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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
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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…
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
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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…
**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…
How's that for some word salad, eh? Throw a little Italian dressing on this one and you've got yourself a healthy meal!
I've been trying to challenge myself vocally with more complicated melodies and lots of lyrics and things like that, even…
This is another that benefited from a second listen. What I've got to do is STOP reading your blurb on the first listen! Anyways, that's actually a really clever vocal melody. Keep challenging, don't actually kill yerself, obviously, but falling down after the vocal take is a good sign!! (ish!) LOL
A couple of months ago I came up with a couple of things that used polyrhythms. The drums were in one time signature and everything else was in another. I had some fun with it then and tried it again and... well, I got pretty bored with it really…
I wasn't sure about this one on first listen (your stuff about polyrhythms was making me think too much... then I remembered I'd forgotten something with work, so I had to deal with that while the track carried on)... when I got back I couldn't think of anything to say... so I hit play again and, woah!, it really grabbed me... then I realised I wasn't counting trying to figure out the funny rhythm - I'd just accepted it and it sounds really cool. Sounds like the hand's recovered too?
I'm really tired right now so this mix might sound awful and I won't know. Also, 50/90 might be hitting a snag in that I have a bit of an injury to my left hand. It's not getting better and while recording the leads on this puppy it was affecting…
A couple of unusual things with this one. There's an overdrive pedal in there that I've never used before. Meaning, I had never even plugged it in before. I bought it like six months ago and it sat on my dresser just waiting for me to play…
A song that I wrote this week
So much suffering in the world
I did this one on my own
KC
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River of tears – I see people in need
River of tears – They're all victims of greed
River…
Written Last Century....Every Word Holds It's Own Today.
Always someone out there judging shit they know nothing about. As it will be till the end of time. In the meantime, my simple response has always been, "Who Asked You"
Lyrics…
What’s on your mind
Are you losing confidence
Someone’s been unkind
And caring becomes a consequence
Look for a reason to smile
The Sun will shine your way
Look for a reason to smile
And watch the clouds drift away
Feeling like you…
Heres a new one a Reg cover of a zep song i recorded live https://alonetone.com/thetworegs/tracks/can't-quit-you-babe-(litc) then Ken (Hardlock) over on Songcrafters added everything else drums lead piano and bass, the acoustic guitar and vocal…
Hello Hello The original of this song was recorded in 1981 Using my Permanent Adolescent technique of drums first. No click, no follow along to other instruments. Just the drums and the musical arrangement in my head. I joined a band in 1984…
And this is just YEAH... I've been checking out Sam Mann and Thee Apes on youtube... wow, you was rocking the ACTUAL strip... we was rocking The Quay in Exeter, Devon, UK
I believe the year was 1981. My friend Tim Brown and I recorded a bunch of music. Since I played all of the instruments(except the lead guitar parts:which Tim played) and sang all of the parts on this song: I believe I still have some recall…
This is a love song for Idaho. Funny thing is I've never even been to Idaho, but I dreamed the chorus and the happy little riff some years ago, and it's stuck with me ever since. So, I filled it in with some verses and an outro that capture the…
Another in an endless string of recordings that would have been saved by a competent singer. Maybe. I like the individual pieces of this song, but I don't think I like the song as a whole. Okay... maybe I don't like the chorus at all. I don…
So for the second in the Fusion Soundscape project, I envisaged a few characters meeting up in one of the lonely passageways in the Underground near midnight, and having a bit of a soulful jam....! Hopefully have captured a little of the bleakness…
Here's another new one
Erwin B - bass
Bingsolex - lead guitar
KC - guitars, vocals, keys & mix
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I don't take no for an answer
I want to know what is true
Don't be a tightrope dancer…
Another in an endless string of recordings that would have been saved by a competent singer. Maybe. I like the individual pieces of this song, but I don't think I like the song as a whole. Okay... maybe I don't like the chorus at all. I don…
Written for Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show's current songwriting challenge, "write a song with two words in the title starting with P".
The term 'pseudo' means 'false' or 'pretend.' Pseudo-psychology, therefore, refers to a psychological practice…
Mighty cool - and very clever - song. We've all met one when we didn't need or want to... and... er... I strongly suspect I've done it to others myself!!
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
This is another that benefited from a second listen. What I've got to do is STOP reading your blurb on the first listen! Anyways, that's actually a really clever vocal melody. Keep challenging, don't actually kill yerself, obviously, but falling down after the vocal take is a good sign!! (ish!) LOL
I wasn't sure about this one on first listen (your stuff about polyrhythms was making me think too much... then I remembered I'd forgotten something with work, so I had to deal with that while the track carried on)... when I got back I couldn't think of anything to say... so I hit play again and, woah!, it really grabbed me... then I realised I wasn't counting trying to figure out the funny rhythm - I'd just accepted it and it sounds really cool. Sounds like the hand's recovered too?
Wooo! Another fab chorus.... oh crumbs, hand problem?? It's two days later now... hopefully it's healing.
You're creating songs faster than I can keep up with them!! Loving the rhythm of the vocal line on the chorus ("Nothing like a...")
Gorgeous sounds and groove.
Hehe - another "big smile on my face" track. I nearly choked on my sandwich when it went "Now Listen To The Angels"
Oh yeah, cool song. Love the message.
HOLY SMOKES. It's almost unbelievable what Ken's managed to do to the original track. Loved the original too, but wowsers
And this is just YEAH... I've been checking out Sam Mann and Thee Apes on youtube... wow, you was rocking the ACTUAL strip... we was rocking The Quay in Exeter, Devon, UK
Love it.
Ha! Intrigued again :)
Yep cool sounds. Your stuff always leaves me intrigued.
Oh yes, nice one. Love that second verse "She’s in the mountains, She’s in the streams, She got singing birds, She got dreams..." ... yeah.
Yeah, the more I listen to this one, the more I think you're being hard on it/yourself... and the guitars are fabulous.
Digging these soundscapes. This one can't be London, though, it sounds far too clean and healthy for the Underground I know!! :)
Oh yeah, cool track. Getting a very Dire Straitsy vibe - which is very fine by me!
Very cool sounds
Oh yeah, like it.
Some very very cool guitars though!
Mighty cool - and very clever - song. We've all met one when we didn't need or want to... and... er... I strongly suspect I've done it to others myself!!