**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
****
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
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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…
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…
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
Hehehe... there's LOTS of youthful angst is these Songs from the Shoebox... possibly an embarrassing amount... You wait... let's see if I'm brave enough to record the ones from 1978/9!!!
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 5
Written Thursday 10th February 2022
****
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 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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 5
Written Thursday 10th February 2022
****
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 15
Written Wednesday 23rd February 2022
****
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…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I've been missing in action for ages - apologies to all, I'm about to start listening again too.
For ages, I'd been considering a move away from my trusty Boss BR1600 on which I've recorded and mixed nearly everything…
I saw your comments on my site. Thanks. It sounds like you’ve got this recording process figured out. I’m still learning as I go. Thank God for YouTube. 😎
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 15
Written Wednesday 23rd February 2022
****
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…
**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…
This is kick-ass! You have a great voice and I love your guitar playing. When you have great ingredients like that, you don’t need much more than good material, of which there is plenty here! I am very inspired listening to this. I appreciate you sharing it and I look forward to delving deeper -bjk
**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…
**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'm listening to your tracks while I'm emailing in another window. Loving it all.
This one made me come and have a look - I'm so glad it's called Home. I very much like the concept of "home", always have, always will.
This is an ode for a good friend of mine that had took his own life at the end of last year. I was in the midst of writing some other songs and it stopped me in my tracks. I just wrote basically how I felt about this tragic ending to a very special…
This one's really growing on me.
And I didn't notice the story behind it when I was first listening (although I suspected something along those lines from the song itself).
A sad tale, but a gorgeous song.
Forgot I had this one, till it popped up on my Ipod on the way to work this week. I thought,'I know that song !!??!!' Can't help it, it comes with age !!!!
The "Ahhhhhs" (Sleeping with the Ghost)- it's just patience, close mic-ing and using your "head voice" (try and sing as much like a girl as you can lol). And then for "harder" sounds, "wail" at it.
Lots of voices with uniform performances produce "smooth" and "rich"; less and varied performances (as in not the same everytime) produce sharper sounds. Mix the two up as necessary in layers.
Also think about recording the "breath" in the notes as well.
You're actually getting VERY close to it with the vox on here - think about using different tones of voice and it will all become clear :)
Also there's a bunch of EQing tricks - a cut at 3K (Q 1.0) on the bvox will increase the breathy, soft sound (and keep them out of the way of the lead).
THIS IS THE OLD YEURGH MIX - THERE IS ANOTHER ONE HIGHER UP THE LIST NOW, FULLY LOVED BY AR. THIS ONE IS LEFT HERE AS A MONUMENT TO SOMETHING OR OTHER (AND IN CASE YOU PREFER IT)
Acoustic ghost story. Recorded 2010.
Easter 2010 I decided…
Cheers folks :)
This one is (out of what I've managed to record so far) actually my favourite AR song.
I am hopefully about to post, hopefully today, a remix of it - the mess-up on the EQ has always p1ssed me off so much. For me this version isn't anything like it should have been. What I've got sat upstairs on the desk waiting for me, same performances, is a lot closer...
But, that's just me, so I'm gonna leave this one here in case anyone prefers this approach (and I've got various links pointing at it that I can't be bothered to find and sort out!! lol)
With my buddy Tod's killer drum track! Miss all you guys, I can't keep up...
Created on the Boss Micro BR.
I'm a faker, a shaker
A melody maker
At the bottom of my bowl
Is an oatmeal quaker
A grampy, a bampy
Make a killer shrimp scampi
Got…
Now, you see what you miss when someone isn't "followed"? lol
This is fab too.
Actually, I don't think I've listened to anything of yours since mebbe a year or so back on songcrafters. Well, I'll be back later and check it all out.
Actually, same here - hadn't clicked that button Follow button on yours either - fixed now!
Might as well listen to this again while I'm doing it lol
That chorus is brilliant. The backing vox, and then those descending chords at the end of it.
Back for another slice... and this is even better than I thought... but I've already clicked fave... typical
Tie the woman to the chair, stick the headphones on her and make her listen (that's what I do lol)
This is an ode for a good friend of mine that had took his own life at the end of last year. I was in the midst of writing some other songs and it stopped me in my tracks. I just wrote basically how I felt about this tragic ending to a very special…
This was the first in this set of 3 songs I am posting. I was gaining alot of inspiration from the likes, of Justin Currie and Jackson Browne at the time.
Recorded using Reaper DAW & Jamstix virtual drummer software.
... But this one's just amazing.
You've got more like this up your sleeve - mebbe not written yet - but I'm pretty sure you've got them just waiting to come out.
While I was writing 'Afterall' I was also putting this song together. This is about a ghost who is haunted by his own past and what mistakes he had made in his former life.
Recorded using Reaper DAW & Jamstix virtual drummer software.
Woo, listening to them again, and this one's a grower.
It was late when I was first listening, and this one is stuck between two special ones, and it didn't force it's attention so much.
But it's a cutie on it's own.
How many nights am I just about to hit the sheets for the night and then a riff appears. I'll just rough record it but it always turns into a late night.
