I'm no Deadhead. In fact I've never liked the Dead and can not see the appeal. Especially when they count Ann Coulter as part of their brood (my mind is bleeding just thinking about it). But I've always had a respect for their live show taping and sharing policy. Such a great thing. Look at that photo on the left with all the microphones... very cool.
Recently dead.net relaunched under the direction and ownership of Rhino Records. Rhino is now in charge of the Dead assets. The new site is pretty sweet with an emphasis on community and sharing. Exactly how it should be. It was even built using the open source publishing system Drupal. Again, perfect for a Grateful Dead site.
One of the sections of the new site is called "The Tapers Section". Perfect! This section featured downloadable mp3s of their shows each week. There could not be a more perfect marriage of the medium and communal the philosophy that the Dead stood for. Here's a quote:
"In this space, every Monday, you will find information on the recorded
history of the Grateful Dead’s music as it pertains to that week,
specifically focusing on the shows for that week, through the band’s 30
year performing history, that reside in the Grateful Dead’s storied
tape vault. Although not everything is in there, with more than 1,600
of the band’s 2,400-odd shows represented, there is plenty about which
to talk. Check back weekly for new entries and insight into the vault,
as well as exclusive audio clips relating to that week in the Grateful
Dead’s recorded history."
The site gave the music away to be listened to at any time, just the way the band intended even before there was an Internet.
Then came yesterday and this announcement:
"Please note that beginning today all Taper’s Section audio streams are
served via a new media player in both Windows Media Audio and QuickTime
Audio formats."
Take a wild guess as to what happened? Total and complete outrage, bitterness, and chaos:
"up your's rhino", "the ice cream man is not happy. Bad move Rhino" "BOO RHINO!", "I tried to use the wma format choice and it won't play im my FX
browser or in IE 7.The Quicktime format works--is this my problem or
DeadNet's? I join the line of supplicants requesting you to reinstate the
192kmp3 downloadable links--they provided delicacies with a quality
rarely matched by any other source.", after 10 min no sounds in the plugin
this is the end.", Please tell me this is a joke. Please reconsider on the side of music and what the Dead stand for!", "QUIT BUYING EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING RHINO RELEASES FROM NOW ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", "
Why did you have to do this?
... Jerry would definately NOT be happy with this move........." , "...I think it is important to point out that just as the war on drugs has failed, this site will also eventually fail by driving those in search of quality Dead music to other sites and places where we can get our fix...", "window pops up but nothing plays :(", "Your company creates the problem by making it hard on fans by doing
little things like this. I come here every Monday and dl the tunes and
it makes my day. My computer won't even load the tunes now. I don't
feel I am owed anything, but what is up with this corporate nonsense.", "the new format SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
This is just another example of the music industry getting it wrong. But it's worse than that. They got it right the first time, then some idiot or group of idiots who know nothing of the medium decided to fuck things up. The music industry and major labels deserve what they are getting because of decisions like this. They don't understand the medium and are too out of touch to ever get it. They should do the world a favor and quit their jobs now so that people who actually have a clue can step in and make things right.
I love music, but I HATE THE MUSIC BUSINESS. This makes it difficult to love music. Shit, sometimes I wish I was deaf.
Rhino, I used to love you too. You brought me Dr. Demento records and the like. You were weird and cool. What the hell happened? Can you help me go deaf? I want to be deaf!
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