JAM: April/May 2002 Issue: Hampton's Hot Licks

Dean Hampton

As KC Jazz Radio Fades,
Better Choices Await Online
Jazz radio is better online than in Kansas City. And that's a pity.

I continue to listen to most of my jazz radio programming online thanks to a fairly cool (yet less than top-of-the-line) PC and a RoadRunner high speed Internet connection.

When I go to NPRJazz.org and click on the KC schedule, the result is, "There are no events to display." But I can listen to these shows (that should be aired here) anywhere from San Diego to Seattle, Rochester, NY to Florida. I am also finding that if I can't get the NPR program I want on one station, then I can find it on another, or even listen to the replays at a later time.

The one comforting part of the local jazz radio vacuum is that I am finding out just how many KC jazz musicians are jazz ambassadors by way of national airplay. During a recent session on an Iowa online station, I listened to Old Friends, New Point. Later in the day I heard it again out of Rochester, NY. It became clear that I was now hearing more local jazz on out-of-town stations than I do right here in Kansas City.

And again, that's a pity.

CD Copy Protection:
The Major Labels Draw Another Line
When I purchase a CD, I should be able to do just about anything I choose with it as long as I don't give you a free copy. One of the first things I do with a new CD is play it on my computer's DVD player. Then, other options include ripping it into MP3 format for use on my computer, making custom CDs to play in my car, and in some cases, making a backup copy if I determine that it will be a high use recording.

According to several sources, these options may be on the way out. PCWorld Magazine reports that BMG, Sony, Jive Records ('N Sync) and Universal all confirm that they're testing copy protection on several sample and promotional CDs. Copy protection software companies claim that over 500,000 production CDs in the US and Europe are already copy protected, and that by the end of this year, these numbers will be in the millions.

With file sharing (Napster-style) a major mode of acquiring music in 2001, some of the recording companies have good reason to be concerned, that reason being the bottom line.

Practically all new personal computers come equipped with CD burners, i.e. CD-RW capabilities for both audio and data CDs. (For the non-computer user, the CD you purchase in the store is "audio," and MP3 music files are "data" which is "transformed" into analog audio files when used in a device that will play such files.)

During the 2001 holiday season, one of the hottest selling add-ons was burners for older computers that didn't already have them. The next hottest item must have been blank CDs, because there were more of them sold last year than albums.

Various methods of protection are being used. In some cases, the protected CDs will not play on anything other than a standard CD player. In other cases, they will play, but with a built in distortion or obnoxious hissing sound. And still others will not play in some of the newer players or DVD players that play non-copy protected CDs. In most cases, the protected recordings will not rip into MP3 format.

I asked Bill Evans of boycott-riaa.com about reports that some copies of Diana Krall's Look of Love album are protected. Evans prefers to call these "corrupted CDs." He explained that, "Part of what is happening out there is that the labels seem to put it on a batch of the CDs, but not on all." He suggested that I also check out www.fatchucks.com for the corrupted CD list as they work together to compile the list.

At Fat Chucks site, I found that most of the Krall CDs were fine, but in one case (or batch), "Attempts to copy into digital format or dub onto a cassette results in a badly distorted and unlistenable recording. Don't buy it! This advisory refers to the USA release." This report listed batch number 314 549 8462R2 01.

One album that is protected is Charley Pride's A Tribute to Jim Reeves. PCWorld Magazine claims that the album cover includes "a disclaimer stating it is for play in audio CD players only, and that licensed song copies are available for download." When I went to CDNOW to look at the album I could not see this on the cover.

However, in the review, the problem is identified. Contributing reviewer, Stuart Munro writes, "One non-musical caveat: The CD is copy-protected, and cannot be played by anything but a standard audio player. Intellectual property holders have legitimate concerns about piracy these days, but this is a ham-handed and unjustifiable response to the problem." Munro also explains that these cuts can be downloaded for computer play after purchase.

At Amazon.com the problem is ignored until you read the consumer reviews. A few examples follow:

"My only complaint is that you can't read the warning label on this CD when buying online, and so you wouldn't know that it does not play on computers or some CD players. As it happens, I like to listen to music in my kitchen on my iMac and I can't do that with this CD, which is very disappointing."

