Regal Zonophone 2
Hey Stuart, maybe you're right I've even noticed that spam posts sometimes get more views than legit posts posted on the same day! (even if the subject title makes it obvious) where did it all go wrong??
Sad words from you, Stuart.
You are not wrong in all the points that you expose, but perhaps you have not realized that times have already changed, and as in almost everything for the worse, and a lot of romantics have been left floating in nothing.
It must be accepted that the digital era changed everything, and that forums or blogs had their heyday many years ago, but today they are clearly on the decline, they are no longer in fashion, meanwhile there are sites in great boom, for example spotify or youtube itself, it is amazing to see how blogs with a few dozen followers, when creating their youtube channels already have thousands of followers and many visits. As for the forums, there have been many of a high quality that have ceased to exist for more than ten years.
It's reality and we have to accept it, and I don't think it's a good enough reason to become an old curmudgeon.
Personally, I put the same love into my work regardless of the people who receive it and appreciate it, because I'm the first to know if it's good or not, and I don't need anyone's adulation.
Thanks to my blog I have managed to have a lot of friends all over the world, some of them have arisen from music requests that have been made to me and with whom the relationship and continuous exchanges have been maintained. Some have only asked me for the music, which I have always shared and will share without asking for anything in return, I have nothing to lose and much to gain.
With regard to RZ, I am not very active, seeing the topics that are proposed, I do not feel qualified to comment on many of them, or they simply do not interest me, but I maintain contact and exchanges with many of its members.
When Mark told me last year about the possibility of the end of the forum because the person who pays for its continuity was hesitant to pay for it, we suggested that we all pay for it, but in the end he did. Mark did the work for the RZ Database, perhaps to record the existence of the forum, and it was an admirable job, one that I had the pleasure of helping him with.
In conclusion, I think that we should share the things we are passionate about, without thinking if many people will receive it or appreciate it.
Perhaps being from the land of Don Quixote, I have a special predilection for minorities and lost causes.
At least this will make us happier.
Jose Kortozirkuito
Good points Jose, also potential new contributors may not post because they are concerned that it might be a 'clique' and worry about acceptance.
I'd like to thank Stuart for raising this topic as I feel it needed airing. Having read all the above I'm sad to say that this is a conversation I've had with several members off-site. My feelings are that RZ has until November and will then be retired. It would be easier to accept this demise if there were alternatives but I've trawled the interweb and found nothing that compares and for that reason I feel we should all make more of an effort to support the site or accept the consequences.
On a personal note I'm pretty well clued up on what's about and what's due for release, so no loss there. Also, I'm not much interested in news about repackaged albums. To that end I'm as guilty as the rest when it comes to not posting comments. However I appreciate the effort people make to create and post compilations such as those recently by Dr. Gaz and it fustrates me when people don't have the decency to even post thanks as it takes considerable time and effort to put things like this together. Indeed, I'd have offered up more comps over the years but invariably end up thinking "why do I bother" as I get little or no feedback to encourage future ventures.
On a positive note I am grateful for the friendships that I've fostered through RZ and the kindness of people who helped with the "DIY Compilation Database" and I'll do my best to ensure this remains available to all as I feel it's an important part of the RZ legacy. I also try to keep peeps informed about bands/artists/albums/vids/resources that might otherwise go undiscovered in the hope that others will do likewise....I can but hope.
I'd like to think that it's not too late to turn things around and create some buzz but only if people rally round.... not something I'd be willing to bet on as it appears the site is actively supported by just a handful of people.
In conclusion, I remember once being asked for my opinion on a particular matter only to reply "I didn't have one" which led to me being severely berated by the questioner, "everybody has an opinion, a lack of response is NOT because you don't have one but rather that you can't be bothered to share yours" and on reflection that person was quite right.
PPP
I check in nearly every day. As much as that altercation must have pissed you off Stuart, it really livened things up there for awhile.
Good morning on this wet Friday,
Thank you to everyone who has taken time to reply,and ALL points made in each reply are totally relevant and totally correct.
First off i just want to say,RZ has been my main interest and favourite of all discussion groups now for possibly near 20 years?Through the years of Yahoo groups etc,and as the vast majority of those other discussion groups,vanished,disappeared either through changes in internet technology,the scrapping of the likes of Yahoo groups and free use for members,and the metereoic rise in the likes of youtube and Facebook discussion groups and the likes.
RZ IS still standing here,surely THAT counts for something? As in truth that IS a rarity,as i remember taking part on here in the original RZ using my then girlfriends computer as i DIDNT have one at my own flat,there was no tablets,laptops,never mind the smartphones we ALL have now,it was an old big home computer i used....with the eventual purchasing of a PC for myself in my own flat,which was just as well,as i split from my GF a little later,but STILL good friends to this day i'm happy to say.It's only 3 years ago i got rid of that PC and now use a laptop.
I'll ALWAYS remember the cdr trading that took place with MANY people on here,and i forged many internet friendships,some that continue to this day,in particular Phil,an absolute gentleman,who i receive a birthday card and christmas card every year,from him and Sally.
Others who i made long internet friendships through music where Gray Newell,who at one point i spoke with regular on the phone,with his dear late mum telling him its some Scottish bloke,i still laugh when i think off it,Scott Charbonneau from the US,the three of us used to meet up every week in a chat room now long gone,but others used to come and join the chat room.
