**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…
I had your FAWM playlist going and sort of forgot I was supposed to be active listening, but this one pulled me right back into it... then I saw your liner notes. I know the feeling of not being happy with something but needing to get it out, but this is great. I'm curious to see what you do with it, because I think it works far better than you it seems.
You better close the stadium with this one, because all those lighters and voices in unison are going to violate some sort of by-law.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 3
Written Tuesday 8th February 2022
****
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…
I'm a little perplexed at the narrative, but oh what a great narrative it is. That second verse paints a pretty vivid picture, although I'm a little unsure that being denied pastries is an apt consequence, but then Ive never had a Chelsea Bun.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 1
Written Sunday 6th February 2022
****
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…
Congratulations on the FAWM "win", especially with only 23 days to do it. A great start as well.
I share the sentiment on production. Part of me wants to do RPM next year because I wonder if I had too, could I move fast on production? It sounds a lot more exhausting than FAWM, that's for sure.
**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…
Well sir, you smashed this challenge - and ended up with a stunning unplugged album. It's made me want to hear some of your established tracks with similar stripped-down arrangements, leading the listener to concentrate on the sheer artistry of your words and astonishingly soulful vocal. Next challenge for you is the 24 hours album. 24 minutes of original music in 24 hours. I believe it originated on alonetone. Off you go.
**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 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 9
Written Tuesday 15th February 2022
****
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 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…
Great song writing - loving the sentiment and your tender vox here. I love it when the FAWM and RPM parameters draw out his kind of track, any more of an arrangement would detract from the message - IMHO.
**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…
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…
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…
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
Hehehe... there's LOTS of youthful angst is these Songs from the Shoebox... possibly an embarrassing amount... You wait... let's see if I'm brave enough to record the ones from 1978/9!!!
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
Foolishness - A A J Russe
Written 3rd January 1988
Recorded 1st March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
While writing and recording songs for FAWM 2022 I discovered that I can create acoustic demos of nearly any song I've ever written…
**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 1
Written Sunday 6th February 2022
****
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…
**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 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…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I've been missing in action for ages - apologies to all, I'm about to start listening again too.
For ages, I'd been considering a move away from my trusty Boss BR1600 on which I've recorded and mixed nearly everything…
I saw your comments on my site. Thanks. It sounds like you’ve got this recording process figured out. I’m still learning as I go. Thank God for YouTube. 😎
**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…
Gorgeous guitar sound. And what a song! And I love the arrangement, how the production builds... I've committed myself to a "no production while doing song demos, not even backing vocals" rule for February, just so I can get a challenge done... One of the unforeseen side-effects is I'm really HEARING and appreciating other people's arrangements and production choices... I always listen for that anyway, but now I'm hearing the ones that grab me with extra envy!!
Lookin over the calendar
Seems like you're getting old
Feel a little bit achy now
A remedy is sold
Goin to the healthy store
Buy what you need
Tryin all the products
To heal your achy knee
But you won’t feel brand new
You…
Nice one, hope you're having fun. I'm exhausted! (But feeling extremely empowered, and yes having fun).
I'm digging this one too. Love that wah guitar break. And again, the subject matter hits home for me... I could sing these words to someone very close to me!
Can you hear me?
Can you see my screen?
I'm explaining
Exactly what I mean
There's an error on the next slide, and I hope that you will bear with me
15 minutes
Read it word-for-word
You'll be reading
Exactly what you heard
I will…
Can you hear me?
Can you see my screen?
I'm explaining
Exactly what I mean
There's an error on the next slide, and I hope that you will bear with me
15 minutes
Read it word-for-word
You'll be reading
Exactly what you heard
I will…
Mighty cool. I'm doing songs for FAWM (I don't think I could manage RPM) and working at home and... this song strikes home for me! Probably does others too. My colleagues are jealous of my meeting background - and it's real, not digital (my "studio" doubles ad my office, so there's a wall of guitars).
"I will send the deck out after" ....LOL "hey where's those slides you said you'd send out at the last meeting?"
Here is a little experimental instrumental piece I had almost forgotten about....interesting experiment, with the percussion elements consisting of, amongst other things, metal hangers, door latch, scissors, paper being shaken and finger snaps!!
IN MY ROOM
In my room there's no day and there's no night
In my room, just an incandescent light
...hanging from a wire.
In my room there's no hot and there's no cold
In my room,I'm not young. I'm not old
...hanging from a wire…
Some blues/boogie fun.
Ain’t no fun
It's a well known fact
When you’re with the wrong woman
And caught in the act
Sworn to secrecy
We even made a pact
But didn’t matter
We were caught in the act
Been watched and followed
Traced…
Song 5 for the RPM Challenge. Building tunes around an incessant bass line is oddly appealing to me. This is a bit of a dystopian song of sorts. Thanks to anyone who listens!
Take me to the river
and hold me under water
Bow down beside…
Nice one. Yeah, I've been thinking (listening to stuff elsewhere) about writing to basslines. Most of the time I write with an acoustic guitar, singing it as I play it - no recording equipment is used/harmed. But something else happens if the bass is laid down first. And, as a writer, I also find it strangely appealing. Cool track... I'm ready for the next one!
Song 2 for the RPM Challenge. Wrote this at the piano and then had fun trying all sorts of spontaneous vocal harmonies. Switching time signatures for the chorus made for some challenging recording!
Song 3 of RPM 2022. For the many tortured artists I've met with a bit of a dance spin to it. Most of my songs are unintentional and unplanned....they just happen. Thanks to anyone who's listening!! :)
Song 4 of my 2022 RPM challenge. A simple popish tune to add to the mix.
