**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 5
Written Thursday 10th February 2022
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What can I say? Mrs R likes it.
I knew she would.
Scheduling-wise, songs per day, I've now caught up with having missed the first 5 days of…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 3
Written Tuesday 8th February 2022
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So, here's today's little ditty.
(I don't know whether folks outside the UK would know what a Chelsea Bun is. I love them, they are extremely yum…
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark.
I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy.
Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 2
Written Monday 7th February 2022
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I wrote this one a couple of hours ago.
I set up for recording, and busted a string on the Martin... GAH!!!
I tried a big ole dreadnought thing…
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
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…
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
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…
The Feast - A A J Russe
Written 26th September 1985
Recorded 3rd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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This one's been sticking out of the shoebox for a long long while. It always shows up in a list of maybes. And it did this time…
Just To Make It What You Want - A A J Russe
Written 1st October 2016
Recorded 4th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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I was going to choose a more uptempo one next, then this one jumped out of the shoebox at us, shouting "me me ME…
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…
Isn't This Fun - A A J Russe
Written 1980 (Completed 16th June 1991)
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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I wrote most of this in my first year at university.
But the Shoebox says I completed it 16/06/1991 - and the…
I Want You To Know - A A J Russe
Written 21st June 1987
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This was to the same lady who inspired Foolishness. There's a couple of others from the same period, related to her, that will…
I Want You To Know - A A J Russe
Written 21st June 1987
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This was to the same lady who inspired Foolishness. There's a couple of others from the same period, related to her, that will…
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…
I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 1
Written Sunday 6th February 2022
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OK, this is a bit of a departure for me - posting songwriting demos.
This is a one mic recording made this morning in the living room, touch of reverbs…
First time hearing your stuff. After the first song, I love your writing. I'll be listening through what you have posted for the rest of the day!
Completely agree with RPM. I do enjoy it, however this year, my focus was more on songwriting and having fun. Production took a back seat.
I Want You To Know - A A J Russe
Written 21st June 1987
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This was to the same lady who inspired Foolishness. There's a couple of others from the same period, related to her, that will…
I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
The Feast - A A J Russe
Written 26th September 1985
Recorded 3rd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one's been sticking out of the shoebox for a long long while. It always shows up in a list of maybes. And it did this time…
**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…
I had your FAWM playlist going and sort of forgot I was supposed to be active listening, but this one pulled me right back into it... then I saw your liner notes. I know the feeling of not being happy with something but needing to get it out, but this is great. I'm curious to see what you do with it, because I think it works far better than you it seems.
You better close the stadium with this one, because all those lighters and voices in unison are going to violate some sort of by-law.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 3
Written Tuesday 8th February 2022
****
So, here's today's little ditty.
(I don't know whether folks outside the UK would know what a Chelsea Bun is. I love them, they are extremely yum…
I'm a little perplexed at the narrative, but oh what a great narrative it is. That second verse paints a pretty vivid picture, although I'm a little unsure that being denied pastries is an apt consequence, but then Ive never had a Chelsea Bun.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 1
Written Sunday 6th February 2022
****
OK, this is a bit of a departure for me - posting songwriting demos.
This is a one mic recording made this morning in the living room, touch of reverbs…
Congratulations on the FAWM "win", especially with only 23 days to do it. A great start as well.
I share the sentiment on production. Part of me wants to do RPM next year because I wonder if I had too, could I move fast on production? It sounds a lot more exhausting than FAWM, that's for sure.
Wooden Sam
Mike Basil: Lead Vocal
Gary Miller: Rhythm Guitar
Mick Lovering: Lead Guitar
Andy Gupta: Bass
Todd Vierra: Drums
John Scunziano: Lyrics
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Mike Basil
Mixed & Mastered by Steffen Offermann…
IMO John sounds like David Essex. :)
Music: Steffen Offermann & John Green
Lyrics: John Green
Vocals, Lead Guitar: John Green
Rhythm Guitar: Henry Mittnacht
Mix & Master: Steffen Offermann
This one is loosely based on the Frog and the Princess. What if the Frog was really a man but with a less than perfect face? If beauty is only skin deep, why is ugly to the bone? Can't someone less attractive be beautiful inside?
Enjoy.
ER
I've been listening to a good bunch of yours this evening, most of the King Arthur's Knight set and selections from everywhere else. I was too busy listening to type any comments!
I love how you seem to be able to take anything and everything and turn it into a song. I've kind of learnt something here, not sure what it is yet, but many thanks!
This is really effective. Not a style I listen to much, but after checking out your other tracks I had to come back for another listen to this one. Kinda sneaks up on you.
Lyrics:
You think you know what you’re talking about
You get your way when you scream and shout
Look all around, you’ll find someone to blame
I’m just a pawn in your little game
I thought you were special, that was my mistake
You thought…
I haven't listened to one of yours yet that I haven't liked.
We get the spirit of Lemmy, Lee Brilleaux, a "fired up" Clapton, and countless others... good old honest rocking and swinging stuff.
Glad I discovered you this morning - excellent stuff, keep it up sir!
Loving the strat and harp on this one.
Oh yeah, the spirit of whatever it is that gave us Motorhead, Dr Feelgood, and all that superb British RnB back in the 70s is alive and kicking in Nottinghamshire...
Loving this stuff.
Love it. I was about to make a comment about I can a certain amount of Kilmister/Clarke here, then I noticed I have a version of City Kids coming up in a few minutes
If it all has this vibe, I think I'm gonna like your stuff :-)
Love the lead bass-playing.
For everybody who wanted to hear my voice!
