Month: April 2020

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: What Your Man Can’t Fix

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very strong energy and the instruments were tight. Very blues boogie, and in fact the song would get more attention in the Blues category (Chicago/Modern/Traditional) rather than Rock in my opinion.

Constructive Comments: The opening stanza COMPLETELY screams blues, not rock. If anything maybe country, but again not rock even though it has an Elvis rock feel. Personally I’d re-categorize it.

Broadjam Artist: Uncle Spider & The Electric Dirt Clods
Song: A Telling Reflection

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The guitar tone is nice and clean even with the overabundant echo.

Constructive Comments: There’s no depth without bass, so it ends up sounding like another sketch of a song.

Broadjam Artist: Signal 30
Song: We Just Got To Believe Again

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The song had very good energy, and a classic sound.

Constructive Comments: Lyrically it didn’t challenge any new ground, and I don’t feel the mix is current-sounding enough to be commercial. Maybe a change in category to Rockabilly Country or Americana (particularly with these lyrics).

Broadjam Artist: Rodney Morgan
Song: Jasper

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The drums sounded fine and kept the tempo solidly.

Constructive Comments: The guitars were out of tempo and worse, out of tune. Not sure what is trying to be accomplished with this, but for me it didn’t work even a little. It sounded like practice scales over a decent drum part.

Broadjam Artist: The Noted
Song: No Rush (instrumental)

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very tight rhythm section and the instruments are almost all complimentary. The keyboard sound is particularly sweet. I like the feel and ambience, and it’s well-recorded. I hear this as a backdrop for TV or film more than a stand-alone piece. Overall a great listen and tastefully done.

Constructive Comments: The little high-pitched synth panning from ear to ear was the only thing I didn’t like — I actually found it seriously annoying (as I listen to everything I review on headphones), and that little spritz took away from the clean sound that was being produced and the melody that was playing. If I were to re-mix this, I’d cut that out totally to keep the smooth sound and natural dynamics. Sometimes I think people throw a synth line in to sound “current” but this had the opposite effect on me.

Broadjam Artist: Keith Taylor
Song: Head On Down The Road

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: I’m imagining this is influenced by old pre-Nicks/Buckingham Fleetwood Mac. Good vocals.

Constructive Comments: The mix sounds like it could be remastered with a slightly crisper, more lifelike eq.

Broadjam Artist: Mark Tha Shark
Song: The Intermission

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: The guitar work sounds like the featured thing.

Constructive Comments: This, to me, sounds like an unfinished demo. It could use some polish and some real percussion.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: The Legend Of Mama Della Coreys

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: Nice throwback to a western swing time via a Lyle Lovette-like vocal. I still appreciate Bob Wills, Asleep at the Wheel and the Large Band! Thanks!

Constructive Comments: If there’s any sniglet from me, it’s the lyrics (and particularly the hook) could be stronger.

Broadjam Artist: Greg Lambert
Song: Snake Music (Instrumental)

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: The main guitar and piano both have nice tone and the rhythm section is together. The energy level fits with the music.

Constructive Comments: It feels like a backing track without vocals, but it needs something more melodic to be a stand-alone.

Broadjam Artist: StarburstRecords
Song: 29. Had I Only Known (Austin Tyl3R-Starburst)

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: A ton of energy and I enjoyed the lead singer’s voice and tone. It fit the song well. Memorable hook and I liked the Blue Oyster Cult tone on the lead guitar. Can never get enough of that!

Constructive Comments: I found the mix way too over-driven and muddy. I little restraint on echo and effects would go a long way to making this more commercial.