Month: February 2021

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: In Dreamland

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

Pro General Comments: Opening 00:00 to 00:12 is good for what I feel is like a Disneyland type song which maybe used for a potential film production. It then does progress and additions of strings is good various other sweetening towards the steps it takes the listener. The song after some mastering and finishing up a little more studio work would be better showing what the listener may enjoy as a sweet dreamland imagination ride for all ages even for a heart of youth. The pop easy listening is a good category since the vocalist has this type of delivery style. But there are some things that your professional engineer can work on from 2:24-2:25. Also the arrangement of some tweaking notes in vocal work at 2:52-56 may need attention as it feels better for your vocalist to not just holding the note out which may show feeling of the meaning of the message (maybe kick up the vocal lead notes) may help in building up the gaining progressions in the feel of the song. Maybe a professional proven producer might give the writer this suggestion in your session towards the end where the mastering session starts as we know sets it all in cement which you know the creative process ends then off towards label work steps of manufacturing etc. As a songwriter think of the end to reach which is always the consumer and how each step of your Dreamland will get you there and pull the listener into the feel at the end and then they will want to repeat listening to Dreamland over and over. In some places someone once called this an ear worm which I didn't like that thought but it's because it does NOT get out of your head and hard to remove. That's a simple key for many doors in the music recording business where the songwriters with the passion may want to achieve and place on a ring towards a million more and then keep on going!

Quote From Pro: Dreamland is a dreamy type of Disney film style tune once it's polished as brightly as its potential can be. The start of the song leads the listener into the dreamland of where the words of a fairytale type picture may come into the listeners mind step by step that this music & lyrics provides with the sweet easy listening vocal. Pleasing feel and thank you for sharing. I look forward to hearing and reviewing more of your work in the future.

Broadjam Artist: Tim Sharp
Song: Ninety Proof (Featuring Bryan Harkness)

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

Pro General Comments: Tim, the subject has been used in many other country songs but regardless of that I love to hear your work in that it's polished. I'm now beginning to think your marketing is all you need to do with a few of your finished song products. I think you already know I'm honored again that you picked my reviewing in details with any of your work(s). A great pleasure as with this song I also called my office today in Europe to share and they response was great and "What artist does this song most remind you of?" I asked and that was Johnny Cash. I would not have thought of since often the Europeans honor the old living or dead country artists like Lorrette Lynn even Paul Anka to Sinatra it seems. Careers for recording artists in Europe last longer than in USA as did Mozart and other centuries classical compositions.

Quote From Pro: Tim, this is a good song and production I'm glad to hear here on BJ for the pro reviewing. Trust me, I'm now getting hooked on your 90 proof of song material which is more 120 proof good grain. I just was informed that broadcasting may be for shorter song minutes in the future but in film that isn't an issue. I think making a short version and the long version is a marketing ploy too. In closing, this year's group of songs I've reviewed has given me great hope that you will reach any level your team wishes to achieve in the professional songwriting business. I look forward to hearing and reviewing many more that you may submit through the BJ's pro reviewing with my perspective. God bless you and those you've been working with all this time. Good job and again I Thank You!

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Dallas

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

Pro General Comments: I am listening a few times on different days to "Dallas" but I get a question for this song that comes to my mind, did you work in a studio with other producers arrangers etc. to record this especially proven engineer or producer? What I may suggest is you try to record this song over once again to demo out for whatever direction your goal for the song aka product maybe. The business in my opinion is to polish with any completed song towards a marketable product. I believe when you know the cement of anything finished and dried, you may post online and it is there forever. Know that it should affect your choice to post when first impressions to anyone in the music recording business is, are, and always will be important as competition is very brisk. I know the best that I as a professional can do may always be improved which is the artist view but I want to learn to improve my own work substantially over the years as I have songs from many years ago I never have demo'd because it is as important to me as would be the final cut for things. Labels choice to release a song is usually another reason. Retrospectively I really believe in artists and writers of all kinds and would like you to keep writing. I hope you listen to as many other styles of songwriting in music & lyrics plus listen to many other vocalists and musicians live or live online as often as you are able in order to draw strength and conviction. Learning in life of any quest never stops and for making any product to improve is in the mind of most artists and their hearts too, and then once it's (p) then you will have to let it go and go forward. The only time to return to a song is unless you want to change the genera or have your work(s) covered by other artists. My reviewing original songs is to help everyone to step forward as I was guided all along in my life long work listening to professional awarding winning songwriters of Oscars, Emmy's & Grammy's in the music recording business. Understand fashions in all things change but keep polishing the stone until it shines brightly to everyone is worth the hard work.

Quote From Pro: As an artist of many years in the music recording industry I am still learning to improve my abilities of the Craft be it musically or to be lyrically proficient. The concept of your song "Dallas" I understand. Maybe a collaboration with another songwriter may show you some new way of construction the ideas of any song or give you a different perspective too. There is potential in 'Dallas' as it's close to Fort Worth (joke but true) and not near Austin easy due to the climate at times.... So besides this bad city reference I used the worth of our song writing maybe in all in consumers requests. Again, I know you know all pro reviewers have their own opinions different than another. Some are based on or by their years of experience and knowledge. Looking forward to reviewing another song of yours too. Thank you and continue writing!

