnfC-RerHZuc5xMx-lJFA9UkVW1T7EzKm9IWJqojSGoUUuTROVilP5EGSwVcHESrVeBlbBu-FhpgBZNrP-0OvtqOHlQjes/s1600-h/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374695345063990946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYdEY7VXA-shfeb_ySvS-gWiTYRRc2LskbeDOhReEgVA4JgnfC-RerHZuc5xMx-lJFA9UkVW1T7EzKm9IWJqojSGoUUuTROVilP5EGSwVcHESrVeBlbBu-FhpgBZNrP-0OvtqOHlQjes/s400/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks%27.JPG" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 400px;" /></a>gently and delicately sings this beautiful melody beginning this time with the sole accompaniment of piano:</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>Open Heaven, Angels gather round…Open Heaven, Holy Spirit, come on down. I am ready to receive – Holy Spirit, shine your light on me</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">As you are captivated by the voice of this man singing the turnaround and tags in order to end the song, if you listen closely, you will note that most of the aforementioned instruments make one final statement each to add to the interest of Frank’s incredible vocal – taking each tag a bit softer, and a bit higher, with his final note being a high C, one full octave above middle C; and he hits it squarely, and he holds it for a good long while as Palma ritards to create a beautiful, elegantly executed ending behind this amazing vocal. <em>(pictured: Frank Rendo)</em> </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">And….this is <em>only the invocation!</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left"><strong>WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD</strong> - Turn your mind now from an almost classical interpretation of the inspirational <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> to a lightly jazz-influenced, straight-ahead tune that was made quite popular in the 1960’s by the late, great <strong>Louis Armstrong</strong>. <strong>WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD</strong> is an audience favorite that Frank has been performing live for many years, now. Palma took the existing arrangement that Frank has used, and embellished it as only she can! Frank credits his good friend Jackie Carey for suggesting this song to him.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The feel of the song is the same triplet tempo as in the classic<strong>Unchained Melody</strong>. Frank easily captures a laid-back feeling as he sings: </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>I see trees of green – red roses too. I see them bloom for me & for you And I think to myself – what a wonderful world</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Accompanying Frank, then, is a classic rhythm section comprised of electric piano, bass and drums. The embellishments added by Palma include the strings, which add to the relaxing feel of the song, an electric rhythm guitar, and at the same time, there is an underlying muted guitar sound of finger-plucked triplet notes. It’s subtle, but really interesting. The delicate addition of the orchestral bells punctuates the song in just the right spots. Frank shared with me that he really likes the strings mixed so that they sound the way an orchestra would naturally be placed on a soundstage. Knowing this, Fred replicated that sound with this song’s mix…the strings are mixed to the left and Palma’s electric guitar can be heard on the right. You’ll hear this many times throughout the CD.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank’s interpretation of this classic is impressive! It takes certain know-how to be able to sing jazz – <strong>Sinatra</strong> knew how – <strong>Buble’</strong> knows how – and Frank <em>definitely</em> knows what he’s doing on this front. His phrasing – his ability to “bend the notes,” if you will, when necessary – and his overall genuine feel for this type of song is evident, throughout. It’s a comfortable song, and that comfortable, relaxed feeling is easily transferred to the listener. Though this one comes in only at 2:17, it’s loaded with character and charm. “<em>Oh…….yeah</em>!”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD</strong> is track 3. It was an unexpected, pleasant surprise to this writer. Written by <strong>Maria Abraham</strong> and initially arranged by <strong>Chris O’Brien</strong> from whose original blueprint this arrangement was built upon. Frank was a back-up singer on this one when he was initially involved in the 1994 recording of it. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The song is an altogether captivating one because, I believe, of its simplistic structure. Yet, there is not one “<em>simple</em>” thing about it you will discover as you listen to it. Starting with an intro of electric piano and guitar, along with Frank’s soft humming, we are tenderly carried into the opening lines as warm, soft strings are added and Frank gently makes this request:</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>Touch my life, Lord, with Your hands…and teach my heart to understand. Peace will fill me when I am in the presence of the Lord – in the presence of the Lord In the presence of the Lord I will be…be set free. I will be…be set free</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank’s voice here is so clear, so calm, so sure, so full and rich as he sings this song of praise. There is yet a completely different feel with this one that Frank expresses seemingly so easily. He may be singing softly, but he is filling each note full to overflowing, and he makes it sound as if it required no effort whatsoever.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">As he begins verse two, Frank is heard harmonizing with himself and soon Palma is joining him for a chilling three-part enhancement to this pleasing track – yet just around the corner lies another surprise from our talented friend.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">There comes an instrumental chorus, complete with a smoky sounding soprano sax solo performed by <strong>Denny Sant</strong>, and accompanied by both Frank and Palma adding interspersed ooo’s and aah’s, or sometimes humming, which maximizes the effect of this chorus. Additional players include <strong>Chris O’Brien</strong> on keyboards, renowned musician and songwriter <strong>Chris Falson</strong> <a href="http://chrisfalson.com/CF/" style="color: #445566;">http://ChrisFalson.com/CF/</a> on guitar,<strong> Al Buonnono</strong> on bass, <strong>Alan Smallwood</strong> on keyboards, <strong>Anthony Cerebino</strong>, percussion and <strong>Peter Prianti</strong> on drums.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">There is a pleasing modulation at the end of this chorus, leading into a three-part vocal repeat of the phrase:</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>In the presence of the Lord – In the presence of the Lord – In the presence of the Lord I will be….be set free – I will be….be set free</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Along with this beautifully repeated chorus, Frank employs his jazz chops to improvise some tantalizing phrases, which completely changes the complexion of this, until now, rather subdued piece. You will enjoy hearing Frank ‘stretch-out’ a bit with whatever message had entered his heart that he was elaborating on, here. It’s again, a place where Frank’s abilities to adapt to any style and any genre is evident. The song is <em>superbly</em> performed by Frank, and it showcases the versatility of his talent in a most powerful way. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>DON’T LAUGH AT ME</strong> is a touching song that is the single Frank released from this CD. I heard Frank during an interview with <strong>WHLI</strong>Radio’s <strong>Paul Richards</strong> (<a href="http://www.whli.com/" style="color: #445566;">http://www.whli.com/</a>) for his<strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong> CD where the two of them discussed that this was this song that Paul had once commented on after one of Frank’s live performances. Frank recalls Paul telling him how much he liked this one and Frank let Paul know that at some point he intended to record it. So, having been reminded of that during this 2008 interview with Paul, Frank went into the studio in April of this year to make good on his intentions. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank is joined by <strong>Jonathan Rayson</strong>, <strong>Palma Pascale</strong> and <strong>Fred Guarino</strong> on this one.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank is nothing less than brilliant in his vocal and theatrical delivery of this song and story. The story is one that I would guess more people will relate to than not, from some point-in-time in their own lives. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The story is a decidedly poignant one – and I’m willing to offer that many of you will, indeed, find a tear in your eyes and a lump in your throat as you listen. I say this not only because of the message of the song, but because of the raw beauty of this recording, itself – and of course, Frank’s interpretation of it.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Well, here's a thought - why not hear it? Enjoy Frank Rendo here singing, in its entirety, <i><b>Don't Laugh At Me</b></i>.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px;"><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fmr-martini%2Ffrank-rendo-dont-laugh-at-me-from-his-cd-deliver-me"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fmr-martini%2Ffrank-rendo-dont-laugh-at-me-from-his-cd-deliver-me" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini/frank-rendo-dont-laugh-at-me-from-his-cd-deliver-me">FRANK RENDO - Don't Laugh At Me - from his CD, DELIVER ME</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini">Mr. Martini</a> </span><span style="font-size: 0px;"><a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini/frank-rendo-deliver-me-01-dont-laugh-at-me-final-master-inspirational-320kbps"> Rendo - Don't Laugh At Me</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mr-martini">Mr. Martini</a></span> </span></span></span></div><div align="left"><b> </b></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span>*</span><br />
<b><br />
</b></div><div align="left"><b></b></div><div align="left"><strong>DON’T LAUGH AT ME</strong> was written by <strong>Steve Seskin</strong> and <strong>Allen Shamblin</strong> for a national anti-bullying campaign called <strong>DON’T LAUGH AT ME (DLAM)</strong>. The program is intended to nurture children’s emotional, social and ethical development, teach conflict resolution and foster respect for others.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div align="left">This cut is resplendent from the first note to the very last one. If you have read any of my reviews of Frank’s wo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1RSoguC_PF-h2vj-PRran9ZtFA1RYI-qt9QVyRmcIh1jkNFjoQcCIEcp1DJaULD-ZOav3o6A9_R0YlfGf4JGI-Dde-IXKE5I9x25Rndq2p90OHJd24rPCJYQQVbarf4F9yU0I-4NeDg/s1600-h/Don" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374697173731676338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1RSoguC_PF-h2vj-PRran9ZtFA1RYI-qt9QVyRmcIh1jkNFjoQcCIEcp1DJaULD-ZOav3o6A9_R0YlfGf4JGI-Dde-IXKE5I9x25Rndq2p90OHJd24rPCJYQQVbarf4F9yU0I-4NeDg/s400/Don't+laugh+At+Me.JPG" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: right; height: 397px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 400px;" /></a>rk in the past, you already know that I believe him to have been blessed by God with one of THE most handsome, full-bodied, rich and EXPRESSIVE voices this writer has ever encountered. There is a distinguished, <em>distinctive</em> quality to Frank’s voice. One listen to this amazing recording and you’ll immediately hear what I mean. It is so well crafted, and sung….and it is so evidently pulled from that “<em>special place</em>” way deep down within Frank. The melody may not present him with a vocal challenge, yet the story, itself, demands to be sung with a love and caring that Frank easily carries out. He sings it sort of “<em>respectfully</em>,” if you will.<em>(pictured: Frank Rendo)</em> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Palma provides the magnificent orchestration. She, too, has a “<em>knack</em>” to know exactly which spot to sweeten just so, and which ones can stand all by themselves. Her “<em>less is more</em>” application works well here. This is a skill that most people need to work at and practice to get good at. Palma has the innate ability to already “<em>know</em>” and can already “hear” what she wants to do. She just sits, and does it. She may make more than one pass at it, but the ability is built-in and comes across as easily to Palm as walking does to most of the rest of us. Her simple, clean piano intro sets the tone for the song, perfectly.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Add some beautiful strings here and there to heighten the intensity, and another instrument or two, and <em><strong>voila</strong></em>! Another striking arrangement.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank is joined on the chorus by the crisp, strong and clear voice of Broadway’s own <strong>Jonathan Rayson</strong>. Jonathan’s vocal so compliments Frank’s – they sing perfectly together, and it is obviously done with “ease.” There are people who try to duet together – we’ve all heard them – they sound as though the two voices are competing with one another, or that it’s really an “effort” to be in sync with one another. Not true in this case. Jonathan easily followed Frank’s lead and you can immediately tell there was a distinct comfort level between the two – chemistry, of sorts. Jonathan first joins Frank on the chorus, and these two are so perfectly tuned-in with each other, that they sound like one voice.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Another element to this composition comes from the skilled engineer of the song, <strong>Fred Guarino</strong>. Fred has played guitar for many years. His true passion is for recording other incredible artists…and he’s amazing at what he does behind that console, believe me. But….Fred is quite a good, creative guitarist, as well. His guitar chops are rock solid. Fred adds such nice, tasteful guitar elements to this song – nothing overdone, and his guitar is a very important piece of the whole. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Now, not only did Fred do the wonderful guitar work – it’s his expertise that provides the awesome, perfectly timed and again, tastefully executed drums! <strong><em>Wow!</em></strong> Trust me, it’s not an “easy” task by any means to coordinate these drums and do it so that the drums are not overpowering…but they must help the expression of the song along – and Fred’s treatment here perfectly compliments the work of everyone else involved. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Are you feeling the sense of all of these separate pieces joining one another to end up as one solid creation? Fred pulls the well-done pieces together and provides the grout to make all the pieces seamless. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">After a modulation where Frank’s lead vocal takes on just the slightest “<em>edge</em>” to accentuate the lyrics, and as he does so, the most awesome set of vocal “<em>aaahhhh’s</em>,” almost like “<em>pleas of heartfelt pain</em>” punctuate just how intense the story is getting, and we hear them for just 4 very important, chilling measures.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">It’s here that not only Frank and Jonathan can be heard, but Palma’s voice is added to the mix, as well. Each vocal layer floats, one above the other, exact diction in-sync with one another, and this dynamic build not only moves the story towards a climactic point – it’s just absolutely touching and oh, so gorgeous.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank artfully sings a short bridge – we hear a waterfall of vocal <em>ooo’s</em>at one point, and then….an effective pause….a <em>SECOND </em>modulation, and suddenly, those wonderful stacked voices are back – a bit more powerfully and even <em>more</em> beautiful. Once the pinnacle of the song has been reached, Jonathan and Palma’s voices are no longer…that is, Frank turns around the chorus with everyone’s voices but then he takes it out on his own, just as he introduces it – in a tender voice that tells the listener an entire story, in and of its own accord. The vision you described to me early in this process, Frank, was spot-on. The song is stunning……simply, <em><strong>stunning</strong></em>!</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>TO KEEP YOU WITH ME</strong> comes in as the number 5 cut, and is a<em>hauntingly</em> beautiful <strong>Palma Pascale</strong> composition. Written for survivors of suicide victims, this exquisite number is read so captivatingly by Frank.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“….<em>Now that it’s final…now that it’s done – My friend, don’t you see that nobody won? Who is to say if we rewound the years – could we have dried-up all of your tears? What made you cross the line? Could I have saved you, just one more time?...”</em> </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Wow – see w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYJEQpW2PVv3sFMxCAI-WmH3o2JMmoW5Qh-pzrYcZP5o7VU5L6igcTfNc8NhkTWdlrDTE3NaJ2ACKd0iKIEQ7AA2kc_R7NPD930IvKJ2zbJQnDOjtJWuhRBmADkiN3TlvOlpIq-ZXt9Y/s1600-h/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks2.JPG" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374696705246359282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYJEQpW2PVv3sFMxCAI-WmH3o2JMmoW5Qh-pzrYcZP5o7VU5L6igcTfNc8NhkTWdlrDTE3NaJ2ACKd0iKIEQ7AA2kc_R7NPD930IvKJ2zbJQnDOjtJWuhRBmADkiN3TlvOlpIq-ZXt9Y/s400/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks2.JPG" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 400px;" /></a>hat I mean? Frank conveys those lyrics so carefully and thoughtfully – just as one might imagine them to be delivered if in conversation.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Starting so effectively with sounds of both harp and piano, Palma then layers some warm, smooth strings on top, enhancing both Frank’s vocal as well as the very lyrics he is singing; a touch she does <em>SO</em> well. An oboe accentuates one line of the lyric while a lilting flute captures another. <em>(pictured: Frank Rendo)</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">“…<em>Only one question I will repeat over and over awake, and asleep. Why did you leave us and how could this be? What could I have done to keep you with me?...”</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">The slight crescendo & ritard at the end of verse two leading into the chorus is accentuated by a beautifully rolled cymbal crash which adds so much to the drama of the overall orchestration.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Soon we hear a more dynamic crescendo & ritard leading into a well-timed and expertly executed modulation: Palma, Frank and Fred all have a hand in creating the orchestration here, building the instrumentation with stronger strings, French horn, more of those gorgeous rolled cymbal crashes, and more. It is truly a breathtaking point in this heartbreaking story, which continues with Frank’s moving interpretation as he sings:</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>Only one question burns in my heart…are you at peace, although we’re apart? Did you find heaven, and could it be… there was no way to keep you with me?...”</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">There’s a special tag line at the end that you will enjoy as you listen to this emotion-filled selection, which Frank relays to us so tenderly.<strong>BRAVO!</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong>*</div><div align="left"><strong>IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW </strong>was written by <strong>Kim Noblitt</strong> in 1992 and is another arrangement that Frank has used for years to perform with live, and it finally gets its due on record here…it’s one of Frank’s most requested concert pieces. Palma embellished it for this compilation (Frank has, unfortunately, been unable to find the origin of the original arrangement). This pop ballad tells such a nice story, and Frank gets to be a bit creative with his vocals on it, as well. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Though there is a significant range to be accomplished when singing this one, Frank seemingly has no trouble whatsoever with either the very low or the very high notes. He again reveals a complete mastery of the melody and seems so at ease while singing it. There is a certain “mystique” that can be deduced as Frank conveys this glorious story to us. It’s a mood one can clearly denote immediately in his voice. I credit not only Frank’s theatrical training for helping get this across, but also his heart shows here, in a big way.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">This one becomes highly dynamic as Frank executes the modulation, and in places his vocal intensity is abundant. Frank’s talent is unsurpassed. <strong><em>Magnificent!</em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em></em></strong>*</div><div align="left"><strong>MISSION OF LOVE</strong> is a 1:33 powerhouse message. Composed in a strikingly dark, minor key, this song sings to both challenge and despair. It comes from a two-act musical play, (<strong>J-THREE-SIXTEEN</strong>). It doesn’t take more than a moment to figure out the real meaning of the play’s title, and this song provides a perfect backdrop for that famous quote from <strong>John 3:16</strong>. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank sings this compelling dirge with fervor amid a backdrop of dark electric piano and shadowy strings, carefully chosen by the original musician for the recording, <strong>Joe Cruz</strong>, who is responsible for the super arrangement of this selection. Palma is also heard here, retracing Joe’s string parts for added texture & fullness. In Frank’s vocals, there is evident recognition - it’s most captivating. Frank’s upper register is used here, and every single note is precise, clear and strong. His intonation is dead-on, consistently, and his rendering of this very minor melody brings that familiar “chill factor” to the listener. <strong><em>Impeccably</em> performed</strong>!</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>ALL I EVER TAUGHT YOU</strong> is a 2009 <strong>Palma Pascale</strong> composition. This selection has been strategically placed in this spot in the line-up as a “<em>response</em>” to the previous track, <strong>MISSION OF LOVE</strong>. Frank shared with me that he feels these two complement each other well, as<strong>MISSION OF LOVE</strong> is all about the despair of an individual being judged, whereas this selection teaches us all a lesson <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> to judge one another. I recall how excited Palma was when she described to me that she had written this one as she believed the message was such a vital one that needed to be heard; and of course she is so right.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The story is relayed from God, who is displeased with the hatred, evil and greed He witnesses: </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>It’s a shame you couldn’t love them as I taught you. It’s too bad that you decided something different. It’s a sin – you took the words I meant for good and turned them into judgment swords with which to pierce the hearts of man. It’s a shame you didn’t understand my meaning. You let arrogance and judgment cloud your view. I’ll be watching from above, so tread lightly as a dove, and remember, All I ever taught you was to love</em>…”</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Didn’t I <em>tell </em>you? A remarkable story set to such a dazzling melody that is, again, captured expertly by our Mr. Rendo. