Robben Ford Discussion

[telefunk1]

Sounds like a compromise only an attorney could love!

[dodgeboy]

I would like to throw my 2 cents in on this topic as I have strong feelings on this subject.
I am a big fan of Dave Matthews as well as Robben. I was watching a bio. of the D.M.B. reciently and found it interesting to hear Dave's take on taping. He is also an artist who allows taping, however no board feeds are provided now a days. Early in the bands cacreer however Sndbd. tapes were allowed and traded freely. As you might know Dave choose the, life in a van, see every little watering hole and college frat house , non stop touring path to fame. He was amazed that the audiences knew the words to songs he only had played live and had not been released yet... ala
"MoonchildBlues". He said that the tapers and traders were as much responsible for the bands rise to popularity as any one. He feels so strongly about this that he has vowed to never prohibit taping...as long as it is traded freely and never for profit.
I believe the addage that anyone with a live tape of an artist has a sizeable collection of everything that artist has to offer in the legit realm. Let's face it, a person who puts the effort into setting up trades or seeking trade groups is not a casual fan. It may be CHEAPER to trade a tape but it is EASIER to buy a "offical" release for the casual fan. It's that "path of least resistance" thing. Just to be clear, I am not talking at all about trading "official" material...just live shows.
To me the ENTIRE key to this puzzle is putting the "bootleggers" out of business. Bootlegger being one who aquires shows and SELLS for profit. I WAS once one of those people who spent a considerable sum on Ebay to aquire live shows of a great variety from B/Legrs. That all changed when I read an auction for D.M.B. shows. It was clever, a loyal fan was "selling" info. as to how to obtain all the live Dave shows you want for 99 cents..so said the auction. However, included in the item discription were U.R.L.s for 3 different trading groups...told you it was clever...all I had to do was put a little effort in and show a dedicated interest and a whole world of music opened up to me. These traders had tons of shows. And quality...put the money grubb'n B/Legrs to shame with there half a$$ product. See, now we have LOYAL FANS,who would like nothing more than to see the ARTIST succeed make'n the c.d.s. With the artists help and blessing and there own high $$$ equipment. Now, there's is a lot of pride and effort involved in the product, not just cheap mass production turn a profit BULLGARBAGE be'n turned out. This is much more appealing to the fans as well...why?? A- group member commradre,and inside info, B- a well recorded show you WANT to listen to and are proud to share with others.
I also am one who feels that Robben,and other artists like him,who's shows are soooo different from the "official" releases are miss'n the boat here. Let us help spread the music!!! If you have any doubt as to the effectiveness of a loyal trading comunity such as the D.M.B., see how much his boots go for on Ebay, if you can find one. Most go unbid on, and if some one does buy one, again, a loyal fan is quick to point out an alternate way for this person to collect live music...take it from me.

[srammell]

Excellent points, once again, like others I really believe that 'spreading' music in this way only ENCOURAGES people to go out and investigate the real commercial products, and so long as its traded freely it can only benefit the 'artist' in the long run.

It also gicves those fans old and potentially new ones a chance to get the feeling/experience of a good live gig, when they often may not be able to see their heroes in the flesh due to tour schedules, location, travelling, TV/radio schedules etc etc

Cheers

Simon