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#626982 - 12/02/20 08:16 AM
[User Showcase]
A Better Me
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Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 8922
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 8922
Loc: Florida
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I lost count of the number of songs I've written a long time ago. I would guess close to a thousand? (several hundreds of those have been thrown away) All considered, this is a personal favorite. I asked Janice to join me for a harmony. A BETTER ME i wish there was a way to explain why i left without a word but i live in a constant rain i hear devils even god ain't heard i couldn't be the man you needed or the one i thought that i should be so i thumbed a ride to this start over town thinking i might find a beter me a better me i need to shake this strange a better me 'cause something needs to change and i'm willin' i'm hopin' i'm praying to see that winnin' hand a better me i found steady work as a driller it should last far as i can tell soul drummin', mind numbin' 12 hour shifts pulling oil up from somewhere in hell got an open invitaion from the lutheran peacher told him we'll just have to wait'n'see i've actually considered showing up on sunday thinking i might find a beter me a better me i need to shake this strange a better me 'cause something needs to change i'm willin' i'm hopin' i'm praying to see a miracle a better me i'm willin' i'm hopin' i'm praying to see a miracle a better me The BAND: RealTracks in style: ~~2477:Bass, Acoustic, HeldSimple Sw 085 RealTracks in style: 2441:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking HipFolk Sw16 85 RealTracks in song: 2952:Strings, Rhythm JazzBalladPads Sw 060 RealTracks in song: 2558:Cello, Background SlowSwing Sw 065 RealTracks in song: 2543 Pedal Steel, Background ModernCrossover Sw16 090. RealDrums in style: NashvilleSwing16^5-a:Sidestick, Hihat , b:Snare, Hihat harmony: Janice Merritt (Thanks, Sis!!) Me: words & music, vocals, acoustic lead, production/arrangement/mix, art work One of the RT players seemed to enjoy this. Hope you do as well... Comments welcome. fj
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#626985 - 12/02/20 08:28 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 954
Loc: United Kingdom
Expert
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 954
Loc: United Kingdom
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You are a genius and no mistake, sir. "I live in a constant rain / I heard devils even God ain't heard" - wow. Hits hard but perfectly bullseye, so to speak, right in the heart.
So the lyrics are incredible. Your rendition of them is extraordinary, too. "I'm hoping". "as a driller". Your vocal inflexion on these (particularly on the first one) ... that's a musician's musician's inflexion :-)
The music is so melodic, and you just tell the story through it. I almost wanted to cry on the first listen.
What a great rendition. One of your personal favourites? Darn straight - one of mine, too. One of, if not indeed your best that I've heard so far on this forum.
Janice ... beautiful understated harmonies that add just the right amount of colour to the song.
A classic that I want to hear again and again. Well done.
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#626996 - 12/02/20 08:55 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 01/06/20
Posts: 733
Loc: Illinois
Journeyman
Registered: 01/06/20
Posts: 733
Loc: Illinois
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I've hanging out here for a few months and I always look forward to your contributions.
They are all good, this one is right up there for me.
Well written and performed.
Janice's addition is brilliant, fits perfectly!
Wonderful mix.
moto
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#626997 - 12/02/20 08:57 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 01/06/20
Posts: 733
Loc: Illinois
Journeyman
Registered: 01/06/20
Posts: 733
Loc: Illinois
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I've hanging out here for a few months and I always look forward to your contributions.
They are all good, this one is right up there for me.
Well written and performed.
Janice's addition is brilliant, fits perfectly!
What's that little whisper at the end?
Wonderful mix.
moto
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#627016 - 12/02/20 12:01 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 08/04/10
Posts: 2045
Loc: Midwest
Veteran
Registered: 08/04/10
Posts: 2045
Loc: Midwest
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Ya know, based on your last song, I thought I knew EXACTLY who you are as an artist. Now this comes at me WAY out of left field.  Great contrast of the verse and chorus...so, well balanced. The movement and build of the instruments shows someone knows there craft. Additionally heighted by sprinkling some instrument fills in here and there. Brilliant. i found steady work as a driller
it should last far as i can tell
soul drummin', mind numbin' 12 hour shifts
pulling oil up from somewhere in hell This was KILLER! I really enjoy this song all the way around.
_________________________
C.Aaron Madison I often get asked how to pronounce my name. "Ma-Duh-Sn" J/K As people have left the "." out so many times, "Caaron" has become the norm of it. Still said as the "." was there though. 
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#627033 - 12/02/20 12:47 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 05/30/20
Posts: 381
Journeyman
Registered: 05/30/20
Posts: 381
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Hello Floyd Jane,
What I admire about you is your lyrics close to everyday reality with memories of a life that we have lived or that we could have lived and that we would have liked better. The melody is splendid. The timbre of the voice is full of emotion. I appreciated. Well done.
Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlah
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#627053 - 12/02/20 01:46 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 04/13/16
Posts: 2714
Loc: Stanwell Park NSW Australia
Veteran
Registered: 04/13/16
Posts: 2714
Loc: Stanwell Park NSW Australia
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Love the acoustic lead parts...they carry your personality even deeper into the song.
Lovely lyrics, lovelier melody.
Wonderful harmony, (it's a Janice morning clearly), and clear, clean arrangement.
The player on the end 's whisper is perfect.
The ONLY not is the click in the kick which, to me, stands out too much in the sparse intro.
