Month: December 2020

Broadjam Artist: Hartmut Oberdieck
Song: bruder leichtfuss

Reviewer: Groove Fondue

Positive Comments: Liked this instrumental a lot. The guitar sounds great, with just the right amount of dirt and the playing is nicely done. The melody flows well and it’s catchy enough to get a hold of you and bring you in. The mix sounds good, the rhythm section sits just at the proper level, the lead guitar sits just where it should for it to stand out. Very enjoyable!

Constructive Comments: Wouldn’t change a thing, well done!

Broadjam Artist: Steven Furr
Song: Sans Pepto

Reviewer: Hartmut Oberdieck

Positive Comments: Instruments, sounds and mixing are fine, especially the the guitar work is really good.

Constructive Comments: The drums – I guess it’s from a computer – are a little boring. Too little happens over long distances for my taste. It sounds like the song isn’t finished. But it has a lot of potential, keep working on it, then it will be really good. Good luck.

Broadjam Artist: Simpson-Mancine Productions
Song: Line in the Sand

Reviewer: MGB

Positive Comments: Very good piece with a really strong message and very intelligent lyrics. At times, it puts you to mind of U2. Very well instrumented and produced.

Constructive Comments: Really good song. It is basically through-composed, which I have no problem with, I write many through-composed songs myself.

Broadjam Artist: Ian Ritchie
Song: Love Overwhelms Me

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: Power and more power in this power ballad of loss! Terrific lovely vocal with grit to deliver the angst. The melody is well written and would work very well as a popular album cut. I like the fuzz guitar and the solemn quiet interlude that begins at about 2:20 to give a rest and interest.

Constructive Comments: The biggest part of a song is the actual base of words and music and you’ve got that down. That’s what most of my scoring is based on. The rest is personal preferences which I reserve for this box so here’s mine: I think the guitars and other electronic instruments overwhelm the voice. Experiment with bringing them down about 10 percent to start with. Don’t like it? Bring them back up. Perhaps experiment with different keyboard sounds at the beginning with a middle pitch or softer tone just to find out how it sounds.

Broadjam Artist: Fred Kimmel
Song: The Clock Burned Down

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: The melody is very good: easy to follow, has a melancholy haunting mood that is pleasing and interesting. Lyrics are well written with some metaphors: the story of running from a destructive relationship but said in a different way. Vocals are engaging, gravely yet with some pitches that sound like something Elton John would do, as in “it’s all over now.” The song is well arranged, starts minimally, adds drums, then builds to a climax, then is peaceful at the end.

Constructive Comments: 90 percent of any song is the base of words and music and you’ve got that down. The rest is personal preferences, so here’s mine: all I can think of is experimenting with a different sound at around 13 to 15 seconds which, to me, seems not to blend in with the song. I would try it with just the orchestration, perhaps a light tolling of clock bells, or a trembling violin, perhaps make it blend into the body of the song instead of suddenly or it may come back to the sound you already have. But you’re the ultimate one who can decide what works best. It’s a very well done song.

Broadjam Artist: Ron D Bowes
Song: Cock of the Roost

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: AC/DC meets Bob Segar! It rocks with grit, the fiery sarcastic lyrics with a gravely vocal to match, served with big greasy sloppy portions the way old school rock and roll was meant to be served! The description of the despicable central character intensifies with each stanza. Instrumentally strong, notes carefully placed, and played with excellent finesse! This would be a fine album cut for any classic style hard rock album.

Constructive Comments: Well done! Have a beer!

Broadjam Artist: Bob Bentley
Song: Under Her Wing

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments:

Constructive Comments:

Broadjam Artist: Patrick E. Muth/Catnip Pat
Song: IF I DIDN’T HAVE YOU!

Reviewer: Ante Novaselic

Positive Comments: To my ears this tune has a Vaudeville feel and flavor. Very old timey. I haven’t had much exposure to this kind of music, but the limited experiences I have had with it puts this song on par with other tunes I have heard in this genre. It’s challenging to review music I have had very little exposure to . I can’t really compare it to another song within the genre because I don’t know another song in this genre. But I can say that It doesn’t sound fake or forced to me. That’s always good!

Constructive Comments: Good job. I hope I get to hear more from this artist!

Broadjam Artist: Marilyn Hall
Song: In Love

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: I love hearing a salvation song that sounds authentic. This one definitely does. Heartfelt vocal expresses transformation and a love for the Lord that is beautiful. Full band sound – very professional. Love the way the vocal kicks back in the last verse. Great production on this one.

Constructive Comments: Verse 3 – “made free” – I’d like to hear the vocal soar with a higher note for more drama/feeling. Face/grace sometimes an overused rhyme in Christian music.

Broadjam Artist: Warren Hein
Song: That’s Another Story short instrumental version

Reviewer: Kate Carpenter

Positive Comments: The song starts out with a nice rhythm guitar chord progression. The cymbals introduce a really great sounding harmonica section. More instruments (love the cello!) are added for a pleasant listen, the harmonica re-entering at the end for a conclusive finish. Nice job!

Constructive Comments: Hard to know how to suggest a name for a piece like this. I like what I’m hearing. What I wanted to hear more of was the harmonica!