"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence." (Robert Fripp)
Welcome to the Essays & Interviews page here at Skinny Devil Music Lab, web-home of award-winning guitarist David M. McLean. Soon, we will be able to converse so that I might better guide you through your journey here at the Music Lab, but for now, enjoy your visit.
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David live, 2005.
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* EmploymentEssays & Interviews Here is the "GUITAR GODS" interview series. This is an on-going series (currently over 50 interviews on-line) where I have the great honor & pleasure to interview top players of all styles - from unknowns to Grammy Award winners! You'll also find product reviews here....CDs, instructional materials, videos, and the like....
...and the "Artists at the Edge" series, also at Tinfoil Music.
I owe a lot to a lot of people...from those who helped me during my initial musical development to those who help with the various SDML projects to a salute to the YMCA's Campaign for Kids. This is also found in the "About" section, but it's important enough to me to list it here, too. Credit where credit is due.....
During a television interview back in the early 1990s, I expounded on the nature of rebellion in music. Unlike the un-edited ramblings below (hahaha!), the transcription is being overhauled to reflect some new thoughts on the topic of rebellion, plus the evolution & future of music... including music technology & theoretical concepts. We'll offer this essay very soon right here.
A central lesson of science is that to understand complex issues (or even simple ones), we must try to free our minds of dogma and to guarantee the freedom to publish, to contradict, and to experiment. Arguments from authority are unacceptable.
(Carl Sagan)
I like this quote by Dr. Sagan because it represents 2 things for me: 1) That arguments from authority are worthless (meaning you must be able to put forth a rational position and back that position up), and 2) that while we keep hearing that downloading music is theft, we ignore that copyright law is beginning to stifle scientific research of all kinds.Those who know me know that I'm somewhat, er...political. They also know my personal politics are hard to define (too "mystical" for capitalistic Libertarianism, but too Lockian for any collectivist notions). I prefer philosophy (including political philosophy) and actually hate politcs, but sometimes you gotta step up to the plate. One of my hot buttons is the erosion of individual freedom & the growth of certain parties (be it big gov or big biz) who succeed at the expense of others. Among the related issues, in my view, is Copyright Reform (think Napster, RIAA lawsuits, & the like). The rants below reflect my general ideas on this topic, unedited and off the cuff, so to speak. Enjoy!
I composed the MRA's Copyright Reform Platform. John Kwasnik & Cat Jefferson were instrumental in providing opinions regarding both editorial issues and content.
"How Would You Like Your Numbers" is HERE.
"Copyright Fiascos" is HERE.
In 2 simple comments for DSounds, HERE and HERE, I feel I've sufficiently exposed the lies of the RIAA. The MPAA is guilty of similar untruths, but I'll leave that to somebody else.
In the Mother Of All Rants (hahaha!), I give both barrels to the RIAA, the United States Congress, The US-AG, artists, and others, throwing down the gaunlet to the RIAA in a piece called ''A Call to Action: Fight the RIAA Now (piracy or civil disobedience?)''. Read it HERE...and then go do your civic duty by signing petitions and downloading music!
The "Free Music" interview with Dr. Ram Samudrala. You may not agree with him, but he'll sure make you think.
More can be found by using the "search" function at Tinfoil Music.
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You can make donations in David's Pay-Pal tip-jar by using VISA, Mastercard, Discover, or other major credit cards; checking account; or a PayPal account. Just click the button below.All music on this site (c) 1999 - 2005, D. M. McLean; (P) Morgan Star Music, BMI.
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SDML web-site first published 1999; last up-date: 2005
