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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…
Nothing special about this one. The riff is kinda cheesy, and the lyrics are a lot cheesy. It has a pre-chorus section which is unusual for me. That's about the only thing that's interesting at all. The mix might be awful, but I was 99% asleep…
Now that my album Texas Tonefreak is almost "out of print", I'll be posting the tracks up here.
Kip Siewert on harmonica
Philip Waite on drums
me on everything else
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kavin
I ended up buying myself a Tanglewood TGRD VS E for my birthday and this is it's first outing with an old Doors classic i'm not a 100% the lyrics are correct as i must admit i have been drinking so i have Regged it a little but it is a 100% live…
I wondered what you'd get - sounds like a good choice.
And this is a fine version - who cares whether the lyrics are accurate... "just get the title right and no-one'll notice!!"
I kinda like this one, although the cutting and pasting sounds really obvious to my ears. I usually try and get my punches cleaner than this, but I seemed to be slacking on this day. The lyrics are part of my current atheist bent. The guitars…
Not sure about the mix for this one. My left ear hears much better than my right, and I do all of my work with headphones. Sometimes when I have two doubled tracks split left/right I end up having a hard time keeping them balanced. I over compensate…
It was about time I got on with musical expression. This song is about our interconnectedness. Our identity. Serious mystic stuff eh? Yeah - wait until you hear it - haha.
Said the snail to the bird how's your flight?
If I had your wings I…
With JS Tolar, as band Visions Of Nell.
My tribute to Anne Boleyn, the first queen to be publicly executed in England. I used some of the poetry she wrote during her imprisonment in the chorus. An innocent, incomparable woman.
With music written and performed by Soundsmith Kamachi.
It was the last day of RPM and he asked me to write a lullaby for a track called Cornucopia. Very much enjoyed how easily this one flowed. That's my mum, Bee Mathis, adding class to the…
This one was recorded back in 2011 but I never posted it. I took a listen to it recently and liked what I heard with fresh ears. It's another of my surf tunes which I enjoy making from time to time.
I suppose you could call this a Lament of sorts, I call it a bit of fun, and it was fun to record. Thanks Aimee, ( my daughter ) for the new strings for my birthday. they came in useful !!!!!
:)
I listened before the "About" was in. I was thinking "why can't I write happy songs like this?" ... and then the verse after the instrumental arrived and put it right in the same ballpark as the lyrics I'd just been typing up!!!
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
Nothing wrong with kinda cheesy! Cool playing.
Bluesy, jumpy, what more could a chap ask? And I'm loving the sound of that harp too.
"just" an instrumental!! haha! Killer stuff. Did you leave *any* ideas on the cutting room floor?! Love it.
Aww yeah... More! MORE! :)
Oh wow!! Short (too short!) but SWEET... Fabulous guitar sound and playing.
I wondered what you'd get - sounds like a good choice. And this is a fine version - who cares whether the lyrics are accurate... "just get the title right and no-one'll notice!!"
Keep generating it!! Like it.
More very tasty guitars... I can't hear anything that sounds like a dirty punch to me, though :)
Well, balance of the gits feels pretty good to me (I am listening in my "mixing" headphones though!!). Cool playing :)
Oh yes. Gorgeous sounds... more fun like this needed!
Nice one. Like it.
I listen to this quite often - spose I better listen to it again now! You knows I loves it, don't yer? :-)
:) x
Oh yes, glad you dusted this one off.
A fine set of songs, sir! :)
I'd forgotten the extremely cool guitars in the instrumental - good to hear again.
Woo! a new one - like it.
Wot? No comments?
Yeah :)
:) I listened before the "About" was in. I was thinking "why can't I write happy songs like this?" ... and then the verse after the instrumental arrived and put it right in the same ballpark as the lyrics I'd just been typing up!!!