State Lines (Video)
State Lines (audio only)

Five years ago this song represented our complete departure from bluegrass (or heavily bluegrass influenced) productions. We had just completed a couple of collabs with floyd jane and he had set us on our new production journey with lots of mix counsel including mastering via Ozone. Thanks mr jane!

Time passes, things change and hopefully we have all grown regarding our production chops so we felt that it was worth revisiting the mix, etc.

We started from scratch with new effects on all tracks and and several completely new tracks. It was originally mixed in GarageBand and we had to move the entire production to Logic Pro X. And the video is also new.

Bluesy country with a hint of jazz, we guess

It’s a very simple little 12 bar ditty (lyrically and chord wise) but we hope you like it and always welcome your thoughts and appreciate your time to listen.

Vocal: Janice, Rodes NT1 interfaced to iMac via Scarlett 212 / Nectar 2
Bass RT 482: Acoustic Jazz Ballad / Neutron 2 / Waves Bass Rider
Drums: Nashville Brushes Shuffle / Waves CLA / Neutron 2
Guitar RT 1795: Acoustic Rhythm Dixieland / Neutron 2 / EMT 140 Reverb
Guitar RT 968: Electric Rhythm Country Swing / Neutron 2
Guitar RT 1514: Electric Solo Country
Piano RT 2047: Acoustic Rhythm Country Swing /Neutron 2 / EMT 140 Reverb
Piano RT 1884: Acoustic Solo Country / Neutron 2 / EMT 140 Reverb

Note: All solos and fills were comped from multiple tracks in an attempt to get a bluesy feel out of several country tracks and to make some ev parts play nice with the shuffle feel (or so I hope).

Mix: Logic Pro X
Mastering: Waves Multi-band Compressor and Ozone 8 (Limiter module only)

Excellent vocals and arrangement, great choice of real tracks for the mood and feel of this song.

I feel like I am in a bar, smoke filled, transported back to the 40/50s, and I can see the singer singing this song.



Pro stuff well done.

Your vocals as always are stunning, and you make the lyrics sound so beautiful! Great stuff you guys.

Hi J&B,

Well, I've always been a fan of the blues and you know I just love
Janice's voice, so it's no surprise that this has to be one of my
favourites of yours. No one sings the blues like Janice!

I've only checked out the audio version so far, so I could give it my full
attention, and it's faultless. Whatever you did with the re-mix is certainly
working.

Going back now to watch the video.

Cheers, ROG.

Janice & Bud

First thing that stands out is the clear professional mix - really nice.
Janice sounds excellent (as usual) and really sounds in the room.
Great work on the piano and all the comping -really paid off and finally very nice video.
All done so very well! (oh and like the song too)

Peter

Thanks for listening and setting up those visuals. We were hoping for that live feel!

J&B

Fantastic! Perfect mix between vocals, piano and guitar.

Very nice Janice and Bud! Good song as usual and I alway enjoy hearing Janice do her cool thing!

Great job on the production, mix sounds fabulous.

I like the conversation between the piano and guitar, very clever the way you did that.

Enjoyed the listen!

Such a cool piece of music. Janice’s vocal was awesome. I normally don’t comment on the production as My skills are very limited in this area. But the way each instrument is framed so clearly heard but so well blended into the song. This is quite an art. I also loved the interplay between the guitar and the piano as Dave had referred to Well done

Thanks Ember. That's much appreciated!

J&B

Man...there are soooooooo many things I want to say; but do I just sit here an gush for for paragraphs and take time away from listening again? Not trying to "lay it on thick" here. That song is just awesome! Need I say more?

I used to think Janice was born to sing the blues. I'm starting to think the blues may have been invented to have something to showcase her voice. Chills man. I love the bends.

Production wise, what a killer mix. It just sounds SO good! It's as warm as would want it to be; but clear as a bell. Not easy!

I will admit to listening to the song first; wanting to get my impression prior to the video. Then, in watching the video realized I was safe either way. The video, to me, is exactly what it should be in this case...support of the song. I like that. Nice video that didn't distract from the song itself.

This is already longer than it should have been for "keeping it short." Sorry! When something is great, I can't shut up about it!

This song made my day!

Waitress - Another straight shot with a Coke back, please!

I can't tell if the swirling smoke in the neon is from New Orleans, Memphis or the St. Louis riverfront. But I see it's from Georgia! Coulda fooled me.

