(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…
Didn't want to write this song … I figured there were one-thousand songwriters (here in north Texas alone) that were stuck at home and writing goofy songs about the virus. But, it wouldn't leave me alone, so I recorded it to get it out of my head.
Black is white
White is black
I crossed the line
I can’t go back
It all comes together
It all falls apart
I’m on the edge
From the start
I’ve gone Colour Blind
To her signs, Colour Blind
Tears on your face
A broken heart
Unkind…
We're bored in lockdown again. I call out for collaboration and Joe Whibley pops out of the aether. And this is what happened. Joe did a fucking fantastic job with most of the work (playing all the instruments and a vocal), I just stuck in some…
I’ve been trailing yarn for days,
Ahead of what may come, dismay.
Soot, and ash, and bone-
Gnarled and undone.
I’ve been railing stone for change,
Two cents - task on the brain.
Root, and clothes, and thrones-
Ravaged and unloved…
Are you scared to wake up?
In the same place you laid your head.
You scribble on your make up,
To pretend your face's not dead.
And I know,
Yes I know.
The opposition shows.
Are you afraid to take up?
Memoirs of your past.
You hang…
The trees are shaking, from your insolence.
They stagger, choking, their breath on the wind.
It makes me question, it makes me recant.
Where have we been, and where have we gone.
When's the point when we say all is lost.
Is lost.
Swimming…
I,
Like the Tide,
Have been breathing with the moon overhead,
While the world lay all silent in stead.
The rocks peaking out on the bed,
The anchors all out in the dredge.
My eyes,
See too slight,
With a heavy brow, I look towards the…
I see in color,
Even when, the words, black and white
I hear in flutters,
Even when, the words come in trite.
After all,
I'm tied to this anchor.
I'm tied to this hull.
Tied to this deck, through the night.
I better get to climbing…
My spirit's been running wild
Chasing cats, and howling at the moon
I've felt this way for awhile dear
Yeah someday, I'm gonna marry you.
So go put on your firey cap,
Be my anchor and my mast.
If I ever feel lost at sea,
I'll just remember…
A brand new song....
Don't listen to the man
You know who!
Since we can't play together because of the lockdown we all played our parts at home.
Hans Nooitgedagt Jr - drums
Bingsolex - guitars
Erwin B - bass
KC - vocals, guitars, keys…
wow I haven't uploaded on here in 2 years....
this is a remake I did last year of a song I did in 2015...
Still not perfect & I might redo it again but hey ho...
Wow... this one's intense. Love how you were reaching for stuff here... I can see the progression from the earlier version which was almost TOO intense for us!! lol
soooooooo this is an acoustic-y (technical term) song about something... reevaluating the lyrics suggests possibly a murder? (tho idk it can mean anything tbh)...
i wrote this song today and then recorded it today and then was like wooaah why…
I was listening to your stuff late last night, early this morning... wotever... Playing it to Mrs R now... she hears the same thing as me... You have an AMAZING voice... do some more - PLEASE! :)
Keyboards (bagpipes) performed by Starry Nightmoth. Lead guitar by George Harrison. Vocals and all other instruments performed by Gene Eric Mann. Thunder and rain by Mother Nature. Lyrics by John Lennon.
so.... i first wrote & recorded this song in 2015, and then did a new version in 2017, and here's my updated 2020 version...
still not totally happy with it but... here we are anyway lol...
A new song that I wrote last week
This lockdown starts to work on my nerves
KC
Caught in a lockdown – And there's no way out
It drives me crazy – Wanna shout out loud
Caught in a lockdown – The days all look the same
I'm losing track…
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
This put a smile on my face.
Like it.
Rocking! :)
Yep. Hope you're keeping well.
Wow
Another goodie.
Awww. This is stunning. Sorry I missed these songs.
Yep :)
Over five years late to this... sorry. Love it though.
Nice one.
Wow... this one's intense. Love how you were reaching for stuff here... I can see the progression from the earlier version which was almost TOO intense for us!! lol
We're liking the two voice thing.
We really like this one.
I was listening to your stuff late last night, early this morning... wotever... Playing it to Mrs R now... she hears the same thing as me... You have an AMAZING voice... do some more - PLEASE! :)
Still miss you Gene
I like all three versions. This is the one that pulled me in.
Liking your stuff.
Very interesting... just searched Sonic Pi... VERY interesting.
Like it! Getting a laid back Tom Petty vibe.
Cool! I'm intrigued to know what else you're going to do on these tracks once the world has returned to normal and you've got access to more kit.