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Pretty Polly For quite a while we’ve wanted to remake our first forum post from eleven years ago. It’s a complete “start over” with Peter on guitar and Janice’s new vocals and her cajon playing. The tune is based on a 250 year old English murder ballad “The Gotsport Tragedy” later known as “Pretty Polly.” There are literally scores of verses and variants on the theme. We performed this with our bluegrass band back in the day in the typical uptempo style. So does reggae + hillbilly = reggaebilly?  Our objective was to make the song sound as haunting and melancholic as are the many folk versions. Variations of the tune have been recorded in "mountain modal" tuning with the banjo being the prominent instrument. To try and approximate this we ended up doing the song in Bbm. We rested the temptation to add chords as it has been performed for hundreds of years with just the two. Also we hoped to pay homage to its roots with Peter’s acoustic guitar and brief fiddle bits. Thanks to Peter, PG Music and to you for your time to listen and, as always, comments are welcomed and appreciated - even if reggae isn’t your genre If interested here’s some of the tune’s history: Wiki Article Janice: lead/harmony vocals, cajon & arrangement Peter: guitar solo/fills - Variax emulating a Martin D28. Bud: mix, mastering, arrangement, photo, etc. lead/harmony vocals > Rodes NT1 mic > Scarlett Interface > Logic Pro X > Nectar Bass: RealTracks 1157 Reggae > Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3 (pieced together from multiple tracks) Drums: RealDrums Reggae Classic > Waves ClA Drums (includes bits from multiple tracks) Cajon > MXL Mic > Scarlett Interface > Logic Pro X > Waves CLA Drums Rhythm Guitar: RealTracks 1158 Rhythm Reggae > Chromaverb Organ: RealTracks 1159 B3 Rhythm Reggae > Logic Pro X Direction Mixer > Chromaverb Fiddle: RealTracks 624 Soloist George > Waves CLA Unplugged > Ozone Imager Mastering: Ozone Dynamic EQ > Ozone Vintage EQ > Ozone Imager > Ozone Maximizer > Izotope Tonal Balance > Logic Pro X Loudness Meter
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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A cracking remake. The reggae elements are a wonderful fit. Plenty of great reggae tunes were songs of woe so this fits in. Excellent comping. Peter's guitar bursts are ace. A vocal and harmony that tell a story and inhabit it as well. Well done crew. Love it.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Oh, man. What a great day when I see a new one by you folks. Man, what a treat. This is unsurprisingly outstanding. I've heard versions of this but never really knew the backstory. Thanks! Peter, what you do in there is just perfect --so appropriate and adds so much. That bass drum was at first too strong, but then it makes a great emphatic statement that fits gloriously with the song. Janice, you vocals are so --yeah, you know what I'm going to say-- GREAT! The mix, as always, shines all the proper light on all the magic you guys pack into each production.
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A cracking remake. The reggae elements are a wonderful fit. Plenty of great reggae tunes were songs of woe so this fits in. Excellent comping. Peter's guitar bursts are ace. A vocal and harmony that tell a story and inhabit it as well. Well done crew. Love it. Your familiarity with the genre makes your positive comments very special for us. Thank you Ray! J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Hi Folks,
This has a very catchy and hypnotic beat - well done.
I also liked the vocals and the mix.
I was particularly taken with the excellent lead guitar where it had a Tony Joe White funky swamp feel in the middle of the song - terrific.
Well done all of you.
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
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Oh, man. What a great day when I see a new one by you folks. Man, what a treat. This is unsurprisingly outstanding. I've heard versions of this but never really knew the backstory. Thanks! Peter, what you do in there is just perfect --so appropriate and adds so much. That bass drum was at first too strong, but then it makes a great emphatic statement that fits gloriously with the song. Janice, you vocals are so --yeah, you know what I'm going to say-- GREAT! The mix, as always, shines all the proper light on all the magic you guys pack into each production. That is much appreciated Marty. Taking on a genre like this is always akin to stepping of a cliff.  We’re glad it worked for you! J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Hi Janice & Bud and PeterF,
It's still as well constructed with a slightly reggae style. The whole thing is very pleasant with Janice's superb voice and Peter's guitar accompaniment.
Kindly regard Derochette alias JaniJackFlash
Kindly regards Derochette alias JaniJackFlash
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Damn good reggaebilly!
