Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 03:44 PM

I am in the process of sending the CD/track details to Gracenotes/CDDB.
Give it a couple of days to work through their system.
This should then show the track listings on iTunes and some other media players which get their data from an online database.

Some other media players like VLC can read the CDs directly as they contain "CD Text"

However, windows media player is another kettle of fish--one advisor said that I need to send the CDs physically to some address in the 'states and they would supposedly do the necessary...............but I can't spare a set for that just yet!

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 03:48 PM

Thanks for the mediafire link, Michael.

Suggestion: When anyone orders any of these new CDs, send that link to them so they'll know where to find the PDF.   Or send the PDFs themselves to the purchaser via email.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Janie
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 06:41 PM

Thanks micheal!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Oct 11 - 12:22 PM

One more sale, an I'll be able to send Max a check for $500. Step right up!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 23 Oct 11 - 07:31 PM

Yay!!

BTW, I've now listened all the way through to the "Wood," "Earth," and "Dark Time" CDs, and I think they are well worth the price, even if this were not a fund raiser. There are just so many really good songs, voices, instruments, etc., on each one.   

(Yes, there are a few technical glitches, whereby a few tracks seem to have been distorted in one way or another from their original form -- as discussed in this thread, but very few tracks were affected, and even those tracks are still worth listening to.    There are at least 20 songs on each CD, and the quality and variety of the songs is impressive.)

Now I have to listen to the other three CDs. (Being one of the 'elves' for "Sky," I've already heard all the tracks that went into that CD, and they're. I just haven't heard them on the actual CD yet.)

These CDs really will make lovely Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/Kwanzaa (etc.) gifts, folks!

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 04:09 PM

I do find that the longer CDs do not play well when it gets to the final few tracks in my Honda Van CD player. I begin to hear long silent gaps between musical lines and then more and more static. I'll have to check and see if I encounter the same problem on my home based CD player. But it is a common problem when more than 20 tracks are recorded to a CD.

Anyone else encountered this problem?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 05:21 PM

I noticed last night that sometimes the sound was cutting in and out in terms of volume, but I'm pretty sure that was the fault of my cheap little computer speakers, not the CDs themselves.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 05:55 PM

BTW, I have now listened to all 6 CDs all the way through, and I think it's a really wonderful collection of songs and performers.    A few tracks sound like home recordings or live recordings (with some of the flaws that are common to those, such as extraneous noise from the audience being heard on the track), but even those are quite listenable. Most of the tracks sound quite professional.   And the vocals and instrumentals range from OK (a few tracks) to quite good to absolutely stunning.

I'll post some more specific reviews later, but for now I really think this collection is well worth owning and is a real bargain.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 06:47 PM

Just an observation here, please don't take this as a rant.
Everybody is entitled to express their point of view and by and large the comments are useful...it's how we learn.
One issue is that on reflection, I did cram too much onto the CDs such that the area for the pdfs were a bit of a squeeze. I think this occurred because the information I was getting about the total playing time was quite within the allowable time. Now these CDs have "CD Text" for each track and a folder for the pdf which I believe all conspired to make the CD very full. Consequently, I'm considering removing the pdfs from the next batch of CDs as the lyrics information is readily available from the mudcat Lyrics thread. I'm sure you would not have me remove one of the songs just to keep the pdfs!

There is clearly an expectation for a high quality product because that is what we have been getting used to with studio productions using the latest technological advances. Now I and my colleagues did endeavour to be fully inclusive and whilst we did need to try to get some better quality submissions, no Mudcatter who submitted a song was declined. The theme is THIS IS US---- get it! THIS IS US--- what you hear is what you get! So of course there are some recordings that ideally should have been of better quality and they do show up when compared against some of the more professionally produced material. Further more, two thirds of the contributions came via the internet, many from mp3s, some from Youtube so a small number of iterations on the compression/de-compression process may have caused some minor issues, But only the source is in a positon of being aware of the original quality, I alas was further down the chain just trying to balance the content and there may well have been quality issues which might have been picked had we set up a more discernable proof hearing team. But time was getting tight because I promoted the idea of getting the CDs ready for the FSGW-Getaway.
This was my first (and last)such project and as such there are always lessons to be learnt. (and we all know what lesson no. 1 is !)

