Better Than Ezra - How Does Your Garden Grow? 5.1 DVD-A released 4/27/13

[LizardKing]

Has anyone had shipping from the band's website yet? I'm keen to hear this....

 

[The Bright Side]

Just finished listening to the album. Pretty cool! Reminds me of the New Radicals! Can't wait to hear the surround mix.

 

[mattB2]

Order placed at Music valet. Thanks for fixing the postage problem.

 

[fredblue]

Has anyone had shipping from the band's website yet? I'm keen to hear this....

Not yet. I ordered from BTE's site only after the Music Valet site rejected all 3 of my email addresses. I'll PM you if/when they notify.

 

[fredblue]

I'll hold back on my own speculation and artist / album requests and let these important confidential negotiations take place. )

not taking your post personally.. but your words have made me take two steps back and think for a moment: "who am I to poke my nose into these things!?"..

I have to say I wouldn't ordinarily be so forward and presumptuous that anyone at a record label would even listen to a consumer pleb like me.. but I'd hate to see this incredible undertaking by Richard LaBonte & Music Valet go to waste on titles that have been done to death already or aren't as interesting to the majority of surround music lovers as other albums and artists.

my own intentions are good, I now feel on reflection maybe I was jumping the gun and also didn't express it eloquently enough.. or I came across as bolshy.. not my intention, though I'm not suggesting for one moment your comment was aimed at anyone in particular, you did make me think on positively about my potentially over-zealous clodhopping in on something which is actually quite delicate re: negotiations and such like for any future licensed artists/albums/mixes which Music Valet may choose to undertake in the future. I'll go to bed now! tired and rambling sorry! Zzz..!

 

[GOS]

Open forum my man. I say, fire away. Having an insider is an amazing thing, so I would certainly think it's OK to take advantage. JMO though.

not taking your post personally.. but your words have made me take two steps back and think for a moment: "who am I to poke my nose into these things!?"..

I have to say I wouldn't ordinarily be so forward and presumptuous that anyone at a record label would even listen to a consumer pleb like me.. but I'd hate to see this incredible undertaking by Richard LaBonte & Music Valet go to waste on titles that have been done to death already or aren't as interesting to the majority of surround music lovers as other albums and artists.

my own intentions are good, I now feel on reflection maybe I was jumping the gun and also didn't express it eloquently enough.. or I came across as bolshy.. not my intention, though I'm not suggesting for one moment your comment was aimed at anyone in particular, you did make me think on positively about my potentially over-zealous clodhopping in on something which is actually quite delicate re: negotiations and such like for any future licensed artists/albums/mixes which Music Valet may choose to undertake in the future. I'll go to bed now! tired and rambling sorry! Zzz..!

 

[0tto]

couple of things I hope this new Music Valet drive avoids:

1.) the "same old" "safe" artists and albums being released all over again,
2.) the 10 Warner DVD-A 5.1's that Warner Japan re-issued on SACD being released yet again,

.. beyond that, I say "bring 'em on"..!!

i don't see anything wrong in licensing for reprint previous titles as long, as they are OOP and there (secondary gray
market) indication that they still in demand among significantly grown since early 2000, still so call "niche" market of
surround and HiRez followers.
at least these would be much cheaper to produce, as there only licensing, replication and distribution cost involved.
profit from sales (on condition that folks, involved in this venture, are driven by idea and not "fresh baked CEOs phobia"
who sees to satisfy their ambition, need to have private jet, yacht and multimillion $ penthause) can be then directed
to produce new mixes.
but it's IMO and everyone can have their own.

