Should Jimmy??

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This week the entire Beatles catalog was reissued in both stereo and mono versions in box sets. I was in my local Best Buy on yesterday and look at the stereo box set which sells for $179. As I was looking the set over I wonder if this is something Jimmy should do with his catalog. The current CD's for his albums from White Sport Coat through Off To See The Lizard are not the best they could be.

While four of the albums were made available as gold remasters the bulk of Jimmy's catalog has not been touched since they were released on CD.

I think a box set that includes remasters of all of the Albums 1973-1989 with all of the original album art restored plus rare and previously unreleased recordings would be an excellent addition to Jimmy's body of work.

So is this something Jimmy should do?

[bravedave]

If the dollars support the decision, I say "YES!"

[FunkHouse9]

I don't think anyone would buy it unless it was a real bargain, perhaps something along the lines of how Garth Brooks did it with Wal Mart. He released partial catalog box sets with some bonus stuff for next to nothing. Jimmy makes great music, but it's not as universally popular as the Beatles.

[urlcenter]

Jimmy's 1992 box set is the greatest selling box set ever released by MCA so people will buy it.

[Sanjuro's tequila]

I guess I'm the only one who thinks Jimmy's live shows are the real draw (Ducks avoiding flying objects). For me most of the studio stuff is incredibly dull and overly produced so I find myself going for the more nuanced live performances each time. I agree that in order for it to work it would have to be very cheap thus not really worth it since doing a remaster takes so much effort. :/

[Frank4]

I would not mind seeing him go back and remaster some of the older stuff. I think it would be a great idea.

He does need to do another boxed set of somesort...just my opinion.

[looking4OPH]

Here's an idea. How about some new stuff before more repackaging of old stuff?

Ducking.....

[TwelveVoltMan]

Jimmy's 1992 box set is the greatest selling box set ever released by MCA so people will buy it.

No it's not. George Strait's box set has sold twice as many copies.

[ParrotHeadInThe Making]

Here's an idea. How about some new stuff before more repackaging of old stuff?

Ducking.....

I will duck with you. I want new stuff before a repackaged version of the old stuff. We have Boats,Beaches,Bars,and Balads.

[HurricaneSeason]

It would be nice if JB's albums were remastered correctly, possibly with bonus material. I really doubt the box set was properly remastered - it sure doesn't sound like it. Back then it was a selling ploy. The technology was still being developed at that point. And the understanding of making CD issues sound like the original vinyl issues was just starting to come around.

OK, that's all fine. However, it's not really up to Jimmy right? It's up to MCA. And they are so cheap that nothing will ever happen. I doubt Jimmy could have any influence because record sales, I would think, would reflect one of several reasons not to do it. That, of course, seems to be industry wide speculation that nobody will buy them.

The Beatles have proved that wrong - but that's The Beatles. No other band in the history of music has had as much success as they do nor record sales nor such an invested fan base - generations of music know The Beatles. And now they sound the best ever.

Somebody look at MMIM because my copy is not near me but I do believe that MMIM did not have anything remastered on it.

[Big Green PH]

Not sure there would be a huge market for it. While Jimmy's music is very entertaining, I'm not certain the quality of the recordings really much of a difference when the musical quality is not up there with the Beatles (save for a few songs). Even Jimmy has said he's not a great guitarist...

[Big Green PH]

It would be nice if JB's albums were remastered correctly, possibly with bonus material. I really doubt the box set was properly remastered - it sure doesn't sound like it. Back then it was a selling ploy. The technology was still being developed at that point. And the understanding of making CD issues sound like the original vinyl issues was just starting to come around.

OK, that's all fine. However, it's not really up to Jimmy right? It's up to MCA. And they are so cheap that nothing will ever happen. I doubt Jimmy could have any influence because record sales, I would think, would reflect one of several reasons not to do it. That, of course, seems to be industry wide speculation that nobody will buy them.

The Beatles have proved that wrong - but that's The Beatles. No other band in the history of music has had as much success as they do nor record sales nor such an invested fan base - generations of music know The Beatles. And now they sound the best ever.

Somebody look at MMIM because my copy is not near me but I do believe that MMIM did not have anything remastered on it.

Should have read your comment before posting my first one. MMIM was not remastered. There were some whole new recordings in there, but no remastered originals.

[Bwana Paul]

Personally I am fine with the CDs MCA put out, except for the fact that they have none of the original liner notes, with the exception of Floridays, Hot Water and Off to See the Lizard.

What I feel Jimmy Buffett should do is release a boxed set of unreleased demos, songs that were cut, vintage and new live recordings, out-takes, interview recordings, practices, etc.

