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Hi Janice & Bud! Great work on this, fantastic vocals and song. Very soothing! Well done always a fan of your songs!  Thanks Joe. We very much appreciate you and your company. 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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Imagine a young child stomping his feet on the playground saying "NO FAIR! THEY GOT ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE ON ONE TEAM!"...ok, that's an impressive line-up of talent going into this song. And go figure, it's a great song!
Now for what I felt was excited to share. Sometimes things line up in ways you couldn't explain...
My family and I were at my parents house to get together for a family reunion. Several of my cousins were there that I haven't seen in 10-30 years! It was truly a blessed time for me.
There was a gentleman there that I had met before, but was too young to remember. He sort of remembered me, but it had been so long. He wasn't a relative, which is a long story. Anyway, it was his 85th birthday! He was truly fascinating to talk to. He spoke for a while about his ancestors and tracing his lineage.
He was proud to tell me a few stories of his great-grandfather fighting in the civil war. He was speaking of what it must have been like at that time. He was so amazed by how that must have been. I mentioned to him I didn't know it was his birthday but may have an impromptu present for him.
I played this song for him! Timing! How does it work out SO well at times?
He read the lyrics and listen to the song several times. He was enthralled with it. He asked where I got it and how old it was. He was completely surprised to hear it was something recent as it seemed to capture to much of the feeling of that time. He knew it wasn't from then obviously, but said it feels like it could be.
So...you made an 85 year old's birthday!
On a personal note, I loved the song as well! There is just something to it. I could start thinking about it and figure out all the "why's" but I want to sit out on this one, and just enjoy it for being a great song.
Thanks for the share and the ability to share it!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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WOW!!! Beautifully done! So well put together. So interesting to think of what it must have been like. You guys put together a very compelling story. Mix/production are absolutely wonderful. Great contribution from the forum A-team. Awesome!! Take care. Greg Thanks Greg. Glad you found the story compelling as we're sure it was lived out many, many times.
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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Janice & Bud, Great work!. This song is related to the American history which is something hard to understand for a Japanese, but the music itself is the common language for us and so is understandable Good vocals and nice arrangement. Everything is beautifully balanced. I enjoyed it very much. Hiroshi Thank you very much. We feel that the sadness of young men so often carrying the burden of warfare is likely universal. Glad you liked the mix and the arrangement. We appreciate your support. 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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I love the first line of the song, and how it manages to do so much in such a small number of words. "mamma" indicates the writer is young; "i take my pen" is formal, archaic phrase.
Another thing that caught my ear was the interesting rhythms - it's very melodic, but the phrasing feels very natural.
Super job. Thanks. We're pleased you noticed the archaic structure - that comes from reading many CW period letters. "I take my pen in hand" was common also. Thanks also for mentioning the rhythm- Tom really helped with that. We appreciate your thoughtful remarks. J&B Beautiful as your songs always are, but also thought provoking. In this day of televised wars, complete with logos and carefully framed wide angle shots to maximize the shock and awe, it's worth being reminded that most wars are fought by people who are barely adults.
Nice job on the whole package, everybody who participated did an outstanding job!
I also liked the video. Thanks Pat. Yep, fought by the young and ordered so by adults whom for some occasions should know better. Glad you liked it! 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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Janice, Bud, Floyd, Tom, We don't say this very often, but this really has an epic feeling to it. The songs atmosphere is very strong, also because of the video, which was beautifully created! The musical arrangement, backing vocals and of course Janice's lead vocal are gorgeous. Tom, we didn't immediately notice you guitar playing, thought they were RTs  that must be a compliment, we think! Rob and Anne-Marie We very, very much appreciate your kind remarks. Given the scope of your audio and video productions for you to use the word epic is a bit overwhelming. Our love of history, the area where we live and our g-g-grandparents involvement in this war gave it a personal note for us. Thank you for mentioning the atmosphere we attempted to create. And Tom and floyd's contributions were very significant. 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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That is just awesome story telling. Delivery was just beautiful. The violin and banjo were very cool. Just got lost in the vocal and lyric. I had so much empathy for the person in the song. Super collaboration.... Thanks Scott. Empathy was exactly what we hoped to evoke. J&B Wow! Great song, lyric, vocal and most of all production quality. Thank you! J&B Impossible to add anything already expressed. Excellent.
Fred Thanks Fred! J&B J&B and Floyd, this one is great!! The vocals were flawless and effectively conveyed the emotional subject matter. Perfect choices for instrumentation. Floyd's participation was a wise choice, he really complimented Janice's voice. Thanks, Torrey We appreciate your comments Torrey. We know how much attention you pay to vocals in your productions so it is very meaningful for you to mention them. Thanks! 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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Thanks so much for sharing, Janice & Budd You absolutely nailed this one. Everything's already been said - but I just had to let you know! This is the kind of music you don't just listen to, but feel in your soul. Its somber, vulnerable, gentle, and incredibly beautiful. It is immediately recognizable that this comes from a sincere place. Great, great, GREAT job on this. I truly can't give it enough praise! Keep up the amazing work!
