Hello peeps!
Long time no public activity from me.
I've been working on a bunch of stuff with the guitarist from my old band. None of its ready...
However, I've been experimenting with different ways of jamming and doing demos. And in the…
Lovely to hear your wonderful voice here again. Love this spare arrangement. Great sentiment in your lyrics. Life’s a journey indeed! I hope life is treating you well.
Who Is My Neighbour - A A J Russe
Written sometime in 1992
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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I wrote this 30 years ago when I was 29. There were a bunch of people killing other people. There were refugees.
By the…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wasn't even sure the recording machine was still going to work after nearly five years... Certainly, bits of me don't work anymore... But, surprisingly, I got this done in 24 hours, start to finish... Strange old world…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
Crumbs, even this is 23 years old!
We used it as a set-opener in the last band I was in.
I've been trying to make…
New original from me, hot off the old wotsit.
When it was half written yesterday, I was considering binning it as a throwaway exercise - I do that quite often. But I played the songwriting demo to someone else and, er, apparently I should finish…
So I was locked in the broom-cupboard, checking out some old songs that need recording.
I'd just picked one and then suddenly this thing came out of nowehere. It started with one of those guitarist doodles that other musicians love so much…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here is the first reply to In Your Hands.
I say "first" because I've found another one, When I Try To Be Me, that Mrs R says I have to do too... but that's unlikely to be the next one I post because I'm working…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
OK, let's delve once more into the magical shoebox of unused songs...
I've already recorded several that were written in 1994 (Sleeping with the Ghost, Elizabeth's Room, With Mum Again, If You Knew, A Hundred and…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Here it is in all of its glory...
THIS is the song that Mrs R and I had decided was a suitable response to a request to "Upload something HAPPY, stat!!!!!!!!!"
I tried to record it back in 2013 when I wrote it…
I was once asked to write a happy song. It turned out to be about a woman who killed herself and when I found out THAT SHE ACTUALLY KILLED HERSELF I wasn't sure what to think about my premonition.https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/a-happy-song. THEN, later an old friend asked if I had any happy songs so I wrote this:https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/if-it-makes-you-happy-092914-1
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I was asked (told?) to upload something happy. Hmmm, I thought. This will end well...
So, a few days later, I was rehearsing a pleasant little thing I wrote several years ago that has a working title of "She Was…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Here's the very latest from the broom-cupboard.
I wrote it one dark night over 23 years ago.
****
**All I Have To Do - A A J Russe**
There isn’t much time to get this out
You won’t hear me if I have to…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Okies, so I'm working on some other thing and it's taking a while... drums to do and wotnot. But in the middle of it I'm digging how my Martin acoustic is working out. You probs won't even be able to hear it amongst…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wrote this one last September.
Allison Jane Sixsmith 1965-2016.
****
**Forever - A A J Russe**
I can see you on your rocking horse now
The one that turned around and kicked you in the teeth
He thought…
I hear you’re drinking at the chocolate fountain
You pulled the handle off the door
But they won’t mind
They’ll be mending it forever..." Great images...
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I wasn't even sure the recording machine was still going to work after nearly five years... Certainly, bits of me don't work anymore... But, surprisingly, I got this done in 24 hours, start to finish... Strange old world…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
Crumbs, even this is 23 years old!
We used it as a set-opener in the last band I was in.
I've been trying to make…
Gates Of Heaven - A A J Russe
Written 15th January 1988
Recorded 6th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
This is about as naked as I can get.
This is how I wrote it. It's never had any accompaniment.
I was a bit young to sing…
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
****
Crumbs, even this is 23 years old!
We used it as a set-opener in the last band I was in.
I've been trying to make…
A little fun riff that came from noodling on my Epi whilst watching the idiot box one night. It's kind of written for a friend who is a little lost in a self-imposed exile from life.
This went by while I was musing on the earlier tracks...
Now I'm listening to it again. Another goodie. Stunning vox, and I'm liking the slide. The middle section is genius.
A brief glimpse, but that's all. Inspired by last April. It's for everyone, but no one in particular. Yes, this one gives more than a passing nod to Ham and Evans. Thanks gents!
