**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 5
Written Thursday 10th February 2022
****
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 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…
**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…
Sounds great! Impassioned vocals and sweet sounding acoustic guitar. There's just something about simple and sparse arrangements. I can see where you're coming from in regards to RPM, there is a significant difference between writing and production. I think I enjoy the production side of things more, and once I finish with an RPM, I rarely go back and touch it. I'm an inept writer, so the thought of writing 14 songs in a month would give me anxiety!
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 12
Written Friday 18th February 2022
****
I had NOTHING. I decided to rest today with so much time left and only 3 to do.
I had this title, but no... must... rest
However, Madame La…
Another inspired lyric! I am imagining this fabulous batch of songs is a heart spawned tribute to those you love here and in the great beyond. Fantastic song.
**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…
P.S. After talking to my lawyer, he just sighed and muttered he might get his pal, Dexter Morgan to pop round for a little chat ........ Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ....
**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…
**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…
It’s a keeper! You are making lemonade out of lemons. My friend Roger Harris (oldfolks2) from Portsmouth sent me a video of the Eunice destruction. Your song captures the essence.
**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!
****
**Once Again - A A J Russe**
Every day
You keep asking…
**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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 12
Written Friday 18th February 2022
****
I had NOTHING. I decided to rest today with so much time left and only 3 to do.
I had this title, but no... must... rest
However, Madame La…
**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 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…
Wow this is great! My husband and I have been listening and both agree!! Excellent..lovely melody and your vocals so beautiful. You are nearing the finish and still lots of time.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 12
Written Friday 18th February 2022
****
I had NOTHING. I decided to rest today with so much time left and only 3 to do.
I had this title, but no... must... rest
However, Madame La…
oh yeah!! Another great one. Amazing how these come along. I just love the "As we near the end...." beautiful. Your voice conveys great emotion. The muse is treating you well :)
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
****
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
****
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…
This is one of my favorites ever!!!! The tension builds as though she's really had quite the trip indeed.... What really happened on the pier... Excellent!!!!!
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 7
Written Saturday 12th February 2022
****
This one was easy to write but hard work singing and recording.
I'm fairly certain this one is high on the list of "arrange me later" - I kept…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
****
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 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
****
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
****
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…
My wife loves Brighton, been they a few times to see some gigs, always turned the wrong way to get back to Portsmouth and yes ... Fish and Chips on the pier....
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 7
Written Saturday 12th February 2022
****
This one was easy to write but hard work singing and recording.
I'm fairly certain this one is high on the list of "arrange me later" - I kept…
For Choir
Humility Do Not Come to You
Bet you do not know what I do
what I am doing what I m doing
Bet you do not understand
Yes I realize
that you think you think you are so big
and its hollow the night you stand
Humility…
I got nothing.
Insert some random post-apocalyptic sci-fi narrative here, involving Speak And Spells achieving sentience and taking over the world, only to be thwarted by the Amish.
Alternatively, "Based On A True Story" something something.
I've explained to Mrs R what Skynet is... Mrs R has explained to me what Speak And Spell is. We now count ourselves as enlightened... and sincerely hope it's not actually based on a true story!
I wrote this one yesterday. A little something to bring hope for the future.... there's always time to begin anew.
Thanks to Greg Connor and Mark Lofgren for their wonderful guitars and vocals on this one - recorded yet again around my kitchen…
A little celestial inspiration for this song.... I started it and Greg and Mark helped me finish it and then record around my kitchen table. Feel free to howl if you like it!
Blood Wolf Moon
VERSE 1
Blood wolf moon this January…
I dreamed this song once, with Eddie Vedder on vocals. It stuck in my mind, and I've finally got around to recording it. Sadly, I can only sing it in my own voice! Ah well :)
Yeah, it works well, even without Eddie Vedder... I get exactly the same sort of problem- in the dream about my latest one, it was Taylor Swift singing - it took me quite a bit to get over the initial disappointment when I found that my own voice didn't have quite the same effect as the version I'd dreamt.
This one makes me really happy. Soothing and a little snappy. Guitar, bass, lyre, bongo, bodhran (brush), vocals.
