Hard hitting lyrics delivered with powerful vocals and a great band. Thanks for digging this up - I`m going to look back in the forum for the other songs on this theme.
Robert
Thanks, Robert. I looked back and found many of them around page 87 (July 2015)... there were a bunch of them - most you can recognize by the title...
Originally Posted By: Marty Sorensen
Movinng, powerful singing.
Thanks, Marty.
Originally Posted By: RnAM
Floyd/Joanne,
Why wasn't this posted before ;-) a very melodic and poppy verse with a good powered up chorus. A very complete package! Good work as always.
This is masterfully delivered, and sends out a powerful and vastly important message at the same time.
Just so well done.
Appreciate you dropping in, Trev... thanks!
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Excellent! Powerful message delivered in a powerful way. Love the drums in this, did you add processing after the fact to get them to sound so good? Anyway, an excellent write, performance, and mix, on my third listen.
Thanks, Dave. The drums - part of it is the track itself - sometimes you find RDs that have a slightly different recorded sound/quality - the rest is the effects that I apply in Studio One - it is a preset call "S1 Drumgroup" - meant for a stereo drum track like this (as all RDs are) - I use it on almost every BIAB drum track - and seldom do anything else - just drop that preset on the track and let it be. The preset includes an EQ (fairly standard drum settings) and a Multiband Dynamics (compressor). It always help bring out the kick and snare. And, of course, I always mix the drums to be "noticeable" in a big way....
That is one punchy production -- vocally and instrumentally. One could not know what a rhino is and enjoy it!
We're always impressed with the number of guitar tracks that you work in so seamlessly...yeah, they aren't all there at the same time but still...
This one is stamped with all the fj hallmarks -- great vocal, RT choice, arrangement and production.
Thanks for the reminder of this senseless slaughter. It's overwhelming to realize that such a magnificent animal could be sacrificed for a $#%^&$ horn.
In the perfect world efforts like Joanne's project would go viral. Sigh.
J&B
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 are here on our website.
Very powerful sung and well written. As Rob & Anne-Marie said, A very melodic and poppy verse with a good powered up chorus. A very complete package! Good work as always. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
I really like the arrangement and mix well written and strong message nice performance, nice drive enjoyed it
Kenny
Thanks, Kenny...
Originally Posted By: Noel96
floyd and Joanne,
This is excellent, really excellent: great lyrics, great melody, great singing, superb arrangement and a real power-house of a mix. I can't believe that this has been sitting on some proverbial shelf somewhere! From every angle, this is 'quality'.
Good song, alas the Black Rhino seems also to be extinct in the wild now too, so too late mate. A re-write of it? Along the lines of I Shot the Sheriff, but ... ? As us humans are all guilty. F
Thanks for having a listen.
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Floyd Excellent production -a really strong lyric and a good tune and sung with conviction.
There are OBVIOUSLY many great things that can be said for this song. Many have already been said. Many have also said that many have already been said. So I'm going to focus on just a few.
Quote:
every year the number gets a little smaller every year bone pile a little taller
I love the contrast in this! It makes it SO powerful and grabs attention right away...of course strengthened by rhyme. Nice!
Quote:
poachers grow like a cancer
What an amazing line! Associating two horrible in such a powerful way. Wow...just..wow!
if not you and me, who will have the answer? will you turn away when you hear their cries?
Quote:
what we gonna tell our children what we gonna say we did that we let the rhino end or that we saved them for our kids stand up for the sake of your sons raise your voice for your daughters give them a future together we can stop the slaughter so tell me... what we gonna tell our children
You know how to tug heart strings my friend! The way you go about it is brilliant! Children/End Bringing kids/children into it THEN stating sons and daughters...with the rhyme of slaughter..just CRAZY great writing!
Quote:
raise your voice for your daughters
Literally raising your voice, a high point in the song with the lyric. Emotional man!
All delivered with a bold, strong feel to the chorus. To me this is a "call to action!" a bit of a "wake up call" without being offensive. It. Just. Makes. You. Think. The best way to change a person's thinking, is getting them to think!
Quote:
educate the world it's just a fairy tale no magic in the horn just a con man sale wasting your money won't cure a thing death of the beast is all it can bring
Perfectly said. Is this not the solution? Kill the market save the animal! Again, change the thinking.
