[Dixielandjazz] Yet another "free" music site. www.last.fm.com

[Lowell Busching]

My last posting several months ago on the free music site, 
Spiralfrog.com, met with resounding apathy on the DJML, possibly because 
their free downloads in mp3 format are currently somewhat limited, but 
expanding. Getting to the jazz area is not easy. Also I believe they are 
available only in the US? Besides, who needs, free, legal music when 
there is so much illegal stuff out there?  No challenge (or lawsuits.)

This "new" site, which may have been mentioned before by someone, was 
recently mentioned in the business section of USA Today. It seems to be 
a site wanting to be all things, to all people.  www.last.fm.com 
currently is an open source Beta site that may someday become a 
subscription service, if they survive, so get your free music now. It 
also has the radio play of similar artists of your favorites like 
Pandora.com. Find new music etc.

You can play back most songs full track 3 times before they will start 
to bug you to sign up, download their software etc. Until then you can 
just navigate the site and click on any title that says "full track" and 
listen. Those not marked full track are usually 30 second samples.  You 
may be amazed at how many are full tracks, paid for by them through 
advertising, they hope. They have contracts with all the major companies 
for payment, making them legal.

You too can put your recordings and any links to You Tube on this site 
and get paid per play.  It is based in the UK, in London, at Karen House 
(map available on site), and seems to have a large staff. It is a work 
in progress and solicits updates and write-ups or additional pictures. 
album covers etc. You must be registered to do those things, however.

Example. The events area seems to want to know where musicians have 
played! The Benny Goodman tab for that awaits any resident experts.

Several Wild Bill Davison albums are featured and an entertaining review 
on him to go along with a You tube video. (However, no Sidney Bachet)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5PBdpGvcLw

   How, or if, you save these files on your computer seems to be up to 
you. No easy downloads of mp3 files like Spiralfrog.com through a 
download manager. Links to You Tube videos if available, many redundant. 
Links to Amazon.com and other music sites to purchase the albums.

So far they are legal for the US, the UK, and Germany. They are working 
on other counties.

Hint. Click on the song titles themselves on the albums, not the small 
black arrows. Otherwise you may not be able to play them until Microsoft 
recognizes them. USA Today does.

Either http://www.last.fm.com or http://www.lastfm.com will get you to 
the site to bookmark it. If you only play music, but never listen to it, 
this is also the site for you. Contact me if you have problems.

So far there IS a free lunch.

Mad Dog.