CD/DVD Releases: Getting What We Want

[Parrot Monkey]

OK, I know concert season is among us yet again, and any attempts I make in trying to convince people to write letters will probably fail and fall off the first page of the discussion forum as well as the most recent posts list by people posting about the shows. Don’t get me wrong, I just as excited about the upcoming concerts as you all are (I’m going to the Tampa show at the Ford Amphitheater today), but we have to remember where the majority of those songs that are being played came from (the albums) , and the condition 14 of them are in on the digital compact disc format.

After 15+ months of bringing up the re-issue topic on this message board, I thought it make since to just make a sticky of the contact list for all members and visitors to see at all times. Here’s a summary of what we’re striving for here:

The man’s a millionaire. He owns his own restaurant chain. He owns his own record company. Virtually every concert he puts on sells out. But what do his early albums (the albums in which contain all the recordings, without, none of the above would be true and this board wouldn’t exist) look like on the compact disc format? Well, their absolutely horrid when compared to Buffett’s 90s and 2000s discs as well as the numerous CDs out there by other artists. Let me break down my case into three separate parts to explain exactly what the complaint is for those of you who might not be aware:

Part 1-A: The Sound Quality

Try listening to any one of the mentioned CDs on a significant volume either before or after another recording by another artist (preferably a re-mastered release). Do you find the tape hiss to be excessive? Do the anomalies seem that they’re not minimized? The Beatles, and especially the new Dylan re-masters (both recorded in the 60s) sound much, much better that the Buffett releases (his albums come from the 70s and 80s) in question, and Buffett didn’t exactly hire minimum wage producers and recording/mixing/mastering engineers, so it has nothing to do with the recording. So what is the reason for the poor sound heard on the compact discs? It all comes down to the transfer between analogue and digital. It’s a rumor that for MCA’s “Compact Disc/Compact Price” series, they didn’t obtain the original master tapes when pressing the CDs. This is what Walter Becker, Donald Fagen and Roger Nichols (engineer) found happened with the Steely Dan 80s CD releases. They protested and were able to get re-masters to happen. Although the sound is passable, it could be so much better, and samples of this was displayed when re-mastering was done on the Meet Me in Margaritaville compilation in 2003. The mission is to get that kind of re-mastering to happen to the entire catalogue, or at least the albums in question. Also, another thing to mention is the release of the You Had To Be There live album, which was released in the middle of all of those CDCP releases. Yes, it’s not one of those discs that completely ignores all the original graphics, but that’s no reason for it to be passed as an unflawed release. Many people complain about the volume being to low, obviously a display of carelessness in the mastering process. I agree with that, and it’s quite a shame, as live albums are usually the ones you get the urge to blast to high volumes.

Part 1-B: The Artwork

Many photographs and drawings were done around the times these 14 albums were recorded and intended to be included with the recordings. They were included with the original pressings, but unfortunately, that was it. When MCA re-released the albums after purchasing the ABC/Dunhill label, they re-released the 9 titles Buffett had already recorded and removed all the interior pieces of the package. The many photographs and paintings that were done were suddenly gone and the work of photographers and artists (as in paintings, not recordings) went to waste. This got even worse when it was time to release the CDs in the late 80s, where MCA’s “Compact Disc, Compact Price” series was born, where every CD that was pressed by the MCA label completely ignored all album graphics (sans the front covers) that was included in the original vinyl. Many people say that it was done because all of the printed material that was included with vinyl pressings is too large to be included with the CD versions. I don’t understand this, when it is entirely possible and has been displayed way to many times on other compact disc releases. This benefit of the doubt is non-existent and should not be given to MCA for their complete sloppiness. Also, two non-CDCP releases are also affected by MCA’s sloppiness. The first victim is the You Had To Be There live album (yes, in addition to the volume error mentioned above there are more flaws). It’s missing a total of 12 photographs (6 from the original inner sleeves and 2 from the gatefold). OK, so there’s the volume flaw and the booklet inside is skimpy, and how much is the price tag? No matter where you go, if you buy a new copy of You Had To Be There on compact disc, it’s going to end up costing you about $30. Maybe in the 80s when CDs were the new thing that was the reasonable price for a 2 disc album, but nowadays it’s quite a rip-off, especially if you take into consideration the flaws mentioned above. I would have not complained about the price IF they had not made that mastering error AND had included ALL the original photographs. The last item to mention here is the Floridays release, which in terms of the artwork category is missing a single photograph. A small issue by comparison, but not really. More on this release in the next category.

