In The River Valley

In a bit of a departure here is a little folk song with a traditional sound that is enhanced by a lovely backing vocal from Janice.

Leon - Lyric & Vocal
Janice Merritt - Vocals
I played the harmonica and electric guitar (and sang just a little).

The Band:
RealTracks in style: ~701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
Loop in Song: Drums\TambourinePop8ths
RealTracks in song: 2548:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkSorrow Ev16 090
*******************

In the River Valley

The first frost of winter
Has turned the rooftops white
I wish I was in the river valley
Mist rising from the water
What a beautiful sight
How I wish I was in the river valley

These city streets feel wrong beneath my feet
Sounds of the city fall harshly on my ears
Wildflowers on the hillside smell so sweet
Music in the wind sighing through the trees
My lover waits for me
In the river valley
While I sweat and slave all day in the factory

One day I’ll save enough
To buy that little cottage
In the river valley where my lover waits for me

These city streets feel wrong beneath my feet
Sounds of the city fall harshly on my ears
Wildflowers on the hillside smell so sweet
Music in the wind sighing through the trees

Summer in the city
My clothes stick to my skin
How I wish I was in the river valley
Lying in the shade
Of an old gum tree
How I wish I was in the river valley
How I wish I was
How I wish I was
How I wish I was in the river valley

Different from what I'm used to hearing from you guys! I like it, good sound.

Nice harp playing, Peter! Worked well I thought.

Mix wise I thought Janice was too low in spots, especially noticeable when Leon and Janice are trading off on "I wish I was", I think Janice should be at the same level as Leon in those places and to my ears she is lower in volume.

But! Just my opinion and I could be wrong.

Overall a good song, enjoyed.

Simple, easy to listen to. It has a nice flow to it and I like the harmonies and harmonica.

Thanks Dave -
I thought that too after hearing the Soundcloud version(not obvious in DAW?).
I've updated the file with Janice now a bit more prominent.

Peter

Peter & Leon (and Janice),

A nice folk song. Appropriate backing.
Harmonica works well. The tambourine in a good choice.

Leon as a great voice for this style.
On my speakers, the vocal "jumps out at me" every few words.

Janice's harmonies sound good.

Nice.

fj

Hi Peter and Leon,

I just listend to a new song from Floyd and then yours.
It is very good and in a way as understated as his song. It gave me a smile.
You both did a very nice job with this 'sweet' song (I don't mean the lyrics, they were about hard labour...)

I really enjoyed it,
Hans

Very nice work from all. I don't often get a chance to hear good folk music. That harmonica sounds like a Dylan song.

Makes me feel like walking down into the woods here and setting by my creek and just watching the water flow.


https://youtu.be/et9ATXBW9HM <<<<< this is one of the creeks on my land.

Excellent tune guys. Loved the intro. Super vocal Lyon and some very lovely harmonies Janice. Cool country tune. I agree with Herb the harmonica was a nice add. Well played Peter. Guitar was cool too..

Janice, Pter and Leon ...

A classic Dylan sound that's seldom heard any more. It's a "comfortable" listen - relaxing and pensive. Everytrhing is so good. And you can't go wrong with anything Janice contributes to a song. Thanks for a terrific listen. Wishing all of you the very best. Take care ...

Alan

Thanks appreciate the comments.

Peter

Your song was really easy to listen to, and the lyrics painted such a perfect visual and helped set the mood going into the song. Thanks for sharing!

Cool folk. I could image Pete Seeger belting this out.
Well done all - it sounds legit.

A wonderful composition and recording. I love its simplicity (which goes with the subject perfectly). Everything well played. Lovely vocal harmonies, especially on the outro. Nice work to everyone involved, including the band.

Sound exactly what I'd expect from this genre: Lyrics, vocals, harmony and arrangement spot on.

Jangly goodness.

Peter & Leon (and Janice),

Oldie but goody.
It seems to be an arrangement of Stephen Collins Foster's work to me.
Harmonica, vocals and harmonies, everything is very comfortable.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Lovely song. I like the simplicity of the lyric.

The vocals are good but seem a bit up and down in volume so maybe needs a play around with compression. Vocals also (to my ears) seem too separated from the reverb and eq in the music.

I still like it though.

