Month: January 2021

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: In Dreamland

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: Hi Charles, you really have a knack for a great melody. This melody seems ready for a Broadway stage, big and emotive and powerful and it really shows off your demo singer's voice. She kills it on this track, really sells the song. Overall, I felt like the melody was the star of the show, but you also have a clear, big hook that leaves no doubt what the song is about. Really strong writing across the board. The mix is still not pro level for me. I think this song could go several directions: 1, Broadway, as I mentioned 2, a film and tv placement - something like "The Greatest Showman", or even the right place in a tv show, or 3, a younger, Disney style pop artist looking for a huge ballad for her album. Either way, you'll need a strong mix and production that is at A level to drive those opportunities. That's my only criticism, the demo is just not there yet. But the vocal take is so great, so it may be a trade off. For sync, you'll need better production for sure, but perhaps for an artist pitch this will work to show off the song as a whole. You've done something difficult lyrically though, you hit a universal truth in a unique way that everybody will love. And, believe me, that is a hard nut to crack. Bravo!

Quote From Pro: Sounds like the ballad you think you've heard somewhere before, a big emotive song about imagination and hope - where magical things happen.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Dallas

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: There's something really good in this - your melody is super strong, emotional and powerful. My main worry is that the hook could be stronger. This is leaning very heavily toward country, both in lyric and melody and production, but in country it's best if you hit them over the head with the hook, so I want to bring "Dallas" back in at the end of the chorus, rather than ending with until the pain ends - there needs to be a wrap up line like until the pain ends/I'll keep singing here in Dallas tonight (but smarter and cooler than that!). That is honestly my only issue with this song. There are a few minor things in the mix. The tempo isn't quite in the pocket, the mix could be brighter, tighter and more radio and the vocal could be just one more step in the pro direction with phrasing and pitch (a good wash with Autotune or Melodine may make it more commercial). But overall this is strong songwriting, a good Texas road song that could work in mainstream country with its theme of universal heartbreak and being out in the road without the one you love. Your verses feel good, and, most importantly, that melody is a true winner. Great work on this, you only need a few more steps to get it ready to pitch.

Quote From Pro: A universal love-lost lyric sung with honesty and emotion, a heartbreaker about life on the road without your true love.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Comin Home to You

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: There's a lot of really cool stuff working in this song for me. It really sticks with me, it's a great hook - and the melody is strong. The lift in the chorus is strong. I'll be singing the chorus in my head for quite awhile, and that's half the battle. My main concerns are two fold - 1) I worry that it falls in between genres, it's not really blues, it's not really country - so I thought it might fall in alt country/americana/folk because it has kind of a cool Texas country thing to it. It also feels like some of the 1970s/early 80s renegade country and pop. Those are good things, because you have created a really timeless melody. My 2) concern is that the recording quality and vocal quality need some work. The vocal needs to be tuned, and maybe get a few more passes for phrasing and comfort. The music doesn't quite hit the pocket it could to sound super pro. But the heart of your song is truly there, and that's what matters. I enjoyed the listen. It may help me on future submissions to understand what genre you'd like to be in so I can help you craft a more modern approach to that genre. Right now I could see this working in Texas roadhouses or a folk club, so it's got a lot of opportunity.

Quote From Pro: A throwback with universal longing at the heart of the hook, this is solid, timeless songwriting.

Broadjam Artist: Jerry Impini
Song: Been Bad For Me (A Dueling Piano Rock Original)

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Elizabeth Elkins (Songwriter)

Pro General Comments: Piano wise, this is super cool - it has some of that rollicking fun that some of the best radio songs of Elton John and Billy Joel have. My main concern is that I can't make out the lyrics, and the vocal is mumbly, and buried in the mix so I can't grasp what's happening emotionally in the lyric. There's a frantic and sometimes awesome piano going on, but all I take away after listening is the energy of the piano. The vocal has got to be as compelling and dynamic as that piano. I would suggest a new vocal take, with more energy and a stronger emotional performance, with clarity of the lyric made more prominent. Part of that is the mix as well, the vocal needs to be highlighted more, and sit comfortably in the middle so we can better understand and enjoy what you're trying to say. There's no doubt the piano is strong, well-played and fun to listen to, but the rest of the song (and the heart of it meaning-wise) is lost on me.

Quote From Pro: Killer piano fun that makes you want to jump up and starting dancing. Reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John and Billy Joel.

Broadjam Artist: Paul Reidy
Song: Talk to the wind

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
A.J. Gundell (Songwriter, Composer, Music Supervisor, Producer)

