Just Say The Word

Ray sent the lyric, melody suggestions and demos in several genres for Janice to select from. She chose the jazz version to the dismay of Ray and Bud each of whom had not worked with jazz productions … and via a deft move on Ray’s behalf Bud ended up with the mix Thanks to our music partner Peter for joining in on guitar and helping on the trumpet bits. Comments are welcomed and we hope that you might find it of interest. Thanks for your time! And as always thanks to PG Music for making it all possible.

Janice: lead / harmony / call back vocals, melody and vocal arrangement
Ray: lyric, progression, melody, mix counsel and arrangement
Peter: guitar solo / fills, trumpet arrangement and mix counsel
Bud: mix, mastering and photo

Lyrics on SoundCloud.

Vocals: Rodes NT1 > Scarlett 212 interface > Izotope Nectar

Bass: RealTrack 1394 Acoustic, Jazz Sw > Waves Bass Rider > Izotope Neutron 3
“In twos” and walking style comped from several RT regenerations.

Drums: RealDrums JazzSwingDannyBrushes > Waves CLA Drums

Piano: RealTrack 2192 Acoustic, Rhythm EZListening Sw > Waves CLA Unplugged > Izotope Ozone Imager

Guitar rhythm: RealTrack 1984 Acoustic, Rhythm EZListening Sw 085 > Waves CLA Unplugged

Trumpet: RealTrack 494 Jazz Ballad Sw 085 > Logic Pro X Reverb
(Pitch editing and note stretching to enhance segues)

Logic Pro X: mix and mastering
Mastering chain: Ozone Dynamic EQ > Ozone Imager > Ozone Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance 2 > Logic Pro X Loudness Meter

Thanks Bud, Janice's excellent melody, stunning vocal and swing added to Peter's deft guitar and your excellent listening, selections and mixing, (not to mention problem solving), make this a silk purse.

I was looking for a good translation of the word "laid back" a couple of weeks ago. And I thought it was a nice idea to go old school and pick up one of the old dictionaries in our cupboard.
Guess what? It said: "Just say the word" by J&B

Another job done extremely well.
I like the clean jazz solo Peter!

Rob

Thanks Ray, that is all genuinely appreciated and I gotta say that your lyric immediately drew Janice in and I knew quickly she wanted to do this version. So thank you!

Bud

Thank you Rob. We liked that solo also!

J&B

What a great collaboration. Janice, what a wonderful interpretation of those crafty lyrics Ray sent. The melody is really cool over those changes, and the harmony is in the Goldilocks realm of Just Right. Peter, for my ears the drummer defines the feel, but the guitar is the magic that makes it all work, and you never fail in that regard. I really like the use of the trumpet in this, too. Bud, your mastery of the mixing is second to none.

Hello Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter
Great song in every way
Although this is not my music,
I am really impressed
Congratulations to ALL !!!
The artwork has become excellent
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

That is all very generous of you Marty and most kind to us Jazz neophytes.

Nothing like steppin’ off the proverbial cliff on occasion.

Thank you!

J&B

Interesting listen - it had the general outlines of a pop song format, but...

I'm not sure "chromatic" is the word I'm looking for, but there are some interesting zigs instead of zags with both the chords and the melodic line.

Janice's languid delivery is perfect as always, as is the harmonies.

And a clean mix, as expected.

Cool!

Thank you Andi!

J&B

Hi, very impressive presentation. nice photograph as a start and a perfect vocal with nice harmonies. Laid-back came to my mind, but I wasn't the only one with that feeling. I liked the arrangement and the mix. I started to listen on my tablet but this nice collaboration deserved mij home hifi.

This was an excellent collaboration.
The lyrics, playing, backing-tracks, and especially the vocals... all top shelf. Very impressive.

Loved this tune. Super vocal Janice. Perfect for the genre. Excellent lyric and melody Ray. Trumpet was a cool add. Excellent guitar work Peter. Perfect production, mix and master Bud. Well done

Well we hope zigs are as good as zags!
Every aspect of this venture into jazz world has been interesting and we are glad you thought it was cool … which is a positive word indeed to apply to a jazz tune.

Thanks,
J&B

J&B, Ray, Peter,

Very unusual tune. I listened to it on several occasions to fully appreciate it. While it is free flowing, I can only imagine how much effort it took to reach from point A to Soundcloud. Almost experimental. Some music is just good music, this one is different. It makes you think in a different direction. You all should be proud of this. Excellent collaboration + teamwork! Enjoyed it and thank you for sharing.

Misha.

WOW!!! The harmonies!!! This song is wonderful from so many perspectives, but the harmonies take it really over the top.

