Where do alternate takes belong?

[Peter Friedman]

I in in the camp that prefers the alternate takes at the end of the CD. However, if it's a box set where there are a large number of alternate takes, my preference would be for a separate CD or two for all the alternates.

[Chuck Nessa]

I in in the camp that prefers the alternate takes at the end of the CD. However, if it's a box set where there are a large number of alternate takes, my preference would be for a separate CD or two for all the alternates.

←

This makes it really difficult to program your listening in recording order unless you are working from some "unlimited" wheel 'o' discs.

I say leave them at the end of each disc and give the take numbers so specialists can recreat the real deal.

[Christiern]

I in in the camp that prefers the alternate takes at the end of the CD. However, if it's a box set where there are a large number of alternate takes, my preference would be for a separate CD or two for all the alternates.

←

This makes it really difficult to program your listening in recording order unless you are working from some "unlimited" wheel 'o' discs.

I say leave them at the end of each disc and give the take numbers so specialists can recreat the real deal.

←

And make the release available without alternate takes--at a more affordable price. Why should people pay extra for Schaap's (to use a gross example) psychotic needs?

[catesta]

If they are going to include alternate takes, then I prefer they be at the end.

[BruceH]

I prefer them at the end of the disc.  Multiple takes can get pretty tiring when they are back-to-back.

Fortunately mp3s largely make track order irrelevant.  But at the office I still use a CD player.  I know those can be programmed, but I never have really used that feature.

←

I know what you mean. I HAVE used that feature, but I find it to be a pain in the ass. Now if they made a CD player that "recognized" the CD and automatically followed your program for it, well, that would be great. As it is, I've given up programming individual CD's because I hate having to do it every damn time.

(By the way, one listen to the alternates of, say, Charlie Parker or Sonny Rollins proves their potential value. I say release 'em and let the listener decide...but I like my albums straight up. To the back of the disc with them!!)