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Frank’s vocals are so evocative…not embellished here, but delivered in a straight-forward, gentle fashion. His read of this awesome composition is <em>perfect</em> – and the listener is being treated to such sensitivity and warmth throughout the piece.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>Dominick Avento</strong> joins Frank in creating the rich backing vocals that are heard as the second verse begins.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Now – let’s talk about the composition, itself. I think this creation is a perfect vehicle for Frank. Palma’s treatment orchestrally does exactly what it is supposed to do – enhance the vocalist’s story. I have often written that Palma is so adept at having the chosen instruments “<em>speak</em>” to the listener as clearly as the lyrics do. She uses an English horn at various places throughout this one – she once told me how she felt an English horn was a sort of mild sounding instrument that lends a specific quality to a song – to me, it’s a combination of beauty tinged with sadness. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The English horn takes the lead, but surrounding that is a delightful grand piano, along with guitar and soft, warm strings. Not fussy at all –yet one instrument compliments the other so well. Each one fills an empty corner, when needed, to support Frank’s handsome vocals. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">There is a very dynamic modulation leading into the final verse that serves to bring us all to that next important level of intensity. I love the swirling string run Palma does, here. Frank softly and gently takes this one out as the song ritards, so as to accentuate these last, thoughtfully penned lines: </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><em>“…I’ll be watching from above, so tread lightly like a dove, and remember All I ever taught you was to…..love</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Such an expressive and touching composition!</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>I’LL BELIEVE IN YOU</strong> is the next selection, and it’s one that you will find you’ll be humming to yourself long after you’ve listened to it. It sticks with you and just <em>won’t</em> let go!</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Perfor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9xYMdj3Ih6pZWmH3GdBVDm3r2LH71Z9eVUuAnBVR1ShVJA7GLG9PKq2NhpnC3UDQfrd7NIy8Su_oNfju9XcUGfbOMohqE6RVQWftdhHZcIQVCctGx3d9w5NPk1p3SC8OkSB7WJz7YMI/s1600-h/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks3.jpg" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374698198877222738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9xYMdj3Ih6pZWmH3GdBVDm3r2LH71Z9eVUuAnBVR1ShVJA7GLG9PKq2NhpnC3UDQfrd7NIy8Su_oNfju9XcUGfbOMohqE6RVQWftdhHZcIQVCctGx3d9w5NPk1p3SC8OkSB7WJz7YMI/s400/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks3.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 187px;" /></a>ming with Frank on this one is his co-composer, <strong>Mary Aulet</strong>. Originally produced by <strong>Spyros Poulos</strong>, and recorded in February of 1997 at <strong><em>Cove City Sound</em></strong> in Glen Cove, NY. <strong>Fred Guarino</strong> and Frank produced this new version at Tiki, after Fred transferred the original from the 2-inch master analogue tape to a digital recording, which he did at <strong><em>Cove City Sound</em></strong>. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Originally, Mary sang the lead and Frank backed her up. In this reproduced gem, Frank takes the lead, and Mary repeats Frank’s original backing vocals. Even after 10 years of not working together, this one was easily revisited by both.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The song is outstanding and has quickly become a favorite of this writer. The lyric tells a story that one can identify with, and the instruments used on this one make it soulful and a real fun listen. The synthesized soprano sax makes me think of being out on a sailboat on a bright, sunny day. The wonderful electric guitar work here was added by <strong>Reuben Orshan</strong>. <em>(pictured: Frank Rendo)</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">“…<em>In this life I find it’s harder each day to hold onto my dreams before they slip away. I want to live in peace, but a war wages within, so I keep coming back to You, time and time again</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Does this story have a familiar ring for you as it did me? The inner struggle, the “war that wages within,” is a consistent theme throughout <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>…and I feel it is so wise to recognize that it exists in all of us. There is an answer for us to control and understand that conflict, however, as the verse concludes and the chorus begins: </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>So I keep coming back to you time and time again. You always told me all I have to do Is to put my faith and hope and my trust in You. So, I’ll believe in You with all my heart – You’ve been faithful and true, right from the start. There’s no other place to be than in the shelter of your love. Keep me in Your care, my Father, above</em>…” </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">A really moving piece that both Frank and Mary give a special feel to – one that remains with the listener in mind and heart.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>A ROOM IN MY HEART</strong> is a dark sounding, magnetically charged composition composed by <strong>Palma Pascale</strong>. This brooding and haunting tale of conflict had me on the edge of my seat from my very first listen, and I knew it was to be one of my all-time favorite Pascale compositions. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The song is set in a minor key to immediately evoke that darkness – that turmoil that we hear lyrically, so incredibly portrayed by Frank’s vocal. As I understand it, this composition came about from Frank’s often mentioning the various “<em>rooms in our hearts</em>” when doing live performances. Palma created an amazing vehicle to express the story in a bit of a different way:</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>There’s a room in my heart where nobody goes – Where the blind’s always shut & the door’s always closed. There’s a room in my heart that I don’t dare go in – It’s cold & it’s dark – I don’t want to show Him</em>….”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong><em>Brilliant!</em></strong> It’s giving me chills just writing about it. It goes on:</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>If I just can pretend it’s not there – I have other good rooms that I’m willing to share If He knew what I hid in my heart...would He still love me? Would He love me?...”</em> </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">By his own design, there is no intro to this one – Frank comes right in telling the story – his voice sounds as though he is truly weary - it comes across very well. He sounds apprehensive – uncertain – questioning. </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt05ShFPx-1HryOa9PLwLlB4MzAEiKJcN5XL9Xa_xhKZeEx6kopWe3_TYxerugSvDVMx-sGZxgxUBGsCDkPTfkIEavohHfgezJ3QxKHzAfZAo5bC5x2GExS5VkrE2USbpyyDO8qAV8sBw/s1600-h/FrankandPalmAugust,2008.jpg" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374699076006157506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt05ShFPx-1HryOa9PLwLlB4MzAEiKJcN5XL9Xa_xhKZeEx6kopWe3_TYxerugSvDVMx-sGZxgxUBGsCDkPTfkIEavohHfgezJ3QxKHzAfZAo5bC5x2GExS5VkrE2USbpyyDO8qAV8sBw/s400/FrankandPalmAugust,2008.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 400px;" /></a>*</div><div align="left">The instrumental structure of this song is kept to a minimum of instruments. Palma uses grand piano – smooth strings, and a “trilled” string is used quite sparingly, which not only accentuates the piece in all the right places, but also adds incredible texture and an element of audible confusion. <strong>Wow!</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong>*</div><div align="left">As the story continues, the inner conflict continues as well, up until the well-timed modulation where, seemingly, our storyteller has made an important decision…one not easily made, yet made, nonetheless. <em>Pictured: Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale)</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">In relaying this piece of the story, Frank’s tone and his inflections change immediately. There is a new command of the thought process and a determination to open that room, as hard as that might seem, because as a result; </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>He will gather me into His arms and say He loves me….He still loves me. And….He loves ALL the rooms in my heart</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Between Frank’s reading and Palma’s arrangement, you’ll be left breathless after listening to this one! *</div><div align="left"><strong>DELIVER ME</strong> is the CD’s title track for many reasons. This 1997 <strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> composition is a tale of discord and internal struggle. The prayer here is to be delivered from such conflict and strife as one finds in their life. As I commented in my Forward, this is a most profound song, and Frank’s interpretation of it is splendid, indeed! </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> does the accompaniment for Frank on this, his own composition. Peter’s jazz influenced chord structure doesn’t go unnoticed. He gives us an interpretation of his piano-only accompaniment just as Frank does, vocally. Frank and Peter recorded this song live in the studio.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">And…there is no question that Frank is masterful at allowing the conflict to be represented by his vocal elocution of <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>. That conflict that Frank is singing about here is evident in every single note; it makes the story come alive. He sings this with such perception – such confirmation.</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The song begins with Frank singing an entire rubato, acapella verse (w/o benefit of instrument behind him), and his intonation is spot-on as Peter joins in. This first verse, showcasing only Frank’s incredible voice, sets the stage for the song both conceptually as well as interpretively. <strong><em>Whew!</em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em></em></strong>*</div><div align="left">“…<em>It’s been said to find the Kingdom of Heav’n you must become like a child & start all over again. But, I don’t feel like a child no more – I guess I’ve seen way too much to be who I was before. I don’t know who to trust….or what to believe. How come the powerful ones got all those tricks up their sleeve? I’m hungry for truth – looking for some living proof. Something that makes sense….to me</em>…” </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">Something that makes sense to me, <em>indeed</em>! There is such dynamic in this song – so much room for individual interpretation – the sometimes seemingly dissonant chord structure, as well as the dissonance of the message are both important and appreciated. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">“…<em>I try to be true to You, and true to myself- Somewhere between standing proud & screaming for help! I guess the best I can do is to keep hoping in You, and–hope You believe in me, with Your mercy</em>…”</div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">It's quite powerful, most sincere and genuine! It's…<strong><em>STELLAR</em>!</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong>*</div><div align="left"><strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> – the benediction- I like the way Frank has taken two very different versions of <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong> and used them as bookends for this wonderful CD. And…this one clearly sounds like it <em>should</em> be the benediction. Very prayerfully sung – reverently & soft. It’s “celestial” sounding. Once again Frank’s vocals compliment the instruments, and vice versa. I love the fact that Palma adds only a “hint” of the Baroque sound in the instrumental portion, here which ties it in nicely with the invocation! The key signature of the benediction is 1 full step higher than the invocation, which, on its own, lends itself to a whole different sound. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">I recall telling Frank <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMRKpmFagudqXBaURQJ35IS3_2W4R8pDPN2XV-WQfvhqUZZhgTJehn9wVKJjrzPd2blziCcP6Lle7HqGmAYQ-zqwOgSeyLMbH9c-i4hFqe9jvlwViXTScsUIikCJDQk_7EPPt4QBPQaE/s1600-h/PalmFrankFG.jpg" style="color: #445566;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374722614068587714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMRKpmFagudqXBaURQJ35IS3_2W4R8pDPN2XV-WQfvhqUZZhgTJehn9wVKJjrzPd2blziCcP6Lle7HqGmAYQ-zqwOgSeyLMbH9c-i4hFqe9jvlwViXTScsUIikCJDQk_7EPPt4QBPQaE/s400/PalmFrankFG.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-left: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-right: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; border-top: rgb(187,187,187) 1px solid; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; width: 400px;" /></a>at one point how I enjoyed listening to his tasteful ‘<em>vocal calisthenics’</em> at various strategically placed areas throughout this compilation. To have such a powerful instrument as this and to be able to use it as eloquently as Frank does is, truly, a gift. Some of those ‘vocal calisthenics’ are evident in this sweetened version of <strong>OPEN HEAVEN</strong>. As I listen to this last track on the CD, I find it pulling together everything so completely, and wrapping-up the feeling of this ambitious effort quite nicely. </div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left">The theme woven throughout the lyrics and heightened by the melodies in this masterpiece is, indeed, pointing not only towards one’s propensity toward identifying their own inner conflict, but also knowing it is He we can turn to in order to find the needed answers to resolve our conflicts and find true peace of mind. <em>(pictured: Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale/Fred Guarino)</em></div><div align="left"><em></em>*</div><div align="left">This collection has touched me personally, on many different levels, time and again. <strong>Bravo to Frank Rendo</strong>, and <i>all</i> who participated in the making of this spectacular CD. What a <em>gift</em> we have been given. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">*</div><div align="left"><strong><em>“…Remember - Deliver - Me…” </em></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong><em></em></strong>*</div><div align="left"><em>Timothy J. San Paolo – 8/27/09</em></div><div align="left"><em>*</em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em>Order your own copy of DELIVER ME here: <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rendo5">http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rendo5</a></em></div><div align="left"><em>*</em></div><div align="left"><em>Photographs courtesy Palma Pascale, Frank Rendo. <strong>DELIVER ME</strong> cover design: Dominick Avento III</em></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-62268281808983298392009-08-04T12:03:00.000-07:002009-09-01T12:22:53.832-07:00DELIVER ME Release Party at Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIIbMh5lG2C3JtdjVXG8P5EQxpCpfAffRgJ9ZcGOqxKn5eg24fx3rNkRiUEShkQsNCmVJHPmpgz6FsXEYIh94G5-lljZQJkBRqgcIYh6_fFze8tK-VsVTSF_cj2PuPM4tC9hc-8ic6N4/s1600-h/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8[1].6.09.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366931573541070370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIIbMh5lG2C3JtdjVXG8P5EQxpCpfAffRgJ9ZcGOqxKn5eg24fx3rNkRiUEShkQsNCmVJHPmpgz6FsXEYIh94G5-lljZQJkBRqgcIYh6_fFze8tK-VsVTSF_cj2PuPM4tC9hc-8ic6N4/s400/Deliver+Me+front+cover+8%5B1%5D.6.09.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><div></div><p>A warm hello to all of you <strong>FRANK RENDO</strong> fans!</p><p>I have promised to let you know when this day arrived and at last, it has! I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to be able to announce to you that recording artist and multi-talent <strong>FRANK RENDO</strong> will be premiering his newest CD, <strong>DELIVER ME</strong>, on Saturday, September 5, 2009, at <strong><em>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</em></strong>.</p><p><strong>DELIVER ME</strong> will offer Frank's newest single "<strong><em>Don't Laugh At Me</em></strong>" which is currently enjoying air play in both New York and Missouri. "<strong><em>Don't Laugh At Me</em></strong>" is a poignant, heart-wrenching song and Frank's interpretation of this beautiful and important piece is splendid, indeed! (Read in detail about the song and the making of it in the blogs, below).</p><p>Joining Frank on this CD is an array of incredible talent: Composer/singer/arranger/producer <strong>Palma Pascale</strong> has penned 3 of the songs on this CD, and added her musical genius throughout the collection; <strong>Fred Guarino</strong> adds his flair at not only the guitar, but drums as well, and he has expertly engineered each selection; renowned jazz musician <strong>Peter Eldridge</strong> accompanied Frank on one of Peter's own compositions, and Broadway actor/singer <strong>Jonathan Rayson</strong> also sang with Frank on "<strong><em>Don't Laugh at Me</em></strong>." There are more artists, as well, who have added their special touches here and there.</p><p>Join Frank on this exciting evening at <strong><em>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</em></strong>, 287 Larkfield Road, East Northport, NY 11731. You can phone Samantha's at 631-262-1212. <a href="http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/Contact_Us.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org/Contact_Us.html</span></a>. Reservations are required.</p><p>Doors open at 8:00 p.m. $15 includes dessert/beverage/coffee/tea. Offering will be taken at the shows-end for the performer.</p><p>My personal, sincere congratulations to <strong>FRANK RENDO</strong> on the release of <strong>DELIVER ME! </strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Alas, I will not be able to attend the show on this most festive night, though there is nowhere I'd rather be than with Frank and his fans & friends at</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Samantha's</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> to christen this wonderful compilation. If you are able, I encourage you to attend. I know you will be more than glad that you did.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span>I will be providing links for you readers and fans here, soon, in order for you to be able to purchase your very own copy! <strong><em>ENJOY!</em></strong></p><p>~Martini</p></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-31031577255261421342009-06-11T08:17:00.000-07:002009-06-11T08:31:40.956-07:00Don't Laugh At Me To Debut Tonight in Springfield, MO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-gNFdCjVmd2VQ9EVKj9UFNQ7QsoyKqdEDg0-Ls3ygo_qxeMdlub9TpWbH3drwMsSh4W3q0UoI1Cx2GKE8kcqkAKFV-PML5P8ym-NfPsMWPkz7bvl5TwSn5L8HLI-K6De4-d0dlIcBjY/s1600-h/jonathanfrankandpalm2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346090346723224498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-gNFdCjVmd2VQ9EVKj9UFNQ7QsoyKqdEDg0-Ls3ygo_qxeMdlub9TpWbH3drwMsSh4W3q0UoI1Cx2GKE8kcqkAKFV-PML5P8ym-NfPsMWPkz7bvl5TwSn5L8HLI-K6De4-d0dlIcBjY/s400/jonathanfrankandpalm2.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>Hey Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rendo</span> Fans~</div><div></div><div>Just wanted to let you know that Frank's newest single, DON'T LAUGH AT ME, will have it's debut air play this evening here in Springfield, MO.</div><div>~</div><div></div><div>As you can read in the following thread, this new single, which will soon be released on Frank's new CD, (title under consideration at this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">point</span>), in July is a poignant, brilliantly done piece. </div><div>~</div><div></div><div>I'm excited that Springfield, MO and surrounding area listeners will have the chance to hear this talented individual. Frank is no stranger to the Midwest, having spent some years living in Oklahoma. He now returns to this area, in song.</div><div>~</div><div></div><div>Something tells me that we're going to start hearing the name and the music of one Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rendo</span> more and more often, and in more and more places. </div><div>~</div><div></div><div>Wishing you all the best!</div><div>~Martini</div><div></div><div></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-1229833211679541362009-04-30T18:54:00.000-07:002011-07-03T18:41:18.109-07:00DON'T LAUGH AT ME as recorded by FRANK RENDO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ReOXFy5E0SyyJfq1XkgfCr-dEPH-GvxfVva_yr7upHq8MZmrpB2Tn0DrvO-aiFV9SpXhOHEt5BMXJ3ySj3z_qEnCFLa50y4EwSulr1ed7JWfvyds2uvM8_8uHZprMpO4EH-l1nI-gfc/s1600-h/Frank+at+Fred"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330851880936673330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ReOXFy5E0SyyJfq1XkgfCr-dEPH-GvxfVva_yr7upHq8MZmrpB2Tn0DrvO-aiFV9SpXhOHEt5BMXJ3ySj3z_qEnCFLa50y4EwSulr1ed7JWfvyds2uvM8_8uHZprMpO4EH-l1nI-gfc/s400/Frank+at+Fred%27s+Birthday+Party.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 334px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOhyphenhyphen2yldW6-VxuI5fl9AtIDj07S21EqpydQD95RKz_Z9GNZ1e8rPW1hLNVGDHHBIWP9G11UHi7Js3FXH2gmGOTbUPksQO5A77pGSKdyEgJxbEB6DSdAqpy00eyS-Oi5_2xsCdX0eodYs/s1600-h/Frank+Solo+@+Fred" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">I am so enthused about writing this posting for you today, my friends - I can't even describe</span></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOhyphenhyphen2yldW6-VxuI5fl9AtIDj07S21EqpydQD95RKz_Z9GNZ1e8rPW1hLNVGDHHBIWP9G11UHi7Js3FXH2gmGOTbUPksQO5A77pGSKdyEgJxbEB6DSdAqpy00eyS-Oi5_2xsCdX0eodYs/s1600-h/Frank+Solo+@+Fred" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">it!</span></a> <br />
