Here we go..Song 4 for my RPM challenge. This one was a blast to do because of its simplicity. It's a bit dark but with a hint of humour. I never thought I would need to return to nuclear allusions in a song - it isn't 1985...oh well.
They…
Song #2 for this year's RPM album....another one from the basement in the middle of the night. Experimenting with minimal lyrics and a lot of repetition. The song probably has something to do with how we left our home of many years last February…
The final Song for my 2023 RPM challenge!! Dusted off my acoustic guitar (and blistered my fingers) to get this one done. Phew! I love Latin rhythms and so I found a beat and jammed it up. Thanks again to anyone who listens -it's really fun…
The final Song for my 2023 RPM challenge!! Dusted off my acoustic guitar (and blistered my fingers) to get this one done. Phew! I love Latin rhythms and so I found a beat and jammed it up. Thanks again to anyone who listens -it's really fun…
A perfect ending to the album. Harmonies so nice. I used some Maracas, Guiro, and Clave this year and I wish I could feel a Latin beat like this.
I wanted to thank you for you support, you helped me so much the last couple of years. Even if I never make anything else, I will still follow.
Song 8# of my RPM Album. I love Persian scales and so I wanted to play with that a bit here. I managed to do my own finger snapping through the whole tune and didn't use a loop - I'm known for my rather loud snapping ability.
In another…
6th song for my RPM album. If you like slow and depressing music...this is for you! I had a blast using my new crash cymbal and brushes...my fingers are not very pleased about playing the bass riff however (ouch).
somehow you knew me
and…
Okay, RPM Song 3 finished. It's a weird song melodically speaking (yup, that's actually intentional lol). Oddly, it took an extremely long time to produce this one and my eyes are now very blurry. I guess this is an "urban" song (though I…
The final Song for my 2023 RPM challenge!! Dusted off my acoustic guitar (and blistered my fingers) to get this one done. Phew! I love Latin rhythms and so I found a beat and jammed it up. Thanks again to anyone who listens -it's really fun…
The final Song for my 2023 RPM challenge!! Dusted off my acoustic guitar (and blistered my fingers) to get this one done. Phew! I love Latin rhythms and so I found a beat and jammed it up. Thanks again to anyone who listens -it's really fun…
Song 9# for my RPM 2022. I don't know how it happened, but I ended up with a bit of an alternative quasi-delta blues here. I walk a lot of country roads at night so..... The harmonies were fun. Thanks to anyone who listens! Onward…
Song #5 for RPM 2023 - half way to the completion of the album! Wrote this after a very long late night walk of meditation.
And the rain came down
It wouldn’t stop
As we made our way to the mountain top
And the rain came down, the rain…
Song 8# of my RPM Album. I love Persian scales and so I wanted to play with that a bit here. I managed to do my own finger snapping through the whole tune and didn't use a loop - I'm known for my rather loud snapping ability.
In another…
This is great, I feel like that scale is a cheat code though. Although I couldn't just slap it into one of my songs and expect it to work, so maybe not a cheat.
As someone who can get 7-8 snaps before I have all the percussive bite of a rabbit landing on a velvet blanket, that is indeed an impressive run.
Song #9 for my RPM album. Back to using my bass as the back bone for this one. Vocals were recorded in one shot like a live recording (not easy to catch my breath in between phrases sometimes...eek). Made up a harmony for the last chorus...that…
Hey, thanks for the comments and listens. I was getting notices in my in-box and wanted to jump over and I've been waiting for a chance to check out what you've been doing. Been harder to keep up with FAWM this year as I've been focusing on collabs, made it hard to dabble into RPM listens.
From those opening bass notes, I knew I made the wrong choice in what I spent my listening time on. A favourite right out of the gate.
That hook is a thing of beauty. So simple, and so complex. I love it.
Song 8# of my RPM Album. I love Persian scales and so I wanted to play with that a bit here. I managed to do my own finger snapping through the whole tune and didn't use a loop - I'm known for my rather loud snapping ability.
