ABKCO Discusses Stones Discs in London

Lee Scoggins · 09-17-2003, 09:55 AM

ABKCO has ended speculation about European support of Super Audio by telling how a limited edition run of Stones discs was created in order to bridge the gap between demand and hybrid production capacity...

Quote:

According to ABKCO Records spokesman Bob Merlis "The record buyer in the U.K. encountered discs that were manufactured last year that are not in current production. Originally, ABKCO had hoped to make the simultaneous worldwide release of 22 titles but, alas, worldwide Hybrid SACD production capacity was overtaxed and the decision was made to do a limited one-time, non-SACD run for a few markets where it was apparent there would be huge gaps in order filling. Throughout Europe, all of the Stones titles in the series are now available as dual layer Hybrid SACD discs so what was observed here was, if not an anomaly, an anachronism. I can assure you that ABKCO's support for the SACD format is wholehearted and unwavering. I hope that explains the situation to your satisfaction (pun intended)."

So we can rest assured that Super Audio is alive and well in London and that this was a one-time "anachronism".

09-17-2003, 10:19 AM

Well thats good news for hi-rez fans, but it does nothing to clear the fog when you walk into a record store to make a purchase.

USA buyers were buying hybrids but there was no labelling on the disc package to tell you that. Ofcourse, we all knew what was what, because we are all faithful HTF geeks.

And I suppose Euro buyers, who hoped they were buying hybrids were getting redbook only, again without any indication otherwise?

Hopefully someone, somewhere, will see the light, and abandon the idea of stealth marketing. That reaches right up there with "New" Coke, as one of the most boneheaded ways to sell product I can think of.

BGL

Lee Scoggins · 09-17-2003, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Hopefully someone, somewhere, will see the light, and abandon the idea of stealth marketing.

I agree with you that the labeling should be clear, but I think the SACD record labels like to have their product in the redbook bins instead of buried in a neglected audiophile section.

I think the London CD reissues clearly labeled the redbooks as being just that, not Super Audio.

LarryDavenport · 09-17-2003, 11:49 AM

Now if ABKCO would only release Question Mark & the Mysterians.

Lee Scoggins · 09-17-2003, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Now if ABKCO would only release Question Mark & the Mysterians

You stumped me...never heard of them...who are they?

**HTF Ads**

Phil A · 09-17-2003, 12:35 PM

Lee, the song "96 Tears." I guess you have to be a genuine old fart who grew up in the 60s to know that stuff.

Lee Scoggins · 09-17-2003, 04:12 PM

Sorry, I missed that one. I was born in 1964, the Year of the Dragon.

Would love to hear it though...

Phil A · 09-17-2003, 04:50 PM

Lee:

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinf...cart=157767734

I'm a Dragon as well - born in 1952 - but don't tell anyone, thanks

LarryDavenport · 09-17-2003, 06:29 PM

Phil,

Those are 1990's rerecordings. Allen Klein has refused to release or license Question Mark's Cameo recordings because he would have to pay a buttload of past royalties.

You can read more at http://www.pharaohweb.com/Qmark/bio.html

Phil A · 09-17-2003, 09:41 PM

Thanks for the updated info Larry