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…
Isn't This Fun - A A J Russe
Written 1980 (Completed 16th June 1991)
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
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
****
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
****
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.
**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…
Well sir, you smashed this challenge - and ended up with a stunning unplugged album. It's made me want to hear some of your established tracks with similar stripped-down arrangements, leading the listener to concentrate on the sheer artistry of your words and astonishingly soulful vocal. Next challenge for you is the 24 hours album. 24 minutes of original music in 24 hours. I believe it originated on alonetone. Off you go.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 13
Written Saturday 19th February 2022
****
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…
**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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 7
Written Saturday 12th February 2022
****
This one was easy to write but hard work singing and recording.
I'm fairly certain this one is high on the list of "arrange me later" - I kept…
Great song writing - loving the sentiment and your tender vox here. I love it when the FAWM and RPM parameters draw out his kind of track, any more of an arrangement would detract from the message - IMHO.
**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…
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…
I'm not superstitious, but ... I did not want to end the day with 13 uploaded songs. :D
Here is another old one. Not mixed as good as I think I could do it now, but it could be much worse. ;)
Music: Steffen Offermann & Tricia Dovidio
Lyrics…
---------------------------------------------
EDIT:
---------------------------------------------
I finally was able to remix the song. Please listen to "Fide On The Broom Stick (Version 2012)" in my track list to compare…
This celtic folk piece is a collaboration with lyricist Donna Devine.
This is Donna's explanation:
===============================
Background: In earlier centuries, young men were captured by "press gangs" - often literally torn away from…
Another goodie...
Thoroughly enjoyable listen to all of your tracks on here so far...
I'm amazed at all the different styles you take on and succeed at.
This one started while I was commenting All I Do Is Cry ... and it didn't grab me initially.
But when I started concentrating... crumbs, this excellent. Really interesting melody and chords, and boy does he navigate his way around it well.
I had to click favourite by the time it finished! Brilliant.
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Guitar: Billy Playle
Bass: Andy Gupta
Drums: Alex Zulaika
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Tricia Dovidio
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Ah... I heard this the other day, didn't I?
I've got two more of yours to go at the moment, but this is my personal FAVOURITE so far.
I assume it's Tricia Dovidio on the vocal again? I think I loves her voice and delivery... :-)
Vocals: Paul T. Bathen
Lyrics: Michael Taub
Bass: William Fisher
Guitars: Bill Gifford
Drums: Gerald Langefeld
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
I'm glad this song finally got finished. I had lost the synth draft and with it…
Like the song, love the song, but you're right, I think there's a better a mix in there - it's almost like the lead vocal dominates the track too much... try thinning him out a bit mebbe? Seems a shame to do it though, he's got such a good rich voice :-)
Vocals: Eric Savoie
Acoustic Guitar: Dan Clancy
Electric Guitars: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Trevor Tillotson
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Eric Savoie
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Oh yeah, this is a special one.
He's an excellent lead vocalist, absolutely superb. The song stays sung when he's sung it! Not so convinced that he ought to do his own bvox based on this one though? I felt his lead wanted a different texture to go with it.
Having said that though - wow! The song, the performances, the recording... Superb :-)
Vocals: Tricia Dovidio
Lyrics: Bob Beckley
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This one was tricky to do because the piano does not play at a fixed tempo, and it was an online collaboration (like all my collaborations).
Oh yeah... love this. I quite like songs that don't have a fixed tempo - sounds more natural to me... but they're a pain to overdub to though!!
I'm with Mr Landry - where do you find all these vocalists?!! I particularly like this one.
A pop/rock tune in the veins of the 80s. At least that was the goal.
UPDATE: This is the Jan 2017 version!
Lyrics: Casia
Vocals: Jessica Rasche
Solo Guitar: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Jean Lui Toudou
Drums: Jay Carros
Composed, arranged…
I'm getting a much better idea of "stoman" listening to tracks one after the other on here.
You have no fear of genres/whatever - write the song, get the right dudes on... job done :-)
Another classy one.
Vocals: Sabrina Doughty
Lyrics: Grant D. McLeman
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This is the 2012 remix.
This song was based on a free-form lyric by Grant D. McLeman from Scotland. Quite a challenge ... :)
Lyrics & Lead Vocals: Angela Baird
Background Vocals: TSV
Bass: Matt Lewin
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This song is a problem ... the vocal track was never meant for production (although…
Vocals: James Ryce
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Bass & Drums: Neal Vanderhoof
Guitar: Andrew Doherty
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
James is actually a country singer. This was the first time for him to sing a jazzy piano…
He did a fine job (vocal).
