This one came solely as the chorus melody and the basic hook "So I'll sing my song for Carolina" It's all I had for months, but I thought it was a good chorus line so I kept humming it to see if it would sprout further ideas. The mid section is…
After hearing Jarrettt Osborn's take on this one, I had to come back and go again. Yep, I was reduced to "Wow" on this Last time I listent to it too! I like the stripped back version, but I also love all the carefully placed arrangement on this. And the song... shivers down the back... And I can perfectly visualise how you constructed it... having this chorus melody and one hook, just KNOWING it needed a song round it. I love how this version gives me that hook and melody, and the beautifully constructed finished song and arrangement around it ... and then Jarrett's version digs the raw song performance out of it - that possibly you didn't even know existed? (I don't know how you write/record) - and goes "here you go, this is the song I could hear and loved"
C.S. Lewis once wrote about the concept of "out of simple evil comes complex good." These are trying times, an understatement if there ever was one. As you read this, you have uncertainties and fears for what our current situation means for right…
Gary your words of introduction touched my heart, and then the wonderful song... WOW! Thanks so much for this. It totally made my day... Awesome things: the power of words and the power of music
C.S. Lewis once wrote about the concept of "out of simple evil comes complex good." These are trying times, an understatement if there ever was one. As you read this, you have uncertainties and fears for what our current situation means for right…
C.S. Lewis once wrote about the concept of "out of simple evil comes complex good." These are trying times, an understatement if there ever was one. As you read this, you have uncertainties and fears for what our current situation means for right…
This one came to me as I was sleeping on a plane, delayed on a tarmac. I dreamt that McCartney was singing this, sort of. I came out of the dream abruptly when the pilot said we were finally cleared to take off. I racked my brain to figure out…
Reminds me of a song called Scrambled Eggs ;)
(That's the blurb, not the song itself)
And strangely, I can hear McCartney singing this too... lol
Love the little horn part on the end!
This one came solely as the chorus melody and the basic hook "So I'll sing my song for Carolina" It's all I had for months, but I thought it was a good chorus line so I kept humming it to see if it would sprout further ideas. The mid section is…
This one started as the verse chords and some rambling vox melody. My demo of just gtr and me mumbling resulted in something vaguely Lennon-esque in delivery, so I kept that aspect and took it further for the mid section. The harmonies in the…
The word agony and the basic melody for the first line came first. I sat on it for a while, then one evening tried to figure out the chords for it. The verse chords followed very quickly, effectively falling out of the gtr after I had discovered…
A total gtr inspired tune. The riff came first and I knew it needed thunderous drums. The rest fell into place. I envisioned this one being very Top of The Pops on a Saturday in 1971, or Granada TV in summer of' 70, depending on your point of…
I have never written a song about the RPM Challenge itself, until now. Have we really been here for 15 years? It needed to be fun, it needed to be a great dance number. I had the gtr riff, and realized it would be even better as a horn line. The…
This one started as the piano piece. I was messing around and thought it had a vaguely Eddie Harris sounding vibe from Plug Me In (which is a killer record, absolutely killer). Anyway, I decided to develop it, since it sounds a little different…
A total gtr inspired tune. The riff came first and I knew it needed thunderous drums. The rest fell into place. I envisioned this one being very Top of The Pops on a Saturday in 1971, or Granada TV in summer of' 70, depending on your point of…
I have never written a song about the RPM Challenge itself, until now. Have we really been here for 15 years? It needed to be fun, it needed to be a great dance number. I had the gtr riff, and realized it would be even better as a horn line. The…
(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
Good one, Gary. I enjoyed the album! I always appreciate how energetic and robust your production is.
After hearing Jarrettt Osborn's take on this one, I had to come back and go again. Yep, I was reduced to "Wow" on this Last time I listent to it too! I like the stripped back version, but I also love all the carefully placed arrangement on this. And the song... shivers down the back... And I can perfectly visualise how you constructed it... having this chorus melody and one hook, just KNOWING it needed a song round it. I love how this version gives me that hook and melody, and the beautifully constructed finished song and arrangement around it ... and then Jarrett's version digs the raw song performance out of it - that possibly you didn't even know existed? (I don't know how you write/record) - and goes "here you go, this is the song I could hear and loved"
Gary your words of introduction touched my heart, and then the wonderful song... WOW! Thanks so much for this. It totally made my day... Awesome things: the power of words and the power of music
instant classic:) so awesome ...needs to be heavily commercialized, music video etc...
Love it
Another utterly fabulous set of songs Mr Fox. Well done, big time.
Rocking. Am I imagining it, or is there a backing vocal that sounds like someone other than you?
Reminds me of a song called Scrambled Eggs ;) (That's the blurb, not the song itself) And strangely, I can hear McCartney singing this too... lol Love the little horn part on the end!
Run out of words to type... Wow
Yep. LOVED this one.
Love it. The lyrics are fabulous. I don't often notice lyrics on a first listen, but wow... Fab song
Woof! Yes
Love how you converted the guitar riff to horns - masterful decision (says a guitarist)
Nice way to end it...great work :)
Really Cool vibe on this :)
Awesome tune. Love that Bridge section at 2:12 :)
As a co-RPMer, I think this is a fantastic song of celebration to commemorate RPM's 15th year. Love it!
Yes, "Greatest American Hero", just the intro. Nice!
Whole album - m a s t e r p i e c e.
Another one for the car playlist!
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.