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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Now a decade old, I thought I would revisit this mix again. I have done this a few times as I continue to learn the craft. I thought it would be a good exercise to undertake as a start thinking about writing again for the next record.
Now a decade old, I thought I would revisit this mix again. I have done this a few times as I continue to learn the craft. I thought it would be a good exercise to undertake as a start thinking about writing again for the next record.
AS always, wonderfully done. Crisper tones and higher fidelity. Your voice sounds amazing; every time I try to remix something I lose the charm, you have kept the charm and added sparkle!
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…
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…
Never forget the simple pleasure of just listening to music. I wrote a whole album about it a few years ago called The Lost Art Of Listening. This one's about how a song can simultaneously take you away from the concerns of life, yet make you…
We're so quick to judge others. We really shouldn't.
This one follows the tone of It Mattered To No One Else. I actually had a lot more song ideas like these two that I thought would end up being the whole record. But it didn't happen that…
The Again, Again, Again line and melody has been flowing through my brain since 2017 or so. But if we are merely vessels for songs that are waiting to come to our shores, I was a leaky boat for a very long time and couldn't make the journey without…
And now a complete change. I like variety, and this introduces a new feel to the record. Until the mid-section, when the spacey connection returns, though in a subtle way.
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…
And now a complete change. I like variety, and this introduces a new feel to the record. Until the mid-section, when the spacey connection returns, though in a subtle way.
Ok, this one has a journey for its creation. The original riff actually came to me in the heat of late August 2013. I still remember when it came to me. It was in a different key, with a slight different resolution. It felt like a hot summer's…
(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
This is great! Awesome Gary!
Excellent
Encouragement through music. Thank you for reminding me of hope.
great song smart work .......cheers tony cee
Gary, great sound and vibe here. There’s a cool if 60’s were 90’s feel. -Rainey Smoke
Love it!
A definite XTC vibe to this one
Love that beat!
Great song, Gary cool guitarwork and vocals! KC
AS always, wonderfully done. Crisper tones and higher fidelity. Your voice sounds amazing; every time I try to remix something I lose the charm, you have kept the charm and added sparkle!
I like it alot ....
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
Killer tune G!
Beautiful
Love the DADGAD guitars😀😀😀
Another cool song Gary😀😀😀😀
Great tune Gary😀😀😀😀
sounds like Jehtro Tull channeling late period Beatles
oh maybe i should log in
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.