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
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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.
**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
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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
****
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…
IN MY ROOM
In my room there's no day and there's no night In my room, just an incandescent light ...hanging from a wire.
In my room there's no hot and there's no cold In my room, I'm not young. I'm not old ...hanging from a wire
(C) 2021…
Some blues/boogie fun.
Ain’t no fun
It's a well known fact
When you’re with the wrong woman
And caught in the act
Sworn to secrecy
We even made a pact
But didn’t matter
We were caught in the act
Been watched and followed
Traced…
Song 5 for the RPM Challenge. Building tunes around an incessant bass line is oddly appealing to me. This is a bit of a dystopian song of sorts. Thanks to anyone who listens!
Take me to the river
and hold me under water
Bow down beside…
Nice one. Yeah, I've been thinking (listening to stuff elsewhere) about writing to basslines. Most of the time I write with an acoustic guitar, singing it as I play it - no recording equipment is used/harmed. But something else happens if the bass is laid down first. And, as a writer, I also find it strangely appealing. Cool track... I'm ready for the next one!
Song 2 for the RPM Challenge. Wrote this at the piano and then had fun trying all sorts of spontaneous vocal harmonies. Switching time signatures for the chorus made for some challenging recording!
Song 3 of RPM 2022. For the many tortured artists I've met with a bit of a dance spin to it. Most of my songs are unintentional and unplanned....they just happen. Thanks to anyone who's listening!! :)
Song 4 of my 2022 RPM challenge. A simple popish tune to add to the mix.
I never told you
what I wanted
no, it don’t feel right
the things you say
the things you do
well they hold me hold me
I never asked you
for anything
I…
The coffee table gang helped me round out this one that I shared earlier. I love this version with Mark Lofgren and Greg Connor's wonderful talents on the backup vocals and guitars. I like how my ukulele blended in on this version.
Sometimes…
A song I wrote over the last few days. Did a one-take-wonder on the recording, so it's pretty simple. Hope you like it!
Sometimes You Don't
Verse 1
Sometimes in the early morning hours
As the sun lights up the sky
I look back and think…
The Minnesota Association of Songwriters issued a writing challenge this January to "borrow" conceptually from a writer that has influenced our writing to create a new original work of our own. Once you hear this, I think you'll get the idea…
Sunshine fill my soul
Let the blues be the first to go
Sunshine can’t complain
If life shows us a little rain
Chorus
Sunshine through the window
At first morning’s light
All the stars fade away
When sunshine gets so bright
When sunshine…
Like it. I just read Colleen's comment and realised that I was bopping my head along with the tempo too! Loved that "oh yeah" at the end of the bridge.
Song I wrote last year about struggling with identity...
lyrics below lol
it's hard for me to be myself when i don't know who i am
feel like i'm just an empty shelf filled with empty photographs
and i might be all alright if i don't think…
Woooo! Another powerful one from you (I think I've missed a few). Your stuff always seems to speak to something in what I've got going on... I've had a lot going on last few months... this speaks into that in a kind of surprising unexpected way. Many thanks.
Another song for the 2021 National Solo Album Month.
What do we think of this cat? I have an urge to get proggy right now and generally that requires a level of talent that I don't posses. I'm not putting myself down when I say that, it's…
Oh yeah, I'm with JMT, I really like this. I haven't been doing much, if any, listening on here for ages... popped in for a moment, saw his comment and hit play. Really glad I did
Bringing back a song from 2011 with a new twist. The song now has drums, bass, and an orchestral backend. This is hopefully part of a larger collection of me reworking older songs with orchestration.
Many thanks to Brian of A Beautiful Scene…
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
Oh WOW... how did I miss this?
This is the stuff. Fabulous sound and suitably bite-sized for the modern "work from home" attention span! :)
Nice one.
WOW forgotten how much I loved this track
Nice one. Yeah, I've been thinking (listening to stuff elsewhere) about writing to basslines. Most of the time I write with an acoustic guitar, singing it as I play it - no recording equipment is used/harmed. But something else happens if the bass is laid down first. And, as a writer, I also find it strangely appealing. Cool track... I'm ready for the next one!
Oh yeah. This is a nice one. Love the lyrics.
Yep, that's heartfelt. Love the feel of the lead in the instrumental. Some fine harp as well.
Oh crumbs... loving your stuff. Faved and followed... I'll be back to listen to more.
And this... wow. Loving your vocal delivery. Very cool song too.
I saw your name going by and thought "I've not heard them, are have I?". Woo... like this.
Wow. And this version. Love those guitars.
And this is a bit gorgeous too. LOVE that chorus.
OH MY, this is gorgeous
Like it. I just read Colleen's comment and realised that I was bopping my head along with the tempo too! Loved that "oh yeah" at the end of the bridge.
Woooo! Another powerful one from you (I think I've missed a few). Your stuff always seems to speak to something in what I've got going on... I've had a lot going on last few months... this speaks into that in a kind of surprising unexpected way. Many thanks.
Oooh yeah. Saw the notification for this yesterday, that's why I popped in, to check it out. This is a mighty fine "just a little ditty"
Oh yeah, I'm with JMT, I really like this. I haven't been doing much, if any, listening on here for ages... popped in for a moment, saw his comment and hit play. Really glad I did
Yeah, like it.
Strangely hypnotic with the repeating note and then the tinkles and wotnot. Works really well for me.
Wooo... Digging this one.