(Lyrics Below)
SUN PALACE is the musical vision of vocalist/songwriter/musician Andriette Redmann. Joining her inside the creative nucleus is musician/co-producer John Rokosny. A rich group of musician friends share their talents with SUN PALACE, including Tony Geballe, Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin, Ian Smit and Fabio Pianigiani (full list below). SUN PALACE radiates out of the East Village of NYC.
Andriette was raised in Fish Creek, Wisconsin (pop. 200), at her family’s artist colony/cherry farm/inn, which she calls, “…a combination of Three-Ring Circus, Bergman film and Fawlty Towers!"” Following generations of musicians in her family, Andriette’s biggest influence, besides her unique parents and their Beatles, Bossa Nova and Boccherini records, was her glamorous aunt, Frances Martinsek/Miller, aka The Personality Girl, a popular accordionist from the 1930’s-70’s. “Aunt Fran started me singing for audiences when I was four; and when I was a preteen, she gave me her older silk, satin and chiffon gowns, which was thrilling. She knew hundreds of songs and I loved her stories about playing for luminaries like the Milwaukee Braves when they won the pennant, the Green Bay Packers champs, and the Chancellor of Germany.”
Years of singing in school and church were followed by performances in folk and blues clubs with Andriette’s parents in tow. Upon adulthood, Andriette embraced world travel and musical exploration - country rock in Texas, jazz at Berklee College of Music in Boston, classical and dance at Hunter College, punk, electro-pop (including band Dancing Madly Backwards) and Bulgarian folk singing in New York City. Soon after her arrival in New York, Andriette landed a recording contract with CBS Italia Records, her band performing in Italy alongside popular artists at the annual musicfest FestivalBar, broadcast on Italian TV. “Our life in Italy was 'Felliniesque’ - the wine, the food, the song, the situations, the extraordinary people – every moment was chaotic and surreal!”
After returning to the U.S., hard times struck Andriette, including the loss of her parents. She cherishes her time caring for them, alongside her sister and brother. “Nothing can prepare you for the extreme feelings of losing your parents, especially when it happens when you’re young. I felt I was looking down over the sharp edge of the world and gazing into a black, bottomless abyss.”
Envisioning a silver lining, Andriette searched for meaning and the recovery of her spirit through music and esoteric/psychological/bodywork studies, fell in love with dancing the sacred Hawaiian Hula and the poetry of Rumi. She says,"Now I feel there's a reason for everything in life, and as if everyone I see is somehow a part of my extended family. And laughing is really important!" Andriette’s quest led to the creation of SUN PALACE.
John Rokosny is co-producer and rhythm guitarist of SUN PALACE. As a New Jersey youth in New York City, John played in several punk bands, joined the Smithereens for a stint, and created and wrote songs for Rough Trade’s Carry Nation. He was later the co-leader/songwriter of the room-crowding soul/rock band, The Thrill Cycle, fronted by Carlton J. Smith. John created media company New York Music and Video Productions, and has worked with many talents, including Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen.
Tony Geballe is lead guitarist of SUN PALACE. A Seattle native, Tony created a 12-string solo acoustic guitar CD, Native of the Rain, on the Discipline Global Mobile label. He learned the saz while studying music in Turkey, toured with Robert Fripp’s League of Crafty Guitarists, and became guitarist for British pop artist Toyah and the progressive Trey Gunn Band. Tony teaches the Guitar Craft method, and writes music for theater, including the international Company Colombari of New York City/Orvieto, Italy.
SUN PALACE’s debut CD, INTO HEAVEN, is ten songs reflecting upon the strange beauty that radiates from life and its passages. It has received national exposure and critical acclaim; the song Your Hands Lie Open appeared in PSA Together In America and a TV commercial; songs from INTO HEAVEN were in heavy rotation on XM Satellite Radio; and all Borders Bookstores showcased the disc. SUN PALACE began touring with Smithereens frontman, Pat DiNizio, and performed with the Smithereens at BB King’s in NYC.
