B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Although I have never had the success of say, Madonna, Motown, or Metallica, I have written my share of tunes, some which have charted. As such, I may offer just a tad of insight on this subject of creative license.
Over the years, I have been confronted with a variety of these situations, in a variety of settings. I have been sampled, borrowed from, quoted, and mentioned by name. On multiple occasions, I have even had the opening act feature my songs in their set-list.
I for one, find the process amusing, and artistically satisfying. As a musician, I started out as an artist first, and my interest remains primarily at the creative level. The business end cannot be neglected, but hey, business is business.
Although I have always been the principle lyricist in my projects, I have never been under the allusion that those words belong to me, and can never be uttered in that particular order again without my consent. Lifting an entire chorus line sounds artistically intrusive, but each situation is unique.
The record companies, however, are somewhat less concerned about my artistic integrity and tend to focus on maximizing profit margins. In fact, they are contractually obligated to do so. Although my attitude may seem relaxed in comparison, the bevy of attorneys minding my books have very little sense of humor.
Keep in mind, the one thing Madonna, Motown and Metallica all have in common? Money, the most important ‘M’ word other than ‘mother’.
Here’s the low down. Chances are, unless you are seeing a substantial profit, no-one is apt to notice or even care if you have sampled without permission. Furthermore, some work like parodies for instance, are above the fray, protected under constitutional right of free speech and expression.
In closing, let’s just say this isn’t your normal cup of soup, folks, I’m afraid we’ve opened a can of unknown substance, frothing just below the surface. My advice, approach with caution. Sampling isn’t a crime, but stealing is unconscionable. Ultimately, you must make the call. Make it a sound one.
B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Sound and Recording - Sound Foundation - National Newswire - The Infinite Echo - Impeachment Now! - Skate the Razor -
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Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
DMX Violates probation, returns to jail
B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Troubled rapper DMX is back behind bars and is being held without bail, following new allegations the star has violated the terms of his probation.
Authorities in Arizona contend DMX failed to submit to mandatory drug testing. Maricopa County probation officers are investigating whether the rapper has used cocaine and OxyContin in violation of his probation. The thirty-nine year old rapper and movie star faces years in jail if found guilty.
The talented but troubled rapper, real name Earl Simmons, has also acted in a number of successful films, including ‘Never Die Alone’ and ‘Romeo Must Die. Simmons, who just completed filming a new movie with veteran actor Kris Kristofferson, has experienced several run-ins with the law, however, including drug convictions and charges of animal cruelty. In 1999, Simmons was arrested for having stabbed a man during a tour stop in Boston, Massachusetts. Those charges were later dropped. Since then, Simmons has racked up an impressive but rather disturbing rap sheet, from reckless driving to assaulting prison guards.
In a brief hearing held Wednesday morning, Simmons denied the charges. In return, Court Commissioner Christine Mulleneaux of Maricopa County summarily denied the defendant bail. Simmons is set to appear in court on December 9th.
B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Sound and Recording - Sound Foundation - National Newswire - The Infinite Echo - Impeachment Now! - Skate the Razor -
Skate the Razor Blog - blogment
Troubled rapper DMX is back behind bars and is being held without bail, following new allegations the star has violated the terms of his probation.
Authorities in Arizona contend DMX failed to submit to mandatory drug testing. Maricopa County probation officers are investigating whether the rapper has used cocaine and OxyContin in violation of his probation. The thirty-nine year old rapper and movie star faces years in jail if found guilty.
The talented but troubled rapper, real name Earl Simmons, has also acted in a number of successful films, including ‘Never Die Alone’ and ‘Romeo Must Die. Simmons, who just completed filming a new movie with veteran actor Kris Kristofferson, has experienced several run-ins with the law, however, including drug convictions and charges of animal cruelty. In 1999, Simmons was arrested for having stabbed a man during a tour stop in Boston, Massachusetts. Those charges were later dropped. Since then, Simmons has racked up an impressive but rather disturbing rap sheet, from reckless driving to assaulting prison guards.
In a brief hearing held Wednesday morning, Simmons denied the charges. In return, Court Commissioner Christine Mulleneaux of Maricopa County summarily denied the defendant bail. Simmons is set to appear in court on December 9th.
B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Sound and Recording - Sound Foundation - National Newswire - The Infinite Echo - Impeachment Now! - Skate the Razor -
Skate the Razor Blog - blogment
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Reaching over the net - Bands find new ways to record music in digital era
B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Bands like the Gin Blossoms and Skate the Razor are increasingly recording new records over the internet, with musicians sometimes thousands of miles apart.
For many of us, the iconic black and white image of George Martin and the Beatles huddled together at Abbey Road Studios in London will forever represent the high-water mark in recording history. A group a young men sitting together, making magic.
Much has changed within the recording industry in the decades since the Beatles went their separate ways. Stereophonic hi-fi was a catchy little phrase in the sixties, like an old motel sign, quaintly advertising color television. Blink twice, and the sign now reads “high speed internet“, making it entirely possible for musicians to record new music from their hotel rooms, or perhaps even tour bus. It also enables the musicians to come together creatively, even when the members are on opposite ends of the country.
The Gin Blossoms, known for such hits as “Hey Jealousy“, and “Til I Hear It From You” are prime examples, having recorded their fifth release “No Chocolate Cake”, in such a manner. Gin Blossoms lead vocalist Robin Wilson recently relocated to Manhattan with his wife, while the other members of the band continue to live near Phoenix. The first single from “No Chocolate Cake”, a tune called “Miss Disarray”, has received significant airplay in Adult Contemporary radio, marking a return to the charts for the band.
Skate the Razor, of Western New York, have adopted a similar method for their new CD. Two members of the band, brothers David and Michael Moran reside in the sleepy village of Delevan, New York, an hour south of Buffalo. Vocalist Brad Cooper lives in Phoenix, while guitarist Ryan Hansgen has settled in rural Tennessee.
“The whole process has changed”, states Ryan, a veteran of the recording industry. “The digital age has arrived. We can now record a project in multiple locations. All one has to do is send a digital capture of the work to the next person, open it up on their computer and record their tracks. Most of the out-board goodies such as effects are included with the software, making the whole process cleaner, and more robust.”
Legendary record producer, and designer of the world renown Power Station Studios in Manhattan spoke of having mixed feelings on the subject when interviewed for this article, but fully embraces the new technology, comparing the old system to a buggy whip… a “lost and useless craft“.
Bongiovi recently appeared at CES 2010, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, where he spoke about the success of his latest technological innovations, the iHome, the iP1 and the iP2. “Almost all urban music is recorded on computers”, he emphasized. Bongiovi, best known for his work with artists like Areosmith and his second cousin Jon Bon Jovi has watched the industry shift in recent years. Mr. Bongiovi, who has over a hundred gold and platinum albums to his name anticipated the change, moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the late nineties when the studio industry began to feel the pull of progress.
“It‘s simply more practical“. Hansgen added. “It's actually much quicker than having to hop a plane or drive for hundreds of miles to some studio somewhere to get work accomplished. Just press a button and there it goes, on to the next person.“
B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Sound and Recording - Sound Foundation - National Newswire - The Infinite Echo - Impeachment Now! - Skate the Razor -
Skate the Razor Blog - blogment
Bands like the Gin Blossoms and Skate the Razor are increasingly recording new records over the internet, with musicians sometimes thousands of miles apart.
For many of us, the iconic black and white image of George Martin and the Beatles huddled together at Abbey Road Studios in London will forever represent the high-water mark in recording history. A group a young men sitting together, making magic.
Much has changed within the recording industry in the decades since the Beatles went their separate ways. Stereophonic hi-fi was a catchy little phrase in the sixties, like an old motel sign, quaintly advertising color television. Blink twice, and the sign now reads “high speed internet“, making it entirely possible for musicians to record new music from their hotel rooms, or perhaps even tour bus. It also enables the musicians to come together creatively, even when the members are on opposite ends of the country.
The Gin Blossoms, known for such hits as “Hey Jealousy“, and “Til I Hear It From You” are prime examples, having recorded their fifth release “No Chocolate Cake”, in such a manner. Gin Blossoms lead vocalist Robin Wilson recently relocated to Manhattan with his wife, while the other members of the band continue to live near Phoenix. The first single from “No Chocolate Cake”, a tune called “Miss Disarray”, has received significant airplay in Adult Contemporary radio, marking a return to the charts for the band.
Skate the Razor, of Western New York, have adopted a similar method for their new CD. Two members of the band, brothers David and Michael Moran reside in the sleepy village of Delevan, New York, an hour south of Buffalo. Vocalist Brad Cooper lives in Phoenix, while guitarist Ryan Hansgen has settled in rural Tennessee.
“The whole process has changed”, states Ryan, a veteran of the recording industry. “The digital age has arrived. We can now record a project in multiple locations. All one has to do is send a digital capture of the work to the next person, open it up on their computer and record their tracks. Most of the out-board goodies such as effects are included with the software, making the whole process cleaner, and more robust.”
Legendary record producer, and designer of the world renown Power Station Studios in Manhattan spoke of having mixed feelings on the subject when interviewed for this article, but fully embraces the new technology, comparing the old system to a buggy whip… a “lost and useless craft“.
Bongiovi recently appeared at CES 2010, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, where he spoke about the success of his latest technological innovations, the iHome, the iP1 and the iP2. “Almost all urban music is recorded on computers”, he emphasized. Bongiovi, best known for his work with artists like Areosmith and his second cousin Jon Bon Jovi has watched the industry shift in recent years. Mr. Bongiovi, who has over a hundred gold and platinum albums to his name anticipated the change, moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the late nineties when the studio industry began to feel the pull of progress.
“It‘s simply more practical“. Hansgen added. “It's actually much quicker than having to hop a plane or drive for hundreds of miles to some studio somewhere to get work accomplished. Just press a button and there it goes, on to the next person.“
B. Thomas Cooper - Editor
Sound and Recording - Sound Foundation - National Newswire - The Infinite Echo - Impeachment Now! - Skate the Razor -
Skate the Razor Blog - blogment
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