Month: February 2021

Broadjam Artist: Redlady8029
Song: Help me feel safe

Reviewer: Paul Pierce Project

Positive Comments: Guitar sounds good at the head. When the vocal hits I think of Alanis Morissette, especially the dry vocal, way up front. The lyrics are interesting. This is a pretty story-teller singer/songwriter piece of music. I’m giving credit to the singer for decent pitch and nice control, even in her upper register. Interesting way the song finishes a hook and goes to that unexpected chord change, most notably at the end of the song. Nice!

Constructive Comments: Vocal is too far out in front of the mix for my taste. So even though she is a very good singer, a mix that is this vocal-dominant leaves her too exposed, too naked. By 1:40 when that verse lands, there should be some build in the song or the mix. If it will always just be a guitar and vocal performance, then the guitar needs to play something that adds to the intensity moving forward. Like a slight rhythm change? Just my two cents. When I say this song has no market potential what I mean is THIS MIX OF THIS SONG needs work to be commercial.

Broadjam Artist: Bill Dake
Song: Baby Said Bye, Bye

Reviewer: Paul Pierce Project

Positive Comments: Started out with a Leon Redbone vibe. Nice! Nice vocal sound. Really a pretty recording with nice, natural acoustic piano. I’m’ sure a fan of the performances! This is a very real, rootsy jazz blues tune with all the right elements. Tastefully played fills and solos, with an interesting vocal delivery. I’d enjoy hearing more of this.

Constructive Comments: Mix could use a little more bass to my ear. Occasionally it gets a little busy with slightly conflicting piano vs. guitar lines, but not painful. Cross-stick drum beats are slightly late or off-tempo with the groove from time to time. Backing vocals occasionally are singing a little too far from the timing of the lead vox. Interesting backing vocal ideas. I’d like to hear you tighten some of them up a little.

Broadjam Artist: Steve Dafoe – Songwriter
Song: Stay, It’ll Be Alright (Alternative Pop)

Reviewer: John Walradt

Positive Comments: Remember those jingle jangle chords and sprightly melodies from Lobo? Well, now we’ve got one with this song. It doesn’t stop there, the vocals have excellent inflections. The tune goes up and down the scale which makes it easy to listen and sing to. Nicely done.

Constructive Comments: You’ve got the tune and that’s a bigger hurdle for most songwriters. Since you have that, it’s an automatic 4s and 5s! Now onto a personal bias…lyrically, it uses a lot of phrases that sound like cliches. The stay, stay, stays, work out just fine. It’s a nice, fun intro. After that, you might experiment with some more descriptive imagery, different ways of saying those lines. Example…well, “Fighting in the night, we lost that loving light…” Words don’t always come easily to me because I’m a melody person but I try to give it a go, such as my writing is!

Broadjam Artist: Hartmut Oberdieck
Song: take care

Reviewer: Bill Dake

Positive Comments: Funky Jazz/Blues tune. Well recorded, good balance and simple uncluttered arrangement. Nice lead guitar tone. I liked it!

Constructive Comments: If I changed anything it would be to get to the bridge sooner, maybe repeat it later on with a different lead instrument. Loosen up a bit on the soloing, stretch out the phrasing, not so much on the beat, kinda like your talking to someone. This is a good tune, just think you could make it even better.

Broadjam Artist: Randall Mark
Song: Magic of Music

Reviewer: John Evans

Positive Comments: Nice gentle rolling song with an easy melody line and exactly the right blend of backing, leaving the acoustic guitar where it should be, up front. I particularly liked the electric piano sitting back in the mix. Thanks.

Constructive Comments: The recording could be a little cleaner with more separation but it’s a good song and that’s the most important thing, good luck and thanks again.

Broadjam Artist: Bob Nesom
Song: Where Someday I’ll Be

Reviewer: John Evans

Positive Comments: Very reminiscent of early Dylan. Great lyrics and a solid melody thats leads you into the feel and heart of the song. I liked this a lot, it had a sort of grand old oprey thing going on. Thanks.

Constructive Comments: The recording is what it is, but this is a classic case of the quality of the song shining through limited facilities. I can’t fault this really, it’s just honest and true, Ive listened to it 3 times now and I like it more each time. Good luck with this and thanks again, you’ve reminded me that its not all about the tech, it’s always about the song.

Broadjam Artist: Delta Burnett Reed
Song: In The Bleak Mid Winter

Reviewer: John Evans

Positive Comments: A very interesting cover of a stock Christmas favorite. Nice arrangement, lots of pathos with an ernest delivery. Great vocal performance confidently delivered. Thanks.

Constructive Comments: As a cover I think it works very well, lots of big names have done very well out of xmas albums. Can’t really mark it for its originality however, sorry. Thanks and good luck.

Broadjam Artist: Lawrence K. Bodien
Song: Siul-a-run

Reviewer: John Evans

Positive Comments: This could work really well in a TV or Film setting, perhaps used in sections or as repeated themes. Nice build and counterpoint melodies.Thanks.

Constructive Comments: The recording and mix could do with a little tightening up, perhaps a wider stereo field and depth. MIDI is a great tool but in my opinion it has to be humanised in one way or another, not easy I know. Anyway, thanks again and good luck.

Broadjam Artist: Kate Carpenter
Song: Joy to Be a Mother

Reviewer: Steve Dafoe – Songwriter

Positive Comments: Anyone who has been a parent understands the emotions of having a first child. All the fears but wonderment wrapped up into one little person. Nicely done!

Constructive Comments: Nothing from me…………

Broadjam Artist: Geoff Martin Preston
Song: Listen To What I Say

Reviewer: Steve Dafoe – Songwriter

Positive Comments: Nicely Balanced and recorded! Good choice of Instruments that compliment and infuse the richness of the song. Great baseline! Very enjoyable!

Constructive Comments: nothing from me………….