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Hoodoo Woman
© 2021 Trad Arr (Bessie Brown, 1923) J. Merritt, B. Merritt & P. Fulham

We thought we were knowledgeable about the public domain blues catalog until we discovered this song by Bessie Brown written nearly 100 years ago (originally as Louisiana Hoodoo Blues). Although she was a Bessie Smith contemporary we had not heard of her. A heckuva lyric in our opinion for the time (or any time) and we are thrilled to have found it. Thank you Ms Brown! And Peter and PG Music.
Listens and comments are appreciated. Lyrics on SC.

Glossary smile

Hoodoo - not voodoo but a well defined spiritual belief system that was brought over during slavery times and survives to this day in parts of the South - in Louisiana in particular. 

Dumplings - a notable southern US dough based dish but popular in many forms around the world.

Graveyard Dust or Goofer Dust - used to cast a harmful spell

Black Cat Bone - used for romantic success

Gris Gris - a packet of material to bring the wearer good luck

Conjure (noun) - a potent form of magic

Janice: vocal, melody & arrangement
Bud: very minor lyric tweaks, arrangement, progression, mix and Janice photo
Peter: guitar solos, fills, rhythm and arrangement

Bass: RealTrack 2435 NewOrleansShuffle Sw 130
Rendered DI > Logic Pro X bass amp/cabinet/mic > Waves Bass Rider

Piano: MidiSuperTrack 1800 Rhythm Texas Blues Rock Shuffle Sw 130
Logic Grand Steinway > Waves CLA Unplugged

Drums: RealDrums Blues Rock Shuffle > Waves CLA Drums
Snare double from from RD file sample > Waves CLA Drums
Kick double from RD file sample > Waves CLA Drums
Cymbal from RD file sample > Waves JJP Cymbals

Mastering: Ozone 9 EQ > Ozone 9 multi-band compressor > Ozone 9 Imager > Ozone 9 Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance 2 > Logic Pro Loudness Meter


You can listen to our catalog on Apple Music or Spotify by searching on Janice Merritt
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This is a big week on the forum: FJ drops a piece of wonderful love positivity and now J&B with Peter deliver a slab of the darker side of that same equation.
A track that deserves the glossary of terms.
Words that are common enough in usage but uttered in relative ignorance.

From the fire starter lead in the intro to the sputtering lick that sees the song out Peter plays to illuminate the song.
The rhythm section reminds me of Screamin' Lord Sutch's band...British heart pumping blues with a solid THWACK n Thud.
The narrative is a cool slice of obsession that's too god for Halloween festivities.
Janice's delivery - from the dragged syllables to the scat - is a perfect resurrection machine for this story of DIY possession & defence.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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This is one helluva good time y'all.

smile

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Wouldn't expect less from the masters. Loved the bebop part!

Cheers

Mike B.


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Everyone, great job by all of you! That song was ahead of it's time! All parts sound excellent! Super polished and ready for the masses! Thanks, Torrey




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Originally Posted By: rayc
This is a big week on the forum: FJ drops a piece of wonderful love positivity and now J&B with Peter deliver a slab of the darker side of that same equation.
A track that deserves the glossary of terms.
Words that are common enough in usage but uttered in relative ignorance.

From the fire starter lead in the intro to the sputtering lick that sees the song out Peter plays to illuminate the song.
The rhythm section reminds me of Screamin' Lord Sutch's band...British heart pumping blues with a solid THWACK n Thud.
The narrative is a cool slice of obsession that's too god for Halloween festivities.
Janice's delivery - from the dragged syllables to the scat - is a perfect resurrection machine for this story of DIY possession & defence.


We always appreciate your production counsel and comments here.

We felt like we found a gem and are very pleased that you feel we did it justice.

Your descriptions above alone are worth the effort!

"Dragged syllables to the scat" Yep, Janice had fun with this one and the vocals went very quickly.

Thanks for all Ray.

J&B


You can listen to our catalog on Apple Music or Spotify by searching on Janice Merritt
Our Videos are here on our website
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Hi Janice & Bud,

You have done a good job bringing this old tune up-to-date.

Everything sounds good to me except maybe the lead guitar solo - IMHO it is too far back in the mix - It is a very tasty guitar solo and deserves to be featured more.

The lead breaks in the Blues are normally the same volume, centre and front to back position as the lead vocals.

Would Love to hear a remix.

