A duet. In the grand tradition of Country Duets...
George and Tammy...Conway and Loretta...Kenny and Dolly...

Donnie and Marie????!!!

The amazing Janice Merritt joins me for this.

The Band....
Style is _SHINING.STY (Praise&Worship PopShining)
RealTracks in style: 1255:Bass, Electric, PopShiningA-B Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~1677:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 633:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAmericanMuted Ev 120 (A:sync)
RealTracks in song: 852:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NashvillePopClean Ev 120 (B:arp)
RealTracks in style: 1264:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningA-B Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 1256:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningGritty Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 1259:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningRockA-B Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 1260:Guitar, Electric, Soloist PopShining Ev 120
RealDrums in style: PraiseWorshipShine^01-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride


MIDDLE GROUND

i drive an old gmc, that suits me just fine
i'd just as soon wear this worn out pair
of wrangler's all the time

he calls me a "society girl"
i like living in my champagne world
so we strike a balance between her world and mine

   we compromise for a kiss
   find love on middle ground
   like night and day, we meet halfway
   and our world slows down
   we might not always see eye-to-eye
   but we're heart-to-heart 'til the day we die
   sharing the love we found
   on middle ground

somedays it seems we can't agree at all
i'm a honky tonk guy, she gets invited
to the annual govenors ball

i've got shoes for every occassion
he's of the one-pair-of-boots persuasion
but when it comes to love, it's a mutual fall


Janice - thanks for being a (BIG!) part of this!!!!
Bud - thanks for your help (I used Bud's processing of Janice's vocal for this - plug 'n' play..)

Comments encouraged.
Thanks for listening.

floyd

Gotta love a duet. Most excellent.


Regards,

Bob

Hi,
this is the kind of country music (very melodic and sentimental) that I like best.
Great melody, voices, and guitar.

Hello

Floyd,

Very nice! You both sound great (as usual). The backing tracks sound good as well... If I had one critique it's that the vocals seem a little hot overall, Janice especially on the first verse (to me) when she comes in it's noticeably hotter than your vocal. Just my .02

Another fine job!

Greg

thanks much, Robert....



Well, thanks, Sergio. we appreciate the listen...

Beautiful song. You guys sound great together.

Hi Floyd.

I always like your songs and as everyone knows by now, I'm Janice's biggest fan, so this was always going to be a treat for me.

Everything beautifully put together and working as it should. Stellar performances from both of you and the band's not half bad too!

Mix? Well, it goes without saying..

ROG.

Hi Floyd Hi Janice. Fabulous vocals on here. Greatly enjoyed the melody also.
Tasteful guitar work. Backing nicely restrained. Like it. Cheers.

Very interesting concept for a country song! Sort of an odd couple song. Might be a new trend, I've heard several country songs in the past year with similar themes, but usually zeroing in on the girl being comfortable in two worlds... ("Looks like California, Feels like Carolina")

But this study in contrast between the members of a couple really opens up some interesting possibilities, and I found myself wishing the song were longer so you could keep exploring them.

I liked this line the best:


I also like this line:


Greg mentioned that the vocals sounded hot to him. I'm not sure I'd describe what I heard quite that way, but there was a stark clarity to them on this end. They definitely aren't obscured by the mix.

You both sing so well individually, and together you really shine. The obvious pop-culture parallel that comes to mind is Green Acres, and when Janice sang her Georgia accent didn't conjure up an Eva Gabor image. ... so I had to ditch that comparison and let the song be itself.

I like the song that it is, and all that you both put into it.

Donnie & Marie? Yeah surely that's it! Haha. This is a wonderful write for sure. The old "cowboy fancy lady" theme. Fantastic vocals and melody. The mix is spot on per usual. My one very small nit is the dry sounding acoustic in the beginning seems strange against the reverbed vocal. Maybe a little reverb on Brent would be in order.

"somedays it seems we can't agree at all
i'm a honky tonk guy, she gets invited
to the annual govenors ball

i've got shoes for every occassion
he's of the one-pair-of-boots persuasion
but when it comes to love, it's a mutual fall "

Expertly crafted verse. As usual I end up scratching my head and thinking "How in the world are floyd jane and Janice Merritt not household names?" They most certainly are in this household. What a great way to kick off the weekend! Tom

Another fantastic arrangement Floyd, and Janice's vocals add the usual style and polish to the number.
Very easy listening, top job.
Best
Trevor

A little humor, a lot of craft, and just the right dose of sentiment!! A real treat in every way. Excellent vocals, perfect use of the boys in the box (that solo guitar really nailed it!). Enjoyed it very much!! Take care. Greg

Floyd and Janice,

A good song, solid vocals and a professional musical arrangement.
As always!

regards,
Rob & Anne-Marie

There's still time. Fame & fortune don't always schedule their visits.

Hi Floyd and Janice,
Couldn't say it better.
It was a pleasure listening (not only once).

Guenter

Good write. Love the way your voices blend so well together.

I especially liked the melodic rhythm phrasing in the chorus which gave that pretty melody such a really nice flow.

Only tiny nit on the mix is Janice comes in a bit noticeably louder in the first verse but that's not much of a nit. Cool arrangement both musical and vocal.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. My new fav of your duets so far.

Josie

floyd and Janice,

What can be said?!?!

What a vocal combo! Janice and floyd, or floyd and Janice as I don't want to put either first, both are EXCELLENT!

On my speakers Janice is a tad louder that floyd in the mic but as the song progresses that seems to settle down, but it does not detract from a wonderful song.

You lot produce songs that SHOULD be famous.

Thoroughly enjoyed as usual

Alyn

Historically speaking, (A duet. In the grand tradition of Country Duets...
George and Tammy...Conway and Loretta...Kenny and Dolly...) this is an 'almost cliche' song that works wonderfully well staying just short of being 'cliche' but being a fun song and enjoyable listen without the theme distracting. This is a well-crafted song, performance and production. Great job by the trio.

enjoyed my listen.

Charlie

I have replaced the file with a new mix based on the comments.
Adjusted Janice's level and added reverb to the Brent fp guitar.



Thanks for the comments Greg... I have uploaded a new mix to correct this...



Thanks, Jeff... if you mix Janice in, anyone would sounds good... she's like a magic plugin...



ROG - appreciate that....

FJ, you seem to have identified some magic crafting of lyrics and music which is on par with what many professionals do. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is since I just don't know enough about song writing to explain what I am hearing in your songs. But I do hear it.

Maybe it in the vocal phrasing? A changing in tempo of the vocal versus the tempo of the backing? Or is it that you are singing more against the chord than with it (I mean that in a positive way)? You now - the chord raise and you descend. It has to be more than just the cleaver lyric, which is certainly a part of it. Folks refer to your songs as "well crafted"? But, I don't know exactly what that means. Perhaps some day you can educate us on your secret.

Outstanding guys.
Very professional.
Rob.

Floyd and Janice,
This is outstanding. Wow! Every aspect of this is top notch. Loved it!
SD

Floyd / Janice,

I like this a lot - excellent big sound. Love the arrangement as well - great vocals too.

Bob

Thanks Richard... you hit the high points there...



Pat - appreciate all that... This is actually a very common theme in Country Duets (as Charlie alludes to further down)...
For instance, here is one of the classic ones - You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWVdKv4-CEg
or how about Donnie and Marie (this was a VERY bad era for Country)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMZCWGyk388
(skip to 2:00)
Janice and I are working on the Arm Swing...

That boots line is my favorite, too...

Yeah... the brother/sister love song duets were a little creepy... it was one of those times when everyone was saying "what's happened to Country music?"

The old "cowboy fancy lady" theme. - exactly! you could probably come up with a long list of them... everyone needs at least one...

btw - added some reverb to Brent's fp guitar - thanks for the note..
We could start touring, you know... Bud would have to unpack his bass, though.... and YOU would be hauling more equipment than anyone else! 3 or 4 guitars, amps, steel, dobro....

" Folks refer to your songs as "well crafted"? But, I don't know exactly what that means. Perhaps some day you can educate us on your secret."

"well crafted" is a term I use. If fact, it was included in my comment on this thread.

My explanation to 'well-crafted' is akin to 'mastery'. Any trade or skill is composed of different elements. Well-crafted means the tradesman has the skill, experience and knowledge to expertly control all of the elements of the trade to consistently mold and craft a product to such a degree it is of the highest quality obtainable. Elements of mastery are not just lyrics and rhyme, but song structure, selection of instruments, mix, levels, effects, dynamics, vocalists, backgrounds, adherence to the structure of song genre, musical and vocal proficiency, originality and so much more.

In a word (albeit hyphenated), that is what I mean when I use 'well-crafted'.

Floyd's work consistently hits this mark and he therefore qualifies as a 'master'. That does not mean he should quit experimenting, learning or he has peaked. With what is out there today for home recording artist's, he simply performs at the 'master' level.

An amateur such as myself can create a work that is 'well-crafted' but just can't repeat the process with reliable consistency as the likes of Floyd, Tom Adams, Sundance, JosieC, MarioD, rsdean, 90db, Sergio, R&AM, Janice and Bud, gibson, Rog, Alek Rand, guitarhacker, Joesarahh,gruverider or boehm and so many others. There are many others I could and should list, but my point is you see posts by certain names and regardless if you are a fan of their genre of music, you know the production of all the elements encompassing the creation and production of the song are of such quality as if done by a 'master' of their trade.

Thanks Bob. I'm glad fj has given me an opportunity to sing some.

Janice




I'm glad you liked it Sergio.

Janice




Thanks Greg -- I think fj has cooled me down in the mix

Janice




fj is a pleasure to sing with. Thank you!

Janice





Thank you ROG! He makes it mighty easy to just step in and sing a part.

Janice

www.janiceandbud.com

Since Charlie jumped in to define his mention of "well-crafted" (and did a nice job of covering that - and, Charlie, I appreciate the nice compliments....) I thought I'd try to give some kind of answer before continuing on... though I'm sure it will be inadequate.....

There is a "craft" to songwriting - at least the kind that I do... mostly it is "learned" and it takes a lot of practice to become proficient - much like learning to play an instrument. There are those who have some kind of innate talent, but for the majority it is a "skill" (not a "gift"). Generally, what is being referred to in "well-crafted" comments is mostly about a lyric. How words go together, how they fit with the music, how they conjure images and feeling - the main intent of a song... As Charlie said, there are a number of aspects to that (too many to cover in a short reply).. The "clever" is part of it - though that is best if it isn't "too clever". Finding interesting way to say the same thing that has been said a million times. The rhymes you use, the way you use them, the structure in which they fit.... Noel is very good at detailing these type things in a lyric...

There are so many aspects. Most are quite simple. But you have to realize them. Many songwriters never work the craft enough (meaning write enough) to find them all... for instance - a very simple one... how a song/story develops and leads back to the "hook" (or chorus)... How that happens in your 2nd verse should be on a new level compared to the first verse. The inexperienced writer will simple write verse 2 to say the same thing that verse 1 said - a rehash - and that will cause your listener to lose interest... just one example...

You have to find all of those things somewhere - lessons, realizations - and you have to practice. A lot. And you have to have real legitimate feedback to learn what works and what doesn't. To progress you have to be doing it ALL the time. Not write a couple of songs a year.

You have dedicated yourself to becoming a better guitar player. The same thing applies to writing. It ain't a sometimes thing.

OK... but... the things that you have noticed are another aspect... when you talk about the vocal phrasing and tempo and singing against the chord, you are delving into melody - and "how a song SINGS". A whole 'nother thing... and one that some writers never consider. It's the part that makes a song "commercial" (for lack of a better word). A large majority of "writers" don't seem to ever think about it - or certainly do not develop it. It (melody) is almost an afterthought. Play some chords and fit the lyric to them the best you can - the lyric pretty much just follows the chords as they are played... it pretty much defines "folk music". And country music before 1980. And bluegrass. And a lot of blues. (not to say there's anything wrong with that) Writing catchy melodies and having the lyric fit them "just right" is a different thing. It is a conscious effort/decision on the writer's part. And only a certain percentage of writers go that direction. The ones who don't will often mock songs (and the people who write and perform them) that are "commercial" - like it's a bad thing. (there are SO many different discussions in all of this). I'm rambling, I know...

It's all about how a song "falls on the ear". Prosody. It's got to be natural... conversational... no "bumps". The skill of writing comes from being able to do that all the time - because you've learned how... how to do it right. How to say it "the right way". Nothing awkward. Nothing boring or cliché. Musical. Like a REAL guitar player. Carlos Santana. Jeff Beck. They make a guitar SING. The guy who is just learning the pentatonic scale sounds like he's PLAYING THE PENTATONIC SCALE...you have to get to a point where that is so much a part of you that you don't even think about it - so that your playing is "lyrical" - same thing applies to songwriting. When you have learned the craft inside out, your songs SING. If you haven't your songs fall on the chords because "they are there"...

OH! btw... THANKS for dropping by for a listen. I recall when you used to come around these parts on a regular basis. When I first started here (on the forum) you made me feel welcomed... so thanks for that, too...

