You all may be interested in reading the comments on this thread:
http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread...he-New-Release
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You all may be interested in reading the comments on this thread:
http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread...he-New-Release
Looks like A Go Go has become A Gone Gone for download only. Physical CDs released in the future? Clearly by now it's not going to happen. CDs are dead? I guess that's why amazon has a billion titles for sale. I give up, I'll buy the imports should they appear as A Go Go already has.
I think you're right soulster. It's just rather sad to have anticipated these beautiful expanded editions and then it stops at "Symphony". Change is great but this one isn't. Many have sold out which is why they were "limited editions". Can't you just imagine the entire collection this way? That would have been amazing.
As I mentioned in another post, look at Sony's recent release of Bob Dylan's "The Complete Basement Tapes."
Limited-edition physical box set, 6 cds + book in a case: 99.99 Euros from amazon.fr
High resolution download: 49.49 Euros from Qobuz
Cd-quality download: 42.89 Euros from Qobuz
A physical set for those who feel they must have one, but significantly more expensive. I'm sure Sony will make a profit from it. Lossless and high resolution downloads for those who don't care enough about the physical set to pay up for it, but don't want lossy downloads. Something for everyone. And all released on the same date, so customers have full knowledge of their choices when they make their purchase. Way to go Bob Dylan and Sony!!!
With "Baby It's Me", Universal starts by making the complete set available as a lossy download exclusively on iTunes, with some vague comments that it will be available from other vendors sometime later. I would like to know if the complete expanded edition will be available in lossless format from Qobuz and/or Pono, but there's no word on that. It's poor customer service for those who don't want lossy downloads.
Some of it has to do with legalities, the deals made with the vendors. The Rick James remasters came out as lossy. iTunes carries all of them, but another vendor only has a few of them, and some not even with bonus tracks. The only two hi-rez albums "Street Songs" and "Kickin'" are on HDTracks right now. I checked Quboz through Tor, and they don't have all of the albums. Pono has the redbook lossless albums, sans bonus tracks.
Qobuz has Rick James "The Complete Motown Albums" in cd quality, with the bonus tracks. I bought it. It will probably show up on Pono later. Not sure if this link will work for you in the US:
http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/the.../0060253791737
Up until "Funny Girl", they've had every download-only Motown title I wanted, lossless and with the same bonus tracks as iTunes. Among the ones I've bought:
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - One Dozen Roses
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - A Pocket Full of Miracles
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Flying High Together
Smokey Robinson - Touch the Sky
Smokey Robinson - Yes It's You Lady
Smokey Robinson - Essar
The Temptations - Wings of Love
Mary Wells - Live on Stage
Stevie Wonder - Live at Talk of the Town
Val Young - Seduction
They also had some others that I wasn't interested in.
Of course I believe what you write about having different vendor deals. They are clearly favoring iTunes with "Baby It's Me", initially making it available only from them. I guess Universal somehow makes more money from this deal. Too bad they don't care about customers who don't want to buy lossy downloads from iTunes.
Remember some years ago they released "The Complete Stevie Wonder" exclusively on iTunes? It had some previously-unreleased tracks. And while one could buy most songs individually from that set, you couldn't buy the previously unreleased tracks except by buying the whole [[very expensive) set. A ripoff for fans who already had all the cds.
Yes, plus saying they're still "looking into" getting it out on CD. I'm not holding my breath any longer. Having lossy files is annoying, but so is waiting around, so I just went ahead and bought the iTunes downloads and got it over with. If the "Ross '78" and "A'Go-Go" files are sitting around, they might as well just release them immediately too.
Anyway, the most important thing is the music itself, and I'm enjoying listening to the new unreleased songs and alternate mixes! [[Except for that ultra-distracting water drip sound on "Top Of The World" lol)
There's the rub: people like you get frustrated waiting, and download it anyway. Another download sale tells the label that people are happy with that option, so they have fewer reasons to manufacture CDs.
There's no point in having the music if the sound quality is lossy.
I really don't know much about downloads. I am a cd person. The only two downloads I have ever done are Funny Girl and BIM. So can someone educate me on what is a lossy or the different formats that companies release these digital formats? I really don't know what are the differences are. Is it sound quality? Because the ITunes downloads sound fantastic. Sorry for me be so dumb on this subject.
