I was in London recently and while wandering down around Soho, I came upon a street full of second hand record shops. This was great because surprisingly even in the metropolis that is Dublin. Old 33 vinyls are quite hard to find, especially if what your looking for is hard to find on CD. For me anyway that street in London was as close to a utopia as I'll ever find. I went into all of them and they cater to all tastes in music. In fact I think they have a mini- union of sorts because if one shop has it they can direct you to a shop that specialises in whatever genre you may be looking for.
Anyway while browsing around one shop called "Sister Ray" (my new favourite shop) I discovered "The Honeydippers" album for £3. "The Honeydippers" that are on amazon are the a different group. "The Honeydippers" that I found in sister ray, is Jimmy Page and Robert Plant blues album from post Led Zeppelin. I heard about them at a record fair. I thought that was a pretty good find, my dad however was completely amazed by the fact that I was buying records not cd's. I explained it him but I don't think that he quite understood where I was coming from. (I'll try and explain it better in a later post) I picked up two other albums one was AC DC's "Back in Black" and the other was a limited white vinyl of Metallica's "Ride the Lightning"
Its not the stock in these record shops that I love though its the people working there. When you go to a Virgin and HMV everything fells very generic, from the greeting to the goodbye at the till its like its leaned from a script (as it probably is).
"Good day Sir/Madam, have you had a pleasant experience? Could you find everything ok?"
Then the infamous "Thank you come again"
In America this is taken to an extreme. I saw an employee handbook from an American retail chain that had scripted conversations about how to pressure customers to buy products they didn't need or want. I'll try to find the link again.
In these second hand stores though everything seem more chilled out. The staff actually know what they're talking about. They can even tell you how difficult its going to be to find the different albums. I think that its almost an older kind of service. From before big retail chains almost like the days of family run businesses. Theres an element of personal service that isn't available in the big retail chains.
So in summation the reason I like the smaller second hand shops is because the staff are more knowledgeable, they have stock that just isn't available in the bigger retail stores and there is an element of personal service.
But on the contrary to the above the stock tends to be a lot cheaper in the big chains, but thats just simple economics isn't it?
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Music , passion and Tattoos
Something that occurred to me recently while walking somewhere. I am hopelessly dependent on music. I've always liked and had music but at this stage I don't think I can live without it. This realisation came about during one particular line of a song.
"And he Tattoo'd the blues deep into your soul,
left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
Music has affected everything in my life. From the drinks I drink to the style of clothes I wear. But then again this is nothing new everybody tries to emulate there idols. In the general case it is applied to "celebritism" in general. That is where all the fads and brands come from. But with music especially it is more like buying into a lifestyle or image that has been turned into a brand. With my personal favourite type of music Rock music. Its buying into the image that you are answerable to nobody, free to do whatever you want. From the tour antics to the legendary recording sessions. Its a lifestyle, is it the excess or the money that draws people to it.
No, I don't think so. The best way to describe this is by reference to "Sailing to Byzantium" by W.B Yeats. The premise of the poem is that the only way to actually achieve immortality is by creating great works of art that live on past the ages. Whether consciously or not, a lot of rock bands have achieved this Rolling Stones, Beatles and Led Zeppelin to name a few. All though the bands previously mentioned have so far stood the test of time one does wonder whether they would have been as popular without the lifestyle that went along with it.
One example is when the Rolling Stones went to write and record "Exile on Main Street". They went to Keith Richards Chateau in France. Where they had an extended drug and alcohol induced blues jam which turned into one of my favourite albums. A French photographer was there and the pictures captured almost the essence of what went into making the album. There is one picture the shows Keith Richards asleep after an all night session on what would become "Tumbling Dice". It is reported that even after he was asleep his hands were still playing the chords. How different is that to how records are made today?
How cool does it sound to pack up and go to a Chateau in France for a few weeks to write, record and party. Thats the lifestyle that rock sells and represents that excess and luxury. Its breaking away from convention, not working at a desk or in an office from 9 to 5. Songs about being a rock star often sum this up pretty well, listen to "God Gave Rock and Roll to you" by Argent or "Rockstar" by Nickelback if you want examples.
