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…
**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…
**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…
Love this song! Congratulations - what an accomplishment. I can imagine your fingers are a bit sore and your voice is craving a cold libation. But very glad you shared these with all of us.
**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…
Wow!!!! Congratulations. All 14 songs were amazing. And this one - quite the pinnacle moment itself. Gut wrenching in parts... especially the chorus. Your writing is always an inspiration to me, and this one certainly has done that job.
**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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
****
It's not entirely true. But it's CLOSE ENOUGH!
It was actually the 16th of February.
But we were corresponding by email on the 14th.
Then we…
**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 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…
So, this is completely different!! In a homage to my favourite place to watch live music in the land...Ronnie Scotts....I have put together a groovin' jazz instrumental piece with a 'live' feel....!! Not really fusion as such, but added to the…
Oh yeah, utterly groove-tastic. Superb feel on the playing. I don't really know much about jazz, or fusion, or where the lines are drawn between that and the blues, but who cares, I like what I like and, like the man, says "sublime" ... Love those organ sounds. Niiice.
Haven't done a lengthy experimental track in quite a while. In light of Halloween and the times we're living in i thought the page needed a solid turn.
Poor old Reg is off to rehab again ...maybe this time he'll learn
Tomorrow is another day
It was Wednesday in the car on the way to rehab
The family they were crying in the street goodbye
As the car pulled over a man in white
said…
There was an album by a Los Angeles singer/songwriter named Judee Sill that came into KINK-FM back in 1971.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/obituaries/judee-sill-overlooked.html
MISSING JUDY
You say that Bach wrote all the good songs…
But the Sun
I close the curtains
To shut out the darkness
I shut the window
To keep out the cold
But the Sun is shining
Somewhere, I know.
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
WHEN WE GET TO COLORADO
Capo @ 5 in C positions
C G
Thirty one years in this city
Thirty one yers on this street
Fighting in the morning
Fighting at night
This place has the smell of defeat…
Oooo this is gorgeous. Captures those "but the grass is greener..." and "everything will be better when X day arrives, you'll see" things that we all feel from time to time.
Piano & Vocal Thanks for listening ….
The owl and the Pussy cat
If I was a pussy cat
I’d sail of to sea
I’d try and find that place where I really want to be
I’d find a little island out there in the sea
I’d sit on my rock and watch…
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…
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…
What a fabulous harp tone. And the guitars. And the bouncing bass. And the piano. WOW the break is fabulous - some Rory-ish slide and then that harp SHINES. And the out with the boogie-woogie and clean guitar. Oh. My. Goodness. This is SO good.
Here is my latest Minnesota Homebrew Radio Challenge entry:
Let's write scary or creepy songs for our October 29 show--songs that'll make our listeners' skin crawl! Submit by October 28 to:
minnesotahomebrew@gmail.com
_________________________________…
This is more of a description than a song. It's my contribution to the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show monthly song writing challenge: "Write a song about your first car."
I've disappeared into a total rabbit hole with these 70s/80s synths. This one features the ARP2600 (in several guises), the Jupiter 8, Prophet 5 and the Fairlight (what a machine that was back in the day!)
This started in my head as another…
I was wondering what you meant by "reminds you of ELO", and then every now and then there was a momentary "oh yeah! I see what you mean", but then I don't know what bit it was that made me feel it!!! (So that's a good thing). Cool track, digging the bass sound.
Oh baby let me take you
To that screen-saver dawn
To Hallmark scenes
On a snowy winter’s morn
You can’t do this on your own
You can’t do this on your own
Oh baby let me take you.
Oh baby let me take you
Out to the windy cliff
Where…
So I had this song, not quite finished, I sort of insisted Greg Connor sing it, he also wrote the last verse. Steve Krell added the solo break. I think they helped to bring the song alive. Oh yeah, I'm in the Chorus ...... hiding Somewhere. :) :)
SKINNY GIRLS
Capo @ 3 in G
...and then he said,
I like skinny girls
Toothy girls
Flat chested girls
I like girls with Adam's apples
A mouth full of titty
And a hand full of ass...