Top Of The Pops circa 1972! Remember when all those bands in the early 70's where adding synth to every song but the lyrics meant something (sometimes)? Pure excitement, pure bubblegum, pure fun. Well, this is my offering and thanks to all of…
I've run out of words... I've broken me "Favourite" button...
And your rhythm guitar playing... wow... you've got the same thing going that Malcolm Young has.
Good grief... I'm only three songs into this album... this is just... just... fabulous.
Yep, that reverb is the one it needed.
Like DB sez, yes, ELO. But there's Mott The Hoople, etc, as well... much else... all that 70s goodness... and an excellent song as well.
Wow! John, Paul, and George with Young/Young/Williams/Rudd backing them... I can't think of a better combination for me to listen to.
The chorus is just sublime.
And George Martin at the controls... lol (just reached the end).
Almost perfect Gary - LOVE IT!!
Reg was talking to Elvis about Frank and he told him something he didn't know.you can have it all then at the end not remember it which is what happened to Frank the grind ground him down a sad ending for a great man......Dementia is a cruel end…
Don't know the original, but I likes this.
Lovely lovely vocal, and I like how the instrumentation builds, complementing the vocal perfectly...
And I'm still watching this "no reverb" approach with much interest - I wish I was brave enough to try it (I am trying to cut down though! lol)
View the footage with music [at youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQZDRKD8oSA&hd=1)
After watching the video of the tsunami devastating the shores of Japan, I couldn't work anymore. So instead I sat down to dedicate a few hours of…
An emotional and, I found, disturbing listen.
I have to admit, news stories and footage of things like this often tend to pass me by, I seem not to get emotionally involved. I sometimes wonder why this is but I have no proper answer. I do get affected by some news stories, but not usually the big ones like this. My wife has been upset, but I've been left cold again on this one, until now.
Listening to this piece has opened it up slightly for me, making it more... I don't know what...
Many thanks for making this and posting it.
Do you wonder
What became of me?
Cause I wonder
What became of you
Since you wandered
Wandered far away
Full of wonder
I couldn't make you stay
So I wonder what became of you
Did you do the things you had to do?
Will you find your…
This is a love song for my wife.
I want to be
Your honey bee
And you could be the only bee for me
Monogamy
For you and me
You, my little sweetheart
Monagabee
Life would be so happy, you see
If you would be the only bee for me
And…
The story of a car crash.
Had the dream again this morning
Pictured just how it would be
Saw it moving in slow motion
Felt it rushing up to me
And suddenly it's happening
I can't seem to make myself believe
Clench my fists
Lose my…
The story of a workplace experience. And an ultimate fighting match.
Killer bassline by Ian Tanner. Drums by Grant Muller. Backing vocals by Clarke McMurray.
Hey there Mr. Flashy Pants
Hey there voice of thunder
As you lie there flat on…
Yep, you're right about it being a killer bass-line.
The vocals are pretty stand-out as well :-)
Initially, I wasn't sure whether your vocal delivery was fitting the songs, but this one showed me why it works so well. It's almost like we've got David Gates singing punk songs here... lol. The contrast really brings out the emotions in the lyrics. If you tried to sound "angrier" we'd actually lose some of the power...
Composed, arranged & mixed by Steffen Offermann
=================================================
Floppy old mix. Another candidate for remixing or (at least) re-mastering. I'll probably do the latter soon.
This is a synthesizer instrumental…
I can kind of see why it hasn't made many friends - it just is what it is... It makes me think of 80s stuff, like Moonlighting, etc :-)
BUT... it's a mighty fine listen.
not really a ghost in my house it just badly needs rewiring.
There’s a ghost in my house
That we can’t see
Moving things around
When we’re not here
Playing little tricks
On my memory
Playing little games
With my mind
There…
I'd only heard the various live versions, where I was concentrating on the performance etc... on this one I noticed what an excellent song it is as well!
Love the dual vocal.
Comments on Andrew Russe's stuff
Lovely to hear your wonderful voice here again. Love this spare arrangement. Great sentiment in your lyrics. Life’s a journey indeed! I hope life is treating you well.
Timeless! This needs to be re-activated.
FUCK! This rocks like a ton of granite. Long time since we exchanged comments. It's like old times.
