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…
New original from me, hot off the old wotsit.
When it was half written yesterday, I was considering binning it as a throwaway exercise - I do that quite often. But I played the songwriting demo to someone else and, er, apparently I should finish…
So I was locked in the broom-cupboard, checking out some old songs that need recording.
I'd just picked one and then suddenly this thing came out of nowehere. It started with one of those guitarist doodles that other musicians love so much…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here is the first reply to In Your Hands.
I say "first" because I've found another one, When I Try To Be Me, that Mrs R says I have to do too... but that's unlikely to be the next one I post because I'm working…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
OK, let's delve once more into the magical shoebox of unused songs...
I've already recorded several that were written in 1994 (Sleeping with the Ghost, Elizabeth's Room, With Mum Again, If You Knew, A Hundred and…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Here it is in all of its glory...
THIS is the song that Mrs R and I had decided was a suitable response to a request to "Upload something HAPPY, stat!!!!!!!!!"
I tried to record it back in 2013 when I wrote it…
I was once asked to write a happy song. It turned out to be about a woman who killed herself and when I found out THAT SHE ACTUALLY KILLED HERSELF I wasn't sure what to think about my premonition.https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/a-happy-song. THEN, later an old friend asked if I had any happy songs so I wrote this:https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/if-it-makes-you-happy-092914-1
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I was asked (told?) to upload something happy. Hmmm, I thought. This will end well...
So, a few days later, I was rehearsing a pleasant little thing I wrote several years ago that has a working title of "She Was…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Here's the very latest from the broom-cupboard.
I wrote it one dark night over 23 years ago.
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**All I Have To Do - A A J Russe**
There isn’t much time to get this out
You won’t hear me if I have to…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Okies, so I'm working on some other thing and it's taking a while... drums to do and wotnot. But in the middle of it I'm digging how my Martin acoustic is working out. You probs won't even be able to hear it amongst…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wrote this one last September.
Allison Jane Sixsmith 1965-2016.
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**Forever - A A J Russe**
I can see you on your rocking horse now
The one that turned around and kicked you in the teeth
He thought…
I hear you’re drinking at the chocolate fountain
You pulled the handle off the door
But they won’t mind
They’ll be mending it forever..." Great images...
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wasn't even sure the recording machine was still going to work after nearly five years... Certainly, bits of me don't work anymore... But, surprisingly, I got this done in 24 hours, start to finish... Strange old world…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
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…
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…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
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…
No-one To Blame - A A J Russe
Written 1st January 1988
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
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…
What's really cool about these songs written long ago is that you are still able to remember the melody... I'm always having to remember my own music. I really like this one! Wise words of a twenty something... wiser that his years!
Who Is My Neighbour - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1992
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
I wrote this 30 years ago when I was 29. There were a bunch of people killing other people. There were refugees.
By the…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
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…
It's been a long 2+ years...
G/Bm - C9
Here we stand, hand in hand
Staring over the edge
Not the way we planned it
But what we have in the end
When the waves were crashing
How were we to know
That nothing would be the same
When we…
rpm 2k26
piano solo Jason Ulanet
I’m coming out my shell
The air is clean and fine
My wings are beautiful
I can’t believe they’re mine
It’s a wonderful feeling
Flying in the sky
I soar above the trees
Nothing can stop me now
I…
One song for my RPM challenge! I'm late to the party...but will try to finish anyhow (did I really sign up for 10 songs??!!!). This song was written while our guitar was in some peculiar tuning - so I just followed along. Kind of minimal but…
Here is my final mix of the last song I'm posting for this 2026 RPM Challenge. I wrote it half way through the challenge in a rough form and just finished the mix at 11:40 pm on February 28th. I did so many layers of synth and piano and stuff…
Trying to pump these out. Here's my next RPM song. When in doubt I just start harmonizing to whatever I write. I don't use any software to do harmonies - I prefer the old fashioned natural method because I love harmonizing to everything I hear…
This was the third song I wrote for RPM this year - took me a while to produce it. I started with a base line and it grew from there by adding piano and synths. Thanks to anyone who listens! My dog was playing with a squeaky toy while I made it…
Another song for my RPM challenge. I wrote this while improvising at the piano - a standard Jazzy chord progression I often play around with. I added some silly lyrics and called it a song (no time to waist here!). Thanks for the listen. People…
This is another one for the RPM Challenge. This is some kind of 'song'... using a lot of repetition. Built with my synths and vocals and with the pressure of a deadline and a new rescue dog requiring most of my attention. Thanks for listening…
Here is a next song for my RPM challenge...(this is my 7th year and I'm off to a slow start...grrrr). I threw this one together kind of quickly and it sort of wrote itself- which is always fun. I kept it minimal and mostly used my Juno Synth…
Another one for the RPM Challenge. This is one is a bit of a mood piece created with my synths. Enjoyed creating the harmonies for this one (I just use intuition for harmonies...sometimes it works and sometimes it gets weird and I usually cut…
Another for the RPM Reg got to thinking again ......
