The Rising Sun Blues

(For SoundCloud problems an alternative link is provided at the bottom of the page)

This public domain tune with it’s melody dating back to British 1700's tavern songs and a lyric suggesting a “house of ill repute” has been, in our opinion, too often presented from the male perspective (as started by the Animals in 1964) and/or simply as a pretty folk song. Janice and I attempted, after a lot of lyric research, to re-create (via writing several new verses) what in our opinion was likely the original intention, i.e, the story of a young prostitute. Keeping with the New Orleans setting we arranged and recorded the song with a “jump blues” feel fitting the location. We feel this song has long begged for a more bluesy gritty interpretation and I hope we did it justice.

BTW, here’s a great article on the song’s history including a link to a book written about chasing the song’s origins.
A Brief History of House Of The Rising Sun

EDITED: Additional info regarding the 1700's British origins of the melody:
Notes On House Of The Rising Sun

Some might feel that the piano and/or the sax are too prominent through the song but we were looking for, as mentioned, the 30’s-40’s jump blues sound and those groups tended to play in this manner. Perhaps a better description would be that of a somewhat bawdy sound -- as might have been played in a “house" of that time.

Janice: vocal via Rodes NT1 mic and BlueIcicle USB interface
Bass: 2425 Rockabilly
guitar R: 2436 New Orleans Shuffle
Drums: BluesRockShuffle
Piano R: 2437 New Orleans Shuffle
Piano L: 2123 Country Shuffle (comped from several regens for turnarounds and fills)
Sax: 2134 Blues Shuffle
Bud: production stuff via Logic Pro X and Izotope plug-ins
Photograph: E. J. Bellocq, 1912, New orleans Prostitute, Public Domain.

Thanks to floyd jane, Tommyad, and gruverider for diplomatically steering me away from my original intro and to floyd for suggesting an a cappella approach. As Bob Dylan said “it seemed like a good idea at the time”

The Rising Sun Blues
Trad. Arr. © 2016 Janice and Bud Merritt

there is a house in New Orleans

they call the Rising Sun
it's been the ruin of many a poor girl

and me, oh God, I'm one

i could have a good man and family
if I hadn’t fallen into a life of sin
and now I'm working at the house
Just trying to please all them men

mama works all day at the mill

she sews those new blue jeans

and my daddy was a gambler, Lord

he lost his life down in New Orleans

somebody, go tell my baby sister

tell her not to do what I done
stay away from that house

the one they call the Rising Sun

I ain't gonna leave New Orleans

my race is almost run

yeah, I gave up all my young life

beneath, beneath, the rising sun

yeah, I gave up all my young life

beneath, beneath, the rising sun

Alternate Link To Play Song

www.janiceandbud.com

Janice & Bud
Superb rendition. Clever take on the lyrics and the backing perfectly compliments the great vocal.
Sax sounds great. A thoroughly professional sound.

I love this song. You guys did an awesome version. Well done

Enjoyed that! Very together.
Love Janice's blues voice as usual.
I think the sax could be up a bit more during the vocals.
Is that the baritone sax in there also? Cheers.

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. Glad the lyric and vocal worked for you. It was fun trying to take it to a new place and comments like this make us feel it was worth the effort.

J&B

Janice & Bud,

This is outstanding! Love the vocal and a very cool twist on the lyrics - just great stuff. This version would sound so cool in a live venue.

Bob

Very cool version. I like what you did with the lyrics.

I do believe I have heard a female perspective on this somewhere in the past. But your version with the new writing is top hat all the way.

Thank you very much Scott. We appreciate both the listen and the kind comment.

Janice and Bud,

The Animals version is one of the songs that helped define the course of my music from the moment I first heard it but THIS version stands there proudly hand in hand with that.

Wonderful vocals by Janice and the arrangement compliments her voice so well.

Good mix Bud!!!

As Bob (rsdean) said this would sound incredible live.

excellent

Alyn

Hi there J&B.

Like Alyn, I grew up listening to and playing the Animals version and never realised the history of the song. I followed the link and read the whole fascinating article - many thanks for that.