<div><div>~</div><div>It is really a pleasure for me to tell all of you about Frank Rendo's newest recording, a touching song called "<strong>DON'T LAUGH AT ME</strong>."</div><div>~</div><div>Frank does not work alone on this creative endeavor. He is joined by Broadway actor and Cabaret Singer, Jonathan Rayson;</div><div>singer/songwriter/arranger, talented Palma Pascale and gifted guitarist, master engineer and owner of Tiki Recording Studios, Fred Guarino.</div><div>~ </div><div>Here is a little teaser of Frank Rendo singing his newest single: <b>DON'T LAUGH AT ME</b>! Enjoy!</div><div><object height="81" width="100%"><param name="movie" value="http://a1.soundcloud.com/player.swf?g=wi&url=http%3A//soundcloud.com/mr-martini/02-dont-laugh-at-me-radio-edit-unmastered"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://a1.soundcloud.com/player.swf?g=wi&url=http%3A//soundcloud.com/mr-martini/02-dont-laugh-at-me-radio-edit-unmastered" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%" wmode="transparent"></embed></object></div><div>Frank is nothing less than <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">brilliant</span> in his vocal and theatrical delivery of this song and story. The story is one that I would guess more people will relate to than not, from some point-in-time in their lives. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">(photo: Frank Rendo)</span> ~</div><div></div><div></div><div>The story is a decidedly poignant one - and I'm willing to offer that many of you will, indeed, find a tear in your eyes and a lump in your throat as you listen....that is, if you're not just plain weeping! I say this not only because of the message of the song, but because of the raw beauty of this recording, itself - and of course, Frank's delivery!</div><div>~ </div><div>This song is resplendent from the first note to the very last one. If you have read my reviews of Frank's work in the past, you already know that I believe him to have been blessed by God with one of THE most handsome, full-bodied, rich and EXPRESSIVE voices this writer has ever encountered. (And trust me when I tell you, I've been exposed to some mighty-fine vocalists in my life, so far).</div><div>~</div><div>Yet, there is a distinguished, distinctive quality to Frank's voice. One listen to this amazing recording and you'll immediately hear what I mean. It is so well crafted, and sung... and it is so evidently pulled from that "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">special place</span>" way deep down within Frank. The melody may not present him with a vocal challenge, yet the story, itself, demands to be sung with a love and caring that Frank easily carries out. He sings it sort of "respectfully", if you will. </div><div></div>~ <br />
<div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I'm the little boy with glasses - the one they call the geek.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">A little girl who never smiles cause I got braces on my teeth.</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I know what it's like to cry myself to sleep.</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I'm that kid on every playground - who's always chosen last.</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">A single teenage mother tryin' to overcome my past.</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">You don't have to be my friend - but is it too much to ask???</span></div><div>~</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Don't laugh at me - don't call me names - don't get your pleasure from my pain.</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">In God's eyes, we're all the same - someday we'll all have perfect wings.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Don't laugh at me...</span>."</div><div>~</div><div></div><div>That is all of the story I'm telling you - but you can see for yourself what I mean about the poignancy of the story, yes? AND....that's why it's SO important that it be conveyed correctly. Count on Frank to carry that out, perfectly.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWM1NdRkT7M0o7zWfC2iMVZiT8FNVh1b_FKbIsdnNoqW7TZLIAwWrjj6sZw-Mh5afpmqz63sR2FXP1bUaPAzSOuMp6JqcU7vBYpQKZblj1SepJZwK6yuoyeJsMVwqbx2b-cq_zHe6ons/s1600-h/Palm+in+action+-+St.+Marks.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330852698084692882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWM1NdRkT7M0o7zWfC2iMVZiT8FNVh1b_FKbIsdnNoqW7TZLIAwWrjj6sZw-Mh5afpmqz63sR2FXP1bUaPAzSOuMp6JqcU7vBYpQKZblj1SepJZwK6yuoyeJsMVwqbx2b-cq_zHe6ons/s400/Palm+in+action+-+St.+Marks.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 342px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a> </div><div>~ Providing the magnificent orchestration is Palma Pascale. She, too, has a "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">knack</span>" to know exactly which spot to sweeten just so, and which ones can stand all by themselves. Her "less is more" application I myself am learning more about as I begin recording and arranging, but know this: This is a skill that most people (like me) need to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">work</span> at and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">practice</span> to get good at it. Palm has the innate ability to already "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">know</span>" and can already "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">hear</span>" what she wants to do. She just sits, and does it. She may make more than one pass at it, but the ability is built-in and comes across as easily to Palm as walking does to most of the rest of us. Her simple, clean piano intro sets the tone for the song perfectly. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">(pictured above: Palma Pascale)</span></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330678257474192098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AjgxpDMoCc8V-JT73Pel-dFduI2bKu0HSPkcuMP05UJcPSeos7gAiXeiG00wBpEvO3lBsOXxKuh7OEagfSFssm1ofB13Mo4pJErG-yKBh5-40BkDAk9m90vpVaQhyNuxkO6LZk95UGM/s400/Jonathan+Rayson+Bio+shot.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 301px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /> </div><div>Add some beautiful strings here and there to heighten the intensity, and another instrument or two, and <em>voila</em>! Another stellar arrangement.</div><div>~</div><div>Frank is joined on the chorus by the crisp, strong and clear voice of Broadway's own Jonathan Rayson. Jonathan's vocal so compliments Frank's - they sing perfectly together, and it is obviously done with "ease." There are people who try to duet together - we've all heard them - they sound as though the two voices are competing with one another, or that it's really an "effort" to be in sync with one another.</div></div><div><div>~</div><div>Not true in this case. Jonathan easily followed Frank's lead and you can immediately tell there was a distinct comfort level between the two. A chemistry, of sorts. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">(pictured: Jonathan Rayson)</span></div><div>~</div><div>Jonathan Rayson began singing with his father's cover band at the early age of 7 years. He began acting as a junior in high school, and has been singing and acting ever since! He has performed both ON Broadway as well as OFF Broadway - in Regional Theatre where he has played roles like Cornelius Hackl in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">HELLO DOLLY</span> - he has performed in many workshops and showcases - has done concert performances and, he just recently released his first solo CD (and I have one of these - it's outstanding) called <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">SHINY AND NEW</span>. Jonathan performs 14 cover songs on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">SHINY AND NEW</span> - two of which are by some of my own very favorite, long-time artists: Billy Joel and Carpenters. Besides the other 12 cuts on this CD, Jonathan performs Billy's "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Summer Highland Falls</span>" and Richard Carpenter's "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I Need To Be in Lov</span>e" with true style! A really tremendous collection of tunes.</div><div>~</div><div>So on this recording, Jonathan first joins Frank on the chorus, and these two are so perfectly tuned-in with each other, that they sound like one!</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330680928394485986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnxT4q0yjqdS5ro2ZJ8tkovn1mQDp3OHnjzPHRjHrlFJ9Vx8rLsMRmI4DRewjC5i7QXLWq6KMwhKS86Pk_u2lDjySU4az-YCxOavdTZ8WiM9xGqlZT1PWa5RcXvsO6q6dxtbP8-bJlp8/s400/Palm+and+Fred+-+Fred%27s+Birthday+09.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" />~ Another element to this composition comes from the skilled engineer of the song, Fred Guarino. Fred has played guitar for many years, but his guitar seems to have taken a backseat to his passion for recording other incredible artists.....and he's amazing at what he does behind that console, believe me. But....Fred is a quite good, creative guitarist, as well. Fred's chops - they're rock-solid. <br />
<div>~</div><div>Fred adds such nice, tasteful guitar elements to this song - nothing overdone, but his guitar is a very important piece of the whole. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">(pictured: Palma Pascale/Fred Guarino)</span></div><div>~</div><div>I have been fortunate enough to have listened to this song from its first recording stages....that is, at first, just Frank's vocal, some drums, and piano by Palm. Each time I heard a new version, little bits and pieces had been added. One such listen included the first session of Fred's guitar work - some of which changed from the first pass. I very much like what Fred added - the style in which he played, and the effects he chose to use.</div><div>~</div><div>Now, not only did Fred do the wonderful guitar work - it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">his</span></span> expertise that provides the awesome, perfectly timed and again, tastefully executed drums! Wow! Trust me - it's not an "easy" task by any means to coordinate these drums and do it so that the drums are not overpowering...but they must help the expression of the song along - and Fred's treatment here perfectly compliments the work of everyone else involved.</div><div>~</div><div>Are you feeling the sense of all of these separate pieces joining one another to end up as one solid creation? Fred pulls the well done pieces together and, as Palm recently said to me, "provides the grout to make the pieces seamless." Amen to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">that!</span></div><div>~</div><div>And, speaking of Palma - after a modulation where Frank's lead vocal takes on just the slightest "edge" to accentuate the lyrics, and as he does so....the most awesome set of vocal "<em>aaahhh's</em>," almost like "pleas of heartfelt pain" if you will, punctuate just how intense the story is getting, and we hear them for just (4) four very important, chilling measures.</div><div>~</div><div>So both here, and on the second chorus, Frank is not only joined by Jonathan, </div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330994185733128130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHShtt-PfhbFlV0B58hoyxbZonpWKs2FqQ6z0biqQ8m3L00fXwNgbW14Wih6rJQPedd4DBlRizGaaF-Bctzfiu-ieNPpy_KjLJxD4Wl5wvEocTvzniPx9RCx4go1gLC1A0IZ6jUCa1j1I/s400/Jonathan,+Frank+and+Palm+4-09.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /> <br />
<div>but Palm's voice is added to the mix, as well. Each vocal layer floats, one above the other, exact diction in-sync with one another, and this dynamic build not only moves the story towards a climactic point - it's just absolutely touching and oh, so gorgeous. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">(pictured: Jonathan Rayson/Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale)</span></div><div>~</div><div>Frank artfully sings a short bridge -we hear a waterfall of vocal ooo's at one point, and then..... an effective pause........ a SECOND modulation, then suddenly..... those wonderful stacked voices are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">back</span>, a bit more powerful and even <em>more</em> beautiful....Once that crowning point in the song has been reached, Jonathan and Palm's voices are no longer....Frank turns around the chorus with everyone's voices, and then Frank takes it out on his own, just as he introduces it - in a tender voice that tells the listener an entire story, in and of its own accord.</div><div>~</div><div>Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you, when you hear Frank Rendo's newest song "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">DON'T LAUGH AT ME"-</span> you will want to have it to listen to again and again. And, that can happen! I will let you know right here when it is</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330686803825528178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQMTOixFd0h5MznDczOHD9qlYCEYzLh1eYwS6lHMPQy3Zydl-1_ynxkX2l_lyB0viC2j6F4Xirnw9RchCCszzi-5fC_DOSf_KJu5mA0kJiuKnWLFlNeOZPt1p70guc8NwEgSwGOfqviE/s400/Jonathan+Rayson,+Frank+and+Fred:Don%27t+Laugh+session.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /> <br />
<div>ready to be released, and just how you can go about ordering your own copy.</div><div>~</div><div>To you, Frank - your talent is <em>beyond</em> measure. You have produced a truly moving and thought provoking song (again) using that awesome, <em>awesome</em> voice of yours. Your vision for the recording was spot-on. Nice job!</div><div>~</div><div>And to you, Jonathan, Fred and Palm - this is yet <em>another</em> award-winning recording. It is so well done - most beautiful and each of you did an outstanding job. </div><div>~</div><div>Stunning......simply, <em>stunning</em>! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">(Pictured: Jonathan Rayson/Frank Rendo/Fred Guarino)</span></div>~ <br />
<div><span style="font-size: 100%;">You can count on hearing more from me about Frank Rendo and his exquisite music!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%;">~Martini</span></div><div><em><span style="font-size: 78%;">Photos courtesy Frank Rendo/Palma Pascale</span></em></div></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-63673466514968518702009-04-23T14:08:00.000-07:002009-05-06T15:29:07.651-07:00Standing O for Mr. Rendo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcznM3m_NLr2JDSIW6n3sza9XWOb_aUtbtGa_MdipQlWp1s3PdMLybfVYlKk57qMWI_PR-AItSasR3103DxqqMH9GdUKnUL7qX7TpcJQY0PTCt3oDKO1BOM5eU6mA6fwghc60t7DbBvk/s1600-h/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329403950421417266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 187px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcznM3m_NLr2JDSIW6n3sza9XWOb_aUtbtGa_MdipQlWp1s3PdMLybfVYlKk57qMWI_PR-AItSasR3103DxqqMH9GdUKnUL7qX7TpcJQY0PTCt3oDKO1BOM5eU6mA6fwghc60t7DbBvk/s400/Frank+in+Concert+St.+Marks3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hello to all my <strong>Ramblings Regarding <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RENDO</span></strong> readers. A special treat for you today. Frank was recently interviewed by Pat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hogeboom</span>, author and columnist for Great South Bay Magazine, a Long Island Publication. This article is from the April 2009 edition. Her column is entitled <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LUVPATS</span></strong>. It's a marvelous article, and I knew you all would enjoy reading it. Reprinted in its <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">entirety</span>, here is:
<em><span style="font-size:78%;">(photo: Frank Rendo)</span></em>
<em><strong>Standing O for Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rendo</span></strong></em>
<em>"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ok</span>, so life today is darned hard. We worry, we kvetch and what we all need is to smile more, to have a rest from anxiety, to bolster our belief in ourselves and in the Most Significant Other, whatever our faith may be. We need to lighten our hearts, to relax with friends and just allow ourselves to be uplifted. I have a secret I want to share with you, my readers. We do have that opportunity right here on the South Shore of our own Long Island and we don't even have to watch American Idol. He is Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rendo</span>, a truly gifted man of song; a professional musician and a man with a special mission of spiritual uplift through music. The wonderful news is that you can hear him<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdJZFTGQicdVeIGQf2JpFPeBt8fNxQH1ZJR1acaXvF5igh9WezgKaMveOUxhnNmxT_U0LCQ7OvZRRD0p9uP2Q_p89FJtRqbQ4jW_qKs4bg_IoIrZpf2BLDfboOC7rQ61UCxAtAwhSnZw/s1600-h/FrankCropped.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328270823166294546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 349px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdJZFTGQicdVeIGQf2JpFPeBt8fNxQH1ZJR1acaXvF5igh9WezgKaMveOUxhnNmxT_U0LCQ7OvZRRD0p9uP2Q_p89FJtRqbQ4jW_qKs4bg_IoIrZpf2BLDfboOC7rQ61UCxAtAwhSnZw/s400/FrankCropped.JPG" border="0" /></a> at many venues all summer long.</em>
<span style="font-size:78%;"><em>(photo left: Frank Rendo-Credit: Frank Rendo, Sr.)</em>
</span>
<em>Frank has that smile and a welcoming personality as he shares his music with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">oth</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2T3hR3TyNuYvt_iRZPcOw1SuVKHqlHSOs1LYb7AXs3zAemJPZWdXf_Fx7GTwLME_3WmcHpZ_ymDi6SZh1tP0coPcro2IyCDWSQJOAyGBBxxQOouhLZUl5eMZE2EIca4l35iJJKSxjG7U/s1600-h/frankinoutdoorconcert.jpg"></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ers</span>....and that <strong>voice!</strong> Oh, the voice that makes you smile, gives a shiver to your soul, and touches your heart. He is our own local song man whom you will hear at concerts far and near, singing hymns, good gospel, and often thrilling musical show tunes, each with a message to lift us up and give us hope in ourselves and in our future.</em>
<em>~</em>
<em>This is music we love, without the lectures, or any sense of guilt. It is given with joy, just to those who hear him, and then we can listen to his wonderful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">CDs</span>. He is a man with a mission. It isn't meant to convert people or to insult one group over another; it's to find joy in trust, love for our fellow man, presented where people can just have a good time. Frank is often performing gratis for a good cause that he believes in, such as the restoration of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Oakdale's</span> tiny St. John's church, or for Jesus Alive, the group that collects food for the needy. Since he is such a fine professional musician, he is more often performing for his livelihood at concerts all over the country including many sojourns to Europe where he is known in many places and is invited to return.</em>
~
<em>He</em> <em>began singing as most true musicians do, as a child, singing in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">choirs</span>, both in church and in concert groups at school. He began to do plays as well and a great deal of community theatre so he is completely comfortable on the stage. He has performed in dozens of musicals, even playing Jesus in "Jesus Christ Super Star" but he has also appeared in commercials and TV shows. He honors his own choral teacher, Elizabeth Armstrong, now retired from Central <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Islip</span> where he went to school. He can actually sight read and sight sing music, a rare skill. He began his own business in high school, making recordings and doing professional concerts. A college graduate, he also studied theology with his music, but it wasn't until later that he began to focus on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">spir</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPhwPS2zyCm9ISFb9lI0g-pKCHowunak5mi_IEIwISJ-dtUYLhwgSh5o_2pycUr4lJY4z7T59hBLHBQ0Aw-X9Q1N7y98tSGNcf3i66cRGKU8we98G4IJtID3-MRqcRMawkfrsCDucuIE/s1600-h/Rendo+sings.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328004523247415090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 188px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPhwPS2zyCm9ISFb9lI0g-pKCHowunak5mi_IEIwISJ-dtUYLhwgSh5o_2pycUr4lJY4z7T59hBLHBQ0Aw-X9Q1N7y98tSGNcf3i66cRGKU8we98G4IJtID3-MRqcRMawkfrsCDucuIE/s400/Rendo+sings.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">itual</span> aspects of his songs. His two bands, Front Line and Epiphany, have traveled the USA, Europe and Israel as well. His own traveling concert is titled, "<strong>Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Rendo</span>: More Than A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Concert</span></strong>." He has appeared at the Nassau Coliseum and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Westbury</span> Music Fair where he has headlined and co-produced the "One Night a Year" concert.</em>
~ <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(photo: Frank Rendo - Credit: Frank Rendo, Sr.)</span></em>
<em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal">T</span>his summer he will be on the South Shore at St. John's, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Oakdale</span>, sometime in June [Sunday, June 14, 2:00 p.m.] to help with their restoration, and in August [Sunday, August 23, 3:00 p.m.] he'll be in Bay Shore at the Band Shell, among many scheduled appearances. On Saturday, May 2, he will also be performing at his regular concert in East <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Northport</span>. So, it's a bit off the South Shore but "Samantha's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Li'l</span> Bit of Heaven," [631] 262-1212, is the most unique musical venue I've ever experienced, and it doesn't hurt us to explore. It is a charming place on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Larkfield</span> Road that holds musical events every Saturday evening. Frank usually is there on the first Saturday of the month where his fans gather to hear him. Wait until you hear him sing, "<strong>A Place Called Hope</strong>," or the one that reduced me to tears, from Les Miserables, "<strong>Bring Him Home</strong>," that he sings for the troops. You will jump to your feet and cheer for him, begging for more, and he won't let you down. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">man sings</span> for two solid <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">hours</span> with two short breaks, when you can have coffee, or tea and a dessert and chat with total strangers who can't live without his uplift in their lives. Do I sound like one of them? That just might be the case. Find out more about him at ReverbNation.com/FrankRendo, or MySpace.com/FrankRendoMusic. You can hear some of his music, too. His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">CDs</span>, however, are real <strong>quality</strong>. Let your inner self find some peace with song. Once you hear him, you won't be able to say no to this man."</em>
~
So.....there you have it! Don't you think that was nicely written? I certainly do, and I'm happy to have received a copy to be able to share with all of you. Pat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Hogeboom</span> <em>IS</em> a fan of Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Rendo</span>, and I believe she quite captures the essence of Frank in this article. His voice is one of those that once you hear it, you will never forget it - and you will never want to be without it available to you. I have seen Frank "perform" briefly once, but not in concert. I am awaiting that day, because for as much as I love this man's music, I know that watching him perform it will be a truly amazing experience. The videos I have seen show me that Frank is the <em>"consummate</em> <em>performer/entertainer" </em>, and his audiences will <em>always</em> get the "<strong><em>best</em></strong>" of him.
~
Bravo and Kudos to you, Frank!! I hope the summer is filled with Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Rendo</span> music for all of my readers, as well as those Long Islanders who can see these noted performances in person, along with the many more Frank will be doing. As a reminder, you can order any of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Franks's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">CDs</span> by writing to him at <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>, or you can order them from <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Rendo">www.cdbaby.com/cd/Rendo</a>, or you can certainly e-mail <em>me</em> at <a href="mailto:bmjfan@mchsi.com">bmjfan@mchsi.com</a>, and I'll see to it your order gets to you, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Post</span>-haste.
~
Hmmm....the wonderous sounds of Summer enhanced with the beautiful music of Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Rendo</span>. Now I ask you....who could ask for <em>anything more</em>?
