Why You Really Matter

I’m guessing you’re no youngster. No offense meant. Neither am I. I’m making the assumption on the fact you are reading this, and most rock and prog fans are of a certain vintage. Welcome to the club.

We are a gently maturing breed with some awesome memories. The youngsters can barely imagine whilst glued to their phones, what music and gigs meant to our younger selves. And I doubt you feel any older, not where it counts. Yes, a little wiser, a little less likely to anger, and certainly a great deal creakier. But our hearts are still there.

The Internet changed everything

We come from an era before the internet changed…. well everything! Don’t get me wrong. I love my phone and my computer. I love apps and Google and Netflix. But I also love the memories and the excitement of the days before.

How hard we used to have to work to research things! I remember my band at the time, the Violet Hour, in 1989, sitting in the library for 2 days, trying to find a suitable band manager. We were scouring the Music Industry handbook, a huge tome of contact information, pen and paper in hand, writing down phone numbers of suitable candidates. This was followed by packing demos, photos and letters to each one and sending them off in the post. Over the next few weeks we received a lot of rejection letters, but 3 people responded for meetings.

Sleeping in the car

I was at Uni in Leeds at the time, which is where the band was based, and the keyboard player was the only one with a car. The 5 of us travelled to London for meetings with record labels over 2 days and had to sleep in the car as we had no money.

It took several more trips like this before landing first a manager, and then a deal with Sony. I was no stranger to playing live shows as I started out with an acoustic guitar and supported Steve Marriott and the Wedding Present amongst others. I especially remember Steve Marriott, who was brilliant, but being rather shocked at his repartee with the crowd as he ripped the shit out of everyone including a collection of wheel-chair users at the front (dance you wa****s) which was funny and wrong in equal measure.

But the Sony deal kick-started some serious touring. In 1990 we were dispatched for several months with Marillion. Sadly I was too young to truly appreciate the gift we had been given.

Living in the moment

In those days no-one even had mobile phones! No selfies. No sneaky band videos or social media. We had a mailing list. By mail. And audiences were truly in the moment. Truly invested in the show and in the music. I think you know what I’m talking about.

3 record deals and countless albums later, several tours, most notably with the great Marillion, Fish and Wishbone Ash; thousands of beer soaked, mildew smelling dressing rooms, an incalculable number of miles in cars, vans and tour buses; musicians – some life long friends and others best forgotten; a large number of sound engineers (all called Simon because I can never remember names – every now and again it’s right); perfect performances and bum notes; getting home at 3am and being too tired to sleep and catching the sunrise; nerves fought through and nerves conquered; despondent audiences and rapturous applause; good reviews, bad reviews; the occasional argument and so much laughter…And throughout the world has slowly changed.

Holding a piece of history

But we still remember. We remember the passion of music. The magic of being in the moment. We still value the feel of that album in our hands. The artwork. Not a piece of code, easily discarded, but a slice of history and emotion.

And this is why you matter so much. Like you, I value the art and effort behind every record. And without so many of you still wanting this, I wouldn’t be where I am. So thank you. Thank you for your support. Your passion. And for being you.

 

https://www.dorisbrendelmusic.com/eclectica-cd/

49 Comments

  • Paulo says:

    It’s fair to say the internet has changed many things in life. Some aspects are wonderful, others require a pause for thought. ‘Back in the day’ it was a case of ‘effort and reward’ just to go out and buy a record, buy anything. We had to go to the shop, bring it home. Now we buy at our fingertips and the reward of effort isn’t quite the same, It hasn’t the same potency. It’s just a transaction.

    Live music is the ultimate reward for effort Doz. A captured space in time, shared by band and audience. I enjoyed reading your post. And the podcasts with Lee are a hoot !

    Thank you for the downloads too. Keep inspired, keep rocking.

