Month: September 2016

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: No More Sundays / Modern Jazz

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: I’d say this is more Modern Jazz Quartet than Modern Jazz, but so what? Killer sound here, and the bridge opens up into a more expansive Pop melody at :32 –I really like melancholy of those keys. The drop out break at 1:33 is gorgeous. The head motive is well, kinda fantastic, and the glockenspiel is perfect for it. I really enjoyed this one!!

Constructive Comments: The bass & drums are very “band in a box”, and there’s nothing wrong but it’s missing what could be added by a creative performer on those instruments.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Higgs
Song: She Ain’t Gonna Get It

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: The opening guitar part calls Porcupine Trees “Trains” to mind, not that they own that strum figure but it’s a good association to a very strong tune for me. The reverb has a very authentic folk hall vibe. I can’t remember the name but I know who this is –on this one I’m glad to hear you sound less like Dylan, since your voice is much more melodic. There’s a very Bert Jansch vibe in the vocals here, which is a high compliment. The sound is excellent–the guitar is very clear and there are a few unexpected chords that add so much. The way you pull ‘she’ out melodically is magic. Nice work.

Constructive Comments: Nothing really. It’s perfect as is!

Broadjam Artist: Josh Walker
Song: Jesus Loves Me

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Very crisp and clear recording. This sounds like an ace studio band with a superb drum track tight, grooving bass tasty and tight keys, and a lyrical sax with great tone. Props to the congas too–it actually has a go-go beat underneath thanks to the congas. Very solid work here!!

Constructive Comments: I don’t think this quite stands on its own as an instrumental. It’s all good–just feels like a vocal song without the vocals (and I bet you’ve got a complete version up too). There’s slightly out of time bass riff at 2:20 (hyper nitpicking).

Broadjam Artist: Ronald Arduini
Song: MOONMAN

Reviewer: James Beck

Positive Comments: Great fun. Original and a blast. Neat vocal quality.

Constructive Comments: Parts of the vocal are too squishy and hard to hear. The mix still needs some work.

Broadjam Artist: Josh Walker
Song: Driving Down The Highway

Reviewer: Ronald Arduini

Positive Comments: Head “Boppingly” good.. Has no hook but then again after listening to it again and again I’m humming a long to the synth line…

Constructive Comments: Nothing much to say except “mi sol la sol la etc”

Broadjam Artist: Jon Babb
Song: For My Queen

Reviewer: Ronald Arduini

Positive Comments: Peaceful..I can picture someone arriving home after a long absence..Happy to be back.. finally found what one is looking for..All this to say…Well done and that’s all I got to say about that! Well done

Constructive Comments: As i just said.”that’s all I got to say about that!”

Broadjam Artist: David J. Hentosh
Song: Please Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Very cool and artful staging of the intro with lots of things at work but no crowding. The chorused guitars is dark and cool chord voicings. The organ pulls this into Blues. The backing vocals come in and this sounds like a Graham Nash tune. But the tone and mood are pure Allman Brothers! Nice one.

Constructive Comments: The lyrics & phrasing on the verses aren’t as effective as they could be IMO. It’s a dark mood song so I think you need to make it less househusband,ie “I take the trash out and sweep up the dust bunnies” and more ominous and full of doom–even if only in suggestion. The vocals have too much reverb I think and are bit too far back. The vocal performance is a bit “howdy doody” meaning it sounds too guy next door. Through a more gravelly vocal attack and by adding some distortion you could make this also much more of doom. I hope this is helpful–you’ve got really good work here!

Broadjam Artist: Erin Krebs
Song: I See You

Reviewer: James Beck

Positive Comments: Solid and true. One or the other is usually less fulfilled. Sexy, though. I get the feeling that he comes around. Potential standard, but difficult to copy. Great job.

Constructive Comments: Nothing leaps out at me.

Broadjam Artist: Junior Murrell
Song: Are Your One of Us

Reviewer: James Beck

Positive Comments: Sexy and confident. Rich and throaty. Working the room. Professional and polished.

Constructive Comments: Hard to improve on this.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Dry & Blue / Delta Blues

Reviewer: James Beck

Positive Comments: Warm whiskey. Cool day. Something to do, but no hurry. It comes when it comes. Nicely evocative.

Constructive Comments: Solid work.