Music offline to online: recent history, the industry, changes, musicians paralyzed by theft online

This was a Facebook entry by a recording engineer/friend. Here’s a view from the helm…A recent history of what has happened. I think it’s worth reading and pondering. As to fixing…that’s left to us.

I honestly sit paralyzed with no idea of how to proceed through the current music industry. I have no clue of how people find new music they enjoy.

In 1996 I received a lecture as to what a revolution the internet would be for the music business. Instead it systematically destroyed the part that was working along with the corporate parts that weren’t.

Most often I’m frustrated and confounded that not only do people have free access to downloading art that took a great deal of time, effort and money to create, but that there is no longer guilt associated with taking it.

Combine that with the fact that we now have no filter between milliions of postings from Bobby’s first “Twinkle Twinkle” to the latest release from your favorite band, and nobody knows where to find new good music.

In five years we went from the austere interpretations of corporate record labels and focus group driven radio to media overload and internet chaos.

Check your favorite category on CD baby, then realize that you would have to listen to 5 seconds of each song everyday for the rest of your life without a break and you would still not sift through enough material to find that which touches your heart.

This is, in my opinion, NO improvement.

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Comment on Crazy Sexy Cancer site (I hope)

VMJ-Giving ThanksLink below

I’m 3 years out after Chemo…2 years from my last surgery and divorce. I’ve got a low key blog on vickirichards dot net. I’m a musician and have gone back to my hospital , used my post rehab arms, tingling neuropathetic (not pathetic : ) fingers to play for patients and staff. Music therapy in this way help me during and after. When my brain seemed to return and my strength and heart I just had to do this for the women coming after me—

My first “give back” recording is done and available: Cleansing Waters: Pura Vida

It’s made for people in the process, sitting in the “suite” with the port open and flowing. Guided Imagery plus 3 tracks of supportive, ambient soothing music. I’ve given out 100 of these and wish I had the budget to get this into every Chemo Suite as an option to help your body accept the chemo as life giving rather than the toxic “Red Devil”.

I’ve got side effects sure, but a new life.

And am grateful. Humor is so useful! My Story was in the Kripalu Retreat Ctr Magazine as I went there, post everything, to recover with great organic food, gorgeous nature.

I’d like to know where “rehab/recovery” facilities are for those of us that had to go through alone? I needed more attention and could have literally died from lack of supervision, malnutrition, IF a great friend hadn’t stepped in.

Rally your troops, and your inner strength is there. A connection to something spiritual is so helpful. Find Beauty in 1 thing every day and know that the difficulties: “This too Shall Pass”.

Wishing you best health & recovery. I did it!!!

My daughter said this about Cancer…”f*#$& that shiz”. She has the heart of a lion and I loved that kick in cancer’s caboose

Link to “http://my.crazysexylife.com/group/wemadecancerourbitch?commentId=2001521%3AComment%3A590792&xg_source=msg_com_group”>

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Beautiful Song….inspiring

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New recording “Nectar”

Just had a new recording come out that was in progress for 3 years. It’s Jorge Alfano’s “Nectar”. There a couple of very sweet cuts, plus all the musical diversity & artistry in playing and producing he brings in. Jeff Deen brings tabla, set, Hapi and much much more.
Title track Nectar ….I think the love is palpable. We recorded first take, sat back and found it was so complete. We were stunned and intoxicated by the music, in that moment. Magic moments in music and spirit!
That 3 yr period …they waited until I recovered from one surgery after the next. From the physical and the emotional of sep/divorce, to the next, the long chemo..
It’s very meaningful to me that I kept getting back up and rising to play.
From Chumba Wumba : “I get knocked down but I get up again. Ain’t never gonna keep me down” (repeat)
That they were there to encourage, drive me to play, bring me in to play for the making of the healing medicine sand mandala by Tibetan Monks in Miami. It all helped keep me going. That’s not on the album jacket….it’s the inside story of healing with music and love. Prayer and friends.

