(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
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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…
Had to reload this one to get it to the top of my list. Just had news ezfolk Mp3 section is to close down :( Looks like I'm here to stay !!! I found alot of fellow musicians on that site, many who are here now, any way, here's to Ezfolk, au revoir…
Reg has been talking to the Lover man and listening this time..........
Karma (Lyrics)
Somebody told me what the lover man said
And man did it turn out to be so true
If you take it
And you break it
You break that girls heart in two…
Had written this one many years ago. I had it recorded originally in a different key and with different instrumentation but it I just was not happy with it. I deleted the original lyrics for the chorus and added a bridge section and lyrics. I…
Yep sirree...
Love it. I'd love to hear how you were originally trying it as well. It sounds like a song that could benefit from all sorts of approaches (well, what song couldn't). But I like this string arrangement.
cover of the pink floyd song
dr alfredo de pietra on guitars and myself on vocal duties. a slighty different mix from the two versions at songcrafters.
Well What do you Know asked the young lad ....Reg thought about it and replied with a song........a kinda doodle from late last night that took over then couldn't be left........
Well, What do i Know? (Lyrics)
Somebody asked me well what do…
Another one here for 1 week only. My daughter gets married in October & she wanted 'Their' song for their first dance at the reception played by me & sung by her husband. So I came up with this version. Now I need to learn the cello…
This is the song that opened my ears to Rock music thanks to my sisters record collection…..i've been wanting to give this one a go since i first ever heard it at the age of about 10….so its only took about 40 years and thanks to Speed Demon i…
Back for another listen.
Last time I listened to this I immediately went upstairs and wrote/sang some rude lyrics into my recording machine... This time I'm just gonna go to bed and have a nice sleep...
Had a couple of ours spare this morning while the gang have gone for a bike ride/walk....so here goes...
Lets Fly (Lyrics)
Everybody's laughing but I feel like to cry
As I watch the party pass us by
I don't know what to think or what to do
Baby…
Here's a cover from the Band from the late 60's Gene again is in charge of the music and the mix and a great job he does of both..... i'm doing the warbling hope you enjoy..........
Well Reg Knows somethings up but what is it every time he ask's her she says nothing....now what does that mean??...he knows something is a miss.....
What's Gone Wrong (Lyrics)
Do you realise what you mean to me
Your my heaven here on earth…
I've been trying to put another one of Mike's poems to music, but not getting anywhere.
Then jip threw this music at me, saying he hated it and asking if I could do anything with it. Pieces of Mike's poem went in and I sent it back to jip with…
A cool mixture of MIDI and conventional instruments.
Slide guitar courtesy of my trusty Zippo lighter.
There is no better lighter / slide :) Buy one, it could save your life.
For M.T.
Enjoy!
Oh yeah, this is the biz. Lovely stuff.
I've tried using a Zippo as a slide - can't get on with it, just can't compete with the stack of various slides standing beside the recording machine...
As a lighter, though, cannot be beaten :)
it was a fun song to do and had different changes of some different musical styles than i've done before. overall im pleased with this songs outcome.
especially since from this point forward i will be making music on a different, better pc. i…
The absolute first song I ever wrote, sitting alone in a cold gray prison cell. This particular also actually took me the longest to actually complete, as it was several years before I seemed to actually get all of the words right.
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
Well, I've not heard this one before meself... Very very tasty
BIG vocal! Nice one.
Yep sirree... Love it. I'd love to hear how you were originally trying it as well. It sounds like a song that could benefit from all sorts of approaches (well, what song couldn't). But I like this string arrangement.
Yah buggers!! (Quietly takes a sheet of paper out of the pile of "possible covers to attempt") Brilliant, guys. Mighty fine version
Yeah, like this one, it's a grower
Good start! lol It rocks, I love the groove when it kicks in.
Nice one.
Back for another listen. Last time I listened to this I immediately went upstairs and wrote/sang some rude lyrics into my recording machine... This time I'm just gonna go to bed and have a nice sleep...
Nice one. I'm getting "happy" from this too - still with an underlying "something else", though lol
Superb. Utterly brilliant track. Not my usual kind of thing musically... but it dragged me in... and, well, wow...
Oh yeah, a FINE version. I'd NEVER have guessed that The Band was the next on the list lol What's next???
Oh crumbs, this is brilliant. It's a bit of a stunner...
Ohh it's totally fabulous. A superb lead vocal performance, blissful to listen to. And I'm with La Savage on the backing vox - they are gorgeous.
Like how this one skips along. And I love the sentiments :)
Oh yeah, this is the biz. Lovely stuff. I've tried using a Zippo as a slide - can't get on with it, just can't compete with the stack of various slides standing beside the recording machine... As a lighter, though, cannot be beaten :)
Couldn't get this to play... had to download it to listen to it.... But, boy, was it worth the effort!! Gorgeous.
Like it. There is so much going on in here. I'm a bit tired at the moment anyway, but I just lay here on the sofa and let it wash over me.
Huge and rocking.
Yep, like your stuff - looking forward to hearing more.
Fantastic sound. Love your voice.