**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…
(Em) A legend that the sailors told
Tales shared from long ago
(C) Secrets that are captured in the (Em) air
(Em) It comes to you from far way
Whispered roars that fade away
(C) Answers that are carried on the (Em) breeze
Only (C) heard…
Oh it's just fab.
You've actually got me singing along on this one. Doesn't happen too often - I'm usually sat hear listening and thinking, but this one had me singing out loud.
(Em) A legend that the sailors told
Tales shared from long ago
(C) Secrets that are captured in the (Em) air
(Em) It comes to you from far way
Whispered roars that fade away
(C) Answers that are carried on the (Em) breeze
Only (C) heard…
OH WOW!!
I saw this arrive the other day but didn't have time to listen. Then I saw the reaction it was getting, so I thought, ooo he must have hit the spot with this one...
I've been saving it up for the right moment lol (7.45 am on sunny saturday at the start of two weeks off - that'll do!)
And WOW! You've definitely hit the spot. Love it.
This is wonderful! And I wasn't going to listen to it! lol
But I was finishing my comment to Love Interruption and the rhythm started up. Interesting, I thought, so I kept it on...
I love how you guys play with it.
I definitely want to hear more from you :-)
Yep, nice one. The two of you are playing off each other nicely here.
The vocals have this really relaxed authority to them.
Want to hear more!
Faved and followed.
performed by Jon Freeman
from the album "Sunny, sorta..."
between you and the moon
and the road behind
I’d sleep in the hay every day
a small comfort I’ll find
between you and the moon
and the horses come crashing
as you hide in the…
Lyrics and music by Brian Vaughn.
Guest guitar solo by Karl Ridgeway (0:38 and 1:14).
Lyrics:
Oh little girl won't you tell me what you were looking for when you came to this place?
You've got friends, but not many of them like to be seen.
Oh…
I hadn't realised you had a new one up - I forgot to click follow last time (sorted now lol)... jaraimondimusic turned me on to this one.
With him all the way - why ain't you signed? What is the world at? They could sell this stuff...
Hell, if I had a record company I'd be sending the boys round...
Superb song, superb arrangement, superb singing... superb.
Oh yet another nostalgic blast from the past. I found this unbelievable backing track surfing the web some years ago. I usually never use backing tracks because they usually suck bad . But this one is like having mitch and noel at your side. I…
Aww... how does you make your strat sound like that? lol
Mine used to sound like that but I seem to have mellowed. I'm going to have to refind this vibe.
Now, do you have version of Stone Free hiding in the vaults? If so, I want to hear it.
One Last Christmas 2011 – SKEEN
So this is our festive holiday,
A time for forgiveness, a time to pray…
You say that our future’s all but gone, mmm
Gone are the thoughts of our world as one
You say it’s all over; forget everyone, yeh
One…
This Guy's In Love With You Skeen Remix 120728(Burt Bacharach)
You say, this guy, this guy's in love with you
Yes I'm in love, who looks at you the way I do?
When you smile, I can tell we know each other, very well
How can, I show…
Lionel the hermit crab - Skeen Remix 120607
Lionel the hermit crab lives by the sea, oh yeh
He looks a little bit like you, a little bit like me,
Lionel the hermit crab doesn't have no friends, oh no
He'll live his life alone in his shell…
I wondered what the "last" one would be like... can't top the rest can it?
Yes.
This is utterly, utterly brilliant. It had me in hysterics, the "spare wimin" (the wife's friends over for Pimms) actually looked in from the conservatory to see what I was doing. Not entirely sure how she explained it, I'll find out later...
Another Lover - SKEEN 110204
Skeen Remix 120608
How I wish I could tell, why my heart seems to swell into a restless state of worry,
But it seems right now, there's just no way how,
It's impossible to say I'm sorry..
There's a look in your…
You don't even know me - Skeen Remix 120611
Met you in a cocktail bar
That look you gave me from afar
Made me wonder if we'd share
A little fun and some Alpine air
Made me wonder if we'd share a lifetime
You're my life-line
I'd like…
Sensory Overload - SKEEN 110204
Remix 130401
Don't you know, there's a reason why we're here...
Such a show, but situations are never clear...
How do we find, a better future?
How do we mend, such a broken past?
Free to laugh at what…
Kiss you goodbye – SKEEN 110422
Skeen Remix 120606
Verse 1:
I kick off my shoes though I feel like a run
I tried to go to work but the work’s all done
I wanna cut it out,
but all that I can think about is you, on - ly you
Always on…
Another one! A lovely song.
And I haven't mentioned the superb musicianship and clarity of these recordings yet.
Might as well do it on this one.
The musicianship and clarity of the recordings are... er.. superb!
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
Oh it's just fab. You've actually got me singing along on this one. Doesn't happen too often - I'm usually sat hear listening and thinking, but this one had me singing out loud.
OH WOW!! I saw this arrive the other day but didn't have time to listen. Then I saw the reaction it was getting, so I thought, ooo he must have hit the spot with this one... I've been saving it up for the right moment lol (7.45 am on sunny saturday at the start of two weeks off - that'll do!) And WOW! You've definitely hit the spot. Love it.
Yeah, this is the stuff for me. Loving what you guys you do.
This is wonderful! And I wasn't going to listen to it! lol But I was finishing my comment to Love Interruption and the rhythm started up. Interesting, I thought, so I kept it on... I love how you guys play with it. I definitely want to hear more from you :-)
Yep, nice one. The two of you are playing off each other nicely here. The vocals have this really relaxed authority to them. Want to hear more! Faved and followed.
Well this is pretty amazing too - not heard it before. Great song and lyrics. But yeah, what a voice.
I hadn't realised you had a new one up - I forgot to click follow last time (sorted now lol)... jaraimondimusic turned me on to this one. With him all the way - why ain't you signed? What is the world at? They could sell this stuff... Hell, if I had a record company I'd be sending the boys round... Superb song, superb arrangement, superb singing... superb.
Aww... how does you make your strat sound like that? lol Mine used to sound like that but I seem to have mellowed. I'm going to have to refind this vibe. Now, do you have version of Stone Free hiding in the vaults? If so, I want to hear it.
I like this a lot. The vocal is incredible, love it
Nice one. Great story-telling. I love the laid back voice and delivery.
Well, while I've got the wife's attention for music, I thought I'd play her this one as well... Mrs R verdict - Stunning.
OH NO! I couldn't resist playing Mrs Russe this one. Apparently it's about time to put the tree up now.... Sigh...
And she's actually singing along to this one (gulp) lol
My wife loves this too. "I like this song anyway, but this is REALLY good"
I wondered what the "last" one would be like... can't top the rest can it? Yes. This is utterly, utterly brilliant. It had me in hysterics, the "spare wimin" (the wife's friends over for Pimms) actually looked in from the conservatory to see what I was doing. Not entirely sure how she explained it, I'll find out later...
Sheeesh... lol At first, I thought "ah, here's one I don't need to favourite" - but you got me with the chorus...
Sigh...
I'm running out of words... Sensory overload kinda sums it up, actually...
Utterly wonderful. Spine tingling listening. And WHAT a vocal performance.
Another one! A lovely song. And I haven't mentioned the superb musicianship and clarity of these recordings yet. Might as well do it on this one. The musicianship and clarity of the recordings are... er.. superb!