Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#787732 12/08/23 12:45 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
I actually started writing this when Jimmy Buffett passed away but got sidetracked with some other musical projects that had deadlines and this kinda took a back seat. Anyway, I had a few days to work on this. The writing was done way back, but the recording was just finished up last week.
Jimmy was a huge influence on me in the 70s and 80s around the time he did Son Of A Son Of A Sailor. There was so much good music on that album and the ones around it as well. One could see oneself laying on the deck of a boat making the midnight passage with the sound of good music on the speakers and the warm salt air blowing the sails just by listening to those songs.

This is my way of saying Thanks for the memories Jimmy! Smooth sailing and watch out for the customs man.

The band is:

Bass 2609
Drums Nashville evn 8
Guitar: 852
Acoustic 405
Harmonica 2857
Mandola 1&2 3149 & 3147
Marimba 3523
Steel Drums 3613


Some Caribbean Bay


Lyrics:

Some Caribbean Bay


When the sun goes down on the ocean
you see that southern cross low in the sky
the lights of Saint Croix nearby
Another midnight passage another destination
Just another port of call, on my permanent vacation

Theres places to go, people to meet,
where the rum is strong and the spices sweet
On a full moon tide, with a following sea


One more round of tequila, and I'll be on my way
We always knew the good times would have to end one day
Just one more song for the old days
On my old guitar I love to play
You'll find me hanging out in some Caribbean bay

Solo

All the guitar strummers and bare foot beach bummers
Listening to to that island sound
toes in the sand rum drinks in their hands
Some people don't want to be found.
While others just wanna stay lost
Avoid the customs man at any cost, just keep your fingers crossed

PC
Chorus

raise the anchor get under way
this is where the pirate sails away....But...

One more round of tequila, and I'll be on my way
Who ever said that the good times would have to end this way
Just one more song for the old days
On my old guitar I love to play
You'll find me hanging out in some Caribbean bay
You'll find me hanging out wasting my life away


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Hi herb,

I think this is a perfect song to commemorate Jimmy Buffet. The musical style is spot-on. And the lyric sums up his life, as much as we know it, very nicely. The band is sweet! Only nit with the band is the harmonica needed more volume as it began the instrumental verse. Your vocal somewhat reminds me of him. Nothing wrong with that! I really liked the slightly louder than is typical. The higher EQ it appears you might have applied gave them a crisp glow. And yeah - those steel drums!

In my opinion, you aced it! Can't imagine anyone doing a better tribute to his contributions to the world of music.

Ya did good!

Alan


BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Herb, I’ve been going to the Keys for 50 years and have traveled extensively in the Carribean, so I know this style very well. You nailed it. I always remark on your vocals. There is something about the timbre of your voice that I find very accessible and easy to listen to. Perfect for the genre. Well put together and your production skills are in fine form. Great writing. Well done, Tom

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
Al David.... remixed it.... more harmonica, tamed the steel drums, bumped the vox upfront a bit more.

Tommy. Thank you. I'm always apprehensive about my own vocals.... Thank you!


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Listened again, Herb. Yep - spot on! You make some real nice music.


BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,730
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,730
This is SO cool! Perfect tribute to the man and a lifestyle. The time we spend wasting our lives away with our toes in the sand or enjoying a sunset are not actually wasted at all. Key West has changed a lot in the 40 years I've been going there, but there still aren't enough tourists to kill the magic of watching the sun set from Mallory Square. Oh, loved the steel drums, too!


DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,015
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,015
Herb,

Great song and a great tribute. Perfect...

Loved it!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,066
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,066
Reminds me of my last Caribbean vacation.
I don't know Jimmy Buffett, but if this is the stuff he did, I'll be sure to listen to his music.
Thanks Herb!

User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,090
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,090
Southern cross and laying on the deck is such an iviting thought. You've captured Buffett perfectly in so many ways. Love the steel drum, too. Man, this is so good. One more round of tequila, one more song... Yep, you got this style in our viens, Herb.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,494
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,494
Caribbean! Niiiiice!

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,936
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,936
That harmonica does some nice buffett style licks (his solo's a bit lackluster)
The mandolin does nice job of the heavy work.
Seems you step off of your 3-minute soapbox for this.

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,235
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,235
Hi, Herb.

Excellent tribute!

In additional to being a solid song, it's got nice very nice Buffet-eque touches like the asymmetric phrasing of the verse, and the stop that announces "Here's the chorus!".

Enjoyed this one a lot! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,067
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,067
I think you nailed the Buffet vibe perfectly with this one, Herb. Good choice of instrumentation, and excellent vocal!

Well done, enjoyed.

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,601
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,601
Great song and lyric, well performed vocal.

Vic

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,151
L
Expert
Offline
Expert
L
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,151
This is a beautiful tribute and touching words.
Laurent

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,764
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,764
Loved everything about this man, Jimmy would be proud.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2026 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.
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
DC Ron and rsdean

Thanks for listening. I've been to Key West one time but it was when I was too young to remember it let alone have fun there.

Glad you enjoyed the song.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,881
Let me just wrap this up by saying thanks to everyone who listened and replied.

Thanks!!


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,674
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,674
Darn good chorus. You've captured the Buffett sound nicely. Love that steel drum part.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281
liked it. One can hear the Buffet vibe there.
Thanks

Mike B.


Music should be part of your life
http://www.soundclick.com/blackcatjazzcafeband
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: 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.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,296
Posts802,873
Members40,085
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
luli, xkm12312, windsax, GregNYR, Gouby Raya
40,085 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 127
zedd 100
rsdean 88
DC Ron 73
vicarn 72
Today's Birthdays
Jelle, old guy, twarner
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5