Rare, unreleased, never been heard before. For example, I thought the demos he recorded (solo acoustic) for Far Side of the World were really intriguing.

I actually respect Jimmy more as a recording artist than as a performer, which is probably the exact opposite of most people.

[urlcenter]

Personally I am fine with the CDs MCA put out, except for the fact that they have none of the original liner notes, with the exception of Floridays, Hot Water and Off to See the Lizard.

Bwana,

I was in agreement with you about the MCA CD's until I heard the remastered Gold CD version of Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. The difference was like night and day, same for the Gold CD's of White Sport Coat.., and Son of A Son of A Sailor. Until you have listened to those remasters you don't realize what you have been missing.

Now I am not saying that Jimmy should do Gold Remasters which would be about $25. a pop there is however room for improvement. Besides the overall sound quality there is the album art from the original albums that was jettisoned by MCA.

Also the CD version of Changes... is not complete when compared to the original album release from 1977. The original vinyl version of Changes includes a 30 second refrain of the chorus from the title track at the end side 2. This chorus has been available in the various Buffet rarity collection bootlegs but was omitted when MCA issued the album on CD.

Maybe my boxed set idea was the wrong approach but I think Jimmy's albums should be at least brought up to today's quality level.

[Bicycle Bill]

Personally I am fine with the CDs MCA put out, except for the fact that they have none of the original liner notes, with the exception of Floridays, Hot Water and Off to See the Lizard.

Bwana,

I was in agreement with you about the MCA CD's until I heard the remastered Gold CD version of Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. The difference was like night and day, same for the Gold CD's of White Sport Coat.., and Son of A Son of A Sailor. Until you have listened to those remasters you don't realize what you have been missing.

Now I am not saying that Jimmy should do Gold Remasters which would be about $25. a pop there is however room for improvement. Besides the overall sound quality there is the album art from the original albums that was jettisoned by MCA.

Also the CD version of Changes... is not complete when compared to the original album release from 1977. The original vinyl version of Changes includes a 30 second refrain of the chorus from the title track at the end side 2. This chorus has been available in the various Buffet rarity collection bootlegs but was omitted when MCA issued the album on CD.

Maybe my boxed set idea was the wrong approach but I think Jimmy's albums should be at least brought up to today's quality level.

Mildly disagree with you here. The older material captures a moment in time; specifically some of the live albums. It deserves to stand on its own, as it was performed, warts and all. Altering these earlier recordings would be like enhancing and re-recording Neil Armstrong's famous "One Small Step For (a) Man" line just because we didn't catch the word "a" the first time.

I went out and bought the "Live at Fenway" set the other day, and on the back is a note from Jimmy that says, more or less, 'these are the way it happened; the names have not been changed to protect the guilty', and that's the way it should be. I have already watched the DVD part of it and yes, there is a part where he muffs the intro to SOASOAS (probably other things that I didn't pick up on). It makes it more spontaneous; more human; more real.

The other thing is, what happens another ten years or so down the line, when technology improves and the "Gold CD" versions will seem as antiquated as vinyl does today? Naah — leave well enough alone.

-"BB"-

[urlcenter]

Personally I am fine with the CDs MCA put out, except for the fact that they have none of the original liner notes, with the exception of Floridays, Hot Water and Off to See the Lizard.

Bwana,

I was in agreement with you about the MCA CD's until I heard the remastered Gold CD version of Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. The difference was like night and day, same for the Gold CD's of White Sport Coat.., and Son of A Son of A Sailor. Until you have listened to those remasters you don't realize what you have been missing.

Now I am not saying that Jimmy should do Gold Remasters which would be about $25. a pop there is however room for improvement. Besides the overall sound quality there is the album art from the original albums that was jettisoned by MCA.

Also the CD version of Changes... is not complete when compared to the original album release from 1977. The original vinyl version of Changes includes a 30 second refrain of the chorus from the title track at the end side 2. This chorus has been available in the various Buffet rarity collection bootlegs but was omitted when MCA issued the album on CD.

Maybe my boxed set idea was the wrong approach but I think Jimmy's albums should be at least brought up to today's quality level.

Mildly disagree with you here. The older material captures a moment in time; specifically some of the live albums. It deserves to stand on its own, as it was performed, warts and all. Altering these earlier recordings would be like enhancing and re-recording Neil Armstrong's famous "One Small Step For (a) Man" line just because we didn't catch the word "a" the first time.

I went out and bought the "Live at Fenway" set the other day, and on the back is a note from Jimmy that says, more or less, 'these are the way it happened; the names have not been changed to protect the guilty', and that's the way it should be. I have already watched the DVD part of it and yes, there is a part where he muffs the intro to SOASOAS (probably other things that I didn't pick up on). It makes it more spontaneous; more human; more real.