"I bought this CD and not only will it not play on my PC, it won't play in my DVD player and it won't play on three of my five CD players. What a rip-off. Bring back vinyl if this is the crap the record companies are going to start making."

"I have this CD. I also have the Australian CD version of the same album of songs that includes more songs in a tribute to Jim Reeves; but guess what: the Australian release is not encrypted."

Personally, I will not purchase a CD that I cannot use the way I choose to use it. It is mine and I demand "fair use." As soon as the copy protected CDs are in the mass market, the black market will grow with it and the pirates will again win while you and I take the punishment. It's no different than a cop's radar speed gun that is manufactured by the same people who sell the radar detectors.

It's time for both record companies and consumers to get real. Let's fight the copyright battles with the good tools we already have... through the judicial system!

Jazz Excellence in KC
On March 22, at The Blue Room, the KC Jazz Ambassadors presented Bobby Watson with the Kansas City Jazz Excellence Award. The inscription on the plaque says it all: "In recognition of the great contributions you have made to Kansas City and its reputation for Jazz Excellence - BOBBY WATSON - From your friends, The KC Jazz Ambassadors."

Mr. Watson has continuously distinguished himself, UMKC, and Kansas City jazz while contributing to the Jazz Ambassadors' goal of preserving and promoting Kansas City's rich jazz heritage. He has been a major contributor to jazz events sponsored by the Jazz Ambassadors, and we are blessed to have this jazz giant in our city and on our team. Here's what the UK's Peter King, also a brilliant alto saxophonist, had to say about the award:

"It is wonderful to hear that Bobby Watson has received a Kansas City Jazz Excellence Award from the Jazz Ambassadors. I have much to thank both the Ambassadors and Bobby for, so I feel honored to be asked to write a few words about Bobby.

"Bobby's contribution to jazz is immense. Apart from being a great saxophonist, he is a great composer, teacher and a wonderful ambassador for music all over the world.

"Congratulations Bobby, and keep up the great work. All the guys in the UK send you their love and wish you well in your many projects."

