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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…
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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…
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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…
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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
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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
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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…
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…
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
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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…
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
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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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 15
Written Wednesday 23rd February 2022
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I wasn't able to stop! I really meant to, but... Oh well.
It's still February, so it can go with the others.
IT IS MY FIRM INTENTION TO…
Congratulations!!!! Ended with another amazing tune - YES! That is a wealth of creativity in you my friend. I look forward to hearing all your other tunes. I hope you took a good rest after all this!!!
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 14
Written Monday 21st February 2022
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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…
Amazing how this came towards the end of the challenge...simply gorgeous. I don't hear any fatigue in it. A sad song though and I'm imagining the story behind it. Beautiful.
**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…
This is another great one!!! and catchy too. I also loved hearing your description of how this came about - I totally relate!!! I actually don't like most of my own songs. This song captures the spirit of these challenges :)
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 11
Written Thursday 17th February 2022
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Feels like I'm on the last lap now. Only 3 more needed.
This one came from a suggestion from Mrs R this morning. I didn't quite fancy it, but…
**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…
Gorgeous guitar sound. And what a song! And I love the arrangement, how the production builds... I've committed myself to a "no production while doing song demos, not even backing vocals" rule for February, just so I can get a challenge done... One of the unforeseen side-effects is I'm really HEARING and appreciating other people's arrangements and production choices... I always listen for that anyway, but now I'm hearing the ones that grab me with extra envy!!
Lookin over the calendar
Seems like you're getting old
Feel a little bit achy now
A remedy is sold
Goin to the healthy store
Buy what you need
Tryin all the products
To heal your achy knee
But you won’t feel brand new
You…
Nice one, hope you're having fun. I'm exhausted! (But feeling extremely empowered, and yes having fun).
I'm digging this one too. Love that wah guitar break. And again, the subject matter hits home for me... I could sing these words to someone very close to me!
Can you hear me?
Can you see my screen?
I'm explaining
Exactly what I mean
There's an error on the next slide, and I hope that you will bear with me
15 minutes
Read it word-for-word
You'll be reading
Exactly what you heard
I will…
Can you hear me?
Can you see my screen?
I'm explaining
Exactly what I mean
There's an error on the next slide, and I hope that you will bear with me
15 minutes
Read it word-for-word
You'll be reading
Exactly what you heard
I will…
Mighty cool. I'm doing songs for FAWM (I don't think I could manage RPM) and working at home and... this song strikes home for me! Probably does others too. My colleagues are jealous of my meeting background - and it's real, not digital (my "studio" doubles ad my office, so there's a wall of guitars).
"I will send the deck out after" ....LOL "hey where's those slides you said you'd send out at the last meeting?"
Here is a little experimental instrumental piece I had almost forgotten about....interesting experiment, with the percussion elements consisting of, amongst other things, metal hangers, door latch, scissors, paper being shaken and finger snaps!!
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…
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.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
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!
Congratulations!!!! Ended with another amazing tune - YES! That is a wealth of creativity in you my friend. I look forward to hearing all your other tunes. I hope you took a good rest after all this!!!
Amazing how this came towards the end of the challenge...simply gorgeous. I don't hear any fatigue in it. A sad song though and I'm imagining the story behind it. Beautiful.
This is another great one!!! and catchy too. I also loved hearing your description of how this came about - I totally relate!!! I actually don't like most of my own songs. This song captures the spirit of these challenges :)
I can't help but comment again! This is fabulous!!! Love how it came about - thank you Mrs. R.
What a loving ballad .....just perfect. That "little guitar bit" found its home :) Beautiful vocals here too.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Gorgeous guitar sound. And what a song! And I love the arrangement, how the production builds... I've committed myself to a "no production while doing song demos, not even backing vocals" rule for February, just so I can get a challenge done... One of the unforeseen side-effects is I'm really HEARING and appreciating other people's arrangements and production choices... I always listen for that anyway, but now I'm hearing the ones that grab me with extra envy!!
Nice one, hope you're having fun. I'm exhausted! (But feeling extremely empowered, and yes having fun). I'm digging this one too. Love that wah guitar break. And again, the subject matter hits home for me... I could sing these words to someone very close to me!
Still, I wouldn't trade it for going back to the commute!!
Mighty cool. I'm doing songs for FAWM (I don't think I could manage RPM) and working at home and... this song strikes home for me! Probably does others too. My colleagues are jealous of my meeting background - and it's real, not digital (my "studio" doubles ad my office, so there's a wall of guitars). "I will send the deck out after" ....LOL "hey where's those slides you said you'd send out at the last meeting?"
That's a fine piece of noodling. Loved the opening piano. And the percussion elements work nicely.
I'm loving these short ones - kinda meaningful statements in short chunks... leaving me wanting so much more....
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.