High Hopes

Leon kindly offered this lyric to Janice and she worked up the melody and chord progression and then sang lead and harmony while Bud watched from the sidelines

Thanks for listening and your comments are always welcome.
Lyrics are on SoundCloud. Happy New Year!

Janice: Lead and harmony vocals / melody / arrangement
Leon: Lyrics
Peter: Guitar solo, fills & slide fills / arrangement / mix support
Bud: Mix / Mastering / arrangement / vocal engineering / photography (thanks Janice for putting up with me on the composite SC photo)

Thanks to Peter & Leon and as always to PG Music for making it possible.

Vocals: Rode NT1 mic > Scarlett 212 Interface > Logic Pro X > Nectar 3

Drums: RealDrums N’ville Even 8 > Waves CLA Drums

Double Snare: Waves JPL Drums

Cymbals/Chimes: Waves JPL Percussion-Cymbals

Congas: BiaB Loop > Neutron 3 > EMT 140 Reverb sim

Bass: RealTrack 3458 Bass, ElectricAmericanaPop > Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3

Piano: MST 3004 ElectricVintage > Logic Grand Steinway > Waves Unplugged

Mix: Logic Pro X
Mastering: Logic Pro X > Logic EQ > Ozone 9 Dynamics > Ozone 9 Imager > Ozone 9 Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance 2 > Logic Pro Loudness Meter

© 2020 Leon Sewell, Peter Fulham and Janice Merritt

A nice way to open the new year!
Nice collaboration of talented people.

As always, well performed, recorded & mixed.
Janice always shines!

moto

I really like the vocals and lyrics. The mixing is good as well, but personally I'd like a bit more punch in the chorus to clearly differentiate it from the verse. Will definitely listen to more of your songs.

Thanks captain! Have a happy and safe new year.

J&B

This has the right feel for an Amazing Rhythm Aces tune. I was drawn in right way and enjoyed it from start to finish. Janice nailed the 'right' chord progression for the Chorus.

I really like the bass on this one! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

Three great contributors to our forum ... and to the magic of music. Everything to like and nothing not to. Leon offered a terrific lyric and Janice to it soaring heights as Bud assembled all the parts in his meticulous style.

I always have high hopes when I click onto any of your songs and you always exceed my hopes and anticipation. Killer song and performance.

Happy New Year to the three of you.

Alan

Wow this was a perfect lyric for Janice. Awesome backtrack and chord progressions. Perfect vocal Janice. Peters guitar was also perfect song. Tone has just the right amount of bite to really accent the song. Well done. Excellent production Bud. Love the way you set the instruments so they are so clear and identifiable.

You guys keep blowing me over with one super song after another.

As usual an outstanding Janice vocal, Peter's guitar leads, and Bud's production skills range supreme on another winner.

Leon, those were some great lyrics!

Thanks for commenting. Glad you mostly liked our tune. Have a happy and safe new year!

J&B

Janice really has a golden voice. It fits so well with the other instruments. This song is a great way to start the year with the groovy rythm. I could really picture the story while listening to the tune. Really enjoyed the guitars as well! Great job!

I really like the writing in this one, good storytelling.

Nice arrangement, that Pre-Chorus especially is very effective.

Janice sounds awesome as usual, really loved what she did at the outro! And nice job developing the melody and changes.

And of course I always enjoy hearing Peter do his thing.

Great way to start off the year, well done guys and gal!

Better than a bought one.
I REALLY dug the way J sang up to the note on the end of
"TO HINT AT SORROW IN HIS PAST"
Bloody lovely singing.
Cool playing, cool BIAB band, cool lyrics and cool engineering/production but wooooow the singing!

Really well done - thought it was mixed perfectly, personally, and loved the pre-chorus build up. Amazing singing through and through per usual too - thanks so much for sharing!

Charlie, Janice was reminded of Third Rate Romance when she first read the lyric and had the Aces in mind as the song developed. She was delighted when she read your comments!
Thanks for your support and have a great new year.

J&B

One of your very best. Stunning. And yes, the singing - wow indeed. Janice just shines here. This should be on the radio for sure. Congratulations!

"THOUGHT SHE’D FOUND HER MR. RIGHT
HE WASN’T THINKING PAST THE END OF THE NIGHT"

Nice!

Good write (from both sides).

Good band. Nice production. The pull-back for the pre-chorus is nice. And that ending is sweeeet! Good pickin' from Peter. And an excellent mix (of course)...

Janice SINGS! What more needs sayin'. Just sayin'...

Love the album cover, too!!

Excellent all around.

fj

Hi y'all,

high hopes, no, high expectations - that's what I automatically have whenever I see there's a new song from J&B's wonderland of music. And I never get disappointed!!!! Again such a beautiful tune ...

Leon, your lyrics were indeed a a wonderful basis for that great song that Janice completed. I see that you all were involved in the arrangement which is not always a guarantee for a good result, but in this case many cooks did't spoil the broth at all - they spiced it up.

