**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…
Oh yeah. Like it. From the lyrics, it should be kinda depressing... but it's not, I find it really uplifting. So you could think, oh, the lyrics don't fit the music... but they DO!! I don't know how it works but it does. Love it.
I LOVE this... I got a notification that you'd posted - I thought "who's this? I remember the name, but..." Looks like I followed you when you first joined, but I'd dropped off the edge of the world by the time you started posting again! I got some catchng up to do :)
Winter 1977 / 1978 - band is Clay percussion, Evan guitar and guitar pedals (synth sounds), Mike Barry piano, Mike Craddock bass, and Chris guitar (with echo / volume pedal)
This was the next to last jam of the night
So I put 77/78 together with the title "Oh Well" and came up with... "wow! they played that?... ummm... er... ok... when does the riff start then??" lol ... Once I got to the end, I realised it obviously wasn't ever going to burst into "I can't help about the shape I'm in / I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin"... So I went round again... and appreciated some very cool sounds. In fact, this is mighty cool.
I've been busy lately playing The Last Of Us 2 and the similarities between what's going on in reality and the game are on point. We're not far off the cliff. I imagine every man for himself and Evil is resurrected in plain view but believing…
The last time I played a computer game (apart from solitaire!) was Tomb Raider 2!! So I don't get the references... but I do get the music... wow some cool sounds there...
OK... I've been misled by a track comment... I was finishing enjoying Shoulder Mounted Attack Borb and reading ahead for the next track... "calm reflective" indeed... eh? I need a lie down now... and I was barely off the horizontal anyway... Still, I'll happily agree with the "something compelling"
I have an aggressive species of cockatoo on my shoulder, so you probably should follow standard social distancing protocols.
His name is Mitri, and he's a lesser sulfur crested cockatoo, so he's kind of a jerk.
LOVE the title - pretty much describes me. Wasn't sure I was going to like the music too, but I do!! Big time... I'm gonna be checking out more of your stuff.
A simple tune with a sweet melody. New version uploaded with the sound more balanced and a better vocal track, I think.
Lyrics:
You thought it could be simple
You hoped it would be fine
When you took the path long travelled
You took…
Love the lyrics. I was thinking like this the other day - not specifically for or about me - but I was explaining what Jimi Hendrix's Highway Chile meant to me when I was young (to my wife, she was just nodding, so I'm guessing it was one of those "uh-oh, Andrew's talking about music/musicians again, better nod my head" moments!). And then I was wondering about Neil Peart and how he used to write about stuff like this... and then I wonder how... etc... etc... IN my case, I deliberately stepped out of the spotlight before it got that bright - I miss it but not what it costs... and yep, years later, the music got young again... did I say love the lyrics?
My latest composition - It was the first song I worked on in Dubai after curfew was imposed in April but it started life in January in the UK and was called 'Abundance Of Time' and has taken me until now to finish. It's a bit unusual as it has…
My latest composition - It was the first song I worked on in Dubai after curfew was imposed in April but it started life in January in the UK and was called 'Abundance Of Time' and has taken me until now to finish. It's a bit unusual as it has…
Cool sounds. I was going to listen out for the two basses (I'm considering it on something I'm working on, probably won't though) ... and then I missed it because I'm working in the other window... I shall try again!
Are all of my songs this month funeral dirges?
I like playing over a 6/8 groove, but I don't know if this one is holding up for me. I don't dislike it entirely, but it seems lacking somehow. I almost like the lyrics but I think I should have…
This one is long. Much longer than it needs to be, but at the time it seemed like the right move. The chorus to this one came to me while I was watching TV with the family. I fear (hopefully wrongly) that I stole it from the background score…
Loving the groove of this one. And another really cool chorus. Don't worry about the length - I was expecting a cool guitar solo for that long... and I got it :)
Not sure how I feel about this one. It’s not as bad as some of my crap, but it’s not that great either. I kinda like how the bass does some strumming, but damn if that intro isn’t way too long.
The rhythm guitars are an ES-335 Pro to a RYRA…
I see what you mean about the lentgh of the intro... But you'd lose the tension it creates if you shortened it? Loving the sound of the guitars on these tracks.
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 yeah. Like it. From the lyrics, it should be kinda depressing... but it's not, I find it really uplifting. So you could think, oh, the lyrics don't fit the music... but they DO!! I don't know how it works but it does. Love it.
I LOVE this... I got a notification that you'd posted - I thought "who's this? I remember the name, but..." Looks like I followed you when you first joined, but I'd dropped off the edge of the world by the time you started posting again! I got some catchng up to do :)
So I put 77/78 together with the title "Oh Well" and came up with... "wow! they played that?... ummm... er... ok... when does the riff start then??" lol ... Once I got to the end, I realised it obviously wasn't ever going to burst into "I can't help about the shape I'm in / I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin"... So I went round again... and appreciated some very cool sounds. In fact, this is mighty cool.
The last time I played a computer game (apart from solitaire!) was Tomb Raider 2!! So I don't get the references... but I do get the music... wow some cool sounds there...
But only two tracks! I want to hear more :)
Love that little guitar left playing at the end
Oh yes. This too. Love it.
Somehow the site had recorded that I'd listened to this. But I hadn't ... So I thought I'd give it a go. WOW! So glad I did - love it.
Oh yeah, that works.
Sounds like slightly more elbow grease than I'm prepared to put into it was also involved
OK... I've been misled by a track comment... I was finishing enjoying Shoulder Mounted Attack Borb and reading ahead for the next track... "calm reflective" indeed... eh? I need a lie down now... and I was barely off the horizontal anyway... Still, I'll happily agree with the "something compelling"
Haha!... yeah, ok I'm hooked.
Another cool title... and track to go with it...
LOVE the title - pretty much describes me. Wasn't sure I was going to like the music too, but I do!! Big time... I'm gonna be checking out more of your stuff.
Love the lyrics. I was thinking like this the other day - not specifically for or about me - but I was explaining what Jimi Hendrix's Highway Chile meant to me when I was young (to my wife, she was just nodding, so I'm guessing it was one of those "uh-oh, Andrew's talking about music/musicians again, better nod my head" moments!). And then I was wondering about Neil Peart and how he used to write about stuff like this... and then I wonder how... etc... etc... IN my case, I deliberately stepped out of the spotlight before it got that bright - I miss it but not what it costs... and yep, years later, the music got young again... did I say love the lyrics?
I love the intro, by the way.
Cool sounds. I was going to listen out for the two basses (I'm considering it on something I'm working on, probably won't though) ... and then I missed it because I'm working in the other window... I shall try again!
And another cool chorus! Yep... I think this could be my favourite of the four. Love the lyrics.
Loving the groove of this one. And another really cool chorus. Don't worry about the length - I was expecting a cool guitar solo for that long... and I got it :)
I see what you mean about the lentgh of the intro... But you'd lose the tension it creates if you shortened it? Loving the sound of the guitars on these tracks.