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Hi, all: Here's my latest collaboration with John Vaughan, who wrote these lyrics following the passing of a close friend. I'm determined to get better at mixing, so have sworn off taking on any new song projects until I YouTube myself to death on tutorials (lol), so be patient with me on this one. . . . but I think (and hope) it's well enough along to share. Thanks for the listen! Here's the song:Raise a Glass Here are the lyrics:Don’t want no flowers on my grave; my life down on paper—the words will only fade. Why not say those things to me when I’m still alive? We’ve shared so many things, pal, now don’t be shy. Let’s raise a glass to us today . . . two old friends who go back a long way. With a bond sealed with memories, old friend, you mean a lot to me— Who knows who will go and who will stay? Let’s find a place to pass some time away, and raise a glass to both of us today. Poor preacher one day has to eulogize me though I’ve been a stranger in his church most of my life; see, when my time comes to go . . . just say my friend wasn't perfect—he told me so. Let’s raise a glass to us today . . . two old friends who go back a long way. With a bond sealed with memories, old friend, you mean a lot to me— Who knows who will go and who will stay? Let’s find some place and drink the night away, and raise a glass to both of us today. I don’t want you going all down hill. Go find yourself a new best friend. But I’ll tell you straight right now it will never be the same somehow. Damn, my eyes are watering again. Let’s raise a glass to us today . . . two old friends who go back a long way. With a bond sealed with memories, old friend, you mean a lot to me— Who knows who will go and who will stay? Let’s find a place and laugh the time away, and raise a glass to both of us today. And here's the Band:Drums: Shaker Even 8ths Bass: Real 2488, Acoustic, Bowed Held Guitar: Real 2936, Fingerpicking Folk Waltz Fintan Guitar: Real 2533, Acoustic, Held Chords Accordion: Real 1752, Rhythm Pop 8ths Harp: Real 2775, Rhythm Celtic Waltz Viola: Real 2336, Background Pop Mandolin: Real 1875, Soloist County (c)2019 John Vaughan/DJ Lekich
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Really good vocal performance.
the mix is pretty tidy and the arrangement is cool.
the one thing that bothered me most is what seems like a constant pick scrap on one of the guitars.
It's actually the shaker but there's something strident in it that sounds like a pick scrape.
Nice lyric - excellent melody.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi Deej,
This is a nice waltz about a sensitive subject. Christian
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This is really, really beautiful and sensitively done, for me at least. Just one small quibble: in some of the D major chords (towards the beginning), one guitar seems to often play a G natural (instead of an F sharp, perhaps?) Anyway, the foreign note jars a little, to my ears at least, that's all. It's a small quibble, but it happened about two or three times, that's why I thought I'd mention it. If it's deliberate - my apologies, haha ... it's just that it broke the spell a little for me. Otherwise - a really well and, again, sensitively done piece - good job!
EDIT: forget the quibble. Listening again - it seems to be a deliberate chord progression after all. Apologies - that's what happens when one comments after only one listen ...
Last edited by musician17; 09/21/19 03:42 AM.
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Man, the older we get and the more we see friends pass on the more contemplative songs like this get.
It's an obvious heartfelt write and vocal performance. Nice touch with the falsetto.
The light touch with the backing tracks helps accent the soulful vocal and the lyric.
Nice band and mix!
Well done and may he RIP.
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.
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Really fantastic tune!! Lyrics are beautiful and you completely did them justice....melody and vocal could not have fit better!! Wonderful vocal performance! This is a VERY moving song!! Take care. Greg
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Deej,
A nice song.
Your choice of backing works well for it and carries the sentiment nicely.
Your vocal on this is really well done. Nicely recorded and processed. Crisp and clear, but still "warm"....
Good mix all around.
fj
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Touching lyrics in an enjoyable warm and lush arrangement, I especially like how the viola brings color. Your excellent vocal delivery amazes me once again.
Janne
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Loved the vocal. Super backtrack. Well done
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Hi Deej,
You and John have some mighty fine collaborations and this sits comfortably alongside the best of them. I found the lyrics very visual as I listened. And as always, your singing is 24 carat gold.
I enjoyed the journey.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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'Deej56'...
Right off the bat, the lyrics of Raise A Glass take center stage. The tone and the rhythm of them, the ease with which they flow, complement and connect to each other -- what I have learned is called 'prosody' -- is ear-catching, startling. It caused me to sit up straight to listen to them being sung.
And then, there's the emotional impact of the lyrics, the way they describe the commonality of the feelings we experience as we cope with the phenomenon of death, the way they validate the sentiments we express to console ourselves and others as we grieve and become lost in nostalgia for the dead. It's all true, man, every last single word of it -- to my ears and heart, at least.
The Real 'Band' is simply stunning in its artificially intelligent musicality, as it becomes one with the mood of the lyrics. This is as much a testimonial to your compositional skills as it is yet another head-shaking affirmation of the ever-increasingly 'real-sounding' instrumental accompaniment that Band in a Box produces.
It's powerfully obvious to me that you can't help but sing from your soul. Your voice has a unique character, sound, and style. You may as well be speaking, so easily do you communicate the meaning of Mr. Vaughan's lyrics. The vocal harmonies are haunting and soothing at the same time.
I raise my glass to your talents, and for sharing them with us, 'Deej56'.
Really impressed,
- bluage -
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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Great lyric. Very natural and conversational. You deliver it well and with a melody that is both fresh and comfortable. The band is just enough. With so many tracks, I was expecting "bigger", but your production and mix kept it simple...something not always easy to do.
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Nicely done  A solidly executed waltz. It flows effortlessly and is beautiful and tender. A fine example of 'less is more' - I liked that you gave it lots of breathing room. It manages to sound lush and full without being crowded. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Deryk
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Really fantastic tune!! Lyrics are beautiful and you completely did them justice....melody and vocal could not have fit better!! Wonderful vocal performance! This is a VERY moving song!! Take care. Greg +1!
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Sensational lyrics, Sensational presentation.
This could be something Dillon might have delivered.
Fantastic!
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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Deej,
A very good write that rings true all the way through- love the hint of humour that`s there to balance the sadness.
The Fintan guitar track is great - and using a hold to emphasise the falsetto parts a nice touch.
As always your vocal is expressive and unique... processing sounding warm and clear.
Robert
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Ray, James, J&B, Greg, Floyd, Janne, Scott, Noel, blueage, Tangmo, Deryk, Josie, videotrack, Robert:
Thanks all for the listen and glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like the mix was closer to OK than I thought . . . oh well, blind squirrel and all Really appreciate the kind feedback and support. Ray: Not sure I’m hearing the “pic scrape”, but I’ll need to put on the headphones and give it a closer listen—and then figure if there’s something I can do about it. James: Yes, the chord change in the last measure before the chorus (which is where I think you are referencing) is intentional—although I likely could have kept it playing a single chord (can’t quite remember what key I ended up playing in this version, but it’s F, G when I play it on guitar—I could just play the F). bluage: Your feedback is too kind . . . but really appreciated. Thanks. My kind regards to all, Deej
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Fantastic vocal performance. Well crafted, mixed, and produced song. I liked the vocal "oohs" going into the end of the song.
I did hear the "pick scrap" thing that Ray mentioned, but I think it was only because I was subconscious of it after reading his comment. Enjoyed listening.
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Back for another raise of the glass...we very much like this song.
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.
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What a great song!
Excellent writing, and man, that vocal! Just outstanding.
Mix sounds good to me, well done.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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