SUN PALACE released their second CD, GIVE ME A PERFECT WORLD, eleven melodic, harmony-infused, uplifting songs dedicated to love, questions and answers, and life's magic. GIVE ME A PERFECT WORLD has received critical praise, and is a top favorite on Magnatunes.com. SUN PALACE performed songs from the CD live on syndicated Fearless Music Radio, with host Hilary Burton of MTV and One Tree Hill, and on WPRB of Princeton with magical host, Dr. Cosmo. GIVE ME A PERFECT WORLD features special musical friends, including Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel/Paul McCartney/Elvis Costello) on drums, percussion and backing vocals, Pat DiNizio (Smithereens) on backing vocals, Jane Scarpantoni (Bruce Springsteen/Lou Reed/REM) on cello, and Mark Brotter (HEM) on drums.
In releasing GIVE ME A PERFECT WORLD, SUN PALACE wishes to lovingly honor the spirit of Andriette’s late brother and gifted musician, John Redmann, who performed on the recording, along with sister Marise Redmann.
SUN PALACE family of musicians: (from most recent)
Andriette Redmann: vocals, keyboards, drum machines, flute,
French horn
John Rokosny: guitars
Tony Geballe: guitars
Jerry Marotta: drums, percussion
Tony Levin: bass guitar
Ian Smit: guitar
Fabio Pianigiani: guitar, mandolin
Marvin Dykhuis: guitar, mandolin
Pat Dinizio: duet vocal, backing vocal
Pierce Turner: duet vocal
Marise Redmann: backing vocals
Jim Rokosny: bass guitar
Chuck Rokosny: drums
Betsy Long: backing vocals
Kath Green: backing vocal
Clodagh Bowyer: backing vocal
Kevin Okie: backing vocal
Tasha Jakush: backing vocal
John Redmann: bass guitar, harmonica, backing vocal
Mark Brotter: drums, percussion
Scott Kelliher: bass guitar
Jay Brotter: conga
Danny Kelly: guitars
Peter Johnson: guitar, mandolin
Jane Scarpantoni: cello
Christina Stripling: cello
Dana Rokosny: viola
Heather Paauwe: violin
Carlton J. Smith: backing vocal
Bruce Milner: overtone vocal
Chris Fiore: bass guitar
Richie Kessler: flugel horn
Mark Mandelbaum: guitar, backing vocal
Shanee Habari: backing vocals
LYRICS
The INTO HEAVEN CD
Into Heaven
Some birds fly south for the winter
Some birds stay here floating on a river
I seem only to dream in this weather
See the steam on the windowpane
Into Heaven I wish to sail, Into Heaven I want to fly
Trying to be the right way, ever
Never knowing if I’m making the grade
But I’d never wish the time away
Into Heaven I wish to sail, Into Heaven I want to fly
And I’d go right to you, and you’d go right through me
And I’d go right to you, and you’d go right through me, right through me
I keep wondering where the tide will take me
The waves are heaving now and calling me away
Into Heaven
There Once Was a Time
There once was a time when everything was alright
And I didn’t know you’d ever go away
Sudden circumstance, I learned how to cry
And I, too many times I lie, awake
And there’s nothing to be afraid of
Beneath this endless sky
At least that’s what I tell myself tonight
Will I ever understand why this might be?