~
~Martini Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-8775071859452386702009-04-12T14:39:00.000-07:002009-04-13T11:41:22.567-07:00HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN???<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323934965639695458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1Nma3N2OzIGtmocS_6HCfDRqNl5GixyfUyuUdMUbfB9-ZgI8pOazjp4o5_iao22lIFdsv2pbpPLdIP4RG2tLNNVuhCDR2xmsLugV4Bsakg8bthe9k8QB1lLanXBvBeN7UC0hkget72Q/s400/frank+how+can+you+say+no+-+cd+cover.jpg" border="0" />Hello Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rendo</span> Fans~ <div>
</div><div>Martini, back to muse a bit with you this Easter Sunday about a wonderful CD I promised I would write about, way back when. It occurs to me that the time is overdue for me to talk about this one.</div><div>
</div><div>The CD? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</span>! Though I was introduced to the indescribable talent of Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rendo</span> via the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</span> CD and the recording </div><div>of that, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</span> is the first of Frank's contemporary Christian recordings that I listened to. By now, you all know me well enough to know that I didn't just listen to it - I listened, and listened and listened to it. It wasn't a task, by any stretch....it's just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">that</span> good!</div><div>
</div><div>What I find amazing since I've been writing these blogs both about Frank, and about his current musical collaborator <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Palma</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pascale</span> (however, HOW CAN YOU SAY NO was made long before he met <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Palma</span>), the thing that becomes startlingly clear from the first note to the last is that Frank, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Palma</span>, and their fabulous recording engineer, Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Guarino</span> never fail to produce just awesome results in the form of the music. This CD of Franks is certainly no exception!</div><div>
</div><div>As I mentioned, Frank did this CD long before he met <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Palma</span>, and Fred did not do the major recording here. Frank released this CD originally in 1991. It was recorded in various locales in New York, and parts of it were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel. He did, however, re-release it as a 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> Anniversary Edition in 2006. The CD was remastered and restored by Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Guarino</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">TIKI</span> Recording Studios, and, according to the liner notes, a few tracks were recorded at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">TIKI</span>, as well, at that time.</div><div>
</div><div>I was not a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">bit</span> surprised when I listened to this CD for the first time. As all of Frank's recordings have been, it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">awesome</span></span>. Each and every song has a uniqueness all its own, yet there is the same magnificent, smooth, dynamic, expressive voice of Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Rendo</span> on them all. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323935582444847186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbto7ouVUrCnZj1aXI1FjOfXxGB2-W30k0-2terzaaf1EQ3AhyswIwFXtbw-8JuSQ5JYvHHOpSyvgwkRA_3HvZaHgSazpS9HX1-IjMKucaEydL8EMArOAlHotXzvy_TqElhiTSZeYBAco/s400/frank_rendo_samanthas.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>
</div><div>It's a fun listen, this CD. It begins with a song entitled <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">O, HOW MUCH YOUR LOVE MEANS TO ME</span> - a fast paced song, punctuated with an array of beautiful orchestration, and the message is very clear - "...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">God you are the way...God you are the light and I see Your shining face in plain </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">sight....O, how much your love means to me.</span>..." </div><div>
</div><div>Frank provides the backing vocals, as well as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">synth</span> bass and he also plays some keyboard on this one. A most talented individual, indeed.</div><div>
</div><div>I really like this song because Frank sounds like he's having a great time getting the story across here. The liner notes call this "A Modern Day Psalm." True enough. A well-done, fun listen. Rob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Taormina's</span> saxophone lines really pop, and add a lot of warmth to the piece. Frank's enthusiasm is apparent in this selection, and I think it's a super way to start off the wonderful collection found in this great CD.</div><div>
</div><div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I yield myself to you....Lord, have Your way in me...and make me what you said that I should be..</span>." These lyrics are but one brief glimpse of the absolutely gorgeous David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Ridgeway</span> composition called <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME</span>, our second selection on this compilation. </div><div>
</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323945804735994370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweSwwrumbxUZ0b1F3ALaLw_uSsAYuu2UPrGsIAtb9uEeOlOAl4neCcf1KfezDznGegntafNgchEQlssRO2swtk-h0Z4Az0Uw151xVlqerTkD4oanQ_uIDnW0c-b3bG_eJ8FpoRUyiH78/s400/100_1152.JPG" border="0" />Frank's vocal has a "longing" quality in it to this writer's ear, as he sings this one. The melody is stunning, and it contains a gorgeous, beautifully executed suspension, that is repeated many times during the song, as Frank sings "..<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">.Have Your way in me...</span>." Just really nice - and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">so</span> effective. <div>
</div><div>The night I met Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Rendo</span>, almost two years ago in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Bethpage</span>, NY, he was not only singing but playing the keyboards as well. (see photo, above) At that time, I knew precious little about our Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Rendo</span>, save that he had a voice I couldn't ever listen to enough - such handsome qualities in his voice - (one of his press pieces refers to his voice as "velvet and steel" - and that's a great way to talk about Frank's voice.....he does them both, well) - and he was referred to as "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">the real deal</span>" by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Palma</span> Pascale - PLUS I'd learned how generous a man Frank truly is, at that point. I had a big smile on my face as I watched him play and sing that night at the church in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Bethpage</span>; and I found myself thinking that I shouldn't be surprised that Frank played the keyboards. I began, then, contemplating what <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">else</span> he might be musically adept at doing. I think it's safe to say his musical background is well-rounded, and he is a master of not only those fantastic "vocal chops," but of many instruments, as well. By now, I know that he is a producer, and a conductor, an actor, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">and</span> he seems to be able to do whatever he puts his mind to - and do it well! From Christian to Country, and everything in between! <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(photo taken at St. Mark's Church, Bethpage, NY-October, 2007)</span></em></div><div>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME</span> is a beautiful ballad, and Frank certainly does it justice; the message is simple - "...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">.and in fulfillment of Your will, I offer up my life in sacrifice in praise to You for all You've done for me....</span>" And, so the lyric goes. A melodic <em>testimony</em>, if you will. </div><div>
</div><div>I mentioned "expression" earlier - Frank's ability to be expressive is quite notable. He and I talked about this at one point recently; his training as an actor, he believes, helps in this regard. Though I would agree with him, I think there's more - here's what I personally observe - it's Frank's complete <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">sincerity</span></span> that does the trick. The expression Frank is able to put into a song - the way he almost jumps off of the CD and is singing right in front of you - just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">for</span> you - is due, in my opinion, in great part to the fact that he <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">BELIEVES</span> what he is singing. He <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">LIVES</span> what he is singing. He <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">MEANS </span>...."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Have Your Way In Me</span>." Well, well done, Frank. </div><div>
</div><div>Oh <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">boy</span>! Another favorite and the music for this one was co-written by Frank, himself. It's called <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">WAKE UP, PEOPLE!</span> Frank collaborates on the music with Billy Christopher - Billy penned the lyrics to this one. I have a lot of fun with this one, and it makes me smile, each time it comes on my player. See...it begins with a bit of spoken dialogue. The phone rings, and a woman answers. It's an actor by the name of Tim Castle who is calling a woman named Heather Robertson, and the call sounds something like this:</div><div>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">RING - RING</span></span>: (Woman answers) "* big <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">sigh</span>*" (this by Linda <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Sheedy</span> - a real 2am desperation sigh!)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Burns</span>: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Goooooooooood</span> Morning, Ma'am</span>!"</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Woman</span>: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Is it morning already?</span>" (I love this next line)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Burns</span>: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">It's been morning all morning, Ma'am!</span>"</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Woman</span>: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Oh <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">no</span>! You're not one of those telephone <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">comediennes</span>, are you?</span>"</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Burns</span>: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">No Ma'am. My name's Richard Burns - I'm hosting the new radio call-in show called 'It's Sunday Morning...So Why Aren't You In Church.' - It's Sunday Morning -So Why Aren't You In Church?</span>"</div><div></div><div>Here's an interesting bit of detail I got from Frank about this conversation, in his own words: "<em>During the dialogue at the beginning , all the woman talk is by Heather Castle, although the sigh is Linda Sheedy. When we cut the dialogue, we realized that the girl never actually says "hello" when she picks up the phone, and since Heather and Tim live in upstate NY (4 hours from where I live), I had Linda on hand at the time and she obliged with what we thought would be a good alternative. And, by the way, the dialogue was recorded on cassette, and the phone was a sample from Rick’s sister's telephone that had a REAL bell ring...which was becoming harder to find in 1991."</em> I love to learn bits and pieces like this. The "Rick" Frank refers to is Rick Bieder. More on Rick, to come.</div><div>
</div><div>So.....just as Richard Burns begins to speak his last lines, the rhythm of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">WAKE UP, PEOPLE!</span> begins to play. It's a true "gospel-rock" beat, and it's definitely an attention grabber. I like the crispness of all of the various instruments in this one...Frank adds tambourine, and a fantastic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">synth</span> organ....not to mention, he does <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">all</span> of the back-up vocals. Now, I have to tell you, there are a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">lot</span> of great backing vocals in this one - and they are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">HIGH</span></span>! Honestly, if I hadn't known it was all Frank, I would have guessed that he had an actual full gospel <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">choir</span> of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses behind him.....it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">that</span> good. I was most impressed! It's awesome, and it's fun! The song has a wonderful message:</div><div>
</div><div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">..</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">.You reap what you sow - how well we all know that expression of days gone by~</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">But how many of you, if called for the harvest would find your seeds planted have died?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">You sow and you sow, and isn't it so how the cares of this life weigh you down?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">And then what you reap as you have fallen asleep is a rusted and powerless crown.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Wake up, people - there's a harvest of life to bring in.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">There are seeds to be planted for we have been granted a life-giving love from our King!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Wake up, people - for there isn't much time left to lose.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We must get the word out to our sisters and brothers so they'll know the right way to chose.</span>.."</div><div>
</div><div>It's true, we won't know the day or the hour Christ is coming back - this song tells us, the listener, we need to be sure the seeds that <em>we </em>sow fall on ground that will allow them to grow - and we can spread the word to all that we know so they, too, will be ready! </div><div>
</div><div>Nice job on this one, Frank - and all who were involved. I know that Frank loves what he does - I've said it before, and will say it again - Frank was given a gift - an amazing talent for, and tremendous understanding of music - how to sing it - how to play it - how to direct it - and how to share it with others. Frank gives back for the blessing he was given, and shares the word of God in song with others. This album is a beautiful reminder of that.</div><div>
</div><div>I will return here and will muse more very soon about more of the 14 tracks that comprise <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS MAN?</span> There are many masterfully performed songs, and I want to give each one a place of their own. </div><div>
</div><div>As information, Frank's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">CDs</span> can be purchased by contacting him at FrankRendo@yahoo.com, or certainly anyone can contact me, and I will happily get them ordered for you.</div><div>
</div><div>Until next time, then...thanks to Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Rendo</span> for an outstanding CD with gorgeous and well-done messages throughout, told to us with that incredible voice he uses <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">so</span> well....and that he shares with us!</div><div>
</div><div>Happy Easter Everyone~</div><div>~Martini</div><div>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Photo Credits</span>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Album cover <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">portrait</span></span></span> by Tess <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Steinkolk</span>, NYC</div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Frank in concert</span></span> was taken at <em>Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven</em>, East Northport, NY</div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Frank at piano, St. Mark's/Bethpage, NY</span></span>: Tim San Paolo</div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-39122552189948375832009-03-23T19:05:00.000-07:002009-04-24T13:15:30.197-07:00The Frank Rendo WHLI Radio Interview<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316925644516782354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuRbsfR6uNwx4hmrc701fU0Ss9P7_ywtdf5r16AFrcyH39a7NXm8X6_m7_711NeTowzLsF1r1LW7U7FvlAprVnJ9zrgbgnaR_wMOZNrtX697vkRsYQq7CQUY8m_v66iA1nj51gsg-znE/s400/IMG_0031.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><strong>FRANK <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RENDO</span>, RADIO INTERVIEW ON <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">WHLI</span> RADIO, LONG ISLAND NEW YORK, 12-23-08</strong></div><div>
The following is an interview conducted by Mr. Paul Richards of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WHLI</span> Radio in Long Island, NY. As you will read, Paul was very taken with this effort by Frank, and his collaborator, the lovely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Palma</span> Pascale. I have listened to the interview many times over, in order to get it transcribed......but just once straight through – and that time, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">couldn</span>’t help but choke-up listening to it. Somehow, strangely, I feel like I traveled this road with both Frank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Palma</span>, having heard some of the first tracks of this amazing album from the beginning, in 2006. Listening to Paul’s excitement about it, and Frank’s explanation of it….and as you will read, the interesting exchange between Paul and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Palma</span> regarding the CD…well, it tugged on my emotions in a big way….no one really understood why, but I do…. as I am so proud for both of these extraordinary artists that this CD has been such a success, and is so masterfully done. I'm also quite proud of the fact that I had the privilege of also being a part of it.....I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">couldn</span>’t begin to know the kind of time it took to create this masterpiece, but I do know that every single note is in place….every instrument is “sweetening the right corner” and the “less is more” concept is at work here, beautifully! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-size:x-small;" >(Pictured above: Paul Richards and Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Rendo</span>)</span></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316570305988399266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy0hMpBYcvDZERvRAB14jp7LetanZGk5V4qTaMbcFwMxkZUZKuJaGLl5yZK_qk1Z74xhFLJgF_dtkQtxlcBdj_CM7JaQNMfUEFOqhA1RE_Ptrsx6HSr1T7NOLCJRkwLWJNef3R0tKfu0/s400/remembering+christmas.jpg" border="0" />Great credit, too, goes to master recording engineer and President of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">TIKI</span> Recording Studios in Glen Cove, NY….Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Guarino</span>. Fred’s</div><div>artistry truly shows through in this compilation. <div>
And now, the totally unabridged version of the wonderful interview conducted by Paul Richards with Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rendo</span>, as was heard on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">WHLI</span> Radio, December 23, 2008:
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">WHLI</span> on the day before Christmas Eve, December 23rd, 2008 and as promised, a very special hour begins right now. I am so excited to have Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Rendo</span> as our special in-studio guest here, following the 10:00 news. Good morning and Merry Christmas to my dear friend. It’s great to see you…it really, really is</em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Good morning Paul Richards here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">WHLI</span></em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>How have you been?”</em>
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ve</span> been really good, yes</em>.”<strong></strong></div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Been busy</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Been busy with concerts this month and doing shopping…and doing the Christmas thing. <strong>LOVE IT</strong>! I love this time of year</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And you were upstate this weekend with this weather</em>???”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yeah</em>….”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>You’re a brave man!.”</em>
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Well, they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">weren</span>’t that brave….they cancelled two shows out of the three – I have to go back up next week…we rescheduled</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>All right – it’s better than getting’ a refund</em>!”
(Both Laugh)
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s worth seeing Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Rendo</span> in concert</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank You</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>I had that pleasure and privilege once in my lifetime and I will make sure I take advantage of additional future opportunities to see you sing. It’s a heart-warming experience to sit there and just take it all in. You leave with such a great feeling</em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Oh, well that’s very kind of you – Thank you very much for saying that</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s obvious that you love it and enjoy it</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Well, yes….it’s the love of my life</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>How long have you been doing this</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Well, I always tell people I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">ve</span> been doing it all my life, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">ummmm</span>…I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">ve</span> been doing it professionally probably for almost 30 years</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Ummm</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Hmmm</span> – All right</em>!”<strong></strong></div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>I started out as – you know, like….a two year old</em>!” (laughs)
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>All right – and how long has the recording career been in existence?”</em></div><div><em><strong>FR:</strong> “Actually, I started doing THAT in 1978</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Really</em>??”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yeah – so I guess this is 30 years of <strong>THAT</strong></em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Wow</em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmws8_bhtYpfOrRS9bgVOMZ7QfDOWuGW98XGERfYw2fd7AfQHbqKV4fHwwb1GLy17cMvUzZFvWq4dJguOrzGSZJti4f3MNrUuJX9SkzlAsvjE4jj-UQZtuQXaaepthGsYihShGgsdbhM/s1600-h/how+can+you+say+no+CD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316570439495802114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmws8_bhtYpfOrRS9bgVOMZ7QfDOWuGW98XGERfYw2fd7AfQHbqKV4fHwwb1GLy17cMvUzZFvWq4dJguOrzGSZJti4f3MNrUuJX9SkzlAsvjE4jj-UQZtuQXaaepthGsYihShGgsdbhM/s400/how+can+you+say+no+CD.jpg" border="0" /></a>“<em>But, I kind of came into my own about 25 years ago, and recorded my first big project in 1991 – the ‘<strong>How Can You Say No To This Man’</strong> CD</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Which is a great album – I have that album</em>…”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank You</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “…<em>and it’s a marvelous album – in fact, we play, as a part of the regular <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">WHLI</span> rotation, one of the songs from that album. It’s an amazing album</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Well, thank you</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>AND, you have future endeavors, in fact – you k</em></div><div><em>now what? I saw you once sing a song at that concert that I was at, and I’m trying to think of the name</em>….”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<strong><em>DON’T LAUGH AT ME</em></strong>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Okay</em>….”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>That was the one!”</em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>No………….was it</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, cause you told me if I could track that, If I’d record that – that you would play it and I haven’t …..I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">ve</span> failed to do that, and I will be doing that in January</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Will You</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes</em>”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>So, we have something to look forward to in the near future from Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Rendo</span>.</em>”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, yes</em>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>All right, now – of course it’s the Christmas season and I wanna wish you the merriest of Christmases</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank You</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> <em>This has taken on a life of its own. What I mean by “this”, because this is radio, and they can’t see me – I’m holding up a copy of your Christmas Album called <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS,</strong> which I was in receipt of a little bit too late last year to make it a part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">WHLI</span> Christmas presentation – But not <strong>THIS </strong>year! We are making up for it this year, for sure</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thanks</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Tell us a little about how the idea was born for <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong></em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>It’s interesting how it happened, because I’d been wanting to do a Christmas album for a very long time, and my collaborator, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Palma</span> Pascale, worked with m</em></div><div><em>e on this and we originally started it out as a piano vocal project, and then it kinda took on a life of its own and we worked on the album for about a year and a half</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Right</em>”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>And fully orchestrated it – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Palma</span> did a great job with arranging it and performing on that, too – and that’s how it came about. The title track was a song that she had written for a Broadway show – she wrote two songs on there – and I sang songs that I love to do and that meant a lot to me through the years, and stuff that I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">ve</span> done in other Christmas concerts through the years….finally, you know, tracking them for myself</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It is apparent when the average person listens to <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong> the hard work that went into just the song selection itself – You take a look at the 14 tracks – you go….somebody had their thinking cap on when it came to song selection on this thing</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thanks</em>.”<strong></strong></div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Whadda</span> ya say we start with the title track</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Absolutely</em>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> "<em><strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>….Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Rendo</span> @<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">WHLI</span></em>."
PLAYS TITLE TRACK: “<strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>”
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYFe8uaTJOH9uTKyHkmU9SzxSVOeRTrfw2foP_BdTViW6X52EA9iVyfdaDzg-Q2Plkiy6SNUsHg4BYInMezc1pzE_irHGchfY-vKCDLaZ0DpA2H8gUmJF4yyCX2vwPsne-y9ZV7GMndU/s1600-h/nell.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316571156535214834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYFe8uaTJOH9uTKyHkmU9SzxSVOeRTrfw2foP_BdTViW6X52EA9iVyfdaDzg-Q2Plkiy6SNUsHg4BYInMezc1pzE_irHGchfY-vKCDLaZ0DpA2H8gUmJF4yyCX2vwPsne-y9ZV7GMndU/s400/nell.gif" border="0" /></a>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>That is from the Broadway musical called <strong>WHAT THE HELL, NELL</strong></em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Right</em>!” (laughs)
<strong>PR:</strong> (laughing heartily) “<em>and written by, ah…..how do you pronounce her name</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Palm-a Pas-cal(e) – who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">dueted</span> with me on that song</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And she wrote that song</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, she wrote it</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>We are with Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Rendo</span> – a great artist from this absolutely extraordinary album, <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS,</strong> which we just played the title track from. And, we’ll be with Frank probably for the better part of this hour. What we’ll do F<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><em>rank, is take a quick break, and come back with the other song <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Palma</span> wrote – and it touches me deeply. This song….(contemplates)….when I sit back – and I get a lot of comments on this song – this one and another one which we will talk about later on in the show…..this one coming up after the break….uh….I’m a big boy, and I don’t cry very easily – but if I’m here by myself in the studio, and this song is on, (which it’s on A LOT on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">WHLI</span> this Christmas Season)….and nobody’s looking through that window you see there</em>…?”</span></em></div><div><strong>FR:</strong> (laughs) “<em>yeah</em>…”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>I get a lump in the throat – a little moist in the eye, and that’s how moving the next song is</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Awww</span>….that’s nice</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>We’ll talk about it right after the break</em>."
<strong>STATION BREAK</strong>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Ten twenty – twenty past 10 o’clock – it’s a Tuesday, the day before Christmas Eve. Here at @ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">WHLI</span> I’m Paul Richards here with our very special guest in the studio, Mr. Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Rendo</span>, and again, good morning and thanks for coming out</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank <strong>YOU</strong>.”</em><strong></strong></div><div><strong>PR:</strong> <em>“Have any trouble finding the joint</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>No…just some pothole roving repairs on the Southern Parkway, so</em>…”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>You worked your way around them</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>I did….got through, yes</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>A little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">zig</span> – a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">zag</span></em>…”
(both laugh)
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Got here in time</em>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>We spoke on the phone a couple days ago and lo and behold, about a half hour after that, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Palma</span> called me</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, that’s what I heard.”</em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And, we talked a little bit, and among the many things, one that we talked about is this next song for the album that we’re gonna hear</em>.”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “Yeah….”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Called ‘<strong>Much Less Than Christmas’</strong></em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And she surprised me – but rather than me giving it away, tell the audience what she had to say about the song and who it was originally intended for</em>….”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Well, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Palma</span> was a composer for the Carpenters, and this song was written for them. Karen, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to record it because of her untimely death – so, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">umm</span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCkbNYH7MG6NUUtiNYSFJwy_EmB8lq_kOiD1FsGyiGzQOuC5O6PT7hUIGwk6vvidu9xfmcLHtBlaArEWJDR8vicczJG-cSBJrjn6gbYEPWoHlhKE1uwn8FK41dDZmVfcFk856yYSCt_s/s1600-h/Palm+In+&+Out+of+Love.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316577285256997874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCkbNYH7MG6NUUtiNYSFJwy_EmB8lq_kOiD1FsGyiGzQOuC5O6PT7hUIGwk6vvidu9xfmcLHtBlaArEWJDR8vicczJG-cSBJrjn6gbYEPWoHlhKE1uwn8FK41dDZmVfcFk856yYSCt_s/s400/Palm+In+%26+Out+of+Love.jpg" border="0" /></em></a><em>….it was just sitting – waiting to be discovered and when she offered it to me….when we were working on this album….I said YES, <strong>and</strong>….let’s do it the way, perhaps, they would have done it. So, we kind of have that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Carpenteresque</span> flavor to it. But the song is very apropos for me because we’re in war time, and it talks about people who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">aren</span>’t with us right now – or are no longer with us. And we kind of</em></div><div><em>miss them – like “<strong>I’ll Be Home for Christmas"</strong> was during World War II. I kind of sing it with that longing</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Yeah…and it’s a…..the first time I played this song on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">WHLI</span>, I told the audience it’s not the happiest Christmas song on record, but it’s moving and its beautifully performed, by the way</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank You</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s just all four minutes and 32 seconds – is just – you take it in….and you make sure you digest every little piece of this one cause musically, as a piece of music, it is superb! It is superb!!! Written by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Palma</span> Pascale, and it’s on the album <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">REMEMB</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">ERING</span> CHRISTMAS</strong>, which by the way is available – I know <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">CDBaby</span>.com</strong> has it…” </em>
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Right – <strong>The Christian Corner</strong> has it – The Christian Bookstore in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Bethpage</span>. But also, me directly; if you email me at</em> <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>All right – give that address out once again</em>…”
<strong>FR:</strong> <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com.">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com.</a>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>All right – it’s a great album to own – it’s also a great album to give as a gift</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> laughs……”<em>Thanks</em>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s also a wonderful stocking stuffer. And this is one of my favorite pieces from the album; so without further adieu…..if you haven’t heard this yet, and a lot of you have cause we really have been playing this piece…..take a listen to “<strong>Much Less Than Christmas.”</strong> This is Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Rendo</span></em>….” <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-size:x-small;" >(pictured above: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Palma</span> Pascale)</span>
PLAYS: “<strong>MUCH LESS THAN CHRISTMAS</strong>”</div><div>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em><strong>WHEW!</strong> You should be mighty proud of <strong>THAT</strong> piece</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> (chuckles)
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>That is such a great song – and hats off to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Palma</span>, too, who did a lot of the instrumentation. On the liner notes you say 99% of the instruments</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, she did – I mean – maybe I played some percussion and stuff like that, but she is a brilliant musician and a genius songwriter</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, very, very good. Okay, now we gotta cheer up the people too, because as I said that’s a tear-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">jerker</span>, that song. This one here, the Sinatra-Crosby classic – that was a tough chore to handle, but you pulled it off!”</em>
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>That was great fun to do – I actually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">dueted</span> with Fr. Charles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Mangano</span> and his sister Laurie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Mangano</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Palma</span> did the back-ups, as well. We had great fun with this one</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And the results are just shining on it. This is a wonderful rendition of something you all know – ah…<strong>’We Wish You The Merriest</strong>.” Again, from <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS,</strong> Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Rendo</span>….”</em>
PLAYS: “<strong>WE WISH YOU THE MERRIEST</strong>”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Wow</em>! <em>Frank, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">dueting</span> with Fr. Charles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Mangano</span> – Laurie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Mangano</span> on t</em></div><div><em>he track – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">Palma</span> Pascale; Les Brown’s classic, ‘<strong>We Wish You The Merriest’</strong> from </em><strong><em>REMEMBERING</em> CHRISTMAS.</strong> <em>It is 10:38 – we’re back with Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Rendo</span> here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">WHLI</span>…I’m Paul Richards, and again – congratulations my man, on what I feel is the holiday album of the year</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Oh! That’s wonderful</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s just a wonderful, wonderful thing. And again, we’re gonna play a song here which further demonstrates the…..ah……the thought that went into the song selection. How did you decide to (muses)….hmmmmm…..I think I’ll take something from a Disney animated feature and put it in my Christmas album?” (laughs) “Tell me about that</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Interestingly, I had been singing ‘<strong>God Help The Outcasts’</strong> for a few years and that song always struck a chord with my audiences – so, when we had the opportunity to do this record</em>…”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Yep</em>..”
<strong>FR:</strong> “….<em>I said – you know, I should just add it to this because, you know, what a better time to sing this message that’s about loving and reaching out to those in need</em>?”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Now this is the season for that kind of message</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Right! So that’s why we put it on</em>.”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And again, the performance of the song – well….there’s not a stiff on this album! You know that, right</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank you</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> <em>There’s 1</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBi1kMKOnB8Hi1xBLxF2JlSwYYt3W8V271BHqjcm0FQQjbhv4sQrOKPUxG9nkRJWNGQcUDr0gQzYJguTYWMJS-E1qKMPgADKejhU-uH9OJ8F4j7dwYlXttsgmllFf6DHZuyUqByH19aM/s1600-h/hunchback+of+Notre+Dam.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316575581153247362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 117px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 99px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBi1kMKOnB8Hi1xBLxF2JlSwYYt3W8V271BHqjcm0FQQjbhv4sQrOKPUxG9nkRJWNGQcUDr0gQzYJguTYWMJS-E1qKMPgADKejhU-uH9OJ8F4j7dwYlXttsgmllFf6DHZuyUqByH19aM/s400/hunchback+of+Notre+Dam.jpg" border="0" /></em></a><em>4 gems in this package and we urge people to, ah…..if you have to buy ONE Christmas album this year; make it this one – you’ll never regret the decision. It’s available at <strong>CDBaby.com</strong> and also by emailing you at</em> …..’
