Budget Priced on Sony/Columbia

[Big Wheel]

Does anybody know what the deal is with these "Sony Special Markets" CDs that are going for cheap? Here's an example:

http://www.alibris.com/search/music/qwork/...0/used/Rosewood

These are going for $5.99 a pop at Borders. But if it's some cheap piece o'crap or copy protected, I'd rather not pull the trigger.

[AndrewHill]

I've been wondering this myself. I've noticed a number of Legacy editions going OOP and these budget editiions being put in their place.

[Stereojack]

Does anybody know what the deal is with these "Sony Special Markets" CDs that are going for cheap? Here's an example:

http://www.alibris.com/search/music/qwork/...0/used/Rosewood

These are going for $5.99 a pop at Borders. But if it's some cheap piece o'crap or copy protected, I'd rather not pull the trigger.

CBS/Sony has lowered the list price for a number of items in their catalog. These are the same titles that sold for around $12.00 a year ago. I don't believe there has been any change in the actual CD's, just a lowering of the price structure. This is the company's way of addressing the very soft CD market. The company has a very large catalog, and rather than delete slow-moving titles, they have slashed the wholesale prices, and are offering them to retailers on a no-return basis.

[WD45]

I'd love to see a list of what titles have been price-reduced. I didn't see anything on the Legacy site.

[AndrewHill]

I'd love to see a list of what titles have been price-reduced. I didn't see anything on the Legacy site.

I tried looking there too, and the Columbia website is next to useless.

[Cliff Englewood]

Don't know if other folks in Europe have seen this one but I saw this in my local Tower, 4 discs and it was only €6.99!!!

I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet though so can't comment on the all important sound quality.

Here's the track listing, it has a few previously unreleased items as well.

Disc: 1

1. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

2. Lazy Rhapsody

3. Blue Tune

4. Baby, When You Ain't There

5. St. Louis Blues

6. Creole Love Call

7. Blue Harlem

8. The Sheik Of Araby

9. Best Wishes

10. Blue Ramble

11. Clouds In My Heart

12. Blue Mood

13. Ducky Wucky

14. Jazz Cocktail

15. Lightnin'

16. Swing Low

17. Slippery Horn

18. Drop Me Off In Harlem

19. Happy As The Day Is Long

20. Get Yourself A New Broom

21. Bundle Of Blues

22. Sophisticated Lady

23. Jive Stomp

24. Harlem Speaks

25. Daybreak Express

Disc: 2

1. Ebony Rhapsody (Rehearsal For "Murder At The Vanities")

2. Ebony Rhapsody - pt 2

3. Solitude

4. Saddest Tale

5. Moonlight Fiesta

6. In A Sentimental Mood

7. Showboat Shuffle

8. 8 Merry-Go-Round

9. Reminiscing In Tempo

10. I Don't Know Why I Love You So

11. Isn't Love The Strangest Thing?

12. Clarinet Lament

13. Echoes Of Harlem

14. Trumpet In Spades

15. Yearning For Love

16. In A Jam

17. Exposition Swing

18. Uptown Downbeat

19. Scattin' At The Cotton Club

20. Black Butterfly

Disc: 3

1. The New Birmingham Breakdown

2. The New East St. Louis Toodle-o

3. Caravan

4. Azure

5. Chatterbox

6. Diminuendo In Blue

7. Crescendo In Blue

8. Harmony In Harlem

9. Dusk On The Desert

10. Steppin' Into Swing Society

11. Prologue To Black And Tan Fantasy

12. The New Black And Tan Fantasy

13. Ridin' On A Blue Note

14. Lost In Meditation

15. The Gal From Joe's

16. Scrounch

17. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

18. Braggin' In Brass

19. Carnival In Caroline

20. I'm Slappin' Seventh Avenue

21. Dinah's In A jam

22. Rose Of The Rio Grande

23. Pyramid

24. A Gypsy Without A Song

25. The Stevedores Serenade

Disc: 4

1. Prelude To A Kiss

2. Hip Chic

3. Buffet Flat

4. Jazz Potpourri

5. TT On Toast

6. Battle Of Swing

7. Blue Light

8. Old King Dooji

9. Boy Meets Horn

10. Slap Happy

11. Pussy Willow

12. Subtle Lament

13. Schmorgasbord And Schnapps

14. Portrait Of The Lion

15. (I Want) Something To Live For

16. Solid Old Man

17. Way Low

18. Serenade To Sweden

19. Bouncing Bouyancy

20. The Sergeant Was Shy

21. Grievin'

22. I Never Felt This Way Before

23. Tootin' Through The Roof

24. Killin' Myself

25. Country Gal

Amazon link.

