(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.
****
**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.
****
**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…
**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…
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
****
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
****
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
****
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
****
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…
So, what do you think... could it use more wah-wah?
This was written for the 2014 RPM Challenge. The chromatic thing at the beginning had been rattling around in my head for years and years but had never found a home.
The lyrics here…
Or is it actually a keyboard? On second listen I'm wondering whether there's a also a keyboard pad of some sort tying the mix together. Could be guitars, though... anyways, very balanced mix that makes everything shine, especially the vocal.
So, what do you think... could it use more wah-wah?
This was written for the 2014 RPM Challenge. The chromatic thing at the beginning had been rattling around in my head for years and years but had never found a home.
The lyrics here…
Woah! That use of the wah is SO cool. The vocal is a goodie too. I like that guitar doing the plink plink plink kind of piano part thing. The guitars are huge. Love the "yeah!!" (is that what it is?) at the end. Digging this track big time.
The first song completed for the second round of re-recorded Quarantine Tunes. This one was written on the last day of the 2016 RPM Challenge. I had written a bunch of songs saying that people who think the Earth is flat are somehow defective…
GEETARS! :) Love the leads... Oh yeah... I think I'd like the rhythm ones louder, but they've got a lot of mids between them, so they probably could drown out the rest. I think we could take a spot more, though... Oh! Just reread the blurb - the rhythms are through a cocked wah? Ah, then you had the same problem as whoever had to mix Blizzard of Ozz, MSG, etc! LOL (I only tried that technique once - bear in mind this was a bluesrock band - my sound engineer went "wtf are you doing!?!? If you keep doing that I'm just turning your fader down..." lol)
A silly, sort of dreamlike / lullaby-ish tune, about weird travels on a bubble-gum balloon.
Lyrics:
See one time I was chewing bubble gum and it was mighty fine
I blew a bubble so big it took me up into the sky
So this is the story of where…
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 - Capo 2
Stepping down from C
C B…
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."
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
Or is it actually a keyboard? On second listen I'm wondering whether there's a also a keyboard pad of some sort tying the mix together. Could be guitars, though... anyways, very balanced mix that makes everything shine, especially the vocal.
Woah! That use of the wah is SO cool. The vocal is a goodie too. I like that guitar doing the plink plink plink kind of piano part thing. The guitars are huge. Love the "yeah!!" (is that what it is?) at the end. Digging this track big time.
Cool sounds
Nope, that's not a silly little ditty at all - well, you can call it that, if you want :) - it's actually quite thought-provoking. Nice one.
GEETARS! :) Love the leads... Oh yeah... I think I'd like the rhythm ones louder, but they've got a lot of mids between them, so they probably could drown out the rest. I think we could take a spot more, though... Oh! Just reread the blurb - the rhythms are through a cocked wah? Ah, then you had the same problem as whoever had to mix Blizzard of Ozz, MSG, etc! LOL (I only tried that technique once - bear in mind this was a bluesrock band - my sound engineer went "wtf are you doing!?!? If you keep doing that I'm just turning your fader down..." lol)
That's a cool track. Pulls you in a spins you round. Like it.
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.