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Back after a while. Busy winter months + writer's block = not the best of combinations for me. Plus, my way of coping with writer's block is to disappear into the silence for a while, not listening to much music at all, in order to "clear the mind" and get back to the reasons why I write in the first place. Who knows if it works! it probably sounds more pretentious than it is. But ... I have a free day today, so I woke up at 6 a.m. to get this one done - hope it was worth it. https://soundcloud.com/jamesdelsono/ballad-of-the-memoriesA special "thank you" and "hats off" to Brent Mason and his superb playing which is the solo on this track - it's exactly what I felt this track needed and it would have been a very much poorer track without it. Aren't we so, so lucky to have these extraordinary artists "on tap", so to speak, with Band-in-a-Box? :-) Hope you enjoy - thanks for listening and for any comments! ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Ballad of the Memories - 10 February 2020 File:Ballad of the Memories - 10 February 2020.SGU Key=D , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=4:55 No intro. 76 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 76. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _BALBMS1.STY (Rock Ballad w/ Brent Mason) RealTracks in style: 1036:Bass, Electric, NorthernRockBallad Ev 065 RealTracks in style: ~367:Guitar, Electric, Background Dreamy Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 1037:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 1167:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockBalladBrent Ev 065 RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride *******************
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That's a really nice chord progression.
The acoustic guitar really is excellent.
The dreamy electric guitar is reminiscent of a Rhodes el. Piano and slots into the arrangement like one.
I'm not a fan of Brent's BIAB stuff usually but this one proved a step above.
Currently I enjoy playing with Mike Durham's BritPsyc March solos - a enjoyable ride of long notes etc.
Not sudden BIAB shocks on this one - you've really put in the extra effort to make it flow James, well done.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Thanks Ray! I really just wrote the chords, fiddled a little with the arrangement because I couldn't find one that I thought would fit until I stumbled onto this one, and Brent's playing did the rest! I agree, this one was really great and a perfect fit for what I was trying to do with this track. So happy you enjoyed it - and thanks for taking the time! :-)
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Cool progression, and, yes, Brent is superb. Well done! Enjoy the rest of your free day --there's still time for another!
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Nicely done, James. A really nice listen.
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Yes, that guitar solo works really well. It's often a struggle to get a solo RT to suggest the melody you have in your head over your chord progression. Luck and comping helps  It amazing what these RT's can do when given the chance - with some effort on the producers behalf! And having blathered all that we'll say that is is an excellent example of RT's/RD's in the hands of a talented user. Enjoyed 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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Thanks everyone - many, many thanks!
And having blathered all that we'll say that is is an excellent
example of RT's/RD's in the hands of a talented user.
Janice & Bud, I am genuinely amazed and grateful for that comment - thanks :-) So happy you liked the end effort - it was fun to experiment with it all! Again, thanks :-)
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James,
Not generally being a great judge of instrumentals, my measuring stick is simply whether it keeps me listening . . . and yours does. Super lead guitar and some nice, well-accented chord changes does it for me.
As J&B note, really tough to get a guitar solo to follow a melody—I do find it’s more luck than anything for me given I often lack the discipline to do the comping (i.e., I’m too lazy, LOL). But it works so well here.
Pretty piece of work.
All my best,
Deej
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Writers block sucks, It happens to me a lot. Anyways, nicely put together, must try that sometime when I'm bored.
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Wow - this is a really great write. I loved the guitar work on this, and the arrangement is top notch. The way you implemented the realtracks on this is perfect, and the entire thing flows super well. Thanks for sharing
Cheers,
Deryk
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You did a really lovely job with the RealTracks, and I think this song has a wonderful flow to it and a great chord progression. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Cheers,
Ember
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Yes, James, I did enjoy this one. A lot.
I thin you're well-known here om the forum for developping most interesting chord progressions and this tune is just another example for your ability.
And Brent Mason - well, he's simply unbelievable. I had never heard about him before, but when I heard his first soloist RealTrack here I searched YouTube for his work - stunning. And after that I seriously considered using all my guitars exclusively as decoration.
Very well and tastefully done, James - liked it a lot.
Cheers,
Stefan
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A good flow to this James, and so easy to drift away with that guitar.
Well done.
Robert
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Thanks Stefan and Robert!
Stefan: thanks so much for your very kind words! I will have to listen to more of Brent Masons' work, but all I know is that whenever I rely on him for a RealTrack solo, he really doesn't disappoint (to understate things!). But, of course, never ever give up on what you enjoy. I play music myself and, although there are so many that are so much more proficient than me (at least technically, haha), I play regardless. Seeing someone better only motivates me to practice more ;-) - and I'm also under the very persistent illusion that I have something to contribute, something to say :-). Anyway, thanks again - it's a joy to be on this forum and hear people like you and many others give such thoughtful responses to tracks they listen to in such a music community spirit. Long may it continue :-)
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Well done James...
Yet kind of different from your many other compositions...
I enjoyed listening!
Jim
†=☮&♥
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Thanks Jim! Your words genuinely do mean a lot ... you're an amazing musician, so, if you like my stuff, it means I can relax a little more about it :-) Thanks!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
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Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
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Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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