Roxy Music - Avalon (SDE Blu-Ray #36, May 9th, 2025)

[Willie Wilson]

Very happy to see this package being released. Not my favorite Roxy album, but it will be sonically amazing.

Seeing mention of rising costs, especially for a single-disc release. While mine is $52 delivered to the US, I’m okay with that, largely because I’m getting a quality release from a reputable vendor that I otherwise would not have at all.

I’m old enough to remember buying 45s for 99 cents and albums for $3.99, but that was 50 years ago. It’s a different world now, especially when considering physical media. As consumers of niche products, we pay the price or go without.

I’m not wealthy, but I am fortunate to be able to support my collecting habit. I have definitely passed on items due to price, but I have also paid a pretty penny when I wanted something badly enough.

Bottom line is I can’t get too worked up about costs as I think having the product available is a huge win for all of us, given the current state of the music industry.

 

[DeanRay]

oh fuck yes!!!

https://www.thesdeshop.com/products...ive-blu-ray-audio?_pos=2&_fid=37aca451a&_ss=c

Okay - let's see what everyone thinks is the "Yet To Be Announced BR"! Can't wait to read the speculations - and yes, I did order Avalon and the mystery disc.....

 

[Juggsnelson]

Very happy to see this package being released. Not my favorite Roxy album, but it will be sonically amazing.

Seeing mention of rising costs, especially for a single-disc release. While mine is $52 delivered to the US, I’m okay with that, largely because I’m getting a quality release from a reputable vendor that I otherwise would not have at all.

I’m old enough to remember buying 45s for 99 cents and albums for $3.99, but that was 50 years ago. It’s a different world now, especially when considering physical media. As consumers of niche products, we pay the price or go without.

I’m not wealthy, but I am fortunate to be able to support my collecting habit. I have definitely passed on items due to price, but I have also paid a pretty penny when I wanted something badly enough.

Bottom line is I can’t get too worked up about costs as I think having the product available is a huge win for all of us, given the current state of the music industry.

I echo all of these thoughts. I have the SACD but if you were trying to get one now on the secondary market surely it would have been double the cost. A dozen eggs here is over $7 right now. Prices fluctuate and I can easily forgive this for "luxury" items. Very nice to see SDE acknowledge this and offer a bundle with reduced item and shipping costs. Well done.

 

[Bill B]

Was on the fence when I saw the email a few minutes ago. Not exactly in my wheelhouse musically but they had great album covers (wink, wink). The fact that this was an exclusive and had a limited order window pushed me over the top. I was always sorry I didn't pick this up on DVD-A when I had a chance to back when it first came out.

 

[Dynamic Editor]

OK but why did you call him "Pual"

Not my message. Two other people also asked the same thing, and that's the first I saw that was replied to.

 

[Dynamic Editor]

I pre-ordered the bundle. I hope for my pleasure it's For Your Pleasure

It can't be, sadly. The second title is from the mid-80s.

 

[splinter7]

Wouldn't be surprised if a New Order is the the next offering -- it did say "mid-80s."

From yours to Paul's ears

 

[splinter7]

Seeing mention of rising costs, especially for a single-disc release. While mine is $52 delivered to the US, I’m okay with that, largely because I’m getting a quality release from a reputable vendor that I otherwise would not have at all.

I’m old enough to remember buying 45s for 99 cents and albums for $3.99, but that was 50 years ago. It’s a different world now, especially when considering physical media. As consumers of niche products, we pay the price or go without.

Adjusted for inflation, this release is no more or no less as expensive than probably what I paid back in 1982. The average cost of CD back then was between $15 to $20. $15 in 1982 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $49.06 today

 

[BPWingN]

Ordered as soon as I read about this upcoming SDE release.
It has been a 'holy grail' disc since I first heard a friend's SACD. I could never bring myself to pay the price wanted for a previously enjoyed one.
Soooo happy to be able to add this to my collection.

And, to give thanks where thanks are due, in my excited enthusiasm when I ordered this I had included an incorrect shipping address on my order. I emailed SDE, and Anne got back to me quickly. It has been sorted out. Thanks Anne, Paul and the folks at SDE.

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

I believe everything that's been numbered has been SDE exclusive right?

Correct

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

The SDE shop description for this state that the Atmos mix is from the original tapes and not an up mix from stereo has the 5.1.

I bought the 5.1 SACD a few years ago for a hefty price it sounds excellent is SDE saying that the SACD 5.1 is an upmix?

 

[sjcorne]

The SDE shop description for this state that the Atmos mix is from the original tapes and not an up mix from stereo has the 5.1.

I bought the 5.1 SACD a few years ago for a hefty price it sounds excellent is SDE saying that the SACD 5.1 is an upmix?

No, the only song on the original SACD that's not a discrete 5.1 mix from a multitrack source is "India."

As I understand it, the original analog multitracks couldn't be found or were said to be deteriorating when they did the 5.1 mix in the early-2000s - so it was instead mixed from a digital backup that was made sometime earlier. For whatever reason this digital backup didn't include the song "India" - so for the 5.1 mix, they took the stereo master and slowly swirled it around the room to give a pseudo-surround experience (I filmed this on my quadscope for the IAA review).

Then, those original multitrack tapes ("India" included!) thought missing/damaged were located at some point between 2003 and 2024, so they were able to remix the album from scratch in Atmos using a higher-quality source.

 

[The Rang]

Love this album. But if I don’t need Atmos does this release offer anything my SACD doesn’t already have? Doesn’t look like it.
I presume it has hardbook packaging hence the higher price.
I have/need a few days to think about this one.

 

[marpow]

great album covers

Kissing Cousins- Roxy Music and Wishbone Ash.

 

[jamesc]

I know it's unlikely but I wouldn't complain if the mystery title is Bryan Ferry's Boys & Girls. I suspect it's going to be a popular one since there's such a generous cancellation period.

 

[GabeL]

Ordered the bundle; I figure if the unannounced second release isn't of interest, I can cancel and just reorder Avalon Keep 'em coming Paul, you are doing a phenomenal job!

 

[van1]

Wait... What about "Always Unknowing"? Is that just missing from the 5.1 mix presentation? Because it's not in the tracklist...

Edit: Just submitted a comment on the SDE announcement post. Hopefully it gets approved and answered.

Edit #2: Drat. It won't be included.
View attachment 113328

The Bryan Ferry interview talks about more Atmos releases. I can see the whole Roxy studio catalogue getting Atmos releases with an additional ‘rarities’ set like the complete cd box set.

For now I’m just happy Avalon is getting a physical Atmos release

 

[GabeL]

Now all we need is for Rhino to announce the next set of Atmos Blu-Ray releases

 

[4-earredwonder]

Ordered Avalon, the upcoming BD~A mystery title and added the Bryan Ferry Retrospective BD~A and s/h to the States was £12 for all 3

 

[BillSamm1]

first off, Avalon: https://www.thesdeshop.com/products...ive-blu-ray-audio?_pos=2&_fid=0dcf64fa6&_ss=c (fuck yes!)

second, you can purchase in a bundle with a yet to be announced title: https://www.thesdeshop.com/products...t-to-be-announced?_pos=1&_fid=0dcf64fa6&_ss=c

The as yet unannounced #37 in the SDE Surround Series is an album originally released in the mid-80s, in Dolby Atmos, hi-res stereo and bonus tracks. It will be announced later in Feb 2025.

I'd really like to know what the other title is before ordering a bundle. Guessing they'll tell us before the Avalon cut-off date?