Slightly OT – Music Download Service Blues
There was a good thought provoking piece in the Los Angeles Times Magazine no, not the one on Cricket,
English Gardens etc ;o). It revolved around the frustration of the writer with how on-line music download
services such as iTunes, Napster etc deal with albums which were originally recorded where one track segues nicely
into the next. "Dark Side Of The Moon" from Pink Floyd was cited as good example. For those who have not heard
that album, you should; it was the number one selling album by a British Band for some time; it may still be to this day.
For those who have heard it, tracks segue very nicely and form a big part of the albums feel. However, down loading the
tracks individually then playing results in small gaps of silence.
In addition, the writer complained about albums offered with key tracks missing. He cited another Pink Floyd album,
"Wish You Were Here". That album was dedicated to the original guitarist, Syd Barrett, who had various
problems over the years. The point is that the most poignant track on the whole album "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"
was missing from the album on the download section, which if it was missing is a ludicrous omission.
