NIN - Grand Rapids, MI - Nov 15, 2008

Last Saturday (11/15/2008), my wife and I got to see the latest tour from the band Nine Inch Nails. For those who don't know, Nine Inch Nails is an industrial/metal band headed by Trent Reznor. In the studio, Trent plays all instruments except drums. For the tour, musicians are added to reproduce the sound.

We had last seen the band in 1995, during their "alternative" peak, when smashing instruments and rebellion was the focus of the show.

Trent has traded his angst in for a more artistic representation of his music.

In the past year, Trent has completed his commitments to a record label, and began releasing material independently. This first started with a 2-CD all instrumental disc called "Ghosts", which Trent made available on his website for $10. Then, just a few months later, his made the new release "The Slip" available for free download from the website. Both these releases were given more "typical" distribution to retail outlets, and "The Slip" included bonus material. In both cases, Trent was enjoying his new freedom from the record label, and was rewarding the fans.

For this new tour, Trent brought along some multi-instrumentalist musicians to help cover all the needed sounds from newer more mature material. Guitarist Robin Fink was back, having not been with the band for the past 10 years or so. Bassist Justin Meldal-Johnson (previously with Beck) is now with the band, and also covers some guitar parts during the set. The band is completed with a drummer and keyboard/guitar player. Trent handles vocals, keyboard, guitar, and marimba.

Also, continuing in his drive pioneer new artistic ideas, Trent worked with the company Moment Factory to come up with an interactive multiple LED screen setup. This allowed Trent to create his own visuals "on the fly", while also have numerous standard lighting and strobe effects.

A brief overview of this customized light show can be viewed here:



and here




The set list included music from their entire career, but a majority of the show focused on more recent material. About halfway through the show, the band traded their electronic instruments for a more "acoustic" portion, which included songs from the all-instrumental release "Ghosts". Trent spent most of the section handling the Marimba parts (with an actual marimba), and the band also performed a jazzed up version of their hit "Piggy". Combined with some soft blue lighting, this section was certainly a side of Nine Inch Nails that most are not aware of.

However, the evening was not completely without the energy and angst that made the band famous in the 90s. Early on in the set, "March of The Pigs" was performed with even more energy than it had 14 years ago. Trent certainly had kept himself in shape. If the show had a movie rating, it would definitely fall into the R or NC-17 category.

The 2008 version of Nine Inch Nails is certainly more mature musically. They are no longer just an "industrial" band, but are now experimenting with a variety of styles and combinations. Trent Reznor continues to come up with new ideas for visually representing his band, and isn't content with doing what everyone else has already done.

Whether or not you like the music, the fact is that Trent Reznor continues to pioneer new concepts in music performance, distribution, and visuals. And certainly is enjoying his new found independence.

You can download "The Slip" release for free at http://theslip.nin.com/

Later.

We are the United States - Best Country on the Planet, period.

As a fellow American, I proudly support the democratic process and believe it demonstrated itself in our election. I do not magically believe now that Barack has the right set of ideas, and I believe McCain was much more gracious last night. However, I have always said I don't believe Barack has any malicious intentions and sincerely means to do the best for the country. I simply disagree with how he plans to go about it.


Should Barack prove to be correct and we have much more improvement in the coming years, I will gladly accept that I was wrong and not say otherwise. I also expect the Barack supporters to be ready to "eat it", should the guy fall flat on his face.


Barack wasn't my choice, but he will be my president. And to that, I support him and pray he will be a great president.


Democrats wanted their chance to show they can do a better job than Republicans/Bush. Well, now you've got the chance, so time to stop talking and show us some results.

Official start of solo project

I've been wasting about a year now trying to get myself "up to speed" on a home studio upgrade. The idea is that with a home studio, I would be more productive with getting some original projects completed. I also spent a few extra bucks to get a "virtual drummer" program, in order to more easily facilitate progress.

Now, almost exactly 1 year since getting all the hardware up and running, I've got nothing to show for it. Not quite the plan, is it?

So, I am declaring an "official start date" for embarking upon my solo project, hoping that writing about progress (or lack thereof) will help continue to motivate me. This would also possibly provide a somewhat interesting journal of the process.

The "official start date" will be marked as January 1, 2009. I may start earlier, but this will at least give me a chance to clear outstanding projects off my desk and properly position myself to move forward. Should I start earlier, I will move the date up accordingly.

There is no expected "complete" date, but I would hope to be done within 1 year. I expect this will be a full instrumental project, with smooth jazz tendencies. I expect it to include guest musicians filling the guitar role, and some keyboard work. I also hope to have some guest percussion work, but will most likely end up using more "virtual drummer" for a majority of the drum work.

So, watch for that to kick off in about 8 weeks.

New CD - Brian "Head" Welch - Save Me From Myself

Another CD blog, since there isn't a ton else going on.

I recently picked up the CD from ex-Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. A couple years back, Brian found salvation in Jesus Christ, and became a born-again Christian. He promptly left the band Korn, as he found he could not continue being a part of that particular band.

Earlier this year, an "autobiography" was released titled "Save Me From Myself". With a bit of help, Brian put together his story of drugs, life with the band Korn, and how he found Christ. Two "versions" of the book are available, with a less "graphic" version for those looking to share the story with a younger or more sensitive audience (title of less graphic version is "Washed By Blood"). I have not read the book, but have read reviews saying the story doesn't "sugar coat" any of the realities of the life Brian was "living".

In September, Brian released his first solo music CD, also titled "Save Me From Myself". One can find many similar experiences and themes in the songs, compared with the book.

Musically, it is VERY similar to early era Korn. Production is outstanding, and the music is definitely heavy. If you found yourself enjoying some of what was best of the "nu-metal" style, you would likely enjoy this CD. The creepy dissonant guitars are all over the disc. Brian handles lead vocals, and this is the one point that some have a problem with. Brian is not a great vocalist, and his style isn't anything like Korn's Jonathan Davis. In many ways, the songs may have benefited from a more versatile vocalist. But, this isn't a huge issue. I think it only stands out, because the music is so well done. I especially like the arrangement of the song "Re-Bel", with the children's singing sections. The "chorus" section is provided by Brian's screaming vocals. Musically, this song reminded me quite a bit of the band Rackets & Drapes, and their song "Trick or Treat".

Lyrically, Brian has some good ideas, but I have the feeling it's lacking some spiritual maturity or counsel. His song "Die Religion Die" is attacking the "business" of organized religion, and pleading with the church to unite more and not put so much emphasis on buildings. Not a bad idea, but nothing new really. Songs like "Re-Bel", come from the perspective of Jesus reaching out to the lonely or disconnected. Again, not anything wrong with this, but nothing new. Generally, I find the lyrics simply reflect a "young Christian" as he desires to share his new found faith with the world. Many of the lyrical ideas are fine, but simply not presented in any unique fashion. Almost to the point of being cliche.