Cheers,
Deryk
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It is truly amazing the quality of music that we are presented here on the PG forum. Such a small group of people posting songs. And such AMAZING songs. Both writing skills and production skills.
THIS is (as Tom has already said) one of THE best ever presented. Thanks for letting me be a small part of it.
Excellent write.
Excellent production.
Excellent mix.
Excellent vocal.
Excellent video.
Not a "hair out of place".
Stunning.
Thank you for perhaps the best review we've ever had! It is much appreciated. And so is your harmony and the tips on how to mix the four harmony tracks. W/o those contributions the production would have not have had vocal qualities that many folks have mentioned. 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 and bud holy smokes guys this was outstanding the write the vocals and backing vocals were awesome thanks for sharing eric Thanks Eric! J&B This is the first song I've listened to in my new studio.
Nice write. Well done.
Thanks Herb. Glad we participated in the debut 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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I remember this song. So moving. Liked it the first time out and the new production really shines!
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J&B,
Late on this one. Very nicely done.
Regards,
Bob Thanks Bob. Glad you liked it and we appreciate you listening. J&B Hello, Janice, Bud, Floyd and Tom
Very beautiful song.
What a stunning production.
Janice's vocal is very emotional.
The song for a young soldier is one of the traditional genres of American folk songs.
I have a little tears after all every time I listen to such songs.
Very enjoyable listen.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi Shigeki, thank you for the thoughtful and touching review. It means a lot to us. 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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It's been awhile since I've heard someone who has the same tone and sound as Karen Carpenter !!! Vocal was amazing.
Love her voice. Thanks for sharing.
Trax Thanks y'all. We all very much appreciate your time to listen and comment. 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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Imagine a young child stomping his feet on the playground saying "NO FAIR! THEY GOT ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE ON ONE TEAM!"...ok, that's an impressive line-up of talent going into this song. And go figure, it's a great song!
Now for what I felt was excited to share. Sometimes things line up in ways you couldn't explain...
My family and I were at my parents house to get together for a family reunion. Several of my cousins were there that I haven't seen in 10-30 years! It was truly a blessed time for me.
There was a gentleman there that I had met before, but was too young to remember. He sort of remembered me, but it had been so long. He wasn't a relative, which is a long story. Anyway, it was his 85th birthday! He was truly fascinating to talk to. He spoke for a while about his ancestors and tracing his lineage.
He was proud to tell me a few stories of his great-grandfather fighting in the civil war. He was speaking of what it must have been like at that time. He was so amazed by how that must have been. I mentioned to him I didn't know it was his birthday but may have an impromptu present for him.
I played this song for him! Timing! How does it work out SO well at times?
He read the lyrics and listen to the song several times. He was enthralled with it. He asked where I got it and how old it was. He was completely surprised to hear it was something recent as it seemed to capture to much of the feeling of that time. He knew it wasn't from then obviously, but said it feels like it could be.
So...you made an 85 year old's birthday!
On a personal note, I loved the song as well! There is just something to it. I could start thinking about it and figure out all the "why's" but I want to sit out on this one, and just enjoy it for being a great song.
Thanks for the share and the ability to share it! Wow, thank you for sharing that! It reminds me of conversations that I often have with Janice's 96 year old mother. All we can say is that his reaction alone makes the whole production worth while. We are touched and deeply appreciative. If you get a chance please tell him how much it meant to us. And you could mention that my g-g-grandfather died on a battlefield only 18 miles from our home. Thanks again!! 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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Thanks so much for sharing, Janice & Budd You absolutely nailed this one. Everything's already been said - but I just had to let you know! This is the kind of music you don't just listen to, but feel in your soul. Its somber, vulnerable, gentle, and incredibly beautiful. It is immediately recognizable that this comes from a sincere place. Great, great, GREAT job on this. I truly can't give it enough praise! Keep up the amazing work! Deryk, it's always great to hear from PG Music folks. Your description of the tune eloquently states what we were hoping to achieve. Thank you for saying that and, yes, it indeed comes from a sincere place. It was written after much contemplation and study of Civil War battlefields on of which my g-g-grandfather died on. It is wonderful that you felt that. We most appreciate your comments! J&B I remember this song. So moving. Liked it the first time out and the new production really shines! Thanks Josie! Glad you liked the new version. 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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Wow! This is a wonderful song. I love the lyrics and melody. Janice' vocals here have a brilliant flow, fluid, warm and at ease.
The production compliments an already strong write and performance.
And the video, well it's heartbreaking.
A pleasure to listen to.
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