We’ve done a complete rework of this 10 year old song. It’s often described as “swamp blues” a la Tony Joe White. His style was characterized by southern US swampy imagery, minimalist instrumentation, simple chord structures and lots of fuzzy guitar.
And, yes, there is a lot of distortion, tube sims, saturated tape sims, overdrive, vintage compression sims and a hot mix. Goes with the style!
For this effort we added a piano, a new bass and changed the drums including adding a snare track.
And for the first time in our long recording career Janice doubled her lead vocal. So this is 2026 Janice singing with 2016 Janice. 😀 Why? Well, to try and add to the gritty thing. The doubling was fun and it required no alignment work.
Peter’s guitar (solos and rhythm) and his harmonica (yes, he played harp!) are unchanged but sitting differently in the mix.
An obscure sub-genre but it was fun and if you choose to listen we appreciate your time. As always big thanks to Peter for the guitar/harp and to Pg Music.
Oh, BTW, a "gris gris" is a good luck amulet. The lyrics are on SC.
Janice: vocals, arrangement and mix Bud: lyric, arrangement, mix, mastering and the Janice no AI photo Peter: guitar and harmonica
Snare: RealDrumsBluesRock (from the kit) > Waves Magma BB T > Ozone Impact > Neutron 3 > Logic Pro Chromaverb
Piano: RealTrack 2881 Acoustic, Rhythm Blues > Ozone Impact > Neutron 3 > Logic Pro ChromaGlow > Logic Pro Chromaverb
Mastering: Logic Pro EQ > Ozone Stabilizer, Imager & Limiter > Izotope Tonal Balance > Logic Pro Loudness Meter
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You guys definitely still have your mojo, I love that heavy, dirty, gritty sound. Some really cool production choices. I'm not sure if the vocals really need the doubling, but Janice nailed it. LOVE those harmonica fills. Great work by everyone
Super job, guys! Ya'll nailed that TJW sound. Love that new BiaB bass, it's really driving the rhythm. Janet's vocals (2016 & 2026) are superb as always, though I might have been inclined to bend the gritty sound objective to hear her vocal nuances more clearly. That's just me being selfish. Sorry!
Nice harp and guitar work--that style of playing just never ages, does it? Superb mix and master. It's all glued together quite nicely. A fun romp through the swamp!
Must have been about 1971 when my parents gave me a tape player and Jerry Reed's "Ko Ko Joe" album on tape for a birthday. Jerry certainly knew how to get swampy. But then again he could do most anything. RIP...
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
You guys definitely still have your mojo, I love that heavy, dirty, gritty sound. Some really cool production choices. I'm not sure if the vocals really need the doubling, but Janice nailed it. LOVE those harmonica fills. Great work by everyone
Glad you like it. Well, we were reading about vocal doubling and how often it was used from the 60’s on so just went for it. 😁 You saying “ I love that heavy, dirty, gritty sound” made us smile as that was exactly what we wanted. And on Peter’s behalf a big thanks for the harp mention.
All is much appreciated!
J&B
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Super job, guys! Ya'll nailed that TJW sound. Love that new BiaB bass, it's really driving the rhythm. Janet's vocals (2016 & 2026) are superb as always, though I might have been inclined to bend the gritty sound objective to hear her vocal nuances more clearly. That's just me being selfish. Sorry!
Nice harp and guitar work--that style of playing just never ages, does it? Superb mix and master. It's all glued together quite nicely. A fun romp through the swamp!
Must have been about 1971 when my parents gave me a tape player and Jerry Reed's "Ko Ko Joe" album on tape for a birthday. Jerry certainly knew how to get swampy. But then again he could do most anything. RIP...
Thanks for the generous comments. Janice kinda left her melismatic singing behind for this one so there weren’t a lot of nuances to hear. 😀 We’re happy you enjoyed the romp through the swamp!
And you might find it of interest that Janice’s brother in law played with Jerry Reed and the Dixie Dregs.
Thanks for all.
J&B
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Hi Janice, Bud and Peter! Nothing average about this at all! This has a good tempo and feel about - would make anyone standing within earshot want to pick up a guitar and play along. Mojo, juju and gris gris … I learned a few things today. Doubling vocals is cool - for Janice it’s for acoustic feature - for me, a device to cover up vocal blemishes.🥹 A great listen! Andrew
Love the edgy feel to the vocals, coupled with Peter's guitar. Janice really brings out the swamp in this one. What a performance!
