It's easier to buy a CD than to spend time downloading music. I don't have an Ipod & am computerly challanged & not interested in trying to figure out how to download things. As for music being free-get real. Music is how a musician earns a living. They spend a lot of time & energy writing & recording. It's often a fulltime job & musicians deserve to be properly compensated for this & for the pleasure the music brings to the listener.

Loreena, if I understand your kind invitation, you would like to hear our ideas and opinions about how best to distribute your music, given our changing technology. A new "business model" is needed, since the current ones are becoming less useful. Your criteria would seem to include: to preserve your artistic integrity; to reach old and new patrons ("fans") in a globally convenient way; and to receive the money necessary to support your creative work and maintain technical quality.

First, I would like to believe that we, your most enthusiastic patrons, would be willing to invest in your work to the extent we are able, in the hope that you would have more freedom to create. Most musical artists probably do not have a following like yours. Finding out how large this following is, and how much our investments would cover your financial needs, is of course difficult. Perhaps something along the lines of the National Public Radio (NPR) model of the U.S. would be worth a try. That is, an appeal is made for membership to a patron community. Levels of membership have different prices but bring special benefits. Perhaps these benefits could include early access to new recordings, priority for live performances, or limited release gifts. I would be willing to pay $50 to $100 per year for such a membership. However, it does seem unlikely that special memberships alone will be able to subsidize free access for all to electronic copies of your music.

And speaking of NPR, is it possible there are radio-based opportunities? In the U.S., there have been a few successful nonprofit programs that reach a wide audience, such a Prairie Home Companion and Thistle & Shamrock. Satellite radio is also a possibility. If these avenues offered an additional means of supporting your work, I would welcome them.

It seems there will always be a demand for physical media, which are currently CD's and DVD's. There is value in the quality of these media as well as the need to give them as gifts, or to collect them. I know this is still my primary means of collecting your work. If you can continue to sell these through your Quinlan Road site on the web, that is sufficient for me.

The electronic mass market channels, such as iTunes and Amazon, appear to be necessary and somewhat helpful. I'm unaware of any artistic compromises involved in using these channels, but I have no firsthand knowledge of this. Presumably they would preclude you from offering your electronic media for free from your website. The alternative would be to do your own electronic distribution from your website, which would work for me but would appear to involve a great deal of technical overhead. Also, I imagine, you would severely limit the reach of your music if you avoided the mass market channels on the web.

Finally, there is the question of your tours. Like most everyone, I would love to hear you perform live, but I am more interested in new recordings. If your tours make recordings possible, then I'm all for them. I can only speculate as to whether you feel live performances reduce your creative output.

I'm hoping others in this forum have better ideas, and perhaps some success stories based on personal experience in the music industry (or outside it). If you decide to return to busking on the streets of Canada, be sure to send me your itinerary ;^)

I am very much of the opinion that we as the receivers of music are privileged to enjoy the gift that other (more creative?) people can bestow on the world. But that like most things in life, this must be paid for in the good old-fashioned way ("I do something for you, and you either pay me or do something for me"). It’s happened that way since antiquity, but there have always been and always will be people who ‘want something for nothing’.

However... yes indeedy, 'the times they are a changing' and the Internet and file sharing exist. This is a fact of life and unless we all choose the Chinese way of 'democracy' and have our free access to the net 'over seen', then that's the way it will stay. Thank goodness!

I DO prefer to buy a legitimate CD. But I have to be honest, nowadays I want something that goes beyond the musical content as well, something that is inherent in the packaging etc. that makes me want to actually buy the physical thing rather than download for ‘free’ and burn onto a dime-a-dozen CDR...

So I would say this to Loreena – If you intend to continue to supply physical CDs etc. then you need to offer something that merely downloading and listening to can't compare with. And you're already doing it! Who could have resisted the temptation to buy the fantastic bundle packages that were offered through this site over Christmas? I know I didn't! Signed CDs, beautiful presentation boxes etc. It all makes for a great package that makes me glad to part with my money! And let's not forget the bonus DVD editions that had me re-stocking my Loreena CD collection, even though I already had most of the titles already! Double purchases and so bonus to Loreena there I would say? And she deserves it.

Does all this 'beautifying' of the finished package detract from the musical content? It's an argument, but for me, it only leads to enhance the overall experience.

