(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…
I as a stage hand for 25 years and this song is like something from a traveling broadway musical. I worked Fantom, Beaty and The Beast, Jeckle and Hyde, Spam-a-Lot. Many many. This song is perfect as the whole cast comes back on stage to form a choir as they exit fading.
(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…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Here's the very latest from the broom-cupboard.
I wrote it one dark night over 23 years ago.
****
**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…
Andrew, Thank you for keeping up with me lately. I just spent three hours coming up with that one minute. It took me that long to think of something to say. Thanks for commenting. 82 degrees in Cowtown and time to take the puppies for a walk. Thanks again for listening and commenting.
(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)
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…
Thanks so much for the background notes. You are so right.... now I love it even more. And it sounds like you are an amazing friend as well... but no surprise there!!!! Hugs to you !!
(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)
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…
Wow..... just wow. Between the shoebox and the broom closet there is a magic Songwriting genius machine. This one choked me up. So so sad and so well done.
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)
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…
You is the most important word in songs. I learned that from a poet named Shannon Elizabeth on Facebook. Thank you for telling me more. Once we've captured a story in a song some of the confusion from the time is illuminated. We don't ave to cling to is, so as not to lose the memories.
(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…
What a fine vocal. The intensity! And that very folky guitar snags me deep. So many stabs at the heart in your lyric. Trying to figure out who
You" is.
(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)
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)
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…
Good one mate, I know where you're coming from, glad I'm not alone on the swearing and Take 550 ......
' get it right you useless ******* ' or words to that effect I always use ....
(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…
Well you’ve proved to yourself your not “crap” reminds me of something my father would say to me time and time again “ don’t touch that you’ll break it “ and I normally did. Pleased you saved this one from the shoe box an excellent lyric love it pie pod bound along with all your others 😁
(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…
You're currently writing amazing songs that make my heart hurt a bit. If that didn't happen, I'd like them even more. That's the trouble with fantastic songwriters.
(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)
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)
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)
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…
It’s like floating down a river
When you’re not quite in control
That river’s going to take you
Only where it wants to go
So you reach out with conviction
At debris along the way
That river’s going to take you
If you give up and say…
It’s like floating down a river
When you’re not quite in control
That river’s going to take you
Only where it wants to go
So you reach out with conviction
At debris along the way
That river’s going to take you
If you give up and say…
Cool sounds and fabulous lyrics. Over the last few days I've been sharing this very message in various forms in various places... That's probably why I like it so much... And I've come across others saying the same thing... It might not be filtering through to the media (at least not the stuff I'm seeing/hearing)... but then it's not very news-worthy! ... But if there's a bunch of us ordinary people thinking and saying this and similar... then I'm feeling quite encouraged :)
(Sadly, sometimes one friend thinks they are more than friends?)
Friend, she calls me friend. and I'll never tell her the truth
What I feel, how I wish that this friend could be so much more
But she's too close to ever see, that this friend…
Nice one. I've often talked about this situation with my wife (usually when we're watching Four Weddings and a Funeral!!) ... I'm convinced boys and girls experience this friend vs possible partner thing slightly differently, she's convinced I'm wrong... oh well, at least I don't have to worry about this kinda thing anymore!! (it happened to me a couple of times in my 20s-40s)
A song about two sides of Nashville. One, loving and perfect to nurture an upcoming songwriter. Two, a business of endless circles of deception and frustration. I mostly know the second.....
The rejection letters keep piling up, saying your…
(Funny song about an embarrassing moment that turned out well.)
I was making the rounds, gaining ground on this cute little brunette
In a bar in Fort Worth, Texas, one night I'll never forget
But then that bartender ruined my plans…
Winter 1977 / 1978 - band is Clay percussion, Evan guitar and guitar pedals (synth sounds), Mike Barry piano, Mike Craddock bass, and Chris guitar (with echo / volume pedal)
This was the next to last jam of the night
Only just seen your reply on this one - about HAIM's version of the Fleetwood Mac song... I keep getting recommended it on youtube - I shall press play ..... WOW! The reason I keep getting recommended it is because I'm a big fan of Larkin Poe, have you heard of them? Check out their "Tip O the Hat" series of home vids - two sisters, lead and backing vox, six string and... a KILLER lap-steel player (thinking of getting one)(a lap-steel, not a Megan Lovell, she's already taken!)
