|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740 |
Bob (rsdean) posted a tribute song to John Prine shortly after his passing. I thought that was a really nice idea. So I thought I would follow his lead. Prine's first album ("John Prine" - 1971) was my "songwriting bible". My buddy and I used to get to rummage through the basement of our local easy-listening radio station (very small town in upstate New York). They put all the promotional records they got and didn't play down there. We found Prine's debut a few weeks before it was released. (We also found Jimmy Buffet's first and Springsteen's first and second, Jackson Browne's first) After hearing it, I ran out and bought my own copy as soon as it was in the store ($3.12 - the regular price for records then) I wore that record out. It taught me much of what I know about songwriting. We played many of the songs in bars in the summers (as a duo). Long before most folks had heard of Prine. When I moved to Nashville to work at writing "commercial" Country, I had to stop listening to Prine... Otherwise, half of what I wrote came out sounding like a Prine song (Which certainly didn't fit the need at the time). It was hard at first, but I eventually locked all those songs out. I did not listen to any John Prine records for the next 25 years. In the past few years, I have gone back to playing my favorites occasionally when I sit down with a guitar. "Far From Me"..."Hello In There"..."Angel From Montgomery"..."Paradise"... John's passing broke my heart. I have, since, been lsitening to his entire catalog - one record per day. Many of the later ones I haven't heard before... If you don't know John Prine (I can't imagine many would not), you owe it to yourself to listen to his debut. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Prine_(album) It is a songwriting masterpiece. So this is about all of that. If you are familiar with Prine's records, you should recognize many of the production elements from those early records. A tribute to my biggest "song writing hero/mentor"... LET IT BLEED I kept it bottled up for years held it back like unshed tears so no one would know what's inside me thinkin' now what a big a mistake you get so filled up the dam's bound to break how could i deny the man who baptized me sometimes you've got to let it go the volcano is bound to blow let the devils out let the angels shout it's a primal need throw off the chain unlock the locks open up pandora's box open up that vein let it bleed i left him back some time ago to find what i thought he didn't know looking to win the fight he hadn't fought now he's gone it breaks my heart the man who showed me how to start to find the words to tell the world just what i thought sometimes you've got to let it go the volcano is bound to blow let the devils out let the angels shout it's a primal need throw off the chain unlock the locks open up pandora's box open up that vein let it bleed open up the pain let it bleed The BAND: RealTracks in style: 521:Bass, Electric, Pop Syncopated Ev 136 RealTracks in style: ~~407:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 165 RealTracks in style: ~406:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 136 RealTracks in song: 1667:Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryPaul Ev 065 RealTracks in song: 3099:Organ, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsMike Ev16 060 RealTracks in song: 3198:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist PopBalladBrent Ev 065 RealDrums in Song: NashvilleBrushesCountryPopEv16 "The sky is black and still now
On the hill where the angels sing"- John Prine "Far From Me" Your passing saddens me. fj
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,594
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,594 |
Floyd,
This song / presentation is stunningly beautiful... So moving and with a great history behind it.
A simply amazing piece of work and my new favorite from you.
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,896
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,896 |
floyd, this is wonderful!
Certainly one of your best and my new favorite from you.
Listening through a second time while typing this ... production wise you had me right from the opening with just the acoustic, and then the way you start bringing in the instruments, holding off bringing in the drums until the very end ... very effective.
But it doesn't matter how good the production is if the song doesn't have good bones, and this certainly does! Great writing and vocal.
Thanks for the backstory too, enjoyed reading that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,591
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,591 |
You certainly found yourself up to the task, Floyd. Thanks for the personal testimony and the look into the character of one greatly admired on this forum, Mr. Floyd Jane. I was fortunate to attend this 2011 concert at the Fox in Butte, restored in modern times into a class music hall. https://mtstandard.com/entertainment/tgif/john-prine-to-play-at-mother-lode/article_5384d9ac-7d3d-11e0-b1fe-001cc4c03286.htmlDon't know if he played there again. Some of my friends there have been similarly influenced and do pretty fair covers, even today. (That's an understatement) https://youtu.be/spuYiWdzMNEI'm sure they will enjoy hearing "Let it Bleed."
Last edited by edshaw; 04/14/20 06:53 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547 |
I have only just heard of John Prine upon his passing (I'm an eighties child). But your song is more than just a tribute to him - it's, to me at least, a masterpiece standing in its own right. You are such an extraordinary songwriter ... often head and heels above most I know, so well done ... superb job once more. You have this talent to tell a story, calmly and heartbreakingly so. This is no exception ... phenomenal from every aspect. It's a bravo from me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443 |
Very John Prine-like dude.
Great!
Loved it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,296
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,296 |
I went into this expecting it to be a nice tribute. It was that; but so much more. It's "Leader of the Band" if John Prine wrote it.
Tribute hardly sums it up. A dedication of the impact of one's man's life on another's life even would fall short. That someone gives you THAT much inspiration in song writing and you turn around and use that gift to honor him is incredible.
Yeah, all the usual "high bars" exceeded once again. If you would like me to elaborate on that; I will gladly. I just have a feeling others will as well.
Amazing song. Chills and tears...no lie.
Thank you for bringing us into a piece of your story!