There is some controversy surrounding the single "Flush", which addresses Brian's past addiction to drugs (specifically Crystal Meth). The song opens with sounds of vomiting, which can be a bit much for the casual listener. The song directly speaks to his battle with the drugs, and overcoming them with Christ. A video for the song was recently released, which visualizes some of the songs lyrics. In many ways, the video is a bit over done with scenes of vomiting and obsession over a pink powder. Although Brian has directly addressed the concerns with specific references to his own experiences, I'm not entirely sure the visual aspects needed to be so graphic in order to make the point. To me, this is part of his spiritual immaturity, as he seeks to convey his message as best he can. As Brian continues to grow spiritually, I would expect he could find more effective and less controversial ways to convey his message. I do agree with Brian that it is odd to hear about stores removing his CD from their shelves, when the video is not at all included with the CD.

Overall, the CD "Save Me From Myself" is an outstanding nu-metal CD, from one of the pioneers of the style. The lyrical content is boldly Christian, and I have no problem with that. In fact, the lyrics would likely spark good discussions with both Christians and non-Christians.

I'm hoping Brian doesn't take years to complete his next CD, as I'm anxious to hear what's next.

My grade: B

A+ = must have
A = almost perfect
A- = should have
B+ = highly recommended
B = recommended
B- = slightly recommended
C+ = worth checking out if on sale
C = worth checking out if in cut-out bin
C- = worth checking out if at garage sale
D+ = wouldn't want it in my collection
D = wouldn't take it even if it was free
D- = couldn't recommend it to anyone
E = avoid at all costs

A Classic Revisited - Aerosmith "Live Bootleg"

Since I haven't got a ton of things going on, I figured I'd take some blogs to post thoughts on recent CD purchases.

This week: Aerosmith - "Live Bootleg"

For me, this live release captures Aerosmith at their 70s peak. Granted, some of the pleasure comes in reminiscing, since I remember seeing my first Aerosmith concert in 1978. Most of the recordings come from the 1978 era, around the "Draw The Line" tour. Not only do you get the early classics like "Dream On", "Mama Kin", and "Train Kept A Rollin", but you also get later 70s era tunes like "Back In The Saddle" and a cover of The Beatles "Come Together" (which they recorded originally for the movie version of "Sgt Pepper", staring the Bee-Gees and Peter Frampton).

You wouldn't get any argument that this wasn't the "tightest" version of Aerosmith, since this was back before everyone completed their first detox tours. In my opinion, this is Aerosmith at their best. Bluesy hard rock, played just a bit sloppy, but with tons of attitude.

Originally released as a 2-LP project, I remember not being able to get a copy because it was too expensive ($9). Now, we get most everything on a single CD (around $11.99), and the remastering does add some punch to the live mix. The new booklet features all the photos and notes from the original LP set, as well as some previously unreleased photos. Overall, it's a nice package for the classic rocker.

If you are looking for the more recent "soundtrack ballad" Aerosmith, you won't find it here. But, if you want to hear want built this band into a classic rock staple with millions in unit sales, here's a snapshot of the energy. I only wish there was a decent video of this era Aerosmith, so we could see some of these performances as they happened.

It's not perfect, but that wasn't the point. They didn't call it "live bootleg" for nothing.

My grade: A-

A+ = must have
A = should have
A- = highly recommended
B+ = recommended
B- = slightly recommended
C+ = worth checking out if on sale
C = worth checking out if in cut-out bin
C- = worth checking out if at garage sale
D+ = wouldn't want it in my collection
D = wouldn't take it even if it was free
D- = couldn't recommend it to anyone
E = avoid at all costs

I'm not racist...but I will have an opinion

It would seem that the only reason some believe I'm voting for McCain, is because I'm racist - at least, that's what they end up concluding. I'm getting tired of hearing these "thinking people" resort to name calling, in order to support their agenda that any "thinking person" cannot possibly support McCain. Well, I'm here to burst their bubble.

You see, I personally have no problem with race, and it plays no part in my choice for president or even friendships. I do have a problem with poor choices and bad judgment (regardless of race), and will not support either. Trouble is, just because I personally disagree and will not support someone due to their own choices, does not mean I have any problem with their skin color. You can be white, black, brown, yellow, whatever, and it has no bearing on whether I would consider you someone I would respect. It has everything to do with how you behave and present yourself, as well as whether you are respectful of others. A white person that is full of tattoos and body piercings may be a genius at rocket science, but their choices of "personal expression" will cause me to seriously consider their judgment. It has nothing to do with race. Similarly, the black or white or yellow man who wears his pants down around his knees may be a genius at economics or law. But, their choices of "personal expression" will again cause me to seriously consider their judgment. It has nothing to do with race. On the flip side, I could see a person well dressed and groomed who presents themselves well, could be a complete moron on just about every topic. I would be less likely to question their judgment, as they are not overtly displaying their own "personal expression". It has nothing to do with race.

The point is that I have no problem with Obama's race. I've got tons of problems with his lack of experience, and complete ignorance on how to fund his great plans for the USA. Not to mention, that ALL of his ideas would need congressional approval, and we know how productive those folks are (NOT!!). Obama may have grand ideas, but he seems to leave out how to accomplish them effectively.

I'm not without reservation regarding McCain, but the guy has decades more experience with regards to actually running the country. He's not the best choice, but he sure beats the pants off of an Obama presidency. At least McCain seems to understand that it's not all up to him to solve all the problems in the country, nor will he take that responsiblity. He understands the job involves leadership, and not just pandering.

It has nothing do to with race. It has everything to do with experience, judgment, and an understanding of what makes the USA great.

It's the individual citizens, and not the politicians!! Stop putting so much faith in the politicians, and start putting faith in ourselves!! It has nothing to do with race.

Motorhead 2008 - The Orbit Room, Grand Rapids

Motorhead 2008 - Review of September 13, 2008 concert at The Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, Michigan

It's been almost 15 years since I last saw Motorhead in concert, and this was my wife's first time.

I have to first off start with a few comments about The Orbit Room. This venue has the potential of being a very cool club type concert hall, but has not been well maintained. What was once a very trendy looking place has now become a little bit better than your typical bar. On many recent occasions, they were not allowing access to the upper balcony, which further frustrates old people like me. For this show, we were able to get upstairs, however the track up via the first staircase proved adventurous, due to hardly any lighting. Once up at the balcony, getting around was also tricky, due to very limited stair lighting (I tripped more than once). The Orbit room used to have waitresses wandering around taking drink orders, but that has been discontinued (unfortunate). Overall, it wasn't our worst experience at The Orbit Room, but they could do much to improve things.

