(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
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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…
We wrote and recorded a new song while we are all on lock down...have really missed playing with the band. Lindy wrote the song and recorded his part at his home studio sent it to me and I added my parts and vocals Our studio is behind Ken's house…
I just had a birthday and the Rubics nude band was here.
I invited some of my favorite imaginary friends. See if you can pick them out
Chuck Berry on guitar, Jerry Lee on keys Duck dune on bass and the Eureka springs Sheriff dept on back…
Its Groundhog Day again......
All day I’m chasing tomorrow
Cause I need Tomorrow to get away from today
But tomorrow becomes just like any another day
It just morphs into today
I don’t know where this life going to
It don’t stick to any…
This is mighty cool. Digging the guitar sound. And the chords and the way the melody weaves through them is very cool. And such a simple phrase for the title that speaks volumes. Yep.
The Last Resort would have been too long if this had been included so I did a fade-in to create Part 2... The chords in the verse have a passing resemblance to 'A Few Words For The Dead' by Marillion... I found that out afterwards!
There's…
Yep. Follows on nicely from the first part. And although I disliked the "wall of keyboards" sounds in the 70s (I'm a guitarist after all!), I'm digging those 70s keyboards now. I was never that into Marillion - saw them a couple of times, and they did help eventually open my ears to Genesis etc... On a second listen, the sounds are reminding me of Rainbow from around the same time.
Here's the first of several versions that you'll see from a collaboration across the inter webs started by Greg Connor. He got us together on the Zoom and then look what happened!!!! Music and lyrics collaborated with the talents of Steve Krell…
from the album "the Machine"
nothings wrong with me
it's all in your mind
everything's ok
and I am feeling fine
must be some mistake
or you've misunderstood
whatever you might think
everything is good, so good
the power is still on…
had a few changes throughout this project, breaking my head and shedding some sweat but hey, there's plenty of free time so what the hell!
Added some hard electronic metal halfway.
The vocal samples is a real television broadcast about propaganda…
Wowsers. That's BIG. Well worth the effort and head breaking! I wouldn't have been able to appreciate this so much a few years back... but now, yeah, just wow. Nice one.
Looks like I'm a little bit drunk, but hey, I don't care LOL... It's been a while since I've uploaded something, but no excuse now during lockdown time :-) I still don't have proper recording facilities and I'm forever trying to find my way…
The last 6 months, I've been sight reading a Bach Chorale each morning (there are 400 of em!) and occasionally one sticks out that I really like.
This one sounded great on the Wurlitzer, which is literally note for note playing the chorale…
wrote this song back in 2017 when i had too many thoughts i wanted to express in music, so i wrote a song about having that instead of the thoughts themselves lol...
not 100% how i'd like it to have turned out, but i like it all the same... especially…
On a resent group meeting of musicians , I was reminded of the love of Latin rhythms. Thank you Bethan.
This is a tune dedicated to a los angeles luthier family ,Candelas, who build old style classic guitars. My fist real guitar was one of…
Written for the April 2020 RPM mini-challenge. I hoped for an EP and ended up with a single song. The song is largely recorded on a T25 mic I built for Brian of A Beautiful Scene as a means to test the mic. It's pretty solid if you ask me…
So, a song about today's World, first and foremost , without Greg Connor and his imput to push me on this song it would've happened. Thanks Greg, you're a star.
It's in my will, Greg, a third of all the profits go to you ....... sorry promised…
Oh wow,love it. I do think it's amazing seeing how different people take an idea on differently. And how we all hear it differently too. Personally, this one speaks to me more... but I do think he earned his third!
Strange Times is an international collaboration between Roger Harris & myself. Roger initiated the idea with the first verse and chorus along with a chord progression. I added the last verse and took some liberty in producing this version…
I wrote this over a year ago and could not get it. the groove was too slow and so were my hands. well tzars better.
the concept came from a friend comparing his new love with a ten round boxing match . I could not resist.
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
Oh yeah. And a cool video! Nice one.
Rock. And. Roll.
This is mighty cool. Digging the guitar sound. And the chords and the way the melody weaves through them is very cool. And such a simple phrase for the title that speaks volumes. Yep.
That's a goodie
Yep. Follows on nicely from the first part. And although I disliked the "wall of keyboards" sounds in the 70s (I'm a guitarist after all!), I'm digging those 70s keyboards now. I was never that into Marillion - saw them a couple of times, and they did help eventually open my ears to Genesis etc... On a second listen, the sounds are reminding me of Rainbow from around the same time.
Oh yeah. Very very cool. Nice one all. Love the vocal.
Cool track, though... I'm quite happy with the amount of cowbell :)
I'm really quite tipsy here (blame my wife) ... but there's something making me think "The Who" and I can't tell what...
Digging this album
Oh yes... like it. Followed. I'll be listening to more later.
Wowsers. That's BIG. Well worth the effort and head breaking! I wouldn't have been able to appreciate this so much a few years back... but now, yeah, just wow. Nice one.
Wow. Digging your stuff. And then suddenly the guitars kicked in on this one! Yeah...
Oh yes, loving this.
Oh crumbs, it's fabulous.
Wow. That's a bit of a song. My favourite of yours so far. Yes please, upload more new stuff!
Ok, the best words have been used already, but I'm using them anyway - Sweet. Cooking.
Good one. Love the lyrics.
Oh wow,love it. I do think it's amazing seeing how different people take an idea on differently. And how we all hear it differently too. Personally, this one speaks to me more... but I do think he earned his third!
Oh yeah, nice one guys.
That feels good... and a cool idea