Sending an e-mail to MCA/Universal regarding CD issues
Posted: June 16, 2004 11:52 am
I have an e-mail message saved and ready to send to the following address for the hope of some results:
communications@umusic.com
Here is most of the message:
Hello Universal Records,
The reason for me sending this e-mail is to shed light on an issue that I find very important. To my understanding your company, Universal Records purchased MCA Records several years back. If MCA exists as a smaller branch and has a separate e-mail address I can send this to, please provide it to me. If not, please keep reading.
Back in the 80’s when CD’s were the new craze, MCA began to release some CDs that were manufactured in Japan. The CD issues that were re-issues of albums originally pressed on vinyl to my understanding, were complete with inserts that contained all or most of the original artwork and liner notes that were included on the LP jackets and sleeves. Later on, MCA moved manufacturing to America, where the disgraceful “Compact Disc/Compact Price” generic moniker was born. CDs that were issued in the dreadful series contained no artwork besides the front cover (which was polluted with the catalogue # and the moniker logo in the bottom corners), no liner notes, no band credits, no lyrics, nothing.
For most artist’s catalogues, this is no longer and issue as MCA has either re-issued the albums with all the original artwork and liner notes or sold the rights to another label to do the job. This does not hold true with Jimmy Buffett’s 1973-85 albums.
Jimmy Buffett’s 73-85 works are praised by many as his best years. Many popular songs are included on those albums, “Come Monday” , “Margaritaville” “One Particular Harbour” , and “Last Mango in Paris” , to name a few. While the above songs and many others appear on Buffett’s many compilations, the albums in which they were originally released on are only available on CD in MCA’s CDCP series. I find it quite disrespectful that Buffett’s 12 albums have only been available in this form for nearly 15 years.
I don’t own any of Buffett’s records myself (just CDs), but other Parrotheads were kind to devote some of their time to scan and take pictures of their collections. When I viewed the pictures for the first time, I was quite angry. Loads of neat pictures and paintings graced the album jackets, lyrics and liner notes were contained on the sleeves and so on. While lyrics, liner notes and pictures may fall into the “Bells and Whistles” category, crediting musicians does not. I had to search hard online to find out who plays on Buffett’s 73-85 albums, something I didn’t have to do with any other albums in my collection. The thing I find most disrespectful is the removal of Jimmy's dedications, for example, Volcano is/was dedicated to his wife and daughter.
Yes, I understand that interest is low on this subject as most music fans come to the reasoning that all that matters is the music and don’t care one bit about the printed material, most likely the reason these CD issues have been available on the market for so long. I just can’t understand why I am in a minority on this issue, as it is quite obvious what MCA did to once beautiful packages.
I know Steely Dan’s back catalogue was reissued and freed from the CDCP series, so I don’t see why Buffett’s 12 albums shouldn’t have the same recognition. The 12 albums are “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean”, “Living and Dying in ¾ Time,” “A-1-A”, “Havana Daydreamin’”, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”, “Son of a Son of a Sailor”, “Volcano”, “Coconut Telegraph”, “Somewhere Over China”, “One Particular Harbour”, “Riddles in the Sand” and “Last Mango in Paris”.
The main point here is, if nearly every other album on the face of the planet can have complete CD packages, why can’t the 12 albums mentioned above?
Again, I apologize if you don’t have a response for me. If that is true, please provide me with an e-mail address for someone who can maybe answer.
Thank you...
Well, what does everyone think? Any suggestions as to anything I missed or should remove?
I kindly ask that everyone takes the time to send a similar e-mail message to either the above address or anything better I can get out of them. Please, I know intrest in art and liner notes is low, but we all have to realize the Jimmy was disrespected and that these 12 albums might be the only albums out there without complete packages.
The BN phamily is full of great people and I know if we all band together, we can get some results.
I can't do it alone!
communications@umusic.com
Here is most of the message:
Hello Universal Records,
The reason for me sending this e-mail is to shed light on an issue that I find very important. To my understanding your company, Universal Records purchased MCA Records several years back. If MCA exists as a smaller branch and has a separate e-mail address I can send this to, please provide it to me. If not, please keep reading.
Back in the 80’s when CD’s were the new craze, MCA began to release some CDs that were manufactured in Japan. The CD issues that were re-issues of albums originally pressed on vinyl to my understanding, were complete with inserts that contained all or most of the original artwork and liner notes that were included on the LP jackets and sleeves. Later on, MCA moved manufacturing to America, where the disgraceful “Compact Disc/Compact Price” generic moniker was born. CDs that were issued in the dreadful series contained no artwork besides the front cover (which was polluted with the catalogue # and the moniker logo in the bottom corners), no liner notes, no band credits, no lyrics, nothing.
For most artist’s catalogues, this is no longer and issue as MCA has either re-issued the albums with all the original artwork and liner notes or sold the rights to another label to do the job. This does not hold true with Jimmy Buffett’s 1973-85 albums.
Jimmy Buffett’s 73-85 works are praised by many as his best years. Many popular songs are included on those albums, “Come Monday” , “Margaritaville” “One Particular Harbour” , and “Last Mango in Paris” , to name a few. While the above songs and many others appear on Buffett’s many compilations, the albums in which they were originally released on are only available on CD in MCA’s CDCP series. I find it quite disrespectful that Buffett’s 12 albums have only been available in this form for nearly 15 years.
I don’t own any of Buffett’s records myself (just CDs), but other Parrotheads were kind to devote some of their time to scan and take pictures of their collections. When I viewed the pictures for the first time, I was quite angry. Loads of neat pictures and paintings graced the album jackets, lyrics and liner notes were contained on the sleeves and so on. While lyrics, liner notes and pictures may fall into the “Bells and Whistles” category, crediting musicians does not. I had to search hard online to find out who plays on Buffett’s 73-85 albums, something I didn’t have to do with any other albums in my collection. The thing I find most disrespectful is the removal of Jimmy's dedications, for example, Volcano is/was dedicated to his wife and daughter.
Yes, I understand that interest is low on this subject as most music fans come to the reasoning that all that matters is the music and don’t care one bit about the printed material, most likely the reason these CD issues have been available on the market for so long. I just can’t understand why I am in a minority on this issue, as it is quite obvious what MCA did to once beautiful packages.
I know Steely Dan’s back catalogue was reissued and freed from the CDCP series, so I don’t see why Buffett’s 12 albums shouldn’t have the same recognition. The 12 albums are “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean”, “Living and Dying in ¾ Time,” “A-1-A”, “Havana Daydreamin’”, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”, “Son of a Son of a Sailor”, “Volcano”, “Coconut Telegraph”, “Somewhere Over China”, “One Particular Harbour”, “Riddles in the Sand” and “Last Mango in Paris”.
The main point here is, if nearly every other album on the face of the planet can have complete CD packages, why can’t the 12 albums mentioned above?
Again, I apologize if you don’t have a response for me. If that is true, please provide me with an e-mail address for someone who can maybe answer.
Thank you...
Well, what does everyone think? Any suggestions as to anything I missed or should remove?
I kindly ask that everyone takes the time to send a similar e-mail message to either the above address or anything better I can get out of them. Please, I know intrest in art and liner notes is low, but we all have to realize the Jimmy was disrespected and that these 12 albums might be the only albums out there without complete packages.
The BN phamily is full of great people and I know if we all band together, we can get some results.
I can't do it alone!
)
I don't think they're there.