We arrived shortly after the second band had started. They were called "Year Long Disaster". They seemed to be more of a rootsy hard rock, akin to maybe Aerosmith or Led Zeppelin. Sort of a dirty bluesy rock, from this three-piece. Not bad, but I'm not buying yet. Next up with a group known as "Valient Thorr". These guys are full of energy, and appear to be bent on winning the audience over. With music that sounded like AC/DC on speed, this group was non-stop hard rock at 150bpm. Add to this the overall abundance of band facial hair, and you've got an odd visual. The lead singer "Valient himself" was constantly moving, jumping, climbing on speakers, dancing around, and attempting to engage the audience. Overall, the style isn't my cup of tea, but I'll give them a "A" for effort. They are apparently building a name for themselves by getting songs onto video game soundtracks.

Finally we get the headliner - the mighty Motorhead. After over 30 years of making music, Lemmy Kilmister and company still manage to maintain a trademark sound that doesn't much change. For the fans, this is a good thing. Basic high speed rock-n-roll with vocals that sound like they came from an 80yr old smoker (Lemmy is around 60 now, isn't he?). By introducing themselves as "we are Motorhead, and we play rock and roll", the band kicked into over 90 minutes of tunes from across their entire career. New material sounded like it came from the original 1980 "Ace of Spades" era, while cover tunes like Thin Lizzy's "Rosalie" still had that Motorhead stamp on them. The only "odd" moment was their first encore of an acoustic guitar blues tune, with Lemmy just handling vocals. Other than that, I'd say the night was loud, fast, and exactly what everyone wanted. After pummeling the audience with their sonic onslaught, they left us with ears rining, and some bass guitar feedback that only Lemmy provides. You gotta love a band that hasn't given up their style or compromised their image (warts and all).

The previous time I had seen Motorhead (again, 15 yrs ago), they were opening for Black Sabbath. Motorhead got about 45 minutes, and they wasted no time with their attack. I was surprised at how the band has very little stage "antics", and that hasn't changed over the years. Motorhead has no special gimic or show, but simply comes out loud and fast.

I don't know how much longer Motorhead will be around, but I'm betting Lemmy has at least another 10 years worth of damage to cause. See you next time around.

Part of why Obama is a problem for the USA

Talking politics:

I'm not exactly excited over either candidate (McCain or Obama), but Obama is definitely NOT the person to put in charge of the country. His plans are based off of monies that the government doesn't have (yet), and the plan is to raise taxes on the "wealthy" and "businesses". So, I suppose you'll be fine as long as:
- You don't own a business
- You have no desire to become wealthy yourself
- You don't work for a business
- You don't get a paycheck from a business
- You don't work for someone who is currently wealthy and owns a business
The problem with Obama's plan is that it puts a tax burden on those who have been successful, thereby discouraging success. If I happen to be lucky enough to start up a successful company from scratch, and now the government is going to take more of my money and hand it over to those "more in need", it won't take long before I decide to close up shop. That has the additional problem of removing tax revenue from the federal government, thus forcing tax increases on the rest of us to "fund" those helpful programs that Obama wants. Not a good plan.

On the other hand, additional tax breaks and reductions on businesses will reward the successful and increase jobs (economics 101). This allows more jobs, more pay increases, and obviously more money spent.

The biggest problem is that many seem to see the government programs as "free" money or services. Trouble is, that is NOT the case. Us tax paying workers are funding this government and it's programs. Regardless of how Obama wants to "spin" it, national healthcare, educational subsidies, and other hand-outs are going to be funded by tax payers. The level of spending that Obama has in mind will obviously result in more tax increases than just the "wealthy" and "businesses". It's going to cost all of us.

Obama simply doesn't understand what has made the USA the best nation in the world to live in, and continues to be the place where most of the world would rather be. McCain may not be the best choice, but he does have more understanding than Obama.

Get over your "celebrity admiration" of Obama, and give reasonable thought to what really makes our country great. Obama is more of a politician than he is a leader.

In the USA, you should be allowed to be successful without punishment ("pursuit of happiness" and all that). If that's taken away, what's left to motivate the inventor and pioneer?

Cool Electronic Instrument - ReacTable

Just thought I'd pass this video along, for your enjoyment. This is a unique new electronic instrument called a ReacTable, which I've seen in live performance by the band that backed up singer Bjork. At the concert, I was never able to figure out what this thing was doing. Pretty interesting, if nothing else.

Well, Palm Centro SmartPhone wins

After spending a couple months reviewing various "smartphone" options and plans with AT&T (our current wireless provider), I had just about decided to not make any move. However, this past weekend my current cellphone "smartcard" decides to die. Not knowing exactly what the problem was, I take this as a sign that it's time to make a move. So, off to the AT&T store to talk about various options. After some more serious consideration and review, I opt for upgrading both mine and my wife's cell phones to the Palm Centro.

Why the Palm Centro instead of an iPhone? Well, the biggest reason has to do with the fact that both me and my wife have been using Palm PDA devices for the past few years. So, we were both familiar with the Palm operating system, and it's features. Combining that function with the cellphone, means we are able to consolidate two devices into one (that's a good thing). After mail-in rebates, the Centro price was $69 each. Not so bad for our first "smartphone" experience. The Palm Centro features "bluetooth" capability that supports data transfer (which isn't on the iPhone), photo and video function (iPhone doesn't support video - yet), full QWERTY keyboard (although pretty small), and internet browsing capability (via Palm's "blazer" browser). There are some other minor functions. I am able to add up to 4GB in additional memory via MicroSD card. The unit does not have Wi-Fi like the iPhone, but I'm not looking for this to be my primary internet access device. Although I can appreciate many of the functions of the iPhone, the bottom line was that the Palm device fit my needs more appropriately. There is also the idea that this is our first move into "SmartPhone", so we already have more features than we know what to do with.

As with most any plan from AT&T, the extra data piece (unlimited use) is an extra $30 a month per phone. This is not the most economical option out there, but does fit conveniently with our existing "family" plan. This DOES NOT include "texting", however there is various "instant message" options available on the Centro and that works as "data use". So, that fills that need, if we decide to use it.

The one issue that I'm seeing is with most "smartphone" options is that battery life is greatly reduced when using the "advanced" functions. Things like activating the "bluetooth" functions, activating the "instant message" accounts, or any other option that keeps the phone "awake", all is a drain on the battery. If you are able to keep these features turned "off", you will see the Centro go into "standby" mode and that doesn't eat up nearly as much battery. I had read that the Centro had about half the battery life as an iPhone, so I'm not entirely caught off guard with this. On the plus side, the Centro has an easily replaced battery, while the iPhone requires you to send it back to the factory for battery replacement. While this may not be an immediate concern to the common consumer, it is something that should be given consideration.

Overall, I'd say the Palm Centro on the AT&T network is the best "value" for the consumer looking to move into the "smartphone" arena. It's certainly not as "cool" as the iPhone, but does have some key features not supported in iPhone. Neither is perfect, so review your needs and go with what best fits your lifestyle.

Some Concert Reviews from last week

As mentioned previously, I was at some concerts over the past week, and I thought I'd share some thoughts on them.

Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys at Meijer Gardens (Aug 7):













My first surprise of the evening was the Los Lobos was opening the show. Considering their almost legendary status, I wasn't expecting them to start things off. But, these road veterans wasted no time getting their Tex-Mex sound going. Los Lobos has a nice combination of roots/blues rock with a decent amount of traditional Mexican flavor added to the sound. The 1hr 15 minute set went by quickly, and yet seemed just about the right amount for what the crowd wanted. Next up was the currently popular and Grammy nominated (didn't they win?) trio from Texas. Combining rock and blues, this group of brothers reminded me of both Stevie Ray Vaughn and ZZ Top, with the added bonus of some outstanding vocal harmonies. The guitarist was able to cover quite a bit of musical ground, showing influences from all the greats of the past, while still adding some of his own identity. Bassist for the group was amazingly subtle with the amount of foundation he provided in the music. The casual listener wouldn't have noticed that it frequently sounded like more than just one guy playing behind the guitar solos. The drummer was solid as could be, and frequently added a third vocal harmony. He was another understated performer, but the talent was unmistakable. Overall, both bands were outstanding and neither seemed to overshadow the other. In fact, towards the end of the Los Lonely Boys set, they brought out members of Los Lobos for a few songs of fun and jamming. Either band is worth catching, but both on a single night was something special.

"Legends" sets at Unity Fest in Muskegon:

















On Saturday afternoon (Aug 9), Unity Fest brought together 3 of the legends of Christian "rock"/"contemporary" music. First up was Randy Stonehill. Having started back in the 70s, Randy still knows how to entertain a crowd with just his voice and a guitar. Randy brought no fancy gear or backing musicians, but gave the crowd a great sampling of his past and present. Including songs he wrote with Keith Green, and up to a new yet-to-be-released song, he shared for about 45 minutes. Next up was Phil Keaggy. Phil is amazing on guitar, and this was similar to Randy (just Phil and a guitar). Phil did make use of his "looping" pedals, and created many great soundscapes that need to be heard to be believed. Phil's voice was in fine form as well. He shared songs from all across his long career, including some new material (written as recently as a week before the show). Last was a reunion show from Resurrection Band. This was the last reunion show scheduled for the band, so there was quite a bit of interest in how this would go. The band concentrated mostly on their early material, rarely getting into anything beyond 1985. Wendi Kaiser sounded great on vocals, and Stu Heiss was doing some great lead guitar work. In general, the band wasn't as tight as I had hoped, but it could have been worse. Overall, I would say all 3 gave the crowd an education in the foundation of Christian "rock". It was a unique chance to see all 3 in a single afternoon.

That is all for now.

"Major Labels" and their stupidity

In the music industry today, there are what is called "major labels". These are typically the big corporate labels that put huge dollars behind million-selling artists. Labels like Sony BMG, Warner Music, EMI, and Universal. These are also the same guys who are complaining about the digital music revolution (iTunes and the like), while continuing to overcharge for audio CDs (in most cases).

The labels are continuing to put their money behind a 25 yr old technology (audio CDs), and haven't been able to find a new technology that appeals to the masses. To casual music consumers, a typical audio CD has been more than satisfactory. The recent popularity of the iPod and other MP3 devices has only proved the the public is looking for more convenience, rather than increased quality. If the music sounds very similar to an audio CD and I can put my entire catalog of CDs onto a unit that fits in my pocket, that is proving to be something I'm willing to invest in. In other words, the major labels haven't been the best at chasing new technologies, and are now upset that the public is finding alternatives.

When your favorite band puts out a new CD, you typically will run to your local retailer and pick up the copy. Sometimes it will be on sale, as part of a new release promotion. But, you don't mind paying $10-$15 to help support your favorite band. You also help the band by getting them better initial sales results (possible chart position). You get to hear the new music, the band gets sales on the new CD, and the label sees some profits. A year or two later, your favorite band releases a CD of all new music, and the cycle repeats itself.

Lately, I've been seeing a new "trend" which further proves the major labels have only "money" as their driving force. A band will release a CD today, and start a tour to support it. If they happen to get some momentum behind the CD and it becomes popular, labels are now "re-releasing" these popular CDs (sometimes within 12 months of original release) as "expanded" versions. Basically, the fan who originally went out and bought the bands CD, now has to buy the whole thing over again to get a select few new tracks. Not only does this effectively penalize the consumer for buying the initial release, but it also tends to delay the release of an entirely new CD.

An example is the recent news of the debut CD from "Daughtry" (released Nov 2006)now being re-released with 3 newly added "acoustic" versions of songs from the CD (releasing Sept 9, 2008). A "bonus" DVD is also being included in the new "expanded" version. If you've already bought the original, are you going to buy again for just a few new add-ons? If you haven't bought the original, will this motivate you?

Rather than releasing an "expanded" version of the initial CD, why not go with the idea of a new "EP" (shorter format) CD with DVD, and put the new material out as a new product? Simply repackaging the original with some "extra" material seems to be a slap in the face to the existing fan base who has supported the original release.

This isn't the first time a label has done this sort of thing. The current popularity of "remastered" versions of CDs has provided labels with a new way to get a consumer to re-buy their favorite CD, in hopes of getting some enhanced product. In many cases, some additional "previously unreleased bonus" tracks are added to help the value. However, in the case of the "Daughtry" CD, we aren't even talking about remastering. This is purely slapping a few "bonus" tracks onto a popular release, and trying to milk a few more dollars. Not exactly the best way to keep the fans happy.

How many times have you repurchased a release? Did you originally buy something on vinyl record, then cassette, and now CD? Would you be willing to buy an "expanded" version of a CD you bought within the last 24 months, if they added the bonus DVD and a few songs?

Concerts this week

So, after a bit of a lull in concert attending, this week we have two on the schedule:

Tonight (Aug 7) - Meijer Gardens (here in Grand Rapids) is having a great double bill show. The evening will start with the Blues/Rock sounds of Los Lonely Boys (great trio), followed by the road veterans Los Lobos. Los Lobos has been around for decades, and have reached almost legendary status. Los Lonely Boys came to national attention a few years back with their hit "Heaven", and are known for their great live shows. Should be a night of some outstanding music, with a Tex/Mex flavor.

Saturday (Aug 9) - We are going up to UnityFest in Muskegon (www.unitymusicfestival.com) on Saturday, as they are hosting a "legends" package in the afternoon. Starting off at 2:30, Randy Stonehill will perform a solo acoustic set. Phil Keaggy will follow at 3:30 with a similar set. Then a reunited Resurrection Band will perform a set starting at 4:45pm. Considering this is the second of only 2 reunion shows for Resurrection Band, this is a "must see" for me. Reports from their first show last month at Cornerstone Festival were very positive, so expectations are high.

Other shows of note coming in the next month:

• Friday (Aug 8) - Although we aren't going on Friday, Unity Fest (www.unitymusicfestival.com) is having headliners Skillet and Toby Mac both on Friday night. That's a good combo, if you ask me, but I can't make it.

