(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
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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…
(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…
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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…
(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
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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…
Was messing around this afternoon and came up with this .....
let the love come out and play
Now you tell me you’ve nothing to give
Yeh You tell me, you can’t get that hit
You tell me that you want it
You giving me nothing you don’t want…
Well i had lost my mojo and was trying to find it this afternoon and came up with this.....trying to play beyound my ability as always but hey I'm Trying!! Thanks for listening.
What are you trying to prove
You’d set your hair on fire just…
The Interstate Highway system was started in the mid-50s at the height of the Baby Boom era. It was a virgin ribbon of highway stretching out in all directions. We couldn't wait to explore it.
Didn't know the name Lalo Schifrin... but I knew the song... oh of course! (Dean Martin, I have his version)... Anyways, cool version for us rockers :)
Last weekend we did this oldie
Hans Nooitgedagt Jr - drums
Erwin B - bass, recording
Bingsolex - lead guitar
KC - vocals, guitar, keys & mix
--------------------------------------------
Saturday nightlife, hot and swell
In the lower…
Here is my contribution to the Minnesota Association of Songwriters challenge: Write a song titled "Mississippi Moon" and use this chord progression somewhere in the song (adjust for the Key you are in) "C, G, Am, C, Dm"
You will find D…
My latest Soundscape hopefully evokes an atmospheric evening in the desert, as outside the tent the girls make their mournful cries before the local musicians strike up a dance beat.....
Yep... didn't comment, did I? "Cool sounds" :) But now I've heard the lap-steel addition on Kavin's remix, I appreciate this one more than I did at first... very cool sounds. Raises an interesting thought for me... how we can see/hear through others eyes/ears, we can have ours "opened" by someone else's re-expression of a thing... when I first listened to this, it was "OK" for me, I saw Newbold's comment and thought "yeh, well" ... but hearing Kavin's addition gave me an "in" to this track... listening now I can hear/experience what he and Newbold heard first up.
That works. Nice one. I like the sounds on Casting Ballots (might not have commented?) the lap steel adds a really effective contrast... the two together - very nice
A bit of a 'kitchen sink' one... It's another one I play beginner's guitar on tentatively (the lead break & rhythm)
The are no vocals (I'm amassing a large amount of songs needing vocals!) but it does feature some more epic 80s synths…
Nice one. Yep, we bought some of ours from one of my wife's favourite Cornish clothes shops... and much to my surprise they said "Made in China" on them when they arrived... The instructions had some interesting phrases too (or was that some other product from someone else? Everything seems to be a bit of a blur nowadays)
I acquired some amazing 80s synth plug-ins for this one - the Prophet 5, ARP2600 and Yamaha DX-7 are all over this track.
It started life as a 90 second instrumental for a video I'd produced to promote my business; my wife hated it so I wrote…
Yep, when the bass kicks in at 0:40 or so, it's a really cool bass line, but it's possibly a bit sinister sounding for a business promo (mebbe depends what business you're in?!! lol)
FIREFLIES. capo @ 2
F walk down
We (C) spoke of them as (C/B) sweethearts
There (Am) in the Southern (F) sky
(C) Saturn, just a (G) twinkle, bold (F) Jupiter near (G) by
I (Am) guess we didn't (Am/G) notice
as they (Am/F)drifted a…
For no. 3 in this soundscape compilation, I have imagined strolling along the waters edge, contemplating life on a blissful calm day with the relaxing shoreline sounds all around me....!
Yeah, nice one. We were meant to have a holiday in St Ives at the end of March. Luckily, the timing of everything worked out (just) that we got all our money back, trains and everything. But we didn't get our shore reflections... and watching on a Cam at the time, some buggers keep sitting in "our" seat! LOL
Here's the band version of this song
Hans Nooitgedagt Jr - drums
Bingsolex - lead guitar
Erwin b - bass, recording
KC - guitar, vocals & mix
The moon comes up
The sun goes down
The circle of life
Going 'round and 'round
Living…
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
Yep. Mojo regained.
Yeah like it. Sounds like your mojo has been dragged kicking and screaming from wherever it was hiding.
Cool sounds.
Oh yeah. Nice one.
Hehe. Moonshine Tonic and ABBA. That'll do me.
Nice one Roger. NOT naff at all!
Didn't know the name Lalo Schifrin... but I knew the song... oh of course! (Dean Martin, I have his version)... Anyways, cool version for us rockers :)
Wowsers. Yes, the band's killing it... but the vox - and those harmony vox - take it to another level
LOVE the sound you guys are making together. You were all in the same room? If not, even more wow. Cool song, and what a groove.
Awww... fabulous. This has got the dulcimer on it too? I love the textures you create with this and the guitar. And the song... gorgeous.
Playing catch-up here... Oh yes, this was the right place to start. Cool sounds.
Wow. Liking this a lot.
Very cool guitaring on a very cool song. Nice one guys.
Yep... didn't comment, did I? "Cool sounds" :) But now I've heard the lap-steel addition on Kavin's remix, I appreciate this one more than I did at first... very cool sounds. Raises an interesting thought for me... how we can see/hear through others eyes/ears, we can have ours "opened" by someone else's re-expression of a thing... when I first listened to this, it was "OK" for me, I saw Newbold's comment and thought "yeh, well" ... but hearing Kavin's addition gave me an "in" to this track... listening now I can hear/experience what he and Newbold heard first up.
That works. Nice one. I like the sounds on Casting Ballots (might not have commented?) the lap steel adds a really effective contrast... the two together - very nice
Nice one. Yep, we bought some of ours from one of my wife's favourite Cornish clothes shops... and much to my surprise they said "Made in China" on them when they arrived... The instructions had some interesting phrases too (or was that some other product from someone else? Everything seems to be a bit of a blur nowadays)
Yep, when the bass kicks in at 0:40 or so, it's a really cool bass line, but it's possibly a bit sinister sounding for a business promo (mebbe depends what business you're in?!! lol)
Short but very sweet. I love these short ones with the almost throw-away lyrics that are SO full of meaning to the listener.
Yeah, nice one. We were meant to have a holiday in St Ives at the end of March. Luckily, the timing of everything worked out (just) that we got all our money back, trains and everything. But we didn't get our shore reflections... and watching on a Cam at the time, some buggers keep sitting in "our" seat! LOL
Yep. Classy stuff. What a groove you guys generate.