And I once knew you, and I once knew you
Your Hands Lie Open
In this world of uncertain things, you always come through
In this time of undernourishment you feed me too
I have never been in love, but this is what I’m thinking of
Your Hands Lie Open, the gift you give to me
Your Hands Lie Open, we’ll see what we will be
I have always been alone, even with the ones I’ve known
Oh this fire is growing slowly from an ember to a flame
I am risking getting burned, and I don’t want to lose again
If you stay with me forevermore, I’ll always know right where I stand
And I’ll no longer have to wait for the gods to seal my fate
Your Hands Lie Open, the gift you give to me
Your Hands Lie Open, we’ll see what we will be
In Somebody’s Eyes
Taking me to water, I am swimming, surfing upwards
I wonder why I feel I’m in the sky,
Forever flying In Somebody’s Eyes
Then the waves come washing over
And what a surprise, I’m raining in the skies
And making lightning In Somebody’s Eyes
And every time I see your face
The wind rushes into my sails, making me race
I am sailing o’er your ocean, I am drinking your love potion
I wonder why I feel I’m in the sky
Forever flying In Somebody’s Eyes
And every time I feel your touch
I’m a whirlwind arisen and I’m thanking you much
I’m a whirlpool, I’m a cyclone, tidal waves come, ’cause you’re my own
I wonder why I feel I’m in the sky
Forever flying In Somebody’s Eyes
My Fortune
This is the story of me who told you that I sympathize with you
But I’ve a drive to go away, it’s bigger than us two
I must pursue My Fortune
I know that you’ve been kind but if I don’t leave I’ll lose my mind
I’ve got to find the catch, undo my latch
There’s something to win out there, I’ll win My Fortune
So I wandered forests at night and felt the breaking of the day
From a cliff I fell into the sea
Then I drifted all around the world ‘til I washed up on a beach
Where I heard a voice telling me: Love, Love, Love, Love
And in that moment I realized that in your eyes I see My Fortune
Are You Thinking of Me?
You used to criticize me
And even though it’s over now it seems sometimes I still can’t
hear the truth
Inside I hold you
Even though you sold me down the river once or twice I can’t despise you
Underneath the river, deep below the earth, I am the fire
Burning for your love, longing for the truth, I am desire
Are You Thinking of Me?
You hold the key to the many things that I can’t see and even to a lovely treasure chest
Sometimes I dream of all the presents that I wished to give you but it’s too late
Underneath the river, deep below the earth, I am the fire
Burning for your love, longing for the truth, I am desire
Are You Thinking of Me?
You never told me any of secrets that you seem to hold so tightly to yourself
Now I am older and I still find it hard to lift a finger to help myself
Underneath the river, deep below the earth, I am the fire
Burning for your love, longing for the truth, I am desire
Are You Thinking of Me?
Path of Heart
For over a quarter of a century I’ve come to know my fears
For over a hundred hours now I’ve been looking at my years
They say time hurts no one, it’s who you are and what you’ve done
Facing facts as they present themselves to me I worry that I am lost
What if I’ve not been good enough and what will be my cost?
Can I find the passion that leads me to warmth?
Can I go slowly with faith and follow the Path of Heart?
I’ve seen fortunes lost and fortunes won and heaven knows what’s right
Can you help me with this mystery?
Can you help me dispel my night?
Can I find the passion that leads me to warmth?
Can I go slowly with faith and follow the Path of Heart?
Flying
Flying to another place, falling into space
Idealist one, I tried with you, I cried with you
And now you’re gone
And time forces me to live on, and ties me down
Oh and I know I went farther with you than with anyone, it’s true
Now I try to unearth where you are
Flying to another place, finding everyone was there
You bathing in something, my love
In a Canoe
Take me down to the river with you
‘Cause I had a dream we were In a Canoe
In the silence, in the motion, in that moment I knew
There could be no greater purpose In a Canoe
And everyone said you’re no one to me
But if they only knew what a moment could be, could be, could be
Some moments seem so perfect it’s like they’ll never end
But then the ride is over and you’re reaching dry land
So would you ever consider just holding my hand
For we may never glide together again
And everyone said you’re no one to me
But if they only knew what a moment could be, could be, could be
Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day (by Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson)
Meanwhile back in the year One, when you belonged to no one
You didn’t stand a chance, Son, if your pants were undone
‘Cause you were bred for humanity, and sold to society
One day you’ll wake up in the present day
A million generations removed from expectations of being who you really want to be
Skating Away, Skating Away, Skating Away On the Thin Ice of a New Day
So as you push off from the shore, won’t you turn your head once more
And make your peace with everyone
For those who choose to stay will live just one more day
To do the things they should have done
And as you cross the wilderness, a-spinning in your emptiness
You feel you have to pray
Looking for a sign that the universal mind has written you into the passion play
Skating Away, Skating Away, Skating Away On the Thin Ice of a New Day
And as you cross the circle line while the ice wall creaks behind
You’re a rabbit on the run
Silver splinters fly in the corner of your eye
Shining in the setting sun
Do you ever get the feeling that the story’s too damn real and in the present tense?
