I know I'm inviting a backlash here but I'm beginning to think that the forum is going a bit, I don't know, out of shape? Why all those sudden sticky subjects, posts in big bold fonts, videos that are not Rare Earth related etc. Don't get me wrong, i'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to straying off topic eg beers, Argent, weather. I just feel that lately it's strayed away from Rare Earth (band and label) and veered towards becoming a tribute column for those who have passed away, celebration of non RE related music....well, you get the picture without me drawing it out. Don't even get me started on the lyrics thread. I don't particularly object to the content but I wish it could be contained instead of taking over.
I long for the not too distant days when we were honoured with the wisdom of Ralph and Ray, Peter and Rod and even the rare presence of Gil and Johny Sue. I'm missing my friends, JP2, Mark, Mike, Steve, Jocko D, (my beer pal) Al, Tommy, Stuart, RICH etc. Have we exhausted all there is to discuss on Rare Earth?
I've learned interesting things about Impact of Brass and other RE label acts, so no problems there. I'd love to see the Ron Strasner thread burst into life. I just feel that the more off topic the forum becomes then the less likely it is that new Rare earth fans will take an interest and make contributions.
Now the big questions. Do I post this or not? Will it offend anyone (it is not my intention to hurt anyone's feelings!!)?. Well, I've not consumed copious amounts of alcohol (yet) so I think my comments are from the heart rather than the bottom of a wine bottle...so here goes!
You are a brave soul. I would like to say that I hope you are not including my post of the CRA video, are you? I do agree that the STICKY posts have gotten to be a bit much.
The death notice topic is a bit touchy for me. Losing someone, in this case perhaps an artist, who may have had an impact on someone, is a blow. One could say that if the artist is not a, God Forbid, member of Rare Earth, past or present, that the information should not be posted. I personally would not go that far. I feel the information can have relavincy on this forum, and trying to impliment guidelines may prove to be frustrating as well as not. Perhaps a thread should be started which people could post the death notices under to help unclog the fourm? This is just like, my opinion, man. This would not be considered a STICKY post either.
I have too noticed the slow down in posts, especially from past and present band members, that is ashame. In my opinion they are all a great source of information, as well as entertainment. Ray has some great photos, and with a little coaching I may even be able to understand the system well enough to post some of the ones I snapped over the last, I don't know, 25 years.
The good news is the Midwestern USA Tour Season seems to be upon us. That being said I am hoping to see more post about upcoming shows and/or reviews of those shows.
Peace & Go Blackhawks,
Chicago Tommy
Sorry I couldn't resist since they are in the Stanley Cup Finals.
To be honest, not so much a brave soul, more an instinctive thing I did when it was way past my bedtime and not thinking straight. No, I wasn't having a go at any posters in particular, though I would see how it might have seemed that way. I failed to recognise that the reason we "appear" to be going off topic is that there's not much happening RE-wise at present. At some stage that will change.
There's nothing wrong in posting the passing of a musician and usually the poster does so in reaction to just having heard the news. As for the lyrics thread, Gustavo's English is not the best. I have had a couple of live chats with him in IM and his English is better there. He's a nice guy who is very enthusiastic and knowledgable about his music. The earthquake and replays get mentioned a lot, but this is a big part of Gustavo's life at the moment. I consider myself blessed that I'm not in his situation.
I'd still like to see the Ron Strasner thread burst into life. iIremember writing to him from the UK back in 1973 and he sent me a photo of the band.
I agree pretty much with what you said in your first post on the thread. In a way I think so much has been said on this forum that I sometimes think there is not much more to discuss outside of current shows, releases and events regarding Pete and the CRA and Gil and RE. It's been such a blessing to talk with Pete, Gil, Ray, Russ, Ralph, Johnnie Sue, etc. and maybe anything after that is sort of anti-climatic?
In the late '90's-early '00's I was heavily involved on a Gerry Rafferty forum which was wonderful at first, really good people on the forum, but kind of got cliquish and obnoxious, and even a little political, after a while. (That most definitely is NOT the case on this forum!!)
Don't really know what point I'm trying to make here (lol) but I guess I would really like to see the forum be more focused and more on point as it used to be. No disrespect to anyone. I think all you guys are very nice, stand up people.
BTW, isn't Look What We've Done awesome!!!
Also, BTW, what does Sticky mean, regarding posts?
Dave I read your post last night after I returned from work, a cold beer in my hands at the time. I sat back and reread it a few times,( excuse me I have to change the LP) then sat and thought of a reply couldn't at the time, like you it had been a long day.So with a clear head today I read all of the posts. Your thoughts are well said as are Tommy and Stuart, I have come to enjoy exchanging posts with all of the people on the site. As for having the members of Rare Earth also contribute post, how did we get so LUCKY to have them be so kind to do so.I like to hear about what types of music everyone listens to old or new bands and have done the same hoping to let (excuse me again Dave I have to flip the LP) everyone know the music from here in my corner of the world.I have learned quite a bit from being on this site, listening to music and discussing it has made me pay more attention to the music like I use to when I had more hair. So anyway I can't think of anything thing(sorry Dave I have to put on another LP, just shows you how fast I type) else to say except long live RAREEARTHWORLD!
P.S. Dave don't worry about a backlash from other posters I wouldn't want you to fall a bottle of BENGAL LANCER for us.
Dave I meant to say fall on a bottle of BENGAL LANCER, I think I need a beer!
Tommy and Stuart I have a brother and sister who are Blackhawk fans, and if they win my brother after he finishes bragging up Chicago he'll say something about 1967 and my Maple Leafs, good luck in the remaining games.
Judging by the amount of LP turning during your post you seem to have spent as much time word searching before posting as I did. I see that the sticky threads have gone over the last couple of hours. Like Stuart, I'm not totally sure what a sticky thread is, other than maybe being locked as important and relevant at the top of the list. Whatever, I see changes have been made and it all looks so much tidier. I just hope that Richard and John haven't fallen out with me, because what they have achieved with this site is beyond compare.
Tonight, thanks to Tommy, I finally discovered the Look What We've Done video, which I missed first time around when the link wouldn't work. Tommy is right when he describes it as awesome. If you look at Brand New World and the latest work by Peter and Ralph, there's lots of energy and quality in what these guys are currently producing and, unlike many others of their generation, they are far from being a spent creative force.
If Ralph is looking in, I'd love an update on progress with the book he's writing about his brother Russ. That will be one heck of a read.
Dave Not word searching just thinking of what to say(couldn't you smell the rubber burning?)One thing I did forget to mention was not hearing from Steve, it has been a while and his post were always interesting.I mean anybody who has a connection with Walter Cronkite, well there is no more to say.So Steve if you are reading this it would good to hear from you. Anyway it is late here and I've had a few adult beverges, so catch ya later.
Richard and John Thanks for all you have done for us.
Dave, I have been looking in. Sorry I haven't posted anything lately, but there didn't seem to be a subject that I could add anything to. I do look in on a daily basis though.
I am told by my publisher that Russ' book should be out by the end of June. This has been a while coming so I'm not entirely certain this will happen. At any rate, the title is "Russ Terrana's Motown". I'll keep the forum informed when it is released.
Is anyone else having trouble loading the Listening To thread, or is it just me? I've had trouble with it loading, thought last night I was able to get on but when I went to reply it would not load.
