**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…
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
****
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
****
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
****
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.
All Messed Up
(Boudreau)
I was hanging on the end of the block near the record shop
Waiting for my boys to show
You spilled out of a cab with your bags full of get up n go
And I wasn’t looking for trouble but it sure has a subtle way of…
Happily Ever After
(Boudreau)
I’ve been counting on the sun to come and melt my blues away
I’ve been dying for your smile all day
I’m trying to find the reason I’ve been moving so slow
I guess I’m just tired of blaming the snow
So I…
Just been listening to Mott The Hoople - made me think of this, so back for another listen. Every bit as good as I remembered...
And guess what??
My favourite button worked!! :-)
The product of yesterdays experiments with Metasynth.
I took a few seconds of a Debussy piano piece and imported them into Metasynths spectrum synth where I turned them into a groove which I then filtered in the Filter room.
I imported this…
Halfway through it did feel like it was the intro to something (cue dry ice, big light show, power chord, let's rock... mebbe!)(I think it's the hi-hat that does this to me, it reminds me of a drummer itching to get going)
But, for me, it does actually bring itself to a nice conclusion. Didn't really feel like "petering out" at this end.
Next in the little pile of songs from the shoe-box. This one has the date 27th January 1994 written on it, but it's describing an episode from many years earlier when I was, I'm guessing, something like 12 or 13 years old.
I had to go to a…
lol - That's the "Rory" face, Greg... didn't realise how much it came out until I saw this video.
I have a camera now, and I'm currently struggling with how to control my face...
During the course of a song, I seem to wander the entire range of emotions - from intensely "bored" (the "I wonder what the next chord is?" face) to an "utterly bluddy crazy-man coming to get you" look...
Was I really that scary when I was doing gigs?!?!?
Today I decided I would play with the lovely (and free) [Pocket Blakus](http://blakus.com/pocketblakus-192) solo cello.
At first I tried arpeggiating some chords but this didn't work so well with this cello which has a long, heavy, sound that…
A demo track for a new Reaktor instrument I'm building codename: Mimetron.
Loop Guitar 1 is a long, flowing, ambient piece. Mellow with a few moments of grit.
Mimetron is a 3 voice sampler that is driven by incoming audio. It has 3 channels…
Woof - dat boy is rockin.
At first I thought it was you on the guitar (I was working in another window, recognised the vocal and thought - "hello, there's a man who's been down to the crossroads over the last week or so!!" lol)
The momentary disappointment was more than made up for by the track itself :-)
(I was sat here thrashing the ineffective Fave button...)
New song By Andy & Ron
Andy: Lyrics
Ron: music and lyrics, all guitars, bass and vocals.
About an aging rocker who thinks he can still impress the ladies!!!
Lyrics
Verse 1
I knew I was a rocker in my groovy leather pants
I looked at all…
Love it.
I used to have some groovy leather pants - they used to stand up on their own the day after a gig!
Mrs R disposed of them when we got married (mainly cos I couldn't get into them... "why hold on to them?"... "well you never know, I might slim down again"... "not that much you won't" lol)
My attempt at writing a bluegrass tune and an opportunity to try my hand at some flat pickin'
... loosely based on a friends experiences growing up in a small town in the prairies ... where everything is flat ... you know, a place where you can…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
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.
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.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Aw, I'm just in the right mood for this stuff. Love it.
Ooh yeah, nice opener.
Just listened to the whole Something Into Nothing album. Superb stuff.
A fine fine RPM. Loved it all. Nice one.
I forgot to comment on this yesterday. Yeah, like it - hope you didn't upstage the magic with the music!
Nice slide.
Classy version
Wonderful album Mr Fox.
Well, I moved a little bit (tied to desk, working in another window)... Loving the album so far...
Woo - what an opener.
Just been listening to Mott The Hoople - made me think of this, so back for another listen. Every bit as good as I remembered... And guess what?? My favourite button worked!! :-)
Oh yeah, nice one. Cute ending :-) (and another "missing" fave here)
Halfway through it did feel like it was the intro to something (cue dry ice, big light show, power chord, let's rock... mebbe!)(I think it's the hi-hat that does this to me, it reminds me of a drummer itching to get going) But, for me, it does actually bring itself to a nice conclusion. Didn't really feel like "petering out" at this end.
lol - That's the "Rory" face, Greg... didn't realise how much it came out until I saw this video. I have a camera now, and I'm currently struggling with how to control my face... During the course of a song, I seem to wander the entire range of emotions - from intensely "bored" (the "I wonder what the next chord is?" face) to an "utterly bluddy crazy-man coming to get you" look... Was I really that scary when I was doing gigs?!?!?
Oh yeah, gorgeous cello sound.
Don't think I'll ever understand this way of making music - but it do make some nice sounds. Cool track.
Sounds like you've possibly got some Groovy Leather Pants like ole Ron has... Rocking.
Woof - dat boy is rockin. At first I thought it was you on the guitar (I was working in another window, recognised the vocal and thought - "hello, there's a man who's been down to the crossroads over the last week or so!!" lol) The momentary disappointment was more than made up for by the track itself :-) (I was sat here thrashing the ineffective Fave button...)
Love it. I used to have some groovy leather pants - they used to stand up on their own the day after a gig! Mrs R disposed of them when we got married (mainly cos I couldn't get into them... "why hold on to them?"... "well you never know, I might slim down again"... "not that much you won't" lol)
Ooh yeah, top notch indeed.