<strong>FR:</strong> <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com.">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com.</a>
<strong>PR:</strong> “ <em>And here, from the Disney animated version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame is ‘<strong>God Help The Outcasts’</strong></em>.” </div><div>
PLAYS: <strong>“GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS</strong>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>My man, you put your HEART and SOUL into this project, did you<strong> NOT</strong></em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> (chuckles) “<em>Yes…yes, I did</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> <em>And, I noticed this took the better part of a year to do cause, right in the liner notes, ladies and gentlemen, when you open up the booklet – in fact (laughs)….my mother used to be fond of a saying: “A month of Sundays.” Well, this took a year and a month. October 6, 2006 until November 8th, 2007 – you guys worked on this project</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Right…yeah – 13 months</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And it <strong>SHOWS</strong>! Thirteen months to come up with 14 glorious songs on a wonderful Christmas album</em>.”
<strong>FR</strong>: “<em>AND, brilliantly engineered by Fred Guarino at <strong>TIKI Recording</strong> in Glen Cove</em>.”
<strong>PR</strong>: “<em>Yeah, he adds <strong>excellent</strong> prod</em><em>uction values all around….this <strong>IS</strong> the album to get</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank You</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>For me, with Ms. Pascale – it says 99% of the instruments – well, here are some of them…..piano, electric piano, harpsichord, bass, solo violin and cello, string sections and string effects, clarinet, flute, oboe, English horn, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone sax, harpsichord, xylophone, vibes, B-4 organ, accordion, drums</em>…”
<strong>FR:</strong> (chuckles)
<strong>PR:</strong> (cont.) “…<em>and on and on – the chime bells – wait a minute, chime bell tree – what is a chime bell tree</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>It literally, physically looks like a tree that you hit, and it does all that tinkling</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Okay…..triangle, tambourine….”<strong>Madona mi!”</strong> and human voice effects…</em></div><div><em>.”</em> (laughs)
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, I just sang – that’s all I did</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>That’s <strong>all</strong> you did, huh?” All right….ah….this song here was recorded by just about anybody – I mean….almost everybody records a version of ‘<strong>We Need a Little Christmas’</strong>…..when I heard <strong>YOUR</strong> version…….This actually, to me, portrayed the meaning of the song – the meaning of why you need a little Christmas – because you spell it out by painting a picture – it’s as if it were a portrait and then, of course, it goes into a jubilant thing…in all its splendor and glory…..you get the effect of the song as intended when it was composed. From the beginning you actually say “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS WHY, FOR CRYIN’ OUT LOUD, WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS.” And…this is the track that leads off the album</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Right – It’s the opening</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>You first open this up, take the shrink wrapping off – put it in your CD player and listen to Frank Rendo on his album <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>. This is the first track you hear</em>….”
PLAYS: “<strong>WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS</strong>”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And you certainly give it to us with this album. You tell us why we need it, and you get 13 songs after this that really give you….well, it just sums up Christmas beautifully</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Oh! Thank you.”</em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>So….what are your future plans? What are you gonna be doing? </em></div><div><em>Where are you gonna b</em>e?” </div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Where am I gonna be??! Come January? Well, I’m always appearing at<strong> Samantha’s Li’l Bit of Heaven</strong> the first Saturday of every month</em>…”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Right</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>And that’s in East Northport. It’s kind of a coffee-house situation – I’m always in concert there. And, other things are kinda up in the air for the moment</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>I see – now we can catch you in various churches</em>…”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Right</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Are there night time concerts?”</em></div><div><em><strong>FR:</strong> “Yeah, I do a lot of concerts through the year</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Well if you can keep in touch with the itinerary, there are a lot of people that are going to want to check you out</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Anybody who wants to can e-mail me and I’ll put them on the mailing list</em> – <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Why didn’t I think of that?” (both chuckle) “You could be the host – want my job? How about my shirt – wanna buy my shirt?” (laughs)…..”We’ll be right bac</em></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">
</span><strong>STATION BREAK</strong>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>This hour went too <strong>fast</strong></em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, I know…..wow!”</em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>We began at ten o’clock, now it’s five till eleven….time’s flying – it’s what happens when you’re having a lot of fun, lilstening to just a glorious project known as <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS,</strong> which, by the way, a lot of people have been call</em></div><div><em>ing and asking how to get it – and the easiest way in your opinion and probably the way to save a few pennies is by e-mailing you?”</em>
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, and I can get it to you sooner, I think. </em><a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com"><em>FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</em></a><em> is my e-mail address</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Right, and mention that store in Bethpage again</em>…”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em><strong>The Christian Corner</strong>, on Broadway in Bethpage – they also carry it</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Okay…plus of course on the Internet at <strong>CDBaby.com</strong>, which is a great little Internet record store, by the way</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>It <strong>IS</strong>, especially for independent artists like me.”</em></div><div><em><strong>PR:</strong> “They have very fair, reasonable prices and quick service</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes</em>.”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Quick…I’m tellin’ ya! All right – regarding <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong> – track three</em> (3) –<em> I never heard of the man who wrote this – I’m looking at this, uh…credits on the album right now….the song is credited to a Michael Card. C-A-R-D. Do you know who Michael Card <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">IS</span></em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, I do…He is a brilliant songwriter in the contemporary Christian music field, and he loves to do story songs. He’s also a theologian. And, he wrote this song called <strong>Joseph’s Song</strong>, which is an extraordinary </em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXpBRdlZT-b40nmYmI8T5SEyWulfI7FQx2Xt0v9yu-JLe78wpmZoYzM8DP1vRlwkT-3wVjsmzqF7eBQXVLNOvEjIf7uOjPfSexibLgwE6SrkNg9mqP717TaHOQroPkduG_fn4LfyYzJg/s1600-h/FrankandPalmAugust,2008.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316576505846305282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXpBRdlZT-b40nmYmI8T5SEyWulfI7FQx2Xt0v9yu-JLe78wpmZoYzM8DP1vRlwkT-3wVjsmzqF7eBQXVLNOvEjIf7uOjPfSexibLgwE6SrkNg9mqP717TaHOQroPkduG_fn4LfyYzJg/s400/FrankandPalmAugust,2008.jpg" border="0" /></em></a><em>thing, and I’ve been singing it for many years. So</em></div><div><em>, Palma, who was my collaborator on this project, said: “<strong>Well, that’s one of the first ones we’re gonna do</strong>” cause she loved it so much, so….we did it</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, when she called me, she related to me that when she first heard you, she <strong>knew</strong> she had to work with you. The <strong>FIRST TIME</strong> she heard you, she said “<strong>I have to work with this man</strong>.”</em>
<strong>FR:</strong> (chuckles) “<em>Well, it was good fortune for both of us</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>So…Michael Card wrote this</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>He did! It’s a story that comes from Joseph’s perspective of what it would have been like for him to raise the son of God as a child in his household. It’s something we never really think about….what that would be like….to be a parent to JESUS</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>I’d never thought about it until I saw a production in Lancaster County – it was a great production – a very elaborate production; in fact, bigger than anything you’d see on Broadway.”</em>
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Hmmmm….yes</em>….”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>So big, that I don’t even think Radio City Music Hall is big enough to house this thing…..and I kiknd of got a little perspective about Joseph, watching that production</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Okay</em>…”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And that’s been a few years ago. Until, of course, THIS album came along and, before we hear it, and we’re just seconds away from hearing it, I must tell you that, as far as audience response, from our listeners – this is the highlight of the album</em>.”<strong></strong></div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Oh, wow!”</em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>In <strong>their </strong>eyes</em>…”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>That’s very nice</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It IS great – it’s beyond great – it’s <strong>tremendous</strong>!! This is….<strong>Joseph’s Song</strong>…..Frank Rendo from his album, <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>, on WHLI</em>.
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(pictured above: Frank Rendo and Palma Pascale)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">
</span></div><div>PLAYS: “<strong>JOSEPH’S SONG</strong>”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Wow! There’s that chime tree you were talking about</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yep! That’s the bell tree</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> (laughs) “<em>What a song</em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes</em>…..”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>What a song – <strong>Joseph’s Song</strong></em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em><strong>Joseph’s Song</strong>….Michael Card</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s <strong>GREAT!</strong> Now, here we are at the top of the hour – so since we’ve got our traffic report and CNN headline news now, I’m gonna ask you a mighty big favor, Frank Rendo</em>…”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes</em>?”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>I’m gonna ask you to hang for just a little big – till after the news because I do wanna get to an extraordinary version of <strong>O Holy Night</strong></em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Sure</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Can you do that</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Absolutely</em>!”
<strong>STATION BREAK/CNN HEADLINE NEWS</strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
</span><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s nine minutes after the eleven o’clock hour – one hour to go towards the Joe Satter show on this Christmas Eve …..I guess it’s Christmas Eve eve</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, it is!”</em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And a Merry Christmas to you, again</em>!”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Merry Christmas</em>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> <em>Thanks for hanging out overtime.”</em></div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>I’m having a great time</em>.”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s kinda like a football game…..gonna play a little overtime!”</em></div><div><em><strong>FR:</strong> “Studio time goes – like an hour goes like in five minutes</em>!”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s amazing…it’s amazing! So…a lot of people wanna know where and how they can get <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong> – this extraordinary Christmas album that you did. First of all, thank you for <strong>MAKING</strong> this. I’d like to personally thank you for making this product</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>And thank <strong>YOU</strong> for playing it as much as you do – such great support. Very generous</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>You know what? Good music is good music! Let’s face it – so how are some of the ways you can get this thing</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Well, you could e-mail me at <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>. </em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>All right, and of course we should mention about <strong>CDBaby.com,</strong> cause they’re a really great, great store – very reputable, by the way</em>.”<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316926557694957826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPgCNmPjhN_oUFzaXrX0B3VuG5DHWhI70J8-3rViy0MAaSdexh2VnnnLajZTodOiIDhxVycWoHPmEuOfz3gFHSWWmrhSeGn4m9aFU0g1c8MCzEl_iaiWxaqkcJCtypfqe1f129lh6llw/s400/IMG_0025.JPG" border="0" /><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, and they’re very supportive of independent artists like myself.”</em></div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>All right!! Now, we’re done with the business…..let’s go to what I can the granddaddy of all Christmas Carols</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Oh, my <strong>favorite </strong>one.”</em>
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Yeah, I - - you know what? A <strong>LOT</strong> of people I think have told me when it comes to Christmas songs….and how many countless thousands of Christmas songs there are…….a lot of people’s favorite Christmas song is <strong>O Holy Night</strong></em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>That’s the one</em>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It really is….and you do it justice – BEYOND justice</em>.”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “Oh, thank you.”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> "<em>This is like a majestic rendition of <strong>O Holy Night</strong></em>!”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank You</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>From the album <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>…..Frank Rendo…..<strong>O Holy Night</strong></em>!”
PLAYS: “<strong>O HOLY NIGHT</strong>” <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-size:x-small;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:48;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal">(pictured above: Frank Rendo)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:48;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Wow! As I say, once in a while on this show….”<strong>Madona, Mi!”</strong></em> (lots of laughter from both)
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Oh wow! All right…..<strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>…again, you can e-mail Frank at</em> <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@Yahoo.com">FrankRendo@Yahoo.com</a>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, that’s right</em>.”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And that little store in Bethpage has it</em>?”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, <strong>The Christian Corner</strong>, on Broadway.”</em></div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And <strong>CDBaby.com</strong> has it too</em>?”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Yes, they do</em>!”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Frank – thank you so much – have a wonderful merry and blessed Christmas</em>.”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>And you as well.”</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5cEHeRLaN3Q_CHMmg0CebnpMmyhnRp6yslEmyRiUpHRnYSi3IPb-j6uPi5TAEo0g3fHxTw0hjsDM-k3JpgsJAZLtObJ9qxQHdv7krj7M56NEY3O-RAWfs_omF6tTe7ixc4AeDp_Ibpk/s1600-h/Rendo+Promo+shot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316577754109539282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5cEHeRLaN3Q_CHMmg0CebnpMmyhnRp6yslEmyRiUpHRnYSi3IPb-j6uPi5TAEo0g3fHxTw0hjsDM-k3JpgsJAZLtObJ9qxQHdv7krj7M56NEY3O-RAWfs_omF6tTe7ixc4AeDp_Ibpk/s400/Rendo+Promo+shot.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>And, thank you for joining me, here</em>.”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank <strong>YOU </strong>for your generosity and your kindness</em>.” </div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Wow, how an hour and 18 minutes can fly by – filled with beautiful music, though</em>!
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Thank You</em>.”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>It’s just certainly a Christmas album for the ages – it’s <strong>GREAT</strong>!” We love it</em>!
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>Awww….Thank you</em>.”
<strong>PR:</strong> “<em>A permanent, annual part of the WHLI Christmas celebration</em>.”</div><div><strong>FR:</strong> “<em>That’s incredible – thank you</em>.”</div><div><strong>PR:</strong> “<em>Hey…have a safe holiday season</em>.”
<strong>FR:</strong> “<em>You, too</em>!”
There you have it, my readers – a really great interview by Paul Richards of WHLI. Of course, you could guess this, but I wrote to Paul just after hearing this interview for the first time. He was quite gracious, and wrote back, even though he was a bit under the weather at the time. He told me Frank was a great artist, and a friend of WHLI, and that <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong> was a real favorite there, too. He spoke quite highly of Frank! Hmmm….I’d wonder why………….but I already <strong><em>KNOW</em></strong>!
Until my next installment…..be safe, and may God Bless you all with the wonderful music by Frank Rendo! It <strong>WILL</strong> bless you!</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>Musically Yours,
~Martini</div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-35750644139791114752009-03-20T10:53:00.000-07:002009-09-01T12:23:09.569-07:00Coming Soon to Ramblings Regarding RENDO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN89tLNR70XQe88dCtydn5jF-Hg4VeLAgWIiFvyd38VQmYtubu_5hQBzZGQiLoeeAQMLKq6gCmYHDcsYjzibcJIaReA69HQZW0aXYtLBBqXE7n7fTLree0totXSvYNbC-aCBAY51EBBs/s1600-h/Copy+of+Frank+in+Concert[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315330359548129682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN89tLNR70XQe88dCtydn5jF-Hg4VeLAgWIiFvyd38VQmYtubu_5hQBzZGQiLoeeAQMLKq6gCmYHDcsYjzibcJIaReA69HQZW0aXYtLBBqXE7n7fTLree0totXSvYNbC-aCBAY51EBBs/s400/Copy+of+Frank+in+Concert%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>Watch for a transcribed version of Frank's wonderful radio interview, done on December 23, 2008, with Paul Richards. You will enjoy reading this interview, which will give you even more insight into Frank's fabulous CD, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, with good friend and unbelievable talent, Palma Pascale.</div>
<div></div>
<div>You won't want to miss this!</div>
<div>~Martini</div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-44561255861790497582009-03-20T07:26:00.001-07:002009-09-01T12:23:41.052-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjgjung__NzPUQhPbLgT9lm2gxqvkNFjsi3I9Wal_wRWvEcfFqjLbCJmZZ8WQrFzF9Tm9-CMNnMdPx_Y1LbrJdJ9lccIYZ8zjYm3RoApYuH0LtNgwZvu3Cw0KYXZjGxrf70V-pDzkzrM/s1600-h/Palma+and+Frank+singing+cross+cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315276327340259714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 122px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjgjung__NzPUQhPbLgT9lm2gxqvkNFjsi3I9Wal_wRWvEcfFqjLbCJmZZ8WQrFzF9Tm9-CMNnMdPx_Y1LbrJdJ9lccIYZ8zjYm3RoApYuH0LtNgwZvu3Cw0KYXZjGxrf70V-pDzkzrM/s400/Palma+and+Frank+singing+cross+cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>Hello everyone - Wanted to let you know that my multi-talented friends Palma Pascale and Frank Rendo will be appearing in a JESUS ALIVE Event on Sunday, March 22nd at the Bay Shore Assembly of God, Bay Shore, NY. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. No ticket charge, however, a free will offering will be taken. </div><div>
Frank Rendo (performer and MC), Palma Pascale, The Jesus Alive Dancers & Choir will all be on hand in this concert to raise money for the Jesus Alive organization which feed the hungry on Long Island. It will be a spectacular night with sterling talent headlining the show. Please bring non-perishable food to help feed the needy. CDs will be available for participating artists. </div><div>
<strong><em>I SINCERELY HOPE EVERYONE IN THE AREA CAN MAKE IT!!!!
</em></strong>What a great event and a great cause!!! </div><div>
Enjoy!