Here are some links for you to view the packages as they were originally intended (thanks to AMC at Buffett World):

http://www.************.com/p_albums_70.html
http://www.************.com/p_albums_80.html

Part 1-C: The Liner Notes and Credits

Like any album released by any artist, all of Buffett’s albums in question had liner notes and credits written for them. The problem is none of the executives at MCA regarded them as anything important. This caused lots of people to go uncredited and the liner note author’s essays to go to waste when it time came for the CDs to be released in the late 1980s. The rest of the details on why this happened is pretty much explained above. When the photography and artwork went, the notes went with it all and all that survived through everything was the front covers. Returning to the Floridays release, it’s just as flawed in this department as is all the CDCP releases. If you look at the original record sleeve, you will notice that there are numerous credits printed there, while the CD insert chooses to credit the band and stops there. That’s at least a good 85% of the liner notes gone. Although the core band is the credits most people are going to be interested in, you have to realize the importance of all the other people who put their efforts into the album.

Here is a link where you can find the majority of the missing liner notes from the mentioned releases (thanks to Bamafan at Buffett World):

http://www.************.com/discography.html

Part 2: The Videos on DVD

Every time (and I do mean every) either of Buffett’s two past video releases come to mention on this message board, people always as some thing like “Is it/ are they on DVD?” Afterwards, there’s usually a response like “I wish” or “That would be cool”. There’s no need for wishing, when you can write or e-mail the powers that be and tell them of your desire. Right now, the only place to find these are on VHS cassettes, and since the format is going the way of the dinosaur, these releases can only be found online or at the Margaritaville stores, where they are $20 (I don’t know about you, but I’m not about to spend that on a dying format). Not only are the tapes that are already owned by many rotting by decay, but their just not around for the people who don’t yet own them (like myself) to purchase them. I’m most likely never going to buy a videotape again in my life, and these two releases are no exception. I’m still patiently awaiting DVDs.

I’m sure the thoughts of many here is something like “That’s just the way the CDs are, what are ya gonna do?” Please, if we can get everyone here to stop thinking in those terms and to write letters in e-mails, we have a better chance of results. Please, I know most of us here do indeed desire more, and we can do something to help. A strongly encourage all BNer’s to use the venues below to let you voice be heard. I also encourage everyone to pass this on to those you know that are interested in Buffett and don’t post here. Remember, the more attempts, the better.

Here are the releases in question:

The Album List:

 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
 You Had To Be There
 Volcano
 Coconut Telegraph
 Somewhere Over China
 One Particular Harbour
 Riddles in the Sand
 Last Mango in Paris
 Floridays

The Videos:

 Live by the Bay
 Tales from Margaritavison

Also, if you have any ideas for future products (rarity collections, “Official Bootlegs” etc.) I encourage you to include your thoughts in your message.

Here are some tips in writing letters that successfully encourage:

 Speak their language ($)
 Be polite, don’t insult anyone
 Use the period of time these releases have been in existence
 Use as many examples of other release as possible that put the Buffett releases to shame.

Here are the suitable contacts:

HK Management: (Jimmy’s Managers)

HK Management
9200 Sunset Blvd #530
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Margaritaville: (Letters to here have been rumored to get into Jimmy’s hands. Even if it doesn’t, letters will still help).

Margaritaville Store
500 Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040

info@margaritaville.com

“Ask Jimmy”: (A new feature recently added to Margritaville.com. Given the people there forward the messages, it will be read by Jimmy).

http://margaritaville.com/ask_jimmy.htm

Mailboat Records: (convince them that acquiring the masters to the classic material is worthwhile to the small label).

info@mailboatrecords.com

Universal Records:

Universal Music Group
2220 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404

- OR -

1755 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

communications@umusic.com

Jimmy’s Contact at Universal Records:

Sujata Murthy
sujata.murthy@umusic.com

Also, it’s been a recent rumor that Jimmy just might read these forums, and if that is indeed true, we have an automatic venue on our hands, and maybe the most powerful.

Please, I know most of us want this to happen, and we are the key to making it a reality. We are the people who put them in business and purchase everything they put out, so we have every right to complain and tell them what we want. The fact that these old-fashioned rush jobs are still on the shelves is ridiculous alone, and we need to put an end to it. I thank all who took the time to read this as well as everyone who has been patient with me. And of course, an extra big thank you to those who write.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, additional venues or any results to report, please post here or send me a private message.

Here's hoping for a new set of JB products by the end of the year.

Thanks,

-PM

[Key Lime Lee]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record:

None of the contacts you've listed have any control over the albums you've listed. Trying to make this happen through JB or related enterprises is (still) a waste of time.

MCA is the "power that be" and its (still) them you need to convince.

Anything else is a waste of time.

[Parrot Monkey]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record:

None of the contacts you've listed have any control over the albums you've listed. Trying to make this happen through JB or related enterprises is (still) a waste of time.

MCA is the "power that be" and its (still) them you need to convince.

Anything else is a waste of time.

Yes, I'm well aware of that but there is no contacts to Universal Records (the now owners of MCA) to be found. Although contacting these venues wouldn't make a direct impact, it will let JB and his enterprises know that the products are wanted so maybe they could suggest it to Universal. It's not likely a record company would listen to fans, but they just might listen to the artist who gave them their money if they listen to anyone. I’ve said it before, but that’s the way it happened for Steely Dan, because Becker, Fagen and Nichols demanded it.

I apologize for (still) bringing this up, but if I stopped that would mean that they won and the catalogue would forever rot on substandard discs. Nobody’s work deserves this, especially JB’s.

If anyone has appropriate contact information for Universal/MCA, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Zanzibar]

Rock on Parrotmonkey!

[Tampico]

I think you are beating a dead horse. I own all the CD's and I doubt I would buy them again just because they sound better or have original art work. I mean I have most of them on album and yes I bought them again on CD but that was so I could listen to them in my car.

[Needs boat drinks!]

Yeah, but at least ride the wave of new technology so that the old stuff will live on, thus letting future parrotheads enjoy the great music.

Great topic BTW.

[Parrot Monkey]

I’m just returning for the show at the Tampa Amphitheater (which was awesome), so be prepared, I now have an even stronger urge to stand behind the man’s great catalogue of music. I wish I could have done something for this issue at the concert with the numerous PHs around, but of course they were there for fun, not business, as was I.

I think you are beating a dead horse. I own all the CD's and I doubt I would buy them again just because they sound better or have original art work. I mean I have most of them on album and yes I bought them again on CD but that was so I could listen to them in my car.

Yes, this has been a point of stress that re-releases would just milk the Margaritaville “Empire”. But please keep in mind the number of times some other catalogues and albums have been re-released (to my knowledge, there are 4 versions of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road on CD). I think it’s right to allow Jimmy’s material to get at least one fair re-release, especially given the poor quality of the initial versions. Also, remember that these CD releases are 15-20 years old ( ).

Also, if your writing/e-mailing any of these places, please tell them we want the Tampa 2005 show on CD as part of the official bootleg series (or Mailboat’s “live in” series I guess if it’s recent. Whatever the moniker, just release it!)

[Parrot Monkey]

Although I haven’t seen it, my brother said in the movie “Ray” that they mentioned Ray Charles talking his record company into letting him own his own masters. Not sure how he did it, but it was definitely a smart move on his part and one most artists probably regret not doing. Had Jimmy done this, we would most likely see lots more albums in Mailboat's catalogue.

This is defiantly a prime example of a flaw in the music industry. The record company owning the masters you recorded is like a hospital keeping a baby parents gave birth to, just because they provided the structure, equipment and the people to make it happen.