Broadjam Artist: Tim Sharp
Song: Perdido En Mi Amor Por Ti (Lost in my love for you)

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

Pro General Comments: I am impressed enough to play this tex mex waltz over and over. I can see the dancers in the dance hall swaying around the room while this song is performed. The instrumental break is well done and I want to listen over and over. I have only ONE comment to maybe improve on. It is that you ask your vocalist to listen closely to the pronouncing the Spanish language ... as its really a gringo mistake pronouncing Spanish ...lol...but that's ok for it's hardly anything to worry about unless you have a native Spanish speaker to teach how to say Peridido En Mi Amor Por Ti.... Cabo too. I love it anyways.

Quote From Pro: Feel free Tim to snip out some of the above comments I made if you like since I was waltzing in my mind as this song as it loop plays during my reviewing. I then played it again to repeat with joy at how it draws the listener into it as every song should do. I think it's a Tex Mex feel for anyone plus a couple sway dance around the dance floor that has a great story line. Impressed me and I always look forward to hearing more of your work.

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

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

Pro General Comments: As a pro reviewer each one has their own forte and opinions. I sometimes get into focusing on the music of the song and the lyrics and then the technical musicians' parts plus time factors which I hope to help for your submitted work. I think the Introduction musically doesn't seem to lead me wanting to hear more but the lyrics are exactly right on. This simply can be fixed as nothing is in cement until the song is released (published) or acquired by a publisher for an artist. I hear it as a country song and would have added some steel guitar parts to accent and in the bridge all would be fine. The story concept as I said is good but please relisten and look at 2:06 and 2:15 vocal pitch all the way to 2:22. The instrumental break could use some sweeting or rearrangements along with the introduction. Your vocalist I'm sorry is dragging the song deeper down which is all easily fixed in studio which your producer if knowing how that would have heard as well as your engineer is what you pay them to do for any of your work. I think this song could be reworked to be submitted for any licensing or acquisition IF that is your intention of which there was no indication. Put your best you can afford foot forward to continue on. Please do try to indicate first to a professional reviewer what or where you'd like your song (product) to end or begin with away from you... like a child you watch grow and leave home. Where do you want the song specifically to be considered in the music recording business for which consumers? It's a process sometimes taking a lifetime. I believe test marketing never may hurt any product but remember the first impression maybe the only chance you get for professional acquisition if it is set in stone. Polishing helps every stone before it's put into the ring.

Quote From Pro: The concept story line of "Comin' Home To You" is good as it follows the title well. There is room for improving in technical issues before it's submitted or published. Know that it may fit into many places once those issues are addressed. Good luck Charles and I look forward to hearing more of your work here in the Pro Reviewing section of BJ's website.

Broadjam Artist: William Smith
Song: Dance

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Robert Dellaposta (Writer, A&R, Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Hi William, The opening line is very important to set the mood and the scene but i couldn't understand all of the words. It sounded negative but honestly I'm not sure. Please always include a lyric so the evaluator can read and listen at the same time. The groove is positive, happy and energetic. The chorus is happy and positive and energetic so anything negative or personal isn't working for me. Keep it about having fun and dancing. I really like the chorus. The Verses should lead to the chorus. I'm not sure if you are talking to everyone listening about the importance of dancing and having fun even if you don't like the words of the song or if you're talking to someone who you are in a troubled relationship with...I like the introduction it grabbed by attention. The retro R&B sound is one i still love and enjoy listening to. I would prefer the piano to be a little less busy. You don't have to fill ever hole between the lines. Sometimes playing less is more. Let the groove carry the song. The bass is very important in R&B grooves. I could barely hear the guitar because the piano was over powering. The drums were ok but they didn't remind me of the drum sounds and patterns used in early 70's Motown or other R&B songs. The lead vocal and background vocals were good. My only concern is make sure the last word in each line is enunciated clearly.

Quote From Pro: William Smith is a breath of fresh air for those of us wishing to breathe in the sounds of retro Motown R&B and soul songs.

Broadjam Artist: Paul Reidy
Song: Don't want to lose you

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Robert Dellaposta (Writer, A&R, Publisher)

Pro General Comments: This song reminded me a lot of Gilbert O'Sullivan and yes I'm old.Your vocal shows off your range and power and control. The drum track was a little on the thin side in my opinion. The keyboard sounded good and your playing was professionally done. I Loved the melody and chord progression. It has a Beatles quality to it. Interesting and unpredictable. The only hook i remember is we'll be alright. That's the only repeated phrase at the end and that's most likely what your listener will remember as the title. I'm not sure who you had in mind as you were writing this. Musically it could be pitched to popera artists such as Andreas Bocelli or Josh Groban or find a home in a Broadway musical. The melodies are very strong.

Quote From Pro: Paul Reidy is creating a cinematic pop genre that is stirring and powerful. I believe his music will someday be heard in movie soundtracks.