(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
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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…
Gates Of Heaven - A A J Russe
Written 15th January 1988
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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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
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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…
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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 15
Written Wednesday 23rd February 2022
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I wasn't able to stop! I really meant to, but... Oh well.
It's still February, so it can go with the others.
IT IS MY FIRM INTENTION TO…
Congratulations!!!! Ended with another amazing tune - YES! That is a wealth of creativity in you my friend. I look forward to hearing all your other tunes. I hope you took a good rest after all this!!!
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 14
Written Monday 21st February 2022
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This is it ... FAWM's all finished for me... time for a lie down now.
There's still nearly a week to go, but I'm done, 14 songs written in 16…
Amazing how this came towards the end of the challenge...simply gorgeous. I don't hear any fatigue in it. A sad song though and I'm imagining the story behind it. Beautiful.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 13
Written Saturday 19th February 2022
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UPDATE: 8 Hours after posting I just spotted that I listened to and favourited a song called... um... "We're Done" by oldfolks2 - check it out…
This is another great one!!! and catchy too. I also loved hearing your description of how this came about - I totally relate!!! I actually don't like most of my own songs. This song captures the spirit of these challenges :)
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 11
Written Thursday 17th February 2022
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Feels like I'm on the last lap now. Only 3 more needed.
This one came from a suggestion from Mrs R this morning. I didn't quite fancy it, but…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 10
Written Wednesday 16th February 2022
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I've had the little guitar bit in the middle for years and years and years.
Even my wife recognises it, I play it so often.
Yesterday while…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 9
Written Tuesday 15th February 2022
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I decided it was time I wrote a song that wasn't so hard to sing and play!
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**Once Again - A A J Russe**
Every day
You keep asking…
oh yeah!!! Great song and loving that chord progression. Beautiful with all the changes ...loving it. How did you do all this in such a short time period? Wow, wow, wow.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
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It's not entirely true. But it's CLOSE ENOUGH!
It was actually the 16th of February.
But we were corresponding by email on the 14th.
Then we…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 6
Written Friday 11th February 2022
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I was meant to be resting and chilling.
In fact, I was resting and chilling.
But then I got a message from Lala saying she was listening to the…
Lyrics and music by Brian Vaughn.
Guest guitar solo by Karl Ridgeway (0:38 and 1:14).
Lyrics:
Oh little girl won't you tell me what you were looking for when you came to this place?
You've got friends, but not many of them like to be seen.
Oh…
I hadn't realised you had a new one up - I forgot to click follow last time (sorted now lol)... jaraimondimusic turned me on to this one.
With him all the way - why ain't you signed? What is the world at? They could sell this stuff...
Hell, if I had a record company I'd be sending the boys round...
Superb song, superb arrangement, superb singing... superb.
Oh yet another nostalgic blast from the past. I found this unbelievable backing track surfing the web some years ago. I usually never use backing tracks because they usually suck bad . But this one is like having mitch and noel at your side. I…
Aww... how does you make your strat sound like that? lol
Mine used to sound like that but I seem to have mellowed. I'm going to have to refind this vibe.
Now, do you have version of Stone Free hiding in the vaults? If so, I want to hear it.
One Last Christmas 2011 – SKEEN
So this is our festive holiday,
A time for forgiveness, a time to pray…
You say that our future’s all but gone, mmm
Gone are the thoughts of our world as one
You say it’s all over; forget everyone, yeh
One…
This Guy's In Love With You Skeen Remix 120728(Burt Bacharach)
You say, this guy, this guy's in love with you
Yes I'm in love, who looks at you the way I do?
When you smile, I can tell we know each other, very well
How can, I show…
Lionel the hermit crab - Skeen Remix 120607
Lionel the hermit crab lives by the sea, oh yeh
He looks a little bit like you, a little bit like me,
Lionel the hermit crab doesn't have no friends, oh no
He'll live his life alone in his shell…
I wondered what the "last" one would be like... can't top the rest can it?
Yes.
This is utterly, utterly brilliant. It had me in hysterics, the "spare wimin" (the wife's friends over for Pimms) actually looked in from the conservatory to see what I was doing. Not entirely sure how she explained it, I'll find out later...
Another Lover - SKEEN 110204
Skeen Remix 120608
How I wish I could tell, why my heart seems to swell into a restless state of worry,
But it seems right now, there's just no way how,
It's impossible to say I'm sorry..
There's a look in your…
You don't even know me - Skeen Remix 120611
Met you in a cocktail bar
That look you gave me from afar
Made me wonder if we'd share
A little fun and some Alpine air
Made me wonder if we'd share a lifetime
You're my life-line
I'd like…
Sensory Overload - SKEEN 110204
Remix 130401
Don't you know, there's a reason why we're here...
Such a show, but situations are never clear...
How do we find, a better future?
How do we mend, such a broken past?
Free to laugh at what…
Kiss you goodbye – SKEEN 110422
Skeen Remix 120606
Verse 1:
I kick off my shoes though I feel like a run
I tried to go to work but the work’s all done
I wanna cut it out,
but all that I can think about is you, on - ly you
Always on…
Another one! A lovely song.
And I haven't mentioned the superb musicianship and clarity of these recordings yet.
Might as well do it on this one.