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2002 MAIN INDEX

© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2002. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Dean Hampton As KC Jazz Radio Fades, Better Choices Await Online Jazz radio is better online than in Kansas City. And that's a pity. I continue to listen to most of my jazz radio programming online thanks to a fairly cool (yet less than top-of-the-line) PC and a RoadRunner high speed Internet connection. When I go to NPRJazz.org and click on the KC schedule, the result is, "There are no events to display." But I can listen to these shows (that should be aired here) anywhere from San Diego to Seattle, Rochester, NY to Florida. I am also finding that if I can't get the NPR program I want on one station, then I can find it on another, or even listen to the replays at a later time. The one comforting part of the local jazz radio vacuum is that I am finding out just how many KC jazz musicians are jazz ambassadors by way of national airplay. During a recent session on an Iowa online station, I listened to Old Friends, New Point. Later in the day I heard it again out of Rochester, NY. It became clear that I was now hearing more local jazz on out-of-town stations than I do right here in Kansas City. And again, that's a pity. CD Copy Protection: The Major Labels Draw Another Line When I purchase a CD, I should be able to do just about anything I choose with it as long as I don't give you a free copy. One of the first things I do with a new CD is play it on my computer's DVD player. Then, other options include ripping it into MP3 format for use on my computer, making custom CDs to play in my car, and in some cases, making a backup copy if I determine that it will be a high use recording. According to several sources, these options may be on the way out. PCWorld Magazine reports that BMG, Sony, Jive Records ('N Sync) and Universal all confirm that they're testing copy protection on several sample and promotional CDs. Copy protection software companies claim that over 500,000 production CDs in the US and Europe are already copy protected, and that by the end of this year, these numbers will be in the millions. With file sharing (Napster-style) a major mode of acquiring music in 2001, some of the recording companies have good reason to be concerned, that reason being the bottom line. Practically all new personal computers come equipped with CD burners, i.e. CD-RW capabilities for both audio and data CDs. (For the non-computer user, the CD you purchase in the store is "audio," and MP3 music files are "data" which is "transformed" into analog audio files when used in a device that will play such files.) During the 2001 holiday season, one of the hottest selling add-ons was burners for older computers that didn't already have them. The next hottest item must have been blank CDs, because there were more of them sold last year than albums. Various methods of protection are being used. In some cases, the protected CDs will not play on anything other than a standard CD player. In other cases, they will play, but with a built in distortion or obnoxious hissing sound. And still others will not play in some of the newer players or DVD players that play non-copy protected CDs. In most cases, the protected recordings will not rip into MP3 format. I asked Bill Evans of boycott-riaa.com about reports that some copies of Diana Krall's Look of Love album are protected. Evans prefers to call these "corrupted CDs." He explained that, "Part of what is happening out there is that the labels seem to put it on a batch of the CDs, but not on all." He suggested that I also check out www.fatchucks.com for the corrupted CD list as they work together to compile the list. At Fat Chucks site, I found that most of the Krall CDs were fine, but in one case (or batch), "Attempts to copy into digital format or dub onto a cassette results in a badly distorted and unlistenable recording. Don't buy it! This advisory refers to the USA release." This report listed batch number 314 549 8462R2 01. One album that is protected is Charley Pride's A Tribute to Jim Reeves. PCWorld Magazine claims that the album cover includes "a disclaimer stating it is for play in audio CD players only, and that licensed song copies are available for download." When I went to CDNOW to look at the album I could not see this on the cover. However, in the review, the problem is identified. Contributing reviewer, Stuart Munro writes, "One non-musical caveat: The CD is copy-protected, and cannot be played by anything but a standard audio player. Intellectual property holders have legitimate concerns about piracy these days, but this is a ham-handed and unjustifiable response to the problem." Munro also explains that these cuts can be downloaded for computer play after purchase. At Amazon.com the problem is ignored until you read the consumer reviews. A few examples follow: "My only complaint is that you can't read the warning label on this CD when buying online, and so you wouldn't know that it does not play on computers or some CD players. As it happens, I like to listen to music in my kitchen on my iMac and I can't do that with this CD, which is very disappointing." "I bought this CD and not only will it not play on my PC, it won't play in my DVD player and it won't play on three of my five CD players. What a rip-off. Bring back vinyl if this is the crap the record companies are going to start making." "I have this CD. I also have the Australian CD version of the same album of songs that includes more songs in a tribute to Jim Reeves; but guess what: the Australian release is not encrypted." Personally, I will not purchase a CD that I cannot use the way I choose to use it. It is mine and I demand "fair use." As soon as the copy protected CDs are in the mass market, the black market will grow with it and the pirates will again win while you and I take the punishment. It's no different than a cop's radar speed gun that is manufactured by the same people who sell the radar detectors. It's time for both record companies and consumers to get real. Let's fight the copyright battles with the good tools we already have... through the judicial system! Jazz Excellence in KC On March 22, at The Blue Room, the KC Jazz Ambassadors presented Bobby Watson with the Kansas City Jazz Excellence Award. The inscription on the plaque says it all: "In recognition of the great contributions you have made to Kansas City and its reputation for Jazz Excellence - BOBBY WATSON - From your friends, The KC Jazz Ambassadors." Mr. Watson has continuously distinguished himself, UMKC, and Kansas City jazz while contributing to the Jazz Ambassadors' goal of preserving and promoting Kansas City's rich jazz heritage. He has been a major contributor to jazz events sponsored by the Jazz Ambassadors, and we are blessed to have this jazz giant in our city and on our team. Here's what the UK's Peter King, also a brilliant alto saxophonist, had to say about the award: "It is wonderful to hear that Bobby Watson has received a Kansas City Jazz Excellence Award from the Jazz Ambassadors. I have much to thank both the Ambassadors and Bobby for, so I feel honored to be asked to write a few words about Bobby. "Bobby's contribution to jazz is immense. Apart from being a great saxophonist, he is a great composer, teacher and a wonderful ambassador for music all over the world. "Congratulations Bobby, and keep up the great work. All the guys in the UK send you their love and wish you well in your many projects." RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2002 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2002. All rights reserved.