Yep, true! It just seems like we're all having to guess what's going on since they won't tell us. So my own personal guess is that we're just lucky to be getting these at all as lossy downloads. The truth is you can barely tell the difference when you're listening to the files, it's just that we know they're lossy that annoys us. I can tell when I put the files out of phase on a .wav editing program, or if you look at the file on a spectral view that it is lossy. Some people don't care if it's on CD, just as long as it's not lossy. I just like having things on CD, cuz I don't like having to keep track of files. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting different formats and it was nicer when it was still an option.
Also even the digital booklet is "lossy." People were saying, oh just print the booklet and burn a CD, but the booklet looks like it was saved in a lower resolution than it was originally designed. There's all kinds of blurry & blocky .jpeg artifact compression going on in the images. So it seems like there's no point in trying to print it yourself. That's another reason to want a real CD of it with the original uncompressed images and lossless audio.
I know you don't care, but here is how I have my files set up. I have the albums in files for each artist. Then, the album titles for that artist are in that folder. Then, the songs are in that album folder. This way, everything is neat and orderly, and I can find anything in seconds.
Attachment 8704
Hey, everybody, I hate to harp on this, but I just found out that Quboz will be available in the U.S. next year, so that will be two or three lossless/hi-rez stores! I keep saying not to mess with iTunes. Downloads are going lossless. before it was just a dream, but now it's going to happen here in the U.S.. Finally, we don't have to settle for mp3 or "Mastered for iTunes". I ain't buyin' nuthin' until next year!
I just want the choice.
Download or cd.
Shouldn't life be about choice?
And if it means paying double for the cd edition then I would.
It's the fact that Universal have not listened to their loyal fans that makes me so mad.
No more cash from me Universal. Download - no sale.
I hope this happens. It was reported in August that Qobuz needed to raise some funds to continue with their plans. They're still looking for this funding:
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/qob...-2015--1050821
Pono also has plans to come to the UK, perhaps next year.
I just read this morning that the licensing issues have been resolved and it's only a matter of time now.
Unfortunately, I think liner notes have gone the way of the dodo bird. I guess the majority of the consumers just don't care enough for the labels to bother working out a solution. And, if they do offer them, it is going to be downloadable.
I'm thinking that almost the only other way to get music besides from the internet is to buy a vinyl copy, if they are available. But, there's just not enough pressing plants worldwide to keep up with the demand. And, from what I see, the majority of records coming out are rock titles.
The last chance, barring an indie label, or Japanese release of a CD, is to have an audiophile gold CD. But, we all know the chances of that ever happening are nill. No audiophile label is going to do a Diana Ross title on CD. And, even if they did, I doubt anyone will pay $30 for a single CD.
I would most certainly pay $30 for Baby It's Me on CD - I wouldn't even pay $1 for a download.
But, how many people would pay up to $30 for a single CD of that title? If an audiophile label thought they could, they would. But, as history shows, most fans of R&B will not spend a whole lot of money on a single title, and someone like Ross just doesn't appeal to enough buyers, let alone audiophiles for them to go through the trouble. The Ross fans have to realize that there is more out there than Diana Ross. To much of the world, she is little more than a blip on the radar, but you'd never know that from just being on this forum or Ross forums. People like The Supremes, and a few of her solo hits, but that's about it.
I also think the Universal producers get a very distorted view of what Motown fans want by just coming here for feedback.
a blip on the radar..LOL.. give it up already...everyone saw the standing Ovation last night at the AMAS from everyone in the contemporary music biz and Taylor Swift paying homage to Ross..she's on The Voice tonight and tomorrow..there's a 'blip' on the radar all right, but it isn't Diana Ross..sorry to negate the hate...ha ha ha
If I'm not mistaken, Baby It's Me and Ross 78 are her only two solo studio albums not to have been remastered and/or have expanded editions. I'm perplexed why UMG couldn't just let these two albums be released on CD based on that fact alone.
The past 20 years or so I haven't been her biggest fan and supporter but after all it is DIANA ROSS.
