|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773 |
Melodies and Memories It’s been several years since we’ve produced a western swing song. We encouraged Peter to put on a cowboy hat and join in  And he was game…and we are glad he was. Also I (Bud) talked Janice into a bit of whistling which she does around the house…a lot! We both played some western swing in our bands and more often with Randy Howard as a trio. Randy could play anything from gypsy jazz to bluegrass to rock to western swing and more (he was featured on several grammy nominated albums). Randy passed away 20 years ago this summer and we had him in mind and heart when we wrote this tune as he would love to have played on it. RIP, good friend, and we hope we did the genre a bit of justice! For those not familiar with western swing there are several mentions in the song of some of the great artists who played or often played it...The Texas Playboys, Asleep At The Wheel and Merle Haggard. The bluebonnets in the SC photo are a shoutout to Texas where it all started. Thanks for listening and for commenting if inclined! “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!” The techie stuff: Janice: Lead vocal, harmony vocal, whistling, melody and arrangement Rodes NT1 mic > Scarlett USB > Logic Pro > Nectar 2 Peter: Guitar solos, fills and arrangement Bud: Lyric, arrangement, mix and mastering Drums: RD NashvilleSwing8^5-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat / Waves CLA Drums Bass: RT 1390 Acoustic, Jazz BeBop Sw 190 (Very Simple) Plays 2’s on the verses/solos and walks on the chorus / Waves Bass Rider / Neutron 2 Piano Rhythm: MST Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBentNoteJohn Sw 165 / Grand Steinway Logic Pro X sound / Neutron 2 / 140 EMT Reverb sim Piano Solo: MST Acoustic, Soloist WesternSwingJohn Sw 165 / Grand Steinway Logic Pro X sound / Neutron 2 / 140 EMT Reverb sim Guitar Rhythm 1: RT 812 Electric, Rhythm Western Swing Sw 165 Guitar Rhythm 2: RT 1128 Electric, Rhythm WesternSwingWarmA-B Sw 165 Fiddle Rhythm: RT 1114 Countryswingmelodic / Waves CLA Unplugged Fiddle Solo: RT 871: WesternSwingAndy Sw 165 // Waves CLA Unplugged Mastering: Ozone 8 adv > Ozone Tonal Balance Melodies and Memories © 2019 B. Merritt, J. Merritt & P. Fulham Verse 1 me ‘n the band keep that bus between the lines snowcaps to bluebonnets I love all the sights small or big crowd just tell us where ‘n when give me my guitar and turn on those foot lights Chorus melodies and memories keep my spirit alive they’re my traveling companions from town to town wouldn’t trade them for a gold one on the wall I may be up or down but they are always around turnaround Verse 2 We turn on good music ‘n watch the miles go by from all night radio ’n on to streaming I ain’t asleep at the wheel, can’t be a texas playboy but I love it when that western swing’s a playing Chorus solo Verse 3 I’ve met a few good men along the journey but none could help me stay around for long guess I’ve got a touch of Merle’s white line fever more miles more gigs just keep playing our songs Chorus Outro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,398
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,398 |
Excellent!
A copy and paste from my soundcloud review:
Nice one guys and gal! Nice lyrics, Bud, and pro job on the mix as always. And Janice sounds great as usual. Love the whistling! Great idea to do that. And trading whistling licks with Peters guitar licks at the end was fun. BTW, Peter is doing a decent job with the country licks too!
Good song, enjoyed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664 |
Well done Janice & bud! Excellent progressions as usual and really dig the use of plugins. Great use of processing to make it just slightly more crispy. How do you like Neutron 2?
Cheers,
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773 |
Excellent!
A copy and paste from my soundcloud review:
Nice one guys and gal! Nice lyrics, Bud, and pro job on the mix as always. And Janice sounds great as usual. Love the whistling! Great idea to do that. And trading whistling licks with Peters guitar licks at the end was fun. BTW, Peter is doing a decent job with the country licks too!
Good song, enjoyed! Hey Dave. Glad you liked the arrangement and whistling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,986
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,986 |
This is just AWESOME! My new favorite of yours. Love everything about it.
