From: elana@agora.rain.com (Elana Beach)
Newsgroups: rec.music.newage
Subject: New Age: NOT! Contemporary Instrumental: YES! + E-music
Date: 26 Dec 92 18:52:14 GMT
Organization: Open Communications Forum

Thank you, Dave, for saving me a lot of effort in explaining that New Age
is mostly an arbitrary term put ("foisted", perhaps?) upon by the music
industry.  And yes, many of the artists discussed here absolutely HATE
being called "New Age".  Which puts an interesting twist upon ANY discussion
on this forum, hmmmm?

ANYWAY, In the July 1992 issue of Tower Pulse! there is a VERY interesting
article that should be reccomended reading for anyone who loves this music.
Written by Linda Kahanov (Steve Roach's wife), and later reprinted in the
new "i/e" magazine, it discusses all the problems inherent in the New Age
categorization.  Then she goes into some discussion about alternative
names for the music.  She rejects "Adult Alternative" (AA? <grin!>) because
and I quote: "...that would include all the classic-rock artists who've
mellowed out over the years like Joni Michell and Joe Jackson..."  There's
a lot more to this part of the discussion... take a look at it first before
commenting.  

The conclusion?  A new name, a quite definitive name: Contemporary Instrumental
or "CI".  

Quote from the article:
"It's kind of long, but it really is the best name for the music," concedes
Eric Lowenhar, Billboard's chart manager for new age, world and classical
music.  "It explains irself.  This is not jazz, not classical.  It's
contemporary instrumental music.  Though I don't expect we'll change the name
of the new age chart unless we get a lot more complaints and suggestions (!!! -
E.) switching to a contemporary instrumental chart would erase my problems a 
lot.  I have to deal with all the recordings that fall into the grey areas
between new age, jazz, and world music, and believe me, it isn't easy."

In a recent issue of SYNTHESIS magazine, Jason Marcewicz applauded this
article, suggesting we formally adopt it.  I agree with him, and that the
various subcategories (like the ever-present "E-music" that Electronic
Dreams supports) should be accepted AS subcategories under that name.

I say: "FANTASTIC!!!!"  Way to go, Linda Kahanov, and Sir Jason of SYNTHESIS
too!  It's all a part of a greater purpose to give the music it's OWN identity
apart from all the undeserved baggage that "new age" imparts.  Yes, let
E-music be a subcategory of music under CI.  There, it can be understood a
lot better as it's own music that deserves a lot greater respect and 
recognition... which is all part of what my work in Electronic Dreams
has been about on the last few years.

If you care about the music (not just E-music, but things like the guitar
work of John Doan, the celtic-folk work of Clannad, and ______ fill your
own fave artist in)...  yes, if you CARE about the music, DON'T CALL IT
NEW AGE.  Defy the mainstream.  Give some RESPECT, finally (!!!) to all the 
artists who have been asking that their music not be labeled as New Age.

The place to start is right here.  You cannot change the name of the 
newsgroup, but as a thinking individual you CAN choose what you call it
in your own posts.  One water drop cannot do much, but several water drops
can wear away the hardest rock.  Add your own small effort, by calling
it Contemporary Instrumental - CI - or if you want to be more specific,
E-Music, (TD, Jarre, Synergy, Schulze, etc.), soft jazz, (fill your own
names in), celtic modern folk, (Clannad, Enya, etc.), acoustic guitar,
(.....), etc. etc. etc.  

Is "CI" the definitive replacement name for the outmoded nisnomer "New Age"?
Before you decide, find and read the Kohanov article... if Dave does not
have it in his archives already, I am sure we could pursuade him.  Think
for yourself what you would say and do... but take into account that
RESPECT FOR THE ARTIST SHOULD COME FIRST.  And if the artists themselves
feel that the term "New Age" is detrimental to their efforts, then it is
they who should have the last word. 

Elana Mell Beach
Coordinator/Editor
Electronic Dreams/DREAMS WORD

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"I may be the leader and Coordinator of Electronic Dreams, yet let my
words speak as one of the membership.  If my words ring true with
the hopes and ideals of many of my fellow Dreamers, then, and only
then let it be known that I am speaking on behalf of Electronic Dreams."
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