(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…
Wooden Sam
Mike Basil: Lead Vocal
Gary Miller: Rhythm Guitar
Mick Lovering: Lead Guitar
Andy Gupta: Bass
Todd Vierra: Drums
John Scunziano: Lyrics
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Mike Basil
Mixed & Mastered by Steffen Offermann…
IMO John sounds like David Essex. :)
Music: Steffen Offermann & John Green
Lyrics: John Green
Vocals, Lead Guitar: John Green
Rhythm Guitar: Henry Mittnacht
Mix & Master: Steffen Offermann
This one is loosely based on the Frog and the Princess. What if the Frog was really a man but with a less than perfect face? If beauty is only skin deep, why is ugly to the bone? Can't someone less attractive be beautiful inside?
Enjoy.
ER
I've been listening to a good bunch of yours this evening, most of the King Arthur's Knight set and selections from everywhere else. I was too busy listening to type any comments!
I love how you seem to be able to take anything and everything and turn it into a song. I've kind of learnt something here, not sure what it is yet, but many thanks!
This is really effective. Not a style I listen to much, but after checking out your other tracks I had to come back for another listen to this one. Kinda sneaks up on you.
Lyrics:
You think you know what you’re talking about
You get your way when you scream and shout
Look all around, you’ll find someone to blame
I’m just a pawn in your little game
I thought you were special, that was my mistake
You thought…
I haven't listened to one of yours yet that I haven't liked.
We get the spirit of Lemmy, Lee Brilleaux, a "fired up" Clapton, and countless others... good old honest rocking and swinging stuff.
Glad I discovered you this morning - excellent stuff, keep it up sir!
Loving the strat and harp on this one.
Oh yeah, the spirit of whatever it is that gave us Motorhead, Dr Feelgood, and all that superb British RnB back in the 70s is alive and kicking in Nottinghamshire...
Loving this stuff.
Love it. I was about to make a comment about I can a certain amount of Kilmister/Clarke here, then I noticed I have a version of City Kids coming up in a few minutes
If it all has this vibe, I think I'm gonna like your stuff :-)
Love the lead bass-playing.
For everybody who wanted to hear my voice!
I love rainbows. I originally uploaded this as a dedication to my Dad :)
Recorded with a £4.99 Asda SmartPrice headphone/ mic, using just the metronome you can hear ticking away there. I then…
Yeah, write some lyrics!
It needs doing :-)
Even without vocal this yummy. And some VERY tasteful guitaring going on - makes me want to get one of my telecasters out and dust it off.
And then the sudden change of style at the end? That was a real surprise, but it seems to fit - it needs them lyrics.
Oh this is just a brilliant version. I played it because I thought, well... I had my doubts! (I'm kinda fond of the original).
But this is superb - there's a whole load of sunshine in your voice.
It's fun to buy a new toy once in a while. This is the first attempt at using my new Line 6 POD Guitar Effects.
Lyrics:
Here you come, my sweet baby
Don’t know why you drive me crazy
I’m crazy, in love with you
And it’s been a long long…
the girl with her piano
this land she's in
clothed in unfamiliarity
these colors blend, fade
and run out of hue
all light has changed
and turned into greyscale
tinted with every shade of blue
this room she's in
suddenly fills with…
My composition Ediacaran Garden for classical guitar has been selected for performance by Kenji Haba in New York City June 26 2011 as part of the Fifteen Minutes of Fame with Kenji Haba Vox Novus series. A requirement was that the piece not…
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'd like to hear your voice more prominently as well, but it does work well like this (I just like vocals!) Lovely feel to it, big smile music.
Ooo yeah, like this one. A lovely "tight but loose" feel.
Not convinced he sounds like David Essex - ok, a bit maybe - but he's got a fabulous voice. And his guitar playing's rather tasteful too. Nice one.
I've been listening to a good bunch of yours this evening, most of the King Arthur's Knight set and selections from everywhere else. I was too busy listening to type any comments! I love how you seem to be able to take anything and everything and turn it into a song. I've kind of learnt something here, not sure what it is yet, but many thanks!
And before I knew it I was listening to this one a second time as well! I like what you're doing. You guys have opened my ears up a bit this evening.
This is really effective. Not a style I listen to much, but after checking out your other tracks I had to come back for another listen to this one. Kinda sneaks up on you.
And this is gorgeous.
Just following my nose, and I found this... Wonderful
Mighty piece of work. An excellent timeless kind of song, wonderfully captured.
I haven't listened to one of yours yet that I haven't liked. We get the spirit of Lemmy, Lee Brilleaux, a "fired up" Clapton, and countless others... good old honest rocking and swinging stuff. Glad I discovered you this morning - excellent stuff, keep it up sir! Loving the strat and harp on this one.
Classic. A cover of a song written for a spoof, that goes to show what a good RnB song it actually is. Love it. Excellent harp playing.
Brilliant version, just brilliant.
Oh yeah, the spirit of whatever it is that gave us Motorhead, Dr Feelgood, and all that superb British RnB back in the 70s is alive and kicking in Nottinghamshire... Loving this stuff.
Love it. I was about to make a comment about I can a certain amount of Kilmister/Clarke here, then I noticed I have a version of City Kids coming up in a few minutes If it all has this vibe, I think I'm gonna like your stuff :-) Love the lead bass-playing.
Oh yes...
Yeah, write some lyrics! It needs doing :-) Even without vocal this yummy. And some VERY tasteful guitaring going on - makes me want to get one of my telecasters out and dust it off. And then the sudden change of style at the end? That was a real surprise, but it seems to fit - it needs them lyrics.
Oh this is just a brilliant version. I played it because I thought, well... I had my doubts! (I'm kinda fond of the original). But this is superb - there's a whole load of sunshine in your voice.
Love this.
This is fabulous, extremely inspiring, I'm reaching for my guitar now... Thanks for this one.
Fantastic playing there. Congratulations. Pity it's only a minute long though lol