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.
Last edited by rayc; 04/05/2410:01 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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
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.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
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!
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!
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?
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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!
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.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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.
Thanks Marty. This bassist is super happy to have translated the bass line across keys while holding the groove. Janice? OF COURSE!
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Welcome back Ray, and I'm glad you're feeling better. I really liked that line, "long term love fits like a glove, but deadens the touch." Very creative writing!
Brad
Thanks Brad, Could've been a country song eh?
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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.
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!
Thank you! It was a pleasure to join in on Ray’s production.
Janice
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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!
You are too kind but I much appreciate it!
Janice
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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.
Yes, unreleased tension, though the solo comes close, was the aim.
Thanks Ray for confirming that I understood the song. So the "brilliant" still applies
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.
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.
Tips on how to fall asleep in a living room chair: 1- Be old 2- Sit in a chair
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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.
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.
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
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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