• August 23 - Bill Haley's Comets, Hastings SummerFest, Downtown Hastings - Afternoon outdoor performance - Although this no longer includes Bill Haley (who passed away in 1981), the group reportedly is now led by "original" bass player Al Rappa.

• September 23 - Monte Montgomery, The Intersection (front lounge), Grand Rapids - www.sectionlive.com - Rumor has it that local favorite Ed Englerth may be opening the show (just rumor at this point)

• October 2 - Jon Olivas Pain and Circle II Circle, The Intersection, Grand Rapids - www.sectionlive.com - Jon Oliva is one of the main composers behind Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but is more known as a founding member of the band Savatage. Circle II Circle is a band founded by a previous lead vocalist for Savatage. This is a rare opportunity to see both bands on stage in one evening, and may see a mini-reunion for some Savatage tunes. Should be a good night.

That is all for now.

Fun with PSA

Sorry I dropped off for a couple weeks, but it's been a bit of an anxious time.

About 6 weeks ago, my family doctor told me a blood test had shown an elevated "PSA". This was part of a series of standard tests he did, as part of renewing some prescriptions. He explained to me that "PSA" was "prostate-specific antigen" and can be an indicator of prostate cancer. If the number exceeds specified ranges, further investigation by a Urologist is recommended. In my case, being 43, I should have been in the 2.x range (which was where I tested 2 years ago). This year, I was slightly above 4, which put me in the "concerned" range. So, off to the Urologist I go.

I would like to note that I was not having any symptoms of prostate trouble, and was told this would not be unusual for early stage Prostate cancer.

My first appointment with the Urologist involved a follow up exam, verifying that there was not any other obvious issues. The Urologist suggested scheduling a Prostate biopsy, and a second PSA test was ordered, just to make sure there wasn't some odd reason for the original high rating. This second test came back a tad lower, but still within the "concerned" range. So, the biopsy appointment was kept on the calendar.

Last week, I had the biopsy taken. This was not what I would call a pleasant experience, but probably is far less troubling than previous methods. If you want details of this procedures, it is explained at http://men.webmd.com/prostate-biopsy I was told 12 samples were taken. After a few days, I was told that all samples tested negative and I do not have any prostate cancer at this time. There are still some ongoing issues with the recovery from the biopsy, but nothing I haven't been warned about.

So, why tell you this? Well, if caught early enough, Prostate Cancer has a high survival rate (over 90% will survive). The current PSA test isn't full proof, and there are many factors that can contribute to a high result. However, the PSA test has also been catching many Prostate cancers in the early stages, and is felt to be a major contributor to improving the survival rate. As I was told, in the early stages of Prostate cancer, there can be no symptoms. It is reported that by the age of 40, men should be having a PSA included with their regular blood tests. There needs to be a "base" level determined, so any increases can be monitored. In my case, my PSA numbers almost doubled within 2 years, which was concerning.

There is some concern about PSA tests and Prostate cancer being very slow growing, and that many men will die from other ailments before the Prostate cancer becomes an issue. This is reported to be more of an issue in older men (say, over 70), but with younger men (say, under 50) Prostate cancer could spread to other parts of the body and become a serious threat. It all depends on the age of the individual, and what other ailments are in play. On the other side of the coin, it is reported that Prostate Cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer of men (exceeded only by lung cancer). It is also reported that 1 in 6 men will have Prostate cancer. There are many contributing factors, but bottom line is that many men will get to have some dealing with this.

If you are over 40 and don't know if you've ever had the PSA test done, you should talk to your family doctor about it. Getting the "base" level set can be important for your future health. I know recent reports are saying that men over 75 should seriously consider not bothering with PSA, and I can understand that point. But, I'm talking about much younger men. In my opinion, avoiding the issue could result in much more serious problems.

A related note is that biopsies performed based solely upon elevated PSA levels return a positive cancer result in less than 30% of the cases (typically much less). I wouldn't say this is reason to avoid the procedure, but is more a reason to not get overly anxious about the procedure. As I've been told, the most reliable way to determine whether cancer exists is via the biopsy. However, it's not 100% reliable, as there is always a chance that all samples taken happen to not reveal a growing cancer.

My point: If you're a male over 40, you need to at least ask your doctor about PSA and how it relates to your specific health care.

Tim Hamm for President!!

New iPhone - Should I Care?

OK, so tomorrow is the big launch for the Apple's new iPhone model. They are saying it can do internet web browsing at twice the speed, and the price is half of what the phones were last year. Most of this appears to be true, and I'm sure there are plenty of "techno-geeks" that are already lined up to get their new toy.

Earlier this week, I stopped into my local AT&T store and was asking about my current plan and phone upgrades. I was told about the new $199 iPhone and that it does have the only "real" HTML viewing of web pages (which is true). This is quite a plus, as it does help web browsing to be more enjoyable. However, unless you are a frequently traveler, how often are you browsing the web on your cell phone?

The iPhone DOES NOT have any integrated keyboard, so text entry is clumsy (at best). The iPhone reportedly does not have an "officially supported" video feature (you can watch video, but not create video), which is surprising considering the popularity of this feature on other phones.

The new model reportedly supports synchronizing with Microsoft's Outlook program, however only the "full" version (not the "express" version, that many use).

There are many features which makes the phone intuitive for the gadget fan, but I would argue that the overall product is beyond the casual cell phone consumer. Sure, it easily integrates with Apple's Mac computer products, and does have some Windows compatibility (via specified software).

At the AT&T store, I could get a more "typical" Palm based "smart phone" for $99 (after $100 mail-in rebate). This phone had an integrated keyboard, supported both photo and video, supported web browsing (slightly slower and only text based - no HTML), and also was compatible with the Palm Desktop software (something many Palm users are familiar with).

I expect Apple will sell at least twice as many of the new iPhone model, compared to previous models. I'm hearing that the unit is easy to operate, fun, and does work well. However, I'm not yet sure I'm ready to plop down $200 for a cell phone that gets toted around daily.

Maybe I'll just stick with my standard cell phone, separate Palm PDA, and separate iPod. At least I don't have a "single point of failure".

What do you think?

What moves you more, lyrics or music?

I have been a long fan of instrumental music, and occasionally get into debates over whether lyrics are always necessary. Can God speak to us via the music without lyrical content. A majority of the music listening public would argue there is no message without a lyric, and without a message there is no communication.

Granted many may argue that music and lyrics belong together. I know there is a Edgar Allen Poe quote that says: "Since the comprehension of sweet sound is our most indefinite conception, music when combined with a pleasurable idea is poetry. Music without the idea is simply music. Without music or an intriguing idea, colour become pallor, man becomes carcass, home becomes catacomb, and the dead are but for a moment motionless."

There is a logic that can tie both music and lyrics together, however I would argue that the human soul can be moved by either individually.

