These lyrics were written by the fantastic Elizabeth Petty for 50 90 and are pretty awesome as usual but the music is something completely different (for me anyway). Firstly, it is a spiritual song, which is a genre I don't usually attempt, and secondly it is my first co-write with my duo partner Lebz Muzo who provides the lead vocal and guitar on the track, with me on the harmonies.
The RealTracks were: RealTracks in style: 1397:Bass, Electric, Soul70sSync Ev16 100 RealTracks in style: 1404:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Soul70sWarmA-B Ev16 100 RealDrums in style: Soul70sPercEv16^1-a:CldHHSn, b:BsyBs
Lyrics: I am open and I am trying while I'm waiting for You yes I'm open and I am trying while I wait for You
I am present and I'm seeking and I'm praying to You yes I am present and I am seeking while I pray
I am open I am trying yes I'm waiting for You yes I'm open and I am trying while I wait for You
I am present and I'm seeking while I'm praying to You yes I am present and I'm seeking while I pray
I am open present hopeful grateful all because of You I'm trying seeking striving dancing just to be close to You
waiting praying standing singing I'll do anything waiting praying standing singing all for the love of You
I am hopeful I am striving I am standing by You yes I'm hopeful and I'm striving while I stand by You
I am grateful truely grateful and I'm dancing with You
said I'm grateful and I'm dancing while I sing
yes I'm grateful and I'm dancing I am singing with You and I'm grateful so I'm dancing while I sing
Honest feedback is always much appreciated. (After all how else will I learn? lol)
Sure did enjoy this! Great lyric and loved the arrangement. Everyone did a super job. The vocals were terrific - lead and harmony. The acoustic lead was real nice. Everyone take a bow!
Sure did enjoy this! Great lyric and loved the arrangement. Everyone did a super job. The vocals were terrific - lead and harmony. The acoustic lead was real nice. Everyone take a bow!
Alan
I agree. Great collaborative effort!! Really pretty, pleasant song. Everything works for me! Take care. Greg
Really nice work here Joanne The harmonies here are unreal, and the groove is a real toe tapper. It has such a joyous tone to it as well. I really like how upbeat and positive it sounds.
Joanne, I've liked everything that you have done thus far and this song rapidly went to the top of the list.
Your vocal is exceptional, I didn't know that you could sing so low. Your harmonies were fantastic as were the backing tracks. Your guitarist is one of the best; he knows exactly when and what to play. He is a true lead guitarist.
Everyone should really be proud of this song.
Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer. It's called the Heineken Maneuver.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Yes, this tune is completely different from your usual style. Your duo partner Lebz Muzo who provides the lead vocal and guitar on the track is very nice. I like the chord progression. And your harmonies are fantastic as are the backing tracks. Your challenge to 50 90 is wonderful. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Joanne, your harmonies are stellar as expected. I felt the guitar and main vocal go a little astray at different point along the way. Having read how you create your harmonies made this an even more interesting listen. Your voice is the Prix L'Amour in this track.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
We enjoyed the stripped down backing tracks...perfect for the tune.
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 are here on our website.
Yes, this was a bit of a surprise - definitely different to what I've heard you do before.
This song has a feel to it as though it could have been written by Tracey Chapman. Just something about the openness of the guitar part, the arrangement and the way the melody worked in. Super.
well done to all who were involved - great writing and performances.
Beautiful collaboration! I think this works so well because the lyrics are simple and uncluttered and have a nice repetitive pattern that works so well for song composition. Skillful use of the real tracks provides the perfect style and background. And the guitar solo was light and fit right in. Love the work!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
Oh lord, I really enjoyed this one as I always do with your songs Joanne
Thank you Graham. Appreciated.
Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hi Joanne - and Everyone Else On The Song,
Sure did enjoy this! Great lyric and loved the arrangement. Everyone did a super job. The vocals were terrific - lead and harmony. The acoustic lead was real nice. Everyone take a bow!
Alan
Thanks so much Alan. High praise indeed. I will pass it on to Lebz.
Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
I agree. Great collaborative effort!! Really pretty, pleasant song. Everything works for me! Take care. Greg
Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment, Greg
Originally Posted By: Deryk - PG Music
Really nice work here Joanne The harmonies here are unreal, and the groove is a real toe tapper. It has such a joyous tone to it as well. I really like how upbeat and positive it sounds.
Great job - thanks for sharing!
