**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…
AH! Here it is :)
And it's INSPIRED! Love what you've done with the piano - I wondered how you'd deal with making an arrangement... And the vox - woof!
Well, if Percy doesn't want to play, perhaps Mr Page ought to get in touch with you?
OK, I admit it, I don't really hold Led Zeppelin IV in the reverence many LZ fans do! I guess this song is one of the reasons for that... I'll give you A- on this one(!) but it's mainly the material you're forced to work with - tell them Page/Plant guys to buck their ideas up! hehe
another back to basics Zep this one goes out to Martin where ever he is ...he died getting on for 14 years ago but he's not forgotten ...Happy birthday for tomorrow man.....
Wasn't too sure where this was going during the intro, then when the vocals started I saw it all... This is a FABULOUS version. I've always had a love/hate/indifference relationship with this song. It's one of the few where Robert Plant's lyrics got in the way for me. But you carry it off superbly. At 5:26 I was left thinking "why isn't there more?"
A Facebook Friend posted a picture of a
sign hanging on a tree that had the words
to the first verse. I couldn't leave well
enough alone...I Googled the verse and
found it was written by Dallas Clayton.
MESSAGE ON A TREE
“She blew…
I had a wish to sing along with Greg, so he offered me a piece of his Cherry Pie to sing along with... I added a few other bits here and there as well. Thanks Greg!!! This was a fun one for me... added some piano and a teeny bit of percussion....
Well, I'm almost on a roll now - this little love song was written, arranged, and recorded in just a week. I've been meaning to attempt something like this for years, just never got round to it.
I'd actually settled down to finally record a…
Just realised that I didn't make it obvious in the blurb... I was actually doing my utmost to sound like early ZZ Top once I'd realised what was happening. The vox and instrumental got performed and recorded with that in mind. So I'm kinda relieved/gratified that folks can spot the ZZ Top in there!!
This song pretty much sums up my life right now. No direction and no ambition.
Maybe because it's SpringTime and Love is in the air.
In keeping with the romantic nature of the season, it features:
BANJO . . . . . The instrument made…
Recorded when we weren't sure how close to the 35-minute mark we were getting for the RPM Challenge... And every second counts.
Besides, we didn't have any "woos" on the album. And woos always make an album better
STEPPIN' ON SOME TOES Key - Em and E
Em
Well, some folks got big noses
Some folks got big hats
Some folks stand out in the aisle
Make it hard to pass
Am
Some folks they got money
Em
They…
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
AH! Here it is :) And it's INSPIRED! Love what you've done with the piano - I wondered how you'd deal with making an arrangement... And the vox - woof! Well, if Percy doesn't want to play, perhaps Mr Page ought to get in touch with you?
Now this one got me thinking... perhaps you should dip into the Howling Wolf catalogue itself? You've got the voice for it. Tasty blues vocal.
Whereas this one on IV... always liked it. Quite surprised how much I like it without all the bombast. Cool version.
OK, I admit it, I don't really hold Led Zeppelin IV in the reverence many LZ fans do! I guess this song is one of the reasons for that... I'll give you A- on this one(!) but it's mainly the material you're forced to work with - tell them Page/Plant guys to buck their ideas up! hehe
Wasn't too sure where this was going during the intro, then when the vocals started I saw it all... This is a FABULOUS version. I've always had a love/hate/indifference relationship with this song. It's one of the few where Robert Plant's lyrics got in the way for me. But you carry it off superbly. At 5:26 I was left thinking "why isn't there more?"
Wooo! Rockin. Nice one guys.
The anon verse is gorgeous - and you matched it. Lovely stuff.
That's the stuff. I'm with Merry Bear over that banjo.
Yep :-) What a vocal.
Brilliant!
Love it.
And this gets the toes tapping.
Like the insistent riff on this.
Real nice. I'll have slice :) (Actually, it's made me realise, I don't get cherry pie round here, Mrs R doesn't like it... hmmm)
Just realised that I didn't make it obvious in the blurb... I was actually doing my utmost to sound like early ZZ Top once I'd realised what was happening. The vox and instrumental got performed and recorded with that in mind. So I'm kinda relieved/gratified that folks can spot the ZZ Top in there!!
Woo! That's quite spacey.
Perfect end to a hard day spent watching the men install our new boiler... (I did manage to restring a strat and a tele while they were doing it)
Woo! Cool album :-)
Aww love it to bits. The lyrics and their delivery are superb. I'm liking the wandering between major and minor in the chords.
GREAT for jamming along to! (It was only halfway through it I thought "duh, SRV!" hehe) Nice one.