|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596 |
Foes Of Happiness Happy New Year All! Four years ago BiaB allowed us to leave our decades of traditional bluegrass and settle into our current comfort zone of Americana, blues and bluesy country. But every now and then we like to experiment with something a wee bit on the rock side so here is this year's effort :-) During 2015 I ran into several folks I had not seen in years. They were overwhelmingly bitter about, well, seemingly everything. Most of their experiences seemed to be wrapped up in some form of negativity and they insisted on keeping the conversation there. I reflected a lot on this and ended up writing this lyric. It's obviously nothing profound but as I turn 70 this week it is an attempt to express my feelings on how to deal with negative folks. Don't engage - just run! Thanks to Tom for his input on the write, arrangement and solo/rhythm guitar, to floyd for critiquing the mix and to my better half Janice for putting up with me by singing/creating melodies for whatever I throw her way. As always we are very appreciative of your time to listen and comment. Bass: RT 387 Electric Metal Drums: RD Nashville Southern Drums: RD Snare (grabbed from BiaB respective drum kit file) Shaker: Apple Loop Mandolin: RT 1755 Rhythm Pop 8ths Guitar Rhythm: Tom Adams Guitar Lead: Tom Adams Lead Vocal: Janice, Rodes NT mic, Blue Icicle USB Effects: Ozone 6, Ozone 5 and Nectar 2 Mixing/mastering stuff: Bud Foes of Happiness © 2016 B. Merritt/J. Merritt/T. Adams Verse 1 I’ve never been told taking the high road would be easy tolls, dead ends, wrecks along the way, nothing's ever free pulling me back all the time, girl you ain't gotta prayer well it may look like I'm still here, but I'm getting there Ref I've gotta get away, run from the foes of happiness. I won't fall in their world of hatred and bitterness. Verse 2 they're all around me, trying to put out my flame chokin’ me like weeds in their garden of shame get too close and they sprout up all around my soul hang around too long, and they pull me down their hole Ref I've gotta get away, run from the foes of happiness. I won't fall in their world of hatred and bitterness. Solo Verse 3 people that are stained by anger that'll never cease I can't let them in, I won't let them poison my peace give in and they'll steal everything that I value stay on the high road, I can feel my spirit renew Ref I've gotta get away, run from the foes of happiness. I won't fall in their world of hatred and bitterness. I won't fall in their world of hatred and bitterness. Outro Our Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,310
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,310 |
Hi there J&B, plus Floyd and Tom.
Fabulous. Loved it from the first chord to the last.
Super backing track that really rocks and great guitar work from Tom.
Janice, what can I say that I haven't said before. You have a voice which is immediately recognisable. There are lots of good singers, but only a rare few who are this distinctive. It's SO good to hear you turning your talents to something with a rock feel for a change. The key which you're in does something to the timbre of your voice which brings me out in goosebumps. This really was a treat.
Congrats to you all.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,431
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,431 |
Hi, Bud ,Janice, Tom and Floyd !
A super track and super doing by all
involved !:))
Just the right music to start
up this new year !:))
Cheers
Dani
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888 |
Hi Janice & Bud, Tom and Floyd,
what a great collab again.
I enjoyed everything about it.
Guenter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,351
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,351 |
Awesome tune. Loved it Excellent collaboration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596 |
Hi there J&B, plus Floyd and Tom.
Fabulous. Loved it from the first chord to the last.
Super backing track that really rocks and great guitar work from Tom.
Janice, what can I say that I haven't said before. You have a voice which is immediately recognisable. There are lots of good singers, but only a rare few who are this distinctive. It's SO good to hear you turning your talents to something with a rock feel for a change. The key which you're in does something to the timbre of your voice which brings me out in goosebumps. This really was a treat.
Congrats to you all.
ROG. ROG, you have made our week. Given both the always high quality of your productions and your rock foundation we feel our effort is validated! It's always fun (tempered with a little apprehension) to explore new territory but when the "forum man" of that territory is kind enough to make the above remarks it really means a lot. I (Bud) have encouraged Janice to explore the lower end of her range. She spent so many years in bluegrass which demanded singing lead and harmony at the upper end that I don't think she was initially aware that she had a voice in the lower end -- she's nodding in agreement  Thank you!! J&B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,931
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,931 |
Hey You Four...
