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Posted By: Janice & Bud Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 12:48 PM
NOBODY'S FAULT BUT MINE

Nobody’s Fault is based on a 19th century, likely slavery times, African-American spiritual for which countless derivatives have been performed by everybody from Led Zeppelin to Johnny Cash. I think the reference to being “taught to read” helps confirm the slavery period origins of the song given that slaves were forbidden to learn reading skills.

We added some chords, wrote some new lines, put it in a minor key and produced this interpretation featuring a Celtic rhythm section.

“Nobody’s Fault is in the public domain; consequently, we own all rights to this interpretation, i.e., it is not a ‘cover.”

Janice: Vocal, Rodes NT1 mic interfaced via Blue Icicle to my iMac
Mixing/Effects: Garageband
Drums: Celtic Bodhran
Bass: Celtic Hornpipe 1411
Rhythm Guitar: Celtic Hornpipe 1412
Dobro: Western Swing Double Time 1870
Rhythm Mandolin: Bluegrass 599 Double Time
Lead Mandolin: Western Swing Double Time 1864
Rhythm Fiddle: Western Swing Double Time 1296
Lead Fiddle: Western Swing Double Time 1873
Banjo: Rock Ballad 1035

The solo Fiddle, solo Mandolin and bass tracks were cut and spliced from multiple BIAB regenerations.

Thanks for listening!

Bud & Janice

Recent songs:
TRYIN'
STATE LINES
THE HEARTACHE LINE


Posted By: Pat Marr Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 02:00 PM
Love it Bud!

You couldn't find much better of a PD song to showcase Janice's mournful blues. And your musical sensibilities about what to leave in and what to cut out are very well honed. You cut with the precision of a song surgeon!

Hey, Didn't I ask you to submit something that sucks??? Jeez!

If y'all keep raising the bar, I'll NEVER have the nerve to lay my musical neck on the chopping block...
Posted By: Noel96 Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 02:09 PM
Hi Janice and Bud,

This is brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I have no idea how the song could possibly sound any better than it does right at the moment. Janice's vocals hypnotise and are a perfect fit. Also, I've got to say that the arrangement of the backing is one of the best and most musical compilations of realtracks I've heard. It sounds like quite a bit of effort has gone into getting them 'just right'.

One thing is for certain. You guys NEVER disappoint smile

All the best,
Noel
Posted By: 90 dB Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 02:51 PM
Another wonderful trip back in the Merritt Time Machine!


I love your clean, uncluttered recordings.


Regards,


Bob
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 05:18 PM
very nice.... I'm gonna check out those double time western tracks...

some sweet fiddle playing on them.
Posted By: PgFantastic Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 07:21 PM
Excellent, and so true! Janice great vocal as usual. Music masterfully crafted. Thanks for sharing! Can hear this one playing on the radio.
Posted By: MarioD Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 08:30 PM
Originally Posted By: Noel96
Hi Janice and Bud,

This is brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I have no idea how the song could possibly sound any better than it does right at the moment. Janice's vocals hypnotise and are a perfect fit. Also, I've got to say that the arrangement of the backing is one of the best and most musical compilations of realtracks I've heard. It sounds like quite a bit of effort has gone into getting them 'just right'.

One thing is for certain. You guys NEVER disappoint smile

All the best,
Noel


A BIG +1
Posted By: gruverider Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 08:46 PM
an excellent version! I really enjoyed this and "Fire..."

another of my favorite versions is by Blind Willie Johnson. Robert Plant mimics some of the vocal phrasing nearly exactly. If you've never heard of B W Johnson you may be interested in "The Complete Blind Willie Johnson". Amazon has it.
Posted By: seeker Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/03/13 09:58 PM
Janice & Bud,

Quote:
The solo Fiddle, solo Mandolin and bass tracks were cut and spliced from multiple BIAB regenerations.
You have really refined this technique. A strong accomplishment that adds even
more performance realism.
Quote:
You couldn't find much better of a PD song to showcase Janice's mournful blues.
Quote:
I love your clean, uncluttered recordings.
Big +1, your specs appear complex, but sounds, simple and powerful.
These sounds and story, your arrangements, and Janice's voice
really deliver.

Thanks to you both for hard work an sharing!
Posted By: boehm Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/04/13 01:52 PM
Hi Janice and Bud,
Originally Posted By: Noel96

Janice's vocals hypnotise and are a perfect fit.

Your arrangement has a real life feel to it.
I enjoyed listening.

Guenter
Posted By: Achordocaster Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/04/13 08:00 PM
Originally Posted By: Noel96
Hi Janice and Bud,

This is brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I have no idea how the song could possibly sound any better than it does right at the moment. Janice's vocals hypnotise and are a perfect fit. Also, I've got to say that the arrangement of the backing is one of the best and most musical compilations of realtracks I've heard. It sounds like quite a bit of effort has gone into getting them 'just right'.

One thing is for certain. You guys NEVER disappoint smile

All the best,
Noel


I'll 2nd Noel! Loved it!

Greg
Posted By: Danny C. Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/04/13 08:21 PM
Excellent . . . period!

Later,
Posted By: Sundance Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/05/13 03:16 AM
Really like this one guys. Love the phrasing Janice. It's short but love the feel.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/06/13 10:08 PM
Janice and Bud....

IT DOESN"T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS.

I think I say that about each new thing you do. You should both be on staff at PBS. And NPR. And the Smithsonian.

You BOTH should be winning Grammys for your individual talents.

Really.

floyd
Posted By: Noel96 Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/07/13 02:42 AM
Janice and Bud,

When I read what Floyd said ...

Quote:
You BOTH should be winning Grammys for your individual talents.


... I had a strong urge to second him! Your work is every bit as professional and outstanding as multi-Grammy winning Gillian Welch's work.

When it comes to commenting on each new song you post, I ran out of superlatives ages ago wink

As Floyd also said ...

Quote:
IT DOESN"T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS


A fan for life!
Noel
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Nobody's Fault But Mine - 07/08/13 08:03 PM
Pat: Thanks, we always appreciate your perspectives/

Noel: Thank you. We certainly admire and listen a lot to Gillian -- that is quite a compliment.

Bob: Thanks and we certainly enjoy your time machine journeys.

Guitarhacker: Some of the better acoustic picking is in those Western Swing tracks for sure. Thanks.

PgFantastic: Thanks! Glad it worked for you.

MarioD: Glad you noticed and appreciated the RT work. It's tedious but pays dividends in the end. Thanks for listening!

gruverider: Thank you. We had listened to the Blind Willie version and should have mentioned it. We listen to a lot of the blues masters.

seeker: We work real hard on the sparse sound. Thanks for noting it!

boehm: Thanks a lot. We played live a lot in the past and do try and recreate it.

Greg: Glad you enjoyed it!

DannyC and Sundance: Thanks! Glad y'all enjoyed the listen.

Floyd: From a songwriter, singer and arranger like you that is a heckuva compliment. We deeply appreciate it and your encouragement.
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