Broadjam Pro Song Reviews

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: If I Had The Time Kmix7

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Bocci (Music Supervisor, Producer, and Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Greetings Matt,This is another fine example of your natural talent in the areas of storytelling, melody, and production blending together to produce a memorable, maybe even signature sound.You seem to be able to sing and interpret your own words authentically,which allows you the freedom to always be real instead of trying to be stylized. In this song you have paid a lovely musical tribute to your Dad and his belief in bucket lists and reincarnation.He'd be proud.Overall this track has many stunning things going for it, but I offer a few suggestions for you to consider. First, change the title to "If I Have The Time" to keep it in the present tense always looking forward to more. Second, the key change going into the bridge is too abrupt and takes me out of the flow every time, even though it resolves and recovers nicely in the second line. Try keeping your original vocal melody line there, but find some chords that ease into it with more light and less weight.Third, the vocal repeat in the ending can be shortened by going directly to the line with the harmony. The instrumental double-stop fiddle hook and piano can carry it from there.Fourth, did you ever try singing the title with the accent on "IF i have the time".It tends to soften the repetitive elongated "if IIII have the time" Does it change the song's meaning for you that way or make no difference.This tune seems to have evolved since the original guitar/vox version which is endearing in its own way,but this version represents the best of what I've heard so far. Onward!

Quote From Pro: This is another fine example of your natural talent in the areas of storytelling, melody, and production blending together to produce a memorable, maybe even signature sound.

Broadjam Artist: Mary Segato
Song: Wishing

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

Pro General Comments: What a wonderful song. The lyric is poignant and moving and really tugs at ones heart strings. With the right artist, I could hear this translating into a big hit. The melody is memorable, singable and pleasing to my ears. The signature theme in the intro makes me want to hear the song...it really welcomes the listener and invites him/her into the story. The vocalist really brings it..the emotion in her voice is honest and elegant. Just the right amount of variance in the vocals in the verses and the chorus. The lyric flows easily and allows the story to unfold in an honest manner. Instrumentally, the track builds in a wonderful manner...just enough tension and when the new instruments appear it builds the listener's interest. Sonically the textures are lush without being sappy. The track really works well. I keep going back to the vocalist...WOW! It's like she's sitting here and relating this story to me...one on one. To me, that really makes this song and demo special...the intimacy. Lyrically the story is told on a way that allows the listener to feel like they are connected and not just a bystander, but an invited guest. I feel like I'm gushing, but this song works for me on all levels. Great lyric, great melody, great track, great vocal, great delivery!

Quote From Pro: "Wishing" is an incredibly special song. From the instrumental signature opening to the last note, it invites the listener to be an integral part of the story as it unfolds. I'll be humming this all day!

Broadjam Artist: Mary Segato
Song: Wishing

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

Pro General Comments: What a wonderful song. The lyric is poignant and moving and really tugs at ones heart strings. With the right artist, I could hear this translating into a big hit. The melody is memorable, singable and pleasing to my ears. The signature theme in the intro makes me want to hear the song...it really welcomes the listener and invites him/her into the story. The vocalist really brings it..the emotion in her voice is honest and elegant. Just the right amount of variance in the vocals in the verses and the chorus. The lyric flows easily and allows the story to unfold in an honest manner. Instrumentally, the track builds in a wonderful manner...just enough tension and when the new instruments appear it builds the listener's interest. Sonically the textures are lush without being sappy. The track really works well. I keep going back to the vocalist...WOW! It's like she's sitting here and relating this story to me...one on one. To me, that really makes this song and demo special...the intimacy. Lyrically the story is told on a way that allows the listener to feel like they are connected and not just a bystander, but an invited guest. I feel like I'm gushing, but this song works for me on all levels. Great lyric, great melody, great track, great vocal, great delivery!

Quote From Pro: "Wishing" is an incredibly special song. From the instrumental signature opening to the last note, it invites the listener to be an integral part of the story as it unfolds. I'll be humming this all day!

