**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…
This is kick-ass! You have a great voice and I love your guitar playing. When you have great ingredients like that, you don’t need much more than good material, of which there is plenty here! I am very inspired listening to this. I appreciate you sharing it and I look forward to delving deeper -bjk
**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…
**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 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…
**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…
Love this song! Congratulations - what an accomplishment. I can imagine your fingers are a bit sore and your voice is craving a cold libation. But very glad you shared these with all of us.
**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…
Wow!!!! Congratulations. All 14 songs were amazing. And this one - quite the pinnacle moment itself. Gut wrenching in parts... especially the chorus. Your writing is always an inspiration to me, and this one certainly has done that job.
**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…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
****
It's not entirely true. But it's CLOSE ENOUGH!
It was actually the 16th of February.
But we were corresponding by email on the 14th.
Then we…
**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…
**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 2
Written Monday 7th February 2022
****
I wrote this one a couple of hours ago.
I set up for recording, and busted a string on the Martin... GAH!!!
I tried a big ole dreadnought thing…
**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…
Sounds great! Impassioned vocals and sweet sounding acoustic guitar. There's just something about simple and sparse arrangements. I can see where you're coming from in regards to RPM, there is a significant difference between writing and production. I think I enjoy the production side of things more, and once I finish with an RPM, I rarely go back and touch it. I'm an inept writer, so the thought of writing 14 songs in a month would give me anxiety!
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 12
Written Friday 18th February 2022
****
I had NOTHING. I decided to rest today with so much time left and only 3 to do.
I had this title, but no... must... rest
However, Madame La…
Another inspired lyric! I am imagining this fabulous batch of songs is a heart spawned tribute to those you love here and in the great beyond. Fantastic song.
**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…
P.S. After talking to my lawyer, he just sighed and muttered he might get his pal, Dexter Morgan to pop round for a little chat ........ Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ....
**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 11
Written Thursday 17th February 2022
****
Feels like I'm on the last lap now. Only 3 more needed.
This one came from a suggestion from Mrs R this morning. I didn't quite fancy it, but…
It’s a keeper! You are making lemonade out of lemons. My friend Roger Harris (oldfolks2) from Portsmouth sent me a video of the Eunice destruction. Your song captures the essence.
**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 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 12
Written Friday 18th February 2022
****
I had NOTHING. I decided to rest today with so much time left and only 3 to do.
I had this title, but no... must... rest
However, Madame La…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 11
Written Thursday 17th February 2022
****
Feels like I'm on the last lap now. Only 3 more needed.
This one came from a suggestion from Mrs R this morning. I didn't quite fancy it, but…
2021 50/90 Song Number 50!
WOOHOO! Success! 2014, 2020, and now 2021.
I kinda like this one. It's kinda swampy, in a good way. I like the strummy solos. I probably should have put more work into them but I think I can live with this…
Btw - I knew coming back from such a long break that there'd be "one or two" RJ songs to catch up with ... but, er.... !!! LOL (I might not be commenting on them all)
2021 50/90 Song Number 50!
WOOHOO! Success! 2014, 2020, and now 2021.
I kinda like this one. It's kinda swampy, in a good way. I like the strummy solos. I probably should have put more work into them but I think I can live with this…
Words by Geoff Matthews
A slightly odd structure, led by the lyrics, which has a very different intro verse the chords of which are not then repeated though the song.
Seems to work though.
As ever with @geoff61 the lyrics needed minimal…
I’ll Drive David L Graham
I never begged to have the power
I just need to be me
Don’t matter what you believe
Unless you want to run with me
Then we’ll see what we see
But I get to drive… I get to drive
Chorus…
Cause this is my…
Wow - lyrically, this touches me. Lyrics alone don't often do that for me, not personally anyway, but this one spoke to me (not a relationship thing in my case, more a harrowing work issue of the last weeks/months - thankfully almost resolved now)
Released as a single earlier in the year with the very lovely Erin Sullivan on vocals.
A song about a woman facing up to the fact she is dying and trying to reconcile the life she lived.
VERSE 1
Sweet life
Something that you take for…
Released as a single earlier this year.
This version the song is sung by the lovely Theresa Johnson
An optimistic track for these dark times.
VERSE 1
When dreamers fly
We need them now more than ever before
And if they talk about…
Released as a single earlier this year.
This version the song is sung by the lovely Theresa Johnson
An optimistic track for these dark times.
VERSE 1
When dreamers fly
We need them now more than ever before
And if they talk about…
Released as a single earlier this year.
This version the song is sung by the lovely Theresa Johnson
An optimistic track for these dark times.
VERSE 1
When dreamers fly
We need them now more than ever before
And if they talk about…
As I have mentioned in other years, I am so very blessed to have some songs come to me in my dreams. Grace is one of them. The specific line "Grace, grace, grace! You don't have to be a lonely child" is what I retained in my waking moments so…
Aww yes... I was frantically exchanging messages with a crazy person while it was all playing... so I gotta come back when it's quiet (maybe when I'm working next week)... maybe even read the blurbs that go with the songs... but yeah, loved it... how do you manage this every year??!