Janice what can I say what I haven't said so often - your singing is simply beyond compare. Peter, again some very nice work on the guitar and Bud - that's simply another flawlessly sounding production.

So well-done, guys, so well-done !

Again all the best for 2021,

Stefan

Great job everyone! Yep, I thought about Amazing Rhythm Aces right away. Terrific lyrics sung so well. Production is so pro. Slide fills were cherry. Another sure winner from the J & B team.

This checks all the boxes for a classic country song! When that harmony vocal part kicked in, this one took off for me! Great job by everyone! T

Thank you Ember for both listening and your nice comments. And a very happy and safe new year to you and all the PG Music folks!

J&B




Thank Al. Bud had a lot of valuable input from Peter including his guitar work and Leon’s lyric was a wonderful gift.

Y’all have a great new year. Take care.

J&B

Another high quality gem.
What a great way to start 2021.
cheers.
Gary.

Thank you very much Scott. Comments like this make it all worthwhile. We all appreciate it and Bud throws in an extra thanks for mentioning the mix.

Happy new year!

J&B

Excellent work to all. Lovely tune (even if about heartbreak). Bravo to all. Well done.

Loved the vocal, arrangement, lyrics, Loved it all.

Vic

Thanks Mario. We appreciate those kind remarks. Yep, Leon handed us an excellent lyric for sure.

Happy New Year!

J&B

Thanks for that! All four of us appreciate it.

Be safe and have a great new year.

J&B

J,B,P&L, this one hits a lot of high marks in your respective roles. Great lyrics and melody. Perfectly performed vocals and guitar. A stellar mix and arrangement. The idea to drop the drums from the pre chorus was particularly inspired. Love the guitar tone. This shows the power of collaboration with highly accomplished people in their specialties. Well done Again! Tom

Man, I love this. Well done, the dual vocals are superb!!

That vocal has such a nice presence in the mix. Good vocal performance--soft and heartfelt.

Love Leon's chorus. That's a gem of lyric writing.

Guitars: what can I say? Fits in the song organically.

Did you ever put a smile on Janice’s face!

Thanks Dave.

J&B

Thanks a bunch Ray. Janice greatly appreciated you noting her phrasing. Thanks for your support!

J&B

Great write. Music-then-lyrics is how it happens with me, so I'm always impressed when someone can take such good lyrics and come up with such great music. Outstanding production, Bud --as always. Well done everyone!!!

A good write, stunningly well sung with fine guitar and great production.
Very well done to you all!

Robert

Hi, Bud & Janice !

Happy New Year !


One of your absolute best
without no doubt !
Janice´s vocals always
impresses me and those
lovely harmonizing sounds !

Outright wonderful !

Stay safe and take
care !

Cheers
Dani

Thanks for that very supportive review Deryk. We all appreciate your time to both listen and comment. We wish you and all of PG Music a happy and prosperous new year. J&B

Late to the party..... Nice country groove going on.

I enjoyed listening. Lilly got up off the floor and started jumping on me and barking.... I don't know if she was commenting on the song or what....

Yep, good one. I like those vocal slurs up.....

Hi Janice & Bud,

Composition after composition, the level of quality is still as good both in terms of melody and attractiveness. The melodies and arrangements are perfect and the voice is always irresistible. well done. I really enjoyed it.And what I appreciate about you is your kindness and your simplicity.

Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Thank you!

J&B

Ok, Ok...
A Hit! So vivid! Janice done true justice with Leon's lyrics. Amazing teamwork! Nice jazz infused country tune. Very cool and versatile vocals. Janice, boys really tried hard to catch up with you. Production is flawless. Congrats team! And thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Thanks mr jane. Leon handed us a good one indeed. Thanks for mentioning the arrangement and mix also!

J&B

Stefan, your support of our efforts has always been appreciated and this is no exception. Your thoughtful comments and your time to write them both make us smile and feel that we are perhaps musically on the “right track.” Thank you.

J&B

Thanks for the nice review and have a great new year!

J&B

Thank you Torrey!

J&B

Classy production by all the involved parties!! Always love to hear the queen of the forum do her thing!! Really well put together from the ground up!! Take care. Greg

Thanks Gary. We hope you have a great new year.

J&B

Late to the game as usual.

Fun listening to the Janice slide into the notes, and the guitar playing is excellent as well.

Loved the tag at the end.

Sounds great in my headphones.

But especially - great job with the lyrics. Some really nice lines in there!

Hi J&B, Peter and Leon,

This is astonishingly good!

I've liked everything you've ever done, but this is way ahead of anything else.
Apart from the fact that it's a fabulous song, the arrangement is just SO clever.
The groove is right there from the start and then just when I expected the voice
to come in on the tonic, it comes in on the fourth - beautiful. And then it's got that
super break-down on the pre-chorus. I haven't seen a pre-chorus since the 90s, when it
seemed obligatory and this one fitted the mood perfectly. And the ending - icing on the cake.

Wonderful heartfelt vocals Janice, dripping with emotion and probably the best I've
heard from you to date. The harmonies were just exceptional and timed to perfection.
Brought me out in goose bumps again.

