Chapter 19 in The Future of the music business
Once again Gordon skirts around the issue of actually writing and just puts another interview for a chapter. Gordon does make an interesting point in this chapter the model for the music industry has reverted back to an older model in that it's all about buying the single on say iTunes instead of the full album (though that is also possible). Gordon writes that before the Beatles came along in the 1960s, this was the model. Then once the Beatles came, it was all about the album. Then the digital music revolution happened and things went back to the older model.
Chapter 20 in The Future of the music business
I'm so glad this book is almost over because this is ridiculous. If you write a book, you should do research and write on the topics of the chapters, not just put interviews. This interview is all about music in "virtual worlds" like Second Life and the virtually reality thing that MTV created after the success of The Hills, which by the way is now defunct.
The first thing that I clicked on I came across this and the project sound really cool. Plus how each artist is connected to each other is amazing! The only thing though, I think the people doing it don't know every music style correctly... I went to new age and close to new age, they had Celtic Thunder. That is not what I consider "New Age". They're more world music if anything... So a problem with that project is who's definition of a category are they going with?
I'm definitely going to check out these sites and try them as many of them seem helpful in finding new music.
One aspect of the music business that I think is also changing is that of Broadway. Musical theatre is a world wide thing but the shows that come to Broadway are for the most part uniquely American. Take for example, one of the current musicals on Broadway, The Book of Mormon. It takes a uniquely American religion and uses the material in it to make a musical (and a funny one at that. I mean it's by the creators of South Park). However, it is getting more and more expansive to make a musical. American audiences expect a lot and it is not just about the performances (though it should be). Take for example, the new (and buzzed about) production of SpiderMan. It costs in the millions to make, yet they're have 4 (or 5) serious accidents in the past 4 months. It's not an easy adventure to take on. So what's the answer? Well for one, Spider man can not continue. The reason for this is that there are just to many problems with it, not just the accidents either. Another thing that needs to happen and even though it's scary, those who write musicals, need to do more original ideas. The American public doesn't need to see 101 dalmatians musical! It's a huge reason I am drawn to The Book of Mormon. It's an original idea! Now granted, there really isn't, for the most part, such thing as an original idea but musicals like The Book of Mormon, RENT, and tick...tick...BOOM! come close. Don't get me wrong, I think some of best musicals in the last couple of years have been musicals of movies, books, etc. One of my favorites was Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. While not taken off of any book or anything like that, it was based on the life of President Andrew Jackson and it was hilarious! I was so sad when it closed early.
I think those who work in musical theatre need to look at the history of musical theatre to be inspired. Even though huge musicals like Oklahoma! were not original ideas, the people who were the collaborators were the success to the shows. Not to mention the glitz and glamor and theatrics that certain musicals (ahem Spiderman) seem to think that are necessary for a successful Broadway show.
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