Yes, I know, I've been absent for a while AGAIN & yes, I was "Rookwood" AGAIN. But nothing horrifying and long term just what happened with some long term medications sometimes.

This one started life as a backing that I'd done in early January. I finished that aspect of it and left it alone waiting for inspiration.
Inspiration came later in the month & I had a set of lyrics.
I toiled & toiled to get a melody but wasn't very successful. It was clear the song needed a voice that didn't need a bucket.
I contacted Janice & Bud, as I do when in need, & left it with them.
After some listening and playing around with the SGU Janice found a key that best suited her and responded that she'd also done as I'd hoped and fixed the melody, timing & phrasing...it does take a singer to do those things.
I was super happy with the news and set about relearning the song in F rather than A. I learnt some new chords, reworked the bass line, regenerated the BIAB parts and bango...had a new backing for Janice to work with.
Janice & Bud were super quick with their side of things and the song was off to the M.E. who was very impressed with the vocal.
BIAB performs the acoustic solo, drums & organ.
Janice did the melody, vocal arrangements and vocals.
Bud tracked & treated Janice's work.
I did the bass, classical guitar, electric guitar as well as the midi based Melloton flutes. I wrote the midi parts with a midi editor and used the Redtron VSTi for the sounds. I had played them in "live" in the 1st recording but couldn't get my fingers around the key change.
Video incorporates BIAB Video tracks for drums & keyboard.
It's "DONE' but please, any suggestions, critiques etc. are just as valid so make them if you have them.
THANK YOU JANICE & BUD!
More details if required.

Ray, getting a YouTube playback error, will try again later...

Thanks Ron, 4th repost seems to have nailed it.

Ray, welcome back! Hope you continue to be in good health.

Wow, this sounds GREAT! Catchy tune, and LOVE the bass! Janice's gliding vocals are different from what I've heard her do, but sound FAB as well, as does Bud's vocal production. Overall, a dramatic development in the signature rayc sound. And "Bandhi Nahbox" is too clever by half. Ha!

First things first: I think the song is very, very well done, the arrangement (with some unusual instruments) works well, the mix is pretty good and Janice is, as always, the highlight of the song (actually, she's the highlight of _any_ song, but we all know that by now).

But I'm not sure I really get the song. You create a constant tension that you don't resolve and that makes the listener uneasy, and I think (if I understand it correctly) that the vocals are trying to do the same thing.
If that's your intention, then I'd say you've done brilliantly and it's a GREAT song
Kinda unsatisfying, though.

If not, I'm lost and need your help to figure it out

PS: good to see you back!

LOVE IT! Lyrics are so cool. Good call leaving it with J&B. Such an excellent mix and Janice's vocals are sensational. Love that harmony. So glad you're doing well, Ray. I really enjoy the progression and drive of this one. Super bassist too, and guitars support the structure well.

Welcome back Ray, and I'm glad you're feeling better. I really liked that line, "long term love fits like a glove, but deadends the touch." Very creative writing!

Brad

Thanks Ron,
the health issue isn't significant - just an unpleasant uncommon side effect that I, naturally, seem to experience.
YES, Janice isn't afraid of moving where the muse takes her. How lucky am I?

Thanks B.D.,
Yes, unreleased tension, though the solo comes close, was the aim.
The narrative is in two parts: the verses are the unexpressed or unfulfilled desires of an older person. Three snapshots of regret/loss/unaddressed need. The choruses address the way long term relationships amongst those who are elder are often shaped by habit and a more dominant personality. No release there.

Thanks Marty. This bassist is super happy to have translated the bass line across keys while holding the groove.
Janice? OF COURSE!

Thanks Brad,
Could've been a country song eh?

Hi, Ray.

Interesting tune - Ron mentioned "gliding", and I'm too lazy to figure out it's something chromatic or just sliding around with her voice. But it's very ear catching, which is good.

Nothing useful to suggest other: this doesn't sound like anything else, which is also good.

Thank you! It was a pleasure to join in on Ray’s production.

Janice

You are too kind but I much appreciate it!

Janice

Thanks Ray for confirming that I understood the song.
So the "brilliant" still applies

Hi RayC and the Team,

Splendid composition. I like listening to Janice sing in a different style. It's very airy and pleasant. The video is well produced and fits perfectly into the composition. Well done. I appreciated.

Jani

Ray, you are a multi-talented musician.
Janice is a fantastic singer.
So when I saw you two together I knew I was in for some outstanding ear candy.
And I was right.
Excellent song and mix.

It's good to have you back. You were noticeably absent.

Complex piece (at least it sounds so to this simpleton). All the parts work well together. I like the melody. I enjoyed this and listened a few times. Janice voice is the icing on this seven-layer cake.

Ray, Janice & Bud,

An absolutely great piece of music... Top, top shelf stuff.

Janice nails a stunning vocal once again.

Loved everything about this one. A great combination of talent.

Bob

Thanks a bunch, Marty. When I first read the lyric I wanted to be a part of this song as it reminded me of times that my sisters and I had questioned our Mama and our Granny about the “why” of events from the past and they’d reply, “well, honey, your Daddy (or Grandaddy) wanted to.” Ray’s chord structure and his band were the perfect accompaniment for the poignant lyric. I loved the light touch of the guitars and flute with the intensity of the drums and his bass is always perfecto.

Again, thanks Marty and a big thank you to Ray!

Janice

Ray
Nicely done. Quite an interesting song, well produced and written.
Janice as always sounds great and elevates any production.
A song that gets better with each play.

Peter

Thanks for mentioning my vocal!
And thanks to Ray for asking me to participate.

Janice

Cool opening. Great sounding drums.
Nice Bass. Organ, too...
Janice sounds great (of course). Sits in the mix Perfectly.
habits/rabbits. nice.
Such an Interesting melody. My ear has to chase it through the whole song. It is a pleasant experience.
Superb mix.

fj

Ray + Janice & Bud,
This is pretty complex and creative piece of music. A+ for composition. This was probably quite a tricky gig for Janice, but she pulled it off with grace. Stellar vocals! Cool blend of instruments and style fusion. Mellotron and classical guitar sounds fresh. Bass is excellent, but that is expected Two spins, super drive! Drums sound a bit on high side of EQ to my ears (I know it's DONE), otherwise mix sounds rich. Good one and thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Thank you Mario!

J&B

Hey All,

This is quite an outstanding production and I'm suitably impressed.
But even if I was buck naked and not wearing a suit I would still be impressed that's how good it is.
Lots of very clever musicianship and production went into this puppy, and it's a whole lot of fun from everyone involved.
It's obvious that a ton of effort went into this too but I'm telling you it paid off.
This is a real showstopper. Great job. Arty and psychedelic in appropriate measures.
But don't you dare show up at Eurovision to try and stop us though and claim the gold because we will declare war!!!

🤣

Thanks a bunch, Scott. Ray and I enjoy working together and this project was no exception.

And like you, Bud and I are happy to see Ray back! 😊
Janice

Thank you Bob!

Janice


Thanks Peter. That is most kind!

Janice

Hi Ray and Janice,

Ray, I saw in your posts and try outs how you struggled 'how to please' Judith.
I wrote some suggestions too. Although they were well-intentioned, there was a wink in my words. Therefore of course not serious for you.
I understand that well. I will not cry.

But glad you're back and Judith is wrapped in a nice, intriguing song, well sung by Janice (of course).
I had some thoughts about the melody. They were a bit like what Brain wrote in his post.
I also read your answer to him, so that counts for me to. No need to response on that.
I also liked the video. How did you do that part with that dwawn piano. Amazing!
For me, Judith can be pleased with this song. I am at least. And the lyrics were just very good!

Hans

Thank you Dave,
One of those songs that just happen along and then get boosted by the guest star.

Thanks Jani,
It's always a pleasure to listen to Janice but even more so to work with her and find that she brings a song to life.

You are too, too kind Mario.
Janice does wonderful thing with words.

I think the juxtaposition of rhythm section and melody make it seem more than it is. Thanks for your kind words.

Ta Bob,
Janice does do that.

Phanque Peter.

BIAB organ seems to be, along with drums, my go to element.
Thanks fj, I appreciate your words.

Thank you Misha,
Normally I paste in Mellotron sections but this time decided to go the midi editor route as I had some good samples/VSTis to work with.

Thanks David,
not enough of a dance beat for Eurovision I fear. Jancie, Bud & I would have to go by BJabbaR.

Hi Ray and Janice and Bud.

This is great listening. I loved the journey.

Janice, you have an amazing ability to own whatever genre you sing. You always sound 100% comfortable and fully committed to the lyrics, and you always take the listener on a wonderful musical ride. I greatly envy your ability. Bud's work with your vocals is seamless. The two of you together are truly a powerful musical duo.

Ray, just like everything you do, the song, its arrangement and production, and its presentation are outstanding. You've got my standing ovation!

All the very best,
--Noel

Thank you big brother and I appreciate the melody mention!

Janice

Thank you so much Misha.
It was quite the musical adventure!

Janice

Thank you Hans!

Janice

Thanks David!

Janice

Noel, it is great to hear from you and we much appreciate your generous comments on both the vocal and vocal production.
Thank you!

J&B

This is really good. Very different groove and tempo. Janice's vocal was perfect for the song. The song really grew on me as it went along. Really well done..

Thanks Hans,
the piano and drums are BIAB video tracks. They aren't exactly the same audio as used in the song but a little editing made them sycnh well enough.
Sadly the real Judith won't get a chance to hear the song.

You're very kind Noel,
You're spot on regarding Janice & Bud...individually fabulously talented and as a team - whoa Nelly!
As for my part: I knew it needed folk as talented as J&B to bring about he potential of the piece - asking & securing their participation is my greatest contribution to the song.

Thank you Scott.
The juxtaposition of groove & an, at that point unwritten, narrative provided the basis for this one.

Thank you Scott!

Janice