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So, I think we all agree that my last song had a bit too much "ketchup" (harmonically speaking) on it  ... and many of you said you missed my voice. So, with those two points in mind, here's something new. Hopefully, more understandable by way of harmonic progressions, and, yes, I'm singing on this one, too. See what you think? Thanks for listening and for any comments! An Ordinary ManTHE LYRICS: I'm just an ordinary man Doing the things I do, Waking up, brush my teeth, eat my breakfast, All the time thinking of you ... I'm just an ordinary man Looking into the mirror, Tie is straight, my shoes shine, gone to work, Wondering if you are any nearer. And all the time I go about my day My heart just beats a little fast At the thought that, in the evening time, I may see you, once more, at last ... And, in the evening, when I am back, once more, I hang my suit, and loosen up my tie, Set the table, forks and spoons, dinner's ready, All that is left is your arrival, tonight ... I'm just an ordinary man So please don't be angry, and sigh, If I still hope you will come back, sometime, That "see you later" didn't mean "goodbye" ... I'm just an ordinary man And you have always, ever been so smart; So please, if you do call, don't play with me, For you'd be playing with my heart. THE BAND: ****** Song Summary ************* Title: An Ordinary Guy - 28 September 2023 File:An Ordinary Guy - 28 September 2023.SGU Key=C , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=3:26 No intro. 52 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 52. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _POPPNOL.STY (Pop Piano Liverpool Ballad) RealTracks in style: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 891:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLiverpool Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 870:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernRnBRockWarmQuarters Ev 065
RealDrums in style:NashvilleBrushesBalladPushEv16: a: Sidestick, Brushes b: Brushes ******************* Voice recorded and mixed in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10, "as is", i.e. with no further effects.
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GREAT to hear you singing - you drop in to spoken word occasionally but your singing voice is good, you carry melody well.
You vocal is suffering proximity effect - too close to the mic which accentuates the bottom end which fights the bass a bit.
The chords are definitely JD sounding.
Simple and stark is cool - possible something is needed on the left to balance the right hand of the piano.
Fab effort James.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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James,
This is a wonderful and beautiful piece of music. Your voice sounds great with the piano.
Love the intimate feel and overall production.
Great to hear you again!
Bob
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James can sing, fantastic.
Loved that piano and those lyrics.
Your vocal was a little bassy as Ray indicated. Maybe stand back from the mic or try some EQ.
This was a super effort showing us that you can sing and stay on pitch.
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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James,
Your best vocal. You should always sing.
Nicely done. Sounds like a song from a musical.
fj
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Ray, Bob, Mario, Floyd: Thank you so much for listening and for your insightful comments! Ray: wonderful, detailed, great feedback! Thanks!!! Bob: really happy you liked it! Mario: thanks! Ray is, of course, spot on ... I will see what I can do with that vocal, when time allows. I don't want to record it again, so maybe a little EQ? Floyd: thanks. It's an amazing compliment, when it comes from you, that you think I should sing more. I definitely will, now Thanks, of course, also to PG Music!
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Apprentice
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I really like the story telling and how you use imperfect rhymes in the lyrics!
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Expert
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Like the story of your lyrics. The simple arrangement compliments the lyric very nicely.
The production is clean, however, I think your vocals are arranged too forward in the mix, it can use a bit of reverb or distance mic'ing. Nice job!!
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Sometimes less is more and this is more.
A nice heartfelt message to the she that is gone.
Well done.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Oh, James, it seems you left out a word, or at least a suffix in the title if you're singing about yourself: EXTRA. YES!! Keep singing, sir. Terrific range and pitch-precision. Yes, I totally enjoy your "speaking" songs, but I always hear the implied melody and I sing along with you. Excellent lyrics, too. Love it, James!! EXTRAordinary.
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Well done. Enjoyed the singing and its emotive delivery of the lyric.
Nice piano also ... not too busy or too straight forward.
And we are always good with a sparse open arrangement!
More singing!
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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I agree with the comments above - singing is the way to go.
Good stuff.
Peter
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An unusual lyric James, But it all makes sense.
Nice simple arrangement.
Your phrasing could be smoother and less staccato like.
Vic
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James,
Really nice . . . and, yes, your vocal works quite well here. As others may have noted, it has a show tune feel to it . . . it’s engaging, from the vocal, to the lyrics, to the simplicity of the arrangement, which fits the tune well. Great work on this one!
All my best to you,
Deej
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Alexander, Elliott, Bass Thumper, Marty, Janice, Bud, Peter, Vic and Deej : THANK YOU!!! Ever so kind of you all!!! Marty: that's probably one of the nicest and kindest reviews I have ever received. You've got a heart of gold. Thank you so much. Vic: yes, it's a little staccato, my delivery! I'm terrified of long notes, because my voice tends to "shake" on them, or sound bad, or whatever. I'll work at it, though Thanks!!! I'll try to keep singing
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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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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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!
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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!
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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