(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.
****
**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.
****
**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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
I decided it was time I wrote a song that wasn't so hard to sing and play!
****
**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
****
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
****
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…
Well I did try and get an RPM challenge done after last years fail, but I'm still lacking enthusiasm or creativity.
Hence the uninspiring title of 'The Fifth', as this was the 5th track I was working on and the only one that came close to completion…
It's good hearing some Mac music again. Hope your'e doing ok. I went through a long gap, not wanting to record any music... bought a LOAD of guitars though!!
This started life as a vey simple 'disco' bass riff over which I then brought in the chords. Its got a sort of 80s pop/prog thing going on - not surprising as I'd been listening to a lot of Nik Kershaw when I recorded it!
I was messing about and this came out. Thanks for listening
GET DOWN ON MY KNEES
I get down on my knees and I pray for a day
Where we can all go outside to run and play
Take my hand and tell what you see
can you see a future, for likes…
Oh fab fab fab... I love the "foot-stomping" vibe this has... wife not so much, I've got headphones on, she's doing something else, I was stomping! Who's on the electric solo at the end? Classy. And the harp... woo, yeah.
With a little help from Arthur & Elvis i had a bit of fun in the cellar and Regged up an old classic. Thanks for listening
My baby left me
she never said a word
My baby left me
she never said a word
You know she left me
she left…
Awww love it. Back in the dark old days I used to do a version of this with the chaps... (ours owed more to Slade and included That's Alright). When I saw the notification that you'd done it, I rushed for the headphones... and it's even better than I hoped it would be. GO Reg! :)
In Lockdown, I have really been inspired to return to my more classical roots, and have enjoyed playing around with the idea of epic style movie or cinematic themes/trailers. I have imaginatively named them Lockdown Orchestrations No. 1, No…
In Lockdown, I have really been inspired to return to my more classical roots, and have enjoyed playing around with the idea of epic style movie or cinematic themes/trailers. I have imaginatively named them Lockdown Orchestrations No. 1, No…
The titles didn't grab me when I saw them posted yesterday - so I didn't rush to switch to "listening mode"... but now I have... The music, YEAH! Nice one.
I wrote this one morning but gave up tryin to sing it . then I asked my buddy Steve Schostal to do vocals . His Canadian accent was perfect for this . Notice how he leads the beat ‘wow perfect.
I love Colabs
It started off as a shimmery, summery canvas in my head but morphed into something very different from the middle 8 onwards. It was originally done at 100BPM but sounded a bit 'ploddy' and pedestrian so I beefed it up
Listened to this yesterday, but forgot to comment... working at home, eh?! ... anyways, I was listening to a track on another site just now, and it gave me the same open and fresh air feeling I thought remembered from this. Yep, as I remembered, but then this has some complex emotions too... Cool track.
(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…
Don't usually comment on my own songs, but in case there's any confusion... YES Greg - there is no humour in the song at all, none intended, I feel it the same way as you... and I actually love it for that myself... it's what the song evolved into from a joke verse I wrote (In Tom Waits voice, Roger! hehe) ... But when I was first recording it, in my own voice, x years ago it was SO sad (and not in a "Bobby Goldsboro - Honey" good kind of way) that we decided to put it in the filing cabinet for a while!
A song that sort of wrote itself, quite quickly, wouldn't say it's a happy song, but
sometimes you can't help what pops out.
https://youtu.be/dXRczkBRPCk
MN Homebrew Radio show has a monthly writing contest. This month it was to use the word "wait" or "waiting" in your song. So the hook line of the chorus popped into my head at 5:30 in the morning and the rest of the song came pretty quickly…
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
Listened to this the other day, and...
It's good hearing some Mac music again. Hope your'e doing ok. I went through a long gap, not wanting to record any music... bought a LOAD of guitars though!!
Cool track
Wot a groove in those verses... The vocals are mighty cool... And a hot little solo... WOW!
Oh fab fab fab... I love the "foot-stomping" vibe this has... wife not so much, I've got headphones on, she's doing something else, I was stomping! Who's on the electric solo at the end? Classy. And the harp... woo, yeah.
Awww love it. Back in the dark old days I used to do a version of this with the chaps... (ours owed more to Slade and included That's Alright). When I saw the notification that you'd done it, I rushed for the headphones... and it's even better than I hoped it would be. GO Reg! :)
Yep. Followed, looking forward to hearing more.
The titles didn't grab me when I saw them posted yesterday - so I didn't rush to switch to "listening mode"... but now I have... The music, YEAH! Nice one.
Oh yeah. Like it. Enjoy the weather :)
I could favourite them all. But this one woke me up from the work I'm doing... And, it's got a "distinctive" title, of course.
Yep, followed. Looking forward to hearing more.
Oh yes... liking the tunes you make... and yes, this fits its title too.
Catchy title dragged me in... LOVE IT!
Listened to this yesterday, but forgot to comment... working at home, eh?! ... anyways, I was listening to a track on another site just now, and it gave me the same open and fresh air feeling I thought remembered from this. Yep, as I remembered, but then this has some complex emotions too... Cool track.
Don't usually comment on my own songs, but in case there's any confusion... YES Greg - there is no humour in the song at all, none intended, I feel it the same way as you... and I actually love it for that myself... it's what the song evolved into from a joke verse I wrote (In Tom Waits voice, Roger! hehe) ... But when I was first recording it, in my own voice, x years ago it was SO sad (and not in a "Bobby Goldsboro - Honey" good kind of way) that we decided to put it in the filing cabinet for a while!
A: I loved the title the moment I saw it. B: It rocks. C: I have a similar Dark Cellar (but it's on the 1st floor!)
Oh that's happy enough for me!! Love it.
Love the vibe of this one. And that harp. Blissful.
Yes. Very very cool.
I'm falling off the sofa in hysterics here... love it.