Every once in a while, someone asks if BIAB can do "Modern Country".
(Generally, someone new, and usually in Off Topics or the BIAB for Windows forums.)
Usually, several people immediately jump on it and say...
"No! BIAB can only do "old man Country."

I always think... "Aw, c'mon... Give Me A Break.."
With some imagination (even just a little) Band-In-A-Box can do almost any style music you want to work in.



GIVE ME A BREAK

if i were to call
would you just hang up
would you give me the chance to tell my story
i've got a list
a hundred reasons
no song and dance, girl, sincerely i'm sorry
i know i made a big mistake
all i'm asking, girl, just give me a break
   
   give me a chance make it up to you
   i'd do anything that you ask me to
   say the word, i'll rope the moon and a star or two
   i'll beg, i'll plead, down on my knees
   tell me what you need, anything you please
   tell me, tell me what will it take
   for you to give me a break

if i dropped by
your house tonight
with a bottle of rose and a dozen roses
could i set things right
do you think you might
find it in your heart to forgive me girl hear my proposal
i just can't take this heartache
all i'm asking, girl, just give me a break


The BAND?

RealTracks in style: ~1433:Bass, Electric, JazzFunkGroovin Ev16 110
RealTracks in song: 2742:Bass, Synth, AltHipHopHeld Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: 380:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Syncopated Sugar Ev 102
RealTracks in song: 795:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernCountrySync Ev 100 (A:strum)
RealTracks in song: 1295:Banjo, Rhythm, ModernCountrySync Ev16 100
RealTracks in song: 2690:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Slow16thsPopBrentSimple Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 1169:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockMediumBrent Ev 120 (for big chords)
Loop in Song: House-Techno-Trance\House - emotions_127_drum_loop_b_flat_minor ev8.wav
Loop in Song: Chillout\Chillout - sunset_103_drum_loop_f_minor ev16.wav
RealDrums in Song: DrivingPop8ths^01-a:HiHat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare
Guitar loop from Studio One

Background vocals by the janettes (Janice Merritt and me)

J&B - Thanks, guys... for everything, always...


Comments encouraged!

#givemeabreak

floyd

The PG forum Hit Machine just keeps delivering!!! Everything a pop song should be and more. Very catchy, very singable (on first listen). Tons of energy, and tons of fun. Beyond that, some real sincerity and emotion, musically and lyrically, in the plea "Give me a Break". And, what song cannot be made better with the Janettes? (Love the BGs). Great stuff AGAIN!! Take care. Greg

Ok, I just listened to this a few minutes ago, I was logged in on soundcloud and it showed up in my stream when you uploaded.

Very cool, I always dig the country music you do, sounds fresh to me.

Kudos to the janettes also!

Hi Floyd Jane, Great job on this! I really enjoyed the vocals and guitars. Very catchy tune. Well done!

Team Floyd and the Janettes has delivered again.

This is really excellent, a great driving beat, a perfect lead break, superb lyrics, and all encapsulated with an amazing melody and vocals.

Top job, again.

Great tune, Floyd. I'm liking that sprinkling of modern sounding drums and that backing synth -- fits really well with your established style but also makes a convincing case for modern country! It's always good when a song written to prove a point is also an awesome song. Thanks for sharing!

Once again the doubters are proved wrong.Floyd that is up there with the modern country sound ,hip hop beat,distoreted rock guitars and a little bit of banjo thrown in.thank you for your input.i for one will nevr stop listening or learning from this wonderful forum.excellent allround

Hi Floyd.

Oh yes, I DO like it when you get heavy. I discovered Brooks and Dunn a while back and this sounds a lot like some of their up-tempo stuff.

As soon as I heard those drums pumping I knew this was one for the Tannoys and up LOUD. Wonderful.

Great song, great backing, great vocals, including Janice of course, and a great mix.

Well, maybe bring the solo up a bit (ha ha).

ROG.

Hi Floyd.
Enjoyed that . Nice and lively. Cheers.

Hi Floyd,

for great songs Band in a Box can't miss, but also you and your creativity are necessary.

Another super song.

PS I prefer your traditional country style.

Sergio

Excellent tune Floyd. Very cool lyrics. Super harmonies with Janice. Guitar was the cherry on top of the sundae...

Hi, Floyd and The Jeanettes !:))


Love this, it is so very
good and I mean everything
on the track !
Superb collab too, simply
pro all over !

Cheers
Dani

Floyd,

Seconds to this- very, very catchy radio-ready. Love the sprinkle of banjo and the harmonies.

Robert

Thanks, Greg. You always have a way of getting to the core of what these are all about...

Hey Floyd,

This is good stuff. I like it a lot! Love the drum pattern/beat/loop thingy... Whatever you did there is working. The banjo is very cool as well as the guitar solo RT. Great vocals and mix! Congrats. Another fine Job!

Greg

Floyd

Clever arrangement - strong chorus you and Janice sound great on harmony.
Nice use of "modern" and traditional sounds. Like when you sing with just the drums.
Lovely arrangement at the end.
Great work.

Peter

Floyd,

This immediately reminded us of the album Garth Brooks in the Life of Chris Gaines.
There's one track in particular, Right Now.
We are big fans of Garth Brooks and that also makes us a fan of this song .
The Janettes are also in good shape (as always )
Rob and Anne-Marie

Super write and performance

(and the bar goes higher and higher)

you're really doing great material


Kenny

Hi Floyd,

We have to agree with all the previous accolades. I'm not sure we can add to them. Nonetheless, pour thoughts:

Very commercial and perfect arrangement. And we think you touched a nerve with all who have been in this position - the realization and agony of knowing you really screwed up! You've creatively depicted the bumps in the road to forgiveness ... sometime mountains rather than bumps.

It's a great listen but gives the listener a little something to think about. For those who have been there, you show the empathy. For those who haven't, you've forewarned of the perils of stepping on it with the the love of your life.

The Janettes are sounding as good as ever. Superb harmony! And your choice of tracks were perfect for the message ... we particularly enjoyed the banjo. COntrary to some ways of thinking, the banjo isn't just for Bluegrass and "hillbillies".

Excellent ... we're still smiling!

Alan & Di

PS: And who says we can't get modern with our country? Another rumor squashed!

Hello, floyd

Very catchy and very pop!
As Greg said, the PG forum Hit Machine just keeps delivering!!! Everything a pop song should be and more.
Your main vocal and background vocals by the janettes are so good.
Bass drum is very cool in the mix.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi