(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.
****
**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.
****
**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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
I decided it was time I wrote a song that wasn't so hard to sing and play!
****
**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
****
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
****
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…
Stripped this down to perform during my acoustic live sets.
The Devil's March (unplugged)I see, your red mist rising now...A storm...That ruins all around...The road...That Hell is marching down....The demon seed is walking proud.....And…
The cupboards, of this old house
Don't close like they used to
And your mother, is just as old now
Wouldn't you say
The lanterns, you hung in your teeth when you were young,
Still light up the room
Yeah it's true,
If anything is true
I wish…
I've posted this "Naked" version because Mrs Russe wanted me to... :-)
It wasn't "finished" in my mind - there was a certain amount of "orchestration" to come.
But I ended up liking the starkness of this version.
The original intention…
lol - the bass was an organ set to "hammer house of horrors", perhaps I overdid it! (The reverb on the vox is deliberately "chilly" as well)
I wanted stark and lonely in the verses. But I also wanted comfort in the choruses - which is what the other instrumentation was intended to bring... but I've given up on that idea... it now sounds to me like the singer is incapable of bringing the comfort he offers, and he knows it... so I'll leave it them both to it :)
And nope, I didn't steal the teddy bear... But mine were removed from me and given to my sister when I was about 8 years old... so I do know exactly what I'm talking about lol
I saw "the Watchmen"....got me thinking.
are we truly immortal?
will we live through the material passing
or have we died oh so close to the light
not from this earth
not bound by its laws
A slave of no one
I will move beyond
are…
Continuing my obsession with the Buzzcocks Spiral Scratch EP, this is a medley of the four songs made using an Android ap called Chordbot.
There's two versions, this one and the one next to it here. And some guitar played over with the melody…
Oh this one! Without a doubt :)
Listened to all four tracks as well. Nice one. I loathed the Buzzcocks in the late 70s, but I came to appreciate them a lot more later.
I think this needs a guitar solo but i'm not capable of doing it so if anyone would like to give it a go i would love to hear what you could come up with its in C. Otherwise i'm quite happy with it...now with a solo by Billy Jack
Please Don…
I just bought a new Gibson SG Standard guitar with P90 pickups. I bought it after listening to Steve Krell's Gibson Gold Top with P90's.
Here is my first recording with the guitar.
Lyrics:
Sitting in my living room
Sunlight will be fading…
Having another listen for that guitar sound :)
Funnily enough, my SG and Explorer have swapped pickups (wonder if this had anything to do with it?). The SG has come off slightly better I think, been using it a lot last few days - slightly more, er, raucous than this, but it can do these sounds as well now.
I've posted this "Naked" version because Mrs Russe wanted me to... :-)
It wasn't "finished" in my mind - there was a certain amount of "orchestration" to come.
But I ended up liking the starkness of this version.
The original intention…
I'm reaching that conclusion too :)
If I'd held it back and put the parts on that I was rehearsing that day it would have been fine... and possibly better...
But I was trying them out today, and they seem surplus to requirements now!
(Mrs R has got her way lol)
some mistakes, like playing live, but i make them right quicky. the song is for halloween and make of the lyrics what you will.
the drums have phaze on them. some of the soft guitars have phaze and flange. the beginning 2 1/2 mins are slow…
:)
It's the rock part in the middle that grabs me most - love your vocal in that section, almost fluid and liquid.
I like how the whole things hangs together. Just waiting for that weird ending now.... ah here tis...
oh yes, very cool ending!
Many years ago I lived in an apartment in a big city. One day I just gave it all up and moved to the country so I could do the things I want. I This is a tune I made back then and has been in the back of my mind and I thought I would see what…
Never been happy with the original mix as it butchered Phil's drum work. He did an amazing job, and deserved better. So this is better...not as good as his playing, but better than it was.
Lyric:
I was doing a search there on Yahoo
Reading…
This is like, hmm... like talking to a stranger on a train. First, it's nothing about, and then suddenly you discover that you're about to tell your life; or you listen to someone's story, seemingly intricate or simple (and therefore seemed familiar…
My second entry for Beatlesfest II at Songcrafters. This is a cover from the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album.
Dueling novachords help tell the story of a world where the future may not be so bright...
Thanks for listening.
It's hard to go wrong with this tune... but this is just gorgeous. Love the arrangement. I find myself drifting between following the melody and following the accompaniment.
Masterful stuff.
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
Not sure I've heard the unstripped version - have to go hunting. Like this one though :)
And this too... love the harmonies.
Yep :)
Wonderful.
lol - the bass was an organ set to "hammer house of horrors", perhaps I overdid it! (The reverb on the vox is deliberately "chilly" as well) I wanted stark and lonely in the verses. But I also wanted comfort in the choruses - which is what the other instrumentation was intended to bring... but I've given up on that idea... it now sounds to me like the singer is incapable of bringing the comfort he offers, and he knows it... so I'll leave it them both to it :) And nope, I didn't steal the teddy bear... But mine were removed from me and given to my sister when I was about 8 years old... so I do know exactly what I'm talking about lol
This is a little bit special.
Oh this one! Without a doubt :) Listened to all four tracks as well. Nice one. I loathed the Buzzcocks in the late 70s, but I came to appreciate them a lot more later.
Woo yeah. This un's a goodie. And a real stand-out Reg vocal on here. Superb.
Having another listen for that guitar sound :) Funnily enough, my SG and Explorer have swapped pickups (wonder if this had anything to do with it?). The SG has come off slightly better I think, been using it a lot last few days - slightly more, er, raucous than this, but it can do these sounds as well now.
I'm reaching that conclusion too :) If I'd held it back and put the parts on that I was rehearsing that day it would have been fine... and possibly better... But I was trying them out today, and they seem surplus to requirements now! (Mrs R has got her way lol)
:) It's the rock part in the middle that grabs me most - love your vocal in that section, almost fluid and liquid. I like how the whole things hangs together. Just waiting for that weird ending now.... ah here tis... oh yes, very cool ending!
Woo yeah... two nice songs. Looking forward to hearing more.
Nice one. Heartfelt stuff.
Wot a voice!! Magnificent.
Ooh yeah, love the skipping/bubbling rhythm.
Haven't heard the original mix, but I love this.
Wonderful music.
Don't know the original at all... but this sounds gorgeous.
It's hard to go wrong with this tune... but this is just gorgeous. Love the arrangement. I find myself drifting between following the melody and following the accompaniment. Masterful stuff.
Yep... it is ok already :)