Suggestions for Audio Fidelity Multichannel SACD Releases

[rtbluray]

This sounds like a 2-part question:

1. Since the Layla Anniversary Edition Set was a recent release on CD, and Audio Fidelity's primary market is Stereo CD and SACD fans, it would be too soon for an Audio Fidelity Multichannel SACD edition.

2. As to the "ever" part of the question, Eric Clapton is one of the most released artists in the Audio Fidelity catalog of SACDs. So it's easy to imagine a future Multichannel SACD edition of Layla in the future.
And that could include the 5.1 mix by Elliot Scheiner or the Universal Music 5.1 mix - depending on which one was made available by Universal Music, artist and record label licensing, etc.

Let me ask these two questions as follow-ups:

1) Most of us are aware that Audio Fidelity have released a lot of Eric Clapton-related albums on SACD, but all have been stereo, even "Ridin' with the King", which has a 5.1 surround mix, so did Warner Music prevent the surround mix from being used on the SACD, or was it Clapton himself that prevented it?
2) Since "Layla" was also released as a (stereo-only) High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-Ray disc a few months back, would that complicate Audio Fidelity's chance to license the album and reissue it themselves?

 

[bmoura]

Let me ask these two questions as follow-ups:

1) Most of us are aware that Audio Fidelity have released a lot of Eric Clapton-related albums on SACD, but all have been stereo, even "Ridin' with the King", which has a 5.1 surround mix, so did Warner Music prevent the surround mix from being used on the SACD, or was it Clapton himself that prevented it?
2) Since "Layla" was also released as a (stereo-only) High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-Ray disc a few months back, would that complicate Audio Fidelity's chance to license the album and reissue it themselves?

Since Audio Fidelity is focused on the Stereo CD & SACD market, a BD Audio release isn't a factor.
The CD Anniversary Edition is what they will look at in terms of when an SACD edition would be an option.

 

[DuncanS]

I'd not heard any O'Jays before and like EW&F it was a bit out of my usual musical range (though I've always been a fan of Isley's "3+3" & Issac Hayes "Shaft"), but one thing my late father did teach me was to recognise good music, so having listened to The O'Jays "Ship Ahoy" in Quad it would make a great release - as would I suspect the rest of the Quad releases they did. Looking forward to the next EW&F Quad release.

 

[rtbluray]

I'd not heard any O'Jays before and like EW&F it was a bit out of my usual musical range (though I've always been a fan of Isley's "3+3" & Issac Hayes "Shaft"), but one thing my late father did teach me was to recognise good music, so having listened to The O'Jays "Ship Ahoy" in Quad it would make a great release - as would I suspect the rest of the Quad releases they did. Looking forward to the next EW&F Quad release.

Since "3+3" and "Ship Ahoy" have already been released on Multichannel SACD, I suspect Audio Fidelity are not looking to release either of those, even though they will feature one song from both albums on the upcoming Collection release. However, I'm sure if other Quad tapes for either artist exist, AF will look at trying to release some of those and maybe some Issac Hayes albums too.

 

[4-earredwonder]

Brian, is there any reason why AF cannot release any Joni Mitchell albums in QUAD or 5.1? BLUE was 'supposedly' [FACT or Rumor?] remixed for 5.1 in the early days of DVD~A and then canceled. As for Court and Spark....would love to hear the QUAD version of that. Also, the Hissing Of Summer Lawns.

It has been reported in the press that Joni hasn't been in the best of health in recent months so it's unlikely that she'll be releasing any new albums in the near future. Would be nice to have some of her BEST available on a hi res digital format IN SURROUND!

Additionally, Minnie Riperton's Perfect Angel and Adventures in Paradise would make a perfect two~fer, in QUAD.....which leads me to my next question: Would AF EVER consider two~fers a la Dutton Vocalion's recent two~fer QUAD SACDs?

 

[rtbluray]

Brian, is there any reason why AF cannot release any Joni Mitchell albums in QUAD or 5.1?

I forget, but has Brian ever actually said that AF cannot release any of Joni's albums on SACD? Just because they haven't so far doesn't mean they can't.