Sitar Tim,who unbelievably visited myself 3 times from Texas,as he absolutely loved Edinburgh and its long history and culture,so different from the USA,i even took him to a football(soccer for the US folks)match,with my team Hearts playing Celtic,with a fabulous but poisonous atmosphere that Tim had never experienced.He also got himself measured up for a real kilt.Those are 4 friendships i'd NEVER have had without here and the internet.Memories i will NEVER forget,particularly taking Tim round the pubs in Edinburgh,as he was a slightly older chap,he was a teen in the psych era,and had spent time with the likes of Gene Clark from The Byrds etc....a really interesting but smashing bloke.
UNFORTUNATELY i don't have much contact with Gray,Scott or Tim these days,mainly because of my struggles with my health,and my long disappearances from the internet etc and not answering the phone or calling anyone.along with the loss of many discussion groups,and lack of much to talk about musically,changes in our lives and MY shift in political beliefs,ALL certainly influenced the lack of contact.
Another couple of chaps was Walt Sindewald who unbelievably i came across a month ago in a facebook music discussion group,first time in many many years,he WAS a a regular on RZ for years,but disaster struck with the horrendous fires in California,with his family, home and neighborhood under threat,so it was fantastic to come across him again.
Mark Kupsz, for a long time we BOTH corresponded regular,he was making comps of new psychedelia,which i'd never really had interest in BEFORE Mark sent me some stuff,which was good of him,today i have some interest in new psychedelia,which is better than no interest,but as my finances are prioritised,it will ALWAYS be 60s and 70s music that i will buy BEFORE any new psychedelia if i have some money to purchase sounds!!
One of the first people i exchanged music with through RZ was Paul Martin,who still appears on RZ,no doubt we have different lifes and backgrounds,but music was what we had in common,which IS the common denominator for EVERYONE on here,is the MUSIC.No matter what background,what age,what race,what religion,what nationality,what gender,what sexuality,what politics,how rich,how poor....meant NOTHING as its the MUSIC that brought ALL of us together,and THAT is worth preserving,worth keeping,and attempting to keep alive!!!
I would NOT have forged friendships with the many i have WITHOUT the music we all are enthused about,theres not much in the world that has the power to do that,in this very fractured, polarized,hateful,authoritarian world WE are all living in at this time,i'd rather we forged friendships on things WE have in common,rather than dislike each other on things we can't find common ground on!!
These days that seems an old fashioned,possibly naive hippie like ethos or thinking,as unfortunately the internet seems to be a tool now,to cause massive division,with social media an utter free for all of insults,hate and division.Hence i deactivated my facebook account a few weeks ago.Luckily i've NEVER been on any other social media platforms like twitter,tiktok,snapchat etc.I am just so happy i'm getting old,as i'd hate to visualise this world in 40 years time.
I WAS reminded a month or so ago,there are people who are out to antagonise,threat,intimidate and give negative energy out,which unfortunately took place on here,a very unfriendly dude,who just happens to run a label or 2,i did a review of sorts on 1 cd release on his label from over 20 years ago,i discussed with him,and reasoned with him,on here in a thread of posts,which eventually was sapping my good energy,so i stuck to my guns,kept up the thread of posts for a limited time,for others to read,then deleted the whole thread,as the negativity replacing my good energy was NOT a thing i was letting a complete stranger happen!!
If a product i buy ,is NOT what it claims to be,i have the right to criticise,as i do trully believe in free speech,including if it is totally against what i believe,but this was threatening and intimidation,THAT is NOT acceptable,in ANY form,so i told this bloke to NOT come on here again.
I think what i'm trying to say,on RZ there is more good energy,good vibes and common ground,far MORE than negative,bad energy and nastyness to be had,and i think that IS worth attempting to keep alive,hence i gave a few examples of how music and RZ has given me good things and friendships,as these days i AM an anti social,getting old,happy to be home,love my Cat,wary of people,detest government,type of bloke,and RZ is one place i DO look on every day,and i was seeing it was slowly having less and less discussions,so that prompted me to write the post i did,and after reading it again today,it does come over as snipey,negative,possibly too critical....but i wrote it with the best intentions,to give a shove or a prod,or possibly some encouragement to those who DONT post,but lurk,as there ARE so many knowledgable music enthusiasts who come here,particularly on psych and all its off shoots.
EVERYONE who collects start with nothing or very little,including knowledge on a subject,WE have all been there,but its groups like RZ where pointers and knowledge IS shared,and the true love and enthusiasm many off us have,including myself on psychedelia,folk rock,garage,early prog,mod sounds and 60s pop can be catching,and illuminating to others,and i'd hate to see that disappear,as music can lead to REAL friendships,which i've shown some personal examples of in this overlong,possibly dragged out post.
AGAIN thank you to those who have taken part on RZ through the many years and the many changes on the internet that have occurred,and AGAIN thank you to those who do still participate,and those who do look and lurk.........but to STILL be here while many others have vanished,does say something about resiliance,and good fellowship of those who keep it going.
APOLOGIES for liking the sound off my own thoughts,as this post could be turned into a novel,as i'm sure most would prefer to look at their own navel...LOL
X