That's what missing from music today the sense of spontaneity that there used to be, not knowing what was going to happen next or what these guys were going to do. But alas those days are gone...no more will there be stories of TV's being thrown out of hotel windows, or cars been driven into hotel pools. It seems that we are stuck with watered down music and personalities. This Cartoon sums up my point pretty well
"And he Tattoo'd the blues deep into your soul,
left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
Music has affected everything in my life. From the drinks I drink to the style of clothes I wear. But then again this is nothing new everybody tries to emulate there idols. In the general case it is applied to "celebritism" in general. That is where all the fads and brands come from. But with music especially it is more like buying into a lifestyle or image that has been turned into a brand. With my personal favourite type of music Rock music. Its buying into the image that you are answerable to nobody, free to do whatever you want. From the tour antics to the legendary recording sessions. Its a lifestyle, is it the excess or the money that draws people to it.
No, I don't think so. The best way to describe this is by reference to "Sailing to Byzantium" by W.B Yeats. The premise of the poem is that the only way to actually achieve immortality is by creating great works of art that live on past the ages. Whether consciously or not, a lot of rock bands have achieved this Rolling Stones, Beatles and Led Zeppelin to name a few. All though the bands previously mentioned have so far stood the test of time one does wonder whether they would have been as popular without the lifestyle that went along with it.
One example is when the Rolling Stones went to write and record "Exile on Main Street". They went to Keith Richards Chateau in France. Where they had an extended drug and alcohol induced blues jam which turned into one of my favourite albums. A French photographer was there and the pictures captured almost the essence of what went into making the album. There is one picture the shows Keith Richards asleep after an all night session on what would become "Tumbling Dice". It is reported that even after he was asleep his hands were still playing the chords. How different is that to how records are made today?
How cool does it sound to pack up and go to a Chateau in France for a few weeks to write, record and party. Thats the lifestyle that rock sells and represents that excess and luxury. Its breaking away from convention, not working at a desk or in an office from 9 to 5. Songs about being a rock star often sum this up pretty well, listen to "God Gave Rock and Roll to you" by Argent or "Rockstar" by Nickelback if you want examples.
That's what missing from music today the sense of spontaneity that there used to be, not knowing what was going to happen next or what these guys were going to do. But alas those days are gone...no more will there be stories of TV's being thrown out of hotel windows, or cars been driven into hotel pools. It seems that we are stuck with watered down music and personalities. This Cartoon sums up my point pretty well
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Pat McManus at the Bowery Waterford 28 Sept 2007
To start for those of you who don't know who Pat McManus is, he was in a band called Mama's Boys in the 70's/80's. They toured with Thin Lizzy and The Scorpions, they had a big hit single with "Needle in the Grove". After Mama's Boys went there separate ways Pat played in a trad outfit known as Celtus. As well many others.
Anyway Pat and his current band Hi-Voltage were playing in the Bowery on the above date. He was releasing his new album called "In My Own Time". I'll start with the gig. Pat is I suppose what you would call "old school". While the sound from the microphones was a bit off. What comes through is his passion and love for music. Even on that small stage with between 100-200 people in attendance. He played like he was headlining Slane or some other massive rock festival in front of fifty thousand plus fans. It is easy to see why Pat is mentioned in the same breath as other more widely known great Irish guitarists. When he's on stage he just gets lost in what he's playing. What it comes across as is that there is him and his guitar, and he's making the guitar talk.
The band are great as well, but its hard to shine when such a huge shadow is cast. The drummer played a short solo at the end very reminiscent of the one in Sha-La-La on Thin Lizzy's "Live and Dangerous" album. It was played flawlessly with slight embellishments that showed he was comfortably able to play at that level. Preceding that that Pat played a medley of comprised of his older material and it was unreal. Hearing soaring lead guitar against a trad backing track is an experience not to be missed if you have the chance and interest.Now on to the album.
