Month: May 2020

Broadjam Artist: Charlie Shock
Song: NO REASON

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Strong, strong song! Excellent dynamics, great playing and a vocal that fits the song just so. A lot of energy, plenty of melody and some harmonies thrown in for good measure. REALLY outstanding tune.

Constructive Comments: Only thing I can’t be sure of is the title. Might be In The End, or Just Relax, or Is There. Not a song-killer because it’s so good.

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: Thank The Man (The Pony in 77)

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: I have to say I can tell a Sam Cooper song when I hear one. You’re one of the few, I mean very few, I ever critique who knows how to write a single. Yes, a lot of people write some very good songs but you’ve got the stuff. My guess is you’ve probably had that feeling several times when a melody comes to you like, “my god, this is a HIT!” The melody doesn’t knock me out like “Baker Street” or “Still the Same” but it does have a very good hook only a terrific songwriter who knows his stuff well could come up with, and rates high as far as my tastes go. This has a very appealing Bob Seger appeal. Production is impeccable. Well, compared to my production (uh, what production skills?) almost anyone gets the highest marks but yours has timing and emotion put together beautifully.

Constructive Comments: You’re the one who could teach me something so there’s nothing I really have to comment on. This week I got an email that my “…Harbor Town” song was in the folk rock top 10. I jokingly told my wife I had a song go teflon. It’s a nice if drawn out story but I don’t consider it a single it could be a nice album cut. “Sunny Sunday,” “Far From Home,” are a couple of my favorites, and yes, I immensely enjoy songs with a sense of humor. I’m not a performer. I’d much rather have someone else record my songs. Anyway, your songs are always enjoyable and even if you’ve heard it several times, there’s a good reason for that. Tell me your favorites from your catalogue and I’ll be glad to particularly zero in on those for a listen.

Broadjam Artist: Kate Carpenter
Song: Bounce House

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: You did it again, Kate! This song from quite some time ago has unbeatable descriptive lyrics with different twists and turns that get away from the cliches that so many songwriters like to use. The melody is an easy singalong with a very deft piano beginning with a Josef Fucik favorite. I’d call it a terrific album cut and that’s precisely what you probably did with it. Studio skills are great but I always give high marks against my non-existent production skills. I do look at things in a songwriting perspective because I love writing unique catchy tunes. The melody is much better than the rating I gave. It asks for a hook well it doesn’t have the unique hook that hit singles have but I don’t regard that as a relevant requirement in this piece…the hit single doesn’t appear to be what you’re after and I don’t regard that as any less quality of the song. the lyrics are what make it here. It is lyrically impeccable, and deservedly a higher score for those words if there was an extra star for it. Overall, the song is very enjoyable.

Constructive Comments: Actually, you are the one who could give me lessons, so there are no remarks I could make on this. It’s done very, very well.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: Fall From Grace The Corey’s/Supreme Vocals

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: I relate this to being kind of Stevie Wonder-ish, which is a good thing to be influenced by. I like the vocal performance! Nice songwriting!

Constructive Comments: The drums sound a little mechanical to me….which gives an air of sterility. Nice arrangement, but somehow, the mix doesn’t work for me.

Broadjam Artist: Fields of Light – John Gerard
Song: Fallin’ Out of Love (Vocal-Full Mix)

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: Nice overall song. Hope it does well for you.

Constructive Comments: Ya know, I hate to nitpick but two things that I thing could use some spicing up–1. The drums feel mundane to me.2. The tone of the vocal track feels dull and sometimes sterile. With some revisiting, I honestly think this could become a 5 star recording for a picky guy like me.

Broadjam Artist: Nigel Barrett
Song: Saxametosis – real sax

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: Absolutely on the money for a contemporary instrumental. Great playing and clean recording!

Constructive Comments: You’re on the right track!

Broadjam Artist: John Walradt
Song: You’re the Hole in My Doughnut if You Leave

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: My star rating probably doesn’t reflect how much I enjoyed this song.

Constructive Comments: If this song was technically better recorded I would have loved to give it more points. I have a weakness for songs that display a sense of humor, LOL!

Broadjam Artist: Bobby Caputo
Song: The Collector

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: Cool song that could go into the country category, even as just a guitar/vocal recording.

Constructive Comments: I love the simplicity of it as is.

Broadjam Artist: Kate Carpenter
Song: The Nap Song

Reviewer: Sam Cooper

Positive Comments: A good kid’s song, but also sweet song for a guy like me, who’s 67, LOL!

Constructive Comments: Nice job! Very enjoyable!

Broadjam Artist: RICARDO ALONSO
Song: TRILOGY: PIANO CONCERTO

Reviewer: Charles ‘KIZZO’ Kizzee

Positive Comments: I like the way the intensity builds from 2:48 and gets stronger. My initial thought was, it’s elevator music, but then the keys were very strong. Parts of it sounds like the music played when one is placed on hold. Somewhere around 2:50, the identity of the song takes over. This is a great score instrumental. I would recommend the track be submitted for licensing.

Constructive Comments: I’m not sure how I would change this arrangement. The instrumentalist did a great job.