(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wasn't even sure the recording machine was still going to work after nearly five years... Certainly, bits of me don't work anymore... But, surprisingly, I got this done in 24 hours, start to finish... Strange old world…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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Crumbs, even this is 23 years old!
We used it as a set-opener in the last band I was in.
I've been trying to make…
New original from me, hot off the old wotsit.
When it was half written yesterday, I was considering binning it as a throwaway exercise - I do that quite often. But I played the songwriting demo to someone else and, er, apparently I should finish…
So I was locked in the broom-cupboard, checking out some old songs that need recording.
I'd just picked one and then suddenly this thing came out of nowehere. It started with one of those guitarist doodles that other musicians love so much…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here is the first reply to In Your Hands.
I say "first" because I've found another one, When I Try To Be Me, that Mrs R says I have to do too... but that's unlikely to be the next one I post because I'm working…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
OK, let's delve once more into the magical shoebox of unused songs...
I've already recorded several that were written in 1994 (Sleeping with the Ghost, Elizabeth's Room, With Mum Again, If You Knew, A Hundred and…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Here it is in all of its glory...
THIS is the song that Mrs R and I had decided was a suitable response to a request to "Upload something HAPPY, stat!!!!!!!!!"
I tried to record it back in 2013 when I wrote it…
I was once asked to write a happy song. It turned out to be about a woman who killed herself and when I found out THAT SHE ACTUALLY KILLED HERSELF I wasn't sure what to think about my premonition.https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/a-happy-song. THEN, later an old friend asked if I had any happy songs so I wrote this:https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/if-it-makes-you-happy-092914-1
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I was asked (told?) to upload something happy. Hmmm, I thought. This will end well...
So, a few days later, I was rehearsing a pleasant little thing I wrote several years ago that has a working title of "She Was…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Here's the very latest from the broom-cupboard.
I wrote it one dark night over 23 years ago.
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**All I Have To Do - A A J Russe**
There isn’t much time to get this out
You won’t hear me if I have to…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Okies, so I'm working on some other thing and it's taking a while... drums to do and wotnot. But in the middle of it I'm digging how my Martin acoustic is working out. You probs won't even be able to hear it amongst…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wrote this one last September.
Allison Jane Sixsmith 1965-2016.
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**Forever - A A J Russe**
I can see you on your rocking horse now
The one that turned around and kicked you in the teeth
He thought…
I hear you’re drinking at the chocolate fountain
You pulled the handle off the door
But they won’t mind
They’ll be mending it forever..." Great images...
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wasn't even sure the recording machine was still going to work after nearly five years... Certainly, bits of me don't work anymore... But, surprisingly, I got this done in 24 hours, start to finish... Strange old world…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
Crumbs, even this is 23 years old!
We used it as a set-opener in the last band I was in.
I've been trying to make…
Gates Of Heaven - A A J Russe
Written 15th January 1988
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This is about as naked as I can get.
This is how I wrote it. It's never had any accompaniment.
I was a bit young to sing…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
Crumbs, even this is 23 years old!
We used it as a set-opener in the last band I was in.
I've been trying to make…
No-one To Blame - A A J Russe
Written 1st January 1988
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
Nearly forgot to post this one! (it's been a busy week at work)
I was 24 when I wrote it. What more can I say…
What's really cool about these songs written long ago is that you are still able to remember the melody... I'm always having to remember my own music. I really like this one! Wise words of a twenty something... wiser that his years!
Who Is My Neighbour - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1992
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
I wrote this 30 years ago when I was 29. There were a bunch of people killing other people. There were refugees.
By the…
Its been a while since I jammed with Norm so i've used his mile of sorrow and turned it into a Christmas song........Merry Christmas Norm .....
Christmas
it is here
Christmas
everywhere
On a moonlight drive with the midnight sun
The…
A little more rock and roll than my normal mellow vibe. I might play around with this some more, but for now, it is what is :)
Guitar, bass, bodhran, vocals, and a casio keyboard drumkit.
Just in time for St Patrick's Day . . . . And with any luck we might have a bonus "LIVE" Leprechaun track coming soon. The Minnesota Coffee table met and recorded a fun version last night.
________________________________________
I was…
Based on a riff brought back to life after many years, and remembrance of a childhood fever dream. Wrap this in the context of the past two years and this is the musical result.
Sometimes life knocks you down and decides to kick a few times for good measure. It can be hard to push though at times, but it’s important to persevere because it can and will get better. This is a song about staying strong and remaining hopeful…
Since venturing beyond twenty atmospheres, our intrepid explorers were assumed lost forever. Never underestimate the human spirit and instinct for survival, especially when it’s fueled by a defiant shanty.