The album is great, maybe even brilliant. Listening to it reminded me of the first time I heard the blues powered rock of Led Zeppelin. From "Got that Right" to "Just for Shannon" the album is the blues. There are two tracks that deserve special mention. "Juggernaut" is a wall of sound that echo's live and still retains its power on the CD. Its great to hear the fiddle in the middle as well showcasing his past with when he played in Celtus. Secondly "Return of the G Man" a song written in tribute to Rory Gallagher is a slower, more melodious affair that shows Pat's talent for lyrics. One line sticks in my mind
"And He Tattooed the blues down in to your soul and left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
The song also contains one of the best acoustic solos that I've ever heard and really shows how great acoustic solos can be when done right. The album is blues rock no ifs or buts, it's the best album I've heard since I heard the Answer back in April/May.
Speaking of the Answer they also deserve a mention in the blues rock category. Their debut album "Rise" absolutely blew me away. It's amazing how four lads from Northern Ireland can sound so much like the juggernaut that was Led Zeppelin on their debut album. I would like to say they are going to reach the heights Led Zeppelin reached but given current trends in the music industry, its unlikely that any band will reach the super-superstar status that bands like Led Zeppelin, The Police and The Rolling Stones reached. Hopefully they will be successful though because if the first album is anything to go by they have the talent to have a long and distinguished career, whether in the mainstream or not.
Anyway Pat and his current band Hi-Voltage were playing in the Bowery on the above date. He was releasing his new album called "In My Own Time". I'll start with the gig. Pat is I suppose what you would call "old school". While the sound from the microphones was a bit off. What comes through is his passion and love for music. Even on that small stage with between 100-200 people in attendance. He played like he was headlining Slane or some other massive rock festival in front of fifty thousand plus fans. It is easy to see why Pat is mentioned in the same breath as other more widely known great Irish guitarists. When he's on stage he just gets lost in what he's playing. What it comes across as is that there is him and his guitar, and he's making the guitar talk.
The band are great as well, but its hard to shine when such a huge shadow is cast. The drummer played a short solo at the end very reminiscent of the one in Sha-La-La on Thin Lizzy's "Live and Dangerous" album. It was played flawlessly with slight embellishments that showed he was comfortably able to play at that level. Preceding that that Pat played a medley of comprised of his older material and it was unreal. Hearing soaring lead guitar against a trad backing track is an experience not to be missed if you have the chance and interest.Now on to the album.
The album is great, maybe even brilliant. Listening to it reminded me of the first time I heard the blues powered rock of Led Zeppelin. From "Got that Right" to "Just for Shannon" the album is the blues. There are two tracks that deserve special mention. "Juggernaut" is a wall of sound that echo's live and still retains its power on the CD. Its great to hear the fiddle in the middle as well showcasing his past with when he played in Celtus. Secondly "Return of the G Man" a song written in tribute to Rory Gallagher is a slower, more melodious affair that shows Pat's talent for lyrics. One line sticks in my mind
"And He Tattooed the blues down in to your soul and left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
The song also contains one of the best acoustic solos that I've ever heard and really shows how great acoustic solos can be when done right. The album is blues rock no ifs or buts, it's the best album I've heard since I heard the Answer back in April/May.
Speaking of the Answer they also deserve a mention in the blues rock category. Their debut album "Rise" absolutely blew me away. It's amazing how four lads from Northern Ireland can sound so much like the juggernaut that was Led Zeppelin on their debut album. I would like to say they are going to reach the heights Led Zeppelin reached but given current trends in the music industry, its unlikely that any band will reach the super-superstar status that bands like Led Zeppelin, The Police and The Rolling Stones reached. Hopefully they will be successful though because if the first album is anything to go by they have the talent to have a long and distinguished career, whether in the mainstream or not.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
In case anyone reads this
In case anybody actually reads this the reason there have been no posts recently is because despite popular belief I do actually do stuff in college. I do however have 3 posts that I hope to have up before next week. If anyone wants to know what they are going to be read on.
