Month: March 2017

Broadjam Artist: Cali G
Song: Caliber

Reviewer: Patrick E. Muth

Positive Comments: nice start, simple music. nice mix not too much bass for a change.

Constructive Comments: I think pretty good as is. I would like to hear a tempo change somewhere—-just slow down or even stop to add some dynamics. Good Luck! Catnip

Broadjam Artist: Randal Dunkle
Song: Dear God

Reviewer: Patrick E. Muth

Positive Comments: oh for sure you are getting stronger all the time. like the chord progression too! reminds me of the BYRDS back in the 60’s!

Constructive Comments: You’re shining on this one. very nice guitar layering.you don’t here this a lot anymore—-back when we played great music and were able to think straight most of the time!Keep On Truckin! Catnip

Broadjam Artist: Chet Nichols
Song: You’ve Got The Keys To My Heart (was #1 Broadjam: Bluegrass)

Reviewer: Michael Cregan

Positive Comments: Love the energy out of the gate. Very good and gets me right into the track. I sit up and pay attention. The chorus is memorable and singable. You won’t forget it. Like the “cut the cake” line. Easy to know exactly what the song is about quickly so I can concentrate of the tune and not “What’s this about?” Nice track.

Constructive Comments: Not too many concerns. A more full sound might be one–meaning a bit more bass. The vocal might be a bit to high above the instruments in the mix. But, just a bit. Otherwise, not much to criticize.

Broadjam Artist: Smokin Joe Pilloud
Song: Bad Santa

Reviewer: Jeff Maguire

Positive Comments: Even Santa gest the blues, when he does, he’s just gotta sing.

Constructive Comments: Breaking into the horn solos is a nice touch, I might do it sooner and make it more integral to the arrangement. Might also think about changing up the kick pattern a bit, it seems to be 4 to a bar with zero change, sounds mechanical and a little fake. Other than that, cool beans.

Broadjam Artist: Keith Taylor
Song: More Than Friends

Reviewer: Michael Cregan

Positive Comments: I do like the chorus, well defined and reinforces the “I want to be the one…” line. So, I know I’ll remember after the tune ends. Like the voices on the chorus, well done. Reminds me of some good pop records–the voices on the “Wanna be the one..” line.

Constructive Comments: IN style, this seems more like pop. It could be skewed country, but, as is, it is more pop. The biggest concern I have is with the energy of the track. A little too laid back, not pushing forward. The sound on the lead vocal could also be a bit stronger, more present. More energy and a stronger sound on the lead vocal, you’d have something very good.

Broadjam Artist: Randal Dunkle
Song: Looking For Jesus

Reviewer: HarryBudini

Positive Comments: A poignant piano ballad, with interesting synth strings arrangement, and a heartfelt vocal performance.

Constructive Comments: The vocals are very badly recorded. Maybe the strings are mixed a little too high. Didn’t like the ending. Abrupt.

Broadjam Artist: Michael Cregan
Song: HUngry and Cold

Reviewer: HarryBudini

Positive Comments: It’s a gentle, melancholy country ballad. The “tonight I’m hungry and cold” works very well. It’s all appropriately performed, arranged and recorded. The singer is able to convey the feeling of the song, which is well written.

Constructive Comments: Nothing comes to my mind.

Broadjam Artist: Top Dead Center
Song: Let’s Ride

Reviewer: HarryBudini

Positive Comments: It’s a well done and well played growling and scratchy (very) hard rock.

Constructive Comments: Nothing that comes to my mind. It drags on a bit at the end, maybe.

Broadjam Artist: Keith Taylor
Song: All American Girl

Reviewer: Drew Hale

Positive Comments: I really enjoyed listening through this song! Great harmonies in the chorus, and good hook. I enjoy the dynamics of the arrangement. Good peaks and valleys! The recording is warm, especially in the vocals. I like the sentiment in this song as well, who doesn’t love a good love song! Good break in the bridge, and I like the hard panning of the toms. Dynamic arrangement!

Constructive Comments: Constructively, I enjoyed this song a lot. Reminds me of Lee Greenwood, or Diamond Rio, But it definitely feels dated to me. I’m not sure how marketable it is to radio on it’s own in this current format. But it reminds of a song that would have KILLED alongside “The bluest eyes in Texas” back in the early 90’s. Lyrically, I get the desire to connect to the American pride of country fans, but I don’t really get the connection between the girl in the hook of the song, and being “All American”. You talk about how you feel about her, but you don’t really talk about her much, or her personality, or what MAKES her an All American Girl. What is it about her that makes her All American? As a listener, I wanted to know her a little bit more so that I understood your feelings for her. To me, thats what makes a great love song. You get to know the characters a little bit, so you’re emotionally engaged in their love. I enjoyed this song, but I think it has the potential to be better.

Broadjam Artist: Chet Nichols
Song: I Want To Be Your Hero

Reviewer: Drew Hale

Positive Comments: From the opening line this tune grabbed my ear. Clever, clever concept lyrically. I enjoyed listening to this one thoroughly. The motown vocal backing in the 2nd verse is just fun! This remind me of Nitty Gritty stuff from back in the early 90’s, or something Tim McGraw would have recorded. Love the harmonica!

Constructive Comments: I think the song itself is great. But the arrangement could use a little love. The guitars are a little bit sloppy, especially the slide. The intonation doesn’t quite tune up at the ends of lines. And the vocals are fun, but pitchy in spots. The drum tone feels thin and gets lost way back in the mix. And if there is bass in this arrangement I can’t find it, even with my IEM’s. I think another mix pass with a master could do wonders for this arrangement. Overall, though, what a fun song! Nicely done.