 

[fredblue]

i don't see anything wrong in licensing for reprint previous titles as long, as they are OOP and there (secondary gray
market) indication that they still in demand among significantly grown since early 2000, still so call "niche" market of
surround and HiRez followers.
at least these would be much cheaper to produce, as there only licensing, replication and distribution cost involved.
profit from sales (on condition that folks, involved in this venture, are driven by idea and not "fresh baked CEOs phobia"
who sees to satisfy their ambition, need to have private jet, yacht and multimillion $ penthause) can be then directed
to produce new mixes.
but it's IMO and everyone can have their own.

so what titles would you like to see re-released?

for me, it's a delicate balance choosing between popular titles with great mixes that still attract attention/high-prices/demand today because of their quality mixes and more widespread interest (Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Avalon, Rumours, Hotel California..) rather than their scarcity/rarity, even though they are great surround mixes (who here wouldn't want to see Scorpions, Texas, Matt Bianco, Peter Gabriel, Earth Wind & Fire, O'Jays, etc.. re-released in surround today..even though none of those acts could be seen as being huge commercial powerhouses like Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles nowadays/if they ever were!?).

which poses a follow-on.. related to what you're suggesting Otto about music exec's making a name/feathering their own nest and playing it safe.. this Music Valet drive appears not to be "for everyone" - which is fantastic because that's the mistake the big labels always make with these surround music things, they think it must be the next big thing and everyone should be snapping it up - their unrealistic expectations that what should be seen/always have been seen as a niche is instead to compete with the mainstream. forget it! that's what killed it all off before!

I started buying surround discs a good while ago (pretty much whenever DTS and DVD-A first appeared.. SACD I didnt get any til the Eltons came out approx 10 yrs ago now.. time flies like an arrow.. fruit flies like a banana!)..
back then I only bought a few titles by artists I really love, so I came to the party late and have spent the last 5 or 6 years playing a huge game of catch up.. not easy and not cheap..

..my point is I totally understand the need to have things like the Rumours and Hotel California surround mixes out there again, easily obtainable for the new generation of surround enthusiasts, or just those of us who for whatever reason missed them first time round.

I'd have been over the moon if none of the things I wanted had ever gone out of print and even more delighted if SACD and DVD-A hadn't virtually died a death in the eyes of the big labels with regards to Rock & Pop.. but survival is all about adapting.. and in order to satisfy my desire for surround music I've had to adapt and become very resourceful (and spend lots more money than if they'd remained in print!).. it would just be nice to see a bit of creative thinking as well as commercial thinking behind this new venture regards putting out old mixes again.. that's all!

oh I need a coffee..!!

 

[Dixie4]

now that MJ's no longer with us (and anecdotally at least it would appear he himself made the decision not to release the 5.1 mix of Thriller for SACD..) I wonder who exactly would rubber-stamp it and give it the go ahead now?

John Branca & John McClain. ( I even looked on JB's website, in consideration of sending e mail, regarding said subject.....i'll do anything from a keyboard !! )

 

[Dixie4]

not taking your post personally.. but your words have made me take two steps back and think for a moment: "who am I to poke my nose into these things!?"..

I have to say I wouldn't ordinarily be so forward and presumptuous that anyone at a record label would even listen to a consumer pleb like me.. but I'd hate to see this incredible undertaking by Richard LaBonte & Music Valet go to waste on titles that have been done to death already or aren't as interesting to the majority of surround music lovers as other albums and artists.

my own intentions are good, I now feel on reflection maybe I was jumping the gun and also didn't express it eloquently enough.. or I came across as bolshy.. not my intention, though I'm not suggesting for one moment your comment was aimed at anyone in particular, you did make me think on positively about my potentially over-zealous clodhopping in on something which is actually quite delicate re: negotiations and such like for any future licensed artists/albums/mixes which Music Valet may choose to undertake in the future. I'll go to bed now! tired and rambling sorry! Zzz..!

There's nothing wrong with being enthusiastic & passionate about something you love. I don't think anyone, whether that be someone from a record label, or wherever, would condemn you, or think that you were being too bolshy.
I would hope that someone like Rich ( Music Valet ) would be pleased to read your enthusiasm about surround sound music.

 

[Dixie4]

fruit flies like a banana!)..

 

[Dixie4]

I'd have been over the moon if none of the things I wanted had ever gone out of print and even more delighted if SACD and DVD-A hadn't virtually died a death in the eyes of the big labels with regards to Rock & Pop.. but survival is all about adapting.. and in order to satisfy my desire for surround music I've had to adapt and become very resourceful (and spend lots more money than if they'd remained in print!).. it would just be nice to see a bit of creative thinking as well as commercial thinking behind this new venture regards putting out old mixes again.. that's all!

