Month: May 2021

Broadjam Artist: Andre Kerek
Song: Farewell My Angel

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

Pro General Comments: It's always inspiring for me as a pro reviewer when a songwriter returns to submit a re-write using suggestions I made from a previous review! There's a sign of dedication and professionalism that I really admire: as the saying goes, "writing is about re-writing." So, bravo Andre, for staying at this!And of course, some of the positives from the previous rendition still apply. Like I said, "Farewell My Angel," features "A gorgeous and unforgettable melody--both touching and evocative, and with prosody that the song's lyric suggests. Great work on that front! Lyrically, there's some strong storytelling supporting the breakup song that the title implies--with some cool loneliness imagery like "You spent the whole night here in my mind."Then I added, "Readers of my reviews here know that I use my mantra, "the holy trinity", as a yardstick for measuring the overall success of a song: songwriting, singing, and recording all need to be undeniable. Andre gets high marks for the music and lyrics to "Farewell My Angel" but the singing and quality of the recording do not measure up."The great news here is that the new vocals and re-record are both huge improvements. Production has now shifted from stiff MIDI programming to a much more appropriate big band/orchestra--with a really authentic ensemble of real sax and horn section, strings, and nicely programmed drums/bass/rhythm section. The new singer is a fantastic standards male voice in the style of Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin. I really love this part of the package now.But for me, there is still one missing element: the song is really bittersweet, almost somber lyrically: "Last time I saw you it started to rain, I didn't tell you it was our last day I broke your heart and left like a ghost, I couldn't give love that you needed most Farewell my angel my heart you couldn't keep My journey's long and now I must sleep." As much as I love the revised big band stylistic approach, the arrangement is too upbeat, almost perky, to fully capture the heartbreak in this breakup song. Tempo/BPM is much too fast, with the quarter note at about 175. I'd take it way down to around 130. Then take some of the bounce and stabs out of the horn section, go with some softer pads that lean more romantically and poignantly on the sax. And lean harder on the strings as well--with some nice orchestral swells and builds to carry. The goal here is to fully complete the holy trinity, and ensure that the recording captures more of the dark, emotional poignancy of the songwriting.Of course, I fully realize that since this is not a MIDI production, simply slowing this down is not an option--and that another re-record is probably necessary to achieve this. But to me, it's worth it--the entire package is so close to being pitchable for jazz standards sync placements. "Farewell My Angel" has become a contemporary jazz standard, with some of the great attributes of the best of Tin Pan Alley: memorable song worm melodies, classic and heart-tugging lyric storytelling, iconic torch ballad vocalist, and wonderful authentic production elements in the style of that era.

Quote From Pro: "Farewell My Angel" has become a contemporary jazz standard, with some of the great attributes of the best of Tin Pan Alley: memorable song worm melodies, classic and heart-tugging lyric storytelling, iconic torch ballad vocalist, and wonderful production elements in the authentic style of that era.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: King Of The Interstate

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Interesting.IMHO, There is no way that this song should be called "King of the Interstate". It should be "Buc-ee the Beaver".The reason I say that is that "Buc-ee the Beaver" is something I have never heard of. That makes it original and different.There are hundreds of places that claim to be "King of the Interstate".If there is such a joint as "Buc-ee the Beaver's", they would be crazy to not use this song in their advertising.The whole idea is kinda funny, but it's not uproarious. There is no story. Without that, almost every line has to be some kind of a punchline. There are some good lines, no doubt, but without a story of some variety, they wear a little bit thin by the middle of the second verse.It comes across pretty much as a listing of all the wonderful items that are immediately available in this fabulous establishment. As such, it works. If the place actually exists, they could almost use it as a menu.If it doesn't exist, there must be a compelling interest to sustain in the casual listener's ear for three minutes and three seconds.I do have to admit that it is ragingly original, but I'm not sure that it achieves that compelling interest.

Quote From Pro: Charles Edmund Carter will find your funnybone and tickle it.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: The Tunnel

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Fun song.It may be a little on the long side, but only the radio people count that.If I were co-writing this with you, there would be a few lines that I would have difficulty with, but that may just be a matter of choice.The instrumental breaks are excellent, but you're three minutes and 45 seconds long. If you are pitching this song to a publisher, they could care less about the instrumental breaks, no matter how good they are.As to the lyrics, I'll say this:Each line should be gone over to find out if you can take out any of the syllables. The less, the more."Woke up, no idea where I am,Never been so damp and cold,It's dark but I think I'm in a tunnel,And I think I'm spelling mold,No clue how I got here,Or got tied up in this sack,Last thing I remember my wife poured me a drink,Then she said she'd be right back,"Any more than that, and I'd be a cowriter. But I hope you get the idea.Great work. This is original and it's cute.Keep up the good work.

