Month: July 2016

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: Tom & Mary Erangey
Song: Blue Umbrella

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

Pro General Comments: Great chorus in this song. The chorus, lead and background vocals remind me of something that Carole King would've have sung back in her hey day. I felt the verses let me down a bit after lyrically, melodically and rhythmically after hearing such a strong chorus, each time it went back to the verses. The chorus seems to be in sort of a cut time, or doubled rhythm, whereas the verses do not have that same sort of forward movement. I think in this case, the verses need to be as strong as the chorus, and in this piece, in my opinion, it's not. Lyrically, it's a lighthearted song about being with someone you care about while its raining. Think we've all been there at one time and this is a great representation of what an experience like this might be like. Solid lead vocals do a good job of expressing the joy of this experience. The background vocal arrangements are also quite strong and harmonically work perfectly.

Quote From Pro: Strong chorus in this song that would evoke visual images from the listener. Creative and solid background vocal arrangements in the chorus, make this a very catchy song that would work well behind visuals in an advertisement.

Broadjam Artist: Ian Lee
Song: Love song

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Doug Beck (Producer, Remixer, Composer)

Pro General Comments: Ian Lee - Love SongThis is a nicely done ballad. Your production value is always really very nice. You know how to build a track and your songs and productions always sound extremely good.I love the electric piano intro with the synth embellishment. Love how the drum break brings in the rest of the instrumentation. As with all of your productions the dynamics are excellent. It's really very well done.Here's my issue. The song itself seems a little dated to me and a little lyrically pedestrian. Especially when compared to the previous track 'Missi'. Missi has a far more contemporary feel than this track and I think is 'Missi' is much more commercially viable in the current market place. I would also maybe try to find a more clever title. Something in the lyric that can work as a title as well.That said. Love Song is still a very nice track. I would just lean a little more towards the vibe and production of 'Missi' because I think that will serve you better in this marketplace.Artist's Submitted Question: Hi Doug, Thanks for your previous review. This certainly spurred me on to write more material and I've now completed a full album of 11 songs. I'd like your feedback on artists you feel are in a similar genre and which distribution channels might be best for me to focus on. Also do you feel this is of release quality or are there areas I still need to work more on? I'm now starting to write my next album and would like to incorporate what ever I can to improve and develop my sound. Thanks IanLBHey Ian,Like I stated above. I think the direction of 'Misi' is the way to go. All of your songs have great emotional appeal but 'Misi' captures it in such a way that works for what is happening now in the music industry. I also think music supervisors would really love that track and style. A placement in a TV show or movie can yield big dividends for a young artist. In any event, all of your stuff is really nice and very well done. You've got serious skills!

Quote From Pro: 'Love Song' is a beautiful song about an age old emotion.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.