Month: November 2020

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Used to Be

Reviewer: sonya watts

Positive Comments: I thought the lyrics were clever and heart felt. I enjoyed the song. The singer’s tone was wonderful. Took me on a journey of my own memories too. I’d say this is definitely marketable. Could see it used in any western TV or Film. Made me think of Yellowstone the series. And I could see it in a feature film as well, not even necessarily for a western, but maybe just a reflection scene. Nice work!

Constructive Comments: I marked excellent for everything but my ear didn’t latch onto one particular hook. Seems to be multiple “I saw…” was a great hook, that drew me back in at each verse. And the chorus “used to be/used to be” I picked up and even decided that could make the title spot. I don’t have any suggestions because I think the song is solid. Hope it gets placed in a film. It should.

Broadjam Artist: Barry Osbourn
Song: The Great Deceiver

Reviewer: MGB

Positive Comments: Hearing a song like this makes me feel really sad that there’s not more like this out there today. Really good guitar tone and playing, drum work is great. Fantastic riff. I think I would be correct in assuming that I’m not the first one who hears a lot of Bowie here.

Constructive Comments: Really good sound.

Broadjam Artist: David James
Song: Mesmerise Me (Ft. CoriAnder, Gus and Bethany)

Reviewer: CW Mullins

Positive Comments: Nice pop song! Maybe not super contemporary but to me that’s a good thing, 2020 pop music is a bit much for me. “Much” of what I won’t say…But this is super smooth. Chorus is catchy but doesn’t get annoying with repetition, like some catchy hooks do. And the lyric hook “never in my plan” is really nice, instead of some cliche we’ve heard so often before.

Constructive Comments: Well this is the “get picky” section, right? The drum track isn’t much. A punchier drum track could bring the whole thing up a level. Not sure why this is a duet, not that being a duet is a bad thing, just don’t know what it adds to the song. Recording could use a little more “air,” or something. On my speakers it doesn’t bloom. Picky section over!

Broadjam Artist: Dave Haddad (CenterPeace)
Song: Hold On Me

Reviewer: CW Mullins

Positive Comments: Nice groove, bit of throwback to pop with soft jazz feel, can’t think of a good example at the moment but used to be songs like that. And there’s probably a market for more songs like that, I think people are hoping for soem more melodic stuff than we tend to get these days. Really well performed, very professional.

Constructive Comments: I just didn’t find the hook or chorus grabbing me that much. Maybe it’s the somewhat ordinary lyric – “you’ve got a hold on me.” The last 30 seconds of just that over and over kind of hurts the impact of the rest of the song before that, which is not as ordinary. Just one person’s opinion! Others may love it, so take it for two cents!

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Days Of Mystery

Reviewer: Marcel

Positive Comments: Good vocal and recording. Good mix and nice vibe on the song. Easy to listen to and pleasant arrangement. A little Kenny Rogers sound to the vocal which is good.

Constructive Comments: All I can add is is that the lyrics have to be more compelling or say something we haven’t heard before. Having said that I enjoyed the song and performance.

Broadjam Artist: Ronald Arduini
Song: GOOD GRACIOUS IF IT WERE

Reviewer: Marcel

Positive Comments: I like the originality and idea you were going for. The recording and mix is OK and decent instrumentation.

Constructive Comments: Probably needs a little work on the vocals. Very pitchy at times and especially when there’s more than one vocal. You could also change the beat and instrumentation in the middle to freshen it up.

Broadjam Artist: Hartmut Oberdieck
Song: ab geht die lucy

Reviewer: Marcel

Positive Comments: Nice vibe. Good guitar playing and nice groove. Very tight. Not much to critic. Keep up the good work!

Constructive Comments: Only thing I can say is maybe add a little more volume to the keys in the solo but that’s it.

Broadjam Artist: Jenny McGregor
Song: Butterfly

Reviewer: CW Mullins

Positive Comments: Wow. Can’t wait to find out who this is. Major talent. Strong song, well arranged, great voice. I’ll come up with a couple “nitpicks” for the constructive comments section but really this is maybe the best thing I have heard in my 3 or 4 months on Broadjam. I’ve heard a lot of stuff very professionally recorded, but when it comes down to it, how strong and original is the song? Most aren’t really all that special. This is.

Constructive Comments: OK my nitpicks – the recording is a little “airless.” I don’t know how to put it in technical terms. Maybe a little “in the red” in terms of recording levels? 5 minutes is just a touch long too, better to leave us wanting more. The lyric has a couple moments that are a bit wordy, I’d strip it down to basics just a tad. Nitpicks over! Great track.

Broadjam Artist: Hartmut Oberdieck
Song: bodywork

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Groovy instrumental piece with a consistently smooth sound. Love the percussion and guitar work. I’d rather listen to this kind of instrumental music on hold than a lot of the junk that is out there.

Constructive Comments: Did you use a real drummer or hand percussionist? If not you sure fooled me. I know you can do a lot with a computer, but this sounds pretty darn authentic to me!Ease out the ending more gradually.If you are good at writing metadata, this kind of a piece might work well on Audiosparx.com (my licensing company)Mrs. Kate

Broadjam Artist: Jeff Ashbaker
Song: Silence Of My Heart

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: Here is an interesting song with an interesting approach to a (marriage?) relationship highlighting the silence of the husband’s heart. The story begs the question…why the silence? Lovely vocal performance, especially pleasing in the higher range. Sweet instrumentation. Melody marries with lyrics nicely. Silence theme is consistent throughout.

Constructive Comments: The song leaves me with the question: What is the silence of the heart all about? Has the relationship cooled? Is she mentally ill, not “there” for him any more? Are they not really communicating anymore? I couldn’t quite figure it out. The recording start is “rough” in that the first note heard doesn’t sound like it was eased in. Might be a file transmission problem. Song is probably a bit long…you might shorten the intro a little bit. As far as the lyrics, although there are some great word pictures (sirens blaring, baby crying), try for a more cohesive, understandable story. Just my two cents!