Month: November 2020

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Once in a While

Reviewer: MGB

Positive Comments: Really well sung and well played piece with a very happy upbeat theme. Really good guitar work. Parts of it put me to mind a little of Jim Croce.

Constructive Comments: Nice tune.

Broadjam Artist: John van Wicklen
Song: Tears in my eyes

Reviewer: MGB

Positive Comments: Very well sung and instrumented piece that somehow manages to be melancholy and happy both at the same time. Nice backing vocals.

Constructive Comments: Nice tune.

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Have A Good Time

Reviewer: Andrea Standley, Songwriter

Positive Comments: Stomp your feet, good time feel. No lyrics, really. Just “have a good time” “just here to help you unwind” lyric throughout and it works. This song is just plain fun.

Constructive Comments: Production a bit dated. Update the production, vocals (while these are good, I’d change out the female bgv) and just put it out there…likely pick up some sync placements for shows/commercials, etc. that are looking for some really fun background music/song. but you will need production updated. Still tapping my toes.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: Doing The Best I Can Coreys/Buck Swade

Reviewer: Andrea Standley, Songwriter

Positive Comments: Good production. Melody really appealing. Story song with heart. I’m hearing what you are saying…but think you can say it better…this song is worth me challenging you to some lyric changes 🙂

Constructive Comments: The lyrics are close, but I think they could be stronger. I can’t say exactly, but starting the story with your father leaving you the farm, then moving into it’s been “lean” times, but you always make it, and while the kids may not have new shoes, the LOVE in this family is strong…that story is always a great one!

Broadjam Artist: BigAlbatross
Song: Shortcut To Love

Reviewer: Andrea Standley, Songwriter

Positive Comments: I felt the song was “quirky” and yet, as I got into it, it pulled me in. The simplicity of the song, production, guitar work and lyric with a hook that I’m still singing (and nice chord change near the end). Something about this song I really enjoyed listening to.

Constructive Comments: No need to modulate at the end. Let the vocal, guitar bass and drums just do what they were doing and follow you out without modulating. While I loved the simple production, running this through one of the top production houses in Nashville and allowing them to re-produce – with your express order to keep it simple – would make the song stronger for pitches. Personally, I’d remove the background vocals at the end, except for the “oooos”. Keep it simple. That’s what makes the song feel so good.

Broadjam Artist: Kathyjo Varco
Song: Better Go

Reviewer: Andrea Standley, Songwriter

Positive Comments: There is a lot going on in this song…lyrics feel like they run together (perhaps too wordy) and I was listening for a place where the song would “breathe”. However, the hook is in my head, and the melody throughout is really catchy, so something is here. It’s not there yet, but it’s close!

Constructive Comments: I’d work a bit more on the lyrics and find a way to allow the song to “breathe” and not feel so lyrically heavy. Production is good enough to get the feel of the song, which feels good btw, but I’d suggest a lyric and slight melody re-work with piano and guitar, taking the gist of all your lyrics and cutting them in half OR at least reducing chorus by half. There is definitely something good here and worth a re-work. You can talk to Studio Pros who would work with you on this song. Overall, the feel is fun!

Broadjam Artist: Sam Cooper
Song: ALL ABOUT GIVING (with Tim Buppert-vocals)

Reviewer: Andrea Standley, Songwriter

Positive Comments: Lovely story song with an inspirational message. Singer tone excellent and he sang with emotion. These are hard songs to get played, but I’d love to hear this re-recorded and released as a Christmas song. The hook is in my head, and that’s a great thing!

Constructive Comments: The song arrangement was good. I’d give it a “B”. I hear many things that a seasoned producer would change (to bring production up to an “A”) but overall, this production, vocal quality and presentation certainly gives me enough to know it’s a good song that could be taken to another level by a major artist.

Broadjam Artist: Jay Gross
Song: The Candle is Out!

Reviewer: John van Wicklen

Positive Comments: Enjoyed the vocals, the arrangement works. Definitely pop sound.

Constructive Comments: Early on tempo change is questionable. Overall nice sound.

Broadjam Artist: Ronald Arduini
Song: DRIFT

Reviewer: John van Wicklen

Positive Comments: Really like the bridge…nice contrast. Some places vocals are awesome. I hear a lot of potential

Constructive Comments: The overall production seems better in second half of song.

Broadjam Artist: Margie & Art Corey
Song: One More Spin Around/ Coreys NEW MIX

Reviewer: BigAlbatross

Positive Comments: Love the vocals, arrangement and instrumentation. Lovely guitar work and nice touch with the violin. Perfect vocal harmonies.Unsure where the chorus starts/finishes and consequently what the song title is. Could perm any 2 or 3 for that. But a lovely song. Enjoyed listening.

Constructive Comments: IMO needs a clearer separation from verse,chorus Bridge etc. Not really a place in the song that jumps out and hits me, song title needs more repetition. BUT – I enjoyed the song, a bit of a slow burn but enjoyable.