Scott Dolan

Wow! I find that to be amazing. I don't know a single person who has done it since the days when Napster was a big thing. Maybe it's mostly the younger set?

Yes, they are. Radio pays far more than streaming (albeit in the US, only to those with songwriting credit). Back in the day when you (and many, many millions of others) were listening to the radio, so many records were being sold partly as a result of that radio exposure (and MTV, for those of a certain age) that there was a viable revenue stream relative to the real cost of creating music - which relates to whole careers of musicians and other professionals and very substantial marketing, not just recording costs. Lots of people made their living from that revenue stream, and it supported many middle class jobs of one kind or another as well as labels big and small and musicians big and small... not that it was perfect by any means. Now, consumer purchase of music is the exception rather than the rule, and a laughably small fraction of the revenue for listening without purchasing a copy makes it back to the people that made and invested up front in the music compared to before. Albums (the only format really relevant to jazz) have been hit particularly hard, currently making up about 1/3 the sales compared to the high in the 90s. That's across all formats including legit digital downloads. If this was all due to decreased consumption, I would have no fairness/ethics -based complaint. But consumption is as high as ever, it's just become a pirate economy where most of the income generated from the work of a few people goes to others who are positioned to sell data access and ads on the sidelines of the huge flow of pirated information. One major flaw here. "Pirated information". It's not pirated, it is licensed by the record labels to the streaming services. The record labels take 70% of the revenue from streaming. Want artists to receive more? Convince the labels to share some of that 3/4 of the pie they are walking off with. By pirated information I was referring to pirated information - illegally downloaded or copied with no licensing whatsoever. Streaming through Spotify, Pandora and such is legal, of course. It's also blatantly exploitative, but that is a different subject. How many people illegally download music anymore? Most softwares that were popular for that became all but unusable from viruses. And free streaming pretty much negates the need. I'd say the percentage of people still doing it would be on par with those who dubbed cassettes for their buddies back in the day. So, not very many, relatively speaking.

He was talking about sound quality. Not what was available on it. So you're telling me that the sound quality on AM radio was/is better than the sound quality of digital streaming?!

Interesting conversation piece, I suppose...

That last part seemed to add a bit of confusion to his statement for me as well. But, I think it can be dispelled with one word: Pono.

Fair enough. Which brings me back to one of my earlier points, why don't artists just take control of their own distribution? If they pulled their product from streaming services, and only offered their product for purchase either via iTunes, or their own personal web site, it's seems as though it would start moving things back in the right direction.

What…in…the…fuck...

I'm just wondering exactly what kind of AM radio ol' Neil had back in the day! It must have been a real motherfucker!

Guys: Media is plural. Medium is singular. (The pedant in me comes to the surface after a drink or two and I'm having a gin and tonic.) Weren't we talking about multiple forms of audio media in that conversation?

It took two whole songs on this set to convince I was in for possibly the best Phish I've ever heard. By the time Divided Sky ended, I knew this was something special. Disc 2 from Squirming Coil through Prince Caspian might be the strongest side I've ever heard from them. Has there been any official releases of those Barcelona shows?

Very cool! I kept hearing about how incredible the '97 tour was, and how the Paradiso shows were Phish at their pinnacle according to many, so I decided to check this set out. It's as incredible as advertised. Very satisfied! And 8 hours of music for $35 is a hell of a return on investment!!!

Actually, I get where you're coming from 100%. Thanks for taking time to explain. I actually use my iPad much the same way you use your iPod. Only difference being that I'm using it to remotely control my Apple TV, which accesses my entire music library on my iMac. And I ditch my phone the second I walk in the door. I'm right there with you on that one.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen them live. They're playing Kansas City at the end of the month, but I don't think my wife and I will be able to make it. But, I'm enjoying the private performances in my living room.

No, it certainly isn't. I apologize if may statement insinuated otherwise.

Not to mention the second time casts a shadow of doubt over her account of the first time.

He still has at least one case pending, doesn't he?

It's funny how different people can be sometimes. I actually love the fact that I DO have everything all in one device. Less clutter in my pockets. If I had to carry around a phone and an iPod Touch, I'd be annoyed as hell...

"I was there. AM radio kicked streaming's ass. Analog Cassettes and 8 tracks also kicked streaming's ass, and absolutely rocked compared to streaming. Streaming sucks. Streaming is the worst audio in history. If you want it, you got it. It's here to stay. Your choice. Copy my songs if you want to. That's free. Your choice. All my music, my life's work, is what I am preserving the way I want it to be. It's already started. My music is being removed from all streaming services. It's not good enough to sell or rent. Make streaming sound good and I will be back." - Neil Young Translation: "I'm ready for my straightjacket now!"

Then why all the hand-wringing over all of this? Shit, I listened to the radio for free every day. I also made a ton of cassette tapes of tunes I recorded, for free, off of the radio. Are the current trends really that different?

Damn... If only it wasn't someone as nice as you, Larry I was dying to post, "in my book, you've always been out of touch". Thanks for ruining it. Oh, and have a blast!

I guess I was the only person who owned a radio back in the day...

Same here, but just for today. High of 88F. Back to the mid and upper 90's tomorrow...

Does anyone else here enjoy Phish? I initially got into them in the mid 90's, but hadn't really listened to them much over the last few years. Got an itch recently to hear them again and picked up the outstanding 8 disc live box of their Amsterdam dates from 1997. Beautiful performances, and they remind me what a phenomenal group of musicians they are.

Jefferson City, MO. (Unfortunately)

And there's nothing wrong with that opinion. Just as long as you understand it isn't a substitute for fact (which you certainly do, but many here do not). That was my only point. It certainly doesn't look good for him. But just because that is my opinion doesn't mean that, yes, he indeed did it. I think society has trouble with such distinctions.