There are many times when I've been listening to a particularly simple song (musically speaking), however the lyric is extremely powerful. A good example of this would be the song "Strange Fruit", most famously recorded by Billie Holiday. Although quite a minimalistic musical piece with few lyrics, each word is powerful. Another lyrical favorite of mine is a song by Christian musician Steve Taylor called "The Finish Line".

I am not a huge "word oriented" person, so I am not moved by lyrics as many are. However, I believe you can also be as equally moved by an outstanding instrumental performance. I have frequently been drawn into a performance simply by the musicians and their command of their instrument. The instrument itself has rarely mattered to me. I have been in awe over harmonica, mandolin, banjo, piano, harp, percussion, etc. I will get drawn in to the performance, to the point where nothing else has my attention.

My position would be that you can be equally poetic with either words or music, and they don't have to necessarily be together.

As a Christian, I would argue that God can move the human spirit with what He chooses, and this can be via music without lyrics or lyrics without music. Sure, there are biblical portions that speak of the power of words, and I would not want to imply that to be incorrect. My point is, God speaks to each of us individually, and not always in the same way.

Have you had an instrumental piece of music speak to you as strongly as a lyric? Are lyrics required for music to praise God? Feel free to comment.

Reminisce about 2006! - Has VH-1 gone too far?

OK, I just had to post something about this:

This week VH-1 (cable music channel) has been running a show called "I Love The New Millennium". Now, granted, I've enjoyed their shows looking back at the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s. But, "looking back" at 2 and 3 yrs ago seems a bit premature to me. With scenes like "let's look back at Ugly Betty" (the show is still on the air, for crying out loud), I'm not seeing anything but a lack of creativity on VH-1's part. Pathetic comes to mind. How bad have our attention levels gotten, when we now supposedly want to reminisce about 24 months ago?!? Is anyone actually watching these full episodes? I can't believe so.

Considering, I'm not much for watching network TV, I suppose my other choices are "Family Guy" reruns or History Channel shows ("Ice Road Truckers" RULES!!). It might be time to go back to books (if you haven't already).

Enough rant for now.

Later

Back Again - Sorry for being gone so long

Hey All,

Finally getting back to the good ol' blogging, and hopefully this will become more frequent.

So, what's new in my world:
- Life around the house is good. Been paying for a lawn fertilization service, and have found this to be beneficial. The only problem is that I need to mow the lawn more often, and it's not a favorite chore of mine. Oh well.
- A couple weeks back, me and my wife went to Chicago to catch a tour stop by Iron Maiden. They are currently flying around the world in a custom 747, and are playing music from their 1980s releases. The show was fantastic, and the crowd was great. Good time.
- Have some upcoming music and gigs scheduled, so keep tuned in for info on this.
- Been spending way too much time playing Mario Kart for Wii.

Current concerns and thoughts:
-The mainstream media has gone completely bonkers over Obama. I can't understand how they conclude that a first term Senator with next to zero other leadership experience is somehow qualified to run our country. I'm not confident the general public will get over their excitement over Obama, but maybe. Trust one thing: Washington will not allow anyone to make any real change to the way things are done, regardless of what Obama is preaching.

-Wondering what the future holds for the music industry. In the past, music lovers were primarily interested in achieving the best quality products they could afford. It would now appear that "convenience" has superseded quality. It's generally agreed that an MP3 file is a substandard music format, when compared to the standard audio CD. However, (partially thanks to Apple) all we hear about is how digital downloads are becoming more popular that CDs and will eventually replace them. I'm not sure I like the sounds of that, but I can see "convenience" win out. I do wonder what many people will do when their PC or iPod crashes, and they don't have backups of their music. Sure, iTunes allows you some multiple download options of purchased music, but I still tend to think many will be disappointed. Personally, I own an iPod 160GB model, and do find it more convenient for transporting my music library (it has cut back on the mass of CDs floating around my car and office).

-Wondering how long it's going to take for the public to start making any real changes in their daily lives, to the point where it levels off the current price increases. General economics will teach that supply and demand drive price. At this time, it would appear that the higher gas prices is starting to impact the price of food and services. Eventually, people will have to start cutting back on the non-essentials, and we will start to see a shift in the supplies. This will naturally force a drop in price, and the pendulum will start swinging the other direction. I'm just curious how long it will take before we will hit that point. I certainly don't expect the government to have any impact (except to make it more problematic).

Well, that's about enough for now. Looking forward to summer, and keeping you posted.

Thanks for reading,

Hammster

Reduced packaging audio CDs – good or bad?

I was recently in my local Best Buy, and noticed a selection of audio CDs that now come in simply a cardboard sleeve packaging. No jewel case, and no extra packaging. They also were promoting these as “eco-conscious”, and it didn’t hurt that they were on sale for around $7.99 each (I consider this a fair price for simply the audio CD with minimum packaging).

So, I picked up a couple releases that were on sale.

At first thought, this seems like it could be a good idea. I can see it taking up less space in my CD library shelf. I can see the reduced price as a good trend. Since I’m not a big reader of the inserts, I don’t miss that either (most releases are showing a website where you can find additional information on the release).

On the downside of the idea is the fact that it’s pretty hard to read the side spine on the sleeve. So, once on the shelf, it could be hard to find the disc you are looking for (especially if you have a bunch of these sleeves together). Also, if they don’t keep the price down, there could be the perception that you aren’t really getting much value for your dollar (why spend $8 on the cheap sleeve, when you could get the jewel case version for $10?)

I’ve read some customer reviews of online purchases, which turned out to be the cardboard sleeve packaging, and the customers are pretty upset. Most seem to wish they knew ahead of time (listing doesn’t mention packaging on Amazon), or had the choice up front.

So, I throw the idea out for discussion: Is this trend a good thing and should continue, or is this simply a case of companies trying to make their product more profitable?

Tim

Well done, Larry Norman - Welcome Home

This past Sunday (2/24/2008), Christian rock music pioneer Larry Norman left his earthly body, and went to join his savior in Heaven. After many years of his body failing him, he finally got his reward.


I was first introduced to Larry's music around 1982 or so. A friend of mine had the "Something New Under The Son" release, and I got a kick out of Larry's sense of humor. The bluesy rock music was also well done. I began checking out other releases from Larry, and discovered his involvement with Randy Stonehill (another favorite of mine, and the first "Christian rock" record I ever bought was from Randy). Larry had originally "signed" Randy to a record deal, and helped Randy get started in Christian music. Over the following years, I found Larry had many great songs addressing social issues as well as Christianity. During this time, I never did get a chance to see Larry perform.

Fast forward to 1998, when I was attending Cornerstone Festival with my wife. Larry made a previously unannounced solo acoustic performance at the HM tent. It was during this performance that Larry made some very motivating comments about suffering children around the world, and how we were called to reach out to them (if possible). After this, my wife and I sponsored a child through Compassion International.

Over the next couple years, reports began to come out about Larry having heart trouble. There were some times when the problems became quite serious, and there was question how long Larry would be with us.

