neveronfriday

Still my favorite: "I never practice my guitar ... from time to time I just open the case and throw in a piece of raw meat." (Wes Montgomery)

My take is quite simple: I save tons of money and because of that I put up with a few idiosyncrasies here and there. It's not going to kill me writing a mail (all mine have always been answered/reacted to right away) for the odd release they can't deliver. On the plus side, I've been able to buy a lot more music and altogether I have a steady stream of Caiman shipments reaching me. Just today I got two somewhat difficult to get hold of European classical releases that Amazon doesn't carry anymore and I always think it's quite funny that I have to order stuff - as in this case - from the Netherlands ... via Caiman in the States ... and at a greatly reduced price (great exchange rate at the moment) as well. I'm a totally satisfied customer. Let's hope it stays that way.

I guess it really depends what you order. I just had a look at the amazon.de rating and the comments re: not available items have dwindled to approximately 1 in 50, often a lot less. I think that's quite good when compared to their early days. I guess everyone's mileage will vary here.

In my world that's mostly a repetuating myth. I've ordered close to a thousand off them and can't recall a single one that was unavailable (when they started out that time, there were complaints, but lately I haven't heard much). I've ordered across the board, more obscure jazz releases, blues, classical, etc.

Of course there will always be some sort of demand for a physical product but in light of diminishing returns for the labels, limited print-runs of more and more releases as well as everything that goes around new digital formats (sharing, etc.) I do believe whatever physical product will survive will soon become a niche product (and will probably have more of a hefty price tag attached). I don't think record/CD sales have ever been a major income stream for (average) musicians, so I do agree with the statement above that labels (or whatever they will turn into) will still be in demand for promotional aspects of the business. Also, as far as I have read up on it on the Internet, so far alternative distribution routes have not really gotten bands who tried them anywhere. Just remember the recent Radiohead debacle (that's what I would call it, althouhg the band has denied recently published statistics showing that less than half of the people had been willing to pay for the download of the recent album) or, not that much different, Stephen King pulling a publication from his website because people were largely unwilling to pay for the product. As a teacher, I'm faced with a generation that seems largely unattached to anything that could be termed "physical product". Yes, there are a handful of people buying LPs or a few CDs, but most people I've talked to these past years - and we've even compiled statstics every year in all our classes since 2003 - don't even keep most of the stuff they download, burn, etc. The times of huge digital collections seem to be over. Our (of course limited to our school and area) statistics show that a large part of the music is deleted regularly, trimmed down to a a number of regularly listened-to tracks. On top of that, very (!) few students keep any backups and just start over again once a harddrive crashed, etc. Almost 40% state that they regularly delete just about everything they have to start afresh with new music. There's more, but the trend is clear: Music is neither collectible nor worth keeping to most younger people. It has become a throw-away product (I'm trying to recall if that was any different with my generation and I'm not quite sure it was. After all, we all needed time to develop a taste for something we could hold onto in the long-term.). What will this lead to? We've been in touch with major labels around Europe as part of this recurring school project, and despite the many smokescreen statements we received, the gist of it is that they are experiencing the same thing on a much more massive scale. We even had a Universal representative at our school stating in a discussion that - basically - the industry is at a loss as to what to do, especially because there is (still) a massive reluctance on their part to open up to the digital market totally. As was suggested, a refocussing on promotional work and merchandising seemed to be a future option for many. In light of that, Madonna probably (once again) adapted the fastest to the change by hooking-up with concert promoters Live Nation. Still, I think for smaller bands things won't change all that much. Most of the bands I know around this area haven't changed one bit: they have small print-runs of CDs produced, sell them themselves and basically live off live-gigs (which are indeed on a steady rise again around here after a long dry spell). Just some thoughts.

I have to disagree! Caiman is just about my sole source for internet purchase of CDs by now. Tried other sources. Caiman is the most reliable. Like their pricing and their shipping. I have had no problem with them whatsoever. Same here. Caiman prices can't be beat. I've bought tons of CDs that were less than half price when compared to the corresponding Amazon.de price. I do find it strange that Amazon allows this kind of price policy right under their nose(s), even if they get a cut from each sale. I mean, I'd have to look for quite a while for a CD on Amazon.com that isn't a massive amount cheaper via Caiman (even with the 3 Euro shipping fee). I don't know how much money I've saved due to Caiman, but I guess I can basically buy two CDs for the price of one. BTW: As far as I recall, I've never received anything but genuine CDs from Caiman. Also: Besides one single purchase, they have been more reliable than even Amazon themselves. In one instance I had to ask what happened to a CD i had bought months before (and forgotten about). Caiman refunded the money pretty much as soon as they received my mail. That time I thought they should have done that automatically when they realized they couldn't deliever and not, as they did, wait for a complaint. Other than that, faultless - albeit a bit too slow at times.

