(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…
Poor old Reg walks the roads alone....again......Acoustic & Vocal....
No-one don’t know nothing (Lyrics)
Life’s got a little crazy since it all went bad
the angels up in heaven are looking down at me real sad
cause no-one knows my name cause…
My wife is slowly collaging the walls of our studio with random sayings and images from magazines, artwork, photography, album art ect... so I had the idea to pull all of my lyrics for this track from the walls.
LYRICS:
What's my next…
Reg is leaving in the morning...there's a great big world out there to see....Acoustic & Voice trying to play that Bb Harp.........
I can’t play it safe (Lyrics
i can hear you say you want to play it safe
but i’ve got dreams i want to…
I jumped on Chunks tune from over on Songcrafters...Thanks Chunk
I can't go forward for looking Back (Lyrics)
she held her self open
she laid her self bare
she told me her dreams
show told me her dreams
she told me her dreams how i could…
Ole Chicago
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Vocals: James Ryce
Guitars, Backup Vocals: Henry Mittnacht
Bass: George Schiessl
Drums: Todd Vierra
Composed & Mixed by Steffen Offermann
Hes back on the booze.......
Fallen from Grace again (Lyrics)
before you judge take a walk in my mind
walk in my shoes if you’ve got the time
people don’t laugh i’m broken again
cause i’ve fallen from grace again
i’ve fallen from grace again…
"I'm dreaming of good times, hey baby what was your name?" - yes!
Love that riff. And that little cowbell count just puts a big smile on my face every time it appears...
Oh yeah, and a classy title too... lol
James said it: "Oh yeah..."
I've been listening a lot to the original recently, and this version's got the vibe. I'd love to hear a mix that you're happier with.
Oh, and some FINE harp playing.
Nice feel and gorgeous vocals. Nice one. And jingles/tingles at the end :-)
Have you guys got more sunshine than the rest of us? That's two tracks with a really summery vibe. How have you managed to summon that up? I'm frozen and shivering here...
Had this one written before the end of year. Finally hit the record button a couple of weeks ago with some electric rythym guitar tracks and built it from there. I was having a problem getting the song to mix right and had an idea to try a different…
Mark wrote the lyrics after waking up with them in his head. He didn't know what to do with them so sent them, entitled If I Say, to Lady Jane to play with. Then Jip sent some music, called Jozzy, to Lady Jane to play with. Being a lazy mare…
Music: Jip
Verse lyrics: Mark Goldsack
Chorus lyrics: Lady Jane
Lead recorder: Lady Jane
Vocals: Lady Jane
A wonderful collaboration that came about by Jip and Mark sending me music/lyrics totally independently and me having a eureka…
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
Flip, you've been busy while I've been twiddling me thumbs... Another cool stripped down track
Oh yeah, this works... big time.
Oh this is the business. Nice harp.
Cool track guys
What a voice. Nice track.
Aha... I needed waking up... and this did the job. Rockin
Nice one.
Yeah, like it. Makes me think of Marc Bolan.
Cool track.
Oh yeah... five chunky classics. Looking forward to the other half of it.
And more slide - tasty. Like the effect of the chords and how it rolls along. Tasty stuff.
"I'm dreaming of good times, hey baby what was your name?" - yes! Love that riff. And that little cowbell count just puts a big smile on my face every time it appears... Oh yeah, and a classy title too... lol
Ooo! I hear slide... Oh this is rocking stuff sir. The old feets is tapping here. Great way to wake up this morning. Love those lead breaks.
Both kinds of music... rock... and... roll. Yeeha! Nice one.
James said it: "Oh yeah..." I've been listening a lot to the original recently, and this version's got the vibe. I'd love to hear a mix that you're happier with. Oh, and some FINE harp playing.
Nice feel and gorgeous vocals. Nice one. And jingles/tingles at the end :-) Have you guys got more sunshine than the rest of us? That's two tracks with a really summery vibe. How have you managed to summon that up? I'm frozen and shivering here...
WOOF! Worth the wait. Love those guitars. And what a song. Wonderful stuff.
Heard this before somewhere! lol Still fab. In fact, even fabber 2nd listen.
Oh yeah :-) Like this a lot.
Oh yeah, like it... Hearts of Mars is not wrong! I'll be back to check out your other tracks.