(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…
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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…
(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
****
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
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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…
AH! Here it is :)
And it's INSPIRED! Love what you've done with the piano - I wondered how you'd deal with making an arrangement... And the vox - woof!
Well, if Percy doesn't want to play, perhaps Mr Page ought to get in touch with you?
OK, I admit it, I don't really hold Led Zeppelin IV in the reverence many LZ fans do! I guess this song is one of the reasons for that... I'll give you A- on this one(!) but it's mainly the material you're forced to work with - tell them Page/Plant guys to buck their ideas up! hehe
another back to basics Zep this one goes out to Martin where ever he is ...he died getting on for 14 years ago but he's not forgotten ...Happy birthday for tomorrow man.....
Wasn't too sure where this was going during the intro, then when the vocals started I saw it all... This is a FABULOUS version. I've always had a love/hate/indifference relationship with this song. It's one of the few where Robert Plant's lyrics got in the way for me. But you carry it off superbly. At 5:26 I was left thinking "why isn't there more?"
A Facebook Friend posted a picture of a
sign hanging on a tree that had the words
to the first verse. I couldn't leave well
enough alone...I Googled the verse and
found it was written by Dallas Clayton.
MESSAGE ON A TREE
“She blew…
I had a wish to sing along with Greg, so he offered me a piece of his Cherry Pie to sing along with... I added a few other bits here and there as well. Thanks Greg!!! This was a fun one for me... added some piano and a teeny bit of percussion....
Well, I'm almost on a roll now - this little love song was written, arranged, and recorded in just a week. I've been meaning to attempt something like this for years, just never got round to it.
I'd actually settled down to finally record a…
Just realised that I didn't make it obvious in the blurb... I was actually doing my utmost to sound like early ZZ Top once I'd realised what was happening. The vox and instrumental got performed and recorded with that in mind. So I'm kinda relieved/gratified that folks can spot the ZZ Top in there!!
This song pretty much sums up my life right now. No direction and no ambition.
Maybe because it's SpringTime and Love is in the air.
In keeping with the romantic nature of the season, it features:
BANJO . . . . . The instrument made…
Recorded when we weren't sure how close to the 35-minute mark we were getting for the RPM Challenge... And every second counts.
Besides, we didn't have any "woos" on the album. And woos always make an album better
STEPPIN' ON SOME TOES Key - Em and E
Em
Well, some folks got big noses
Some folks got big hats
Some folks stand out in the aisle
Make it hard to pass
Am
Some folks they got money
Em
They…
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
AH! Here it is :) And it's INSPIRED! Love what you've done with the piano - I wondered how you'd deal with making an arrangement... And the vox - woof! Well, if Percy doesn't want to play, perhaps Mr Page ought to get in touch with you?
Now this one got me thinking... perhaps you should dip into the Howling Wolf catalogue itself? You've got the voice for it. Tasty blues vocal.
Whereas this one on IV... always liked it. Quite surprised how much I like it without all the bombast. Cool version.
OK, I admit it, I don't really hold Led Zeppelin IV in the reverence many LZ fans do! I guess this song is one of the reasons for that... I'll give you A- on this one(!) but it's mainly the material you're forced to work with - tell them Page/Plant guys to buck their ideas up! hehe
Wasn't too sure where this was going during the intro, then when the vocals started I saw it all... This is a FABULOUS version. I've always had a love/hate/indifference relationship with this song. It's one of the few where Robert Plant's lyrics got in the way for me. But you carry it off superbly. At 5:26 I was left thinking "why isn't there more?"
Wooo! Rockin. Nice one guys.
The anon verse is gorgeous - and you matched it. Lovely stuff.
That's the stuff. I'm with Merry Bear over that banjo.
Yep :-) What a vocal.
Brilliant!
Love it.
And this gets the toes tapping.
Like the insistent riff on this.
Real nice. I'll have slice :) (Actually, it's made me realise, I don't get cherry pie round here, Mrs R doesn't like it... hmmm)
Just realised that I didn't make it obvious in the blurb... I was actually doing my utmost to sound like early ZZ Top once I'd realised what was happening. The vox and instrumental got performed and recorded with that in mind. So I'm kinda relieved/gratified that folks can spot the ZZ Top in there!!
Woo! That's quite spacey.
Perfect end to a hard day spent watching the men install our new boiler... (I did manage to restring a strat and a tele while they were doing it)
Woo! Cool album :-)
Aww love it to bits. The lyrics and their delivery are superb. I'm liking the wandering between major and minor in the chords.
GREAT for jamming along to! (It was only halfway through it I thought "duh, SRV!" hehe) Nice one.