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Just Say The Word Ray sent the lyric, melody suggestions and demos in several genres for Janice to select from. She chose the jazz version to the dismay of Ray and Bud  each of whom had not worked with jazz productions … and via a deft move on Ray’s behalf Bud ended up with the mix  Thanks to our music partner Peter for joining in on guitar and helping on the trumpet bits. Comments are welcomed and we hope that you might find it of interest. Thanks for your time! And as always thanks to PG Music for making it all possible. Janice: lead / harmony / call back vocals, melody and vocal arrangement Ray: lyric, progression, melody, mix counsel and arrangement Peter: guitar solo / fills, trumpet arrangement and mix counsel Bud: mix, mastering and photo Lyrics on SoundCloud. Vocals: Rodes NT1 > Scarlett 212 interface > Izotope Nectar Bass: RealTrack 1394 Acoustic, Jazz Sw > Waves Bass Rider > Izotope Neutron 3 “In twos” and walking style comped from several RT regenerations. Drums: RealDrums JazzSwingDannyBrushes > Waves CLA Drums Piano: RealTrack 2192 Acoustic, Rhythm EZListening Sw > Waves CLA Unplugged > Izotope Ozone Imager Guitar rhythm: RealTrack 1984 Acoustic, Rhythm EZListening Sw 085 > Waves CLA Unplugged Trumpet: RealTrack 494 Jazz Ballad Sw 085 > Logic Pro X Reverb (Pitch editing and note stretching to enhance segues) Logic Pro X: mix and mastering Mastering chain: Ozone Dynamic EQ > Ozone Imager > Ozone Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance 2 > Logic Pro X Loudness Meter
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
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Thanks Bud, Janice's excellent melody, stunning vocal and swing added to Peter's deft guitar and your excellent listening, selections and mixing, (not to mention problem solving), make this a silk purse.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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I was looking for a good translation of the word "laid back" a couple of weeks ago. And I thought it was a nice idea to go old school and pick up one of the old dictionaries in our cupboard. Guess what? It said: "Just say the word" by J&B  Another job done extremely well. I like the clean jazz solo Peter! Rob
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Thanks Bud, Janice's excellent melody, stunning vocal and swing added to Peter's deft guitar and your excellent listening, selections and mixing, (not to mention problem solving), make this a silk purse. Thanks Ray, that is all genuinely appreciated and I gotta say that your lyric immediately drew Janice in and I knew quickly she wanted to do this version. So thank you! Bud
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
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I was looking for a good translation of the word "laid back" a couple of weeks ago. And I thought it was a nice idea to go old school and pick up one of the old dictionaries in our cupboard. Guess what? It said: "Just say the word" by J&B Another job done extremely well. I like the clean jazz solo Peter! Rob Thank you Rob. We liked that solo also! 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
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What a great collaboration. Janice, what a wonderful interpretation of those crafty lyrics Ray sent. The melody is really cool over those changes, and the harmony is in the Goldilocks realm of Just Right. Peter, for my ears the drummer defines the feel, but the guitar is the magic that makes it all work, and you never fail in that regard. I really like the use of the trumpet in this, too. Bud, your mastery of the mixing is second to none.
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Hello Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter
Great song in every way
Although this is not my music,
I am really impressed
Congratulations to ALL !!!
The artwork has become excellent
Many greetings
Andi ;-)
Last edited by PROJECT M; 05/13/22 05:51 AM.
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What a great collaboration. Janice, what a wonderful interpretation of those crafty lyrics Ray sent. The melody is really cool over those changes, and the harmony is in the Goldilocks realm of Just Right. Peter, for my ears the drummer defines the feel, but the guitar is the magic that makes it all work, and you never fail in that regard. I really like the use of the trumpet in this, too. Bud, your mastery of the mixing is second to none. That is all very generous of you Marty and most kind to us Jazz neophytes. Nothing like steppin’ off the proverbial cliff on occasion. Thank you! 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
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Interesting listen - it had the general outlines of a pop song format, but... I'm not sure "chromatic" is the word I'm looking for, but there are some interesting zigs instead of zags with both the chords and the melodic line. Janice's languid delivery is perfect as always, as is the harmonies. And a clean mix, as expected. Cool!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Hello Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter
Great song in every way
Although this is not my music,
I am really impressed
Congratulations to ALL !!!