Pro-sound all the way. Bud, you just keep getting better!
LOVED IT ALL!
You are too kind. But we’ll take it. 😀 And we much appreciate it!
J&B
Bob
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Bud, Janice, and Peter, you three are so far over the "average mojo line, it is scary, Raw, gritty blues played by you three outstanding musicians is much better than anything on Alligator Records. Loved it
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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Hi Janice, Bud and Peter! Nothing average about this at all! This has a good tempo and feel about - would make anyone standing within earshot want to pick up a guitar and play along. Mojo, juju and gris gris … I learned a few things today. Doubling vocals is cool - for Janice it’s for acoustic feature - for me, a device to cover up vocal blemishes.🥹 A great listen! Andrew
Glad you learned a few New Orleans swampy words. Dr. John would be happy.
Thanks for the very nice and supportive comments. They are always appreciated!
J&B
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Well, I'm a big Tony Joe White fan in particular and the swampy blues style in general, so this one ticked a lot of boxes for me
Cool to hear Peter on Harp, that sound never grows old for me. And of course he nails the guitar as per usual. And Janice always sounds great, love that swampy vocal!
Bud, Janice, and Peter, you three are so far over the "average mojo line, it is scary, Raw, gritty blues played by you three outstanding musicians is much better than anything on Alligator Records. Loved it
Thank you Mario. “Raw, gritty blues …” is exactly what we hoped for!
J&B
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Ahhh! Mean and moody. I like that. Everything works. Great mix.
Vic
Thank you Vic! Love your description.
J&B
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Gotta admit I don't know the genre except Dr. John (is he swamp music?) but when he mentioned gris-gris I thought it was cajun food! Sounded good to me, dark for sure, and if Janice is singing I'm there whatever the style of music. Good guitar, too. I googled swamp rock but it was way off base. Definitely different for you guys but I dug it. Good work, team!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Really nice sultry blues going down there. Super sexy vocal by Janice and great guitar by Peter.
Loved it, kind regards
Thanks man! We three much appreciate your time to listen and comment.
J&B
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Once again, the two of you and Peter strike gold. I love the sound. Everything about this production sits really comfortably in my headphones. I can't believe it's been 10 years since this was written. I think that's a pretty clever idea to have a vocal that combines Janice's voice from 2016 with Janice's voice in 2026. Time travel at its best Really nicely done!
By the way, I love the opening verse. It's perfect for setting the scene for what follows!
Originally Posted by J&B
ain't praying for your health ain't praying for my wealth don't want much before I go just need some average mojo
The song really has stood the test of time. Congratulations everyone on a terrific job. --Noel
Cool, when I lstened I wondered if the vocal was from the original. Of course I know Janice was born with a beautiful voice, but man it is so good --doubled eh? I really dig the bass. A terrific mastering. Peter on theharp! Wow, this is another reawaken gem. Thanks. Love the drudgery feeling in this one. The average mojo from you 3 far exceeds the average attainable by most everyone else. Thanks for sharing it.
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
Well, I'm a big Tony Joe White fan in particular and the swampy blues style in general, so this one ticked a lot of boxes for me
Cool to hear Peter on Harp, that sound never grows old for me. And of course he nails the guitar as per usual. And Janice always sounds great, love that swampy vocal!
Good mix and good write too, Bud!
Loved it you three, well done.
Glad to hear you like Tony Joe. We love the vids of just him and the drummer. And his whomper stomper. 😀
Great that you liked it all. It was a fun revisit.
Much appreciate!
J&B
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Gotta admit I don't know the genre except Dr. John (is he swamp music?) but when he mentioned gris-gris I thought it was cajun food! Sounded good to me, dark for sure, and if Janice is singing I'm there whatever the style of music. Good guitar, too. I googled swamp rock but it was way off base. Definitely different for you guys but I dug it. Good work, team!
Thanks! Glad you liked our little adventure. Glad you didn’t eat any gris Gris. 😀 Here’s the best net description we could find of swamp rock.
“Swamp rock is a genre originating in the late 1960s that fuses swamp blues, rockabilly, country, and Southern soul, characterized by a gritty, low-toned guitar sound and dark, rhythmic, and funky grooves. Primarily associated with Louisiana and popularised by artists like Tony Joe White and Creedence Clearwater Revival, it captures a rustic, moody atmosphere of the Southern U.S.”
Thanks again for the nice remarks.
J&B
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If Tony Joe White ever decided to ghost‑write a sequel, it would sound a lot like this. “Some Average Mojo” is the kind of track that makes me wonder whether I’ve just stumbled into a sun‑sweated bayou or a vintage‑tube‑lab where every knob is dialed to “just‑right.” The re‑imagining of this ten‑year‑old gem is a masterclass in tasteful over‑drive: fuzz‑laden guitars that bite, a piano that sneaks in like a mischievous river otter, and a new bass line that makes the swamp feel a little wider.
The real show‑stopper is Janice’s vocal double‑track—2026 Janice singing with her 2016 self. It’s the sonic equivalent of seeing your younger self pop up at a family reunion, only cooler, grittier, and with a hint of mystic “gris‑gris” luck charm. Her voice, polished by a custom‑tuned Nectar chain, glides over Peter’s unchanged yet freshly‑positioned guitar‑and‑harp combo—a ghostly, time-travel duet that gives the song a haunting, layered soul.
Bud's voodoo expertise with all the vintage‑amp, tape‑saturation, and compression wizardry is applied with the precision of a seasoned swamp guide—enough to make the mix feel hot, but not so much that the listener (me) got lost in the mud. The drums, with a snappy new snare layer, keep the rhythm as steady as a rolling thunderstorm, while the lyrical mantra (“just need some average mojo”) feels like a tongue‑in‑cheek prayer you’d whisper to a passing alligator.
The lyrics are a charmingly humble plea for just a touch of decent luck, are elevated by the "gris gris" charm. It’s a song that understands the assignment:- to sound vintage, viscous, and utterly authentic.
Bottom line:This isn't just a song; it's a sonic gris-gris bag for your ears. It is a masterclass in making "average" feel utterly essential. It’s gritty, it’s glossy, it’s got charm‑laden lyrics, and it proves that a little mojo—average or otherwise—can still make waves. I give it 5/5 (with a side of gumbo).
I find the voice dubbing to be of the best quality and the style very pleasant to listen to. You've done a great job again. Laurent
We appreciate that!
J&B
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Well, this is something completely different from what I'm used to from you! A dark song, dark (but fantastic) vocals, and fantastic guitar playing from Peter. I searched in Google translate for the meaning of "Mojo" but it came up with "Mojo" in Dutch...? Whatever, as I wrote; a great song, wonderful singing and solo.
Liked the lyrics, especially: "met an old woman on the corner i knew she had my answer i saw wisdom behind her eyes she said quit listening to them lies"
Janice, I also warned you for those wrong men you always sing about. Now she comes too!
Once again, the two of you and Peter strike gold. I love the sound. Everything about this production sits really comfortably in my headphones. I can't believe it's been 10 years since this was written. I think that's a pretty clever idea to have a vocal that combines Janice's voice from 2016 with Janice's voice in 2026. Time travel at its best Really nicely done!
By the way, I love the opening verse. It's perfect for setting the scene for what follows!
Originally Posted by J&B
ain't praying for your health ain't praying for my wealth don't want much before I go just need some average mojo
The song really has stood the test of time. Congratulations everyone on a terrific job. --Noel
Noel, we much appreciate your time to listen and write such a thoughtful review. Those comments are all very meaningful to us. It makes us want to revisit another song from that decade! 😀
You said: “Time travel at its best” 👍😀👍
Thank you!
J&B
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Sorry it took a while to get to this. Yes, this has a swamp rock TJ White feel and is a great line in grit. LOVE the double vocals...a nice bonus given the time frame. Peter's trem guitar is ace.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Cool, when I lstened I wondered if the vocal was from the original. Of course I know Janice was born with a beautiful voice, but man it is so good --doubled eh? I really dig the bass. A terrific mastering. Peter on theharp! Wow, this is another reawaken gem. Thanks. Love the drudgery feeling in this one. The average mojo from you 3 far exceeds the average attainable by most everyone else. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for the kind review Marty.
We appreciate it all and your mention of the bass is especially meaningful. I’d be embarrassed to to say how much time we spent trying to get it to sit with the grit. 😀
Thank you!
J&B
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Superb. Grit, Janice's incredible voice(s ) in a new musical context (is there any style she cannot sing?), and THAT guitar! Brilliant mix, excellent writing (musical and lyrics) ... what am I to say? You consistently do it again, and again, and again. Hats off to y'all.
That was effin fantastic. Quite the delicious tune. I'd like a second helping. "Please, sir, I want some more." The doubling worked out well. Gritty, yes, gritty. All sounds good and that guitar sounds like it is alive.
If Tony Joe White ever decided to ghost‑write a sequel, it would sound a lot like this. “Some Average Mojo” is the kind of track that makes me wonder whether I’ve just stumbled into a sun‑sweated bayou or a vintage‑tube‑lab where every knob is dialed to “just‑right.” The re‑imagining of this ten‑year‑old gem is a masterclass in tasteful over‑drive: fuzz‑laden guitars that bite, a piano that sneaks in like a mischievous river otter, and a new bass line that makes the swamp feel a little wider.
The real show‑stopper is Janice’s vocal double‑track—2026 Janice singing with her 2016 self. It’s the sonic equivalent of seeing your younger self pop up at a family reunion, only cooler, grittier, and with a hint of mystic “gris‑gris” luck charm. Her voice, polished by a custom‑tuned Nectar chain, glides over Peter’s unchanged yet freshly‑positioned guitar‑and‑harp combo—a ghostly, time-travel duet that gives the song a haunting, layered soul.
Bud's voodoo expertise with all the vintage‑amp, tape‑saturation, and compression wizardry is applied with the precision of a seasoned swamp guide—enough to make the mix feel hot, but not so much that the listener (me) got lost in the mud. The drums, with a snappy new snare layer, keep the rhythm as steady as a rolling thunderstorm, while the lyrical mantra (“just need some average mojo”) feels like a tongue‑in‑cheek prayer you’d whisper to a passing alligator.
The lyrics are a charmingly humble plea for just a touch of decent luck, are elevated by the "gris gris" charm. It’s a song that understands the assignment:- to sound vintage, viscous, and utterly authentic.
Bottom line:This isn't just a song; it's a sonic gris-gris bag for your ears. It is a masterclass in making "average" feel utterly essential. It’s gritty, it’s glossy, it’s got charm‑laden lyrics, and it proves that a little mojo—average or otherwise—can still make waves. I give it 5/5 (with a side of gumbo).
Bravo team. Now, where’s my amulet?
Izzy
We don’t recall using the term gobsmacked before but if there’s ever been an appropriate time this is it.
GOBSMACKED!!!
This review is a keeper to be re-read and shared with family and friends. Choosing anything you wrote as our fav is simply impossible. Being the subject matter of that narrative is humbling, rewarding and joyous.
Thank you!
J&B
PS. We got an amulet for you but it’s too big to ship. 😀
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
If Tony Joe White ever decided to ghost‑write a sequel, it would sound a lot like this. “Some Average Mojo” is the kind of track that makes me wonder whether I’ve just stumbled into a sun‑sweated bayou or a vintage‑tube‑lab where every knob is dialed to “just‑right.” The re‑imagining of this ten‑year‑old gem is a masterclass in tasteful over‑drive: fuzz‑laden guitars that bite, a piano that sneaks in like a mischievous river otter, and a new bass line that makes the swamp feel a little wider.
The real show‑stopper is Janice’s vocal double‑track—2026 Janice singing with her 2016 self. It’s the sonic equivalent of seeing your younger self pop up at a family reunion, only cooler, grittier, and with a hint of mystic “gris‑gris” luck charm. Her voice, polished by a custom‑tuned Nectar chain, glides over Peter’s unchanged yet freshly‑positioned guitar‑and‑harp combo—a ghostly, time-travel duet that gives the song a haunting, layered soul.
Bud's voodoo expertise with all the vintage‑amp, tape‑saturation, and compression wizardry is applied with the precision of a seasoned swamp guide—enough to make the mix feel hot, but not so much that the listener (me) got lost in the mud. The drums, with a snappy new snare layer, keep the rhythm as steady as a rolling thunderstorm, while the lyrical mantra (“just need some average mojo”) feels like a tongue‑in‑cheek prayer you’d whisper to a passing alligator.