FJ, a big thank you for talking to time to articulate and share the secret to our sound. I have been thinking about it for the past couple days and thought I figured out the secret in the sauce. And now you have confirmed it even more clearly to me. Its the Melody in your songs that comes out in our vocals - your songs SING to me!

"...the things that you have noticed are another aspect... when you talk about the vocal phrasing and tempo and singing against the chord, you are delving into melody - and "how a song SINGS". A whole 'nother thing... and one that some writers never consider.

Your analogy to guitar players is spot on. I fret, toil and sweat to make my guitar SING. But forget me...

If this is not inspirational to your follow song writers then they should not call themselves song writers. I got nothing else I can add.

hehe - I just "Notified the Moderators" that this master lesson entry where you have shared the "secrets" of the trade should be placed in a sticky. Oh, Boy - You're in trouble now...

FJ (Floyd & Janice)

There's nothing to add...
I liked reading your comment on crafted songwriting and I couldn't agree more.

Making a song sound great on headphones, and on speakers, and on tablet, and on smartphone... That's well crafted to ☺

Enjoyed a lot

Fred

Thanks, Trevor... always appreciate you stopping by



Thanks, Greg...




R & AM - appreciate that...




Well, geez! it sure would make things a lot easier if they did!....




Thanks, Guenter. Always appreciate your support...

Excellent, excellent, excellent. I love duets and would love to try writing one sometime. I guess I need some more school fees before I can even attempt to match something like this.

Thanks, Josie... we appreciate that. As Janice said, we've "cooled her down a bit" in a new mix...



Thanks, Alyn... as noted earlier, we're now making Janice stand farther back



Thanks, Charlie - I figured that those pairings would be quite familiar to you (except maybe Donnie and Marie... ) Standard duet fair, no doubt. There are only a couple of duet themes that are used over and over - nature of the beast - and it's fun to delve into the area of "classic" once in a while... I've enjoyed your thoughts in this thread...

Thanks guys -- I'm standing in for Janice today as she's out and around town.

And let us not forget "Country Club" by Travis Tritt....not a duet but a cool take on the theme.

Bud

Thanks for listening Rob....




Thanks, SD...

I'm of the "I love this song" persuasion!

You guitar selections are always inspired.

Hats off to the two of you!

THIS SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR EVERY SONGWRITER ON THIS FORUM! Thanks for sharing your insights in such a thoughtful and concise manner. Tom

Hi Floyd/Jane; great song, Nothing but quality is obtain when two great voices joint together. Very good mix too.
Thanks for sharing.

Mike B.

If I wanted an example of how to write a theme for a television show, it's all right here. Tight writing to quickly lay out the scenario, and then hammer in the hook.

Gerald McRaney as Floyd, and Loni Anderson as Janice. Friday nights at 7:00... I'll be watching!

Great stuff!

Thanks, Bob... we appreciate your support..



Charlie - again, thanks for your input on the craft - very well done (crafted )

Dan - it is good of you to bring this aspect to light - if anyone gets the slightest nudge from it, it's a good thing...

Thanks, Fred. Nice of you to say...




Thanks, Joanne - I think you are doing just fine, as is...



Lawrence - we appreciate that....

Awesome song, you two.


Bravo!


Thanks for the music,
Dan

Thank you Guenter!

Janice





Thank you so much Josie. Floyd makes it easy to sing with him. It was a lot of fun.

Janice



Thanks Alyn! I really do appreciate that.

Janice




Thank you Charlie. I grew up listening to some of the classic duets and it is so much fun to get to do one!

Janice







Thanks y'all!!!

Janice

Great stuff Floyd and Janice I really enjoyed listening to that. Keep them coming, Excellent vocals and arrangement throughout.

Musiclover

That's nice of you to say, Tom....



Mike - Thanks for stopping by. We appreciate it...



HA! I like Gerald! What ever happened to Loni??? Now you've got "Green Acres" stuck in my head!!!!

Thanks for dropping by, Dan. appreciate it...



Musiclover - we certainly appreciate you taking the time to have a listen...


Janice - THANKS again for being my "Marie" on this! You're the best!
Bud - thanks, as always, for your help...

Hey Y'all. I apologize for being late in responding. I appreciate each one of you and thank you so much for your kind comments. This was a fun song but when I hear from Mr jane I know it will be fun even before I even listen to it or read the words!

Janice