Many vinyl aficionados will tell you that packaging wise, there is simply noting to compare to LP sleeves and that almost unique experience of handling, reading, taking in the artwork and even SMELLING the thing whilst the record spins and the music pervades. So in the days of CD, the artists and manufacturers have to be smart and try to add something to the experience of actually owing the legitimate, finished article if the 'physical' industry is to survive.

Personally, I will be very sad to see the day when all music is ONLY presented for download and no physical product will exist, as that will certainly make me feel less involved in the process of the artist presenting their work to me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bryan1965,

quote:

Originally posted by Loreena:
SHIFTING MUSIC INDUSTRY PRESENTS NEW CHALLENGES

More and more I think of the Bob Dylan song, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” Well it seems no business or industry is inured from this fact of life and particularly so the music industry.

Quinlan Road began, as many of you know, at my kitchen tabletop and busking on the street. Beyond being a passion, it was inevitable it would become a business. Quinlan Road was built on people hearing the music and then choosing to stay in touch by joining the Quinlan Road Community.

As the music industry continues to evolve, we want to be sure that we don’t lose you in the flotsam and jetsam of the changing times. More than ever, we want to stay close to you, to narrow the distance between ourselves and you and hopefully by doing this we’ll be able to serve you better in a variety of ways. We are hopeful the best way for us all to stay connected is through the Quinlan Road Community – and that you’re enjoying what we have to offer.

As you know, there’s no cost to join and being a member gives you access to front-of-the-line tickets to concerts, participation in online chats, quarterly newsletters, breaking news updates and access to exclusive contests and special offers.

We thank you for your membership and your continued interest in the music and ask that if you know anyone who’s a keen supporter and would benefit from membership, please encourage them to join too.

On a final note, I’d be interested to learn about your thoughts on the current state of the music industry. Do you think music should be free? Do you prefer to get your music online or from a music store? To discuss these and other issues, please visit our message board and share your views.

LM

I believe that downloading music "for free" is theft, pure and simple. As I musician myself, I appreciate that artists earn their living from their art, work harder at their "jobs" than most non-artists and typically earn much less than what they sacrifice in order to create in the first place---without the relative certainty of making any money at all in the end, much less "company perks" or "benefits." In my opinion, we are in many ways living in a kind of dark ages; much of the so-called music one hears today has no lyrical, melodic--or spiritual--value at all. When an artist such as Loreena McKennitt brings such joy to so many and captivates imaginations in such a positive way, how can one justify a free-ride download of her music. It's absurd to think that is okay. Thank you for this beautiful community. Thank you, Loreena, for your beautiful mind. MatinaMCoulouris@aol.com

Hello Loreena, Thanks much for the newsletter!

I actually get my music both from buying CD's and from purchasing on the internet. But they all go onto my Ipod.

It mostly depends on how impatient I am to get it, if I want to keep the CD, and whether it's available in the stores I visit.

There are certain artists that I absolutely must have the CD to keep in my music library.

Do I think music should be free? Not really ~ although an occasional free "perk" would be nice. As an artist, I know that I work hard to craft my jewelry and I know that musicians work hard as well. I will gladly pay the money to hear wonderful music. (Which is why I own every one of your CD's).

I am a European citizen currently living in the USA.

The question that comes to mind is: the larger store here in the US sells the CD's at round $7 to $13 (that's about 4 to 8 euro for a CD), whereas in europe, CD's in the larger store cost around 25 to 30 euro's or $ 40 to $ 48.

I thus understand a lot better US citizens saying "music should not be free" when they pay so little for it, and european citizens hoping that "music will one day be free to have" because it is costing them a fortune.

It's also a matter, then, (I think) of how much we deem this printed copy of art worth... will the nice US citizen defend paying $ 40 for one CD, as the europeans are already doing today?

hi:
I prefer to buy cd's as opposed to itunes or amazon...And the price for Loreena's music is quite fair, considering there's so much pretty music to listen too!! Although like most people, I would like to get a little extra, like perhaps an enhanced cd (with a little video).. I do like to buy music videos from itunes, does loreena have any videos out there? Thanks for this forum gregg

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Cd:
These two links are to information on the Ogg Vorbis format. This is a music codec that is free for all to use and install.

Loreena's albums are available in FLAC format in most countries. (Except Ancient Muse in the US because Universal Music is evil).

