Changing Landscape
I never really ‘got’ looking for
music in a shop; what the heck are they playing today. Right, where do I start
looking for what I cannot hear! Instead, for me its what’s that sound as I
switch the car radio on; who’s that singing on TV, who’s this as I plough
through You Tube in between doing other work - what an amazing voice, wow,
quickly followed by ‘1 click Amazon purchase’ that takes a couple of seconds
and consigned to ‘that’s done then’. Some days later a little padded envelope looks
up at me from the door mat, ah what a surprise, I’d forgotten about that, a
warm glow fills me. Call me old fashioned but I still like getting my hands on
a new CD, carefully studying the artwork inside that little clear plastic case,
made from that extra special brittle plastic guaranteed to crack. If I’m lucky
it even arrives shrink-wrapped. Sound is vision, or is vision sound - both to
me of course as an artist. Quick, get it in the PC; it’s snatched like a dog
waiting for the post at the letterbox. My heart flutters with anticipation; my
mind starts working on this new voyage of audio delight. If I’m lucky its play
it again, and again, and……….
No doubt many will miss HMV that
went into administration on the 15th January 2013, not least the
employees. It held its place in time, a modern day museum for an ever changing
art form. Yet another victim in this changing world we’re in. And then one day
– What? No CD’s anymore.....Oh my god! I never down load music; what’s an MP3
player anyway, never had one of those, what is the world coming to?
To be continued ….2026
Andy Sharpe
Picture: HMV Cheltenham Store 5th December 2012