1. Pat McManus at the Bowery in Waterford-28 September 2007
2. Music , passion and Tattoos (Not what the title suggests)
3. Choices and Life (Something thats been on my mind lately)
1. Pat McManus at the Bowery in Waterford-28 September 2007
2. Music , passion and Tattoos (Not what the title suggests)
3. Choices and Life (Something thats been on my mind lately)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
DAMN YOU LOGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does Destiny/Fate "exist"?
While I like the idea that there is a path layed out before me, bearing my life towards some sort of conclusion ( I'm hoping for a fireball in a very expensive car while being chased by Ninjas). The logical part of my brain which thankfully stays quiet most of the time won't let this one lie. Although this may make sound like a schizophrenic its happens to be true, I have actually argued with myself over whether or not destiny/fate exists. And sadly the logical side has won.......for the time being
No point to this...just thought i should have something new Agey up......
While I like the idea that there is a path layed out before me, bearing my life towards some sort of conclusion ( I'm hoping for a fireball in a very expensive car while being chased by Ninjas). The logical part of my brain which thankfully stays quiet most of the time won't let this one lie. Although this may make sound like a schizophrenic its happens to be true, I have actually argued with myself over whether or not destiny/fate exists. And sadly the logical side has won.......for the time being
No point to this...just thought i should have something new Agey up......
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Final Fantasy XII
I bought this game lsat week and its good. It has a solid story and some nice features new to the series. Okay firstly the camera angles/view is not fixed as it was in other games. Secondly the battle system is completely new to the series, and lastly the character advancement system is I suppose a hybrid of previous systems.
Starting with the camera angle it takes a while to get used to. But it does give the game more of an adventure feel to it, the new battle system also adds to this as you can see most of the enemies displayed on the map. This is a first for the series and at the moment I'm in limbo over whether its a good or bad thing. I'll get into that later though. Personally given that the enemies are marked on the mini map in the corner of the screen, i'd prefer a fixed camera that pans, more or less what was in X. But its not a major complaint and I'm sure some people like it. It might grow on me as I get further into the game.
The battle system is completely new. Gone are the random battles. For those not familiar with the series the previous systems all revolved around random battles. That was you were in some part of the game world and the screen would flash or warp and you would be in a turn based battle against one or more enemies. With XII SquareEnix made a big fuss about the random baatels being gone. And its true the screen doesn't warp into a battle with enemies. They appear on the screen in real time. But from reading press releases and reviews I presumed that all the enemies bar the bosses would be displayed on the mini map. However while wandering down a train track in som epart of the map....all these f*&cking skeletons keep appearing out of the ground. So thats really a random battle as they just appear and fair enough theres no transition into a battle sequence. The skeletons appearin out of the ground kinda piss me off as it leads me to believe that there will be more parts of the map like that.
The advancement system is different as well. At the moment if seemd like a mix between the materia system from VII and the sphere grid from X....haven't gotten any espers/summons/gfs yet but they might be interesting....very few of the "old reliables" make an appearence. The system isn't bad but still the materia system from VII was the most user friendly and allowed more time to enjoy the story and events taking place.
At the moment I'm liking the story and characters seems to be a good mix. With the almost naive Vaan, the wordly Balthier and the "patriotic" Basch (at the moment anyway). The story itself seems good. However I do have some reservations about Vayne, he seems to be the same type of character as Seymour from X. A character who has good pr guys for want of a better phrase. But still shady with some diabolical plan to conquer/destroy the world. Till the reluctant Hero steps in and takes care of business. The game is enjoyable though. Seems a good farewell to the PS2. Already teaser trailers are surfacing for XIII and XIII-Versus for the PS3. Which look amazing by the way.
Still though FFVII will remain my favourite. Everything with that game just worked. The story, graphics everything. It also introduced the cut scene to the RPG world. Having just recently replayed the game it has lost none of its appeal or enjoyable since I first played it 10 years ago.