Quote From Pro: Charles Edmund Carter knows how to do Western Swing.

Broadjam Artist: Andre Kerek
Song: Farewell My Angel

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Doug Diamond (Music Supervisor, Engineer, Producer, Composer )

Pro General Comments: Hi Andre -Good to hear from you again. Thanks for letting me know about your re-vamp/redo of your really nice song "Farewell My Angel". Wow, you really did a great job of taking my advice from the earlier Pro Review I did for you. I'm really liking this new version - very nice. I like the Sinatra-esque male vocal a lot (Sinatra is one of my favorites). The vocal sort of has a dry, matter-of-fact sound to it, which I think works well. Also, the new instrumental arrangement and performances are fantastic - great horns and strings.I could see how this song as you now have it might work for a sync licensing deal where the producer, director, or music editor has an actual Sinatra song temped into the cut of their TV show or film, but can't AFFORD that original Sinatra song, so instead to stay in budget, they reach out to you to see if this song could work for their scene instead. To think that your song might work as a substitution for a Sinatra song is, well... very flattering in my book. It might allow you to make some money as well...I really like how this new version ebbs and flows. There isn't really much about it I would change now. I do think the mix itself could be a little better, but what you have is totally fine for most things. If I were mixing it, I'd try and bring out some of the instrumental elements a little more that I feel get lost a bit as it stands now, but... that's being fairly picky it's definitely good. I think the mastering could be a bit brighter and crisper sounding too. I like it overall, but feel there's a little more polishing you *could* do to make it even better than it is (but it's really good now). Again, don't feel you have to rush out and change or redo anything. I'm just making an observation.Overall, great work - and nice job. I think you should submit this one to our Global Music Production Catalog opportunity if you would and I will make sure it gets forwarded to our music library partner for consideration for inclusion in their catalog. I think it'd make a good fit. It's hard to find well-done lounge/big band/jazz type stuff anymore, but you've certainly done a nice job of it here.I can see how what you have could certainly work as-is with no further changes in the exact, right, perfect sync situation it's just a matter of finding it. Being in a library might be a good option for this track as it would then have the potential to get used in a variety of different sync opportunities.This track would also work in the right satellite radio situation and/or retail radio (think Italian restaurants who play background music in their establishment... could work). It might work for a commercial too... the quality is there, in my opinion.Thanks much and best of luck,Doug

Quote From Pro: Andre Kerek's "Farewell My Angel" might just make a nice replacement track for a classic Sinatra song that might not be affordable/obtainable for a sync licensing deal. Andre's track has many of those same elements of the really great 1940's era big band/jazz/swing tunes, that makes me as a listener smile. Nice work, Andre. It makes me want to see the Rat Pack in Vegas now.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: The Tunnel

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

Pro General Comments: This to me is a sweet Texas swing type up tempo song plus a fairly good one but I wouldn't call it a boogie which in my opinion would be different. I listened quite a few times as the lyrics do tell a story, not sad, but as the lyrics said optimistic. I love the instrumentation with fiddle & steel guitar & banjo players accents as the arrangement of the instruments including harmonica are good. The idea that there is a light at the end of the tunnel because of the relationship that has ended is positive which many may need to hear especially during these times of being not by our choice isolated. I am glad you shared this song with me to review but what would your goal be for this or any of your songwriting? I would love to know. Do you wish to compile a large catalogue of material for publishing then releasing or licensing? I do encourage you both to continue writing. There are venues not only in the USA but around the world for films to commercials that need songs for marketing. Thank you for sharing with me.

Quote From Pro: For those who want to hear an up-tempo Texas swing number this one is good to tap your foot on the floor listening to it or dancing in a club around the floor anytime to the band of musicians playing on stage. The concept is fair to midland in it is an idea of a Light At The End of the Tunnel and I liked listening to it a few times. This song calls out to move as most Texas Swing style song are often good. Keep writing and keep submitting to Broadjam Pro reviewers but don't forget to ask a specific question any of us may answer. I look forward to more of your work to review.

