The Future of Recorded Music

In this video, Wallace Collins, an entertainment attorney based in New York, discusses the generational shift that has taken place that divides CD-buyers from downloaders. He also draws parallels between today and the early days of rock-and-roll in which singles drove the music business. He also shares his thoughts on whether downloading -- legal or otherwise -- will cut deeply enough into the major labels' bottom line to cause them to abandon the business entirely, and whether the "democratization" of music will affect the quality of music that's available.

As an independent recording artist, my livelihood is based on fans buying my music. Notice that I said "buying" not "listening". It's a real ego boost to read email from people who tell me that they love my music but in reality it doesn't pay the bills. If every person who messaged me with their kudos actually ordered my music, I would be doing pretty well. Most people who listen to my music regularly online for free just don't order. That's the reality. I don't have a huge marketing budget like a major label does so I post my music online through MySpace and YouTube so that I can get it out there. If people never hear my music, they can't make an informed decision about whether to buy. It's a gamble but I really don't have a choice. I like to share but at some point I can't help but feel like listeners are taking advantage of the situation.

If musicians can't make a decent living from their music, we can't be faulted for deciding to do something else with our time so that we can make a living. Time spent away from the creative process means less artful music. If I am working at something else to make my living, I have less time to compose and practice and record. It means that there is less good music in the world and the downward spiral into musical mediocrity becomes the norm. I know lots of talented musicians that have just given up. I know even more that are just barely hanging on. We want to keep creating good music but the demands of life are just too great. Every time a gifted musician decides to walk away from their career, the world becomes just a little darker. You can help light up the world by supporting your favorite independent musical artists. If it happens to be me...thanks for your support! RR

I Am Joaquin - A poem by Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales

When I was in high school in Southern Colorado during the mid-70's I recited this poem from memory in 'Interpetation of Poetry' competitions on my school's Forensic team. I went as far as state finals with it. It changed my life. Studying this poem and the history behind it as part of my preparation opened my eyes to the understanding that I was part of 'La Raza Cosmica'. Over 30 years later I look back and see how important this poem was to me as a young man who was unsure of his worth to society.

I have stated in earlier posts that I am a Mestizo, meaning a person of mixed Indian and Spanish blood. The Chicano movement of my youth was the political expression of the identity crisis resulting from that mixture. This poem helped me to understand that Mestizos had an important history as well as an important role to play in the present day. It changed the way that I looked at myself and the society around me. My pride in my culture translated into taking pride in myself and what I had to offer the world. It started with this poem... RR

Great movie soundtracks

I just posted this playlist to my YouTube channel. It contains nearly an hour and a half of my favorite movie soundtracks including Ben Hur, Spartacus, Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, The Godfather, Out of Africa and others. Composers represented include Miklos Rozsa, John Barry, Maurice Jarre, Ennio Morricone and many others. These soundtracks continue to stand the test of time. They also stand on their own merits as pieces of great art. A great soundtrack elevates a film and helps to make the movie into a memorable experience. I have the greatest respect for film soundtrack composers. I think that if Bach or Beethoven had the medium at their disposal, they would be among the greatest of film music composers! RR

Black Whistle Singers in Crow Agency Montana

I had a cassette tape by Black Whistle with this song on it. I listened to it so much that I wore it out. I was glad to find it on YouTube. This is a really fine example of a Pow Wow Grand Entry Song. A Pow Wow drum has such a depth to it. It has a way of reaching deep inside a person. Black Whistle is a northern style singing group and so their voices are much higher than a southern style singing group. I have always enjoyed the northern style because it seems to be so much more exuberant! Sometimes the young men pinch their throats to get into the higher registers. When I used to drum with a northern style group, we took Osha, an herbal root, to numb and relax our throats for the high singing to follow. Good times! RR

Minor Swing - Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli

Can you believe that Django only had two fingers and a thumb on his left hand? He was in a horrible accident and had to completely change his approach to guitar performance. He has been an inspiration to guitarists for years. His gypsy swing jazz style of performance was a fresh and original approach. In this selection he is performing with his friend and colleague Stephane Grappelli (another genius!). Hope you enjoy it! RR