If these new BD-A titles are to be a success, ( and success for me, would mean mainstream ) then Universal need to releases titles from current artists, ( even though, I know there's a lot of crap out there today ! ) established artists, back catalogues. If they releases the " same old, same old, then this format will go the way of the Dodo bird !!
Personally, i'm very optimistic that Universal ( and hopefully other record companies ) will have their heads screwed on, regards this format. Everyone worries that downloads will kill physical formats, but I think the Blu Ray player is going to be round for a long time yet, and the great thing is you don't have to go out and buy a new piece of hardware, ( unless you haven't already got a universal player or Blu Ray that doesn't play surround....if this format should be released ? )
There's a huge opportunity here for this format, if the record companies put their money into it, get the product right and market correctly, e.t.c.

( Sorry I just realised, I've posted in the " How Does Your Garden Grow " thread....but I guess it's all relevant ! )

 

[gloco]

Like everyone else in here, I'm ecstatic to see a new player on the block. Hopefully we can see some albums we've all been craving to get a release. Personally, I'd love to hear Appetite for Destruction in 5.1. As well as Ok Computer.

 

[Go123]

Ordered today, can't wait to listen to this surround mix and future releases!

 

[0tto]

so what titles would you like to see re-released?

for me, it's a delicate balance choosing between popular titles with great mixes that still attract attention/high-prices/demand today because of their quality mixes and more widespread interest (Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Avalon, Rumours, Hotel California..) rather than their scarcity/rarity, even though they are great surround mixes (who here wouldn't want to see Scorpions, Texas, Matt Bianco, Peter Gabriel, Earth Wind & Fire, O'Jays, etc.. re-released in surround today..even though none of those acts could be seen as being huge commercial powerhouses like Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles nowadays/if they ever were!?).

which poses a follow-on.. related to what you're suggesting Otto about music exec's making a name/feathering their own nest and playing it safe.. this Music Valet drive appears not to be "for everyone" - which is fantastic because that's the mistake the big labels always make with these surround music things, they think it must be the next big thing and everyone should be snapping it up - their unrealistic expectations that what should be seen/always have been seen as a niche is instead to compete with the mainstream. forget it! that's what killed it all off before!

sadly there wasn't too many titles, to select from. i mean among my prefered artists. so, my preferences would be
very subjective and in fact i don't really in needs for re-prints. but there are millions world wide, who had come too
late or due to other reason missed retail sales and now can't or won't pay speculator's prices. from my observation
during the years, i noticed - titles, issued in both (DVDA and SACD) formats, DVDAs usually gone to "sold out" when
counterpart SACD still float in retail chains. thus i believe that even reprint on SACD previous such like FM, Eagles,
Foreigner, etc. by WEA, will not make any significant competition to new reprints of same titles on DVDA. particularly
if later one will be offered at competing prices.
as for niche market, it seems like this category for long time were artificially kept as "niche". look for yourself, how one
can have expansion, if there for decade nothing had been fed to fill up demands in such format, inspite of obvious grow
of phisical amount of potential consumers in this category.

 

[Music Valet]

Like everyone else in here, I'm ecstatic to see a new player on the block. Hopefully we can see some albums we've all been craving to get a release. Personally, I'd love to hear Appetite for Destruction in 5.1. As well as Ok Computer.

I love the list of favorites...keep them coming!

I'm approaching this new venture really from two fronts.

One - Re-Releases: I find it a bit silly that we're all paying a premium for our favorite titles on ebay or Amazon. Avalon, Hotel California, Rumors, etc are all great titles and deserve to be readily available to those newcomers that realize they have the ability to play the 5.1 titles (either in their 'Surround' equipped cars or in their home theaters).

Two - New Mixes: I made a list of titles I would love to re-mix in 5.1 about a year ago. Better Than Ezra 'How Does Your Garden Grow' was on that list. There are several others...and each meet a certain criteria. I can tell you that how that title sold is way down on my criteria list. Like all of us with good systems, I've seen the light bulb go off every time someone experiences 5.1. To me it's the format where people will take chances and listen to different generes. That gives me a bit of flexibility to the direction I go with things.

