Month: September 2015

Broadjam Artist: Thierry Coupey
Song: Home

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: As an artist we all know once music is set in stone (recorded) the only choice is to cut a new stone if we can do a better job. Recording a song professionally is that cut marble or cut diamond which needs to be polished before offering it to the public or anyone to see or in the case to hear. Now "Home" the selection of your choice of instruments for your song is good. The instruments (music) carry me forward to want to hear more of this "my heart is homeless" "Home" song from the opening to the end. The balance with vocal and the instrumental part let us give a TINY bit of attention. Again, the man you pay to do your vocal demo work is good so don't worry. Let me pin point for you to experiment with somethings my little tiny ears hear. I suggest you try to pull back instrument volume at meter 41 just a little since vocalist 'by my side' lyric was walked over a little by the music... but do not pull back so it's greatly noticed. Ok? Adding the bongo/conga work is a great touch. 2:27-28 there is a doubling thing (syncopation like) on the percussion notes that could distract from hearing words at that point. Then at 3:01 the increased bass volume may distract here a little, so try a pullback of the bass drum / bass guitar track there, but it depends on if you want to keep it that way as it does work up front better later on. Just try and compare doing that and see how it feels.3:20 is a piano type spot (not a negative key stroke form which I understand creatively that could be acceptable or corrected) which that same piano effect seems to continue until 3:23 at the break spot even into the key modulation transition which maybe what you wanted. It is all up to you of course if you like what you have don't change them. I am sticky picky since I can hear maybe more than the average consumer. I think you know NOT to take my opinion as gospel by any means...but do a test for yourself by laying down different track lines of more precise piano notes or conga /bongo at that meter point to see after you compare the first one to the other one and which one will make you FEEL better. In the arts the precise points of perfection are not only what music is about at all. We must never loose the feeling. Music has the passionate element of course we must not forget like loving someone requires! Back to your "Home" 3:34 has a booming bass. Maybe try upping a tiny bit the vocal track here. Start with as much as a grain of salt or lowering the bass track volume instead. 4:21 start to pull back as the vocalist does on his volume. I like the wind sound effects at the lyric point "I made my way And now I go" fits certainly. Oh...trust me, I LOVE doing this pro reviewing for you. Please hang in there as the musical artist you are. Remember too music requires the marketing and promotional budget elements in business which for many artists without such talents discover and this is their way to succeed. To me the success is that you are satisfied making a commercial song for the consumer to purchase or a composition of expression for posterity regardless of acquisition but how it touches the heart...the concern should be the spirits you touch in a crowd of listeners who relate to the healing emotional tool that music really is.

Quote From Pro: Thierry, this composition especially at the bridge & the feeling of the entire piece all the way through sounds like another TC (Thierry Coupey) original... and again the tears came to my eyes as I heard the ending as the lyrics touched me with the feel of the music fade out. It is a GREAT job as your great personal experience expression. Thank you for allowing me the honor to pro review another great Thierry Coupey styled song. I wish you many more songs to come as the artists within us knows there is another one ahead that we strive to make even better than the last.

