Side bar: A guy I used to go to church with developed an interest in documenting these old forgotten cemeteries. He'd research, knock on doors and go into the woods and fields to find them. Then, he'd photograph and document them with GPS.
Side bar: My dog is a trained cadaver dog. We are often called out by law enforcement to, among other things, find old cold case graves. But taking it a step further, we have a tentative mission some time this year to assist an historical society that is documenting old slave burial grounds that have long since been forgotten. Often, slaves were buried in a different area and marked with wooden markers that got knocked down, or simply rotted away with time. Our dogs are able to still find those graves.
I enjoyed the song.
Thanks Herb. That is very interesting regarding the research and the ability of the dogs -- amazing they could sense something that old.. We've turned over our data to an organization that documents cemeteries and they've added ours to their descriptive list. We once found what was likely a slave cemetery that had 80 sunken graves and only a few field stones for markers....very sad...not a single name. And years later a timber crew spared both while clearcutting. Early settlers like the enslaved were mostly buried w/o markers in this area.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
A lovely song about a paradoxically lovely topic. I like that chatty style of the lyrics.
I used to bicycle a lot around western Massachusetts and would always stop when I'd come upon a 17th-18th century cemetery. The stones often included a lot more text and information than is customary nowadays, and often made it clear that death was not anybody's preferred state of being.
Thanks Mark, a lot of our discoveries have been found while mountain biking on very isolated single lane dirt roads. And sometimes while trail riding also.
Glad you liked it!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Janice's soulful singing (I'll bet she is smiling), Peter's fantastic guitar chops, and Bud's production skills always produce winners.
Super job that is pro all the way.
PS - We visit my grandparents, they died in the 1920s, and some aunts and uncles graves that are in a very old cemetery. It is still somewhat kept up but we have never seen any other visitors there or signs that anyone was there. Very sad indeed.
I've accidentally swallowed a load of scrabble pieces. My next trip to the toilet could spell trouble.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Well, I enjoyed this song a lot, not only because of the theme (I like muzing on very old things. And gravestones always let you think of history. In some of our very old churches the churchfloor is paved with them, going back to 1600 (older are mostly onreadable because every visitor over the ages walked there). It's even nicer in Turkey or Greece. Old Roman ruins and roads make you fantasize your whole holiday through!
But the nicest part stays Janices' singing. The harmonies are very well done. Love them! You keep the standard high with your songs, dear J and B! And I loved them a lot!
I forget exactly where I took this photograph, somewhere in Massachusetts. The inscription chokes me up BAD every time I read it. Don't mean to hijack your song but this feels like it wants to come out here for just a second...
In memory of CATY MUNROE, youngest child of Henry & Persis Cassells, relict of Abraham Munroe Jun., who lies intered on her right, whom she followed to the grave 2 years 1 month 10 days after their marriage & 4 months 14 days after his decease. Borne down with the accumu- lated ills of a continual sickness of 2 years and the loss of near & dear relatives, who were fast falling around her, DEATH envious still of her felicity, divorced her from her husband Dec. 15th 1800 and from this life April 27th 1801, aged 22 years.
"Invidious grave, how dost though rend in sunder Whom love had knit and sympathy made one?"
I like your stuff. You have a great sound. I recently found the grave of my great-great-great Grandfather in one of the cemeteries you're describing in a northern California ghost town. It's the furthest I've ever been able to trace a family member. The headstone was made of wood, the one next to him was marble and the one on the other side was unmarked. This song really took me back there, thanks.
Glad you liked the song and found your ancestor’s site. My (Bud) g-g-grandfather’s burial site is a few chucks of broken marble in a plowed field.
Thanks for listening!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
What a beautiful song! And the subject.... very special. Great guitar work of Peter! Janice sings fantastic, great harmonies! A very special song!
