(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…
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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.
****
**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
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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
****
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…
Instead of chlorine dioxide treatment try sanding you tongue with full grit sand paper.
"Fight Club" effect.
Wanted to keep this as dirty as possible.
Keep safe from the 2nd wave.
I'm liking the kinda sparse but cluttered vibe I'm getting from this. Yep, dirty, that describes it well. And that ominous but bouncy synth motif... Yeah, nice one.
Millions of years ago... Before the dawn of history... I was a in a school band. I couldn't play an instrument then so I was the vocalist. This tune was one of the band's originals.
Now, bear in mind this was the 'Ay-deees' so it was mullets…
Summery - check, Duran Duran - check, Cow Bell- check, all present and correct :) Cool sounds. I was at university, in a rock/metal band, writing songs with titles like "Daughter Of The Pharoahs" ("You've got the looks of your motherrr... Stained with the blood of your brotherrrr") .... I liked Duran Duran, but the dudes I was with would not be convinced that "catchy" was a good thing... Funnily enough, I found a photo a while back - I was the only one who would have looked out of place in a Duran Duran photoshoot!!
Antoinette plays keys, Anonymous plays drums, Evan is guitar left, Chris is guitar right (sorry I was a jerk and too loud) - This dates from 1977 when I was a classical major and Antoinette a piano major. Even though this improvisation was from…
Antoinette plays keys, Anonymous plays drums, Evan is guitar left, Chris is guitar right (sorry I was a jerk and too loud) - This dates from 1977 when I was a classical major and Antoinette a piano major. Even though this improvisation was from…
I've always imagined you younger than me. But if you were doing this in 77 (I was 14 and in a choir, and writing songs about Garden Gnomes), then obviously not! This is mighty cool stuff for back then... wow
It would be a good track for running, yep. But we (me and Mrs R) wondered if you could shorten it a bit for us, don't think we could run for that long :)
Did the world really need a cheesy, spaghetti western version of this classic Eagles song? I'm not sure. Did I make one anyway? Yes. Yes, I did. By the way the painting is "Villa Diablo" by Downe Burns.
keywords: old clint eastwood movies, the…
My wife went "I like the bird picture" when I was looking at the latest playlists, explaining that if I uploaded all the ones I've got ready then I'd hog the top of the front page so that's why I'm waiting.... I said that picture's Djörk - wow... haven't heard Djörk music for ages... I'm educating her now :) Hope you're ok in these interesting times.
I'm just a guitars and sore fingers kinda guy really... but you synthy-guys are begining to get to me... I'm starting to understand! (My wife's gonna kill you all if I start buying keyboards too!!)
This is, indeed, amazing. This time I'm hearing it on the big stereo in the living room... with the sound turned down on the TV... and there were a lot of images of a young Heinrich Himmler going by... not sure if the two were meant to fit together so well... but they did
And this... I've listened before, favourited, but didn't comment... not sure why I didn't... both listens have grabbed me all the way through to the last note... the strings in the middle are gorgeous...
I wrote this song as a way to process some of the feelings of sadness, dismay, anger, fear and love that were brewing inside my heart this past week. I live in Minneapolis, where the terrible killing of George Floyd occurred, and the subsequent…
You had me with "If I start by making a better me / It will help to make a better we" ... I was listening without reading what it was about. In fact, I didn't make the connection until after I had finished the first listen. But it was "wooooo" ... You've created a song that gets to the heart of a thing without being tied to the thing that made the writer write it... that's magical... I agree with Greg - it's an anthem... wow... many thanks for saying what many of us think, feel, and wanted to say....
I wrote this song as a way to process some of the feelings of sadness, dismay, anger, fear and love that were brewing inside my heart this past week. I live in Minneapolis, where the terrible killing of George Floyd occurred, and the subsequent…
Another silly little tune, this time about the world's favourite stout! (Edit: uploaded a new version. Fixed a few mistakes.)
