Holy Demon Torrents, Batman!

[Lucifer Sam]

Hi all. I don't remember where or what post I saw this suggestion on (it was recent) but someone posted that there was some live Cat Power performances available on [edited]. I looked it up and found something called 'Cat Power Live Megacollection'. Now, I'm not too familiar with computer stuff, I don't understant it much at all, but I downloaded this Collection thing and after a little research, I was able to figure out what a 'torrent' was and how to open it...and open it I unknowingly did...

Daaaaaaammmmmmmmnnnnnnn.........................

The following is what it includes:

I have not done anything with this yet. I have not yet listened to anything. I have not scanned it for viruses (then again, why would I? I use a mac...) I have done literally nothing with it. I in fact didn't even know that the torrent thing was finished with itself, nor have I fully looked at everything. I just discovered it while looking for something else. It all seems to be in MP3 format so far. I still have the torrent file...would someone like to have it to share with the community? Email me if you do. But you have to share. You can't just take it. I don't know if it's still on the [edited] site, but if it is, maybe check it out??

Anyway, to whoever it was that suggested this site in whatever post I saw it in--thank you!

And to whoever put it on [edited], should you be here, holy crap THANK YOU!!!

[Elijah]

:(

In light of Chan's view on the sharing of her live recordings, I don't think this is cool at all. Especially since the torrent you speak of includes the commercially-available-for-paying-customers eMusic Session EP.

I'm sure you only posted this with the best intentions, but I don't think this is the right place to share.
.

[Patrick]

Agreed. Thanks Elijah.

Patrick

[tinobeat]

Also, I'm going to have to issue a citation for reckless use of Comic Sans.

[Lucifer Sam]

:(

In light of Chan's view on the sharing of her live recordings, I don't think this is cool at all. Especially since the torrent you speak of includes the commercially-available-for-paying-customers eMusic Session EP.

I'm sure you only posted this with the best intentions, but I don't think this is the right place to share.
.

Let's catch me up to speed because I'm not aware of what her views on live recordings are. (I'm guessing from the context of your sentence that she doesn't like it, but let's be more specific because I don't wish to disrespect anyone.) And what eMusic thing are you speaking about? I'm not at all for sharing comercially available music. As I said earlier, I didn't know what I had or didn't have. As it turns out, when I inspected this thing deeper, I don't have any of this at all. Every file says "zero KB". In regards to comic sans...guilty as charged.

[Elijah]

One of the items mentioned in the list above is the eMusic Session EP, which is a commercially available product. And Chan doesn't like people to trade her shows. It's mentioned either here (http://elbo.ws/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=1122&page=1#Item_0) or here (http://elbo.ws/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=1153&page=1#Item_0). I can't remember which.

As for Comic Sans, everyone should be aware that if you simply disable (or better yet, delete) that horrendous font from your system, it ceases to exist. PM me if you'd like some help with that.

[Lucifer Sam]

Thank you for these links. I've read them both and they were interesting reads (although it took me a little while to understand what an 'rbally' was), but they don't answer my question specifically. From your post yesterday in response to my original post and from the links you provided, it tells me that Chan doesn't like live shows. I didn't really need to read that much to have that point reitterated. This was made apparent to me already. I would like to know specifically what her take on it is, *why* doesn't she like them? Do you have those links? That is what I would like to know about. This is the sort of thing that educates me so that I'm not disrespecting someone.

You were right in saying before that my intentions were good--I love her music so much it's rediculous. I believe it was on the first link that you provided where someone was saying that each show is different because she doesn't sing the same song the same way twice, that this made the experience so much more human, etc. This is a very good statement and why I go apesh*t everytime I hear that Chan is coming to town again. It is also why I like downloading the live stuff. I love that people are recording shows. I wish there was still a community that would trade cassettes (specifically) of live performances like there used to be with Grateful Dead shows or very early 80s heavy metal demo trading. I even heard on the evening news once that Metallica has made a website out of free concert performances. (the company that hosts this is based out of Seattle) That is so awesome and goes back to the roots of the days I'm referring to. This is of a community that loves their artists and is passionate about the music--like I am with Cat Power, like many people are with whatever special band/artist that strikes their heart. But just saying 'she doesn't like it' doesn't help me to understand.

I also got the impression that a torrent is a bad thing. Is this the case? I'm not a big internet user. I don't know all these lingo things are or understand what is good etiquette and what is bad po-po. I don't read blogs and I'm not a subscriber to any downloading applications like mmm...I think it's called Kaza. I am a person that doesn't like computers at all. I use them for email because I have to and I have been considering using it to display my photography to reach a wider audience. But that's it. If I did something that was a no-no in the internet world by posting that I would share this torrent thing, you have my apology. I didn't understand then and I don't really understand now what it's all about. Consider my offer recinded. However, if I'm having a finger shaken at me for being excited about live performances on the internet... Sorry, I love them and a support them fully so long as it doesn't take away thier money--and what I have so far doesn't. If Chan doesn't support it, that's saddening and it's her perogative and I will respect that fully, but I would really like to understand why so that I'm not pulling some 'dick move'.