Some super talent shining here. Great song and terrific performance by all. Janice's voice is as sweet as a truck load of sugar and Tom's guitar is as edgy as ever. The lyric is refreshing and well done. Of course, Floyd's mixing skills are second to none.
Great job ... we loved it!
Alan & Di
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596 |
Hi, Bud ,Janice, Tom and Floyd !
A super track and super doing by all
involved !:))
Just the right music to start
up this new year !:))
Cheers
Dani Thanks Dani. Have a great year! Hi Janice & Bud, Tom and Floyd,
what a great collab again.
I enjoyed everything about it.
Guenter
We are happy that you like it Guenter. Thanks! J&B
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 01/06/16 01:22 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,842
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,842 |
people that are stained by anger that'll never cease
I can't let them in, I won't let them poison my peace
give in and they'll steal everything that I value
stay on the high road, I can feel my spirit renew
Great verse!! I also love the refrain-just tells it straight. Very cool song all the way around. Vocals are great and mix excellent. The guitar......it's got me thinking there should be some Tom Adams RTs in 2017!! Great job guys! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,798
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,798 |
Good write, arrangement, mix and production. Stellar start to the new year. Enjoyed my listen.
BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2023:RB 2023, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 532
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 532 |
Hi guys, another great collaboration. Super job on all aspects from vocals, mix, writing to great overall sound with Tom adding his magic on guitar. Thanks Janice, Bud, Floyd and Tom for working so good together and bringing us a super song.
Sonny
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,384
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,384 |
Janice, Bud & Tom
Seriously when is the album coming out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,426
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,426 |
Great stuff guys. Super song superbly put together. Wow, I love that vocal delivery!   John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
You folks can do it all. You are surely right -- keep negativity at bay the best you can. good message and good tune.
One suggestion, if you want to do rock, study someone like the lead singer from Counting Crows. He really pushes his vocal to the limit during the verses -- and then cranks it up during the chorus (ha, ha). Janice is mighty close, but I think she can even dig deeper. Hmmm, easy for me to say.
Still an excellent performance, though. Good write and arrangement, too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,131
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,131 |
It's good to see you break out of the confines of your "normal" style that you had cast for yourselves. I like this.
Everything sounds good. One thing that stuck out to me was the snare. It sounds really nice but it's a bit too loud in the mix.
Negative folks are all over the place and it's easy to commiserate with them, but you can't afford to do that if you want to be happy and get things done. I don't like hanging with or having discussions with folks who are always going to the negative side of things. The sun is shining in my world.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but you can't do both.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596 |
Awesome tune. Loved it Excellent collaboration Thank you very much Scott for listening and commenting... J&B Hey You Four...
Some super talent shining here. Great song and terrific performance by all. Janice's voice is as sweet as a truck load of sugar and Tom's guitar is as edgy as ever. The lyric is refreshing and well done. Of course, Floyd's mixing skills are second to none.
Great job ... we loved it!
Alan & Di Thanks y'all....Janice smiled when she read that! Bud
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596 |
people that are stained by anger that'll never cease
I can't let them in, I won't let them poison my peace
give in and they'll steal everything that I value
stay on the high road, I can feel my spirit renew
Great verse!! I also love the refrain-just tells it straight. Very cool song all the way around. Vocals are great and mix excellent. The guitar......it's got me thinking there should be some Tom Adams RTs in 2017!! Great job guys! Take care. Greg Thank you very much for those kind words Greg. From a writer like you it means even more to have the lyric mentioned. Hey, we agree with Tom and the RT! J&B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,452
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,452 |
Hi Janice and Bud.
First off.... and most importantly....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bud!
I really enjoyed listening to Janice sing this. The change of style took me by surprise.... but it was a good surprise. As always, Tom's contribution is like co-icing on the cake.
I also found myself thinking, "What a great use of connotation!" and "What a great use of metaphor!" on a number of occasions. Phrases such as "foes of happiness", "stained by anger", "sprout up around my soul", "garden of shame", "poison my peace" are so very visual and add a huge emotional punch. The rhyming of Happiness with Bitterness is also a masterstroke -- minor stress rhyme and using words that have opposite meanings.... very effective!
Really excellent work from everyone!
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,596 |
Good write, arrangement, mix and production. Stellar start to the new year. Enjoyed my listen.
Glad you enjoyed the spin Charlie. Thanks. J&B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,032
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,032 |
J&B,
Excellent vocals on this. Thx for posting.
SD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand 2024 is Here!
