> ...I'm not sure what it takes to be considered a dues-payer, but that
> certainly should be considered.

No. This, as you well know, is not on point with my comment at all. What
I was responding to specifically was your comment:
>
> Do you think for a moment that these people didn't pay their dues,
> didn't play in every crappy situation imaginable when coming up?

Nobody on this list is so ignorant to imply, as you suggest, that these
artists didn't practice or work hard, or face personal trials and
obstacles. Of course, you do know this without my having to say it. The
route to classical concert careers, though, is not traditionally paved
with bars, restaurants, clubs, and dives. More usually, it consists of
various competitions and recitals in search of good reviews to attract
interest from the most powerful representation possible. Often, the
funds to live on through this process come externally, from family or
elsewhere.

The path of the aspiring jazz artist is quite different, often working
various day jobs to support himself while trying to network his way into
better situations, playing every dive imaginable. I feel that for this
reason, your argument with Will is basically apples and oranges. In
either case, though, I have utmost respect for these musicians.


> It also needs to be restated that that very group recorded that very
> music themselves just before the performance, and it sounds beautiful.

Beautiful - yes. Live - no. Honest - no. One out of three ain't bad? It
depends. The question as to where is the line of reasonable expectation
of a live performance is what is I feel is really being discussed. My
feeling, and apparently Will's also, is that there was no pressing
reason to justify the use of canned music presented, in fact, as live in
this situation. More, even if the prerecording was justifiable, the
presentation as live was dishonest.

Like I said before, it my opinion - subjective. You have no problem with
it, and that's fine for you. The degree of "pseudo-engineering" I've
seen occur on a regular basis over the years is exemplified in this
instance. "5th Avenue Production" - whatever one wants to call it - had
no place here, in my opinion and that of others as well. No matter whose
opinion prevails here, it's probable that we will see more and more of
this approach.

best,
Bobby


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