I’ll never understand those who are famous for being famous, and I honestly don’t care to. Unqualified influencers and fake internet gurus, this one's for you.
Faved in the first 20 seconds... I had read the blurb by then, YESSS, so I probably would have faved it no matter what it sounded like!!! lol ... It sounds cool too, so phew!
This song was written and recorded on Garageband during the month of February, 2022 as my submission to the RPM Challenge. It's a rough draft that I'll continue to work on in the future. Please forgive the recording quality...(I'm still learning…
(COVID Salute)
You can pick 'em, you can lick 'em, you can roll them in a ball
You can stack 'em up like waffles 'till they're forty feet tall
You can wipe on your sleeve, you can flick 'em at your friends
You could blow them in a tissue…
If tomorrow you find yourself far away from me
Running to another city
If you don't have the time to hide away with me
Disappear into the scenery
Am I no longer worth
The effort to search
For the life we were dreaming
For the love we…
If this song doesn't grab me as much as it's predecessors (lyrically it does), it's given me a moment to catch my breath and say how much I like the instrumentation on these tracks. Love the little slide break here.
I know sometimes things just ain't right
Like oil and water we survive
Y'know I don't hate you
Maybe we're too much alike
Push and pull
We'll survive
We're not getting younger these days
And we're both sure and set in our ways
We fight…
Broken things on my window sill
Remind me every day
Of my constant lean towards failure
Always getting in my way
Perpetual disappointment
I never follow through
Can't count on me for nothing
I'll only disappoint you
There's a war in…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
FUCK! This rocks like a ton of granite. Long time since we exchanged comments. It's like old times.
Love it. Not used to you and that acoustic guitar. Sounds solid with your voice. If it’s really like you say it is, there’s no need to worry..."
just brilliant songwriting.......cheers tony cee
this is brilliant , love the soul felling to the song , your voice sounds superb , great listen ....cheers tony cee
That instrumental hook and slide playing is killer
Cool song, cool mix, nice work!
Simple and clear...
"Teddy bead kisses..." So sad.
Sounds like another suicide song to me... We can feel the pain in your voice.
I was once asked to write a happy song. It turned out to be about a woman who killed herself and when I found out THAT SHE ACTUALLY KILLED HERSELF I wasn't sure what to think about my premonition.https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/a-happy-song. THEN, later an old friend asked if I had any happy songs so I wrote this:https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/if-it-makes-you-happy-092914-1
"But still I love the comfort I find in misery…" Great line. Beatle like...and that's always good.
Great guitar sound.
Love this. Beautifully done. Tonight I was trying out a song from that era: Twilight Time...https://www.e-chords.com/chords/the-platters/twilight-time
I hear you’re drinking at the chocolate fountain You pulled the handle off the door But they won’t mind They’ll be mending it forever..." Great images...
Rock on Dude...! Good to listen to some of your tunes. It's been a while. Strange relationship in this song.
Another great song! Maybe it’s time to get the band back together!,!
Like it.
Beautiful piece.
What's really cool about these songs written long ago is that you are still able to remember the melody... I'm always having to remember my own music. I really like this one! Wise words of a twenty something... wiser that his years!
This is a universal message with a hauntingly sad melody. Everyone should be open to these words. Thank you Andrew.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Yeah! merry merry merry Christmas :)
Merry Christmas! :)
Woah! Wasn't expecting that! But yeah - play around with it some more. It's got a cool vibe.
Wow! I wanted to get away but I couldn't! That's really powerful... OK, now I need to go listen to 2112 as an antidote!
You'll be needing some of the black stuff with that one :)
Assuming it is hopeful! That's how I'm hearing/feeling it :)
Cool song. I like the imagery and the hopeful end to the verses.
Love it. This whole set (Abyss) is pretty inspiring - the ideas holding it together, the arrangements and recording, nice one.
Yessss. Utterly brilliant.
Oh yeah. Love it.
Faved in the first 20 seconds... I had read the blurb by then, YESSS, so I probably would have faved it no matter what it sounded like!!! lol ... It sounds cool too, so phew!
That's a gorgeous song.
Yeah, why not :)
Nice one.
Super RPM, well done. I shall have a listen to last year's later. Many thanks for posting these.
Oh superb! LOL
LOL
If this song doesn't grab me as much as it's predecessors (lyrically it does), it's given me a moment to catch my breath and say how much I like the instrumentation on these tracks. Love the little slide break here.
Loving the message in here.
Superb.