(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…
Gary and I did something good.
ONE AND ONLY
How many times have you been captured by a camera
With no one really knowing who you are
Caught in the sight lines in the background
In the corner of their eyes
Never looking closely at the…
Straight cover, from a backing track, just because I had the urge and I don't think the neighbours would appreciate me thrashing the guitar so late!
The backing track pretty much sums up where my head was at when I recorded it :)
This is a fairly simple guitar part I came up with a couple days ago and my friend talked me into recording it. It needs words- perhaps that will come later.
Skeen 130215
Melodic idea by Tiggy Acworth 23rd November 2012.
Made reality and added to quite superbly by David Bevan in February 2013. A perfect example of a living, breathing SKEEN. Music to live by?
Most definitely a click free recording…
A little tune to help me get through the winter ... used my 63 Fender Jazzmaster for the guitar tracks. This guitar has been with me through thick and thin and just gets better with age.
A little tune to help me get through the winter ... used my 63 Fender Jazzmaster for the guitar tracks. This guitar has been with me through thick and thin and just gets better with age.
Greg let me have another go at one of his songs and I the wrote the words and music for a bridge
so that way he has to pay me some royalties when he sells a million !!! lol thanks Greg for your inspiration and great music!!
lots of different things I tried in this one, mostly in structure and vox, as well as harmony and texture. I guess it is a progressive type song with some gloom.
the intro is a short bass thing with effects called nectar, its like 25 sec.s…
#RPM Challenge 2013#
Wake up in the morning, I’m still in my cloths
I got one eye open but the other wont go
Barely can remember the night before
Except for how you threw me out the door
Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey
I think I’m in trouble again…
I was flapping around working on something else with just vocal and guitar the other day. It wasn't going well, so I just started slapping the guitar and singing one of my favourite songs.
What I didn't realise was that I was recording it…
It's three mics. A Rode NT1000 large condensor for the vocal. The guitar had two SM57s on it, one at the 12th fret, one just below the bridge, panned hard left and right.
If I had more condensors I'd use them on the guitar - when I track things separately I always use the Rode on an acoustic (unless it's a resonator, that pushes a condensor too hard) - using the 57s like this seems to produce are fair amount of hiss!
eyes all around
thought surveillance, the fighting on the ground
dont abuse the diguise the one they made,
should never be altered
now we fear , the words we say, descent in
the shadows
we must hide to survive the thought police their searching…
UNKNOWN,arranged by Terry Brown
'their brains were small and they died'
When I sit in contemplation of the human situation
I often feel a certain sense of pride.
For our achievements are many and mighty
And the evidence cannot be denied.
But my…
rpm #4,, i love watching the local birds,, in winter they seem a bit more eager, in my imagination,, they must spend more of their time sitting around their wood stoves, munching on seeds and telling stories of summer days, all the while as the…
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
Aww, fabulous. Where's the fave button when it's not working? (I clicked it anyway...)
Woof - some cool playing right here.
Oh yeah. Nice one guys.
I was thinking that (intense backing track) - I had to listen twice to "block" that out and listen to you! Ace vox.
Tasty. It works like this - it's a good listen as it is - but I'd like to hear what vocals you come up with.
Well, my right foot moved a fair bit... does that count as doing the Tiggy jig? Nice one.
Woo yeah, like it.
I'd fave it, but the button doesn't seem to work for me anymore...
Love this.
This hits the spot. I prefer brandy meself (and vodka martini) but this makes me wonder. Love the choruses.
Wow! Epic stuff.
Oh yeah, this is a tasty one alright.
Haunting. Love the woodwind (and horns?) that come to the fore later.
It's three mics. A Rode NT1000 large condensor for the vocal. The guitar had two SM57s on it, one at the 12th fret, one just below the bridge, panned hard left and right. If I had more condensors I'd use them on the guitar - when I track things separately I always use the Rode on an acoustic (unless it's a resonator, that pushes a condensor too hard) - using the 57s like this seems to produce are fair amount of hiss!
Oh yeah, nice one. Big sound. You've got those synths and guitars working well together.
Love it
Oh yes, another gorgeous one. I think it's my favourite so far.
lol
A fine set of tracks. Looking forward to you posting more.
Ah! I seem to have listened to them back-to-front... But yes, this would be a great opener.