Month: September 2017

Broadjam Artist: Wayne Ammons
Song: Did You Take the Time Today

Reviewer: Gladstone Avenue

Positive Comments: Good message and solid performance. I like the way the song builds in the bridge with the vocal and musical backing and–I think–a little use of strings in the background. Song has a real nice for and cadence to it which supports the feel of the song. Thoughtful lyrics. Well done.

Constructive Comments: Really nice to hear this song. Well done. If I could offer advice, I would.

Broadjam Artist: Junior Murrell
Song: All For One

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Super cheesy sax synth sound doesn’t hide that fact that this has a terrific groove over a tight minor riff with some super tasty “Deodato” keyboard tone. Get a band doing this, and you’re in the running with the Crusaders!! Some hot bass playing sneaking in there too.

Constructive Comments: Jeez I’d like to hear this with real sax. The tune is GREAT!

Broadjam Artist: Howard Delnick
Song: Dream Lady

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: This sounds like a hand held recording of Roy Orbison at the VFW! Or is it Tim Buckley? It’s a classic sound with a vocal that sounds very authentic.

Constructive Comments: No flute. No!!! The recording is hard to deal with, you know… The vocal is off pitch in places. You got the vibe though I’d like to hear a good recording of this.

Broadjam Artist: Ante Novaselic
Song: Naked

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Great lazy 4/4 groove and tasty atmospheric guitar. Dig that turn to minor on the phrases “get dressed slowly / made a fool of me”, and the “leslie” guitar sound is great. Nice vocals, phrasing, melody, and lyrics. This reminds me a bit of Animal Logic (an underrated band from about 30 years ago). Also it’s sort of a Jenny Lewis tune. I really like it!

Constructive Comments: I’m hearing autotune right? It gives an unpleasant reediness to vocals and you don’t need it. After the great prechorus there’s no hook just whoooa ooo ooo. I think you need to invert and get the hook in first then go woooooooo oooooo ooooooooooo.

Broadjam Artist: Chet Nichols
Song: If You See Kaye-Instrumental (Rock-Classic)

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: BTO!!! Nice clean double-tracked guitars that sound huge with a classic chord pattern. Very good drums as well. A couple old MTV cadences for those of us who remember.

Constructive Comments: OK now go write a song this is great!

Broadjam Artist: Charlie Shock
Song: Sinking (performed by MAGDALENA)

Reviewer: Gladstone Avenue

Positive Comments: Vocalist is perfect for this song. Good strong rock backing and–overall–a gritty song. Love the change of vocal tempo near the middle…really nice. Enjoyed listening to the song. Nicely done! Nice studio work as well. Song ends perfectly.

Constructive Comments: I have no negative comment.

Broadjam Artist: Nick Berry
Song: Outta This Town

Reviewer: Gladstone Avenue

Positive Comments: Nice country sound. Clear and crisp instrumental and vocal with a clear hearing of thee lyrics, often missed in this category. Love the vocalist. Nice set of lyrics within the song which flow smoothly with the melody. Song ends at JUST the right moment with a nice outro. Any more, and the song goes too long and become repetitive. Nice work. Enjoyed the listen!

Constructive Comments: Perhaps a surprise musical bridge in the middle, that stands out from the rest of the song, providing a little surprise. But the song works great as is. Again nicely done.

Broadjam Artist: The Noted
Song: The One

Reviewer: Gladstone Avenue

Positive Comments: Cool song. I really like the vocal-on-vocal during the song. Works well. Nice instrumental backing adds a very mellow feel to the piece which is totally appropriate.Nicely done.

Constructive Comments: If I had any comment in this category it would be that there be a stronger music bridge in the middle of the song. Might give a nice surprise. But I am digging here and I think the song works great as is.

Broadjam Artist: Jimmy Michaels
Song: Waco – Dark Lady

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Motley Crue lives!! This is kick ass hard rock from the early 80’s with Neil Young vocals on top. The drums and guitars are pumping hard and when the camera comes up close lean back and do a long dive bomb with your tongue out!!

Constructive Comments: The vocal’s too far back and too much delay. You probably want a bit more gravel in the vocal.

Broadjam Artist: Mike Cantwell – TalentEast Productions
Song: Cover Me Up (Jason Isbell cover)

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: There’s a lot of mood here and a compelling vocal performance. The song/lyrics hold up well on their own. This kinda reminds me of Catpower’s The Greatest album in the laconic, relaxed presentation. There are some super lyric hooks here that would fit in a Dylan song. This is a diamond in the rough!

Constructive Comments: Weird EQ/panning that starts at :41 Your vocals are pitchy throughout, you might need someone else to sing this if you cant’ hear and fix that but the first step would be paying more attention to the pitch. What about doing it more spoken/recitative? This has some really good things going on, the challenge is to take it to the next level. Good luck!!