Love is a circus....

A blues song, though perhaps, not a typical one...
I got an extraordinary blues singer to sing this!!!

And a Band to match...
Style is _TBLZSLB.STY (TexBlz12-8 BrentGuitarSolo[60RS])
RealTracks in style: 1922:Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockSlow12-8 Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 1923:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBluesRockSlow12-8Brent Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 1924:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBluesRockSlow12-8Sol Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 1925:Guitar, Electric, Soloist TexasBluesRockSlow12-8Brent Sw 060
RealDrums in style: BluesRock128^6-a:Snare, HiHat Loose , b:Snare, Ride

vocal: Janice Merritt
harmonies: me


THE CON

love is just an illusion
house of mirrors, a million sides
prices might not seem so high
but add up after so many rides
mud when it rains, dust when it's dry
better look before you leap
the show tents are all in place
but the stakes don't go so deep
that's the con, it's the carnival way
you cannot win if you don't pay to play

no one walks away without losing
so you may as well try your hand
if you haven't the strength to reach the top
make concessions to make your stand
but what of your heart when the hurting starts
when it's packed up and moved away
did you ever see the sad debris
when the big top has ended its stay
that's the con, it's the carnival way
you cannot win if you don't pay to play

my heart is the brass ring
anyone can try
promise them anything
just to get them in to take the ride
if it seems like a dream
like you've been played, just somebody's pawn
try to remember
the clown's smile is painted on
that's the con, it's the carnival way
you cannot win if you don't pay to play


Thanks, Bud.. for engineering the vocal!
Thanks, Janice... for being so incredible. You are special.

Thanks PG Music. For everything!

Hope y'all enjoy this....
Have at it.

floyd

Not my favorite genre, but two of my favorite talents. Meatloaf made a career out of Two Out of Three so along with the absolute gorgeous vocals, excellent choice of RT's and a great mix by Floyd and Bud - It's a superb song.

I was struct immediately that this song style, Janice's vocal and production brought to mind a popular recording group here on the east coast. This song fits their female lead singer like a glove. A perfect match in my opinion. I am acquainted with her and her manager and while I can make no promise, I can certainly contact them to see if they will listen to an mp3 of this.

I won't make any attempt until you guys have approved but this group has been the top CBMA (Beach Awards Group) on the east coast at least the last two consecutive years and one many awards from CBMA. They get a lot of airplay on beach radio.

I love the analogy. Now I know without any doubt I'll get flack for saying this and people will line up to disagree with my opinion which is why I probably should keep it to myself.

Verse two sings best for this genre. Verse one and three lyrics sound forced for the singer in spots and could benefit from some smoothing out to make it a great traditional blues song as opposed to a good one. It's fine as it is and I love the analogy. I wouldn't bother facing the retaliation I'll get if I didn't think the overall write was a good one.

The arrangement and production are spot on and Janice is in her element.

Hi Floyd and Janice,

great blues. Janice's voice and your harmonies
are the usual high standard.
Unfortunately I don't understand the lyrics fully.
Enjoyable listen.

Guenter

I am a great fan of metaphorical writing and a great fan of FJ. Add to that I am a great fan of Janice's vocals and what could possibly be missing? NOTHING!! This is an extremely clever write-too many examples to mention, although I particularly got a kick out of concessions and stand being linked in that line. Vocal knocked it out of the park, and the arrangement (particularly the solo) felt custom-I was looking to see if it was Tommyad. Everything about this was done right!! Great work guys. Take care. Greg

Floyd, Janice and Bud, I listened earlier and was immediately struck with the concession and stand line. Leave it to Greg to get there first! Beautifully sung. I honestly don't know if anyone in the world could have done that any better. That is a voice to die for with a smile on your face. Very clever write and much different than any song in this genre. Also unique to this song is the harmony. Totally unexpected and very well done. Another superb collab. Backing instruments are right where they need to be. Nice reverb on the vocal! Expert mix. You know how much I love blues so you must know how much I love this. Tom

Very nice very nice.
A big fan of Janice's blues voice and FJ's writing and production.
Thought verse 2 worked the best. Cheers.