Nevertheless, on a lighter note, I am proud to have brought together so many people who make this community such an endearing place (most of the time) There are some stories in these tracks that positively make my heart glow to know that those peopole are there having overcome some difficulties to be on these CDs [and no jokes please about the tracks from Barry and Teresa]. Just sit back and enjoy.

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 07:08 PM

To all who did the work (not the singin and playin) on these CDs...YOU DID GREAT! I have really enjoyed listening to the collection and the high quality level is pretty amazing considering nothing was rejected! Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 07:36 PM

Three weeks still till we in UK collect ours !! Glad you Yoosers are enjoying it !

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Cool Beans
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 07:37 PM

Thank you for your outstanding work, Barrie and all concerned. It's an honor to be associated with such an endeavor.
Marty

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:19 PM

I'm also very pleased with the overall quality of the recordings and the songs that folks picked to submit. And Barrie and his gang of talented volunteers deserve all our thanks for punching this project through.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:42 PM

As Barrie said above: Please don't consider this a rant.

Well, I know I was not up to anything like my best due to battling coming back from the brink of death, then allergies that would stop a rhino and being on O2, but Barrie's patience and kindness convinced me to go ahead with a HOME recording of my song. It's not the song I wanted to sing; that one is under copyright with no permission, but it was written right here, on Mudcat, on a sadly momentous day, so I guess it could be considered a "field" recording.

Likewise my grandson's contribution, again which Barrie was so patient and kind about. Morgan, who will be 8 in a couple of weeks, has grown up literally hearing you all and about you all since he was a month old in my arms. He is thrilled to be a part of the project. I know he can do better, too, but there ya go. THIS IS US is a perfect title.

Thanks, again, Barrie, MichaelR and the rest of you.

luvyakat

Barrie and everyone else who worked on this: THANK YOU!!!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:46 PM

Still eagerly awaiting orders.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 09:10 PM

The set of CDs has accomplished its purpose. The set was intended to cover its own costs and raise some cash for Mudcat, and that seems to have happened already. People who have never 'headed' a project likely have little idea of the time, concentration, effort, management, juggling and just plain hard work it is. I do not doubt that some left stuff to the last minute, and others gave conflicting info as to what they wanted or what had to happen. Figure 100+ mp3s, wav files, CDs having to be put in order and coordinated with song lyrics and stories, etc, plus a few thousand e-mails all clamoring for attention and answers RIGHT NOW. Figure total time and then having to split the time amongst five separate CDs and have no CD come in over 77 or so minutes. Then figure the thematic approach that bradfordian took. And then consider the last minute stuff that was submitted that then altered every parameter above.

Barrie, I have yet to hear the set, but regardless the evenness of the technical quality, vocal works, instrument works, harmonies, etc., you and your helpers rammed it through on time. I bet there are a few mistakes in the set. Well, no shit, Sherlock. The Beatles made the first record ever to cost over a million dollars. It's got some errors on it. GASP. I don't doubt that someone somewhere will sit and look for them. That's a good thing. Gives 'em something to do.

What you and your crew did is one helluvan accomplishment. You did what you set out to do, did it to the best of your ability with the materials you were provided to do the job. You will look back on it and think your own woulda, coulda, shouldas. I'll look back on it and think of you and the crew as the people who got the job done on time, and it don't get better than that.

Thank you.

BM

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 09:48 PM

Hear hear, 999!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 10:45 PM

Barrie (and michaelr and all the other elves), I don't think anything that's been said in this thread or the other thread Tech: audio files sound different is in any way meant to disparage either the hard work or expertise that you folks brought to this process or the overall quality of the CDs.

I do like the idea of the liner notes NOT being included as a PDF ON the CD, not just because of the space issue, but also because a liner notes file that's accessed online can be corrected or expanded as needed after the CDs are released.
I do think, though, that the CD itself (the label or the booklet, anyway) should include the link to the Mudcat liner notes permathread.   Not everyone who buys or is given one of these CDs will know how to find these liner notes threads online.

I am beginning to understand how things like compression and changing audio formats can alter the sound of an audio file in mysterious and unexpected ways.    That's good information for future recording projects.
But at least on a few of the tracks on these CDs, I was in the position of being able to compare the original audio file with the track on the CD (not just on my own songs), and sometimes there was noticeable change.    I don't mention these issues to criticize anyone who was involved in putting these CDs together.   

