The Good News

I had but a hook, a rough chorus and a notion for a verse. Voila! floyd turned it into a song complete with melody and arrangement.
Thank you mr jane. And thank you Peter for the cool guitar.

Janice: lead vocal, harmony vocal (Nectar 2), vocal arrangement and percussion (cajon)
floyd: harmony vocal (Nectar 2), arrangement and melody
Peter: lead guitar and fills
Bud: engineering, mix, mastering, arrangement & SC photo of Janice

Comments are welcome and your time to listen is appreciated!

Bass: RT 3121 Acoustic, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085 / Waves Bass Rider & Neutron 2
Bass: RT 2475 Acoustic, HeldSimple Ev 085 / Waves Bass Rider & Neutron 2
Multiple generations were comped for both tracks.

Guitar: RT 3184 Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeSlowQuinn Ev16 060 / Waves CLA Unplugged

Piano: 3102 MIDI Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsMike Ev16 060 / Logic Pro X Grand Steinway sound & Waves CLA Unplugged
Multiple generations were comped.

Drums: RD ModernPopBallad16ths^01-a:Quiet hat, Sync-kick, b:Open hat, Sync-kick / Waves CLA Drums
Drums: Intro comped from Nashville EV / Waves CLA Drums
Additional snare, cymbals and kick: created from BiaB RD audio track / Waves CLA Drums

Cajon: Neutron 2 & EMT 140 Plate Reverb sim

Mastering: Logic Pro X EQ > Waves multiband compressor > Ozone Imager > Ozone Maximizer

THE GOOD NEWS
© 2019 Bud Merritt & floyd jane

when you said that it was over... i think i caught a trace of doubt
you left the front door standing open when you walked out
there were no angry words, no ultimatum or curse
so the good news is the bad news could’ve been worse
 
the good news is you didn't clean out your drawer
your tattered Tom Petty t-shirt’s in the corner on the floor
i don't believe you'd ever leave that coffee mug behind
it's all these little hopeful signs that keep running through my mind
 
when you said that it was over... i think i caught a trace of doubt
you left the front door standing open when you walked out
there were no angry words, no ultimatum or curse
so the good news is the bad news could’ve been worse
 
the good news is there's still time i can say the right thing
show some redemption, gain the forgiveness that might bring
you've always been willing to look past my song and dance
to find it in your heart to give me one more chance
 
when you said that it was over... i think i caught a trace of doubt
you left the front door standing open when you walked out
there were no angry words, no ultimatum or curse
so the good news is the bad news could’ve been worse

SOLO
 
no final farewell read chapter and verse
the good news is the bad news could’ve been worse
the good news is the bad news could’ve been worse

the good news is you didn't clean out your drawer
your tattered Tom Petty t-shirt’s in the corner on the floor
i don't believe you'd ever leave that coffee mug behind
it's all these little hopeful signs that keep running through my mind

Damn (sorry PG), that's just good writing....wonderful furniture and a tangible, relatable, real-life stuff!! Great title, great angle!! Great song!!! This is 3 members of the forum all-star team at their best!!
So glad to be the first to comment! GREAT STUFF guys!! Take care. Greg

That VOICE. Hats off. You could sing the telephone book and make it sound amazing.

AND: this is certainly no "telephone book" ... in fact, if you'll allow me this, I think it's one of the best songs I've heard on this forum - and there are so, so many good ones, but - for me at least - this is right up there. That hook "when you said that it was over ..." ... wow. What a great, great job. Thank you for posting this up - it's made my evening.

Immediately that voice pulls you in! What an unbelievably awesome ability to have available. One thing that I'm not sure I've mentioned; but I'm guessing others have, is Janice's ability to hit the lower notes and not drop out. I see/hear SO many female singers that go for the lower notes and their voice become non-existent. If the writing is good you may be able to figure out the word that should be there...but isn't. With Janice, as is with the best of singers, it's ALL there! You can't help but love that.

Also on the vocal side of things; but needing mention are the background vocals. Man, I know you are used to working together; but there's something different here for me. It feels a little less verb-y and more defined and tight. Not right or wrong; but I'm really liking it! It emphasis the emotions really well. Nice job on both singing and mix. I'm totally diggin' it!