Very clever nods to so many greats. Your arrangement is one of the best I've heard here. Masterful placement of instruments. Trading licks among RealTracks, Peter's Guitar, and Janice's whistling gives it a really nice "down-home" feeling. That down home feeling is what really makes Western Swing work.
Great job! Keep em coming! I think you should do more of these.
Steve
Steve Young Music"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,944 |
Top notch... I love western swing... The only thing missing was a "yee-haw" & I supplied that ... All of you have done your usual great jobs... And have set a goal for the rest of us to strive for!
Jim
†=☮&♥
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773 |
Well done Janice & bud! Excellent progressions as usual and really dig the use of plugins. Great use of processing to make it just slightly more crispy. How do you like Neutron 2? Thanks Joe. We appreciate you listening and commenting. I've been pleased with Neutron 2 but lately I tend to lean a wee bit more toward Waves CLA Series. J&B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,187
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,187 |
Strong start on the violin. The lyrics hook in the story, not much wait for the chorus. All good! Great mix, excellent singing and harmonies. Of course, the instrumentals are perfect. Not gonna lie, I wish there were more rhymes, 'cause I'm a lazy listener. So I've got to take points off for note rhyming streaming with dreaming, but I'll add back bonus points for the whistling.  Altogether, a pleasant listen to a genre I don't hear enough of. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381 |
A great fun listen. Love the solo tradoffs--midi based fiddle and piano, organically based whistlin' and guitar pickin'. Very good road song with a happy and nostalgic vibe. Janice shows off her range here, and it's all good to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,615 |
Just love that swing. Congrats to all involved.
Great tune and great lyrics. Rob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,628
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,628 |
The swing is the thing.
Well done all concerned.
Toe tappin' terrific.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773 |
This is just AWESOME! My new favorite of yours. Love everything about it.
Very clever nods to so many greats. Your arrangement is one of the best I've heard here. Masterful placement of instruments. Trading licks among RealTracks, Peter's Guitar, and Janice's whistling gives it a really nice "down-home" feeling. That down home feeling is what really makes Western Swing work.
Great job! Keep em coming! I think you should do more of these.
Steve
Steve, knowing your familiarity with the genre really makes your very nice comments meaningful to us. And extra thanks for mentioning the placement of the instruments as we did give that a lot of thought! Thanks so much!!! J&B PS Your thoughts on eg settings for bass are golden.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773 |
Top notch... I love western swing... The only thing missing was a "yee-haw" & I supplied that ... All of you have done your usual great jobs... And have set a goal for the rest of us to strive for! Thanks Jim! I came close to asking Janice to do a Bob Wills “ah ha” after the fiddle solo J&B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708 |
Excellent work all, as per usual. Janice not only sings like an angel, she whistles like a bird!
Love that Western swing (the first time I heard Bob Wills say 'take it away, Leon' I was hooked).
I think I might encourage Peter to don the cowboy hat a little more often.
Leon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,188
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,188 |
Janice & Bud + Peter, Colorful and fun! Probably out of all Western styles, swing is my favorite. Excellent in all respects. From arrangement to mastering, solid A! I am sure your friend Randy would smile. Whistling was a very cool touch! Not to give Bud any ideas, but makes me wonder if Janice can do yodeling? P.S. This tune reminded of my all time favorite swing band Squirrel Nut Zippers. Thank you for sharing! Misha.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,125
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,125 |
Swingin' PB&J!
Everything about this is Top-Notch.
A solid write. Cool references throughout.
The instrumentation is, needless to say (say it anyway) impeccable. The mix is mind-boggling good. EVERYTHING crisp. clear. cohesive. Man! that bass sounds good! Man! those drums sound goood, Man! that piano sounds gooood...well...etc.etc.etc. Peter's guitar fits in nicely.
Needless to say (say it anyway)...Gorgeous vocals. AND harmonies.
And, now....whistlin', too? Ain't you the Queen Of Enough Things Already?
A GREAT listen. Period.
fj
OH! and almost forgot!!...It seems this is SO good you dragged LEON out of the woodwork!! Could it be? Worth the price of admisssion....
