YouTube, Music, Copyright, Compensation and More Importantly Fair Treatment of the Artists and their Property.

Los Angeles, CA—YouTube has changed entertainment and news in a big way.   It’s brought the true democratization of mass media allowing virtually anyone to create, and broadcast whatever he or she desires.  Saying that, there are those issues related to what content gets special behind the scenes promotion by YouTube.  There is a lot of trash mixed in with some stunning content.  YouTube is also a training ground for those that want to shape and hone their skills.

Music lovers routinely steal or borrow music content created by others for their video’s soundtracks. This has created copyright pandemonium.  However it’s not really a bad thing for the artists. In fact new exposure of forgotten music of decades gone by has boosted legitimate sales!

I’m a chronic music thief!  I do it because I fail to see the harm and I don’t get punished.  More importantly I need great music for the videos I create.  There is copyright free material but it’s really lame in most cases.

I’ve become addicted to camera drones and sharing my incredible videos with friends and strangers alike.  I can either do a voiceover or add music to the soundtrack.  Drone video was made for exceptional music. I have to find and borrow music based on type and length so my videos become enjoyable.

Right now YouTube compensates artists through shared advertising revenue. However my numerous friends in Europe are blocked from my videos because of compensation issues.

I say these issues must be worked out for art’s sake!  I’d be willing to pay a reasonable fee to insure my videos are seen everywhere in the civilized world.  I don’t mind the advertising provided it’s fair to the music artists.

Below are some of the drone videos where I placed “borrowed” music.  It’s my hope that viewers will be encouraged to legitimately purchase those songs for their music various devices. 

Cilla Black Sings:

Frank Sinatra Sings:

Richie Havens and Amy Winehouse Sings:

Carice van Houten Sings:

  

The Phil Spector School of Rock, at The Rock.

Corcoran State Prison, CA—In this tough prison there are few bright spots.  Charles Manson, Sirhan Sirhan and many other convicted criminals who have committed despicable crimes wait here to simply die.   

Most other inmates will quickly get out and the rate of return is astronomical. Of course they destroy lives along the way.  Our correctional institutions do anything but correct.  They are almost all, in reality advanced schools of crime and violence.

We have locked up millions of young people in what we call correctional institutions.  We demand they turn their lives around but have made that daunting task impossible.  Perhaps it’s because we place them with one another where they can form peer groups of despair, destruction and depravity.  This concept can only fail.

Most of these convicted losers come from ignorance, poverty and are raised by the worst mentors society has to offer.  We only make things worse for them.

I have no magic cure for the drug addicted but for others we can reclaim lost and stolen lives.  We can do this with the resources we already have.

To succeed in society we all need skills.  What prisons offer can barely help people obtain and keep the lowest paying jobs.  Criminal records will keep them from conventional employment because nobody wants to take unnecessary risks by hiring felons.

Entertainment provides thousands of jobs and felons can get work there if they obtain skills and can behave themselves.  We don’t perform background checks on the people making CD’s, DVD’s and working the nightclub entertainment circuit.  The only thing that counts is if they can take the rest of us on that special ride.

Prisons have the talent to do this but it’s the ineffective losers who run them that are barely superior to the inmates.   The talent for this already lies within their walls.

Musical genius Phil Spector is rotting in the California prison system.  He has no choice, but the people housing him do.  They can give Spector a few perks, equipment and let him bring musical skills to fellow prisoners.   This man made many millionaires out of everyday people wandering through New York’s Brill Building. 

I’d start, The Phil Spector School of Rock.  I’d first make a call for musical instruments to be donated.  I’d create a magnet prison for inmates statewide that want to learn music and let them earn admission through good behavior and motivation and inclination.  

Phil Spector could be convinced to become the dean of this venture because he is qualified and all too available.  We need not guess that Spector has his own needs for creativity too. 

Imagine for a moment the implications of such a venture.  Students learning, great music and a soon there’d be weekly TV broadcast like Austin City Limits from a prison!  Along the way how many lives could we save?  How many fewer murders, robberies and violent crimes would be stopped because inmates develop a new passion other than crime?

What we are doing now is pure failure.  What do we have to lose by trying this?  After that, Drama, Dance and Comedy schools could emerge from inside every prison in America.  We can make great things happen if we at least try.

Carice van Houten is a Singing Sensation!

Amsterdam, The Netherlands—In this incredibly beautiful city there is no shortage of art, entertainment or excitement.  It’s a natural place for the terrific actress, singer and world-class entertainer, Carice van Houten  who is a child of Holland.   