It’s a Parthian Shot, from my head to my heart
Another night gone between the dusk until the dawn
I’m sending a signal flare up
A fever dream but it’s real
I’m asleep at the wheel
It seems every time that my body breaks down
I’m sending…
Bare with me place your cameras down
The lens inside your head is good enough tonight
No filter can project your mind
The colors seem to dull, an uninspired shade
Dare witness, don’t close your eyes
Take the leap and be surprised
A…
I hear the whispers again, so best I start
Mending my broken heart
I’ve gone to weaving again, needle and thread
Mending my aching head
Can’t you tell I just wanted to love you, but you were making other plans
So fare thee well and remember…
Ever lasting love from a brainwashed disciple
Basking in the rays from the blue light within
Born without a sense of the whole world outside you
Gyroscope to all as they’re caught in your spin
Never enough
Drinking their blood
Why does…
Raising the blood red curtain
Whispers and eyes uncertain
The orchestra begins the theme and chorus
As the tension breaks down before us
I’m sinking, I’m sinking down, I’m sinking down
While we drown in paper waves
from the safety of…
This one came solely as the chorus melody and the basic hook "So I'll sing my song for Carolina" It's all I had for months, but I thought it was a good chorus line so I kept humming it to see if it would sprout further ideas. The mid section is…
After hearing Jarrettt Osborn's take on this one, I had to come back and go again. Yep, I was reduced to "Wow" on this Last time I listent to it too! I like the stripped back version, but I also love all the carefully placed arrangement on this. And the song... shivers down the back... And I can perfectly visualise how you constructed it... having this chorus melody and one hook, just KNOWING it needed a song round it. I love how this version gives me that hook and melody, and the beautifully constructed finished song and arrangement around it ... and then Jarrett's version digs the raw song performance out of it - that possibly you didn't even know existed? (I don't know how you write/record) - and goes "here you go, this is the song I could hear and loved"
Crumbs... I'm a BIG Gary Fox fan... and this is a superb stripped down version that shows how, with the right performance, this song stands on its own without its maker... Wow, nice one.
THE TIDE POOLS OF CALIFORNIA
When you're born in California
There are things you take for granted
The sunshine and the desert and
The forests, and the bears and the beaches
In the tide pools of California
In the memories of one little…
LOVE this. I first listened while finishing work earlier, back then I mainly noticed your signature lush backing vocals on the chorus (bit loud on this one maybe?). But when I listened again in comfort, able to concentrate... woah, gorgeous song.
2013 was a decent year, song wise. I came up with a few good ones during the RPM Challenge in February, and one good one during NaSoAlMo in November.
This version is faster, shorter, has a bunch of new key changes, and has a little bit of…
Oh yeah. Nice. Love the guitars, as usual. The sound effect is cool, glad you left it in. AND, it was always a cool song, but it REALLY improves for just a little increase in tempo. There's more of a bounce to it... and it suits the vocals a lot more at this speed. That breakdown at 3.40 with the slide is mighty cool too (makes me think Jimmy Page 1969 lol) - it would be interesting to hear a whammy bar version... but I SUSPECT that the slides are the better effect.
JUNK
This week's prompt is "DIRTY LAUNDRY"
Key C
I got a call from Russell
He had to move his Junk
He'd filled his car
He'd filled his trunk
Big black bags of Something
I said, "What's with these?"
He said…
Another song from my 2013 RPM Challenge album. I always like this one, but I'm not sure I did it justice this time. There is a lot of really sloppy guitar playing, even if the Klon KTR overdrive pedal sounds EPIC. Sorry, gear nerd.
This…
Yep, like it. I recognised the chorus - and I probably only heard it once back in 2013 - it's quite memorable. I checked the original out earlier (I was typing when a windows update crashing my machine got in the way!! That's an hour of my life I'll never get back again ... I thought my laptop was dying!) ... Anyways, I found that this one, for me, is an improvement on the original...
Love those guitar harmonies, by the way.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
I as a stage hand for 25 years and this song is like something from a traveling broadway musical. I worked Fantom, Beaty and The Beast, Jeckle and Hyde, Spam-a-Lot. Many many. This song is perfect as the whole cast comes back on stage to form a choir as they exit fading.
This song just reeks with sadness. Completely different voice from Edith. The starkness really works in the one.
Andrew, Thank you for keeping up with me lately. I just spent three hours coming up with that one minute. It took me that long to think of something to say. Thanks for commenting. 82 degrees in Cowtown and time to take the puppies for a walk. Thanks again for listening and commenting.
Another keeper. I love the guitar playing. It’s one positive thing that has come out of this mess that everyone is in. Some great music is surfacing.
Deep thoughts about being responsible. Great fguitar finger picking.
Thanks so much for the background notes. You are so right.... now I love it even more. And it sounds like you are an amazing friend as well... but no surprise there!!!! Hugs to you !!
This is a great composition and the production top notch! Excellent work!
Wow..... just wow. Between the shoebox and the broom closet there is a magic Songwriting genius machine. This one choked me up. So so sad and so well done.
I dig it!
You is the most important word in songs. I learned that from a poet named Shannon Elizabeth on Facebook. Thank you for telling me more. Once we've captured a story in a song some of the confusion from the time is illuminated. We don't ave to cling to is, so as not to lose the memories.