Just last weekend I happened to be reading an article on some website about VII, the author said
"Steven Spielberg once said that Video games will never replace movies as entertainment until someone can say I cried at level 17, Steven Spielberg never played Final Fantasy VII"
Starting with the camera angle it takes a while to get used to. But it does give the game more of an adventure feel to it, the new battle system also adds to this as you can see most of the enemies displayed on the map. This is a first for the series and at the moment I'm in limbo over whether its a good or bad thing. I'll get into that later though. Personally given that the enemies are marked on the mini map in the corner of the screen, i'd prefer a fixed camera that pans, more or less what was in X. But its not a major complaint and I'm sure some people like it. It might grow on me as I get further into the game.
The battle system is completely new. Gone are the random battles. For those not familiar with the series the previous systems all revolved around random battles. That was you were in some part of the game world and the screen would flash or warp and you would be in a turn based battle against one or more enemies. With XII SquareEnix made a big fuss about the random baatels being gone. And its true the screen doesn't warp into a battle with enemies. They appear on the screen in real time. But from reading press releases and reviews I presumed that all the enemies bar the bosses would be displayed on the mini map. However while wandering down a train track in som epart of the map....all these f*&cking skeletons keep appearing out of the ground. So thats really a random battle as they just appear and fair enough theres no transition into a battle sequence. The skeletons appearin out of the ground kinda piss me off as it leads me to believe that there will be more parts of the map like that.
The advancement system is different as well. At the moment if seemd like a mix between the materia system from VII and the sphere grid from X....haven't gotten any espers/summons/gfs yet but they might be interesting....very few of the "old reliables" make an appearence. The system isn't bad but still the materia system from VII was the most user friendly and allowed more time to enjoy the story and events taking place.
At the moment I'm liking the story and characters seems to be a good mix. With the almost naive Vaan, the wordly Balthier and the "patriotic" Basch (at the moment anyway). The story itself seems good. However I do have some reservations about Vayne, he seems to be the same type of character as Seymour from X. A character who has good pr guys for want of a better phrase. But still shady with some diabolical plan to conquer/destroy the world. Till the reluctant Hero steps in and takes care of business. The game is enjoyable though. Seems a good farewell to the PS2. Already teaser trailers are surfacing for XIII and XIII-Versus for the PS3. Which look amazing by the way.
Still though FFVII will remain my favourite. Everything with that game just worked. The story, graphics everything. It also introduced the cut scene to the RPG world. Having just recently replayed the game it has lost none of its appeal or enjoyable since I first played it 10 years ago.
Just last weekend I happened to be reading an article on some website about VII, the author said
"Steven Spielberg once said that Video games will never replace movies as entertainment until someone can say I cried at level 17, Steven Spielberg never played Final Fantasy VII"
Thursday, September 13, 2007
May seem repetitive but....it's my blog so tough
My prayers have been answered Led Zeppelin are reforming and playing A SINGLE CONCERT!!!!.....They are playing the O2 arena in London on the 26 November. Now while in the whole it is some of the best news I've ever heard...but the 18000 tickets are being allocated by a lottery basis....while this is supposed to help people feel that only fans will get tickets.....There have been more than TWENTY MILLION requests for those 18000 tickets...While the chances of me seeing my heroes is remote at this stage, there are 2 good things that can come fo this.
1. With demand being so high....the promoter has said ebay will be monitored and any tickets seen will be cancelled. One would hope that if the cancelled tickets will be redistributed via the lottery system to fans......
And secondly in seeing the demand to see them perform, they will do some form of tour.....preferably a massive world wide tour.....but even short tours of the major markets would be fantastic........as long as a plane lands there I would travel to see them....
so hopefully some form of tour will come of this......hopefully
1. With demand being so high....the promoter has said ebay will be monitored and any tickets seen will be cancelled. One would hope that if the cancelled tickets will be redistributed via the lottery system to fans......