I did mention a couple of such alterations hoping that corrections might be made if and when we sell enough of the original CDs that more need to be produced.   And I wanted to offer to send anyone who bought the "Dark Time Ends" CD the original audio file of my track on that CD because - through no one's fault that I can tell - the volume changes on the track are reversed. This isn't a matter of 'audio quality' as such. It's just that the song doesn't make much sense when the "hush" parts are louder than the "raise your voices" parts.   And if anyone would like to hear the original recording, I'll be glad to send it via email or MediaFire.   

In no way does this mean the seasonal CD, or any of the others, is not a wonderful accomplishment by many people and a CD well worth having and listening to.

You definitely SHOULD be "proud to have brought together so many people who make this community such an endearing place (most of the time)." And, yes to this too:   
"There are some stories in these tracks that positively make my heart glow to know that those people are there having overcome some difficulties to be on these CDs [and no jokes please about the tracks from Barry and Teresa]. Just sit back and enjoy."

If you would not undertake such a project again because of the tremendous amount of work it turned out to be, I don't blame you at all. (Just ask Amos about why he doesn't have an ass anymore because he worked it off putting together the Blue Plate Special CDs.)
But please don't think for a minute that your work isn't appreciated or that the resulting product hasn't been well worth all the work of the many hands, including yours, that brought it about.

Thank you,

Genie

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 11:59 PM

Genie, I'd really like to hear your track as you intended it to be. I think you have my email, but if you don't, it is [my MudName{at}earthlink.net.

I hope nobody was taking my carping about the .pdf files to be at all critical of the music itself. I've played all but the Solstice CD, and have enjoyed all of them. I haven't yet tried them on either the car player or the CD on the stereo system, but I've not noticed any issues when played on the PC (which has a decent Bose sound system).

Having the lyric information on the CD itself is a good touch, and convenient when looking at both on the same equipment (ie, the PC), but that is far from important enough to get in the way of good sound quality.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 02:20 AM

What everyone said, y'all did an outstanding job on this project!

Not long now for us in the UK to get a glimpse.....

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 02:30 AM

Genie: the info regarding the lyrics permathread is printed at the bottom of page 3 of the booklet. It's just in very small type!

Thanks all for your kind words. Bruce (999) in his 9:10 post has the best summary of what it was like. But it was fun and rewarding as well. So now ----

Flood Dick with orders to keep the Mudcat servers humming!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 04:12 AM

Dick, I am a little confused about your posts of 23rd and 24th, because I emailed you on the 21st with a request for the price of a whole set including postage to Australia -
and also asking if I should just send the funds to you at that email addy (dick @ camscomusic.com) via PayPal.

BUT so far, I've not had a reply :~)

Looking forward to hearing,though!

Cheers,
R-J

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 05:33 AM

Apropo of nothing in particular but with reference to these CDs, I particularly am enamoured with Max's parting comment on the EARTH CD. He says:
"These are my people, and where ever in the world I am, I will feel at home"

Max, I reckon that hits the spot!

and I'd like to think that that applies to all of us too!

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 08:32 AM

Rich-Joy-
I'm trying to figure out the best way to minimize shipping costs to OZ (whether it's better to ship from the UK or US). Can you live with a shipment omitting the jewel cases?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 08:49 AM

Sure Dick - when I get all the contents I can insert them into new jewels here, no problem! Thanks! R-J.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 01:11 PM

Actually, I think the idea of shipping the CDs in paper (not cardboard) envelopes instead of jewel cases is a good one even for shipments within the US or the British Isles. If someone buys the whole set it could save a noticeable amount on postage. (I think you could ship 6 CDs and booklets, minus the jewel cases, by First Class US mail for less than $3.)



Art Brooks (and anyone else interested), I put the Media Fire link to the original AIFF file of Raise Your Voices In The Song in the thread that has the original lyrics (and an earlier home recording) and some lyric variations:

AIFF audio file of 'Raise Your Voices In The Song'


I will also post in that thread the the MediaFire link for the mp3 of the same. The mp3 and the AIFF sound the same to me on my laptop with small external speakers, but the mp3 is a much smaller file to download.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 01:46 PM

Barrie, thanks for the Max quote. It's perfect.

