Poorly dressed Phil

I lost a bet to Blind Lemon Jefferson about the outcome of the Phil Spector murder trial. After watching L.A. juries find O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake not guilty, this Robert was sure the creator of the "wall of sound" would waltz out of the courtroom, not guilty of shooting that poor woman. But to my surprise, he didn't. Do you think Phil's look had anything to do with the jury's verdict? What's with the hairdo Mr Spector? I'd fire your fashion consultant before any more damage is done? Then I'd plan a vacation with Roman Polanski.

Neil, Caught in the Middle?

Mr. Neil Young, I see you're caught in a technological conundrum. You want to show the auto business new ways with your wonderful electric car. I congratulate this bold step.

But when it comes to YouTube technology, Mr. Young, are you showing some old show business ways? Warner Music Group, your record company, is negotiating for more money for themselves by removing their music from YouTube.

This Robert agrees with their right to have your music removed. This Robert read your blog and agrees: "It is time for industry wide standards of artist's compensation on the web."

Robert just wonders how much truth there is in YouTube's response, "It is the record labels' responsibility to represent and pay their artists."

Mr Young, does this mean Warner was collecting money from YouTube and not paying you?

Ryan Adams vs. Jim DeRogatis, Verbal Heavyweights

Man, I just heard the best rant ever. It was a performing musician sounding off on a music journalist's answering machine. Robert is truly amused that the journalist is Mr. Jim DeRogatis. You all remember, he took the 5th amendment at R. Kelley's pornography trial.

First, here's the review that set Ryan Adams off. Then here's what Ryan said to Jim De's answering machine. You decide who's got a case.

Ska Surviving

Some good news, Ska music, one of my favorites, isn't dead.

The Specials, one of my favorite Ska bands, has reunited and are on tour in Europe.

The Uptones, my favorite Ska band, have released their 1st studio CD, Skankin' Foolz Unite.

It's Ska and It's gr8. It's such a shame there isn't even a Ska section in iTunes. What gives?

Is 2009 the year Ska gets it's due? This Robert hopes so.

Jobs Listens to Johnson

Well, well Mr. Steve Jobs, this Robert is truly sorry to hear about your condition.

But I've got to thank you for finally taking my advice and going DRM free at your iTunes store.

Music is a world-wide open source language. It's about time everyone treated it that way.

U2 Flies High

This is all so new, music performers getting paid in corporate stock.

And Yeah! U2 has made 19 million dollars from Live Nation, when they recently sold their shares in the monster concert promoter.

Bono, you've done well for yourself.

Now show us how smart you really are by doing something special with Live Nation's donation to you.

Warner's Pulls Out!

I wonder, who's right, Mr. Edgar Brofman, boss of WMG or YouTube's CEO Chad Hurley?

It seems that the two can't come to terms about $. Those dreams of a digital payoff by each guy just aren't happening. YouTube isn't making enough money to be profitable. WMG isn't making the $ that Edgar thinks his music is worth. So I heard Edgar has pulled all the WMG music related videos off YouTube.

Mr. Brofman, you sure play hardball. So the question is whether you need YouTube as a merchandising tool, as much as YouTube needs your content to be a popular Internet destination.

Stay tuned, lawsuit among the greedy is next.