Pro General Comments: With "Talk To The Wind," songwriter Paul Reidy has composed a beautiful and poignant wake-up call to the scourge of child abuse in our society. The storytelling and music deliver a heartfelt plea from the singer for the audience to listen to her plight and come to her rescue--but her words go unanswered and she feels that she can only "talk to the wind." A brave and powerful piece that tackles a challenging and sensitive subject. Congrats to all who have contributed. The songwriting is really the star here. The A/B/A/B/C/B song form is perfectly crafted. I love how the central idea is captured in the title, the title is the hook, and the song builds to the hook at the conclusion of each chorus. Melody captures the poignancy of the story lyrics tell the story in a concise and moving way, with some great lyrical imagery and turns of phrase. Having said so, all the elements of my Broadjam mantra, 'the holy trinity' of song singer and recording, could each be addressed and revised to deliver the promise of the subject and intent of the song a little more effectively. As beautiful and expert as the songwriting is, the story itself is bleak and hard to listen to. Per the Artist's Submitted Question, I'd look for opportunities to bring some hope for a brighter future--and let the singer and the listener believe that her 'talking to the wind' might bring about positive change. Turn her despair into a more optimistic call to action--for us all. The recording unfortunately does not fully deliver on the drama and promise of the song. The record feels starkly and stiffly produced--with just piano/bass/drums going for a "pop/alternative" vibe. I hear the song genre as more adult contemporary/pop--the track should support this with a lusher, more dramatic David Foster-esque approach to the production: more orchestral than stripped-down rock band, piano/strings/background vocals. The singer delivers an emotional and believable performance, but the vocal sound should also be bigger/lusher/'verbier... and also better supported by the production in order to get the most out of the singer's talent and conviction. In general, I'd consider taking this back into the studio and rebuilding the record from the ground up. It's well worth trying to get the entire package to support and deliver a remarkable song and an important message.

Quote From Pro: With "Talk To The Wind," songwriter Paul Reidy has composed a beautiful and poignant wake-up call to the scourge of child abuse in our society. The storytelling and music deliver a heartfelt plea from the singer for the audience to listen to her plight and come to her rescue--but her words go unanswered and she feels that she can only "talk to the wind." A brave and powerful piece that tackles a challenging and sensitive subject. Congrats to all who have contributed.

Broadjam Artist: Shadow Creek
Song: We Are One

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

Pro General Comments: SHADOW CREEK - WE ARE ONEThe title is exceptional and draws the listener in. I just wrote an article about the importance of a great title and first line. You knocked this one out of the park. The title and first line really invite the listener to stick around and hear more. I really love the intimacy of the piano vocal arrangement. It leaves so much to the imagination of the listener (particularly if the listener is an A&R director or a producer). It's a blueprint, a map, a guide and it really works. Bravo!!I am very impressed by the vocalist. Great range and sensational timbre to the voice. The song could be recorded by a male or female artist. The timing of this message couldn't be better. With all the turmoil and confusion this song offers guiding light and a healing message which is so needed right now.If this song is not being pitched I highly suggest you hire someone or initiate some type of deal with a plugger or publisher and, as they say, strike while the iron is hot.Wonderful job and I certainly wish you much deserved success with this song!!

Quote From Pro: Sensational recording and a top notch demo recording!

Broadjam Artist: Andre Kerek
Song: Farewell My Angel (Femme Vocal)

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

Pro General Comments: Dear Andre:Please note: I don't comment on quality of individual instrumentation as my expertise delves more into overall performance, marketing, melody, etc I could picture this song in a movie set in a different era to really give it a setting it needs. I could picture the Wizard of Oz- in the beginning, Judy Garland's grandma is washing clothes and singing as she works in the sunshine and she's singing this song. It would fit there. If you can picture that type of scenario. There is always a good demand for these type songs because the market is flooded with modern pop/dance stuff. Older stuff is harder to clear so if you have a song that could fit days gone by- you've got a gem for pitching. Even the title "Farewell My Angel" bespeaks days from the past. It is a good title, summing up your emotions of the song.It seems to have an element of theatre in it as well, the drama and visual lyrics seem to cry out for a theatre setting. You may want to think about this. All you need is a good vocal and piano for this. The demo gets your point across but for film/TV it may need a better demo which is pretty easy to do nowadays inexpensively. This sample of Broadway songs may give you an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOoYJ8bLHp4You may want to play around with a few words in the third verse to make your story clearer. You set up this dramatic longing by the singer in the first verse and then continue explaining how they were shy and regretted not moving forward. But then in the third verse it seems to tip around completely and say that the singer broke his heart. Make sure your story is clear for your listener. A little more clarity will give the listener closure to your story. I am left wondering if I should feel sorry for the singer or angry that they carelessly broke someone's heart?You have a great rhyme scheme going throughout which is good. The repetition works in the chorus but it would be 50% better if you could introduce a second new rhyming line. Something that sums up the story or gives us more resolution.. For eg- Farewell my angel, my heart you couldn't keep, My journey's long and now I must sleep, Farewell my angel, I'll no longer weep, You let me go and now........ fill in the blank...(it wasn't meant to be?).... If for eg- you have the singer- sad but realizing the person they loved didn't really deserve them because they didn't fight for them- and they are just realizing it wasn't meant to be- then you have a more interesting story. So give it more drama/dynamic and resolution.Your melody works, it has a flow. It is memorable and catchy. You open nicely, very dramatic. The lyric "I still recall the name of your street" is a great line. It's haunting and original- very good. It sets a tone. Which is why I am not sure if you want that percussion coming it. It seemed to distract from the interesting mood of the song. It feels a bit brash and took away from the initial mood. You had set up a real nice vibe of lost and longing and then the drums come in with an almost happy aggressive vibe which seems strange and not fitting. I would stick to the nice vocal piano. If you wanted to go more modern you could, but it would require a whole more modern treatment and arrangement. Which is why I'm suggesting to play to your strengths and give it an old school arrangement - good for film/TV and theatre.Nice work with some polish it could work well as a pitch for theatre and /or film/TV.

Quote From Pro: Farewell My Angel has a dramatic flair which would work well in theatre or film/TV looking for a song with a romantic tone from the past.