And for that reason, if no other, The Supremes Expanded Editions should be completed.
WORKIN' OVERTIME
FORCE BEHIND THE POWER
TAKE ME HIGHER.....
How about LADY SINGS THE BLUES studio tracks?
I would gladly pay up to $40.00 for Motown Select's Expanded releases on CD. I'm not made of money by any stretch, but, hey, it's Motown -- and, to me, Motown is worth it. As already mentioned above, the printout of the digital booklet for Diana's "Baby It's Me" is not of the highest quality. Unlike the digital booklet for The Supremes' "Funny Girl" which would only print in full-page 8 1/2" x 11" format, I was able to print "Baby It's Me's" booklet in supposedly CD-size format, although CD size would be approximately 5" x 5". The actual printout is more like 3" x 5" -- horizontal rather than square. I did my best to prepare an attractive-looking home-made CD package by using a clear, see-through DJ View Pack and a self-made color-coordinated track list incorporating word processing graphics, but, given the horizontal booklet.... Let's just say the overall appearance of the finished product looks amateurish rather than professional -- not at all like the high-quality Motown Select releases that we've come to know and love.. And, now that my friend who downloaded "BIM" and burned it to CD for me [[a CD which wouldn't play) has started working at his new job with crazy, inconsistent hours and hasn't been available, I still have no "BIM" CD-R to enjoy. Not a happy camper here. Color me pissed!!!!
Well, we did get Blue. I really wouldn't be interested in LSTB at this point, or any of her LIVE albums until we get all her singles-oriented studio albums remastered and released on CD.
My comment was primarily to support releasing BIM and Ross 78 on CD as those are, more or less, the only 2 singles-oriented 70s solo albums, of Diana's, that have not been remastered or expanded.
I think it's interesting that a lot of the negative comments about digital-only releases [[not just here) take the form of "Well, I'll just get it [[illegally) from someone else". Yes, the record companies know that - that's why the situation is the way it is. I think in just a few years we'll be living in a streaming-only media world and that there won't even be digital files to download. Typically you'll pay for access to streaming media of all kinds but never own anything.
I can certainly see that happening for that reason, but I don't think downloads are going away. And, with the rise of vinyl sales, it is so easy for one person to do a quality needledrop that sounds equal to, or superior to whatever the labels can produce, complete with artwork and liner note, and ripping information, to upload it just once, and have everyone in the world to get at it.
I do get what you're saying. Madonna is a good example for me. A lot of my friends are obsessed with her [[worse than any Diana Ross fan if you can believe it) and defend her at no cost despite the fact that she is the most ungracious, self-centered B-word I have encountered in the business. I stopped buying her records a decade ago.
Anywhoo, if she's in the news or online or on tour, I simply look away because I don't care. In that regard, she is a blip on the radar to me even if she's on the Grammys or sitting down for an interview on a popular talk show. I don't engage in discussions on chat boards or social media about her because I simply don't care and I've found her fans ruthless when it comes to ANY criticism of her. YES, it drives me batty to log into Facebook and see countless postings every time she shares something "controversial" on Instagram and I scoot right on by.
let's just say that someone unaware of The Voice, the American Music Awards, Facebook and Twitter,etc probably isn't the most reliable person to comment on pop culture in 2014..lol
Ejluther, if you're referring to me, you misunderstood. I purchased my download of "Baby It's Me [[Expanded)" from Itunes on my PC. [[Strangely, it wasn't even available on Amazon where I typically do all of my shopping.) My neighbor/friend took it from there. He completed the download process and burned it to CD for me on my PC. I would never screw Motown by trying to get a free download from somebody else. Heck, I wouldn't even know how! Just wanted to make it clear that I purchased my copy from Itunes like everybody else. - Gary
I've mentioned this on other posts on this site before in the past. Diana originally started off doing a series of very much more jazz orientated takes of some of the material that comprised LSTB, but Berry Gordy thought it sounded too much like Billie Holiday and got her to put more of a contemporary swing to her vocals. There must be existing tapes, because I purchased a copy of the acetates on eBay a good decade ago. What a fantastic "extra" this would be to a vocals only expanded version of LSTB.