The next time I got see Larry perform was at Cornerstone Festival 2001. Randy Stonehill was also at the festival, performing during a "legends of Christian Rock" special package of artists. Larry Norman was also scheduled to perform during that weekend. The relationship between Larry and Randy had suffered some problems during the 80s/90s, but they had rebuilt the friendship and Larry joined Randy on stage at the end of Randy's set. This was a reunion that many hoped to see. After this performance, I noticed Larry and Randy were watching another band from the side of the tent. I approached them, and asked if I could get a picture with them. They were both kind and accommodating. I had my wife take the photo you see here (Larry is the one on the far left)








The next day Larry gave a full band rock performance on the "main stage". I heard many say it was one of Larry's better performances, and was more energetic than many expected. The first half of the set was kind of a "retro-Larry" type bluesy rock show. For the second half of the set, Larry brought out a different backing band, and performed new modern arrangements of some of his tunes. Overall, a great show, and can be heard on the "Live At Cornerstone" release. Randy was supposed to join Larry, but Randy ended up having to leave the festival earlier than expected. I do specifically remember Larry making many comments about loving Christ, and how we need to be more loving to all.

I didn't get to ever see Larry perform again, but still enjoyed his music and ministry. Over the past year, I have been watching some Larry Norman videos a friend has shared with me. One thing is consistent with all the material - Larry loved Jesus and wanted nothing more than to share that with others. Larry wasn't without his problems or controversy, but he never said we should be following Larry. He was simply doing his best to point the way to Christ.

Anyone who has read of Larry's past health issues should not be surprised at his passing. However, it still is a loss for those of us still here, and we have to now step up and fill the gap left by Larry's passing. Larry Norman now gets to enjoy the rewards that he often would speak/sing about. Thankfully, we can still enjoy the music that Larry left for us, via his CDs and DVDs.

Thanks to God for allowing me to be around during the same period when Larry Norman was here, and having an opportunity to not only experience his live performance but also meet the man. Praise God, and thanks to Larry for the faith he shared.

For more info on Larry, you can check www.larrynorman.com They seem to have taken some pages off line for now, but may be back soon.

To purchase some of Larry's CDs, you can find many at www.christiandiscs.com

Tim

Have Americans stoppped thinking?

Maybe some of you can help me out here.

I am hearing frequent reports of people throwing their presidential support behind Barack OBama. This definitely has me questioning whether anyone is actually giving any serious consideration to the requirements of the job. Many state that Obama has said he will bring change and hope back to the office. There are numerous reasons why he is a bad choice, and I will cover a few here. Maybe some of you can help me understand why nobody seems to care about these issues.

Why are we even seriously considering a first term senator for the top office in the country? I know many like to say that there is no job that provides experience for the presidency, however there are some that come close. Many governors have become decent presidents, yet rarely is a senator ever elected into the position. We are talking about needing a person who understands how to build a solid team of advisers, who has some understanding of economics, and also has the courage to stand up for what is right (rather than always going with popular). I'm confident Barack is NOT that man. Sure, Barack can give a good speech, but that doesn't make him qualified to be chief executive of the country!!

I have yet to speak to anyone who can give me a single example of anything Barack has accomplished while in the senate. People simply like the way Obama speaks, and they like his personality. That's enough for them the elect him president of the USA, and that's a tad scary to me. Do you have any specific examples of Barack's accomplishments?

Barack wants us out of Iraq and believes we can reason with the terrorists taking refuge in Iraq. Any logical person can look at a sampling of terrorist actions and come to the conclusion that these are not reasonable people. The cowardly terrorist hides behind anonymous identities, claims no allegiance to any specific country, and sees their destruction of "infidels" as sanctified. I'm not sure exactly how Barack plans on reasoning with these individuals, but I'm 100% certain the terrorists simply want us dead. I am specifically not saying that all Muslims or Islamic people are terrorists, as I do not believe they all are. I also believe there are Iraqis who desire a country without terrorists, and are working towards that. However, the country has long been a safe-haven for terrorists, and Iraq continues wrestling with changing that. Unless we want another 9/11/01 incident, we need to continue taking the battles off our own soil. Barack doesn't seem to get that, and the USA cannot afford that ignorant leadership.



There are frequent reports of Barack not properly honoring the flag during the national anthem. He is pictured without his hand placed over his heart. It isn't a 100% of the time, but often enough to raise serious concern about him being our national leader. If he isn't 100% for the USA, what is the point of giving him the highest office? I'm not making this up. Look it up for yourself.


From Barack's own website:
If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness.”
My first question would be: Who gets to pay for this? My guess is that he would say it will be covered by the government. Spoiler Alert: The government does not make any money - it only takes it from us via taxes. So, a program like this has no option except to increase our already high tax burden.
The other problem I have is: When was the last time you've seen a government agency run something efficiently AND as planned? Even the simplest of tasks ("department of motor vehicles" or "secretary of state") are commonly known for their long lines and huge amounts of "red tape".
Simply put, the government is only good at raising taxes and building up the military. Everything else should be left up to the private sector. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until it's "free"!!

Barack likes to tell us how he's going to change things in Washington D.C, but any aware person knows that won't be allowed. D.C. is full of too many special interest groups and lobbyists, who are working daily to keep politicians busy. If Barack truly believes he can change the massive bureaucratic leviathan of D.C., then he is too naive for the job already.

Now granted, I have not decided on any presidential candidate yet, but there is no way I can see myself voting for Barack. Maybe 10 years from now, once he's had a chance to get more understanding of how things work in Washington D.C.

One thing is for sure: Any clearly thinking American cannot conclude that Barack is the right choice for this election.

Tim

Another chapter ends...

As many of you know, I was part of the band Sojourn. As of August 2006, the band went on indefinite hiatus. The primary reason had to do with our lead singer (Adam) moving towards missionary work. Due to the time needed for him and his family to prepare, he needed to make more time in his schedule. The remaining members of the band could not see Sojourn continuing without both founding members.

After about 18 months, the www.sojournband.com band website (along with all affiliated email address) has now expired. This is not surprising to anyone, and only means the ending of another chapter in the saga that was Sojourn.

I'll take this moment to thank Adam, Dean, John, and all the past members who have come and gone over the years. It was a fun ride, and there are many great stories. Thanks for letting me be a part of the experience.

Onward towards the future...

Tim

Why do people do this?

One of my favorite longtime "pet peeves" is people who buy some item, and yet have no idea how to use it or why they need it. Please note that I am a "semi-professional" computer nerd, and gadget fan. I am adept at technology and can usually figure things out. I also like to have a justification for a new "toy", rather than just buy it because it's new.

