Month: December 2017

Broadjam Artist: Rocky Larson
Song: One day

Reviewer: Sheena Coote

Positive Comments: This is a highly relaxing and soothing instrumental piece, ideal for part of a film. Perhaps a film with a love story. I liked the different instrumentation and the overall tune was melancholy and moving. The tune left you feeling quite sad at times. The recording is good and the song is generally very gentle.

Constructive Comments: No critisicms really because the tune achieved its aim in being a good film song. The Only reason it did not get excellent all the way through was because it did not develop too much in terms of a great big crescendo but on the plus side it would make great filler music for certain films as it is anyway. I thought the intrumentation was good and achieved the emotion it was conveying all the way through.

Broadjam Artist: Marc S. Pate
Song: Loose Jing 2

Reviewer: John Masarone

Positive Comments: All sounds like a fun song to play. I called it, “Slinging in D,” because it sounded like open tuning. Played very well I might add. I think pieces like this are marketable. Good arrangement too. Good luck with it.

Constructive Comments: Mix – I preface all my comments about mixes by saying that it is all subjective. There is nothing wrong with the way you have it now.Since it is a guitar only mix the only nit-pick I have is less reverb and more low-end. An acoustic guitar is a very boomy instrument so I know it is possible with mic position. Less reverb will give the guitar more attack.

Broadjam Artist: Nigel Barrett
Song: Looking at the face of God

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: A very cool funky groove that sounds like Soft Jazz radio or a new Gregory Porter tune. That intro has me already hooked. The arrangement and instrumental performance/arrangement are ace here. The lyrics and hook “there but for the grace of God” are very effective and compelling. This is excellent writing, arranging and overall concept. What a pleasure to hear this originality and talent.

Constructive Comments: The vocal is too dry and close. I’d drop the volume a tad and add more reverb. Maybe try another take further back from the mic and singing it a little harder? There are some pitchy moments in the vocal throughout–for example: “there’s a CROW–owwd” “if you TOO–ook all you have”. If you can’t pull off the glissando without getting off pitch better to skip it, although I totally hear what you’re aiming at.This song is EXCELLENT in some many aspects. I think if you use your vocal within limitations it will be excellent overall. Please ask if you want more input or ears on the next version.

Broadjam Artist: HarryBudini
Song: The Loneliest Man In The World

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: It’s Harry! And a really strong Americana song from him. Great guitar part and the accordion adds a great vibe. Very tight drum and bass tracks. As usual there’s a very Elvis Costello feel on the phrasing and melody. I think this is the best vocal yet from HB–it’s a very cool tune and things are all working well together here. Nice work HB!

Constructive Comments: Drums are too far back and reverby. Bring it forward with a Country snap on the snare. Maybe back down on the high vocal double part on the verses and save it for “isn’t it time” etc pre chorus parts. What would it sound like if you went for more of a Dylan-spoken vocal instead of trying for a full on melodic?

Broadjam Artist: Spider kiting
Song: Music turns me on

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: This comes in with Grand Funk bass & drum groove and then the Dandy Warhols vocalist appears with a raspy cool. Nice think multi guitar sound very much like Weezer. Very effective doubling on the vocals and the lyrics work very well.

Constructive Comments: The intro is not up to the rest of the song–I’d start straight in with the vocals and add a strum guitar part to go with the B&D. It sounds really garage as is. Same for every place where you drop out to just bass and drums–it’s not enough by itself. You gotta end the song properly. A few tweaks and this will be there.

Broadjam Artist: Warren Hein
Song: Said and Done vocal

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Nice to hear a 12 string used. The vibe here reminds me of the Cowboy Junkies’ Miles from Our Home. The vocal really soars in places and is very strong–I love the lift on “said and done” –that’s really awesome. The vocal timbre is so pleasing.

Constructive Comments: The very first line “you look great” is really weak both as a lyric and the melodic shape. And that’s your first impression. That first verse if full of really plodding and pedestrian lines–sorry to say that but you really need to rework that so it’s more interesting lyrically and in the phrasing/melody. The verses are suffering from a “la de da……la de da” pacing that leaves too much dead space. A good solid bass line underneath would add so much. Currently there’s a very thin tonic on 1 line that doesn’t boost much. Bring the drums up but kill the reverb and go for an American drum sound with a natural sound. Maybe snare on 2 & 4 instead of 3. The mandolin is too busy and has a very tinny recorded sound. A think steel guitar pad track would be nice. Everything here is nice–I’m just picking at what could be improved IMO.

Broadjam Artist: Signal 30
Song: Jezebel’s Theme

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: There’s a cool Gothic vibe here, and the overall arrangement progress with interesting new elements.

Constructive Comments: The drums and cymbals are presets from a cheap keyboard, and this kills the vibe. EZ drummer is not expensive and you could get the authentic sound you need quickly.

Broadjam Artist: lost on foot
Song: i cried a river

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Really balanced smooth sound. The song bangs right in with a catchy romantic hook. The vocals are very good–you pull off a difficult vocal glissando (“diiiieedd”) flawlessly. Super mellow vibe here with very tasty playing by every instrument. This is almost more Classic Pop but it could cover a number of bases. This is radio ready quality and a very solid tune and performance!

Constructive Comments: I think the vocal is just a tad too high in the mix and should be distanced just a bit with reverb. I’m not sure about having a consistent high double vocal. O yeah O yeah is a bit too boring and filler when you need to use every moment strategically I think. There are some gaps in the vocal lines that are maybe too empty. All IMO Nice work.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Love Me Forever Again / Rock & Roll

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: A ten character review.

Constructive Comments: A ten character review.

Broadjam Artist: Felice Kaye-Cooper / Songwriter
Song: Gershwin’s Rialto Rag

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: I didn’t know that baroque harpsichord was part of the Country Honky Tonk genre. There are some serious playing chops and counterpoint writing skill in evidence here.

Constructive Comments: Honestly it’s too goofy as is to get very serious about reviewing this. Bring the instrument quality up to the level of your playing and writing skill!~!