Lyrics:
Life is a roller coaster
Just turn on the toaster
I know you're up and down
Just make a happy sound
Flying a dragon…
2021 50/90 S0ng Number 51
I listen to this song and I am struck by how little there is to it. It sounds simple and basic and un-special in every way.
Why then was it such an absolute nightmare to sing. I mean... I had to dumb down the…
Oh yeah, the guitarmonies here are definitely awesome - they sound really good. I'm with you, sucker for any guitar harmonies, but these have got a bit of that celtic vibe that kinda lifts them above others.
2021 50/90 Song Number 52
And that's all she wrote, folks.
The first time I finished 50/90 was 2014 and I had exactly 50 songs. The second time was last year and I had 51. Now this year I have 52. The bar inches higher.
There is a…
Cool track - love the solo at the end. You've got a Standard 50s?? Which colour? I've been oggling them. The guitarist from my old band got a 60s a few months back in "Unburst" which is my favourite but they don't do it on the 50s (and I want the fatter neck). Anyway, escapes me now, but for some reason I got a Flying V instead! (which I LOVE, actually)
I misread that as "tropical" ... I do need to get my eyes tested ... so I found it wasn't quite as cheery as I'd first imagined! Cool tune, and sentiments I share sometimes.
There was a band in Dublin when I was a teenager called Alien Comfort, not brilliant but some of the members went on to form Aslan, who are pretty awesome.
http://www.aslan.ie/
I always liked the name so this piece of pseudo classical music…
Having put together an orchestral version of this amazing song, the haunting composition by Michael Kiwanuka (theme from Big Little Lies, Sky Atlantic) here is my take on a conventional band arrangement, and featuring the lovely voice of my friend…
2021 50/90 Song Number 44
Another swing thing... sort of. Not as overt as the others, and I really wasn't planning on it. The GarageBand session drummer suggested it and I figured the session drummer knows best, right?
All of the fun of…
2021 50/90 Song Number 48
Not bad. I like the phaser on the guitars in the A section, and I like the wah on the rhythm near the end. That wash of noise underneath is actually a guitar solo that was sort of hiding the slow wah effect so I…
2021 50/90 Song Number 50!
WOOHOO! Success! 2014, 2020, and now 2021.
I kinda like this one. It's kinda swampy, in a good way. I like the strummy solos. I probably should have put more work into them but I think I can live with this…
Btw - I knew coming back from such a long break that there'd be "one or two" RJ songs to catch up with ... but, er.... !!! LOL (I might not be commenting on them all)
2021 50/90 Song Number 50!
WOOHOO! Success! 2014, 2020, and now 2021.
I kinda like this one. It's kinda swampy, in a good way. I like the strummy solos. I probably should have put more work into them but I think I can live with this…
Words by Geoff Matthews
A slightly odd structure, led by the lyrics, which has a very different intro verse the chords of which are not then repeated though the song.
Seems to work though.
As ever with @geoff61 the lyrics needed minimal…
I’ll Drive David L Graham
I never begged to have the power
I just need to be me
Don’t matter what you believe
Unless you want to run with me
Then we’ll see what we see
But I get to drive… I get to drive
Chorus…
Cause this is my…
Wow - lyrically, this touches me. Lyrics alone don't often do that for me, not personally anyway, but this one spoke to me (not a relationship thing in my case, more a harrowing work issue of the last weeks/months - thankfully almost resolved now)
Released as a single earlier in the year with the very lovely Erin Sullivan on vocals.
A song about a woman facing up to the fact she is dying and trying to reconcile the life she lived.
VERSE 1
Sweet life
Something that you take for…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
Touching.
Great vocals! Raw and honest. I love nuances that cannot be replicated, it lends to a one-of-a-kind recording.
Sounds great! Impassioned vocals and sweet sounding acoustic guitar. There's just something about simple and sparse arrangements. I can see where you're coming from in regards to RPM, there is a significant difference between writing and production. I think I enjoy the production side of things more, and once I finish with an RPM, I rarely go back and touch it. I'm an inept writer, so the thought of writing 14 songs in a month would give me anxiety!
