Month: October 2016

Broadjam Artist: Paul Messina
Song: Going Back to Where I’ve Never Been

Reviewer: Denis Hackett

Positive Comments: Nice piece, love the brass, gives it a quality feel. Pleasant, easy listening, with some nice changes. Well done.

Constructive Comments: Not much to say in terms of suggestions for improvement, it is a solid piece, well performed. I might possibly have included some vocals, even if only in parts, and maybe not even using words, just a type of humming would add something. Good work.

Broadjam Artist: Warren Hein
Song: 19 Years Piano/Acoustic Short

Reviewer: Denis Hackett

Positive Comments: Nice little tune.

Constructive Comments: While I wouldn’t see this as a standout breakthrough piece, it would be quite suitable as background music for say a movie scene or an advertisement.

Broadjam Artist: Tristyn Leach
Song: Movin On

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: There’s something interesting here for sure. The dark, murky vocal with the slow laid back groove – its like Nick Cave playing with some good ole boys. There’s a lot going on in the song – like the breakdown at 2:10 – but for whatever reason I like it! And the acapella vocal thereafter is great. Like hearing the singer! And the hidden syth strings. Definitely keep it up guys – there’s something here I really like.

Constructive Comments: I was surprised in the 2:30 ish area, hearing the vocal alone, how much I liked his sound. There’s a lot of “stuff” on the vocal – do you need that much? I feel like it detracts a bit, and makes it hard to make out the lyrics, which I feel are a strength for you guys. Be careful to not make a song too complex, as there’s a lot going on in this one – but it does work. In general, more of a formula will help guide someone like me!

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Blue

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: I really appreciate the quality of guitar playing. There’s a lot of heart in it. At 1:30, when the drums kick in and the songs builds to the new level – definitely a highlight. I always appreciate when I hear a player that doesn’t try to do too much – aka – how many notes can I play to fill up a space. The song grooves very well and the recording itself is highly professional to me.

Constructive Comments: The synth sax really does not fit in for me. It really detracts from the professionalism and sophistication – which the guitar playing and sound completely brings. The moment at 1:30 is such a highlight – could you reshape the song to include another change of level/progression/groove? Its seems to all kind of be on the same level, which gives it a lack of direction and emotional drive.

Broadjam Artist: amy abernathy
Song: Dancing on a memory

Reviewer: Bobby Caputo

Positive Comments: Very nice country….One of the hardest things to do is to write a bouncy sad song and you’ve obviously done it here. It’s like just because you’re feeling melancholy, doesn’t mean that what you’re remembering isn’t uplifting somehow. Good images…”blue suit” “Bahama cruise”…I got it all and I thought it courageous to actually put the word “cancer” in there…certainly got my attention if I wasn’t listening close enough up til then

Constructive Comments: Really think you need one more metaphor for dancing….Didn’t feel you were dancing…just looking through pictures…I know a metaphor is a metaphor, but if you were dancing…or if you were dancing in your head….I felt I needed another image…”swaying”…”tapping”…dunno…but believe me…didn’t hurt anything…just saying’…good luck with it.

Broadjam Artist: Signal 30
Song: Autumn

Reviewer: CAEDMON’S DREAM

Positive Comments: * great production – New Age+Retro mix * female vocal sound is hauntingly mystical * hypnotic bass lines combined with a simple, strong melody* nice groove belongs in a movie soundtrack driving scene!

Constructive Comments: + lead vocals and 8th-note bass really gets your attention, great sound!+ could have a break-away section that changes feel, modulates, adds another instrument/motion sound effect etc. then return to original maybe the la-la-la- section + strings and arpeggio keyboard lines play nicely with drum feel for more variation start with simple lines and work to more complex, rich mixtures and higher octaves!

Broadjam Artist: Brenda Craven
Song: Find Your Way

Reviewer: Dave Mason

Positive Comments: Lovely chord opening, lots of sevenths, nicely constructed with hand fulls of lovely music. I like this piece a lot, its music to meditate to, it lets you open your mind to where ever you want to go. Theres a good musical mind behind this piece and a great deal of talent. Excellent work!

Constructive Comments: The piece is nicely recorded and mastered and just about right in length. There are many opportunities you could put this piece forward for and I wish you every success with it.

Broadjam Artist: Keith Taylor
Song: More Than Friends

Reviewer: Bobby Caputo

Positive Comments: Dated a bit…would’ve been a hit when Michael McDonald was a hot property. Really would fit in that era…in fact, wouldn’t be surprised if this was recorded in the 80’s…sounds pretty analog to me. Singer is convincing and sound sincere…not just reading the lyrics…the hook stays with…

Constructive Comments: Started off sounding like it was gonna be a Christmas song…lyrics seemed repetitive…need a little more specifics on who this person is and why he or she is so special.

Broadjam Artist: Earl.C.Webb
Song: RETRIBUTION BLUES(film mix)

Reviewer: amy abernathy

Positive Comments: This had a very good hook and a fun vibe. It was a very fun song.

Constructive Comments: The music had a lot of reverb and a high pitch sound that kind of bothered my ears a bit. It was a fun song, but the instruments need to be mixed a little to soften the sound. It was a fun song.

Broadjam Artist: Keith Taylor
Song: We Don’t Need Another War

Reviewer: amy abernathy

Positive Comments: I liked the message and the feel of this. Not sure it is country, but i liked it.

Constructive Comments: The song dragged in places, i feel like a few more background instrumentals would pick it up a bit. It is a somber song and has a good messge.