Ray, Peter and Bud ... congratulations in all of your respective "backstage work". It is so professionally done, there's no "chink in the armour". A special nod to Ray, for the lyrics, to Bud for the mix and to Peter - for the guitar, but also for the fun, trumpet moments. As for Janice, what a stellar performance ... stellar even by her usual high standard. It's a joy to listen to a voice with such an elegant tone, at its effortless best.

Congratulations, all ... pat yourselves on the back, you've done it again.

We’re glad it worked for you and that it made the home system!
And big thanks for mentioning the vocals and the photo.

J&B

Hi Janice, Bud, Ray and Peter,

The list of names of participants is growing to interesting proportions!
But they did their utmost to please Janice and you can hear that by the way she sings like a lark, with a whole bunch of nightingales for the harmonies!
And on what lyrics, not only huge in length but also in content! Ray, you did a wonderful thing on that! Now I understand why you quit talking to me last week...

It's a very nice, but also difficult song on certain parts. And the song itself has a very nice melody, sometimes not Jazzy at all and even a bit joyful, although the lyrics are the opposite.

I just say...

Hans

This is so crystal. What a fine job on the mix.

Good work from everyone on this. As always nice vox and harmonies.

Ray, Janice, Bud, Peter...

A truly unique song and sound. Cool collaboration.
There were a number of Randy-Newman-isms - the piano/horn mix, the unpredictable melody...
An arrangement/production that really perks up the ears.

Cool vocals. (needless to say)

Excellent mix.

Good work by all!!

Will be back to listen again.

fj

This is a great collab!

Excellent all around.

Really great music and lyrics Ray.

Superb performances by everyone. I really enjoyed this beginning to end.

Thanks for the comments mentioning my small part in this.

Amazing intricate harmonies by Janice take this song in musically sophisticated places.

Thanks to Ray for providing the song.

It was a very interesting song to collaborate on.

Peter

Sorry Peter,
My lack of musical learning & personal musical tastes seem to lead me astray.
I know the chord movements for the solo didn't leave room for much more than root notes. You managed remarkably well to get something to stand out & sound cool across those restless chord changes.
THANK YOU!

Very unusual, I'm happy you try something completely different style, somehow reminds me of Eddi Reader and Isobel Campbell. Bit angular but intriguing chord progression adds mystery to the story. Haunting lyrics analyzing complicated life that once was. Great sounding band, great mix and elegant vocals support the mood perfectly.

Janne

Thanks! Glad it worked for you.

J&B

Very different! Good lyrics and interesting melody.

Vocals and harmonies are top notch of course Peter sounds great, love that clean tone. Also like the trumpet work.

Mix sounds great as per normal, Bud!

Good one guys and gal, enjoyed.

Thank you Scott!

J&B

Thank you Misha. Stepping out of the boundaries can go either way for sure. We are most pleased that you liked this adventure!

J&B

Janice, Bud, Ray & Peter,

This is an excellent and creative collaboration. I love the crispness of the mix and Janice's vocal lines.

It is amazing to me that you have not done more in this genre... Great stuff!

Bob

You are very generous with your kind comments and we much appreciate it.
We’re glad you like the vocals. Bud here: Janice is too modest to say it but all the vocals were one take

Thanks again!

J&B

J&B,Ray & Peter,
Ambitious and understated with that languid feel so necessary to the style;I know very little about the genre, but you had me wholly attentive. Janice sings beautifully ( of course!) I can appreciate the challenge this posed to the production team- you make it all work: very well done.

Robert

Thank you Hans. We always enjoy hearing from you and we appreciate your support!

J&B

J&B (and ray and Peter)—

What a great opening . . . and wonderful harmonies throughout . . . I mean, really impressive that. The horns work really well. I like how the melody and open structure gives you freedom to depart from the traditional rhyme scheme—which is to say, there’s a part of me yearning for more internal rhyming, but you don’t sacrifice that for delivering a compelling lyric. Hope you get what I mean there. Very cool collab!

All my best,

Deej

I guess its all been said. "Nice"

Thanks Herb. And Bud appreciates the mix comment very much!

J&B

Thank you Rob.
I had the very easy part as I shifted the burden onto Bud, Janice & Peter's shoulders.

Thank you mr jane.

We had long awaited an excursion into the land of jazz!

J&B

Thanks David!

J&B



Thank you Janne. Your thoughtful and supportive comments are very meaningful to us.

J&B

Thank you Dave!

J&B



Thanks! It was different and a bit of a challenge. Glad it worked for you.

J&B

Thanks Robert. Welcome back and thanks for the nice comments! Ambitious and understated and languid well describe it … indeed. Glad you liked it.

J&B



Thank you! And especially for mentioning the harmony and the trumpet.

J&B



Thanks!

J&B

J&B, Ray and Peter,

Love to see you guys exploring new avenues for your music! One thing about Ray is that he doesn't cut corners when working on a song and he will stay with it until it's done right! Great job by everyone!

Thanks, T