This was the first in this set of 3 songs I am posting. I was gaining alot of inspiration from the likes, of Justin Currie and Jackson Browne at the time.
Recorded using Reaper DAW & Jamstix virtual drummer software.
I love all three. But this is the one that does it most for me.
I love the swing of it, those "icing" guitars, and the song... woo
Excellent work, sir. More!
This is an ode for a good friend of mine that had took his own life at the end of last year. I was in the midst of writing some other songs and it stopped me in my tracks. I just wrote basically how I felt about this tragic ending to a very special…
While I was writing 'Afterall' I was also putting this song together. This is about a ghost who is haunted by his own past and what mistakes he had made in his former life.
Recorded using Reaper DAW & Jamstix virtual drummer software.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
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
Great tune Andrew. we held back on a few old ideas too. i'm glad you put it out there
Hehehe... there's LOTS of youthful angst is these Songs from the Shoebox... possibly an embarrassing amount... You wait... let's see if I'm brave enough to record the ones from 1978/9!!!
That's rather wonderful ...... a bit of youthful angst ??
You've been a writer / poet for so many years!!! How delightful to put these songs out. I'm glad you found the shoe box.
Another beautiful piece of storytelling through haunting voice and gentle music
You sing these words perfectly … I am just in awe of your story telling
So lyrical
Intrigued … who is this written for? Whoever it is is a lucky person … love this
I saw your comments on my site. Thanks. It sounds like you’ve got this recording process figured out. I’m still learning as I go. Thank God for YouTube. 😎
Another little gem ......
This is kick-ass! You have a great voice and I love your guitar playing. When you have great ingredients like that, you don’t need much more than good material, of which there is plenty here! I am very inspired listening to this. I appreciate you sharing it and I look forward to delving deeper -bjk
Good stuff. I'm always amazed at how versatile you are.
That's a good song. I like the "acoustic demo," but do you also envision this as a rocker (2 guitars, bass, and drums)? I think it'd kill.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
I'm listening to your tracks while I'm emailing in another window. Loving it all. This one made me come and have a look - I'm so glad it's called Home. I very much like the concept of "home", always have, always will.
Oh this is wonderful. It's woken me up (7am) and relaxed me at the same time.
This one's really growing on me. And I didn't notice the story behind it when I was first listening (although I suspected something along those lines from the song itself). A sad tale, but a gorgeous song.
Wonderful listening. I've got a piano, but it don't work like that one does. That was superb.
Yeah, this one rolls along real nice.
The "Ahhhhhs" (Sleeping with the Ghost)- it's just patience, close mic-ing and using your "head voice" (try and sing as much like a girl as you can lol). And then for "harder" sounds, "wail" at it. Lots of voices with uniform performances produce "smooth" and "rich"; less and varied performances (as in not the same everytime) produce sharper sounds. Mix the two up as necessary in layers. Also think about recording the "breath" in the notes as well. You're actually getting VERY close to it with the vox on here - think about using different tones of voice and it will all become clear :) Also there's a bunch of EQing tricks - a cut at 3K (Q 1.0) on the bvox will increase the breathy, soft sound (and keep them out of the way of the lead).
Oh I'll listen to it again here... Awwwwwww... Complete class.
Listening to it on songcrafters right now - this is BRILLIANT. Love it to pieces. Utterly brilliant.
Cheers folks :) This one is (out of what I've managed to record so far) actually my favourite AR song. I am hopefully about to post, hopefully today, a remix of it - the mess-up on the EQ has always p1ssed me off so much. For me this version isn't anything like it should have been. What I've got sat upstairs on the desk waiting for me, same performances, is a lot closer... But, that's just me, so I'm gonna leave this one here in case anyone prefers this approach (and I've got various links pointing at it that I can't be bothered to find and sort out!! lol)
Now, you see what you miss when someone isn't "followed"? lol This is fab too. Actually, I don't think I've listened to anything of yours since mebbe a year or so back on songcrafters. Well, I'll be back later and check it all out.
Actually, same here - hadn't clicked that button Follow button on yours either - fixed now! Might as well listen to this again while I'm doing it lol That chorus is brilliant. The backing vox, and then those descending chords at the end of it.
Back for another slice... and this is even better than I thought... but I've already clicked fave... typical Tie the woman to the chair, stick the headphones on her and make her listen (that's what I do lol)
Sigh... :)
Really tasty guitar addition to an already fab song. Nice one guys :)
... But this one's just amazing. You've got more like this up your sleeve - mebbe not written yet - but I'm pretty sure you've got them just waiting to come out.
Woo, listening to them again, and this one's a grower. It was late when I was first listening, and this one is stuck between two special ones, and it didn't force it's attention so much. But it's a cutie on it's own.
Oh yes. This sums up late nights perfectly for me.
I love all three. But this is the one that does it most for me. I love the swing of it, those "icing" guitars, and the song... woo Excellent work, sir. More!
Loving these vocals. I'm listening on crappy pc speakers, but big sound, and I love how those vocals sit on top of it.
Yep, another goodie.