[Ian Bradley]

Don't know if other folks in Europe have seen this one but I saw this in my local Tower, 4 discs and it was only €6.99!!!

I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet though so can't comment on the all important sound quality.

Here's the track listing, it has a few previously unreleased items as well.

Disc: 1

1. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

2. Lazy Rhapsody

3. Blue Tune

4. Baby, When You Ain't There

5. St. Louis Blues

6. Creole Love Call

7. Blue Harlem

8. The Sheik Of Araby

9. Best Wishes

10. Blue Ramble

11. Clouds In My Heart

12. Blue Mood

13. Ducky Wucky

14. Jazz Cocktail

15. Lightnin'

16. Swing Low

17. Slippery Horn

18. Drop Me Off In Harlem

19. Happy As The Day Is Long

20. Get Yourself A New Broom

21. Bundle Of Blues

22. Sophisticated Lady

23. Jive Stomp

24. Harlem Speaks

25. Daybreak Express

Disc: 2

1. Ebony Rhapsody (Rehearsal For "Murder At The Vanities")

2. Ebony Rhapsody - pt 2

3. Solitude

4. Saddest Tale

5. Moonlight Fiesta

6. In A Sentimental Mood

7. Showboat Shuffle

8. 8 Merry-Go-Round

9. Reminiscing In Tempo

10. I Don't Know Why I Love You So

11. Isn't Love The Strangest Thing?

12. Clarinet Lament

13. Echoes Of Harlem

14. Trumpet In Spades

15. Yearning For Love

16. In A Jam

17. Exposition Swing

18. Uptown Downbeat

19. Scattin' At The Cotton Club

20. Black Butterfly

Disc: 3

1. The New Birmingham Breakdown

2. The New East St. Louis Toodle-o

3. Caravan

4. Azure

5. Chatterbox

6. Diminuendo In Blue

7. Crescendo In Blue

8. Harmony In Harlem

9. Dusk On The Desert

10. Steppin' Into Swing Society

11. Prologue To Black And Tan Fantasy

12. The New Black And Tan Fantasy

13. Ridin' On A Blue Note

14. Lost In Meditation

15. The Gal From Joe's

16. Scrounch

17. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

18. Braggin' In Brass

19. Carnival In Caroline

20. I'm Slappin' Seventh Avenue

21. Dinah's In A jam

22. Rose Of The Rio Grande

23. Pyramid

24. A Gypsy Without A Song

25. The Stevedores Serenade

Disc: 4

1. Prelude To A Kiss

2. Hip Chic

3. Buffet Flat

4. Jazz Potpourri

5. TT On Toast

6. Battle Of Swing

7. Blue Light

8. Old King Dooji

9. Boy Meets Horn

10. Slap Happy

11. Pussy Willow

12. Subtle Lament

13. Schmorgasbord And Schnapps

14. Portrait Of The Lion

15. (I Want) Something To Live For

16. Solid Old Man

17. Way Low

18. Serenade To Sweden

19. Bouncing Bouyancy

20. The Sergeant Was Shy

21. Grievin'

22. I Never Felt This Way Before

23. Tootin' Through The Roof

24. Killin' Myself

25. Country Gal

Amazon link.

I've sent for this release from Amazon.co.uk On the Duke-LYM discussion list, one poster commented on the sound which is apparently good. I am amazed to see this set issued at this price. indeed, I am amazed to see Sony issuing any new CDs - much less Ellington's thirties period. Surely many of these titles are seeing their first 'official' release on CD? I cannot wait for this set to arrive and audition it. In the age of the download - and the CD nmeltdown - I am encouraged ny this. Maybe much more of Ellington's catalogue ios going to be re-issued?

the material on these CDs was earmarked by Mosaic was it not for later this year? Hope that release isn't scuppered by this issue. Any news on where Mosaic are at with their Ellington orchestra 30s re-issue?

[Head Man]

Don't know if other folks in Europe have seen this one but I saw this in my local Tower, 4 discs and it was only €6.99!!!

I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet though so can't comment on the all important sound quality.

