For some reason I thought of this prose quotation by Ellen Glasgow in a book about her life as a writer:
"Among the many strange superstitions of the age of science revels the cheerful belief that immaturity alone is enough. Pompous illiteracy, escaped from some Freudian cage, is in the saddle, and the voice of the amateur is the voice of authority. . . ."
Not to dilute all the well merited Kendall kudos here, but what an interesting quotation! I had to read the first sentence several times. Assuming it is rendered correctly here, it seems to say that odd superstitious beliefs abound ("revel") during an age of science (or pseudoscience?). Thought provoking to say the least.
[Sorry for the distraction, Folks. The most obvously relevant words come toward the end of the passage.]
Quite a legacy: 250 top-notch releases; setting a standard for production that encouraged everyone else in the game to up *their* standards; open communication with fans; 'labor of love' projects that couldn't possibly break even but were important to release regardless; many more things I can't remember. Thanks for everything, Lukas.
Perhaps the best point made by Lukas was that the mission of releasing classic film scores and "want list" titles has been very nearly completely accomplished by FSM and other labels. The FSM target of Golden and Silver age scores has produced just about every classic that had elements intact within their range of studio affiliations. There really are very few "grails" left out there. So rather than lamenting the wrap-up of FSM as a label, I'd rather celebrate a job very well done. Look forward to future projects to which Lukas can lend his talents.
Thanks again for the many years of great score releases, and for pioneering the movement of classic score CDs.
Not to dilute all the well merited Kendall kudos here, but what an interesting quotation! I had to read the first sentence several times. Assuming it is rendered correctly here, it seems to say that odd superstitious beliefs abound ("revel") during an age of science (or pseudoscience?). Thought provoking to say the least.
Though that is true, since science sometimes pushes the irrational underground, where it hecomes ironically MORE irrational, that's not I think what she meant, or what the poster was trying to convey.
In this context, we're talking about how the current climate 'assumes' that complete democratization of taste and of everything is somehow 'good', a kind of new religion. The internet means easy file-sharing, piracy, theft, and though it has the POTENTIAL to open minds and show us all new stuff, it also reinforces the majority 'superstitions' or relevant assumptions, by making us lazy. Why look for the good stuff, when it's always at your fingertips? So, as she said, everything now belongs to everyone, there are no 'experts' and if there are they must be subverted. Everyone can express opinions everywhere, everyone can write blogs or articles, and so articles (and writing) lose their value. You're only trusted if you affect to know nothing. That's the new anti-hero, and it amounts to an unspoken and irrational 'faith'.
That relates to Golden Age music too, because the narcissistic modern 'out of touch with nature, and with how things came about' mentality is growing among a large class of the young, more than previously. They CAN have everything quickly, so they don't need to hunt out the good stuff. They assume it'll always be there. They also assume that inferior stuff is just as good as 'good' stuff anyway, because it's democratic and everyone can do it, and so bad music somehow becomes on a par with, or higher than, the genuinely great stuff.
So when nothing has value, everything is transitory and there's no need of experts, including expert composers.
In our context, the music that's successful isn't always the most sought after (especially in film music, which doesn't stand alone), what little a label can produce is easily pirated, and there's no way to make profit. In anarchy, people like that idea. They have a new cult of hating elitism. It looks like democracy. But it means a death for creativity. It depends which world you want.
I'd like to see Lukas arrange a deal with a host company, a really big concern, as a specialist producer, a sub-contractor under their umbrella. Then, there'd be less emphasis on the need for profit from his single department, and he could concentrate on quality. Maybe he could do this freelance, skipping like a satellite from orbit to orbit of the big companies?
A few minutes ago i was listening to a song associated with nostalgia.
Since i'm not very good at putting my feelings into words and as a tribute to Lukas Kendall this is an instrumental version of this french song from the 80's untitled LA DERNIERE SEANCE (THE LAST PICTURE SHOW) that tells the story of a movie theater that closes its doors...