In another…
Song 7 for my RPM challenge. Thanks to anyone who listens :)
words of wisdom
songs of pride
try your best but you
can’t live the other side
keep it coming
try not to know
remember one day
we will reap just what we sow
do your…
6th song for my RPM album. If you like slow and depressing music...this is for you! I had a blast using my new crash cymbal and brushes...my fingers are not very pleased about playing the bass riff however (ouch).
somehow you knew me
and…
Song 7 for my RPM challenge. Thanks to anyone who listens :)
words of wisdom
songs of pride
try your best but you
can’t live the other side
keep it coming
try not to know
remember one day
we will reap just what we sow
do your…
Song 7 for my RPM challenge. Thanks to anyone who listens :)
words of wisdom
songs of pride
try your best but you
can’t live the other side
keep it coming
try not to know
remember one day
we will reap just what we sow
do your…
Song 7 for my RPM challenge. Thanks to anyone who listens :)
words of wisdom
songs of pride
try your best but you
can’t live the other side
keep it coming
try not to know
remember one day
we will reap just what we sow
do your…
6th song for my RPM album. If you like slow and depressing music...this is for you! I had a blast using my new crash cymbal and brushes...my fingers are not very pleased about playing the bass riff however (ouch).
somehow you knew me
and…
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 9
Written Tuesday 15th February 2022
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I decided it was time I wrote a song that wasn't so hard to sing and play!
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**Once Again - A A J Russe**
Every day
You keep asking…
oh yeah!!! Great song and loving that chord progression. Beautiful with all the changes ...loving it. How did you do all this in such a short time period? Wow, wow, wow.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 8
Written Monday 14th February 2022
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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
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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
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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 3
Written Tuesday 8th February 2022
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So, here's today's little ditty.
(I don't know whether folks outside the UK would know what a Chelsea Bun is. I love them, they are extremely yum…
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark.
I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy.
Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 2
Written Monday 7th February 2022
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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…
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
As If It Really Matters - A A J Russe
Written 16th January 1999
Recorded 12th March 2022
The Shoebox Demos Vol 1
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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…
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
Yeah!!!!! Love this!!!! Seriously awesome. The combination of electronics and piano is sublime. The spacing is right on too. I'm going to sit at my piano now :)
Not too happy with it, and I am not sure I would have even kept it except I kinda like The Bridge. Bad mic choices, but I didn't think it was worth going back to re-record everything
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Having trouble getting up from on…
Wait, I like this! Really great lyrics and has a great flow and chord changes. Yup, that bridge is really nice.
We are too close to judge when it is our own. But yeah, I've spend more time on songs I've hated trying to get them to work than I care to admit....it's like a battle. But RPM dictates that we must move on!! lol
Raised on vinyl and a needle that rides
To a paper circle at the end of both sides
Between the speakers, cover in hand
Sit in silence after Jungleland
I will not trade one bit of my soul for their pieces of gold
I've seen a world they'll…
Super cool! Great idea. I love the section that starts at 4:25 in particular.....really wild. 6:27 ...also!!! Nicely done!!! mmm ends nicely too. Has that modern psychedelic feel.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 11
Written Thursday 17th February 2022
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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…
Wow this is great! My husband and I have been listening and both agree!! Excellent..lovely melody and your vocals so beautiful. You are nearing the finish and still lots of time.
**Song-writing Demo for FAWM 2022**
Song number 12
Written Friday 18th February 2022
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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…
oh yeah!! Another great one. Amazing how these come along. I just love the "As we near the end...." beautiful. Your voice conveys great emotion. The muse is treating you well :)
Everybody's looking for a savior
To tell them how to live before they die
As if they can't control their own behavior
Or trust what they can see with their own eyes
Mindlessly believing what you tell 'em
When everything you tell 'em is a…
Comments on Ricia Rae's stuff
Great track!
hi there. I am listening to some of your songs now. Nice 'atmospheric' sound!
Oh, this is LOVELY.
A perfect ending to the album. Harmonies so nice. I used some Maracas, Guiro, and Clave this year and I wish I could feel a Latin beat like this. I wanted to thank you for you support, you helped me so much the last couple of years. Even if I never make anything else, I will still follow.
Got me belly-dancing. Thankfully nobody was around to see that.
