Month: April 2020

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: Pick Up Those Pieces / Pop Rock

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The song has a good amount of energy. It just need re-classification into Lo-Fi instead of General Rock.

Constructive Comments: Home recordings should almost always go into Lo-Fi category as they’re competing against full studio productions.

Broadjam Artist: Nick Berry
Song: Crazy Like That

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Beautiful guitar work and a very strong vocal. Extremely clean and well-recorded, with (thankfully) not a ton of EQ or effects on the vocal, just keeping it pure. I would have rated this even higher with a full band arrangement, but still an excellent acoustic piece. Well-written and well-performed start to finish.

Constructive Comments: This song SCREAMS for harmonies in my opinion, and a larger production would make it radio-ready. As nice as it is, having no bass or drums for a low end limits commercial potential in my opinion, but great job nonetheless.

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: JUST A WORD (featuring Michael Laidley)

Reviewer: Jay Gross

Positive Comments: A very unique song I first thought Country, then folk I guess a crossover but very interesting. Sounds like it was recorded several years ago? Nice production, interesting vocals, good instrumentation and a very good hook. Lyrics were very well formed. Probably not a single but could see it in a movie made in another era.

Constructive Comments: Just a little dated but that doesnt mean it couldn’t be rerecorded with a more modern arrangement. Vocals fit the mood of the song but if rerecorded might need a change.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Between The Earth and the Stars (Released)

Reviewer: Jay Gross

Positive Comments: Nice tune very unique had flavor of the 70’s or 80’s great lyric really good hook, exceptional vocals. The instrumentation is very good.

Constructive Comments: I would say the only real constructive thing I can bring to this is the recording in general was a bit muffled could be crisper. Maybe a better mix? Otherwise this is a first class effort and would love to hear more from this artist!

Broadjam Artist: Tim Patterson
Song: Glen Marie

Reviewer: Nigel Barrett

Positive Comments: Nice build up at the beginning. Vocally not too different to Carrie Underwood – sounds awesome! Lovely backing harmonies. To be honest it sounds like I’m listening to a Carrie Underwood track! Really well constructed and arrangement is good.

Constructive Comments: Nothing to add this is the business.

Broadjam Artist: Dave Haddad (CenterPeace)
Song: Reflections

Reviewer: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat

Positive Comments: Nice job! Congrats! Really good engineer here!

Constructive Comments: Nuff Said!Cheers! Catnip

Broadjam Artist: Bob Birthisel
Song: That’s One Thing (Intro Only)

Reviewer: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat

Positive Comments: Pleasant love song it is. Sounds Mello and Inviting.

Constructive Comments: Was hoping that the build up would lead to a change of some kind because my rabbit brain gets bored very quickly!Cheers! Catnip

Broadjam Artist: Ladee V
Song: Come A Long Way

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: I come from a songwriting perspective, not as a studio musician or performer. You have a good, haunting melody and the lyrics fit the mood. I would include it on an album. Your studio musicianship is excellent. “Even the sun shines on a rainy day” is a hooky line and matches the melody very well. The tune is easy to follow.

Constructive Comments: Lyrically, it sounds a lot like other platitudes to the point of almost being a cliche. Words like those really don’t need to be wasted on a very good tune. If you can find a new way to say it, you’ll give the song the punch it needs. Don’t discard the tune!

Broadjam Artist: Noreen Inglesi
Song: Reading Week

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: I come from the standpoint of a songwriter, not a studio musician or performer. The melody is pleasantly lilting and is easy to follow. Lyrically, the words don’t quite match the mood of the melody, but I can see you’re trying to write a song about singing about reading.

Constructive Comments: I get an underwater feeling from listening to it. Maybe mastering it so it is clearer and less echoing of voices. I know I’m a fine one to talk because I don’t consider my recording skills to be good. Lyrically, I had to read the words to see what it was about. It initially comes across more generally to me like “Sing” recorded by the Carpenters, and melodically that what it feels more like. The mood and tempo of the melody doesn’t seem to match the lyrical content.

Broadjam Artist: Kate Carpenter
Song: Pick a Pal

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: Well, this is the first time I’ve ever given nearly straight excellents. I come from the standpoint of a songwriter, not a performer or studio musician. You’ve got a good catchy melody that is lilting and unique enough to hit. I’m actually playing it several times. I would release it as a single. It’s lyrically sound…seems preachy but that’s my personal taste talking, so don’t take that point seriously. I mean that. The lyrics are easily understood, an every child sort of story, easy to relate to. The lyrics match the mood of the melody. Well done! Musicianship and studio skills are remarkable and nothing short of professional…much, much better than what I can do.

Constructive Comments: You’ve got me stumped on this one. Can’t think of anything to improve on. This sounds ready for release to me.