Some wonderful points in here. Deeds, not words,
is just a nicer way of saying talk is cheap. Controversy is one thing, but
idly trying to push people's buttons for no apparent reason other than just the
fun of fucking with them, that's where I have to say "you're wasting
my time with your personal shit!"
As to self-promotion? Look, we all gotta
eat. Everybody that is offering something, seems to be offering something
of value. This isn't 1972, and everybody needs to face the facts of the
real world,that things have changed, and just continue forward.
Let's face it, everybody involved in Mellotrons is undertaking a labor of love,
and I strongly doubt that anyone is accumulating great wealth at it. Can't
anybody learn anything from the constant bickering of the Protestants and the
Catholics, the Jews and the Arabs? SOMEBODY HAS TO STOP IT OR IT NEVER WILL
STOP. If I came up with some magical alteration to Mellotrons that would
make them do some other cool thing that they don't do now, who would I tell
about it? You guys, of course! I'm personally thrilled to hear about
new options, new tips, new gear, new tech help, anything that I can do to keep
my baby alive, healthy, and making me happy! Remember, some of us are NEW
owners who are starting our education on the care of feeding of Mellotrons at
square one, and ANY information is a plus, and any loss to the list is a loss to
us PERSONALLY. And I assure you, when my own new Mellotron-laced
music is finally completed, I WILL be offering CDs to the list, as I'm sure that
I WILL be offering a new bit of interesting and valid musical heritage for the
instrument.
I likewise find it heartening that all of the Symposium
stories demonstrate a tremendous camaraderie and a supportive environment, and
I'm sure that, thin bond though it be, an obscure British keyboard instrument
carries with it enough other kinds of baggage that many of us actually do share
a lot of points of reference.
That said, I can't wait until I finally manage to attend
one of these all-too-rare events. If nothing else, I'm very curious about
this evidently British "herb trumpet"...
By the way, isn't "old Monty Python" the only kind any
more?
JS
M400 #886
This is true and for those fellow Americans on the list who don't have frequent exposure to our English friends, I would suggest counting to ten, having a beer, watch old Monty Python and have a laugh.
I personally enjoy the few bits of controversy here on the list as they provide insight to people I rarely, if ever, see in person. We are not all made to like each other, rather I believe we are called to at least earn the respect of others by our deeds. I believe this defines our moral ground; deeds not words.
Self-promotion is a very interesting term. Markus' additions to the list are more self-advertising than promotion. If one contributes to the list and shares knowledge, time, materials, energy and the overture of friendship with relative strangers, is this not self-promotion? I believe it is and it is certainly not "shameless". I am glad to hear of contributing list members' new projects and upcoming gigs. This should be encouraged. I only hope this privilege is not taken advantage of or taken for granted.
I believe it is only natural for conflagrations to occur on this list. A relatively obscure English keyboard is a thin bond in the grand scheme of things. Many of us have nothing in common other than this. Having said that, I am honored by the friendship I have encountered by the personal interaction at the Tron Symposia. Written correspondence can be an awful way to interact, argue or laugh, especially over an extended period of time. Time for a Mellotronist social event. Lets get it on!
Respectfully,
Fritz M400#1697....