And secondly in seeing the demand to see them perform, they will do some form of tour.....preferably a massive world wide tour.....but even short tours of the major markets would be fantastic........as long as a plane lands there I would travel to see them....
so hopefully some form of tour will come of this......hopefully
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Led Zepplelin!!!!!.....Concert.......Could it be?
Browsing the jungle that is the world wide web I came across a rumour that the gods of rock, Led Zeppelin are playing the O2 arena in London in November. For anyone who doesn't know me I am a huge Led Zeppelin fan and to hear that the three surviving members may reform for once off must give my bank manager a heart attack, becuase I will be there. There is no if's, buts or ands I will be there hopefully at the front. But where I read the rumour mentioned that the gig maybe for financial reasons, but if so why just ONE concert.
Its not like people are sick of seeing them live and on TV. Seeing the Rolling Stones break their own touring records everytime a new tour is announced, it makes you wonder......The Stones have been unchallenged in terms of ticket sales for nearly a decade now, probably more. For those of us who have nothing better to do we try and think up acts that could beat their current record. Certainly The Police will come close but I'd be very surprised if they did. Black Sabbath reforming, no there fans are too "specialised" they don't have the wider appeal of The Stones and The Police.
How about AC DC again while they could do a stadium tour there market share is too narrow....Most of the big bands from the 70's and 80's all seem to appeal to just the ROCK crowd. But hold on no one can beat the Stones?
Well maybe.....what we need is a band that nearly outsold the Beatles, a band whose record sales reach 300 million and keep on going right on by without even slowing down. A band who since they were founded have had an aura about them....you knew they were different edgier, that they would and did make history. The older generation of rock fans will say that you should not get carried away be the mysticism that surronded Led Zeppelin.
Well its hard not to, they rarely did interviews never appeared on TV, never released a single. Strange for a band in the 70's they never appeared on top of the pops. They just wrote the theme song for it.
All these factors combined show the faintest glimmer of hope that this band could beat the stones touring record. But the down side of this is that the touts would have their most profitable time ever. And according to the rumour I heard it would be a once off concert.. Which is total bull to be honest. A sizeable number of the tickets will go to corparte sponsers, which means that while the whole venue will probably sell out in about a minute, not everyone will be fans. Prince is doing a crazy amount of nights in the O2 arena....Zep could easily do that even for 4 or 5 nights, it would let more fans see them. And go some way to getting a market equilibrium between supply and demand. Bruce Springsteen sold out the Odyssey on Belfast in 5 Minutes, last thursday 6 September, as of today the 9 September, 2 tickets are on eBay for 300 euro.....Possibly Led Zeppelins last concert together a new ebay record may be set.
If this comes off negative towards the Rolling Stones, I apologise, I'm a fan of the stones and have seen them live. So I know first hand why they are so popular and there tours make so much money. It was the best show I've been too and that numbers quite a few at this stage.
If you ever get the chance to see the Stones....go you won't regret it.
Anyway if anyone reads my humble little blog start up a ruckus let Led Zep know the demand for a full tour or at least more than one gig in London!!!!!!!!
BTW the rumour came from the Belfast Telegraph
Time to get the LED out
Peace
Its not like people are sick of seeing them live and on TV. Seeing the Rolling Stones break their own touring records everytime a new tour is announced, it makes you wonder......The Stones have been unchallenged in terms of ticket sales for nearly a decade now, probably more. For those of us who have nothing better to do we try and think up acts that could beat their current record. Certainly The Police will come close but I'd be very surprised if they did. Black Sabbath reforming, no there fans are too "specialised" they don't have the wider appeal of The Stones and The Police.
How about AC DC again while they could do a stadium tour there market share is too narrow....Most of the big bands from the 70's and 80's all seem to appeal to just the ROCK crowd. But hold on no one can beat the Stones?
Well maybe.....what we need is a band that nearly outsold the Beatles, a band whose record sales reach 300 million and keep on going right on by without even slowing down. A band who since they were founded have had an aura about them....you knew they were different edgier, that they would and did make history. The older generation of rock fans will say that you should not get carried away be the mysticism that surronded Led Zeppelin.