I won't speculate on what title's coming next, but I can say the choice has little to do with the labels pushing their artists and everything to do with my original list. I have pre-cleared several 'out of print' titles directly with artists and their management and all of the major labels are on board to assist with the licensing process.

Very excited for what's to come!

 

[Dixie4]

I've seen the light bulb go off every time someone experiences 5.1. To me it's the format where people will take chances and listen to different generes. That gives me a bit of flexibility to the direction I go with things.

I've bought many titles in 5.1. that I probably wouldn't have considered otherwise. I wish I knew your likes & dislikes, Rich ??
Out of print titles, could be potentially exciting....let the speculation begin !! ??

 

[Dixie4]

Anything by......

Michael Jackson
Toto
Billy Joel
Jellyfish
Coldplay
Roger Joseph Manning Jnr.
The Eagles
George Michael
Madonna
Katie Melua
Squeeze
E.L.O.
Robbie Williams
Will Young
Queen
Stevie Wonder

.....just a few to be going on with.....

 

[DuncanS]

I love the list of favorites...keep them coming!

I'm approaching this new venture really from two fronts.

One - Re-Releases: I find it a bit silly that we're all paying a premium for our favorite titles on ebay or Amazon. Avalon, Hotel California, Rumors, etc are all great titles and deserve to be readily available to those newcomers that realize they have the ability to play the 5.1 titles (either in their 'Surround' equipped cars or in their home theaters).

Two - New Mixes: I made a list of titles I would love to re-mix in 5.1 about a year ago. Better Than Ezra 'How Does Your Garden Grow' was on that list. There are several others...and each meet a certain criteria. I can tell you that how that title sold is way down on my criteria list. Like all of us with good systems, I've seen the light bulb go off every time someone experiences 5.1. To me it's the format where people will take chances and listen to different generes. That gives me a bit of flexibility to the direction I go with things.

I won't speculate on what title's coming next, but I can say the choice has little to do with the labels pushing their artists and everything to do with my original list. I have pre-cleared several 'out of print' titles directly with artists and their management and all of the major labels are on board to assist with the licensing process.

Very excited for what's to come!

Hi Richard, How about starting a Music Valet Post page, we can add suggestions to?

Top of my list for 1st time in surround would be Wishbone Ash's "Argus", re-mixed by Martin Turner a few years ago (2002) so the multi-track must still exist (digitally now?), Jon Anderson's "Olais Of Sunhillow", Pink Floyd's "Meddle" & "Animals". And I'd love to see re-released, even in 4.0, Rick Wakeman's "Six Wives OF Henry The Eighth", Bob Dylan's "Desire".....I could probably go on for hours!

 

[peterzach]

I love the list of favorites...keep them coming!

I'm approaching this new venture really from two fronts.

One - Re-Releases: I find it a bit silly that we're all paying a premium for our favorite titles on ebay or Amazon. Avalon, Hotel California, Rumors, etc are all great titles and deserve to be readily available to those newcomers that realize they have the ability to play the 5.1 titles (either in their 'Surround' equipped cars or in their home theaters).

Two - New Mixes: I made a list of titles I would love to re-mix in 5.1 about a year ago. Better Than Ezra 'How Does Your Garden Grow' was on that list. There are several others...and each meet a certain criteria. I can tell you that how that title sold is way down on my criteria list. Like all of us with good systems, I've seen the light bulb go off every time someone experiences 5.1. To me it's the format where people will take chances and listen to different generes. That gives me a bit of flexibility to the direction I go with things.

I won't speculate on what title's coming next, but I can say the choice has little to do with the labels pushing their artists and everything to do with my original list. I have pre-cleared several 'out of print' titles directly with artists and their management and all of the major labels are on board to assist with the licensing process.

Very excited for what's to come!

Richard, this is very exciting news. Thanks for posting and thanks for fixing your websites postage problem, I have now come on board and ordered "BTE".
Is there any way you can list what your favorites list or if you can't due to negotiating with artist's/labels, if you don't mind listing who your favorite bands are, would be interesting to me and I am sure some others from here.
I have been listening to surround music for 10 years, love it, and just got a Acura ILX with ELS surround and love listening to surround stuff even more now.

peter