An “official bootleg” series of selected past concerts can happen without legal issues. RM’s Concert Replay has displayed just what’s in the archives, all they would have to do is hand the masters over to engineers to sweating the sound up for CD releases.

Still, giving the original albums respectful presentations on the modern format remains the prime target here.

[barbieann]

I for one would definately re-buy all the older MCA versions should they be brought up to snuff sound wise. I also have vinyl, 8-track, cassett and CD versions of everything. And I'm sure that once CD formats as we know it now disappear into the smaller versions I will be forced to go that route as well.

And I totally love the Ask Jimmy idea. If only we could be assured that
1) Jimmy will read them and 2) Jimmy will answer them himself or by legit proxy.

Thanks for sticking this- it helps us who are new to BN.

[Parrot Monkey]

I for one would definately re-buy all the older MCA versions should they be brought up to snuff sound wise. I also have vinyl, 8-track, cassett and CD versions of everything. And I'm sure that once CD formats as we know it now disappear into the smaller versions I will be forced to go that route as well.

And I totally love the Ask Jimmy idea. If only we could be assured that
1) Jimmy will read them and 2) Jimmy will answer them himself or by legit proxy.

Thanks for sticking this- it helps us who are new to BN.

Yep, when considering re-buying all the albums, you have to consider how long these releases have been out. Some artists have re-released material only a year apart from other releases, when absolutely nothing was wrong with the previous version. Here we have 15+ year old releases that are seriously flawed and just don’t do justice to JB’s work. I don’t know about any smaller formats, but the new technology that’s still in it’s toddler stage is Hybrid SACDs, which requires a new kind of player to take advantage of the SACD layer and uses a different method to convert analogue to digital. I haven’t heard any, but supposedly it retains the warmth of analogue formats on a digital system. The hybrid means that the disc also has a conventional CD layer so a standard version can be played on all CD players.

Remember, like Key Lime Lee mentioned and I added to, none of the above contacts will provide a direct hit, but hopefully we can use “momentum”, if you will, so Jimmy can contact his old record company and let them know of our desire. Since they did an MCA/Mailboat deal with Meet Me in Margaritaville, we know that some sort of a relationship is there.

Thanks for the interest.

[Parrot Monkey]

Hmm... I wounder what happened to the sticky?

[rednekkPH]

Hmm... I wounder what happened to the sticky?

Exactly what should have happenned to it.

[Parrot Monkey]

Exactly what should have happenned to it.

Real smart response. You think it’s all just about missing pictures, words and “flashy” packages, don’t you? Well no, although that’s the start of it, it’s really about the recording industry saying Buffett’s catalogue isn’t worth it, something everyone should take as an insult to his work. Realize that even William Hung’s “album” on CD has a unique rear cover to it…

Oh, and thanks Rednekk for bumping the topic to the top.

Back to all seriousness, the topic may have lost its sticky status when I edited a certain part of the initial message. If a moderator is reading this, please restore the sticky status (which Auntie kindly approved).

[Jahfin]

I think the most vocal detractors of Parrot Monkey's cause will also be the very first in line when these remasters hit the shelves. I say "when" instead of "if" because I feel it's only a matter of time and am quite frankly surprised they haven't received the remastered treatment yet. I'm not sure quite how it will happen but imagine deluxely repackaged reissues of Buffett's back catalog complete with restored sound and liner notes and maybe even that greatest of enticements, bonus tracks. Yes, I know some of the rare tracks are readily available online but what about a version of "Why Don't You Take Your Drunken 15 Year Old Girlfriend Home" restored to pristine condition? Or rare live tracks that could be added to You Had To Be There which would make for an nicely expanded edition of an already excellent live album. These are just a few things to think about when it comes to the potential of having these albums re-released for the first time. There is also the possibility of rare live footage being added as a way to entice listeners that already own the original albums on compact disc. Personally, I would purchase them without all these extras just to hear a decent sounding recording. In fact, I've held off on buying a whole lot of the pre-compact disc material (ie, anything prior to Off To See The Lizard) because like so many artists, it's only a matter of time before Buffett re-releases his back catalog as well.

