It seems like Sony is actually remastering quite a few titles in its vaults. This has been going with little fanfare or announcement for specific titles. For instance, Michael Nesmith fans were suddenly treated to the best mastering of his first six solo albums thanks the goings on of this campaign. These were pretty much announced the moment they were available. Sony are also releasing albums via digital means only that have never been on CD. I just saw a collection of Susan Christie's early singles released this way. Sony is just kind of putting these out without any announcements so I encourage everyone to look into whether some of their most sought after titles have suddenly been released via digital only. Please let us know what you find, especially country fans!
Lots of Jeannie Seely, Liz Anderson, etc. have been released this way, the same with Bob Luman's Columbia catalog and more.
Digital only. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem's catalog is finally (for the most part) available. There are quite a few Porter Wagoner releases available too. Some Dolly Parton as well
Yeah, saw some of these. Wonder if they're different masterings than what's been on HDtracks the past few years (there's a few overlapping titles, I think). I wish Sony would go the extra mile and give us mono alternatives too.
Very interesting, had no idea her back catalog had been released for digital. Liz Anderson has been severely neglected in the world of reissues and yet the albums she released were very consistent and of a high quality. As someone who won't pay for downloads and prefers to own a hard copy of the material, I suspect there are other Liz Anderson fans who feel the same way. Hopefully Morello/Cherry Red, BGO or Bear Family can issue comprehensive CD collections focusing on the career output of Liz and the other overlooked country artists being discussed. The good news is that these albums have been prepared for digital and could be issued on CD in the future.
Sony seem to be going digital only for many of these. Case in point (at the moment) the Nesmith reissues sound far and away better than any CD or vinyl counterpart...and are only available for download. While I share your sentiment about having the physical media I'm actually quite relieved to have the music remastered properly at all in this day and age. If country artists start getting their catalogs finely mastered and released digitally I'll take it. And if Sony step up and release mono mixes I'll doubly take it.
Exactly my point. For once I can genuinely give Sony accolades about something and they aren't even promoting it!
I think "The Essential Lee Dorsey" compilation is also a only digital release: Best Compilation CD for Lee Dorsey
They have repurposed a few of the Real Gone Complete Singles CD releases as online only "essential" releases. For instance, The Essential Blood Sweat & Tears.
The new remasters are way better. You can even hear them on the youtube channel 'Michael Nesmith' I think. The new remasters are on Amazon and HDtracks and I think Itunes. Check them out. Cleaner and MUCH better bass response.
You can find more information here, along with where you can get them: Michael Nesmith's RCA albums arrive unannounced with previously unreleased bonus cuts You can purchase or stream all six expanded RCA albums on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, and HDtracks Someone started a thread, but for some reason didn't mention the holy grail numerous previously unreleased tracks in the thread title!
You'd think Tanya Tucker's Columbia albums would be prime for this reissue/remaster campaign, but nothing so far.
Morello/Cherry Red will reissue these as a 2 CD set https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Whats-Mamas-AField-Beautiful/dp/B07FTW1JMP/ The Delta Dawn album has been released as a download as well
Morello is releasing them next week! Delta Dawn / What's Your Mama's Name / Would You Lay With Me (In AField Of Stone) / You Are So Beautiful https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FTW1JMP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TUUPBb6R1664E
Fantastic news! 3 of these have been on CD before so I hope they keep going further through Changes (her MCA and Arista albums).
It's funny. I wrote to the label about releasing Lacosta Tucker's albums. This'll suffice... for now...
To be fair I'm kinda one of those and I started the thread, but I think most of us are reasonable and are becoming the "As long as it's available and mastered properly I don't care what format it is" crowd. If this is the way it's gotta be at least keep 'em coming.
Not sure there's a list. Sony's just kind of sneak releasing them without fanfare as far as I can tell. Just keep your eyes on the download sites Brad mentioned. Let's keep each other informed on what we find!
They may have added a bunch of Percy Faith albums to download/streaming sites as well (I don't remember his 70's albums being there last time I checked).
Every format has its day and finds itself supplanted by other technologies. CDs have lasted far longer than anyone could have anticipated and while it's not over yet, it's no longer the standard. As time goes on, artists will stop releasing albums in the format and it'll become a niche thing. We're hurtling towards that now. Respect for not trippin' about it too much. Most in these parts do. Ed
