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From: ribl@hou4b.UUCP (R Blechman)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: "USA for Africa" trash...
Message-ID: <1373@hou4b.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 10-Apr-85 18:57:08 EST
Article-I.D.: hou4b.1373
Posted: Wed Apr 10 18:57:08 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 15-Apr-85 00:35:16 EST
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> 	This note is concerning the recent USA for Africa recording...
> 
> 	First off, it really pisses me off that they did this first
> in England, and the American artists copied the English and NOW 
> the only version you hear (not to mention that pit of video dreck, MTV)
> is the USA for Africa one.  Grrrr...

Agreed. I wondered about this myself. I thought perhaps it had to do
with the seasonal nature of the "Do they know its Christmas" release.
There is probably some of this element involved.

> 	Secondly, and more to the point, I am not at all impressed 
> by the fact that these artists got together and pressed a disc - so
> that the poor American consumer is left actually footing the bill
> for whatever aid we send to Africa....why didn't these rich slobs
> (read especially folks like M. Jackson Inc.) just GIVE some of their
> millions?  Noooo!  They just visit a recording studio for an hour
> (with all sorts of expensive catering, I've heard) and sing and now
> WE have to be the ones donating the money.

Several points bother me about this one:
1) Do you *know* if no one contributed on their own?
   If they did contribute and announced it to the world so that you'd know,
   would you then complain about that they were bragging about their
   contributions?

2) Many of the artists have contributed individual songs for the newly
   released USA for Africa album. With each of these songs,
   the artists are donating their royalties that they could have otherwise
   pocketed for themselves (I'm sure they all aren't "throw away" songs).

   For a professional/successful artist to donate his/her work *is*
   the same as donating money. This is true in any profession.
   Also, from the little time I've spent in the studio, i found that
   time to be *work* (rewarding, but exhausting).
   [ the best kind of work is the kind that you enjoy doing :-) ].
   After listening to the same song a hundred different ways --
   trying to decide on the best version,
   things aren't all fun, hugs, and kisses.
   (An image that we are fed to believe in videos and magazine pics).

   As far as the catering goes, i really don't know if it was *excessive*
   or not. In the musical field, especially in the studio, you *want* to try to
   make everyone as comfortable as they can be, so that little
   can get in the way of the work itself. This is especially true with
   singers, since their emotional state will affect their singing.
   [altho perhaps a punk/hardcore band would listen to videos of Ronald Reagan
   to set the mood :-)]

3) No one said (WE) have to buy the record, or even donate the money.
   Simply, if you don't like the song, you don't have to buy it.
   There are various ways you could contribute other than by purchasing
   the album.

   Besides, one great aspect of the albums and videos is that it will
   raise money that otherwise wouldn't be raised (e.g. due to lack of awareness,
   one's comfortable lifestyle clouding the reality of what.s happening
   elsewhere, lack of interest, whatever).
 
   Additionally, i think a starving person will be thankful for whatever way
   they receive the food they need. Whether its from your donations or
   Springsteen's or whomever. This is one instance where lack of originality
   (i.e. the American's copying an idea first conceived by England's Band-Aid)
   shouldn't get in the way.

Overall, I think the whole idea, started with BandAid, is a good one.
I hope it helps. Anyway, if you don't like the album, don't buy it.
And I hope those who don't like the albums won't ignore the cause.

-ron blechman
hou4b!ribl