Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,659
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,659
This is not only an excellent vocal performance, but excellent vocal interpretation. Great lyrics that fit in with the rhythm of the song-- there is no what I call "over stuffing" of the lyrics. What a pleasure to listen to!

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: Rob4580
Great song and great message. Sadly in some countries this still goes on. Rob


Originally Posted By: Jim
Superb song... It makes you stop & think!
I enjoyed it immensely.


Thanks y’all. Yes it is sad that it still occurs and is certainly something to consider. We appreciate the listen and comments.

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,682
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,682
The Song, least we not forget.

The singers, brilliant job.


The arrangement, pure pro from start to finish.


win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 .
https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
Man! You guys have outdone yourselves with this one. Really good writing! Told the story well I think.

And Janice, man, that tone! Just so rich. I've said this before, sometimes she reminds me of Linda Ronstadt, and this is one of those times. Harmonies from Floyd are tight and perfect.

Modulations were unexpected but cool, I liked the first one especially.

Nice way to kick off the new year, very much enjoyed!

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
It is always a pleasure to write with Bud.
It is always a pleasure to hear Janice (sing ANYTHING!) and to sing along.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Bud, Janice, Floyd
Excellent message and a well composed and performed tune!

P.S. Every few years I take a ride to Scranton (PA) and take a coal mine tour. Couple of years back I took my son there. Like your song goes, in "good old days" they would hire young Polish boys to climb narrow shafts, where adults could not make it to excavate some of that "shinny black coal". Your song is a good reminder that sometimes we need to look back (and forward) on things critically.

Thank you for sharing.

Misha.



Thanks for the kind words. And for your info on the mine boys...very sad.

J&B


Last edited by Janice & Bud; 01/10/19 04:25 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Janice, Bud & floyd,

That was a musical treat and some hard hitting and thoughtful lyrics.

A beautiful mix, superb lead vocal and harmony, and a strong tune carry the insightful message.

I liked the key changes and all the production touches.
Excellent all round composition.

Peter


We appreciate that Peter. You mentioned all the points that we worked to achieve!

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Janice, Bud & Floyd,

A good hard hitting clear eyed write.There`s some Woody Guthrie in the uncompromising lyrics.
The chorus is outstanding - posing the listener that question that gets to the heart of those stories.
I really like the gentle opening and the whole accompaniment is spot on. Very good harmonies and then, of course, Janice sounding like she lived through those times a little.
I`m on the fence with the modulations - they are a bit surprising; need another listen,
but its a fine fine song.

Robert


Thanks Robert. It’s interesting that you mentioned Woody Gutherie. I had not thought of that.

We appreciate your kind remarks regarding the write, the arrangement, the harmony and Janice’s vocal. She does “live” the songs she sings.

Hey, maybe I can get you off the fence with the modulations smile

The modulations are intended to “wake up your ear.” We felt that In this case, it is especially important that the listener be “woke up” – these are issues to be reckoned with – and it is easy to be lulled into a “comfortable place” if it flows too well for too long - Janice’s voice can have that effect smile And with no solo or bridge we felt they were even more needed. Actually the “abruptness” that some have mentioned was the intended effect.

Best to you and yours for 2019 and on and on!

J&B
.

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,700
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,700
I watched recently a document series called American Epic. I can see how well this song fits that American music tradition. In the context of this song, I noticed how great AmericanRoots RD really is. Excellent mix and heavenly singing, Janice's voice really gives me chills here.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: dcuny
This is the sort of song that makes my inner six year old squirm, because as expertly done as it it, there's a lesson hidden in there!

It reminded me of an NPR broadcast I heard the other week about the return of black lung disease to coal miners. And that's only the first verse!

The writing was excellent, and the mix clear as always. But what really struck me was Janice's excellent singing - in particular, her emoting. Nice subtle harmonies.

The modulations felt abrupt, but they worked as intended to bring some change to the song, so... Can't really complain there, can I?

As always, a treat to hear.



David, Thanks for that link! Yep, those modulations were intended as a "wake up" from the somewhat gentle flow of the tune. Janice really appreciated your remarks about her vocal. I (Bud) have often compared her to a method actor. She will do what floyd calls "living with a song" until she's ready to sing it and then it's almost always one take. She feels that additional takes would loose something each time. Dunno. But it seems to work for her smile

We appreciate your reviews and support over the past year and best to you this year!

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
Feel like I just read The Grapes of Wrath again!! It is my favorite book! Really excellent write. It is nice to live in the days of good medicine and reliable working conditions. Recently, someone was talking about life expectancy 80 to 100 years ago. We have it pretty soft now. Great one guys.....class production from the tip of the pen to the mastering plugin!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
W
Expert
Offline
Expert
W
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
Janice, Bud & Floyd,

Really good song, I had to listen to it twice to get it all in... very good work from all of you. It was like getting a late Christmas present from somebody who really cares.

Some people here are mentioning the modulations - I loved the first one! The second was maybe one to many, but it didn't spoil my overall feeling of listening to 3 great artists!

Will

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: rayc
Yep,
and today in the brick kilns of India, Pakistan & Bangladesh whole families are bonded workers employed for the dry season and loaned money b y the managers to get through the wet thus racking up more debt against their bond.
As a musical piece, the melody, harmonies and arrangement, it's ACE.
As a narrative it is superb.
As a life long rat bag unionist I say
Thank You.


And we thank you. I passed your comments along to my brother-in-law who wrote the book I mentioned. He’s a retired labor relations professor and very much a union guy!

We appreciate the review.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
B
Expert
Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
Dear Ms. Janice, "Bud", & Mr. Jane...