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Bocci (Music Supervisor, Producer, and Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Greetings Matt,Appreciate having you submit two more songs for review.Your signature high lonesome vocal performance does the heavy lifting on this "bare bones" singer-songwriter demo.It interprets the heartfelt sentiment and imagery in the lyrics to offer a balance of questioning life's mysteries with the comfort of knowing a loving relationship as the ultimate truth. In the songs I've heard so far, your unique intimacy in delivery and presentation sets you apart, so having someone else belting it out theatrically seems counter-productive, especially in "Like A Mountain". You might consider changing the lyric in the B section of the first verse to, 'beats faster when you're near, like pure fresh water need to drink you in'. My production advice would be to repair the pitchy vocal, add some string pads and BG harmony to the hook, and end on a dominant chord that resolves and reflects completion of your good mind moment.

Quote From Pro: "Your musical intimacy in structure and presentation sets your songs and production apart from the pack".Tom Bocci

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tom Bocci (Music Supervisor, Producer, and Publisher)

Pro General Comments: Greetings Matt,Appreciate having you submit two more songs for review.Your signature high lonesome vocal performance does the heavy lifting on this "bare bones" singer-songwriter demo.It interprets the heartfelt sentiment and imagery in the lyrics to offer a balance of questioning life's mysteries with the comfort of knowing a loving relationship as the ultimate truth. In the songs I've heard so far, your unique intimacy in delivery and presentation sets you apart, so having someone else belting it out theatrically seems counter-productive, especially in "Like A Mountain". You might consider changing the lyric in the B section of the first verse to, 'beats faster when you're near, like pure fresh water need to drink you in'. My production advice would be to repair the pitchy vocal, add some string pads and BG harmony to the hook, and end on a dominant chord that resolves and reflects completion of your good mind moment.

Quote From Pro: "Your musical intimacy in structure and presentation sets your songs and production apart from the pack".Tom Bocci

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Like A Mountain - Matt Taylor 062815Nice ballad. Love song for your lady?You have a great melodic feel, as usual. And I like hearing songs from the standpoint of rawness, just you and your trusty nylon strings.I need to state at the outset that you have limited your chances of getting it picked up by a publisher just by dint of the fact that it IS a ballad. Most (I dare say ALL that could do you any good) publishers are lousy with ballads. But more on that in a second.Some of these lines are strong and could be left as is. I'll come back to that, too, but first I want to talk about song form.If you are looking to make this song stand on its own, there needs to be some kind of repetitive theme somewhere that is the reason for the whole song. You only have your hook, your title, ONCE in the song. Your second Chorus contains a completely different lyrical content than the first, and my ear found that confusing. If this is a song you want to use in live performance, I would suggest repeating the first chorus in that slot, getting your hook in there again. THEN, maybe take the lyrical content of the second chorus and make it into a bridge instead. Maybe with a whole new melody and chord structure, even.Then, I might consider changing the melody of the verses ever so slightly. For instance. The word "know" ends up as an "E" note. Okay, make the word "grow" turn out to be a G# or a B. Some small variance every other line that eliminates the possibility of monotony.Small suggestions: "loving you it made my life begin," ditch the "it". No extra unnecessary syllables.The line "My love will weather through" could be better as "My love weathers through".The line "like a mountain I go to the sea" bothers me because, for the life of me, I can't recall any reports of mountains suddenly barging into the sea. Mountain STREAMS REACH the sea... Mountains don't "go to the sea". You could try something like "until the mountains sink in the sea," and I might could buy THAT.Okay, so, summarizing:Change the arrangement to be Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, (NEW) BRIDGE, Chorus and out. The Chorus should be the "Like a Mountain" passage, and the Bridge will be the "I'll find you in the sky" passage, with a new musical structure behind it.Some thought should be given to tampering with the melodies in the verses for the sake of variation.Get it so it's worthy of the "by Matt Taylor" statement, and you'll have something to expose to music libraries, like Broadjam, and many others online and see if you can get a "license to use" purchased.I might also suggest to you that you consider becoming your own publisher. You may as well. You're doing everything a publisher does except sign the forms.Las Vegas, huh? Cool.

