Confession: I\u2019m a blues fan.<\/p>\n
I like nearly all permutations of blues. In my office, when I need to decompress I\u2019m fond of Muddy Waters<\/a>, Lightnin\u2019 Hopkins<\/a>, and T Bone Walker<\/a>. When I\u2019m alone in the truck, it always cruises better to the heavily blues-influenced rock of Gary Moore<\/a>, or Delbert McClinton<\/a>\u2019s steeped in blues honky tonk.<\/p>\n Now, I’m well aware that blues is marked by the use of the lowered third and dominant seventh (so-called blue notes<\/a>) of the associated major scale<\/a>, but that\u2019s an intellectual observation. That awareness isn’t part of the enjoyment. The enjoyment comes from feeling the music (right brain), rather than analyzing it (left brain).<\/p>\n So, here I am, Monday evening, listening to Gov\u2019t Mule<\/a>\u2019s live recording of Jesus Just Left Chicago<\/u>, when I get the urge to see what Gov\u2019t Mule has issued that isn\u2019t already in my collection. (I\u2019ve switched to present tense for the telling of this tale. Feel like you’re there, don\u2019t’cha?)<\/p>\n Google Gov\u2019t Mule. Click on the link to the official site. Browse. Read some of the bio material. I\u2019m emoting. I\u2019m ready. I\u2019m feeling a need for new songs.<\/p>\n Click on \u201cMule Tracks<\/em>.\u201d Humm. Clever name.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome To Mule Tracks<\/strong>. You\u2019re messing with my emotional willingness to purchase. You\u2019re making me shift into intellectual mode. I don\u2019t want to be in intellectual mode. I want the songs.<\/p>\n I scan down the left side of the page, and I see dates of specific shows. Humm. These appear to be live recordings. And it seems that they\u2019re available for download. Cool. Is there a charge? Click on \u201cWhat Do I Get<\/em>\u201d from the FAQ and read:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do I get<\/strong>? What the\u2026? Product? I want songs. I don\u2019t want \u201cproduct.\u201d Reading on, I come across:<\/p>\n \u201cFLAC<\/strong> What\u2019s an FLAC file? Does it have something to do with that duck? And now you expect me to check compatibility with my software? Where do I find that?<\/p>\n I\u2019m no longer jones\u2019n for new Gov\u2019t Mule songs. I\u2019m frustrated and somewhat angry. Are you trying to keep the music from me? That\u2019s how it feels. And just like I know about lowered thirds and dominant sevenths but don\u2019t let it get in the way of the emotional enjoyment of the performance, I also know about file compatibility and digital rights management\u2026 but it\u2019s getting in the way of my enjoyment of the performance.<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t the Grateful Dead encourage live recording of their shows, and even rope off a special taping section just for that purpose? If they could make it that easy, why are you guys making it so difficult?<\/p>\n Screw it.<\/p>\n Warren, Matt, Danny, Andy\u2026 your music\u2019s great. Your web site is not.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve decided that I\u2019ll wait to find the new album at Borders or Best Buy. I haven\u2019t set foot in either place in months\u2026 but the next time I think of it, I may swing in. However, I\u2019m sure as hell not blowing any more of my Monday evening by attempting to find out if my burner\u2019s compatible with FLAC files.<\/p>\n Oh, and I\u2019m going to send you a copy of the Eisenboys Call To Action <\/a>so you can see where you lost me\u2026 I can\u2019t be the only one. Check the web metrics and consider your conversion rate. I\u2019ll bet it\u2019s low. And that\u2019s a shame.<\/p>\n How much money are you losing as people who are enthusiastic about your music get unenthused about the prospect of buying it?<\/p>\n
If you haven\u2019t downloaded shows before please check out the FAQ for info on the process. Or even if you have downloaded shows, there\u2019s good info to be found in the FAQ<\/em>.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
After completing the purchase process you may download the entire product in the format you’ve chosen. Individual files are not available as separate purchases – you may only purchase products in their entirety. Certain products also have printable PDF files for CD labels, booklets and tray inlays. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later to access the files.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Using the appropriate software for your operating system, uncompress each of the FLAC files into WAV files. The WAV files are what you will need to burn an audio CD that can be played on most CD players. Keep in mind that not all CD burning software can burn WAV files. Be sure to check compatibility with your software. After the WAV files are extracted, burn them in your favorite CD burning application. For live performance products use the Disc-At-Once (DAO) option to avoid any two-second gaps between tracks on your CDs.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n