(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:
After the Sun goes down
Lay in bed no sleep to be found
And the shadows dance on walls
After the Sun goes down
Just a reflecting time
The clock just seems to unwind
The silence gets so loud
Just a reflecting time
It won…
Back for another listen. I went to bed buzzing last night because of this. Over breakfast, the missus had to put up with me explaining and miming the virtues of this performance... (poor girl)
That entry at 1:19 - crumbs. And 3:38 til the end... And the end itself... It sounds so "live" that I'm expecting crowd noises!
Woof! Lovely.
When you want to do it, you've got the "expressive Hendrix" thing completely and utterly pegged - how to play it and how to record it - I'm in awe.
I know guitarists - and you probably do too - who'll sit around saying "oh so-and-so just copies Jimi/SRV/whoever" ... don't ever listen to them - they're just jealous lol. They bought the right gear, the pedals, whatever, and they still can't make the sound...
You've got it in the fingers/brain/soul, and I find it a joy to listen to.
Magnificent stuff.
I saw the title and I thought "I know a girl like that..." we have a wine rack with a lot of bottles beside it waiting for a space lol
So glad I liked the track as well!
Yeah...
I wanna get one of my strats out - but it's past my bedtime... (it's certainly past the neighbour's bedtime anyway lol).
Loved it.
I'll be back for more :-)
At first I thought "he's uploaded, er, a recording of Jimi"! lol
Brilliant, captured the feel of the riff, the way he double-tracked parts, the whole thing...
Loved it.
Using a drum track laid down by a fellow collab artist up in alaska [Rata_tat_tat], I put down some silly wierdness today whilst enjoying the nice coldness of a few of Miller's finest... Ha
Rata_tat_tat on drums
LG on Bass
Lg on guitar
LG on…
Lovely track. Gorgeous feel. I'd have been happier if it had been longer - I put it on and went "yeah" and wandered off to another window. There was a real feeling of "Oh!" when it stopped - had to come back and hit play again! lol
"Lovely tinkly bits" - Can't really top that for a comment, B lol
And it's so true!
Loved it all. I thought it was just OK when it started, not quite my kind of thing... But it grabbed my attention enough to stay, and then it just dragged me in. Faved by the end. Nice track.
I heard Wildgeas track Erase the Breeze on alonetone earlier and this came to me straight away so i had to get both sides of Reg on this one.. and kick it out while i had a little time ….hope you enjoy…Thanks Paul
I need to feel real real Love…
Yep, that works :-)
Cool song on the original track. Enhances and brings out that riff. I listened to the original first and thought "it's the riff I'd go for" - and I'm guessing that's what gave you the mood for the lyrics/vocal.
Nice work both!
A Dave/Davidsen production:
Dave - acoustic (right side), keyboards, vocal on verses, electric solo - Epi Sheraton (left side), Bass and BR-80 drums in solo section, various sounds and effects.
Davidsen - acoustic (left side), chorus vocals, electric…
A Dave/Davidsen production:
Dave - acoustic (right side), keyboards, vocal on verses, electric solo - Epi Sheraton (left side), Bass and BR-80 drums in solo section, various sounds and effects.
Davidsen - acoustic (left side), chorus vocals, electric…
Oh this hangs together very well... VERY well. Really interesting arrangement - all the different parts shouldn't really go together... but they fit seamlessly.
Love it.
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
Mighty fine song. I like how you've controlled all those guitar parts to make a smooth rolling track. And like B sez - that whistle is gorgeous.
Like it. No, that's wrong... Second listen, I love it. Gorgeous guitar sounds.
OK... I've got to dust my strats off now (I've been enticed away by a cute 335 recently).
Back for another listen. I went to bed buzzing last night because of this. Over breakfast, the missus had to put up with me explaining and miming the virtues of this performance... (poor girl) That entry at 1:19 - crumbs. And 3:38 til the end... And the end itself... It sounds so "live" that I'm expecting crowd noises!
Woof! Lovely. When you want to do it, you've got the "expressive Hendrix" thing completely and utterly pegged - how to play it and how to record it - I'm in awe. I know guitarists - and you probably do too - who'll sit around saying "oh so-and-so just copies Jimi/SRV/whoever" ... don't ever listen to them - they're just jealous lol. They bought the right gear, the pedals, whatever, and they still can't make the sound... You've got it in the fingers/brain/soul, and I find it a joy to listen to. Magnificent stuff.
Loving your stuff - fantastic guitars on this one. So much expression in the lead.
Huge sound! Loved it.
Liking your stuff - I'll be back for more :-)
I saw the title and I thought "I know a girl like that..." we have a wine rack with a lot of bottles beside it waiting for a space lol So glad I liked the track as well!
Rockin!!
Yeah... I wanna get one of my strats out - but it's past my bedtime... (it's certainly past the neighbour's bedtime anyway lol). Loved it. I'll be back for more :-)
At first I thought "he's uploaded, er, a recording of Jimi"! lol Brilliant, captured the feel of the riff, the way he double-tracked parts, the whole thing... Loved it.
I kinda like how the extra sounds, the rain etc, are louder than the performance itself. It really works like this.
Oh yeah, this was one kind of goes off on it's own. Some fine playing on here.
Lovely track. Gorgeous feel. I'd have been happier if it had been longer - I put it on and went "yeah" and wandered off to another window. There was a real feeling of "Oh!" when it stopped - had to come back and hit play again! lol
Back for another listen. Can't believe I didn't fave it last time!
"Lovely tinkly bits" - Can't really top that for a comment, B lol And it's so true! Loved it all. I thought it was just OK when it started, not quite my kind of thing... But it grabbed my attention enough to stay, and then it just dragged me in. Faved by the end. Nice track.
Yep, that works :-) Cool song on the original track. Enhances and brings out that riff. I listened to the original first and thought "it's the riff I'd go for" - and I'm guessing that's what gave you the mood for the lyrics/vocal. Nice work both!
And I forgot to mention those drums on the first listen. Yeah!!
Oh this hangs together very well... VERY well. Really interesting arrangement - all the different parts shouldn't really go together... but they fit seamlessly. Love it.