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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 5
Written Thursday 10th February 2022
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What can I say? Mrs R likes it.
I knew she would.
Scheduling-wise, songs per day, I've now caught up with having missed the first 5 days of…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 3
Written Tuesday 8th February 2022
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So, here's today's little ditty.
(I don't know whether folks outside the UK would know what a Chelsea Bun is. I love them, they are extremely yum…
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark.
I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy.
Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 2
Written Monday 7th February 2022
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I wrote this one a couple of hours ago.
I set up for recording, and busted a string on the Martin... GAH!!!
I tried a big ole dreadnought thing…
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
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…
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
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…
The Feast - A A J Russe
Written 26th September 1985
Recorded 3rd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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This one's been sticking out of the shoebox for a long long while. It always shows up in a list of maybes. And it did this time…
Just To Make It What You Want - A A J Russe
Written 1st October 2016
Recorded 4th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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I was going to choose a more uptempo one next, then this one jumped out of the shoebox at us, shouting "me me ME…
Playing with my new Zoom B1X effects processor. Synthesized drums are from the B1X. Bassline is a panicky one I like to play. The guitar part I just came up with. Altogether I think I like it -- anyway it gets my pulse up!
Well, it's a work…
A short 2-track guitar tune. I was trying to get that feeling of going out in public after lockdowns are all over. Sort of a combination of relaxing and frantic, I guess?
OK, so just in the spirit of the season (!) here's a playfully spooky little creation.....maybe imagine all those skeletons dancing around the place!!! I should maybe pay some homage to Tim Burton/John Williams here...?
:) I thought I'd commented on this one too... (been distracted by Mrs R's latest Christmas film choice ... it's not even December yet!!! It's got Dolly in, though... interestingly she looked older in 1996 than she does now!!) ... Anyways, yes, I like the insistent rhythm driving it on.
Oh yes, like it. And I agree with thetworegs - it does evoke some Christmas vibes (this maybe something to do with the fact my wife is binge-watching Christmas films on amazon prime and I can't really get away from it!!)
It is said that the Valley of the Kings is understandably a haunted and sacred place...hence the start and end of this composition, being no. 7 in the Fusion Soundscapes project....and hopefully evoking a sense of awe and majesty walking in the…
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, “It’s dirty laundry.” I said, “That’s crazy.”
So, he…
HOME
(Am D) or (F C)
VERSE 1.
Where the (G) windmill sings to the mocking bird
And the (CM7) prairie wind, without a word
(Am) Whispers thru tall (D) grass, I’ll be (G) home
(F C G) or (Am D)
VERSE 2.
Where the butter cups and…
I’ve seen you crash back down into the ash
Like an inverted Phoenix
So delectable yet totally ineffectual
Those intellectual verbal tricks
I’ve tried to save ya from your bad behaviour
And keep you safe within the mix
I’ve been here to…
So, what do you think... could it use more wah-wah?
This was written for the 2014 RPM Challenge. The chromatic thing at the beginning had been rattling around in my head for years and years but had never found a home.
The lyrics here…
And that "yeah" - it sounds like an expression of "NAILED it" at the end of a take... and I shall take it as that. But it could so easily be what I tend to capture a lot: a response to a call of "dinner's ready, I've called you three times already" lol
So, what do you think... could it use more wah-wah?
This was written for the 2014 RPM Challenge. The chromatic thing at the beginning had been rattling around in my head for years and years but had never found a home.
The lyrics here…
Or is it actually a keyboard? On second listen I'm wondering whether there's a also a keyboard pad of some sort tying the mix together. Could be guitars, though... anyways, very balanced mix that makes everything shine, especially the vocal.
So, what do you think... could it use more wah-wah?
This was written for the 2014 RPM Challenge. The chromatic thing at the beginning had been rattling around in my head for years and years but had never found a home.
The lyrics here…
Woah! That use of the wah is SO cool. The vocal is a goodie too. I like that guitar doing the plink plink plink kind of piano part thing. The guitars are huge. Love the "yeah!!" (is that what it is?) at the end. Digging this track big time.
The first song completed for the second round of re-recorded Quarantine Tunes. This one was written on the last day of the 2016 RPM Challenge. I had written a bunch of songs saying that people who think the Earth is flat are somehow defective…
GEETARS! :) Love the leads... Oh yeah... I think I'd like the rhythm ones louder, but they've got a lot of mids between them, so they probably could drown out the rest. I think we could take a spot more, though... Oh! Just reread the blurb - the rhythms are through a cocked wah? Ah, then you had the same problem as whoever had to mix Blizzard of Ozz, MSG, etc! LOL (I only tried that technique once - bear in mind this was a bluesrock band - my sound engineer went "wtf are you doing!?!? If you keep doing that I'm just turning your fader down..." lol)
A silly, sort of dreamlike / lullaby-ish tune, about weird travels on a bubble-gum balloon.
Lyrics:
See one time I was chewing bubble gum and it was mighty fine
I blew a bubble so big it took me up into the sky
So this is the story of where…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
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.
Absolutely beautiful! Warm and an interesting narrative :). Loving it!
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark. I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy. Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
I think I dated this one. I like the guitar lick. The song really moves along well.
I can feel that being a great Rockin' song .....
That's a great song in the making ......
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Yep, raised my pulse too. Nice one.
And this is mighty fine playing.
Every now and then I'm struck with "One day I'll get a mandolin..." and noodles like this encourage that.
Love it.
Oh yes. Love this one.
:) I thought I'd commented on this one too... (been distracted by Mrs R's latest Christmas film choice ... it's not even December yet!!! It's got Dolly in, though... interestingly she looked older in 1996 than she does now!!) ... Anyways, yes, I like the insistent rhythm driving it on.
Wow, that works, wasn't expecting it to at all, but it does, big time. Nice one.
Oh yes, like it. And I agree with thetworegs - it does evoke some Christmas vibes (this maybe something to do with the fact my wife is binge-watching Christmas films on amazon prime and I can't really get away from it!!)
Yep, that works. Majestic stuff.
Yep :)
I'll comment on this one :) ... mighty fine song.
Short and sweet!
Wow. Gorgeous sounds.
And that "yeah" - it sounds like an expression of "NAILED it" at the end of a take... and I shall take it as that. But it could so easily be what I tend to capture a lot: a response to a call of "dinner's ready, I've called you three times already" lol
Or is it actually a keyboard? On second listen I'm wondering whether there's a also a keyboard pad of some sort tying the mix together. Could be guitars, though... anyways, very balanced mix that makes everything shine, especially the vocal.
Woah! That use of the wah is SO cool. The vocal is a goodie too. I like that guitar doing the plink plink plink kind of piano part thing. The guitars are huge. Love the "yeah!!" (is that what it is?) at the end. Digging this track big time.
Cool sounds
Nope, that's not a silly little ditty at all - well, you can call it that, if you want :) - it's actually quite thought-provoking. Nice one.
GEETARS! :) Love the leads... Oh yeah... I think I'd like the rhythm ones louder, but they've got a lot of mids between them, so they probably could drown out the rest. I think we could take a spot more, though... Oh! Just reread the blurb - the rhythms are through a cocked wah? Ah, then you had the same problem as whoever had to mix Blizzard of Ozz, MSG, etc! LOL (I only tried that technique once - bear in mind this was a bluesrock band - my sound engineer went "wtf are you doing!?!? If you keep doing that I'm just turning your fader down..." lol)
That's a cool track. Pulls you in a spins you round. Like it.