I've also now looked up what this emusic thing was via Google. This is also something I didn't realise was apart of whatever it was that I downloaded. In this case the person who made this file thing available in the first place is stealing money away from Chan and that's not right. It is never right to steal. However I didn't know that this emusic thing existed (I didn't even understand what it was until I Googled it) so by saying that I'd also make this available, I didn't realise I was aiding in his or her theft. Now that I do understand, bad juju on him/her for doing that. But I refuse to be chasitised for it.

Finally, (I feel like I've written a book...) why in the world would anyone want to get rid of Comic Sans? With the entire history of typography sparkling before my eyes (I do attent art college afterall), yes, I'm *sure* Comic Sans is in fact my very favourite! :o)

Kiss and make up?

ps: I hope this tome doesn't come across as snarky. I can never tell.

[ginsberg]

Hey Lucifer Sam... that is the best email i've ever read here! You make a million good points and I actually think i agree with the lot.

I don't get the whole show trading issue either - i mean, i get that it's probably not wise to share stuff via the record labels message board, but the sharing of live shows thing is generally a good thing. I got into so many bands through getting hold of live boots because, unless you've seen them yourself, it can give you a greater insight into an artist. Ultimately the live boots lead me to purchasing commercial releases, forking out on live show tickets etc etc...

I can't believe Chan isn't into the nature of sharing live boots... you've only got to look at what Dylan does to see how / why it works so well. And Chan? Dylan? Surely she agrees right???

Ah whatever... i'm bored. Thought I'd reply. Good email anyway mate!

[Paul]

Just to hazard a guess, but probably 50-60% of live Cat Power shows prior to 2006 are a total disaster/breakdown and I could understand her not wanting that stuff spread around in a large scale.

[Lucifer Sam]

Hey Lucifer Sam... that is the best email i've ever read here! You make a million good points and I actually think i agree with the lot.

I don't get the whole show trading issue either - i mean, i get that it's probably not wise to share stuff via the record labels message board, but the sharing of live shows thing is generally a good thing. I got into so many bands through getting hold of live boots because, unless you've seen them yourself, it can give you a greater insight into an artist. Ultimately the live boots lead me to purchasing commercial releases, forking out on live show tickets etc etc...

I can't believe Chan isn't into the nature of sharing live boots... you've only got to look at what Dylan does to see how / why it works so well. And Chan? Dylan? Surely she agrees right???

Ah whatever... i'm bored. Thought I'd reply. Good email anyway mate!

Hi Ginsberg. Thank you for your response. I've also gotten into a number of bands via live material. I also like the idea that Pearl Jam introduced in which you can find your show that you attended for a limited time and have something of a souvenir to keep forever. It's special. And it's a way to control the quality. I'm lucky in that my very first live performance that I attended back in 1990 or '91 (Queensryche, the very first full performance of Operation:LiveCrime since their 1988 tour) was not only taped, but released as a boxed set and has since been remastered and reissued via Sanctuary. And when I look very closely at a certain key point in the film, I can spot where I am b/c a laser shot right into my eyes! :) Very good point re: Dylan. Cheers! :)

Paul: I've also thought of this as a reason, and it's probably a very good hazzard guess. This holds a great amount of merit, as well, b/c as an artist myself, if I don't like something I've done I don't want it out there. And it isn't out there. I either destroy it so it doesn't exist and it doesn't sabotage any future project by seeping into my subconscious, or I bury it in a pile of old work that goes for an eternity before seeing the light of day again. Chan, being a live visual performer, doesn't necessarily have that power. She does what she does and once it's put out there, there's no taking it back. This is a rather vulnerable position to be in, one that I've been in on a few occasions via performance art pieces I've been involved with. But you know, hmm...a few things: What I've learned so far is that art is not in the object, it's in the impact and response. It's how it touches you. And a Cat Power show definately makes a deep impact, whether it's negative or hightly positive. It seems to me, the people who deeply love what she does, the people who would even be interested in downloading her perfomances in the first place, love her for all the interrupted songs, stories, sitting dances, leg/foot shake and even the mass cramped sitting of the audience in a cramped club which is somtimes required before she'll play. These traits make her Cat Power. It's what we've come to expect and what keeps us coming back. Now, in a recorded show, the visual stuff goes away. We can't see that anymore. But we can hear how beautifully she sings, how she'll change something, we can hear her mood, we can hear her playfulness, all sorts of things. That's art impacting. That's something that Chan can't stop no matter how hard she tries. Because once it's out there, you really can't take it back. And that's something which, if she doesn't already--and I don't know if she does or not, she should really embrace.

On the other hand...no. You know what, I have a million crits going through my head right now, all of my professors yakking, and my point is too shaky to make. She should have the right to control her art, but where that line is drawn, for me, is blurry right now. I'll have to give this some more thought.

Anyway, that you Paul and Ginsberg for your responses.

[Spion Kop]

It's the uploading of the albums which is worse over 5000 downloads on that site alone.