I love rainbows. I originally uploaded this as a dedication to my Dad :)
Recorded with a £4.99 Asda SmartPrice headphone/ mic, using just the metronome you can hear ticking away there. I then…
Yeah, write some lyrics!
It needs doing :-)
Even without vocal this yummy. And some VERY tasteful guitaring going on - makes me want to get one of my telecasters out and dust it off.
And then the sudden change of style at the end? That was a real surprise, but it seems to fit - it needs them lyrics.
Oh this is just a brilliant version. I played it because I thought, well... I had my doubts! (I'm kinda fond of the original).
But this is superb - there's a whole load of sunshine in your voice.
It's fun to buy a new toy once in a while. This is the first attempt at using my new Line 6 POD Guitar Effects.
Lyrics:
Here you come, my sweet baby
Don’t know why you drive me crazy
I’m crazy, in love with you
And it’s been a long long…
the girl with her piano
this land she's in
clothed in unfamiliarity
these colors blend, fade
and run out of hue
all light has changed
and turned into greyscale
tinted with every shade of blue
this room she's in
suddenly fills with…
My composition Ediacaran Garden for classical guitar has been selected for performance by Kenji Haba in New York City June 26 2011 as part of the Fifteen Minutes of Fame with Kenji Haba Vox Novus series. A requirement was that the piece not…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
Absolutely beautiful! Warm and an interesting narrative :). Loving it!
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark. I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy. Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
I think I dated this one. I like the guitar lick. The song really moves along well.
I can feel that being a great Rockin' song .....
That's a great song in the making ......
A little bit of magic ...
Very good ..... afraid the 80's are so far away for me ..... old age ;)
Top notch my friend ....
An enjoyable listen, and a little different.
This is beautiful.
Poignant, affecting. Something everyone can relate to. I'm glad you were able to revisit this old song, and I also hope recording it was cathartic.
First time hearing your stuff. After the first song, I love your writing. I'll be listening through what you have posted for the rest of the day! Completely agree with RPM. I do enjoy it, however this year, my focus was more on songwriting and having fun. Production took a back seat.
Funny I don’t get stalker vibes but I can see if one knew the backstory that might be the outcome. Another great piece of writing!!
Sparse and beautiful
This is a good listen.
I had your FAWM playlist going and sort of forgot I was supposed to be active listening, but this one pulled me right back into it... then I saw your liner notes. I know the feeling of not being happy with something but needing to get it out, but this is great. I'm curious to see what you do with it, because I think it works far better than you it seems. You better close the stadium with this one, because all those lighters and voices in unison are going to violate some sort of by-law.
I'm a little perplexed at the narrative, but oh what a great narrative it is. That second verse paints a pretty vivid picture, although I'm a little unsure that being denied pastries is an apt consequence, but then Ive never had a Chelsea Bun.
Congratulations on the FAWM "win", especially with only 23 days to do it. A great start as well. I share the sentiment on production. Part of me wants to do RPM next year because I wonder if I had too, could I move fast on production? It sounds a lot more exhausting than FAWM, that's for sure.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
I'd like to hear your voice more prominently as well, but it does work well like this (I just like vocals!) Lovely feel to it, big smile music.
Ooo yeah, like this one. A lovely "tight but loose" feel.
Not convinced he sounds like David Essex - ok, a bit maybe - but he's got a fabulous voice. And his guitar playing's rather tasteful too. Nice one.
I've been listening to a good bunch of yours this evening, most of the King Arthur's Knight set and selections from everywhere else. I was too busy listening to type any comments! I love how you seem to be able to take anything and everything and turn it into a song. I've kind of learnt something here, not sure what it is yet, but many thanks!
And before I knew it I was listening to this one a second time as well! I like what you're doing. You guys have opened my ears up a bit this evening.
This is really effective. Not a style I listen to much, but after checking out your other tracks I had to come back for another listen to this one. Kinda sneaks up on you.
And this is gorgeous.
Just following my nose, and I found this... Wonderful
Mighty piece of work. An excellent timeless kind of song, wonderfully captured.
I haven't listened to one of yours yet that I haven't liked. We get the spirit of Lemmy, Lee Brilleaux, a "fired up" Clapton, and countless others... good old honest rocking and swinging stuff. Glad I discovered you this morning - excellent stuff, keep it up sir! Loving the strat and harp on this one.
Classic. A cover of a song written for a spoof, that goes to show what a good RnB song it actually is. Love it. Excellent harp playing.
Brilliant version, just brilliant.
Oh yeah, the spirit of whatever it is that gave us Motorhead, Dr Feelgood, and all that superb British RnB back in the 70s is alive and kicking in Nottinghamshire... Loving this stuff.
Love it. I was about to make a comment about I can a certain amount of Kilmister/Clarke here, then I noticed I have a version of City Kids coming up in a few minutes If it all has this vibe, I think I'm gonna like your stuff :-) Love the lead bass-playing.
Oh yes...
Yeah, write some lyrics! It needs doing :-) Even without vocal this yummy. And some VERY tasteful guitaring going on - makes me want to get one of my telecasters out and dust it off. And then the sudden change of style at the end? That was a real surprise, but it seems to fit - it needs them lyrics.
Oh this is just a brilliant version. I played it because I thought, well... I had my doubts! (I'm kinda fond of the original). But this is superb - there's a whole load of sunshine in your voice.
Love this.
This is fabulous, extremely inspiring, I'm reaching for my guitar now... Thanks for this one.
Fantastic playing there. Congratulations. Pity it's only a minute long though lol