Month: July 2016

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Gone to Stay Kmix2

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Okay, Matt, usual good feel, usual smooth voice, usual good work. I'm getting used to hearing that from you these days.I think it might be a mistake to entitle this song, "Gone To Stay". You only mention that phrase once in your lyric, and nothing else refers to it. I think the name of your song is "Goodbye".Secondly, you seem to be saying the same thing, conveying the same sentiment in all three verses, and you do that by using a LOT of clichs. For example, "to carry on"? PLEASE. Not unless you're discussing baggage and an aircraft. It's so overused, it's meaningless.None of them would be effective even if they were standing alone, but in groups like this, they get kinda wearying. What makes it that way is you are TELLING the listener how you feel, not SHOWING them. After a while, the casual listener says, "What do *I* care?"Give them images. A lamp to sell in your garage sale. A half-packed suitcase lying on the bed. A pile of wet tissues in the wastebasket next to the door. A UHaul truck parked out front with its ramp down. A fresh "For Sale" sign on the front lawn. Boxes sitting just inside an open garage door. You could almost make this into a powerful song by making a LIST of images like that, images that say, "Goodbye".Images involve the listener in a much more visceral way than expository prose (telling people how you feel).Another thing to keep in mind is the song form I mentioned in my review of "Sometimes You Just Don't See It Coming". Verse, CHORUS, Verse, CHORUS, Bridge, CHORUS?I believe your CHORUS is just the word "Goodbye" (the way you do it here, that is), and that is COOL. It is a fresh take on the word, full of emotion. I'd leave that alone.But the verses need to be shoved back into the recycle bin. Re-write them with IMAGERY. Make me SEE stuff that pertains to "goodbye". Verse 2 cannot be a repetition of verse 1.Remember, you only have to write TWO verses.Then you come up with a simple two line bridge. Something that ties the whole thing together.THEN do the last four "Goodbyes" just like you have them here and fade out...Brings you in at about three minutes. The way you have it here it's north of 4 minutes 35 seconds. That length used to fly back in the 70's and 80's, but this is a new millennium. Three minutes and the attention span of the casual listener begins to wander. You want to be out before that happens, leaving them wanting MORE, you dig?And don't let that pedal steel player too far out of your sight. Sucker's GOOD, and them that are are hard to find.Proud of ya, son. You're doing REALLY good work here.

Quote From Pro: One listen and you will be a fan of Matt Taylor.

Broadjam Artist: Sergio Simone
Song: Partners In Crime

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

Pro General Comments: Please note: I don't comment on individual instrumentation- since my specialty is more in the marketing, overall vibe, presentation, lyric, etc..Great title, great vibe. You did it on this song. The vibe doesn't stop- what a feel good song. Arrangements and singer really bring this to life- good selections.Opening has that Joe Cocker vibe- "You can leave your hat on".... With a little mix of Stevie Wonder on the side. Nice influences.Solo is tasteful, works to give the ear a nice break just like it should.I like Partners in Crime for the title however for marketing "Summer of 73" may be a bit better. The song has a retro vibe and Summer of 73 is in the hook therefore more memorable for a music supervisor sifting through music.The hook works like it should- it makes you want to hear it again. There could possibly be a bit more melodic contrast between verse and hook but it works just the same. You don't want too too much going on since the lyric needs a simpler bed to tell its story. Maybe another instrumental bed of some kind in the chorus to give it an extra flavor and signal it has arrived?You're giving me a very hard task to critique this song because its very very good. Your lyrics paint a picture just like they should. We can see these guys and maybe even want to join them on their escapades. You give life to a place in time in a very dynamic way. Lyrics full of action and colorful descriptions. "We love to talk about the good old days Acapulco Gold and Purple Haze"- your description takes us right there.You're smart and work with people who bring out your lyrics. That's the secret of success- just ask Madonna. You may want to pitch this for retro films and tv when you get a good mix on it. It is very specific- but it seems the songs I think are the hardest to place are sometimes the easiest because they're so specific. Niche things can work in your favor.

Quote From Pro: Sergio paints a very colorful picture of the good ole days, bringing you right into his world. Great work.

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: Andy Barlow
Song: Underneath the Mistletoe

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Doug Diamond (Music Supervisor, Engineer, Producer, Composer )

Pro General Comments: Hi Andy -Thanks so much for bringing this song to my attention. I have really enjoyed listening to it. I definitely think you're on target here for sure. You don't hear too many "new" Christmas songs, so for that alone, I applaud what you're doing. The song's writing style, arrangement, melody, production, etc. are all very well done and sound excellent. I can tell you've put a lot of work into it.Overall, I feel that this song does have potential to be a Christmas classic as it does have a really great holiday feel to it and does conjure up thoughts of family, Christmastime, exchanging gifts, and celebrating the real meaning of Christmas - especially the chorus.I think that the lead vocals are really great as-is, but wouldn't be adverse to hearing a more contemporary voice as well just for comparison. I like Kevin's voice and vocal performance a lot though, so it would really have to be excellent to be "better" than his vocal work. A determining factor might just be if another artist is willing to record it. If it were an American artist for instance, that would give it a totally different feel (not necessarily better, just different - again, I really like the existing vocal).I'll address some of your questions below...

