The "Better Times" Project

Janis Ian & Friends

Viktor Krauss

Listen to or download the song.

Play this on the jukebox and listen to a lot of other versions too.
You can also download all the different musical versions, in the order they went up.

Check Viktor’s website, Facebook page and Instagram page for more info.

Viktor Krauss – Basses / Piano

From Janis: Some years ago, my wife and I went to see Lyle Lovett & his band at the Ryman Auditorium, and the moment Viktor’s hand hit his bass I said “That’s the bass player for my next album.” I sing off the bass, meaning I take my cues and feel from that instrument. If the rest of the band is great, but the bass isn’t, my vocals suffer. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the best – Richard Davis, Chuck Rainey, Ron Carter, Carol Kaye, Willie Weeks –  and each has their own distinctive “foot”. Viktor’s touch is unmistakeable. When the time came, I asked him to play on Folk Is the New Black. 

He’s a man of many talents; I’ve only discovered a few. While we were rehearsing (in my living room), he noticed I had an old National Steel guitar and picked it up, just fooling around. I immediately said “Oh man, you’re playing that on something!” and “Life Is Never Wrong” was born. 

In addition to being a fabulous bass player, he’s a beautiful singer, composer, and producer. If I ever make another album, he’d be my first choice. Inventive, even tempered, a joy to work with and know, I’m so happy to have him here! 

BETTER TIMES WILL COME
(Janis Ian)

Better times, better times will come.
Better times, better times will come.
When this world learns to live as one,
oh, better times will come

When we greet each dawn without fear
knowing loved ones soon will be near
When the winds of war
cannot blow any more
Oh, better times will come

CHORUS

Though we live each day as our last
we know someday soon it will pass
We will dance, we will sing
in that never-ending spring
Oh, better times will come

CHORUS