~Martini</div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-50453522286046072772008-12-10T11:02:00.000-08:002008-12-13T08:36:56.351-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO1pb6rE6X98UvqRNDWs1oJrP5PJ0W5C42gs4gGiHVQY5GTZKxwXEUM6YSKHSjuebrK4923BeR198rxq6t8BRmZXCsRiao8o1qkyAKmBQUycRXlWxAvHdr5G4ZuHmb50y66ZHkZQJBdE/s1600-h/frankalbumfav.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278392771522109858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO1pb6rE6X98UvqRNDWs1oJrP5PJ0W5C42gs4gGiHVQY5GTZKxwXEUM6YSKHSjuebrK4923BeR198rxq6t8BRmZXCsRiao8o1qkyAKmBQUycRXlWxAvHdr5G4ZuHmb50y66ZHkZQJBdE/s400/frankalbumfav.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We wish you the merriest, the merriest, the merriest, the merriest..... New Year!</span>..."</strong>
-
<div>For this Les Brown composition, "<strong>We Wish You The Merriest</strong>," Frank enjoys the additional voices of brother and sister team and good f<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R4MAP_Ke58Sem3Qfu52YG569joVExDlPfS8WROUu2U2d8wDPf62NVnsHcf3UkGViU725P8a-Bk6jkgYLPR2Qg4A-bwfVa13mFqfqerSbMQlnU-uj3BmM77AEzEUWdKIZyF2E_0hwOEA/s1600-h/Laurie+Mangano+and+Frank.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278927253610950802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 97px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R4MAP_Ke58Sem3Qfu52YG569joVExDlPfS8WROUu2U2d8wDPf62NVnsHcf3UkGViU725P8a-Bk6jkgYLPR2Qg4A-bwfVa13mFqfqerSbMQlnU-uj3BmM77AEzEUWdKIZyF2E_0hwOEA/s320/Laurie+Mangano+and+Frank.jpg" border="0" /></a>riends, Father Charles and Laurie Mangano as they blend voices in this rousing, straight-ahead swing tune. The song is flavored by the trumpet sounds of Glenn Drewes, talented Tony Tedesco on the drums, and Palma, who is playing and singing, and who arranged this fun, swinging Christmas song. This one is a duet with Frank and Fr. Charles, and it has the outstanding vocal embellishments of both Laurie and Palma. </div><div><em><span style="font-size:78%;">(top photo:Frank Rendo - second photo, Laurie Mangano & Frank Rendo)</span>
</em>-
Tony Tedesco really "cooks" on this one, as only he can. His to<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKUf-dQSyeZw5T4Yj8FdFnpga0AJMKwIU_zSS7nl9N4YGOkZW6G7vIMtUVO-4o2q5qSBdGZIqYUSL0TiARkVRwHZWO13ks8GCAlq2Vs7DpLB8d5e16-fVbfqalrkliiMOd6DEHuV_Xng/s1600-h/Tony+Tedesco.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278924090324080050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKUf-dQSyeZw5T4Yj8FdFnpga0AJMKwIU_zSS7nl9N4YGOkZW6G7vIMtUVO-4o2q5qSBdGZIqYUSL0TiARkVRwHZWO13ks8GCAlq2Vs7DpLB8d5e16-fVbfqalrkliiMOd6DEHuV_Xng/s320/Tony+Tedesco.bmp" border="0" /></a>uch is so great on everything I've ever heard him on - never trying to be a "showy" player, rather Tedesco is a "tasteful" player. His work is so well executed. <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: Tony Tedesco).</span></em></div><div></div><div>-
</div><div>Glenn Dre<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FUXNuZnf3sPZtgY5pVks4H6muLP6LxJHMCVF8JYDnKWudyYhbAMvuGuP_m8nSdfii-Cf2k5EEeF3a9UTeTgJvdUYiM2VyvzJ-UU-apbEZgy46s4u181tYG-LWR3yjb2aFCUqORStu7Q/s1600-h/glennandfred.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278926819629464354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FUXNuZnf3sPZtgY5pVks4H6muLP6LxJHMCVF8JYDnKWudyYhbAMvuGuP_m8nSdfii-Cf2k5EEeF3a9UTeTgJvdUYiM2VyvzJ-UU-apbEZgy46s4u181tYG-LWR3yjb2aFCUqORStu7Q/s200/glennandfred.bmp" border="0" /></a>wes basically plays several different trumpet parts - all with himself. His overdubbing makes him sound like an entire trumpet <em>section</em>, and that, in part, is due to the amazing engineering of Tiki Recording Studio's owner, Fred Guarino. Drewes' work is executed masterfully - each part incredibly in-sync with the next, and the next, and the next!!! Nicely done, Glenn. <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: Glenn Drewes & Fred Guarino)</span></em></div><div></div><div>-
</div><div>Palma adds a lot of spice to this one, as well. First, her arrangement is stellar - what can I tell you? The woman "swings." There are several parts being sung by several people - some are singing the melody line while others sing harmony to that melody line. Yet others are singing counter-melodies in harmony; perhaps a <em>shoobie-doo</em> or maybe a <em>doo-wah</em> here and there. The song just swings and so does everyone involved!</div><div></div><div>-
</div><div>So, how do I describe it? The way it's arranged, it's a very vocally layered song. It builds dynamically as the vocal layers are added as this passage is sung: "...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We wish you the merriest, the merriest, the merriest, the merriest New Year</span>..."</div><div>-</div><div>Instrumentally, as the song starts, we hear the drums, a bit of rhythm guitar, and the dynamics of the trumpet(s), along with those great vocals.</div><div>-</div><div>As I said, this song is really a duet between Frank and Father Charles. They throw the lines back and forth to each other while Palma and Laurie add the frills.</div><div>-</div><div>At one point, the song jumps into 3/4 time, and the vocals here are even more playful than before. Some interesting backing vocals that seem to emphasize the time signature change. </div><div>-</div><div>A neighing horse sound (played by Glenn), leads back into the swing feel, and this one goes out after a rousing tag, where again we have a fun build of voice over voice, and a finale that gives this writer a "theatrical" feeling. A well-done, well delivered "fun" song amidst a CD of beautifully sung Christmas ballads, that tell the truly important stories of the birth of Jesus Christ, and His family here on earth. Nicely done, everyone!!!</div><div>-</div><div>It is most difficult for me to choose a favorite on this CD, in a way. That is....there is nothing on this entire compilation that I don't like, or that I would classify as "filler." If I was forced to try and choose a musical favorite, it would have to be the next selection - a Palma Pascale original composition entitled "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Much Less Than Christmas</span>."</div><div>-</div><div>This is one of the very first "roughs" that I received in 2006 when Frank and Palm began working together on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</span>. I knew then <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">only</span> that Palm had composed it, but few other details. It was also my "introduction" if you will, to the incredible vocal styling of one 'Frank Rendo'! (Also...bit of trivia, here - this track was almost completed when my wife and I visited Long Island in the Fall of 2007...I got to record this song (just for fun) with Frank's track...how generous these people are. Truly, a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">highlight</span> for me)!</div><div>-</div><div>I know now, tha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNxKALXvdW36yOvqq_F5NSlPHzGomcQQ2SoJFH2ch4QTzwdFCiZVx84Odakfs5I_xF39tl1rAGXhCDW9hhNzphnLUIEWcSfrQ_IJyQx_OBoE1pNlp_zctyHxLGqc7baynBmIaLHlqTE8/s1600-h/AngelicPalma.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278922567987589250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNxKALXvdW36yOvqq_F5NSlPHzGomcQQ2SoJFH2ch4QTzwdFCiZVx84Odakfs5I_xF39tl1rAGXhCDW9hhNzphnLUIEWcSfrQ_IJyQx_OBoE1pNlp_zctyHxLGqc7baynBmIaLHlqTE8/s320/AngelicPalma.bmp" border="0" /></a>t "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Much Less Than Christmas</span>" was written in 1973, and was intended, actually, for the Carpenters to record. Awwww....too bad<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> that</span> never happened. Never fear, however - Frank and Palma put a definite Carpenteresque feel to this arrangement, and it is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">gorgeous</span>. <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: Palma Pascale)</span></em></div><div>-</div><div>The song is a ballad with a lovely message: </div><div>-</div><div>"....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">If this is Christmas, why do I feel this? Why don't I look for a tree?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Why does the tinsel seem more artificial than it ever seemed to be?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">It's something you wait for all year long....and now that it's here, the feeling's all wrong!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">It seems like very much less than Christmas than I have ever known. Than I have ever </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">known..."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">-</span></div><div>This rubato intro sets the stage for our story pretty clearly, don't you agree? The song is tinged with sadness about the fact that the storyteller is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">not</span> with the one he loves. (Frank tells me when he introduces the song at a concert... <em>"I tie in the fact that so many of our loved ones are overseas right now involved in military action, much like during WWII, when the great songs of longing where composed...and I liken this one to "I'll Be Home For Christmas," since it has the same feel to me. People parted for whatever reason over the holidays). </em>
-</div><div>"....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">If I could be with the one I wait for - Christmas would hold the love that God created it for</span>..."</div><div>-</div><div>A single, soft string, which builds to a nice level, begins the song and that lone string is soon coupled with beautiful electric piano. An oboe enters several measures in, adding a warmth and a color and a celestial sounding harp plucks a lovely arpeggio chord to a dramatic ritard. The rolled cymbal crescendos are a perfect touch of drama, and they enhance the piece, though used sparingly, in all the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">best</span> spots.</div><div>-
</div><div>The beautiful Carpenteresque-sounding backing harmonies really bring the song to life for me. Beautiful ooos and aaahhhs frame brilliantly the perfect vocal of Frank Rendo. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Ooo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">fah</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">!</span> He's <strong>SO</strong> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">good</span>! Palm incorporates some vox voices into her instrumental mix, and this allows for a real big "choir" effect, which is a cool addition.</div><div>-</div><div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">If I should buy things, why can't I find things with meaningful thought wrapped inside?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Nothing I'd give or I'd get holds the promise of making me feel satisfied.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">This is the time you want to make last...now that it's here, it's going so fast!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">And, it feels like very much less than Christmas than I have ever known</span>....."</div><div>-</div><div>The backing vocals are beefed-up as the strings lead us into the bridge, with its thought provoking lyric:</div><div>-</div><div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Maybe this is how God feels on His day, when seeing how His people have forgotten Him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">All I know is I'm so low, no matter where I look or go, I can see</span> (ritard) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I can touch</span> (ritard more)...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">but I can't really feel too much</span>..."</div><div>-<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278394183819167234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxvtiUExCM5qHyEH3QnVFWRRJ82-7XBtN9AeyxllWuu_aE_SrjLP7OTXNL0RR9dJMyxR52M3mABUU0Mx8McOf7Uu20etMScN1ASdH3PSQnDxtftdHYW1BVbi9hucVBCrXa3iygE9a14w/s400/frankandpalmsummer+08.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>I just LOVE it!!! A well-timed modulation now brings us into our final verse, complete with those outstanding backing harmonies, and a brilliantly executed suspension (you know by now how those suspensions thrill me, when done well - and this one <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">is</span></span>)! <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: Frank Rendo & Palma Pascale)</span></em></div><div>-</div><div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Not enough wrapping...not enough ribbon to hide what I have in my heart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">How can I open the present I'm missing without tearing myself apart</span>...?"</div><div>-</div><div>(I have to tell you here that that last bit of the lyric is my favorite of this piece - I think Palma writes these lyrics so cleverly). </div><div>-</div><div>I get hit by that proverbial "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">chill factor</span>" listening to this one. Frank's voice is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">so</span> perfect for this sort of ballad - he sings it with such warmth and beauty - it seems to just "glow!" The arrangement is stunning and the backing vocals and instrumentation, as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">always</span>, compliment Franks striking interpretation of this Palma Pascale original.</div><div>-</div><div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">It feels like very much less than Christmas, and I am SO alone. I wish that you'd come home</span>..."</div><div>- </div><div>Truly, a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">masterpiece!</span></div><div>- </div><div>Oh! Alright then, they are, each and every song, a favorite in their own <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">wonderful</span> Christmas style..... okay? Well, I must be honest, cause this next selection is a favorite, as well! (Funny, but I just checked the other writings of <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>, and found that <em>Joseph's Song</em> was my absolute favorite! So see, EACH one is a masterpiece, in and of itself).</div><div>-<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278654210385768434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGJk4f52nHu5YqqTmo-SPAMTjcSg-8AhhULMuYLNk93oO3Hsz3pmAqbJaDbFsRM7qktQAPzyP9B1pTcYE758jvwEJpC6dVXCoTu6Qg2Fk9A9Hp7P8iD8ApeeYkX9gZrLFU0WOZddWeoc/s320/newestrememberingchristmascoverphoto.bmp" border="0" /></div><div>The spectacular <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SOMEDAY</span>, is next in the line-up. Never were any more beautiful, sweet, perfect lyrics penned to tell this story. It can be performed by either male or female, and the story is as beautiful one way as another.
</div><div>-</div><div>Recall "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Joseph's Son</span>g" - a lovely rendition offered to us by our Mr. Rendo a bit earlier. I'm reminded a bit of it with this piece, because it is told from Joseph's perspective. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SOMEDAY</span> is also expertly delivered, and with such emotion...such intense feeling, that it brings that familiar "lump" to my throat and those white-hot tears to my eyes. I have repeatedly told Frank that his intimate reading of this one just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">grabs</span>, and won't let go! And, there are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">always</span> tears.</div><div>-</div><div>Palma does this one with a minimal amount of instrumentation. I can hear that the piano has center stage, with cameo appearances by a cello, clarinet, viola, and a flute - each having their own "say" as they enhance the smooth, broken chords being played behind Frank's powerful vocal. There is, at one point, a beautiful swell of a rolling, crashed cymbal, followed by the entire orchestra of a beautiful choir of strings, emphasizing the storyline so dramatically. Between the two of these talented individuals, they have arranged this one exquisitely. </div><div>-</div><div>Sandi Patty has recorded and performed this song, and she, of course, delivers it flawlessly, as per usual. Her interpretation is of course, from Mary's point of view; Frank's from Joseph's perspective. The story goes like this:</div><div>-</div><div>"..<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">.Someday, when this night is over...and the star has faded...and the angels fly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I will look at You with wonder...dreaming of this first night when I heard You cry.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Someday, You'll take your tiny fingers and with just a touch will...will cause the blind to see.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Someday, You will walk with strangers, but tonight I'll rock You....stay a while with me</span>..."</div><div>-</div><div>A modulation is executed here, then:</div><div>-</div><div>"....S<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">omeday, they will call You Savior - hope of all the people...light and life divine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Someday, you will speak the words and touch the hearts of many, as you now touch mine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">You will speak in love and wisdom...prison doors will open...we all will be set free.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Someday, You will walk among us...but tonight I'll rock you... stay a while with me, my son...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Let me rock you, stay awhile with me</span>..."</div><div>-</div><div>Oh my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">goodness</span>, friends - this one will reach into your heart and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">tug! </span>So poignantly sung by Frank, and so carefully arranged by Palma, this stunning performance, heartfelt and elegantly executed with a rubato feel throughout for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">maximum</span> effect gives us a look from yet another angle of Mary and Joseph; and it certainly gives me yet a clearer understanding of what might have been going through their minds and hearts on that first Christmas night so long, long ago.
-</div><div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">let me rock you..............stay a while with me!..</span>."
-</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">O, HOLY NIGHT</span> - (Cantique de Noel) is a well-known Christmas Carol composed in 1847 by Adolphe Adam, to the French poem "Minuit Chretiens" by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet. According to Wikipedia, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">O, HOLY NIGHT</span> has become "a standard modern carol for solo performance, with an operatic finish." It was translated to English in 1855. This particular arrangement is copyrighted by Pasland Music, Inc., Palma's publishing company, since the song itself is considered "Public Domain."</div><div>-</div><div>The carol has been recorded by artists ranging from Bing Crosby to today's "Point of Grace." I think it's safe to say that the majority of artists who perform at Christmas time has undoubtedly sang or played <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">O, HOLY NIGHT</span> at one point or another in their career.</div><div>-</div><div>This song is opulently orchestrated both with instruments and voices, and of course, Frank sings this famous carol with his usual flair. It is stunning, and Frank has no problem reaching those "operatic" notes - seems as easy as 1...2...3! Brilliant!!</div><div>-</div><div>Our next selection, the memorable "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">God Help The Outcast</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">s</span>" (<em>from the Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame</em>) was first heard by Frank when one of his younger vocal students brought it to her voice lesson, wanting to learn it as a solo. It was one of those songs that immediately captured Frank from that very first "hear," as it were. Frank learned the song and incorporated it into his shows as a piano/vocal number. </div><div>-</div><div>Good friend and musical director/partner Palma Pascale knew of Frank's penchant for the song (as he tells me she heard him sing it a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">LOT</span>)! So, Palm gifted Frank with the remarkably beautiful, fully orchestrated "track" you hear on this CD. What an awesome gift <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">that</span> was!!!</div><div>-</div><div>Frank recalled to me that he sings this song at almost every single concert he performs, no matter what time of year. I asked him specifically why he had included it on this, a Christmas album, and his response was this: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I felt the song had such a universal theme, and such a wonderful Christmas message as well - (this time of year: the homeless, the lost, the hungry...the outcasts) that I decided to put it with this collection</span>."</div><div>-</div><div>Well, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">BRAVO</span> to you for doing so, Frank! And, big <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">knowing</span> nods to you, Palm. This is not a selection most would be wise enough to include in a Christmas collection, though it certainly works quite well.</div><div>-</div><div>About the actual recording here - Frank's reading is somewhat haunting. I can tell, as the listener, that this is an important message being conveyed - one that comes from the heart and soul of our performer. Frank's "plea" for God to help the outcasts is very much like a fervent prayer - one that is unpretentious, and most important. Following are the full lyrics to this work:</div><div>-</div><div>".<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">..I don't know if You can hear me - or if You're even there.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I don't know if you will listen, to this humble prayer.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhe6OaiKCj2W01yb3-ZrJ3eqv4MYTTjKi5du0lN5APgb1a2pahP9-3pfbisRxR6iYf2iqaEEb7BWmqXT9AzRry1oxvNWMcKeexcBIBQpdFIW4LHAoiJy6w6YS6mRQsbNQCBhBMtw-P98/s1600-h/hunchback+of+Notre+Dam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278577518000694498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 117px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 99px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhe6OaiKCj2W01yb3-ZrJ3eqv4MYTTjKi5du0lN5APgb1a2pahP9-3pfbisRxR6iYf2iqaEEb7BWmqXT9AzRry1oxvNWMcKeexcBIBQpdFIW4LHAoiJy6w6YS6mRQsbNQCBhBMtw-P98/s320/hunchback+of+Notre+Dam.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">They tell me I am just an outcast - I shouldn't speak to You.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Still, I see your face and often wonder....were You an outcast, too</span>?</div><div>*</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">God help the outcasts, hungry from birth - seeking the mercy they don't find on earth.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The lost and forgotten, they look to You, still. God, help the outcasts, or nobody will.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I ask for nothing - I can get by, but I know so many, less lucky than I.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">God help the outcasts, the poor and down-trod - I thought we all were the children of God.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">*</span></div><div>I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> don't know if there's a reason why some are blessed, some not.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">But still the few you seem to favor - they fear us, flee us....try not to see us.</span></div><div>*</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">God help the outcasts, the tattered, the torn...seeking the answer to why they were born.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The winds of misfortune have tossed them about - You made the outcasts - don't cast them out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Poor and unlucky - the weak and the odd - I thought we all were the children of God...."</span></div><div>-</div><div>Like each of the other important stories told within this outstanding Christmas compilation, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">God Help the Outcasts</span> sheds light for us, the listener, on a new piece of the big-picture, as the children of God. A well-rounded set of lessons have been shared with us throughout the entire offering. What an awesome gift we've been given!</div><div>-</div><div>You will enjoy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">God Help The Outcasts</span>, I assure you. It's a heart rendering lyric, so engagingly done by Frank - and so resplendently orchestrated by Palma. Outcasts and others alike - it's true....we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">all</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">are</span> the children of God!</div><div>-</div><div>A staple on my Christmastime movie list is the 1954 classic, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">WHITE CHRISTMA</span>S, with music composed by Irving Berlin. The title song is another "tried and true" Christmas song for musicians all over the world to perform during the season. In the film, the original introduction written for this song was NOT used. I first heard it when it was recorded by the Carpenters, on their very first Christmas album. Frank includes it here, as well. Such a great intro:</div><div>-</div><div>"...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The sun is shining, the grass is green - the orange and palm trees sway.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">There's never been such a day in Beverly Hills, LA.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">But, it's December the 24th....and I'm longing to be up North</span>...."</div><div>-</div><div>A bit of trivia about the movie, if you will indulge me. Vera Ellen, one of the "Haynes Sisters" actually sang only TWO (2) notes throughout the entire movie; just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">two</span>. She sang those as the quartet exits the train after having arrived in Pine Tree, VT, where they reprise the beginning of the song "Snow." So, for the fun song she did as a duet with her on-screen "sister," Rosemary Clooney, she lip-synced the part, which was overdubbed and also sung by Rosemary Clooney. I dunno....I thought that was some cool information about this old movie that I never tire of watching, season after season. Most interesting, me thinks.</div><div>-</div><div>For those of us listening to this CD, Frank and Palma combine two of the highly familiar songs of the film: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">White Christmas</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Count Your Blessings</span> (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Instead of Sheep</span>). Another genre - another completely different sort of feel here; and it is done impeccably, as each of the rest have been. </div><div>*</div><div>"...I'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow...</span>"</div><div>-</div><div>Frank's most handsome, full voice so smoothly "croons" to us of his longing for a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">White Christmas</span>, with an understated and lovely piano, only, accompaniment by Palma. </div><div>-</div><div>As they segue into "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Count Your Blessings</span>" they keep that alluring "simplicity" of piano and vocal only; except that there isn't anything "simple" about either Frank's fabulous vocals, or Palma's beautifully woven arrangement of broken chords played so expertly behind him. Frank tells this thought provoking story beguilingly. This is such a captivating way to conclude the CD, with the classicality of piano and voice, only. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">BRAVO!!!</span> Well, well done, all.</div><div>-</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</span> is, by far, my most favorite Christmas CD out there. My hat is off to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Frank Rendo</span> for the loving interpretations with that tremendous voice of his; to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Palma Pascale</span> for her genius at arranging, orche<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ3ZZloDCiu2Y5YFv6aGouu5awk53zAaoWQAzap8Vb3z5BsV2j11eotB2ozSa2wTox7pcoDkndrUK8L-lwRkedjYAcHdny-uD5ncvhUVBeVVQsBJSAAOMD7Ab5vDZC0jVrRtw-jLeh3k/s1600-h/Fred+at+the+controls.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278925489794387154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ3ZZloDCiu2Y5YFv6aGouu5awk53zAaoWQAzap8Vb3z5BsV2j11eotB2ozSa2wTox7pcoDkndrUK8L-lwRkedjYAcHdny-uD5ncvhUVBeVVQsBJSAAOMD7Ab5vDZC0jVrRtw-jLeh3k/s320/Fred+at+the+controls.bmp" border="0" /></a>strating, composing and her beautiful singing - and, last but certainly NOT least, to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fred Guarino</span> for his accomplished "knack" at putting all of these quality pieces together, into one overall incredible package. <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured R: Fred Guarino - L: Frank Rendo)</span></em></div><div>-<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdt_DYmEiUhwFg7nrTtCiay2Jq0MIrciDeCi7zlb-WRk44Z_ep5YN8dXXrf8IjzFHCT22zOoQl9wdPlsAFj5x4YJ_YPmvtTusDjjYDRO_wzJMoCC0qSWdkgu5-hEbU3-t_hX5GwvIuIRQ/s1600-h/Rendo+at+Christmas+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278395259375193986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdt_DYmEiUhwFg7nrTtCiay2Jq0MIrciDeCi7zlb-WRk44Z_ep5YN8dXXrf8IjzFHCT22zOoQl9wdPlsAFj5x4YJ_YPmvtTusDjjYDRO_wzJMoCC0qSWdkgu5-hEbU3-t_hX5GwvIuIRQ/s400/Rendo+at+Christmas+3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>
<div>As you have read, this well-crafted treasury of songs and the stories told will, beyond question, stir your heart and soul and you will find yourself filled to overflowing with Christmas love.</div><div>-</div><div>Stop back by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Ramblings Regarding RENDO</span>, as I will be waxing poetic about other of Franks amazing songs - from "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Inspired</span>" and "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">How Can You Say No To This Man</span>" and "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SHINE</span>." And, oh yeah.... there's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">MORE</span>. I'll be writing for a time here, and these blogs are written just to help you, perhaps, gain a different perspective about the songs - give you maybe just a little more in-depth look at the inner workings of the songs, and the artists who perform/compose/play/record and arrange them.
</div><div>-</div><div>And...whatever you do, don't forget to order your OWN copy of this incredible CD, REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS. Order yours at CDBaby, <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/">http://www.cdbaby.com/</a> or by contacting Frank at <a href="mailto:frankrendo@yahoo.com">frankrendo@yahoo.com</a>. </div><div>-</div><div>Merry Christmas to each of you reading through this blog - and for now, I leave you with this thought.....</div><div>-</div><div><div>"...<em>M</em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">ay I suggest the secret of Christmas is NOT the things you do at Christmastime...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">But the Christmas things you do <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ALL YEAR THROUGH</span></span>..."</div><div>-</div><div>Lots of Christmas love-</div><div>~Martini</div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-48925037336346479232008-11-19T16:05:00.000-08:002008-11-20T17:50:34.784-08:00We're still Remembering Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspyVTQLDGVW7vjDESUa1Vvo6KqAeXWKvxX39EboEvkQFnbkBSw3jchw_yfyi2GnJgnfX-nD43x13q6XVayw7pp4cNsPg8jbsurYrP0pIZmDGD0iAJLwwmUhzhRFOgwtKDK2bQ6nqsCk4/s1600-h/FRank+Remembering+Christmas+Shoot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270831297754689938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspyVTQLDGVW7vjDESUa1Vvo6KqAeXWKvxX39EboEvkQFnbkBSw3jchw_yfyi2GnJgnfX-nD43x13q6XVayw7pp4cNsPg8jbsurYrP0pIZmDGD0iAJLwwmUhzhRFOgwtKDK2bQ6nqsCk4/s400/FRank+Remembering+Christmas+Shoot.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><div><div>Hello fellow Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rendo</span> fans.
