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November 14, 2015 editorial: comments

  • 15 replies
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Topic November 14, 2015 editorial: comments

I had an editorial about gear all written for this week, but after what happened in Paris last night, it doesn’t feel right to talk about music technology today. I apologize for letting bad news intrude on a space where you don’t usually expect to find it, but when I think about those poor people at the concert hall and the restaurants who were mercilessly gunned down, I can’t get too worked up about the latest compressor or EQ.

For me, the story also has a more personal connection, because Audiofanzine’s parent company is based in Paris, so I have lots of friends and colleagues there. What’s more, I was in Paris just a week ago, attending Audiofanzine 15th Anniversary party. Luckily, everyone I know there is ok.

I’ll get back to gear and software next week. 

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Hi Mike:

I'm at a lost for words, man. We all have families and friends. Whether in France, or any part of our global community, when catastrophic events like this occur, our collective responses are more or less the same.

On the one hand, I am extremely saddened about what has happened; but, on the other and, I extremely angry (viscerally). The word, "anger" does not adequately describe my feelings. To be totally honest, I want revenge. I want "revenge" on these blood-thirsty monsters who seem to have no "human" restraints for the despicable acts they've demonstrated over these past few years. (The list of atrocities seems to grow daily).

My sincere thoughts and profound emotions go out to the innocent victims and their families... Beyond that, I wish that we could rid the world of this pestilence.
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I appreciate Mike and others who have posted that Paris overrides most everything now. Music, hopefully, will help us soften and heal within, and send a message that needs to heard outward. As others have said, my feelings are a wide range from sadness to rage. May we find a way that allows us to protect ourselves, and at the same time, not become more like our enemies. That is a very difficult path. Some have walked it, but they are few. If nothing else, this inhuman madness makes us check in closely to that which remains sane and holy within us.
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If nothing else, this inhuman madness makes us check in closely to that which remains sane and holy within us.
Quote:

Cannot agree with you more, musical compadre.
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Innocent people are gunned down and bombed in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, etc, more or less every day, and we are not made aware from regular media. Sure the attacks in Paris hit closer to home, but the tragedies are nonetheless.
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Normally, I truly stick to topics exclusively devoted to music. But, I must say one last word on the ISIS (pandemic) disease. The ENTIRE "civilized" world must be on the SAME page. Without global cooperation (including, and especially Russia) ISIS will continue to metastasize. That's it (for me) on this discussion.
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I appreciate you decision. I believe the whole country and over the world we're all in a state of shock, there are no words for these tragic events. Many young people are involved which makes it even sadder. God bless the families and friends that lost a loved one and all the injured people that are struggling for their lifes in the different hospitals. These are very sad days...
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Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments.
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Our thoughts and best wishes are with the people of Paris, with those killed and injured, and with their friends and families wherever they may be. Many things are more important than gear, and this certainly is one of them.
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I applaud your decision. The events in Paris leave all right-thinking people stunned and disgusted. My heart goes out to those who were cut down and the people who survived but who will bear terrible psychological scars for the rest of their lives. However, we should also remember our bothers and sisters (I am white by the way, nominally Christian) who are blown to bits on a daily basis in the Middle East and Africa etc. These events become footnotes in the media, while when it happens to us (whites of European extraction) everything goes into overdrive. Until we get to grips and solve the root causes of this madness, human(un)kind is doomed to an endless cycle of violence, hatred and misunderstanding. Regardless of race, creed or colour, we are all brothers and sisters on this earth. While we rightly mourn Paris, please take some time to think about those in Baghdad and other locations who were mercilessly snuffed out this week. I wish you all peace and love.
Home of acoustic guitar
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There sure are times when a discussion about music has to take second place. Thanks for reminding us of the more important things; people and how they intersect our lives.
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For Mike Levine / AudioFanzine >
It's hard to be constructive in this tragic world but activity can be therapeutic.
The Events in Paris have totally eclipsed the recent sad losses to the Blues world. The recent passing of
Allen Toussaint for one.
Perhaps all young people as Music Lovers might take an interest in the creation of the Allen Toussaint School for up and coming R&B Artistes, people like new kid on the block Fleur East.
And the School should have an International Flavour so people who are talented from all nationalities are included.
A similar model could also be created for Arabic and Classical Music with great masters teaching young hopefuls Great music. For example Golriz Hashimi teaching piano and also an extension of the London based
Googoosh Academy for young Asian singers. Googoosh creates great music which, in the case of Talagh you can enjoy even if you don't quite understand Iranian language !!
Evil must be counteracted by good and these activities will serve to help all young people who have musical talents,from all over the world.
Courtesy,
Thomas Hartley,
At Chester ( UK ),
( nawotny88@gmail.com ).
PS > It is not possible to replace the irreplaceable, but it is possible to encourage young people to take an interest in music as an outlet for their frustrations and their sorrow.
Lest We Forget >
Allen Toussaint ( RIP ),
Johnny Winter ( RIP ),
B.B.King ( RIP ),
Lulu Dikana ( RIP ),
and many others, >
Courtesy,
Thomas Hartley.
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Quote:
Regardless of race, creed or colour, we are all brothers and sisters on this earth. While we rightly mourn Paris, please take some time to think about those in Baghdad and other locations who were mercilessly snuffed out this week. I wish you all peace and love.

Good point. Without question, an innocent life lost is a tragedy, wherever it happens.
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Quote:
Lest We Forget >
Allen Toussaint ( RIP ),
Johnny Winter ( RIP ),
B.B.King ( RIP ),
Lulu Dikana ( RIP ),
and many others, .

It has not been a good year in the blues world, for sure. Lots of great ones have passed away.
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Thanks for your kind words, Mike. Fortunately the team here in Paris is OK.

Cheers