A girl with a six pack
is my kind of...
And then…
I wondered if that was the case :) ... mine's still with me, though she claims she's on the way... and every now and then she goes "but you like skinny girls" and I go "not since I met you!" :)
SKINNY GIRLS
Capo @ 3 in G
...and then he said,
I like skinny girls
Toothy girls
Flat chested girls
I like girls with Adam's apples
A mouth full of titty
And a hand full of ass...
A girl with a six pack
is my kind of...
And then…
Hehehehe... This was me when I was in my 20s! Tastes change, though.... You learn you probably do need something to grab on to... Like you did with your Mum or Gran... Otherwise you end up falling over in the street and stuff like that...
This bouncy little groove brings the 2020 50/90 Challenge to a close. I end with 51 songs written in 88(?) days. I've only finished this challenge once before, in 2014. That year I stopped at 50 songs but I got there with a lot more time to…
WOW! What an achievement. A superb body of work. I've seen that you don't like some of it, but as a whole it really hangs together and is good to listen to all the way through. Then when you realise these 51 were created in 88 days... crumbs. Well done... FLIPPIN WELL DONE! :)
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
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.
RIP to your pretty one....!!
Love this song! Congratulations - what an accomplishment. I can imagine your fingers are a bit sore and your voice is craving a cold libation. But very glad you shared these with all of us.
Wow!!!! Congratulations. All 14 songs were amazing. And this one - quite the pinnacle moment itself. Gut wrenching in parts... especially the chorus. Your writing is always an inspiration to me, and this one certainly has done that job.
***** A lie down ?!!!? You to get yourself a hobby .... Ha Ha, after all that hard work, I'll have to retire ...... Oh ... already am ......
Agreed with the other comment, very Elbow-esque, the melody and even the vocal has a Guy Garvey style to it. Excellent!
Toe tapper, this one. Nice chord changes.
Touching.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Aww, there's some geetaring on this one. Love that choppy rhythm guitar, and the lead is "yeeeeaa...sssss"
Oh yeah, utterly groove-tastic. Superb feel on the playing. I don't really know much about jazz, or fusion, or where the lines are drawn between that and the blues, but who cares, I like what I like and, like the man, says "sublime" ... Love those organ sounds. Niiice.
I thought I commented on this yesterday? Apologies, I listened and thought WOW! ... I can confirm it has the same effect on me today.
Woo, spooky journey.
Oh yes. Like this a lot.
Oh yes. Like it. Short... but extremely wide.
Yep, I love it too.
Oooo this is gorgeous. Captures those "but the grass is greener..." and "everything will be better when X day arrives, you'll see" things that we all feel from time to time.
Wow. Just wow.
Just flip 'er over and play it again (this time with the volume even louder).... Love the vocals too.
What a fabulous harp tone. And the guitars. And the bouncing bass. And the piano. WOW the break is fabulous - some Rory-ish slide and then that harp SHINES. And the out with the boogie-woogie and clean guitar. Oh. My. Goodness. This is SO good.
Oh yeah, nice way to start the day.
And this... woah, mighty fine... and the Elk Rut noises... yep SCARY!
Missed this. Fabulous.
I was wondering what you meant by "reminds you of ELO", and then every now and then there was a momentary "oh yeah! I see what you mean", but then I don't know what bit it was that made me feel it!!! (So that's a good thing). Cool track, digging the bass sound.
Yep, beautiful song. And some gorgeous guitar playing.
Woah... this is mighty fine. Heading Somewhere... yeah...
I wondered if that was the case :) ... mine's still with me, though she claims she's on the way... and every now and then she goes "but you like skinny girls" and I go "not since I met you!" :)
Hehehehe... This was me when I was in my 20s! Tastes change, though.... You learn you probably do need something to grab on to... Like you did with your Mum or Gran... Otherwise you end up falling over in the street and stuff like that...
WOW! What an achievement. A superb body of work. I've seen that you don't like some of it, but as a whole it really hangs together and is good to listen to all the way through. Then when you realise these 51 were created in 88 days... crumbs. Well done... FLIPPIN WELL DONE! :)