Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#854349 06/12/25 01:24 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Hi All,

I had the privilege to have a few brief encounters over the years with the great poet, educator and activist Nikki Giovanni. She passed away last December. If you're interested there are many videos on YouTube about her.

“Mothers” passage sung by Joliz going into the break, Copyright © 1972 by Nikki Giovanni.

So, this is our latest called Nikki.

I saw Nikki Giovanni outside the A train
She was reading a book by Baldwin and whispering the quotes
She had that Harlem quiet
The kind that makes you feel loud, even if you haven’t said a word all day
She looked up at me once
Like she already knew the next ten things I would say
And of course none of that mattered

She wrote poems like switchblades
And carved song verses on subway tiles
With truth tucked in the chorus
Love poems for the revolution and letters to the dead
All written in lipstick and ink
Some folks talk about hope
She talked about survival
Anyone knows there's a difference

“I see the moon
The moon sees me
God bless the moon
And god bless me”

I asked her once, I said Nikki, do you still believe in change
She half smiled and said, “Man, I believe in kids, I believe in rage,
I believe in writing it down so they don’t forget our names.”
“You either speak up or get buried under someone else's story.”
Then she walked into that bookstore on 125th like it was a church
In a way I guess it was a church

I ran into her much later at a reading downtown
Tiny room, bad mic, nobody listening but the ghosts
She read a line about her grandmother’s hands
The room went quiet like it finally remembered what hands are for
The words, not angry, not loud, but like a bullet that only hits the guilty
Truth is a loaded pistol

But Nikki
She’s in the cracks
She’s in the ink smudge
The subway echo
The line you wake up hearing but don’t remember writing
Nikki
She’s still walking this city
Just quiet enough to make the truth sound loud

BIAB Tracks:
2877: Bass, Acoustic, Americana 060
3394: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm 070
3160: Guitar, Baritone, Electric, Rhythm 060
0841: Guitar, Electric, Gritty, Rhythm 065
0688: Organ, B3, Background 065
2058: MIDI SuperTracks, Strings, Rhythm 085
RealDrums: AmericanaRoots16th
Other Notes:
Bob Mic: Logitech Blue Yeti
Bob Vocals: Logic Pro
Joliz Mic: Audio Technica AT2020USB+
Joliz Vocals: GarageBand
Waves Vocal Rider - All Vocals
Pre-Production: Track Editing GarageBand & Logic Pro
Izotope Nectar 3 Elements for Vocals
Izotope Plasma for Instrument Tracks Processing
Final Track Mix & Master: Logic Pro

As always - thanks for listening!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 550
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 550
Cool, Bob. I'm not familiar with this woman, but I love the introduction by tribute. The talky-singy approach really works especially with the accompanying vocal in the background and the chorus. I love "she looked up at me once
Like she already knew the next ten things I would say". You have such a way with conveying character with your lyrics.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Beth,

That’s very kind. Thanks from both of us.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,705
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,705
WOW, this is special. Subtle and powerful, ya'll crushed, absolutely crushed this. Amazing lyrics and musical backdrop. Was there a mandolin solo? I was too hypnotized to notice.

Only knew peripherally about Nikki, but a few minutes on the web pulled enough of her life together to warrant another WOW! A life well lived.

Last edited by DC Ron; 06/14/25 05:44 AM.

DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Ron,

Thanks so much for the kind words. We truly appreciate it.

I actually had a mandolin solo and different arrangement, but it didn't quite work for this song. I've since removed that reference from the notes.

Thanks again!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,454
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,454
Of course the my first listen after time away is Bob Dean's new one. Man, this is so cool with your spoken words with Joliz's magic behind them, then she shines through to punctuate them. Man, you two are one amazing creator of music.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,275
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,275
Bob, this is an outstanding song
A fantastic tribute to Nikki
Fantastic backing tracks
IMHO this is your best to date
Loved it


I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!


64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,466
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,466
WOW.

What a song. What. A. Song.

Her quotes, and the last two stanzas in particular ... oh wow.

Joliz soars.

You, Bob, are channeling someone like Dylan or someone.

This is EXTRAORDINARY, even by your incredible standards.

One of your very, very, very best. This should be everywhere, on every radio.

I don't know of Ms. Giovanni, but a) I want to hear more, now; and b) what a fitting homage to her.

I love how your voice, Bob, gathers urgency as the song continues. My word.

Hats off, both of you.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Marty,

Glad you are back and recovering! Thanks so much for the kind review. We appreciate it!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Mario,

That is very kind. Thank you - we appreciate it.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,975
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,975
What a cool tribute Bob. Incredible lyric and vocal delivery. Joliz harmony and vocal was such a lovely add. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,342
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,342
Fantastic tribute. Your lyrics are pure poetry. (Your English teachers must have loved you.) Very effective having Joliz sing her poem.

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839
Hi Bob.

This is absolutely brilliant. I love your narration against your musical backing, and Joliz really raises the listening bar into the stratosphere with those backing vocals. Your words are powerful and hit a home run. This song deserves lots of airplay everywhere. What really captured my imagination the most was when Joliz started sing the "God bless" section while you were narrating. Beginning this section as background vocals and then bringing it into the foreground was a very clever arranging decision. Both you and Joliz deserve to be very, very proud of this one. This is song-creation at its very, very best.

Once again, it was a pleasure to listen to you and Joliz.
--Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
James,

You made our day with that review. So incredibly kind. Thank you so much from both of us.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Oh. My. God.

Holy. Moly.

ZOWIE.

Wow.

JawDropping.



B.L.O.W.N....A.W.A.Y.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Scott,

That's very appreciated by both of us. Thank you.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,980
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,980
It stood up, the room went quiet & the urban homily began.
The voice stopped, the silence grew until organ swelled - oh, man.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Scott,

Thanks so much - we appreciate the kind words. Joliz had the idea to include that passage and timed it perfectly in the arrangement.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
rsdean Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,117
Noel,

Joliz had the idea to add that passage. It really made an impact on this piece.

We truly appreciate that wonderful review. It means a lot to us. Thank you.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,556
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,556
Bob, this is special. You are a poetic guy on any given day, but you really pushed through the heavens to create a masterpiece here. Congratulations on this terrific piece.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,383
Posts778,536
Members39,641
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
bokane65, Intelligent Crypto, dv.trpn, graceshova, Leo grant
39,640 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 151
DC Ron 113
WaoBand 109
rsdean 91
dcuny 80
Today's Birthdays
furlanetto31
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5