Month: July 2016

Broadjam Artist: Tom & Mary Erangey
Song: Reach Out

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

Pro General Comments: Really liked how the song started out lyrically, it began to tell a story that many families can relate to. I also liked the way the dynamics of the song structure changed gaining more energy and emotion as the song went on. It's a nice surprise that the vocal goes up an octave in the second verse. The double-time and background harmonies during the bridge sort of take you out of the first part of the feel of the song, but does give it a sectional contrast that the listener would not be expecting. Harmony and double time rhythm also comes in during the last chorus. Overall, I enjoyed the sentiment expressed in the song that could be interpreted in several different ways.

Quote From Pro: A very melodic lead vocal, strong arrangement and a sensitive and important lyrical topic make this song a powerful statement in the struggle against Alzheimer's disease.

Broadjam Artist: Christina Linda Lyons
Song: Carousel of the Critters -- a Medley for Children

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
David Weiss (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Christina,Hi, thanks so much for submitting "Carousel of the Critters", and requesting my feedback. It's not easy to put together an extensive classical composition and arrangement, so congratulations for putting the time and effort in to make it happen!From a constructive criticism standpoint, I believe this song still needs a lot of work to take it to the next level. While the arrangement is exuberant and joyous, there seems to be far too much going on to make it suitable for extended listening by children or adults. It feels like the various instruments are "all over the place", and not doing their individual performances with any direct connection to each other. In fact, at many times it feels like there are two completely different songs playing at the same time! The way to correct this is to look at your arrangement, and see how each section can be vastly simplified. As it is now, the sections are "fighting" each other, making it difficult for the ear to lock in any one melody at any point. I'd suggest that the recording quality be improved, and the mix could have better balance and clarity as well.

Quote From Pro: I must defer at this time. Please feel free to send me an improved arrangement/recording, and I will be happy to make a quote that will be beneficial. I hope my input has been helpful to you! Making great classical music, for kids or adults, is not easy -- keep up the hard work and I'm sure you will realize the benefits. Best,David Weiss

Broadjam Artist: Sergio Simone
Song: Take My Advice

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

Pro General Comments: Dear Sergio from Kleinburg- ha ha- where is the contact button on your site- to contact you direct? Try emailing me again- it's been very hectic and I can't seem to find it.As usual- Please be advised that I don't comment on individual instrumentation as my forte is more in the overall picture- lyrics, melody, arrangements and marketing.The word appalling sounds like a convenient rhyme- songs usually do best with everyday speech- not something that feels tacked on. Some of the lyrics here have a feel that they are mostly too easy rhymes- "quick as a flash/make a mad dash"- appalling/calling, what she's like, took a hike. You want to use phrases that you would use when talking to a friend- more or less- so they have that natural flow to them. Be careful of this. For eg "give her the news" isn't something you would really say to a friend.Vocal sounds a bit sing song-ey- versus the subject matter which could be a bit more angst ridden concerning the topic. This singer isn't selling me this song. I am too aware of his vocal instead of what he's saying. You might want to look for a richer bluesy voice- one that has more color. You don't have to be too clever in a blues song- sometimes its just about the singer - saying he's hurting- is enough. But that voice has to draw us in immediately. Maybe study some Robert Cray for ideas?- he deals with those subjects but also has a catchiness to his work that some blues don't always have. Eg- https://youtu.be/2gQEDwjhaDE?list=PLUmnnNR3rRsR2vdw9b765Jow6ZgICtqL-

Quote From Pro: Sergio Simone's songs tell stories from the heart.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: I Can't Help It

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Bocci (Music Supervisor, Producer, and Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Greetings Matt,Sure appreciate hearing such a soulful song performed and produced in an appropriately natural environment. No need to"hard sell" this one. Your vocal tone caresses the lyric with a combination of a "too good to be true" and "don't sweat the small stuff" delivery.The only different vocal inflection could come in the next to last bridge line try emphasizing Why Do I Love You? by elongating the question.Musically,your choices of upright bass, brushes,rhythm guitar and dobro lead(or is it a slide?) are right in the pocket with the laid back lead vocal and cool harmony.If you haven't already done so, you might think of a visually and financially real way to present this track on YouTube since you nailed it musically as well as anyone could. If this is an indication melodically of the rest of your repertoire, consider releasing a long-form with 10 songs of this quality independently.You've got the right creative instincts for success with your songs, but you'll need to find a true-beliver in the form of a door-opening music supervisor, publisher, co-producer,or small label owner who can help position you and your sound to the right audience, and help get you to the next step.Wishing you all the best now and in the future,Tom Bocci

Quote From Pro: Matt,Your naturally soulful approach to songwriting and performing is a great asset to success.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: I Can't Help It

