**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…
February, March, April, May, all have completed album in a month projects. Here comes the first song from June.
I broke my album-in-a-month challenge rule that says once you get a take you don't redo it. I did all of the rhythm guitars twice…
No. 4 is a much more lively 2 minuter, before I probably return to the more epic Movie/Video Game trailer style of creation. Always interested to hear how people visualise the music - the good lady saw a lavish Regency style ball in full flow…
I had myself a dream last night
As I tossed and turned in bed
The window was open wide
The street noise jangled, in my head
.
I was dreaming of a better time
It was all so clear to me
Wind whistled through the pine trees…
Oh this is mighty fine. I don't often pay attention to lyrics on early listens unless something jumps out and grabs me... I'm not sure what did here, but something did. Love the lyrics. Cool guitar and harmonica too, but the song is just peachy.
Update: Gene offered to improve the Mix on this song! This is that improved version. Thanks so much Gene! You are awesome!!!
I wrote this song earlier this summer, and had played it a few times with Greg Connor, fellow alone toner, and…
Nice one. Sounds very real and spontaneous... Looks like I missed this first time round. I was thinking about Gene the other day, talking about him to my wife.
A simple guitar groove. Haven't sat in a coffee shop since before the lockdowns, and I miss the atmosphere and the music! This tune feels to me like sitting in a cafe.
(Every time I think it's done, I end up tweaking it a bit more in Audacity…
This is the last song on The edge of Winter but it is not finished there is another part yet to be written ...
Winter's tale of woe : Part 1 - The end of winter. Part 2 - The last snowstorm
And now for something completely different... Right now it's hot.. and I mean 50 degree hot. So I had in my mind's eye a summery, trippy 'under a palm tree' kind of vibe. And I got that... but I got more... much more...
LOL - we watched that the other week :) .... cool track... I'm getting flavours of summery, under a palm tree, and... a girl dressed like an Australian's nightmare...
Not sure how I got here... but yeah, this is WAY cool. And yes, I can hear those piano runs... I THINK I'd have recognised them if you hadn't said... but it saves me wondering later (when we're trying to decide what to watch) why I'm suggesting Thomas Crown Affair!
AKA New Wave or "Unknown #1"
As always, apologies to the band for the guesswork.
LYRICS:
New wave
Wine
Dine
Smile
because I said so that's
Why
Mired
Fired
because I said so
And of course, you posting this earlier started me off down this rabbit hole!. I went searching and discovered that they were called Skid Row. And I found a demo recording of Unknown #1. This cover is pretty darn cool. Like it... and now you've got me listening to Nirvana too
I was working on something else when I started wondering what KC's solo fragment would sound like as a full-fledged studio song.
LYRICS:
You can't change me
Another cover of a rare KC solo guitar song.
Apologies to KC for the extrapolation.
LYRICS:
So my time is on time
it's too much to belie what may
On my own at the prom
She would never just lied and laid
Now I'm bound by her tests…
I don't know too much about Nirvana, kinda "after my time", let alone the rare Kurt songs. But the idea of creating band songs from what he did on his demos is very cool.
Thank you Greg, Colleen, and Andrew for your comments. I need to add a little more from that day so long ago.
The Battle for Layfayette Square were improvisational warm ups and cool downs for practicing this progressive rock attempt that clocks…
Excuse the weird title. After completion of the track i had a really weird dream and this is my interpretation of it.
Min 4:00 and on is a calming landing into peacefulness and mindfulness.
Wowsers. This is very cool indeed. Interesting how others react to sounds... in the peacefulness and mindfulness section - v pretty btw - I kept "jumping" and "looking around" because of the various sound effects that come with it. Come 5:15 or so, I was able to relax - but only second time round because I knew they'd REALLY finished! LOL - I wonder what that says about me?!
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
Loving the chorus - how those guitars, bass and vox mesh together. Cool lead break too.
I'm seeing a "hey we're opening again!" type video from Historic Royal Palaces (Hampton Court, Tower of London, etc) ...
This washes over you in a kind of all-enveloping way
Lovely crisp sound on that slide
Gorgeous sounds.
Oh this is mighty fine. I don't often pay attention to lyrics on early listens unless something jumps out and grabs me... I'm not sure what did here, but something did. Love the lyrics. Cool guitar and harmonica too, but the song is just peachy.
Nice one. Sounds very real and spontaneous... Looks like I missed this first time round. I was thinking about Gene the other day, talking about him to my wife.
Very cool groove.
Yeah, like this a lot.
Nice one, like it.
Cool sounds. Very nice first track to listen to at 6.30am at the start of this work-at-home Monday morning.
LOL - we watched that the other week :) .... cool track... I'm getting flavours of summery, under a palm tree, and... a girl dressed like an Australian's nightmare...
Not sure how I got here... but yeah, this is WAY cool. And yes, I can hear those piano runs... I THINK I'd have recognised them if you hadn't said... but it saves me wondering later (when we're trying to decide what to watch) why I'm suggesting Thomas Crown Affair!
That does feel good. Can I hear an e-bow in use there?
And of course, you posting this earlier started me off down this rabbit hole!. I went searching and discovered that they were called Skid Row. And I found a demo recording of Unknown #1. This cover is pretty darn cool. Like it... and now you've got me listening to Nirvana too
This one too - nice one.
I don't know too much about Nirvana, kinda "after my time", let alone the rare Kurt songs. But the idea of creating band songs from what he did on his demos is very cool.
I thought I'd commented?! .... anyways, WOW that's a monster. I'll give it another listen over the next few days.
Wowsers. This is very cool indeed. Interesting how others react to sounds... in the peacefulness and mindfulness section - v pretty btw - I kept "jumping" and "looking around" because of the various sound effects that come with it. Come 5:15 or so, I was able to relax - but only second time round because I knew they'd REALLY finished! LOL - I wonder what that says about me?!
Oh yes... This is wonderful. The guitar sound is soothing and expectant. The sentiments in the lyric - yesss (or "Nice" lol)