Chris Abbott wrote:> ?.. its a remix.. its not meant to sound like the original
Er, originally in this scene remixes were supposed to be "the same but better": i.e. taking the original tune a step further but preserving its spirit, and trying to realise what the composer really meant to say.
Recently the new generation of remixers has redefined this, but I still get the impression that a lot of fans still love the original tunes so much they don't want them mucked about with too much. I've actually heard "I've got all the CDs, but I go back to Back in Time 1 the most". Not because it contains the most artistic merit, but because it's the one they enjoy the most, since it's closest to the original. The fact that Masterhit doesn't have many posts doesn't mean he's not part of the actual core of C64 music lovers, who we're (and I've said this before) not representative of. Remix64 is for the cutting edge of remixing, musicians and fans of the creative process. The average C64 fan just wants to experience the original tunes without them being mucked about with. And I can dig that. It takes all sorts.
There's an essential mismatch here because although in theory it's easy to do the kind of remix that's wanted by "the masses" (for want of a better term), in practice it's quite hard. Being subtle around someone else's work to enhance it is a lot harder than throwing everything out and starting from scratch. I think that's a point many people miss. But anyway, musicians tend to want to express themselves in their work, so they tinker, and occasionally go nuts. It makes the music theirs, so they can look the world in the fact and go "yeah, I'm a musician". But the "masses" want more of the same: they want Rob Hubbard, they don't want you (exaggeration to get the point across).
That's my take, which boils down to this:
As the remixers get further away from the originals, they throw away more of what the people fell in love with. Only the best can replace that with alternative stuff and make it work.
Oops, that was my July Editorial right there!
Chris
That's pretty much nails it, and honestly I can see both sides.
I think there is a case for a "enhanced but faithful remix" board and a "do what thou wilt with the original, let your imagination run riot" board or something.
It has been said many times that the older people such as myself who heard Hubbard and the likes of Fred Gray as a kid.. we see them as The Beatles and Pink Floyd of our era.
There is a site called myreputation.com (started by Mel Croucher of Pimania fame, trivia fans) that does a lot or work protecting original music artists such as Prince.
I'll get to the point - they found that the highest number of downloads online and active communities and tribute sites was not for Britney but for older classic artists such as The Beatles.
I think this is of relevance to c64audio.
Look at David Bowie, one of the most experimental artists in the mainstream. There are the obsessives who buy every album in all formats, but the vast majority want his greatest hits, he spent years doing other stuff but finally he decided to just give what the masses want - more "space oddity" style songs. He now has loads of greatest hits albums and is fabulously wealthy via Bowieonline.
I don't consider myself a complete crusty but if I hear someone using a classic Bowie song just as a quick riff, well, you get the idea. There is some advert on tv now that completely rips 'Heroes' and it is a shame.
As Chris said experimental covers are really hard to pull off, in fact covers are generally. Remaking "Psycho" is bloody hard, yes it is in black and white and not in dolby surround, but Hitchcock nailed it, how can you top it?
Take the writer Douglas Adams - he found new fans with the "Dirk Gently" books but most of his fans said "Yes, this is fun, but when are you making more Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books?"
I also can see the other side, my friend knew Mike Clarke who did a remix of 'Mega Apocalypse' and he adored the originals but hated remixes just because it is impossible to get it right. It is a poisoned chalice to some extent.
I can understand how as an artist you would be infuriated by that and by such narrow mindedness.
So I do feel there is a need for a more faithful remix board, if only to please us crusties who want more of the originals, like the ones who came from America to Brighton just to hear Galway's 'Street Hawk' version on the C64 (ironically a cover, a reasonably faithful one) and meet the man in person.
I hasten to add, I've bought all BIT cd's and prefer BIT 3, my fave remix cd is Marcel Donne's Sidologie and I also adore Reyn's metal version of Forbidden Forest on Nexus 6581.
I also can't wait for the Kentilla orchestral extravaganza...
Maybe a bit of retro Wakeman prog rock synth burblings in there would really top it off
So to summarise a really long rambling and contradictary post, maybe the answer is different boards, (or at least forums) one for faithful covers, and another for experimental/fun mixes?
P.S. Slightly off topic, I've also met Fred Gray in Liverpool and he was so charming and remembered me, that was really special.
