Month: October 2020

Broadjam Artist: Mark S. Ludes (MSL)
Song: What I’ve Got

Reviewer: paul sandberg

Positive Comments: really nice piano intro, a nice melody and a nice production – really liked the harmony vocals on the 2nd chorus. I liked the lyrical message and enjoyed the instrumental bridge as well.

Constructive Comments: there were just a couple of technical things that struck me – at the end of the 1st verse “born” pops the mic and the last line of the first verse seems a bit pitchy and unsupported. At the end of the first Chorus the drum roll seems covered with fuzz, like some kind of overcompressed open snare.Minor things and overall this is a very sweet song that my ears quite enjoyed listening to.

Broadjam Artist: 20 Minute Mission
Song: Killing a Pharaoh

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Here is angry rock at its angry best. The singer implores, “Will you leave me alone?” Who is he talking to? Perhaps a religious person? A Jehovah’s witness? A Mormon? A Christian? He makes it very clear that he wants none of it in an effective manner. Let me make my mistakes. Great job of getting a singular, passionate idea across.

Constructive Comments: The only thing that could be improved, I think, is vocal pitch. The ending is very abrupt. I would be curious if the above interpretation of your song is correct. I am a Christian and I was wondering if this is the way Christians have come across to you.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Birthisel
Song: Old Man, Young man

Reviewer: paul sandberg

Positive Comments: nice rich recording. Vocals are right in the pocket and the piano work is very nice – the song’s melody and chord structure work well together and I really loved the breakdown piano coda at the end – very nice!

Constructive Comments: the stutter step phrasing I found to be quite distracting and wish the vocals had just played it straight – I dunno, maybe it was an effort to be “different” but it didn’t work for me (and that’s just me, so….) regardless, a fine effort!

Broadjam Artist: paul sandberg
Song: Track 13

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Love the intro! Wow on the horns! The first impression I got from this song was: Get up and dance. When I read the lyrics, I realize it’s more than that. The song is about the metro rail, but that’s a springboard for the metaphor of “where are we going?” The hook is extremely effective: Next Stop, Oblivion. The ending is stellar. Well thought out. You are quite the lyricist!

Constructive Comments: Not much to add here except for improve the vocal tone. But really it’s probably your style, so you can ignore that!

Broadjam Artist: David Watson
Song: BILLIE’S SONG

Reviewer: Ronald Arduini

Positive Comments: It has a well defined and very pleasant country hit song feel to it ..super job..As well as a great vocal performance

Constructive Comments: The only wish is you sell and make $$ for your great song

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Heart To Heart

Reviewer: paul sandberg

Positive Comments: solid smooth ballad groove with great production – cool harmonies a strong melody and hook. tells a story with feeling.

Constructive Comments: I can’t really see this being a “hit” song, but it is certainly very nice in so many ways.

Broadjam Artist: Jeana Potthoff
Song: Spiraling Out of Control

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Here is a beautiful piano-based piece, written in a minor key. It speaks to me of conflict. Possibly inner conflict, maybe relational. That’s what I am visualizing if this composition was placed in a movie, which I think it is certainly appropriate for. The composer does a nice job of playing the piano and backing it with a bed of strings. Variation of intensity is good, and dramatic effect is good.

Constructive Comments: Is the ending really an ending? Can you do better on making it more conclusive? Sometimes the violin bed sounded more natural and other places, more canned.

Broadjam Artist: Barry Osbourn
Song: Dusk Till Dawn

Reviewer: Kevin Winkel

Positive Comments: Multiple uses concerning film and TV. Easily put me in the middle of drug deals, battle prep, or underworld scenes. The musical landscape you painted had me all in. Your mix had great range from high end to low end. The bottom was very good which is a tough area for most people. Great job!

Constructive Comments: The guitars and synths tended to reside in a similar frequency range and lost clarity in the arrangement for me at times. The mix was not muddy but rather slightly cluttered frequency wise in the middle. You might look at panning or spacing plus a little selective EQ to make those instruments sound slightly more different and add clarity. This was the only reason for losing a couple points for recording and arrangement.

Broadjam Artist: Felice Kaye-Cooper / Songwriter
Song: Your Child Is Calling You/Film Score

Reviewer: Kevin Winkel

Positive Comments: This song reminds me of a pub or bar drinking song if a piano had been used. The electric piano changed the vibe for me and I see it more as a theatre or circus scene. At first I was thrown but it definitely grew on me the more I listened. The recording is fine and the arrangement gives it a theatre sound. I thought it was all very cool and liked it alot. Great job!

Constructive Comments: I heard a few hesitations which I felt weren’t on purpose but your playing is really very good and this is a minor criticism. The hesitations just add character for me.

Broadjam Artist: MGB
Song: ICE MARCH (instrumental)

Reviewer: Kevin Winkel

Positive Comments: Very good work! I could see this being used in a documentary of a military nature. Parts were separated nicely and everything was clear and easy to pick out. Good balance. I felt you had a good bottom to the arrangement for this style of music. All in all a great job!

Constructive Comments: There was a cymbal hit or two that seemed a little strong to me. Pretty minor comment.