I never told you
what I wanted
no, it don’t feel right
the things you say
the things you do
well they hold me hold me
I never asked you
for anything
I…
The coffee table gang helped me round out this one that I shared earlier. I love this version with Mark Lofgren and Greg Connor's wonderful talents on the backup vocals and guitars. I like how my ukulele blended in on this version.
Sometimes…
A song I wrote over the last few days. Did a one-take-wonder on the recording, so it's pretty simple. Hope you like it!
Sometimes You Don't
Verse 1
Sometimes in the early morning hours
As the sun lights up the sky
I look back and think…
The Minnesota Association of Songwriters issued a writing challenge this January to "borrow" conceptually from a writer that has influenced our writing to create a new original work of our own. Once you hear this, I think you'll get the idea…
Sunshine fill my soul
Let the blues be the first to go
Sunshine can’t complain
If life shows us a little rain
Chorus
Sunshine through the window
At first morning’s light
All the stars fade away
When sunshine gets so bright
When sunshine…
Like it. I just read Colleen's comment and realised that I was bopping my head along with the tempo too! Loved that "oh yeah" at the end of the bridge.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
I had your FAWM playlist going and sort of forgot I was supposed to be active listening, but this one pulled me right back into it... then I saw your liner notes. I know the feeling of not being happy with something but needing to get it out, but this is great. I'm curious to see what you do with it, because I think it works far better than you it seems. You better close the stadium with this one, because all those lighters and voices in unison are going to violate some sort of by-law.
I'm a little perplexed at the narrative, but oh what a great narrative it is. That second verse paints a pretty vivid picture, although I'm a little unsure that being denied pastries is an apt consequence, but then Ive never had a Chelsea Bun.
Congratulations on the FAWM "win", especially with only 23 days to do it. A great start as well. I share the sentiment on production. Part of me wants to do RPM next year because I wonder if I had too, could I move fast on production? It sounds a lot more exhausting than FAWM, that's for sure.
Well sir, you smashed this challenge - and ended up with a stunning unplugged album. It's made me want to hear some of your established tracks with similar stripped-down arrangements, leading the listener to concentrate on the sheer artistry of your words and astonishingly soulful vocal. Next challenge for you is the 24 hours album. 24 minutes of original music in 24 hours. I believe it originated on alonetone. Off you go.
Glad you didn't bin it! Liking the driving feel - immediately hooky also.
A sweet almost-lullaby - glad this one found a home in your February. So very pretty.
Really love this melody and the breezy feel. Some gorgeous little acoustic guitar runs in there too.
Great song writing - loving the sentiment and your tender vox here. I love it when the FAWM and RPM parameters draw out his kind of track, any more of an arrangement would detract from the message - IMHO.
Woohoo! Logged in and back from Brighton. <3 Can now fave this utter classic.
Hauntingly sad and beautiful
Great tune Andrew. we held back on a few old ideas too. i'm glad you put it out there
Hehehe... there's LOTS of youthful angst is these Songs from the Shoebox... possibly an embarrassing amount... You wait... let's see if I'm brave enough to record the ones from 1978/9!!!
That's rather wonderful ...... a bit of youthful angst ??
You've been a writer / poet for so many years!!! How delightful to put these songs out. I'm glad you found the shoe box.
Another beautiful piece of storytelling through haunting voice and gentle music
You sing these words perfectly … I am just in awe of your story telling
So lyrical
Intrigued … who is this written for? Whoever it is is a lucky person … love this
I saw your comments on my site. Thanks. It sounds like you’ve got this recording process figured out. I’m still learning as I go. Thank God for YouTube. 😎
Another little gem ......
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Gorgeous guitar sound. And what a song! And I love the arrangement, how the production builds... I've committed myself to a "no production while doing song demos, not even backing vocals" rule for February, just so I can get a challenge done... One of the unforeseen side-effects is I'm really HEARING and appreciating other people's arrangements and production choices... I always listen for that anyway, but now I'm hearing the ones that grab me with extra envy!!
Nice one, hope you're having fun. I'm exhausted! (But feeling extremely empowered, and yes having fun). I'm digging this one too. Love that wah guitar break. And again, the subject matter hits home for me... I could sing these words to someone very close to me!
Still, I wouldn't trade it for going back to the commute!!
Mighty cool. I'm doing songs for FAWM (I don't think I could manage RPM) and working at home and... this song strikes home for me! Probably does others too. My colleagues are jealous of my meeting background - and it's real, not digital (my "studio" doubles ad my office, so there's a wall of guitars). "I will send the deck out after" ....LOL "hey where's those slides you said you'd send out at the last meeting?"
That's a fine piece of noodling. Loved the opening piano. And the percussion elements work nicely.
I'm loving these short ones - kinda meaningful statements in short chunks... leaving me wanting so much more....
Oh WOW... how did I miss this?
This is the stuff. Fabulous sound and suitably bite-sized for the modern "work from home" attention span! :)
Nice one.
WOW forgotten how much I loved this track
Nice one. Yeah, I've been thinking (listening to stuff elsewhere) about writing to basslines. Most of the time I write with an acoustic guitar, singing it as I play it - no recording equipment is used/harmed. But something else happens if the bass is laid down first. And, as a writer, I also find it strangely appealing. Cool track... I'm ready for the next one!
Oh yeah. This is a nice one. Love the lyrics.
Yep, that's heartfelt. Love the feel of the lead in the instrumental. Some fine harp as well.
Oh crumbs... loving your stuff. Faved and followed... I'll be back to listen to more.
And this... wow. Loving your vocal delivery. Very cool song too.
I saw your name going by and thought "I've not heard them, are have I?". Woo... like this.
Wow. And this version. Love those guitars.
And this is a bit gorgeous too. LOVE that chorus.
OH MY, this is gorgeous
Like it. I just read Colleen's comment and realised that I was bopping my head along with the tempo too! Loved that "oh yeah" at the end of the bridge.