(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…
All Messed Up
(Boudreau)
I was hanging on the end of the block near the record shop
Waiting for my boys to show
You spilled out of a cab with your bags full of get up n go
And I wasn’t looking for trouble but it sure has a subtle way of…
Happily Ever After
(Boudreau)
I’ve been counting on the sun to come and melt my blues away
I’ve been dying for your smile all day
I’m trying to find the reason I’ve been moving so slow
I guess I’m just tired of blaming the snow
So I…
Just been listening to Mott The Hoople - made me think of this, so back for another listen. Every bit as good as I remembered...
And guess what??
My favourite button worked!! :-)
The product of yesterdays experiments with Metasynth.
I took a few seconds of a Debussy piano piece and imported them into Metasynths spectrum synth where I turned them into a groove which I then filtered in the Filter room.
I imported this…
Halfway through it did feel like it was the intro to something (cue dry ice, big light show, power chord, let's rock... mebbe!)(I think it's the hi-hat that does this to me, it reminds me of a drummer itching to get going)
But, for me, it does actually bring itself to a nice conclusion. Didn't really feel like "petering out" at this end.
Next in the little pile of songs from the shoe-box. This one has the date 27th January 1994 written on it, but it's describing an episode from many years earlier when I was, I'm guessing, something like 12 or 13 years old.
I had to go to a…
lol - That's the "Rory" face, Greg... didn't realise how much it came out until I saw this video.
I have a camera now, and I'm currently struggling with how to control my face...
During the course of a song, I seem to wander the entire range of emotions - from intensely "bored" (the "I wonder what the next chord is?" face) to an "utterly bluddy crazy-man coming to get you" look...
Was I really that scary when I was doing gigs?!?!?
Today I decided I would play with the lovely (and free) [Pocket Blakus](http://blakus.com/pocketblakus-192) solo cello.
At first I tried arpeggiating some chords but this didn't work so well with this cello which has a long, heavy, sound that…
A demo track for a new Reaktor instrument I'm building codename: Mimetron.
Loop Guitar 1 is a long, flowing, ambient piece. Mellow with a few moments of grit.
Mimetron is a 3 voice sampler that is driven by incoming audio. It has 3 channels…
Woof - dat boy is rockin.
At first I thought it was you on the guitar (I was working in another window, recognised the vocal and thought - "hello, there's a man who's been down to the crossroads over the last week or so!!" lol)
The momentary disappointment was more than made up for by the track itself :-)
(I was sat here thrashing the ineffective Fave button...)
New song By Andy & Ron
Andy: Lyrics
Ron: music and lyrics, all guitars, bass and vocals.
About an aging rocker who thinks he can still impress the ladies!!!
Lyrics
Verse 1
I knew I was a rocker in my groovy leather pants
I looked at all…
Love it.
I used to have some groovy leather pants - they used to stand up on their own the day after a gig!
Mrs R disposed of them when we got married (mainly cos I couldn't get into them... "why hold on to them?"... "well you never know, I might slim down again"... "not that much you won't" lol)
My attempt at writing a bluegrass tune and an opportunity to try my hand at some flat pickin'
... loosely based on a friends experiences growing up in a small town in the prairies ... where everything is flat ... you know, a place where you can…
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
Aw, I'm just in the right mood for this stuff. Love it.
Ooh yeah, nice opener.
Just listened to the whole Something Into Nothing album. Superb stuff.
A fine fine RPM. Loved it all. Nice one.
I forgot to comment on this yesterday. Yeah, like it - hope you didn't upstage the magic with the music!
Nice slide.
Classy version
Wonderful album Mr Fox.
Well, I moved a little bit (tied to desk, working in another window)... Loving the album so far...
Woo - what an opener.
Just been listening to Mott The Hoople - made me think of this, so back for another listen. Every bit as good as I remembered... And guess what?? My favourite button worked!! :-)
Oh yeah, nice one. Cute ending :-) (and another "missing" fave here)
Halfway through it did feel like it was the intro to something (cue dry ice, big light show, power chord, let's rock... mebbe!)(I think it's the hi-hat that does this to me, it reminds me of a drummer itching to get going) But, for me, it does actually bring itself to a nice conclusion. Didn't really feel like "petering out" at this end.
lol - That's the "Rory" face, Greg... didn't realise how much it came out until I saw this video. I have a camera now, and I'm currently struggling with how to control my face... During the course of a song, I seem to wander the entire range of emotions - from intensely "bored" (the "I wonder what the next chord is?" face) to an "utterly bluddy crazy-man coming to get you" look... Was I really that scary when I was doing gigs?!?!?
Oh yeah, gorgeous cello sound.
Don't think I'll ever understand this way of making music - but it do make some nice sounds. Cool track.
Sounds like you've possibly got some Groovy Leather Pants like ole Ron has... Rocking.
Woof - dat boy is rockin. At first I thought it was you on the guitar (I was working in another window, recognised the vocal and thought - "hello, there's a man who's been down to the crossroads over the last week or so!!" lol) The momentary disappointment was more than made up for by the track itself :-) (I was sat here thrashing the ineffective Fave button...)
Love it. I used to have some groovy leather pants - they used to stand up on their own the day after a gig! Mrs R disposed of them when we got married (mainly cos I couldn't get into them... "why hold on to them?"... "well you never know, I might slim down again"... "not that much you won't" lol)
Ooh yeah, top notch indeed.