Sounding the alarm on future availability of cheap jazz reissue

[mrt2]

This is not exactly new, but lots of great jazz has already gone OOP, at least as far as a physical product.

http://indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/blue-note-records-announces-catalogue-deletions/

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=26676

http://www.artsjournal.com/rifftides1/2006/07/comments-vanishing-ojcs.html

I know there are those people out there who seek out famous titles on lp, but the disappearing back catalog will mean that for those into more than the 40 to 60 really famous titles, we may either have to pay high prices, or settle for downloads (if we are lucky) in 5 to 10 years.

 

[mrt2]

A recent example. Yesterday, I bought a (used cutout) copy George Braith's complete Blue Note sessions for $17, kind of expensive for a used cutout, but a somewhat obscure artist, even though the cd reissue only dates back to 2001.

Just looked it up on Amazon. If you want a new one, it is made on demand. In other words, a CD-R, for $25 new.

 

[mrt2]

Bump. Nobody cares that within a few years, maybe half of the jazz currently available will go OOP in any physical format? Is everybody ready for a download only jazz market, or at best paying retail for CDR?

Does everybody have everything they will need for the rest of their days? My jazz collection is above 1,000 titles and I sure don't feel like I own or have heard everything I ever want to hear.

 

[Drybasement]

I've been noticing this more often. Even recently released titles are going oop. It's a sad state of affairs. The digital age is taking over. Thank God for vinyl.

 

[mrt2]

I've been noticing this more often. Even recently released titles are going oop. It's a sad state of affairs. The digital age is taking over. Thank God for vinyl.

OOP is OOP. They won't be re-pressing obscure stuff on lp if they delete the cd.

 

[Drybasement]

Well, they have. The early The Three Sounds albums are being released on vinyl and those recordings have been oop for years.

I understand you though. This is an isolated case. There's far too much music going oop that deserves to be heard.

 

[131east23]

I'm not ready for this. My interest in Jazz just peaked and even now I'm scrambling. I've got all the rock I need (yeah right) and have been making my lists. Thanks for the info... I like the physical product in my hands!

 

[Drybasement]

I'm not ready for this. My interest in Jazz just peaked and even now I'm scrambling. I've got all the rock I need (yeah right) and have been making my lists. Thanks for the info... I like the physical product in my hands!

It'll always be there. Used shops, eBay, whatever. Vinyl records and cds will be available for as long you and I will be alive.

 

[mrt2]

It'll always be there. Used shops, eBay, whatever. Vinyl records and cds will be available for as long you and I will be alive.

Sure, but we may be back to where things were in the 70s when even major jazz artists had portions of their back catalogs go OOP. You are right, used cds and lps will be around for quite some time, but if you are looking for a particular disc, you may need to be patient or pay a lot to have it now.

 

[mrt2]

I'm not ready for this. My interest in Jazz just peaked and even now I'm scrambling. I've got all the rock I need (yeah right) and have been making my lists. Thanks for the info... I like the physical product in my hands!

Buy now. Used cds are still pretty cheap, and available, but more obscure titles may become harder to find as time goes on. If you have a choice, buy an OOP Shorter, Mobley, Lee Morgan, or George Braith first before jumping on yet another copy of Blue Train, Time Out, or Kind of Blue.