In case you missed it, a good time was had by all on last night's inaugural B-Sides Concept Album radio show.
Fellow Blogcritics Josh Hathaway, Glen Boyd and yours truly yakked it up about music in general and Bruce Springsteen in particular. The site where the show is based makes very good use of technology, with a nice Web interface/chat room, live stream as well as downloadable archives, and the ability to call in via phone. It's just like "real" radio.
The festivities got me to thinking about the "the good old days." We often refer to FM radio's past, especially its very early years, as the good old days of radio. It was definitely a free-form media, and from a heavy rock song you would not be surprised to segue into a piece of classical music.
As radio progressed, the consultants and the accountants held sway and now what we have is an empty shell of the past. Turn on an FM station now and you will hear songs pulled from a very short playlist. Drive across the country and you'll hear the same songs as you change stations. It's dead.
So is the Internet the beginning of a new "good old days?" Technology is changing so fast that it's very hard to see where it's all going. Still, the possibilities are right there, very easy to see. The question remains though, will the major labels ever see this as an opportunity?
I wouldn't bet any money on it.
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Article comments
1 - Josh
Last night was too much fun. Thanks for playing along.
2 - Mark Saleski
you're more than welcome. i loved every minute of it.
3 - Glen Boyd
The Iguana enjoyed himself as well. Many thanks!
-Glen
4 - Pico
I've listened to about half of it so far. Good stuff. Josh, you have a great radio voice. And you don't sound like a dude from Alabama at all, what did you do with the drawl?
I think that for your next show you should continue the Springsteen discussion with a alternate point of view about the Boss. Someone who is a writer here and uses vulgar graphic metaphors to describe Bruce's singing.
I've got my popcorn popper warmed up ;&)
5 - Tom Johnson
I enjoyed it far more than anyone who doesn't really listen to Springsteen should. That's a big credit to you guys - you're all very entertaining to listen to. Believe me, three music geeks talking about any band's deep cuts will usually turn off most people, but you guys were actually fun. I am, however, a little disappointed you guys didn't discuss that "Cop Killer" song.
I wish I could pop in to listen and play in the chat live, but man, Thursday's the only night of the week that I actually care about TV! The writer's strike should take care of that in a few weeks, however . . .
6 - Josh
Well, let's keep the conversation flowing from last night. Love it.
Pico: Thanks you, good sir. I'm glad all those days in college and in radio have not gone entirely to waste. I have to admit, I am deeply disappointed I didn't remember the line about kitchen cutlery. That would have been great. It will surface once again. Oh -- and I'm not originally from here. I once lived out in Glen's neck of the woods and lived in Iowa before that.
Tom... there's nothing on worthwhile on Tuesdays, is there? House is the only thing I watch. Anyway, you're welcome anytime and we're all thrilled that you listen, live or otherwise.
I'm already working on plans for this week's show. I haven't decided whether to bow to the wishes of the audience for less Springsteen or whether to defiantly refuse.
7 - Tom Johnson
Thursday's my one and only night - 30 Rock, the Office, and Scrubs. The strike's already done in The Office so that's helped. The rest of the week I don't really care what's on - I'm usually on the computer most of the time anyway, or reading. But now I see the show is scheduled earlier next week, at a time at which I'll be sitting in traffic trying to get home. The story of my life.
And, to echo Pico's comment, I was shocked at how "radio" your voice was, Josh. You sound like the real deal. I, on the other hand, have been blessed with a voice perfectly suited to writing.
8 - moonraven
Alabama.
I should have known.
The only state in the US that has a drawing of George Wallace scrafing down grits in his wheelchair as the state shield.
If that don't take the raf off'n the Bush.
Fuckin' Deliverance Country.
9 - El Bicho
Actually, Deliverance was set in Georgia, so that's the second time I have found you to be factually incorrect. Don't worry, though. I won't tell your many detractors.
10 - moonraven
Actually, Deliverance Country certainly does include all of Northern Alabama--especially the friendly confines of Fort McClellan.
And you thought they only had those cross-eyed guys with the twenty toes on each foot in Southern Georgia?
I actually met James Dickey--back in the day when he was a pretty fair poet, and had just won a major prize for Buckdancer's Choice--and I took this advice that he gave me to heart: When you're bored with your life, risk it!
I am not sure if he took his own advice or not--he's been dead for 10 years.
11 - moonraven
But, I digress.
The alltime best Elvis Costello is Almost Blue--in the version by Chet Baker.
12 - JC Mosquito
Elvis Costello + B - sides? I thought the answer to that question was Taking Liberties.
13 - Josh
Don't worry, Tom. I have a voice for radio and a face to match. I'm not going to give up drafting you onto the show. I'll let you ramble on about Crimson bootlegs!
14 - Michael J. West
Moonraven, I'm not sure whether to be impressed or bewildered at your selection of Chet Baker's version of "Almost Blue" as the best-ever Elvis Costello.