Since I'm good for about one song a year, whether it's needed or not, here goes. Feedback is welcome and appreciated - Scott

Near the Bayou Teche in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana there was a cafe known as the Joie de Vivre. One day a few years ago some friends and I wandered inside. I asked for the translation and eventually a song developed. And since our friends grew up in that area - one on his parents' farm nearby - they're all part of the story.

Joie de Vivre (Joy of Life)

Upon a time in Lou'sian'
Was a woman and a man
She was fair and in her eyes he was everything

Love was born and it grew
Wasn't long before they knew
And when he offered her a ring he began to sing

Joie de Vivre, joie de vivre
That is what you are to me
You forever hold my heart
Never will we part
Till the stars no longer shine
I am yours and you are mine
We were always meant to be
Joie de vivre


There beside the Bayou Teche
Did the woman answer yes
And they were married in a chapel in the spring

With the people crowded near
He was fighting back the tears
When the bells began to ring she began to sing


And so it was they settled down
On some land not far from town
And they were blessed with all the gifts that love can bring

Through the years they worked the farm
Side by side arm in arm
At every family gathering together they would sing


Vocals are Nectar 2 and me
Ozone 8 for mastering

Style is M_SWWLZS.STY (Country Waltz Swing w/ MST Strin)

1122:Bass, Acoustic, CountryWaltz Sw 110
827:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Country Waltz Sw 110
2119:Fiddle, Soloist CountryWaltzAndy Sw 085
RealDrums [in style:NashClassicWaltzSw^4-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Really liked the song/the story. Nice, clear, simple but perfectly serving the tale. Vocal excellent--again, well-told story!

Scott, first of all you should really write more. This is a great write, performance and production. The harmony is also perfect. The story is cohesive and the minimalist backing is just the right treatment. An excellent offering! Loved it, Tom

- Great backstory

- Great write

- Great vocals

And a tight "everything hittin' the note" mix.

Drop by more often!

J&B

Solid write, well done production. Nailed the story song.

I like a good story song, and this is a good one.

Excellent vocal.

Memorable tune--can't ask for more than that.

Scott,

I love this! The story, vocal and production are all a great fit.

Excellent!

Bob

I agree. You are to good of songwriter, singer, and producer to only do one song a year.

I think this song is absolutely fantastic.

Terrific song and performance.
The ban is pretty cool and your vocal is strong, assured and with a minimum of sibilant/mouthnoise etc.
I THINK the vocal may be a tiny bit loud or strident in some freqs. but I'm not in a position to assess that properly. I listen again when I don't have a brain ache.

Scott,
Excellent vocals and production! Nothing sticking out. Listens very well. With such abilities, you should try more than a song-a-year deal. Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Thanks so much. It's definitely a simple song running straight on through with no breaks.

Appreciate that, Tom.

I kept trying to work in an accordion to get that Cajun squeeze box vibe, but the even tempo RT just didn't fit. And I was hesitant about drums, but the kids of the friends I mentioned are planning to play this song at an anniversary celebration for their folks and a few other couples, if ever that's permitted, so that was my motivation for getting this recorded now. Anyway, I figured the steady beat wouldn't hurt if anyone decided to dance.

Thanks for that and for the previous listens and feedback. I ended up uploading the mp3 to SC also.

I would like to be here more often. I would like to retire one of these days and spend as much time in the studio as possible, but alas, stuff happens.

But hey, I have managed to get the new place set up and it's working out fairly well.

Take care, you two:)

A lovely traditional sounding song!! Very nicely told story with the perfect delivery and musical backing!! Great to see you back around here Scott!! Don't be a stranger!! Take care. Greg

Scott ...

I had friend, now deceased, who lived in Houma, LA for many years. he then moved to France, his parents' home country. He spoke Cajun French more than English.

He was the drummer in a band I was in for about 15 years. He was a dear friend and I miss him so much. This took me back to those days. His name was Robert Loreau ... we always called him "Frenchy". He was like a brother to me. Thank you for the sweet, yet poignant, memory. It put a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.

A great song ... lyric, band, arrangement, and vocal. No way to go wrong with that! Would love to hear more original music from you.

