I remember when I was a youngster, I bought the "We're Gonna Have A Good Time" single in a McCrory's 5 & 10 cent store (they called those stores 5 & 10 cent stores back then). The single cost .39 cents. If my weary memory serves me correctly the flip side was "Would You Like To Come Along?" Am I correct? I am not 100% sure that was the flip side. Even back then in the very early 70s I wondered why the A side wasn't played much at all on the radio...once again, I now blame Motown for not backing up their artists. Anyway, I loved the song and finally scraped up enough money to buy "Willie Remembers". That is why today I can't appreciate cds....nothing beats the old days of buying an album and studying the nice large artwork cover and information on the back and inside. Today the kids just want the music on their ipods...they don't care about the artwork at all. I always felt that the artwork was equally as important as the music contained within. Plus, how about the record label artwork! Just watching it go around and around, with the black lites and posters....great stuff from a long lost era. Incense, strobelights....The best times!!!!! TM
Hey Tony your right about the art work, a CD cover's art work fits into a small corner of an album cover.Just look at any old album which is on a CD your lucky if you get half of it.As for black lights strobe lights and all the great posters it's was a great time that went by all to quickly.
I wouldn't go as far as to say today's music scene sucks. It, has changed as technology has progressed. I have a vast collection of LPs most with intriguing artwork. It is true the artists cannot have the elaborate artwork of the LP era, unfortunately CDs are only the beginning. MP3s have gained enormous popularity - from there artists and labels alike are said to be experimenting with micro chip technolgy. In other words, the recordings are sold on micro chips (SD Micro game cards) and with room on the chips to add the buyers own material, MP3 recordings to the chips. Where does that leave the album cover work we all miss, in my opinon on the artists website - in the form of media links and/or photos. Yes even forums, kudos to Ray Monette. T-shirts and other media alike also present opportunities for artwork to live on and continue to develop.
Hi Tommy, everyone has their own opinion, I realize that. But where is the album artwork continuing to develop? I haven't seen an improvement, only a decline, since cds came onto the market. By going to the artist's website I am not able to actually hold the album. But I also realize that without the internet I wouldn't be able to discuss this with you or anyone else who lives far away from me, so I guess there are ups and downs to all of it. However, I for one sorely miss the experience of going to a "record store" and buying an "album" and enjoying it the way I used to back in the old days. I am truly a dinosaur. Sorry!!!! TM
I agree Tony. The sleeve was an important part of the buying process. It was a real pleasure to visit the local record store and flick through the "New Releases" every Thursday to see what might be of interest. I can still recall the first time I set eyes on the Willie Remembers and Ma albums. I used to love reading all the wording on the sleeves but with CDs I'm lucky if I can see the name of the artist on the front, nevermind the actual text inside, even with reading glasses. It doesn't help when the stores decide to place a price sticker smack bang over the artist's name. The only thing I don't miss about vinyl is having to turn the thing over after 20 minutes to play the other side. Yeah, clearly I'm getting old and lazy lol.
I played one of my old albums the other day and, apart from some slight surface noise, the music seemed to sound a lot brighter than the CD version of the same record. Mike will hopefully prove that this is more to do with the poor mastering of some CDs.
Hey Tony,I don't think all of todays music sucks just some of it.Using myself for an example I'm not a big country fan and I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hate rap.It has nothing to do with race I don't care what the colour of a person's skin is as long the music is to my liking.I guess I'm an old rock and roll fan, who can give new bands a chance. I recently watched a CANADIAN band called the ARKELLS do the half time show at the VANIER CUP.It was cold and I could see them trying to keep their hands warm.Like good CANADIAN boys they came through and played great.I of course sat in my warm living room and watched,[ I;m an old CANADIAN boy so sue me!] The TREWS are another band ,I've missed them the last couple of times they've come to town but I always hope for the next time.SILVERGUN is another I saw them a couple of years ago when they backed up APRIL WINE. So there is good music out there I guess us OLD FARTS are just spoiled by great bands like RARE EARTH.
In my opinion, they don't make 'em like they used to. I'm a spring chicken (32)compared to some of you guys but damn, I grew up on all the great bands thanks to my parents and grand parents. Whether it was big band, jazz, country, rockabilly, r&b, blues, soul, swing, country-rock, progressive, jazz rock fusion or just good old rock and roll, I was exposed to it.
Rare Earth was/is truly one of a kind. And when I listen to the music, it makes me want to have a good time. Man, the days of the band between 70 and 74 must've been exciting when they play live.
