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#648422 03/24/21 10:31 PM
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PeterF Offline OP
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In The River Valley


In a bit of a departure here is a little folk song with a traditional sound that is enhanced by a lovely backing vocal from Janice.

Leon - Lyric & Vocal
Janice Merritt - Vocals
I played the harmonica and electric guitar (and sang just a little).

The Band:
RealTracks in style: ~701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
Loop in Song: Drums\TambourinePop8ths
RealTracks in song: 2548:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkSorrow Ev16 090
*******************

In the River Valley

The first frost of winter
Has turned the rooftops white
I wish I was in the river valley
Mist rising from the water
What a beautiful sight
How I wish I was in the river valley

These city streets feel wrong beneath my feet
Sounds of the city fall harshly on my ears
Wildflowers on the hillside smell so sweet
Music in the wind sighing through the trees
My lover waits for me
In the river valley
While I sweat and slave all day in the factory

One day I’ll save enough
To buy that little cottage
In the river valley where my lover waits for me

These city streets feel wrong beneath my feet
Sounds of the city fall harshly on my ears
Wildflowers on the hillside smell so sweet
Music in the wind sighing through the trees

Summer in the city
My clothes stick to my skin
How I wish I was in the river valley
Lying in the shade
Of an old gum tree
How I wish I was in the river valley
How I wish I was
How I wish I was
How I wish I was in the river valley

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Different from what I'm used to hearing from you guys! I like it, good sound.

Nice harp playing, Peter! Worked well I thought.

Mix wise I thought Janice was too low in spots, especially noticeable when Leon and Janice are trading off on "I wish I was", I think Janice should be at the same level as Leon in those places and to my ears she is lower in volume.

But! Just my opinion and I could be wrong. wink

Overall a good song, enjoyed.

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Simple, easy to listen to. It has a nice flow to it and I like the harmonies and harmonica.


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PeterF Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Different from what I'm used to hearing from you guys! I like it, good sound.

Nice harp playing, Peter! Worked well I thought.

Mix wise I thought Janice was too low in spots, especially noticeable when Leon and Janice are trading off on "I wish I was", I think Janice should be at the same level as Leon in those places and to my ears she is lower in volume.

But! Just my opinion and I could be wrong. wink

Overall a good song, enjoyed.


Thanks Dave -
I thought that too after hearing the Soundcloud version(not obvious in DAW?).
I've updated the file with Janice now a bit more prominent.

Peter

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Peter & Leon (and Janice),

A nice folk song. Appropriate backing.
Harmonica works well. The tambourine in a good choice.

Leon as a great voice for this style.
On my speakers, the vocal "jumps out at me" every few words.

Janice's harmonies sound good.

Nice.

fj

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Hi Peter and Leon,

I just listend to a new song from Floyd and then yours.
It is very good and in a way as understated as his song. It gave me a smile.
You both did a very nice job with this 'sweet' song (I don't mean the lyrics, they were about hard labour...)

I really enjoyed it,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
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Very nice work from all. I don't often get a chance to hear good folk music. That harmonica sounds like a Dylan song.

Makes me feel like walking down into the woods here and setting by my creek and just watching the water flow.


https://youtu.be/et9ATXBW9HM <<<<< this is one of the creeks on my land.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/25/21 06:11 AM.

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Excellent tune guys. Loved the intro. Super vocal Lyon and some very lovely harmonies Janice. Cool country tune. I agree with Herb the harmonica was a nice add. Well played Peter. Guitar was cool too..


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Janice, Pter and Leon ...

A classic Dylan sound that's seldom heard any more. It's a "comfortable" listen - relaxing and pensive. Everytrhing is so good. And you can't go wrong with anything Janice contributes to a song. Thanks for a terrific listen. Wishing all of you the very best. Take care ...

Alan


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Originally Posted By: Ghostgum
Simple, easy to listen to. It has a nice flow to it and I like the harmonies and harmonica.


Thanks appreciate the comments.

Peter

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Your song was really easy to listen to, and the lyrics painted such a perfect visual and helped set the mood going into the song. Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Ember
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Cool folk. I could image Pete Seeger belting this out.
Well done all - it sounds legit.


Cheers
rayc
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A wonderful composition and recording. I love its simplicity (which goes with the subject perfectly). Everything well played. Lovely vocal harmonies, especially on the outro. Nice work to everyone involved, including the band.


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
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Sound exactly what I'd expect from this genre: Lyrics, vocals, harmony and arrangement spot on.

Jangly goodness.


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Peter & Leon (and Janice),

Oldie but goody.
It seems to be an arrangement of Stephen Collins Foster's work to me.
Harmonica, vocals and harmonies, everything is very comfortable.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Lovely song. I like the simplicity of the lyric.

The vocals are good but seem a bit up and down in volume so maybe needs a play around with compression. Vocals also (to my ears) seem too separated from the reverb and eq in the music.

I still like it though.

Vic

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Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Different from what I'm used to hearing from you guys! I like it, good sound.

Nice harp playing, Peter! Worked well I thought.

Mix wise I thought Janice was too low in spots, especially noticeable when Leon and Janice are trading off on "I wish I was", I think Janice should be at the same level as Leon in those places and to my ears she is lower in volume.

But! Just my opinion and I could be wrong. wink

Overall a good song, enjoyed.



Originally Posted By: Ghostgum
Simple, easy to listen to. It has a nice flow to it and I like the harmonies and harmonica.


Thanks for the harmony mention. It’s a pleasure to work with Peter and Leon!

Janice


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
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That was great!
Nice fresh sound with a tinge of nostalgia.

Enjoyed the listen.
Band is well mixed and the vocals pop just enough.

Well Done!

moto

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Lyrics paint a beautiful landscape and then captures nicely the contrast to the noisy city streets, something I can relate to. Music and melody sway gently along the folk story.
I was surprised to hear harmonica solo instead of electric guitar, but it works really well. Also the electric guitar plays nice riffs.
Great vocals and Janice's backing harmonies really sounds like "sighing through the trees".

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

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Hi PeterF, Leon and Janice

What I admire here is your collaboration in the development of this composition. The lyrics are superb. I love the harmonica and the vocals doubled to different octaves which make for a great composition. Well done.

Kindly regard
Derochette
aliasJaniJackFlash

Last edited by Derochette; 03/28/21 08:58 AM.

Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
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