What a great track! Janeice shines (doesn't she always?) and the production is so sweet (as it never fails to be). I don't smoke but I'm looking for a pack of cigarettes. What a treat! Watched the video yesterday and just finished listening to the Soundcloud audio twice. Back for another listen in just a few. Sweet!

Alan

I don't think I've heard this before, but if so, I sure don't mind hearing it again!!! SWEET, SWEET, SWEET!! Cool bluesy number, great production, and Janice sings the heck out of it. Truly a treat!! Take care. Greg

ROG, it's always a pleasure to hear from you.

You never fail to put a huge smile on Janice's face.

Thank you!

J&B

Thanks Peter! I do like to comp because beyond being a hack bass player it makes me feel like a musician

Glad you liked it!

Bud

Hello, Janice & Bud

Very nice piano intro!
Yes, it is exactly bluesy country with a hint of jazz.
And very nice complete departure from bluegrass (or heavily bluegrass influenced) productions.
Janice's vocal is great.
I agree with beatmaster.
I also feel like I am in a bar, smoke filled, transported back to the 40/50s, and I can see the singer singing this song.
And as ROG says, whatever you did with the re-mix is certainly working.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

That lyric and voice were made for each other.
Nicely done.

Thanks!

J&B



We appreciate that Dave and thanks for mentioning the “conversation.” It’s very gratifying to know that it worked for a guitar player of your caliber. I always feel so presumptuous comping guitar parts!

Bud

ZOWIE! This is good!....

A classic blues write. Some truly excellent lines...

"keep putting state lines between us"
"who’ll be here tonight is best left unsaid"

...just a couple of examples.

The mix is impeccable. The drums - just right. The bass - punchy and warm (a great combination). The piano is "clear, yet warm" - no "crispiness" - excellent. The guitar - honey.

Speaking of honey... that vocal oozes "perfect".

Everything about this is top shelf. Sounds like a record. (And a nice video).

Zowie.

fj

Nice work on this one! It's a lovely tune - really catchy, a great groove, and the vocals on this are absolutely perfect. What really got me on this is how crystal clear the mixing is. It seriously is radio quality. Sounds super professional!

Well done - thanks for sharing with us

Thanks Scott. With the help of several folks on this forum and some powerful software I'm getting a little more confident in mixing. My objective is always to set up a soundstage that is as close a possible (for me) to a live band.

Glad you liked it!

J&B

Another quality production by Bud and Janice. I enjoyed listening to it.

Almost too good mix. That piano is a real killer setting older mood and on the other hand the guitar soloing around it feels really modern. And combined with fantastic vocals, you really bring the perfect live feel into my bedroom

Janne

Nice one. So that's the song that started your foray into bluesy jazz..... very cool.

Smooth blues, excellent warm mix.

I got the same vibe as Janne, an old-timey piano accompaniment with a sound. Amazing how this was a "departure", when Janice seems born to sing the blues.

Smokey goodness!!!

it weaves a spell that's so easy to fall under

you just wanna stay there and soak up all that

bluesy soul from the mood created especially

from those gorgeous vocals

great mix

Your comments on the vocal are greatly appreciated! Affirmation that we are perhaps on the right track with the mix is equally appreciated. As always it takes longer to find and edit the “right” photos for the video than it does to actually create the vid itself. And the point is exactly as you mentioned - not to distract. Thanks for listening, watching and taking your time to offer such an inspiring review!

J&B

Absolutely gorgeous mix. Everything is perfectly balanced. Warm!

Some great lines in these lyrics as well.

I really loved this.

J&B,
Very classy in all respects. That interplay with piano & guitar is so well done and attests to your attention to detail on the production.
Its no surprise that Janice takes a simple lyric and makes the listener feel the ache.
Your lyric videos are tasteful -nicely paced and spliced.
I couldn`t find the original of this on your back pages but hey, listening to some of the other 5 yr old tracks, you started out at a high level in production to these ears... and there are some fine songs as you transitioned from Bluegrass.

Robert

Really bluesy song!
We love the piano solo too. The mix is so good and Janice's vocals are top notch, as always.
As said before, it reminds you of a smoky bar.
Tasteful video as well.

Rob and Anne-Marie

You are too kind Alan but we’ll happily take it

We know your wide range of musical tastes incorporates this style so it is very special for us to read your remarks.

We appreciate it!

J&B

Thank you Greg! Glad you enjoyed it.

J&B





We appreciate your time to listen and comment!

J&B

Love the vocals, the song is top notch, mixing is excellent. Love it guys!!! Cliff

Thanks for saying that!

