Month: July 2018

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Bad Girl in Boots / Country Rock

Reviewer: Walter Buffalo

Positive Comments:

Constructive Comments:

Broadjam Artist: Chet Nichols
Song: Kites In The County (from “Waving Prairie”)

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: Mesmeric, a bit hippy and an enjoyable and original lyric. This is one I could hear in something like ‘Patriot’ a series I really enjoyed. I liked the concept of basing the song around a single line (like the line of a kite) and thought you actually did a great job of holding attention for over 7 minutes in spite of my reservations (as detailed in the constructive comments)! I didn’t think I’d manage to listen to the end of this, but I did. And enjoyed it too. Nice work!

Constructive Comments: I think for most songs 7.15 minutes is too long, particularly for a song based around one chord…The second part of the intro could be reduced – it’s not till 0.38 till the voice comes in. 2.20 – 3.05 instrumental could also be reduced. 5.40 – 7.15 could also be cut down?The more frenetic guitar playing is too loud in the mix and whilst it creates the break the song needs it’s maybe a bit much. The drumming is good. You could tighten up the song but it would mainly be a few tweaks with the mix here and there. I noticed an opportunity that this seems to be made for in the licensing section looking for ‘folk songs’.

Broadjam Artist: Chet Nichols
Song: Kites In The County (from “Waving Prairie”)

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: Mesmeric, a bit hippy and an enjoyable and original lyric. This is one I could hear in something like ‘Patriot’ a series I really enjoyed. I liked the concept of basing the song around a single line (like the line of a kite) and thought you actually did a great job of holding attention for over 7 minutes in spite of my reservations (as detailed in the constructive comments)! I didn’t think I’d manage to listen to the end of this, but I did. And enjoyed it too. Nice work!

Constructive Comments: I think for most songs 7.15 minutes is too long, particularly for a song based around one chord…The second part of the intro could be reduced – it’s not till 0.38 till the voice comes in. 2.20 – 3.05 instrumental could also be reduced. 5.40 – 7.15 could also be cut down?The more frenetic guitar playing is too loud in the mix and whilst it creates the break the song needs it’s maybe a bit much. The drumming is good. You could tighten up the song but it would mainly be a few tweaks with the mix here and there. I noticed an opportunity that this seems to be made for in the licensing section looking for ‘folk songs’.

Broadjam Artist: Massimo Carola
Song: Humble pie

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: This is short but sweet and has a good feeling of menace. I like the fact that it builds adrenalin and creates a feeling of anticipation – especially as the anticipation is unclear and could indicate the approach of something bad or good – this increases its marketability in my opinion. You’ve used the chromatic scale nicely and I love the slightly ‘skewed’ chords you’re using.

Constructive Comments: I’d be tempted to change the sample on the ‘piccolo’ chromatic run ie. at 7 seconds. I like the part but the instrumental ‘voice’ bothers me – (maybe because I’m a flute player!) Most of your audience for this won’t be flute players however…

Broadjam Artist: Massimo Carola
Song: Humble pie

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: This is short but sweet and has a good feeling of menace. I like the fact that it builds adrenalin and creates a feeling of anticipation – especially as the anticipation is unclear and could indicate the approach of something bad or good – this increases its marketability in my opinion. You’ve used the chromatic scale nicely and I love the slightly ‘skewed’ chords you’re using.

Constructive Comments: I’d be tempted to change the sample on the ‘piccolo’ chromatic run ie. at 7 seconds. I like the part but the instrumental ‘voice’ bothers me – (maybe because I’m a flute player!) Most of your audience for this won’t be flute players however…

Broadjam Artist: MGB
Song: VICTORY (instrumental)

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: Great theme, enjoyable and stirring vibe. This could work really well and I think you’ve done a great job on this.

Constructive Comments: As an ex orchestral player I struggle with sample / keyboard sounds, but that’s just me and I know it’s not realistic to wish this was played by an orchestra with a kick ass brass section!It gets rather weighed down with the drums at 1.40 and I’d have liked to hear a B-section. It has a promising start but to be fair it does lack development and lightening up the drums, perhaps moving on to a lighter section in the middle (switch to something woodwind / piccolo led – take a listen to marching music & see what they do to change up a mid section). This will allow you to return to the glorious ‘theme’ for a sensational ending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVJ3Ho83Ksg take a listen to the change at around 1.35 to see what I mean (and the following drum solo)…I really like where you’re going with this and perhaps this theme is all you need if you’re looking for a short placement.

Broadjam Artist: MGB
Song: VICTORY (instrumental)

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: Great theme, enjoyable and stirring vibe. This could work really well and I think you’ve done a great job on this.

Constructive Comments: As an ex orchestral player I struggle with sample / keyboard sounds, but that’s just me and I know it’s not realistic to wish this was played by an orchestra with a kick ass brass section!It gets rather weighed down with the drums at 1.40 and I’d have liked to hear a B-section. It has a promising start but to be fair it does lack development and lightening up the drums, perhaps moving on to a lighter section in the middle (switch to something woodwind / piccolo led – take a listen to marching music & see what they do to change up a mid section). This will allow you to return to the glorious ‘theme’ for a sensational ending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVJ3Ho83Ksg take a listen to the change at around 1.35 to see what I mean (and the following drum solo)…I really like where you’re going with this and perhaps this theme is all you need if you’re looking for a short placement.

Broadjam Artist: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat
Song: BEFORE THE WORLD STOPS SPINNIN!

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: Great stuff reminding me of Randy Newman so obviously good market potential. Easy to listen to the song and very catchy. I enjoyed the somewhat dirty playing and moments of chaos that may or may not have been deliberate!

Constructive Comments: A lovely song and nice arrangement – but let down by the recording. It was hard to listen on headphones as the mixing places the drums and cymbals too loud and the backing vocals are all in one ear. The main vocal could use being brought more forward in the mix and I’d love to hear a simple, honest recording / mix of this where an engineer has considered the ‘stereo picture’ and placed the instruments accordingly. A bit of polish and this would be great!

Broadjam Artist: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat
Song: BEFORE THE WORLD STOPS SPINNIN!

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: Great stuff reminding me of Randy Newman so obviously good market potential. Easy to listen to the song and very catchy. I enjoyed the somewhat dirty playing and moments of chaos that may or may not have been deliberate!

Constructive Comments: A lovely song and nice arrangement – but let down by the recording. It was hard to listen on headphones as the mixing places the drums and cymbals too loud and the backing vocals are all in one ear. The main vocal could use being brought more forward in the mix and I’d love to hear a simple, honest recording / mix of this where an engineer has considered the ‘stereo picture’ and placed the instruments accordingly. A bit of polish and this would be great!

Broadjam Artist: Massimo Carola
Song: Manname l’ammore

Reviewer: Kirsty McGee

Positive Comments: Fantastic stuff. Great vocal and opens out into a very catchy song. Great production and recording. Very summery and enjoyable. Would work so well in film to add atmosphere and vibe, especially with the moody opening section – either or both parts of the song could be used for creating individual moods in fact.

Constructive Comments: No constructive comments – I loved this and have nothing to add! Perfect length, great production, superb voice. Very uplifting.