(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
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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…
Update: Gene offered to improve the Mix on this song! This is that improved version. Thanks so much Gene! You are awesome!!!
I wrote this song earlier this summer, and had played it a few times with Greg Connor, fellow alone toner, and…
Nice one. Sounds very real and spontaneous... Looks like I missed this first time round. I was thinking about Gene the other day, talking about him to my wife.
A simple guitar groove. Haven't sat in a coffee shop since before the lockdowns, and I miss the atmosphere and the music! This tune feels to me like sitting in a cafe.
(Every time I think it's done, I end up tweaking it a bit more in Audacity…
This is the last song on The edge of Winter but it is not finished there is another part yet to be written ...
Winter's tale of woe : Part 1 - The end of winter. Part 2 - The last snowstorm
And now for something completely different... Right now it's hot.. and I mean 50 degree hot. So I had in my mind's eye a summery, trippy 'under a palm tree' kind of vibe. And I got that... but I got more... much more...
LOL - we watched that the other week :) .... cool track... I'm getting flavours of summery, under a palm tree, and... a girl dressed like an Australian's nightmare...
Not sure how I got here... but yeah, this is WAY cool. And yes, I can hear those piano runs... I THINK I'd have recognised them if you hadn't said... but it saves me wondering later (when we're trying to decide what to watch) why I'm suggesting Thomas Crown Affair!
AKA New Wave or "Unknown #1"
As always, apologies to the band for the guesswork.
LYRICS:
New wave
Wine
Dine
Smile
because I said so that's
Why
Mired
Fired
because I said so
And of course, you posting this earlier started me off down this rabbit hole!. I went searching and discovered that they were called Skid Row. And I found a demo recording of Unknown #1. This cover is pretty darn cool. Like it... and now you've got me listening to Nirvana too
I was working on something else when I started wondering what KC's solo fragment would sound like as a full-fledged studio song.
LYRICS:
You can't change me
Another cover of a rare KC solo guitar song.
Apologies to KC for the extrapolation.
LYRICS:
So my time is on time
it's too much to belie what may
On my own at the prom
She would never just lied and laid
Now I'm bound by her tests…
I don't know too much about Nirvana, kinda "after my time", let alone the rare Kurt songs. But the idea of creating band songs from what he did on his demos is very cool.
Thank you Greg, Colleen, and Andrew for your comments. I need to add a little more from that day so long ago.
The Battle for Layfayette Square were improvisational warm ups and cool downs for practicing this progressive rock attempt that clocks…
Excuse the weird title. After completion of the track i had a really weird dream and this is my interpretation of it.
Min 4:00 and on is a calming landing into peacefulness and mindfulness.
Wowsers. This is very cool indeed. Interesting how others react to sounds... in the peacefulness and mindfulness section - v pretty btw - I kept "jumping" and "looking around" because of the various sound effects that come with it. Come 5:15 or so, I was able to relax - but only second time round because I knew they'd REALLY finished! LOL - I wonder what that says about me?!
GORGEOUS guitar sound. And cool song. VERY cool song.I found the problem round the other way... too much interest in living (well, sleeping) resulted in an unbalanced something or other.
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. Sounds very real and spontaneous... Looks like I missed this first time round. I was thinking about Gene the other day, talking about him to my wife.
Very cool groove.
Yeah, like this a lot.
Nice one, like it.
Cool sounds. Very nice first track to listen to at 6.30am at the start of this work-at-home Monday morning.
LOL - we watched that the other week :) .... cool track... I'm getting flavours of summery, under a palm tree, and... a girl dressed like an Australian's nightmare...
Not sure how I got here... but yeah, this is WAY cool. And yes, I can hear those piano runs... I THINK I'd have recognised them if you hadn't said... but it saves me wondering later (when we're trying to decide what to watch) why I'm suggesting Thomas Crown Affair!
That does feel good. Can I hear an e-bow in use there?
And of course, you posting this earlier started me off down this rabbit hole!. I went searching and discovered that they were called Skid Row. And I found a demo recording of Unknown #1. This cover is pretty darn cool. Like it... and now you've got me listening to Nirvana too
This one too - nice one.
I don't know too much about Nirvana, kinda "after my time", let alone the rare Kurt songs. But the idea of creating band songs from what he did on his demos is very cool.
I thought I'd commented?! .... anyways, WOW that's a monster. I'll give it another listen over the next few days.
Wowsers. This is very cool indeed. Interesting how others react to sounds... in the peacefulness and mindfulness section - v pretty btw - I kept "jumping" and "looking around" because of the various sound effects that come with it. Come 5:15 or so, I was able to relax - but only second time round because I knew they'd REALLY finished! LOL - I wonder what that says about me?!
Oh yes... This is wonderful. The guitar sound is soothing and expectant. The sentiments in the lyric - yesss (or "Nice" lol)
Also... "Grrrreat" :)
Nice. (one needs to be a fan of the Fast Show - an old TV program in the UK - to fully appreciate the delivery of that word).
Oh yeah. This is my favourite one so far. OR... it's the one that fitted my mood best at the time I decide to listen to it? :)
GORGEOUS guitar sound. And cool song. VERY cool song.I found the problem round the other way... too much interest in living (well, sleeping) resulted in an unbalanced something or other.
I only really know the Thin Lizzy version... and this one!
Nice one.