Let me say (as non-denominationally as I can put it) bless you, Mr. Kendall. Your accomplishments thus far have made a lot of people happy. It will never be forgotten.
And the prospect of what you may achieve in the future is tremendously exciting.
My first ever expanded/unreleased score type purchase was FSM's STAR TREK II!! In fact, it was this message board and website that expanded my world in film music. Thank you Lukas for all you have done. FSM will always be special to me.
A few minutes ago i was listening to a song associated with nostalgia. Since i'm not very good at putting my feelings into words and as a tribute to Lukas Kendall this is an instrumental version of this french song from the 80's untitled LA DERNIERE SEANCE (THE LAST PICTURE SHOW) that tells the story of a movie theater that closes its doors...
Though that is true, since science sometimes pushes the irrational underground, where it hecomes ironically MORE irrational, that's not I think what she meant, or what the poster was trying to convey.
In this context, we're talking about how the current climate 'assumes' that complete democratization of taste and of everything is somehow 'good', a kind of new religion. The internet means easy file-sharing, piracy, theft, and though it has the POTENTIAL to open minds and show us all new stuff, it also reinforces the majority 'superstitions' or relevant assumptions, by making us lazy. Why look for the good stuff, when it's always at your fingertips? So, as she said, everything now belongs to everyone, there are no 'experts' and if there are they must be subverted. Everyone can express opinions everywhere, everyone can write blogs or articles, and so articles (and writing) lose their value. You're only trusted if you affect to know nothing. That's the new anti-hero, and it amounts to an unspoken and irrational 'faith'.
That relates to Golden Age music too, because the narcissistic modern 'out of touch with nature, and with how things came about' mentality is growing among a large class of the young, more than previously. They CAN have everything quickly, so they don't need to hunt out the good stuff. They assume it'll always be there. They also assume that inferior stuff is just as good as 'good' stuff anyway, because it's democratic and everyone can do it, and so bad music somehow becomes on a par with, or higher than, the genuinely great stuff.
So when nothing has value, everything is transitory and there's no need of experts, including expert composers.
In our context, the music that's successful isn't always the most sought after (especially in film music, which doesn't stand alone), what little a label can produce is easily pirated, and there's no way to make profit. In anarchy, people like that idea. They have a new cult of hating elitism. It looks like democracy. But it means a death for creativity. It depends which world you want.
I'd like to see Lukas arrange a deal with a host company, a really big concern, as a specialist producer, a sub-contractor under their umbrella. Then, there'd be less emphasis on the need for profit from his single department, and he could concentrate on quality. Maybe he could do this freelance, skipping like a satellite from orbit to orbit of the big companies?
Can't you just wish Lukas good luck and say thanks like everyone else?
Wow. I didn't know what to say when I read Mr. Kendall's facebook post. There was anger, denial, grief, then acceptance. Oh well. I do know that he definitely deserves to do whatever he jolly well pleases in his career. His dedication has been superb throughout the years, even though I only discovered his label in 2010. You will be missed.
P.S. What will become of the magazine and message board?
P.S. What will become of the magazine and message board?
LK addressed this in his blog: "The FSM website is not going anywhere—I intended to keep it, and the message board, as a “legacy” product, paid for by sales of the FSM inventory."
In that case my "Hail Marys" have been answered. Where else can I vent without going completely ga-ga?
To date I've been confounded by the leaping numbers of CDs engineered by Lukas Kendall and his merry clan. To me, it has always been the problem of x (CDs caught) being far too small in comparison to y (CDs yet to bag.) Now, the possibility exists for me to catch up. It's just that the circumstances recently presented to yours truly are proving to be wholly unsatisfactory and difficult to accept. I'd much rather be forever chasing that shooting star, with the thrill that goes with it.
Well, Lukas, whatever you're up to, I'm sure there will be smiling faces in the aftermath. If only you could hear what I've heard through your CDs.
When the 250 CDs will be over, I'm surely going to miss the "Instruments/Musicians section" where you could click on any musician name for more credits. There, I've always occurred in pleasant surprises like Bruce Broughton conducting the music for Jerry Fielding in one of the most spectacular FSM release.
I so vividly remember when you announced that FSM would be entering the album market, with the Master's score to Stagecoach. So much has transpired since then, but it still seems like yesterday--and the excitement of the news so fresh.
You ushered in a new standard and reverence for the film score album, L.K. I'm glad you'll be leaving the market better than you found it, but nevertheless sad that news of further spectacular releases will no longer come from the Goldsmith of labels.
I remember when the announcement came that FSM was going to start producing cds. I thought: this is the best thing that ever happened! Well done, Lukas. Thanks for the memories.
I count myself among the early subscribers from your youthful Martha's Vineyard days. I was a "FSM Charter Club" subscriber (when you had that service) and I have just about all of your releases, minus two or three recent ones that I'll get around to soon. Somebody asked the FSM board members about their ages earlier this year. I fit into the "senior" group of members, having started soundtrack collecting in 1962 at the age of 12. That's 49 years worth.
I do (reluctantly) acknowledge the realities and trends of the music business, but I have to admit that I had to let out a BIG sigh of disappointment when I saw your post about the FSM CD product ending at 250. "Lukas, say it isn't so!" I silently thought. But changes are inevitable, and we in the "soundtrack lovers" niche want to never see such a good thing as you have been doing come to an end.
I do SO MUCH appreciate the labor of love that you and your team have put into the quality of the FSM brand. It set the standard for the others to meet. Upon arrival, I would place each new FSM CD in the player and carefully read through the liner notes as I listened, with a big smile on my face. I have learned a lot from those liner notes, and my sincerest complements go to those who wrote them. Others have learned from your example and are carrying on for the future.
I see in the messages of others that they list 10-20 titles that meant a lot to them. I could do the same, but pretty near all of your releases are special to me. Here are two:
Erich Wolfgang Korngold is my favorite. When you released the original tracks from KINGS ROW (my favorite Korngold score), I was so overjoyed. I knew the market for such Golden Age scores was limited, and I greatly appreciated that one the most.
The first Jerry Goldsmith-scored movie that I saw in the theater was THE PRIZE (1963) and the FSM release (and them the discovery of one more extra cue missing from the LP) was such a welcome blessing.
There are so many others......I have a hard time singling any others out. Others have done so in so many other posts.
The super kid from the East Coast became a super man on the West Coast. I often subliminally wished I could be a part of such goings-on. The thrills of discovery of unreleased scores, the disappointments, the excitement, the frustration, the hard work, the red tape, the AFM negotiations, the final satisfaction of a new release...all of it.
I do most sincerely wish you all the best on your new path.
Do a good job (I know that you will) and enjoy yourself ...I'll be watching...and listening!
Oh boy, I didn't see this coming. I hope the decision had absolutely nothing to do with any aspect of working with me, as in "Oh, and another good reason to quit is...(followed by some painful anecdote involving me in your employ). To best describe how I feel as a collector I must quote an earlier post - "Fuck!" But, as your friend I have to congratulate you on a smart move. It seems like the perfect time to move on to fresh pastures and new adventures. You're still young Lukas, and that is nothing to scoff at. Your vitality and enthusiasm are treasures, more important than any one venture or course of action - even more important than the FSM label printed on CDs. At 56 I'm here to tell you that life really is VERY short, and it really does fly by like greased lightening. For you to heed an inner voice calling you away to new territories and unexplored lands is wisdom indeed. Squeeze as much out of your allotted time as is possible! You did the fanzine, the pro-zine, and then the "CD-thang" - hell, you did the crap out of that! The only favor I ask is keep me posted from time to time as to your future activities as I am quite adept at living vicariously. And thanks again for allowing me to be a part of your splendidly actualized dream. It was awesome. I loved it. Intermittently over the past several years you gave me a home and that was a cool thing to do, very cool. Love you little buddy. - the Old Man