I fell in love with Carice’s many talents when she starred in the Paul Verhoeven Film, Black Book.  I expect this incredible and exciting young woman to be getting an Oscar bound film role any day.   

Carice completed a brand new album, See You On The Ice which is due to be released on ITunes on September 28.  

Carice was a guest on a Dutch DJ’s radio show and sang two selections from her album.  This sneak peek was a real treat for me to watch and now I must pass her on to you!

At the very top of my Bucket List is winning a video interview of Carice for this blog! Somehow I think that will happen when I'm in Amsterdam or Carice is in L.A.

Black Book is available on Blu-Ray at Amazon.com.

Carice van Houten Rocks!

The lovely and talented Carice Van Houten ROCKS!

Amsterdam, NL—The amazing actress, singer and talented performer Carice van Houten has released a new music video, Emily.  This is part of an album, See You on the Ice, that’s being released and will be available very soon on ITunes.   

Van Houten, a multiple Golden Calf award winner simply owns her audience on everything she does.  She’s mastered her native language Dutch along with impeccable English and German.  I discovered her multiple talents in the fabulous Paul Verhoeven film, Black Book.

She is a regular performer in the Game of Thrones.  She can also be seen with Holly Hunter in a new film called Jackie.  

Carice is considering a film project right now that I’m involved with but, Carice is in demand everywhere.  The America audiences will soon be discovering her simply because she’s fearless and unstoppable! 

I hope to be able to interview that great lady on video soon for this blog.

Chilling out at the Beach in L.A.

Los Angeles, CA—After a hectic couple of months that took me to Paris, Geneva, Berlin, Amsterdam, Chicago and Pittsburg it was indeed time for a break. I was invited to spend some time with my camera shy friends, Golden Globe winning actress, singer and dancer, Ann Jillian and her husband former Chicago police sergeant Andy Murcia at the beach in Pacific Palisades. They brought some wonderful tuna fish sandwiches with them.

I took a small walk along the beach to dream about my next trip to Germany. The elegant women, culture and lifestyle of Germany sends me into creativity. I so want to produce a television series for an America audience in Berlin.

This was a great break from the worries of what’s happening in our world today. I hope I can share a little of the break with you all. Sit back and listen to the late (died in 2003) great, singer, song-writer and attorney Ed Townsend sing his 1958 hit, For Your Love…

Miss Otis Regrets... A sad tale...

Cole Porter once boasted and made a bet in a bar that he could compose a song on the spot. He won that bet with this masterpiece recorded by Jose Feliciano more than 40 years ago.

Blondie Says, “The Tide Is High!”

When I was in Berlin during the 20 year Wall Fest Celebration in November this great song was played. It was perfect music for the celebration. I give you two videos, one from the Wall Fest and the other from a Blondie concert. It’s difficult to believe by Debora Harry is 65 years-old now. This song really rocks.

For Los Angeles It's Great This Time of Year-A Flash Back for you!

As I returned from a too cold Windy City, I though of this gem from Randy Newman. Please sit back an enjoy!

A song for my visitors…

We’ve had enough mayhem and politics already. Here is some of what really matters in our world.

One More Blast From The Past

Jim Croce was only 30 years-old when he died in a place crash on June 30, 1973. He was another singer-song writer that made this e world a better place to live. Of course he had a whole catalog of great material out but never lived long enough to spend any of the money. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite but this one was so mellow.

A Blast from the Past

Harry Chapin was quite a musician and singer. His life was ended at 38 years of age when he had a heart attack and accident while driving in 1981.

Of all his works he’s known best for this masterpiece:

The Supremes and Diana Ross-What Might Have Been

In the 1960s The Supremes were hot. Soon egos ruled and it became, Diana Ross and the Supremes. Then there were no more Supremes.

The Supremes were always better than what we wound up with. Then there was that embarrassing tour of Diana Ross and the “new” Supremes.

Just in case you forgot about former Supreme,Mary Wilson, you can see here that she was anything but chopped liver. I always ask, “What might have been?”

A step Back In Time

Frankfurt, Germany—Instead of being sent to Viet Nam when I was drafted into the Army I served as a medical corpsman in Germany. I was in a Sachsenhausen club called Le Carousel in 1968-70. I was enjoying the company of some young beautiful women that year and here were a few songs they’d play for my enjoyment.

Amy Winehouse Is A Major Paradox

I don’t what turned me off the most, her drug use, smoking, tattoos or the hair and eye makeup out of an Ed Wood horror film. For me Amy Winehouse had no relevance until now. Until I ran across her rendition of, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Winehouse’s voice is a divine gift.