_________________________
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe Pop on over to The Recording Rebels for positive, honest commentary, critiques and support. https://therecordingrebels.com
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#627074 - 12/02/20 03:48 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1139
Loc: Virginia USA
Expert
Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1139
Loc: Virginia USA
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"i hear devils even god ain't heard." That has got to be one of the all-time best lyric lines ever written.
Strong and emotion-filled vocal performance. The melody shines.
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#627098 - 12/02/20 05:28 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 04/02/19
Posts: 321
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Journeyman
Registered: 04/02/19
Posts: 321
Loc: Canberra, Australia
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Hi Floyd.
Easy to see why this is a favourite. Wonderful storytelling, great melody and excellent vocal. Love the acoustic lead. Janice's harmony is the icing on the cake.
Regards,
Leon
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#627109 - 12/02/20 06:01 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 02/20/10
Posts: 1127
Loc: Maryland
Expert
Registered: 02/20/10
Posts: 1127
Loc: Maryland
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Some of the best lyrics I've heard from you, and they fit so naturally into the very good melody. Loved the strings' contribution to the mood, and the singing was excellent, of course.
Listened multiple times, it was that good.
_________________________
Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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#627125 - 12/02/20 07:56 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 06/05/12
Posts: 617
Journeyman
Registered: 06/05/12
Posts: 617
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Nice song. Lovely harmonies between you and Janice. Great lyrics. Good guitar licks during the bridge. The band was smooth too. Good work to all.
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#627137 - 12/02/20 08:38 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 09/14/05
Posts: 216
Apprentice
Registered: 09/14/05
Posts: 216
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No-one can write a blue ribbon "heart on sleeve " autobiographical song like you can Floyd. Another radio ready gem from the FJ University of Audio Excellence. I wish you would post one of those 700 discarded songs just to show some empathy to us mere mortals.
Because your productions are so flawless it is easy to overlook the fact that you are a very high quality vocalist. You are the whole nine yards.
p.s. Please tell us (me) a little about your intriguing art.
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#627143 - 12/02/20 08:43 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 04/23/18
Posts: 879
Loc: Mill Valley, California USA
Expert
Registered: 04/23/18
Posts: 879
Loc: Mill Valley, California USA
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Floyd,
I read the write earlier in the day today and was eager to come back and hear what you did with it. The lyric is stellar, with some killer lines. Like musician17 noted, the “devils even god ain’t heard” is just brilliant.
The listen didn’t disappoint. Love the stripped feel to it—it would be easy to do to much on a lyric like this. Simple arrangement that shines. Nice job by Janice on those BG vox. Nice use of the strings—really well balanced in the mix. Super tune!
My best to you,
Deej
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#627156 - 12/02/20 10:03 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 3947
Loc: Sydney Australia
Veteran
Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 3947
Loc: Sydney Australia
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floyd,
Lovely work, beautiful melodic and heartfelt song.
Excellent vocals and you and Janice always sound stunning together.
Nice acoustic solo and a wonderful lyric.
Really top notch.
Peter
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#627170 - 12/02/20 11:46 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 3710
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 3710
Loc: Sacramento, California
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Someone mentioned the stripped-down instrumentation, but I'm always impressed with how lean your lyrics can be: but i live in a constant rain
i hear devils even god ain't heardShort, to the point, and original. Loved the delivery, with some of the words almost spoken. Nice arrangement - I liked the build. The kick drum was super-effective in the in mix. i've actually considered showing up on sundayExcellent. 
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#627188 - 12/03/20 01:30 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 02/03/16
Posts: 1305
Loc: Germany
Expert
Registered: 02/03/16
Posts: 1305
Loc: Germany
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Hi Floyd,
first of all: Your lyrics are always amazing, but this one truely stands out - marvellous. Scott mentioned that line 'I hear devils even god ain't heard' - like hom I thought that this one can hardly be beaten.
A wonderful song, like always sung with such a lot of cogency. Very well-instrumented, great acoustic lead. Flawless sound, too.
Janice, even if a song is close to perfect, you can always make it shine a little more!
That's really one of the big ones, Floyd!
All the best,
Stefan
Edited by Crossroads (12/03/20 01:33 AM)
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#627232 - 12/03/20 06:16 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 05/27/19
Posts: 727
Loc: Dallas, PA, USA
Journeyman
Registered: 05/27/19
Posts: 727
Loc: Dallas, PA, USA
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Can I just say I love it, and you'll understand I have no words to praise your accomplishments, Floyd? Please post one of those throw-away songs so I can say, "See? He IS human." Great choice asking Janice. I love her voice. She makes you a better you. A drummer friend from NY still claims that he and I wrote like 5,000 surfer songs in the 60s. I correct him by saying we wrote one surfer song 5,000 times. Thanks for all you do here, man!!
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#627268 - 12/03/20 08:57 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 08/29/14
Posts: 5153
Loc: North Carolina
Veteran
Registered: 08/29/14
Posts: 5153
Loc: North Carolina
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This sounds great man. I really like the choice of tracks, and Janice is doing a super job as usual. As always, and excellent mix dude!!
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#627269 - 12/03/20 08:58 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 3570
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 3570
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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I've said it before; the blend of your voice with Janice is special, just sublime. Wonderful song, bring back some more of these old ones please
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#627274 - 12/03/20 09:33 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: A Better Me
[Re: floyd jane]
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Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 9781
Loc: GA USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 9781
Loc: GA USA
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Musician17 & CaptainMoto
Thanks for mentioning my harmony. It has always a pleasure singing with floyd over the years!
Janice
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