Well its hard not to, they rarely did interviews never appeared on TV, never released a single. Strange for a band in the 70's they never appeared on top of the pops. They just wrote the theme song for it.
All these factors combined show the faintest glimmer of hope that this band could beat the stones touring record. But the down side of this is that the touts would have their most profitable time ever. And according to the rumour I heard it would be a once off concert.. Which is total bull to be honest. A sizeable number of the tickets will go to corparte sponsers, which means that while the whole venue will probably sell out in about a minute, not everyone will be fans. Prince is doing a crazy amount of nights in the O2 arena....Zep could easily do that even for 4 or 5 nights, it would let more fans see them. And go some way to getting a market equilibrium between supply and demand. Bruce Springsteen sold out the Odyssey on Belfast in 5 Minutes, last thursday 6 September, as of today the 9 September, 2 tickets are on eBay for 300 euro.....Possibly Led Zeppelins last concert together a new ebay record may be set.
If this comes off negative towards the Rolling Stones, I apologise, I'm a fan of the stones and have seen them live. So I know first hand why they are so popular and there tours make so much money. It was the best show I've been too and that numbers quite a few at this stage.
If you ever get the chance to see the Stones....go you won't regret it.
Anyway if anyone reads my humble little blog start up a ruckus let Led Zep know the demand for a full tour or at least more than one gig in London!!!!!!!!
BTW the rumour came from the Belfast Telegraph
Time to get the LED out
Peace
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Music
While nearly everywhere you hear how Apple have revolutionised how music is listened to and collected. And yes this is true I'm going to make a presumption here that most people who are reading this have an i-pod/mp3 player (Including phones).
iTunes provides most of the music anyone could ever want and on the US version you are even able to buy tv shows for as little as $2. It truly has revolutionised the consumer side of the music industry, has it depreciated the actual music?
If you listen to the previous generation listening to music was a big thing. Putting on a record when the house was quiet. Just listening to the album. When was the last time anyone from the ipod generation just sat and listened to what was on his/her ipod without doing anything else. Probably never. I'm as guilty of this as anybody else, whether its at the gym, walking, car trips or just reading. The music seems to have slowly being degraded to nothing more than background noise.
The Ipod is not totally to blame, most people will say that they don't have time to listen to music there lives are too busy. With work, socialising going to the gym etc. but those aren't real reasons, just excuses to cover up the fact that music doesn't have the same effect it used to.
Sadly Eminem was the last person to have any sort of impact with his music. Among the homosexual communtities of the US. But was it really? If you look back at rock stars, like Jimmy Page and the Sex Pistols their lives were controversy not just their two songs on one album and there were no attempts to apologise with public displays to try and quiet the masses. It was simply this is me.....accept it or F*&k off.
To a large degree thats what all artists should be like. Music isn't a 9 to 5 job with stock options and a good basic salary. Its a life style, all the people who are in the music buisness are there because they love it.
To quote James Hetfield of Metallica at Download in Dublin in 2006
"This next song goes out to every band who had played here, because they bring a smile to you and make our hearts sing with music, which is why I'm here"
It seems a common miss perception that the music industry is a way to get rich quick. Theres a reason that its called the hardest industry in the world. Because there are no guarantees, if you are a quailified doctor you can pretty much be guarateed a job.
But for the music industry, you need to have talent, the look and an audience willing to pay to hear you. Even if you have all those there is no guaratees that you'll even get to cut a record let alone have a house on cribs.
But is it worth it?
yes
iTunes provides most of the music anyone could ever want and on the US version you are even able to buy tv shows for as little as $2. It truly has revolutionised the consumer side of the music industry, has it depreciated the actual music?
If you listen to the previous generation listening to music was a big thing. Putting on a record when the house was quiet. Just listening to the album. When was the last time anyone from the ipod generation just sat and listened to what was on his/her ipod without doing anything else. Probably never. I'm as guilty of this as anybody else, whether its at the gym, walking, car trips or just reading. The music seems to have slowly being degraded to nothing more than background noise.
