(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…
One of the first songs I ever wrote... When we bought our first house, we had a nice big back yard on a 1/3 acre lot... With the train tracks just on the other side of the back fence.
The second of two versions of Keith Landry's great song.
Listen to the original [here](http://alonetone.com/keithlandryacoustic/tracks/as-the-train-rolls-through).
MURDEROUS MEDICINE MEN
WITH HEALERS/ LIKE YOUR SELVES/ THERE’S NO NEED / FOR DISEASE
CAST OUT WHAT/ NATURE’S GROWN/ TO CURE THE SOUL/ AND SELL US THESE
SYNTHETICS/ PASSED OFF AS/ MEDICINE/ SYSTEMATICALLY
MEDICATE / JUST ENOUGH/ TO KEEP…
Hi all. I am new to all this. I have been writing lyrics for many years and have done nothing with them, until now. Thanks to Lady Jane , I will be putting these projects to life.All original stuff. Symphony in me is just a bit of fun, unmastered…
I tend to name my tracks off of internet memes and science fiction writers/books when I cannot think of a song. This one is named after a series of excellent books by Harry Harrison entitled Deathworld. Seriously. Go read them.
Anyhow the…
That's a cool groove.
Welcome. Yep, this is the place to put your stuff. One of the things I love about it is that I end up hearing and enjoying stuff that I wouldn't normally search out... like this! lol
Looking forward to hearing more
I boarded up windows,
Fixed the cracks on my sills
And I, bought a new pair of scissors,
Cut away scattered seams,' so it seems
I took a vacation,
Away from the dark creaks, floor boards in my eyes
And it's been a long, been a long, been…
I almost faved it on the title alone before listening. Superb title.
And the song doesn't let it down... knew it wouldn't...
I love the groove. And how your vocal works that reverb in the verses.
This is my attempt at incorporating some classical instrumentation with a song ... I even tried singing a bit of opera ... well one bar of deep "la la's" LOL. Used my Godin acoustic electric for this one.
Thanks for listening
The second word
Then from the three.
The middle stands out.
Second from I.
No reason to doubt.
Call out loud....
Say it for all you're worth...
Pay it the due you would ...
If it were gone...
Keep it safe,
From all of our mistakes.
For…
FDR emerged from his cave one morning and took a stroll,it was a blustery day and his ears blew back like two streamers in the wind. He went down into the woods and there in the dappled sunshine he saw something gleaming through the…
Epic and superb.
Inspired and inspiring - nice one, very nice one.
When I started I looked at 18:42 and thought "you've gotta be kidding me!!". But I've been entranced from one end to the other... Off to part two now.
Okay Andrew R. , this ones for you bud. Had a little fun with it in the intro. That was the surprise.
I put the bass line down and arranged the drums Saturday morning and returned later that night about 10:00 pm . I worked until 2 am and laid…
YESSIRREEE!
This is the bizness. I knew you could pull it off :)
Particularly love the bridges ("That's why") and how they slam into the chorus. Always loved those bits...
And the solo, and the guitar on the last chorus/out - sounds like you've got walls of plexis rattling the control room windows.
... and lol at sticking EXP on the front of it.
This one needs a FAVE of the FAVES button.
I have always loved jazz and blues but never really had the chops to really play jazz. But I can feel it and I tried to create that feel with this tune using my sweet old 63 jazzmaster. This was also an experiment in doing a complete time change…
Hello I'm Taylor and this is my first single. I wrote this back in 2011 without intention of releasing it, but after my best friend committed suicide in February of 2012, I decided to release it and dedicate it to him. So this is for you, David.
For UK people who liked the Testcard in the 70's. Youtube vid attached. Started as a project, sent to Lady Jane who did her magic. Ummed and Arrred about it, and eventually thought "just upload". Enjoy.
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
Thought I'd better listen to the original after hearing Colin Garvey's covers of it. Yep, I can see why he went for it. Nice one.
Like both versions. But, with the mood I'm in, this one edges it for me at the moment. And you're right, it's a great song.
Rocking stuff.
Yep, liking the sounds you're making :)
That's a cool groove. Welcome. Yep, this is the place to put your stuff. One of the things I love about it is that I end up hearing and enjoying stuff that I wouldn't normally search out... like this! lol Looking forward to hearing more
Nice guitars.
I almost faved it on the title alone before listening. Superb title. And the song doesn't let it down... knew it wouldn't... I love the groove. And how your vocal works that reverb in the verses.
Might be bog standard, but it sounds great :)
Wacky as ever... :) Liking those rhythm guitar sounds a lot.
Very cool track. Love the arrangement, vocals, everything.
Woo, this is a bit special, T Love it.
Brilliant. Rockin. Excellent, what a trip.
Epic and superb. Inspired and inspiring - nice one, very nice one. When I started I looked at 18:42 and thought "you've gotta be kidding me!!". But I've been entranced from one end to the other... Off to part two now.
YESSIRREEE! This is the bizness. I knew you could pull it off :) Particularly love the bridges ("That's why") and how they slam into the chorus. Always loved those bits... And the solo, and the guitar on the last chorus/out - sounds like you've got walls of plexis rattling the control room windows. ... and lol at sticking EXP on the front of it. This one needs a FAVE of the FAVES button.
Woof!! Love it...
Woo yeah!
Loving the groove you get with those acoustics. And those vocal harmonies are really effective. Liking your sounds - I'll be back for more.
Woo, big sound with just acoustics. Really effective.
Fantastic. Lovely arrangement, song, vocal, everything... Nice one.
Ah... happy memories :)