Author: bjamreviews

Broadjam Artist: FRED GROSS
Song: Everybody Needs Somebody

Reviewer: Marc S. Pate

Positive Comments: Very nice! That’s a nice tune, nice playing, great harmonies.

Constructive Comments: The mix needs a little adjustment. Bring the vocals out a little more, smooth out the drums and rhythm section a bit. But, you have a nice little tune here, it’s definitely a keeper!

Broadjam Artist: Nigel Barrett
Song: Zimbabwe

Reviewer: CAEDMON’S DREAM

Positive Comments: * Sequenced synth intro starts tune nicely* Lead vocal has unique & memorable quality * Instrumentation/arrangement is full and lush * Drums/rhythm track keeps a good groove tight bass!* Tasty key modulations and instrumental hooks * Great closing piece for a TV/Movie/Documentary

Constructive Comments: + could add a couple guitar parts just for variation+ as song develops idea of conflict/despair, can this be represented with a tempo/rhythm/feel change (1/2 X break)?+ swirling keys are ethereal, put them at key parts so they don’t become blase+ add “ethnic/regional” sounds if available

Broadjam Artist: B. Greg Colburn Jr.
Song: Far From Home

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Gorgeous guitar intro! And the vocal performance is just as good. Both have superb engineering. What a great vocal performance and voice. You’ve got a tremendous mood and evocative lyrics going. Think of what Sturgill Simpson would do with this…

Constructive Comments: I’d skip the second phase of the guitar intro where it gets busier. It makes it too long and you don’t want to introduce too much side theme. Overall I’d back off the busy guitar work and focus on chords & strumming to allow the song to prevail (of course your picking is very good). “come alive” the melody/phrasing/singing drops off a bit. I’d rework that to make it stronger. same with that phrase after “the place is gone”. I think you need a bridge and a chorus sections in G to bring a big lift, using harmony vocals and a female voice in the harmony. This is a fantastic start. I’d like to provide the chorus & bridge parts if you’re interested. Actually I’d like to produce and arrange another version of this…

Broadjam Artist: Cec Cain
Song: Travel

Reviewer: Tyson the Young Gunna

Positive Comments: Vocals were clean, and mixed well. overall, the song had a positive vibe. very crisp mix.

Constructive Comments: lyrics and instrumental didn’t mesh. The beat was more of an amusement park type of vibe whereas the vocals were a little dark. maybe change the beat and rerecord. also some of the sounds in the beat were off, try using quantization before the final mix down. keep going tho I definitely feel where you wanted to go with it.

Broadjam Artist: Jim Haye
Song: Solostep

Reviewer: Castle-Eye (Michael Casali)

Positive Comments: I can hear this in a movie soundtrack

Constructive Comments: Love it,Great mix

Broadjam Artist: LaWanda Macik
Song: How I Roll (Instrumental)

Reviewer: Rin Vinson

Positive Comments: Wow, what a great, great song. Please tell me instrumentation in the first 8 bars…!!! Before the music kicks in…I would love to know. I can’t get enough. All of the instrumentation is just absolutely perfect. I’m so glad to have been able to hear this. The groove is KILLER…The tempo, dead on, and the composition is just so perfectly sparse and perfectly performed. The bridge is so smooth and not a groove killer. Upright bass, B3, sax, trumpet, electric piano…wurlitzer maybe…Just beautiful on all ends. Composition, recording, mix, and master all dead on the money. I wish there were more artists like this. New fan here.

Constructive Comments: You kidding me? Nothing negative on my end. Thank you so much for sharing. I loved it.

Broadjam Artist: CAEDMON’S DREAM
Song: Hold On

Reviewer: Richard Walker

Positive Comments: Good sentiment in the lyricsSteady rhythm and instrumentationGood vibe

Constructive Comments: The vocals and the machine drum track let the song down otherwise a fine effort

Broadjam Artist: Warren Hein
Song: I’m Taking Care Of Me full band/vocal

Reviewer: Marc S. Pate

Positive Comments: Very well done! You have an excellent voice. Nice guitar ride, same with the steel.

Constructive Comments: I have nothing here, you’ve done a very nice job.

Broadjam Artist: Randal Dunkle
Song: Only the rocks live forever

Reviewer: Jeff Roberts

Positive Comments: Sweet Jane tuned into Sweet Jesus! Nice vibe and really strong lyrics on this one Randall. The “Only the rocks forever” refrain gives it a nice lift, and that’s a very strong hook.

Constructive Comments: Make the lead guitar tone sweet and smooth–it’s really harsh at the moment. The bass is distorted and I think it’s too busy–if you settle in and play with the drums/beat more than the guitar I think you’ll be amazed at the space and groove that creates. I will produce this for you if you like Randall–I’d love to show you how much things can come around with simple changes.

Broadjam Artist: CaiNo
Song: Rewind (Instrumental)

Reviewer: Rin Vinson

Positive Comments: This tune builds so well! Electric piano intro grabbed me right away. The HH and congas with a ton of verb got the groove chugging, and then some nice bass playing gave some support. Extremely cool, moody piece of music here. Originality scores are high on this piece. Visually I could see this piece doing well in many areas. The recording is organic and sounds nice and real. The mix is perfect and the master sounds like a professional job. I really enjoyed the song. Thanks for sharing.

Constructive Comments: The only and I mean ONLY thing I would say about this song to critique it is that the strings at the end might not need to be there. Other than that, I loved it and I would like to hear more. Very enjoyable. The groove is happening.