Yuri
12-25-2006, 03:19 AM
…and visions of Lightfoot danced in their heads….
Did Santa deliver “you children of Corfid” lots of Lightfoot Cds under the tree???
With sadness I recently read an article in the ‘Boston Globe’ relating the demise of the huge American recorded music retailer ‘Tower Records’. One of my favourite haunts when visiting “Bean Town”! It’s ultimate demise was attributed to a lengthy illness brought on by declining sales of recorded music in a physical package. It appears that the ailment was brought on by a rapidly progressing infection caused by the internet sales of downloadable music. More deaths are anticipated.
I am curious as to how ‘Corfidians’ choose to purchase Lightfoot music, and music in general.
Having caught the ‘music bug’ in the early 60’s, my collection started out on the good old vinyl 33.5 rpm LP record. Never really cared for 45 rpm singles. I survived the progression through 7 inch reel to reel tapes, cassette tapes and even the cruel malady of the 8-track (youngsters, ask your parents about this abomination foisted upon the music buying public). After collecting all the Lightfoot LPs I could lay my hands on, including K-Tel compilations, I never anticipated the birth of the CD. The scramble was on to re-acquire my precious Lightfoot music in digital format. At times I felt that my purchases alone were responsible for making the music industry robust and Gord rich. The trend now has moved on to downloadable formats directly from music giants to your home computer.
Here is where I feel the kids of today are missing out on the total musical experience. Like settling into a comfortable chair and cracking the spine on a new book, I would rush home with my newly purchased records and with anticipation introduce the needle to vinyl. The music emanating from the speakers was only the beginning of the experience. Album cover artwork was equally important as was the reverse and liner notes. The artist’s comments on the album, photos, the line-up of guest or studio musicians, listing of instruments used, the producer, engineer and recording studio credits added to the total enjoyment.
Even if an icon of the album cover is downloaded with the music, it is not nearly as gratifying as holding the product in hand! The sterility of a download is beyond doubt.
Music enthusiasts argue that they may only like one or two songs on an album and so only wish to buy these particular tunes while rejecting the remainder. I have frequently found that songs other than those receiving air play were to become my favourites and only because these other tunes tagged along on the LP or CD did I discover them. I would have lost so much if I hadn’t purchased the entire works.
In my opinion the tunes on an album should not be separated or rearranged (with the exception of live performances and ‘best of’ albums) as it is a representation of that artist in a particular place in time. No more than one would choose to buy only certain chapters from a novel or some elements of a painting. When listening to the album ‘The Way I Feel”, do you not anticipate ‘Canadian Railroad Trilogy’ following ‘Song For A Winter’s Night’? Would you have discovered ‘Spanish Moss’ if you only chose to purchase and download ‘Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald’?
Finally, there is a satisfaction in rummaging through the bins of a music store and seeing what unknown album or artist piques your interest. Although convenient, scrolling through on-line stores such as ‘Amazon’ or ‘Napster’ whether for Compact Discs or isolated tunes, is not as rewarding.
Albums are bookmarks in time. Ask me what I did in 1976 and I have to think long and hard. Without hesitation I can tell you that the band ‘Boston’ released their epic debut album, 'Fleetwood Mac' gave us ‘Rumours’. That same year Gord regaled us with ‘Summertime Dream’ which I picked up at ’Sam The Record Man’s’ flagship Toronto store. Where and when did you download ‘Bittergreen’ and what other treasures did Gordon pen at that time?
Just my point of view. How about yours?
Merry Christmas to all this Christmas Morning!
Yuri
Did Santa deliver “you children of Corfid” lots of Lightfoot Cds under the tree???
With sadness I recently read an article in the ‘Boston Globe’ relating the demise of the huge American recorded music retailer ‘Tower Records’. One of my favourite haunts when visiting “Bean Town”! It’s ultimate demise was attributed to a lengthy illness brought on by declining sales of recorded music in a physical package. It appears that the ailment was brought on by a rapidly progressing infection caused by the internet sales of downloadable music. More deaths are anticipated.
I am curious as to how ‘Corfidians’ choose to purchase Lightfoot music, and music in general.
Having caught the ‘music bug’ in the early 60’s, my collection started out on the good old vinyl 33.5 rpm LP record. Never really cared for 45 rpm singles. I survived the progression through 7 inch reel to reel tapes, cassette tapes and even the cruel malady of the 8-track (youngsters, ask your parents about this abomination foisted upon the music buying public). After collecting all the Lightfoot LPs I could lay my hands on, including K-Tel compilations, I never anticipated the birth of the CD. The scramble was on to re-acquire my precious Lightfoot music in digital format. At times I felt that my purchases alone were responsible for making the music industry robust and Gord rich. The trend now has moved on to downloadable formats directly from music giants to your home computer.
Here is where I feel the kids of today are missing out on the total musical experience. Like settling into a comfortable chair and cracking the spine on a new book, I would rush home with my newly purchased records and with anticipation introduce the needle to vinyl. The music emanating from the speakers was only the beginning of the experience. Album cover artwork was equally important as was the reverse and liner notes. The artist’s comments on the album, photos, the line-up of guest or studio musicians, listing of instruments used, the producer, engineer and recording studio credits added to the total enjoyment.
Even if an icon of the album cover is downloaded with the music, it is not nearly as gratifying as holding the product in hand! The sterility of a download is beyond doubt.
Music enthusiasts argue that they may only like one or two songs on an album and so only wish to buy these particular tunes while rejecting the remainder. I have frequently found that songs other than those receiving air play were to become my favourites and only because these other tunes tagged along on the LP or CD did I discover them. I would have lost so much if I hadn’t purchased the entire works.
In my opinion the tunes on an album should not be separated or rearranged (with the exception of live performances and ‘best of’ albums) as it is a representation of that artist in a particular place in time. No more than one would choose to buy only certain chapters from a novel or some elements of a painting. When listening to the album ‘The Way I Feel”, do you not anticipate ‘Canadian Railroad Trilogy’ following ‘Song For A Winter’s Night’? Would you have discovered ‘Spanish Moss’ if you only chose to purchase and download ‘Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald’?
Finally, there is a satisfaction in rummaging through the bins of a music store and seeing what unknown album or artist piques your interest. Although convenient, scrolling through on-line stores such as ‘Amazon’ or ‘Napster’ whether for Compact Discs or isolated tunes, is not as rewarding.
Albums are bookmarks in time. Ask me what I did in 1976 and I have to think long and hard. Without hesitation I can tell you that the band ‘Boston’ released their epic debut album, 'Fleetwood Mac' gave us ‘Rumours’. That same year Gord regaled us with ‘Summertime Dream’ which I picked up at ’Sam The Record Man’s’ flagship Toronto store. Where and when did you download ‘Bittergreen’ and what other treasures did Gordon pen at that time?
Just my point of view. How about yours?
Merry Christmas to all this Christmas Morning!
Yuri