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor will capture your senses and take them on a nice, smooth ride.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: Like A Mountain

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Like A Mountain - Matt Taylor 062815Nice ballad. Love song for your lady?You have a great melodic feel, as usual. And I like hearing songs from the standpoint of rawness, just you and your trusty nylon strings.I need to state at the outset that you have limited your chances of getting it picked up by a publisher just by dint of the fact that it IS a ballad. Most (I dare say ALL that could do you any good) publishers are lousy with ballads. But more on that in a second.Some of these lines are strong and could be left as is. I'll come back to that, too, but first I want to talk about song form.If you are looking to make this song stand on its own, there needs to be some kind of repetitive theme somewhere that is the reason for the whole song. You only have your hook, your title, ONCE in the song. Your second Chorus contains a completely different lyrical content than the first, and my ear found that confusing. If this is a song you want to use in live performance, I would suggest repeating the first chorus in that slot, getting your hook in there again. THEN, maybe take the lyrical content of the second chorus and make it into a bridge instead. Maybe with a whole new melody and chord structure, even.Then, I might consider changing the melody of the verses ever so slightly. For instance. The word "know" ends up as an "E" note. Okay, make the word "grow" turn out to be a G# or a B. Some small variance every other line that eliminates the possibility of monotony.Small suggestions: "loving you it made my life begin," ditch the "it". No extra unnecessary syllables.The line "My love will weather through" could be better as "My love weathers through".The line "like a mountain I go to the sea" bothers me because, for the life of me, I can't recall any reports of mountains suddenly barging into the sea. Mountain STREAMS REACH the sea... Mountains don't "go to the sea". You could try something like "until the mountains sink in the sea," and I might could buy THAT.Okay, so, summarizing:Change the arrangement to be Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, (NEW) BRIDGE, Chorus and out. The Chorus should be the "Like a Mountain" passage, and the Bridge will be the "I'll find you in the sky" passage, with a new musical structure behind it.Some thought should be given to tampering with the melodies in the verses for the sake of variation.Get it so it's worthy of the "by Matt Taylor" statement, and you'll have something to expose to music libraries, like Broadjam, and many others online and see if you can get a "license to use" purchased.I might also suggest to you that you consider becoming your own publisher. You may as well. You're doing everything a publisher does except sign the forms.Las Vegas, huh? Cool.

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor will capture your senses and take them on a nice, smooth ride.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: I Can't Help It

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Can't Help It - Matt Taylor 062815When a song critique artist (and it IS an art) runs into someone on your (rare) level, the line between critique and co-write is stretched thin. I DO have suggestions to make, but only as examples.I love the groove. Comfortable and relaxing 1-4. It helps when you have Nashville level monster sidemen, too. Bass player flat out blows the walls down in your video. Killer dobro man. Hey, ALL these guys should have been expensive. Sweet, sweet licks.Your unique and very good vocal styles are outstanding, as usual. On key backup singers. Costly. Very cool, though.Now, down to business.If you go to BMI.com and do a "repertoire" search for that title ("Can't Help It"), you will see there are already 59 songs with identical title that are published and registered at BMI. Some of them are already cut, some are vanity cuts, but the point is that there are a LOT of them. You, having decided that's your HOOK, have to out write them all to get attention. I'm not saying that's by any means impossible, especially not for YOU.But it doesn't matter how hot your backup is (and all those guys are hot!), you have to have something that INVOLVES the casual listener. That HAS to be the song, lyric and all. But you are going to have to have EVERY LINE SPARKLE, in some way. It has to perk up the ears of even the most jaded listener. The lyric of the hook, "Can't Help It", has not been a huge hit for the other 59 versions of the title, so it probably has to come from the rest of the lyric.If it doesn't tell me a story, paint me a picture, or hit my funny bone, find something better."My credit cards have gone into shock, but I love you, I can't help itThe last time you left I almost changed the locks, but I love you, Can't help it,"Just a suggestion/example..."Hard to believe the way I'm feeling now" should probably be the template for the couplets you need to write to replace it. You might want to try brainstorming couplets like that. Sit there for five minutes, or a half an hour with a blank piece of paper and come up with every one of those couplets you can think of, whether they're ridiculous or not. Write them down. Don't quit till you've got 20 of them. Don't edit yourself, just write what comes into your head. There you will find the gems. You need about five really great ones. That's where the meat of the groove is.But they have to be WAY better than what is here right now."I want to up and leave but I don't see how..." C'mon, man. I can tell when a line has the "I Need To Fill Something In Here" feel from a MILE AWAY, and so can your average listener.(Continued in the Artist's Submitted Question box)

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor is the real deal.