Wishing you the very best. Be safe ...

Alan

Thanks for the listen and the feedback, David.


Thank you so much.


I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the spin, Bob.

Gosh. Thank you, Mario.

I don't doubt it. Oh how I struggled to balance the mix. It's close, but like you noticed, there are still a few iffy spots. I had to go back several times and cut resonant freqs in the vocal. Then of course it was too harsh. My last move was a cut around 5k with a Pultec emulation.

My home studio is in a larger room now with some treatment and so I'm finally mixing on speakers - trying to learn the KRK Rokit 5's I've had for a few years.

I referenced David Ball's 'When the Thought of You Catches Up With Me,' Darius Rucker's 'Wagon Wheel' cover, Alan Jackson's 'Small Town Southern Man' and more:)

I truly appreciate the listen and the critique.

excellent vocal and backing tracks thanks for sharing Eric

The people are happy with the way it turned out, which makes me happy, but it ain't over until the song gets a few critical listens here in the Showcase.

Thanks for giving it a spin and for that lovely review, Greg. Take care yourself.

Alan,

I lived and worked in that Houma/Thibodaux/Morgan City area for almost 20 years. Which is why several of my songs are about the people and the places of the Bayou State.

I'm glad you enjoyed the song. And thank you for sharing the memory of your dear friend.

Take care.

Scott

Thanks for listening and commenting.

Take care.

Great, impressed by the simplicity of the band, and the quality of the production.

Excellent choice of instrumentation.

Classic, classy and very sweet. Perfectly pared down band and a comfortable chorus and vocal make this such an easy sing-along...and that's just what I did on the second listen.

The Cajun side of my family was very much part of my upbringing (as much as a military brat can be upbrought by extended family). Those ties remain.

I like this a whole heckofa bunch.

Hi Olemon,

A pitty you make a song once a year...
This one was very nice! A bit Irish in the composition, a nice fiddle an a sweet story!
Pleasant to listen to.

Stay safe,
Hans

Scott,
A strong uplifting story sung with feeling.... and that sweet Cajun fiddle sounds great.
You gave my morning a happy singalong start!

Robert

Thanks. I was trying to keep it simple, organic, maybe. BIAB gives us so many creative options, it's easy to over do it. I have to be careful about that.

Oh my gosh, what a lovely review.

One never knows how or if a listener will relate to a song. I very much appreciate you letting me know.

Be well.

Scott

Enjoying your track, great Americana. Thanks for sharing!

olemon,

A darn shame you are good for about one a year . . . this was a fun listen—sweet country-folk waltz, one you can’t help but want to dance to. Well written, well sung and really well performed. Enjoyed this a whole ton!!!

My best regards,

Deej

Scott

Sounds like a classic folk song that has been sung for 100 years.

Good vocal. Good production. Good mix.

Well done

.fj

Awesome vocal and lyric. Backtrack was very cool. Loved the fiddle playing along with the vocal. Well done

Thanks for listening and commenting, Hans.


Glad you liked it, Robert. I have an affinity for certain RT's and those country fiddles are most definitely in the top 10.


Thank you for listening. I appreciate it.


I'm so glad you mentioned dancing. I'm really hoping that happens if they ever hold that anniversary celebration. Thanks for the kind feedback.

Classic folk? What a nice thing to say! Thanks.


I'm glad you liked it. I feared the music and structure were too basic. Verse/Chorus three times, no bridge, etc. And so I was hoping the fiddle would generate some interest. Thanks for the spin and the kind review.

Well if that's it for the year it was a really good one!

Look forward to hearing your next one.

Peter

Only 1 song a year ??? NO. We want more ! Very good piece of music, I love the general vibe coming from it, you have a great voice, the tune is great, and since I'm French... well, I had to listen to it when I saw the title! Good job!

Thanks, Peter. I appreciate that.


Well, stuff just gets in the way. But it turns out I'm on the verge of posting a new old one.

Thank you so much for the listen and those nice comments.

Great song and I loved this. I really like the nuances that you put into the vocals, which take it up a level. When you extend some of those notes selectively, it adds an extra bit of feeling. Everything works well here and nothing detracts.

Thank you for giving it a spin and commenting.