Awesome. I love playing bass but I don't do it often enough to develop real calluses, so I can relate. Outstanding recording.
Incredibly creative, the break is a real smash.
Beautiful 10th RPM song. The completion of an album you can be proud of. I love the touch of harmony in the chorus and the transition in the bridge.
And it did! Congratulations on your rpm!
I'm just strolling down memory lane (RPM 2022) this morning. This is a great song.
You are very good at this. 😀
This is great, I feel like that scale is a cheat code though. Although I couldn't just slap it into one of my songs and expect it to work, so maybe not a cheat. As someone who can get 7-8 snaps before I have all the percussive bite of a rabbit landing on a velvet blanket, that is indeed an impressive run.
Hey, thanks for the comments and listens. I was getting notices in my in-box and wanted to jump over and I've been waiting for a chance to check out what you've been doing. Been harder to keep up with FAWM this year as I've been focusing on collabs, made it hard to dabble into RPM listens. From those opening bass notes, I knew I made the wrong choice in what I spent my listening time on. A favourite right out of the gate. That hook is a thing of beauty. So simple, and so complex. I love it.
Very unique and almost mesmerizing. That's a lot of finger snapping.
Love the groove ......
Very good ....
Great positive message and a beat that bounces along.
Great song! Always loved that Blake quote about seeing the world in a grain of sand.
Great to hear your work again after such a long time Ricia!!
the bass might of hurt but I believe it was worth it and that crash sounds great
Comments made by Ricia Rae
oh yeah!!! Great song and loving that chord progression. Beautiful with all the changes ...loving it. How did you do all this in such a short time period? Wow, wow, wow.
Another beautiful poetic song with such an excellent expressive performance. Love it!
I must take this train after hearing this song! What a great song :)....deserves a second comment.
Absolutely beautiful! Warm and an interesting narrative :). Loving it!
Great story line - has a true troubadour feel about it! Love it - kind of dark. I have had the pleasure of a Chelsea bun here in Canada - yup, extremely yummy. Very creative song. I'm listening to a great concert of all your songs ...loving it.
holy cow......I hadn't heard this one before! Gorgeous!!! That Fender did it's job well. Absolutely love this. I think this one is perfect as an acoustic version.
Wow!!! This song did not age ....it is gorgeous. Truly beautiful and I love the complexity of the melody and how it moves about. I imagined hearing it live at a concert (I'd be in the front row!).
Another beautiful piece. You are using all my favourite chords. So glad I found your stuff.
Yeah!!!!! Love this!!!! Seriously awesome. The combination of electronics and piano is sublime. The spacing is right on too. I'm going to sit at my piano now :)
Lovely....really beautiful!!!! Has that contemplative and mournful feel I like. Wow. That ending is gorgeous too.
Wait, I like this! Really great lyrics and has a great flow and chord changes. Yup, that bridge is really nice. We are too close to judge when it is our own. But yeah, I've spend more time on songs I've hated trying to get them to work than I care to admit....it's like a battle. But RPM dictates that we must move on!! lol
This is wild!!! The harmonics are amazing and how it all flows together and mixes into each other. Super cool.
Cool soundscape. Is that analog synth?
Really really beautiful! And those lyrics are great. Love your vocals (and you're obviously an awesome guitar player too!). Nice percussion Liam :)
Super cool! Great idea. I love the section that starts at 4:25 in particular.....really wild. 6:27 ...also!!! Nicely done!!! mmm ends nicely too. Has that modern psychedelic feel.
Wow this is great! My husband and I have been listening and both agree!! Excellent..lovely melody and your vocals so beautiful. You are nearing the finish and still lots of time.
Really caught me from the beginning. Beautiful! I love that vocal style too.
Nicely done! I really like the idea too.....subtext - great theme. You're almost done your FAWM...wow. Great job.
oh yeah!! Another great one. Amazing how these come along. I just love the "As we near the end...." beautiful. Your voice conveys great emotion. The muse is treating you well :)
Awesome song. Love the lyrics and your vocals are great....nice phrasing. I also love the vocal overlays at the end!!!!!!