I like the relaxed vibe of the track. It's one of those songs that needs a decent performance to bring it out - I think you guys achieved it. Love that organ when it comes in.
Well, this one pushes my buttons...
"When the red dawn sings it's sad song and warns us what's to come..." - brilliant.
Lovely voice and a compelling performance.
This was written as part of a concept album inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso ,Trevor Lewis is a member of Songcrafters music forum , he came up with the idea of writing poems to 12 Picasso paintings , then put them out for people to put music…
Didn't realise you were on here!
I'm not sure whether I've heard this before elsewhere, but who cares, I love it... makes me think we might have been listening to the same band some years ago :-)
February
t boudreau
I'm stuck inside of February
With little chance of escape
And all you bar-stool visionaries
giving me advice that you'd never take
Wanna seat on a slow boat heading
South down a stream that seems to never end
Or…
Make Up Your Mind
T Boudreau
I've been lying here all alone waiting for you to pick up the phone oh yea
I've been dying here all along praying for you to come and save my soul oh yea
Where you gonna run when the well gets dry
Or are you…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
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.
Well sir, you smashed this challenge - and ended up with a stunning unplugged album. It's made me want to hear some of your established tracks with similar stripped-down arrangements, leading the listener to concentrate on the sheer artistry of your words and astonishingly soulful vocal. Next challenge for you is the 24 hours album. 24 minutes of original music in 24 hours. I believe it originated on alonetone. Off you go.
Glad you didn't bin it! Liking the driving feel - immediately hooky also.
A sweet almost-lullaby - glad this one found a home in your February. So very pretty.
Really love this melody and the breezy feel. Some gorgeous little acoustic guitar runs in there too.
Great song writing - loving the sentiment and your tender vox here. I love it when the FAWM and RPM parameters draw out his kind of track, any more of an arrangement would detract from the message - IMHO.
Woohoo! Logged in and back from Brighton. <3 Can now fave this utter classic.
Hauntingly sad and beautiful
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Ah! Another Tricia Dovidio vocal - yesss... Got any more? :-) Love the organ... but I'm a sucker for a hammondy tone
Yep, lovely stuff, this works as it is for me
Another goodie... Thoroughly enjoyable listen to all of your tracks on here so far... I'm amazed at all the different styles you take on and succeed at.
This one started while I was commenting All I Do Is Cry ... and it didn't grab me initially. But when I started concentrating... crumbs, this excellent. Really interesting melody and chords, and boy does he navigate his way around it well. I had to click favourite by the time it finished! Brilliant.
Ah... I heard this the other day, didn't I? I've got two more of yours to go at the moment, but this is my personal FAVOURITE so far. I assume it's Tricia Dovidio on the vocal again? I think I loves her voice and delivery... :-)
Like the song, love the song, but you're right, I think there's a better a mix in there - it's almost like the lead vocal dominates the track too much... try thinning him out a bit mebbe? Seems a shame to do it though, he's got such a good rich voice :-)
Oh yeah, this is a special one. He's an excellent lead vocalist, absolutely superb. The song stays sung when he's sung it! Not so convinced that he ought to do his own bvox based on this one though? I felt his lead wanted a different texture to go with it. Having said that though - wow! The song, the performances, the recording... Superb :-)
Oh yeah... love this. I quite like songs that don't have a fixed tempo - sounds more natural to me... but they're a pain to overdub to though!! I'm with Mr Landry - where do you find all these vocalists?!! I particularly like this one.
I'm getting a much better idea of "stoman" listening to tracks one after the other on here. You have no fear of genres/whatever - write the song, get the right dudes on... job done :-) Another classy one.
Works for me. Great track and the vocal just sits there like it should.
I like it. I see what you mean about the vocal take... but I think it adds to it's effect.
He did a fine job (vocal). I like the relaxed vibe of the track. It's one of those songs that needs a decent performance to bring it out - I think you guys achieved it. Love that organ when it comes in.
Well, this one pushes my buttons... "When the red dawn sings it's sad song and warns us what's to come..." - brilliant. Lovely voice and a compelling performance.
Wow... First time I've heard this one. Excellent song... and SUPERB vocal
Didn't realise you were on here! I'm not sure whether I've heard this before elsewhere, but who cares, I love it... makes me think we might have been listening to the same band some years ago :-)
Beautiful. I've got some goodbyes it would have fitted. Many thanks.
Liked this a lot.
Great finish to an excellent album. Loved the whole thing, nice work guys. When you coming to London? :-)
Digging this album BIGTIME so far. This track has really made me sit up and pay attention. Actually, stand up and boogie is more accurate :-)
I know what it is, you're a mixture of Lennon AND McCartney, with a bunch of seventies rock chucked in - this is why I love your stuff so much...