The lyrics are a charmingly humble plea for just a touch of decent luck, are elevated by the "gris gris" charm. It’s a song that understands the assignment:- to sound vintage, viscous, and utterly authentic.
Bottom line:This isn't just a song; it's a sonic gris-gris bag for your ears. It is a masterclass in making "average" feel utterly essential. It’s gritty, it’s glossy, it’s got charm‑laden lyrics, and it proves that a little mojo—average or otherwise—can still make waves. I give it 5/5 (with a side of gumbo).
Bravo team. Now, where’s my amulet?
Izzy
We don’t recall using the term gobsmacked before but if there’s ever been an appropriate time this is it.
GOBSMACKED!!!
This review is a keeper to be re-read and shared with family and friends. Choosing anything you wrote as our fav is simply impossible. Being the subject matter of that narrative is humbling, rewarding and joyous.
Thank you!
J&B
PS. We got an amulet for you but it’s too big to ship. 😀
Dear Janice & Bud,
Your boundless grace and flawless decorum deserve a standing‑ovation—so forgive me for dragging you (and other forum victims) into the arena of my epic monologues.
Though each tirade is penned with unvarnished honesty and a wink of fun, I realize it can be a bit more War and Peace than a quick “well done,” that would be far easier for anyone to reply to.
Old habits of drafting briefs cling to me like a favourite cardigan, but rest assured, I’m now filing a formal cease‑and‑desist on the verbosity.
Wow what a cool change up. Loved the production and sound processing. Super vocal and lyric. Peters guitar was very cool and kudos on the harp playing. Perfect bass lines. Really well done.
Great production! A very hard blues song. Doubling Janis 2016 and Janis 2026 is a very nice idea. It's a wonderful doubling. Peter's guitar and harmonica are fantastic too. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Love this song and treatment. I do a lot of character voices - 32 on one tape I did for a beloved back in 1980 - and one character I created in 74 is called Swampbucket José, a near-in, downloose and intasight cowboy - and he'd probably comment something like this: "If any hootowl, bushwhacking, sidewinding outlaw was to say anythin' disheartening 'bout this song, well I theorise that in ma opinion I calculate that I think that I have a high-pothesis that that would make no nevermind on account that it's ma kind of music!" This is him:
Some favourite Waoist Adages: #1: Play on the Way. #13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you. #58: Bring consciousness to it. #63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made. #92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
Everything is clear: drums and bass provide support, harp and guitar shine, and we get double the Janice!
Cool. We’re glad it worked for you!
J&B
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Janice Merritt is THE most exacting singer I've ever known. Beyond amazing.
Bass sounds great. Nice drums.
A good, swampy write.
Excellent mix (needless to say).
Superb Music....
fj
We’re glad the Peter grit came through. And, your vocal comment made the girl shine.
Well she shines all the time but this was super bright! 😀
And more thanks for commenting on the write, mix and the bass. I’d be embarrassed to say how many bass tracks and fx were tried.
We always appreciate your support!
J&B
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Somebody's been playing with a voodoo chile. I wouldn't be messing with that voodoo chicken either down there in the swamps of Georgia if I were you. Dem blues can get a little too spooky around midnight for my taste when the man in Black comes to tell you what time it is.
It'll be time to go to hell time if you playin' the wrong kind of voodoo, children, and so you better take it easy.
It's Sunday and I think y'all need to be going to church instead of messing all up in the devil's music.
No but really this is some good blues and I really enjoyed it!
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
What a dark sound, Peter's guitar roars like walking in a deep swamp and the harmonica adds to the ghostly mood, even Janice's voice sounds double haunting - she must be under some kind of spell... or maybe not, just excellency doubled I enjoyed every detail, great work with the mix, a muddy blues song has never sounded this bright, you have made the impossible possible, that requires more than average mojo!
Well, this is something completely different from what I'm used to from you! A dark song, dark (but fantastic) vocals, and fantastic guitar playing from Peter. I searched in Google translate for the meaning of "Mojo" but it came up with "Mojo" in Dutch...? Whatever, as I wrote; a great song, wonderful singing and solo.