J&B

Thanks mr jane. Janice greatly appreciates your thoughts and your comments on the mix made Bud's day!! And thanks for mentioning the vid also.

J&B

Thanks Deryk. We appreciate you mentioning the mix clarity...a lot of that credit goes to Waves' and Izotope's products and of course for the quality of BiaB's RT's and RD's.

Janice and Bud,

Right from the start, this production grabs holds and doesn't let go. This journey in sound is brilliant.





There's a clarity and sheen to this production that allows it to sit so very comfortably on listeners' ears. Coupling this with Janice's rich and warm vocals and the result is what Greek myths call ambrosia -- the food of the gods.

Every way I look at this, I see lessons galore for my own music creations!

All the best,
Noel

P.S. I find that revisiting previous works is a great idea. Until I started doing this, I had no idea how much my production chops had developed over the last few years.

Hey J & B,

I feel like I say the same thing every time I hear one of your tunes. Crystal clear, pristine production and a vocal that never ceases to amaze. Love the mixture of solos here between the piano and guitar (great work).

Thx as always for giving us the pleasure of one of your tunes.

Dave

Thanks Jim. Good to hear from you.

J&B

Thank you! Those are very kind remarks and we are very appreciative. We’re glad you liked the solos. Being just a bass player I always feel out of place putting splicing guitar and piano vocals.

J&B

J&B,

Killer piano out of the gate, and again in the instrumental—really crisp sound, so kudos on the production work here--topped with a chill and smoky vocal. And love the lyrics in that 4th verse. Great work, you two—a very enjoyable listen!

Best regards,

Deej

Yep. Thanks Herb!

J&B

Thanks David. All through our bluegrass years we listened to a lot of blues so when we had the chance to create blues “bands” with BiaB Janice was primed!

J&B

Hi, Bud, Janice & Floyd !:))

...Like it ? I just love it !!!!!!
there´s nothing beating Janice´s
vocal on a blues so wonderfully
put together and skilfully mixed !!!

Congrats to everyone involved
on this masterpiece !!!!

Cheers
Dani

Thank you Kenny. Those comments are what makes this whole music thing worthwhile. It’s much appreciated!

J&B



Hey David, glad you liked it and thank for mentioning the mix!!

J&B

Splendid!!!


I had to immediately turn the volume way up!



You have captured the grit and fullness of every instrument, just an awesome mix!

And Janice's voice is in top form and sultry!

J&B, it's a beautiful song with that certainly lives up to your usual high standard of performance and production! Janice's vocal is flawless! Thanks, Torrey

J&B I just had a flashback to the good old days of jazz and blues lounges.

This is better than a lot of lounge acts that I have seen. You nailed this with the perfect backing tracks and Janice's crystal clear vocals.

Put out a CD of these and I will be the first to buy it.

Thank you Robert very much and we appreciate you listening to some of the earlier material. It has been an interesting and fun journey. No negatives other than family and friends who feel like we abandoned them when we left bluegrass. Thanks for mentioning the video too!

J&B



Thank y'all! Glad you liked the mix and it always makes our day when you like one of our videos...you guys are over the top good with them.

J&B

Thanks Cliff!

J&B

WHAT a clear mix! Sounded flipping excellent!

Janice's voice is still a work of art, I love her control of the notes she makes each word have a life of it's own.

Nice, very nice

Alyn

That image more than made our day!

Thanks for commenting on the mix. Often, but not always, Waves’ LinMB will really open up a mix.

We always appreciate and are supported by your thoughtful comments!

J&B

The two of us much appreciate your comments Dave. And it’s great to have you here on the forum.

J&B

Janice & Bud,

I do remember this song. This version is truly a gem...

The production values are off the charts and the vocal is, well, OUTSTANDING!

Loved it!

Bob

Dee and Dani,

Thanks for your time to listen and offer encouraging comments!
We appreciate it.

J&B

Thank you Lawrence for the nice comments about both the vocal and mix. It’s very cool to have you around again!

J&B



Thanks Torrey. That means a lot!

J&B




Thanks Mario. CD? One of those pre-streaming thingies?

We most appreciate everything you wrote!

J&B

Thank you Alyn. Great to have you back around!

J&B



Thanks Bob! We both much appreciate it.

J&B

Great recording guys

so good! At every level. As always, Janice's vocals shine. But Bud, you did a great job on the mix and production. The video is very impressive. All around, great job!

Steve

Thanks Steve. We LOVE your latest.

J&B