  • Douglas Fergus says:

    Aye, no spring chicken myself. Lived 30 years in Glasgow and spent my teenage years and early 20s in the ’70s. What a time for rock music – I count myself truly blessed. Attended many gigs at the famous Apollo theatre. Always wondered why I never took a camera, but they were more bulky then and the bouncers would probably have confiscated it anyway. Oh the joy of going to the local record store and buying the latest LP, going home, putting it on the turntable and listening in stereo while admiring the cover art and following the lyrics on the inner sleeve. Saw Steve Marriott with Humble Pie at what was Green’s Playhouse before it became The Apollo. Travelled to London in 1972 to see the Melody Maker Poll Winners’ Concert, featuring Focus, Genesis, headlined by ELP and finished with Wishbone Ash who had won best album with Argus. This all stopped in the ’80s with family and work, but started attending gigs in 2004 right up till the present. Last gig was Fish in November at Glasgow O2 Academy supported by one Doris Brendel and her fantastic band. Thank you Doris for keeping the music alive and just as good as it was in the heady days of the 1970s!

  • You’re an awesome singer and a very talented individual. I hope sometime, well get to meet up. Keep rocking \m/

  • Graeme Broadhurst says:

    Ah, the good old days when there wasn’t a bright phone screen blocking the view of the band. Back then cameras had to be smuggled into gigs with the knowledge you could have it confiscated.

  • Mark Streeton says:

    Hi Doris, thanks for the downloads. I’ve enjoyed the article and I can agree with you. These days everything can be done through the Internet and it’s sometimes good to remind ourselves of the effort writing letters and making phone calls that had to be done even to find out simple stuff like train times. When I was at Uni I always enjoyed going to gigs and still do, though not as much these days. I was into punk and goth but these days my taste has broadened and I also like, prog, rock, psychedelic and your brand of blues rock. Keep doing the music. I noticed you do a regular podcast. Can this be on video as well? Cheers Mark

  • Marc de Bolster says:

    Hi Doris, great blog and so true!
    I do remember the pre-internet days vividly and the memories make my heart glow.
    I myself had my first stage experience in school in 1986 as a punk-rock vocalist with an amateur metal band performing at the school talent show as well as the end of year party. Though I never took it further as my interest in girls became stronger than anything else. But I would go to gigs almost weekly to see the small unknown bands and occasionally big bands like The Cult and The Damned. In later live I did sing on stage a few times as guest performer singing pop covers but never anything major.
    Now I am back into performing, more matured, singing songs from the 1940s in pubs and other venues.
    The love for music never dies and like you I am happy with my phone and couldn’t do without my computer. But the days of old never forgotten!

  • NICOLA WHITTEN says:

    Thanks for the downloads. I really enjoyed listening to them. Im really into music and I’m a singer song writer in my spare. Time at the moment it’s just a hobby
    I enjoy listening to all kinds of music especially the 60s and 70s
    Keep up the good work. Your very good

  • NICOLA WHITTEN ki says:

    Thanks for sharing your memories of days gone by. Like you I have a passion for music I’m also a singer song writer in my spare time I have done some CDs not a lot but where would be without the pleasure of music I love alsorts of music 60s and some of the 70s but am willing to artists like you a chance

  • Leif Courtenay says:

    Well it looks like we just missed each other at Leeds Uni, I graduated (just!) in 85. Great music venue and we had the great Andy Kershaw as our Ents Secretary who brought some great bands to the refectory, ZZ Top, Sisters of Mercy, March Violets and Joan Jett to name but a few. By the time I left uni I had begged, borrowed and sometimes bought a collection of over 700 LP’s of at the time rock artists who had they’re own sound and identity, almost all innovators in their own way. That is why I still cherish them. I also own them as tangible assets but I don’t feel that sense of ownership with digital downloads. You can’t flick through a digital collection, read the sleeve notes or open up a gatefold. Since the 80’s I have always gravitated towards rock/blues artists who are prepared to take risks and do something different hence my eclectic taste that ranges from Gin Wigmore to Band of Skulls to Metallica to Volbeat to The Wildhearts to Sari Schorr and you Doris. Keep the faith and keep cutting the grooves.

