Month: July 2016

Broadjam Artist: Michael Brandmeier
Song: JUST LIKE THAT

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Chris Keaton (Music Publisher, Artist Manager, Song Plugger)

Pro General Comments: I am very impressed with the emotion and vibe of this song. The lyrics, obviously heartfelt and real, work SO well with the melody. I agree with you that is certainly a universal, yet very personal theme, and, to me, that is one of the things that really makes this work for me. The lyric, melody and the texture of the rhythm section pulled me in and made me want to really get inside the song.Your love, respect and gratitude for your mother is quite obvious from not only the melody and lyric, but the vocal delivery which is quite beautiful.I'm not sure I would suggest changing anything about this song. In my humble opinion, it really works!Don't know if you ever play this song in a live setting but I would be interested to know how it is received...what kind of responses you get...does it move people...those types of things. Again, this is really excellent on all levels.

Quote From Pro: In my professional opinion, this is a hit waiting to happen. The melody and lyric never waver from the intimate and loving message.

Broadjam Artist: Tim Sharp
Song: Jose Cuervo on the way

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Tim,I don't think your "Jose Cuervo" reference is limiting at all. Anybody who's ever had a shot of tequila know what you're talking about.However, there is a big time producer here in Nashville who says if he hears another beach/tequila song, he will throw the CD like a frisbee through the drywall in his office. After "Five 'O Clock Somewhere", and "Some Beach", and many others, Music Row has been inundated with submissions along those lines. And, Tim, I'm talking literally tens of thousands of them. Having said that, I have to refer you to what I said about "I Call Her Fred" re marketability.But this time, you asked me about the writing, and this time, I'm going to address that.First of all, I would suggest you be very wary of saying anything like "everyone loves the song. Many folks tell me it's the favorite one they listen to over and over".There is only one person that it matters whether or not the song effects them in a positive way. I call him TCL, which stands for "The Casual Listener".You have never met this person. He/she has no idea who you are. The only contact they have with you is the 3 minutes they give you to listen to your song. They are predisposed NOT to like it, because they hear a lot of other music, and they already think they know what they like.If you can turn THEIR heads, you've got something.It's very easy to allow yourself to be seduced by the compliments to your stuff that your friends, family, and everybody who you are face-to-face with is going to lay on you. Each one may be worth 99 cents.But if you can get TCL to like your song, be he a publisher, a producer, a music supervisor, what-have-you, THAT can put a significant piece of change in your pocket while it also puts you on a worldwide musical map.When I hear someone say, "Everybody loves this song", I cringe. I don't give a rat's patootie what "everybody" loves. I have heard some of the most horrible crap played for me after that little line has been uttered. Just sayin'.In this song, I have to say that it shows talent way above the usual tripe I have to listen to as part of what I do. You have potential to write a million dollar song, no question. But there are some tools, RULES, if you will, that I might suggest you consider.For instance:You DO use imagery, and you use it well. Your lyric puts me in the spot I want to be, because you SHOW me pictures of it instead of telling me. This is excellent work. You would be amazed at how many people do NOT get this. That one is already in your toolbox, which puts you way ahead.But then you go and stick your hook in the last line of your VERSE.This really takes the punch out of the hook. The only spot it should be in, in this song particularly, is in the CHORUS. You have it there, but it's already lost its steam because of its appearance as the last phrase of the verse.(Continued in "Question" section)

Quote From Pro: Tim Sharp is ON KEY!

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: J.P. Grelet
Song: Takin to Corners

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Brian Rasner (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Thank you for your submission. Overall I really like what you did there. Your guitar parts and melody really stood out and are excellent, especially the guitar phrasing and leading, teasing into hook and melody. Since there are no vocals I would suggest careful name choices..really let the name stand for your emotion you are capturing. This will help with music supervisor browsing and meta data.It seems to be like you are contemplating, looking ahead, searching, new frontiers etc

Quote From Pro: Introspective Melodies and engaging Guitars that immediately has you pondering your existence and otherwise..I look forward to whats next

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: J.P. Grelet
Song: It Came Like Starlings

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Brian Rasner (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Thank you for a second submission, I can further understand your musical voice. I immediately gravitated more to this song 'It came Like Starlings' Great title! I immediately knew I could expect a spacey beautiful composition that could easily be placed in a contemplative celestial scene. I can see it in a montage where we see character setting out to accomplish or change directions. Again your Melody is the standout. The strings work great too. I would experiment more with your percussion. The intro drums are a bit aggressive and fast. What if you half timed them? what if you used the pretty strings to slowly build into melody?

Quote From Pro: Instant transformation and mood changer here! Prepare to be taken on a voyage...

Broadjam Artist: Thierry Coupey
Song: One Of a Kind

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

Pro General Comments: Hi Thierry,Nice sounding song overall. Obviously it sounds like it has a special meaning to you and was written with someone specific in mind. I liked the arrangement and sectional contrast. While I don't hear it having a ton of potential in a contemporary rock market, it could make some headway in the spiritual or Christian rock area. Really solid guitar playing throughout which helps the song move along and helps the overall positivity of the message. While I'm hearing the heartfelt lyrics in the song, perhaps it hits the emotion a little too on the head. In other words, sometimes its better to leave the listener with something to ponder in terms of interpreting the lyrics, instead of going forward with a simple and overly familiar phrase like One Of A Kind.