A continuing culprit seems to be the person who buys an Apple Mac computer, because they were told it is something they need. I frequently run into someone who tells me "I don't know why I bought this because I don't even know how to use it". When I recently walked into a local Apple retail store, I was shown all of the "cool" features of the new Mac computers. When I would ask the salesperson "why would I care about that feature", the blank stare was amusing. My point is, the Apple sales people were pitching "cool" rather than functional. So, consumers are buying a machine they have little experience with, so they can go home and do "cool" stuff. I have a friend who bought a Mac computer with his home recording studio software, because he was told the Mac would be the best audio choice (no argument there). Trouble is, this friend was not familiar with the Apple operating system, and has trouble simply getting around the system. Another friend of mine was trying to import a video from his camera, and the "simple" Mac program was not cooperating. I think it was because the Apple operating system only wanted a specific video format. I had another person ask me if I could help them create a website on their Mac. I asked what software they were going to use, and again I got the blank stare.

I've often heard financial planners tell me that I shouldn't even invest in any stocks or funds that I do not FULLY understand. Don't buy into anything you cannot explain to someone. And yet, these same people seem to have no problem buying technology that they do not understand.

I am generally ignorant about automotive repairs, and am not the best at household repairs. However, I do at least understand how to put air in my tires, check oil level, and put gas in the car. I also understand how to replace filters in my furnace, check electrical breaker switches, and replace light bulbs. In other words, I may not be an expert, but I have a general idea what is needed to be an effective owner of the product. There are many who do not see this connection with technology.

So, don't buy an iPod if you don't know how to even download the iTunes software (which is free to all, and available in both Windows and Mac versions). Don't buy a digital camera if you aren't sure how to get the photos off the thing. Don't buy an iPhone if you can't get a standard cell phone to work. And don't buy a computer without having an idea of what they can do for you, or why you need it.

If you are desiring to buy the latest technology, please realize you need to spend some time researching your options and reading the instructions. From my experience, the only difference between a novice and expert is that the expert has read the manual. The guy who cracks out his iPod and starts trying to synchronize it, finds out right away that there are some rules you need to follow. The person who buys a digital camera without some prior research can find out they don't have the right port on the computer (is it USB or Firewire?). The person who buys the new computer and finds it a bit more complicated that promised, needs to plan on taking some time to get "acquainted" with the features and functions.

Most of us have had decades of experience where our purchases were easily understood items. I mean, how complicated is a toaster? Can-openers were fairly simple. TVs were a bit more complicated, but still intuitive (off - on - change channel). Video tape recorders were a bit more complicated, and needed some simple programming. Video game systems were fairly simple (set TV channel - turn on - inset game cartridge). However, now there are hundreds of functions available on TVs, computers, video recorders, microwave ovens, and even refrigerators with computers in the door!!

So, please, please, I'm begging you, spend some time thinking before buying something that you think you need. If you can at least explain how it will make your life better, that's enough to get started. If it's not going to make YOUR life better, what's the point?

Until next time,

Tim

Good News - Bad News

Time for some updates for those of you stopping by:

Good News:

The company who makes the Pro Tools software (Digidesign - www.digidesign.com) has been selling a "plug-in" virtual drummer called "Strike". I purchased this "plug-in", when I recently upgraded my Pro Tools LE system. Digidesign also recently provided an "expansion pack" free download for recent customers. Although I have had little experience with other software virtual drummer packages, I can honestly say that "Strike" is simply amazing. Unlike any other drum machine or software I've used. The software does only work within a Pro Tools session, so it's not compatible with other DAW software. However, for the Pro Tools user, "Strike" is almost unbeatable (pun intended). Options within the program allow you to adjust the "complexity", "intensity", "timing", "groove", and a ton other options. You can literally customize just about every element of the drum studio. Various mic options are available, all based from samples created from actual studio sessions. A complete mixer within the software allows you to further tweak your drum session, without leaving the plug-in. The "Strike" software is supposed to assume the time signature and tempo of your Pro Tools session. I have experimented with the tempo option, but haven't tried a different time signature. I've read there are some minor issues when working with odd time signatures, but I'll check that out later. I would have preferred the ability to adjust tempo within the "Strike" software, but I can understand why a "plug-in" would need to defer tempo control to the Pro Tools session. Still, kind of a pain. The drum samples are fantastic and exceed anything I've heard from other digital drum systems. The ease of creating a "typical" drum part is just what I was looking for. Although it's not the cheapest software on the market ($299 list) and does require Pro Tools, this is almost a "must have" software for the Pro Tools user. Simply amazing. For more info, check out the Digidesign website (Strike is under the "A.I.R. Virtual Instruments" section, in the "products" menu).


I have finally jumped into the world of the iPod. Granted, I'm primarily a Microsoft guy, but that doesn't mean I have no appreciation for what Apple offers. What has moved me to get the iPod was a desire to reduce the amount of CD "clutter" that has a tendency to accumulate. I am one who tends to have frequently changing moods for music, so I change out my set of "in circulation" CDs regularly. By getting much of my collection onto an iPod, I now have just a single unit that can satisfy my changing moods at a moments notice. I went with the 160GB "Classic" model. I have loaded up probably over 200 CDs so far, and still have only used just under 20GB of space. The unit can also play videos, which I know many use for watching TV shows while traveling. I do not have plans to make much use of this function, but there is a coming trend of DVDs including "digital" versions of the product. This "digital" version is supposed to be designed for easy transfer to an iPod type device. For now, I'll just stick with working at getting the music loaded up. Feel free to drop me a question if you have any.

Speaking of DVDs including "digital" versions, I just want to state my support for this idea. The recent release of Family Guy's "Blue Harvest" episode, includes the first "digital version" DVD. It is no "extra" charge, and is supposedly already encoded for easy upload to an iPod (I haven't tried it yet). Personally, I think this is a good idea, as it does offer the consumer extra value, which is always a good thing. My hope would be that the studio provided version would be of better quality than what you would get using some third party software. I see it as a good idea, and like the trend.


Bad News:
This week marks the end of the "Artists For Hope" website. In the spring of 2005, I put together a compilation CD of local independent Christian music. The disc was to primarily be a fund raiser for helping with relief efforts in areas impacted by the Asian Tsunami of December 2004. A secondary goal was to help build some awareness of the available local Christian music. While being successful as a fund raising project, the entire world had contributed much to the effort. This allowed the relief and rebuilding to take place at a much faster pace than expected. Also, the USA hurricane season of the late summer of 2005 created a whole new set of emergency situations, inadvertently taking focus off the Tsunami issue. These various issues, along with a reducing level of interest in the compilation, has resulted in the choice to no longer continue renewing the website. The project was a success, and I am grateful to all those who helped make it happen. There are some of the CD still available, and I am now offering them "free-of-charge" to anyone interested. Some of the bands are no longer active, but there are many which are performing and creating new music. Drop me a note if you are interested in obtaining any copies of the CD.

So, that's some of the latest that's been going on. There are some new opportunities coming up for me musically, but I need to keep those quiet for now. I appreciate all those who are reading this, and thank you for taking the time.

Blessings,

Tim
www.timhamm.com