Love it. Not used to you and that acoustic guitar. Sounds solid with your voice. If it’s really like you say it is, there’s no need to worry..."
just brilliant songwriting.......cheers tony cee
this is brilliant , love the soul felling to the song , your voice sounds superb , great listen ....cheers tony cee
That instrumental hook and slide playing is killer
Cool song, cool mix, nice work!
Simple and clear...
"Teddy bead kisses..." So sad.
Sounds like another suicide song to me... We can feel the pain in your voice.
I was once asked to write a happy song. It turned out to be about a woman who killed herself and when I found out THAT SHE ACTUALLY KILLED HERSELF I wasn't sure what to think about my premonition.https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/a-happy-song. THEN, later an old friend asked if I had any happy songs so I wrote this:https://alonetone.com/jamesmichaeltaylor/tracks/if-it-makes-you-happy-092914-1
"But still I love the comfort I find in misery…" Great line. Beatle like...and that's always good.
Great guitar sound.
Love this. Beautifully done. Tonight I was trying out a song from that era: Twilight Time...https://www.e-chords.com/chords/the-platters/twilight-time
I hear you’re drinking at the chocolate fountain You pulled the handle off the door But they won’t mind They’ll be mending it forever..." Great images...
Rock on Dude...! Good to listen to some of your tunes. It's been a while. Strange relationship in this song.
Another great song! Maybe it’s time to get the band back together!,!
Like it.
Beautiful piece.
Comments made by Andrew Russe
This went by while I was musing on the earlier tracks... Now I'm listening to it again. Another goodie. Stunning vox, and I'm liking the slide. The middle section is genius.
This is a stunner. Had to come back and listen twice. So well put together... unbelievably good listening.
Brilliant.
Yep, always listen to what the song says :-) Another superb one. On certain days, this would be my favourite of the album so far.
I've run out of words... I've broken me "Favourite" button... And your rhythm guitar playing... wow... you've got the same thing going that Malcolm Young has.
Good grief... I'm only three songs into this album... this is just... just... fabulous. Yep, that reverb is the one it needed. Like DB sez, yes, ELO. But there's Mott The Hoople, etc, as well... much else... all that 70s goodness... and an excellent song as well.
Digging them geetars :-)
Wow! John, Paul, and George with Young/Young/Williams/Rudd backing them... I can't think of a better combination for me to listen to. The chorus is just sublime. And George Martin at the controls... lol (just reached the end). Almost perfect Gary - LOVE IT!!
Sheesh... this is utterly superb guys. Stunning groove, love the guitars, and the lyrics/vox are just perfect.
Don't know the original, but I likes this. Lovely lovely vocal, and I like how the instrumentation builds, complementing the vocal perfectly... And I'm still watching this "no reverb" approach with much interest - I wish I was brave enough to try it (I am trying to cut down though! lol)
An emotional and, I found, disturbing listen. I have to admit, news stories and footage of things like this often tend to pass me by, I seem not to get emotionally involved. I sometimes wonder why this is but I have no proper answer. I do get affected by some news stories, but not usually the big ones like this. My wife has been upset, but I've been left cold again on this one, until now. Listening to this piece has opened it up slightly for me, making it more... I don't know what... Many thanks for making this and posting it.
Consider my maw told :-) Nice one boys.
And a nice one to finish. The whole album is an excellent piece of work.
Big smile on my face listening to this. Superbly recorded vocals and guitars by the way.
I love this one.
Yep, you're right about it being a killer bass-line. The vocals are pretty stand-out as well :-) Initially, I wasn't sure whether your vocal delivery was fitting the songs, but this one showed me why it works so well. It's almost like we've got David Gates singing punk songs here... lol. The contrast really brings out the emotions in the lyrics. If you tried to sound "angrier" we'd actually lose some of the power...
I can kind of see why it hasn't made many friends - it just is what it is... It makes me think of 80s stuff, like Moonlighting, etc :-) BUT... it's a mighty fine listen.
Very beautiful. Fine playing, lovely arrangement.
I'd favourited it after the first line! Luckily the rest of it lived up to it... Groove, over all sound, vocal, backing vox, everything. I love it...
I'd only heard the various live versions, where I was concentrating on the performance etc... on this one I noticed what an excellent song it is as well! Love the dual vocal.