SOCIAL CLUB
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TO CD OR NOT CD… CONTINUED
Dave Jordan’s letter in issue 254 is not a lone voice. He is spot-on with everything I wanted to say about my disappointment at finding no CD, only replace by a download. As for trying something different, remember: if it is not broken, don’t fix it.
Alan Rochelle, via email
Responding to Dave Jordan ( great second name –[Classic Rock issue 254], I have thousands of albums on vinyl and CD, and cherish them all – but haven’t played any of them in years! In fact I don’t have a CD player in home or car. Yet via streaming and Bluetooth, I’ve never listened to as much great music. The Classic Rock download of this month is the first I’ve listened to in a long, long time. Works for me!
Quick shout for the Walking Papers, too, best gig of the year so far, WP2 my album of the year. Check them out.
Jonathan Jordan, via email
I have no issue with the concept of a download in principle, but the only option available to me was a batch of lossy, compressed MP3 files, which are fine if one doesn’t care about high-fidelity sound, but I do care about such things. It had been my habit to convert the tracks on the CDs that you provided to lossless, high-quality files so that I could take them with me to play in the car or over headphones while at work. This has been one of the main ways I have been able to feed my new music habit now that the radio (it really is crap here in America) is no longer playing good new rock music (many thanks for the terrific sample tracks [like Rival Sons!] over the years, by the way).
I would like to request that you either return to CDs or please provide the ability to download higher-resolution, lossless versions of the tracks. I know that you folks appreciate good sound quality, because every issue has a review of some high-end sound equipment!
In all other respects, your magazine continues to be outstanding. The story about The Clash in Belfast [CR 253] was exceptional.
Joseph Ackerman, Palo Alto
As someone of a (slightly) classic age, please could we keep Classic Rock in a more classic format: printed magazine and CD. An album is more than just a collection of tracks (no cover art?). I appreciate it may be a matter of cost, but if it means keeping the CD I would rather pay (a little) more.
Steve Pedrick, via email
Congratulations on the latest issue [CR 254]. The article regarding Led Zeppelin’s big five-o is a joy to read, as is the interview with Billy Gibbons.
Regarding a recent email from a distressed fellow reader regarding the lack of a CD, I just want to put in my own two cents’ worth. I think the digital album route is very sensible, as I am sure it helps with magazine production in both speed and cost and is a decent alternative to the CD. I think perhaps a free CD to mark special moments in classic rock history a couple of times a year is a good idea, but beyond that the digital option is more than sufficient.
Peter Walsh, via email
The CD (or lack thereof) has generated one of the biggest postbags in a while. As you’ll notice, we have a CD this issue, and have some exciting ones planned for the year ahead.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
I’m just writing to thank you for your superb Sept 2018 issue [CR 253]. I have been a reader of various monthly rock magazines for many years, but haven’t been as revitalised by a specific issue in some time. I picked it up because of the Slash interview (which was great) but also got The Clash in my home town, Belfast, in 1977 (incredible photos), great interviews with Supersonic Blues Machine and Fish (I grew up listening to a friend’s Marillion tapes) and turned on to new records by Crippled Black Phoenix and Clutch. Fantastic!
Iain Moore, Darlington, Co Durham
THE WORDS OF WILKO
The Gospel According To Wilko [CR 254], should be required reading for everyone. One of the best articles I have read in a very long life of rock’n’roll reading. The man is a true National Treasure. Wilko, I love you.
Patrick Tierney, Halifax