Team, more reggaebilly please. Seriously, very original raw and authentic stuff. I will start with complaint. Bud definitely could of played upright on it.
Janice, very versatile vocals and excellent cajon drumming. Peter caught the vibe very well, not an easy thing for cross genre, A+. Bud, fantastic mix. Listens very "live", almost club feel. Congrats on this gem and thank you for sharing.
Misha.
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Janice, Bud & Peter,
Truly outstanding! A great variety of tracks and awesome arrangement.
Love Peter's guitar and Janice sings this as only she can...
Crystal clear mix with loads of dynamics. Absolutely love it!
Bob
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Reggaeabilly is a nice twist on what I imagine is a standard English folk tune. Those lyrics are haunting. Mix and instrumentation sounds fantastic. Thanks for bringing another old and mostly forgotten so to life and to the forefront.
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Hi Folks,
This has a very catchy and hypnotic beat - well done.
I also liked the vocals and the mix.
I was particularly taken with the excellent lead guitar where it had a Tony Joe White funky swamp feel in the middle of the song - terrific.
Well done all of you.
Best Regards Nigel
Thank you Nigel. Thanks for all you said and especially for mentioning the beat … that’s what we strove for. Also we are long time Tony Joe fans and it’s interesting that you mentioned him … so maybe this tune is reggaeswampybilly!  J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Who doesn't love a murder ballad? Great mix, Bud (as always). The reggaebilly adaption works a treat. Janice's vocals are superb (as always) and Peter's guitar fills are excellent, as is that touch of fiddle.
This reminded me that many years ago I bought an album called 'songs from my funeral' by a duo called Snakefarm, which consisted of contemporary (at the time) updates of traditional folk songs. It included a version of a similarly themed murder ballad, 'Banks of the Ohio'. I expect you know the song, recorded many times by many luminaries. Snakefarm's version, available on Spotify and YouTube, is one I reckon you guys would appreciate.
Regards, Leon
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Hi Janice & Bud and PeterF,
It's still as well constructed with a slightly reggae style. The whole thing is very pleasant with Janice's superb voice and Peter's guitar accompaniment.
Kindly regard Derochette alias JaniJackFlash Thanks, glad you liked it! J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Hey mon that was fantastic.
Not only is this fantastic, as usual, but you have created a new genre, reggaebilly!
As usual everything is perfect.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Hi, Bud and Janice !
This is absolutely superb ! Wonderful music I love it ! ..and Janice´s superb voice WOW sends goosebumps up my spine !
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A cracking remake. The reggae elements are a wonderful fit. Plenty of great reggae tunes were songs of woe so this fits in. Excellent comping. Peter's guitar bursts are ace. A vocal and harmony that tell a story and inhabit it as well. Well done crew. Love it. Thanks Ray Peter
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2 chords, a tastefully played guitar and the voice of Janice are all you need to write/re-make a wonderful reggae. And of course a great arrangement and mix by Bud to make everyone shine. Great work by all involved!
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Hello Janice, Peter and Bud Absolutely brilliant mix Janice's voice fits so perfect to the reggae style And Peter's guitar work is in no way inferior to that But extremely impressive is the crystal clear rich sound Bud created here Just an exceptionally good song Many greetings Andi ;-)
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Oh, man. What a great day when I see a new one by you folks. Man, what a treat. This is unsurprisingly outstanding. I've heard versions of this but never really knew the backstory. Thanks! Peter, what you do in there is just perfect --so appropriate and adds so much. That bass drum was at first too strong, but then it makes a great emphatic statement that fits gloriously with the song. Janice, you vocals are so --yeah, you know what I'm going to say-- GREAT! The mix, as always, shines all the proper light on all the magic you guys pack into each production. Thanks a lot Marty. Peter
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Damn good reggaebilly!
Team, more reggaebilly please. Seriously, very original raw and authentic stuff. I will start with complaint. Bud definitely could of played upright on it.
Janice, very versatile vocals and excellent cajon drumming. Peter caught the vibe very well, not an easy thing for cross genre, A+. Bud, fantastic mix. Listens very "live", almost club feel. Congrats on this gem and thank you for sharing.
Misha. Thanks Misha! We much appreciate your supportive comments. Bud says, man, I can thump out a walking swing and a few other styles on the bass but reggae would, at least for me, require a LOT of study. It is some funking timing.  J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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