Soulster, I've gotta ask -- What is this KICK you're on, constantly pushin' downloads down our throats? Do you get a kick-back or some kind of a commission for every CD fan that you convert to downloads? Jesus! Just because you love downloads doesn't mean that everybody else does. And just because you happen to have a technical mind and are good at that stuff doesn't mean that everybody else is. I've already explained to you at least twice already that I'm just not computer savvy, nor do I particularly care to be. I had reluctantly started to accept the fact that we're stuck having to settle for downloads instead of CD's. In fact, I even bought 20 of Motown's and was starting to feel somewhat good about it as long as my friend helped me. But now that some of my download-to-CD transfers have skips, and especially the new "Baby It's Me" CD transfer which won't even play, I've had it! And the more you pressure me and insult me with remarks like "You can read!", suggesting that I just sit down and follow the instructions, the more I'm learning to hate downloads and the techmical crap that goes along with it. In fact, I resent having to jump through hoops and be intimidated and embarrassed just to be able to get my favorite music which I'm already paying good money for. I don't need to be preached to. Kindly lay off. Surround yourself in a shower of downloads if you like, but quit badgering us about it. PLEASE!!! A little of that has already gone a long, long way! You're only adding insult to injury!
No one is insulting you. No one is pressuring you. I simply made a suggestion. I understand that some people don't like change, and don't like being forced into change. What I have never understood is resisting change when it is inevitable. But, I can tell you that the reason you haven't sat down and tried burning your own CD-Rs is because you don't want to. And, one thing that annoys my in this world are people who refuse to make the effort to do anything for themselves.
There is a reason your CD is skipping. I don't know why because i'm not there and can't hear it. I can't play it. There could be several technical reasons for it, and none anyone could easily diagnose over a message board. But, it can be fixed if we knew the cause of the problem. The basic thing is to never leave them in direct sunlight, and always keep them in the case. Do not touch the playing surface with your fingers. Have you tried your CDs in other players? Maybe your CD player is starting to fail. CD players do die out. Maybe you just used bad blanks. Maybe your CD burner isn't up to snuff. Maybe your are burning the discs too fast or too slow. Maybe your hard drive is full. Id your friend burning the discs with disc at once or track at once? I've burned literally thousands of CD-Rs, so I know a thing or two about it. Did you put labels on them? Did you marl on them with something other than a water-based Sharpie?
CD-R is an unreliable technology. It's a crapshoot that is dependant of a lot of variables. This is why we digital guys store out music on hard drives and play music through servers or the computer. Many of us have cars that will play music from a USB stick, and most today can play from an iPod. I quit burning CD-Rs almost ten years ago because they are so unreliable.
I'm not shoving downloads down anyone's throat. But, people are going to have to accept that downloads [[and streaming), are, or are about to become the dominant way to buy and listen to music, and I have nothing to do with that! The record companies like streaming [[which I don't like) because they have complete control over what we are allowed to hear.
I could ask why technology make you so angry. I don't understand your anger toward me right now because all I did in that last post was make a friendly suggestion that you try it yourself instead of waiting for your friend to do it. Instead of getting testy with me for no reason, you should focus on rising to the challenge. I also don't know how old you are, but, it is true that some people lose their cognition diminishes as they age. I didn't get into computers until my mid-40s.
I'm not being mean, i'm not being condescending, was just giving you a suggestion. It's yours to take, if you want it. but, if you are just going to whine about your little skipping CD and not do anything about it, I don't want to hear it.
Just my 2 cents:
BIM ext. version 2014 total time is almost 81 minutes so recording on 1 80 min. cd might create a problem in playback. I suggest splitting up tracks and burning on 2 cds.
Until this weekend I avoided using iTunes for burning but it really is quite easy. First you make a playlist which you can burn. I always use the lowest speeds for burning like 4x when I want the best results.
You can google all questions about using iTunes.
To soulster -- You don't wanna hear me "whining"? Then butt out! We [[you and I) have already discussed this TWICE before, but you just won't let it go. Get over your high-and-mighty technical self. You don't know what I've already attempted on my own and what I haven't, so don't assume that I haven't tried. All I know is that buying music should be fun and uplifting. This isn't.