Broadjam Artist: Tony Tersmette
Song: Blue chalk

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Jason Miles (Producer, Keyboardist, Arranger)

Pro General Comments: I truly Loved This Track. It caught me by surprise. It had a very retro vibe to it as the sounds were very Prophet V sounding to me. The Synth Effex were very tastefully used. It had a synth pop 1980's kind of flare to it. I also liked how the arrangement moved. You didn't stay in one place to long to make it redundant. The piano coming at you in the middle of the song was also a pleasant surprise and tastefully done. The Mix was also good as I hear a lot of the parts and the details of what was going on behind the track. The lead lines also were very prominent and nicely thought out. The one area that I would address is the Drum programming. Yes the groove was fine and moved nicely but I would have added a few tasty fills to break it up a bit at spots. The artist could have also added little more percussion to spice that up as well. The Drums however sounded really good-a good choice of sounds. All In all I congratulate Tony on a job well done.I endorse Blue Chalk!

Quote From Pro: Tony Tersmette really hits it out of the park with his track Blue Chalk. he builds on the synth pop of the past but definitely takes the song to a place in the future. a solid production and well thought out electric composition

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Save A Little For Me

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

Pro General Comments: The lead vocal with doubles in spots fills the song up well. Sounds a bit like four to five country vocal groups at those places in this song. The balance made with the female & male vocal points you indicated on your page is good since that technique works well with this song. The vocal grouping is good on pitch and the topic concept is good. "Save a little" is a good filler cut for an LP and time of 3:03 is good in that way time too. If it's to be released on radio it's a fair play by timing alone with the marketing. With your team you might look into marketing to a tv cable commercial for use in "save a little for me... save a little for you" in the background or bumper intro cut works well too. As you may know the purpose of writing commercially is to find a spot for the returns on the investment which also perpetuates more success, I'm sure you know too

Quote From Pro: The potential of this song is there since the production is solid but only in my humble opinion. The technical parts are ok and visions now must go to your team of marketing to the public as I am sure that can be seen when this "little for me... little for you" is listened to by their marketing ears to the lyrics and nice up tempo. Good luck as I look forward to hearing about your great successes with any of the songs you've written. Also I look forward to my reviewing by Broadjam's Pro Reviewing in the future as well. Thank you for songs I've enjoyed and even the ones I've had suggestions about ... just keep writing!

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Zipcode

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

Pro General Comments: I love this song from the intro to the end and it has to do with your vocalists childish vocal excellent sound work. There is a place in the production that I would have punched in a corrected note or two but in my pro-opinion the songs as it is it's really OK. I am impressed by the application of the dichotomy of the death of the child's parents and the child's way of expressing it this way. It's done well. Bravo for the topic covered and how you have done exactly that task. The way to find a knitch for it to fit is the step you may take in a global search but it maybe in a short film or tv spot regarding even covid-19 for children since the space in time of under 4:00.

Quote From Pro: I ended listening at least five times just because the vocal was so cute, cute, Cute! It was well done and give "Zip Code" out as it's done well from the beginning to the end showing the listener where the premise goes to the great ending conclusion. The place about Mom missing the birthday to about the letter to Dad. "IF heaven has a zip code" is a kind of way to share the loss of parents in a way that is kind and with the good work even though the subject is usually very sad. I appreciate this type of vision of the songwriters to provide a window of caring and love with this point of view.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Bluebirds & Butterflies

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

Pro General Comments: I tried with due diligence to listen to this song more than once, twice, and four times in order to try to come up with a good review of the singer performer but I cannot be positive in this regard as it's very important to any of your work to have a positive vocalist. Be aware I also hold the producer's & engineers' fault by not using the studio equipment in this pitch vocalists regard. The production of the song is hurt by the vocalist that is out of pitch for the notes on this lullaby. I look forward to the next song of yours to review as I know you have had a good vocalist on other recorded tracks you sent for Pro Reviews.

Quote From Pro: The production needs some work by your producer & engineer on this lullaby (see my comments in this regard). Sorry for my blunt review in the comments but I hope you are able to re record this song BEFORE you submit it again to anyone else especially if they've NOT heard any of your other songwriting work. I look forward to listening to some more of your work. God bless and keep writing.