Month: June 2019

Broadjam Artist: AJ Blue (Amanda Blue)
Song: She’s The One

Reviewer: Marilyn Hall

Positive Comments: Very original song with a current vibe.

Constructive Comments: No suggestions.

Broadjam Artist: Peter G Olach – PGO
Song: Betwixt

Reviewer: Greg Johnson

Positive Comments: The song has good energy. To me, the quality of the musicianship seems very good! I like the way the guitar and harmonica play off each other. Recording/production are pretty strong. I think you’re off to a good start!

Constructive Comments: I think you need more “shape” to the arrangement, possibly a really mellow fingerpicked intro? Also, I think you need to broaden the song out. I would add additional instruments (perhaps a solo instrument) and add another section to the song musically. Particularly for an instrumental, you need to expand a bit. You have a good idea here!! Take care. Greg

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: That’s How The Cookie Crumbles

Reviewer: Greg Johnson

Positive Comments: THis is a really nice song….quite philosophical, which appeals to me! There are some interesting and thoughtful lyrics. I like the relatively sparse arrangement with the vocal featured quite prominently. Nicely done!

Constructive Comments: I’m not sure how much a market there is for a song like this these days. In the 70’s (my favorite era), people loved to listen to songs that made them think. I really like this. Love the way the fiddle accents the melody. This is some really nice work!! Congrats! Take care. Greg

Broadjam Artist: Toni Fournier
Song: My Own Person

Reviewer: N.Jones, Protilius Productions

Positive Comments: Good organic vibes from some home grown performers. I

Constructive Comments: You could likely fatten up those vocals a little with a good compression or by doubling the channel and panning one of them slightly to one side or another. Some of the vocals feel a little out against one another. I like gritty vocals, but its always nice to accompany them with really clean cut, in tune, and in scale backups. The guitars are your only instruments really… But I don’t feel like you slow down your arrangement to show them off ever. Just go go go. Which is fine… But sometimes? Slowing it down, breaking in a nice solo section, or isolating elements during bridges and transitions really helps sell the arrangement.

Broadjam Artist: Sonic
Song: Summer Magic

Reviewer: N.Jones, Protilius Productions

Positive Comments: It has potential with the right adjustments to the mix and arrangement. I’ve included more notes in the constructive side of things.

Constructive Comments: Keys sound a bit faded, I’d shoot for some sample sets that reproduce your instruments in a more brighter and full fashion. You’ve got a couple mix issues from timbre to timbre that could really be improved on actually. Vocals should be fluffed in the earlier sections especially. Your FX should come up a little more to highlight the variety of timbres and sounds you got going on. The kick needs to slam more. You’re in pop. Pop is notorious for its beat. Try this… Bring down all of your levels to negative twenty and then balance everything from there. Then? Make sure your kick pops, double up your vocals and lean one channel slightly to the right or left side to fill up that presentation a little more. Any kind of effects should be globalised that way your reverbs are matching and everything feels in its right place. Your bass could benefit from some fattening as well. Mix for clarity… master with a big stick. Most of your issues are levels and dynamic fluffing. Hope it’s useful.

Broadjam Artist: MGB
Song: ANSWER MAN

Reviewer: N.Jones, Protilius Productions

Positive Comments: Good classic rock feel with a theme toward the “answer man.” Has a feel that borders a cross of Green Jelly and Ozzy Osbourne. Not mainstream rock, but could certainly find a home in a punk rock themed film or equally with a loyal fan base regarding CD sales.

Constructive Comments: Well gosh. It’s hard to gauge stuff like this because it’s not quite mainstream but it has its own authentic feel that can most certainly find a home in the world. I’d like to hear that guitar shred a little more in its engineering. The vocals are what they are. We’re not gonna be singing any national anthems today, but surely… As stated previously… It can find a home. If you wanted to pimp it? New vocalist, new back up vocalist, minor engineering revisions with a focus on your drums & guitar, and then perhaps a few tweaks in your transitions. Give it a great guitar lead solo with a good bridge as well, that will help with your instrumentation scores. I have marked average with a lot of scores… But this is competing against bands like Audioslave, Creed, STP, and Pearl Jam regarding my 5… This reality should not be taken to heart, but instead seen as an honest reflection on the craftsmanship required to reproduce this in another studio.

Broadjam Artist: Marc S. Pate
Song: Hana II

Reviewer: Greg Johnson

Positive Comments: Very sweeeeeet smooth jazzy thing!!! Reminds me of a lot of cool stuff I listened to quite a lot years ago. Playing/production are top notch. The music has wonderful motion to it. This seems like it should have great potential for a placement!

Constructive Comments: I don’t hear a thing that I would change. Everything about this works!! It is fun, catchy, upbeat, feelgood. Very professional production. I would call it a true home run!! Very nice work. Take care. Greg

Broadjam Artist: Dave Haddad (CenterPeace)
Song: Journey Back

Reviewer: Greg Johnson

Positive Comments: Really nice chord changes…grabs you right off!! The recording/production sounds very good on my speakers (computer). Like the Latin percussion. Very nice sounding music!! Nice job!!

Constructive Comments: I really like what you’re doing but I would edit it to bring the changes in sooner…..the guitar solo is a mindblower when it gets there!!! Maybe a pad, other solo instrument, or some rich solo BG vocals would be a nice addition. What you have put together is very sweet and hypnotic! Great job!! Take care. Greg

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Make Believe

Reviewer: MGB

Positive Comments: Very soulful and well-written piece with wise lyrics and really good performances, both vocal and instrumental.

Constructive Comments: Nice work.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: Gonna Hit The Road Corey’s

Reviewer: MGB

Positive Comments: Cool song with a very unique vibe to it. Very well put together. Like the combo of a very cool folk song and a hootenanny. Nice touch.

Constructive Comments: Really cool piece. Good luck with it.