Entertainment For Lively Minds
ATM: 10 inch heavyweight vinyl as a viable medium for unreleased prog...
One of the reissue record labels I'm occasionally involved with as a cheerleader/sleeve-noter/suggester of daft ideas has unearthed a pristine, previously unknown 22 minute European TV session from fondly-recalled, slightly whimsical 70s prog band (with whom they've previously dealt, happily and successfully). I won't name the band simply because they haven't been informed yet or agreed a release, but...
I suggested that, assuming it's a good performance and permission/agreement is forthcoming, releasing on 10 inch 180gram vinyl of the audio might be the perfect way to do it. A lovely, collectable, slightly unusual physical artefact.
The question is: is this a good idea or a bad one? Maybe 1000-1500 people in the world would want the music, so is it more in keeping with the length of the session to make a virtue of it on vinyl rather than have it seem 'short changing' length-wise on CD? (NB: there's nothing else obvious that could be added to a CD of this 22 minute performance that hasn't been out before.)
- More from Colin H.
- Login or register to post comments
-
Suggestion
Why not do an 11 inch record? Make it even more slightly unusual.
It will also be
one louder.
In my experience....
...working for labels, whenever a 10" format was made available, it bombed. Few want 10" records. 12" is the way to go.
quite right
I'm not interested in 10", 11", pink or blue.
Colin, are you thinking that more people would buy a vinyl release from this band? I'm not so sure. I don't have any stats to back this up, but I would have thought there are still many more people of a certain age buying CDs than vinyl.
Surprising info/opinion, there, Nick...
...but food for thought.
My instinct about going for vinyl was sparked purely by the length of the trove of material: 22 mins. Plus the fact that I have a couple of luxuriant 10" heavyweight vinyl albums/EPs of archive material from recent years by other acts - they 'feel' like rare and wonderful artefacts.
But you may be right - maybe going with a CD EP but making the packaging lavish is the 'sensible' idea. we shall see...
Is such a thing possible?
...I suppose there's no reason why not! don't know if you're being serious, Fraser, but it would certainly be in keeping with the endearing whimsy of the act in question - I'll suggest it!
I suppose, though, to break the question down to its central issue, I'm wondering if vinyl is now (wheels having turned in taste and expectations etc) an acceptable alternative to CD - not as a ltd edition add-on to a CD release (selling to the diehard branch of the 'same people'), but as a genuine alternative to releasing something on CD at all?
I'm assuming it's possible
There's a German label called Denovali that's released vinyl on 5", 6", 8" and 9" as well as the more familiar sizes, so I guess there must be a least one pressing plant set up to do different sizes.
It's definitely an idea worth looking into Fraser...
...Part of the appeal would definitely be in the quirkiness as well as the deluxe/collectable aspect of using quality vinyl per se.
"She just loved my big ten inch...
...record of her favourite blues"
Go for 13 inch
It's one more.
'slightly whimsical' eh?
The old grey cells are inevitably whirring, in fact they are up to their aged tricks, as I'm sure is the case for many who've read this far. I'd love to know who the band is; do let us know as soon as you can?
Can I suggest
Including a CD for those who buy the vinyl?
A couple of things I bought recently did this. It saves hassle for those who want to burn it on I Tunes or whatever, CD buyers have a purchase option and for those who like to keep their vinyl truly in mint condition job's a good un.
Ah, but the trouble is Ralph...
...that for a release that's going to have a very modest profit margin whichever way it's done, doing a CD/vinyl double might be great for the punter but it's financially questionable for the label -the pricing would have to go up to cover it, I'd imagine (rather than absorb it).
Of course, including a free ultra-vanilla packed CD might be an option - just a CD within a plastic wallet, say. An idea, certainly...
Yes That's what I meant
Just a simple disc copy in a wallet. Shouldn't cost too much to include I'd have thought and may add a few sales
Sounds great
A few LPs that I have bought come with a download code for the 320 mp3 - the most recent Grails LP did. Lovely to have on vinyl, handy to have in high quality for portable listening.
Would that work (with a 10" vinyl?)
Yeah, that sounds a good compromise, Hombre!
...I don't think the particular label involved have done much in terms of downloads as opposed to physical releases. From past experience of licensing things myself - from a third party owner (rather than from the artist direct) - download release rights are a separate entity and expense. Indeed, sometimes a physical release license will be available but download rights off limits.
Still, given that it's a public service broadcaster, in this case, without much experience in licensing performances for commercial release you never know. In fact, it MIGHT be financially feasible to license the performance for a 2disc CD/DVD release - similar to those three or four song Beat Club releases (Fotheringay etc) that were advertised as forthcoming a while back, but strangely failed to appear. In general, video licensing is very much more expensive than audio - certainly, few bar Universal could afford to do BBC CD/DVD combos.
Any news on the James Griffin re-issues, Colin?
They've been on my wish list since you first mentioned them!
I'll double check with Brian the Huxmeister, Vulpes...
...I know that the project was ready to go (licensed, mastered, annotated, pics sourced...) and then Brian decided to bite the bullet and pay the BBC the rather high fee they wanted for two OGWT tracks to add as bonuses. I believe it's just pending James's widow's approval. So in short - not this side of Christmas but hopefully not too long...
Excellent!
I'll ask my Mum for a Record Token for Christmas.
I would imagine
that 99.9% of prog fans who have a turntable and play vinyl also have a CD player. However the percentage of prog fans who play cds and also have a turntable and play vinyl would be significantly less.
I love prog, I love vinyl but I no longer have a turntable, nor the money to reinvest in vinyl.