  • DAVID GOULD says:

    Thanks for letting me read your little slice of history, I love music especially vinyl it’s a one off in music, cd’s are ok, but they don’t feel the same, I’ve got a small collection I’ve collected over the years, but some were expensive cause there classic albums, Pink Floyd, Focus, Alice Cooper, Jethro Tull, the main man Ozzy, kids these days, don’t know what music is really like, and the concerts in 70’s and 80’s were amazing the music, atmosphere was magical, and Glastonbury and Reading the ultimate concerts. I Quite like your music, it’s reminiscent of the good old days, and love your sound, your vocals are brilliant, nice to hear good sounds these days, cause the stuff these days it’s rubbish on the radio, and tv is all repeats, so it’s time to put on my headphones and listen to good music from two good decades I’ve mentioned above, keep em coming Doris, keep on rocking ❤️

  • Nigel Coy says:

    Dear Doris,
    Thank you for inviting me to read your blog.
    Until this last week I’d never heard of you; or downloaded anything (except from Amazon) being a bit useless at tech.
    Enjoyed the blog and being an “oldie” am really pleased that vinyl has come back; the new albums I am buying now are as cherished as those I bought in the 60’s, 70’s, etc; and they are a mix of old favourite artists and new upcoming – we’ve got to make today’s history with today’s emotions.

    Wish you well.

  • Thomas Geller says:

    “You are really talking out of my soul” Goes the bumpy translation of a German proverb meaning: I totally agree with you. Well, mostly that is, since I am not really embracing all types of digital gadgetry and witchcraft. My wife is way ahead of me in this regard – and of course the one to download the complete ‘Mass Hysteria’ onto her Laptop. Whereas I just ordered the CD, for artwork, lyric and troublefree operation by this oldschool person. What an accomplished masterpiece, mylady! Just listening to it for the second time, still impossible to pick a favourite. We heard of you for the first time as support to Wishbone Ash at ‘Harmonie’ music club, Bonn. Almost a year ago, in the pre-covid age…

    Hope to be back to normal conditions soon – and to welcome you back in good old Germany again, maybe later this year. Because nothing beats the live experience. Keep up the brilliant work, dear. Will you?!?

    A royal thanks from your international fanbase, humbly represented by,

    Thomas

  • Mac says:

    Thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog (and listening to your music, of course). You certainly brought back memories of purchasing my first 45s and EPs (Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, etc.). Later my taste expanded and is now totally eclectic (no genre barred). Still rather dated, favourites include Pat Benatar, J. J. Cale and Chris Rea, and gigs tend to be local artists (including my son when he does a very local Open Mic evening). I shall be following your music from now on; good luck.

  • Jeff Gillett says:

    I understand where you’re coming from, and agree. My house is full of CDs (and vinyl – and quite a few cassettes!) I envy – and don’t envy – your decision to make a career out of music. I settled for a steady (but exhausting and time-consuming) day-job, far too few gigs and an enviable reputation as an accompanist among people that everyone on the folk-scene has heard of – which still didn’t get me the gigs or the session-work. Congratulations on the drive that enables you to embrace some of the new technology while clinging to some of the older things that we all love. You deserve to get an audience: it’s a lesson to those of us who haven’t tried hard enough!

  • June Baker says:

    I know what you are saying I remember all the live bands I used to go and see in different parts of the country exciting hitching free lift’s to the gigs and the atmosphere was electric groups like Edison lighthouse the foundation’s small faces and the love affair

  • John says:

    HI Doris, I do agree with everything which you say in the article. The joy of buying my first LP (albums were not invented) attending my first LIVE concert and seeing people who up till then had been names on the radio. And all the rest of experiencing music and life thru music. I still have virtually all my vinyl albums, my wife talked me into getting rid of all those singles. I even have cassette tapes, remember those? Today I still love nothing better than attending live concerts or simply live music at the local pub.
    I do not have an MP3 player, my phone just about allows me to make phone calls with an occasional text so would not claim to be a technophile. But I have to say that recently, I have begun to experience music via the social media sites and streaming sites like Spotify. I have found a whole new world of music which I could never have imagined existed without the internet. New artists, established artists, new genres and styles. I am loving it. So yes the old way was great and I relive the memories often but there is a place for the new. Maybe the youngsters will miss what we all seem to revere but I guess that they will find their own memories. Thanks for the music.