The other thing is, what happens another ten years or so down the line, when technology improves and the "Gold CD" versions will seem as antiquated as vinyl does today? Naah — leave well enough alone.

-"BB"-

Bill,

Your argument here is Apples and Oranges because you are comparing a live show recorded in 2004 to an album recorded in 1977 and the released as a analog not digital CD. All of the older album CD's have the designation AAD printed on them denoting that they are not full digital.

Here is an experiment for you to try at home. Play one of the older album CD's in a home stereo or computer CD player. While the disk is playing crank the volume up really loud and listen to the quality of the playback, its awful. This is because the CD's were made directly from analog tapes with no remastering of any kind.

Also the tracks on the box set Boats Beaches Bars and Ballads were digitally remastered for that release.

All I am saying is that we should be able to have all of Jimmy's music in full digital quality.

[Bicycle Bill]

Bwana,

I was in agreement with you about the MCA CD's until I heard the remastered Gold CD version of Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. The difference was like night and day, same for the Gold CD's of White Sport Coat.., and Son of A Son of A Sailor. Until you have listened to those remasters you don't realize what you have been missing.

Now I am not saying that Jimmy should do Gold Remasters which would be about $25. a pop there is however room for improvement. Besides the overall sound quality there is the album art from the original albums that was jettisoned by MCA.

Also the CD version of Changes... is not complete when compared to the original album release from 1977. The original vinyl version of Changes includes a 30 second refrain of the chorus from the title track at the end side 2. This chorus has been available in the various Buffet rarity collection bootlegs but was omitted when MCA issued the album on CD.

Maybe my boxed set idea was the wrong approach but I think Jimmy's albums should be at least brought up to today's quality level.

Mildly disagree with you here. The older material captures a moment in time; specifically some of the live albums. It deserves to stand on its own, as it was performed, warts and all. Altering these earlier recordings would be like enhancing and re-recording Neil Armstrong's famous "One Small Step For (a) Man" line just because we didn't catch the word "a" the first time.

I went out and bought the "Live at Fenway" set the other day, and on the back is a note from Jimmy that says, more or less, 'these are the way it happened; the names have not been changed to protect the guilty', and that's the way it should be. I have already watched the DVD part of it and yes, there is a part where he muffs the intro to SOASOAS (probably other things that I didn't pick up on). It makes it more spontaneous; more human; more real.

The other thing is, what happens another ten years or so down the line, when technology improves and the "Gold CD" versions will seem as antiquated as vinyl does today? Naah — leave well enough alone.

Bill,

Your argument here is Apples and Oranges because you are comparing a live show recorded in 2004 to an album recorded in 1977 and the released as a analog not digital CD. All of the older album CD's have the designation AAD printed on them denoting that they are not full digital.

Here is an experiment for you to try at home. Play one of the older album CD's in a home stereo or computer CD player. While the disk is playing crank the volume up really loud and listen to the quality of the playback, its awful. This is because the CD's were made directly from analog tapes with no remastering of any kind.

Also the tracks on the box set Boats Beaches Bars and Ballads were digitally remastered for that release.

All I am saying is that we should be able to have all of Jimmy's music in full digital quality.

So long as the older stuff still exists and we don't start getting remixes instead, that's fine. I'm OK with the little glitches I sometimes hear, such as the occasional 'zing' as someone's fingers slide up and down the fretboard, an audible intake of breath before singing, or somebody quietly clearing their throat in the background. I don't want them to start remastering and enhancing Jimmy's vocals, Mac's guitar, or Mr. Utley's keyboard work, for example, at the expense of something else. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that it would become of a case of "we can do it so why not?"

I also recall that some audiophiles used to complain that digital music was too precise — "sterile" was the word being tossed about back then, I think — which is to be expected when you convert an audio wave into a series of finite numbers. Maybe this problem has been solved by now, I don't know; and again, this was a concern to a relatively few number of listeners. But considering we're listening to music now on Ipods, computers, "smartphones", and in-car CD systems, with their associated restrictions on sound quality, I think the greater number of Parrotheads would never be able to detect any significant improvement.

-"BB"-

[Bwana Paul]

All I am saying is that we should be able to have all of Jimmy's music in full digital quality.

Absolutely false. Buffett fans should not be able to have that choice!

[urlcenter]

All I am saying is that we should be able to have all of Jimmy's music in full digital quality.

Absolutely false. Buffett fans should not be able to have that choice!

Care to explain that comment?

[Bwana Paul]

It's a moral argument.


Ha ha ha. I'm kidding.