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Happy Holidays

Holy Days. Holy Smoke, Holy guacamole….time to be grateful for what we have, not whining about the losses nor past afflictions. To define ourselves by being present in each moment and learning whatever lessons are hitting us in the forehead.
My lessons include seeing what stresses me out, trying to take effective action to maintain equanimity. There’s a mouthful. the verb “trying” indicates possible forward motion on this front. Hard to tell sometimes but it helps me to get on with the day. The ebb and flow of the hours and events, people and places.
Dec 27 2009

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Cleansing Waters CD available on Projekt Label

The new recording Cleansing Waters Pura Vida is now available on the Projekt website. So are my other 2 or 3
click or cut and paste in this address for downloads & CD…

http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=TSM04001

Amazon doesn’t post a photo and I’m having trouble accessing. At some point in the future my website will link to Om Store.

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My new CD is out! Guided Imagery and Music during Chemo and after

After about a year in progress the new CD is complete and packaged. The first 10 (now 7) requests for this for a friend or family member in treatment …free.

I just want this to get into the ears to sooth along the jagged trail we  walk during the cancer battle.

This guided visualization focuses on rinsing away unwanted cells. It’s peaceful but directs the mind, focusing on specific areas of the body.  Waterfalls, ambient sounds, and 3 tracks of ambient instrumental music follow. Drawn from my resources as I went  through the process: Mindfulness Meditation, Vipassana, Chinese Healing Chi Kung, shiv Asana -yoga. read by Elizabeth Russell.

Should be on iTunes and Amazon and my website soon. Give it to a friend!

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Dating and When Love Comes Knockin’ & Departing

Not going into lengthy details. Post trauma dating and relationships:

Just when you think you’ve assigned recent romantic relationships to the “history” section, a word or thought sneaks in thru the side door. I need a better lock.

I know that I could use the john Kabat Zinn Mindfulness recording for meditation. Learn to let the thoughts come and go…..I used that recording to help during the chemo/cancer/divorce period of my life. Also Sharon Salzberg lectures, Pema Chodron’s writings. Clinging to what was or what might be is useless and yet, so very normal for many of us.

The good fight becomes the dance of acceptance & release. Working on it

Be in the Now! And the now changes  Until then,  I’m thinking of Dark chocolate. Now!

As L Redmond says..Stop focusing on that man. Just go play your violin! It is the best medicine.

She’s so focused. What an inspiration.

***My new recording , guided imagery and music During Chemo and after should be shipping to me today! It’ll be up on iTunes shortly. And on my site.

Rehearsal with new musicians yesterday…..it’s too much fun! Best medicine for me and those listening.

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good news, another 3 months

I got an “All Clear” today at the oncologist. every 3 months the thought of cancer comes up at the office. I see the chemo suite  there and never want to return. watching the tubes fill with my now healthy blood.

Maybe all that Kombucha tea Layne got me drinking and the dark chocolate are working : ) Oh, organic foods at the Co op & Kripalu, walking…yoga….reading Carolyn Myss, reviewing notes. Talking with friends on the phone or email….and playing music all helps me stay on track fro health preservation.

In the Berkshires, the MD takes time to speak “with” me, not at me. How refreshing!

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Music is Healing, for the Musicians as Well as the Listeners

So many notes in the universe. Each resonates. Have you noticed how, at a loud concert, your bones vibrate? Okay, at a rock concert or if you’re  in front of the percussion section of an orchestra, or listening to your teenager’s garage band rehearse.

As much as those vibrations are detectable, the subtle ones from a quiet recording or nature’s orchestra: the wind, trees, water may have a subconscious effect. For me a walk in the autumn breeze has the effect of energizing as well as calming. You can’t push against the wind as resistance is futile. You can stand sideways and not be blown off course or you can turn and let it guide you forward. You are moving in any event.

In the struggle, acceptance or muddle of whatever trauma or heartbreak you are experiencing at this moment, what would it be like if you “turned sideways”, or let the flow/blow be deflected by merely allowing to be moved in the same direction. Like swimming in a rip current. Use the flow, go a little out of the way, then home.

I started this writing intending to speak as a musician about tones and ended up in nature….not a bad transition…I’m going out for a walk.

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