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I was recently at dinner with friends, where the subject of blogs came
up. One of the guests wanted to know what the compulsion is to share
your thoughts with the world. I didn't have a good answer, or at
least one that would satisfy him; like art or porn, you know it when
you experience it.
But it made me think of the second question, that of just how much to
share. There are people who let it all hang out, sometimes
literally. And then there are folks like me who reveal aspects we
hope others will find interesting or entertaining or enlightening.
But we censor ourselves, whether to avoid others pain or to remain
employed (the work-related stories I might tell if I didn't have to
keep the paychecks rolling in...) or just because there really is such
a thing as too much honesty.
Which brings me to Chris Gelbmann, whose first album appeared recently
on the iTMS. In search of something to say about this low key and
hauntingly voiced performer, I ended up
at his website. And
thence to his Reviews & Feedback link. The reviews are all in
German, at least the ones I clicked on, and I wasn't up for trying to
make sense of
Babelfishery this
morning. Fortunately, some of the feedback was in English. And they
led me to the thoughts I've already described, about how much to
reveal or conceal. Because most of the feedback consists of his
rejection notices from various record labels. Which raises a whole
other discussion about the labels' role in filtering out the
uncommercial artists from the ones who have what it takes. I think
they were wrong about Mr. Gelbmann. Then again, I'm not getting paid
for my opinions.
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