Neil Young and Blu-ray
neil.gader -- Fri, 05/23/2008 - 15:27
I read in the LA Times that Neil Young is going to releasing his entire catelog including bootlegs, videos and special commentaries in a 10 disc box. Anyone heard when this will happen and how much it'll cost?
Sound cool-but not for hundreds of $$$$!!!
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Nineteen years after originally floating the idea, the long-awaited Archives set (the first of three) should finally become a reality this fall. But I think Young is really putting it to most of his fans by missing the forest for the trees. Yes, Neil wants superior quality and therefore settled for Blu-Ray.
But c'mon. Many folks don't even own players. Single BR discs retail for $35-$40. And while no price has yet been announced, don't be surprised if this puppy costs $300-$400. And I think that's obscene--particularly for fans who have been waiting for this all this time. It's simply too much for most to justify, and if you factor in having to buy a player, well, then it's even worse.
I'm hoping they announce plans for a more accessible, CD/DVD set but I doubt it will happen.
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
All I can say is that for $300+ these songs better be remastered in the new high resolution audio formats like Dolby True HD or DTS HD Master. Otherwise they'd better be prepared to call this set, Neil Young's "Piece of Crap"
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Every new format needs "a killer app" to capture the public's attention.
SACD tried with Dylan and The Stones.
Whether Neil Young qualifies as such a software coup is debatable.
I remember the "re-mastered" DTS surround sound discs that were mixed by him a couple years back were really awful.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I think the good news here is that the music-only portions are supposed to be in stereo. The visual DVD portions, on the other hand, are a different story.
But a so-called "killer app" for more than $300?
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
So what are we saying here? That the massive storage benefits of Blu-ray are only implemented to stuff as much material on as possible? What about features-search ability,cross-indexing, you know, the cool stuff that this cutting edge tech keeps crowing about?
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
I'm sure the discs will have such features but again, I just think that a set of that size and price is going to be out of reach for most fans who were anticipating it.
For me, I could care less about cross-indexing and features search. Look on a TOC and just press a button on the remote. I'd much rather do the latter than pay another $100+ for bells and whistles I'll never use.
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
BG wrote:I'm sure the discs will have such features but again, I just think that a set of that size and price is going to be out of reach for most fans who were anticipating it.
For me, I could care less about cross-indexing and features search. Look on a TOC and just press a button on the remote. I'd much rather do the latter than pay another $100+ for bells and whistles I'll never use.
How old are you again?-'cause you sound like my grandpa. I actually think that the interactivity of the new players (via ethernet connections) has a lot of potential beyond just the music. Diehard fans like to tap into more than the music. Options are good if you have the choice to take it or leave
it.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Doesn't matter how old I am, Neil. Diehard fans do like to tap into other options, yes. But I ask you: When is the last time YOU plunked down $150 for records? Seriously. Now, ask yourself, are you willing to part with $350+ for ten discs?
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
BG wrote:Doesn't matter how old I am, Neil. Diehard fans do like to tap into other options, yes. But I ask you: When is the last time YOU plunked down $150 for records? Seriously. Now, ask yourself, are you willing to part with $350+ for ten discs?
the question depends on expectations. Clearly this collection is being targeted towards Boomer dollars and not selling a million units. Would I be willing to pay $350 for Young? Doubtful. But there are fans with a lot of disposable income sloshing around. And they will ante-up. The Beatles on Blu-ray? I'm friggin there!!!
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
If Neil is worried about audio quality, is there a way to make that happen on Blu-Ray? I'm not so worried about player installed base now that blu-ray is the choice and PS/3 is out there in the millions.
discman wrote:If Neil is worried about audio quality, is there a way to make that happen on Blu-Ray? I'm not so worried about player installed base now that blu-ray is the choice and PS/3 is out there in the millions.
Likely out of our hands but hopefully we'll be able to get a copy or at least a portion of the set to evaluate in a future edition.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
It has been reported that the set will now come out on DVD as well, a move that addresses some of the price concerns I brought up earlier in this thread.
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
Experts,
for those who own the Archives box set on Blu-Ray, how do you like it?
Second note,
is there an Archives Vol 2 in the works?