Got it. Had completely forgotten about this one. Thanks!

I ordered these although I have part of the Shearing/Pedersen set on a previous MPS release entitled "Three Originals".

I got these years ago off Universal on eBay. No idea if they still sell via eBay, but the pricing was more than fair that time.

Mine got here today. Am grooving to it now. Great stuff, as usual.

I also got three "delayed" notices. As usual, the set will roll around via Amazon.fr whenever Amazon.fr is ready. Same procedure as every year.

I'm beginning to lose track of what's been on here already, but here's one I just found when I was checking Ed Thigpen on youtube: Jimmy Smith - Hammond B3 Bjarne Roupe - guitar Richard Boone - trombone Ed Thigpen - drums Cheers!

I hope those bells are giving you an extra round for your birthday! Happy birthday (!!) ... and thanks for all your help throughout these past years! Volkher

I know their sound is also a lot more musical and soothing. Great bells to have in the neighborhood.

I live near Notre-Dame cathedral! This atheist just loves the sound of bells. Wish there were more religious celebrations to enjoy those sounds That just proves that you French people all have a screw loose. I live inbetween a Catholic (100 meters away) and a Protestant (15 meters away) church. I'm bombarded with bells ringing at every opportunity. Although this is a rather small village, I have the feeling that people are dying and marrying at the rate of two per minute. Of course - this being the older part of the village - not a soul inside of these churches is sticking to any laws and they ring dem bells like there's no tomorrow. Additionally, the Protestant church seems to be harbouring at least two completely underworked Quasimodos who ring those bells just to spite the entire village. The two churches in the newer part of the village (did I ever mention that we have too many churches here?) do NOT do any of this, simply because the mayor of the village lives inbetween those other two churches up there. The guy apparently needs his sleep. All of this is just observation and not really complaining since I moved into the spot voluntarily. But there have been days when I was just about to send Al Qaida the location of two centrally located targets which are reasonably easy to hit with a single strike if you plot the proper trajectory. My bed moves every time those Protestant bells ring. I did try - on a warm summer Sunday morning - to overpower the noise after 25 minutes by opening my windows and adding Mussorgsky's "Night on a Bald Mountain" (original orchestration!) at full blast , but when I looked out of the window to check for a reaction from the congregation, I only met the eyes of the priest standing outside his church, listening, smiling and - when he saw me - giving me the thumbs up ... only to disappear into his church and simply letting the bells ring 5 minutes longer than usually. Resistance is futile.

Hope Amazon France doesn't need weeks to get hold of it and send it to me ... : Thanks for the news.

Yeah, the Lord discography. I'd rather buy more music for that kind of cash. But thanks again, Guy. Cheers!

Thanks Guy. I knew it was a shot in the dark ... Where could one find information about the T. Dorsey radio transcriptions?

Hi everyone, I've got this odd CD (Prism Leisure UK, 1987) with Tommy Dorsey Radio Transcriptions. I'm looking for the (exact) recording dates for some of the tunes: 02 Cheek to Cheek 03 Opus One 04 Tico Tico 05 Blue Skies 07 Begin the Beguine 14 Lovely Weather for Ducks (with Rosemary Clooney) 15 And the Angels Sing 18 Song of India I'm drawing nothing but blanks across the Internet board. Any info is greatly appreciated. P.S. Cheapo CDs without any liner notes, recording dates etc. SUCK!

Don't forget Eugen Cicero!

This was done earlier today. Will report any reply

I wish they would add the discographical info for the old sets. I have no idea why they remove it once a set goes OOP. Stupid.

Link Down the page ...

This time I already have all the single editions. I remember buying the first two boxes, the huge one and the supplement later. Like Christmas ... Those interested in the series should buy the box when it comes out ... they disappear fast ... and command outrageous prices later, if available at all.

Was just notified that the new box (1956) is now available and has been shipped my way. Oops. My French sucketh. The relase date has been moved to 29.10.07.