Here's the track listing, it has a few previously unreleased items as well.

Disc: 1

1. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

2. Lazy Rhapsody

3. Blue Tune

4. Baby, When You Ain't There

5. St. Louis Blues

6. Creole Love Call

7. Blue Harlem

8. The Sheik Of Araby

9. Best Wishes

10. Blue Ramble

11. Clouds In My Heart

12. Blue Mood

13. Ducky Wucky

14. Jazz Cocktail

15. Lightnin'

16. Swing Low

17. Slippery Horn

18. Drop Me Off In Harlem

19. Happy As The Day Is Long

20. Get Yourself A New Broom

21. Bundle Of Blues

22. Sophisticated Lady

23. Jive Stomp

24. Harlem Speaks

25. Daybreak Express

Disc: 2

1. Ebony Rhapsody (Rehearsal For "Murder At The Vanities")

2. Ebony Rhapsody - pt 2

3. Solitude

4. Saddest Tale

5. Moonlight Fiesta

6. In A Sentimental Mood

7. Showboat Shuffle

8. 8 Merry-Go-Round

9. Reminiscing In Tempo

10. I Don't Know Why I Love You So

11. Isn't Love The Strangest Thing?

12. Clarinet Lament

13. Echoes Of Harlem

14. Trumpet In Spades

15. Yearning For Love

16. In A Jam

17. Exposition Swing

18. Uptown Downbeat

19. Scattin' At The Cotton Club

20. Black Butterfly

Disc: 3

1. The New Birmingham Breakdown

2. The New East St. Louis Toodle-o

3. Caravan

4. Azure

5. Chatterbox

6. Diminuendo In Blue

7. Crescendo In Blue

8. Harmony In Harlem

9. Dusk On The Desert

10. Steppin' Into Swing Society

11. Prologue To Black And Tan Fantasy

12. The New Black And Tan Fantasy

13. Ridin' On A Blue Note

14. Lost In Meditation

15. The Gal From Joe's

16. Scrounch

17. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

18. Braggin' In Brass

19. Carnival In Caroline

20. I'm Slappin' Seventh Avenue

21. Dinah's In A jam

22. Rose Of The Rio Grande

23. Pyramid

24. A Gypsy Without A Song

25. The Stevedores Serenade

Disc: 4

1. Prelude To A Kiss

2. Hip Chic

3. Buffet Flat

4. Jazz Potpourri

5. TT On Toast

6. Battle Of Swing

7. Blue Light

8. Old King Dooji

9. Boy Meets Horn

10. Slap Happy

11. Pussy Willow

12. Subtle Lament

13. Schmorgasbord And Schnapps

14. Portrait Of The Lion

15. (I Want) Something To Live For

16. Solid Old Man

17. Way Low

18. Serenade To Sweden

19. Bouncing Bouyancy

20. The Sergeant Was Shy

21. Grievin'

22. I Never Felt This Way Before

23. Tootin' Through The Roof

24. Killin' Myself

25. Country Gal

Amazon link.

Good Spot!!!!!

Put my order in with Amazon this morning!

[Fer Urbina]

The Ellington seems to be part of a new series of reissues...

Or not so new: The Waller 3-CD set has the same tunes as the "If You've Got To Ask..." set except one ("Ain't Nothing To It") in the same order. I guess it's the same remastering... but for a far lower price.

There's also a 4-CD set of Louis Armstrong Hot Fives and Sevens and a 4-CD set of Billie Holiday's Columbias...

F

[Cliff Englewood]

Yea, they had a few others in this series, mainly single disc "best of" type deals, but there was a 3 disc Fats Waller set which looked pretty good that I wanted as well but it was gone when I went back to buy the Ellington.

