Comments for PK Blog

Comment on From the Editor’s Desk: Who is Enniv Zarf? by Trigger

Trigger — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:22:00 +0000

You make a good point here Niko. I look forward to reading these reviews but I’d say Enniv does sometimes forget to be constructive in his criticism. As long as he pays mind to this he is doing a service that SL music does need for sure. Whether an active SL musician should be doing the reviewing is pretty contentious of course. Some will say Enniv’s musical abilities make him an ideal reviewer while others would say he has a conflict of interests and it is unprofessional for him to snipe at other acts. Some of these issues will be remedied by Enniv’s introduction of other reviewers to metaverse music. The rest will be judged by the reader. I personaly cannot make up my mind whether he should or shouldn’t be the reviewer but at least the debate is healthy in the meantime…

Comment on From the Editor’s Desk: Who is Enniv Zarf? by niko

niko — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:31:00 +0000

Keep up the good work, the live music scene in Second Life has long needed someone to do what you are undertaking. I’d just ask that you continue to be (a) honest and (b) constructive in your criticism.

I look forward to reading your review/critique/comments about one of my own shows, be it good, bad or indifferent.

Niko Donburi (a/k/a the “Weird Al” of SL)
http://www.nikodonburi.com

Comment on From the Editor’s Desk: I lose either way by Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf)

Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:21:00 +0000

I don’t need anyone’s sympathy, doesn’t matter really to me what people think. I have people who knows what I’m doing. For those who have accused me of making stuff up to drive up controversy etc. this was what I was addressing.

But thanks for your viewpoint. I didn’t think about the whining aspect. But I can see how it can come off as that. It’s just my Editor’s note.

Comment on From the Editor’s Desk: I lose either way by Trigger

Trigger — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:28:00 +0000

Whinge whinge whinge…makes for a pretty boring read to be honest. You either want to do it or you don’t so complaining and expecting sympathy is pretty lame. Just a viewpoint to help you

Comment on Live Music Review: Dakota7z7 Pluto @ Close to the Edge by Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf)

Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:43:00 +0000

Admittedly I do talk a lot of stuff that isn’t directly about the artists. Which I am going to over time draw down. I do this to give people a perspective of where I am coming from so you know why I am saying this. Of course overtime as you all get to know me as a reviewer more and more so I will not have to do that as much.

This is the first time anyone in Second Life as far as I know took on the role of a reviewer seriously. I have a lot of clarification of my thoughts and perspective to do until we start to understand what the role of a Second Life Music reviewer really is. This is a process, as with music is a process, not a destination.

Comment on Music Review: Mitch Triellis @ Belfast Ireland Maritime Club by stiofainx

stiofainx — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:50:00 +0000

Link for details of the Van Morrison Second Life Astral Weeks event in the Maritime Club

Comment on Music Review: Mitch Triellis @ Belfast Ireland Maritime Club by stiofainx

stiofainx — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:40:00 +0000

Hi enniv
I think u have missed the point somewhat with regards to the décor of the Maritime Club.
Like all the other buildings in the Belfast sim it is based on the RL place: The Maritime Club in the basement of the Maritime Hotel, a homeless seaman’s mission in Belfast in the 60s.
Returning from London disillusioned with the mainstream music scene there Van Morrison decided to open a music club in Belfast city centre and the disused basement of the seaman’s mission 100 hundred yards from The City Hall was an affordable option.
The basement was, guess what? A square box.
Along with a few friends Van cleared out years of accumulated rubbish painted the place black and decorated it with classic album covers and they were open for business.
Over the next few years as Van blossomed into the genius he has become internationally recognised as and his first band “Them” became known as Belfast’s answer to the Rolling Stones, The Maritime Club went from strength to strength.
It was the late night place to jam for visiting musicians to Belfast and over the years its tiny, makeshift stage stuck in the corner of the unassuming scruffy “box” played host to jam sessions featuring BB King, Hendrix , George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Ray Davies as well as being a nurturing ground for Irish talent with regulars like Rory Gallagher, Henry McCullough ( Joe Cockers guitarist at Woodstock ), Christy Moore and countless others. It was also the venue of choice for touring bands such as The Kinks, The Pretty Things and The Troggs among others.
To criticise us along the lines you have is like criticising an accurate representation of The Cavern Club , birthplace of The Beatles, for not having a 50 ft moon monster welcoming guests and getting rid of the grotty ceilings in favour of a revolving star map of the milky way or putting it in a Star Trek holodeck, with pole dancers , slinko and earn linden posters all over the place.
In common with a lot of real music clubs in SL like Sailors Cove, Stonehenge and The Hummingbird we have went for a low prim solution to the SL wide prob of lag when there are more than a few people gathered together in one spot, if you want to see fine detail representations of the rest of Belfast have a look around the sim where you can see such sights as the sunken Titanic Ballroom with all handmade textures or the recreated art deco splendour of The Curzon Cinema.
Another point I would like to make is that we follow the ethos of the RL Maritime Club in nurturing talent and have got many musicians started on their SL career including Mitch who played his first SL gig there after we worked with him to get him streaming, as we have done with many other players.
Come along on Sunday 14th Dec at 2pm SLT and review our recreation of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks album on its 40th anniversary featuring a song each by 8 of SL’s top players and perhaps you will see what we are all about.
http://www.nbmcmedia.com/astralweeks
Stiofainx Rau