Best Regards
Nigel


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Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com
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Another very tasty revitalisation, team. Great work by all, as per usual.
Regards,
Leon

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Originally Posted By: NigelSpiers
Hi Janice & Bud,

You have done a good job bringing this old tune up-to-date.

Everything sounds good to me except maybe the lead guitar solo - IMHO it is too far back in the mix - It is a very tasty guitar solo and deserves to be featured more.

The lead breaks in the Blues are normally the same volume, centre and front to back position as the lead vocals.

Would Love to hear a remix.

Best Regards
Nigel


Nigel,
Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm good with the solo volume (I have heard quite a few blues guitar solos grin ) it builds and gets louder as it goes (and sounds quite loud to me especially through headphones) - adds some dynamics.

Panning wise it's in the centre.

Peter

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I can second that the solo is centred AND builds in level and tension.
I don't think it'd sound right any louder either.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Janice, Bud & Peter,

I love the way you are finding and breathing new life into these old songs.

A big swinging vocal from Janice up against Peter's blistering guitar is a match made in rock n blues...

The arrangement, production and overall presentation are top shelf. None better!

Loved it all!

Bob

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Ah, you know I'm a big fan of all you guys do --including your music. hehe. Anyway, this, as to be expected, is absolutely outstanding in every way. Janice, you could sing the bark off a tree; Peter, you were born with taste in your fingers, and, Bud, you add a whole new dimension to the concept of super glue. Great find on this treasure hunt, and, like musical alchemists, you guys turn it into gold. [And here I thought hoodoos were stalagmite-types in Bryce Canyon.]


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Quite a leap from the original, this modern rock version is very far from the slow blues, but it really kicks and rocks. The production is excellent and Peter's guitar sounds amazing, really enjoyed the effects and playing. Janice's vocals are better than ever, great variations and the scatting part completes the perfect blues rock package full of gris gris, I'm sure Bessie is dancing to the tune right now.

Janne


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Originally Posted By: David Snyder

This is one helluva good time y'all.

smile


And we had the same producing it!

Thanks David

J&B


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Originally Posted By: cubanpete
Wouldn't expect less from the masters. Loved the bebop part!

Cheers

Mike B.


Thanks Mike. Janice had a lot of fun with that part!

J&B


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WOWSER ! the lady can sing ! loved the vocal style on this.
one word SUPERB. I MEAN THIS SINCERELY !
loved that geetar at 1m25secs.
loved those notes at 1m47secs etc etc.
YOU GUYS KNOW HOW TO ARRANGE A SONG !
on the scat at 2m31secs how bout doubling the scat vocs ?
could be fun ?

i dont get excited bout much these days (jaded perhaps ?lol.) but such a pleasure to listen to this.
its a great pity this type of song never appears on the
hit parade these days.
TASTY ! you guys should call yourselves "TOTAL TALENT"
best
om

Last edited by justanoldmuso; 08/19/21 10:24 AM.

my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs
(90 songs created useing bb/rb.)
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Dear Bud, Ms. Janice, & Peter...

First thought that came into my mind while I was listening to 'Hoodoo Woman' was, "Damn, but I wish I could have heard this performed live!" The production had a certain 'good-times-at-the-club' kind of energy, and the subject matter, as humorously sinister as it was, was just kind of thing an audience would expect to hear with the kind of music you all performed.

The other thing I really wanna bring out into the open, here, is 'PeterF'(s) electric guitar solo. Damn, man! Countdown...blast-off...reaching escape velocity, now...leaving the solar system...watch out for that black hole! Wailin'. If an electric guitar was a species of canine, this is the way it would howl. You took my breath away with this solo, sir. Really. I am, like, blo-w-w-wn away, dude.

Carve another notch on the bar stool leg, folks laugh !!!


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Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
Everyone, great job by all of you! That song was ahead of it's time! All parts sound excellent! Super polished and ready for the masses! Thanks, Torrey


Thanks Torrey!

J&B


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Hi guys and girls love the energy and the vocal was awesome then again Janice always does a great job loved all of it and Peter super job on the guitar work!!!!! and Bud great work on the mix and arrangement you guys are a great team of talent thanks eric


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Originally Posted By: Leon1
Another very tasty revitalisation, team. Great work by all, as per usual.
Regards,
Leon


Thanks Leon!

J&B


You can listen to our catalog on Apple Music or Spotify by searching on Janice Merritt
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