  • Dave says:

    I was only recently talking to someone & saying will youngsters know what it is like to actually go to a real live gig, to feel the atmosphere, the excitement of the event.
    During this time where understandably musicians have had to find new ways to connect with us because of covid, I do worry that without a new upcoming generation that get excited about the real thing, it will become a distant memory.
    I still get excited when ordering an album, waiting for it to arrive, reading it from cover to cover whilst listening to the music

  • Rosalind says:

    I don’t think I’m your typical listener as I was brought up on classical music and am only discovering rock in my 60+ years old/young.
    However, I’m now enjoying a truly eclectic mix of music styles, I look forward to hearing more of your music.

  • Chris Roberts says:

    Love it, yes I am of a certain age and still love going to gigs, listening to vinyl, drinking beer though not as much! Turn the volume up even more to counteract the tinnitus! Loved falling asleep on the train after a gig along with countless other beer powered rockers! Love your music and will be buying albums shortly even if they are on cd or download. Will carry on listening to music till I drop whereas could easily live without tv. There is nothi g to beat live music at any level and hope to hear more soon (No matter what the neighbours say!) Cheers keep on rocking!

  • Dean Powell says:

    I also come from the pre-internet, streaming and download era. Spending more time in a record shop than the staff happily browsing and buying all sorts of music. I was asked recently what sort of music I liked by a 20 something. When I said Mozart to Motorhead to David Bowie (my all time favourite), Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Johnny Winter, Art Schopp, Doris Brendel, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Led Zeppelin,Nightwish, Xandria, Nox Arcana et cetera, he just looked blankly at me as if I was speaking in Chinese. So explained that I collected music buying cd’s these days but I still have my vinyls. He couldn’t understand why I bought music rather than streaming. He also had never seen anyone live, to which I said that live music is the best way to appreciate or not. Sorry rambling a bit, but I can discuss music all day. I don’t stream music and only have a few downloads.

  • Dave Baxley says:

    Hi Doris! You so eloquently describe the passion of music! I’ve always loved hearing bands perform live and could totally relate to getting home late and not being able to sleep, still exuberant after hearing, or playing, a blistering set, or two! I can still smell the beer, yet am smiling of thoughts of great memories and friends (and beer!) 🙂

  • Rob Chilton says:

    Thank Doris. I love this article! There is a thrill to a new album and a live performance that is just not replaced by bits bytes and on line videos. I like you have embraced the technology and am writing my comments on an iphone. I have itunes and love having my music available. I remember brings LP’s to parties. Some of mine still have my name on them to make sure I got them back!
    With all this tech I still love buying the vinyl or cd. I like vinyl the most because you play a full side then flip it and play the other side. Young people today are missing the joy of the art of the album. They pluck one hit off itunes and never here the album after sampling 30 seconds. I was always a big fan of concept albums. I never bought singles. To me the hit was just a way to direct you to the album. Of course we all have favorite songs but they sound better in the spot the artist put them. It’s like looking at one corner of a mural. Your missing the big picture. I know it’s a ton of work to write, record and produce an album. You want me to hear it all and you spent a lot if time putting the songs in order.
    Let’s talk about the live experience. Yup guilty of taking a snapshot of some of my favorite artists. I am annoyed at people who hold up their cell phones for the entire show watching the concert on a 4” screen. I want to enjoy the experience and you can’t relive it except in your memory. That life performance happens once. Anything can happen. It’s the joy of music. I find to many people just want to say they were there and post their video of the hit song. When I was young before tech, shows were more fun. The artist was the center of attention. I have been to some shows the ban video. Dream Theater was one. Much more fun.
    I am being long winded but finally lets talk about you. I love your music and your voice. Your albums are great because they are fresh and exciting. You know who you are and are true to your art. Hits are great and financial well being is important but I never feel like you are yielding to the pressure of putting something out just to make a buck. You have integrity. For those lucky enough to see you live I bet they had a great time and have great memories.