Broadjam Artist: Thierry Coupey
Song: Home

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Nikki Hornsby (Songwriter, Artist, Producer, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: As an artist we all know once music is set in stone (recorded) the only choice is to cut a new stone if we can do a better job. Recording a song professionally is that cut marble or cut diamond which needs to be polished before offering it to the public or anyone to see or in the case to hear. Now "Home" the selection of your choice of instruments for your song is good. The instruments (music) carry me forward to want to hear more of this "my heart is homeless" "Home" song from the opening to the end. The balance with vocal and the instrumental part let us give a TINY bit of attention. Again, the man you pay to do your vocal demo work is good so don't worry. Let me pin point for you to experiment with somethings my little tiny ears hear. I suggest you try to pull back instrument volume at meter 41 just a little since vocalist 'by my side' lyric was walked over a little by the music... but do not pull back so it's greatly noticed. Ok? Adding the bongo/conga work is a great touch. 2:27-28 there is a doubling thing (syncopation like) on the percussion notes that could distract from hearing words at that point. Then at 3:01 the increased bass volume may distract here a little, so try a pullback of the bass drum / bass guitar track there, but it depends on if you want to keep it that way as it does work up front better later on. Just try and compare doing that and see how it feels.3:20 is a piano type spot (not a negative key stroke form which I understand creatively that could be acceptable or corrected) which that same piano effect seems to continue until 3:23 at the break spot even into the key modulation transition which maybe what you wanted. It is all up to you of course if you like what you have don't change them. I am sticky picky since I can hear maybe more than the average consumer. I think you know NOT to take my opinion as gospel by any means...but do a test for yourself by laying down different track lines of more precise piano notes or conga /bongo at that meter point to see after you compare the first one to the other one and which one will make you FEEL better. In the arts the precise points of perfection are not only what music is about at all. We must never loose the feeling. Music has the passionate element of course we must not forget like loving someone requires! Back to your "Home" 3:34 has a booming bass. Maybe try upping a tiny bit the vocal track here. Start with as much as a grain of salt or lowering the bass track volume instead. 4:21 start to pull back as the vocalist does on his volume. I like the wind sound effects at the lyric point "I made my way And now I go" fits certainly. Oh...trust me, I LOVE doing this pro reviewing for you. Please hang in there as the musical artist you are. Remember too music requires the marketing and promotional budget elements in business which for many artists without such talents discover and this is their way to succeed. To me the success is that you are satisfied making a commercial song for the consumer to purchase or a composition of expression for posterity regardless of acquisition but how it touches the heart...the concern should be the spirits you touch in a crowd of listeners who relate to the healing emotional tool that music really is.

Quote From Pro: Thierry, this composition especially at the bridge & the feeling of the entire piece all the way through sounds like another TC (Thierry Coupey) original... and again the tears came to my eyes as I heard the ending as the lyrics touched me with the feel of the music fade out. It is a GREAT job as your great personal experience expression. Thank you for allowing me the honor to pro review another great Thierry Coupey styled song. I wish you many more songs to come as the artists within us knows there is another one ahead that we strive to make even better than the last.

Broadjam Artist: MoBack
Song: Because Of You - Studio Demo

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Shawn McKenzie (Producer, Artist)

Pro General Comments: Hi Monique, thanks for submitting your music to be reviewed. I only received 2 songs from you, not sure what happened there? I find the song to be a cool laid back song. If that was your goal then you have accomplished that. But if you were trying to establish a smash hit, this is not the song to do it with. I find the verses are tad bit long a bit too wordy. I can only go from these two songs, but in both those songs the choruses are right on the mark, they are catchy and simple which is what people are looking for now when submitting songs. Depending on the demographics that you are trying to hit, this may or may not work. If you are hitting the European market, it may work. But if you are trying to access the US market then you need to have a rewrite of the verse, and as good as a Producer as Andy Whitmore is the music will not cut it to for the US market. In Europe the vibe is more open to different styles and flavours of music. so you have a better shot with that market, not to say that it may be accepted but on the whole Europe is more open to all types of music. My recommendation is to shorten the verses by 4 bars. As writer, it would do you well to have a stronger vocalist to sing when you are pitching music. As a songwriter you want to hit them strong the first time, and not have the performance come out a little weak. As the saying goes, "first impressions, are lasting impressions". You want the person to get the vibe the first time instead of them trying to feel the vibe as you intended it to be. I am giving you this review to help encourage and not to discourage you, put it this way it took Pharrell 9 tries before Happy was accepted. Rework the song a little bit and you just might make everyone happy. Hope this makes you happy.

Quote From Pro: "Cool laid back song, short simple and sweet Chorus"

Broadjam Artist: MoBack
Song: Because Of You - Studio Demo

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Shawn McKenzie (Producer, Artist)

Pro General Comments: Hi Monique, thanks for submitting your music to be reviewed. I only received 2 songs from you, not sure what happened there? I find the song to be a cool laid back song. If that was your goal then you have accomplished that. But if you were trying to establish a smash hit, this is not the song to do it with. I find the verses are tad bit long a bit too wordy. I can only go from these two songs, but in both those songs the choruses are right on the mark, they are catchy and simple which is what people are looking for now when submitting songs. Depending on the demographics that you are trying to hit, this may or may not work. If you are hitting the European market, it may work. But if you are trying to access the US market then you need to have a rewrite of the verse, and as good as a Producer as Andy Whitmore is the music will not cut it to for the US market. In Europe the vibe is more open to different styles and flavours of music. so you have a better shot with that market, not to say that it may be accepted but on the whole Europe is more open to all types of music. My recommendation is to shorten the verses by 4 bars. As writer, it would do you well to have a stronger vocalist to sing when you are pitching music. As a songwriter you want to hit them strong the first time, and not have the performance come out a little weak. As the saying goes, "first impressions, are lasting impressions". You want the person to get the vibe the first time instead of them trying to feel the vibe as you intended it to be. I am giving you this review to help encourage and not to discourage you, put it this way it took Pharrell 9 tries before Happy was accepted. Rework the song a little bit and you just might make everyone happy. Hope this makes you happy.

Quote From Pro: "Cool laid back song, short simple and sweet Chorus"

Broadjam Artist: Mary Segato
Song: Don't Give Up On Me

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
John Anderson (Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Hey Mary, quality song all around, first thoughts of artists I can hear it for are Don Henley, John Mayer, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Seal, Ed Sheeran, or Sam Smith to name a few. Also reminds me of the Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel duet "Don't Give Up" (In theme only) which came out on 1985. Easily crosses the Rock, Pop, Country and R & B genres, incredibly universal. Works as a Duet or for a solo artist with prominent backing vocals, Male or Female leads. The demo recording and production quality is superior to what I typically hear. GREAT! I personally focus more on film/television/ad placement for artists then getting songs recorded. That said, it would certainly be an appropriate pitch for a wide range of artists crossing several genres. It does strike me as a song that would fit nicely into a film and really enhance the emotion of the scene as well. I'm sure there are song publishers out there that would be proud to submit "Don't Give Up On Me" for a major label or independent artist to record. Do be weary of getting too close to the John Mayer sound, it could turn some artists off. You're good to go with this one!

Quote From Pro: A beautiful heart felt ballad that tenderly pulls you into a damaged relationship with a plea for forgiveness. 1st class songwriting and a track that's ready for the charts.

Broadjam Artist: Mary Segato
Song: Don't Give Up On Me

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
John Anderson (Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Hey Mary, quality song all around, first thoughts of artists I can hear it for are Don Henley, John Mayer, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Seal, Ed Sheeran, or Sam Smith to name a few. Also reminds me of the Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel duet "Don't Give Up" (In theme only) which came out on 1985. Easily crosses the Rock, Pop, Country and R & B genres, incredibly universal. Works as a Duet or for a solo artist with prominent backing vocals, Male or Female leads. The demo recording and production quality is superior to what I typically hear. GREAT! I personally focus more on film/television/ad placement for artists then getting songs recorded. That said, it would certainly be an appropriate pitch for a wide range of artists crossing several genres. It does strike me as a song that would fit nicely into a film and really enhance the emotion of the scene as well. I'm sure there are song publishers out there that would be proud to submit "Don't Give Up On Me" for a major label or independent artist to record. Do be weary of getting too close to the John Mayer sound, it could turn some artists off. You're good to go with this one!

Quote From Pro: A beautiful heart felt ballad that tenderly pulls you into a damaged relationship with a plea for forgiveness. 1st class songwriting and a track that's ready for the charts.

Broadjam Artist: Nabii
Song: Infidel

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Dear Nabil:Please note I do not comment on technique- of instruments and vx- my expertise lies in overall presentation, lyrics and marketing.First off, you were right- the home recording is perfectly fine to showcase the song. You have one of the hardest parts down, you have a great vibe in this song and it comes across very clearly.And second you have a great message. It's a message that you're aware of - is a very very tricky one to put across. You've done a great job so far and there is probably some more tweaking you can do to make it realize it's full potential.So let's start with the great stuff first. Your voice and your use of bg vocals is very EASY ON THE EARS! Almost hypnotic- so that is a strength of yours in your arsenal.Most great songwriters have a strong message to impart and this fuels their songwriting, so it's a great topic to chose. And you are right, you have to be very careful with this type of subject matter- but it's an important one. With these types of songs its best to clothe them in an artistic story type way to take away some of the "preachiness" or to make the message more palatable.In Marvin Gaye's "What's Going on" he tackles the brutality of war and senseless violence by asking a question "Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrongOh, but who are they to judge us Simply because our hair is longOh, you know we've got to find a way To bring some understanding here today"Or John Lennon's song gets us involved by telling us to: "Imagine" Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to doNothing to kill or die for, And no religion too, Imagine all the peopleLiving life in peace...They're two of the very best songs written on the subject of war, violence, religion. It would be good to study them to see how they can take such a "heavy" topic but make it something people want to hear. It may give you some ideas.