I do not own an I-pod, nor do I download and burn music illegally from file sharing sites, for 2 reasons: One, I do not feel it is right to help myself to music that any artist has put time and effort into creating that particular work of art, and make no mistake, any song by any artist is a work of art! I know musicians and artists in the local scene here in Columbus, Ohio,and some artists that have had fair to moderate success nationally as well, and a lot of effort goes into the creation of any artists or groups music, and they rely on the profit they make off of that music to make their living and provide for themselves, their families and their employees. My second reason is that I am totally technologically incompetent and would probably manage to crash the whole internet if I tried to download any song from some file sharing website, and it would be glaringly obvious to anyone (but me)just WHO managed to screw up the whole world wide web! Anyway, I prefer the quality of a legitimate, legally produced CD. That being said, I do know one artist who records roots rock in Nashville and also plays the Ghost Fiddle (AKA the Glass Harmonica; glasses of water filled to certain levels to produce clear notes when he runs his fingers over the rims...) He performs on that ancient instrument at Renaissance Festivals across the country, and his music as both a roots artist and on the Ghost Fiddle is quite good, I enjoy both sides of his musical personalities. His name is Donal Hinely, and he sells both kinds of his music on CD's at the Renaissance festivals where he performs, as well as his gigs in Nashville and on his website, but you can also download his tunes for free on his site as well. This is a VERY unusual position for any artist to take nowadays, but he believes that music is or should be universal and accessible to everyone, and that people who may not be able to afford to pay should not be denied the enjoyment of his talents...so there are many sides to this issue, even among artists, it seems. Ted!

Hi everyone, I still prefer to go out and buy my music. I would miss the fun of just going out to get it!!!I also love the packaging and the stories. It makes sense as an artist and business person to make a CD and then go out on tour. Call me old fashioned ~Kate

I don't think that music should be free any more than my job should be free to those who employ me. You give a service, you should be paid for it.

I prefer to buy music in a store but have no problem buying online if the store does not have what I want. Sometimes I will 'special order' an item if it won't take any longer than if I were to buy it online.

I rarely download, don't like the idea of it, and basically only do it if I have to...meaning I need an odd track or version that is only available through download. I need to have something tangible in my hands. I like the experience of going to a store and looking through the items for sale.

I STILL buy vinyl!! I miss the album size artwork and like the fact that many artists continue to release their albums in lp form.

Dear Ms. McKennitt

I sincerely hope this finds you in the best of health and spirits. I will freely admit, at the outset, that brevity is not a concept I have been able to learn. And while, at first glance, you, and/or others, may question the relevance of most of my argument to the issue of the current state of the music industry, I do still believe and argue that what follows does relate to what I perceive to be the underlying factor in all human conflicts, including that within the beleaguered music industry. That does not mean that nothing else contributes. I only mean that all the other factors in our existence that lead to conflicts between us themselves stem from this most basic problem.

In answer to you query I prefer the tactile experience of a physical CD and the interaction I have with the music store employees, as well as my fellow shoppers. And that is how I will always continue to acquire my CDs. As for the cost of music and musicians’ compensation, in short, I don’t think music should be free. Granted, a person may be walking in a forest and suddenly hear a melody in their mind, which some would argue is a gift from another realm, while others would argue that the environment stimulated deep, ancient, and unconscious layers of that person’s mind to coalesce various elements and forces together to form the melody. But, that is besides the point, for regardless how one argues the person acquired the melody, at the end of the day, that person is the one who toils to shape it so as it can and will be shared with the general public. If nothing else, and for no other reason, decency demands that they be compensated for the time and labour they invested in doing that.

Some people have thus far at least spoken of the recording companies’ and studios’ greed and dictatorial control of the music industry, as well as the public’s starved need for a voice and the ability to finally participate in that industry and the global musical conversation more fully than they were previously allowed to and able to. Another factor that must also be mentioned, while many will criticize me for saying this, is the public’s ignorance of and (on the part of many, I’m sad to say) apathy towards of the musicians’ role in that industry, and the impact on them that their actions, rooted in vengeance and ignorance, would have. But, in my humble opinion, the problem stems not only from the afore-mentioned factors, but, critically, because of a long-held, long-practiced, never addressed (at least not sufficiently or justly) corruption of the concept of value.

