**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 9
Written Tuesday 15th February 2022
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I decided it was time I wrote a song that wasn't so hard to sing and play!
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**Once Again - A A J Russe**
Every day
You keep asking…
oh yeah!!! Great song and loving that chord progression. Beautiful with all the changes ...loving it. How did you do all this in such a short time period? Wow, wow, wow.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
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It's not entirely true. But it's CLOSE ENOUGH!
It was actually the 16th of February.
But we were corresponding by email on the 14th.
Then we…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 6
Written Friday 11th February 2022
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I was meant to be resting and chilling.
In fact, I was resting and chilling.
But then I got a message from Lala saying she was listening to the…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 5
Written Thursday 10th February 2022
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What can I say? Mrs R likes it.
I knew she would.
Scheduling-wise, songs per day, I've now caught up with having missed the first 5 days of…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 3
Written Tuesday 8th February 2022
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So, here's today's little ditty.
(I don't know whether folks outside the UK would know what a Chelsea Bun is. I love them, they are extremely yum…
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark.
I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy.
Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 2
Written Monday 7th February 2022
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I wrote this one a couple of hours ago.
I set up for recording, and busted a string on the Martin... GAH!!!
I tried a big ole dreadnought thing…
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
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…
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
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…
The Feast - A A J Russe
Written 26th September 1985
Recorded 3rd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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This one's been sticking out of the shoebox for a long long while. It always shows up in a list of maybes. And it did this time…
Just To Make It What You Want - A A J Russe
Written 1st October 2016
Recorded 4th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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I was going to choose a more uptempo one next, then this one jumped out of the shoebox at us, shouting "me me ME…
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…
Isn't This Fun - A A J Russe
Written 1980 (Completed 16th June 1991)
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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I wrote most of this in my first year at university.
But the Shoebox says I completed it 16/06/1991 - and the…
I Want You To Know - A A J Russe
Written 21st June 1987
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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This was to the same lady who inspired Foolishness. There's a couple of others from the same period, related to her, that will…
I Want You To Know - A A J Russe
Written 21st June 1987
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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This was to the same lady who inspired Foolishness. There's a couple of others from the same period, related to her, that will…
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…
I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 1
Written Sunday 6th February 2022
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OK, this is a bit of a departure for me - posting songwriting demos.
This is a one mic recording made this morning in the living room, touch of reverbs…
First time hearing your stuff. After the first song, I love your writing. I'll be listening through what you have posted for the rest of the day!
Completely agree with RPM. I do enjoy it, however this year, my focus was more on songwriting and having fun. Production took a back seat.
I Want You To Know - A A J Russe
Written 21st June 1987
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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This was to the same lady who inspired Foolishness. There's a couple of others from the same period, related to her, that will…
I Hope I Love Them - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1989
Recorded 2nd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one has tugged at me for many many years.
I absolutely adored it from the moment I wrote it in 1989... But I thought…
The Feast - A A J Russe
Written 26th September 1985
Recorded 3rd March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This one's been sticking out of the shoebox for a long long while. It always shows up in a list of maybes. And it did this time…
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EDIT:
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I finally was able to remix the song. Please listen to "Fide On The Broom Stick (Version 2012)" in my track list to compare…
This celtic folk piece is a collaboration with lyricist Donna Devine.
This is Donna's explanation:
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Background: In earlier centuries, young men were captured by "press gangs" - often literally torn away from…
Another goodie...
Thoroughly enjoyable listen to all of your tracks on here so far...
I'm amazed at all the different styles you take on and succeed at.
This one started while I was commenting All I Do Is Cry ... and it didn't grab me initially.
But when I started concentrating... crumbs, this excellent. Really interesting melody and chords, and boy does he navigate his way around it well.
I had to click favourite by the time it finished! Brilliant.
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Guitar: Billy Playle
Bass: Andy Gupta
Drums: Alex Zulaika
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Tricia Dovidio
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Ah... I heard this the other day, didn't I?
I've got two more of yours to go at the moment, but this is my personal FAVOURITE so far.