  • Mike Ayres says:

    I’m from an era when the only way to hear new bands was to tune into Tommy Vance on a Friday night.
    Can still remember the first time I heard Market Square Heroes and without hearing that it would not have linked me to many other artists including yourself.
    Agree that in this age of downloads the physical joy of going into a record shop with your pocket money and flipping through the albums hoping to find that elusive or special vinyl is something that many generations sadly miss.
    Now it’s a monthly subscription and unlimited downloads.

    Sadly I feel that today’s “pop” bands will be download one day and recycle bin the next.

    Ironically I do use downloads but under one simple rule.
    Buy the album (Try to do it direct from the artist) but then download it to phone to listen to in the car.
    The way I see it the artist gets the CD money and also gets the 0.00001p every time I play it in the car. Hey every little helps.

    But the recorded album can never replace the energy and passion of a live show.
    I’ve seen bands live that I thought the records were a bit Meh! But live they were amazing.
    Sadly I’ve also been to gigs where the live act was truly awful (people walking out of a gig and demanding their money back and overhearing a die hard fan saying it was better than the night before!)

    Stay safe and keep rocking!

  • Thank you Doris, your music came to me as if by fate and has been greatly appreciated. I present for a webbased radio station and have play several of you tracks from your earlier album Not Utopia and also from Electica and they have been recieved by my listener feeding back how much they enjoyed the music and the sound of your voice.
    Please continue to keep making music so I can play it for my listeners.

  • Allan Knight says:

    I haven’t been aware of your music before but fully intend to become more aware in future. Great music and performances on this CD. I would like to be made aware of any gigs you are doing when it is safe to do so. Good luck with your music.

  • mel jackson says:

    what I’ve heard so far is nothing less than the style of music I listen to so , yeah , I like the songs/style which I sort of call country rock , keep it going and I will keep listening .

  • Gilles Casse says:

    I loved your music, well crafted, stunningly delivered,full of passion. Your love for what you do shines through.

    I’m getting on a bit now but still like live music,still go and see young bands while living the stuff I grew up with.

    Let us know where and when you’re playing. If you’re ever in southwest London try dropping in on the Cavern where you will be very welcome.

  • David Ian Whiteley says:

    Interesting article. I remember getting into music in the 1970’s mainly glam rock like Slade and T Rex then developing my tastes into Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. I was never a fan of Punk – preferred at least some talent in the music and lyrics. I now buy CD’s and download music (always paid for!) and enjoy going to concerts. It will be a relief to experience live music once this virus has passed and we can all get back to some semblance of normality.

  • Howard Heseltine says:

    I distinctly remember at an early age, being taught how to handle records,78,s at the time
    These being easily broken,Bill Hayley , little Richard , Beatles etc were always on in the house .I like you grew up with music everywhere you went ,I was still into rock an roll at 16 when a friend came round with an album ,saying hey you’re into that rock crap aren’t you have this ,can’t be doin with it,it was Led Zeppelin 1 that did it for me bought all sorts of albums after that ,even Emerson lake and Palmer brain salad surgery, thought it was awesome, I guess it’s the artwork,the books you get sometimes with it ,the little notes the write sometimes,I’ve bought digital as well but love the cd’s vinal mostly ,but above all we should buy it not download everything and expect artists to just do it for nothing ,or nobody can afford to make music loving the tracks by the way , looking for the album’s now ,to purchase.

  • Malcolm Fraser says:

    Interesting article. I’m certainly no youngster (first concert Emerson Lake & Palmer 1972ish) and there’s certainly a difference in how I enjoy my music with my nice, physical, CDs and how my son enjoys his, all downloads and YouTube! However he did inherit my love of concerts and live music, which still seems very important to the younger generations, thankfully! I do appreciate modern technology, in its place, but get frustrated when at a concert and having to peer round the guy in front who is holding his phone in the air to record it! I may even be tempted to get ‘shoutie’!!