The lyrics are on another level. From word choice for imagery, to alliteration and rhyme, there is SO much going on but in a way that doesn't sound even remotely forced. Everything fits as it should. It's pretty amazing to hear AND see something so well done that the complexity feels effortless. I will flat out say; I wish I had that level of skill.

The guitar, AGAIN, fits as it should. That may make it sound boring; but far from it. It's exactly what it should be. Not more, not less. I think that's called perfection! To me, it's an extension of what's going on in the vocal and lyric; but emotes the feelings with out the benefit of either. Really, really, really great!

Finally that mix. I could hear everything. That in itself is a task I would never even attempt. That's coming from someone who has attempted many times in school. I have nothing but total admiration for the gift of what is going on in this mix. It's part talent, part craft, 100% impressive. I can't imagine the time you spend on these mixes. They just sound so good to me. Great on monitors; but I really like listening with cans or buds. Wait a minute... Seriously, when listening that was I get a great sense of the space you design for your songs to sit in so well. It's immersive; and I like losing the world momentary to a song mixed like this. Thanks for creating that world for me to experience! It does NOT go unnoticed.

So much for my short replies. I just can't seem to pull that off.

Great job to all involved. The reward is in a fantastic song for you. I feel the best reward was getting to experience your talents as the listener. Thank you for that.

***All comments are from speech to text and not proofed. I'm getting better with being ok with that.

That’s pretty much the way we felt when we received that verse Man, does your review ever brighten another record heat drought ridden day! Thank you so much.

J&B

Janice, Bud, floyd and Peter,

Every way that I listen to this song and read these lyrics, all I can think is that this is...



You've all done a mighty, mighty fine job.

The lyrics are awesome. I love that 'good news/bad news' hook and I love the way the verses work the hook. In addition to this, starting with the chorus is stellar! It's a great chorus and by beginning with it, the listener really gets to make the most of the journey.

From a lyric writing perspective, it's interesting how that instead of the verse leading to and providing background for the chorus, in this instance, the chorus leads to and provides necessary background understanding for verse 1. It's a great effect when it can be pulled off like you have.

The strongest possible way to open a song is to take a running start and jump right on into it without any introduction whatsoever. This is a technique that Elvis Presley (and many other highly successful artists) have used a number of times. In a recent song, floyd also demonstrated how powerful such a start is. It's not used so much these days. That said, though, now we have Janice clearly showing all of us here on the forum just how incredible and attention grabbing an introduction-free song is.

For me, the way this song started was akin to saying "Hang on to your hats, folks, we're off on the ride of your life!!!" So I just sat back and let the music carry me along on a thoroughly enjoyable roller coaster trip.

A while back, I read a quote by Iggy Pop where he said... "Really good music isn't just to be heard, you know. It's almost like a hallucination." If anyone wants to experience what Iggy meant, all they need do is to listen to this song. The combination of -- eidetic lyric imagery, Janice's soaring vocals, excellent background vocals, great guitar work from Peter, a wonderful melody, an inspired arrangement, a mesmerisingly great mix -- make for a musical journey that unfolds as a movie in the listener's mind.... at least it did that for me

Just wow! I bet if you sent this to a radio station in Nashville, it would get airplay!

All the best,
Noel

Loved this tune. Such a lovely vocal Janice and Floyds harmonies were so complimentary to the song. Very cool lyric. Love the clean sound of Peters solo. Some very cool guitar working going on in behind the vocal as well. One of my favorites..

Whoa...that is very, very nice of you. If we made your evening I can assure you that you just made ours! Thanks for your support. We much appreciate it.

J&B

Wonderful, enjoyable, sweet on every level.
It was a pleasure to listen.
The one thing I noted that may need attention is the beginning of the line
"the good news is you didn't clean out your drawer"
The voice comes up in level and pitch across "the good..." then sits perfectly. It may be worth makinga little adjustment to either the level of the vocal or the level of the dominant cymbal or hold the panning to a place where the two elements don't butt heads.
Small beans and not really an issue - just something I heard inside an excellent piece of music.
Congrats to all involved.

