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Soul Stealer Over two years ago we posted Soul Stealer in an audio only format, then forgot about, then remixed it with a video last year, then forgot about the video and then, in a rare moment of old guy clarity, I recently realized we never posted the video  By our “old school” standards it’s a bit early to post our Christmas song so here ya go with a little eight bar blues ditty…redux. Thanks for watching/listening and for your time should you comment. J&B Vocal: Janice Drums: RD blues rock Bass: RT 734 Jazz simple option Guitar Rhythm: RT 1984 easy listening Mandolin Solo: RT 2178 country (comped from multiple regens) Piano Solo: RT 2368 blues solo ac (comped from multiple regens) Piano Rhythm: RT 2167 country Mixing/Mastering: A host of Izotope products Soul Stealer outa my dream you walked into sight I thought I'd finally seen the light and though your eyes shone that night I didn't know you were a soul stealer I didn't offer it for sale, it got stole maybe it had all been foretold but you carried me over our threshold I didn't know you were a soul stealer for many years you played me hard I'd been better off just left scarred but I let you tear down my guard I didn't know you were a soul stealer you took me out to the crossroad I saw the signs but never slowed should have known what it forebode I know now you are a soul stealer yeah you are a soul stealer © 2015 Janice & Bud Merritt Soul Stealer
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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Very cool tune. Super backtrack. Loved the piano and mandolin. Super lyric. Janice's vocal was superb. Loved her phrasing. Made the song so three dimensional. Video and production were also super Bud. Thanks for sharing..
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Bud,
I`m glad your memory nudged this one back into the light as its such a good moody lyric... and Janice really got into the vocal with feeling. There`s some great bent notes and swoops in there that draw out and punch home the words.
I was expecting a guitar solo in the break;the mandolin came as a nice surprise.
Robert
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Great work with this Janice & Bud! Very classic bluesy vibe with this song that is quite enjoyable. Excellent vocals as always. Well done!
Cheers,
Joe
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Dear Ms. Janice & "Bud"...
Oo-o-o, lawd, lawd, have mercy, yes, chile! G'awn 'head an' sang them BLUES, Ms. Janice!
Your voice squeezes out so much "you-done-me-wrongness" from the lyrics that they drip onto the floor and run down the cracks in the wood.
The combination of Real Tracks was perfect for setting the mood of the song, 'specially that resonant, tip-toeing acoustic bass, which made the "soul stealer" sound like a cat burglar on a jazz tip.
And who would'a thought that a mandolin performance could swing so sweet n' low! That's some inspired musical "casting" that works.
I could drink songs like this from a cup all day!
LOREN
Last edited by bluage; 12/01/17 09:45 AM.
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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Glad you remembered. This is a great tune guys. Thanks for listing.
Rob.
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Very cool tune. Super backtrack. Loved the piano and mandolin. Super lyric. Janice's vocal was superb. Loved her phrasing. Made the song so three dimensional. Video and production were also super Bud. Thanks for sharing.. Thanks for the great review Scott. Glad you liked the mando. Although a country RT there’s a lot of blues in his playing. 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.
There's that blues singer again.
Real old time sound. So nice.
I love the 12 bar blues and the lyrics are spot on.
Much enjoyed. Cheers.
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Great video Bud,
this is a smooth slow burning inferno of a song
super vocals
great feel, great job
Kenny
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Bud,
I`m glad your memory nudged this one back into the light as its such a good moody lyric... and Janice really got into the vocal with feeling. There`s some great bent notes and swoops in there that draw out and punch home the words.
I was expecting a guitar solo in the break;the mandolin came as a nice surprise.
Robert Thanks Robert. Glad you like the phrasing. We posted this at another forum a couple of years ago and somebody commented on the excessive “vocal dancing.”
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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Great stuff Janice and Bud!
Janice is her usual cool self, I've mentioned many times how much I dig her phrasing and tone.
Backtrack sounds great, love the piano especially.
And killer job on the mix, Bud! Just about perfect to these ears.
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We don't recall hearing this two years ago, but then again you guys have come up with so many great songs, this one may have slipped through the cracks  But: Very cool song! Janice is at her best in this kind of songs and once again a very interesting lyric video to go with it. Rob and Anne-Marie
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I love when people post up their older content as I wasn't around then to hear how people have evolved, or what they were doing a year or more ago musically. This was a really great song, and the video had some pretty images in it as well.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Cheers,
Ember
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Bud / Janice
I remember this slow burner. Really liked the images and colour scheme you have used to back up Janice's "soul"ful vocal.
Excellent work all round and a great complement to a great song.
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Hi Bud & Janice !
Ain´t gettin´ any better
than this !!! And if it does
don´t know whatta do !!!
This fabulous tune with
this fabulous voice also
stole my heart too !!!
Cheers
Dani
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Hi!
Can't recall hearing this one a couple of years ago. Sure did enjoy this, though! When I think of the blues, half a dozen names come to mind, but the first three are: Ray Charles, BB King and Janice Merritt.
Loved everything thing about this. Super listen! best to you both,
Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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First, I am such a fan of lyric videos over any other kind of video. I'm sure I've mentioned that before; but I really like how you allow us to still create the song for yourselves. Thank you for that!
Now to address the pack of elephants in the room. Yes, one elephant would not have been sufficient. If you continue to post Janice singing this way, I can't guarantee no one is going to steal her away to sing anything and everything under the sun. Have you considered maybe having her hit a wrong note here or there? Maybe use bad intonation on occasion? Just suggestions of course. I have a feeling she may not even be capable of such things.
In all seriousness, tell me/teach me your methods for melody embellishment. Is it both of you playing off of each other? I'm ALWAYS impressed with anyone that can take a 1 syllable word and craft it into multi-syllables effortlessly; YET have it sound like your aren't just doing it to do it. It's just great and smart melody creation. My God, it's awesome!
Last edited by HearToLearn; 12/04/17 10:31 AM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Great work with this Janice & Bud! Very classic bluesy vibe with this song that is quite enjoyable. Excellent vocals as always. Well done! Thanks Joe! J&B Dear Ms. Janice & "Bud"...
Oo-o-o, lawd, lawd, have mercy, yes, chile! G'awn 'head an' sang them BLUES, Ms. Janice!
Your voice squeezes out so much "you-done-me-wrongness" from the lyrics that they drip onto the floor and run down the cracks in the wood.
The combination of Real Tracks was perfect for setting the mood of the song, 'specially that resonant, tip-toeing acoustic bass, which made the "soul stealer" sound like a cat burglar on a jazz tip.
And who would'a thought that a mandolin performance could swing so sweet n' low! That's some inspired musical "casting" that works.
I could drink songs like this from a cup all day!
LOREN
Thanks Loren for all of the above comments you made. We much appreciate them. Thanks for mentioning the bass -- I always spend extra time trying to get an acoustic bass to sit nicely in a mix. Guess it comes from having played one for so long! Hey, we LOVE your new song! Will comment soon. 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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Super sound and excellent real tracks choice.
Great mandolin sound.
super performance as usual.
Sergio
Sergio
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A delicious slow blues.
Good blues write. Really like the AAAB rhyme scheme - and some cool rhymes they are...
The band is great. Impeccable mix.
A vocal as expressive as they come (no surprise there).
A delightful listen. The video images are nice - love the hues...
fj
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