Comment on Live Music Review: Djai Skjellerup @ SL Globe Theatre by Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf)

Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:28:00 +0000

I welcome any thoughts and anything people think about what I said here. But I will also defend what I said and why I said it.

People are very sensitive about music and what people say about who they love and like. First of I want to make sure you all know that I liked Djai. You may not like what came across to my ears as the way I described it, but I did not mean anything of a derogatory in nature.

I want to comment on the accuracy of this comment:

You said:
"You comment on Djai's "mix" of cover pieces and originals. Djai performed 2 (count them 1,2) cover pieces in a 1 hour and 40 minute set. The rest were all absolutely original."
I said:
"It's also a wonderful pleasure jump in and find someone who performs all original music at his shows (well almost all, he did end up singing some covers later in the concert)."
How was this in any way inaccurate. I said it was pleasure someone who does all original, but he did end up doing some covers. 2 covers would be some. But you decided to read that as a negative thing. I even put it in parenthesis to downplay the significance of the cover.

I did not intend to bad mouth Djai except that you thought what I think is good is a bad thing. That's the apparent thing that is coming across to me. But I stand by what I said. It is fun to listen to him then and there, but his music being so familiar is lost in my mind afterwards and doesn't make an impression of me afterwards. And I am certain I am not the only who feels this with his music. But I know there are those who love him.

You felt this review is negative because I wasn't ooing and awing over the music of Djai. This review to those who doesn't know Djai doesn't think it's a bad mouth review, but a semi mixed review.

You said:
"Djai embraces a concept called audience interaction. Generally seen to be a good thing by reviewers and audience members alike."

There are multiple ways to interact with the audience and how someone interacts with them. And the come across the stream in different ways. I can't argue with you because you already love him and he can do no wrong. I am not saying he did anything wrong, but that is really what came across to me, someone who just got in and never heard him before and now reviewing him.

You said:
"Allow me to point out that you are the "vocal coach" for the Globe- yet it's been said your music is less than mediocre? Something doesn't seem right there."

Two things: First Voice director has nothing to do with music to begin with. Voice directing is acting. Music is music. This is not an valid argument on that level. Second is that about my own music, I comment on my own music and down play them no matter what I think about it. I don't like to boast about my own music. I have already made it clear from the start I don't review my own music. It's just not possible to do.

You said:
"little tip, if you're going to review a performer, decide in your own mind whether you like them or not. Then write the review on that conclusion. Don't further confuse your readers, making them constantly wonder "Was he REALLY impressed, or is that sarcasm?""

I think unless if I say Djai is amazing and so wonderful and awesome and his original music is the bomb that you will hate me. But it's ok, I already know at least 20% of the people out there will hate me not matter what. I am only pointing out what I heard. But I do know it's my own opinion and I say that over and over on my postings about who I am and what I'm a trying to accomplish. Do you know your own bias? I at least know.

You said:
"Your opinions will not affect the fanbases (and let me assure you, Djai and all the other performers you've so blatantly blasted all have strong fanbases- for good reason!)"

I don't expect to change fans opinion about someone. They are fans of those people and will love them no matter what they do. But I also know that there are people who do agree with what I have to say too. We all have different opinions and that's the nature of reviews. But I do welcome your thoughts cause they get me thinking and on top of things. And I grow as a reviewer because of what people say.