Peter - again, the best I've heard you play. Very delicate, with some phrasing which
I've not heard you use before. Great tone and a restrained performance which was exactly
right for this track.

Bud - what can I say about the engineering, other than the mix is professional in every way.

This is one which I'm going to be playing a lot.

ROG.

Much appreciated. Thanks for the time to comment!

J&B

Thanks Vic!

J&B

Tom, coming from a man with your writing, performance chops and productions skills this review means a LOT to the three of us. Thank you!

J&B

It's time to be honest. I'm sorry to put you on the spot; but you are all playing in the same room, right? I've told you many times that I know the venue I am in when these songs are being played LIVE. It's more vivid than if I had actually seen it. You have a natural instinct for being able to pull this off.

Also, it's really not fair that I am expected to keep short responses on such fantastic work. There is no "weak link" in this. Every link stronger than the last.

The short list.

Lyrics-what a joy to hear such interestingly well thought out lyrics that sound effortless. Top notch.

Singing-I swear you are at a level that you could sing with a cold and my jaw would still drop. I ALWAYS enjoy your vocal tone and style that you bring.

Guitar-I'm not sure if I can just rubber stamp my screen, but it's a "wow" from me every time. I'm never even sure how to express how much I love your playing.

Mix-That's a nice club you've made for them to play in. The best band in a bad room is easily mistaken for a bad band. A great band in a great room is truly fantastic. I've come to expect this clean yet warm sound with you songs. I can 100% tell you I don't believe I could ever do what you do. Easily some of the favorite mixes I hear.

Snare-Sorry, it needed it's own mention space. VERY well done. It's got snap. It's got warmth. It's got fullness girth, cuts through, yet doesn't get in the way. That is one TALL order to pull off. Mark me impressed!

Arrangement and PROduction-written that way intentionally-man was this song great! The space when the song needed it. The fullness as needed as well. Heck, even the shimmer complimented what was going on in a really nice way. Everything has a place and fit so nicely to make a really complete work. I really enjoy listening to songs that are crafted in a way that parts actually support each other and the song; instead of simply "fill it with something to make it seem full." You have purpose. You've created ebbs and tides. It's a wonderful experience for the listener.

Photography-What a cool picture! It looks very natural, yet...did you mention composite? Or, did you mean composition? Either way, it's a fantastic picture. But you really have me wondering. Your color schemes are always really cool to see. They create a vibe.

...and that IS the short version! Thank you so much for sharing this!

Thanks Ronnie!

J&B

Thanks for that. We’re glad it worked for you!

J&B

Thanks for all!

J&B

Thanks Robert. It was a fun project!

J&B



Thanks and glad you liked the harmony - something you are very good at!

J&B

Very nice! A great collaboration. Nice job (Bud) on the mix and mastering... And of course Janice shines!
She's a talent!

Great Job,

Greg

PS I agree with the Aces comment as well. I've recently been listening to the "Too Stuffed To Jump" album and decided to work up "The End Is Not In Sight" with my band... Probably been 30+ years since I've done that song! Just as fun as it ever was!

Hope that meant she liked it! Thanks for the spin and mentioning the phrasing.

J&B






Your are very kind. Thank you!

J&B

Thanks Misha. You touched about every objective we could've hoped to achieve.

Love your latest!

J&B

Thanks Greg!

J&B



Thanks for all. Yep Leon handed us a great lyric indeed!

J&B

Wow! ROG we hugely appreciate those comments. Peter had big input into the arrangement and we all three appreciate you mentioning it. J&B are barely knowledgeable when it comes to music theory -- Janice just sings a lyric as she feels it and doesn't focus on the note(s) she's singing. We don't use pitch editing so we've never parse it out...but she was VERY pleased you liked it even if she's not exactly sure what she did! Leon's fine lyric and Peter's playing were a big, big part of this and we glad all of the components worked for you. Your thoughts are always meaningful and very supportive for us.

Thank you!

J&B

Thank you BIG TIME. And, man, coming from a drummer that mention of the snare made my day. Janice put on a BIG smile when she read your vocal comments. And Bud is delighted you like the live feel of the mix. That's always my objective irrespective of the genre. I have doubts about achieving that so your remark is very supportive. And yes, Leon wrote a tremendous lyric and Peter iced it all with that tasteful guitar.

MOST appreciated!

J&B

Thank you for the kind words Greg.

Guess we’re gonna have to revisit that Aces catalog!

J&B

Janice, Bud and Peter
I'm sure Peter will agree with me when I say it's always a huge pleasure and a privilege to hear Janice sing one of our songs. It really would be hard to overstate the kick it gives me. In this case she not only brought the song to life with her extraordinary voice, but also with a perfectly chosen chord progression and melody. To top it off, the arrangement you three collectively created is superb. As is the mix. Fabulous work by a trio of very talented people. (And I certainly appreciate all the nice comments about the lyrics.)
Regards,
Leon