When your world is destroyed as you know it, the ability to overcome and renew yourself is a very steep ascent. It may take years, and this song is about that struggle to 'let it go'
The song that led the way. I came up with the guitar sound first, and needed a song that evoked the pure energy that was coming from that guitar sound. It needed to be fast and intense. And it needed harmonies. We're full abandon 'cause it's time…
When your world is destroyed as you know it, the ability to overcome and renew yourself is a very steep ascent. It may take years, and this song is about that struggle to 'let it go'
It is easy to mock and ridicule, but much harder to learn and understand. Overcoming our own pig-headedness may be our biggest personal challenge. This song thinks about that. I also was rather happy with how my Telecaster sounds in the rhythm…
The song that led the way. I came up with the guitar sound first, and needed a song that evoked the pure energy that was coming from that guitar sound. It needed to be fast and intense. And it needed harmonies. We're full abandon 'cause it's time…
This one went through many iterations before turning into what you hear. A key breakthrough came when I stumbled upon that keyboard part for the verses. That opened the whole thing up.
Another SUPERB RPM from you Mr Fox.
As always, I'm stunned you achieved this level across all the tracks in such a short time.
Hats off to you sir. Five Stars. Etc.
There is no reverb on any vox parts in this one. I loved how I was able to get the tone of the voices to have that mid-60s sound. This was aided by the fact I am running through an emulation of the Abbey Road mixing desk. ;)
Again, listened to most of this before reading the blurb. And I was thinking "there's John, Paul, and George..." - aha, I see!
(And therefore I've just learnt something from this - might be stealing this technique in future!!)
No offense meant to my English friends. ;) I grew up there as a kid, so we have common cause. Anyway, this song is more about the struggle between the material and spiritual, doing the right thing when you are called upon, etc. Hope you enjoy!
Oh yes.
Guitar, especially instrumental, is reminding me a lot of Jimmy Page (been listening to Physical Graffiti a lot over the last few weeks). Don't know whether an "English rock" approach to the guitar was intentional, but it certainly works.
As you may have picked up on, there's a lot this year about soldiering on when your world has been destroyed. So, this is a song of hope. Have faith, have faith...
Awww... and this follows "Say Something" perfectly. Gorgeous heart-rending chorus.
We all bring our own baggage to a song we hear - but I'm feeling more of an "PLEASE accept who I am" as I'm listening to it - whether sung to oneself or another. Probably fits with what you wanted, anyway!
Brilliant.
This one was a hard one to nail. The Wurlitzer riff was something I accidentally played and fell in love with immediately, so I needed to write a song that enhanced the mood that the tone of the Wurly evoked. The sound is so empty and spacious…
I'd listened to most of this one (and faved it) before I read the blurb... glad I did - cos I can tell you that we think you nailed it.
LOVE that bare piano and the plaintive "Say something".
Defiance, self-doubt, hubris, failure, choosing...It's all here to hear.
The title is a nod to my love of a certain guitar player and singer from a late 60's act; who's solo records were even better. The vibrato guitar is inspired by him…
It is easy to mock and ridicule, but much harder to learn and understand. Overcoming our own pig-headedness may be our biggest personal challenge. This song thinks about that. I also was rather happy with how my Telecaster sounds in the rhythm…
The song that led the way. I came up with the guitar sound first, and needed a song that evoked the pure energy that was coming from that guitar sound. It needed to be fast and intense. And it needed harmonies. We're full abandon 'cause it's time…
(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)
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…
Oh yeah...the slide just kicked in and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Killer groove, the bass and drum lock up, along with the Rhodes...... Love the space in this mix too. Damn, Andrew, you are on fire. It's good to hear you making music again. Selfishly speaking, it's inspiring.
(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…
Exhales...man. I'll just say this is really, really powerful. And tough to listen to since I think I know where this is from. On a production note, whatever mics you are alluding to where a good acquisition. I love how your acoustic has been sounding on these cuts this morning.
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Now here's a bit of an oldie - the second song I ever wrote. In... 1978!
I think I played it once, or maybe twice, at school assemblies. My musical peers and colleagues back then dismissed it as corny/rancid pop music…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Now here's a bit of an oldie - the second song I ever wrote. In... 1978!
I think I played it once, or maybe twice, at school assemblies. My musical peers and colleagues back then dismissed it as corny/rancid pop music…
Oh! The backing vox! I can hear the 1978 in it, and I like it, a lot. I love the "I didn't think..." sections leading into the chorus. Whatever you're doing for chords and build...perfect. The chord changes in general, the twists, shifts...You need to write more in this vein...
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And this is the last of the little threesome of In Your Hands, Little Thing, and this one, When I Try To Be Me.
It's in the key of 4th fret and was written just over a month later than the other two, on 19th March…
(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…
Well it's been a long while (as seems to be the pattern lately) and I was inspired by Greg and Ron's new songs.... Then I saw a lovely note from the Proods saying "I must have been writing during this crazy time" - so I had to respond with something…
Two weeks since we went into lock down
We can't play together now so we all played at home and sent the files to eachother.
Hans Nooitgedagt Jr - drums
Bingsolex - lead guitar
Erwin B - bass
KC - guitar, vocals, keys and mix
Times like…
KC - keys, guitar, bass, vocals & mix
It's 5 AM in the morning
I'm burning the midnight oil
There's coffee to stop the yawning
Just don't care about a recoil
I decide to take a walk
A starlit night in the park
I'm in the mood for…
(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…
Gritty, tight, driving...yeah, in a messed up world, hearing a new Andrew Russe song stands out as a beam of light in an otherwise dark time. This sounds great...
Oh, man...so this is absolutely beautiful, Jarrett. Thank you for taking it to a whole new and amazing place. This song is now as much yours as mine, and I am honored to share it. Also, I loved that little chord you hit coming out of the bridge. Perfect! Much love to you, my RPM brother.
Here's a song that battled me for quite awhile... so I am glad to say I've gotten it recorded. Still rough from my home studio, but trying out a few additional things on my keyboard to round out the sound around the ukulele. Thanks for listening…
Cool track, Colleen. I like the space you left in it, and I really like the way you recorded this so that I could really just soak in the lyrics and melody.
This song was inspired for all of us who've cycled through a relationship or two.... My dear friends Greg Connor and Mark Lofgren of the infamous MN Coffee Table helped bring it to life with Greg on Banjo and Mark on Lead Guitar. Both of them…
MN Homebrew Radio show has a monthly writing contest. This month it was to use the word "wait" or "waiting" in your song. So the hook line of the chorus popped into my head at 5:30 in the morning and the rest of the song came pretty quickly…
Attention all Alonetoners: Give this entire record a spin, many spins actually. I have had the pleasure of hearing Peter's work through the RPM Challenge for well over a decade now. Join me and indulge. It's so worth it.
Comments on Gary Fox's stuff
That bass and drum beat really drive this beauty....iced of with that beautiful guitar...
A great start...
Love the guitar work on this track. w;-)
Fantastic track! Love to vocal harmonies & the percussion is out of this world! w;-)
Dancing around the kitchen! What could be better than a GF, track to make you feel like dancing? Woohoo! w;-)
Can you say, kicks ass? w;-)
Gut wrenching! I love the lyrics!!! Great song!
Another SUPERB RPM from you Mr Fox. As always, I'm stunned you achieved this level across all the tracks in such a short time. Hats off to you sir. Five Stars. Etc.
Again, listened to most of this before reading the blurb. And I was thinking "there's John, Paul, and George..." - aha, I see! (And therefore I've just learnt something from this - might be stealing this technique in future!!)
Oh yes. Guitar, especially instrumental, is reminding me a lot of Jimmy Page (been listening to Physical Graffiti a lot over the last few weeks). Don't know whether an "English rock" approach to the guitar was intentional, but it certainly works.
Yep :-)
Awww... and this follows "Say Something" perfectly. Gorgeous heart-rending chorus. We all bring our own baggage to a song we hear - but I'm feeling more of an "PLEASE accept who I am" as I'm listening to it - whether sung to oneself or another. Probably fits with what you wanted, anyway! Brilliant.
I'd listened to most of this one (and faved it) before I read the blurb... glad I did - cos I can tell you that we think you nailed it. LOVE that bare piano and the plaintive "Say something".
Loving the guitar...
Well (and bear in mind, I was *quite* looking forward to this album) ... I'm not disappointed so far :)
And it's a fine fine guitar sound - it would have had me going too. Love it, nice opener.
For some reason [wink, wink] I agree with everything Merry Bear said!
Great vocals, lyrics and playing! Nicely done indeed...
Heard this in the rpm player and just had to say..amazing track!
Phenomenal!
Comments made by Gary Fox
This is great, simply great. I love how you are able to sing this so well, even with your tongue firmly planted in your cheek.
Oh yeah...the slide just kicked in and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Killer groove, the bass and drum lock up, along with the Rhodes...... Love the space in this mix too. Damn, Andrew, you are on fire. It's good to hear you making music again. Selfishly speaking, it's inspiring.
Exhales...man. I'll just say this is really, really powerful. And tough to listen to since I think I know where this is from. On a production note, whatever mics you are alluding to where a good acquisition. I love how your acoustic has been sounding on these cuts this morning.
Oh, and the ending...love the fade out flourish.
Oh! The backing vox! I can hear the 1978 in it, and I like it, a lot. I love the "I didn't think..." sections leading into the chorus. Whatever you're doing for chords and build...perfect. The chord changes in general, the twists, shifts...You need to write more in this vein...
A few measures in and I am already smiling. I can feel the warmth of this song coming through, and I love how your acoustic sounds. Great cut!
Wow...just wow. Andrew, this sounds great, and I love the song. Beautifully done!
So beautiful in its simplicity, the best songs often need nothing more than a voice and accompaniment. Great song, Colleen!
It sounds like you're all in the same room. Very smooth, great number! Take heart, we'll pull through.
Dude...this is really cool. Love the groove!
Gritty, tight, driving...yeah, in a messed up world, hearing a new Andrew Russe song stands out as a beam of light in an otherwise dark time. This sounds great...
Oh, man...so this is absolutely beautiful, Jarrett. Thank you for taking it to a whole new and amazing place. This song is now as much yours as mine, and I am honored to share it. Also, I loved that little chord you hit coming out of the bridge. Perfect! Much love to you, my RPM brother.
Cool track, Colleen. I like the space you left in it, and I really like the way you recorded this so that I could really just soak in the lyrics and melody.
Great number, there is nothing like a live recording of people who can play and sing well together.
Great tune, Colleen! I really like the earthy feel. Real blues tones here, and I love it.
Attention all Alonetoners: Give this entire record a spin, many spins actually. I have had the pleasure of hearing Peter's work through the RPM Challenge for well over a decade now. Join me and indulge. It's so worth it.
So rich and creamy; that's the best way to describe these fantastic songs...
Beautiful arrangements and scoring. I love the mood of this...
Peter, it's so good to have new music from you again.
Wow, worth the listen all the way through. Killer production.