Quote From Pro: Andy Barlow's "Underneath the Mistletoe" is an excellent, upbeat and unique Christmas song that blends traditional holiday music of the past with a modern touch - and gives the listener a new Christmas classic for the holidays.

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: IamLegendBeatz
Song: Choose w/ Chorus Drums

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

Pro General Comments: Please note I do not rate instrumentation as my expertise lies more in overall presentation, marketing, lyrics, etc.Great track. Your vocals work nicely to promote your song and the arrangements are very tasteful, not too much and not too little- so another words you have a great sense of proportion.It has that deep, poignant delivery overall appropriate for the occasion. Song has a really pleasant groove and the keys and synths work well to support your theme.You set up conflict "that you were never going to fall in love again"- which is good. Songs need conflict to keep interest. Maybe suggest something about them that let you know they were the one? The keeper?You are far ahead of a lot of people and lucky that you can not only write but record your own material- which is a very great advantage in today's market.

Quote From Pro: Track would fit nicely for a TV show about weddings and proposals.

Broadjam Artist: Tom Ballister
Song: You Never Know

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Doug Diamond (Music Supervisor, Engineer, Producer, Composer )

Pro General Comments: Hi Tom -Thanks for bringing this song and yourself to my attention. "You Never Know" is really an excellent song and I really enjoyed listening to it multiple times while reviewing it.The songwriting itself is very strong. I can tell you've been at this many years I can hear your experience in the recording and the writing both. Lyrically, it's excellent and I don't really have any suggestions there. The vocal is very pure and '60s sounding in my opinion (which is good). It puts me in-mind of some of the great Folk music from that era.Instrumentally, again... excellent. The finger-picked guitar has a nice gentle touch that fits this song perfectly and the string arrangement is really great as well. The only thing I might suggest, and I know this wouldn't be cheap... is to use a real string section instead of the synth strings. Now, *what* the strings are playing is really great, but to me it's a little too synthy sounding to be convincing - only for that reason - but the arrangement is really great and fits the song very well.Coming from an engineer's perspective, I really can't find anything to mention other than it's been recorded and mixed very well, so your technical chops certainly get the job done and fits this style of song too.Overall, it's a really simple yet very beautiful song that I'm sure you're very proud of. It's very pure-sounding and has an innocence about it that I really like.

Quote From Pro: "You Never Know" is a beautiful song that has a unique, simple sound and feel to it reminiscent of 1960's or early 1970's Folk music. The craftsmanship of this song is nearly perfect in every way, with it's purity of heart and simple, yet effective lyrics and vocals, it makes it very enjoyable to listen to. Overall, an excellent song with really good synch-appeal for period-piece films, documentaries, and television shows.

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: Tom Ballister
Song: Lauren's Theme

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Doug Diamond (Music Supervisor, Engineer, Producer, Composer )

Pro General Comments: Hi Tom -Thanks for the submission. "Lauren's Theme" is an interesting instrumental piece that is very simple-sounding on the surface, with not a lot of instrumentation - and yet very effective and moving. Nice job all around. I really like the chosen sounds and performance. The simplicity is a bit deceiving because there are some fairly complex things going on as well, which I really like.This song's synth strings I feel really work well with the electric piano sound they complement each other nicely.This song is mixed well and I don't really have any suggestions there.The only thing I can think of that's missing from this song is... more of it! I'd like to see it be a bit longer and go in new and interesting directions. In other words, what you have is really great, but I can hear this song building from about where it ends right now, on into an actual full-band (or orchestra) type of version with (tasteful) drums and percussion and perhaps some other instruments replacing or doubling with the electric piano melody. Building on your current arrangement might give this song the added emotion I feel it could use to make it into something that could be useful in television or film. Right now, without having other parts that add drama or emotion, it'd be fairly hard to synch in my opinion because what's there is good, but it's not "enough" and very specific-sounding. Finding a scene in a film that needs exactly this type of song might be difficult.I say take it a step further and develop an addendum to what you have. That will give it more flexibility to be licensed. Extend it by adding further production that complements and builds on the current arrangement and go in a new, more significant direction. You can still use this version you have if you'd need to, but by adding to it, you'd have even more to offer folks looking at potentially synch licensing it because then they could use the simple version like you have, but could also use the more expanded version like I'm suggesting in different areas of the film.With a "score" type of feel like it has, it's a little harder to license those types of tracks because essentially you've scored a scene that doesn't really exist if that makes sense. This song sounds like it was written for a very specific scene in a film or other type of show, so finding that perfect match would be tough in my opinion.From a music supervisor's perspective, you start with a scene and need to find (or score) music that fits your visual (and possibly dialog) perfectly - not the other way around. It's next to impossible to start with a specific song and find a scene or visual that fits the song perfectly. The visual always will take priority (as it should in filmmaking), so it's much easier to then find music to fit THAT. Hope that makes sense.

Quote From Pro: "Lauren's Theme" is an excellent instrumental piece with a memorable melody, full of emotion and depth that would work well in certain dramatic or montage scenes in a film or other type of media.

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.