We human beings, along with other beings, have the virtue of being born with inherent value. Whereas the objects around us have “assigned value”, value that people bestow upon them. Alas, thanks to human ego, pride, arrogance, greed and ignorance, we employ the same attitude towards the earth’s basic elements. So when we see gold in the ground, for example, we see qualities in it that we so admire and hold dear and thus afford it “value” above all other things, despite the fact that these qualities are, at most, secondary to the functions it performs as part of the living mechanisms of the earth at large, the bio-sphere, as scientists call it. But even then, despite these “qualities” and the “value” we bestow upon the gold because of them, it still has “value” only in the sense of how it can serve us, how we can use it. But the fact is that the gold has “value” only for as long as it part of a living system and continues to play a role in the processes, mechanisms and functions of the existence of an organism, or, in this case, the bio-sphere. Otherwise, it would remain on the surface of the earth, in the core, or somewhere in between, which, of course, it doesn’t.

Until we recognize, accept, acknowledge, admit, and embrace the fact that what’s around us has “value” of its own accord, were it another organism, or a part of a living system (much as our white blood cells are part of our living system), such that it doesn’t need a human being to assign it a value, however carefully considered and calculated that assigned value may be, and realign our value systems accordingly, troubles such as those daunting the music industry, and more serious ones such as climate change, food shortages, and all the political conflicts that continue to plague human kind, will continue to be a constant presence in our lives, and a curse haunting us night and day, in dreams and in waking hours. I am adamant in my belief that no proposed solution(s) can or will work – and definitely cannot and will not last, nor have a lasting, meaningful impact during future generations and centuries – unless we realign our value systems. We must do so on a social level – in our global interactions, in our communities, and in our families –, as well as on an individual level, the most crucial level of all.

Due to the circumstances of my childhood, of my whole life actually, and to the available options, I have been compelled to spend most of my life engaged in observing others, as well as in introspection. These two activities have taught me a great deal, not least that my ego is inherently worthless, and that I learn to place it above other people and other things. Actually, when I am unaware of my inherent value, and especially when I deny it, ego, along with its two siblings, pride and arrogance, is what takes its place. They are three sides of the same thing, an unholy trinity of sorts. Our lives, our existence either reflects and incorporates our inherent value, or is dominated by ego, pride, arrogance, greed, and ignorance, which displace our value if we deny it, and the delusions they cocoon us in.

The most important lesson I ever learned is that when a person treats another being, human or otherwise, well, with respect, with compassion and with dignity etc., it is because that person already treats themselves as such.

Whereas, when a person treats another being, human or otherwise, as something of no value, as something fit only to be used, abused, enslaved etc., as an object, and/or as dirt or scum etc., it is because that person already treats themselves as faeces.

I learned this at least as much, if not more, from my own actions, as much as I learned it from other people’s actions, and learned it the hard way too, I might add!

I feel the need to reiterate my treatise on value, because of how important and fundamental it is and how it permeates all aspects of our existence.

Underscoring all human conflicts is the corruption of the concept of value. We “value” gold not because it is inherently valuable, as a person, dog, a frog, a rose, or a pine tree are, but because we choose to regard it more highly than other metals, than other things generally. But, at the end of the day, it is just that, a metal. For as long as it is in the ground, it can be considered to have “value”, in that it plays a role in the mechanisms and processes that the earth uses to sustain itself, even if it does so over a very prolonged period of time, and even requires a long period of time for it to be tapped to perform that role in the first place. The seismic activity that conveys it to the surface and back down again demonstrates that role – but I don’t know how well the scientific community understands that role, even knows what it is, and how it is performed, assuming that they even acknowledge that the gold does indeed perform a vital role in the earth’s living mechanisms. Otherwise, it would remain in the earth’s core, on the surface, or somewhere in between. We humans, and other organisms, on the other hand, already possess a basic, inherent value, by virtue of being a living organism, whereas the inanimate objects we make, even though we make them out of elements found in the earth, are worthless and have only as much “value” as we choose to bestow upon them. For said elements lose whatever “value” they have once they’re harvested, since they no longer sustain a living process. While an exception can be made for a home or a medical device, etc., it is only valid when the least amount of, and only the most indispensable, elements are used in the most sustainable manner – thus, there is no reason to take more metals out of the earth, when there are plenty that we already dispose of in landfills and keep lying around in junkyards etc. For as long as we have a system wherein people have to acquire value in order to obtain objects, then socio-economic-political conflicts will persist. It is absurd, at the very least, that a person with inherent value would have to labour to acquire something inherently worthless. I don’t mean that it is absurd to labour period, but that the labour be in exchange for, and for the purpose of, obtaining objects that people choose to assign a “value” to, and how much “value”. It is wrong to create a correlation between the two, since our knowledge, experience, and abilities, as well as our capacity to learn, amongst other things, are part of us, and thus our value extends to them as well – we, as a whole being, are valuable, “lock, stock, and barrel”, as the saying goes. Thus, to create and maintain that correlation is to suggest that these objects have more value than said knowledge, experience, abilities, and capacity to learn etc., and thus, ultimately, more value than us. When we acknowledge that and reset our value systems, and thus our economic systems, to reflect our true values, and that of our fellow beings, and the agents the earth uses in its living mechanisms and processes, the true relationships we have between each other, with other beings, and with the objects we make and harvest, we’ll be at least a huge step closer to having more peaceful relations amongst each other. The rest will greatly depend on each person’s choice to acknowledge, accept, embrace and uphold their, and their fellow beings’, inherent value. For as long as people choose to deny their own inherent value, then they will continue to deny other people’s and other beings’ inherent value as well. There is no escaping that reality.