Or that everybody’s on the stage and it seems like
You’re the only person sitting in the audience?
Skating Away, Skating Away, Skating Away On the Thin Ice of a New Day
The GIVE ME A PERFECT WORLD CD
Give Me a Perfect World
Give Me a Perfect World, where nothing goes wrong
Give Me a Perfect World, where we sing the same song
Give Me a Perfect World, where we live free and long
Give Me a Perfect World
There’s a place over the horizon where the sun of hope is always rising
Where the moon of dreams is always pleasing, where the stars are shining lights of reason
Give Me a Perfect World…
It’s a place where nature rules as king, with a harmony to everything
Where the heart is queen and all is fair, every being receiving love and care
Can you take this old world and make it move forward
Will you please grant my request, ‘til we have peace I cannot rest
Give Me a Perfect World…
It’s where science finds all remedies, and where beauty shines in all we see
And where spirit steers our destiny, lock of silver, turn the golden key
Give Me a Perfect World…
Round and Round
Write a letter to the universe, ask him what it was he planned
Did he mean to leave me lonely, will he let me understand
When my worries find me hopeless, threads of faith are wearing thin
His songs of love drift by my window, begging me to let them in
Round and Round, the ways of man meet the wheel of fortune
Letting free my strands of grief with every revolution
Somewhere there is gold and gleaming, right above my weary head
Love is closer than it’s seeming, between the moonlight and my bed
Round and Round, the ways of man meet the wheel of fortune
Letting free my strands of grief with every revolution
When my vision’s fading and I’m blind to what I’m seeing
I’m turned around and run aground to face what I am fleeing
One night the universe he caught me, dreaming all the dreams I’ve known
They slipped into his hands for keeping, seeds he knew that would be sown
Round and Round, the ways of man meet the wheel of fortune
Letting free my strands of grief with every revolution
There’s a Man
In my life I sometimes felt like I was drifting out to sea
All alone in dark, deep water, no one there to comfort me
By some grace I found safe harbor, stepped onto a golden land
Then a gift was given to me, someone there to hold my hand
There’s a Man who gives me pleasure, in my orchard he’s my treasure
He’s an apple, I’m a cherry, when he’s with me I am happy
Climb the ladder to the highest, to the top of this tall tree
Could this be that this is Heaven, how can Heaven be with me?
Oh how time can go so quickly, flying where we cannot see
But I’m lucky to be walking with the one who’s next to me
There’s a Man who gives me pleasure, in my orchard he’s my treasure
He’s an apple, I’m a cherry, when he’s with me I am happy
Going to California (by Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, altered slightly by A.)
Spent my days with a memory unkind, spoke too much and drank all my wine
Made up my mind to make a new start, Going to California with an aching in my heart
Someone told me there’s a man out there, with love in his eyes and sunlight in his hair
Took my chances on a big jet plane, never let them tell you that they’re all the same
The sea was red and the sky was gray, wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today
The buildings and the canyons start to tremble and shake, the children of the sun began to awake - Watch out!
