Bob's Chat
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Starting soon will be the final batch of my Jazz, Soul, Hillbilly/Country, Rockabilly/R&R, and Pre-War/Acoustic Blues series. This next batch is already compiled, a total of 60 compilations (12 volumes in each genre) and for a change this one is entirely in flac. I've decided to bring these series to an end because the blog is now entering its 6th year and it's time for a fresh approach. I don't see the point in making any more Soul compilations about broken hearts and tears, or Hillbilly compilations about drunks and jukeboxes, by the end of this next batch these various topics will be more than well covered. So sometime in 2027 the various genre compilations will come to an end. However I'll continue making some special compilations but they will be more detailed, with session information, personnel, dates, photos, plus a bit of a write up. As more time goes into compiling such compilations they'll only be appearing periodically.
As the blog will be featuring fewer homemade compilations, there will be more officially released albums. However, as previously stated, no new releases, just old, odd, rare and interesting things, much the same as I've been doing with the "Albums That Deserve Another Listen" series. I have a very large collection of digital music, so loads of great albums to share, and the blog will continue rolling along with the "Blues, R&B, Soul & Gospel Records" series. There are plenty of these prepared in advance, currently up to Volume 550. At the present rate of posting that's enough to last until 2030. Therefore I won't be making any more for the time being as I don't see any point in getting too far ahead of myself.
I'm also considering featuring other things of interest. For example I have an unpublished manuscript of interview transcriptions that were conducted with many visiting bluesmen in Australia throughout the 1970s. I'll be fetching this manuscript in October on my next trip to Perth, and after scanning the interviews I'll start putting them up on the blog. Most of these bluesmen I interviewed have now passed away, plus there are photos I took of them. So lots of interesting and historical things to look forward to.
Also as I'm a keen photographer and have traveled a lot, I'd like to show more of my travel and artistic photography. So in the months ahead this blog will begin to shape up more as a personal blogsite, and not so much as just being a music-sharing site. None of this will effect "Bob's Cellar" however, that will continue in its present format for as long as required.
Anyway, all this is in the future. For the time being everything remains the same, the changes will appear gradually.
Hi Bob: Your blog has been a wonderful source of music, both old and, as I've mentioned before, some fairly new (at least to this old head - much of which has been a revelation to me). With the full understanding of how you've got to keep this blog a labor of love for yourself, I look forward to however it evolves. Thanks for all in the past, for now and in advance for your future work on it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice comment Jim. I think after almost 6 years the site needs a bit of a change. Not just the same-same week after week. There will still be loads of great music, plus a few other interesting things. Let's see how it evolves.
DeleteBlog's evolve with time, and will be good to read more of your music writings. Good luck with it!!
ReplyDeleteThings work but a change is also good for you and the site, will keep it growing!!
Thanks Reb, the plan is to have more things of interest on the blog, which will hopefully generate more interaction. Discussions about various muisicans and various genres would be nice to have. Anyway, we'll see how it all unfolds.
DeleteIn a way, a blog needs to be creative—that’s how I see it—because you’re projecting your passion for what you love (in this case, music) into it. I’ve always felt you have a musician’s sensibility; it’s no coincidence—I really pick up on that through your compilations. Naturally, that evolves over time, along with your inspiration...
ReplyDeleteYou’ve added "The Cellar," which is great, but the main thing is that your blog was what drew me in initially, and I have no doubt that will continue... Thanks.
Cheers Patrick, yes these blogs of ours are labors of love, and I agree they need to evolve over time.
DeleteThere are fewer of us in the blogosphere these days, but one way to keep going is to gradually evolve so we don't lose our enthusiasm. I congratulate you on what you have done, what you are doing, and what you will do. I’m sorry I discovered you so late—greetings from Argentina.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment Juancho Farias. I glad you did find us eventually. And greetings from Thailand.
DeleteI look forward to watching the blog evolve Bob. There is much to be said about shaking things up every now and then!
ReplyDeleteHi Anona Mause, yep a change every now and then is good.
DeleteWe'll keep following you and all the great suff you do. Thanks very much!
ReplyDeleteCheers N8Deepbc, more good things coming.
DeleteLook forward to the interviews and the photography.
ReplyDeleteI transcribed those interviews from cassette tapes and typed the manuscript on a manual typewriter back in the late 70s/early 80s. I'll bring it back with me next trip then take it to a Thai copy shop and get them to scan it so I can get it into my laptop and have another look and do any editing. So I've got my work cut out for me.
DeleteIt'll be worth it. That's blues history.
ReplyDelete