(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
****
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…
an original for a change......
D A G F D
D A G F D
F G D
F G D
Baby
here i am
opening myself up to you again
i tried to block you out
and hoped you’d go away
but you keep coming
yeah you keep coming back eating up my mind everyday…
Here's a clip from a new folk single I just released. You can hear the whole song in the video below, or on the song page on my website.
This features 2 instruments people love to hate: banjo and accordion (in this case, melodeon). But both…
Geas heard my Zepfext that i'm having and sent me a little prezzie over in the form of this great backer....i found it quite a challenge and throughly enjoyed trying to crack the nut....you should have heard the first aahha it nearly cracked the…
My favorite song by Jane Bowers
She was still alive back when I 1st learned
this song from the Kingston Trio.
I didn't know, back then, that I could have met her.
WHEN I WAS YOUNG by Jane Bowers
When I was young and dreams were new…
Song inspired by listening to Nick Cave and reading all the bad news in the newspapers. Enjoy.
Lyrics and Music by yours truly, Nick Plagakis
Damn it’s cold, as I exit this road
Time is now to intoxicate the soul
Up high, private jets…
drowning out the screams of my insanity.
another insane song. :P this one starts off soft and progresses to a more metal proggish song.
it runs almost 9:30 mins. thanks for giving a listen.
1893 drowning…
This is one of my favorite collaborations with Paul Lennon so far. I wrote the song with king of a bluesy feel, and then found a perfect marriage for the music with one of Paul's awesome tracks. Then we tinkered on it together to make it so…
AH! Here it is :)
And it's INSPIRED! Love what you've done with the piano - I wondered how you'd deal with making an arrangement... And the vox - woof!
Well, if Percy doesn't want to play, perhaps Mr Page ought to get in touch with you?
OK, I admit it, I don't really hold Led Zeppelin IV in the reverence many LZ fans do! I guess this song is one of the reasons for that... I'll give you A- on this one(!) but it's mainly the material you're forced to work with - tell them Page/Plant guys to buck their ideas up! hehe
another back to basics Zep this one goes out to Martin where ever he is ...he died getting on for 14 years ago but he's not forgotten ...Happy birthday for tomorrow man.....
Wasn't too sure where this was going during the intro, then when the vocals started I saw it all... This is a FABULOUS version. I've always had a love/hate/indifference relationship with this song. It's one of the few where Robert Plant's lyrics got in the way for me. But you carry it off superbly. At 5:26 I was left thinking "why isn't there more?"
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
Wow - you've been doing some monster vocals recently. This one's superb.
... I have absolutely no idea why I like it!
WOW! This is either sublime genius or utter twaddle. I choose the former... Love it.
Love it! Where's the rum?
Well that works.
Nice one guys :)
Aww - gorgeous song and delivery.
This is really good. Excellent lyrics and imagery, really good groove with just the vocal, guitar, and claps. And I love the chorus.
Flip! What a journey! There's everything in here.
Oooh yeh, like it.
Like it. You guys are making a very cool team - keep going.
Oh yes, play it some more! Instant fave :)
That's a nice mood. Paints pretty pictures.
Did I not fave this last time?? **FIXED**
AH! Here it is :) And it's INSPIRED! Love what you've done with the piano - I wondered how you'd deal with making an arrangement... And the vox - woof! Well, if Percy doesn't want to play, perhaps Mr Page ought to get in touch with you?
Now this one got me thinking... perhaps you should dip into the Howling Wolf catalogue itself? You've got the voice for it. Tasty blues vocal.
Whereas this one on IV... always liked it. Quite surprised how much I like it without all the bombast. Cool version.
OK, I admit it, I don't really hold Led Zeppelin IV in the reverence many LZ fans do! I guess this song is one of the reasons for that... I'll give you A- on this one(!) but it's mainly the material you're forced to work with - tell them Page/Plant guys to buck their ideas up! hehe
Wasn't too sure where this was going during the intro, then when the vocals started I saw it all... This is a FABULOUS version. I've always had a love/hate/indifference relationship with this song. It's one of the few where Robert Plant's lyrics got in the way for me. But you carry it off superbly. At 5:26 I was left thinking "why isn't there more?"
Wooo! Rockin. Nice one guys.