(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…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
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
****
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
****
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…
The vastness of the ocean
A darkness in the sky
A lifetime of emotion
How hard you've had to try
To navigate the currents
And the demons in the deep
You have to stay awake
'Cuz they might take you in your sleep
You wish that you could…
Heard something crawling in the walls this morning
Later on, I heard that fateful snap
The little critter never had a warning
I'll have to head on down to face the guilt that's waiting
When I check the trap
A pair of trees I planted in…
I saw the title when you uploaded a couple of weeks back... LOVE the title... and it doesn't disappoint (slightly different song than I'd have written with the same title, though!)
I suppose it could be worse
I know I'm lucky I'm all right
But I can tell that you've been cursed
And it keeps me up at night
So few are born to come in first
So many born into a fight
If the roles had been reversed
Would they still believe…
Some say, "It's the price you gotta pay"
Some say, "You gotta learn to walk away"
But I'm still standing in the light
And I won't go down without a fight
Some say, "True love is just a lie"
Some say, "You'll give it up before you die…
new song i wrote a few weeks ago about my feelings about god and stuff... (no hate directed to any religious person with this btw, this is just my own personal opinion!)
sorry for swearing so much in this lol??
also, special thanks to storm…
Wow wow wow ... nearly missed this amongst all the albums getting posted... Read the blurb, wasn't sure what I was going to make of it... But, as usual, wow... What a powerful performance. Your voice is stunning on this one. So glad I didn't miss this.
In the fading light, I compose a line
And then tongue tied tangled down upside
Unbroken
Unspoken
Better than the words I would have stumbled over
If you read my eyes, you could catch my vibe
Then I wouldn’t have to die inside
When the shivers go right down your spine like a river
Or the whiplash from turning your head to the coast
Brace, the stormfront breaching outside,
Every tree, bends like a dragons tail
We lean our bodies toward the headwinds
turning our…
Out in the field I spy a rabbit
One of the ordinary kind
You never thought you’d meet the neighbors, did you
You never thought you’d take a drive
I see you now you’re running fast
You’re turning inside out
Caught the blade, shovel’s edge…
Bit the apple through the core, then made sure to taste the poison
You can’t fare thee well no more, when you’re out on the horizon’s edge
Don’t stare at the sun, an Icarus flight, we’re all meant to come, back down.
Shoot an arrow off…
Pointed sextant toward the north star
True direction is where you are
Roads of Rome lead to elsewhere
Can we go, no echo, no opinion
Unreal show, on your phone, no one’s watching
A din of quiet desperation
Soothing blanket fort vacation…
Wow. Some serious guitar going on in all these layers... you're making me feel/think Alex Lifeson. This is some seriously good orchestration of guitars. Love the song too!
Queen maybe doors ajar, shall we take dinner and a movie
Can’t wait for shooting stars, when all the galaxy’s for choosing
One step to the floor
One step maybe more
King certain in cement, no phantom stair to keep you guessing,
Your…
Where did you go, man on a mission, path of omission
Out of control, lack of contrition, where did you go
You hid the clouds, black helicopter, waiting forever
A man the crowd, a plant or an actor, where did he go
You were caught there…
Holy moly... I only listened to the first minute or so last night (we were settling down to eat and watch a film) ... I thought I might not be so impressed this morning - WOAH! Love it.
Where did you go, man on a mission, path of omission
Out of control, lack of contrition, where did you go
You hid the clouds, black helicopter, waiting forever
A man the crowd, a plant or an actor, where did he go
You were caught there…
Look, it's not a Letter Seventeen record if I don't end it with something like this. Plus, I spent way too much time playing with orchestral libraries all summer to not use them somewhere.
It started off so nice
A time for you and me
Taking…
I developed a strong obsession with the building blocks of pop songs and tried to craft one. Unfortunately, I wrote it in a key that was high enough that the combination of the rapid-fire words and the pitch nearly made me pass out while singing…
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 huge sound again - love it. Fabulous song.
I saw the title when you uploaded a couple of weeks back... LOVE the title... and it doesn't disappoint (slightly different song than I'd have written with the same title, though!)
Massive stereo! Gorgeous sound... loads of space for the message in the middle.
Oh yeah. Love that "All I am..."
Wow wow wow ... nearly missed this amongst all the albums getting posted... Read the blurb, wasn't sure what I was going to make of it... But, as usual, wow... What a powerful performance. Your voice is stunning on this one. So glad I didn't miss this.
Fantastic end to a superb album. I was going to listen to a couple of RPMs this morning, but I need a rest now, this was so good, many thanks.
This one too. Wow, this one is amazing.
I absolutely ADORE this one.
Oh yes.
Wow. Some serious guitar going on in all these layers... you're making me feel/think Alex Lifeson. This is some seriously good orchestration of guitars. Love the song too!
There's some really cool chords in this one. Love the swagger. And then the saxophone(?) on the out. Mighty cool.
Holy moly... I only listened to the first minute or so last night (we were settling down to eat and watch a film) ... I thought I might not be so impressed this morning - WOAH! Love it.
Woah!!! Maybe me too... (but I'll probably be dialling it up tomorrow) .... rockingg! :)
Yeah we like this a lot ("we" being Mr & Mrs R)
Enjoyed listening to this set. Cool title, Meet The Neighbours, too.
Oh yes, nice one.
Love the groove on this one. Cool song too.
Oh yeah. Like this opener... I'm in!
Excellent set of songs. Well done.
Another v cool chorus. Excellent vocals.