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Mystic Chords

This is a start from scratch re-mix, new fx and new mastering chain of our post from seven years ago.

Within Abraham Lincoln’s March 4, 1861 first inaugural address he used the term “mystic chords of memory.” That line stuck with me and eventually morphed into a song write. floyd generously joined in and as with all our co-writes the result made me feel like a bit of a writer. To ice the cake Tom (tommyad) made the whole mystic chord theme shine with acoustic / electric guitar tracks and floyd provided a tight vocal harmony part.

This is one cut from a recent album release of floyd & Bud co-writes. If you stream (and are interested) it’s on all the major platforms. Just search on Janice Merritt and the title is MerriJane.

An oft told tale of the washed up musician but hopefully with a new twist or so. Comments are most welcome. Thanks for your time. And thanks to floyd, Tom and PG Music.

Janice: lead vocal > Rodes NT1 mic > Nectar
floyd: harmony vocal > Nectar
Tom Adams: electric and acoustic guitar solo/fills
Bud: mix, master, etc.

Drums: RD N’ville Even 16 > CLA Drums
Overshot cymbal added at tag > CLA JJP Percussion

Bass: RT 1036 NortherRockBallad Ev65 > Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3

Fiddle: RT 594 Pop16s Ev65 Outside Ev65 > Waves CLA unplugged

Mastering Ozone Dynamic EQ > Ozone Vintage EQ > Ozone Imager > Ozone Limiter > Logic Pro X Loudness Meter

Mystic Chords

V1
endless gigs...endless roadhouses...
he never quit... he never counted the losses...
night after night... of near-empty rooms
sometimes just a bartender, him and his tunes
 
Ch
now no more crowds... no more cheers
he turns the radio up... downs a few more beers
in the corner, a battered Martin left for dead
while mystic chords of memory play... in his head
 
V2
behind the barn, the bus gathers dust
a Silver Eagle gone to rust
a million miles...a thousand towns
to find a stage, a pickup band, that elusive sound
 
Ch
but no more crowds... no more cheers
he turns the radio up... downs a few more beers
in the corner, a battered Martin lies dead
while mystic chords of memory play... in his head
 
Bridge:
sometimes he still hears that roar
an ovation that makes his old heart soar
 
Ch
but no more crowds... no more cheers
he turns the radio up... downs a few more beers
in the corner, his battered Martin.....dead
while mystic chords of memory play... in his head
mystic chords of memory play

© 2015-2022 B. Merritt (words) & floyd jane (words/melody)

Wow, that was a terrific write! Tear your heart apart as delivered by Janice. That Martin's gotta be worth some bucks, though. Song definitely left a mark. Great job, all!

Love everything about this. Vocals are great, mix is awesome, fiddle is sweet and sad, guitar riff fits nicely.

he turns the radio up... downs a few more beers
Great lyric.

I'll have to come back later..soundcloud is throwing little glitches as I listen and there're few things worse than being interrupted whole listening to Janice & Floyd.

Hi Guys,

Very nice all round.

I must admit I was waiting for the bass to come in and power the song along in the second half. No instrumental solos?

Excellent mix otherwise.

Best Regards
Nigel

Leaving a mark is what it’s all about. Thank you!
We much appreciate you saying that as the song has been special to J&B for years.
BTW, Janice has a 1943 D-18 that was inspirational for the song also. It could tell some tales I'm sure.

J&B

Yeah, this is great you four!

Great idea redoing an older song, I've done quite a few with Chris over the years that I would like to redo someday, I have much better tools now, not to mention better knowledge. One of these days

Excellent vocals (always enjoy hearing Floyd and Janice sing together) , and the mix and write is spot on.

Also found the song over on Spotify and gave it a like and a listen.

The Janice Merritt channel is one of my favorites to play while driving. Floyd Jane is another. What a great sound guys. Tommy Adams! Bud, great idea for a song, and great job turning those words into something we can relate to. You guys can please ALL the people ALL th3e time. Man, I'd love to get my hands on that battered Martin. Ok, I think I gotta go for a ride. Thanks.

Hey I remember this song from a while back! I still see my comment!!



It still sounds great and y'all did a wonderful job. I will have to check out the album!

Hello together
A great collaboration
Sounds excellent
Really very successful song
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

We appreciate that! You kindly remarked on everything we tried to achieve. Can’t ask for more. Thank you!

J&B

Hi Janice & Bud,

Beautiful melody very endearing. It's always well done. The choirs are splendid. Very very well done. I enjoyed it.


Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

One of your very best.

I agree with everything that has been said thus far.

All I can add is "you all are so darn good together and better than most everything on the radio today". For those in the southern USA it is "ya'll are so darn good together and better than most everything on the radio today"

Loved it.

Thanks for listening!

J&B



Thanks for the nice comments Dave and for checking it out on Spotify. It’s interesting remixing something from years back. As you mentioned I too hope my skills have grown a bit over the years. If nothing else the technology has certainly grown!

J&B

It's better to burn out than fade away. NY.


I've known a few people who fit nicely into that song's storyline. They did it because they loved the music but never got out of the hole in the wall honky tonk bars.

Nicely done with the song. Everything fit nicely and was done well.

Really cool revisit of the song Bud. I really loved your collabs with Floyd and Tom. Excellent mix. Janice's vocal was so clear and present. Such a lovely blend of voices with Floyd's harmonies. Well done.

Very nice, I love those vocal harmonies. And the guy on the guitar has good taste, he plays everything you need but nothing more.

Perfect, sparse arrangement that gives everyone room to shine.

Thanks for all of that Marty! Glad you liked the lyric and, hey, Janice’s ‘43 D-18 keeps us reminded of this tune. It’s a survivor.

We appreciate your support!

J&B

J&B and Floyd...what a beautiful well written song!...super melody and track...I love the instrumental at the end and fade...the whole track is so clean and crisp...so well done...but I would have expected nothing less from you guys...so, so very nice...there's a sad peace that surrounds the story you're telling and the title is haunting in and of itself...really enjoyed this effort from you guys...stellar!