JOHN COLTRANE - MILES DAVIS - SO WHAT - LIVE

This dates from April 1959 but it is as hip now as it was then. These guys were way ahead of their time. I remember when I first heard them both. I was only 15 or 16 at the time. It was in a used record store and the owner was playing one of their records. I asked about the recording and the owner proceeded to spend the afternoon playing Coltrane and Davis records for me. I thought their music was just the coolest thing I had ever heard. I have collected many Miles Davis and John Coltrane albums over the years. I like this number because it is very accessible yet very hip. Some of their stuff is way out there but this is right in the pocket. By the way, the record store owner is still one of my oldest and dearest friends! RR

The Mission - Ennio Morricone

"The Mission" is probably the most personally challenging movie I have ever seen. The music soundtrack never fails to stir my emotions as it reminds me of the mixture of the worlds that I am and the personal challenges which that engenders. Morricone's score shows his love for humanity and displays the beauty that results from allowing the worlds to mix thereby creating a work that transcends our all too human nature. RR

"Sarabande" - JS Bach - Andres Segovia performing

I posted earlier on the Sarabande for the Lute Suite in Em. This is another film and I believe this to be the superior performance. I know how to play this and I pair it with the Allemande from the same suite for a very effective program piece. I might video tape my performance someday. Until then, you just have to make due with Segovia! LOL RR

Similia: "Bachianas Brasileiras 5" by Heitor Villa-Lobos

When I was first starting to think about composing duets for Native Flute and Classical Guitar, this was the piece that I would always go to. It has that definite South American indigenous vibe to it. It also illustrates how the guitar and the flute can work together using their individual strengths. The guitar's character is found in the the rapid decay of the note once it is plucked on the string. The flute's character is found in its long sustained notes. Together, they complement one another and provide a pleasing sensation to the listener. Duo Similia are twin sisters from Quebec. Their interpretation is beautiful. RR

All the Marvelous Earth

Do you think a leaf that falls to the ground is afraid of death? Do you think a bird lives in fear of dying? It meets death when death comes; but it is not concerned about death, it is much too occupied with living, with catching insects, building a nest, singing a song, flying for the very joy of flying. Have you ever watched birds soaring high up in the air without a beat of their wings, being carried along by the wind? How endlessly they seem to enjoy themselves! They are not concerned about death. If death comes, it is all right, they are finished. There is no concern about what is going to happen; they are living from moment to moment, are they not? It is we human beings who are always concerned about death - because we are not living. That is the trouble: we are dying, we are not living.

J. Krishnamurti Think on These Things Chapter 17

How true! RR

Benjamin Zander: Classical music with shining eyes

This is a great TEDTalks segment on Classical music appreciation. Ben Zander wants everyone to know that they can all come to an appreciation of Classical music and he can open the door for them. All they need to do is go in.

I have appreciated Classical music since I was a boy. My Dad had some Classical albums in his collection so he appreciated it. I have written about his record collection in previous posts...it wasn't a huge collection but it was really good listening for a young boy. When we moved to the big city of Pueblo, Colorado I had access to libraries and would borrow recordings to play on my very own phonograph that I received as a Christmas gift from my parents. Over the years, I have collected many Classical music albums that have given me great pleasure and taught me much. I don't understand why more people don't appreciate its many forms.

Most kids appreciate Classical music. Their eyes really do light up when they hear it. For some reason, some young people have a hard time admitting that they enjoy Classical music as they get older. Mass media doesn't present Classical music to the people in very good measure. I remember seeing some amazing Classical music programs on broadcast TV when I was a boy. It wasn't just on PBS either...all networks brought excellent music programming to the American viewer. You can see some of this programming on YouTube. Things changed in the late sixties and early seventies. The marketing emphasis changed to the youth culture. Youth culture, as portrayed by the mass media, is supposed to reject what parents like and only listen to what's popular among youth. This makes for big sales in certain market segments and a very narrow understanding of music on the part of the young listener. Too bad...Classical music really does add a wondrous soundtrack to the beauty that is in the world. RR