</div><div></div><div>
</div><div>It's not that I've "forgotten" about writing more of the wonders that comprise Frank 's Christmas CD,<strong> "Remembering Christmas"</strong> - it's just that....well.....there has been MUCH going on in all of our lives, and pieces of it involved each of us in varying ways. We've been having fun, and we have definitely made some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">progress</span> in our venture, so it's all good.</div><div>
</div><div></div><div></div><div>Let's see.....where did I leave you regarding "<strong>Remembering Christmas</strong>?" Ah yes, at one of the pinnacles of the CD...I'd just written about the magnificent "<strong>Bethlehem Morning</strong>." This compilation simply gets better and better......and better from here, folks.
</div><div>
</div><div>The next selection on this beautiful collection of Christmas stories, sung so lovingly, so carefully by Frank, will warm your heart just as a log fire on a cold winters night will warm you through and through. And how comforting and cozy getting in "that place" is, yes? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">pictured: Frank Rend</span>o)</span></div><div>
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk65n55sEDjpb6tWzOPvcFGVjGYqiK2YXF51k3G-kwP_6W0PQoW7Yc9eWXBDWjpOwQEuJlrBjS0QTGZWsozSdk_bp-efFC9M-2M1R-6o_rWJHr9HrLO-_ollkHZ8QsIcXtBTTTi1LjRw/s1600-h/Frank+at+Palm"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270836697662772690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk65n55sEDjpb6tWzOPvcFGVjGYqiK2YXF51k3G-kwP_6W0PQoW7Yc9eWXBDWjpOwQEuJlrBjS0QTGZWsozSdk_bp-efFC9M-2M1R-6o_rWJHr9HrLO-_ollkHZ8QsIcXtBTTTi1LjRw/s400/Frank+at+Palm%27s.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>It is a lovely song entitled "<strong>What Her Heart Remembered</strong>," with music composed by Scott Brasher, in 1991 - with lyrics by Michael Card, from Michael's album entitled "<strong><u>The Promise</u></strong>."</div><div>
Musically, this song reminds me of what I would think of as a folk song. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Palma</span> begins it by playing a plucked harp. An oboe and a flute enhance the intro in a place or two, but instrumentally, it's pretty minimal, to start. </div><div>
As Frank's vocals begin, it sounds to this writer that his voice is doubled, though I do not believe it really is. I think this is a "<em>fat</em>" vocal effect provided by the album's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">talented</span> engineer, Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Guarino</span>. It really makes a nice big, full sound, without being overpowering.
</div><div>
</div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Palma</span> introduces a Cello and a really cool sounding English Horn, too - the "less is more" concept is used here in the instrumentation, allowing Frank's beautiful voice to tell the story with just enough of an instrument foundation beneath him. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">this</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">photo: Frank Rendo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">)</span>
</div><div>
</div><div>Strings are introduced on verse two, in order to add just a bit more depth and drama to the overall sound. Frank is joined by Palm in a place or two vocally, adding color and interest.</div><div>
The story itself is a beautiful one about the Blessed Virgin, Mary - the mother of Jesus. I had not heard this song before hearing it here - yet I clearly see why Frank chose this one to record. Inasmuch as Frank's wonderful vocals compliment the song; the song compliments Frank's voice and style right back. A nice coupling.</div><div></div><div>
</div><div>We all know the story of the birth of Jesus, but this story really focuses on Mary, and seems to be more of a "back story," if you will. It begins:</div><div></div><div>
</div><div>"...<em>Out in a stable yard, she sees a glow</em></div><div><em>Could it be Angel light? How would she know?
Shepherds stand wondering - afraid to come in~
But this baby that's born tonight will free them all to never fear, again</em>..."
</div><div>
</div><div>Okay, this part of the story we sort of know, right? Here is where the more pointed story of "<strong>What Her Heart Remembered</strong>" comes into play:</div><div>
</div><div>"...<em>As He lies in a cattle trough, she kneels by His side. </em></div><div><em>Sweet baby breathing, soft infant sighs... </em></div><div><em>Soft sounds of swallowing - as soft fingers part. </em></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></span><em>Marvelous memories - she pondered them and hid them in her heart..."</em>
</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>A beautiful way to tell this story, wouldn't you agree? Frank's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">innate</span> ability to paint the picture of the story for us as he sings so "warmly" only adds to the overall beauty of the story itself. My favorite lyric is this thought provoking chorus:
</div><div>
</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></span>"...<em>Like a good mother would, she learned His cries. </em></div></div><div><em>If He'd awake with a belly ache from hunger or fright. </em></div><div><div><em>But, now and then, sometimes when the dark would descend-</em></div><div><em>He would weep a dark so deep - for all her love, she could not comprehend..."</em> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> -</span></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Okay now....take a deep breath after reading <em>those</em> lyrics. I love the way they depict Mary, "learning" the cries of her infant; knowing which cry meant which need should be met. Yet, sometimes the weeping was of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">such</span> a deep reason, she absolutely could not comprehend it which of course, <em>WE</em> now have the ability to understand.
So beautifully depicted by Frank ~ truly! </div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>In between this chorus and the next verse, the music is more full, with instruments moving this way and that, and Frank adds a bit of humming, as well. Really nice, and such a fun change-up. We hear the collection of the instruments come to a peak, and then, if you listen very closely, you can hear, suddenly, one instrument is missing - then another, until that simplistic harp/oboe combination has been attained yet once again.
</div><div> -</div><div></div><div>Frank repeats the chorus and with the addition of backing vocals, yet another interesting "flavor" has been added to hold our attention. </div><div>
</div><div></div><div>It sounds for the world that Frank is "whispering in his singing voice" so as not to a<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">waken</span> the sleeping Christ Child - that is, one gets that impression when listening to the end of the story. Frank has a way with being able to do that when he sings - he "portrays" so eloquently the story he is telling his listeners. </div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Can you imagine being able to <em>watch </em>him live, in concert? I would guess, between his expressive voice and his fun, articulate, sincere and warm personality that it would be a most enjoyable experience, to be certain. It's an experience this writer intends to have for sure.....and more than once!</div><div>
<strong>BRAVO!</strong> A wonderful selection, executed expertly by <em>all</em>!
Following this lovely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">lullaby</span>, we are transported to a spectacular "Broadway Musical" type <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Latin</span>-styled tune, which was written originally for Bing Crosby and was performed by Bing in his 1959 movie <strong><u>SAY ONE FOR ME.</u></strong> The song was written by the ultra-talented composer, Sammy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cahn</span>...along with Jimmy Van <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Huesen</span>.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhXI7PrLebZPFbhaN3YxKYHm_60wDhj3wHsnw6J4oryINy_OcPI_qKKo1xe0NuckKt4Czq0o3u9vJWBJGcSieFZas6_3BV9paY_hNQAjRqJ2CPj4J2PsaROzgvv7GDxyULfXNqokerkQ/s1600-h/Remembering+Christmas+still.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270831306735226354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhXI7PrLebZPFbhaN3YxKYHm_60wDhj3wHsnw6J4oryINy_OcPI_qKKo1xe0NuckKt4Czq0o3u9vJWBJGcSieFZas6_3BV9paY_hNQAjRqJ2CPj4J2PsaROzgvv7GDxyULfXNqokerkQ/s400/Remembering+Christmas+still.jpg" border="0" /></a>
The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Latin</span>-style, to me, enhances this song's sentiments of warmth and Christmas love. </div><div>
Strings, along with a harp playing a high to low scale, and a flute - all provide the intro, bringing us into the piece - and when Frank begins his vocals, he sounds rather excited to be telling us the story - as if he, himself, has just discovered "<strong>The Secret of Christmas</strong>." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">pictured: Frank Rendo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">)</span></div><div>
"...<em>It's not the glow you feel when snow appears~</em></div><div><em>It's not the Christmas cards you've sent for years~</em></div><div><em>It's not the joyful sound when sleigh bells ring~
Or the merry sounds children sing...."</em></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> -</span></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div>The sleigh bells come in exactly on cue, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">played</span> very subtly in the background - and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Palma</span> adds the oboe and she reintroduces the flute to a nice effect. C<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">laves</span> are also heard in the mix, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">giving</span> the song a nice, relaxing rhythm. And, though all of this fun is going on behind him, it's Frank's VOICE that is predominant as he sings so smoothly. </div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>"...<em>The little gift you send on Christmas Day~</em></div><div><em>Can not bring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">back</span> the friend you turned away!
So may I suggest The Secret of Christmas ~ is NOT the things you do at Christmastime...</em><em>But the Christmas things you do~~~all year through</em>..."
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eSr4zqfkz3ZosdZiqTtvKtKOu4Z1xtylJZEt9ZjuOZNk47MT1YFHsR8xvx1McOaxkRpjdzk8pKrzUjZgLE4mPykUJZyyQNP5uTfWlWVobc5pCUwWjzFMBJn9IdXwSClsRYvCr589SH8/s1600-h/frank+and+palm+at+the+piano.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270838497891343170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eSr4zqfkz3ZosdZiqTtvKtKOu4Z1xtylJZEt9ZjuOZNk47MT1YFHsR8xvx1McOaxkRpjdzk8pKrzUjZgLE4mPykUJZyyQNP5uTfWlWVobc5pCUwWjzFMBJn9IdXwSClsRYvCr589SH8/s400/frank+and+palm+at+the+piano.jpg" border="0" /></a> And NOW, the build! As Frank began the second verse, there was a build that started, and was augmented as the verse continued. Here, it seems as if we're watching Frank on the stage, all alone, telling his audience the "secret" he has recently discovered. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">pictured: Frank Rendo & Palma Pascale</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">)</span></div><div>
The fanfare that occurs in the music is so engaging with the trills of the flute (or perhaps it's a piccolo), the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">ritard</span> and the piano, harp, and the strings. It's a fun few measures that leads into our final piece of the story being relayed to us - that being a repeat of the chorus, but with more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">fervor</span> and flourish than previously. That build I spoke of intensifies during the instrumental break, and leading into the modulation which occurs before Frank repeats the last chorus. I love how <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Palma</span> takes the song out, just as she brought it in. It makes us know we've gone the full circle with this one.
</div><div> -</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2N44cKCQHU7H8XEzgX5y2S1vL-ncAadvMZa91o2FVMw0HIdf3kevBZMIEigBI09ROR6XtQmG8djs1bJQAtK8GAm2ciG7C9qyiO2ghpGn4oJh4NFKUV2q_oxL3YI9hLgUQ4lVNPN6Tm8/s1600-h/palmaincolor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270848718753009938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2N44cKCQHU7H8XEzgX5y2S1vL-ncAadvMZa91o2FVMw0HIdf3kevBZMIEigBI09ROR6XtQmG8djs1bJQAtK8GAm2ciG7C9qyiO2ghpGn4oJh4NFKUV2q_oxL3YI9hLgUQ4lVNPN6Tm8/s320/palmaincolor.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Once more, it becomes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">discernible</span> that Frank has such marvelous control of his voice - and he is always on key - never a flat or sharp note - whether he is crooning softly, or he's belting it out - he does it........so fabulously!</div><div>
Moving on, (though one can't imagine how, possibly, this trio of talent can go yet <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">another</span> interesting step to entertain us even <em>more</em>, as well as to inspire us and fill us with hope and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">wonder</span> - they somehow manage to do just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">that</span>)! And, with the flair we have come to recognize from Frank's masterful vocal interpretations; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Palma's</span> arrangements and the execution of her orchestral expertise; and the magic that Fred creates with his know-how and mastery of not <em>only</em> the technical aspect, but drawing from his own musical proficiency, as well. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Pictured: Palma Pascale</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">)</span></div><div></div><div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270841018187810690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauVNpJIDMix_nWKQ-2YxPJ2tDOY4hp_QUWDSUmaOhgXJwh6rhyphenhyphen33TlvJgMMSzXLqKTBRjJv2j20e4Oes1uGW6928z7Ot_fGbb2qyM9CKCsabxLY80FUpNfDHvX9F-zlaISfKpXLTMz0I/s400/The+Prayer.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><strong>THE PRAYER</strong> is an exceptional composition, written by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">renowned</span> composer Carole Bayer Sager, along with David Foster. This song won a Golden Globe and was Oscar nominated as well. Sung as a duet by celebrated artists such as Celine Dion and Josh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Groban</span>, <strong>THE PRAYER</strong> is just that....a prayer, which for us, here, is eloquently done by both Frank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Palma</span>.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq-ovpZQe7QC7FNywd50PlhDmBjAfrDL_LAQz4vFqH72lO_Qw83bfL9FNt6q2fwLfCOuFFMD2rfdwWO1dDc4YLi9H9h-SRYhKerCqLQfhhKz6_iikOGp5yrwS6FJR-9YfdOu0VhKTecI/s1600-h/Frank+at+lampost.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270831300494390498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq-ovpZQe7QC7FNywd50PlhDmBjAfrDL_LAQz4vFqH72lO_Qw83bfL9FNt6q2fwLfCOuFFMD2rfdwWO1dDc4YLi9H9h-SRYhKerCqLQfhhKz6_iikOGp5yrwS6FJR-9YfdOu0VhKTecI/s400/Frank+at+lampost.jpg" border="0" /></a> Opening with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">luscious</span> string ensemble, this brief 6 measure intro ends on a suspended chord that is "knock-your-socks-off" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">gorgeou</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">s</span>! I just love the resolution of a suspended chord. It's like an "amen" at the end of a prayer. (sorry, no puns intended). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Palma</span> softly begins: </div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>"...<em>I pray You'll be our eyes ~ and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know.</em></div><div><em>Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way. </em></div><div><em>Lead us to a place ~ guide us with Your grace,</em></div><div><em>To a place where we'll be safe</em>..." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Pictured: Frank Rendo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">)</span></div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Accompanying this delicate vocal delivery are a bed of strings, enhanced with a bit of oboe, some "Rhodes" sounding electric piano, and a sprinkling of flute here and there. Frank adds the following:</div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>"...<em>I pray we'll find Your light ~ and hold it in our hearts.</em></div><div><em>When stars go out each night ~ remind us where You are.
Let this be our prayer when shadows fill our days.</em></div><div><em>Help us find a place (Palm sings) Guide us with Your grace~</em></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">(together)</span> <em>Give us faith, so we'll be safe</em>..."
It is sometimes difficult to describe something as straightforward and uncomplicated as these two verses are, yet they are sung in such a compelling fashion, it almost takes one's breath away. They <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">continue</span> together with the bridge, as the intensity <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">ratchets</span>-up a degree or two:</div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>"...<em>A world where pain and sorrow will be ended</em></div><div><em>And every heart that's broken will be mended.</em></div><div><em>And we'll remember, we are all God's children</em></div><div><em>Reaching out to touch you - reaching to the sky..."</em> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> -</span></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The chilling <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">crescendo</span> occurs on the word "<em>remember</em>" and is punctuated with the dynamic roll and crash of a cymbal and the note, held to accentuate the lyric on the word "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">all</span>." By the time they get to "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">reaching to the sk</span>y" where there has been a bit of a dramatic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">ritard</span>, the level is quite intense. And....there's that suspension again - only this time, (it occurs on the word, "<em>sky</em>") it doesn't get resolved - leading us into what I will call the second bridge - where they both are now singing with a fervor! They echo each other, as they sing: </div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>"...<em>We ask that life be kind ~ and watch us from above</em></div><div><em>We hope each soul will find another soul to love.</em></div><div><em>Let this be our prayer ~ just like every child</em></div><div><em>Help us find a place ~ guide us with Your grace ~</em></div><div><em>Give us faith, so we'll be safe</em>..."</div><div> -</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Here, on this tag, the excitement level is at a fever-pitch...on the following line "<em>Help us find a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">place</span> ~ guide us with your grace</em>..." there is a tympani and cymbal roll/crash on that held-out note (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">grace</span>) ~ and then, softly, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">pleadingl</span>y and slowly, <strong>The Prayer</strong> concludes: </div><div> -</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>"...<em>Give us faith, so we'll be safe..."</em></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> -</span></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div></div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div>The last chord changes, those sung in harmony throughout the word "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">safe</span>" are truly heaven blessed. This song has that "chill factor" ~~ you know the one ~~ when you are <strong><em>SO</em></strong> moved ~ and the music is <strong><em>SO</em></strong> beautiful that it literally sends a chill throughout you? This captivating ballad will most certainly create it....very quickly. <em><strong>BRAVO</strong></em> and <em><strong>KUDOS</strong></em> to all!!
Can I take just a second here to brag on Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Guarino</span>? Boy - he is the true unsung <em>hero</em> in this whole thing. He is the guy, content to be "behind the scenes" making things happen, as he has his finger on the pulse of the operation. Fred listens to volume levels, and he mixes (and so, so well, I might add), he fades voices and instruments just at the right time; he provides <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">reverb</span> or other vocal enhancing effects; he provides digital enhancements to the music as well, if/when necessary and so incredibly much more. It's an "art" that not many people know how to really <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k4qCAZeMm1l8n3-yrue5yRedvMAckrQLnOuJmyLOyh-XMFHua18dCfHPaEJOc1tiFAsaHXAydeRZQkMcDsvx8-wS3Pq0SLyGLRKsB8GEI_ALbeWnuOhwd9ywfQHsxyqqnqbbOliDqeE/s1600-h/Fred+Guarino.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270847922985718866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k4qCAZeMm1l8n3-yrue5yRedvMAckrQLnOuJmyLOyh-XMFHua18dCfHPaEJOc1tiFAsaHXAydeRZQkMcDsvx8-wS3Pq0SLyGLRKsB8GEI_ALbeWnuOhwd9ywfQHsxyqqnqbbOliDqeE/s320/Fred+Guarino.jpg" border="0" /></a>recognize, but I can tell you, there's never a dull moment in Fred's working world. This man is <em>mega-talented</em>, and he knows how to suggest and implement the correct compliments to the overall composition. He knows the language of the musician, not just the technical jargon. Besides that, Fred is just a great person - fun to be around, generous, incredibly smart and humble. He's got lots of energy, and he has done and seen a lot in the almost 30 years he's been in this business.
Outstanding work you do, Fred. Just <em>brilliant</em>! </div><div> -</div><div></div><div>I will be back with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">more</span> <strong>Remembering Christmas</strong>, and soon. Gosh - the season is here again....already! It's okay with me - I know <strong>The Secret of Christmas;</strong> <strong>The Prayer</strong> is in my heart, and I've learned just <strong>What Her Heart Remembered.</strong> I'm good to go, as they say. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Pictured: Fred Guarin</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">o)</span>
Until my next installment then,</div><div></div><div>I wish you all the very best musically,
And the best for this beautiful season of Christmas,
</div><div> -</div><div></div><div>~Martini </div></div></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-81212373232719136262008-07-22T07:37:00.000-07:002008-10-01T07:06:10.495-07:00~Inspired~ ... and you will be, too!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_zPGYTO2ZLsSvZuNhGEucKXAZTp7v8aJZMaCYUEKh-qtTvAQ4aUZjTvBNyjC0dBUHdS8ryKrb7jp2uNTnaR6u5sf3qrxVTwvrkedQnnvMWtSiS8QwyZDPRosOaUByCVFBVQaNunMU9s/s1600-h/Frank+Rendo+Inspired.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225847689652650690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_zPGYTO2ZLsSvZuNhGEucKXAZTp7v8aJZMaCYUEKh-qtTvAQ4aUZjTvBNyjC0dBUHdS8ryKrb7jp2uNTnaR6u5sf3qrxVTwvrkedQnnvMWtSiS8QwyZDPRosOaUByCVFBVQaNunMU9s/s320/Frank+Rendo+Inspired.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em>INSPIRED - Songs from Broadway and Film</em></strong>
Hi all, Martini here taking a bit of a break from <strong>Remembering Christmas</strong> - in order to give you a glimpse of the new and beautiful CD by recording artist Frank Rendo with songs from Broadway and Film that will INSPIRE you at every listen. This CD was arranged and Frank was accompanied by the talented Palma Pascale on piano(<a href="http://www.palmapascale.com/">http://www.palmapascale.com/</a>), with color added on half the collection by harmonica musician Warren Bee.
<em><strong>~Inspired~ </strong></em>is Produced by recording experts Fred Guarino & Palma Pascale, with Frank Rendo as Executive Producer. ~Inspired~ was recorded live at Tiki Studios, Glen Cove, Long Island NY (<a href="http://www.tikirecording.com/">http://www.tikirecording.com/</a>) from June 3-30th, and was Engineered and Mastered with TLC by Fred Guarino.
To quote the liner notes, this is "a collection of inspirational songs from unexpected sources...Broadway & Film, by such composers as Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Lane, Charnin & Strause, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, E.Y. Harburg, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lionel Bart, to name a few."
You can order your own copy of ~Inspired~ by contacting Frank at <a href="mailto:FrankRendo@yahoo.com">FrankRendo@yahoo.com</a> and you will want your copy right away. Order yours soon.