Lyrics:
When the sun is up high, in a bright blue sky
And you're walking around in Dublin town
You got nothing…
The Guiness drinkers owe it to themselves to listen to this, favourite it, and... have another Guiness. The less enlightened need to start drinking Guiness... but remember, everyone, that "alcohol is not a coping mechanism"... doesn't actually apply to Guiness, obviously (because it counts towards your 5 A Day, same as Red Wine and Potato Chips)
Another silly little tune, this time about the world's favourite stout! (Edit: uploaded a new version. Fixed a few mistakes.)
Lyrics:
When the sun is up high, in a bright blue sky
And you're walking around in Dublin town
You got nothing…
Original song by my friend and music partner Randy Arneson.
Recorded in Garageband using a pickup plus condenser mic on a vintage Gibson 12 string (2 channels of guitar). I have a couple different versions of this one recorded...
So the latest Orchestral piece I have composed was originally started a few months back before the Virus story broke. I had started it simply as a 'dark' piece, but once the Lockdown started it sort of fitted, and I expanded it to try and tell…
Nice one. I'm getting an 1812 overture sort of vibe out of it... especially with the triumphant end that, yeah, hasn't actually happened yet... but who's counting?(!)
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
Sounds summery to me.... off to find the other one
I'm liking the kinda sparse but cluttered vibe I'm getting from this. Yep, dirty, that describes it well. And that ominous but bouncy synth motif... Yeah, nice one.
Summery - check, Duran Duran - check, Cow Bell- check, all present and correct :) Cool sounds. I was at university, in a rock/metal band, writing songs with titles like "Daughter Of The Pharoahs" ("You've got the looks of your motherrr... Stained with the blood of your brotherrrr") .... I liked Duran Duran, but the dudes I was with would not be convinced that "catchy" was a good thing... Funnily enough, I found a photo a while back - I was the only one who would have looked out of place in a Duran Duran photoshoot!!
I'm about to get called into a zoom meeting for work... I'll be back for the rest after
I've always imagined you younger than me. But if you were doing this in 77 (I was 14 and in a choir, and writing songs about Garden Gnomes), then obviously not! This is mighty cool stuff for back then... wow
Oh yes. I'm liking this big time. A: Sweet song. B: That guitar... whoa... Luther Perkins lives on...
It would be a good track for running, yep. But we (me and Mrs R) wondered if you could shorten it a bit for us, don't think we could run for that long :)
My wife went "I like the bird picture" when I was looking at the latest playlists, explaining that if I uploaded all the ones I've got ready then I'd hog the top of the front page so that's why I'm waiting.... I said that picture's Djörk - wow... haven't heard Djörk music for ages... I'm educating her now :) Hope you're ok in these interesting times.
... oh I'd forgotten the guitars coming in at the 4 minute or so mark! :)
I'm just a guitars and sore fingers kinda guy really... but you synthy-guys are begining to get to me... I'm starting to understand! (My wife's gonna kill you all if I start buying keyboards too!!)
This is, indeed, amazing. This time I'm hearing it on the big stereo in the living room... with the sound turned down on the TV... and there were a lot of images of a young Heinrich Himmler going by... not sure if the two were meant to fit together so well... but they did
And this... I've listened before, favourited, but didn't comment... not sure why I didn't... both listens have grabbed me all the way through to the last note... the strings in the middle are gorgeous...
Wow... just wow... had it on the big stereo... and.... wow
You had me with "If I start by making a better me / It will help to make a better we" ... I was listening without reading what it was about. In fact, I didn't make the connection until after I had finished the first listen. But it was "wooooo" ... You've created a song that gets to the heart of a thing without being tied to the thing that made the writer write it... that's magical... I agree with Greg - it's an anthem... wow... many thanks for saying what many of us think, feel, and wanted to say....
Woah... Superb
The Guiness drinkers owe it to themselves to listen to this, favourite it, and... have another Guiness. The less enlightened need to start drinking Guiness... but remember, everyone, that "alcohol is not a coping mechanism"... doesn't actually apply to Guiness, obviously (because it counts towards your 5 A Day, same as Red Wine and Potato Chips)
Love it!!!
Oh yeah... gorgeous harmonica sounds.
Oh yeah! Like it. Welcome.
Nice one. I'm getting an 1812 overture sort of vibe out of it... especially with the triumphant end that, yeah, hasn't actually happened yet... but who's counting?(!)