The Archives: Burned with Both Feet on the Ground
We had a pretty huge reaction to the Archives Q&A Session earlier this week. In the process, we learned a number of things about the Archives content and its technology underpinnings. Pretty fascinating stuff which left many elated or frustrated and even angry. And a range of emotions in between. To try and summarize this all would be an effort in futility. It's probably best left until Neil's official site posts info in the coming weeks.
We also learned something about our blog's comment capacity which seems to have maxed out at 200+ comments. Not sure what happened since there's a theoretically infinite capacity but we're investigating the meltdown in the meanwhile. In the meantime, the conversation continued over in a workaround thread where this comment probably summed up things as well as anything: not everybody is going to be happy no matter how the Archives is structured and delivered.
People who are unhappy should remember that it is NOT Mandatory to buy the archives. If its not in the form that you like then sit on the sidelines. The implications that Neil is doing this for the money is absurd ... when Archives Guy mentioned that they were testing 100 BD players and would list their performance on a web site it was one more affirmation that the motivation here has nothing to do with money and everything to do with Neil and his team having a whatever it takes attitude to realize HIS vision of how he wants HIS life's work laid out ... Do the math ... how much does it cost to employ a team of technologists, Joel Bernstein for 20 years, to buy 100 BD players ... work at it and re-do it 20 times in 3 updated standards ... this will go down as another example of why Neil is on different plane than his peers ... for those that are displeased that there isn't only unreleased songs, remember that fans who invest in the BD option are investing in a platform that will grow as Neil's team releases content for download ... as far as I'm concerned that could be an open door to new content for years to come. All that said, agreed that $300+ is a lot of money to spend in this economy but its a price that's more than fair for the quality of content , sound, and cost. For those who are like me, not sound junkies, its still worth noting that if Neil didn't push for the highest standards in all that he does none of us would be on this site because Neil wouldn't be the best of the best ... Finally, buying the archives does not mean you're "buying" Massey Hall again, Neil was nice enough to throw us some bones before the main course ... it doesn't warrent a complaint if the main course comes with a little side of bones ....
Also, see:
- Archives Q & A Session is Now Open
- Is Blu-Ray Dead Already? Not So Fast Yet
- The Archives Turns Fans Blu
- Followup discussion on Rust
- Steve Hoffman Audiophile Forums
by thrasher@PermaLink: 12/04/2008 07:00:00 PM
12 comments
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12 Comments:
"Y'know, I don't give a shit whether anybody BUYS it or not. I just wanna do it. And there may only be two hundred copies, signed by me. But it's gonna fuckin' exist. When it's done, people can do whatever the fuck they want, make any fuckin' order they want out of it. But they're gonna have the whole fuckin' thing to choose from. They're not gonna get part of it. Everything-the good, the bad, the ugly. "
I love you Neil...Already pre-ordered my blu ray edition. See you in Detroit and Boston. Thankyou.
I'm buying the blu-ray when it comes out in Australia. But in the meantime, where is Sugar Mountain? They don't even have a release date over here yet.
Its also good to think of the Massey Hall and Fillmore releases seperate from the Archives and as little pieces of it for the non-completists. I have friends and family members that love those CDs that wouldn't touch the Archives, Blue Ray or anything as expensive and expansive. It's not all about the rusties per se. So... smart move Neil, and I'm sure those non-diehards thank you. I'll take the super-quality audio Blu Ray and play it for decades, not a bad deal after all the use it will get.
Skillit
When are we going to see a release date for the UK? Surely it will be released at the same time as the American version?
On a side note, I was too late to ask in the original Q & A but I really want to know if Neil's official site we get a revamp? I'm sick of that stupid bloody 'Neil's Garage' setup. Its too messy and doesn't look good. Surely i'm not the only one that thinks this?
I participated in the Q&A with Archives Guy and followed it closely throughout the day, and I really appreciate AGs willingness to answer our ?s.
I've since come up with an idea that I think would make a lot of people (well, at least me :) )a lot happier with how the Archives set is being marketed. Instead of asking folks to chose between Blu-Ray and DVD, why not just release one version that includes both types of discs, much as Neil's recent past releases have included a DVD & CD version? The extra manufacturing cost would be negligible and should not raise the cost of the current BR version to the consumer. That way, people interested in the functionality of the Blu-Ray discs, but not wanting to invest in new hardware upgrades now would be able to listen/watch the DVDs now and upgrade later w/out having to buy the whole box again. Right now the price difference between the two versions is not considerable, but if you factor in the cost to upgrade your hardware, it's rather high and there's no telling that Blu-Ray will be a format that sticks around for long (I'm stuck with a DVD-A/SACD player and few artists producing discs in those formats).
And we'd all get access to the downloads. Seems like a fair deal. What say you, fellow Rusties, Thrasher, AG, suits, and Neil?
-"Onelesscar" in LA
UK Neil fan here... why still no release date?
no amazon listing? I WANT MY ARCHIVES NOW!!!
does Amazon USA deliver to UK?
it looks fantastic will be buying both the dvd and blu ray version... if only I knew when...
OH NO NOT AGAIN.....
Neil Young has delayed the release of his expansive "The Archives Vol. 1" once again - but is releasing new material from his vaults instead.
"Archives", scheduled to be released on January 27 2009, has been put back until April or May next year, while "Toast", an album with Crazy Horse, will be released in its place.
Recorded seven years ago, the album, which will be released in 5.1 stereo, features some songs that made it on to 2001's "Are You Passionate?", including "Goin' Home", alongside unreleased work.
Speaking to Rolling Stone about the release, Young said: "It's a mind-blowing record, and I don't think it's a commercial record, but it's great rock and roll, very moody, kind of jazzy.
"It was recorded in the same place where Coltrane was recorded, so there's a lot of heavy stuff in there. All of the live ambience for everything was all recorded, so the whole thing has got a massive sound about it."
http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/neil_young/news/12576
Good news about Toast, though.
For what it's worth, Amazon.com lists Feb 24th as the release date. I work in a record store, HMV, one of the world's largest, and we have a date of Feb 24th as well.
STOP THIS BOLLOCKS , I WANT THE ARCHIVES RELEASED NOW GODDAMMIT ,BEEN WAITING FOR TOO LONG NOW
Ya, that Dude is right.
I want Toast tomorrow, and a new Crazy Horse cd, damn.
Great News! I would much rather have a Crazyhorse album than the archives.....
SOOWEET!
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