Month: May 2020

Broadjam Artist: Bob Birthisel
Song: That’s One Thing (You Don’t Understand About Me)

Reviewer: David James

Positive Comments: A very strong song. Great guitar work and the solo is blistering… nice wah wah pedal effects. I especially liked the bass arrangement, which has a prog rock feel. The vocal is excellent and good use of backing vocals. Nice change of direction at 1.42. Superbly recorded. Very tight sound. The sound quality is excellent.

Constructive Comments: I remember reviewing the intro edit for this song. It’s Bob isn’t it? I marked down the lyrics because they don’t cover any new ground,but that is just an observation rather than a criticism. The song is just over 4 minutes, however as I remarked above the song has a prog rock feel. As such I feel the track could be extended to become a longer piece of epic proportions and an instrumental passage might have provided a anthemic ending. Overall though, excellent work

Broadjam Artist: Strange World Music
Song: Put The Weapons Down

Reviewer: Ashley Martin

Positive Comments: I think you do a great job with a balance of dark and light with both the lyrics and musically. There are some visually powerful elements here “blood on your hands” being the one that stands out the most. Every time I heard this line I could not help but see that image. And while this is dark and disturbing the song offers hope and a solution “put the weapons down!” Melodically it is emotional and even a little bright, which is a nice contrast.

Constructive Comments: The song is long, over 5 minutes. I think you could trim this back a little. You repeat the chorus 4 times when I think you could maybe do with 3. 2 versus then the chorus instead of verse, chorus, verse, chorus. The emotions you convey in the chorus are very potent, so in this case and I feel like a little less actually offers more. Thank you and best wishes! Ash

Broadjam Artist: Randall Mark
Song: Little Bird

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: This is the kind of song that makes you think about some of life’s deep questions. Makes you want to listen again and again so you get the whole meaning of the writer’s metaphor. I like the bird theme and how it ties in with the songwriter and the condition of the hearts of people in this world with so much evil. Yet the writer brings in many positive images as well. The melody is beautiful execution of guitar flawless. Love the harmonic! Background keys/synthesizer augments the production in a lovely way. Vocal is expressed with intensity that makes the listener want to really hear what he is singing. “Rope that’s tied to nothing on the other side” Best lyric in the song.

Constructive Comments: Ease out the ending a little more gently. Shadow. Where is the accent? On the first syllable. In your song? I think the second. Chorus – hard to pick up the word ROPE. I would definitely like to hear more of your work. I can imagine this song being sung in a listening room. Or a song circle at a festival. Great job!

Broadjam Artist: Theopolous
Song: Climbed

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Nice guitar intro. Very good clear vocals in a spiritual song with a biblical message about Moses and David and (inferred) Jesus Christ. Passionately sung. Nice arrangement. Interesting way to end the song, kind of leaves the listener hanging (like Jesus on the cross?)

Constructive Comments: The song might benefit from a third verse. Why not write a verse about Jesus carrying the cross? There seems to be a bit too much repetitiveness of the chorus words “He climbed that hill alone”. Bring the vocal up a bit. It needs to be a bit more “up front”…sounds like it’s too far back/away in the mix. What is the scripture reference for the verse about David, just curious. “In the city in the dark On streets not easy to depart.” This seems awkward. I would work to improve this lyric. Would you say this to someone? Streets not easy to depart?

Broadjam Artist: Delta Burnett Reed
Song: Lenten Meditation

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Beautiful intro. Sweeping, majestic, haunting soundscape. Gentle but powerful vocal. Somebody worked really hard on this arrangement. Ever so beautiful. Love the ending!

Constructive Comments: There might be a few timing issues, not sure. Nice job Delta and Delta’s producer/arranger.

Broadjam Artist: Charles ‘KIZZO’ Kizzee
Song: Together ( Me & You)

Reviewer: Groove Fondue

Positive Comments: Nice modern R&B tune. Heavy on the drums, they do sound nice though. The vocals work well for this arrangement. Nice keyboard sounds too. All works for me.

Constructive Comments: I wish the lead vocals would have been a hair higher in the mix but that’s a very subjective thing. Otherwise, good job!

Broadjam Artist: Bill Dake
Song: Fun Outside (Instrumental)

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very balanced, with a great sound and smooth-as-silk lead guitar. Rhythm section is tight and the dynamics were excellent. I liked the ins and outs and the effortless fadeout. Nice stuff!

Constructive Comments: As a 20+ year pro drummer, I would have loved to head a little more bottom end on the bass kick drum. It came out sort of flat and non-descript to me, but I very much enjoyed the tune.

Broadjam Artist: Ian Graham
Song: Clock On

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very solid tone on the lead horn and the others are complimentary as well.

Constructive Comments: Pretty sure this was a demo, but the main horn is out of tempo which distracts the listener. Tighten it up and it would have a nice sound.I also think “Jazz Fusion” is the wrong category (personal opinion)

Broadjam Artist: Fields of Light – John Gerard
Song: Cherished Romance-Guitars

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very nice retro groove with more R&B influences than Blues (even Jazz would make sense). Well-executed with great tone on all the instruments.

Constructive Comments: I was waiting for some sort of guitar melody, but this would still be a solid backing track for scenes in film or TV.

Broadjam Artist: Nick Berry
Song: Maybe

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very executed instrumental mix with a crystal-clear lead vocal and harmonies. I enjoyed the melody and the band reminds me of a cross between Southern Rock and modern Country. Well-defined hook and well-crafted throughout. Definitely a winning combination.

Constructive Comments: For me the rhythm guitar sometimes gets drowned out in the mix but that’s just personal preference.