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I listen to a lot of nautical music (old stuff), this was really good. There are a lot of great nautical tunes you guys could do if you wanted, they all are public domain. But whatever you do, it's always first class. Never crossed my mind to do a public domain song, might be fun to try that. Thanks for the idea!
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I like the cinematic celtic folk feeling. The mood of seas is very present in the music: the piano has nice melancholy tone and the drums have nice bouncy rhythm. I can feel the northern wind blowing. Enjoyable guitar playing, the solo guitar melody is very beautiful. Chris's amazing voice on top of that turns this into a small masterpiece which I want to listen to again and again.
Janne We rarely quote but Janne really nailed it. This is one of the best builds we've heard in a production...remarkably effective. "Epic" is over used, admittedly, but this is an epic ballad. Janice said she was getting very worried about the sailors near the end, i.e., great imagery. And BlueAttitude never disappoints with guitar and vocal! And Chris's work on her instrumentals is perfecto for the feel. Enjoyed the audio and vid... J&B Thanks Janice and Bud!
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I would not be surprise to hear you guys "got a deal". And we would all wait anxiously for the next record to come out...
well to me that says it all, Christiane beautiful vocals, Dave if I could play guitar leads like you well I would be.....??? Better than I am .
This was class with a capitol c. Thanks, Colin! Dave and Chris, this is very good work! Everything sits in a perfect place for my ears! I love Chris's vocals (every time) and your guitars tones are the best (as well as your playing). It's a great song with a perfect music bed to carry the vocal/lyrics! I'm always impressed with your work! Thanks, Torrey Thanks Torrey! Love your latest. Hi Dave and Chris.
Another cracker from you two. Love the piano and the vocal and guitar work are great as always.
Regards,
Leon Thanks for stopping by, Leon! Hi Chris and Dave ...
Before clicking onto any song you post. I know I am going to be pleased and taken on a great journey. This one just dazzles! It's a wonderful blend of styles ... almost a new genre, I would venture to say.
Although Chris Spruit & Janice Merritt are totally different singers, they are similar by virtue of having the innate vocal excellence to bring out the very best in a lyric. Chris' vocal on this one just soars. And Dave, your guitar touch is such a treat for the ears. This is some seriously good writing, performing and presentation. Totally loved it!
Wishing you both the very best. Please be safe ...
Alan Very nice review, thanks very much, Alan!
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New Age Viking Blues? Dave & Chris, Nice job on this tune. Piano is the king. Guitar rocks at 1:20 and getting nice and wild toward the end. One of the more aggressive drums I have heard in your tunes (second half of the song), but it works very well. I have heard it first day it was posted, sorry for turtle response. On good note, I got to hear it twice and I actually liked it better on the second round. You know, it is like a soup, it always tastes better on the second day  Thank you for sharing! Misha.
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If you pick the right instruments and talent you can have a great song? Well, that just got answered with a big "Yes!"
Talk about haunting. It plays with your emotions. I love it!
Great job!
Thanks, Caaron! It was a fun project for us, happy you liked it. Dear 'BlueAttitude' & Ms. Spruit... As I was listening (closely, that is! ), to The Beacon, into my mind came the word, 'mystical', the meaning of which a dictionary explains as 'spiritually significant, or symbolic'. The music was mostly responsible for that thought occuring to me, as it has kind of a rising and falling feel to it, like waves in the ocean advancing on, and receding from the shore. The unresolved aura of the strings arrangement contributed to the mystical mood, too. But it was the lyrics that more powerfully summoned the 'mystical' feel I mentioned. They describe the disorienting sense of being lost and a search for the way out of the darkness: "Beacons light
Shine on and fight
Don't leave our ship to the night"Those are compelling words, because, after all, aren't the lives of all of us simply wayward journeys up and down paths that lead us sometimes into darkness, and at other times point us toward 'the light'? And yet, the brisk 3/4 time is uplifting in a quiet way. Maybe that's because, for me, at least, waltz time has always had an upbeat feel that has never failed to brighten my mood (I could listen forever to the late Toots Thieleman performing Bluesette .) I think The Beacon sets a mood of longing and yearning for a 'safe harbor' for the soul that makes it a entrancing, meditative listening experience. LOREN/'bluage' Man, you write the best reviews! Thanks, Loren This if great but the 1st vocal not is way too aggressive and slightly buried at the same time - it's a bit the same after the solo.
Excellent arrangement and playing/singing.
That vocal reverb separates it a little.
Sweet solo tone! I'll get back to this song at some point to tweak the mix, I always do. And when I do I'll check what you mentioned about the vocal mix and reverb. Thanks, Ray, I always appreciate that kind of feedback Sounds awesome Dave! Great production and mix with your signature guitar excellence! Great to see you back here, David! Thanks, man! This song sounds like it's been around for ages, getting a fresh treatment just now..,that old "folk" waltz-time vibe electrified and bandified. An absolute pleasure to listen to. Happy you liked this one, Tang. New Age Viking Blues? Dave & Chris, Nice job on this tune. Piano is the king. Guitar rocks at 1:20 and getting nice and wild toward the end. One of the more aggressive drums I have heard in your tunes (second half of the song), but it works very well. I have heard it first day it was posted, sorry for turtle response. On good note, I got to hear it twice and I actually liked it better on the second round. You know, it is like a soup, it always tastes better on the second day Thank you for sharing! Misha. "New Age Viking Blues", I like that! Thank's Misha!
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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.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
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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- 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
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- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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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
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