Quote From Pro: Artist has a wonderful simplicity and vibe in this track that presents a powerful message.

Broadjam Artist: Nabii
Song: Infidel

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Dear Nabil:Please note I do not comment on technique- of instruments and vx- my expertise lies in overall presentation, lyrics and marketing.First off, you were right- the home recording is perfectly fine to showcase the song. You have one of the hardest parts down, you have a great vibe in this song and it comes across very clearly.And second you have a great message. It's a message that you're aware of - is a very very tricky one to put across. You've done a great job so far and there is probably some more tweaking you can do to make it realize it's full potential.So let's start with the great stuff first. Your voice and your use of bg vocals is very EASY ON THE EARS! Almost hypnotic- so that is a strength of yours in your arsenal.Most great songwriters have a strong message to impart and this fuels their songwriting, so it's a great topic to chose. And you are right, you have to be very careful with this type of subject matter- but it's an important one. With these types of songs its best to clothe them in an artistic story type way to take away some of the "preachiness" or to make the message more palatable.In Marvin Gaye's "What's Going on" he tackles the brutality of war and senseless violence by asking a question "Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrongOh, but who are they to judge us Simply because our hair is longOh, you know we've got to find a way To bring some understanding here today"Or John Lennon's song gets us involved by telling us to: "Imagine" Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to doNothing to kill or die for, And no religion too, Imagine all the peopleLiving life in peace...They're two of the very best songs written on the subject of war, violence, religion. It would be good to study them to see how they can take such a "heavy" topic but make it something people want to hear. It may give you some ideas.

Quote From Pro: Artist has a wonderful simplicity and vibe in this track that presents a powerful message.

Broadjam Artist: Daniel
Song: Fall out of Love

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jonathan Weiss (Music Supervisor, A&R)

Pro General Comments: Solid pop song with a powerful chorus which is complimented by a full background vocal arrangement. Very good sectional contrast between verse, chorus and bridge sections. Think I would make the beginning synth drone a bit shorter and come with the vocal a bit sooner. Lyrically and chord change wise, the verse does a good job in setting up the powerful chorus. When the full chorus kicks in, the fuller sounding arrangement in this section masks a bit that the song to me sounds like its still in demo form. I'm listening to hear if it could be broadcast on TV and at this point, I think its close, but still needs an overall cleaner production sound that could probably be achieved by getting into a better studio and perhaps using a producer. Guitar and synth sounds specifically could be updated to glean a more contemporary sound. The good news is that the basic structure, vocals and lyrics are all in good shape, now its just coming down to enhancing the overall sound and making the arrangement at the beginning a bit more compact. Great use of the pre-chorus, which really sets up the full chorus. Great job in putting together the oohs and aahs of the background vocals during the chorus, really fills out the overall sound.

Quote From Pro: A solidly structured pop rock song that has a strong, identifiable lead vocal and memorable hook.

Broadjam Artist: Daniel
Song: Fall out of Love

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jonathan Weiss (Music Supervisor, A&R)

Pro General Comments: Solid pop song with a powerful chorus which is complimented by a full background vocal arrangement. Very good sectional contrast between verse, chorus and bridge sections. Think I would make the beginning synth drone a bit shorter and come with the vocal a bit sooner. Lyrically and chord change wise, the verse does a good job in setting up the powerful chorus. When the full chorus kicks in, the fuller sounding arrangement in this section masks a bit that the song to me sounds like its still in demo form. I'm listening to hear if it could be broadcast on TV and at this point, I think its close, but still needs an overall cleaner production sound that could probably be achieved by getting into a better studio and perhaps using a producer. Guitar and synth sounds specifically could be updated to glean a more contemporary sound. The good news is that the basic structure, vocals and lyrics are all in good shape, now its just coming down to enhancing the overall sound and making the arrangement at the beginning a bit more compact. Great use of the pre-chorus, which really sets up the full chorus. Great job in putting together the oohs and aahs of the background vocals during the chorus, really fills out the overall sound.

Quote From Pro: A solidly structured pop rock song that has a strong, identifiable lead vocal and memorable hook.