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Honeysuckle Rose

2. How Can You Face Me?

3. The Panic Is On

4. Sugar Rose

5. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby

6. Lost Love

7. Our Love Was Meant To Be

8. The Joint Is Jumpin'

9. A Hopeless Love Affair

10. Hold My Hand

11. Patty Cake, Patty Cake

12. Honey Hush

13. Anita

14. Squeeze Me

15. Old Grand Dad

16. All That Meat And No Potatoes

17. Bessie, Bessie, Bessie

18. Cash For Your Trash

19. You Must Be Losing Your Mind

20. Up Jumped You With Love

21. Ain't Misbehavin'

Disc: 2

1. St. Louis Blues

2. 'Sippi

3. Thou Swell

4. Numb Fumblin'

5. Ain't Misbehavin'

6. Love Me Or Leave Me

7. Smashin' Thirds

8. My Fate Is In Your Hands

9. African Ripples

10. Viper's Drag

11. Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now

12. Star Dust

13. Carolina Shout

14. Serenade For A Wealthy Widow

15. Rosetta

16. Functionizin'

17. Loungin' At The Waldorf

18. Blue, Turnin' Grey Over You

19. In The Gloamin'

20. Mamacita

21. The Jitterbug Waltz

22. Honeysuckle Rose

Disc: 3

1. (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You

2. You're Not The Only Oyster In The Stew

3. What's The Reason (I'm Not Pleasin' You)

4. Lulu's Back In Town

5. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter

6. Dinah

7. There'll Be Some Changes Made

8. Somebody Stole My Gal

9. Christopher Columbus

10. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie

11. She's Tall, She's Tan, She's Terrific

12. The Sheik Of Araby

13. Two Sleepy People

14. A Good Man Is Hard To Find

15. Hold Tight (Want Some Seafood, Mama)

16. 'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It)

17. Your Feet's Too Big

18. Darktown Strutters Ball

19. I Can't Give You Anything But Love

20. You Run Your Mouth, I'll Run My Business

21. Let's Get Away From It All

22. 'Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do

Amazon link.

Edited June 13, 2008 by Cliff Englewood

[Steve Gray]

Order placed for the Ellington.

On CD I already have the Naxos issues but there are enough non-overlapping tracks here to make this worthwhile, especially at the ridiculous price.

I will still buy any Mosaic release though.

I think this release deserves its own thread.

[Cliff Englewood]

I have had a chance to listen to the first disc and the sound is pretty much excellent, considering how old the recordings are. The notes are pretty basic, just an overview by Bruce Talbot, wish they had a listing of personnel. I'm sure the info. is on the web somewhere, maybe some enterprising board member will be able to post some details on who's actually in the band at this time.

Here is the info. from the notes on the re-mastering;

78 rpm Transfers:Matt Cavaluzzo, Harry Coster

Digital Sound Restoration: Harry Coster

Digital Remastering: Maria Triana

Also, Disc: 1 Track 6. Creole Love Call; Disc: 2 Track 1. Ebony Rhapsody (Rehearsal For "Murder At The Vanities") Track 2. Ebony Rhapsody - pt 2; Disc: 4 Track 21. Grievin'; are all previously unissued performances.

Edited June 14, 2008 by Cliff Englewood

[Swinging Swede]

You can see the personnel in the discography at the Duke Ellington Panorama: Ellington Sessions

[Ron S]

For anyone in the US looking for the Ellington set,

it's now available for preorder at Amazon.com (to be released on 6/17/08) for only $12.49:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018BF1GI

The Waller set

is also available for preorder at Amazon.com (again to be released on 6/17/08) for only $11.49:

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-Original-Masters...3694&sr=1-1

Edited June 14, 2008 by Ron S

[medjuck]

The Ellington just arrived from Amazon. There's some overlap with the "Braggin' In Brass" 2 cd set that Columbia released of the 1938 band, but with 4 unreleased tracks and lots of stuff you can't get anywhere except on the "Classics" series this is a bargain. And it's still missing enough for me to crave a Mosaic release.

BTW though the titles suggests that it contains "original master" from both Columbia and RCA there's I think no overlap with the large RCA centennial box set.

[Late]

Is there overlap with the 1936-1940 Mosaic Small Group Sessions?

[Big Wheel]

Follow up to my question upthread: I got my order and can confirm that these look to be identical to the regular Sony/Columbia CDs that were previously going at higher prices. Thanks Jack!

Edited June 25, 2008 by Big Wheel

[medjuck]

Is there overlap with the 1936-1940 Mosaic Small Group Sessions?

No.

[gmonahan]

BTW though the titles suggests that it contains "original master" from both Columbia and RCA there's I think no overlap with the large RCA centennial box set.

Well, now I'm a bit confused. The Centennial box set purported to include EVERYTHING Ellington ever recorded for the label, so how can there be no overlap with it if this set includes some of his 30s RCA material?! Sorry if I'm being dense. Wouldn't be the first time!

Greg Mo

[AndrewHill]

Follow up to my question upthread: I got my order and can confirm that these look to be identical to the regular Sony/Columbia CDs that were previously going at higher prices. Thanks Jack!

Cool. That's exactly what I was wondering about.

[hprill]

Follow up to my question upthread: I got my order and can confirm that these look to be identical to the regular Sony/Columbia CDs that were previously going at higher prices. Thanks Jack!

Cool. That's exactly what I was wondering about.

In Europe, lots of former Legacy editions are now being reissued in cheapo cardboard boxes. Not even digipaks, just plain cardboard.

[medjuck]

BTW though the titles suggests that it contains "original master" from both Columbia and RCA there's I think no overlap with the large RCA centennial box set.

Well, now I'm a bit confused. The Centennial box set purported to include EVERYTHING Ellington ever recorded for the label, so how can there be no overlap with it if this set includes some of his 30s RCA material?! Sorry if I'm being dense. Wouldn't be the first time!

Greg Mo

Despite the title I don't think it includes any RCA material except the previously unreleased cuts and Daybreak Express (so there is that overlap). It's a bit difficult to tell because there's no useful annotation for set.

[Cliff Englewood]

BTW though the titles suggests that it contains "original master" from both Columbia and RCA there's I think no overlap with the large RCA centennial box set.

Well, now I'm a bit confused. The Centennial box set purported to include EVERYTHING Ellington ever recorded for the label, so how can there be no overlap with it if this set includes some of his 30s RCA material?! Sorry if I'm being dense. Wouldn't be the first time!

Greg Mo

Despite the title I don't think it includes any RCA material except the previously unreleased cuts and Daybreak Express (so there is that overlap). It's a bit difficult to tell because there's no useful annotation for set.

You are correct on all counts Sir!!! The RCA tracks are Disc: 2 Track 1. Ebony Rhapsody (Rehearsal For "Murder At The Vanities") Track 2. Ebony Rhapsody - pt 2, as I kinda mentioned in Post 12, also the notes are very basic, no real info. at all.

[bruce talbot]

I have had a chance to listen to the first disc and the sound is pretty much excellent, considering how old the recordings are. The notes are pretty basic, just an overview by Bruce Talbot, wish they had a listing of personnel. I'm sure the info. is on the web somewhere, maybe some enterprising board member will be able to post some details on who's actually in the band at this time.

Here is the info. from the notes on the re-mastering;

78 rpm Transfers:Matt Cavaluzzo, Harry Coster

Digital Sound Restoration: Harry Coster

Digital Remastering: Maria Triana

Also, Disc: 1 Track 6. Creole Love Call; Disc: 2 Track 1. Ebony Rhapsody (Rehearsal For "Murder At The Vanities") Track 2. Ebony Rhapsody - pt 2; Disc: 4 Track 21. Grievin'; are all previously unissued performances.

I was asked by SONY to write a short overview of the material, and I wrote assuming that they would be printing the personnel, as they had supplied me with all recording details including matrix and issue numbers in a neatly formatted state. Obviously the personnel details are readily available but it would have improved the listening experience if the details had been in the booklet.

Bruce

[medjuck]

I have had a chance to listen to the first disc and the sound is pretty much excellent, considering how old the recordings are. The notes are pretty basic, just an overview by Bruce Talbot, wish they had a listing of personnel. I'm sure the info. is on the web somewhere, maybe some enterprising board member will be able to post some details on who's actually in the band at this time.

Here is the info. from the notes on the re-mastering;

78 rpm Transfers:Matt Cavaluzzo, Harry Coster

Digital Sound Restoration: Harry Coster

Digital Remastering: Maria Triana

Also, Disc: 1 Track 6. Creole Love Call; Disc: 2 Track 1. Ebony Rhapsody (Rehearsal For "Murder At The Vanities") Track 2. Ebony Rhapsody - pt 2; Disc: 4 Track 21. Grievin'; are all previously unissued performances.

I was asked by SONY to write a short overview of the material, and I wrote assuming that they would be printing the personnel, as they had supplied me with all recording details including matrix and issue numbers in a neatly formatted state. Obviously the personnel details are readily available but it would have improved the listening experience if the details had been in the booklet.

Bruce

Recording dates would have been more useful than personnel since EKE often recorded the same tune for different labels. You're right that once you know which version we're hearing the personnel is fairly easy to find. BTW Your notes are a fine introduction to the '30s band.