Shes a shaker
She’s a movie star
Blue eyes black skin like coal tar
Shes a vision on the big screen
She is everybodys movie queen
Made up on a keyboard
Chalked out on a blackboard…
Another for the RPM Challenge ...Reg woke up feeling a little pessimistic and started to ask himself the big question...
What does it all mean
The preacher spent his life building churches out of stone
Making money to…
Sometimes Reg gets a little TOO pessimistic to leave me feeling comfortable... but I love where here was going on this one. Hopefully someone bought him a beer or a bar of chocolate after this one.
Sometimes songwriting is easy sometimes its just all noise…..
Sometimes its just all noise
I’ve got this pocket book with a story of my world
With Words misspelt
words misunderstood and
Rhymes that will not work
Chords to a theory…
Trying to pump these out. Here's my next RPM song. When in doubt I just start harmonizing to whatever I write. I don't use any software to do harmonies - I prefer the old fashioned natural method because I love harmonizing to everything I hear…
Another song for my RPM challenge. I wrote this while improvising at the piano - a standard Jazzy chord progression I often play around with. I added some silly lyrics and called it a song (no time to waist here!). Thanks for the listen. People…
Yeah, I'm with you on this... (though, I will admit, if someone does manage to drag me there, I do, invariably, enjoy myself, a little bit, anyway... LOL). Love the piano playing.
Oh yeah. Nice song... makes me feel warm... hope you're keeping warm too. Trying to imagine 7 inches of snow... and in 3 months the Cricket season will have started here!! (Assuming the rain stops!)
Here is a next song for my RPM challenge...(this is my 7th year and I'm off to a slow start...grrrr). I threw this one together kind of quickly and it sort of wrote itself- which is always fun. I kept it minimal and mostly used my Juno Synth…
One song for my RPM challenge! I'm late to the party...but will try to finish anyhow (did I really sign up for 10 songs??!!!). This song was written while our guitar was in some peculiar tuning - so I just followed along. Kind of minimal but…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
Love it. Not used to you and that acoustic guitar. Sounds solid with your voice. If it’s really like you say it is, there’s no need to worry..."
just brilliant songwriting.......cheers tony cee
this is brilliant , love the soul felling to the song , your voice sounds superb , great listen ....cheers tony cee
That instrumental hook and slide playing is killer
Cool song, cool mix, nice work!
Simple and clear...
"Teddy bead kisses..." So sad.
Sounds like another suicide song to me... We can feel the pain in your voice.
I was once asked to write a happy song. It turned out to be about a woman who killed herself and when I found out THAT SHE ACTUALLY KILLED HERSELF I wasn't sure what to think about my premonition.https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/a-happy-song. THEN, later an old friend asked if I had any happy songs so I wrote this:https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/if-it-makes-you-happy-092914-1
"But still I love the comfort I find in misery…" Great line. Beatle like...and that's always good.
Great guitar sound.
Love this. Beautifully done. Tonight I was trying out a song from that era: Twilight Time...https://www.e-chords.com/chords/the-platters/twilight-time
I hear you’re drinking at the chocolate fountain You pulled the handle off the door But they won’t mind They’ll be mending it forever..." Great images...
Rock on Dude...! Good to listen to some of your tunes. It's been a while. Strange relationship in this song.
Another great song! Maybe it’s time to get the band back together!,!
Like it.
Beautiful piece.
What's really cool about these songs written long ago is that you are still able to remember the melody... I'm always having to remember my own music. I really like this one! Wise words of a twenty something... wiser that his years!
This is a universal message with a hauntingly sad melody. Everyone should be open to these words. Thank you Andrew.
The words really speak to me … as ever!
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Yeah. I like these tracks. Especially this last one... love how it makes me feel.
Nice one
Enjoyable album. Cool sounds.
Digging this set. Nice one guys.
And this is just gorgeous.
Yep.
Still like it same as first listen a few days ago.
Woo! Love this too.
And I like this even more on second listen.
This one grabs me too. I like the repetition. And I like the "some kind of" in the title and the blurb.
I'm just sad I can't favourite it again! Yeah.... LOVE this one.
Cool opener
Another fine RPM! Mighty fine. Well done :)
Sometimes Reg gets a little TOO pessimistic to leave me feeling comfortable... but I love where here was going on this one. Hopefully someone bought him a beer or a bar of chocolate after this one.
Yep !👍
Oh yeah. Like this.
Yeah, I'm with you on this... (though, I will admit, if someone does manage to drag me there, I do, invariably, enjoy myself, a little bit, anyway... LOL). Love the piano playing.
Oh yeah. Nice song... makes me feel warm... hope you're keeping warm too. Trying to imagine 7 inches of snow... and in 3 months the Cricket season will have started here!! (Assuming the rain stops!)
Love the message in this one. It is SO comforting.
Yep, like it. The minimalism works for me. And really effective harmonies.