Month: July 2020

Broadjam Artist: Phil Bouldry
Song: Gimme One More Chance

Reviewer: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat

Positive Comments: Overall sound is ok. Story line is ok. Most everything else is alright as well but missing an instrumental break or a chorus that would add character.

Constructive Comments: I gave average score on this. This could be better if it was a little tighter. Drums need attention and the vocal I believe could be improved with EQ or a good vocal plug-in to smooth out a little.I sometimes find that in my own studio if two or three elements are a little off—should I try to spend time fixing or—call it a good first try learning experience and shoot the whole thing over.My experience of 50 years recording would choose the latter. Spend more time getting it spot on.Don’t stop until you tell yourself you can’t do it better if you had ll the time in the world.This of course takes a lot longer but in my case it paid out. I’ve had songs playing all over the world that I wish I could have stuck with just a little bit longer.These are your musical children and they will follow you around for the rest of your life!Good Luck and All My Sonic Best! Catnip

Broadjam Artist: Delta Burnett Reed
Song: Hush Little Baby

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: Soft, serene and dreamlike….which is perfect. The arrangement had a sense of direction that I really liked. The quality of voice is very good. A vibrato that is pleasant and energized, which works perfect for this style of song. The harmonies worked and added a nice additional layer to really hone in the lullaby idea.

Constructive Comments: The tempo did seem a little rushed to me. Maybe that’s because I’m used to other arrangements that are slower? But I felt like the piano was recorded first and then the vocals put on after, and unintentionally being pushed. I also felt like the vocal had a tendency to be just a LITTLE flat. That might be because I’m not listening on the perfect set up, but I wondered if being rushed was part of the cause. I hate singing when I’m rushed…

Broadjam Artist: Greg Lambert
Song: Tap City (Demo)

Reviewer: paul sandberg

Positive Comments: got off to a rockin’ beginning.

Constructive Comments: the vocal phrasing needs work, the mix has the piano solo too far forward (and the piano is a bit loose). the song cuts out abruptly, a fade would help. Overall mastering could be better – carve out a space for your vocals sonically (eq the guitar at 1.5 mhz).Overall this is very generic – a straight cliche progression with not much going on to make this stand out from the other 1000 songs with this standard blues progression.

Broadjam Artist: Reid Jamieson
Song: Under The Bed

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: Really like this a lot. Great guitar work and a tremendously unique voice. Your guitar playing shows a balance with the vocal that is really very nice. AS to the vocal, what I like is you have the small, quick light vibrato, but you also know how to use your chest as well. Its a very clean, well used instrument. It’s a voice I haven’t heard, but kind of have heard (so to say) and that’s magic. It’s welcoming yet different. Very good work.

Constructive Comments: I’m just thinking about arrangement beyond this song. There’s nothing I would do on this track. I’m assuming, in certain cases, you’re using acoustic piano and percussive elements. You’re style and sound are right up my alley. You’re a great musician and writer. Keep it up.

Broadjam Artist: Kate Carpenter
Song: Be a Doer

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: I have 5 kids age 2 – 13. I know a good bit of Laura Berkner and Raffi. This fights right in. Great quality of recording, great use of arrangement with the kids voices and the train idea. Connecting “doer” to the idea of a train that just keeps on chugging. Great guitar solo, great ending. Very good.

Constructive Comments: I realize I’m supposed to write some long words to give you a good review, but I’m not a faker. I’m guessing this is your profession? If not, it will be soon. Keep it going.

Broadjam Artist: Phil Bouldry
Song: I Think It’s Time

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: I’m seeing the sun shining and in a swimsuit. Takes me back to summers listening to Steve Miller. Nice guitar work, with a nice, comforting rock sound. I appreciate the cleanliness of the arrangement, not trying to overdo things. You have a definite sound and style, which I appreciate it. I also appreciate working to extend the vocal range like you are. A nice tenor voice!

Constructive Comments: I’m hearing some background vocals…for sure. I’m imagining some auxiliary percussion as well. This is good, summer beer drinking music in my mind. Build on that. The organ could have a little more presence and maybe double the vocal on 2nd or 3rd verses. I’m also thinking more presence in rhythm guitar would make the sound seem more pure. So, keep the acoustic, but some electric clean chords to drive the things a bit too.

Broadjam Artist: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat
Song: GYPSY PIRATE

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: I am pleased you’re creating something so new and unique. It gets tiring listening to songs that are all over produced and auto-tuned to some plastic perfection. There is a feel here that I appreciate. If I were to separate the vocal out and put it on a guitar, we’re talking blues….I think? So, blues meets accordion/concertina? I dig that. I like the groove of the piece as well.

Constructive Comments: With your sound, percussion could really have a say. I’m thinking of artists like Iron and Wine, where the melody or tune is 2nd tier to the feel and groove. To make that work, the percussive elements are really critical. So, one thought I have is hooking up with a fantastic percussion player and let them have at it. I’m also wondering about acoustic piano doubling some of the accordion lines here and there. I can here that as tool to build on the more important lines.

Broadjam Artist: Caden
Song: Come Clean

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: A nod do what I would call Prog rock, and I dig that. The vocalist has the chops for sure. The feel of the sound is not “old” to me, which is huge. Not clinging onto an old sounding genre, but making it modern and acceptable. There is no question this could be placed easily, so congrats on the recording. Excellent arrangement, inserting the synths to a tasteful amount. It is a very full arrangement, but not overly so. You found the balance!

Constructive Comments: I was waiting for a hook that really took things to a different plateau. I think you have the chord progression for it, but was left more with a sense for “feel” than an actual melody. That’s not a bad thing by any means, just my instant reaction.I do think a little bit more voice in the guitar wouldn’t be a bad play. It might introduce another piece of ear candy for the listener. In this genre, I was waiting for it.

Broadjam Artist: MGB
Song: WOULDN’T LIFE BE EASY?

Reviewer: Monday Funeral

Positive Comments: I really like the quality of sound here. I like the feel very much. I like the long, legato vocal lines which give it an airy quality, and make it very comforting. The instrumental breakdown at 3:00 was well placed and well down. You are a very good writer – combining the importance of vocal line with clean, simple arrangement. There was consistency to the feel of the song, which says a lot. Never too much. Good work.

Constructive Comments: I’m a singer and love singing. The auto-tune/pitch adjustment I didn’t mind per se, as in some ways it fits in with the need for long, lean line in the vocal. However, I do find myself wondering if letting the nice baritone go with some natural room noise would have changed things at all? For me, an intimate song (lyrically and emotionally) has to sound “real.” For me, the song touches on something private, and a more natural vocal would be interesting to imagine.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: These Blues Corey Hodge Song appears in Film Port City Internet

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very well-sung and performed. in the spirit of the best traditional Country songs of the 60’s and 70’s. This invokes Hank Williams and a lot of other big names in its throwback sound. Very enjoyable listen and an excellent song overall.

Constructive Comments: The only thing this suffers from is being in the wrong category. Definitely not “Contemporary Country” as in something you’d hear on the charts now, but if this were re-categorized in Traditional or even Cowboy Country it could find its way to a Music Supervisor who might be looking for this exact sound.