You said:
"And allow me to repeat- ACCURACY makes a review."

There was nothing inaccurate about this review in terms of facts. The rest is opinion and how I felt his music was. That's what I have said over and over. It's my opinion. You have yours. That's what I heard and that's what came across to me. I thought it was fun and I had fun watching him and listening to him. I felt he was a bit over the top at times, but it worked for me still.

Comment on Live Music Review: Djai Skjellerup @ SL Globe Theatre by roxiiie

roxiiie — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:25:00 +0000

I don’t even know where to BEGIN commenting on this review. We could say it is inaccurate and completely off base- but that’s stating the obvious.
Allow me to point out that you are the “vocal coach” for the Globe- yet it’s been said your music is less than mediocre? Something doesn’t seem right there. They say those that can’t do, teach. But those that can’t do, should NOT review.
But I digress. Back to the matter at hand. When reviewing a performer, it is one thing to compare their style to the style of another performer. But to compare them to someone completely unrelated, seemingly in an effort to bring derrogatory connotations to the association thereof, that is completely uncalled for! To stereotype a performer when they are performing their original pieces is absolutely ludicrous! You comment on Djai’s “mix” of cover pieces and originals. Djai performed 2 (count them 1,2) cover pieces in a 1 hour and 40 minute set. The rest were all absolutely original.
The fact that you can badmouth a performer who was helping to kick off an extension of a project you seem so adamant to help promote… Well, that thought is just mind boggling. Your reviews go from one extreme to another. You are either so demeaning to the performer its amazing there are no guidelines on reviews, or you sing their praises (with an underlying cut of sarcasm- EVERY time).
Djai embraces a concept called audience interaction. Generally seen to be a good thing by reviewers and audience members alike. You should really open up your mind and see what it does for a performance.
It is really impossible to comment on one of your reviews simply because you backtrack everything you say. One minute you’re saying Djai is essentially like something you’ve heard before, thereby its impossible to be impressed. Then in the next breath you sing his praises because he has such a great time with it. Then-really- did you compare him to a Vegas act?? These reviews keep getting better and better!
A little tip, if you’re going to review a performer, decide in your own mind whether you like them or not. Then write the review on that conclusion. Don’t further confuse your readers, making them constantly wonder “Was he REALLY impressed, or is that sarcasm?”
Your writing is mildly amusing for is redunancy at best. Your opinions will not affect the fanbases (and let me assure you, Djai and all the other performers you’ve so blatantly blasted all have strong fanbases- for good reason!) So write if it makes you feel better. But don’t expect to gain a following because of it. And allow me to repeat- ACCURACY makes a review.

Comment on Live Music Review: Dakota7z7 Pluto @ Close to the Edge by roxiiie

roxiiie — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:19:00 +0000

The main question that comes to mind here is, are you reviewing the performer, or giving us an inside view to your own struggles as a performer? You spend more time talking about yourself than even commenting on the music (Not to say your reviews are anything close to accurate). In the future, attempt to focus on the REAL issues at hand.
Roxiiie Kamachi

Comment on Original Music in SL: Crap Mariner’s Tunes in SL Gallery Project by Mister Crap

Mister Crap — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:05:00 +0000

tyvm /me salutes -ls/cm

Comment on About Metaverse Music by Brad Reason / Doubledown Tandino

Brad Reason / Doubledown Tandino — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:24:00 +0000

Hey, my music isn’t music, it’s a “derivative of music”. I’m glad Enniv Zarf pointed out that the music genre of “electronica” ‘not real music’ and ‘not live’

Comment on About Metaverse Music by hexx

hexx — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:29:00 +0000

What a wonderful initiative! How did we ever manage to survive, let alone thrive, without it?

Comment on About Metaverse Music by Silas Scarborough

Silas Scarborough — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Reviewers should consider the possibility they will be reviewed and the overwhelming response I’ve seen thus far to your amateurish efforts to write are that you should spend your time practicing your piano rather than wasting disk space on your shallow analyses.

Comment on From the Editor’s Desk: Professaional Versus the Amatuer Musician in Second LIfe by Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf)

Paul Kwo (SL: Enniv Zarf) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:04:00 +0000

BTW, I added a little block on the side to link to the SLMC. I will have to figure out where to post the reviews over there. Too many things to do, so little time. I’m actually also starting a podcast of all my original new music too right now…sleepy time…