The Unwound Third > Phonograph Blues
Records, CDs, Downloads
MarkC:
I just want to add - one other thing I miss by not having the Port Townsend Blues Week at Fort Worden (aside from missing the get-together itself) is the interesting selection of CDs they always have there.
Stuart:
No streaming services or mp3s for me either. I started playing the guitar at nine and probably saved up to buy my first record around that time, although I can't recall what it was. I simply love most all music, so although there was somewhat of a focus on guitar, if it sounded good, I was all over it like a cheap suit. Over the years, buying habits changed, mostly dictated by what I was aware of and what room I had in the budget. Once the door opened for me regarding what was available as reissues in the late 60s--and "Roots Music" in general, that's the direction I headed in.
I haven't bought a LP in probably 30 years. CDs are my preferred method of listening to music, with iTunes used as an organizational system. The audio outputs of my computers are connected to my stereo system, so I can listen through it if I want. At 71 my hearing is shot, so I have a hard time telling the difference between a CD and a M4A/AAC file.
I like to buy CDs at the live shows I attend (--If there's anything left by the usual suspects that I don't already have), not just to support the working musicians I enjoy see performing live, but because it's almost always great music that I want to have to enjoy at home.
During the pandemic with live venues shut down, some of the artists I follow have released albums on Bandcamp in various formats--but not on a physical CD. In that case, I purchase the album, download the WAV or FLAC files and burn them to a CD-R.
Several years ago I was talking to Jeff Peterson at the Seattle Slack Key Fest and he remarked that back in the day we saved our money for something we truly valued and cherished it. Now with an "everything should be free" mindset prevailing, the younger crowd acquires music like duplicate baseball cards were traded back in the day. It seems the worthless is deemed priceless and the priceless, worthless--at least not worth paying for.
When I work, I expect to get paid and when other people work, they should get paid as well--And that includes musicians. So if a CD--or an album at Bandcamp--I like is available, if I can afford it, I buy it.
How's that for an exercise in extended gasbaggery? ;)
dj:
--- Quote --- At 71 my hearing is shot, so I have a hard time telling the difference between a CD and a M4A/AAC file.
--- End quote ---
I'm 2 years younger, but right there with you hearing-wise. Do you have hearing aids? When I got my steam-driven mechanical ears (they're SO much cooler than mere hearing aids) I suddenly realized how inferior the mp3s are. But still, 50 % of my listening is on my phone via my bluetooth enabled mechanical ears, just because it's so convenient.
David Kaatz:
On the subject of iPod Classics, my brother said that he got his updated with a solid state drive. Not by Apple, of course. I expect that would give a lot more life to it. I have not yet explored doing this myself.
I actually have several iPod mini's and an iPod Touch that I have music on. These I connect to my stereo, or occasionally my car. I don't take long drives very often, so I don't usually cue up music in the car.
But most of my listening is streaming radio shows on my phone to Bluetooth earbuds or speakers. I occasionally follow up on tunes that catch my ear particularly, and buy from the artist via their web page.
Also do a lot of listening via YouTube.
Dave
Stuart:
Hi dj: Thanks for the response and the suggestion. My problem isn't the inability to hear--at least not according to the audiologist I saw several years ago, but tinnitus which can be severe at times. It's always there and it's a high pitched whine that sounds like a tablesaw that's been left on in some DIYer's garage--only higher pitched. I've walked by them on occasion and I always hope the guy left his blade guard on.
It's puzzling since I always used hearing protection when using power tools and never cranked up the volume when listening to music. Supposedly, only several exposures to very loud noise like sirens, etc., early in life can cause a person to develop it later on, but who knows for sure in my case? My physician friends tell me that since it's relatively constant, my brain compensates with some filtering. But as always, there's no real control for comparison, that is, a non-tinnitus me to listen to CDs vs. M4As to see if that person can hear the difference.
Yeah, WTF are we going to do? I was just back in NJ for an old friend's memorial. I hadn't been there since 2010. When people asked me how I was doing, I rattled off my list of minor complaints and said that other than those, I've never been better. Life doesn't get any easier if we lose our sense of humor. ;D
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