There are over 30 new features to RealBand 2024, including 256 available tracks, 32 VSTi/DXi synth instances, modern color scheme for some windows, Playable RealDrums support, new arrow buttons to change the current time, chord symbols to display in the Track window, 48 tracks to display in the Mixer, the ability to hide any extra masters or auxes in the Mixer, improved handling of VU levels in the Track window, better VU levels display when recording to mono tracks, song preview in the StylePicker, the ability to initiate track generation from the StylePicker, and much more!
RealBand 2024 is included with all Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows orders - and our 2024 upgrades are ON SALE until December 31st! Until then, save up to 50% - upgrade for as little as $49!
Check out our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows is here with over 50 new features and an amazing collection of new content, including 222 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 3, Playable RealDrums Set 2, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17, and more!
We're having a SALE on Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Upgrade purchases until December 31, 2023 - save up to 50% when you purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Upgrade!
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2024 packages, but for more even more Add-ons (including 50 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade it to the 2024 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
Check out our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Mac is macOS Sonoma Compatible!
We're over the moon to announce that the latest Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Mac Build 707 is compatible with macOS Sonoma!
Refresh your Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Mac today with this free update to resolve visibility of notation in the Notation Window, apply smoother use of notation features, update to the Drums VU meter, and add the newest version of the DAW Plugin (5.5.13).
Learn more about Build 707 and download it here.
The Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Mac German, French, and Italian language patches have also been updated with Build 707! Download your Build 707 language patch here.
Revisit: Eyes on Success featuring PG Music Inc., Band-in-a-Box®, and the Updated JAWS Script
In the past, Eyes on Success featured an episode that discussed our company history and Band-in-a-Box® program with Tobin, our chief development officer, including how Band-in-a-Box® is even more accessible with the help of their JAWS screen reader scripts!
Later on this month, Eyes on Success will be releasing an episode that features Gudrun Brunot talking about her new tutorials about how to use Band-in-a-Box® with JAWS.
It's a great idea to pair the two episodes together!
So, while waiting for their Gudrun Brunot episode, take 30 minutes and to listen to this episode from Eyes on Success. To download and listen to the podcast, use the link www.EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_2344_podcast.mp3
Eyes on Success is a weekly radio show / podcast geared to the visually impaired called "Eyes On Success" and that can be found at www.EyesOnSuccess.net.
Find out more about the show and get links to past episodes at www.EyesOnSuccess.net
Find their podcast on iTunes or use the URL: www.EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_podcast
User Tip: How to add drum fills without changing any other tracks
MarioD has shared some great advice when it comes to adding drum fills without changing any other tracks in your song:
There have been a number of questions asking how to add drum fills without changing any other tracks in a song. This is especially important if one is holding a chord for a few measures and wants to add a drum fill prior to the next chord. The following is how to accomplish that:
1-get the instruments/tracks to play like you want but don't worry about the drums for now.
2-generate the song.
3-freeze all tracks
4-unfreeze the drum track
5-add your fills where you want them
6-generated the song again - note this will only generate the drum track and not the frozen tracks
7- when you get the drums like you want them freeze the track
Have your own program tip to share? Post it on our Tips & Tricks forum!
Review - Band-in-a-Box® 2023 for Windows is Overflowing with Features!
Dennis posted his very thorough Band-in-a-Box® review recently, where he dives into some of the new features added with version 2023: Sound-Guy's Band-in-a-Box Review
Read his thoughts on the Download & Install Manager, partial track regeneration, Playable RealTracks, Audio Editing, the addition of SynthMaster, the VST DAW Plugin, and more!
"Band-in-a-Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is, without negative connotation, a monster of a program. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. No DAW can do some of the things BIAB does, while BIAB can do a lot that DAWs do."
Band-in-a-Box® Tutorials for Low-vision and Blind Program Users
Our friends at EyesFree_Tutorials have just released their Band-in-a-Box Tutorials, Bundle 2!
Created for low-vision and blind program users, this collection of Band-in-a-Box for Windows tutorials includes 31 audio instruction files and 19 music files for practice, plus help documents. Specific topics include "ABACA, let's make a song form," "Recording melody and lead-in," "Playing and editing: part markers; the handy clipboard. The play function. Search and replace," and more!
Learn more about their new tutorials, and connect with Roy & Gudrun to order the Band-in-a-Box Tutorials, Bundle 2 here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics79,963
Posts715,458
Members38,109
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean