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I just saw this... and had a listen. (or two or twenty....)
I really like this. Yup....lots of good comments that cover it so well.... excellent writing skills. Yup, like someone else said.... if I was to quote the good lines, I'd have to copy the entire song. Such insightful observations on the relationship between two people and put into words perfectly.
Of course Janice translates it to song so very well.
Excellent job on this to the both of you.
Nits and other things that are more personal taste than crits:
I wasn't as big of a fan of the backing tracks as I was the song itself and the vocals. ( a simple matter of personal taste vs any other legitimate reason) They were good and worked fairly well, as they had a superb song... a classic example of how the tracks don't really matter as much when the song is stellar. Don't get me wrong...I know you spent a lot of time on this and the work is good.
IMHO,
An acoustic piano would have been my choice for keys.
The cello may have been a fine sounding sample, but it was probably used a bit too much. Toward the end I was hating on that cello because it really started to sound like a cheesy synth.
Drums.... there were a number of places I thought.... shut those drums off, heck why are there even drums in this part? ..... this is the kind of song where, if the tracks are done right.... no drums would be needed at all. The drums in fact gave a certain "plodding along" feel to this otherwise stellar song.
A nice turn around towards the end, moving into a full blown, but appropriate band with electric guitars, B3, steel, would have been interesting for the final choruses as another possible option.
The fade didn't work for me, and fades rarely do. A nice slow down ending to a held chord would have been the perfect ending.
Length.... I know I'll catch some grief on this, but I'm never one to hesitate to step into it..... 5 minutes is a bit too long. Lose a minute in there somewhere. 4 minutes or less is the perfect length for a song like this. You have to ask yourself....What can be cut out that doesn't affect the song in any major way? Me? I'd cut the bridge and everything that follows it. Simply go back and tag the last line.... "Let's try sincerity" twice.... to a 4 note slow down held chord ending. Puts you under 4 minutes, and man...I think that would be an easy, easy song to place in a movie with that arrangement. Of course, if you have no intent to try to place the song, it's perfect at 5+ minutes.
But Greg.... man, all the nits and personal opinions aside..... I am constantly being blown away by the caliber of your writing skills..... every time I hear one of your songs, I think... man that's going to be a hard one for him to top..... then you come out with the next one and I'm blown away all over again. Any number of your songs could easily be the theme song to a movie.... or at the very least, be placed in a very prominent scene.
Superbly done.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/13/16 03:45 AM.
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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Greg and Janice...
This is exquisite. In SO many ways.
The writing here is top-tier. I'll say the same thing you said to me recently - if I were to quote the good stuff, I would copy the entire thing. No lie. Every line in this song is the type I hear and say "I wish I had written that". Cannot hear a song like this and not think "Diane Warren"... The words alone would be enough - but the melody is every bit a match for them... This is real songwriting talent.
The production is your best ever, I think. Just what the song needs. Presenting the song and the singer, never getting in the way - perfectly supportive.
Janice - everything you do is praise-worthy... this might be the best ever. I can't imagine ANYONE singing this better. It's just...so...right!
You both have out-done yourselves.
Truly stunning.
In a just world Janice would be a star. Greg would be a famous singer-songwriter. (And they would both still call me a friend...)
floyd
(it is nice of Greg to thank me - so very nicely - but make no mistake - this is all about Greg's song and production and Janice's beautiful vocal - I just lend an ear now and again.) I am humbled and overwhelmed by your comments. You have played a huge role in encouraging me over the last few years to try new vocal ventures and I'm very grateful for that. Bud will tell you that reading this put a big smile on my face. Thank you!! Janice Outstanding song.Great words. Well sung as always Janice.
Rob Thanks Rob for listening and commenting! Janice
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Thanks R and AM! You may be right about the balance of volumes. I was so thrilled with Janice's vocal, I wanted to hear every detail! Take care. Greg
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Thanks so much for the kind words David! You'v been posting some great stuff lately! Take care. Greg
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Greg / Janice / Floyd,
This is an absolutely stunning piece - outstanding performance by Janice. Great work all!
Bob Thank you Bob! Janice Top notch in every way! Writing, music, performance, mix.
Wonderfully done!
Hats off to everyone involved. Thanks! Janice Greg, Janice, Bud and Floyd, Top notch song! Super vocals from Janice. One very very very very small  nit, the music, which is very beautiful, might have been a tiny bit louder. Rob and Anne-Marie Thanks y'all! Janice Beautiful song, great lyrics and awesome vocals!! Thank you David! JAnice Hello, Greg, Janice & Bud and floyd
Very beautiful song and very beautiful vocal.
It reminds me “A Song for You” of Leon Russell sung by Karen Carpenter.
Deeply impressed to my heart.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Best Regards.
Shigeki Adachi Thank you! I will listen to that song It was very kind of you to say that. Janice Only one thing to say on this one WOW! Thanks! Excellent song, arrangement, and performance!!! I tip my hat to Greg, Janice, Floyd, et al. I like the cello part--simple but effective. Thank you and everybody that commented. I deeply 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Wow! One the best songs I heard in the last time (including songs from the hit)
So great work guys. Greg the music is beautiful and Janice the voice is beautiful
Sergio
Sergio
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Absolutely fantastic! Her vocals are perfect! Adele like (I hope she takes no offense) LOL!
What a beautiful tune! Great stuff!
Mike, I am HUGELY flattered to be even mentioned in the same post as Adele. That is so nice of you. Janice Beautiful song Greg. Awesome vocal Janice and excellent production vocal. Thank you Scott. I do appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment. Hi, Greg, Bud & Janice & Floyd !
With my limited vocabulary
I can´t find such superlatives
that this masterpiece would
require ! This is just great
in every way ! It is my
Gregfav from now on !
Congrats to everyone involved
the end result is a masterpiece
a rare jewel for us to cherish !
Cheers
Dani W
Dani, thank you so much. Greg invited me in on a real treasure that he wrote!! Janice Greg, Janice, Bud and Floyd,
An absolutely gorgeous sounding song, well written,performed, and produced. Thanks!!! Janice
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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WOW INCREDIBLE SONG!!!!! Janice, What a Voice! You could sing the newspaper and make me smile!!!!!!!
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Thanks Shigecki! Never heard "A song for you". I'll have to check it out. You're posting some great stuff! Take care. Greg
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THanks Joanne! Your kind words are much appreciated! Take care. Greg
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Thanks for the nice comments Fred! I really love cello. This is a beautifully sampled virtual instrument. I just have not spent enough time yet to get the best out of it. Really enjoying your 52 song project! Take care. Greg
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THanks Mike! Yes, Janice did pretty much nail it!! Take care. Greg
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THanks Scott! Really appreciate your very kind words! Take care. Greg
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Thanks so much Dani! Glad to see you back as an active participant on the forum!! Take care. Greg
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Thanks dga! Your very kind comments are very much appreciated! Take care. Greg
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Greg, a great write.
Janice, fantastic and beautiful vocals. Wow ! What a crystal-clear sound of a beautiful song and and such a great vocal ! Great all the way Greg and team ! Thank y'all! It was a lot of fun and what song to be handed to sing by Greg. It was like singing an Eagles song. Janice
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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I just saw this... and had a listen. (or two or twenty....)
I really like this. Yup....lots of good comments that cover it so well.... excellent writing skills. Yup, like someone else said.... if I was to quote the good lines, I'd have to copy the entire song. Such insightful observations on the relationship between two people and put into words perfectly.
Of course Janice translates it to song so very well.
Excellent job on this to the both of you.
Nits and other things that are more personal taste than crits:
I wasn't as big of a fan of the backing tracks as I was the song itself and the vocals. ( a simple matter of personal taste vs any other legitimate reason) They were good and worked fairly well, as they had a superb song... a classic example of how the tracks don't really matter as much when the song is stellar. Don't get me wrong...I know you spent a lot of time on this and the work is good.
IMHO,
An acoustic piano would have been my choice for keys.
The cello may have been a fine sounding sample, but it was probably used a bit too much. Toward the end I was hating on that cello because it really started to sound like a cheesy synth.
Drums.... there were a number of places I thought.... shut those drums off, heck why are there even drums in this part? ..... this is the kind of song where, if the tracks are done right.... no drums would be needed at all. The drums in fact gave a certain "plodding along" feel to this otherwise stellar song.
A nice turn around towards the end, moving into a full blown, but appropriate band with electric guitars, B3, steel, would have been interesting for the final choruses as another possible option.
The fade didn't work for me, and fades rarely do. A nice slow down ending to a held chord would have been the perfect ending.
Length.... I know I'll catch some grief on this, but I'm never one to hesitate to step into it..... 5 minutes is a bit too long. Lose a minute in there somewhere. 4 minutes or less is the perfect length for a song like this. You have to ask yourself....What can be cut out that doesn't affect the song in any major way? Me? I'd cut the bridge and everything that follows it. Simply go back and tag the last line.... "Let's try sincerity" twice.... to a 4 note slow down held chord ending. Puts you under 4 minutes, and man...I think that would be an easy, easy song to place in a movie with that arrangement. Of course, if you have no intent to try to place the song, it's perfect at 5+ minutes.
But Greg.... man, all the nits and personal opinions aside..... I am constantly being blown away by the caliber of your writing skills..... every time I hear one of your songs, I think... man that's going to be a hard one for him to top..... then you come out with the next one and I'm blown away all over again. Any number of your songs could easily be the theme song to a movie.... or at the very least, be placed in a very prominent scene.
Superbly done.
Wow! One the best songs I heard in the last time (including songs from the hit)
So great work guys. Greg the music is beautiful and Janice the voice is beautiful
Sergio
WOW INCREDIBLE SONG!!!!! Janice, What a Voice! You could sing the newspaper and make me smile!!!!!!! Hey guys, thanks so much for mentioning my vocal. I really appreciate it and also the opportunity Greg gave me to sing this wonderful song. Janice
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
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