Month: April 2017

Broadjam Artist: FRED GROSS
Song: Born Under a Bad Sign

Reviewer: Scott Tingley

Positive Comments: Well, let’s see…ummmm…I am jealous of that lead guitar! I am hearing Clapton’s classic slow hand. At the instrumental break some fine notes are reeled off in the cover of this classic tune. I have always loved this song…most recently heard a rendition by The ABB. Vocals are cool and right in the groove of this mix which works really well. Best of luck to you. Would love to jam with you one day.

Constructive Comments: The only thing I’m not sure about is whether or not a live studio drummer is used…if not, no big deal. It works well either way.

Broadjam Artist: Kate Carpenter
Song: Armadillo

Reviewer: DENNIS MAKEPEACE

Positive Comments: love the accent, very unusual and entertaining.

Constructive Comments: no problems.

Broadjam Artist: FRED GROSS
Song: My Way or The Highway

Reviewer: John Masarone

Positive Comments: Yes, I remember hearing some of these words way back when. I thought I was back as a teenager and my mother was nagging me again… I like how the song starts in B then drops to A. I usually don’t hear that. Unique. Also, I like how all hell breaks lose during the out-tro.

Constructive Comments: I listened on my studio monitors. The mix has good separation but may I suggest more bottom? It seems to have a lot going on in the mid-range. The bass drum and bass guitar are sounding a little too light.

Broadjam Artist: Charlie Shock
Song: BEE STING (performed by CAMERON DOBB)

Reviewer: Bill Dake

Positive Comments: This is a fine tune. Well recorded, nice use of dynamics. Vocal is up front and fits the style and feel of the song. Was hooked from the 1st guitar progression.

Constructive Comments: Really don’t have much to critique. Maybe think about changing the tonal, key, center up a step or two after a couple minutes to give it a little extra lift. It’s fine the way it is, though.

Broadjam Artist: Michael Cregan
Song: Gone

Reviewer: Bill Dake

Positive Comments: A country tale of woe. Well produced, vocal up front, solid instrumental back-up.

Constructive Comments: Nothin’ to really complain about. Sounds like a Nashville demo.

Broadjam Artist: Charlie Shock
Song: THE WAY LIFE GOES

Reviewer: Carol Ann Jones

Positive Comments: Great song with a strong hook. The vocalist and musicians are solid. The arrangement is constructed well, keeps the listener engaged. The sing along hook is super. I really like the slide guitar.

Constructive Comments: This song doesn’t seem to fit in the country genre. With the exception of the slide guitar, it has more of a pop feel like that of Huey Lewis and the News in my opinion. I really like it though. Good luck with this!!

Broadjam Artist: Michael Cregan
Song: HUngry and Cold

Reviewer: Carol Ann Jones

Positive Comments: I like the vocalist’s tone and slides. The reverb added is just right to enhance the effect. I like the emotive delivery of this sadness. The music needs to build around it, as noted below.

Constructive Comments: Vocalist is a little pitchy on the lower end, yet I kind of like it. The instrumentation is good, but not dynamic. I would arrange the song with more builds in the percussion, like when the singer says “Was I right?” and holds the note, add a cymbal roll perhaps. Add some stops for effect to enhance the singers message. An electric slide guitar would work wonderfully in my opinion, started a little with the solo, but not enough throughout.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: And If I Wish Upon Star **Country

Reviewer: Carol Ann Jones

Positive Comments: Relaxing instrumental conjures up images of a couple walking along lazily in a field or grove of trees (that’s why I named it Lazy Grove). There is no evident hook in my opinion, so I see this instrumental as a backing track for a voice over of the spoken word. Good luck.

Constructive Comments: These instruments are reminiscent of the 70s sound of the Carpenters. I don’t see it fitting the country category.

Broadjam Artist: Ben Allan
Song: Hail

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Very cool intro that grabs the interest then builds. You’ve got a very contemporary Pop sensibility here with very well crafted sections that have interesting layers & parts, and lots of breathing space. You’re on the right track here!!

Constructive Comments: The intro has too much monotonic repetition with the same phrase that kinda drills in the brain–this is exacerbated by the really have bass & low mids on the vocal. It really needs to be thinned out–like when you start “the rain is falling”. The lyrics and performance aren’t really coming through: the vocal needs to be bigger while other things back off a bit, again reduce the bass, and you should put more emotion into the performance not only in intensity but through variety in the phrasing and melody. Too much autotune (any is too much).

Broadjam Artist: Ronald Arduini
Song: ROCK IN HEAVEN

Reviewer: Randal Dunkle

Positive Comments: Very good lead vocals, I also like the keyboard work and the drums. Sounds like Retro 80’s. Reminds me of the Love Shack!

Constructive Comments: I like this song however, I think that the vocals are getting lost in the rest of the music. I would turn a the vocals a bit and check to see if the vocals are in the frequency range of one of the instruments, that’s what usually causes this type of problem – best wishes!