As for having our voices heard, it doesn't matter if these letters don't reach the head of Universal. I can think of several bands, none as well known as Buffett that have had their back catalogs re-released because they made their voices heard to the people that mattered most, the band and/or artist in question. If there's enough of us out there that really care (and we do exist, in perhaps greater number than this site foretells) then hopefully Buffett will do right by his fans and re-release his back catalog to an ever growing and equally rabid fan base that snatches up everything he puts out.

[meisinger]

Just curious, how do you propose they make more money by doing this?
To me, it seems like a massive drain of funds.

[Jahfin]

I'm not sure what Parrot Monkey's and other pro-remaster fans take on it is, but to me, it's not about the money, it's about restoring these recordings to their rightful condition. I'm guessing there would also be some money in it too or Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and many, many others would have never reissued their entire back catalogs in remastered condition.

[SEofDisorder]

I'm not sure what Parrot Monkey's and other pro-remaster fans take on it is, but to me, it's not about the money, it's about restoring these recordings to their rightful condition.

Well, MCA is a business buddy, and they're gonna do whats financially best for them. The only way any of this is going to happen is if its gonna be beneficial to the big business, in this case MCA. Honestly, I dont think MCA cares too much about their formerly signed artists' fans, so my guess is its not going to happen. And even if there are remasters, im not going to be spending money on albums that I already own. Once technology changes and the world starts switching over from CD music to maybe SACD or DVD audio or something like that, then it would be practical for MCA to remaster and re-release the old albums. Until then, it's a lost cause.

[PalmettoSon]

Universal Music Group
2220 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404

OR

1755 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

communications@umusic.com

[Jahfin]

I'm not sure what Parrot Monkey's and other pro-remaster fans take on it is, but to me, it's not about the money, it's about restoring these recordings to their rightful condition.

Well, MCA is a business buddy, and they're gonna do whats financially best for them. The only way any of this is going to happen is if its gonna be beneficial to the big business, in this case MCA. Honestly, I dont think MCA cares too much about their formerly signed artists' fans, so my guess is its not going to happen. And even if there are remasters, im not going to be spending money on albums that I already own. Once technology changes and the world starts switching over from CD music to maybe SACD or DVD audio or something like that, then it would be practical for MCA to remaster and re-release the old albums. Until then, it's a lost cause.

The vast majority of the Grateful Dead's back catalog is on Warner (before they formed their own label and later switched to Arista) but their recent reissues were released by Rhino so nothing says MCA has to be the ones to profit from them. In fact, a label like Rhino would be perfect for the Buffett reissues since they take such loving care in every album they've re-released. As for the sound quality, just a simple remastering job would be incentive enough for me to go out and purchase them but of course SACD or DVD-A would be even more enticing. There's also the very real possibility of the inclusion of bonus tracks in the form of previously unreleased material and/or studio out takes. One thing I don't understand is the out right hostility on the part of some towards the whole idea of Buffett's back catalog being reissued to start with. I would think it would be a received as a very wonderful thing and I know I will be very excited about it when it happens.

[PalmettoSon]

I'm not sure what Parrot Monkey's and other pro-remaster fans take on it is, but to me, it's not about the money, it's about restoring these recordings to their rightful condition.

Well, MCA is a business buddy, and they're gonna do whats financially best for them. The only way any of this is going to happen is if its gonna be beneficial to the big business, in this case MCA. Honestly, I dont think MCA cares too much about their formerly signed artists' fans, so my guess is its not going to happen. And even if there are remasters, im not going to be spending money on albums that I already own. Once technology changes and the world starts switching over from CD music to maybe SACD or DVD audio or something like that, then it would be practical for MCA to remaster and re-release the old albums. Until then, it's a lost cause.

The vast majority of the Grateful Dead's back catalog is on Warner (before they formed their own label and later switched to Arista) but their recent reissues were released by Rhino so nothing says MCA has to be the ones to profit from them. In fact, a label like Rhino would be perfect for the Buffett reissues since they take such loving care in album they've re-released.

Ahh, but Rhino is owned in part by Warner. That's why Rhino has the "Warner Archives" label.