Totally agree with what others have said so eloquently. Wonderful writing and performance.
Regards,
Leon

J&B + Crew.
Excellent input from all! Catchy, easy to follow tune. Clever lyrics! Vocal delivery / harmonies are powerful, yet not pressuring - listens very easy. Arrangement worked out well, FJ +1. No matter which style you do, you never disappoint my ears
Bud, great job! Mix shines! Enjoyed it.

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Man! Just so good.

Excellent writing Bud and floyd! Lots of great lines,

"the good news is you didn't clean out your drawer
your tattered Tom Petty t-shirt’s in the corner on the floor"

is my favorite. And "the good news is the bad news could’ve been worse", great hook!

Very nice the way it just starts with just Janice and the piano and builds from there.

Wonderful vocal by Janice, as always I just love her tone! And great job on the harmonies too.

Peter sounds great, love his tone and choice of notes. He added just what the song needed, no more and no less.

Killer job on the mix too, Bud, sounded great through both the monitors and the phones.

Loved everything about this, well done to all!

Well, you certainly put a big smile on Janice’s face! We appreciate every word of your nice review.

J&B

You're very welcome, Janice & Bud ... it's all true, every word I said, at least in my view - so no need for thanks - it's just my genuine thoughts. I can't wait to hear what you will come up with next.

Wow - what a tune You really did a good job on this one. Perfectly catchy, and your vocals are tremendous on this. The mix on it is top notch also - it sounds lush, and frankly just beautiful.

You should be proud of this one. Thanks for sharing!

Greg - Thanks for listening...

I'm lucky in many ways with Janice I've never used pitch correction, she typically nails it on one take and I don't use a vocal "rider" product. During our many bluegrass years she sang in the stratosphere as required by the genre. But I always felt she was a natural contralto and BiaB let us explore that territory. All meaning thanks for mentioning her low notes!

Regarding the harmony she and floyd have blended well since their first project six years ago. To a certain degree that either happens or it doesn't. Perfect harmony and phrasing does not always equal a great sound.

Thanks for mentioning the lyric. By and large it was an idea I had brought to fruition by floyd.

Peter has a knack for working with the vocal and other elements of a tune and it definitely shows here.

I hugely appreciate you mentioning the mix. They are always a struggle with my old ears and this one was no exception. The number of RT's I auditioned was, well, a large number And Neutron and my Waves CLA suite got a workout for sure.

All the above ramble means is thanks for the thoughtful, insightful and nice review!!!

Bud

That intro piano and Janice.. awesome.. and the rest pure pro stuff, the lyrics are absolutely minted.

I love Janice's voice when its lead singing plus doing her own backing vox on a song like this its WIN !! WIN !!.

The sound as commented on previously is absolutely stunning on my system well done Bud ( Bud also my wee bichon dogs name) need to get some tips from you on the mixing and producing side of things.

Peter on the guitar was enviously excellent, a great sound from the guitar is always a challenge to record let alone play .

Again this is to me as good as it can get, and Janice's vocals.. The range in her voice !! .. one word astounding.

Thanks

It’s humbling to know that somebody would take this much time and thought for our song. Thank you. BTW that intro free idea was 100% floyd! I’ve liked chorus first songs for many years. When they work they can as you described be very effective. And, of course Janice was most appreciative of your remarks about her vocal.

Thanks!!

J&B

It's always fun to listen when a song is done right. The PGMusic Forum is manifesting into its own version of Nashville. Any more, stop on any song in User Forum and it gets harder and harder to imagine these pieces of art are being churned out in bedrooms, kitchens and garages by supposed 'amateurs'. It's like being at the Bluebird and getting blown away by some artist who deserves to be heard on every radio station play and sing the best song you've ever heard, finish his set and go to work washing dishes in some diner instead of boarding a half million dollar bus away on the tour date.

There's nothing amateur about this song. Great write, arrangement, production and performance. We are lucky to have you gifted artists share your talents and stories with us.