I love the vocal on this; the guitar is pure magic, and the harmony is pure; thanks for sharing!

Yep, all the best compliments were already made so I'm forced to listen and smilingly agree:)

'did you ever see the sad debris
when the big top has ended its stay'

The words paint a thousand pictures.

And good timing on the seasonal images, fairs are abundant this time of summer.

Impressive y'all. You just keep crankin' out all of these great songs, solo writes, collabs....

Take a bow.

"...that's the con, it's the carnival way
you cannot win if you don't pay to play."



That line is golden. Ditto what everyone said -

This will be the title song on the new boot..., er... unauthorized album - "fj and The Georgia Chanteuse!"


Regards,

Bob

Hi Floyd.

Well, I love the blues and I'm just about Janice's biggest fan, so what can I say?

Brilliant.

ROG.

hi guys increditable tune here great vocal great use of biab for sure sweet mix very talented and creative stuff thanks for sharing eric

Hi Floyd and Janice,

We cannot think of much to add to all these comments, all's been said already!
But wait... yes, we definitely like the metaphorical lyrics on this

Rob and Anne-Marie

A big thanks to everybody! When floyd sent me this I could hardly wait to get started on it. It's an imaginative twist on the blues and Bud and I both love metaphorical writes. Fun!!

Janice

You two, Janice and Floyd NEVER fail to enthrall me with your beautiful vocals, harmonies, production and song-writing. Gotta go now...as usual you have given me something to aspire to and motivated me to keep writing.

Charlie...thanks... I am currently out of town... And struggling a bit trying to type... Feel free to show this to whomever... Appreciate it.

Floyd,
I wouldn't know where to start - I've never thought myself a blues fan, but with Janice as the lead vocalist I can easily change my mind.
One of the more "cerebral" writes I've heard in a while. I think, for me, the reference to the Clown's painted on smile was a perfect concluding verse.
Another "10" from me.
btw - I should mention that Bud is one talented fellow, too...

Very well done! Every aspect is so in the pocket! Great sound!

Hi Floyd and Janice,

I love the blues and I know the blues and you guys could have walked on stage with any of the real blues players and been an instant hit.

By the time you had the first note of the five chord in the intro played the band would have known where you were going with this. And if there would have been a horn player he or she would have liked the fact it was in B flat. I assume you put it in that key for Janice.

The vocals are as good as it gets. By the time I got past the intro I had my guitar in my hand to play along. Doing this in 12/8 is the gold standard for most slow blues. In real life on stage with someone like Johnny Clyde Copeland or Albert Collins 12/8 time is very close to what they would have played. I call what they actually did "blues time"...not sure if it can even be written.

The lyrics to the song would have been well received and understood as they are today. Because there are a lot of words, there is not much space to place guitar fills in between the words or chase the voice as we say in the blues world. You did a pretty good job of not covering Janice voice, a cardinal sin in blues, well old school blues.

Not much I would have done differently, perhaps infer the triplets accent a bit more on rhythm guitar or on the Hi Hat.

Leaving out the 4 chord on the turn around is a cool departure from perhaps what could be considered standard. If you dig very deep into the blues you will find this progression somewhere. The blues is much more complex and hard to do well that many people assume..Great Job!!


This plays super well today and would have been a well received tune in 1950.

Keep playin dem blues cause wee's be likin it!!


Cheers,


Billy

hi Josie... Thanks for the review. I've listened a number of times with your comments in mind. I don't see it. Blues is, of course, very much an interpreters genre...and Janice sang this -phrasing-wise similar to the way I would do myself...with the exception of the "promise line"...but I don't have a problem with her choice...

If you would be interested, I'd be happy to send the track to you for you to do a version the way you hear it...would make for an interesting thread...

Thanks, Guenter... The lyrics are mostly comparing love to a carnival...there are carnival references throughout... I am typing on a phone, so it is difficult for me to fully explain at the moment... I may come back to this later...when I return home...

Very cleverly written. Solid production. Great arrangement. Vocals spot on. What else can I say? Love it. Almost missed this one. Glad I didn't!

Steve

Greg...thanks for such a nice review. Pleased that you picked up on "concession".... When i decided to turn this into a blues piece, Janice was the natural choice! I also considered having Tom do the lead, but he was on vacation... And the Brent solo had a Robert Cray feel that I thought worked perfectly...

Thank you Charlie. We've been out of town for nearly a week and I have't been able to thank folks. Thanks for commenting on my vocal! And Bud wanted me to mention that the mix "belongs" to "the man" floyd alone.

Janice



Thanks for the time to listen and the comments Josie. Maybe you are hearing this as more of a traditional blues song than I approached it as. I felt that structurally and of course lyrically it was more of an Americana style song with a bit of a blues flavor to it. BTW I hope you don't feel "retaliated!"

Janice



Thanks Guenter!

Janice



Thank you Tom! That means a lot for you to say that about the vocal. It was fun!

Janice

Hi FJ,

I feel like Nixon so "let me make myself perfectly clear" in what I meant by what I was saying since unfortunately you and maybe some others are reading things into my comments that I wasn't thinking when I wrote them.

"Verse two sings best for this genre" - I didn't say JANICE SINGS verse two best because I'm using "sings" as a songwriting term and talking about the lyrics melody flow NOT Janice's performance - "verse one and three lyrics sound forced for the singer in spots" - still talking about the lyrics and melody flow since it is an AAA structure song. "It's fine as it is and I love the analogy" - my suggestion was only for polish on an already good song. "The arrangement and production are spot on and Janice is in her element." - Should be obvious but if not it's a big compliment from me to both of you.

So I appreciate your generous offer but I don't see the point of me doing your song. if I did a version, I'd have to rewrite the lyrics, rewrite the melody and change the structure to a different genre - then it wouldn't be your song anymore. I was suggesting a little optional final polish on the song - not on Janice. Like I said, Janice is in her element. This genre is not mine by choice. She loves it. We're both musical fruit but apples and oranges as far as taste/style.

And I'm totally cool with you not seeing the need for any changes. As I said, the song is fine as it is. No ego trip here. I realize any suggestion I make is based on my opinion and by no means the end all.

I'll admit to you and everyone else that I am gun shy about making suggestions on here. I don't want what I'm trying to say to be misunderstood as in this case because I didn't type it out clearly enough. And I don't want to offend someone by saying the "wrong" thing to the "wrong" person.

As the producer of the Coca Cola Tru Value Hardware Country Showdown for a 100,000 FM station for three seasons, I was in charge of everything pertaining to the show including picking the talent and celebrity judges. And that level of stress was much easier than I find navigating music forum land.

Best to you,

I enjoyed the excellent vocals and especially these lines in the lyric.

Thanks!
Janice



Thank you for listening and mentioning the vocal.

Janice




Thanks. I still can't get over being asked to sing such an incredible lyric.




Bob, fj has a lot of gold in that write for sure!

Bud and the Chanteuse

I listened and ... slow blues are not my favorite genre.... with a few (very few) notable exceptions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tUHmHaa2Mg


The production on your tune is top quality as always and a good job on the vocals as well.

Thanks! I really appreciate that and the chance to sing this amazing song.



Thank you Eric!

Janice

Its not often that someone hears such a great original and professionally finished song, but that is indeed what we have here.

Absolutely great vocal lyrics and totally professional production.

I'm sure that this song could go a lot further than this forum.

Well done to everyone involved.
Musiclover

Sounds super.

I was visiting my sister last week, and happened to be listening to this on a Chromebook. She was impressed, and wanted to know who I was listening to. It says something about the mix when it translates that well over tinny-sounding speakers.

That's a bunch of nice things to say, Tom. Thanks! If I can get a thumbs up from you for the "closest thing to blues" I've ever done, then it can't be all bad... of course, having Janice to sing it makes it pretty darn easy...



Thanks, Richard...




Appreciate that, Robert...



Thanks, Scott...

Mmmm, that Janice lady can sure sing a little, well maybe a lot. She has a wonderful technique and voice, Bud knows how to make her shine and floyd sure knows how to write blues and do harmonies.

What's not to like? This has everything

Alyn

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

Man I enjoyed this, cleverly written, Janice I'm a big fan of your vocals, love that Texas blues groove, good job Bud, Floyd as always really enjoy and admire what you do.

Kenny

Thanks...Bud and I only wish we could write like this!

Janice



That is so nice of you to say that Joanne!

Janice



Thank you! If I've lead you to the blues even briefly that makes me happy. Bud and I have listened to blues for decades. And Bud said an extra big thanks for mentioning him. But he insisted that I say that this prodcution was all the man, mr jane!

Janice

Thanks, Bob! If you make enough to buy a day's bait, then my job is complete.



We thank you, ROG...



Eric - thanks for stopping by...


Thanks, guys...

Amazing vocal! Great blues tune, could be listening to a great bar band, sipping a cold one. You use BiaB to create a very convincing backing for the song, so well done!

-MWG

Sorry I'm late to the party on this one, but I really dig it. The tempo and phrasing worked particularly well for me. Also, really impressed with the guitar solo and fills throughout - I was convinced it wasn't an RT.

-Jeff

Thanks for the listen, Joanne...



Curt - a big thank you from all of us! It's fairly satisfying that different people have mentioned different lines in the song (as opposed to everyone picking the same one...)



Appreciate it, Lawrence...

Thanks Lawrence!

Janice



I much appreciate your comment about my vocal, Billy. Bud and I love the blues and particularly the 12-8/shuffle variety. I felt like a very lucky girl when floyd asked me to sing this!

Janice

F**k me, that's one HELLUVA FANTASTIC BLUES!

And this from one who (unlike apparently surprisingly few on here) actually LOVES SLOW BLUES!!

Billy - we LOVE this review! Thanks so much... of course, it's really BIAB that is the backbone of this... the cake. Janice was the icing...



Appreciate you dropping by, Steve! Always good to see you around...



That about covers it.




Thanks, Patrick... always appreciate your support..

Thanks for the listen, Herb. Always disliked that Zeppelin song...self-indulgent always comes to mind..



Musiclover - What very nice things to say... I still get a kick out of hearing Janice sing this..

Almost missed this one. A masterful piece by two masters. My hat off to you both.

Mike B.

Can't add much to the reviews - lovely vocals - well written professional sound. A real standout.

Thanks, David. I generally check the mixes on the things that people will listen on - computer speakers and iPod earbuds... My monitors seem to produce a sound that translate well to those... (and tell your sister we said "thanks"..)






The girl can sing! can't she?... Thanks for the listen Alyn... hope you are well...




Tommy - that is always my favorite review... (good to see ya!)




Thanks, Kenny...



Appreciate that, Michael. Janice could sing a tax bill and make it sound good...

I appreciate y'all mentioning my vocal!
Janice

Thanks for the listen, Jeff....



We appreciate that...



Mike - thanks for having a go at this one...



Peter - Thank you... I tried to listen to your new one - but Soundcloud won't play for me today...I'll try to catch it later...


Which might be a while - I'm in Nashville all next week (and weekend)..


JANICE - THANK YOU FOR SUCH A TERRIFIC VOCAL!!!
this one had a good run, eh?

Thanks Herb! I hope you also throw in T-Bone Walker, BB, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Gregg Allman, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray and many others into that exception pile!

J&B

Thanks guys. I appreciate that and floyd certainly did a great production with this!

Thanks Alyn. Floyd sure made this one inviting with that great lyric!
Janice


Thank you Kenny. I really appreciate you saying that!
Janice

Thanks a bunch. That is a nice atmosphere you described!



Thanks Jeff. floyd did a wonderful job with the arrangement and RT's.





Thank you!!



Thank you Mike!



Thanks Peter!


Janice