The Ipod is not totally to blame, most people will say that they don't have time to listen to music there lives are too busy. With work, socialising going to the gym etc. but those aren't real reasons, just excuses to cover up the fact that music doesn't have the same effect it used to.
Sadly Eminem was the last person to have any sort of impact with his music. Among the homosexual communtities of the US. But was it really? If you look back at rock stars, like Jimmy Page and the Sex Pistols their lives were controversy not just their two songs on one album and there were no attempts to apologise with public displays to try and quiet the masses. It was simply this is me.....accept it or F*&k off.
To a large degree thats what all artists should be like. Music isn't a 9 to 5 job with stock options and a good basic salary. Its a life style, all the people who are in the music buisness are there because they love it.
To quote James Hetfield of Metallica at Download in Dublin in 2006
"This next song goes out to every band who had played here, because they bring a smile to you and make our hearts sing with music, which is why I'm here"
It seems a common miss perception that the music industry is a way to get rich quick. Theres a reason that its called the hardest industry in the world. Because there are no guarantees, if you are a quailified doctor you can pretty much be guarateed a job.
But for the music industry, you need to have talent, the look and an audience willing to pay to hear you. Even if you have all those there is no guaratees that you'll even get to cut a record let alone have a house on cribs.
But is it worth it?
yes
Why I now severly dislike the Sopranos
To start with i was never a fan of the soprano's....in fact i've never watched an episode. But ever since the last one i find myselof cursing the show at least 4000 times a day (Exaggerated for dramatic effect)....Would you like to know why?
Well since you're reading this I'm going to presume you do. I happen to be a huge music fan and what the soprano's did is inexcusable in my eyes. They brought back a genre I'd hoped dead. 80's Power-Ballad pop. Most people heard the first few seconds of Journey's Don't stop Believin' wondering what the song was. Some "clever" DJ/researcher thought it would be a great laugh to play the song and tell everyone what it was from and who it was. Since then any request show has played it at least twice, plus the other DJ's who just play it. (for reasons unknown)
Now I'm not a miserable old coot who resents popular culture or the retro side of things. And okay it has in some way relaunched Journey, they were top of the download charts on iTunes after the show.
What concerns me is that the whole 80's power pop ballad genre could be resurrected. The flood gates could open to the proverbial uncle/dad's embarrassing record collection. The airwaves will be jammed with Europe's The Final Countdown, Van Halen's Jump and who knows what else will come off the bargain shelf at HMV/Virgin.
One thing that is important to remember is that these songs were popular already.....and presumably there is a reason why they weren't up until the Soprano's played it.
Luckily for me since the summer is over, so are my radio listening days for a long time.........
Hopefully
BTW this is just my opinion......
Well since you're reading this I'm going to presume you do. I happen to be a huge music fan and what the soprano's did is inexcusable in my eyes. They brought back a genre I'd hoped dead. 80's Power-Ballad pop. Most people heard the first few seconds of Journey's Don't stop Believin' wondering what the song was. Some "clever" DJ/researcher thought it would be a great laugh to play the song and tell everyone what it was from and who it was. Since then any request show has played it at least twice, plus the other DJ's who just play it. (for reasons unknown)
Now I'm not a miserable old coot who resents popular culture or the retro side of things. And okay it has in some way relaunched Journey, they were top of the download charts on iTunes after the show.
What concerns me is that the whole 80's power pop ballad genre could be resurrected. The flood gates could open to the proverbial uncle/dad's embarrassing record collection. The airwaves will be jammed with Europe's The Final Countdown, Van Halen's Jump and who knows what else will come off the bargain shelf at HMV/Virgin.
One thing that is important to remember is that these songs were popular already.....and presumably there is a reason why they weren't up until the Soprano's played it.
Luckily for me since the summer is over, so are my radio listening days for a long time.........
Hopefully
BTW this is just my opinion......
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