Liked the lyrics, especially: "met an old woman on the corner i knew she had my answer i saw wisdom behind her eyes she said quit listening to them lies"
Janice, I also warned you for those wrong men you always sing about. Now she comes too!
Hans
Thanks for the kind words! We are very happy you liked it.
And guess what ... we are working on another mean man song
J&B
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Sorry it took a while to get to this. Yes, this has a swamp rock TJ White feel and is a great line in grit. LOVE the double vocals...a nice bonus given the time frame. Peter's trem guitar is ace.
Thank you Ray. We are happy you agreed with the TJ vibe!
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
Superb. Grit, Janice's incredible voice(s ) in a new musical context (is there any style she cannot sing?), and THAT guitar! Brilliant mix, excellent writing (musical and lyrics) ... what am I to say? You consistently do it again, and again, and again. Hats off to y'all.
Thank you!
J&B
Originally Posted by Ezekiel's Storm
That was effin fantastic. Quite the delicious tune. I'd like a second helping. "Please, sir, I want some more." The doubling worked out well. Gritty, yes, gritty. All sounds good and that guitar sounds like it is alive.
Glad the grit came through. Thanks for the nice comments!
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
Wow what a cool change up. Loved the production and sound processing. Super vocal and lyric. Peters guitar was very cool and kudos on the harp playing. Perfect bass lines. Really well done.
Thank you Scott. It was fun all the way around and we’re glad you liked it. Thanks for all and for mentioned the bass track.
J&B
Originally Posted by animarorecords
Bud, Janice, and Peter,
Great production! A very hard blues song. Doubling Janis 2016 and Janis 2026 is a very nice idea. It's a wonderful doubling. Peter's guitar and harmonica are fantastic too. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
Thank you Shigeki. We appreciate all you wrote and are glad you liked the vocal double.
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
Love this song and treatment. I do a lot of character voices - 32 on one tape I did for a beloved back in 1980 - and one character I created in 74 is called Swampbucket José, a near-in, downloose and intasight cowboy - and he'd probably comment something like this: "If any hootowl, bushwhacking, sidewinding outlaw was to say anythin' disheartening 'bout this song, well I theorise that in ma opinion I calculate that I think that I have a high-pothesis that that would make no nevermind on account that it's ma kind of music!" This is him:
Thanks Swampbucket Jose ... we appreciate your thoughts!
J&B
Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
I like it. That vibrato guitar is perfect for the job.
Janice's vocals sound really good doubled. You should consider that more often.
Thanks Herb. We finished today a new song with Janice's vocal doubled. Had I known she could nail the double so quickly with no needed alignments, etc., I would have suggested it long ago. Even after 45 years she continues to amaze me!
J&B
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Somebody's been playing with a voodoo chile. I wouldn't be messing with that voodoo chicken either down there in the swamps of Georgia if I were you. Dem blues can get a little too spooky around midnight for my taste when the man in Black comes to tell you what time it is.
It'll be time to go to hell time if you playin' the wrong kind of voodoo, children, and so you better take it easy.
It's Sunday and I think y'all need to be going to church instead of messing all up in the devil's music.
No but really this is some good blues and I really enjoyed it!
Hahahahahaha! We’ve been treading very lightly after reading this.
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
What a dark sound, Peter's guitar roars like walking in a deep swamp and the harmonica adds to the ghostly mood, even Janice's voice sounds double haunting - she must be under some kind of spell... or maybe not, just excellency doubled I enjoyed every detail, great work with the mix, a muddy blues song has never sounded this bright, you have made the impossible possible, that requires more than average mojo!
Janne
This review helps make all the effort we put into this production more than worthwhile. Your creative and supportive comments are much appreciated!
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
This song is absolutely mesmerizing—it pulled me into another world. Loved the grit and overall tone throughout. Wow!
Thanks so much for sharing. Catherine
Great to hear from you and thank you so much for the very kind and supportive comments. We appreciate the grit mention as we did focus on trying to achieve that. And we were excited to see that it was placed on the Hot Forum Topics list!
Thanks for all and we’re glad you enjoyed that other world!
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
I love TJW and this song could have been written for him. Take a bow, all.
Vic
Thanks Vic. Knowing you are a TJW fan makes your comment very special.
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
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
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.
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)
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!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
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Dr. John would be happy. 
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