Last edited by HearToLearn; 04/14/20 08:29 AM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,633
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,633 |
Hi Floyd ...
A flashback to better days. And yes, John Prine's contributions to songwriting have few equals. He reminded me of Tom T. Hall in one way ... his songs always said something worthy of the listen: good stories and lesson on life. In another way, I can contrast him with Harlan Howard: very prolific, just gets to the heart of the story and offers stories about the common man that so many can relate to.
This is one of my very favorites from you.The lyric says so much without over-complicating things. The gradual build of the backing tracks ... waiting until the last quarter of the song to introduce the drums. I love songs that start out teasingly soft and, increment by increment add just enough new backing, at the perfect places, to build the tension and interest. In other words, also something new to anticipate and when it arrives, you just gotta say, "Wow, this gets better and better - can't wait to hear the rest of it."
Other than my time with Di, this is the best three minutes I've enjoyed in quite some time. Many thanks for that.
Wishing you and yours the very best. Please stay safe.
Alan
PS: Di and I were tested for COVID 19. Both came back negative.
Last edited by Al-David; 04/14/20 09:00 AM.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547 |
Just to say that I'm delighted that both yourself, Alan, and your wife's COVID 19 results came back negative. Brilliant news.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357 |
Floyd,
What a wonderful tribute! Stunningly good lyrics (especially the chorus) and fine flowing melody.
I enjoyed reading your backstory and will take the hint; there`s some JP nuggets there I surely missed.
Robert
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647 |
floyd
Wonderful! A really touching tribute an importantly a superb song.
A masterclass in writing production and delivery.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 294
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 294 |
Hi Floyd,
This is an outstanding song and a fine tribute to your "mentor"...
I'm almost embarrassed to say I've never heard any of his songs until his passing.
Please don't take this the wrong way, as it's meant to be compliment...
Your song sounds like it could have come from one of the "Every Which Way But Loose" movie sound tracks.
Really cool vibe brother...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740 |
Floyd,
This song / presentation is stunningly beautiful... So moving and with a great history behind it.
A simply amazing piece of work and my new favorite from you.
Bob
Thanks, Bob. These are nice things to hear from you (being the "word man" that you are). This idea came to me 2 days ago. I had the song written in 20 minutes. This style of writing is so ingrained in me they happen fast. And with the magic of BIAB, the next day, I was done!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708 |
Hi Floyd
I love John Prine's songs. They make me smile and they make me cry, sometimes at the same time. I completely agree with David when he says this is 'very John Prine-like.' In my book, there is simply no higher praise.
Well done, a great tribute.
Regards,
Leon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,183
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,183 |
Sung with heart and yes, you used some of his touch stones.
Really nice arrangement and a vocal that has just the right amount of bruise.
Excellent.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740 |
floyd, this is wonderful!
Certainly one of your best and my new favorite from you.
Listening through a second time while typing this ... production wise you had me right from the opening with just the acoustic, and then the way you start bringing in the instruments, holding off bringing in the drums until the very end ... very effective.
But it doesn't matter how good the production is if the song doesn't have good bones, and this certainly does! Great writing and vocal.
Thanks for the backstory too, enjoyed reading that. I certainly appreciate all of that, Dave. The production ('cause I know you are a meticulous production guy...) is built to reflect Prine's sound - especially from the first record. There was a lot of "just acoustic guitar". There was a lot of acoustic guitar + bass - and it often did that 3 note walk-up to start (I had to build that from snippets of the RT)... Steve Goodman often threw in some acoustic leads. There were a number of songs that were acoustic + bass + organ. There were places where a simple pedal steel played along for much of the song. And there was limited use of drums - a lot more in later records - so I waited until the final chorus to let that drummer do his thing - and kept that rather subtle...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,596
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,596 |
Hello Floyd,
I wrote Bob I didn't know John Prine, but I learned some of him on the internet. The other thing is I'm a bit familiair with your songs and I always like them. Can't tell if this one is your best or not, but it is certainly a very good song! That counts for all your songs until now...
I was only amazed of one tiny thing: At the time you sing "i left him back some time ago, to find what i thought he didn't know" there was also a mandoline coming in. But only for this line or even less. And it didn't come back. So a very short performance of that instrument. How come? I'm pretty sure you had an idea with that. I guessed that mr Prine did these kind of things too, but that wasn't the case as far as I could hear from several videos on YouTube. So tell me what were your considerations?
Thanks for the song,
Hans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
WOW!!! A great song about a great songwriter BY another great songwriter!! Lots of greatness in there!! I love the honest simplicity and raw beauty of the lyrics.......done in true John Prine style! A wonderful tribute!! Floyd, I hope you live at least several months longer than me so you can write me such a wonderful tribute, although I'm not saying I'm deserving of that kind of admiration. LOVE IT!!! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,950
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,950 |
This reminded me of a famous Red Smith quote: "Writing is easy, all you gotta do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein." I really appreciated this as a huge JP fan, I worked in a record store and still remember the record number (Atlantic 8296) of that iconic first album. Love the way you brought instruments in gradually on this mix, I've gotta try that for myself. Thanks for a great one here.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,740 |
Ed - thanks for the listen and the comments...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,493
Posts792,635
Members39,900
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean