I’m trying something new with Amazon. Usually, I order brand new CDs. Amazon always tells me there are X used copies available for Y amount but I’ve always ignored it. I’m a creature of habit and I thought it might be painful. With my most recent order, though, I decided to give it a shot. So, I searched for the CDs I wanted then clicked the Used link. Amazon lists the folks selling that CD. Apparently there are a bunch of small record stores, individuals, or whatever, that pump their inventory into Amazon’s database.

I bought one new CD from Amazon and four from three different marketplace vendors. If memory serves, three of the four “used” CDs are actually brand new. On average, I paid about half of what Amazon was quoting plus two or three bucks in shipping for each CD. It was pretty simple–you just add the used CD to your shopping cart and check out as normal. Amazon transfers funds from your credit card to the merchant.

The only hiccup I had was my Del McCoury selection was sold out. “Yodelin’ Pig” credited my Amazon account for the price of the CD and then Amazon notified me that it was sold out. So I then had to order it again. I stuck with the used option.

So far, so good. Two CDs (Lucinda Williams – World Without Tears, Blue Mountain – Dog Days) arrived today from the Marketplace vendor in pristine condition. And both CDs are excellent, BTW.

If the rest come in without any problems, it’ll be no more brick-and-mortar used CD stores for me. Except for maybe Cactus in Houston, I don’t know of a single CD store that offers that kind of selection.

Often I am asked, “Jeff, what exactly is alt.country?” My pal Jim always cringes at such questions. The  way he primarily categorizes music is “Good music” and “Bad music”. But, for those who are interested in the genre (or at least get in the neighborhood), you should check out http://www.nodepression.net. No Depression is a magazine that follows alt.country. For a taste of the artists they typically feature and a glimpse at the articles from past issues, check out http://www.nodepression.net/archive.

Here’s another page with a pretty good description, some links, and a short list of artists.

Artists Fight Radio Deregulation. Thirty major recording artists sign a letter to be sent to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission that warns against further deregulation of the radio industry. They say it will ‘impede the functioning of our democracy.’ [Wired News]

Went to see Ben Harper at the Granada last night. Obviously much more intimate than his last show at the Bronco Bowl. The Granada holds about 1500 I think. The opening seemed a little soft–he started with a couple of his quieter songs and I don’t think the vocal levels were adjusted quite right early in the show. My favorites of the evening were a really cool version of Excuse Me Mister and The Woman in You but all of the new stuff sounded great. It was hotter than hell in there though. I had to bail halfway through the second encore for water and a breather. Watched the third and final encore from the ramp.

Internet Radio Makes Bigger Waves. Access to niche genres and hometown stations from far away proves appealing: More than 100 million listeners have tried Web radio, with the number of regular monthly users tripling in the last three years, according to March ratings. [Wired News]

Nik Kershaw.

Just heard a cool song by this guy, but didn’t catch the title.  He’s got a really cool website.  [Tom’s Blog]

Isn’t Nik Kershaw that same guy from the 80’s who had the single, Wouldn’t It Be Good? I think I had that on one of my mix tapes.

Stream media files from your PC to your home entertainment system with a Prismiq.

Finally got a chance to watch I Am Trying to Break Your Heart this evening. Very good. Obviously, the music is great but I also liked the interviews with the writer from Rolling Stone. Closing quote: “[The record lable] hated the album so much they paid for it twice.” The bonus DVD has some good live performances.

Last bit of news from the music front is that there’s a new Jayhawks album out. It’s called Rainy Day Music. I was in a restaurant or bar and heard a Jayhawks song I had never heard before. When I checked Amazon they were taking pre-orders. The last time I checked, I had told Amazon how I feel about the Jayhawks so I’m a little pissed that their recommendation engine didn’t let me know about the release.

Also recently arrived from Amazon is the Wilco DVD, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. I haven’t watched it yet, but oddly enough, I have watched the bonus DVD which contains extra footage and a couple of live performances. I’m looking forward to checking it out. Obviously the band is awesome but the story about how they essentially bought back their own album (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) and put it out themselves should be good.