No thanks, close this window
Pretty great :D
Excellence, all the way around
Hello! Angels we have heard on high sounds really cool... Love the vocals/ harmony..... The music is great as well! I am working on posting a couple Christmas tunes soon.... So this song caught my eye... Great job! Many Blessings... Julia Schmidt
Thanks, Julia. So glad you like it!
ps. I'm a big ca rtalk fan and have refferred others to the show from my musical acquaintances here and on YouTube.
John thanks for reviewing Junk Drawer. The song is quite different then many of my style and fictional in its story telling. I have to agree with you about the specificity on both counts, 1 that it is the character and charm of the song and two it takes away from its marketable appeal. I never really thought about bringing oin the reins on it to make it broader and I find this thought intriguing if nothing else. Thanks for opening my eyes and mind
Yeah, it's pretty rare that I do some rewriting on something and it actually gets worse. So I figure, why not experiment? I think of it as cheap fun. And CAR TALK is a fantastic show, isn't it?
Great great show indeed. PS... Entering Marion is one of my all time favorites. Every now and then I hear a song and say, Damn I wish I thought of that. I'm kicking back this am listening my way through your tunes. Much respect.
Hey, Jeff, thanks! I really appreciate the good feedback. You keep up the good work, man.
Hallo John, You asked what kind of kids' music I write: I write funny, witty lyrics to amuse parents as well as kids. The music is by Beatrix Greiner. I wish you'd hear some of my songs, I'd love to know your opinion.
I checked out your songs. Very charming! The CD seems to create a warm, friendly and consistent universe that should speak loudly to young kids. Good performances, good production. I would think the only sticky wicket is how to mainstream it to the public without one main performer or brand to focus attention and media hype around. This is the hardest part of the kids' music business, as far as I'm concerned. But nice work! I wish you great good luck with it!!
Many thanks, John, I am very grateful to you for taking time to hear the songs, and I appreciate your critique. You point out the hurdle we face with this kind of CD. I have another 11 songs even more diverse than these, and I don't know how to market them, together or as singles. The songs are written as poems, and the composers have chosen the ones that inspired them to write the music, not a very practical approach, but a satisfying way to work. Thank you again, I'm going to listen to more of your songs, too. I like wit and humor. The very best regards, Birthe.
Thanks for the nice review, Birthe. I certainly agree that this song is for a very narrow market. What kind of kids' music do you write? That field is actually my day job.
hej John, I write the lyrics for amusing, witty songs that hopefully make parents as well as kids laugh - or at least smile. Beatrix Greiner and Dave Lefever compose the music. Listen to my songs, please - I'd be very grateful for your opinion.
hi John and thanx for your review of Mandolin Minute--damn you are absolutely right about the brightness of it, i took my producers stem of just the mandolin (it's from a total instrumental) and mixed it myself on my Boss, but noticed that it was a bit on the high EQ side...so great ears and comments. thanx again, all the best Warren Hein
You bet, Warren. Good luck with it!
Thanks for the kind words. You ears are not fooling you, its as low budget of a recording as they come. I kind of road test them here first. Its literally garage band and and a really cheap mic! thanks for the review and good luck to you. Great profile shot by the way!
Well, ya know, there's a time and a place for GB and a $15 mic. Keep up the good work!
Tanks John For your Wonderful review!!!
I see you just reviewed my song "Crazy Good Day." So... right back atcha! I appreciate your thoughts and yeah, I've been meaning to bring the "doos" up on that second turnaround.
Hello John, thank you for your kind review of my song "dream". You made my day!! All the best..
Hello John, Thanks for liking the Tooth Song. It's a vintage recording. Really old. But kids are still losing teeth and it still works! Thanks for reviewing children's songs! I hope to review one of yours, too. Don't forget to floss! Mrs. Kate
Sounds like you're out on the road doing it. Congrats. Bringing good music to kids is SO worthwhile. I mostly don't put my kid-oriented songs on Broadjam. Although "The All Purpose Carol" in an exception. But I have 3 shows out on the road now and am always doing some kid's project.
cool, hope i have time to hear your kids music. I am performing today at RR Days of Callahan, a freebie gig I do yearly for our community.
Thank you for reviewing my song "The Seed" yes it needs work...it come to me in one day just had to go with it! :) Lori
hi John, Glad you liked I Spy You Spy. When I perform the song, I usually ask the kids, who knows what the big bang theory is....and usually someone knows and explains...if they don't, I do. Congrats on the Grammy nom's. Mrs Kate
John, thank you so much for your very kind & positive review of "Come Dance With Me", (Sad Eyes). I really appreciate your thoughts & suggestions, especially after hearing some of your music; "Deck The Halls", a fabulous, soulful, jazzy rendetition of a longtime classic; love Jen Chapin's beautiful solos as well as the rich & spiritual back up from the men. Also listented to the delightful, "Entering Marion", & "Helium". Great originality, musicianship and lyrics. Best wishes to you and your music! Great vibes!
