Month: October 2020

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: THE WATERING HOLE

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Well-recorded with an “Addicted To Love” feel, but still Country-Rock Blues. Very enjoyable. The hook jumps out at you and it paints an excellent picture.

Constructive Comments: Could be somewhat tighter and the harmonies sound kind of distant, but that’s personal preference. Nice job.

Broadjam Artist: Hartmut Oberdieck
Song: end of the year

Reviewer: Bob Birthisel

Positive Comments: Very nice standard blues progression. The tone on the guitar main guitar is outstanding. Being a blues guy, I could listen to tunes like this all day.

Constructive Comments: Could be tighter, and the drums don’t sound authentic to me – like it’s a drum machine maybe? Particularly the cymbals sound arificial and tinny, but I still enjoyed the piece.

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: A Message To Keep Me Afloat

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: I recognize your style. Your songcraft is excellent, as always. I take notice of music and words first, and because of your expertise, which is so far ahead, I tend to look at your songs in terms of album cuts and singles and my assessments could well be off the mark because now I’m in personal taste. I would call this an excellent album cut. “Put Your Heart Back in the Freezer” would be a single as it is so memorable and unique. This one is still terrific. You write catchy lilting tunes…I’ll bet you write hits with that kind of ability. I really like your harmonizing female singer. She works so well with your style. No need to mention instrumentation, studio work, etc…all professional and admirable. I’m not in that league.

Constructive Comments: Nothing to say…you know your stuff! Grab a beer!

Broadjam Artist: paul sandberg
Song: Track 13

Reviewer: David James

Positive Comments: Wow, I wasn’t expecting this. Great vibe to the song. Love the guitar, but the sax really makes it, particularly the solo. Strong lyrics. Catchy. I love the ‘Next Stop Oblivion’ theme. Reminiscent of the band Psychedelic Furs.

Constructive Comments: I think that a forceful, strident song such as this, with a strong central message needs a forceful, strident vocal, but the singer is too low in the mix, hence the markdown for the recording quality. Overall though a great track.

Broadjam Artist: Jeana Potthoff
Song: Spiraling Out of Control

Reviewer: David James

Positive Comments: The tune is very dramatic and the performance is excellent. Lovely use of light and shade/tension and release. Tasteful use of strings which doesn’t detract from the piano. The piece has a Spanish feel-not sure if that’s intentional, but it certainly is effective.

Constructive Comments: This would be ideal as a soundtrack piece for an appropriate listing. Impressive stuff.

Broadjam Artist: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat
Song: Snowy Mountain Stream

Reviewer: David James

Positive Comments: Nice rhythm guitar intro. The vibe of the song and the hook are excellent. It’s a very catchy song. I like the double vocals. The chord progression is lovely. The lead guitar parts work well. The song has a strong Steely Dan vibe.

Constructive Comments: I found it difficult to review the lyrics because I couldn’t make them out as the vocal is too low in the mix and the lyrics haven’t been linked. I think the song sounds rhythm guitar dominant and the other elements drums, bass, lead guitar and vocals all need a boost. I would have liked a more varied drum arrangement too. I really like the song but feel it would benefit from a better production.

Broadjam Artist: Mark S. Ludes (MSL)
Song: Hypolitical 2020

Reviewer: Randall Mark

Positive Comments: great song! I love how the syllables of the lyrics go with the beat of the song, especially in the first parts of the songs. Then it evolves more into a full rock song with electric guitar. Very good variation throughout with adding in instruments to keep the song interesting throughout. Excellent lyrics and overall good job!

Constructive Comments: not seeing much to offer in the way of suggestions for improvement here, is very good! Myabe a coule of places I could not quite make out the lyrics so lyrics could be clearer. However, I am listening on a desktop with not so good speakers so that could be the problem, my speakers.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: Got An E-mail NEW KILLER FLUTE

Reviewer: SRJ

Positive Comments: Overall, this is quite a strong production. It has more of a blues/jazz feel to it rather than electronic dance and I like the ‘relaxed’ feel that this track invokes because of its jazzy style.

Constructive Comments: Be careful that you categorise styles correctly, as this definitely does not feel like electronic dance. There are sections which are out of time – in particular the woodwind instruments and the vocals…

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: Mystery Train Dance Version Corey’s

Reviewer: SRJ

Positive Comments: Not really sure that this falls within the electronic dance genre, as it has more of a folk/country feel to it. Having said that I enjoyed the track a lot – melody and hook were catchy and kept my attention – and the instrumentation and arrangement fitted in really well.

Constructive Comments: Nothing really to add but to advise on how you categorise your genres…

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

Reviewer: Ante Novaselic

Positive Comments: Interesting song structure here. Not your usual pop layout and a short tune as well coming in under 2 minutes. To my ears the song has a religious vibe and message so I don’t think that New Age is the appropriate genre to put the song in, but I do understand why you would do so. The singers voice fit well to the lyrics and melody of the track. There wasn’t much instrumentation but what I did hear was played well and fit the overall vibe of the song.

Constructive Comments: Nothing to add here!