Another inspired lyric! I am imagining this fabulous batch of songs is a heart spawned tribute to those you love here and in the great beyond. Fantastic song.
P.S. After talking to my lawyer, he just sighed and muttered he might get his pal, Dexter Morgan to pop round for a little chat ........ Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ....
That's ok ........ good title ......
It’s a keeper! You are making lemonade out of lemons. My friend Roger Harris (oldfolks2) from Portsmouth sent me a video of the Eunice destruction. Your song captures the essence.
Very good ...
Beautiful mate ...
Great song ....... Alex Harvey lives .......
Top notch ... that was a bit of a blow I must admit ....
Wow this is great! My husband and I have been listening and both agree!! Excellent..lovely melody and your vocals so beautiful. You are nearing the finish and still lots of time.
oh yeah!! Another great one. Amazing how these come along. I just love the "As we near the end...." beautiful. Your voice conveys great emotion. The muse is treating you well :)
So filled with emotion and longing... amazing!
This is one of my favorites ever!!!! The tension builds as though she's really had quite the trip indeed.... What really happened on the pier... Excellent!!!!!
Very inspiring lyrics! I can hear all the anthem-esque background arrangements. Love this one!
Sort of song I would expect from Elbow ... very good ....
Well, this is LOVELY.
My wife loves Brighton, been they a few times to see some gigs, always turned the wrong way to get back to Portsmouth and yes ... Fish and Chips on the pier....
So, So good ....
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Wow!
I've explained to Mrs R what Skynet is... Mrs R has explained to me what Speak And Spell is. We now count ourselves as enlightened... and sincerely hope it's not actually based on a true story!
Oh yeah. Lovely song. "The right person will arrive on time..." yep :)
Cool song. But, if you've been sat on it for a few months, she's probably forgotten you! OR.... yes! ...maybe she's sat on a similar song herself?
I'm playing a slow catch up game here... oh wow... my goodness... this one is gorgeous.
Yeah, it works well, even without Eddie Vedder... I get exactly the same sort of problem- in the dream about my latest one, it was Taylor Swift singing - it took me quite a bit to get over the initial disappointment when I found that my own voice didn't have quite the same effect as the version I'd dreamt.
Yep, made me happy too. I LOVE the lyrics. I hit fave just for the coaster/toaster thing, made me smile... then the two lines that followed... superb
Oh yeah, the guitarmonies here are definitely awesome - they sound really good. I'm with you, sucker for any guitar harmonies, but these have got a bit of that celtic vibe that kinda lifts them above others.
Cool track - love the solo at the end. You've got a Standard 50s?? Which colour? I've been oggling them. The guitarist from my old band got a 60s a few months back in "Unburst" which is my favourite but they don't do it on the 50s (and I want the fatter neck). Anyway, escapes me now, but for some reason I got a Flying V instead! (which I LOVE, actually)
I misread that as "tropical" ... I do need to get my eyes tested ... so I found it wasn't quite as cheery as I'd first imagined! Cool tune, and sentiments I share sometimes.
Yeah, that works for me. Cool track. And yeah, a great title.
Don't know the original, but I'm digging this. Mighty cool vocal.
Digging the space on this one.
Aw yeah - this is killer. Loving the Robin Trower / James Dewar vibe in the guitars and bass.
Btw - I knew coming back from such a long break that there'd be "one or two" RJ songs to catch up with ... but, er.... !!! LOL (I might not be commenting on them all)
Oh yeah, dig those solos - big time - definitely live with them! And I'm liking that Univibe tone on the rhythm tracks.
Oh and this one too. Yep, I've hit the follow button :grinning:
Oh yeah, love this one
Wow - lyrically, this touches me. Lyrics alone don't often do that for me, not personally anyway, but this one spoke to me (not a relationship thing in my case, more a harrowing work issue of the last weeks/months - thankfully almost resolved now)
This one too. Assuming you're the piano player on these - you can "muddle along" on it far better than I can!!