Calling Bleus! Anyone Seen Him?

[Des-Lab]

Some of you might be aware of a Yahoo group that exists (or at least did. I can't even seem to locate it anymore) called 'cassette talk', or something to that effect. The group was ran by a guy who went by the name of "Bleus", He is a real dyed in the wool cassette guy. I know he was proud of his group. But last time I knew it to be alive, it had slowed almost to a standstill. No doubt at least in part because of the great crowd we have congregating and talking cassette HERE.

Anyway. I'd love to see him join. He'd take one look at the cassette section of TH and I'm sure he'd be in paradise.

If anyone knows who this guy is and can get a hold of him, please send him an invite.

Like I said. I know he was proud of that little Yahoo group. And he might take offense to this site (sort of a territorial issue), but I really do think he'd like it.

Thanks guys.

[Scorpion8]

This guy?

http://www.angelfire.com/wi/blueswapper/bluesnak99.html

He spells it Bleus on the webpage.

[Des-Lab]

I think that's him. Anyone sent an E-mail?

Upon doing some digging, I found that the group in question is indeed still alive-though barely. Activity there has slowed to almost a standstill.

I am hoping he at least finds this site and checks it out. If he is really into cassettes, he should LOVE everything going on in that section of TH.

What would be even better is if he joined as an active member.

[Scorpion8]

I did that same night. I even cc:'ed you on the e-mail, which was a reply to an old thread he and I had about the Nak Marathon Tape Project. I haven't heard back yet. Hopefully he'll check in. I sent him this URL as an invite.

[Marc Hugo]

Hi all,

Seriously, "CassetteForum@yahoogroups.com" is very much alive, although presently a bit quiet - I talked with Len on the site a couple of days ago. It is fine group - well put together. There is a tendency to talk more about the supermetals predominantly. I think this might nullify the "hobbyist" activity of actually recording as a passtime. I.E. - Buying more ordinary, affordable, or available tapes and recording music on them. However, Mr Bleus is a gentleman and it's a site that deserves a bit more action than it has right now.

Cheers - Marc

[Des-Lab]

I never said or even meant to imply that Bleus' group is sloppy or poorly put together. He's done a fine job. Or at least as fine as the somewhat limited Yahoo interface is capable of doing.

But your observation about "Super" metals pretty much echoes my thoughts. It seems like most of what they do is "ooh and ahh" back and forth amongst each other over COLLECTING MA-XG's, Vertex's, Sony MM's, and so on. Well you can only do that for so long before it becomes mundane and repetitive. Hence why that group has largely ground to a halt in terms of activity. I've tried pointing out to him before that the tape world is so much bigger than that. As you said: daily usage and "medium grade" tapes. Apparently they aren't interested in any of that. Just "high end" COLLECTING is about all they are interested in.

And then the few times a discussion doesn't revolve around that, they often descend into pity parties bemoaning the high prices and/or scant availability of that uber-narrow segment of the hobby.

I mean if that's what they want, more power to them I guess. But sometimes they do flirt with an elitist mindset and seem to miss out on the simple pleasures of cracking open a tape, compiling a play list, actually recording it, and then sitting back and enjoying the playback. Many "lesser" tapes such as XLII-S's, SA-X's, and HD-7's can and do make wonderful recordings, can usually be had for much lower relative prices, and are collectors items in their own right.

I respect the collecting side of the hobby. Lord knows I've been a practitioner of that with my Maxell cassettes. But what's wrong with setting one or two specimens of each aside and actually enjoying the rest?

[Scorpion8]

Bleus never responded to either of the e-mails that I sent to his site or his e-mail address that we had exchanged previously.

[stuwee]

I never said or even meant to imply that Bleus' group is sloppy or poorly put together. He's done a fine job. Or at least as fine as the somewhat limited Yahoo interface is capable of doing.

But your observation about "Super" metals pretty much echoes my thoughts. It seems like most of what they do is "ooh and ahh" back and forth amongst each other over COLLECTING MA-XG's, Vertex's, Sony MM's, and so on. Well you can only do that for so long before it becomes mundane and repetitive. Hence why that group has largely ground to a halt in terms of activity. I've tried pointing out to him before that the tape world is so much bigger than that. As you said: daily usage and "medium grade" tapes. Apparently they aren't interested in any of that. Just "high end" COLLECTING is about all they are interested in.

And then the few times a discussion doesn't revolve around that, they often descend into pity parties bemoaning the high prices and/or scant availability of that uber-narrow segment of the hobby.

I mean if that's what they want, more power to them I guess. But sometimes they do flirt with an elitist mindset and seem to miss out on the simple pleasures of cracking open a tape, compiling a play list, actually recording it, and then sitting back and enjoying the playback. Many "lesser" tapes such as XLII-S's, SA-X's, and HD-7's can and do make wonderful recordings, can usually be had for much lower relative prices, and are collectors items in their own right.

I respect the collecting side of the hobby. Lord knows I've been a practitioner of that with my Maxell cassettes. But what's wrong with setting one or two specimens of each aside and actually enjoying the rest?

Oh My! Lady Ayeka and I should be *whipslap**whip* and *bash*'d for our *el_loco**worship* of our altar to cassette's :D:D*wave*:p:D J/K

I can't speak for John but, I like a good whippin', this is another flippant stuwee comment *devil*. I hope Len comes onboard, we'll have much to talk about, I'll remove my *fm* now, I just couldn't resist,

*The preceding comments have absoultely nothing to do with anything relevent to anything*

stuwster *devil*

[Marc Hugo]

I never said or even meant to imply that Bleus' group is sloppy or poorly put together. He's done a fine job. Or at least as fine as the somewhat limited Yahoo interface is capable of doing.

But your observation about "Super" metals pretty much echoes my thoughts. It seems like most of what they do is "ooh and ahh" back and forth amongst each other over COLLECTING MA-XG's, Vertex's, Sony MM's, and so on. Well you can only do that for so long before it becomes mundane and repetitive. Hence why that group has largely ground to a halt in terms of activity. I've tried pointing out to him before that the tape world is so much bigger than that. As you said: daily usage and "medium grade" tapes. Apparently they aren't interested in any of that. Just "high end" COLLECTING is about all they are interested in.

And then the few times a discussion doesn't revolve around that, they often descend into pity parties bemoaning the high prices and/or scant availability of that uber-narrow segment of the hobby.

I mean if that's what they want, more power to them I guess. But sometimes they do flirt with an elitist mindset and seem to miss out on the simple pleasures of cracking open a tape, compiling a play list, actually recording it, and then sitting back and enjoying the playback. Many "lesser" tapes such as XLII-S's, SA-X's, and HD-7's can and do make wonderful recordings, can usually be had for much lower relative prices, and are collectors items in their own right.

I respect the collecting side of the hobby. Lord knows I've been a practitioner of that with my Maxell cassettes. But what's wrong with setting one or two specimens of each aside and actually enjoying the rest?

Exactly, perfectly put Matt. No I didn't divine from your post anything but curiosity and concern really. I think the angle of this site definitely promotes the format in all its breadth rather than the narrower view you mention. It's a credit to you and the members - there's space for everything - from classic Suzukis to Chardonnay - and that gives balance to our passion. In fact, an I'm sure Craig who is presently administering a flogging to himself, will agree, that a suitably iced beverage of his choice has nearly as much a positve effect as new pair of speaker cables!!

Speaking of Maxells, Matt, that is the most incredible collection. It gets my frequent visitation. In fact, I may have a problem!! Forget my childhood, I might have been dropped on my head but ears are still fine!!

All the best - Marc

[Scorpion8]

Bleus responded to me today from an e-mail I had sent inviting him to join us. He will, unfortunately, not be able to take us up on the offer at this time. I went ahead and extended the invitation indefinitely. I copied Matt on those e-mails.

[Marc Hugo]

I'm sorry to hear that. Perhaps when he has more time.

Marc

[Des-Lab]

Got the CC'd e-mail. Thank you. Wonder why he's not interested in joining. Seems odd unless he has something major going on in his life.

-kind of like Dr.Bo. I know he joined here recently. Anyone heard from him? I guess he was going though a divorce. So that's an understandable reason. Especially if it's a messy one and he doesn't want to do anything online that could be used against him. Hopefully all of that will get sorted out and then he can rejoin us.

[TheReeler]

-kind of like Dr.Bo. I know he joined here recently. Anyone heard from him?
Is the same that sells open reel tapes at ebay as "drbo"?.

[Des-Lab]

I don't think so. Dr.Bo goes by....well..."Dr.Bo". I think he's done some R2R in the past, but mainly, he's a cassette guy. He has (or at least had) quite an extensive collection and until a few months ago, would have two or three hundred auctions running at a time. There was something for just about everyone. Usually the auctions were for single cassettes, but he would do 'packages' once in a blue moon.

[Scorpion8]

Wonder why he's not interested in joining.

Don't know. You saw all of the e-mail, and I try not to read things into electronic correspondence other than he said he was busy and wasn't doing much cassette stuff of any kind right now.

[Des-Lab]

Yes I saw it and I know that he's "busy". I just meant that if he was busy with something of a higher priority (such as yours and Dr. Bo's) or if he's simply moved on to other interests. Not trying to push you into trying to read his mind.

[Scorpion8]

Oh I know, no offense intended or taken or otherwise implied. I wish he could join us but there's also a world of smart tape guys out there that we haven't reached yet also. Most of them probably don't know we exist. I also sent an e-mail to the guys at Naks.com/Vintagecassette.com and never heard back from them. How about some of those Russian/ex-iron crutain countries that have superb tape collections posted. We should have someone spend some time trying to expand our universe more so than I'm able to do. Hopefully ever member would be a walking-talking advertisement.