MISSING THE POINT?

mr. campbell, i think you misperceive some on the posts on this thread, including my 1st one. (my second post was meant in good humor; i apologize to all it may have offended.) there are, to me, at least two definitions of "new music" in your original post. the first is music "new" to you in a genre with which you have familiarity. for example, i like music that may be variously labeled "folk/blues." sure, i check out new recordings by artists i know but spend a whole lot more time looking for new artists or new (to me) subsets of the genre (e.g., "roots" or "texas blues") . i also spend time looking for and listening to music completely new to me. some recent examples of this are "11,000 virgins, music of hidegard von bigen" or "voices of light, by richard einhorn"; both of these discs feature anonymous4 singing very different kinds of music. both types of "new music" expand my horizons and broaden my musical tastes. that, in my very personal view, is as important, indeed much more so, than the search for better interconnects. i should think it boring indeed to keep playing almost exclusively the same old stuff on every iteration of one's audio system. if that's your habit, then it's the equipment that counts, not the music. and that, mr. campbell, is what i see as "missing the point" of this hobby.

Cornfedboy we are in agreement. As the more obscure releases I would highly recommend Kingsbury Manx by Kingsbury Manx (City Slang)-not uncommercial also great indie pop/rock by The Delgado's titled The Great Eastern(Chemical Underground Records)-acoustic based electronica by Larmousse-Larmousse (City Slang)-the first two albums by God Speed You Black Emperor(Kranky)-post-rock instrumental stuff. More mainstream but too downbeat for some Coldplay-Parachutes,Badly Drawn Boy-a British Beck meets Todd Rungdren and Richard Ashcroft's solo album,the last two XTC's albums-older stuff the brilliant acoustic folk of Nick Drake as heard on the VW ad in the States.All of Steely Dan's releases,Todd Rundgren,etc etc etc. Regards, Ben

ben campbell.Thanks for starting this interesting thread.I think Kurtisjeffers describes very well the senario/direction of the dicussions. It's like cell phones.The etiquette of use takes time to develop. The proper use of when and where to use cell phones will catch on when the novelty wears off. Internet dicussion hopefully will follow. ooops am I off topic, sorry........cheers steve k

I was referring to "new to me" music above and most of what I pick up used is not popular music, other than the Cowboy Junkies and Henri Mancini (he's popular isn't he?). I would not be as successful (I think) picking up popular music used as I have a 15 year void in my musical knowledge. I recently hooked up our mini system to the computer and intend on downloading sampling software (don't think it's Napster), the one offered at BMG, etc., for around $35.00. This will allow us to select new popular music without much of a gamble. To my surprise my wife just ordered 7 CD's from BMG at 70% off. I will see what they are when they arrive. Right now I am searching for some old stuff from the 70's like the Bruce Roberts album with the car song and also CD's if they exist of local talent from the 70's and 80's like Billy Vera and the Beaters and Jack Mack and the Heart Attacks. If Rhino Records is still in existence, I will also check with them for other stuff.

Ben, another thought on music, much like other things in life, not everyone is looking for the same thing. Some seek peace and relaxation in music....while others are looking for something more exciting or an exploration/expansion of their knowledge/experience in music. There are likely people that enjoy the gear as much or more than the music their components play...and that is good...perhaps very good. These people help keep the supply of high-end used components flowing here on AudiogoN.