(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
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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
****
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…
The banjo, bass and guitar on this song
was played by Michael Jeffrey. This is one song off the record we did together back in 1975/6 on his 4 track machine. Michael and Barbara Anne Taylor sing harmony.
I LIVE WITH REBECCA
I live with…
New original from me, hot off the old wotsit.
When it was half written yesterday, I was considering binning it as a throwaway exercise - I do that quite often. But I played the songwriting demo to someone else and, er, apparently I should finish…
@guest
:) don't let that inner puppy get sunburned.
Some of what you've been doing yourself recently went into the ability to create this one. And I nearly even posted the songwriting demo!!! :0
This is a poem written by my late grandmother, Margaret Nina Hogan, written for her first daughter, Dolores. This was probably written in the early 1930's in England. My grandmother wrote a lot of poems throughout her life and i have put about…
This is the story of Abraham and Isaac and how this prefigures the Eternal Sacrifice of Jesus.
The Promise
Intro: ¾ Em D C G Cm G Am B7
Em D C G Cm G D Em…
The production of this song was influenced by Paul McCartney's song "Sing the Changes"
He Calls Me
I’ll climb rugged mountains
I’ll swim through the sea
I’ll walk hills and valleys
My Lord is calling me
Oh, He calls me,
Yes, He calls me…
So MTC put out [this wonderfully sparse instrumental piece](http://alonetone.com/mtcband/tracks/shadow-of-myself) and a vocal line just jumped out at me. Then some harmonies jumped out as well.
The prequel to Big Legged Woman Blues.. She meets Sweet Ronnie Cream Cheese on a cruise and the ship goes down!!
This is
A 3 way collaboration over the internet
Story, lyrics and inspiration from Greg Connor (Minnesota)
Music, story and…
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…
Billy said on his Everyday track he had some space for some words.. so i put a few together .....Thanks Billy
Complete me (Lyrics)
All my days they seem the same
watching the hours float, the days away
dreaming of a different life, a different…
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…
Hahahaa
Fantastic, utterly brilliant. The audacity to take this on...
Made me rethink some old bollox I've got waiting for me to finish...
Superb guys - HUGE grin on this old face...
:)
one cool thing about piano pieces is that they lend themselves to being rearranged for other instruments, since the piano encompasses the entire range,,, this is a pared down version of my last weeks submission le baiser apres-midi = the afternoon…
You asked the other day about the story behind Sleeping With The Ghost - I've been wracking my brains to remember what caused it.
It's pretty much out of my head, and I was exploring the break-up of my first marriage - although I'm not sure I actually knew it was breaking up at the time I wrote it!
I think the imagery came from a children's program on UK TV when I was younger? I think it might have been called The Mandeville Ghost, or something like that, anyway. There is a ghost of "Sir Geoffrey of Mandeville" documented - contains nothing like this though.
Also, the legend behind the plot in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" had a quite a bit to do with the pictures in my head when I was writing it.
one cool thing about piano pieces is that they lend themselves to being rearranged for other instruments, since the piano encompasses the entire range,,, this is a pared down version of my last weeks submission le baiser apres-midi = the afternoon…
oooo, very nice. I liked the original, and the flute addition is wonderful (for some reason the sound of a flute takes me nearer to "an afternoon kiss" than just piano alone does).
I've been teasing Steve (SLKrell) about Rose, from Las Cruces Nevada, ever since he wrote a song about her for Valentines Day a few years ago.
Rosie is a figment of our imagination. I wrote a song about stealing her away from Steve:
http…
Could this possibly be the same Rosie that was round my place the other day? Surely not?
:-o
Small world...
(But don't tell the missus...)
This is a mighty fine song...
the one I got out of it is just a touch "racier" - I'm waiting for Steve Tyler to do his vocal on it now - But if it is the same girl, I reckon she's been a-messin' both you boys around some...
A sweet little song by a grandma lady from out west "Melvina Reynolds" bless her heart and excuse the language, Smile don't mind failing in this world,
I don't mind failing in this world,
Don't mind wearing the ragged…
Vocals performed by 2 year old Mo.
Music later added by glu, who produced this track as a brilliant surprise. We absolutely love it!
Melody based on 'Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman,' by Mozart.
And this one brought me back to the alonetone window as well - gorgeous.
And again, the title Enticement was perfect. The music had already put the image of someone I know in my head... and "enticing" and "enticement" describe her perfectly.
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
Ooo, I found this cos someone favourited it (thanks B!) It's gorgeous :)
@guest :) don't let that inner puppy get sunburned. Some of what you've been doing yourself recently went into the ability to create this one. And I nearly even posted the songwriting demo!!! :0
Beautiful.
Oh yes. Fabulous.
I was listening to them in order, enjoying everything, and then suddenly this one kicked into action - quite woke me up :) Loving what you're doing.
Like it :) I was reading the comments, and waiting for the harmonies - oh yes.
Oh what a classic! This is hilarious and utterly brilliant. You're not Nigel Tuffnel are you?
Can't get over this one though... Off to the broom-cupboard now to exorcise my inner Percy
Like I said off elsewhere... I loved Every Day. This does the job, boy do it do the job :)
Wooo! When I read "hip-hop" I thought, oh no, it won't grab me. SO WRONG!! I love this. Yeah, do more, post more :) Faved and followed.
Hahahaa Fantastic, utterly brilliant. The audacity to take this on... Made me rethink some old bollox I've got waiting for me to finish... Superb guys - HUGE grin on this old face... :)
You asked the other day about the story behind Sleeping With The Ghost - I've been wracking my brains to remember what caused it. It's pretty much out of my head, and I was exploring the break-up of my first marriage - although I'm not sure I actually knew it was breaking up at the time I wrote it! I think the imagery came from a children's program on UK TV when I was younger? I think it might have been called The Mandeville Ghost, or something like that, anyway. There is a ghost of "Sir Geoffrey of Mandeville" documented - contains nothing like this though. Also, the legend behind the plot in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" had a quite a bit to do with the pictures in my head when I was writing it.
oooo, very nice. I liked the original, and the flute addition is wonderful (for some reason the sound of a flute takes me nearer to "an afternoon kiss" than just piano alone does).
Could this possibly be the same Rosie that was round my place the other day? Surely not? :-o Small world... (But don't tell the missus...) This is a mighty fine song... the one I got out of it is just a touch "racier" - I'm waiting for Steve Tyler to do his vocal on it now - But if it is the same girl, I reckon she's been a-messin' both you boys around some...
Brilliant. And the folks who don't mind failing... seem to be the folks who succeed in the stuff that matters. I love this one.
Oh yeah, great sound. I wanna hear some vocals on it. Lovely feel on the lead. LOVELY feel.
brilliant :)
Just been round all 22, and back to the start (still going) FABULOUS stuff, many thanks :) Looking forward to what you do next.
Oooooh - shivery and wonderful. And another perect fit, title to music.
And this one brought me back to the alonetone window as well - gorgeous. And again, the title Enticement was perfect. The music had already put the image of someone I know in my head... and "enticing" and "enticement" describe her perfectly.