(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…
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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
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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…
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
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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…
You know how you're listening to the track above, and then the next one starts, but you've already heard it just now, so you reach for pause...
Didn't click it this time lol
This is fab.
A song about my dad. Written a few years ago but I wanted my family to do the harmonies. Finally I got the last two laid down week. There are 10 harmonies featuring sisters, sons, daughters, nieces and nephews and I thank them all for their amazing…
Well, that was 19 second Fave :-)
(It was nearly 2 seconds, but I thought I'd better wait for the vocal lol)
And then when the backing vocals came in I wished had an "Even Better Than That" button to press...
Fabulous. Love how the melody skips.
This started up as someone else's favourite... knees immediately turned to jelly... once I'd recovered my composure, I thought "hang on a minute, I only know of one voice that... oh, I see" lol
New recording after being forced to take a few weeks off due to personal health issues. It's a little all-over-the-place (hence the name) but I'm excited to share it with you fine folks all the same.
Special props to my buddy Karl Ridgeway…
2nd song for the RPM challenge in 2012. As always, feedback is appreciated!
Lyrics:
Hold on little girl. Don't lose hope.
Even though things seem so damn broken now,
I want you to know that it gets so much better.
My thoughts flow out, like…
Words and music by me.
Lyrics:
Love is trying to find a way around,
Somebody else who's laying down,
Right in the way of where I want to go.
These words have many meanings.
I'm not just walking blindly any more.
And if you'd lend…
This weekend I was thinking about artists that I used to enjoy listening to in highschool. Toad the Wet Sprocket came to mind, and I thought it would be fun to cover one of their songs. I've always liked "Pray Your Gods" - even though the chorus…
None of us knows where we'll be tomorrow,
Let alone 2 weeks from this date.
Will I still be in this place?
"It's okay", she says, "I'll definitely call you later."
If I don't go and forget to,
And if I'm still living here.
Can we say we see a…
Excellent stuff - big smile on my face.
And anyone who can master a tambourine is ok in my book (wretched instrument of the devil that it is lol)(guess who, still, after too many years, can't get a tambourine to do sensible stuff?)
This is the first Irish song I started working on. When I was trying to learn to play the penny whistle I needed a song to practice with, and this is what I ended up going with. I was playing it so often that I figured I might as well record…
A bit of comic relief is good when you have some writers block. I had he song mapped out years before I recorded it. I need to record its companion "Won't you please squeeze my udder Farmer Joe?".
Did this many years ago. It came together very quickly. There are know synths, all guitars and backwards vocals, sped up vocals, detuned vocals.....whacked sounds. I wrote the lyrics on the spot. I love its deep personal message...lol!
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
You know how you're listening to the track above, and then the next one starts, but you've already heard it just now, so you reach for pause... Didn't click it this time lol This is fab.
Like this one. Kinda tricky lyric though - I can see why you haven't sung it lol
Nice one. I don't think I knew this song - looked it up and now I have the lyrics... Fine version.
That's beautiful :-)
Oh yes, love this.
Wonderful. The song's lovely, there are some very interesting chords going on behind it, and those harmonies on the top are just fabulous.
Well, that was 19 second Fave :-) (It was nearly 2 seconds, but I thought I'd better wait for the vocal lol) And then when the backing vocals came in I wished had an "Even Better Than That" button to press... Fabulous. Love how the melody skips.
This started up as someone else's favourite... knees immediately turned to jelly... once I'd recovered my composure, I thought "hang on a minute, I only know of one voice that... oh, I see" lol
Wooo... Doesn't sound all over the place to me. Another fave.
You rock, it's melodic, it's inventive, superb vocals - such timing. Excellent production. Everything I love.
Oh good grief... another one. Superb everything. How have I missed all this? Why so few people listening to you? Very glad I found your stuff.
I keep trying to comment this one - not sure if I'm getting confused, or wot... Love it, fantastic. At least I've managed to fave it
This is wondrous. Song, performance, vocal, recording, everything. Nothing's ever perfect, but this comes pretty damn close for me. Lovely.
Excellent stuff - big smile on my face. And anyone who can master a tambourine is ok in my book (wretched instrument of the devil that it is lol)(guess who, still, after too many years, can't get a tambourine to do sensible stuff?)
Nice one guys.
Superb. More!!!
Awww... one of my FAVOURITE songs. Had to come in and listen... and wow, got some of my favourite instrumentation as well... Love it to pieces
Like this very much.
lol Been trying to make some sort of reasoned critique/comment, but I'm laughing too much
Now this one grabbed me immediately. Really well put together.