Seems like the wrath of the gods got a punch in the nose and it started to flow
I think I might be sinking
Throw me a line, if I reach it in time I’ll meet you up there where the path runs
Straight and high
To find a king without a queen, they say he plays guitar and sings of me, lalalala
Ride a white horse on the footsteps of dawn, trying to find a man who’s never been born
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams, telling myself it’s not as hard as it seems
Love Saves
Hey, I wonder why eyes can say little, and other times they seem to say so much
I like those soft looks inside the range of truth,
And I want yours now, and I want you to know
I’ve had a wild and frightened life, but I’m feeling fine with you
Seems like you were way inside your duties caught, and I could not
See you walk away from that
Walk to where we meet, at an innocent spot,
No danger in misty mountaintops
And I say we’re not the same, and I say we’re a lot the same
And I say Love Saves, Love Saves
Looking over to where the romance ends, oh I did pretend
That you were a force that couldn’t move me
Then you sailed me further than the wind could ever send me
Love Saves, Love Saves
Familiar Voices
Tonight, when the stars light up I’ll be listening for familiar voices
Ahh I love you, ahh I love you
I used to hear you say in a whisper, carried by the wind
Ahh I love you, ahh I love you
But no one ever told me what it means to love, then lose the one that you love
Ahh I love you, ahh I love you
Now I can tell you what it means to hurt, I heard I lost you in your words
Tonight when the stars light up, I’ll be listening for familiar voices
Ahh I love you, ahh I love you
Palace Welcome
Sometimes in a magic dream I’m a golden mystic queen
In a crown and flowers, dancing with my subjects for hours
Riding my sweet horse over vast lands, feeling time expand, expand
In my robes and on my throne, I am reigning, but not alone
All the souls around me help me out with love, like honey
Reading mighty books of wisdom, teaching me to see beyond illusion
My cup is full, can we fill yours
Open outside doors tonight so we can see the stars
Light candles, illuminate the room so bright
And feed the people with delight
Our Palace is your place and it’s right
New friends Welcomed in our hall see the jeweled sword on the wall
We say there’s no need to fear, it protects our body, mind and spirit
Like cutting through the dark, the sunrise sends its heavenly rays waking our eyes
My cup is full, can we fill yours
Open outside doors tonight so we can see the stars
Light candles, illuminate the room so bright
And feed the people with delight
Our Palace is your place and it’s right
Sometimes in a magic dream, I’m a golden mystic queen
In a crown and flowers, dancing with my subjects for hours
Man of the Severn Wave
My wild angel forever…
He walks along the Severn, it’s easy ‘cause he feels his way
Takes off his shoes and smiles at nature’s play
In the stream his ankles tease the wave
Unwraps his clothing, won’t hide, the river cools him inside
He jumps into the racing tide
Who is he, kind and brave, is he the Man of the Severn Wave?
No fear of danger, could he love this stranger?
The wave is rising so high, he rides into the wide sky
He’s swept away I watch him fly
Who is he, kind and brave, is he the Man of the Severn Wave?
Love’s ancient wilds, he takes me there
Who is he, kind and brave, is he the Man of the Severn Wave?
The Corridor
Walking down the darkness of The Corridor, walking
Hoping there are angels at your feet, stalking you
A door may open on either side, inviting you
And you feel yourself pulled into the light of the room
And it may frighten you
And the lessons you learn in the room aren’t what you asked for (that you can recall)
Or the people you meet or the questions you have to answer
As you shut the door behind you, you shudder and move on (a little more experienced)
With only hope pulling you forward, or is it just destiny?
You ask why do I have to walk this alone, what kind of trick is this?
If this is just physics, what’s this light in this room here?
And the lessons you learn in the room aren’t what you asked for (that you know of)
Or the people you meet or the questions you have to answer
Walking down the darkness of The Corridor, walking
Hoping there are angels at your feet, stalking
And as you remember the connections you made, with your heart and your mind
You wonder if they’ll be waiting for you, at the end of the line
And the lessons you learn in the room aren’t what you asked for (that you can recall)
Or the people you meet or the questions you have to answer
Show Me Your Wild Side
There’s never been anyone so good as you
You recognize what I’ve been through
You’re on my side, but so subdued
You give me shelter, now give me you
Show Me Your Wild Side, so free and wild
Tragedy’s no stranger to you, I’ve known
Nor is estrangement, you’ve been alone
And I know how much you’ve grown
But when you love me, don’t turn to stone
Show Me Your Wild Side, so free and wild
Show Me Your Wild Side, so free and wild
Come to life now, fear retreating
Body moving, heart beating
Sighs and cries out, now you’re breathing
Fire is freeing, life is fleeting
When I’m down, you hold my hand
We watch the sunset from the cool sand
And I’m glad for what we’ve planned
Before I make you my eternal man
Show Me Your Wild Side, so free and wild
Show Me Your Wild Side, so free and wild
Under the Moon
So far, or near
Who’s that rising
Always changing
Who’s bright
Wearing white
Who likes to hide?
Under the Moon
Under the Moon
Who travels
Always watching
Who never really leaves?
Under the Moon
Under the Moon
Under the Moon
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