The musicianship and clarity of the recordings are... er.. superb!
One Last Christmas 2011 – SKEEN
So this is our festive holiday,
A time for forgiveness, a time to pray…
You say that our future’s all but gone, mmm
Gone are the thoughts of our world as one
You say it’s all over; forget everyone, yeh
One…
Stunning.
My wife will love this. I won't show it to her yet, we have enough problems with Christmas songs chucking my rock CDs off the stereo by about late October anyway lol
La la land , by David Bevan and Tiggy Acworth
When you’re in lala land the sky is always blue,
Yeh in between here and never land is something quite untrue,
CHORUS
You’ll amaze as you gaze into your imagination,
A world of makebelieve…
WOW!
I'm obviously about to fave all your stuff if this anything to go by lol
Inventive, melodic, and extremely fun to listen to. And a superb voice.
Faved and followed :)
This Guy's In Love With You Skeen Remix 120728(Burt Bacharach)
You say, this guy, this guy's in love with you
Yes I'm in love, who looks at you the way I do?
When you smile, I can tell we know each other, very well
How can, I show…
This is a lil tune I had written over fifteen years ago. It is one of my favorite progressions and I figure in the near future to record a full band arrangement with vocals. This is just a ruff take working out a melody over the changes.
This song was inspired by a long walk....
Lyrics:
Down by the river, down by the shore we go
The moon above cast a beautiful glow
We walked around talking through the night
I can’t help but think how it felt right
Hey Constance, don’t you feel…
I keep trying to comment this, but it keeps disappearing into the ether...
Obviously there's a "Gushing Bullsh1t" filter on the comment engine on alonetone lol.
I'll tone it down then - This is brilliant. And the way you sing her name makes you want to meet her. Love it to pieces.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
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.
The words really speak to me … as ever!
Congratulations!!!! Ended with another amazing tune - YES! That is a wealth of creativity in you my friend. I look forward to hearing all your other tunes. I hope you took a good rest after all this!!!
Amazing how this came towards the end of the challenge...simply gorgeous. I don't hear any fatigue in it. A sad song though and I'm imagining the story behind it. Beautiful.
This is another great one!!! and catchy too. I also loved hearing your description of how this came about - I totally relate!!! I actually don't like most of my own songs. This song captures the spirit of these challenges :)
I can't help but comment again! This is fabulous!!! Love how it came about - thank you Mrs. R.
What a loving ballad .....just perfect. That "little guitar bit" found its home :) Beautiful vocals here too.
oh yeah!!! Great song and loving that chord progression. Beautiful with all the changes ...loving it. How did you do all this in such a short time period? Wow, wow, wow.
Another beautiful poetic song with such an excellent expressive performance. Love it!
I must take this train after hearing this song! What a great song :)....deserves a second comment.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
I hadn't realised you had a new one up - I forgot to click follow last time (sorted now lol)... jaraimondimusic turned me on to this one. With him all the way - why ain't you signed? What is the world at? They could sell this stuff... Hell, if I had a record company I'd be sending the boys round... Superb song, superb arrangement, superb singing... superb.
Aww... how does you make your strat sound like that? lol Mine used to sound like that but I seem to have mellowed. I'm going to have to refind this vibe. Now, do you have version of Stone Free hiding in the vaults? If so, I want to hear it.
I like this a lot. The vocal is incredible, love it
Nice one. Great story-telling. I love the laid back voice and delivery.
Well, while I've got the wife's attention for music, I thought I'd play her this one as well... Mrs R verdict - Stunning.
OH NO! I couldn't resist playing Mrs Russe this one. Apparently it's about time to put the tree up now.... Sigh...
And she's actually singing along to this one (gulp) lol
My wife loves this too. "I like this song anyway, but this is REALLY good"
I wondered what the "last" one would be like... can't top the rest can it? Yes. This is utterly, utterly brilliant. It had me in hysterics, the "spare wimin" (the wife's friends over for Pimms) actually looked in from the conservatory to see what I was doing. Not entirely sure how she explained it, I'll find out later...
Sheeesh... lol At first, I thought "ah, here's one I don't need to favourite" - but you got me with the chorus...
Sigh...
I'm running out of words... Sensory overload kinda sums it up, actually...
Utterly wonderful. Spine tingling listening. And WHAT a vocal performance.
Another one! A lovely song. And I haven't mentioned the superb musicianship and clarity of these recordings yet. Might as well do it on this one. The musicianship and clarity of the recordings are... er.. superb!
Stunning. My wife will love this. I won't show it to her yet, we have enough problems with Christmas songs chucking my rock CDs off the stereo by about late October anyway lol
Beautiful
WOW! I'm obviously about to fave all your stuff if this anything to go by lol Inventive, melodic, and extremely fun to listen to. And a superb voice. Faved and followed :)
Awww, I LOVE this. Fine song obviously... But it's a wonderful and fabulous rendition of it.
Oh this is beautiful listening. Might just be working out changes and melody, but it stands as it is. Very relaxing.
I keep trying to comment this, but it keeps disappearing into the ether... Obviously there's a "Gushing Bullsh1t" filter on the comment engine on alonetone lol. I'll tone it down then - This is brilliant. And the way you sing her name makes you want to meet her. Love it to pieces.