Month: September 2016

Broadjam Artist: Josh Walker
Song: Amazing Grace

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: This sounds like The Crusaders! Super mellow sounds and groove. The rhythm section is tight and tasty, and the keys truly sound like Joe Sample–which is a high compliment!! Very lyrical sax playing with superb mellow tone. Excellent work.

Constructive Comments: Really nothing. This is sweet, and really could be a track on a Crusaders album.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey, S. & A. Corey
Song: Beautiful

Reviewer: Randal Dunkle

Positive Comments: There is a lot of truth in your message, way too much vanity and selfishness. Very good vocals and I also like all the string instruments.

Constructive Comments: I really like this song, I think it has a great message however, I don’t like how the song sounds like it’s ending and then picks back up again – best wishes!

Broadjam Artist: FRED GROSS
Song: The Chill Grill

Reviewer: Charles ‘KIZZO’ Kizzee

Positive Comments: This is blues! You’ve done a great job. When I hear an instrumental, without lyric and that makes me want to hear more, I know it’s great. I grew up listening to the blues. Your selection is moving and calming at the same time. There is nothing else to say about this arrangement. It is a 5 star performance

Constructive Comments: I was wondering why you listed it under ‘traditional’ blues rather than ‘Delta’ blues, but after listening to it in it’s entirety I understand. Great performance!

Broadjam Artist: Signal 30
Song: Turn It Over

Reviewer: Charles ‘KIZZO’ Kizzee

Positive Comments: I love the energy of this song. Rock this Town, is a perfect title for such a fun tune. I wouldn’t change a thing about. I’ve heard a song with the title before. This version seem to be more Bluesy than Rock. It is catchy tune, and hearing with a blues style is a good feel. I will be listening for more from this artist.

Constructive Comments: I would keep the blues arrangement, and add a little more of a mix to it.

Broadjam Artist: Vittorio Bianchi
Song: Full Time Lovers

Reviewer: Charles ‘KIZZO’ Kizzee

Positive Comments: The song has relaxing mellow mood. I enjoyed that. it’s great for relaxing at home or a house gathering. The sounds of the instruments blended nicely and the vocals were on point. I believe this song will do well. It clearly portrays an old school sound or a time from the 70’s – 80’s.

Constructive Comments: I would like to hear the vocals clearer, since the sound has such a soothing affect. Maybe they could be brought above the music just a little. Overall great job!

Broadjam Artist: Christopher Ernest Severn
Song: How We Love Our Children

Reviewer: CAEDMON’S DREAM

Positive Comments: * Lyric has good lines that flow* Instrumentation fits nicely * Message is universal and meaningful

Constructive Comments: + to my ears, the lead vocal track could have been set higher + mid freqs on some instrumental tracks seemed to cover vocals+ nice song

Broadjam Artist: Thomas E. McCue
Song: C’mon Grandpa

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: I wish you could see the HUGE smile this song put on my face. I absolutely LOVED it! I’m a grandma and this so describes the babysitting experience accurately…from playing blocks to changing diapers and the exhaustion when the day is over. This song is also humorous (about returning the favor of changing diapers, what a riot!) You put your heart into it I love an honest song that was written for the joy and truth of the experience, not wondering whether it’ll be “commercial” or not. In my opinion, you knocked this one out of the little league park!

Constructive Comments: As far as improving this song…if you ever decide to re-record it, I would change the instrumentation altogether. It comes across with almost a harpsichord sound…I would rather hear a simple guitar and vocal track with warmer sounding vocals and harmonies. Maybe a little mandolin or fiddle with bass. The vocal drops back and is unintelligible at 1:05. The melody and lyrics are wonderfully suited to one another…this song is more folk than pop in my opinion. I write family songs, too. I just love love love this song!!! Mrs. Kate

Broadjam Artist: Josh Walker
Song: Chill Mood

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: I’m not sure what your intention was in writing this piece, but it seems to me that it would be a great loop to listen to while you are on HOLD on the phone. It moves along nicely, has a pleasant groove and has an uplifting feel to it…not at all boring. I am sure there are other commercial applications for this piece, but that’s what came to my mind.

Constructive Comments: I am no expert in this genre, but the intro/opening seemed a bit abrupt to me…maybe you could work on that being more of a “ease into it” thing?

Broadjam Artist: Delta Burnett Reed
Song: Erie Canal

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: I LOVE the opening instrumentation – a lot. This is a very sweet song – and I’m taken back to when I listened to Peter Paul and Mary on my mom’s lap. I really like the simplicity of the arrangement. I think the voices blend very well and work.

Constructive Comments: The mix is a bit thick to me. I think there’s too much reverb on the vocals – and not enough naturalness. A more “live” sound to me would make the song connect a little more. There’s a certain austere feel to this song – and I think less is more. I realize there’s already a fairly bare bones arrangement, but I wish there was a little bit more space in the overall sound/

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Bobby, Why’d You Do It

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: Great feel and mild arrangement that’s not too complicated. When the snare drum kicks in with the full backing vocals – it works very well. I found myself really liking the “bobby, why’d you do it” quite a bit. I bet this is a crowd fave1

Constructive Comments: This is a true “band” I bet. I don’t know if the guitar solo is really necessary – the fiddle for sure. Also – I wanted to hear the hook again – and perhaps it was a bit too far before I heard it again? Or maybe – do a repeat of it again at the end.