  • Steve says:

    Yes this is me old and still enjoying the music i love.
    still remember my 1 and only trip to ‘Monsters of Rock’ not that its called that now. Iron Maiden headlined.
    I still get to the occasional gig – last big 1 was a couple of years ago though, Black Stone Cherry and Airbourne in Manchester.
    I Still have most of my old LP’s and singles from back when.
    Even have 1 or 2 old gig tickets saved that i was lucky enough to get signed.

  • Mike says:

    Great tracks wish you every success Rock On

  • Patrick Crowley says:

    a very good piece, I also have mobility problems but went to lots of live music in the past, Elton John, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Joe Walsh, Rufus , and lots of motown and Thin Lizzy. I miss the live events more than anything but at least i have the memories. Thank you for the free tracks.

  • Admin says:

    Thank you Derek! Hope to see you soon. xx

  • Derek Taylor says:

    I still Love it Live but due to my Health find it hard to attend as many Gigs as I used to. My only advice is to enjoy it while you can because when you can’t it sucks. Hopefully, I’ll see you with Fish @Wolverhampton later this year.

  • Dante says:

    Hi Doz
    Yes I am of the antiquated age that remembers those apparently halcyon days. I remember going to concerts and actually watching the concert not filming it on my phone to watch on fb later. I’m sure that distances one from the experience though.
    Great blog
    Take care

  • Admin says:

    Thank you John. I’m neither denigrating nor ignoring modern technology. I love it! The main point is, that in it’s absence, we had a very different relationship with music. I’m not even saying ‘things were better in my day’. Just different.

  • John Douglas says:

    Hahaha, nice one Doris. Music is one of those subjects that always incites different responses. I find it very personal, what means something to one person doesn’t mean that someone else thinks about it the same way. I like the download and quick access, but also like the physical experience of holding something solid in my hand and putting it into a machine to let it consume me….. Or not. Anyway, roll on seeing you perform in Aberdeen live, still the best…..

  • Admin says:

    Hi Les. Thank you for your lengthy comment. You completely miss the point of this post. Obviously I’m aware of the pitfalls of the state of the music business. I’m affected by it myself as are most musicians. I have in fact written several blogs on the subject. This post concerns the inevitable changing attitudes towards gigs and music from the pre to post internet age. And that the reason people still buy my CDs is because youth was spent in a different societal construct. For other subjects you’ll have to wait for the book..

  • Les Dougan says:

    Well to be honest, I come from that era too. Having signed to Warner, got run through the mill. Released 6 albums and about to do another. I was lucky too.
    I also wanted to give back and look after a couple of very good, young, new bands and I think your misguided.
    To say you went through tough things and no money, I get that, but I can also assure you its even tougher now.
    Now they want you to be famous before your famous. Try getting a good manager and a deal now. At least back then you could. Its even worse than that. At least you could sell hard copies of your CD. Now there is a sliver of a market for cds and most startups first albums sell 100 copies to their friends and thats it. Now they have to struggle with a digital download and if they are lucky enough for anyone to hear them at all (in amongst the thousands of songs released daily), they get the princely sum of 0.0004c per play. Try touring on that income. You have history behind you and like me an audience that has followed you. Our audience still buys our CD’s. The new kids dont have that and our audience rarely looks beyond their comfort zone for new stuff preferring to make “parent” comments such as
    “New music has no feel anymore” or
    “Only the old stuff is any good” or
    “No-one plays guitar like the old guys anymore” or
    “The stuff on ‘Britains got talent’ is shite”.
    Of course its shite. The stuff we had to sit through on Opportunity Knocks was shite too. Thats not where you find new music FFS.
    My parents used to talk like this about their music. Its just throwaway comments based on little or no fact.
    Truth is most of our generation only listen to old rehashes and tribute bands (god if I see another Pink Floyd/Genesis tribute FFS). And talk old albums till the cows come home.
    It is most certainly a lot harder for new bands now than it was back in our day so count yourself lucky.
    The youngsters still want to feel and be a part of something. They still pay for their own tours and loose money. They still eat shite on the road and sleep in the back of a van (We did it a few weeks ago). They still play in front of no-one struggling to be heard by anyone. None of that has changed. Unfortunatly, our generation have become like their parents and don’t really support this and in fact, most have already decided not to look for good music anymore let alone go out to a gig. Preferring to stay in and watch the X-Fucktor and complain that there is no good music anymore.
    TBH Steve, if your looking at the X-Fuckter for your new music then this is a classic example of not looking. You didnt look at Opportunity Knocks or whatever other talent shows were on TV back in our day for your music. Why the fuck would you assume that stuff is representative of what all young people play. That’s just another throwaway comment again based on no true fact. Jesus, we had some pretty bad shite in our time too. Tony Orlando and Dawn, Gary Glitter, Pickettywitch, Brotherhood of Man. Bubblegum pop ruled the airwaves. It was no different. Would you say that was a good representation of 70s music. No you wouldnt, so dont tar the new bands with that brush please. The different part was us. We made the effort. Have a little respect. There shouldn’t be a me and them attitude. Pretty sad really.