If I’m walking with someone on a sidewalk somewhere and we are discussing and debating an issue (or various issues) and I decide not to tolerate their views etc., then I’ve done the equivalent of going over to a manhole, opening it and descending deep enough to be able to reach into the contents, so as to splash my companion with some of them!

Why do I use this analogy? Human beings are equal at the most basic level. When we deny our inherent value, or aren’t even aware of it, we simply create and submit to delusions to the effect that one person, or a group of people, is of greater or lesser value than others. By choosing to be/become intolerant of my companion’s views etc., I am essentially declaring that I am superior to them and that only my views can be correct, valid and acceptable etc. – and I which must hence impose upon them and be certain to convert them to said views etc.

But, since I can’t actually change the equality that exists between us, I can only delude myself into a lie, wherein we are of two different statuses. The irony is, because of the lesson I stated above, even in my delusion, if I am to debase them, the only way I can do so is if I already am unaware of my inherent value, and especially if I deny it, and thus treat myself as, and maintain such an attitude that I am, something of little or no value, thus stooping to soil my companion during our stroll, by not tolerating their views (some-thing I’m quite willing to do, since I don’t acknowledge myself to have any value that I should worry about soiling!)! Even if that were not the case, and I was fully aware of and embraced my own value but denied my companion’s, it would still be impossible to soil them without soiling myself first!

The greater my expression of my intolerance (raising my voice, shouting slurs and insults, assuming aggressive postures, manipulating (or at least trying to manipulate) them, and, ultimately, actually physically assaulting their person, such as punching, or even pushing or shoving them), the lower I am descending into the sewer to grab worse contents still – after all, in my delusion, by taking those actions, I’m supposed to be demeaning them more still (which in itself means that I must stoop lower still to effect the delusion of forcing them into an abysmal status)!

I know from personal experience that being honest with oneself is much harder than the average individual is willing to admit, and harder still to do, because of our ingrained habits. But those habits themselves are the result of our beliefs and what we value, and those sets of things we consider as morals and ethics etc., as well as the result of the lifestyle we lead, which in itself is a result of our beliefs, values and choices.

When we discuss, we agree on equality and mutual respect, amongst other things, between us, in terms of interacting with one another. Whereas, suppose I were walking to a friend’s home and I encountered someone along the way, who “perceived” a reason to and did punch, or otherwise assault me. That is a bad, unethical, and morally wrong conduct and behaviour. Think of it as the equivalent of them choosing to descend into an enormous sewer, so as to splash me with some of the contents.

Were I to acknowledge that behaviour, I am, in essence, declaring to the person that I agree that it is acceptable to submerge ourselves in the sewer’s sea of waste to address and greet each other, and that, while there, it’s acceptable to interact by means of throwing handfuls of waste at each other, much as we would were we playing in a swimming pool or a body of water.

Now, imagine their conduct (punching or assaulting me) as the equivalent of lobbing a handful or sewer waste at me. Then, were I to then choose to admit that kind of behaviour to my list of possible options of courses of action to consider, as to how to generally greet and address people, and how to specifically respond to the other person, then I would’ve done the equivalent of descending to their chosen level within the sewer’s huge sea of waste. When I consider that option, I’ve sunk deeper. Once I’ve decided upon it, I’ve sunk deeper still. Once I’ve begun putting it into action, I’ve sunk deeper and deeper still. And once I’ve completed the action, then I’ve hit rock bottom. Granted, all this takes place in my subconscious. But the equivalent must be true, or we would not acknowledge what the other person did, let alone respond to them, verbally or otherwise, as many of us do, when confronted by a conflict, including violent ones. Remember that, at the end of the day, regardless whether a person threw that handful of waste at us, an animal frolicking, or looking for food, in the waste accidentally did, or an especially strong gust of wind whipped some onto us, as might happen if a flood caused some to coalesce in a depression in the ground near the road, the end result is the same: we got soiled and our highest priority is to hurry to the nearest place where we can thoroughly clean ourselves and change into a clean set of clothes, be that our home or our friend’s home, whichever is closest for our purposes.

Understand that, at some point in an individual’s life, when confronted with such a scenario as being punched by someone, they do progress through those stages, even if they know it’s wrong and choose to suppress this process to their unconscious, or are unconscious of it to begin with, because they have indeed accepted the other person’s claim “I’m worthless!”, and that they themselves became as worthless, if not more still, by being punched etc., and thus have chosen to give greater significance to exacting revenge!

Listening and hearing are two different things. When a person is truly listening, they not only hear the words, they feel the emotion behind these words too. True communication occurs when someone truly listens and not just hears the words.

Whether we realize it or not, communication breakdown is often the root of all relational problems. Communication breakdowns often stem from misunderstandings, or from unclear or a lack of communication. Try to put yourself in the mindset or situation of the person with whom you’re in conflict. Considering their perspective may help foster empathy and help in conflict resolution. If you are having a problem with someone and want to resolve it, make sure the channels of communication are and remain open!

Above are lessons I either learned myself or came across and I merely offer them, perchance they help someone. What I will be bold enough to suggest, to anyone, is this: DO NOT, EVER, EVER, EVER do something because someone else values it/thinks it’s good/ important etc., because society values and generally practices it, so as to make someone else happy (at a cost to yourself. Somehow or other this will come back to spoil your happiness, because your own needs have been compromised, since your conducts, and their relative priorities, were determined by someone else’s values and expectations!), and/or to make someone proud of you etc. Unless the person looking back at you from the mirror genuinely VALUES this or that, DO NOT DO IT. Or you’ll be wasting your life living other people’s lives and fulfilling their dreams and expectations etc. in your own life. So both people lose (Their values are reflected in your life and actions, NOT THEIRS, while you don’t get to fulfill YOUR OWN DESIRES, and don’t get to LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE and CONDUCT YOURSELF ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN SET OF VALUES and BELIEFS etc.!).

Thank you most kindly for all the time and effort you invest in affording us the opportunity to transcend our daily lives and conflicts, the opportunity to connect with and rise to the divine, if such a thing does indeed exist. Your labour and sacrifice are most gratefully appreciated. Take very good care and have yourself a most joyous day, every day – and a most fantastic weekend too. May your losses be restored! May your sorrows end! May your troubles permanently leave you! May your best, most loving, most peaceful, most joyous, kindest, most generous and most compassionate wishes come true! May you always be happy and content! May you always be healthy in mind, body, and soul! May you always sleep your nights in peaceful and healing slumber! May your best, most joyous, most peaceful most liberating and fulfilling dreams become your reality! And may your spirit forever soar free!


Love And Light
Peter Kassar
(In Toronto: North York: Willowdale)

I believe music should be purchased. Artists need to eat. I feel proud when I support someone's genuine labor of love. Creativity is a vital pursuit, one to prize and perpetuate.

I enjoy acquiring CDs online--so much simpler.

I heard a comment on NPR about downloading singles to the exclusion of a musician's entire CD. The speaker proffered that what we lose in this habit is the song's place within the CD's context--like reading a chapter from a novel and missing out on the rest of the story.

I agree with the idea that in order to appreciate the narrative that a musician has composed through his or her CD, one has to experience the entire CD before focusing on one or two of its songs.