Song 2 for the RPM Challenge. Wrote this at the piano and then had fun trying all sorts of spontaneous vocal harmonies. Switching time signatures for the chorus made for some challenging recording!
Well...This is song #10 for my 2022 RPM challenge- the final track for my "album". It's a bit like two songs that found each other somehow. That makes for a very long track! eek. Thank you to everyone who has been listening to my songs...it…
The calluses from all this bass playing are coming along nicely! This is another RPM song (song 6) where I built the song from a little bass riff. The lyrics include some quotes and/or references - pick them out and win a prize (ha ha…
If you perform, and I find myself in Montreal this summer, I need to check out that show! What an amazing collection you've put together as part of RPM challenge.
My 7th song for the 2022 RPM challenge. This one is a bit more pensive and slow moving. I always love adding harmony. I was thinking of Bjork (who I love) when I wrote it. I included some flute so my sister can play along next time we jam…
Ohhhh, this I like a lot! I hear the Bjork, but I'm also getting a lot of a Sade vibe during the verse, which is a peanut butter and chocolate combination that I would have never expected. I want more!
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…
Dig the variety of styles track to track with your voice being the only obvious connective tissue. This is a nice take on the Delta Blues style, clear influence, but it doesn’t seems derivative or like a pastiche.
Well...This is song #10 for my 2022 RPM challenge- the final track for my "album". It's a bit like two songs that found each other somehow. That makes for a very long track! eek. Thank you to everyone who has been listening to my songs...it…
This is really interesting. Beautiful harmony, and I like how light the production is without being simple.
BTW, thanks for the listens and comments. I just kept on cranking away on FAWM, but I appreciated them.
Well...This is song #10 for my 2022 RPM challenge- the final track for my "album". It's a bit like two songs that found each other somehow. That makes for a very long track! eek. Thank you to everyone who has been listening to my songs...it…
Beautiful. It's interesting that you can look at the visualizer and SEE where they first find each other. Your album is really the highlight of this year's RPM for me.
Well...This is song #10 for my 2022 RPM challenge- the final track for my "album". It's a bit like two songs that found each other somehow. That makes for a very long track! eek. Thank you to everyone who has been listening to my songs...it…
It’s been a fun February listening to both you and Andrew Russe achieve your goals. You have ended up with 10 songs, well crafted and recorded in a way that makes them interesting.
Well done!
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…
Well...This is song #10 for my 2022 RPM challenge- the final track for my "album". It's a bit like two songs that found each other somehow. That makes for a very long track! eek. Thank you to everyone who has been listening to my songs...it…
Well...This is song #10 for my 2022 RPM challenge- the final track for my "album". It's a bit like two songs that found each other somehow. That makes for a very long track! eek. Thank you to everyone who has been listening to my songs...it…
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…
Loving this one. I'm staying on the straight and narrow of "little parlour guitar in standard tuning, write song, record song, on to next..." but I'm itching to play some other stuff and instruments... and THIS makes me gaze across the room at Les Pauls and Resonators and the shelf of slides, and... and...
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…
Given it's Valentine's Day ...I thought I'd write a little love song. This is Song #8 for my 2022 RPM challenge. Practiced a bit of breathy indie vocals and harmonies.
Thanks to anyone who's listening. :).
You thrill me
you undo me…
My 7th song for the 2022 RPM challenge. This one is a bit more pensive and slow moving. I always love adding harmony. I was thinking of Bjork (who I love) when I wrote it. I included some flute so my sister can play along next time we jam…
Song 5 for the RPM Challenge. Building tunes around an incessant bass line is oddly appealing to me. This is a bit of a dystopian song of sorts. Thanks to anyone who listens!
Take me to the river
and hold me under water
Bow down beside…
Given it's Valentine's Day ...I thought I'd write a little love song. This is Song #8 for my 2022 RPM challenge. Practiced a bit of breathy indie vocals and harmonies.
Thanks to anyone who's listening. :).
You thrill me
you undo me…
**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 harmonies! And you've a great voice! Been at it a while?
So pretty and sweet
Am I allowed to comment twice? So tasty. This could easily be one of the best songs I have heard in a few years.
If you perform, and I find myself in Montreal this summer, I need to check out that show! What an amazing collection you've put together as part of RPM challenge.
Ohhhh, this I like a lot! I hear the Bjork, but I'm also getting a lot of a Sade vibe during the verse, which is a peanut butter and chocolate combination that I would have never expected. I want more!
Dig the variety of styles track to track with your voice being the only obvious connective tissue. This is a nice take on the Delta Blues style, clear influence, but it doesn’t seems derivative or like a pastiche.
This is really interesting. Beautiful harmony, and I like how light the production is without being simple. BTW, thanks for the listens and comments. I just kept on cranking away on FAWM, but I appreciated them.
Beautiful. It's interesting that you can look at the visualizer and SEE where they first find each other. Your album is really the highlight of this year's RPM for me.
It’s been a fun February listening to both you and Andrew Russe achieve your goals. You have ended up with 10 songs, well crafted and recorded in a way that makes them interesting. Well done!
Absolutely Love this ........ I could see Plant and Krauss doing this one .....
OOH.... Very nice ... reminds of local girl who made good, Julia Fordham ..... and that's a damn good album you made, Well done.
I see what you mean about the "two songs that found each other" ... but it SO works. Fabulous.
Loving this one. I'm staying on the straight and narrow of "little parlour guitar in standard tuning, write song, record song, on to next..." but I'm itching to play some other stuff and instruments... and THIS makes me gaze across the room at Les Pauls and Resonators and the shelf of slides, and... and...
Oh that intro!!!
Unique, spare instrumentation drives this. Ever heard of Maria Elena Silva?
GREAT RPM album, Ricia! Dang, so good.
Okay. This is spectacular.
Incessant bass = good. Your vocals = great.
Well, this is simply outstanding.
Love the imagery you use in this.
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!!!!!!