Vic

Thanks for the harmony mention. It’s a pleasure to work with Peter and Leon!

Janice

That was great!
Nice fresh sound with a tinge of nostalgia.

Enjoyed the listen.
Band is well mixed and the vocals pop just enough.

Well Done!

moto

Lyrics paint a beautiful landscape and then captures nicely the contrast to the noisy city streets, something I can relate to. Music and melody sway gently along the folk story.
I was surprised to hear harmonica solo instead of electric guitar, but it works really well. Also the electric guitar plays nice riffs.
Great vocals and Janice's backing harmonies really sounds like "sighing through the trees".

Janne

Hi PeterF, Leon and Janice

What I admire here is your collaboration in the development of this composition. The lyrics are superb. I love the harmonica and the vocals doubled to different octaves which make for a great composition. Well done.

Kindly regard
Derochette
aliasJaniJackFlash

Thanks floyd.
Can't see anything obvious on the vocal track -(Vic also comments on the issue).
Hopefully a one off.

Peter

Peter, Leon and Janice.

I love this groove and it suits the lyrics so well.

From the very first chord, it was easy to hear that this was going to be a thoroughly enjoyable musical journey.

I honestly don't know how you all keep on producing song after song, year after year, and always maintaining such a high standard.

Excellence once again!

All the best,
Noel.

P.S. I love the picture on Soundcloud. Such a peaceful view.

Thanks Herb - creek looks nice.

Peter



Thanks Hans appreciate the comments.

Peter

How can you not like this. It has a soothing vibe that draws me in and the vocal harmonies say "stay awhile"

Beautiful!

Thanks for the harmony mention!

Janice

Peter, Leon & Janice,
There`s an innocence about the song I really like; a style rarely heard now, with hopeful lyrics that had me rooting for the factory worker`s dream, fine vocals and a good simple arrangement.
A very enjoyable surprise- well done you three!

Robert

Thanks Scott.

Peter

Alan appreciate the Dylan compliment. Thanks

Peter

Peter, Leon and Janice:

Very nicely done! Really like the write, and your production choices give it a nice, traditional 60’s type folk song—so mission accomplished there. Sweet melody accentuated with some pretty harmonies. Well done, folks! This is a good ‘un.

Regards to all,

Deej

This is totally different than your previous songs but just as good. Super blues harp! Everything about this is spot on.

A nice change of pace! I liked this one.

Appreciate that Ray.

Peter



Thanks Ember

Peter

Thanks David



Thanks for the nice comments.

Peter

Thank you Scott!

Janice

Thanks for the kind words, all. It's such a pleasure to have Janice join us on a song. What a truly gifted singer she is!
Regards,
Leon

Thanks Vic

Peter



Thanks Shigeki

Peter

Hey Y'all, this sounds great. Really soothing.

A superb production and mix.

Appreciate the support and review Janne.

Peter



Thanks a lot.

Peter

I





Thanks for the harmony mention y’all!

J&B

Thanks for mentioning my small part in this!

Janice

Thanks for mentioning my small contribution!

Janice

Thanks appreciated.

Peter

Thanks Lawrence.

Peter



Thanks a lot Noel we appreciate the comments.

Peter

Appreciate that Robert.

Peter

Appreciate the comments Mario.

Peter



Thanks Deej

Peter

Thanks David

Peter

A lovely and comforting piece of music. Easy on the ears and evocative.

Very nice song!! I like the sentiment......wrote one myself from the same perspective called Cowboy Home. Very enjoyable.....good song and good presentation!! Take care. Greg

Man, you guys are so versatile, and so good at it. Love this, Peter, Leon & Janice. Harmonies are great --perfectly placed. Cool harmonica. Your talent has that polished shine that grabs attention.

quote=Deej56]Peter, Leon and Janice:

Very nicely done! Really like the write, and your production choices give it a nice, traditional 60’s type folk song—so mission accomplished there. Sweet melody accentuated with some pretty harmonies. Well done, folks! This is a good ‘un.

Regards to all,

Deej
[/quote]



Deej & Marty, I appreciate you commenting on the harmony!

Janice

Thanks a lot Marty.

Peter



Appreciate the comments.

Peter



Thanks Greg.

Peter