(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...
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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
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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…
Had the blues in Alabama
Had the blues in Texas too
Had the blues all over
Now I 'm givin' em to you
And if you don't want em
You know what you can do
You wont find me I'm goin' ta run and hide away from you
Because I see trouble
Trouble…
Mellow morning mist fall
Melting into day
This summer said son, you are lazy
Don’t follow any example, break every rule
After awhile you’ll find it’s so easy to do
Just stay within the limits of your love
Soon the air will turn colder…
This is a live cover of a Ralph Mctell song , telling the story of a coach tour to the seaside town Brighton just before World War 1 , thinking the war would be over in weeks
I thought the only Ralph McTell I knew was Streets of London - turns out I know this one too!
Can't remember the original, but this is a fabulous recording.
Classy. When I was a teenager I wished my parents had had some brothers for me (I'm a big Bee Gees fan) - there's something about siblings making music together.
Love it.
Nice one.
There's a few places in the vocal where I'm thinking "how did he do that? I've been trying to nick that vibe from Ian Anderson for weeks now... and I couldn't manage it!"
A cover of Justin Currie's Sleep Instead of Teardrops. Recorded 2010.
It has always been one of my favourite Del Amitri songs. I was strumming away at it one day and my missus said I should record it...
@ facemask - there's time yet! I hope... lol
There's a LOT of competition though... and to be honest, I only really started saying what I wanted when I gave up the idea of becoming famous!!
Ok, Who HASN'T had the fantasy about the hot librarian?
This was originally intended to be sung by a friend of mine with a much higher range, but a massive earthquake disrupted the schedule. I wound up singing it down an octave, trying to do…
This was originally a much longer gospel style song about meeting the devil at the crossroads and selling him my car, I got discouraged when I put down the scratch vocals and realised that no ammount of overdubs could possibly make me sound like…
This is a synopsis of Reg's favourite movie put to music. Sorry about the length but what can you do, when you have a story to tell, you can't cut it short can you? This is one to download for the car to listen to on that boring journey or when…
And I even made it to the end... Nearly gave up after I guessed, but something kept me listening... the fact that the missus wants me to do some cleaning might have helped... but it wasn't just that...
Fascinating journey
This is a synopsis of Reg's favourite movie put to music. Sorry about the length but what can you do, when you have a story to tell, you can't cut it short can you? This is one to download for the car to listen to on that boring journey or when…
2 minutes to suspect... 5 and a half to actually guess... another minute to confirm title by searching Google in another window...
You're a crazy man! :)
Aw, we tried to make this a bit more pro, but sometimes the really fun moments in life are fleeting. So here it is warts and all. But don't mind that - just get out onto the dance floor with Reg! It's ok: he's up to date on his shots.
When…
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
Nice one - you guys put together a good sound. I've been listening to the later ideas you've been posting as well. Love it all - keep it at :-)
Tasty guitar, very tasty
That's really good to listen to.
Stunning. You do some wonderful things with guitars.
I didn't realise it, but this is just what I wanted to listen to... I put it on and just laid back.
Wow, this is incredible. Hope she liked it!
I thought the only Ralph McTell I knew was Streets of London - turns out I know this one too! Can't remember the original, but this is a fabulous recording.
Yes. Brilliant title, and the song/performance backs it up. Wonderful naked vocal.
I like this one even more!
Classy. When I was a teenager I wished my parents had had some brothers for me (I'm a big Bee Gees fan) - there's something about siblings making music together. Love it.
Nice one. There's a few places in the vocal where I'm thinking "how did he do that? I've been trying to nick that vibe from Ian Anderson for weeks now... and I couldn't manage it!"
@ facemask - there's time yet! I hope... lol There's a LOT of competition though... and to be honest, I only really started saying what I wanted when I gave up the idea of becoming famous!!
I'm just gonna follow 2Regs around and listen to what he's listening to... lol This is, as he says, a masterpiece...
Brilliant! Utterly brilliant... Untapped potential... lol... priceless
Yip! Fantastic organ - so that's the sort of sounds mine could make is it?!
Oh yeah... gotta go listen to more of yours. This is wonderful - title, lyrics, delivery, everything
And I even made it to the end... Nearly gave up after I guessed, but something kept me listening... the fact that the missus wants me to do some cleaning might have helped... but it wasn't just that... Fascinating journey
2 minutes to suspect... 5 and a half to actually guess... another minute to confirm title by searching Google in another window... You're a crazy man! :)
Loved that bass sound from the start. Then the whole thing was utterly compelling
Yep, my feets is dancing... Great groove