Thank you deryk. I used my normal "cheat" method for the harmonies laid out here...https://www.joannecooper.co.za/blog/blog/recording-and-processing-vocals-using-realband-melodyne-and-izotope-nectar plus I used a trick that Lebz taught me and that is to record the harmonies in "bits". So I will record the low harmony for the phrase from, say, bar 12 to bar 16; then I will go straight back to bar 12 and record the mid harmony for the same phrase and then I will go back to bar 12 and record the high harmony for the same phrase. I find it very quick and easy to record harmonies in this way because the phrasing that the lead singer used is already in your head.
A wonderful tune with wonderful lyrics and superb performances by the two of you - congrats on a superb collab !
I liked everything with it !!
Cheers Dani
Thank you Dani. Appreciated
Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
This song had a really wonderful flow to it, and I adored the use of RealTracks. Awesome stuff.
Thank you
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Joanne, I've liked everything that you have done thus far and this song rapidly went to the top of the list.
Your vocal is exceptional, I didn't know that you could sing so low. Your harmonies were fantastic as were the backing tracks. Your guitarist is one of the best; he knows exactly when and what to play. He is a true lead guitarist.
Everyone should really be proud of this song.
Hi Mario. I am so glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed producing it. The lead vocal was sung by Lebz. I just did the harmonies and yes, his guitar playing is really so unique. He plays a wonderful mixture of the harmony and melody at the same time.
Originally Posted By: animarorecords
Hello, Joanne
Yes, this tune is completely different from your usual style. Your duo partner Lebz Muzo who provides the lead vocal and guitar on the track is very nice. I like the chord progression. And your harmonies are fantastic as are the backing tracks. Your challenge to 50 90 is wonderful. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
I wasn't crazy about the guitar for some points in the song.
Thank you beatmaster, especially for your honesty. I really appreciate it.
Originally Posted By: rayc
Joanne, your harmonies are stellar as expected. I felt the guitar and main vocal go a little astray at different point along the way. Having read how you create your harmonies made this an even more interesting listen. Your voice is the Prix L'Amour in this track.
Thank you Ray. It seems that the jury is out about the live guitar recording on the track. I find that the more I work with Realtracks the less accepting I am of "live" guitar that may not be perfect. I do tend to run out of patience long before we get a perfect guitar track down. lol... I am also finding that as I work more and more with Melodyne my ears are becoming accustomed to hearing perfectly tuned vocals. PS. Have a look at my previous reply to Deryk were I talk about another little cheat I used on recording these harmonies.
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
Uplifting and most pleasant collab.
Nice tight harmonies too.
We enjoyed the stripped down backing tracks...perfect for the tune.
J&B
Thank you Bud and Janice. I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Joanne, I enjoyed the relaxed style- which is a good fit for Lebz Muzo`s vocal. Super harmonies. Good collaboration.
Robert
Thank you Robert.
Originally Posted By: ROG
Hi Joanne,
Yes, this was a bit of a surprise - definitely different to what I've heard you do before.
This song has a feel to it as though it could have been written by Tracey Chapman. Just something about the openness of the guitar part, the arrangement and the way the melody worked in. Super.
well done to all who were involved - great writing and performances.
ROG.
Hi ROG. Lebz will be absolultey delighted with the Tracy Chapman comment because she is his hero! I will pass your comment onto him.
Originally Posted By: Tano Music
Beautiful collaboration! I think this works so well because the lyrics are simple and uncluttered and have a nice repetitive pattern that works so well for song composition. Skillful use of the real tracks provides the perfect style and background. And the guitar solo was light and fit right in. Love the work!
Thank you Tano. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment.
I find that the more I work with Realtracks the less accepting I am of "live" guitar that may not be perfect. I do tend to run out of patience long before we get a perfect guitar track down. lol...
The surety of BIAB is seductive but it does also generate a generic patina that desperately needs something to break the surface. Some of the guitar ideas were excellent and a dose of slice, slide, copy & paste may have given you the goods. The steadiness of BIAB also make a "live" feel sound sloppy in comparison. There are ways around the problem but patience, rehearsal and time are a requisite for all. Doing the harmonies in blocks reminds me of Brian Wilson's methodology when recording his teen symphonies era work. Modern technology is perfect for "construction" and as long as it sounds like a performance all is well.
Last edited by rayc; 07/23/1801:18 AM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!
Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
The harmonies here are unreal, and the groove is a real toe tapper. It has such a joyous tone to it as well. I really like how upbeat and positive it sounds.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean