The CD was introduced with great fanfare in 1982 and soonsupplanted the audio cassette due to high quality digital sound.You could bring your portable cd player anywhere to listen tohigh quality audio music. The next revolution started with theacceptance of mp3 music. MP3 stands for Moving Pictures ExpertGroup 1 Audio Layer 3. This mp3 technology allows for thecompression of normal CD audio file in WAV format and reducesthe size of the file by a factor of 10 to 1. That means you canstored thousands of songs in a small portable player whilepreviously a CD player could only hold a CD at a time.
Having a audio compression file format allows music to beeasily distributed . Instead of having to go to the CD shop tobuy your CD , you can now download from the internet the songswhich you want. An MP3 player also offers skip free music whilea CD player doesn't. Also, flash based memory mp3 players haveno moving parts which enable longer lasting battery life not tomention less occurrence of break down or failure due to movingparts. Mp3 players also allow the ability to create play list ofsongs while cd players generally have limited capability in thisarena. Finally, now there's no need to buy an entire musicalbum. You can buy just one song instead of the whole album. Itmakes more sense since you may only like one particular song.
Does it mean that CD technology is a goner? Not necessarily,firstly although mp3 allows for huge numbers of songs to bestored a portable flash memory or hard disk player the soundquality is compromised. Of course we can't tell the differencebecause of mp3 removes information pertaining to frequencieswhich we are unable to hear. Remember the audio cassettetechnology which preceded the cd technology ?Well, it is stillaround. It still has uses and purposes.
CD player have advantages in that CD players are cheaper than mp3 players. There is no need to buy storage media which is expensive. Songs in mp3 format have different sound volume levels while in a CD you get consistent sound volume. Why bother with the hassle of encoding, transferring and managing files which is troublesome, timeconsuming and more demanding when you can just simply pop in anew CD and get instant gratification. Also, if you travel to aless developed country , a CD player proves to be more useful asaccess to broadband is hard to find for downloading of yourinternet music. In addition, CD can last a life time and arevirtually indestructible compared to a mp3 hard drive or flash memory players which have a limited life span and could spoil.
Lastly, you don't have to face headache of incompatibility issueas some players can play only specific file format.
http://mp3mp4downloads.diamondresource.eu/Cd-Burner/CD-Player.php
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
English Has Come A Long, Long Way...
I often wonder what would happen if Shakespeare were to be transported in a time machine to our world today. What would he think? How would he react?
Yes, Willie would probably tell me "thou hast too much time on thy hands if thou spendeth it wondering about such flights of fancy." But only after he found his feet.
You see, Willie would be blown away by some of the comforts we take for granted. For instance, that box we walk into. The doors close all by themselves...just like magic. When they open, we are magically in a different place.
"What callest thou this contraption?" Willie would ask in utter amazement.
An elevator. You would think nothing would phase a man who just landed his time machine 400 years into the future.
"Ah, I see. It was not magic after all. It elevated us, because it is an elevator."
This Willie guy is pretty handy with his English, isn't he? But that won't get him far these days. A hundred years ago, even fifty, he could have figured out just about every new word by tracing its roots (often to Greek or Latin). But not today.
"What are those...those...those, things?"
Why that's a TV, with a VCR and a DVD player. Over there, it's a CD player, an AM and FM radio and an amp. This is a PC, with CDRW and floppy drives, a powerful CPU, A and C drive, and more RAM than a MAC.
"What? Thy alphabet seems a bit confusing."
Once upon a time, the meaning of a word could always be guessed by simply tracing the entomology of the word back to its lowest roots.
"Thou meanest 'etymology', dost thou not? Entomology is the study of insects and bugs."
I knew that.
I took out a 'Kleenex' because my nose was running.
"But how dost thy nose run?"
I suppose the same way I drivest on a parkway and parkest in the driveway. Or how it doesn't matter whether we fill in a form or fill out a form...either way, the taxman gets the last laugh.
I offered to take Willie for a ride.
"That is more like it. There is nothing quite like a horse under one's bottom.'
No, no, no. We don't ride horses anymore. That is a barbaric way to treat such majestic beasts. Now we drive cars...and kill the horses off with the exhaust.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
Just have a seat in the BMW, Willie, while I turn on the AC and rev up the RPMs on this old V6. Before you know it, we'll be doing 100 mph down the 102.
"More letters and numbers. Have words become redundant in the future?"
Pretty much. As life got more and more complicated, words got more and more complicated. Pretty soon it was taking several minutes just to pronounce a single government department. So real word groups had to be replaced by acronyms – the first letter of each word. Pass me a CANDY.
"What does CANDY stand for?"
Candy, actually. But maybe I should just leave old Willie guessing. After all, there is just so much to discover in this brave new world. Like why there are so few sundials around. And why some people sleep on the street, while other climb 34 stories to an office tower above to sleep at their desks. And just how do they shrink those liquor bottles for the airlines.
"What is an RSVP? And ASAP? And TLC?"
I had to find just the right way to explain to him that all these crazy letters actually made some kind of sense.
Internal Department of Income Overhaul Transfer Systems.
"Ah, IDIOTS. Now, that I understand!"
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Yes, Willie would probably tell me "thou hast too much time on thy hands if thou spendeth it wondering about such flights of fancy." But only after he found his feet.
You see, Willie would be blown away by some of the comforts we take for granted. For instance, that box we walk into. The doors close all by themselves...just like magic. When they open, we are magically in a different place.
"What callest thou this contraption?" Willie would ask in utter amazement.
An elevator. You would think nothing would phase a man who just landed his time machine 400 years into the future.
"Ah, I see. It was not magic after all. It elevated us, because it is an elevator."
This Willie guy is pretty handy with his English, isn't he? But that won't get him far these days. A hundred years ago, even fifty, he could have figured out just about every new word by tracing its roots (often to Greek or Latin). But not today.
"What are those...those...those, things?"
Why that's a TV, with a VCR and a DVD player. Over there, it's a CD player, an AM and FM radio and an amp. This is a PC, with CDRW and floppy drives, a powerful CPU, A and C drive, and more RAM than a MAC.
"What? Thy alphabet seems a bit confusing."
Once upon a time, the meaning of a word could always be guessed by simply tracing the entomology of the word back to its lowest roots.
"Thou meanest 'etymology', dost thou not? Entomology is the study of insects and bugs."
I knew that.
I took out a 'Kleenex' because my nose was running.
"But how dost thy nose run?"
I suppose the same way I drivest on a parkway and parkest in the driveway. Or how it doesn't matter whether we fill in a form or fill out a form...either way, the taxman gets the last laugh.
I offered to take Willie for a ride.
"That is more like it. There is nothing quite like a horse under one's bottom.'
No, no, no. We don't ride horses anymore. That is a barbaric way to treat such majestic beasts. Now we drive cars...and kill the horses off with the exhaust.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
Just have a seat in the BMW, Willie, while I turn on the AC and rev up the RPMs on this old V6. Before you know it, we'll be doing 100 mph down the 102.
"More letters and numbers. Have words become redundant in the future?"
Pretty much. As life got more and more complicated, words got more and more complicated. Pretty soon it was taking several minutes just to pronounce a single government department. So real word groups had to be replaced by acronyms – the first letter of each word. Pass me a CANDY.
"What does CANDY stand for?"
Candy, actually. But maybe I should just leave old Willie guessing. After all, there is just so much to discover in this brave new world. Like why there are so few sundials around. And why some people sleep on the street, while other climb 34 stories to an office tower above to sleep at their desks. And just how do they shrink those liquor bottles for the airlines.
"What is an RSVP? And ASAP? And TLC?"
I had to find just the right way to explain to him that all these crazy letters actually made some kind of sense.
Internal Department of Income Overhaul Transfer Systems.
"Ah, IDIOTS. Now, that I understand!"
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Why Using Noise Reduction Headphones With an MP3 Player Is Better Than Earbuds
MP3 players and portable CD players usually come with the standard “earbud” headphones. Earbuds fit into the ear like a hearing aid and are lightweight and portable. Their advantages, however, stop there. When it comes to the quality of the music you are listening to, that quality can be greatly diminished due to the inability of earbud headphones to filter out the noises that you are not interested in listening to; such as the voices, car engines, train noises, and barking dogs that may be all around you when you are out in public.
One of the great advantages of MP3 players, such as iPods, and portable CD players is that you can take them with you wherever you go. Sometimes the very reason for bringing them along on an outing is so that you can entertain yourself while you are engaged in other activities, such as jogging, riding on the subway, or waiting in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Soothing music being piped into your ear can go a long way in easing tension when you are running errands; and upbeat, rhythmic music can help tremendously when you are exercising and need incentive to go that extra mile.
Fortunately, there is an excellent alternative to earbud headphones. Noise reduction headphones can enhance the quality of the music you are listening to by making sure that you get nothing but the music, in exactly the way you should be hearing it. While earbuds sit inside your ear, possibly causing irritation and discomfort, headphones are styled to fit around your ear like earmuffs, guaranteeing that they will not only reduce outside noise, but will feel comfortable as well. While, with earbuds you usually have to increase the volume to be able to hear the music that you are trying to listen to, noise reduction headphones can keep the volume at a comfortable level and allowing you to enjoy your music in the top-quality manner that it is intended to be heard.
The portability of MP3 players encourages prolonged use, especially by teenagers. Unfortunately, the combination of increased volume and longer listening time may cause hearing damage which can lead to hearing loss. The use of noise reduction headphones can help protect hearing by delivering music without the increased decibel level. This also allows listener to enjoy their music longer without suffering hearing damage.
Noise reduction headphones work not only by surrounding your ears, therefore helping to block out outside noises, but also by using noise-cancellation technology, which further enhances your “music only” experience. Not only do noise reduction headphones help to filter out all noises except what your MP3 player is outputting, they also contain your music thus not disturbing those around you. The noise reduction works both ways – you hear your music like you are supposed to, and others don’t have to listen along with you.
A good set of noise reduction headphones does not have to be cumbersome, either. Taking into consideration what portable music device users need, the makers of noise reduction headphones are making their product light, foldable, and easily portable.
When you purchase your MP3 player or portable CD player, one of the best things you can do after that is to put aside the earbud headphones that come with it and buy a good set of noise reduction headphones. You won’t be sorry.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
One of the great advantages of MP3 players, such as iPods, and portable CD players is that you can take them with you wherever you go. Sometimes the very reason for bringing them along on an outing is so that you can entertain yourself while you are engaged in other activities, such as jogging, riding on the subway, or waiting in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Soothing music being piped into your ear can go a long way in easing tension when you are running errands; and upbeat, rhythmic music can help tremendously when you are exercising and need incentive to go that extra mile.
Fortunately, there is an excellent alternative to earbud headphones. Noise reduction headphones can enhance the quality of the music you are listening to by making sure that you get nothing but the music, in exactly the way you should be hearing it. While earbuds sit inside your ear, possibly causing irritation and discomfort, headphones are styled to fit around your ear like earmuffs, guaranteeing that they will not only reduce outside noise, but will feel comfortable as well. While, with earbuds you usually have to increase the volume to be able to hear the music that you are trying to listen to, noise reduction headphones can keep the volume at a comfortable level and allowing you to enjoy your music in the top-quality manner that it is intended to be heard.
The portability of MP3 players encourages prolonged use, especially by teenagers. Unfortunately, the combination of increased volume and longer listening time may cause hearing damage which can lead to hearing loss. The use of noise reduction headphones can help protect hearing by delivering music without the increased decibel level. This also allows listener to enjoy their music longer without suffering hearing damage.
Noise reduction headphones work not only by surrounding your ears, therefore helping to block out outside noises, but also by using noise-cancellation technology, which further enhances your “music only” experience. Not only do noise reduction headphones help to filter out all noises except what your MP3 player is outputting, they also contain your music thus not disturbing those around you. The noise reduction works both ways – you hear your music like you are supposed to, and others don’t have to listen along with you.
A good set of noise reduction headphones does not have to be cumbersome, either. Taking into consideration what portable music device users need, the makers of noise reduction headphones are making their product light, foldable, and easily portable.
When you purchase your MP3 player or portable CD player, one of the best things you can do after that is to put aside the earbud headphones that come with it and buy a good set of noise reduction headphones. You won’t be sorry.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Choosing The MP3 Player That Suits You
If you've been looking around for an mp3 player, chances are you're very confused with all the different specifications and the vast array of models out there. You've read that you can get your entire music collection on to one mp3 player and that's true - but not every mp3 player. You have also been told that you can throw them around, go jogging with them, climb a mountain with one and all this is true - but again, not every mp3 player will withstand this treatment.
Basically, if you want to get physical with your mp3 player then you need one with no moving parts. In this case, the iPod is not what you want. You would be looking for a machine which saves it's music to memory. Some of the most popular mp3 players which fall into this category are in the Creative MuVo range.
There are basically three types of mp3 player. Hard drive based, memory based and mp3 CD player based. The hard drive mp3 players allow you to store thousands of tunes whilst the memory based version sacrifices music volume for freedom of movement. You can even get waterproof mp3 players! The mp3 CD players read the mp3 music from a CD which you have pre-burned.
So now you have enough information to know what type of mp3 player you should be looking for. Now what about capacity? How much music can you get on the various players out there? Let's take a look ....
If you want your music to sound good you want to be using at least CD quality mp3s. One minute of CD quality mp3 takes up around 1Mb. The memory based mp3 players have a top limit of around 500Mb meaning you can get roughly 120 average length tunes on there. But the top end hard drive versions go up to as much as 60Gb which is a whole lot of music - an anorak's dream :)
Another consideration is battery life. The hard drive mp3 players plough through the batteries at a rate of knots since the disk has to physically turn. The memory based option uses a lot less battery power. Many of the memory based mp3 players use the AAA size battery which is very convenient since you don't need a re-charger and you don't need to search for hard to find battery types. You'll find that most hard drive versions use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and if you use your mp3 player a lot, your re-charger will be in regular use. Many people simply leave the power lead plugged in when they are at home.
An important factor in your decision should be the size of the unit. If you want to use your player at the gym or while you're out jogging then you'll want the smallest player possible. There are some really tiny models on the market these days. You will usually have to sacrifice some storage with a very small mp3 players but you can usually get enough music on there to have a good long workout.
If you want to use your mp3 player more at home then size will not be such a great consideration. The iPod is still a very compact unit and most people will be able to fit their entire collection on there. Of course the iPod is not your only option and there are many excellent manufacturers out there. Just be careful of some of the cheap imports you see on ebay, often there is no support for these players.
As a replacement for the home hi fi system, the mp3 player is becoming more and more popular. High fidelity purists obviously will never be swayed but to most of us the quality of the mp3 is perfectly adequate for our everyday listening purposes.
In fact many modern players coming on to the market have been designed with both portability and versatility in mind. What better way to entertain your dinner party guests than to have your mp3 player randomly selecting music from over ten thousand of your favourite tracks? No more fumbling around in your CD rack trying to find the disk that lost its cover ;)
Now you know what to look for, go get yourself a player and join the digital music revolution.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Basically, if you want to get physical with your mp3 player then you need one with no moving parts. In this case, the iPod is not what you want. You would be looking for a machine which saves it's music to memory. Some of the most popular mp3 players which fall into this category are in the Creative MuVo range.
There are basically three types of mp3 player. Hard drive based, memory based and mp3 CD player based. The hard drive mp3 players allow you to store thousands of tunes whilst the memory based version sacrifices music volume for freedom of movement. You can even get waterproof mp3 players! The mp3 CD players read the mp3 music from a CD which you have pre-burned.
So now you have enough information to know what type of mp3 player you should be looking for. Now what about capacity? How much music can you get on the various players out there? Let's take a look ....
If you want your music to sound good you want to be using at least CD quality mp3s. One minute of CD quality mp3 takes up around 1Mb. The memory based mp3 players have a top limit of around 500Mb meaning you can get roughly 120 average length tunes on there. But the top end hard drive versions go up to as much as 60Gb which is a whole lot of music - an anorak's dream :)
Another consideration is battery life. The hard drive mp3 players plough through the batteries at a rate of knots since the disk has to physically turn. The memory based option uses a lot less battery power. Many of the memory based mp3 players use the AAA size battery which is very convenient since you don't need a re-charger and you don't need to search for hard to find battery types. You'll find that most hard drive versions use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and if you use your mp3 player a lot, your re-charger will be in regular use. Many people simply leave the power lead plugged in when they are at home.
An important factor in your decision should be the size of the unit. If you want to use your player at the gym or while you're out jogging then you'll want the smallest player possible. There are some really tiny models on the market these days. You will usually have to sacrifice some storage with a very small mp3 players but you can usually get enough music on there to have a good long workout.
If you want to use your mp3 player more at home then size will not be such a great consideration. The iPod is still a very compact unit and most people will be able to fit their entire collection on there. Of course the iPod is not your only option and there are many excellent manufacturers out there. Just be careful of some of the cheap imports you see on ebay, often there is no support for these players.
As a replacement for the home hi fi system, the mp3 player is becoming more and more popular. High fidelity purists obviously will never be swayed but to most of us the quality of the mp3 is perfectly adequate for our everyday listening purposes.
In fact many modern players coming on to the market have been designed with both portability and versatility in mind. What better way to entertain your dinner party guests than to have your mp3 player randomly selecting music from over ten thousand of your favourite tracks? No more fumbling around in your CD rack trying to find the disk that lost its cover ;)
Now you know what to look for, go get yourself a player and join the digital music revolution.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
You Can Have An Elegant Wedding On A Small Budget
A good friend of mine attended the CMA awards in New York last year and very kindly brought back a bunch of CDs which he thought may sit well in the 'shelves' of our Americana online music store.
Finally managed to get around to listening to the collection of fairly well known, and some not so well known names during some long drives this last weekend.
The prospects looked good – an open road, no deadlines to meet and looking forward to unearthing some hidden gems and the buzz that you get when you get to put a new name in the racks and wait for the reactions to your 'find'.
So, track one of the first CD and … nothing - not literally you understand, there wasn't anything wrong with the CD player - but nothing … no emotion, no tingle down the spine, not even an instrument to speak of, just that anonymous ensemble of strings, keyboards and mid-eighties sustain guitar that identifies much of the country-pop sound.
Tried a couple more tracks, shrugged shoulders and mentally filed under 'Faith soundalike'.
Next up, a similar tale. Listened through a couple of tracks and mentally filed under 'Martina'.
And so it went on, and by the end of the first hour or so I found I had a set of three 'Faiths' two each of 'Martina' and 'Trisha', a dubious early nineties 'Shania' and even a 'Sara' !
My heart lifted once as a fiddle and dobro laden 'Alison' chimed in with a promising start, but track two and beyond saw a return to the ubiquitous swirling strings and the inevitable guitar solos, with the acoustic instruments confined to their place at the back of the mix.
Now you won't find me criticising Faith, Martina, Trisha, Shania, or any of the trailblazing 'New Country' stars. They have brought many, many new fans to Country Music and their legacy is instilled in today's Americana women singers – my gripe is only with lack of originality in the new generation of artists.
Why, ten or twelve years on, are labels content to produce bland, formula-driven music, a pale imitation of what has gone before, made even more asinine by the instrumentation and effects layered over the songs like so much cake icing?
Okay, this is beginning to turn into a rant, and let's be honest, it is always very easy to criticize.
Instead let's note that none of the artists in my clutch of CDs got filed under 'Lee Ann soundalike'. Ms. Womack is beyond reproach in the humble opinion of this writer in managing to retain the accessibility and innocence of the first wave of New Country, and combine it with true Country Music values without having to resort to token gestures of throwing traditional instruments into the mix just to dress it up and try to appeal to the traditionalists.
None of my collection of wannabees even attempted to try to reach the standard set by 'There's More Where That Came From'. Interesting, but that surely speaks volumes.
While we're showering praise, honourable mentions please to Miranda Lambert and Julie Roberts for being new artists that do actually bring something fresh and worthwhile to the table, and let's hope Gretchen Wilson manages to stick to her principles. Oh, and let's take the chance to celebrate Kelly Willis for still being Kelly Willis - standing her ground, and still making exceptional music in that wonderfully creative Texan environment.
Shame about my friend and his kind gesture, I hope if he's reading this he isn't offended, but Americana Music has to mean something, it has to feel as though it was produced because the artist just had to make the record or (s)he would burst.
I'm looking for Something to file under 'H' for Heart'n'Soul
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Finally managed to get around to listening to the collection of fairly well known, and some not so well known names during some long drives this last weekend.
The prospects looked good – an open road, no deadlines to meet and looking forward to unearthing some hidden gems and the buzz that you get when you get to put a new name in the racks and wait for the reactions to your 'find'.
So, track one of the first CD and … nothing - not literally you understand, there wasn't anything wrong with the CD player - but nothing … no emotion, no tingle down the spine, not even an instrument to speak of, just that anonymous ensemble of strings, keyboards and mid-eighties sustain guitar that identifies much of the country-pop sound.
Tried a couple more tracks, shrugged shoulders and mentally filed under 'Faith soundalike'.
Next up, a similar tale. Listened through a couple of tracks and mentally filed under 'Martina'.
And so it went on, and by the end of the first hour or so I found I had a set of three 'Faiths' two each of 'Martina' and 'Trisha', a dubious early nineties 'Shania' and even a 'Sara' !
My heart lifted once as a fiddle and dobro laden 'Alison' chimed in with a promising start, but track two and beyond saw a return to the ubiquitous swirling strings and the inevitable guitar solos, with the acoustic instruments confined to their place at the back of the mix.
Now you won't find me criticising Faith, Martina, Trisha, Shania, or any of the trailblazing 'New Country' stars. They have brought many, many new fans to Country Music and their legacy is instilled in today's Americana women singers – my gripe is only with lack of originality in the new generation of artists.
Why, ten or twelve years on, are labels content to produce bland, formula-driven music, a pale imitation of what has gone before, made even more asinine by the instrumentation and effects layered over the songs like so much cake icing?
Okay, this is beginning to turn into a rant, and let's be honest, it is always very easy to criticize.
Instead let's note that none of the artists in my clutch of CDs got filed under 'Lee Ann soundalike'. Ms. Womack is beyond reproach in the humble opinion of this writer in managing to retain the accessibility and innocence of the first wave of New Country, and combine it with true Country Music values without having to resort to token gestures of throwing traditional instruments into the mix just to dress it up and try to appeal to the traditionalists.
None of my collection of wannabees even attempted to try to reach the standard set by 'There's More Where That Came From'. Interesting, but that surely speaks volumes.
While we're showering praise, honourable mentions please to Miranda Lambert and Julie Roberts for being new artists that do actually bring something fresh and worthwhile to the table, and let's hope Gretchen Wilson manages to stick to her principles. Oh, and let's take the chance to celebrate Kelly Willis for still being Kelly Willis - standing her ground, and still making exceptional music in that wonderfully creative Texan environment.
Shame about my friend and his kind gesture, I hope if he's reading this he isn't offended, but Americana Music has to mean something, it has to feel as though it was produced because the artist just had to make the record or (s)he would burst.
I'm looking for Something to file under 'H' for Heart'n'Soul
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Country: File under 'Martina' or file under 'Trisha'?
A good friend of mine attended the CMA awards in New York last year and very kindly brought back a bunch of CDs which he thought may sit well in the 'shelves' of our Americana online music store.
Finally managed to get around to listening to the collection of fairly well known, and some not so well known names during some long drives this last weekend.
The prospects looked good – an open road, no deadlines to meet and looking forward to unearthing some hidden gems and the buzz that you get when you get to put a new name in the racks and wait for the reactions to your 'find'.
So, track one of the first CD and … nothing - not literally you understand, there wasn't anything wrong with the CD player - but nothing … no emotion, no tingle down the spine, not even an instrument to speak of, just that anonymous ensemble of strings, keyboards and mid-eighties sustain guitar that identifies much of the country-pop sound.
Tried a couple more tracks, shrugged shoulders and mentally filed under 'Faith soundalike'.
Next up, a similar tale. Listened through a couple of tracks and mentally filed under 'Martina'.
And so it went on, and by the end of the first hour or so I found I had a set of three 'Faiths' two each of 'Martina' and 'Trisha', a dubious early nineties 'Shania' and even a 'Sara' !
My heart lifted once as a fiddle and dobro laden 'Alison' chimed in with a promising start, but track two and beyond saw a return to the ubiquitous swirling strings and the inevitable guitar solos, with the acoustic instruments confined to their place at the back of the mix.
Now you won't find me criticising Faith, Martina, Trisha, Shania, or any of the trailblazing 'New Country' stars. They have brought many, many new fans to Country Music and their legacy is instilled in today's Americana women singers – my gripe is only with lack of originality in the new generation of artists.
Why, ten or twelve years on, are labels content to produce bland, formula-driven music, a pale imitation of what has gone before, made even more asinine by the instrumentation and effects layered over the songs like so much cake icing?
Okay, this is beginning to turn into a rant, and let's be honest, it is always very easy to criticize.
Instead let's note that none of the artists in my clutch of CDs got filed under 'Lee Ann soundalike'. Ms. Womack is beyond reproach in the humble opinion of this writer in managing to retain the accessibility and innocence of the first wave of New Country, and combine it with true Country Music values without having to resort to token gestures of throwing traditional instruments into the mix just to dress it up and try to appeal to the traditionalists.
None of my collection of wannabees even attempted to try to reach the standard set by 'There's More Where That Came From'. Interesting, but that surely speaks volumes.
While we're showering praise, honourable mentions please to Miranda Lambert and Julie Roberts for being new artists that do actually bring something fresh and worthwhile to the table, and let's hope Gretchen Wilson manages to stick to her principles. Oh, and let's take the chance to celebrate Kelly Willis for still being Kelly Willis - standing her ground, and still making exceptional music in that wonderfully creative Texan environment.
Shame about my friend and his kind gesture, I hope if he's reading this he isn't offended, but Americana Music has to mean something, it has to feel as though it was produced because the artist just had to make the record or (s)he would burst.
I'm looking for Something to file under 'H' for Heart'n'Soul
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Finally managed to get around to listening to the collection of fairly well known, and some not so well known names during some long drives this last weekend.
The prospects looked good – an open road, no deadlines to meet and looking forward to unearthing some hidden gems and the buzz that you get when you get to put a new name in the racks and wait for the reactions to your 'find'.
So, track one of the first CD and … nothing - not literally you understand, there wasn't anything wrong with the CD player - but nothing … no emotion, no tingle down the spine, not even an instrument to speak of, just that anonymous ensemble of strings, keyboards and mid-eighties sustain guitar that identifies much of the country-pop sound.
Tried a couple more tracks, shrugged shoulders and mentally filed under 'Faith soundalike'.
Next up, a similar tale. Listened through a couple of tracks and mentally filed under 'Martina'.
And so it went on, and by the end of the first hour or so I found I had a set of three 'Faiths' two each of 'Martina' and 'Trisha', a dubious early nineties 'Shania' and even a 'Sara' !
My heart lifted once as a fiddle and dobro laden 'Alison' chimed in with a promising start, but track two and beyond saw a return to the ubiquitous swirling strings and the inevitable guitar solos, with the acoustic instruments confined to their place at the back of the mix.
Now you won't find me criticising Faith, Martina, Trisha, Shania, or any of the trailblazing 'New Country' stars. They have brought many, many new fans to Country Music and their legacy is instilled in today's Americana women singers – my gripe is only with lack of originality in the new generation of artists.
Why, ten or twelve years on, are labels content to produce bland, formula-driven music, a pale imitation of what has gone before, made even more asinine by the instrumentation and effects layered over the songs like so much cake icing?
Okay, this is beginning to turn into a rant, and let's be honest, it is always very easy to criticize.
Instead let's note that none of the artists in my clutch of CDs got filed under 'Lee Ann soundalike'. Ms. Womack is beyond reproach in the humble opinion of this writer in managing to retain the accessibility and innocence of the first wave of New Country, and combine it with true Country Music values without having to resort to token gestures of throwing traditional instruments into the mix just to dress it up and try to appeal to the traditionalists.
None of my collection of wannabees even attempted to try to reach the standard set by 'There's More Where That Came From'. Interesting, but that surely speaks volumes.
While we're showering praise, honourable mentions please to Miranda Lambert and Julie Roberts for being new artists that do actually bring something fresh and worthwhile to the table, and let's hope Gretchen Wilson manages to stick to her principles. Oh, and let's take the chance to celebrate Kelly Willis for still being Kelly Willis - standing her ground, and still making exceptional music in that wonderfully creative Texan environment.
Shame about my friend and his kind gesture, I hope if he's reading this he isn't offended, but Americana Music has to mean something, it has to feel as though it was produced because the artist just had to make the record or (s)he would burst.
I'm looking for Something to file under 'H' for Heart'n'Soul
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Family Gift Ideas for the Online Shopper
Your family is very special to you. When holidays, birthdays or other gift-giving occasions arise, you'll want to give the very best to your family. Take the ideas below with you the next time you go shopping online. The Web opens doors you never dreamed of when shopping for family gifts.
Gifts for Aunts, Grandmothers and Sisters
The ladies in your family all have one thing in common -they are females. And females are usually much easier to shop for than males. For a grandmother, a new handbag with a good-sized change purse and coupon holder can make a great gift. She can keep up with her cash, receipts and coupons all in one place. Your aunt may enjoy jewelry or a nice gift for her pet. You can give your sister a very personal gift to show how much you care. Jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet, with her name engraved on it is one idea. Or, a household item she has mentioned needing several times can make a fabulous gift.
You might be able to find gift items such as fine jewelry, leather goods, garments and pet supplies at wholesale prices at an online mall. Many malls will dropship your items from a nearby location to save you time and money.
Gifts for Uncles, Grandfathers and Brothers
The men in your life will want something practical. There's no beating around the bush with men. You can't disguise their presents in fragrances or pretty flowers! It must be something they can use. If visiting an online mall, start with the electronics section. Men love gadgets and products with the latest technology. Whether it is a new innovative telephone, a DVD player or a CD player, men are sure to fall in love with it.
Next, visit the sports section for some "sporty" gift ideas. Outdoorsmen will enjoy a new set of hunting or fishing knives. For the auto fan, a new car alarm or radar detector can be useful. The same applies to automotive parts they can use if they enjoy working on classic cars. And, these items can usually be found at flea market prices with online malls.
Gifts for Nieces, Nephews and Grandchildren
Buying for the children in your life can be as simple as finding some great toys when they're young or talking with their parents to learn what they like when they're older. Young children are usually happy with something they can play with, dress or hug. It doesn't take much to satisfy them.
Teens are more difficult because they each have their own unique personalities. One teen might enjoy a new music CD while another wants clothes, jewelry and makeup. Leather handbags are great gifts for teen girls. Sports items from a favorite team or outdoors items such as knives or camping gear also make terrific gifts for teen boys.
Intimate Gifts
For that intimate relationship between husband and wife, lingerie is also available at many online malls, and usually at wholesale prices. Lingerie is a desirable gift for that special annual occasion - your wedding anniversary!
Giving gifts that have meaning is a great way to tell family members you love and appreciate them. Your fine gifts will stay in their memories for a lifetime.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
Gifts for Aunts, Grandmothers and Sisters
The ladies in your family all have one thing in common -they are females. And females are usually much easier to shop for than males. For a grandmother, a new handbag with a good-sized change purse and coupon holder can make a great gift. She can keep up with her cash, receipts and coupons all in one place. Your aunt may enjoy jewelry or a nice gift for her pet. You can give your sister a very personal gift to show how much you care. Jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet, with her name engraved on it is one idea. Or, a household item she has mentioned needing several times can make a fabulous gift.
You might be able to find gift items such as fine jewelry, leather goods, garments and pet supplies at wholesale prices at an online mall. Many malls will dropship your items from a nearby location to save you time and money.
Gifts for Uncles, Grandfathers and Brothers
The men in your life will want something practical. There's no beating around the bush with men. You can't disguise their presents in fragrances or pretty flowers! It must be something they can use. If visiting an online mall, start with the electronics section. Men love gadgets and products with the latest technology. Whether it is a new innovative telephone, a DVD player or a CD player, men are sure to fall in love with it.
Next, visit the sports section for some "sporty" gift ideas. Outdoorsmen will enjoy a new set of hunting or fishing knives. For the auto fan, a new car alarm or radar detector can be useful. The same applies to automotive parts they can use if they enjoy working on classic cars. And, these items can usually be found at flea market prices with online malls.
Gifts for Nieces, Nephews and Grandchildren
Buying for the children in your life can be as simple as finding some great toys when they're young or talking with their parents to learn what they like when they're older. Young children are usually happy with something they can play with, dress or hug. It doesn't take much to satisfy them.
Teens are more difficult because they each have their own unique personalities. One teen might enjoy a new music CD while another wants clothes, jewelry and makeup. Leather handbags are great gifts for teen girls. Sports items from a favorite team or outdoors items such as knives or camping gear also make terrific gifts for teen boys.
Intimate Gifts
For that intimate relationship between husband and wife, lingerie is also available at many online malls, and usually at wholesale prices. Lingerie is a desirable gift for that special annual occasion - your wedding anniversary!
Giving gifts that have meaning is a great way to tell family members you love and appreciate them. Your fine gifts will stay in their memories for a lifetime.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com
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