My father's father was a sharecropper in Arkansas. One day when I was a kid I did something wasteful, such as leaving lights on in a room that I was no longer in, or ran a glass of water from the kitchen faucet, took only a few quick gulps, and then poured the rest of it down the sink, or used too much toilet paper, or didn't finish eating my dinner, whatever; it was any one of those things. My father caught me at it. "Sit down over here, son", he said sternly. I did as I was told. He looked down at me, straight into my eyes, and for such a long time that I realized that I was in serious, serious trouble. Often in the past, when I knew that I was about to a receive professional a**-whoopin', I would attempt to delay the unavoidable deed by insisting that I had to go the bathroom. Not so this time. I was so fearful that I think my bladder zipped itself up and went into "output delayed by severe stress" mode.

But amazingly enough, my father only wanted me to listen to him, to attempt to make me understand what was wrong with what I had done.

"Son", he began in a firm, measured tone, a severe look on face, "if only...if only you knew how hard we had to work for the things you throw away so easily". He held up his hands to show me the scars on his fingertips and cuticles that came from picking cotton as a youth. "You don't know...", he said in a voice that was suddenly choked-up, his eyes beginning to tear-up, "...you just don't know". He couldn't finish speaking. Probably because he was embarassed at showing such strong emotion in my presence, he simply turned and walked away.

After that moment, I am pretty sure that I never did the wasteful thing that had aroused his anger, or any other such misuse of household resources. Never forgot that scene, obviously.

My father was not a "child laborer" in the way you all described it in your song, but the song immediately un-anchored that memory from the depths of my mind and caused it to float to the surface. So, indirectly, you folks excavated some sure-enough strong emotion out of me through listening to "Our Good Old Days", and as far as I'm concerned, that's the first job that a song has to do, and you did that.

Mighty fine work, folks, migh-ty fine. Thank you,

LOREN


"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,253
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,253
The good old days weren't as good as we like to romanticize about! This one is packed with truth! Excellent work by all involved! A great song! Thanks, Torrey




User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: Skyline
A great song guys, in many different ways. Beautifully sung, and I loved the 'loping' drum pattern which fit so well. I found myself singing along with the plaintive melody.
Excellent stuff.

John


We appreciate that John and thanks for mentioning the drum track!

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Thanks to all who mentioned my part in this. Appreciate your time and attention...

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Originally Posted By: Crossroads
Dear Janice, dear Bud. And of course dear Floyd,

this great song was long overdue.

Why do so many people get trapped by the thought that turning back time would make things easier for them.
Everywhere in the world the 'good old days' have always been only good for a few at the expense of many. Good for the strong at the expense of those not blessed with strength. For those who were born on the right side of the road... No, it's in our hands to make the future become 'the good new days' (although it looks like we have lost our way these days...).

And I'm afraid that I'm not the only one who has a tendency to block out the fact that lots of bargains we buy are still produced by children in the third world. They're still living in exactly those 'good old days'. But won't survive them for long.

Such a song is one little step into the right direction and Janice and Bud, I'm really grateful for it.

Needless to say that it's musically flawless and perfect like any of your songs. Janice, I said it before: I worship you for your voice, your soulfulness, the versatility of your paraphrasing, your endless musicality.

And as good as you may be even without Bud: It's him who lets you sparkle even more - Bud, I love and admire what you do.

And there ain't nothing good that couldn't become even better with Floyd being involved.

So good, so incredibly good !!!!

Love,

Stefan


Stefan, we very much appreciate your positive and supportive review of our song. I will pass your comments along to my brother in law who inspired the song. Your time to both listen and offer such thoughtful comments is very meaningful to us.

J&B

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,408
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,408
Janice, Bud & Floyd ...

My comments for the next few days will have to be brief as my wife just returned home from the hospital (twice since Christmas) and needs lots of attention. I apologize for the brevity but it's necessary. Thanks for understanding!

The "good old days" ... as long as you weren't the one doing the "good old work"! As my good friend Stefan said ... we so easily forget so much of what we buy is made by folks still living that lifestyle. Stuff they make but aren't paid enough to even think about buying it.

As usual, everything about this is so professional and just shines like a diamond under light. Simply amazing and so damn good!

Alan

Last edited by Al-David; 01/16/19 10:15 AM.

BIAB 2022 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win10*8GB DDR4*I5-6th Gen*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120 Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
Hello Janice, Bud and floyd.



This is SUCH a well put together song! Kudos to everyone involved.

Janice sings the lyrics so effortlessly and so engagingly that all I could do was to sit here, fully focused and mesmerised, and listen to the story of yesteryear and those 'good old days' unfold. The prosody of these lyrics is outstanding. Each syllable is so comfortably placed on musical notes and their inherent beats that I felt no tug-of-war between lyric rhythm and the rhythmic stresses of melody. I find this advanced level of marrying words to melody very hard to achieve. When I listen to "Our Good Old Days", though, you make it seem as easy as falling off a log.

As I've already said, kudos to all. This is a truly wonderful listen that provoked a great deal of thought and made me reflect on just how lucky we are these days. There's so much we take for granted!

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

2024 is well underway - it's already Easter Weekend!

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are:

Friday, March 29: 8-4
Saturday, March 30: 8-4
Sunday, March 31: closed

Regular hours resume Monday, April 1st - no joke!

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,398
Posts732,546
Members38,442
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
danielsk, Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J, Izzy
38,442 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 199
Al-David 133
DC Ron 115
rsdean 85
dcuny 83
Today's Birthdays
(charlie), WobblyGstring
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5