Further to our post yesterday, Tommy Smith’s petition to avert the end of World/ Classical/ Jazz reviewing has been successful:
From Tommy Smith’s Facebook: “Waiting in my inbox, was an email from the Deputy Arts Editor of The Scotsman, who, this morning brought it to the attention of his management, who, in turned, quickly made money available for the continuation of World, classical and jazz CDs reviews; Weekend Life magazine is also going to thrive.
There will be no reviews this weekend but the three journalists involved are firmly reinstated, ready to listen, reflect and review World, classical and jazz music for all of us on February 8th. This is especially important to all the homegrown talent in Scotland, as it is a platform to the world stage.
For me, this, my first petition, was worth the sacrifice of besmirching my name against my hometown newspaper, which I’ve supported all my life, but the principle of injustice outweighed any personal loss to me.
I ended my petition with the 3rd line in the first stanza of Burn’s ‘Auld Lang Syne’. I will conclude this notification to you all with the 3rd line in the last stanza of the same song. ‘And we’ll take a rich guid-willy waught’; a draught of good fellowship.
Best wishes from the bottom of my heart.
Tommy Smith”
Categories: miscellaneous
All credit to Tommy for his initiative in organising this petition! It is astonishing that the Scotsman, with its long tradition of coverage for all the arts in Scotland, could have decided to drop all classical music, world music and jazz reviews, but heartening that they have reviewed the decision and reinstate the music reviews.