How we may modify BFT

[dutchmanx]

Few suggestions how BFT may be improved .

1 Let us reduce time lag between two next Blindfold tests.

We have 34 tests to come and on average two-week lag between two tests. It gives us one year and four months to take all the tests. What if every next master will open sign-up thread every week - every Monday, Sunday whatever.

Thus participants will be receiving one BFT disc(s) a week. More than enough time to have few listens and scribble few lines

2 Put into every BFT Answers thread poll with tracks listed as vote options. The question is "What track did you like most?" with multiple answers option. So for every disc we'll have kind of Top of the pop which may be a guide for a jazz newbies and lurkers who didn't participate in BFT's but want to acquire the taste in jazz music.

3 Should needle drops (transfers from LP's) be included in BFT compilations? I think they shouldn't. Reason - if I like the tune I will be sorry it isn't available on CD (and if it IS available what for to use needle drop?). I personally am not a vinyl guy and all those cracks and pops from needle moving in LP groove make me to skip the track. I can't concentrate on music!

[Dan Gould]

1. I've already suggested that we move shipments up a bit, but this requires that signup threads start earlier, too. Such a schedule of shipments-you're assuming that people are all ready to start shipping almost immediately. Wait til its your turn, and you start obsessing over which tracks to include or their order. The compilation process can be time consuming, and at least people have time to work on them with the master list.

2. A poll of favorite tracks-no reason it can't or shouldn't be done.

3. Limitations to CD sources-absolutely not. It is a blindfold test regarding musicians and performances. And if you can't get the particular track, at least, considering the amount of music that has gone into print on CD, you can easily start finding music by the artist in question. In fact, we are not limited to LP or CD sources-private recordings are also fair game.

[Noj]

I can barely keep up, but I'll keep signing up if you guys want to churn them out at this rate...

I'm already lagging big time on EKE BBB's test.

[tooter]

It'll be burnout time if we go too fast. I know some lower down the list, including me, will be looking forward to their turn and thinking that it's too far away. And yet the whole thing must be taken at a leisurely pace or it will become too intense, discussions will be rushed and it will collapse. Nothing lasts forever but let's keep it going for as long as we can. There's all the time in the world after all.

[RDK]

I'll have to agree with the others that the pace is already too fast - it's been hard to keep up lately and I'm behind in my comments. I like to listen to each bft disc at least 2 or 3 times before commenting, then like to absorb the music again after knowing who's who and what's what.

[Dan Gould]

1 Let us reduce time lag between two next Blindfold tests.

We have 34 tests to come and on average two-week lag between two tests. It gives us one year and four months to take all the tests.

Is something going to happen after 1 year and four months? Is the world going to come to an end?

The more I think about it, the less I think that serious "tightening" of the time between tests is really necessary. (though I do think that Nate, and also Marcus, should get their ducks in a row earlier than usual, simply because of shipping time, especially for Marcus from South America.)

[Man with the Golden Arm]

This BFT is an organic thing. You can't rein it in like that. Sit back and enjoy...

[king ubu]

The tempo for me is already too fast as it is now! I hardly listened to the RDK test and had EKE's coming in already. Still not been able to listen to that one...

And I'm afraid I have again to be moved up a few places... I'm working on mine since about #7 or #8, but I'm no way near having transferred everything. This requires another note: my BFT will include lots of music that is not available. Rare stuff, swiss stuff, broadcast stuff - I will just spread some goodies, and some personal (and sentimental) favourites. If someone absolutely feels a need for getting something, they will know who has it, right? And asking is free, or course

ubu

[couw]

This BFT is an organic thing. You can't rein it in like that. Sit back and enjoy...

[tooter]

I haven't even started thinking yet! I reckoned on at least two years but my arithmetic is not strong.

[mikeweil]

I think the pace is next to perfect the way it is, but agree compilers living in the more remote areas of the planet should start their signup thread and mailing early.

I think one BFT each month is okay - at a faster pace some might not be able to keep up.

I understand the time one has to wait is long, but it's worth it ... and there should not be any restraints as far as selection of titles is concerned. These test are not (just) to please the others, but to show tracks you appreciate. Polls on what some participants like or dislike would perhaps put unnecessary pressure on new compilers.

[Daniel A]

As those who joined my BFT know, I've nothing against vinyl myself. But I can see the frustration that some of the music in these tests will be unavailable or hard to find. However, this is first of all about the music itself, and if interest is raised about something which is not (yet) on CD - well, then there will be even more people longing for that CD release... Regarding the vinyl pops, remember that this was the only way to hear the music for a couple of decades, so unaccustomed as some ears may be, I can't see why LP dubs shouldn't be allowed.