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I have listened to this multiple times - my thoughts are below. I recognise the time, effort and talent you have put into this. Sorry if you feel any of the negative comments are harsh or unjustified. Thanks a lot for posting the song.
<snip>
Sounds like a pretty generic slow minor blues, well written and played but lacking any distinctive features or defining hook. Yes, clearly a minor key blues. Some blues songs have hooks, most do not. I’m finding the chord progressions a little too predictable. As we have already established, this is a minor key blues. Blues, true traditional blues anyway, use a predictable chord progression, period. The lyric does nothing for me – but this could be down to the delivery. Fair enough, to each his own. Instrumentation
Really nice tone on the lead guitar
Vocals
Singing is ok – perhaps not the best voice for this type of song. Man, if you think her vocal is just ok you must have a hole in your soul  Happy you liked the tone on the guitar. Mix / Production
Generally nice balanced mix apart from at 2:02 where it sounds for all the world like that lead gtr is stepping in for a huge solo – if this is just lead gtr playing during the verse it sounds to me way too loud and intrusive. The lead vox practically disappear at this point! The entire song builds to a climax at 2:02, however the guitar could possibly come down a couple of db's, I'll give you that. What could be improved
Also it sounds like there is a glitch in the opening gtr solo at 00:18 There is no glitch in the opening guitar. The chord sequence is ok but slightly too predictable We have already covered this. Minor key blues, remember? Piano solo at 2:20 to 3:00 – not the best instrument for this type of song and the solo introduces way too much dissonance. Was it played or generated? If I were producing I would dispense with it entirely and leave just the gtr solo which cuts through more effectively but still sounds to me like it could be further developed. Not the best instrument for this type of song?! There are many, many examples of pianos being used in blues. I like the contrast and feel that it sets up the guitar solo that follows. You ask if it was played, if you had bothered to read the song description you would have seen that all the guitar tracks, the piano, and the bass are all played. I'm sorry you feel the guitar solo could be further developed, but I like it just the way it is  You clearly know very little about blues and are not a blues fan. So why bother to listen to the song? Just to let me know you don't like blues?
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Hi Dave,
I do like the blues, which does not mean that I like every single track created in this genre.
If you only want positive comments then you should either refrain from posting anything or say so explicitly.
I did 'bother' to read the description in the opening post and I also 'bothered' to listen to the entire track 4 or 5 times, which is a great deal more than most of the other members here.
All the best to you and those who worked on this recording,
Regards,
Marc
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If you only want positive comments then you should either refrain from posting anything or say so explicitly. Thanks for the tip, Marc, however I think I'll continue posting songs. I don't have a problem with negative comments, however if I disagree with something that is said, I'm going to comment on it. I stand by my critique of your review. Have a nice day!
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Hi Dave, Chris and Marty,
This is right up my alley - and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great vocals Chris and good bass and lead guitar.
My only suggestions are (and they are only minor) :
1. Could use a bit of tightening up in the drums, rhythm guitar and piano rhythm section.
2. Bass could be a bit louder throughout.
3. Chris's vocals get a bit buried under the lead guitar in later verses.
Nothing that can't be easily addressed in Reaper.
Great work you guys,
Merry Christmas
Nigel Appreciate the constructive criticism, Nigel! When the time comes to send this off to Spotify I'll certainly revisit the mix, that's something I always do. Happy you liked the song, and best to you and yours for Christmas!
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Hi Dave,
Thanks for this note. I, not surprisingly, stand by my review! But its great that we can discuss openly and without falling out.
If its any consolation, I once took a shot at this genre and the result was unsatisfactory in the extreme. But you live and learn.
Season's greetings,
Marc
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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!
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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!
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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.
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These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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- 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
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- 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
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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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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)!
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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.
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Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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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
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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
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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
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