The artwork has become excellent
Many greetings
Andi ;-) Thank you Andi! 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
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Journeyman
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Hi, very impressive presentation. nice photograph as a start and a perfect vocal with nice harmonies. Laid-back came to my mind, but I wasn't the only one with that feeling. I liked the arrangement and the mix. I started to listen on my tablet but this nice collaboration deserved mij home hifi.
Rob de Klerk, Dutch singer-songwriter https://www.robdeklerk.nlBiab 2023, Cakewalk, N.I. Komplete 14, Win 10,64, Ozone 9 elements suite, Presonus studio 24c
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This was an excellent collaboration.
The lyrics, playing, backing-tracks, and especially the vocals... all top shelf. Very impressive.
Bandcamp Win-11; BiaB-2026 Audiophile (latest version)
Cakewalk Sonar; Melodyne-5; Scaler 3; NI Komplete:
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
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Loved this tune. Super vocal Janice. Perfect for the genre. Excellent lyric and melody Ray. Trumpet was a cool add. Excellent guitar work Peter. Perfect production, mix and master Bud. Well done
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Interesting listen - it had the general outlines of a pop song format, but... I'm not sure "chromatic" is the word I'm looking for, but there are some interesting zigs instead of zags with both the chords and the melodic line. Janice's languid delivery is perfect as always, as is the harmonies. And a clean mix, as expected. Cool! Well we hope zigs are as good as zags! Every aspect of this venture into jazz world has been interesting and we are glad you thought it was cool … which is a positive word indeed to apply to a jazz tune. Thanks, 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
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J&B, Ray, Peter,
Very unusual tune. I listened to it on several occasions to fully appreciate it. While it is free flowing, I can only imagine how much effort it took to reach from point A to Soundcloud. Almost experimental. Some music is just good music, this one is different. It makes you think in a different direction. You all should be proud of this. Excellent collaboration + teamwork! Enjoyed it and thank you for sharing.
Misha.
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WOW!!! The harmonies!!! This song is wonderful from so many perspectives, but the harmonies take it really over the top.
Ray, Peter and Bud ... congratulations in all of your respective "backstage work". It is so professionally done, there's no "chink in the armour". A special nod to Ray, for the lyrics, to Bud for the mix and to Peter - for the guitar, but also for the fun, trumpet moments. As for Janice, what a stellar performance ... stellar even by her usual high standard. It's a joy to listen to a voice with such an elegant tone, at its effortless best.
Congratulations, all ... pat yourselves on the back, you've done it again.
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Hi, very impressive presentation. nice photograph as a start and a perfect vocal with nice harmonies. Laid-back came to my mind, but I wasn't the only one with that feeling. I liked the arrangement and the mix. I started to listen on my tablet but this nice collaboration deserved mij home hifi.
We’re glad it worked for you and that it made the home system! And big thanks for mentioning the vocals and the photo. 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
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Hi Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter, The list of names of participants is growing to interesting proportions! But they did their utmost to please Janice and you can hear that by the way she sings like a lark, with a whole bunch of nightingales for the harmonies! And on what lyrics, not only huge in length but also in content! Ray, you did a wonderful thing on that! Now I understand why you quit talking to me last week...  It's a very nice, but also difficult song on certain parts. And the song itself has a very nice melody, sometimes not Jazzy at all and even a bit joyful, although the lyrics are the opposite. I just say... Hans
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This is so crystal. What a fine job on the mix.
Good work from everyone on this. As always nice vox and harmonies.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Ray, Janice, Bud, Peter...
A truly unique song and sound. Cool collaboration.
There were a number of Randy-Newman-isms - the piano/horn mix, the unpredictable melody...
An arrangement/production that really perks up the ears.
Cool vocals. (needless to say)
Excellent mix.
Good work by all!!
Will be back to listen again.
fj
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