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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…
He missed you, and though you failed more often than not, you are welcome back home. And there you have it, in all of it's declarations, to ponder, to think about, to question, to wonder. Sonder.
Ok, before I go any further, I need to thank Alonetoner Greg Connor. He proposed a song-writing challenge around the theme of "Who Knew" in early/mid December. Many musicians here in the Alonetone community wrote some amazing songs around this…
Things are great, but then the doubt explodes into technicolor fear. Stoicism can't defeat reality, or is it awareness? And still the antagonist is there. Hard to know.... Another TV-time riff (I hardly watch it, but when I do, I always have a…
Don't tell me how it is, I'm good, I got it, I got it. But are we blind, and are there cracks in a facade? The riff was what came first, probably while watching the idiot box one evening. I am pretty sure it came very soon after RPM '15, and I…
This song is meant to be the intro, set the stage, and talk about the direction of the album. The riff came to me while I was absent-mindedly noodling on my gtr in front of the idiot box one day. I knew at that point I had an album opener of a…
Pack a bag and head out west
Change of clothes and leave the rest
Northern skin needs a little sun
Sunshine can cure anyone
Slow it down to a steady pace
Forget about the human race
All I need is what’s inside
Take the rest and let it…
Pack a bag and head out west
Change of clothes and leave the rest
Northern skin needs a little sun
Sunshine can cure anyone
Slow it down to a steady pace
Forget about the human race
All I need is what’s inside
Take the rest and let it…
Here is a *MOJITO* Fueled version of "TV Dinner" that we recorded last Monday night in my Basement.
It's one of 9 songs we will be taping for Community TV, thanks to the *Minnesota Association Of SongWriters*
Harley Coborn - Bass
Tilden…
Reworked by the band into this demo...
LET EM FLY
Easy money is an easy life
An easy woman wont make a good wife
we’re all enjoying the ride
while know no one gets out aliv
so I say, Let them cards fall
let them fly
some people say…
Another one of my musical creations, the first one after my open heart surgery, I finally am getting more strength to sing again :-) So I decided it was high time to have a go in writing a little french number. I hope you enjoy it. Kind regards, Anna
Terrible recording due to my old studio set up dying, but a nice keepsake of just how bad things became before the rebuild.
Lyrics by Brent Kinder.
With piano by Igor Alexeev.
This song's going on 32 years old...
Some 12 years older than I was when I wrote it!!
I borrowed the title from one of my favourite madrigals, The Silver Swan by Orlando Gibbons:
"The silver swan who living hath no note, when death approached…
I did this about 2 years ago and only found it the other day.
I think it sounds like something Robbie Williams would sing - and not really my style or cup of tea. It's a bit anthemic "come on and join in" (no thanks). Add to that I my singing…
Awwwwww! I love this! I can see why you sat on it, but... I can also see/hear why you should have posted it! (And actually, it's made me get up off me backside to re-appraise my last one - which I'm, er, "sat on" as "not good enough" - many thanks!)
Here is my contribution to the latest song writing challenge posted in the Alonetone Forum.
_______________________________________________
Who Knew when I first met you
That all your troubles would be mine
And you’d be coming around again…
I was down at the station
Catch the Greyhound to Go My Way
And I heard the loudspeaker
We’ll be leaving some time today
You just Say no thank you
When I ask you to be mine
I’ll be looking for that green light
When I ask you the next…
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
Oh yesss, nice
Fabulous album Gary. Sorry I didn't listen to it sooner!
Oh and this follows on perfectly.
I missed most of this, I was out of the room, it was just finishing when I got back. Decided to go back - so glad I did, EXCELLENT one.
This album is grabbing me :-)
Oh yesss
She wants to know if you're playing London some time soon!
Wife: Click the fave button! Me: OK
Wife lying on the sofa goes "who's this??" - I play her some more :-) Mighty cool tune, btw.
Woo, that rocks.
:-) Like it.
Still like this version :-)
The lady died. Yesterday, I believe. RIP Ally Sixsmith, thinking of you xxxxx
Awwwwww! I love this! I can see why you sat on it, but... I can also see/hear why you should have posted it! (And actually, it's made me get up off me backside to re-appraise my last one - which I'm, er, "sat on" as "not good enough" - many thanks!)
Wow - that really grew on me.
It's great hearing the different approaches to this. Love the soft vibrato in your voice at the ends of lines.
Oh yeah, that works for me.
Lovely song. Wow, clever lyrics. And I love the spare arrangement.
Aww... there's some very tasty music right there
Back for another listen - I LOVE this one.