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 ......

Very smooth. Lovely live feel. Fine song and arrangement. And what a voice the man has! :-)

Rockin!! Almost convinced me to put away the acoustics and start doing some electric again. Loved it.

Someone's opened my ears (not sure who, but it's probably someone on here) - I started listening to this the other day and thought "yeah, it's ok" and stopped it after 30 seconds to look for something else. I love the title though, so I just gave it another go... well, someone's opened my ears since then! Like it a lot :-)

I like this. I need to check out more of your stuff.

And here's another! Nice work guys. I don't seem to understand enough about what you're doing to make sensible comments. Except this - I like it, keep doing it!

Yes. You're exploring a slightly different place than I am, but several times recently I've clicked on one of yours just to see "what's cooking" and each time you take me closer to this different place. I'm starting to feel that vaisvil tunes are essential "Andrew Russe listening"! :-)

Missed this originally. Love it. I'm a sucker for songs with the word "shine" in anyway (I've used it several times over the years, myself). I just LOVE the word and the concept of "shine" when it's applied to humans - seems to be a really powerful trigger. I would use it in every song I write if I could!!! (Would kind of waste it's power though lol) And this one doesn't waste it... a really beautiful song and performance. Faved.

Yeah... nice version. Some lovely strat sounds there.

Nice one :-)

Wonderful :-)

Why have I never heard this before? It's beautiful.

I found this very moving - even before I read the description.

This is mighty fine listening.

You guys are crazy! lol But what really impresses me is that there's some seriously crazy musicianship going on with it. Love the guitar playing.

Surprised no comments yet! I kinda like this

Oh yes... Not heard this before. But like the other comments, what a fantastic voice. And a magical song and performance.

This is a fine version - listened to it a couple of times. Lovely performance. Even with the ad lib!! So glad to know for certain that it's not just me that finds that particular ad lib making it's way onto my recording machine :-) BTW - It all seems to be on the left channel of the stereo, though - is that what you intended?

I've commented before, but this started playing after listening to something else. And I had to comment again: I LOVE this song and your vocal. (You asked for comments - the ONLY thing that distracts me is the popping on the mic on the lead vocal, I'd want you to address that. I suspect you want to work on the lead guitar - I think you can almost leave that if you want, the song and the vocal is where this is at for me). Wish I could Favourite it again! :-)

This is superb. Just superb.

This works :-) I'm still very fond of the original instrumental, so I was a bit worried what might have happened. But no, no need to have worried... this is great. Obviously the focus is on the vocal instead of the fantastic guitars, but I like the contrast in the styles of the two of you. And great lyrics. Nice work chaps!