What a fine vocal. The intensity! And that very folky guitar snags me deep. So many stabs at the heart in your lyric. Trying to figure out who You" is.
It was definitely worth perservering with - love the melancholic vibe
Great songwriting here. Reminds me of Verve Pipe, very good.
Good one mate, I know where you're coming from, glad I'm not alone on the swearing and Take 550 ...... ' get it right you useless ******* ' or words to that effect I always use ....
Well you’ve proved to yourself your not “crap” reminds me of something my father would say to me time and time again “ don’t touch that you’ll break it “ and I normally did. Pleased you saved this one from the shoe box an excellent lyric love it pie pod bound along with all your others 😁
You're currently writing amazing songs that make my heart hurt a bit. If that didn't happen, I'd like them even more. That's the trouble with fantastic songwriters.
Huge and mighty, as usual, Mr Russe. (Poor Edith, happy or not, I do wish she was getting something like a hotdog or a gun.)
@Jane So dead puppies and 3-In-One in the knicker drawer is ok then? LOL
You can't do that to kittens! :o Other than that - magnificence :)
wow!!!! Your voice is just epic!!! I love the pacing of this song. It makes me want to know all the backstory about Edith. An instant fav...
Comments made by Andrew Russe
I likes it more with each listen
Cool sounds and fabulous lyrics. Over the last few days I've been sharing this very message in various forms in various places... That's probably why I like it so much... And I've come across others saying the same thing... It might not be filtering through to the media (at least not the stuff I'm seeing/hearing)... but then it's not very news-worthy! ... But if there's a bunch of us ordinary people thinking and saying this and similar... then I'm feeling quite encouraged :)
I am SO tempted to follow the advice in this one ... but I'm meant to be working!! Lovely melody and chords.
Nice one. I've often talked about this situation with my wife (usually when we're watching Four Weddings and a Funeral!!) ... I'm convinced boys and girls experience this friend vs possible partner thing slightly differently, she's convinced I'm wrong... oh well, at least I don't have to worry about this kinda thing anymore!! (it happened to me a couple of times in my 20s-40s)
Oh yeah. Rocks. And a very cool song... shoulda been a hit, but... (!)
Hahahahaha... my Mum had a Lime Green Toyota. Very cool song.
Only just seen your reply on this one - about HAIM's version of the Fleetwood Mac song... I keep getting recommended it on youtube - I shall press play ..... WOW! The reason I keep getting recommended it is because I'm a big fan of Larkin Poe, have you heard of them? Check out their "Tip O the Hat" series of home vids - two sisters, lead and backing vox, six string and... a KILLER lap-steel player (thinking of getting one)(a lap-steel, not a Megan Lovell, she's already taken!)
What a fabulous album. Glad I've found your stuff. I'll be back for more.
Wow wow wow... fabulous (need a quick pause to see Mrs R off to work... I'll be back)
Oh yes, this too.
Oh my goodness, what song
Listening to this playlist (Signal Flare) while working in another window - might not comment on everything....
After hearing Jarrettt Osborn's take on this one, I had to come back and go again. Yep, I was reduced to "Wow" on this Last time I listent to it too! I like the stripped back version, but I also love all the carefully placed arrangement on this. And the song... shivers down the back... And I can perfectly visualise how you constructed it... having this chorus melody and one hook, just KNOWING it needed a song round it. I love how this version gives me that hook and melody, and the beautifully constructed finished song and arrangement around it ... and then Jarrett's version digs the raw song performance out of it - that possibly you didn't even know existed? (I don't know how you write/record) - and goes "here you go, this is the song I could hear and loved"
Crumbs... I'm a BIG Gary Fox fan... and this is a superb stripped down version that shows how, with the right performance, this song stands on its own without its maker... Wow, nice one.
WOW!
LOVE this. I first listened while finishing work earlier, back then I mainly noticed your signature lush backing vocals on the chorus (bit loud on this one maybe?). But when I listened again in comfort, able to concentrate... woah, gorgeous song.
Oh yeah. Nice. Love the guitars, as usual. The sound effect is cool, glad you left it in. AND, it was always a cool song, but it REALLY improves for just a little increase in tempo. There's more of a bounce to it... and it suits the vocals a lot more at this speed. That breakdown at 3.40 with the slide is mighty cool too (makes me think Jimmy Page 1969 lol) - it would be interesting to hear a whammy bar version... but I SUSPECT that the slides are the better effect.
Love it.
Cool sounds.
Yep, like it. I recognised the chorus - and I probably only heard it once back in 2013 - it's quite memorable. I checked the original out earlier (I was typing when a windows update crashing my machine got in the way!! That's an hour of my life I'll never get back again ... I thought my laptop was dying!) ... Anyways, I found that this one, for me, is an improvement on the original... Love those guitar harmonies, by the way.