Last edited by floyd jane; 07/11/19 02:08 AM. Reason: PS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773 |
Strong start on the violin. The lyrics hook in the story, not much wait for the chorus. All good! Great mix, excellent singing and harmonies. Of course, the instrumentals are perfect. Not gonna lie, I wish there were more rhymes, 'cause I'm a lazy listener. So I've got to take points off for note rhyming streaming with dreaming, but I'll add back bonus points for the whistling. Altogether, a pleasant listen to a genre I don't hear enough of. Thanks! And extra thanks for adding those bonus points in Glad you like the genre also. We appreciate your comments as always. J&B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357 |
Janice & Bud,
You`all sound so happily comfortable - writer,vocalist,the whole band...and of course the whistler.
This sounds darn close to those festival videos of you guys playing in your gigging days.With Peter fitting in perfectly.
The Bluebonnets would work for a band name?
Great toe tapping revival.
Robert
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,773 |
A great fun listen. Love the solo tradoffs--midi based fiddle and piano, organically based whistlin' and guitar pickin'. Very good road song with a happy and nostalgic vibe. Janice shows off her range here, and it's all good to me. If it’s good to you then we are happy! Thank you. J&B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,607 |
Thanks for all the positive comments to date. It was an interesting learning experience playing on this one. Janice seems to be able to effortlessly pull off any genre she sets her mind (and talent) to, and how about that whistling!
Bud sent me some amazing stuff they did with Randy Howard - truly world class (and humbling) playing.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows Videos
With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!
Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!
Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Videos - we will be updating this post as more videos are added!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until December 31, 2024! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
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 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 19 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 19 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2024 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We’ve got 200 new styles coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres as well as the second iteration of our Blues volume!
In this PAK you'll find: soft singer-songwriter pop, New Orleans grooves, lilting country waltzes, tight ‘n’ groovy funk, garage punk, smooth soul, gospel jazz, up-tempo train grooves, and more variations on the blues than you’ll know what to do with! Xtra Style PAK 19 features these styles and many, many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 19 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 19.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 19 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2024 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 8 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 8 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2024 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 32 RealTracks/RealDrums!
With XPro Styles PAK 8 there are the usual 75 styles spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each), as well as 25 styles utilizing world music instruments, bringing the total to an even 100.
Here’s a sample of what XPro Styles PAK 8 has to offer: 12-8 country-rock ballads, cool soul-jazz, easy listening Americana, hip-hop beats, Latin jazz-fusion, classic rock, electronic dance music, heavy modern-jazz, charming indie-folk, and even some experimental ‘60s rock! Order’s up and hot to go!
Special Pricing! Until December 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 8 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 8 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 19 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 19 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2024 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We’ve got 200 new styles coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres as well as the second iteration of our Blues volume!
In this PAK you'll find: soft singer-songwriter pop, New Orleans grooves, lilting country waltzes, tight ‘n’ groovy funk, garage punk, smooth soul, gospel jazz, up-tempo train grooves, and more variations on the blues than you’ll know what to do with! Xtra Style PAK 19 features these styles and many, many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 19 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of Xtra Styles PAK 19
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 19 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2024 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 8 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 8 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2024 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 32 RealTracks/RealDrums!
With XPro Styles PAK 8 there are the usual 75 styles spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each), as well as 25 styles utilizing world music instruments, bringing the total to an even 100.
Here’s a sample of what XPro Styles PAK 8 has to offer: 12-8 country-rock ballads, cool soul-jazz, easy listening Americana, hip-hop beats, Latin jazz-fusion, classic rock, electronic dance music, heavy modern-jazz, charming indie-folk, and even some experimental ‘60s rock! Order’s up and hot to go!
Special Pricing! Until December 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 8 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 8 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Generate Lyrics for your Band-in-a-Box songs with LyricLab!
Need some lyrics to complete your Band-in-a-Box song? LyricLab is here to help!
LyricLab (by Joanne Cooper) is an AI-powered tool designed to quickly create lyrics and chords to fit your music. Just enter a rough idea of your lyrics, and let the AI bring them to life. Once you're happy with the results, simply import the LyricLab file into Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or newer. From there, you can pick your style and generate melodies to match your song’s chords!
Learn more about LyricLab here!
Watch the video.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums65
Topics83,320
Posts756,651
Members39,089
| |
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean