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The Outskirts Of Fun

For decades we played in bluegrass bands and also enjoyed listening to a lot of country music. It was only natural that our early years on the forum were oriented around these genres. However we soon discovered that BiaB could allow us to explore blues, blues rock and Americana productions - genres we often listened to throughout our bluegrass years and before. Of course some folks think all of our productions are country due to Janice’s accent. 🤪

Recently we pondered the notion of redoing one of our earlier (posted 2013) country songs, actually Western Swing, with the hopes that forum folks and especially those who weren’t around back then might find it of interest.

Since joining the forum we’ve participated in nearly 100 collaborations with our friend floyd jane and he sings harmony on this song. For this new production we retained the original vocal/solo fiddle tracks and asked Peter if he could put on a cowboy hat and join in. 😀 He agreed and also helped with some fiddle note mods. So thanks to our music partner and friend Peter with whom we’ve also done nearly 100 collabs! And a special thanks to floyd who taught us over the years so much about mixing, writing and harmony arrangements.

And of course thank you PG Music for making it all possible. Pardon the lack of brevity but the song brings back many memories.

Your time to listen and perhaps comment is most appreciated. Lyrics below and on SC.

Janice: Lead vocals, arrangement and melody.
floyd: harmony vocals
Peter: solo guitar and arrangement
Bud: lyric, arrangement, mix and mastering

Bass: RT 1846 Bass, Electric, CountryBoogieRootFive Sw 140
Rendered DI > Waves Bass Rider > Logic Pro Bass Amp/mic/speakers

Piano: MIDI SuperTracks 2166 Rhythm NewOrleansSwinginPop Sw 130 > Logic Pro Grand Steinway > Waves CLA Unplugged > Ozone Imager

Guitar: RealTracks 959 Acoustic Rhythm CountryBoogieA-B Sw 140 > Waves CLA Unplugged

Guitar: RealTracks 964 Electric Rhythm CountryBoogieCleanRiff Sw 140
Rendered DI > Logic Pro Bib Cab Clean Amp/mic/speakers

Fiddle: RealTracks 1871 Soloist WesternSwingAndy Sw 165 > Waves CLA Unplugged

Fiddle: RealTracks 1115: Background CountrySwingChops Sw 140 > Waves CLA Unplugged

Drums: RealDrums NashvilleSwing8 > CLA Drums
Additional cymbals via RD kit > Waves CLA Drums

Mastering Chain: Ozone Equalizer > Oz Stabilizer > Oz Impact > Oz imager > Oz Dynamic EQ > Oz Maximizer > Izotope Tonal Balance 2 > Logic Pro Loundness Meter
THE OUTSKIRTS OF FUN
© 2013-2024 J. Merritt & B. Merritt
My sister threw me out for the third time this year
I've gotten so used to it I didn't shed a single tear
There's not a man left who'd think of taking me in
So I'm heading out for a place I've never been
CHORUS:
Maybe I could've hitched a ride up to the city
But last year well that didn't work out for me
When you find there are no places left to run
It's high time for moving to the outskirts of fun
SOLO
Out here there's not a pretty boy to be found
And it seems there are no dance floors around
I met a lot of folks who don't know how to party
I'm gettin' it now 'bout how misery loves company
REPEAT CHORUS
BRIDGE:
It was hard to admit how far I've fallen
But I found me a home on the outskirts of fun
SOLO
REPEAT CHORUS
Yes, I’ll be moving to the outskirts of fun

Janice, Floyd, Peter, and Bud, you all are so talented it is scary.
Everything about this one is perfect.
Loved it.

PS - put out a CD and I will be the first in line to buy it.

Sounds great ... like Johnny & June ... and a night at the Grand Ol' Opry

Thank you Mario for the kind words! CD? Hmmmm … yeah now I remember them. 😀

J&B

Hi, Janice & Bud.

Listening to that was much closer to fun than the outskirts.

Sounds great: up front, well balanced, clear. Bud (and Ozone) got the job done!

Vocals are, as always, excellent. I kept wondering "who's singing that male harmony?" even though I knew it was floyd jane.

All the instruments sound great, including Peter on the guitar.

Nice work, all!

Sounding like that is most cool. Thanks!

J&B

J&B, floyd and Peter...this is some great western swing with great performances by all...Bob Wills would have approved...you have done the genre proud!

Just perfection! Absolute banger of a song, and all the performances are spot on. Crisp arrangement and the mix is very clean and sparkly. Janice's pic is very cool, too. Love it!

Thanks David! You mentioned everything we tried to achieve. Glad it worked for you. I appreciate the mix/master comment too as I’ve been experimenting re Ozone with reference songs.

J&B

Man, this is so good!

There is just something about Janice's voice that makes me smile every time I hear it, you can hear the joy in it. Floyd sounds great on the harmonies of course, the two voices blend so well. And Peter always plays the perfect part.

Read your comment about using reference tracks with Ozone, Bud, that's on my list of things to try. Maybe our next song

Excellent track!

Really great production all around. Love the ensemble players. All of you sound so good together and the mix is excellent.

This kinda reminds me of the stuff they used to play on Prairie Home Companion. Very pro!!

Loved it y'all.

Thanks! We’ve listened to a lot of Bob Wills and Asleep At The Wheel so your comments are really appreciated.

J&B

Toe-tapping goodness ... I love what you guys are doing.
Very cowboy, I expect to hear a song like this if I ever go to a real saloon.
Very good job by all involved, I really enjoyed the listen.

Janice, Bud, Peter & Floyd,

WOW! The swing and groove on this song is terrific! Janice and Floyd singing together sounds magical. Peter's guitar is in full gear and Bud's production is second to none.

Love this - hard to believe I missed it all those years ago, but glad you surfaced this one again for a refresh.

"Janice: Lead vocals, arrangement and melody.
floyd: harmony vocals
Peter: solo guitar and arrangement
Bud: lyric, arrangement, mix and mastering"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The BIAB Wrecking Crew

AWESOME!

Bob

Thanks for the great very supportive review! And we appreciate the mention of the picture. It’s a composite Bud made that started with a cutout of Janice sitting on her guitar case and then a bench pic and then the motel
pic. No AI! 😀

J&B

Bud, Janice, Floyd & Peter = a Dream Team.
I woke up and the dream was real...real good fun too.
Everything to love & nothing to nit pick.
WONDERFUL.

Man this is good stuff gang! I love hearing western swing and Janice and Floyd both sound good individually, but I've always thought they excell when together, regardless of who's doing lead and vocal. Great addition with Peter, and once again, Bud is showin' us all how it's done.

Brad

J&B,

Well, when a foursome like you all get together, what’s to expect other than a killer tune. Janice’s and Floyd’s vocal go together like peanut butter and jelly—classic! Great mix and production—no surprise there either.

Excellent and fun tune. Enjoyed my listen a ton!!

Regards to you all,

Deej

Well that comment certainly made her smile too! Thanks for all you wrote. I’m pleased with the reference approach so far and have only made minor tweaks to the modules. It does take us a while to come up with the “right” reference though.

Your review is appreciated!

J&B

Thanks for mentioning my small part in this.

Peter