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The Rising Sun Blues

(For SoundCloud problems an alternative link is provided at the bottom of the page)

This public domain tune with it’s melody dating back to British 1700's tavern songs and a lyric suggesting a “house of ill repute” has been, in our opinion, too often presented from the male perspective (as started by the Animals in 1964) and/or simply as a pretty folk song. Janice and I attempted, after a lot of lyric research, to re-create (via writing several new verses) what in our opinion was likely the original intention, i.e, the story of a young prostitute. Keeping with the New Orleans setting we arranged and recorded the song with a “jump blues” feel fitting the location. We feel this song has long begged for a more bluesy gritty interpretation and I hope we did it justice.

BTW, here’s a great article on the song’s history including a link to a book written about chasing the song’s origins.
A Brief History of House Of The Rising Sun

EDITED: Additional info regarding the 1700's British origins of the melody:
Notes On House Of The Rising Sun

Some might feel that the piano and/or the sax are too prominent through the song but we were looking for, as mentioned, the 30’s-40’s jump blues sound and those groups tended to play in this manner. Perhaps a better description would be that of a somewhat bawdy sound -- as might have been played in a “house" of that time.

Janice: vocal via Rodes NT1 mic and BlueIcicle USB interface
Bass: 2425 Rockabilly
guitar R: 2436 New Orleans Shuffle
Drums: BluesRockShuffle
Piano R: 2437 New Orleans Shuffle
Piano L: 2123 Country Shuffle (comped from several regens for turnarounds and fills)
Sax: 2134 Blues Shuffle
Bud: production stuff via Logic Pro X and Izotope plug-ins
Photograph: E. J. Bellocq, 1912, New orleans Prostitute, Public Domain.

Thanks to floyd jane, Tommyad, and gruverider for diplomatically steering me away from my original intro and to floyd for suggesting an a cappella approach. As Bob Dylan said “it seemed like a good idea at the time” smile

The Rising Sun Blues
Trad. Arr. © 2016 Janice and Bud Merritt

there is a house in New Orleans

they call the Rising Sun
it's been the ruin of many a poor girl

and me, oh God, I'm one

i could have a good man and family
if I hadn’t fallen into a life of sin
and now I'm working at the house
Just trying to please all them men

mama works all day at the mill

she sews those new blue jeans

and my daddy was a gambler, Lord

he lost his life down in New Orleans

somebody, go tell my baby sister

tell her not to do what I done
stay away from that house

the one they call the Rising Sun

I ain't gonna leave New Orleans

my race is almost run

yeah, I gave up all my young life

beneath, beneath, the rising sun

yeah, I gave up all my young life

beneath, beneath, the rising sun

Alternate Link To Play Song

www.janiceandbud.com

Last edited by Janice & Bud; 01/27/16 05:27 AM.

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Janice & Bud
Superb rendition. Clever take on the lyrics and the backing perfectly compliments the great vocal.
Sax sounds great. A thoroughly professional sound.

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I love this song. You guys did an awesome version. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
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Enjoyed that! Very together.
Love Janice's blues voice as usual.
I think the sax could be up a bit more during the vocals.
Is that the baritone sax in there also? Cheers.

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Originally Posted By: PeterF
Janice & Bud
Superb rendition. Clever take on the lyrics and the backing perfectly compliments the great vocal.
Sax sounds great. A thoroughly professional sound.


Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. Glad the lyric and vocal worked for you. It was fun trying to take it to a new place and comments like this make us feel it was worth the effort.

J&B


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Janice & Bud,

This is outstanding! Love the vocal and a very cool twist on the lyrics - just great stuff. This version would sound so cool in a live venue.

Bob

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Very cool version. I like what you did with the lyrics.

I do believe I have heard a female perspective on this somewhere in the past. But your version with the new writing is top hat all the way.


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Originally Posted By: Scottt709
I love this song. You guys did an awesome version. Well done


Thank you very much Scott. We appreciate both the listen and the kind comment.


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Janice and Bud,

The Animals version is one of the songs that helped define the course of my music from the moment I first heard it but THIS version stands there proudly hand in hand with that.