 

[4-earredwonder]

I forget, but has Brian ever actually said that AF cannot release any of Joni's albums on SACD? Just because they haven't so far doesn't mean they can't.

Perhaps not, but it has been long rumored that BLUE has an existing 5.1 remix but whether it was actually accomplished and then scrapped due to Warners departure from DVD~A is still 'speculation.'

Would also love to see Janis Ian's brilliant "Between the Lines" released as a QUAD SACD but the vague answer I received from AF is that the tapes are NOT in usuable shape....perhaps Brian can clarify if that is fact or fiction?

 

[Cibola]

Ben Harper Burn To Shine, please, please?

 

[rtbluray]

Ben Harper Burn To Shine, please, please?

I don't think that album was ever mixed in 5.1 surround, and if it was, it certainly was never released, so that one's probably out of the question.

 

[cupboy]

Did Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits come out in quad, or was it just Volume 2?

 

[rtbluray]

Did Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits come out in quad, or was it just Volume 2?

If you're referring to this compilation, looks like it wasn't released in Quad: https://www.discogs.com/Frank-Sinatra-Frank-Sinatras-Greatest-Hits/master/144050

 

[Circular Vibes]

I looked at Mark Anderson's list and volume one isn't there. My guess is that it would be in stereo at best as there weere likely nore than 4 track reels in the studios in the early 60's.

 

[4-earredwonder]

Did Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits come out in quad, or was it just Volume 2?

Sinatra's September of My Years was also announced by Warners/Reprise as a 5.1 DVD~A release but then canceled, as well. Of course Reprise is now controlled by the Sinatra Family Trust so I'm sure all negotiations would have to go through them (and Concord Records which has been re~releasing his remastered Reprise albums).

IMO, That and The Concert Sinatra are my TOP picks from Sinatra's Reprise Years.

I can't recall whether it was Sinatra's GH Volume I or II which was also announced by Warners as a 5.1 DVD~A release (but then canceled as well).

I believe fredblue has a complete list of the pre~releases from Warners which were announced but never released in DVD~A.

 

[DuncanS]

I'm with you for the Joni Mitchell, all those original CD4 releases put out on SACD would be brilliant. Its a shame about the Janis Ian, but I suspect that means that tapes are beyond even a bake to get into shape.

Perhaps not, but it has been long rumored that BLUE has an existing 5.1 remix but whether it was actually accomplished and then scrapped due to Warners departure from DVD~A is still 'speculation.'

Would also love to see Janis Ian's brilliant "Between the Lines" released as a QUAD SACD but the vague answer I received from AF is that the tapes are NOT in usuable shape....perhaps Brian can clarify if that is fact or fiction?

 

[cupboy]

I would not buy any Joni or Janis Ian (but there is another Janis I'd be glad to have) and did anything by CSN&Y ever come out in quad, like "So Far", that would be excellent.

 

[rtbluray]

I would not buy any Joni or Janis Ian (but there is another Janis I'd be glad to have) and did anything by CSN&Y ever come out in quad, like "So Far", that would be excellent.

AFAIK, no CSN or CSNY albums have ever been released in Quad.

 

[privateuniverse]

AFAIK, no CSN or CSNY albums have ever been released in Quad.

Wasn't the first CSN album one of those titles that Warners announced as "coming soon" but then never got released? Maybe there's a 5.1 sitting in a vault somewhere?

 

[bmoura]

Brian, is there any reason why AF cannot release any Joni Mitchell albums in QUAD or 5.1? BLUE was 'supposedly' [FACT or Rumor?] remixed for 5.1 in the early days of DVD~A and then canceled. As for Court and Spark....would love to hear the QUAD version of that. Also, the Hissing Of Summer Lawns.

It has been reported in the press that Joni hasn't been in the best of health in recent months so it's unlikely that she'll be releasing any new albums in the near future. Would be nice to have some of her BEST available on a hi res digital format IN SURROUND!

Joni Mitchell's catalog remains unavailable for reissues.

 

[DuncanS]

Thats a shame

Joni Mitchell's catalog remains unavailable for reissues.

 

[Scott M4]

What about Gong - You - there was an unreleased Quad mix... according to the liner notes of the Tubular Bells SACD?

That would be delicious in Quad! :sun