Thank you for reviewing my song "Out of the Darkness...." your critique was very helpful and I will take it into consideration.
Hi John, Thanks so much for taking time out to review my song 'One man Band'. It's an old song of mine and you are spot on about it, really. I think it was one of my first recordings and with a new recorder as well, yeah, wasn't easy. Glad you liked it though John and thanks again!
Dear John, Thanks so much for your thoughtful and kind review of B--I--T--C--H. You always give great insight in how to improve a song. It's appreciated. Glad you liked it.
Hey Annie - thanks for your review of "Crazy Good Day," especially your reservations about the inst bridge and the lyric. It's surprisingly hard to get people to say what they really think :-) I see that we have some folks in common--Amanda Droste, Tony Coniff, Nick Serro... I look forward to our paths crossing one of these days. John
Hey, you're welcome John! I try to take review songs as if I was listening to them in the real world, like a non-music person almost, and I try to go with my initial instincts. But remember, my advice is what you pay for it LOL. Tony was my first songwriting teacher and producer, produced my song CHANCES AT LOVE. If we haven't met already, I'm sure we will soon! Annie
I'll look forward to it.
Hey Josh - thanks for your review of "All Rise". Good luck with you composing! John
Hey Scott - Thanks for the nice review of "Crazy Good Day." I checked out your songs--you're quite a singer! Look forward to hearing more.
Hey John - You're Welcome.. I checked out your tunes, you are a talented, hard worker. best to you, STC
Thanks for your review of "All Rise". The only strings in the cue are a solo violin from E/W's Gypsy. I personally think it's pretty convincing, which is why I used it. The other orchestral instruments are from E/W Platinum and, to my ears, pretty dynamic. A producer at Saatchi and Saatchi fell in love with this cue so apparently he's hearing it as a different genre than you are--perhaps a Google Chrome type ad. Anyway, thanks for listening.
No worries. East West can be pretty convincing, but I'd really suggest getting in there and varying your velocity, motion, and expression. If a timbre has the same attack and expression from beginning to end... It can be painfully obvious to the wrong set of ears. Those are some great samples you've got there, take advantage of their versatility. You had some good moments in your cue. Won't deny that... But you could do better I think. Wouldn't take but 30 minutes work:)
And google would be a big client. Good luck selling it:) I know a composer that actually nailed that account about a year ago I think. Great money and incredible exposure.
Thank you John for your review of "Living The Lonely Weekend". I do also agree with your comments on the vocal being mixed a little low. I am still trying to learn about song writing. Only started about a year ago. I have a lot to learn. I do appreciate you taking your time to review it.
You're very welcome. You're doing great. My favorite bit of advice (from John Kander, who wrote New York, New York)--never be afraid to rewrite or try alternatives. You've always got what you had--and can always "unreivise" your revisions if you end up not liking them better.
John Thank you for reviewing Miracels - Instrumental. Your feedback was very helpful. Angela
John, Just listened to Calling All Dummies. What a great tune! 5 stars! Is that Harry Chapin's brother Tom singing???
Hey Brian - Yes, that's Harry's brother. We're longtime collaborators. We wrote that song a couple years ago for NPR's Morning Edition. It's on a CD called "Broadsides". Thanks for the 'add'. I looking forward to hearing more of your stuff.
Tom sounds so much like Harry. It's a shame he isn't all over the radio.
He's a hard core folkie. So folk shows are the radio he's all over :-)
Dear John, Thank you so much for your thoughtful & thorough review of "You Stole My Heart". I can tell you really put effort into it & I appreciate that. Thanks.
I appreciate the thoughtful review of "It Looks Like Blood to me," John, much appreciated!
thanks for the review of natures way . I plan on filling in some of the space with some guitar , Its hard to know how much to play or not play when youre using a song for ad or film. thanks for the kind words, I'll check your stuff out soon. - don
Hey Eric - Thx for the review of "Crazy Good Day." Interesting suggestions and comment about the nagging feeling it's not quite finished. Welcome to my world! :-) I may try some rougher gts, also may try a mix that's way thinned out. I checked out some of your stuff--real strong. Hope our paths cross again one of these days. John
Thanks. I totally get that! Nothing of mine feels finished or accurate and I am currently recommitting my life to getting a ton of material to an acceptable "completion" to submit. "Just do it!" Right? Its definitely a business that requires intense focus and love. :) Peace.
Yup. Life is a tweak fest. We're just trying to get it to jell. Is a little lightning in a bottle too much to ask???
John. Many thanks for your review of 'Shades' - some really interesting and therefore useful comments there. Very best wishes. Matt
Thanks for the review, Chris. Yes, it's an edit, and is written to a brief that calls for telling a whole story in :30. It's really too specific to leave up for reviews so I'll disable the "open for reviews" feature.
You should link me the full version - Id like to hear it.