(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…
Released as a single earlier this year.
This version the song is sung by the lovely Theresa Johnson
An optimistic track for these dark times.
VERSE 1
When dreamers fly
We need them now more than ever before
And if they talk about…
Released as a single earlier this year.
This version the song is sung by the lovely Theresa Johnson
An optimistic track for these dark times.
VERSE 1
When dreamers fly
We need them now more than ever before
And if they talk about…
Released as a single earlier this year.
This version the song is sung by the lovely Theresa Johnson
An optimistic track for these dark times.
VERSE 1
When dreamers fly
We need them now more than ever before
And if they talk about…
As I have mentioned in other years, I am so very blessed to have some songs come to me in my dreams. Grace is one of them. The specific line "Grace, grace, grace! You don't have to be a lonely child" is what I retained in my waking moments so…
Aww yes... I was frantically exchanging messages with a crazy person while it was all playing... so I gotta come back when it's quiet (maybe when I'm working next week)... maybe even read the blurbs that go with the songs... but yeah, loved it... how do you manage this every year??!
Originally I had a Motown idea in mind, and I kept my stomping and clapping, but the song seemed to lend itself to a more spacey-synthey feel, so I ran with it. I also am hinting a tiny (very tiny) bit at Joe Jackson's band's backing vocal styles…
I'll be honest... I was somewhat disappointed with my RPM Challenge 2021 effort, so I took it down.
I've remixed, and heavily re-edited this track, as it used to be a tortuous 13 minutes long.
I'm redoing another track as I was a bit slapdash…
We decided to give the kids an outlet that wasn’t pandemic or lockdown based this February, and made an album as a family for the RPM Challenge 2021. It was just the most precious, funny, brilliant month.
Challenged to write a 'winter' bluebonnet love song, Theo came up with this delightful picture. It is included on the bluebonnet/wildflower love song album, Texas Roadside Blues offered at www.cdbaby.com/artist/theodoreahenningii
Domestic violence is a societal evil needing our vigilence to irradicate. It goes beyond bullying. There are so many mixed feelings within the emotional turmoil of the victim/abused. Perhaps this song will open a window of understanding. To the…
I really wish I could sing.
This one was written for the 2014 50/90. I remember it clearly. I set up with the intention of working on something else but plugged in my guitar and played this without thinking about it. Well, I guess I was…
I really wish I could sing.
This one was written for the 2014 50/90. I remember it clearly. I set up with the intention of working on something else but plugged in my guitar and played this without thinking about it. Well, I guess I was…
I think I need to take a day off. My ears are turning to mush. I really struggled mixing this and I can't even tell if it's worth keeping or not.
This song was written during my first attempt at doing anything in GarageBand. Prior August…
I think I need to take a day off. My ears are turning to mush. I really struggled mixing this and I can't even tell if it's worth keeping or not.
This song was written during my first attempt at doing anything in GarageBand. Prior August…
What do you think of the mix a few days later? I quite like it. You always get all the parts clearly defined - and I think they are here too - but sometimes I find myself wanting them more "moulded together", which is what is going on here (I think). It feels more like a live band blazing away in a room than it does sometimes.
Happy Halloween. Or should I say, Happy Covid-ween. Har Har.
Another song from 2007's failed RPM Challenge that wasn't finished until 2011. This was also on my short list of songs to re-record when I first thought of this whole silly project…
OK... where's this Duane Moment? Ah! There tis, I hears it... Now, I can do quite a lot of Duane tricks... but NOT those, cool! Btw, I assume, as a fully accredited guitarist, you have the 6 CD Complete Fillmore East recordings? LOL (Actually, I've been really getting into the Dickey Betts side of the stage recently)
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
And a cool song and vocal too (nearly forgot to mention that!)
Loving that piano/acoustic/bass/drums ensemble sound.
Oh yes, love how this builds.
Aww yes... I was frantically exchanging messages with a crazy person while it was all playing... so I gotta come back when it's quiet (maybe when I'm working next week)... maybe even read the blurbs that go with the songs... but yeah, loved it... how do you manage this every year??!
I'm a bit late, but here I am for my yearly Gary fix ... mighty cool opener
NIce one. I think I could have coped with the 13 minutes.
Oh MY GOODNESS ... love this album. Well done guys.
You're making some very cool sounds.
Wow! What a track
Yep. Love it to bits.
Woooo :)
Yeah, cool track.
Yes indeed. You got some cool songs.
Oh Yes... what a cool song. Digging the playing and delivery too.
But, yeah, listen to Colleen: "Singing sounds great!!!!"
Although, picking this one at random for another play, this one's got the same live in a room vibe - mebbe I'm talking crap!! LOL
Yeah, this one rocks.
What do you think of the mix a few days later? I quite like it. You always get all the parts clearly defined - and I think they are here too - but sometimes I find myself wanting them more "moulded together", which is what is going on here (I think). It feels more like a live band blazing away in a room than it does sometimes.
OK... where's this Duane Moment? Ah! There tis, I hears it... Now, I can do quite a lot of Duane tricks... but NOT those, cool! Btw, I assume, as a fully accredited guitarist, you have the 6 CD Complete Fillmore East recordings? LOL (Actually, I've been really getting into the Dickey Betts side of the stage recently)
A fine album. Nice one.