FJ, I haven't been commenting on your songs, because it could really be a "copy and paste" set of comments. I do, however, ALWAYS listen. I just felt the need to comment on this one. I see it. I get it. Thank you for sharing this! People NEED to hear this song!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
That is one punchy production -- vocally and instrumentally. One could not know what a rhino is and enjoy it!
We're always impressed with the number of guitar tracks that you work in so seamlessly...yeah, they aren't all there at the same time but still...
This one is stamped with all the fj hallmarks -- great vocal, RT choice, arrangement and production.
Thanks for the reminder of this senseless slaughter. It's overwhelming to realize that such a magnificent animal could be sacrificed for a $#%^&$ horn.
In the perfect world efforts like Joanne's project would go viral. Sigh.
Very powerful sung and well written. As Rob & Anne-Marie said, A very melodic and poppy verse with a good powered up chorus. A very complete package! Good work as always. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
Shigeki Adachi - I am pleased that you enjoyed this. Thanks for listening...
After a few plays I did feel tho that the whole sound had too much treble, Vocals would have sounded better as would the drums bass etc.
If the whole mix had a better bass/treble mix.
Love to hear it again with the above sorted.
Oh listened on my krk ,then on my beyrdynamics 770pro.then akg k 240,lastly my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones.
Good stuff guys
P.s I do think a lot of songs are posted a bit too loud I managed volume at 2 on my amp and it was blowing away i.e. no headroom left, I put amp too about 4/5 for a cd, So never get the feel of the song as I cant hear the amp kicking in as too LOUD for headphones/speakers.
There are OBVIOUSLY many great things that can be said for this song. Many have already been said. Many have also said that many have already been said. So I'm going to focus on just a few.
Quote:
every year the number gets a little smaller every year bone pile a little taller
I love the contrast in this! It makes it SO powerful and grabs attention right away...of course strengthened by rhyme. Nice!
Quote:
poachers grow like a cancer
What an amazing line! Associating two horrible in such a powerful way. Wow...just..wow!
if not you and me, who will have the answer? will you turn away when you hear their cries?
Quote:
what we gonna tell our children what we gonna say we did that we let the rhino end or that we saved them for our kids stand up for the sake of your sons raise your voice for your daughters give them a future together we can stop the slaughter so tell me... what we gonna tell our children
You know how to tug heart strings my friend! The way you go about it is brilliant! Children/End Bringing kids/children into it THEN stating sons and daughters...with the rhyme of slaughter..just CRAZY great writing!
Quote:
raise your voice for your daughters
Literally raising your voice, a high point in the song with the lyric. Emotional man!
All delivered with a bold, strong feel to the chorus. To me this is a "call to action!" a bit of a "wake up call" without being offensive. It. Just. Makes. You. Think. The best way to change a person's thinking, is getting them to think!
Quote:
educate the world it's just a fairy tale no magic in the horn just a con man sale wasting your money won't cure a thing death of the beast is all it can bring
Perfectly said. Is this not the solution? Kill the market save the animal! Again, change the thinking.
FJ, I haven't been commenting on your songs, because it could really be a "copy and paste" set of comments. I do, however, ALWAYS listen. I just felt the need to comment on this one. I see it. I get it. Thank you for sharing this! People NEED to hear this song!
Caaron - It is always nice to have the craft of the writing recognized by those who hold it most dear. You covered it all so nicely, I am happy to simply say Thanks! for such a nice review and "lyric dive"... it is, sincerely, appreciated...
After a few plays I did feel tho that the whole sound had too much treble, Vocals would have sounded better as would the drums bass etc.
If the whole mix had a better bass/treble mix.
Love to hear it again with the above sorted.
Oh listened on my krk ,then on my beyrdynamics 770pro.then akg k 240,lastly my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones.
Good stuff guys
P.s I do think a lot of songs are posted a bit too loud I managed volume at 2 on my amp and it was blowing away i.e. no headroom left, I put amp too about 4/5 for a cd, So never get the feel of the song as I cant hear the amp kicking in as too LOUD for headphones/speakers.
Food for thought
Regards
John - thanks for dropping in for a listen and thanks for your thoughts. I think you are right that it could use more bottom - I mixed this a couple of years ago when my focus was on other aspects of the soundscape, so I may have overlooked that aspect of it. Regarding loudness - I mix everything so that it matches the loudness of the CDs I listen to (generally on an iPod) and this sits along those nicely - so from my reference standpoint, I would not have a reason to mix lower...
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.