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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…
I put up a wren house in the trees and garden where I was living and surprisingly a house wren moved in. Every day he sang his song in a repeating pattern ... a natural loop. I held a mic out the window one morning and taped his beautiful repetitive…
billy boy where did you go
sittin in a pile of snow
come on down its gettin cold
for the time is getting old
well we made our way to the old wigwam
frozen lake and wind was calm
standing bow did strike a deer
to feed the tribe…
I thought I'd uploaded this ages ago!
Less chaotic 'Chaos' after I found a melody I was happy with, and the delay button :)
Enjoy! xox
P.S. I knew I'd seen it on here somewhere - it was uploaded by Jip under Third Quarter of the Moon :)
lol - it seems to start off with the same sentiment in the vocal as the Nod's did... and then it starts feeling increasingly sinister... by the end, I thoroughly pitied the poor person you're singing to. Perhaps they really ought to consider a restraining order!!
Brilliant.
This salty man's a salty dog
His travels have left him weary
Got boots all lined up at the door
He's must be carrying stones again...
His salty wife waits on salty shores
Tending the child she carries
Washing his wounds with olive soap…
At the end of this road
Red rock and blue skies
And the wind calls
Plant your roots in the ground
And the clean air that the trees share
You can't hear a sound
Deep in the heart of it all
Morning dew at the sunrise
Covered in fog
Fires…
Listening to all your stuff (after your clear out) while I'm working. This one really jumped out at me and brought me over to comment (loving it all though!)
Ernesto Cavallini was considered the foremost Italian clarinetist of the 19th century. His playing was admired by both Gioachino Rossini and Giuseppe Verdi. He was in the orchestra that premiered four of Verdi’s operas at the La Scala opera…
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was the second of three sons of Johann Sebastian Bach. He was a crucial composer in the transition from the Baroque and Classical periods in music, directly influencing Mozart and Haydn, while retaining Baroque elements…
January challenge songwriting fun...
WATER UNDER WATER
So near the surface
So near the end
So near the purpose
Time and again
Just barely breathing
I’ll need you when
I’m floating in the water under water
Holding on loosely
Without letting…
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
Aw, this is gorgeous... utterly wonderful
Woo! Only just spotted this. Superb, fresh, love it...
Oh I remember this... YUMMY :-)
Oh this hits the spot... Gorgeous restrained sound, bursting with emotion.
Yep. Cute as a button. MORE!!
And this one's FAB. Really glad you posted them.
Very echo-y kitchen you got there... :) Wonderful version.
Aww... superb. Gorgeous and fluffy, and then... uh-oh!! "Today is the day that it all went wrong" Yep... hope you cleaned up afterwards...
Yep
lol - it seems to start off with the same sentiment in the vocal as the Nod's did... and then it starts feeling increasingly sinister... by the end, I thoroughly pitied the poor person you're singing to. Perhaps they really ought to consider a restraining order!! Brilliant.
Oh yeah! Big Slade fan here... and this does not disappoint. Excellent version.
Nice one.
Oh, and while I'm commenting - love the riffing over the sparse background on this. Simple and powerful.
Listening to all your stuff (after your clear out) while I'm working. This one really jumped out at me and brought me over to comment (loving it all though!)
Yes. Wonderful, as ever :)
And this one. And I'm liking the information you give with the tracks. Looking forward to more.
Oh... monstrously good to listen to! Love it.
Oooh yeah. Liking your sounds :)
Wonderful stuff.
Nice one. Simple and gorgeous.