Quote From Pro: A very positive and uplifting message in this song, along with a solid vocal and instrumental arrangement.

Broadjam Artist: Eva King
Song: Instrument Of Pleasure

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Shawn McKenzie (Producer, Artist)

Pro General Comments: Thanks Eva, for submitting this song. I apologize for the lateness of this review.You have a great song on your hands. It has a dramatic essence. Dramatic, inspiring, sensual song that makes you want to listen on repeat! Truly enjoyable.If I had to nitpick I would say lose the rapper its not necessary and does not help the song. The song has so much presence and body on its own. It does not help the vibe of the song.What you wrote is a great piece of work and it stands alone without the rapper, in face the rapper takes away from the vibe. You had me at the beginning and you lost me at the rapper. The song is a little lengthy, i would bring it down to maximum 4:20 and that's pushing it.I could see plenty of movie opportunities for this song. Or a dramatic opening for a commercial launching a new product. Reminds of when Apple launch their first product, has a total drama vibe. There was no choice from drama when making the selection of vibe of song. My choice would be dramatic/passion. I had to choose Loveable/Engaging as my closest choice.

Quote From Pro: Dramatic, inspiring, sensual song that makes you want to listen on repeat! Truly enjoyable.

Broadjam Artist: Pat Hardy Lockwood
Song: Entangled In Love -- Feat. Kris Bradley

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

Pro General Comments: Greetings Pat,I appreciate the opportunity to review this excellent example of your gracious nod to the Antonio Carlos Jobim classic bossa-nova style.Your song and demo arrangement reflect your study and absorption of this form. Its natural earthy Kris Bradley vocal,rhythm,instrumentation,and structure immediately draw you into repeated listening for the subtle nuances. These obviously would be even more pleasing if not limited to the Band-In-A Box sound.Even so, the lovely flute, emotional sax, and faint string samples all seem to fit well and appropriately.However,since there is really no chorus in favor of the strong hook line, your good musical bridge tends to suffer lyrically as if you settled for the words.In all the verses you demonstrate a unique ability to fashion inside rhyming lines that don't sound contrived, why not continue that in the bridge with something like, "We're upping the ante, we're going all in, with cards on the table, seems like a win-win, so let us begin...". Just a thought, but I know you can do better than to rhyme love with love in a bridge that needs to provide contrast to the verses, not a restated continuation. Would also suggest you try editing out the repeated first two verses and bridge by going from the end sax solo at 2:00 to the last verse at 3:12. Less is always more.All the great vintage jazz standards that became cross-over pop hits were unique in all musical and lyrical aspects, and that's why they still endure and get airplay. You certainly have the overall talent to make the final version of this song a contender as an on-camera or source cue for any number of Film and TV usages playing in a club atmosphere. Very best wishes for success with this song and all the others in your catalog.

Quote From Pro: You certainly have the overall talent to make the final version of this song a contender as an on-camera or source cue for any number of Film and TV usages playing in a club atmosphere. Very best wishes for success with this song and all the others in your catalog. Tom Bocci

Broadjam Artist: Ron Wilson
Song: Bye Bye Orlando

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

Pro General Comments: Demo quality of instruments arrangement producer is not good for this catchy product song. Let me share something from our CJP-NHRecords files we give to our clients that might explain why it is important: "[Quoting G. Marshall Instructor, H. Musicians Institute. Source: Disc Makers Fast Forward, Vol. 5, No. 3 Issue 1997]"Years ago you could have given A & R reps and publishers a demo with just vocal and guitar on it, and they may have been able to hear how it would sound with a full band behind it but today they don't have time. They want to hear a fully produced, finished album. Remember, your demo is your business card. You get one chance to make an impression don't give out your card until you're sure it's ready." Hope this helps since I and my staff have been telling this in CJP-NHRecords clients in the one to one consultation since 2000. Hope this helps explain what is needed since I know your material has great bones! Maybe it needs some better clothing to be shopped for acquisition if that is the goal you are working towards. I would love to know who your professional studio musicians and even the name of the studio where you recorded your song(s). Now back to my listening as I do this over & over to make sure I am touching all bases with my personal knowledge. I do this technically as a producer including like publisher would do for your production towards marketing it to the consumer which a label with staff would also do plus the responsibility of a studio engineer that cares if his name is on it would help improve your product and not just engineer it for the money and get it out the door. I believe good money spent should have a good product and anything less is bad character in an honorable profession of the recording music industry.

Quote From Pro: The introduction part of this song could be improved but the complete song does sound like a commercial for the Auto Train if that was your intent. It is a catching melody message but like the ones they made many years ago for radio advertising. But in my opinion the fact that it's a demo is no excuse for the song suffering by what you present. It is still only my opinion of a poor production for your song which no professional in the area of acquisition or marketing would take now. Sometimes the better dressed get a better seat at the table and you want to give your songs a better chance to be heard without the negative distraction of such mistakes in the recording process especially the notes that were sung off key with the music or as I see it musicians are off from the vocal lead. Thank you, Ron, for sharing another catchy melody that you have written even with the flaws I heard. I look forward to reviewing others of your creation and I look forward to a better demo production if you can afford doing that for songwriting your talents. God bless.