I had to put it on my Ipod along with The Shirells, Ben E. King and Carole King’s versions of that great song.

Enjoy:

Bob Lind Gave His Fans A Magic Carpet Ride Tonight In Altadena, CA

The gifted troubadour, poet, and songwriter gave us incredible energy and a magic carpet ride through his songs, guitar playing and harmonica music. This was at the intimate venue of The Coffee Gallery Backstage at 2029 N Lake Ave in Altadena. This house regularly puts up this kind of entertainment for their clientele.

Lind’s 1966 mega-hit, Elusive Butterfly was as delightful as ever even without violins. The good news is that Lind has more shows yet to do in Southern California on his current tour. You can catch Lind next Saturday night at McCabe’s Concert Hall in Santa Monica if they still have tickets left.

I was able to videotape the entire show tonight. We will have to see just what Lind’s handlers will let me post on the blog if anything. Of course Bob Lind has his own website and there are some songs posted there. Lind has some of his CDs in tow with him on this tour that lucky fans may get him to autograph.

I say get in to see Bob Lind perform while he’s here. It may be a while before he’s back this way again.

Bob Lind Is Performing In California

I received an e-mail this morning from the talented songwriter/singer Bob Lind. He’s returning to the Bolshevik Republic to finish filming a documentary. Along the way he’s making some appearances where you can see him perform.

Lind is most recognized for his fabulous 1960s hit Elusive Butterfly. I wasted no time in making a reservation for one of these shows:
Friday, February 16th -- San Francisco
The Smile Concert
Appearing with The Aerosols and The Music Lovers
at THE KNOCKOUT ROOM
3223 Mission
San Francisco, California / 9 p.m.
Info: (415) 550-6994

Sunday, February 18th -- Altadena
THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE
2029 N. Lake Ave.
Altadena, California / 7:00 p.m.
Reserve early!
(626) 398-7917
http://www.coffeegallery.com/showsat.htm

Wednesday, March 7 -- Buelton
The TALES FROM THE TAVERN concert series
appearing with Devon Sproule
The Taproom at Firestone Walker
620 McMurray Road
Buelton, California / 7 p.m.
Info: (805) 688-0383
Talesfromthetavern.com

Bob Lind wants to line up at least one additional concert in the L.A. area South of Santa Barbara. It’s too bad I don’t own a concert venue…

Here is the latest gig!
Saturday, February 24
McCabe's Guitar Shop
3101 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
http://www.mccabes.com/
310-828-4497
8 p.m.
Here are a two videos I posted earlier showing both the young Bob Lind and the current one.


Here he is as a kid doing the song!

New Device Will Save Cop’s Careers

I’ve never been a fan of the Taser stun gun. They are a public relations nightmare in too many cases. The Westwood, CA, November 2006 UCLA library incident is an example where an 18-year veteran officer is battling the threat of unwarranted civil litigation. This in a land where the jury pool is polluted with extreme, Liberal cop haters. As for the UCLA officer’s continued employment, I suspect that’s shaky too in an academic institution top-heavy with the Liberal elite. The Taser carries the reputation with it of an ugly American past where cops used cattle prods on African-Americans to gain compliance in Southern states.

Personally, I would not have used the Taser in that UCLA incident only because I fear the predictable outcry and circus especially when applied to an unruly minority group member. Nobody seems to care that the UCLA case like so many others only injured the pride of the so-called victim.

At the Orlando, FL 2007 SHOT SHOW, I met with Taser representative, Jay Keyhoe who is a Connecticut cop. Keyhoe showed me a somewhat new accessory for that Taser device. The Taser Cam is a small digital video camera that captures all of the behavior and sound from the suspect. Because of the built-in microphone the entire verbal exchange is fully recorded too. This device will would perhaps end any and all questions as to how and why the Taser was used.

I knew that Taser intended to offer the camera nearly two years ago but I have not seen that concept materialize until now. The Taser International website does not yet show this offering. Taser does have a full-page photo ad featuring this on the back cover of this months POLICE magazine.

I suspect that California’s goofy law against surreptitious audio recording even when it’s your own conversation will interfere with deployment of this accessory in that state. The device can be altered to collect only the video if necessary. There is a law enforcement exception to the law that may well allow that audio recording. Security people would not be exempt from that law.

I think that this camera apparatus will go a long way to defuse incendiary and misleading descriptions of the use of the Tasers in the future. I anticipate this will save officer’s reputations, jobs and taxpayer dollars used for defending bogus lawsuits.