Month: April 2021

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: In Dreamland

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

Pro General Comments: Please note: I don't comment on quality of individual instrumentation as my expertise delves more into overall performance, marketing, melody, etc A very Disney feel. I can see this being used in those types of films/TV shows. I can also see it working as a lullaby with a slightly different arrangement.It's a great concept. Nice unique idea here. Very romantic and its subject matter can be used in a great variety of ways.You know to progress your story which is great. Your arrangement sense also ebbs and flows nicely with the emotion. You have a good handle on this. One thing to think about. Usually a song works best with some drama. Right now there isn't really any danger to the two lovers. So maybe you could inject a little somehow. Even just a line saying I hope one day I'll see you.... one day.. there on the street. How will I know when I see you...?" that type of idea. This might add some excitement?Good lyrics, I might watch out for phrases that seem a tad out there, or wooden such as "starlight her beauty displays." Things seem to flow usually with more conversational lyrics. Good choice of active verbs vs passive in "whisk."

Quote From Pro: A very dreamy styled romantic ballad that would be suitable for Disney type films and TV.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Dallas

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

Pro General Comments: Please note: I don't comment on quality of individual instrumentation as my expertise delves more into overall performance, marketing, melody, etc Wow, what an emotionally packed song.. Hints of Carly Simon crossed by "Turn the Page" crossed by Karen Carpenter.... The arrangements are really something. You know how to milk a song and the emotions.It's haunting and moody and you deliver a strong vibey feel. You had me hooked from the beginning and then when the chorus kicked in - it kinda mainlined. I was hoping for more of a melodic lift to ensnare my attention. Don't get me wrong- I like what you have. It is very cool, but it seems to cry out for a tweak to break up the repetitive feel.I think there is a lot of potential in this song- it seems like it could use a little melodic tweaking when you get to the hook. If you could somehow manage that- it could be pretty killer. All the other elements are there. I can see why the melody stays there, because the singer's emotions are kind of mainlined as well. So it may be tricky HOW you might fiddle with this.

Quote From Pro: Some great heartfelt storytelling ala' Karen Carpenter meets Caryl Simon.

Broadjam Artist: Paradox Playground - Judy Calem and Jim Beggs / Aerial Au
Song: STAY FOR A WHILE*

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

Pro General Comments: Please note: I don't comment on quality of individual instrumentation as my expertise delves more into overall performance, marketing, melody, etc The interesting thing is that you want to seduce this person with the beautiful mysterious smile.You conjure up a fun, playful vibe and develop your theme nicely. Maybe give us a little more about this person to keep the storyline evolving. What is their response to your suggestion of taking you home? What is it about their smile that gets you exactly? Give us some details to make this song stand out.The opening is a little confusing. Why do you have a variety of different hello's? (if that's what they indeed are?) You are talking about one person in your sight aren't you? This feels a little gimmicky. Perhaps left better to a bridge type of idea.There are a lot of songs about seduction. One that comes to mind is Hot Child in the City, you can just feel that sexy vibe permeate the air. What is going to make you stand out with this song? You have to ask yourself what is going to make this song compete against the others for a listener's attention? The idea of different welcoming words is that kinda' idea but it doesn't seem to be developed ..... and not sure you really need it... What happens at the end? Does the singer gain victory?Again the hook has a lot of repetition. Maybe an extra rhyme scheme could make it a little more exciting than just repeating the title. The melody feels like it can also be developed a bit more. It feels a little linear and you really want to hammer that melody home so a person walks away singing it. Right now I'm not sure that would happen.The idea is fun but needs some more work to make it the stand out piece you want to work for yourself in the marketplace. If you haven't done so already -study a few current radio hits because the production is changing constantly so you want to try and replicate some of the great arrangement ideas to stay fresh and current. Things can become dated in months if you are not careful.If you can dig a bit deeper and share what is really bringing these two souls together- you will grab your listener's attention. A few more details can bring about the exciting realm of romance and paint a clearer picture. Make you stay for awhile... Why... Is the singer falling in love? If so, why? Don't leave us guessing too much. Your listener wants to know the details!

Quote From Pro: Bouncy dance song about chemical attraction and the longing for a bit more...

Broadjam Artist: Paradox Playground - Judy Calem and Jim Beggs / Aerial Au
Song: I'M STILL HERE

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

Pro General Comments: I'm Still HerePlease note: I don't comment on quality of individual instrumentation as my expertise delves more into overall performance, marketing, melody, etc Woah. Great topic to tackle. If you've watched Ricky Gervais's hit show "After Life" he tackles the pain of death- and makes it dark humour/funny. It's raw and somehow- laughing at the pain- helps. So I applaud you for tackling such a hard subject. It's always a great idea to tackle deep subjects like this as not many do- so you will stand out. That song by Death Cab for Cutie: "Follow You into the Dark" was a song like that, it stood out because that subject is usually avoided- which makes it fresh and original.I like how you have a victorious theme but your character is admitting to imperfection which makes the song relatable. You also build/progress your storyline which is essential to make it interesting to your listener. They want the main character to overcome. It may be interesting if you gave us a hint of who left you- its a bit vague. Was it a lover or a parent figure that left you with anger? This may give a bit of spice and clarity. Reveal the drama- give us some insight into this character who is wailing at the fates. There is a lot of drama you can milk here. It can be subtle though too. And can be done pretty easily -with not a huge need to change things up.Can't help but wonder if you added another line/rhyme to your hook -it might make it - stronger. I'm Still here... after all these years. I'm still here, through the tears.. I'm still here... you get the idea... but (enlighten us a bit more on the meaning). Is the singer mad she's left all alone?One of the best things is the passion, the emotion, the haunting, mysterious vibe you conjure up here. The piano is really beautiful as your melody soars along. You got a good handle on melody as the song ebbs and flows and builds like it should with the arrangements.The vocal effectively portrays the emotion- but because it's so powerful you might want to make the vocal mix a tad more soft- as it's delivering a very strong emotional feel and content- so you don't want it too harsh. It's an easy technical fix- to somehow mix the vocal so it has a smoother finesse to it. If that makes any sense. It kind of stands out on its own a bit and I think could use a little more bedding around it -so it feels more part of the overall delivery.Really pretty vocal interlude!! Great bridge.. Arrangements work really nicely. You have a great handle on this which isn't an everyday thing. Good work.Polish this little gem a bit and you got yourself a very good song. Great work.

Quote From Pro: The beautiful piano soars around this haunting piece about love and loss.

Broadjam Artist: Elza
Song: Blank Pages

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

Pro General Comments: I enjoyed the overall Trip Hop / Electronic kind of chill vibe of this song. Sounds like a real electric bass used, or at least a sample that has an authentic sound with a bit of a trebly kind of bite to it. The alto sax also sounds quite authentic and liked the back and forth playing between the horn and vocal. Would liked to have heard the snare be a bit more authentic sounding, but overall, I like the minimal type of production sound and arrangement. Interesting juxtaposition of the male rap as well. Overall lead vocal is solid and emotive sounding.

Quote From Pro: Soulful sounding female lead vocal on this electronic based chill / jazzy type groove that could easily fit behind any scenes looking for a soulful Trip Hip type vibe.