**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
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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
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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…
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.
I am not sure anyone will like this track but me, but I think I did a decent songwriting job here.
Lyrics:
16 hours a day upon my seat
Never walk a step I’m feelin beat
Temp me with a little food
Put me in a better mood
Waiting for another…
Wrote this after I was getting over an illness. I think it came out pretty good, and my guitar sounds good through that '64 Ampeg Reverberocket.
(Lyrics are approximate)
Sittin around like a bump on a log
walkin around like my head in a…
I predict that this will be one of the more popular tracks of the album, because the whole thing took about 45 minutes to create. It was COLD that day!!
Lyrics (approximate)
Doncha stand too close or you'll burn your toes
move your face…
I spent days obsessing over the baseline for this song, and it ends up being fairly unremarkable and will be barely noticed on most speakers.
Lyrics:
You're drivin home in your luxury car all alone now
Designer suit is the only thing…
It's tough to go wrong with a song like this. Not only is it wholly unoriginal, but I think I am exactly ripping someone off. I can't place the exact song, though.
Lyrics:
Time to introduce myself as the fount of creation
you mighta been…
I started listening to this album the other day but got dragged off to do make the dinner or something.
Glad I came back - this grabs me just as much as it did first time round...
This is a song I wrote this week, trying to capture that strange emotion you sometimes feel during times of great milestones in your life - good things happening, changes, moving on. Joy and melancholy all at the same time. Everyone feels it…
This one went through many iterations before turning into what you hear. A key breakthrough came when I stumbled upon that keyboard part for the verses. That opened the whole thing up.
Another SUPERB RPM from you Mr Fox.
As always, I'm stunned you achieved this level across all the tracks in such a short time.
Hats off to you sir. Five Stars. Etc.
There is no reverb on any vox parts in this one. I loved how I was able to get the tone of the voices to have that mid-60s sound. This was aided by the fact I am running through an emulation of the Abbey Road mixing desk. ;)
Again, listened to most of this before reading the blurb. And I was thinking "there's John, Paul, and George..." - aha, I see!
(And therefore I've just learnt something from this - might be stealing this technique in future!!)
No offense meant to my English friends. ;) I grew up there as a kid, so we have common cause. Anyway, this song is more about the struggle between the material and spiritual, doing the right thing when you are called upon, etc. Hope you enjoy!
Oh yes.
Guitar, especially instrumental, is reminding me a lot of Jimmy Page (been listening to Physical Graffiti a lot over the last few weeks). Don't know whether an "English rock" approach to the guitar was intentional, but it certainly works.
As you may have picked up on, there's a lot this year about soldiering on when your world has been destroyed. So, this is a song of hope. Have faith, have faith...
Awww... and this follows "Say Something" perfectly. Gorgeous heart-rending chorus.
We all bring our own baggage to a song we hear - but I'm feeling more of an "PLEASE accept who I am" as I'm listening to it - whether sung to oneself or another. Probably fits with what you wanted, anyway!
Brilliant.
This one was a hard one to nail. The Wurlitzer riff was something I accidentally played and fell in love with immediately, so I needed to write a song that enhanced the mood that the tone of the Wurly evoked. The sound is so empty and spacious…
I'd listened to most of this one (and faved it) before I read the blurb... glad I did - cos I can tell you that we think you nailed it.
LOVE that bare piano and the plaintive "Say something".
Defiance, self-doubt, hubris, failure, choosing...It's all here to hear.
The title is a nod to my love of a certain guitar player and singer from a late 60's act; who's solo records were even better. The vibrato guitar is inspired by him…
It is easy to mock and ridicule, but much harder to learn and understand. Overcoming our own pig-headedness may be our biggest personal challenge. This song thinks about that. I also was rather happy with how my Telecaster sounds in the rhythm…
The song that led the way. I came up with the guitar sound first, and needed a song that evoked the pure energy that was coming from that guitar sound. It needed to be fast and intense. And it needed harmonies. We're full abandon 'cause it's time…
Girls aren't like guitars.
They won't just sit around waiting for you to come up with something interesting to do
Girls aren't like guitars.
If you're having problems maybe it's because
Girls aren't like guitars
(C) 2015 Royal T Music
I have been wanting to do some Cream covers for awhile now and with the passing of Jack Bruce it seemed an appropriate time to record some sort of tribute to him and the band.
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'm with you - good song, nice one. Enjoyed your RPM, well done.
Yep, this one came out good. It's the driving bass that I'm digging here.
Ha! Ha! I like the sounds you get with your acoustic guitars.
Digging the relaxed "roll" of this one. And that harp is spot on.
I started listening to this album the other day but got dragged off to do make the dinner or something. Glad I came back - this grabs me just as much as it did first time round...
Well that works. Lovely stuff guys.
Another SUPERB RPM from you Mr Fox. As always, I'm stunned you achieved this level across all the tracks in such a short time. Hats off to you sir. Five Stars. Etc.
Again, listened to most of this before reading the blurb. And I was thinking "there's John, Paul, and George..." - aha, I see! (And therefore I've just learnt something from this - might be stealing this technique in future!!)
Oh yes. Guitar, especially instrumental, is reminding me a lot of Jimmy Page (been listening to Physical Graffiti a lot over the last few weeks). Don't know whether an "English rock" approach to the guitar was intentional, but it certainly works.
Yep :-)
Awww... and this follows "Say Something" perfectly. Gorgeous heart-rending chorus. We all bring our own baggage to a song we hear - but I'm feeling more of an "PLEASE accept who I am" as I'm listening to it - whether sung to oneself or another. Probably fits with what you wanted, anyway! Brilliant.
I'd listened to most of this one (and faved it) before I read the blurb... glad I did - cos I can tell you that we think you nailed it. LOVE that bare piano and the plaintive "Say something".
Loving the guitar...
Well (and bear in mind, I was *quite* looking forward to this album) ... I'm not disappointed so far :)
And it's a fine fine guitar sound - it would have had me going too. Love it, nice opener.
Nice one. It's got a bouncy walk to it.
This is superb. Even the girl in this house laughed.
How did I miss this?!! I'm with JMT - coulda fooled me... Classy job sir
She's just a hoochie coochie cutie from the state of... misery Yes :-)
Yep, that's the stuff :-)