Scott, Whiskey,Dipix,,DJil, and Phil,

Good posts all, and many great points have been brought up.
Scott, I've read your posts over on the Ripps page, and they've always been VERY cohesive, this page for Spyro was just as cohesive. Look forward to discussing more with you.
Whiskey J, thanks for mentioning your local jazz station, I always keep a list of cities and stations in case I'm ever passing through. Our local stations in SOCAL are 88.1(traditional), 88.5(mix of contemporary, fusion,smooth, and the rare traditional), and 94.7 KTWV-The Wave(Smooth jazz, pop vocals).
You're answer to my thread question was a model of economy...explained some of my feelings about Spyro very concisely.

Dipix, good post, I appreciate your explanation about why at this early point we don't have the links that will come inthe future.
Didn't really need your conclusions that some people are never satisfied, ect...
To a degree that is true...it's human nature to want things better and improved.
The topics and subjects, as long as they have ahint of a link to music, should be a wide one. Don't attempt to tell us what our discussions should be about or what our topics should be limited to. Unless someone starts wanting to talk about deviant sexual practices or some such nonsense. Send em to another website!
D.Jiley...would love to hear some of your "rants"....sometimes, "rants" initiate lively disussions!!

Nick, glad to known you are equally enthusiastic about both Spyro and Ripps music...I can see Russ being around and making great music when he celebrates the Ripps 20th anniv about 9 years hence! I doubt Russ will want to do anything but make music...it is so obviously in his BLOOD. As Dylan has said, "What else would I do, go meditate on a mountain or something?!?!?"

My hope is that some intelligent radio programmer reads our suggestions that they at least TRY to play a wider selection of Spyro and Ripps selections, as well as other bands...even if it it limited to a one-hour program every night. Call it "Alternate Tracks" or something!

Meanwhile enjoy jazz!

Oh, last thought...in answer to the question about a starting point for fleshing out your Spyro collection...
1)Heart Of The Night
2)Rites Of Summer
3)Alternating Currents

All very consistent from track one to the last track.
Oh RUN OUT AND PICK UP "ROAD SCHOLARS"...it may very well be the best yet...the band REALLY stretch out on this one

Phil, you fill in the rest.


Peace!
Paul.

Dipix . . .

Not sure who you are referring to but I believe I was the first to suggest a direct link from the other pages. Prior to responding to Paul's comments I did e-mail Magic Island with the recommendation. So I'm not sure why you are so uptight. The site is one of the best laid out I've seen and I have passed on the address to others in hopes of furthering more discussion.

And now a little more about "Broadcast Architecture . . .

One of the real problems for groups like Spyro, Pat Metheny and others is that they are required to decide whether to put songs on their releases that meet the radio format criteria. Pat Metheny included the song "Follow Me" for airplay on his latest release "Imaginary Day." It's also nominated in the "Best Pop Instrumental" category for a Grammy. But I read a recent interview with Metheny where he pointed out another major problem that is created for his group in complying with airplay requirements.

He says that now his band is booked on tour and his audience is often made up of people who bought tickets expecting to hear an entire concert featuring "Follow Me" type music. If you've had the pleasure of hearing the complete "Imaginary Day" release you know that it's another album where the PMG is "stretching" the jazz envelope. But due to the BA format the band's audiences now are often not as responsive to PMG music. So complying to BA is a mixed bag that really is hurting the legitimate music efforts of this group.

I went to see the great Yellowjackets in concert at Glenside, PA's Keswick Theater, a place where this group has always played to "sold out" audiences. On this night in October 1998, the Keswick was only half full. I was stunned. Turns out that the reason for this is that the local smooth jazz station had not received the BA playlist update about the group's latest "Club Nocturne" release. Due to this they did not promote the concert date or the release. Hence for the first time the YJ's had a small audience. If this isn't pathetic I don't know what is.

Sorry for the long post.

Phil,

Your post about that maddening Broadcast Arch thing was a great one.
The only thing I'll add is that maddening aspect(and at first it was very hard to believe)that if a song does not have the(what BA deems)correct "intro", it has no chance of airplay. Imagine things being so regimented that the first 30 seconds of a song should be it's most important component!

BY THE WAY, SOMEONE WHO IS A BUDDING SPYRO-ITE ASKED FOR A STARTING POINT TO FILL IN HIS SPYRO CD COLLECTION, WHICH NOW CONSISTS OF ONLY "STORIES WITHOUT WORDS". I CHIMED IN WITH THREE OR FOUR,

PHIL, I WAS HOPING YOUD ADD A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR THAT FANS CONSIDERATION!

Thanks!
Peace!
Paul!

Sorry for the oversight Paul.

I'd add that I really like:

1. Dreams Beyond Control
2. Three Wishes
3. Access All Areas

Just a (not so) quick not on the link thing:

First of all, of course this forum would be more popular if there was a direct link from SG's official site. I know that has to be a popular page.

Second, the few that even know of the existence of this whole MagicIsland forum are because to those who check the Ripp's Guestbook. I visit the Ripps page at least once every other day, and I hardly ever go to the guestbook (mainly due to the fact that a majority of the submissions their are directed to the Rippingtons, who probably never read the guestbook anyway). And since the Ripp's page is updated rarely too, I had no idea this forum was here until I just happen to want to check out the guestbook, that's probably been here for a month. I know the webmasters don't have much time, but heck... how long could it take to add a link to the groups' home sites?

I guess if we're all patient enough, all those people that visit Ripps and SG sites will some day discover this forum, and the discussions will be unlimited!

Jader,

I think that you are correct in your assertion that eventually, "word will get around".

I feel really stupid for an earlier rant when I think this page was only about two weeks old!!! I laugh at myself now for doing that!!

And, even though it's STILL in it's infacy(and will be for some time), this page is ALREADY growing in contributors!

Peace!
Paul.

i agree with everyone about the smooth jazz crap getting played on radio..sg should be one of the top bands getting air time..stations should appreciate the great music sg has...groups like them dont come around too often...btw the sg webpage now has a direct link here..i used it...

------------------
Don't be so open-minded your brain falls out.

I think It's totally cool that you can buy almost all the Spyro CD's Right from the official Spyro Site and that Jay will autograph them. What a great way to add to your collection, the prices are awesome. You can also sample the sounds before you buy it, just click on the CD icon to be taken to more info. about each CD. BTW, the site process' secure transactions.

www.spyrogyra.com/

follow the merchandise link

[This message has been edited by dipix (edited 02-17-99).]

Dipix,

Thanks!!!

Now just tell me EXACTLY when I can click on that little blue spyro gyra thingy to add the new record to my collection!!

Thanks again!!

I was listening to many of the Spyro Gyra cuts from different records(while making a mixed Spyro Gyra tape for my brother the other night), and I was stuck by the fact that the band is one of the only bands that I know of where EVERY band member contributes to the composing....I really admire Jay Beckenstein's democratic approach to his band...he utilizes every band member to their fullest potential, and allows them so much room for personal expression!! What A BAND!

Peace!
Paul