**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…
Woah! Love this. I follow you, so I got the notification, but couldn't remember why... (My brain's going in my old age!) ... But when this started, AH! That's why...
LOVE the vibe on this... And the lyrics... wow. I was messaging someone, and the tale in this just DEMANDED my attention... gotta go back to them in a minute! I'm wondering whether this was the idea that was originally intended to go on With Signs Following? It's FABULOUS here.
Wow - this one is longer than I was expecting! I'm listening to your RPM playlist while monitoring non-music stuff in another window (and holding a book, an actual book!) ... and I was thinking I'd lost track of what was going on! This is very trippy - I'm in the latter half of this track now, and what it's most reminding me of is Electric Ladyland period Hendrix. This is mighty cool. Are you going to have a version with the lyrics you were planning?
First track of my, now defunct EP RPM challenge effort. It has not gone well :)
Week 1 - road being resurfaced outside.... noise noise noise!
Week 2 - got some tracking done
Week 3 - Bad tooth infection needing extraction for week 4
Week…
Just been reading your blurb - oh man... what I nightmare. I've been recording acoustic demos for the FAWM challenge, I gave up worrying about noise in the end, otherwise I'd have destroyed more than one guitar!. The noise from outside (and from significant other snoring on the other sofa one afternoon... I kid you not, it's in there somewhere!) has been somewhat worse than usual. No tooth infection... although I do have a crown that fell off months ago that maybe I should get fixed before I get an infection!
First track of my, now defunct EP RPM challenge effort. It has not gone well :)
Week 1 - road being resurfaced outside.... noise noise noise!
Week 2 - got some tracking done
Week 3 - Bad tooth infection needing extraction for week 4
Week…
Hehe... I've spoken to my people... and we'd have been more scared if you'd trade-marked the title somehow... and they said to mention to your lawyer and this Dexter chap that Lorraine "Atomic Blonde" Broughton is a very dear friend of ours and she has a special understanding of the phrase "We're Done" ...hehehe
This is a story about the Ojibwa migration to Chequamegon Bay area in Wisconsin. Inspired by a vision, the Anishinabeg (Original People) or Anishinabe (Refering to One Person) migrated west to where the food grew on the water (wild rice) and…
Wow! I just realised I heard and loved this on Tuesday... and then wrote a thing called "We're Done" on Saturday - I shall go and update my description now!!!
Well...This is song #10 for my 2022 RPM challenge- the final track for my "album". It's a bit like two songs that found each other somehow. That makes for a very long track! eek. Thank you to everyone who has been listening to my songs...it…
Song 9# for my RPM 2022. I don't know how it happened, but I ended up with a bit of an alternative quasi-delta blues here. I walk a lot of country roads at night so..... The harmonies were fun. Thanks to anyone who listens! Onward…
Loving this one. I'm staying on the straight and narrow of "little parlour guitar in standard tuning, write song, record song, on to next..." but I'm itching to play some other stuff and instruments... and THIS makes me gaze across the room at Les Pauls and Resonators and the shelf of slides, and... and...
Song 9# for my RPM 2022. I don't know how it happened, but I ended up with a bit of an alternative quasi-delta blues here. I walk a lot of country roads at night so..... The harmonies were fun. Thanks to anyone who listens! Onward…
Everybody's looking for a savior
To tell them how to live before they die
As if they can't control their own behavior
Or trust what they can see with their own eyes
Mindlessly believing what you tell 'em
When everything you tell 'em is a…
Oh crumbs. This is fabulous. Song, performance and production. I was planning on listening when working... but these tracks are DEMANDING attention. I'm gonna have to stop listening now - not getting any work done! I shall return later (possibly days not hours - I got songs to write too!)
Raised on vinyl and a needle that rides
To a paper circle at the end of both sides
Between the speakers, cover in hand
Sit in silence after Jungleland
I will not trade one bit of my soul for their pieces of gold
I've seen a world they'll…
Given it's Valentine's Day ...I thought I'd write a little love song. This is Song #8 for my 2022 RPM challenge. Practiced a bit of breathy indie vocals and harmonies.
Thanks to anyone who's listening. :).
You thrill me
you undo me…
My 7th song for the 2022 RPM challenge. This one is a bit more pensive and slow moving. I always love adding harmony. I was thinking of Bjork (who I love) when I wrote it. I included some flute so my sister can play along next time we jam…
The calluses from all this bass playing are coming along nicely! This is another RPM song (song 6) where I built the song from a little bass riff. The lyrics include some quotes and/or references - pick them out and win a prize (ha ha…
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
Woah! Love this. I follow you, so I got the notification, but couldn't remember why... (My brain's going in my old age!) ... But when this started, AH! That's why...
Excellent RPM. There's some real standout tracks for me. Nice one.
LOVE the vibe on this... And the lyrics... wow. I was messaging someone, and the tale in this just DEMANDED my attention... gotta go back to them in a minute! I'm wondering whether this was the idea that was originally intended to go on With Signs Following? It's FABULOUS here.
Wow - this one is longer than I was expecting! I'm listening to your RPM playlist while monitoring non-music stuff in another window (and holding a book, an actual book!) ... and I was thinking I'd lost track of what was going on! This is very trippy - I'm in the latter half of this track now, and what it's most reminding me of is Electric Ladyland period Hendrix. This is mighty cool. Are you going to have a version with the lyrics you were planning?
Love those harmonics.
Just been reading your blurb - oh man... what I nightmare. I've been recording acoustic demos for the FAWM challenge, I gave up worrying about noise in the end, otherwise I'd have destroyed more than one guitar!. The noise from outside (and from significant other snoring on the other sofa one afternoon... I kid you not, it's in there somewhere!) has been somewhat worse than usual. No tooth infection... although I do have a crown that fell off months ago that maybe I should get fixed before I get an infection!
Cool track. Love that guitar.
Hehe... I've spoken to my people... and we'd have been more scared if you'd trade-marked the title somehow... and they said to mention to your lawyer and this Dexter chap that Lorraine "Atomic Blonde" Broughton is a very dear friend of ours and she has a special understanding of the phrase "We're Done" ...hehehe
Oh yes. Love the pictures you're painting in my mind.
Wow! I just realised I heard and loved this on Tuesday... and then wrote a thing called "We're Done" on Saturday - I shall go and update my description now!!!
I see what you mean about the "two songs that found each other" ... but it SO works. Fabulous.
Loving this one. I'm staying on the straight and narrow of "little parlour guitar in standard tuning, write song, record song, on to next..." but I'm itching to play some other stuff and instruments... and THIS makes me gaze across the room at Les Pauls and Resonators and the shelf of slides, and... and...
Oh that intro!!!
Wooo. Like this one a lot. Making me think of early Status Quo - not entirely sure why. Love the droney sound of the open E.
Oh crumbs. This is fabulous. Song, performance and production. I was planning on listening when working... but these tracks are DEMANDING attention. I'm gonna have to stop listening now - not getting any work done! I shall return later (possibly days not hours - I got songs to write too!)
Oh... gorgeous gorgeous sounds.
Love the imagery you use in this.
OH. MY. GOODNESS... I love this. I've probably favourited all the others... this needs TWO favourites.
Woah! Yeah. This grabs me big time. I'll listen to some others tomorrow - but right now I gotta get some sleep!
Oh yeah!! Love this one. Wasn't sure at first, but when the vocal started I was pulled straight in. LOVE the chorus.