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Just Say The Word

Ray sent the lyric, melody suggestions and demos in several genres for Janice to select from. She chose the jazz version to the dismay of Ray and Bud smile each of whom had not worked with jazz productions … and via a deft move on Ray’s behalf Bud ended up with the mix laugh Thanks to our music partner Peter for joining in on guitar and helping on the trumpet bits. Comments are welcomed and we hope that you might find it of interest. Thanks for your time! And as always thanks to PG Music for making it all possible.

Janice: lead / harmony / call back vocals, melody and vocal arrangement
Ray: lyric, progression, melody, mix counsel and arrangement
Peter: guitar solo / fills, trumpet arrangement and mix counsel
Bud: mix, mastering and photo

Lyrics on SoundCloud.

Vocals: Rodes NT1 > Scarlett 212 interface > Izotope Nectar

Bass: RealTrack 1394 Acoustic, Jazz Sw > Waves Bass Rider > Izotope Neutron 3
“In twos” and walking style comped from several RT regenerations.

Drums: RealDrums JazzSwingDannyBrushes > Waves CLA Drums

Piano: RealTrack 2192 Acoustic, Rhythm EZListening Sw > Waves CLA Unplugged > Izotope Ozone Imager

Guitar rhythm: RealTrack 1984 Acoustic, Rhythm EZListening Sw 085 > Waves CLA Unplugged

Trumpet: RealTrack 494 Jazz Ballad Sw 085 > Logic Pro X Reverb
(Pitch editing and note stretching to enhance segues)

Logic Pro X: mix and mastering
Mastering chain: Ozone Dynamic EQ > Ozone Imager > Ozone Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance 2 > Logic Pro X Loudness Meter


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Thanks Bud, Janice's excellent melody, stunning vocal and swing added to Peter's deft guitar and your excellent listening, selections and mixing, (not to mention problem solving), make this a silk purse.


Cheers
rayc
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I was looking for a good translation of the word "laid back" a couple of weeks ago. And I thought it was a nice idea to go old school and pick up one of the old dictionaries in our cupboard.
Guess what? It said: "Just say the word" by J&B grin

Another job done extremely well.
I like the clean jazz solo Peter!

Rob


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

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Originally Posted By: rayc
Thanks Bud, Janice's excellent melody, stunning vocal and swing added to Peter's deft guitar and your excellent listening, selections and mixing, (not to mention problem solving), make this a silk purse.


Thanks Ray, that is all genuinely appreciated and I gotta say that your lyric immediately drew Janice in and I knew quickly she wanted to do this version. So thank you!

Bud


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Originally Posted By: RnAM
I was looking for a good translation of the word "laid back" a couple of weeks ago. And I thought it was a nice idea to go old school and pick up one of the old dictionaries in our cupboard.
Guess what? It said: "Just say the word" by J&B grin

Another job done extremely well.
I like the clean jazz solo Peter!

Rob


Thank you Rob. We liked that solo also!

J&B


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What a great collaboration. Janice, what a wonderful interpretation of those crafty lyrics Ray sent. The melody is really cool over those changes, and the harmony is in the Goldilocks realm of Just Right. Peter, for my ears the drummer defines the feel, but the guitar is the magic that makes it all work, and you never fail in that regard. I really like the use of the trumpet in this, too. Bud, your mastery of the mixing is second to none.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Hello Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter
Great song in every way
Although this is not my music,
I am really impressed
Congratulations to ALL !!!
The artwork has become excellent
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Last edited by PROJECT M; 05/13/22 04:51 AM.
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Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
What a great collaboration. Janice, what a wonderful interpretation of those crafty lyrics Ray sent. The melody is really cool over those changes, and the harmony is in the Goldilocks realm of Just Right. Peter, for my ears the drummer defines the feel, but the guitar is the magic that makes it all work, and you never fail in that regard. I really like the use of the trumpet in this, too. Bud, your mastery of the mixing is second to none.


That is all very generous of you Marty and most kind to us Jazz neophytes.

Nothing like steppin’ off the proverbial cliff on occasion.

