The Ethics of Paid Reviews

[afficionado4]

joeblogs said:

I just read a pretty probing piece of investigative journalism on blowjobsally.blogspot.com

brought some pretty serious questions to the table about who's doing who and how

fascinating stuff... hope everyone gets a chance to read

all the best

jb

I'm afraid for once the stuff on this blog is pretty serious stuff. When is a review not a review? I suspect anyone pocketing $250 US to write track by track about your new cd is going to tend towards the generous in their assessment. Everyone should have a good hard think about this... is this the future of jazz writing in Australia? Surely we don't intend on adopting such a crass self promotional American model. Lets see what everyone thinks about these ethical issues.

A4

[isaacs]

The comments above and at that other site are made in complete ignorance and complete carelessness.

All About Jazz indeed offer paid promotional packages to artists @ USD250. Anyone who can actually read will see at the end of the other site's link that that there is no mention of an All About Jazz review being part of the package.

I have had 3 of my CDs reviewed at AllAboutJazz and it goes without saying that not a cent has changed hands. Other Australian artists such as Paul Grabowsky are also reviewed at All About Jazz.

The direct attempt to impugn my reputation by suggesting I have bought a review is noted and I am sure All About Jazz will be interested in the similar assault on their integrity.

This stuff is typical of those who simply want to take down Australian jazz artists (and I am just one of many) for the crime of being part of Australian jazz being noticed offshore.

[alimcg]

This is not a challenge to what you just said Mark, but it is hard to deny that many review are "bought", especially via packages. For example, an unknown rock band trys to get a review in the street press with no luck. They are offered though a promotional package for $XXX, and suddenly they find it a bit easier to get a review. There are still radio stations using this as a subverted form of payola too. It may not be prevalent in jazz, but it is certainly the case for many "popular" artists.

[isaacs]

OK. It's almost impossible to police softer forms of cash-for-comment where it's not upfront but the psychology changes once money is being spent. I'm sure it happens even in the mainstream press for heavy advertisers.

But.

I think it would be nice if you acknowledged that the two posters in this thread and at the other website have simply ASSUMED that I took the promotional package from All About Jazz and that is how the review appeared.

For the record I have never taken a promotional package from All About Jazz and have had 3 CDs reviewed there, 2 of which got Publisher's Pick and were featured for a few days on the Homepage. It may gall certain deeply envious types, but I seem to do OK on my own merits without having to bribe anybody.

Clearly at All About Jazz there is no ironclad linking of who gets reviewed (even prominently reviewed) to who buys promotional packages so it's worth clearing their name as well.

I think certain people (or is it one person) owe(s) me an apology.

[kimba]

I went to that other site and it was just bad bad vibes all around.

What is going on!? Why is bjs so BITTER and NASTY? It stopped being amusing and caddish long ago, it's quite worrisome that someone can find endless reserves of bile and ill-feeling

Mark, I am sorry that you are being hassled and kind of....bullied, and I can't figure out why! Because you've had some success! That's bloody great, and so you should.

hugs from Kimba

[isaacs]

Thanks Kimba. Hugs to you to. I really appreciate that expression of support.

[kimba]

If you don't promote your shit, you end up playing to an empty room -- what use is that if you wanna make a crust off your music?

You're obviously blowjob's bedfellow...how is she on the sloppy seconds after a hard night's bitching and moaning.

We should all be proud of our stuff, if we've worked hard, and what's banal about that..

In terms of being paid to write a review for someone, I agree that's bullshit -- why not call up Melbourne's street press and rag on them!

[Kenny]

joeblogs said:

I have read the other site. It does NOT impugn Mark, it merely raises the question. If Mark reads it as an accusation, then that is HIS guilty conscience...

I suspect that the author of blowjobsally.blogspot.com is simply revolted by self congratulatory, self promotory, back slapping banality.... and why shouldn't he/she be? I don't sense evil. I sense disgust. what say you?

\

Sorry, I disagree - STRONGLY.

It DOES accuse mark, by directly linking the promotional deals with the review of his album. Which, as he points out, was posted under quite a separate protocol.

One look at the AAJ home page makes the difference between the two obvious.

For legit reviews, of albums sent out by AAJ management to reviewers all over the world, are on a separate page on to which you must click separately.

The promo deal albums are displayed as "Showcase Titles".

I suspect whoever wrote this trash knows all this quite well, but is simply a sleaze.

"Self congratulatory, self promotory, back slapping banality"? WTF are you talking about? Is Mark not allowed to trumpet whatever well-earned success or plaudits come his way?

[stan]

'weird alternative forum'/ 'mr riley is a c**t' and this topic all point to Joe Bloggs being the same person as Blow Job Sally. How crafty!!

[kimba]

sloppy seconds indeed

[kimba]

"but also Stan, lets face it. there are some seriously navel gazing tossers on here. and some seriously obnoxious self promoters."

I haven't seen any -- care to offer an example?

"I am not crafty. at all. talentless in fact."

So is blow-job Sally -- so what's your point? And is this your way of showing yourself to be a self-deprecating, GENUINE sort of person.

It comes across as completely disingeneous, facile, and it stinks of bullshit.

Also, why are you such a fawning sychophant?

[ladylex]

Can I say something totally cold:

just as long as they dont spell your name incorrectly


Sorry. It had to be said.


Because Mark, and et al: your talent will outshone any of those unfounded opinions and unnecessary words because in our field, talent is the true currency and that will stand against anything else. None of those words even rate, whereas you already have recordings to prove that you do. Talent speaks volumes in my world. And Miles lives in my world Mark. And so does Parlie Charker ;D Stan Getz, a certain Vinnie Chick, Gayle, Herbie.. just about all the awesome musos that you know are worth mentioning.

Not a bad planet to live on.