I'm not saying you can't criticize it or air whatever you like. I didn't suggest otherwise. Just found it funny that I went to bed and awoke to two pages of the same "this isn't worth the price" talk that sprung up for "Mowtown" and Ghostly. It just seems we do this same song and dance every time an Anthology gets announced.
Just a few things........
First and foremost, i believe the bulk of us just don't want to see anyone make a knee jerk purchase or get caught up in the FOMO. There are plenty of new people to this hobby and to educate them is part of what this place is about, and I don't mean that in a condescending way, @Joe Mac 's QOTSA was a perfect example, that being said, it's your money, do what you want with it.
The problem I, and I'm not going to speak for others, is the notion that you don't have a choice, that all the issues are acceptable for some reason, that's just not true, but it does force each of us as individuals to look in the mirror and make that choice. Complaining about something while continuing to feed into it, regardless of what it is, makes no sense to ME.
And I want to be clear, again, this is where I'm at, I want VMP to come around and do things better because I want to be a subscriber, I honestly do. I'm not a fan of all the releases they've done but there are, were, enough to make me want to be there regularly. But I don't and can't support the way the do business so I won't support them in any way, shape or form until I see things change.
VMP knows their customer base really well, and any good company should, but I, ME, am not a fan of how they market to that customer base. Members shouldn't get overly upset with people who buy VMP products and those who are VMP Subscribers should also understand the frustration on the other side as well. Things tend to get funneled a bit in this thread, complaining about the price of an item happens all over the forum, it's not a VMP thing, people have always helped guide others to better prices, but in here, it turns into picking on VMP.
I'm done putting the blame on anyone, company or individuals. You earn your money, you have the right to spend or not spend it as you see fit, but as long as the conversation stays clear of attacking individuals, it'a a conversation that's had just like any other conversation about any other company or product, there are those who will be in and those who will be out...........and if you have the "conversation" properly you might sway folks from opposite sides to see your point of view.
I'm sure VMP pops into this forum "occasionally" but don't kid yourself into thinking anything around here is going to change what they do, the majority of their user base is non-vocal in any capacity. This was the major reason for the old forum being shut down, you can't have ANY negativity in your own back yard if you want to bring in new subscribers, that would force people to have to think about it.
So like I said, do what you want, but don't think you can't just get up and say enough is enough...........you can and you should.
That's the nature of the beast. I actually don't mind people voicing their opinions. To some, this is overpriced. I understand.
However, one aspect people aren't taking into consideration are licensing fees. I've seen people repeatedly mention how they can put together Stax reissues on their own for $20 a piece. The reason they can do that is because those reissues are from Craft Recordings. Craft is under the Concord umbrella and Concord owns the Stax catalog. They can charge less upfront since it's their own catalog and they don't have to pay any licensing fees. Inhouse reissues means the price to the consumer will be lower. A third-party reissuing anything (i.e. VMP) will have to pay licensing fees. Licensing fees are not cheap. This adds to the price.
What about presentation? I have a few Craft reissues. They're fine, but it's what I'd expect for $20, give or take a few bucks. I think the Anthology titles will likely have high gloss, tip-on jackets from Stoughton. That's not cheap either.
Basically, I think pricing discussion should be a bit more nuanced than VMP is ripping everyone off. That said, VMP is still a business and they're going to do what businesses do. They don't exist for benevolence. I'm personally not going to get emotionally invested either way. The only Anthology I have is the Blue Note one. There were some growing pains with that release, but they were ironed out thanks to our protests. I like Motown, but thought the set was overpriced, so I skipped it. No big deal. I don't have FOMO. And honestly, it's weird when adults keep going on about FOMO. They're records. Nothing about any of this is essential in your life. Get it or don't get it, life goes on. I had no interest in Ghostly, so I skipped that too. The Stax set looks good to me and is right up my alley, so I'll get it.
I know it doesn't matter to many people, but just for the sake of clarity, it is not the same version. It is cut by JP at Optimal and I haven't found any definitive confirmation if it is AAA or not. The VMP version is AAA, cut by Ryan Smith and pressed at GZ.Am I happy to be getting Aretha this month? Yes. I’m i delighted. Am I happy to be paying $36 (€32.50) for a purple swirl in a sub I’m tied into when the same version on black is €16.99 in my local? Not so much! Again individual record, I’ll live and learn.
I know it doesn't matter to many people, but just for the sake of clarity, it is not the same version. It is cut by JP at Optimal and I haven't found any definitive confirmation if it is AAA or not. The VMP version is AAA, cut by Ryan Smith and pressed at GZ.
I have read that the EU Rhino one sounds good so it would be interesting to hear a comparison of them.
That's fair, I agree in general. Hard to say which will sound better without hearing both though.for half the price it'd have to be pretty shit not to be a better bet. I trust rhino over VMP & GZ every day of the week even if it turns out that one ADD or ADA rather than AAA. Also Opitmal > GZ tends to be my experience.
Nathan, saw this post on Reddit. Storf said the artists are listed chronologically. So you might get your wish.
PutYrDukesUp
1 point·8 hours ago·edited 7 hours ago
That means, best case scenario:
Booker T & the MG's - Soul Dressing
Sam & Dave - Hold On, I'm Comin'
Otis Redding - ? (Otis doesn't make sense based on what you've said. The only one without a recent, still in-print reissue is Otis Blue. Which came out in 1965. But Sam & Dave's first album came out in '66. So one of those two things doesn't check out.)
Bar-Kays - Soul Finger
Eddie Floyd - I've Never Found A Girl
Johnnie Taylor - Philosophy or Raw Blues
Albert King - Lovejoy
William Bell - Phases of Reality
100% and my QOTSA is very much at the more acceptable end of the range. I overpaid, just on that record, by roughly €2.50 and it is a very nice variant. It’s more the whole pitch of the way it was sold that leaves a sour taste.
Not to kick a dead horse, but for 2.50 euros you can buy a great bottle of red wine in my country.
I think it depends on if you remember being able to buy records for less than$25 new. The scale has tipped so far the past few years that $35 a record seems fine to a lot of collectors.Quick question? Do people find it hard to justify $300ish for 8 albums? Because I’ll be honest, even discounting my distaste for the anthology concept, I’d be wanting near double the content for that kinda cash.
I think it depends on if you remember being able to buy records for less than$25 new. The scale has tipped so far the past few years that $35 a record seems fine to a lot of collectors.
My take:
1. While I do enjoy a good podcast, providing the content in podcast form was lazy and a half realized attempt at community. In all reality, it was an excuse to just talk versus doing real work in providing us a full book.
2. All of the extras, the sleeves, booklets, etc. have been on the cheap side. Compare the VMP Blue Note Anthology packaging with the Tone Poet series. Or that neither of the 2LP sets in the Ghostly box were gatefolds. I've enjoyed the music on both, but feel ripped off on the extras.
You're right, because it would be so much better if Nathan was aggressively negative about all things VMP like most of the other people on here.Also it's kind of disrespectful to brag that you throw out valuable goods that could have been given and used by less fortunate than you.
I'm gonna be honest, I'm sick of your discourse @NathanRicaud, all of this sound so shallow it actually hurts my morals. Also, the innuendo is back in force sometimes and maybe you should tone it down and not tell people to get laid.
You're right, because it would be so much better if Nathan was aggressively negative about all things VMP like most of the other people on here.
He is joking around, and his discourse is at least more interesting than the anti-VMP circle jerk that these forums have devolved into.
Nathan is allowed to throw his own shit out without being called morally reprehensible. JFC.
Queue Joe Mac calling me a shill for living in the same state at VMP, not understanding the scale of things here considering Colorado is the size of his home country.