Rob and Anne-Marie
Thanks and the mention of the harmony is very special from you two! We certainly love yours.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
An unlikely topic to strike connections to folk but it does. I had to go to the door for a moment and put my head phones down...the melody is strong and carried across the room through that cans. Everyone did their job extremely well...not a hair out of place but not groomed into a poodle either. Lovely melody, thought provoking narrative, solid backing, beautiful harmonies and, as ever, a fab. guitar.
…not a hair out of place but not groomed into a poodle either.
Gotta love that!
We’re happy you liked the unlikely topic as we had wondered if it might be too personal.
Thanks for the comments and your support.
J&B
PS Glad my drum shenanigans worked for you.
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 03/25/2203:20 AM.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
You always bring an immensely high standard to this board. So, to say that this song is really one of your best is, to me, high praise indeed ... for it really is.
Verse 2 really hit home.
So beautiful. A tinge of hushed respect and reverie, throughout. And the refrain ... so inspired. As I said, truly one of your best.
You are too kind. Thanks for everything you mentioned and especially the “tinge of hushed respect.” We had hoped to achieve that.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Thanks to all for the comments on my small part in this lovely composition.
The vocals are a standout to me (as they always are) and the piano was a well chosen accompaniment. Bud's treatment of the snare is excellent as are the poignant lyrics and the overall mix & melody.
Again it was a privilege to be asked to play on the song.
Really engaging opening with that piano. Great vocals as usual—and really lovely harmonies (actually, beautifully mixed harmonies—nice touch there). Wonderful write capturing and compellingly conveying the thoughts of that cemetery wanderer. Lovely tune!
My best to you all,
Deej
Thanks for the kind review and the mention of the harmony and the write. Glad you like the piano. Those MSTs are amazing.
We appreciate it all and best regards,
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
I think what's hard in commenting on the work of the three of you is I find myself attempting to say the same thing I always think in a different way. I mean, it's excellent.
Every note choice, every delivery of that note choice, every lyric, every aspect of mixing and production. Would you consider put out a song here and there that has a few issues to it. I'll let you pick what and where. I just would like to be able to say ANYTHING different! I don't think Peter could pick a note or tone that would be the best choice though. If all of your instincts are correct...maybe do the opposite? Anyway, you get my point that I love the song AND the artwork. With Janice always looking so young it almost feels like a young girl wondering about a long lost descendent.
As are as the subject, it's a mixed bag for me. Not that I don't like it but there is a sadness in how time treats these now orphaned reminders of a person. A life was lived. What made that person laugh? What were some of the happiest days of their lives? What were their fears? What did they live through? Just so many questions. I know it's overly said, but between those numbers was someone's entire life. It makes me think. Sadly, how soon we are forgotten.
I did want to make special mention of the stacked vocals at 2:28. WOW! That was so cool in my book!
I was all over the place with this post, but the types of subjects tend to do that to me. Thanks for such a special song.
Those comments are so genuinely supportive - it’s hard to articulate how much they help us realize that a song this personal to us can be also be meaningful to others. We are planning the video so we continue to ponder those questions you raised about their lives.
Thanks for all and the mention of the vocal part and Peter’s excellent contribution.
We appreciate it!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
I am never disappointed with your compositions. The doubled vocal is splendid. The sound of the piano too. And the perfect guitar solo. Well done. I appreciated.
I read about your project before listening and have some understanding what it is about. I have deep respect for your dedication. This song is a wonderful reflection of your journey. Very spiritual. One of the best harmonies by Janice I have heard. Tasteful guitar passages by Peter. Well composed and mixed. Listen very well. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
Thanks Misha. That pretty much covers everything we strived for and we appreciate your thoughts…very much.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Hello Janice, Bud and Peter Great song Excellent songwriting And a fantastic singing Janice Great solo Peter Your song is a joy to listen to Really good work Many greetings Andi ;-)
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Beautiful story with strong imagery, you have really created a timeless atmosphere, refreshing subject in the middle of subjects like wars and relationship troubles. Excellent vocals and backing vocals are a treat. Nice peaceful arrangement, mix and Peter's moody guitar respect the deceased elegantly.
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