TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

I offer the following from SD Facebook page, through clenched teeth & without further comment:

"Great news! Island are finally making Sandy’s solo albums available as Deluxe Editions. The first one; The North Star Grassman and the Ravens, will be available in shops from 13th June. This 2cd version features the original studio album, now digitally remastered, plus bonus tracks including BBC recordings, 5 rare demos (previously only available on the recent box set) and one unreleased recording! It’s an instrumental version of Lord Bateman found during the recent search of the archives. The artwork also features some great new photos and an extensive essay by  Patrick Humphries.
The edition can be ordered here:   http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/v-v/110427153030"

Now, we didn't see that coming, did we?  :-\

the fleecing never stops does it

Just seen this article as well...mmm, so the "digitally remastered" editions of Sandy's 4 albums I bought back in 2005 weren't digitally remastered, then, eh ? Have the master tapes been soaking in the fair waters of Shallot since then to give them soul ?  ;)
Probably worth mobilising I-tunes for some of the bonus tracks if you missed out on the boxset, though.

Dear God - the brass neckery of it!   >:(

Jules

I want the booklet. With "some great new photos and an extensive essay by  Patrick Humphries."
Wonder if "the great new photos" come from THE BOX. And the words in the essay...?
But I already have the music.....
I did but the very expensive box, so now I have it all...or...??
Strange. How will I do...???

It’s an instrumental version of Lord Bateman found during the recent search of the archives.

Surely they mean "a cappella," not instrumental.  I wouldn't pay money to listen to Sandy perform an instrumental.

Clearly Universal or whoever have realized that FC fans are suckers for any new "deluxe" or similar product.  There must be loads of albums which sold 1000 times the amount NSG has sold, yet these albums are not upgraded every 4 years or so or released in ever expanding versions.  The record company must have identified that any FC related deluxe set is a sure fire winner..looking forward to the deluxe Gottle O'Geer set etc etc

Not as bonkers an observation as it might appear. The Brady/ Burridge / ar Braz line-up was pretty hot live & I for one would like to see some of that period's material released.

No one is forcing you to buy it. The new re-issues may well get a new fans and keep this music in print. However, I can understand the annoyance of the additional bonus tracks...

An album of tracks by the various lineups that never recorded would be interesting. Isn't there a "lost album" recorded by one such lineup knocking around on bootlegs?

Yeah, The Manor Sessions recorded during the early Rosie sessions featuring Swarb, Peggy, David Rea and Tom Farnell...which I've actually never heard, save for the tracks that made Fairport Unconventional.

Jules

the old "no one is forcing you argument " just doesnt cut it any more
the fact is we are all fans, who having bought the lp, the cd reissue and then the remaster will still want the tracks that are'nt currently available and this drip feeding of lost and forgotten tracks just reeks of exploitation of the hardcore fans.  like always

Absolutely agree there Jim.  

Don't forget the special edition issues of Mojo, Classic Rock, NME etc - "Let's round up a whole bunch of old articles in one place, chuck in a few photos from the end of the reel and start the cash tills ringing". Still, that's the music business for you...

All these publications and deluxe CDs being aimed at fans of a certain age (not too many Uncut etc specials on the Arctic Monkeys or Adele..).

If there are undiscovered tracks in the vaults or unreleased live performances, why not issue them on a stand alone disc or make them available for download?

When I can get my burner sorted I'll do you a copy, Jules.  Remind me...  They're great.

From the book included in the bumper box set:

“A band arrangement had been prepared earlier [than the a cappella vocal on the box] where Sandy had obviously envisioned editing the lyrics into a shorter version, but no vocal was recorded on those sessions…”

A Sandy Denny instrumental bonus track?

Sounds like another way for me to save expenditure.

Well, I know they're milking us, but in this case I'll suffer it -I opted out on the box because of the packaging issues, and I only have old LP and ancient, first CD edition of NSG. This has got to sound better, right?

Depends on how well they have done the "remastering". It might just mean compressed so it sounds louder/better(?) in the car.

So in other words these deluxe editions will feature tracks not included on the 17 disc box set of just about everything Sandy ever breathed on that was supposed to be the last word for Sandy fans and that came out a few scant months ago?

Brilliant.  I don't feel in the least bit manipulated.   >:(

Jules

 :D ;D :( ;D

When record companies do this I am not surprised that individuals go off to some unauthorised download site. And then the companies wonder why!

Amen to that.

I know the music industry is having its last-gasp attempt to make as much money from CDs as possible, but this crazy escalation of deluxe editions and box sets is getting seriously out of hand.  Even the most fervent fan is going to quit trying to keep up before long.  And then it really will be all over.

Jules

I know what you mean. Actually, I've always felt NSG to be a bit of a flawed masterpiece - low production values, dodgy takes of some tracks - 'Down in the Flood' etc. Should it be cleaned up for clarity? Or would that detract from its charm?

Dear God, I wish my 'masterpieces' could be as flawed as that...  :D

A big 'no' to this one. The 2005 remaster is to these ears, definitive. I've paid for the LP in the 80s, for the early 90s CD, and for the remaster, that's enough. To release it once more 6 years later: not with dosh from my wallet.
The same with that ridiculous Universal 2CD rerelease of the splendidly remastered, definitive 2002 Liege & Lief. The original late 80s CD was a shoddy affair and the 2002 remaster finally put things right; there was a definite need for that one. How much righter can you put it. I used to be a completist, and am still as far as original material is concerned, but for myself I've drawn the line when it smells exploitation all over.

"Crazy Lady Blues" (demo). Don't know if it has appeared before, but rather nice anyway.

http://www.clashmusic.com/news/listen-sandy-denny-re-issue

Better than 'rather nice' Ian!!!!  ;)     My favourite version I believe.

The deluxe editions are a reasonable price to try and hook a potential new fan into an addict. Start off with an eleven quid double album and then work up to the £1500 box set

Just so I'm clear - is there anything on the Grassman deluxe edition that has not been previously released on any of the box sets?

Jules

Yes. The instrumental track for 'Lord Bateman' (without vocal).  

Thanks.  I can live without that one, I think.

Jules

what about the track which is the sound of someone scraping the bottom of a barrell?

I've got loads of albums with that track on!

LOL! Thanks for that - after the last couple of days I had I needed a laugh - that did the trick!

"Mother's Lament" from Disraeli Gears? Love it! ;D

"Not lorst, but gorn befower!"

Fank yew, d'yer wanna do i' again?

Took delivery today. I can't believe I've never owned a copy of this lovely record in any form, although feeling slightly smug having resisted any previous CD issues.  ;)

Its a wonderful thing, with a nice booklet and some fab photo's. Really chuffed ! :)

Now listening to disc two...


 

Me too! Regular in the setlist!