  • Admin says:

    Thank you Phil, Sara, Steve & Tony. So great to hear you still like physical product and value the artwork, the lyrics and all those extras you don’t get with a download. Makes it all worthwhile. xxx

  • Phil Ross says:

    I love to buy a physical CD and to get to as many gigs as I possibly can. I always try to express my thanks to the band for the hard work that has gone into the music, and hopefully to cadge a signature or two for my CD or booklet. All my best and most emotive memories are linkled to and triggered by music, and to somehow relegate my most cherished memories to a binary ether seems in so many ways to lessen my own being.

  • Sara Shankster says:

    Reading the sleeve notes was always one of the best parts of the experience, a new album, played several times over and the sleeve notes devoured. The lovely thing about you guys is that you also talk to fans at gigs, instead of performing and running away. Keep doing what you do.

  • Steve Cooper says:

    The expectation as release day approached, was there a small piece in Sounds, MM or the NME about it? (usually unlikely if rock/prog) walking to the record shop, seeing it, handling it, smelling it, the reverence of opening it, reading every single one of the words (gatefolds ruled) sliding it out of the paper sleeve and placing it on the turntable… memories that some will never ever know. Yeah it’s great having social media with minute by minute, blow by blow updates for tours, gigs, releases, what such and such had for supper, but nothing beats that nervously excited amble up to the doors of the Hammy Odeon (Odeon mind, not the fecking Labatts whatever), the smell of wet dog and steam rising from the damp greatcoats in the foyer, and then THAT moment… the lights dimming, the sound rising in the crowd, and that first chord, nothing better. Nice blog Doris, thanks xx

  • Tony Caunt says:

    I still prefer to get a physical copy of an album instead of a download as there’s always the sleeve notes, lyrics etc to look at which you don’t get when streaming music. Plus buying cd’s or albums is better financially for the artist who have spent hours creating their work for us punters. Streaming is good In some ways for when you out and about without a facility to play a cd etc. Still love going to gigs and buying some merchandise to help support the band. Loved the last acoustic cd Doris, hopefully you’ll tour with it some day.

  • Admin says:

    Yup. That sounds familiar. I do have to add that plenty of young people still feel passionately about their music. But we inhabit a special time in history.. x

  • Steve says:

    I think you may have tapped a nerve for many of us old codgers who no longer traverse the circuit. We who think the younger generation have no idea of what we suffered for our art! Creativity was a passion. Not something on the x fuctor! We worked our asses off to get to a gig.
    I remember traveling back from work in Colchester to Bristol to get to a gig. I knew I was going to be late, so the band had to break into my house and get my gear and set it up for me.

  • Admin says:

    Thank you Donald! I do get why people go for streaming and downloads. But we get why people don’t. xx

  • Donald Stevenson says:

    Thank you for all the great music (over the years). I get where you’re coming from and have always bought either vinyl or CDs. No downloads for me. The real thing or no-thing.

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