I assume it's Tricia Dovidio on the vocal again? I think I loves her voice and delivery... :-)
Vocals: Paul T. Bathen
Lyrics: Michael Taub
Bass: William Fisher
Guitars: Bill Gifford
Drums: Gerald Langefeld
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
I'm glad this song finally got finished. I had lost the synth draft and with it…
Like the song, love the song, but you're right, I think there's a better a mix in there - it's almost like the lead vocal dominates the track too much... try thinning him out a bit mebbe? Seems a shame to do it though, he's got such a good rich voice :-)
Vocals: Eric Savoie
Acoustic Guitar: Dan Clancy
Electric Guitars: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Trevor Tillotson
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed by Steffen Offermann & Eric Savoie
Arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
Oh yeah, this is a special one.
He's an excellent lead vocalist, absolutely superb. The song stays sung when he's sung it! Not so convinced that he ought to do his own bvox based on this one though? I felt his lead wanted a different texture to go with it.
Having said that though - wow! The song, the performances, the recording... Superb :-)
Vocals: Tricia Dovidio
Lyrics: Bob Beckley
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This one was tricky to do because the piano does not play at a fixed tempo, and it was an online collaboration (like all my collaborations).
Oh yeah... love this. I quite like songs that don't have a fixed tempo - sounds more natural to me... but they're a pain to overdub to though!!
I'm with Mr Landry - where do you find all these vocalists?!! I particularly like this one.
A pop/rock tune in the veins of the 80s. At least that was the goal.
UPDATE: This is the Jan 2017 version!
Lyrics: Casia
Vocals: Jessica Rasche
Solo Guitar: Bobby Clohessy
Bass: Jean Lui Toudou
Drums: Jay Carros
Composed, arranged…
I'm getting a much better idea of "stoman" listening to tracks one after the other on here.
You have no fear of genres/whatever - write the song, get the right dudes on... job done :-)
Another classy one.
Vocals: Sabrina Doughty
Lyrics: Grant D. McLeman
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This is the 2012 remix.
This song was based on a free-form lyric by Grant D. McLeman from Scotland. Quite a challenge ... :)
Lyrics & Lead Vocals: Angela Baird
Background Vocals: TSV
Bass: Matt Lewin
Drums: Gerald Langenfeld
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
This song is a problem ... the vocal track was never meant for production (although…
Vocals: James Ryce
Lyrics: Paul Dempsey
Bass & Drums: Neal Vanderhoof
Guitar: Andrew Doherty
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
James is actually a country singer. This was the first time for him to sing a jazzy piano…
He did a fine job (vocal).
I like the relaxed vibe of the track. It's one of those songs that needs a decent performance to bring it out - I think you guys achieved it. Love that organ when it comes in.
Well, this one pushes my buttons...
"When the red dawn sings it's sad song and warns us what's to come..." - brilliant.
Lovely voice and a compelling performance.
This was written as part of a concept album inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso ,Trevor Lewis is a member of Songcrafters music forum , he came up with the idea of writing poems to 12 Picasso paintings , then put them out for people to put music…
Didn't realise you were on here!
I'm not sure whether I've heard this before elsewhere, but who cares, I love it... makes me think we might have been listening to the same band some years ago :-)
February
t boudreau
I'm stuck inside of February
With little chance of escape
And all you bar-stool visionaries
giving me advice that you'd never take
Wanna seat on a slow boat heading
South down a stream that seems to never end
Or…
Make Up Your Mind
T Boudreau
I've been lying here all alone waiting for you to pick up the phone oh yea
I've been dying here all along praying for you to come and save my soul oh yea
Where you gonna run when the well gets dry
Or are you…
Originally conceived as a mellow-ish, Stephen Stills sounding number (at least the verses), then the chorus came to me out of nowhere and turned the whole song on it's ear. I think that was for the better. I have to admit that I surprised myself…
Monster stuff.
It rocks, it's melodic, big in-the-face scrunchy guitar, love those vocals. And the bass at 3.10 or so!
Then the build up to 4.35 and the guitar and last chorus... Those top harmonies at the end.
Big grin on the face time...