Imagine yourself listening to the smooth, beautiful, rich and powerful voice of Frank Rendo, (who so enjoys "inspiring" people and giving them "hope" whenever he can) - so what a wonderful vehicle this is for Frank. With songs like the popular favorite "<em>Over The Rainbow</em>" from the classic motion picture <strong>The Wizard of Oz</strong>, the truly inspiring "<em>Climb Every Mountain</em>" that was done in <strong>The Sound of Music</strong>, "<em>Who Will Buy</em>" from the fantastic <strong>Oliver</strong>, to <strong>Man of LaMancha</strong>'s "<em>The Impossible Dream" </em>Frank really tells some wonderful stories and as always, he does it so incredibly well.
It's really a beautiful compilation with Palma's always well executed arrangements, and Warren Bee adds some awfully nice touches with his harmonica work. It's nice that this compilation was done with just piano, harmonica in places, and vocals.....a definite change of pace, and a real pleasure to just sit and listen to.
Of course, it's Frank's voice that tells the stories of these songs, and each and every one will truly inspire you with peace, hope and love and in such a "familiar" way.
You will enjoy ~<em>Inspired</em>~, I guarantee it! Get your copy today!
Until next time , I wish you all the best musically,
~Martini Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-31298189868906366322008-07-07T20:01:00.000-07:002009-09-01T12:24:22.870-07:00And I sang on the CD, as well!<em><span style="font-size:78%;">
</span></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhIMZ7Gs9QfR88Y2rqt4Nx8iOFo3sy_zEM5WFSO_9QCisAqex_bpC9pvVMkggJyasx7qXd9EyXPbxbAwvzYodC4Yr5dJtDKT7R_rC1SYKc84EuNhtDECCCgmlPJIqaPOLjot2MM-7L1E/s1600-h/m_74b838ac37cf39775430abc490183e07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220478070869385394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhIMZ7Gs9QfR88Y2rqt4Nx8iOFo3sy_zEM5WFSO_9QCisAqex_bpC9pvVMkggJyasx7qXd9EyXPbxbAwvzYodC4Yr5dJtDKT7R_rC1SYKc84EuNhtDECCCgmlPJIqaPOLjot2MM-7L1E/s320/m_74b838ac37cf39775430abc490183e07.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>Hi everyone....can't blame you if you're confused. I'll try to explain. </div><div><em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: Tim San Paolo @ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tiki</span> Recording Studios) </span></em></div><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em><div><em>
</em>The next song on Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rendo's</span> wonderful CD is the compilation's title song, Remembering Christmas. This sweet tune was written by composer and multi-talent, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Palma</span> Pascale, who also arranged and conducted this CD. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Palma</span> actually penned this song as one of 23 songs that comprise her Broadway Musical, <strong>WHAT THE HELL, NELL!</strong> I was quite surprised as well as pleased that Frank was using this tune...and was, in fact, using it as the title song for his Christmas CD. For a time, even though I recognized the title of the tune - it was so familiar, yet I had a hard time assimilating that this was the same song that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Palma</span> had written for the musical! It actually wasn't until after I was asked to participate in this recording that I finally had that <em>duh!</em> moment...and was, at last, ab<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavE7rBWTWiAJdP1QKlwdFFNHA5vYdg74O4B7ilKRW30kSwLVKjpbHGgokZOV6VsxxWB_JKEHnZkXdjGWj9cnZt0eYumDvuwBIJ9ER-cVNq-qgNWFj3P5K6r3MTWu7O_Vp_aN0SFRF4xE/s1600-h/New+York+2007+132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220818081849775890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavE7rBWTWiAJdP1QKlwdFFNHA5vYdg74O4B7ilKRW30kSwLVKjpbHGgokZOV6VsxxWB_JKEHnZkXdjGWj9cnZt0eYumDvuwBIJ9ER-cVNq-qgNWFj3P5K6r3MTWu7O_Vp_aN0SFRF4xE/s320/New+York+2007+132.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">le</span> to put two and two together, and correctly come up with four!<em> </em><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>(pictured: Tim and Ann San Paolo and Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Guarino</span>).</em> </span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">
</span></div><div>My wife, Ann and I were planning a long-weekend trip to Glen Cove, New York, last October when the polishing touches were being put on Remembering Christmas at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TIKI</span> Recording Studios. The day before we left for Long Island, I got an email from Frank who asked me if I would sing with a few others on a bit of Remembering Christmas. Well...... <strong><em>YES</em></strong>!!! I was absolutely delighted. I very much enjoyed my two-line addition to this song, and will always be grateful to Frank for asking me to be a part of his beautiful Christmas CD (which I'd known about and followed the progress of for over a year at that point). I knew this album would be a real work of art, and I was not disappointed. I am also most grateful to both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Palma</span> Pascale and Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Guarino</span> for their part in my being asked to participate.
</div>
<div>With <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Palma</span> and Frank both having done a bit of lyric re-arranging from the musical, Remembering Christmas comes off well, used by itself as a Christmas duet with Frank and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Palma</span>. It's a nice waltz that makes us recall <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Christmases</span> of our past, and it has a positive, loving spin.</div><div></div><div><em></em></div>
<div><em>"...Remembering Christmas when the family was with us</em></div><div><em>the greatest of gifts we could own.</em></div><div><em>Remembering Christmas and the spirit still lifts us</em></div><div><em>Gifts of the memories at home..."</em> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The song begins with a duo of flutes, a bit of piano, along with some light-sounding sleigh bells - reminding this writer of falling snow. Frank's rich, full voice is somewhat animated sounding as he sings these opening lines of the song; a perfect reading, I think. Given the original context of the song, and the anticipatory feel of the lyric, I love how it ends up sounding. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Palma's</span> interpretation so compliments Franks, and the actress comes out in her during this one. She has a talent, too, for truly "acting" with her voice, and she does it well here.</div><div></div>
<div>Frank and Palm throw the first part of verse one back and forth to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">each</span> other, and they join together to sing the last portion. I must say, the voices of these two work incredibly well, together. It's a really nice combination of harmonies - you know how sometimes two voices just don't sound good together? Not the case here. The two voices truly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">compliment</span> one another.</div><div></div>
<div>After the intro, musically, we hear a lone clarinet enter the mix, which is a great, rather unexpected touch. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Palma</span> uses the familiar oboe to accentuate nicely and it seems to "fill up an empty corner" just here and there, perfectly. Remember her philosophy, "less is more." </div><div></div>
<div>By the second chorus, lovely strings and some other interesting percussion instruments are added. In one verse, a closed hi-hat might be used. In another verse, it could be the more free sound of a ride cymbal played with brushes. It just is always interesting, because there is always a surprise awaiting us. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Palma</span> uses a harp in the third chorus, but you really have to listen to know it's there. So clever. </div><div></div>
<div>It's on the fifth repeat of the chorus that the "family" sings, just at the modulation. The family is comprised of Dominick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Avento</span> III, Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Guarino</span>, Tim San Paolo, Laurie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Mangano</span>, Jackie Carey, and the two children, portrayed so well by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Palma</span> "Anne" and Frank "Anthony." Yes, I verified that the children are really the voices of Palm and Frank - and they did it quite convincingly, too. :) Just the right touch of "Christmas Magic." As we sing this last chorus, Frank and Palm do a slight <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ritard</span> on the last two lines which emphasizes the phrase and makes the whole story "hit home", if you will, to the listener.</div><div></div>
<div><em>"...Always remembering Christmas when the family was with us...</em></div><div><em>The greatest of gifts we could own...</em></div><div><em><span style="font-size:78%;">(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">ritard</span>)</span> ...Oh, they'll never leave us - They're waiting to greet us...</em></div><div><em>The gifts of the memories at home..."</em></div><div></div><div></div><div>Nicely done, all! </div>
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<div>I honestly don't quite know where to begin in attempting to describe to you the absolute <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">radiance</span> and beauty of the version of <strong>BETHLEHEM MORNING</strong> that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Palma</span> created <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">orchestrally</span>, and that Frank sang so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">majestically</span>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDa9kuahBF0S_IyijeoQVEKyQ1NSzWm215L0strGgJ1TPgK2uiNEuf4pXAwN1Y_xX4N8qSDU2jHagmmC7L-TRWCI6Yqrc0Re-axdcJCE5y8qZIiYpj9DdzrRg7cfuig5Flt_9UEm5SdIw/s1600-h/frankalbum+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220827785427910962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDa9kuahBF0S_IyijeoQVEKyQ1NSzWm215L0strGgJ1TPgK2uiNEuf4pXAwN1Y_xX4N8qSDU2jHagmmC7L-TRWCI6Yqrc0Re-axdcJCE5y8qZIiYpj9DdzrRg7cfuig5Flt_9UEm5SdIw/s320/frankalbum+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Rendo</span>)</span></em></div><div></div><div>This is one of the "roughs" that I got to hear long before the album was completed - it was just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Palma</span> at the piano and Frank's wonderful voice. I recall thinking that Frank's singing reminded me, in a small way, of the singing of another very talented individual I like to listen to: Michael Crawford. (Michael has had a most successful stage and film career...he starred in the film version of Hello Dolly, with Barbra Streisand, as Cornelius Hackle. This is where I was first introduced to his voice). However, I have to say that honestly, in <em>my</em> mind, Frank's voice far surpasses that of Michael Crawford. Frank's "command" of his voice is so incredible, and he awes us in this particular hymn of praise with his interpretation of Bethlehem Morning.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>So perhaps I should begin trying to describe the orchestration and then the vocal interpretation. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Palma</span> has done another brilliant job in creating the layers of sound used to accompany Frank on this gorgeous song which was made so famous by mega-superstar, Sandy Patti.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Palma</span> begins with the simple plucked sounds of a harp, followed closely by a flute which plays a bit of melody line. Then we hear piano, which grounds the entire orchestra.</div><div></div><div>As Frank gently leads into the story, the musical score is just as gentle - continued harp and flute are used for the first half of the verse...during the second half, as the song begins its monumental build, we are treated to a glissando of the bar chimes, the lovely sound of an oboe and gradually a flute and strings are also added. By the end of the verse, and to segue into the powerful chorus, we hear these gorgeous strings, doing a trill....a chilling glissando with the bar chimes and the rolling cymbal crash, beautifully done "together". All of this, combined with the voice quality of Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Rendo</span>, serves to afford the listener that "chill factor" which is really powerful at this point in the song.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em>"...Bethlehem Morning, it's more than just a memory-</em></div><div><em>For the Child that was born there has come to set us free-</em></div><div><em>Bethlehem sunrise, I can see Him in your eyes-</em></div><div><em>For the child that was born there...His spirit never dies...."</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div>One of the most exciting things about this song is the gradual, continual build. As Frank expertly sings the chorus, we hear the addition of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">clave</span>', a bass drum, an echoed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">tambourine</span>, and a cymbal, each played only <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">occasionally</span>...yet their effect is just really wonderful. Also included are "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">vox</span>" voices, as well as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Palma's</span> and Frank's own voices for backing vocals. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Palma</span> adds electric piano for maximum effect, as she continues to use this combination of instruments...crashing cymbals and trilling flutes and strings, to expertly accompany Frank in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">majestic</span> manner in which he is singing the story! <strong><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Oofah</span>!</em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div></div><div>At the end of this chorus, when Frank sings <em>"...His spirit never dies..."</em> he holds the note <span style="font-size:85%;">(on the word "dies")</span> for 5 full measures, and just beautifully....effortlessly. It is just an exquisite moment in the song. He continues:</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em>"His star will never...it will never grow dim~</em></div><div><em>And it's a brand new dawn - a new Jerusalem~"</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div>All the while, the song is building its momentum. A complimentary group of voices echos Frank's vocal, leading into a grand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">ritard</span>, coupled with a discerning modulation....which increases the intensity just a bit more, still. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Palma</span> adds the gonging sound of tubular chimes, a powerful glissando of the harp, all leading to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">pinnacle</span> of the song where Frank sings<em> "...I can see Him in your eyes..."</em> Next, a rubato, soft vocal that comes across as deeply emotional - Frank delivers:</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em>"...For the child that was born there is the King of Kings</em></div><div><em>And the Lord of Lords</em></div><div><em>See Him split the Eastern sky..."</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div>It is almost as if both the orchestration and the volume of Frank's vocals mirror, or bookend the beginning of the song as they take it "out." The oboe is briefly heard, and just as it began, the song ends with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">plucked</span> harp and a lone flute - with the piano and an electric piano used as that anchor for the very last note.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The song is just amazing to me in its composition, in the first place. However, the manner in which <em>these</em> two remarkable talents have sung, arranged, and executed it, and with Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Guarino</span> so expertly engineering this project, well....it's beyond description how great it truly is. You will just have to hear this one for <em>yourself</em>, and you will be so happy that you did.</div><div></div><div>Brilliant! Simply, <strong><em>Brilliant!</em></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Until Next Time, I wish you all the very, very best!</div><div>~Martini
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<div></div></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676778757401191472.post-19161605498700543132008-06-17T19:02:00.000-07:002008-06-25T11:06:56.397-07:00The amazing "Joseph's Song"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kz5UTl7R9Kw3aGvdvVZxdQN0LWX3LVv7dTKGETisKv5YkEhTUTz6-RW5VntRRuKOvGMXv24JAM84mjvv-fRGBNmXVvfxs3v5SUeUScdei7X0ZcKRuTXVkj6AU5AkytiqJXIXGMgy0ZM/s1600-h/frank+remembering+christmas+still.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213036860294759346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" height="134" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kz5UTl7R9Kw3aGvdvVZxdQN0LWX3LVv7dTKGETisKv5YkEhTUTz6-RW5VntRRuKOvGMXv24JAM84mjvv-fRGBNmXVvfxs3v5SUeUScdei7X0ZcKRuTXVkj6AU5AkytiqJXIXGMgy0ZM/s400/frank+remembering+christmas+still.jpg" width="170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"The son of God" the angel said…."How could it be?"</span></strong></em><br /><br />Hello all and welcome back! It’s time to ramble on a bit more about the extraordinary voice of Frank Rendo (pictured), and his collaboration with the unparalleled talents of Palma Pascale, all captured expertly by 5 time Grammy nominated engineer and owner of <em>TIKI Recording Studios</em> in Glen Cove, NY: Fred Guarino. </div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYyXAGg-hyXx4y6ds9CfvJJe-iOqhz7asl-MjR5cJ7R_7phxkjC-skaIyvI1ry9dJk-jHS7SD9f0Ml9pwvEwvOI1jb4Z9smcAAWy4PLKAxqrRwrSFYcc1OtVQb0JuPZUf0_I2Hc4g590/s1600-h/PalmandFred.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215881160600907442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYyXAGg-hyXx4y6ds9CfvJJe-iOqhz7asl-MjR5cJ7R_7phxkjC-skaIyvI1ry9dJk-jHS7SD9f0Ml9pwvEwvOI1jb4Z9smcAAWy4PLKAxqrRwrSFYcc1OtVQb0JuPZUf0_I2Hc4g590/s200/PalmandFred.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is the next song on the CD and it has to be my very favorite – it’s not the most elaborately orchestrated song – quite the opposite is true, actually. Yet, I find Palm’s “less is more” concept working nicely here as it comes into play in this standout beauty entitled “<strong><em>Joseph’s Song</em></strong>.” <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: Pascale/Guarino)<br /></span></em><br />This enchanting selection, (which gives us, the listener, a prospective, for a change, from the mind of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, who asks the question repeatedly; “<em>How could it be?”),</em> begins with a tasteful solo piano intro. A cello is quickly introduced to embellish the melody line, and before these 8 bars of intro are through, Palma effectively adds a host of strings, and then drops back to piano only, once again, as Frank enters with that impressive voice of his, to, for the first time, ask the question on the mind of the carpenter:<br /><br />“…<em>How could it be, this baby in my arms sleeping now, so peacefully-<br />The Son of God, the angel said…..How could it be?...”</em><br /><br />Frank’s voice inflects the question being asked – that is, he sounds to be imploring the answer to his questions…he makes this phrase sound as though he is incredulous at the very thought that this baby, this sleeping child that he is holding is, in reality, the son of <em>God!</em> It’s remarkably done! The song continues:<br /><br /><em>“…Lord, I know He’s not my own – not of my flesh – not of my bone.<br />Still Father, let this baby be….son of my love…”<br /></em><br />As Frank begins the vocal on “<em>Lord, I know</em>” we hear that “celestial tinkling” of the bar-chimes used to musically launch gracefully into the verse. Frank is artfully accompanied here by Palma at the grand piano, as well as an orchestra of strings, including that solo cello, and an oboe is used, though sparingly, to add that little bit extra spark of interest and beauty to the song at this point.<br /><br />As Frank goes into the chorus, the music swells with him as he sings:<br /><br /><em>“…Father, show me where I fit into this plan of Yours…<br />How can a man be father to the Son of God?<br />Lord, for all my life I’ve been a simple carpenter-<br />How can I raise a King?... How can I raise a King?…”<br /></em><br />The writer of this touching Christmas composition’s lyric, Michael Card, made it clear that his take on the story was that nobody was more overwhelmed than this “simple carpenter” Joseph, was about the arrangements made by God. It is especially clear in the lines “<em>How can a “man” be father to the Son of God</em>” and again in the repeated question, “<em>How could it be?”</em> Joseph himself is just dubious that <em>he</em> is to fill the role of father to the son of God, as any “man” would, undoubtedly be, wouldn’t you guess? </div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong></strong><em>Frank & Palma in vocal booth</em></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TGy3ITKvVL2Mw6ZMoz3qltSXFCf00t8G1ZMfs1yo94JQENELPg9NBz8DWwkviB3BzXKBmz3J6iZz7yAdzoRyEOHtQkkTnYqQoJ6AOEfXB1RGleLTbKE_KdTyr_hy19UCJheQx_q7g-k/s1600-h/frank+and+palm+in+vocal+booth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213042154641088642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TGy3ITKvVL2Mw6ZMoz3qltSXFCf00t8G1ZMfs1yo94JQENELPg9NBz8DWwkviB3BzXKBmz3J6iZz7yAdzoRyEOHtQkkTnYqQoJ6AOEfXB1RGleLTbKE_KdTyr_hy19UCJheQx_q7g-k/s320/frank+and+palm+in+vocal+booth.jpg" border="0" /></a>This skepticism of Joseph’s is easily reflected in the voice of Frank Rendo. So many emotions are heard through this man’s stunningly beautiful voice as he asks these questions of God. The richness and fullness never leaves Frank’s voice – the depth of it remains, yet it’s tenuous-sounding at the same time, giving us the idea of confusion, doubt and disbelief, all rolled-up into this truly amazing vocal instrument.<br /><br />And, of course, Frank’s questions are augmented by the lovely simplicity, yet intricacy of the accompaniment, so aptly provided by Ms. Pascale. There are too many little subtleties to describe, but I can tell you that the listener is overwhelmed by the story being told, both by the vocalist and the instrumentalist.<br /><br />The next verse is so poignant, and again, the emotions of it are conveyed so completely by Frank’s interpretation as he sings:<br /><br /><em>“…He looks so small…His face and hands so fair---<br />And when He cries, the sun just seems to disappear.<br />But, when He laughs, it shines again….how could it be?...”<br /></em><br />The orchestra and the voices, now complete with beautiful three-part harmony, increases the intensity level that discerning notch, and it is, simply, lovely. The rolling cymbal crashes add a depth and energy that, coupled with everything else, will send that familiar “chill” down your spine, for sure, as Frank repeats:<br /><br /><em>“…Father, show me where I fit into this plan of Yours…<br />How can a man be father to the Son of God?<br />Lord, for all my life I’ve been a simple carpenter-<br />How can I raise a King? How can I raise a King?…”</em><br /><br />To this writer's mind, this is more than just a song – it’s a prayer, and one that is exceptionally told by Frank. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">As an aside: <strong><em>I</em></strong> gravitated toward this selection almost immediately, and I knew I wanted to do it for my church congregation – I wanted to tell this wonderful story from the perspective of Joseph. I had never heard this Christmas tune before I heard Frank do it on <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong>.<br /><br />There was only one service where there was room to “work-in” this song, since <strong>REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS</strong> came out rather late in the season of 2007. Therefore, I listened very carefully, over and over……and over again to the beautiful accompaniment of piano and orchestra, and with little time to use, I made a track; imitating as much of Palma’s work as I was capable of. Next, I listened to Frank’s interpretation of this outstanding song, and, after lowering it ½ step, I finally felt that I was as comfortable with it as I was going to be and I sang it at the Christmas Eve candle lighting service – and there was NOT a dry eye in the house when it was over. <em>NO</em>…it didn’t come out as I had intended, because, you see, <em>MY</em> own father, who died in 1991.......... was a simple carpenter. That evening, three of my nieces, who do not normally attend the church where I direct the music, showed-up to celebrate with me. And, as I began singing this song, I became overwhelmed with a staggering emotion. The earthly father of the son of God, too, was a “simple carpenter” just like my own father was who, of course, I miss very much. This thought hadn’t occurred to me until I this very night. I looked up at my nieces, just as I sang the words <em>“…He looks so small….His face and hands so fair…”</em> and at that moment, I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish. Yet, the grace of God kicked-in, and the Holy Spirit led me to a much softer, partially-sung, partially spoken version….and though I’m not so sure I did Frank or Palma proud by my rendition this night, the congregation definitely connected with the beauty of the music, and of the story, which was, after all, the reason I wanted to offer them this selection. They definitely “got it,” I could tell. Before the season comes around again, I will take my time and attempt a closer reproduction of Palma’s orchestration so that I can do it again this year, and ask that question that was so amazingly captured by these three wonderfully talented individuals from New York…..<em>"How could it be?..."</em> </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Until next time, I wish you all my very best,</div><br /><div align="justify">~Martini</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div> Martinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03187791511263389624noreply@blogger.com0