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Can't Help It - Matt Taylor 062815When a song critique artist (and it IS an art) runs into someone on your (rare) level, the line between critique and co-write is stretched thin. I DO have suggestions to make, but only as examples.I love the groove. Comfortable and relaxing 1-4. It helps when you have Nashville level monster sidemen, too. Bass player flat out blows the walls down in your video. Killer dobro man. Hey, ALL these guys should have been expensive. Sweet, sweet licks.Your unique and very good vocal styles are outstanding, as usual. On key backup singers. Costly. Very cool, though.Now, down to business.If you go to BMI.com and do a "repertoire" search for that title ("Can't Help It"), you will see there are already 59 songs with identical title that are published and registered at BMI. Some of them are already cut, some are vanity cuts, but the point is that there are a LOT of them. You, having decided that's your HOOK, have to out write them all to get attention. I'm not saying that's by any means impossible, especially not for YOU.But it doesn't matter how hot your backup is (and all those guys are hot!), you have to have something that INVOLVES the casual listener. That HAS to be the song, lyric and all. But you are going to have to have EVERY LINE SPARKLE, in some way. It has to perk up the ears of even the most jaded listener. The lyric of the hook, "Can't Help It", has not been a huge hit for the other 59 versions of the title, so it probably has to come from the rest of the lyric.If it doesn't tell me a story, paint me a picture, or hit my funny bone, find something better."My credit cards have gone into shock, but I love you, I can't help itThe last time you left I almost changed the locks, but I love you, Can't help it,"Just a suggestion/example..."Hard to believe the way I'm feeling now" should probably be the template for the couplets you need to write to replace it. You might want to try brainstorming couplets like that. Sit there for five minutes, or a half an hour with a blank piece of paper and come up with every one of those couplets you can think of, whether they're ridiculous or not. Write them down. Don't quit till you've got 20 of them. Don't edit yourself, just write what comes into your head. There you will find the gems. You need about five really great ones. That's where the meat of the groove is.But they have to be WAY better than what is here right now."I want to up and leave but I don't see how..." C'mon, man. I can tell when a line has the "I Need To Fill Something In Here" feel from a MILE AWAY, and so can your average listener.(Continued in the Artist's Submitted Question box)

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor is the real deal.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jim Bruno (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: Hi Matt, Sorry for the delay. I reviewed this song a couple of weeks ago but for whatever reason it didn't go through. I don't think that Broadjam like Firefox. Anyway...I really like this song a lot. The prosody between lyrics and melody is very strong. I think your bridge is especially strong. It did exactly what a well written bridge should do, it re-engaged this listener by having tangentially related lyrics and melody. Well written bridges are not easy to write. Your use of the title as a refrain was also very well done. I think that this form of romantic determination is a great subject to write about. It gives voice to so many who empathize with the singers situation. Due to its theme, the song is also highly coverable making it I would imagine desirable to a publisher. I could see any number of recording artists recording this song. I think your understated production is very effective and lends support to the sincerity of both the song and the performance. Your performance vocally matched your guitar work really well. If I were to produce this song I'd make every effort to keep the production simple. Maybe just add a bass and a lead instrument like a cello or how about a steel guitar? Overall a very well crafted song, performed in a very effective manner. I wish you much success!

Quote From Pro: If like me you appreciate sincerity in singer-songwriters, you're going to love Matt Taylor. Do yourself a favor and check him out!

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Like A Mountain - Matt Taylor 062815Nice ballad. Love song for your lady?You have a great melodic feel, as usual. And I like hearing songs from the standpoint of rawness, just you and your trusty nylon strings.I need to state at the outset that you have limited your chances of getting it picked up by a publisher just by dint of the fact that it IS a ballad. Most (I dare say ALL that could do you any good) publishers are lousy with ballads. But more on that in a second.Some of these lines are strong and could be left as is. I'll come back to that, too, but first I want to talk about song form.If you are looking to make this song stand on its own, there needs to be some kind of repetitive theme somewhere that is the reason for the whole song. You only have your hook, your title, ONCE in the song. Your second Chorus contains a completely different lyrical content than the first, and my ear found that confusing. If this is a song you want to use in live performance, I would suggest repeating the first chorus in that slot, getting your hook in there again. THEN, maybe take the lyrical content of the second chorus and make it into a bridge instead. Maybe with a whole new melody and chord structure, even.Then, I might consider changing the melody of the verses ever so slightly. For instance. The word "know" ends up as an "E" note. Okay, make the word "grow" turn out to be a G# or a B. Some small variance every other line that eliminates the possibility of monotony.Small suggestions: "loving you it made my life begin," ditch the "it". No extra unnecessary syllables.The line "My love will weather through" could be better as "My love weathers through".The line "like a mountain I go to the sea" bothers me because, for the life of me, I can't recall any reports of mountains suddenly barging into the sea. Mountain STREAMS REACH the sea... Mountains don't "go to the sea". You could try something like "until the mountains sink in the sea," and I might could buy THAT.Okay, so, summarizing:Change the arrangement to be Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, (NEW) BRIDGE, Chorus and out. The Chorus should be the "Like a Mountain" passage, and the Bridge will be the "I'll find you in the sky" passage, with a new musical structure behind it.Some thought should be given to tampering with the melodies in the verses for the sake of variation.Get it so it's worthy of the "by Matt Taylor" statement, and you'll have something to expose to music libraries, like Broadjam, and many others online and see if you can get a "license to use" purchased.I might also suggest to you that you consider becoming your own publisher. You may as well. You're doing everything a publisher does except sign the forms.Las Vegas, huh? Cool.

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor will capture your senses and take them on a nice, smooth ride.

Broadjam Artist: Andy Barlow
Song: The Beauty Inside

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Bocci (Music Supervisor, Producer, and Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Greetings Andy,Thanks for the opportunity to offer comments on such a beautifully melodic,heartfelt song. The verses are well-constructed by using a personal past/present reality check in the lyric that foreshadows the emotional longing in the hook and chorus,and captures additional imagery within each time it comes around. This form is unusual and effective, especially if used to underscore a visual illustrating inner thoughts.The bridge offers a lovely lyrical chance to pause and reflect on a momentary safe place to go when these feelings are too much to endure.The half chorus #3 is a strong device that builds to the modulation into Chorus #4 and the sensitive vocal performance that supports the final plea.From a recording standpoint,at times the dynamic string/woodwind presence in the first two choruses seems bit much in contrast to the lead singer's airy vocal. Try reducing the volume and balance the low tonalities to the vocal more so that it doesn't get lost. "The Beauty Inside" demonstrates your in-depth knowledge of the marriage between a theatrical song form and a poetic presentation.All best wishes for future success.Tom Bocci

Quote From Pro: "The Beauty Inside" demonstrates your in-depth knowledge of the marriage between a theatrical song form and a poetic presentation.

Broadjam Artist: Ron Wilson
Song: The Guys In Las Vegas

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

Pro General Comments: First you should know that I do like your song but the instrumental introduction has the bass player playing the wrong notes at this exact meter point 0:03-0:04 which for the listener is a very bad negative point at the beginning of any song. It's more like what a live recording does without any editing control of the final song demo recording. Remember any recording IS your calling card as a songwriter. This is why a good engineer / producer / professional musician would hear these things like bad played notes, timing, or other balance points as I did and correct them for the songwriter or record label before it ever leaves the studio. The back ground musical arrangement and execution in this "The Guys of Las Vegas" demo production (as it is now) is very distracting to the song even as a demo. In my opinion the wrong person did the production & the instrument arrangement on this demo for your song and not good for any songwriter / artist. It would be like putting your beautiful child in, torn and tattered, dirty clothing to send them to their first day at school or on their first prom dance. It would be better as a songwriter to have your "The Guys In Las Vegas" sent to professional demo service. There are some really good ones online at a very reasonable cost. Do this please in the future BEFORE sending "The Guys of Las Vegas" to anyone who is a professional in the music recording business. A demo is still a release or potential recording release for the general public if it's uploaded anywhere online. This is essential to produce demos or recordings well and today it is the best to do for the music & lyrics even with a demo production in my opinion. Good thing is that your song "the Guys in Las Vegas" does have a haunting melody which sticks with the listener. That in itself helps take the first steps towards publishing, marketing, and sales of any song which should be the goal of being a professional songwriter. I listened to this song a few times and that is why I suggest with some good polishing in a demo it would be much better for your craft as a songwriter. It also would be better for any of your original songs to be posted ONLY polished this way online. Remember we all know NOTHING lasts forever but in the music recording business to be known for better than bad demonstrations of your songwriting (music & lyrics) I believe will help you accomplish your goals of which for each of us are achievable.

Quote From Pro: "The Guys of Las Vegas" has a haunting medium tempo melody but as the demo it is it does need some polishing. When that is done it could be a great gem for any listener as we as songwriters need to dress our recordings up a bit as if they were to be seen at the finest events, dressed up with a good and applicable instrumental balances too. At the least we as songwriters need to do the best demos we can afford therefore, I suggest your song "TGLV" now be sent to a professional demo service like many songwriters here on Broadjam have done. In my opinion you might do this before you start posting a lot of your songs even as demo's on your BJ Page in the future or replace them with the polished demos. That way in truth when the professional music or film industry starts searching for your work or when you send your product into the companies looking to license your songs, it will be acceptable rather than rejected. Potential is really there for your song certainly that you submitted to me once you take those suggested steps. Finally, let me thank you for sharing "The Guys in Las Vegas" lyrics & music. There is a message in this song we as listeners can relate to and I look forward to reviewing more of your work in the near future. Thank you.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: I Can't Help It

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jim Bruno (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: Hi Mike,Another strong song and this one is really different from your previous one but both were well crafted and performed. I categorized the song as R&B mainly for its influences and not for the marketplace.Your vocals and the treatment sounded to my ears a bit like David Bromberg, who's one of my favorites. There's a sincerity that I mentioned in my review of your previous song that I'm hearing hear as well. The recording is very tastefully done. The main thing I liked about it was your restraint. In this era of Pro Tools too many songwriters/ artists feel that since they have endless tracks that they need to fill them up. Don't they realize that music isn't spackle? You didn't make that mistake. I like how every instrument and vocal are clear and discernable. That bridge worked well too. Came at just the right time. The harmonies were absolutely on the money. I always liked the way they were mixed. Too often harmonies are considered background vocals and not mixed hot enough. Regards,Jim

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor writes songs that stick to your ribs. They have very deep roots and definitely stay with you. He's on the way up!