A masterpiece.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
oh yeah!!! Great song and loving that chord progression. Beautiful with all the changes ...loving it. How did you do all this in such a short time period? Wow, wow, wow.
Another beautiful poetic song with such an excellent expressive performance. Love it!
I must take this train after hearing this song! What a great song :)....deserves a second comment.
Absolutely beautiful! Warm and an interesting narrative :). Loving it!
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark. I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy. Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
I think I dated this one. I like the guitar lick. The song really moves along well.
I can feel that being a great Rockin' song .....
That's a great song in the making ......
A little bit of magic ...
Very good ..... afraid the 80's are so far away for me ..... old age ;)
Top notch my friend ....
An enjoyable listen, and a little different.
This is beautiful.
Poignant, affecting. Something everyone can relate to. I'm glad you were able to revisit this old song, and I also hope recording it was cathartic.
First time hearing your stuff. After the first song, I love your writing. I'll be listening through what you have posted for the rest of the day! Completely agree with RPM. I do enjoy it, however this year, my focus was more on songwriting and having fun. Production took a back seat.
Funny I don’t get stalker vibes but I can see if one knew the backstory that might be the outcome. Another great piece of writing!!
Sparse and beautiful
This is a good listen.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Yep, lovely stuff, this works as it is for me
Another goodie... Thoroughly enjoyable listen to all of your tracks on here so far... I'm amazed at all the different styles you take on and succeed at.
This one started while I was commenting All I Do Is Cry ... and it didn't grab me initially. But when I started concentrating... crumbs, this excellent. Really interesting melody and chords, and boy does he navigate his way around it well. I had to click favourite by the time it finished! Brilliant.
Ah... I heard this the other day, didn't I? I've got two more of yours to go at the moment, but this is my personal FAVOURITE so far. I assume it's Tricia Dovidio on the vocal again? I think I loves her voice and delivery... :-)
Like the song, love the song, but you're right, I think there's a better a mix in there - it's almost like the lead vocal dominates the track too much... try thinning him out a bit mebbe? Seems a shame to do it though, he's got such a good rich voice :-)
Oh yeah, this is a special one. He's an excellent lead vocalist, absolutely superb. The song stays sung when he's sung it! Not so convinced that he ought to do his own bvox based on this one though? I felt his lead wanted a different texture to go with it. Having said that though - wow! The song, the performances, the recording... Superb :-)
Oh yeah... love this. I quite like songs that don't have a fixed tempo - sounds more natural to me... but they're a pain to overdub to though!! I'm with Mr Landry - where do you find all these vocalists?!! I particularly like this one.
I'm getting a much better idea of "stoman" listening to tracks one after the other on here. You have no fear of genres/whatever - write the song, get the right dudes on... job done :-) Another classy one.
Works for me. Great track and the vocal just sits there like it should.
I like it. I see what you mean about the vocal take... but I think it adds to it's effect.
He did a fine job (vocal). I like the relaxed vibe of the track. It's one of those songs that needs a decent performance to bring it out - I think you guys achieved it. Love that organ when it comes in.
Well, this one pushes my buttons... "When the red dawn sings it's sad song and warns us what's to come..." - brilliant. Lovely voice and a compelling performance.
Wow... First time I've heard this one. Excellent song... and SUPERB vocal
Didn't realise you were on here! I'm not sure whether I've heard this before elsewhere, but who cares, I love it... makes me think we might have been listening to the same band some years ago :-)
Beautiful. I've got some goodbyes it would have fitted. Many thanks.
Liked this a lot.
Great finish to an excellent album. Loved the whole thing, nice work guys. When you coming to London? :-)
Digging this album BIGTIME so far. This track has really made me sit up and pay attention. Actually, stand up and boogie is more accurate :-)
I know what it is, you're a mixture of Lennon AND McCartney, with a bunch of seventies rock chucked in - this is why I love your stuff so much...
Monster stuff. It rocks, it's melodic, big in-the-face scrunchy guitar, love those vocals. And the bass at 3.10 or so! Then the build up to 4.35 and the guitar and last chorus... Those top harmonies at the end. Big grin on the face time... A masterpiece.