Originally I had a Motown idea in mind, and I kept my stomping and clapping, but the song seemed to lend itself to a more spacey-synthey feel, so I ran with it. I also am hinting a tiny (very tiny) bit at Joe Jackson's band's backing vocal styles…
I'll be honest... I was somewhat disappointed with my RPM Challenge 2021 effort, so I took it down.
I've remixed, and heavily re-edited this track, as it used to be a tortuous 13 minutes long.
I'm redoing another track as I was a bit slapdash…
We decided to give the kids an outlet that wasn’t pandemic or lockdown based this February, and made an album as a family for the RPM Challenge 2021. It was just the most precious, funny, brilliant month.
Challenged to write a 'winter' bluebonnet love song, Theo came up with this delightful picture. It is included on the bluebonnet/wildflower love song album, Texas Roadside Blues offered at www.cdbaby.com/artist/theodoreahenningii
Domestic violence is a societal evil needing our vigilence to irradicate. It goes beyond bullying. There are so many mixed feelings within the emotional turmoil of the victim/abused. Perhaps this song will open a window of understanding. To the…
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
This is kick-ass! You have a great voice and I love your guitar playing. When you have great ingredients like that, you don’t need much more than good material, of which there is plenty here! I am very inspired listening to this. I appreciate you sharing it and I look forward to delving deeper -bjk
Good stuff. I'm always amazed at how versatile you are.
That's a good song. I like the "acoustic demo," but do you also envision this as a rocker (2 guitars, bass, and drums)? I think it'd kill.
RIP to your pretty one....!!
Love this song! Congratulations - what an accomplishment. I can imagine your fingers are a bit sore and your voice is craving a cold libation. But very glad you shared these with all of us.
Wow!!!! Congratulations. All 14 songs were amazing. And this one - quite the pinnacle moment itself. Gut wrenching in parts... especially the chorus. Your writing is always an inspiration to me, and this one certainly has done that job.
***** A lie down ?!!!? You to get yourself a hobby .... Ha Ha, after all that hard work, I'll have to retire ...... Oh ... already am ......
Agreed with the other comment, very Elbow-esque, the melody and even the vocal has a Guy Garvey style to it. Excellent!
Toe tapper, this one. Nice chord changes.
Touching.
Great vocals! Raw and honest. I love nuances that cannot be replicated, it lends to a one-of-a-kind recording.
Sounds great! Impassioned vocals and sweet sounding acoustic guitar. There's just something about simple and sparse arrangements. I can see where you're coming from in regards to RPM, there is a significant difference between writing and production. I think I enjoy the production side of things more, and once I finish with an RPM, I rarely go back and touch it. I'm an inept writer, so the thought of writing 14 songs in a month would give me anxiety!
Another inspired lyric! I am imagining this fabulous batch of songs is a heart spawned tribute to those you love here and in the great beyond. Fantastic song.
P.S. After talking to my lawyer, he just sighed and muttered he might get his pal, Dexter Morgan to pop round for a little chat ........ Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ....
That's ok ........ good title ......
It’s a keeper! You are making lemonade out of lemons. My friend Roger Harris (oldfolks2) from Portsmouth sent me a video of the Eunice destruction. Your song captures the essence.
Very good ...
Beautiful mate ...
Great song ....... Alex Harvey lives .......
Top notch ... that was a bit of a blow I must admit ....
Comments made by Andrew Russe
Btw - I knew coming back from such a long break that there'd be "one or two" RJ songs to catch up with ... but, er.... !!! LOL (I might not be commenting on them all)
Oh yeah, dig those solos - big time - definitely live with them! And I'm liking that Univibe tone on the rhythm tracks.
Oh and this one too. Yep, I've hit the follow button :grinning:
Oh yeah, love this one
Wow - lyrically, this touches me. Lyrics alone don't often do that for me, not personally anyway, but this one spoke to me (not a relationship thing in my case, more a harrowing work issue of the last weeks/months - thankfully almost resolved now)
This one too. Assuming you're the piano player on these - you can "muddle along" on it far better than I can!!
And a cool song and vocal too (nearly forgot to mention that!)
Loving that piano/acoustic/bass/drums ensemble sound.
Oh yes, love how this builds.
Aww yes... I was frantically exchanging messages with a crazy person while it was all playing... so I gotta come back when it's quiet (maybe when I'm working next week)... maybe even read the blurbs that go with the songs... but yeah, loved it... how do you manage this every year??!
I'm a bit late, but here I am for my yearly Gary fix ... mighty cool opener
NIce one. I think I could have coped with the 13 minutes.
Oh MY GOODNESS ... love this album. Well done guys.
You're making some very cool sounds.
Wow! What a track
Yep. Love it to bits.
Woooo :)
Yeah, cool track.
Yes indeed. You got some cool songs.
Oh Yes... what a cool song. Digging the playing and delivery too.