Broadjam Artist: matt taylor
Song: I Can't Help It

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Tirk Wilder (Songwriter, Performer)

Pro General Comments: Can't Help It - Matt Taylor 062815When a song critique artist (and it IS an art) runs into someone on your (rare) level, the line between critique and co-write is stretched thin. I DO have suggestions to make, but only as examples.I love the groove. Comfortable and relaxing 1-4. It helps when you have Nashville level monster sidemen, too. Bass player flat out blows the walls down in your video. Killer dobro man. Hey, ALL these guys should have been expensive. Sweet, sweet licks.Your unique and very good vocal styles are outstanding, as usual. On key backup singers. Costly. Very cool, though.Now, down to business.If you go to BMI.com and do a "repertoire" search for that title ("Can't Help It"), you will see there are already 59 songs with identical title that are published and registered at BMI. Some of them are already cut, some are vanity cuts, but the point is that there are a LOT of them. You, having decided that's your HOOK, have to out write them all to get attention. I'm not saying that's by any means impossible, especially not for YOU.But it doesn't matter how hot your backup is (and all those guys are hot!), you have to have something that INVOLVES the casual listener. That HAS to be the song, lyric and all. But you are going to have to have EVERY LINE SPARKLE, in some way. It has to perk up the ears of even the most jaded listener. The lyric of the hook, "Can't Help It", has not been a huge hit for the other 59 versions of the title, so it probably has to come from the rest of the lyric.If it doesn't tell me a story, paint me a picture, or hit my funny bone, find something better."My credit cards have gone into shock, but I love you, I can't help itThe last time you left I almost changed the locks, but I love you, Can't help it,"Just a suggestion/example..."Hard to believe the way I'm feeling now" should probably be the template for the couplets you need to write to replace it. You might want to try brainstorming couplets like that. Sit there for five minutes, or a half an hour with a blank piece of paper and come up with every one of those couplets you can think of, whether they're ridiculous or not. Write them down. Don't quit till you've got 20 of them. Don't edit yourself, just write what comes into your head. There you will find the gems. You need about five really great ones. That's where the meat of the groove is.But they have to be WAY better than what is here right now."I want to up and leave but I don't see how..." C'mon, man. I can tell when a line has the "I Need To Fill Something In Here" feel from a MILE AWAY, and so can your average listener.(Continued in the Artist's Submitted Question box)

Quote From Pro: Matt Taylor is the real deal.

Broadjam Artist: One More River Music
Song: Take My Advice

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

Pro General Comments: Dear Sergio from Kleinburg- ha ha- where is the contact button on your site- to contact you direct? Try emailing me again- it's been very hectic and I can't seem to find it.As usual- Please be advised that I don't comment on individual instrumentation as my forte is more in the overall picture- lyrics, melody, arrangements and marketing.The word appalling sounds like a convenient rhyme- songs usually do best with everyday speech- not something that feels tacked on. Some of the lyrics here have a feel that they are mostly too easy rhymes- "quick as a flash/make a mad dash"- appalling/calling, what she's like, took a hike. You want to use phrases that you would use when talking to a friend- more or less- so they have that natural flow to them. Be careful of this. For eg "give her the news" isn't something you would really say to a friend.Vocal sounds a bit sing song-ey- versus the subject matter which could be a bit more angst ridden concerning the topic. This singer isn't selling me this song. I am too aware of his vocal instead of what he's saying. You might want to look for a richer bluesy voice- one that has more color. You don't have to be too clever in a blues song- sometimes its just about the singer - saying he's hurting- is enough. But that voice has to draw us in immediately. Maybe study some Robert Cray for ideas?- he deals with those subjects but also has a catchiness to his work that some blues don't always have. Eg- https://youtu.be/2gQEDwjhaDE?list=PLUmnnNR3rRsR2vdw9b765Jow6ZgICtqL-

Quote From Pro: Sergio Simone's songs tell stories from the heart.