Dick, fwiw, I would be quite happy to NOT have any jewel cases as I don't use/keep them once I receive a CD. Can't order them 'til a better payday, but soon. Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 04:58 PM

Within the US, shipping costs are reasonably low ($3.50 Media Mail for a set of the six CDs in Jewel cases.)
I can ship to the UK sans jewel cases for $5(US). This intercontinental shipping business can be a real pain.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 08:29 PM

A modeest proposal----since all of the "THis Is Us" CDs are sold to benefit Mudcat, mightn't it be a good iea for some of us to get together and buy some sets as presents for some of our long-time members--I'm thinking of Art THieme and Jean Ritchie for starters.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 01:11 PM

Dick -- I really like that idea! Count me in.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 01:47 PM

What paypal account can money be sent to, Dick?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 02:59 PM

PayPal payments can be made to [e-mail]. Please include information on whom the recipient should be.
BTW-I"ve just sent another check for $600 to Max.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 03:32 PM

Woo-hoo! That's great, Dick!

(Where's my set, by the way?)

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 05:48 PM

Mike- In the mail.

Tracking: 9102010521297714907214

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 06:00 PM

As far as I'm concerned, I'd want to just donate and have it go into a pool that could be used for any and/or all. Would that be a problem?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 07:11 PM

All contribution (and all suggestions) gratefully accepted. It all goes to support Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 08:18 PM

Thanks, Dick. I'm awaiting it eagerly.

YY -- but you might as well get the bounty that is THIS IS US as a thank you for donating. There is a lot of exceptional music on the set, and I think you may even be represented yourself!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 30 Oct 11 - 04:54 PM

MAkes a fine Christmas (or Thanksgiving or whatever) present. Step right up!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 08:52 AM

Michaelr -- You're right, I am on one of them (you've a very good memory, sir!), and I'm hoping to get the money together to buy a set! But I was assuming that when Dick talked about contributions towards buying sets for others, he meant a separate set of donations -- as opposed to buying a set and asking to have your payment go to funding a set for someone else.

Have I misunderstood?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 10:31 AM

I think the idea is that if folks are willing to donate a few bucks to Dick, he can put it onto one side until he has collected, say $65, with which he can then send out a set of the Mudcat CDs to a nominated worthy recipient and to another nominated worthy for the next $65 raised and so on.

Please bear in mind that if making contributions by paypal they do subtract a handling fee so Dick won't get as much as you actually send if using paypal.

All you folks who keep intending to send a donation to Mudcat, but never actually get around to doing it, might have a think about this little jesture, especially as it is coming up to the season of goodwill!

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 10:44 AM

What he said

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 11:54 AM

WOW! I just received a set as a gift from a very generous, especially sweet Mudcatter. What a wonderful surprise! I am working my way through them, on the third one at the moment.

I really feel speechless and so gratefull. I don't think I belong amongst such talent, but I am gratefull for being kindly included.

Well done, all of you. What an incredibly talented lot you all are! I'm thinking NPR and other media need to know about this.

Thanks to my Mudcat "Angel" and to all for sharing and hard work in creating this.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 12:36 PM

Still have lots of sets looking for homes.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:37 PM

Thanks, Barrie & Dick. That's pretty much what I was expecting.
I would like to contribute towards sets for Art Thieme and Jean Richie. It's also (very) possible that someone may suggest another name or three (that I haven't thought of myself) and I would think, "Oh, yes, them too!" -- although I confess it wouldn't change the amount I feel I can send -- just how it's to be divvied up.

I'm also assuming that Bradfordian and michaelr will not be charged for their copies (feels like that would like a bit much!). Ideally, it would be nice if their helpers also got free copies, but I can see how that might be impractical... but maybe they could get a discounted price?

Perhaps I'll send a check to Dick and just say, "Use it as you think best"...

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 03:49 PM

I'll be ordering a set in a few weeks, Dick. Just can't right now.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 04:33 PM

Bradfordonian, michaelr and I all paid for the set. Max is the only one that got a freebie.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 06:30 PM

Wow... talk about "above and beyond..."!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Janie
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 07:40 PM

Dick, is it ok to ask how many sets have been sold thus far?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 03:45 AM

I recall how delighted I was when I purchased and listened to the 'Blue Plate Specials' set of Mudcatter CD's. I hadn't been around here that long and only knew a few Catters, but the CD's opened my eyes to the wonderful talented family we have here.

I can't wait to get my hands on 'This Is Us'!!!!!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 03:46 AM

Dare I say it.... 100....