Broadjam Artist: James Neilson Graham
Song: Gather Ye Rosebuds
Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Robert Dellaposta (Writer, A&R, Publisher)
Pro General Comments: It's always good advice to avoid using cliche's or old poetic lines as hooks to contemporary folk songs. Gather Ye Rosebuds is only used once in this song and it does not qualify as a hook in the true sense of the word. My Precious Pearl is used 4 times in the song including the last sung lyric. It is the only repeated hook in the song in my opinion. The form of the song is verse/verse/verse this is a valid form for folk songs. your overall length of song is good. melodically this is well done. The end of each verse or the refrain as you call it is catchy and memorable. Excellent chord choices. The groove, melody and chord progression fit this genre well. The prosody is good. Instrumentation is good. Vocals are good. Commerciality of this song for Americana radio is low because of the antiquated poetic lyric and unconversational vocabulary. Don't get me wrong it's well written if your target was a late 19th century or early 20th century folk song. The only market i can visualize this song being used is film and television and even then the opportunities would be limited to the period and era i stated. It's a charming piece of music that is well crafted for what it is. It is not a contemporary sounding folk song for radio airplay in my opinion.
Quote From Pro: James Neilson Graham is an authentic old soul folk writer and artist. His lyric and music will take you back to more innocent times when the world wasn't in the turmoil it is in now. His beautifully crafted melodies are relaxing and soothing. Well worth listening to.