Wonderful vocals by Janice and the arrangement compliments her voice so well.

Good mix Bud!!!

As Bob (rsdean) said this would sound incredible live.

excellent

Alyn

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Hi there J&B.

Like Alyn, I grew up listening to and playing the Animals version and never realised the history of the song. I followed the link and read the whole fascinating article - many thanks for that.

Once I got my head round the change in timing, I really found myself absorbed in your new and fresh version. Everything is beautifully put together and of course, the icing on the cake, a super vocal from Janice.

Going back to listen again.

Cheers, ROG.

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Stunning version. Stunning mix, arrangement, production and performance. Stellar on every level.


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Hi Janice & Bud,
Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
Stunning version. Stunning mix, arrangement, production and performance. Stellar on every level.

This was the first song I played with my first
"Beat" band. This evokes some distant memories. Thanks a lot for the background story.
I enjoyed your version a lot.

Guenter

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Originally Posted By: RichMac
Enjoyed that! Very together.
Love Janice's blues voice as usual.
I think the sax could be up a bit more during the vocals.
Is that the baritone sax in there also? Cheers.


Thanks. Glad you liked it. Yes that is the same sax. It's a solo-accompaniment track and I comped it for fills, a turn around and vocal backing. I had it up a bit more with the vocals but was beginning to compete a bit. Maybe I could split the difference!

J&B

Originally Posted By: rsdean
Janice & Bud,

This is outstanding! Love the vocal and a very cool twist on the lyrics - just great stuff. This version would sound so cool in a live venue.

Bob


Thanks Bob. We are always aiming for a live feel. We appreciate the comments!

J&B


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Quote:
Janice and I attempted, after a lot of lyric research, to re-create (via writing several new verses) what in our opinion was likely the original intention, i.e, the story of a young prostitute. Keeping with the New Orleans setting we arranged and recorded the song with a “jump blues” feel fitting the location. We feel this song has long begged for a more bluesy gritty interpretation and I hope we did it justice.


I love this! It sounds just as I imagine an old Nawlins' brothel would have sounded when the song was originally written.

In every respect, I'd say y'all NAILED IT!



Last edited by Sundance; 01/27/16 03:19 PM.
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Hey guys I think most of us grew up with the House but since hearing your version I have already forgotten The Animals...now Janice and Bud are the new classic. Stellar job and I love the female side of the story that you guys gave us. Everything that you did to create this song was brilliant. Loved it!
Sonny

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B&J, This has that truly authentic sound. The bass was an excellent choice - pairs up perfectly with the drums to find that infectious groove. Great Mix and editing. I have heard many versions over the years including of course The Animals. This is now my very FAVORITE version. A Classic. And Oh that VOICE! WOW! Tom

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Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Very cool version. I like what you did with the lyrics.

I do believe I have heard a female perspective on this somewhere in the past. But your version with the new writing is top hat all the way.


Thanks Herb. There are some female versions that we ran across. Interestingly some of them use the Animals lyrics so I guess that they're just sung by ladies but not a lady's perspective. I simply grew weary of listening to different versions as there are literally hundreds.

And thanks for mentioning the re-write.

J&B


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Wonderful twist on and old classic!!! Great arrangement. Vocal is kick-axx (kept it clean). The track is fresh, energetic and just sounds great. Very clever "re-write" (I love what you guys added). I remember hearing on the radio that Dylan used to perform this but after the Animals did it, he basically said "can't match that" and gave it up. This is one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar by ear-just realizing at that time that I could play by ear. AWESOME!!! Take care. Greg

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I like a lot the way you arranged this great song.

It comes great in shuffle style. Very energic in some points.

Great voice as usual.

Sergio



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Hey You Two ...

What is left to say after saying "Super-Duper Fabulous!"? Actually, I (Alan) was somewhat familiar with the history of the song. I took a music appreciation class in college and this song was one that was dissected to show how the evolution of music tends to follow the evolution of society.

GREAT version! That driving, walking 4/4 bass and sultry sax were perfect! And what's left to say about Janice's vocals? Susan Tedeschi would be envious!

Great job with the lyrics, as well. What a great listen! Standing & applauding ...

Alan & Di


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