Thank you!

J&B


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Interesting listen - it had the general outlines of a pop song format, but...

I'm not sure "chromatic" is the word I'm looking for, but there are some interesting zigs instead of zags with both the chords and the melodic line.

Janice's languid delivery is perfect as always, as is the harmonies.

And a clean mix, as expected.

Cool! smile


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Originally Posted By: PROJECT M
Hello Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter
Great song in every way
Although this is not my music,
I am really impressed
Congratulations to ALL !!!
The artwork has become excellent
Many greetings
Andi ;-)


Thank you Andi!

J&B


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Hi, very impressive presentation. nice photograph as a start and a perfect vocal with nice harmonies. Laid-back came to my mind, but I wasn't the only one with that feeling. I liked the arrangement and the mix. I started to listen on my tablet but this nice collaboration deserved mij home hifi.


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This was an excellent collaboration.
The lyrics, playing, backing-tracks, and especially the vocals... all top shelf. Very impressive.


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Loved this tune. Super vocal Janice. Perfect for the genre. Excellent lyric and melody Ray. Trumpet was a cool add. Excellent guitar work Peter. Perfect production, mix and master Bud. Well done


Scott Collingwood
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Originally Posted By: dcuny
Interesting listen - it had the general outlines of a pop song format, but...

I'm not sure "chromatic" is the word I'm looking for, but there are some interesting zigs instead of zags with both the chords and the melodic line.

Janice's languid delivery is perfect as always, as is the harmonies.

And a clean mix, as expected.

Cool! smile


Well we hope zigs are as good as zags! smile
Every aspect of this venture into jazz world has been interesting and we are glad you thought it was cool … which is a positive word indeed to apply to a jazz tune.

Thanks,
J&B


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J&B, Ray, Peter,

Very unusual tune. I listened to it on several occasions to fully appreciate it. While it is free flowing, I can only imagine how much effort it took to reach from point A to Soundcloud. Almost experimental. Some music is just good music, this one is different. It makes you think in a different direction. You all should be proud of this. Excellent collaboration + teamwork! Enjoyed it and thank you for sharing.

Misha.

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WOW!!! The harmonies!!! This song is wonderful from so many perspectives, but the harmonies take it really over the top.

Ray, Peter and Bud ... congratulations in all of your respective "backstage work". It is so professionally done, there's no "chink in the armour". A special nod to Ray, for the lyrics, to Bud for the mix and to Peter - for the guitar, but also for the fun, trumpet moments. As for Janice, what a stellar performance ... stellar even by her usual high standard. It's a joy to listen to a voice with such an elegant tone, at its effortless best.

Congratulations, all ... pat yourselves on the back, you've done it again.

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Originally Posted By: rodipoet
Hi, very impressive presentation. nice photograph as a start and a perfect vocal with nice harmonies. Laid-back came to my mind, but I wasn't the only one with that feeling. I liked the arrangement and the mix. I started to listen on my tablet but this nice collaboration deserved mij home hifi.


We’re glad it worked for you and that it made the home system!
And big thanks for mentioning the vocals and the photo.

J&B


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Hi Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter,

The list of names of participants is growing to interesting proportions!
But they did their utmost to please Janice and you can hear that by the way she sings like a lark, with a whole bunch of nightingales for the harmonies!
And on what lyrics, not only huge in length but also in content! Ray, you did a wonderful thing on that! Now I understand why you quit talking to me last week... wink

It's a very nice, but also difficult song on certain parts. And the song itself has a very nice melody, sometimes not Jazzy at all and even a bit joyful, although the lyrics are the opposite.

I just say...

Hans


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This is so crystal. What a fine job on the mix.

Good work from everyone on this. As always nice vox and harmonies.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
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Ray, Janice, Bud, Peter...

A truly unique song and sound. Cool collaboration.
There were a number of Randy-Newman-isms - the piano/horn mix, the unpredictable melody...
An arrangement/production that really perks up the ears.

Cool vocals. (needless to say)

Excellent mix.

Good work by all!!

Will be back to listen again.

fj

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