Month: June 2021

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Don't Go Making Promises

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

Pro General Comments: The production could be much better than this one is as some of your others I've been honored to review in the past. The lead singer you chose is good with his background vocalist additions are as well. In my opinion you might like to add a strong bass player on this cut before you master it down. Are you going to shop to anyone this song then adding a heavier string bass may be more the R&B song type? I would listen as much as you can to R&B pop or general material when possible. The process for all of us maybe long but you are doing well in hopes that the goals you've set for why you are writing all your songs is met. I enjoy each time I review with BJ submissions as I've discovered some outstanding great songwriters through the years. Thank you!

Quote From Pro: Here is a good concept of a song but the production could be better. Your studio work of a redo with the instrumentation might help but there is a solid grove to the music I know is there. If you want to keep the genre in R&B in my opinion you may go back into the studio with a good R&B bass professional and lay over a few creative notes before the final mix. The song has some good points but I look forward to hearing more of your other work submitted to the Pro Reviewers in the future. It's my great pleasure seeing your progressions too. God bless and keep writing!

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Dallas Tonight

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

Pro General Comments: Vocal work needed on this ballad as the engineer might have at least heard the error at 3:07-09 which could be easily corrected. This ballad in my opinion needs some work to be a true "ear worm" which I once learned is a worm there that won't get out easily. I can say the musician workmanship is good but it's not a complicated progression for most of us. Just added another title suggestion for you as Dallas is used too often and the Texas swing of a Dallas noted song isn't there as a ballad but keep trying. I know being picky yourself is how you can get the production to last a LONG time in the consumers pocket as the value may be worth it. Then again, we all know it the amount of funding for marketing in the end which we all know IS the key to many successful things in a commercial based world that is constantly in motion. Don't let some dreamers lead you to a place they really don't know about. It is what you feel is the truth as to why you are given a gift of expressing which some find difficult to do especially in certain businesses in the art fields throughout the world today.

Quote From Pro: Not the best work you've shown me but as the songwriter you have the right to change it anytime before the final cut for the FINAL submission for the purpose you may have in the goal of this piece of work. Again I'm glad you keep writing as we all know in any profession within the art field takes continued practice and ability to change as life does change when we are living it. The Goal of Why you are writing one particular type or genera, or tempo, or message to rely or for any reason must be in the forefront of your finished product. All songs are products and intellectual property you must look at it that way to know the worth returned once you've released it independently or with a recording contract with an established record label. Keep working your craft. I look forward to hearing more of your work submitted through Pro Reviews here on BJ - Broadjam.com God bless.

Broadjam Artist: Charles Edmund Carter
Song: Tadpole, Louisiana

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

Pro General Comments: The vocal lead on this song doesn't present the Cajun accent but can still be genre Country. We know the Cajun's that sing have a sentence structure pronunciation that are different than regular country sentence structures. Not all singers can be Cajun even if by blood. The suggestions I may make to you as kindly as I may is to listen to some award winning Cajun songs and pay particular notice to the instrumental musicians that also are playing. This will help your production to naming the songs you write into maybe any or all correct genre. Your producer needs to know this song needs some work but the producer of Cajun style music would be able to help you. Hire the producer of the last Award-Winning Cajun USA single song which may help you on this one too. Work in songwriting is never done even from a day's sun to sun.

Quote From Pro: In my opinion it may need some rework recording sessions with a Cajun singer with a Cajun squeeze box along with a Cajun fiddle working musicians to make it out of the country category into the Cajun genera. This category is a specific one that not ALL country song writers can cross into without the feel of a few Louisianan Crawdads in the mix. Keep on writing and reaching the edges of your particular songwriting talent. Looking forward to Pro Reviewing more.

Broadjam Artist: Paul Reidy
Song: One more time

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

Pro General Comments: Paul, Finding something fresh, new, original and creative is very important if you want to get noticed as a songwriter. Your lyric has no surprises in my opinion. I've heard these lyrics many times over the years. Find something to say that hasn't been said or change a common line into something more interesting. Rhyme is also very important if you want your listener to remember your words. Verse 1 uses an AABBCDCA that's not a common rhyme pattern for an 8 line verse but it is interesting...your theme/idea is common... 2nd verse rhyme doesn't match first verse...2nd verse is ABBCDDEE compare that to verse 1...match rhyme patterns as closely as possible. The computer I'm on has small built in speakers which made the guitar sound distorted at times. The piano sounded great...I really like the way you set up the hook and delivered a memorable catchy melody with a strong rhythm...I'm not a big fan of double tracking vocals. The singer was a little pitchy in my opinion...good overall length of song...commercial friendly. This retro pop/rock genre reminds me of early Billy Joel and Elton John. That's good company to be in...

Quote From Pro: Paul Reidy is mixing retro pop/rock with today's technology to create a blend of old and new for both the younger generation and those growing up in the 70's

Broadjam Artist: John Hazlett
Song: Since You Left Instrumental

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
David Weiss (Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: John, I see from below about the loss of your daughter -- please accept my deepest condolences. I'm so sorry to hear that. That must be extremely difficult to go through. I'm glad, however, to hear your music after this lengthy absence, thank you for circling back for a review. My overall impression is that "Since You Left" is very stirring and anthemic. It is a dramatic and stirring track. It is elegant, but also very emotional and clearly from the heart.

Quote From Pro: "Since You Left" is heartfelt, dramatic, and real.

Broadjam Artist: Andre Kerek
Song: Farewell My Angel

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 I like the atmosphere, vibe, feel, era you gave to this song. It is very fitting.I can picture Fred Astaire dancing to it across a ballroom. The title is descriptive and emotional, it pulls your listener in like it should.Your vocalist and arrangements are very classy. I like the fact you faded it at the end that is fitting too. It leaves a bit of mystery to the end of the story.You capture a melancholy which really paints a sombre romantic picture that I believe you are going for. The music flows, you are right on the button here- with your structure playing pretty seamlessly. The bridge flows perfectly, really good arrangements. I like how you pull us in with your lyric that paints a picture. "Closing the blind"- and "I still recall the name of your street"- those details are what makes a song unique and memorable. Everyone can relate to a lost love and where we met them even if it was decades ago. Right away you give us what is going on physically and emotionally which is good. "Going dancing" -another detail that puts you in a place in time as alas those good ole days of dancing are not so commonplace anymore. It also conjures up a certain innocence.The chorus is good but can't help but feel just another specific detail might bring it all together a bit more. If this woman haunts him so, why is he letting her go? This is a bit unclear. For eg- if you had a verse at the end, where you turned around and tried to contact her one day- perhaps awhile later, and you see her with someone else, then the song becomes one of "the one that got away." Where you are living with regret. Right now we have two conflicting stories. One you let her go and broke her heart, and two you have some regrets. It's a bit flippy floppy. It would be clearer to the listener if you picked one theme and stuck to it.This track should be able as another reviewer mentioned, to work as a replacement track for a film or TV show that is showcasing this era. You will be ahead of the "pack" as period music isn't always that easy to come by. I would keep your ears and eyes open for similar TV shows or films that are going on - that suit this era. In fact if it was five years ago, I produced a short film about 40's gangsters with a love story and this would have fit right in.You have a good handle on songwriting and showcasing your song with the proper jewels to adorn it. Good work and good luck!

Quote From Pro: Farewell my Angel would fit nicely into a 40's film or TV show looking for romantic songs.