Once I got my head round the change in timing, I really found myself absorbed in your new and fresh version. Everything is beautifully put together and of course, the icing on the cake, a super vocal from Janice.

Going back to listen again.

Cheers, ROG.

Stunning version. Stunning mix, arrangement, production and performance. Stellar on every level.

Hi Janice & Bud,
This was the first song I played with my first
"Beat" band. This evokes some distant memories. Thanks a lot for the background story.
I enjoyed your version a lot.

Guenter

Thanks. Glad you liked it. Yes that is the same sax. It's a solo-accompaniment track and I comped it for fills, a turn around and vocal backing. I had it up a bit more with the vocals but was beginning to compete a bit. Maybe I could split the difference!

J&B



Thanks Bob. We are always aiming for a live feel. We appreciate the comments!

J&B

I love this! It sounds just as I imagine an old Nawlins' brothel would have sounded when the song was originally written.

In every respect, I'd say y'all NAILED IT!

Hey guys I think most of us grew up with the House but since hearing your version I have already forgotten The Animals...now Janice and Bud are the new classic. Stellar job and I love the female side of the story that you guys gave us. Everything that you did to create this song was brilliant. Loved it!
Sonny

B&J, This has that truly authentic sound. The bass was an excellent choice - pairs up perfectly with the drums to find that infectious groove. Great Mix and editing. I have heard many versions over the years including of course The Animals. This is now my very FAVORITE version. A Classic. And Oh that VOICE! WOW! Tom

Thanks Herb. There are some female versions that we ran across. Interestingly some of them use the Animals lyrics so I guess that they're just sung by ladies but not a lady's perspective. I simply grew weary of listening to different versions as there are literally hundreds.

And thanks for mentioning the re-write.

J&B

Wonderful twist on and old classic!!! Great arrangement. Vocal is kick-axx (kept it clean). The track is fresh, energetic and just sounds great. Very clever "re-write" (I love what you guys added). I remember hearing on the radio that Dylan used to perform this but after the Animals did it, he basically said "can't match that" and gave it up. This is one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar by ear-just realizing at that time that I could play by ear. AWESOME!!! Take care. Greg

I like a lot the way you arranged this great song.

It comes great in shuffle style. Very energic in some points.

Great voice as usual.

Sergio

Hey You Two ...

What is left to say after saying "Super-Duper Fabulous!"? Actually, I (Alan) was somewhat familiar with the history of the song. I took a music appreciation class in college and this song was one that was dissected to show how the evolution of music tends to follow the evolution of society.

GREAT version! That driving, walking 4/4 bass and sultry sax were perfect! And what's left to say about Janice's vocals? Susan Tedeschi would be envious!

Great job with the lyrics, as well. What a great listen! Standing & applauding ...

Alan & Di

Alyn, knowing what the tune meant to you makes us even more appreciative of your comments about our arrangement. Thank you very much.

Janice

Janice & Bud,

"The house of the rising sun" was one of my most favorite songs in 60'. I was very young and naive then. Thank you for giving me a chance to learn its history and background 50 years after that. I did not know anything about it.

I like your version very much. Nice vocal, arrangement and performance. I enjoyed a lot.

Hiroshi

f

Thanks ROG. We hoped the timing change wouldn't be too disconcerting. We just couldn't figure out another way to get that New Orleans sound w/o the change to 4/4. Given your experience with the sing we are excited that you enjoyed this version.

J&B

haha, this is the song on which I learned to play guitar when I was 16 or so. Probably everyone has learned playing guitar on this one ;-)
I didn't even know this was a public domain traditional....
anyway, you've created a very groovy and original version of it.
Cool vocals as always, and superbly arranged

Rob

Wonderfully done!

Those are kind words Charlie and we appreciate each one of them.

J&B

Janice and Bud,

When I sit here listening to 'Rising Sun' everything sits so perfectly that it makes me wonder why haven't heard of a version with overtones of New Orleans trad jazz before.... creativity plus! The a Capella opening is magic and performed to perfection, the shuffle feel is toe-tapping and the trad jazz ensemble is incredibly visual.

I really enjoyed this a lot.... you've both set a new personal best with this creation! Stunning music!

All the best to you both,
Noel

Glad you liked it and cool that it brought back memories.

Thanks Guenter!

J&B

J&B -

Really like your version. I'd love to hear you cover the St. James Infirmary Blues!


Regards,

Bob

Very well done and entertaining. Makes you feel like you are in N.O.

Good production top notch.

Rob

We'd say you nailed it with that imagery! Exactly what we were attempting.

Thanks!

J&B



Thanks Sonny. Reading your response makes us feel like "mission accomplished!" We appreciate it.

J&B

This floored me the first time I heard it.

It has continues to do that with each subsequent listen.

Y'all are both Pros. There is NO question about that.

This should be known by the whole world! (Get it on YouTube). People should think... "House Of The Rising Sun... oh, yeah...The Animals... The Merritts... yeah..."

Excellent _______________________ .
(just fill in the blank with any aspect of recording - all of them).

Instant classic.

floyd

Thanks Tom. Producing a song that is one of your favorites is a long feather in our collective cap! We're glad you like the bass. I got so frustrated trying to find the "right" one that I nearly dusted off my upright.

J&B

Thanks for commenting Greg. It's very cool that the song brings back memories. We're glad that you liked our version!

J&B



Sergio, we appreciate you commenting! Glad you liked the shuffle groove.

J&B

Thanks y'all! It's great to hear from you and we much appreciate your support and kind remarks.

J&B



Thank you and it is nice of you to mention that it brought back memories. We are glad you enjoyed it!

J&B

WOW! That is stunning. I had absolutely no idea this was a public domain song. You did such a great interpretation of it. This deserves some radio AirPlay.

Thanks Rob! It so cool that you learned guitar with this song. I hope the absence of arpeggios didn't bother you! We appreciate you listening and are very happy you like the arrangement.

J&B

So enjoyable! loved it from beginning to the end.

Kenny

Thanks Lawrence!

J&B



Noel, your comments and support have meant so much to us over the years. Your songwriting and productions have been an inspiration to us on this musical journey. Thank you!!

J&B

Hi, everyone involved !

This is absoultely
outstanding !

Cheers
Dani

Thanks Bob. We looked at song a while back. It'd take an extensive re-write to tell from a female perspective but we've done that before. Gonna revisit it!

J&B





Thanks Rob. If it took you to NO then mission accomplished!

J&B

unique and well done!

Your support of our productions began with our appearance here four years ago. It offered us validation of our efforts then and encouraged us to continue at a time when we weren't sure if we were on a good path. Since then comments like the above have been central to our exploration of new (to us) genres and they have hugely improved our productions. So thanks for this wonderful review AND for the years of encouragement.

J&B

Thanks! It was a fun project and it's cool that you like the interpretation.

J&B




We appreciate that Kenny!

J&B



Thanks Dani!

J&B

Thank you!

Janice

Janice and Bud, this is a great version! Well sung! Nice mix! Well balanced!

I did a version of this with a couple of folks recently, but we didn't use BIAB on it at all, so I haven't posted it here.

Your version is quite good! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you very much! If you have your version on the net pm us a link. We'd enjoy hearing it. We listened to a lot of them when we were researching the history of the tune.

J&B

PM sent!

Very nice version of this song. Beautiful vocals and great arrangement.

Thank you very much for mentioning the vocal and the arrangement. We appreciate it.

J&B

Thanks to PG Radio, I've become a Janice and Bud fan!

Really like the vocals on this song, perfect reverbs on your vocal tracks.

I get a Linda Ronstadt vibe on her vocals.


Good work on the productions of your stuff Bud.

Aside from this one, I really liked "Missed the Message", nice guitars.

"Trouble in Mind" was my other favorite.

Well we thank PG Radio also! You are very kind and to mention Linda Rondstat - that is overwhelming. I am a huge fan. And Missed The Message and Trouble are two of our favorites. Tom played terrific steel and guitar on Missed. Thanks so much.

Janice

Janice