| Lester Burnham 21.09.2007 12:18 |
OK, so because I'm partly unemployed (hey, I'm a writer, what do you expect?), I have a bit of time on my hands to think about things. Earlier today, I was perusing Wikipedia and happened across the Genesis (band) page. I knew they had been touring, but I was surprised to see they had released a box set of albums with a plethora of bonus material and DVDs: link link (A third installment is due next year that covers the years 1970 to 1975.) Now, at the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist (or AlexRocks), what are the thoughts of Queen doing something similar? Yes, I know, having to buy the albums again for the millionth time might be a bit of a bitch, but if they offered cleaned-up sound, or even SACD, as well as bonus DVDs and an extra disc of bonus material, would that make it a little better for everyone? It seems that the anthology projects are on indefinite hold right now, with little to no chance of being released in our lifetimes, let alone our children's children's children's lifetimes, so this might be the next best route for the band to go down. I could see dividing the releases up thusly: Box 1, 1970 - 1976: debut album through ADATR, with a sixth disc of B-sides, rarities, demos, and single edits. Box 2, 1977 - 1982: NOTW through Hot Space, with a sixth disc of B-sides, rarities, extended versions, and single edits. Box 3, 1984 - 1995: The Works through MIH, with a sixth disc of B-sides, rarities, extended versions, and single edits. (It should be noted that this applies to studio recordings only -- no live albums or compilation albums will be included.) Six DVDs will accompany each box, one with contemporary material and promotional videos to correspond with each era (so, the first DVD on box 1 will feature the two promotional videos for KYA and Liar, as well as any additional footage from the time). This might be an ideal opportunity for incomplete live footage to finally be released, as well. Additionally, each box will come with an INFORMATIVE, lengthy book (as opposed to the one featured with The Crown Jewels, which just had the lyrics and a pointless essay by some MTV VJ). And, no, it won't be on Blu-Ray. So, good idea? Bad idea? In this day and age of constant repackaging, this might not be the worst idea in the world. Then again, I'm partial to it because I like box sets. |
| Togg 21.09.2007 12:26 |
You know what it just might work.... Or better still do all that but instead just stick the Genesis stuff on the disks and label it Queen... Sorry it's late, I'm knackered but hey as to your idea, you knowsad as it is I guess I'd buy it! |
| Negative Creep 21.09.2007 13:18 |
They should remix and remaster the whole back catalogue so that it sounds good on CD and issue each album with a bonus disc of home demos/studio demos/outtakes/single versions/edits/bsides. It would make more sense than releasing boxsets of just rarities that "only" fans would want. But.... QP aren't letting go of any unreleased material so..... |
| Michael Allred 21.09.2007 13:40 |
They do NOT need to re-re-re-re-re-release the studio albums again. |
| Lester Burnham 21.09.2007 13:48 |
Negative Creep wrote: They should remix and remaster the whole back catalogue so that it sounds good on CD and issue each album with a bonus disc of home demos/studio demos/outtakes/single versions/edits/bsides. It would make more sense than releasing boxsets of just rarities that "only" fans would want. But.... QP aren't letting go of any unreleased material so.....This is a good idea too, one that most bands have implemented over the years. I have mentioned Elvis Costello's reissue program in the past, but it's really how all bands should handle their back catalog: the first disc in the original album, with a second disc of rarities, B-sides, etc., plus a new booklet with liners penned by Elvis himself. Michael Allred wrote: They do NOT need to re-re-re-re-re-release the studio albums again.Considering the only available albums in stores are the 1991 Hollywood remasters (in the US) and the 1993/1994 EMI remasters (in the UK), Queen's back catalog has pretty much been neglected and is horribly outdated. |
| Adam Baboolal 21.09.2007 15:06 |
Lester, I was under the impression that the 2001/2004 remasters were also on UK store shelves. Yes, both at the same time! Adam. |
| Micrówave 21.09.2007 15:15 |
Lester Burnham wrote: (A third installment is due next year that covers the years 1970 to 1975.)Saving the best for last. I wonder if they'll use stuff that's already released on the Genesis Archive I box? But the thing about Genesis, they don't re-issue something every two years. When the "commemorative" edition comes out for an album, just don't release another edition again and again and again. Past history shows QPL can't do that. Side note: How come Lester can quote Wikipedia, but if someone else uses it for "research" we burn them at the stake. Even the propietors of a certain Wikipedia look-a-like site constantly trash Wiki. Why? Has Lester started spreading lies across the QZ community? No! He simply started a good discussion, which has seemed to evade this site recently. Examples: YourValentine wrote: I am re-defining the meaning of the word "research", accordingly, Mylord :) Erin wrote:Miracle-Man! wrote: YV,the result of my research of Time is what I found in wikipediaResearch flaw revealed. ;-) Penetration_Guru wrote: Are you recanting now that the guy has revealed his extensive research to be wiki fucking pedia??? |
| Pim Derks 21.09.2007 15:57 |
Micrówave wrote: Saving the best for last. I wonder if they'll use stuff that's already released on the Genesis Archive I box?It now looks like the 1970-1975 boxset will at least include the "Genesis Plays Jackson"-tape, which is about 10-15 minutes in length I think. The Musical Box, Fountain of Salmacis etc. all evolved from there I think. But who cares about unreleased stuff if you can have Supper's Ready in 5.1 surround!? |
| Phill the Thrill 21.09.2007 16:00 |
( No! He simply started a good discussion, which has seemed to evade this site recently.I completly agree with this statement |
| cmsdrums 21.09.2007 16:00 |
Negative Creep wrote: They should remix and remaster the whole back catalogue so that it sounds good on CD and issue each album with a bonus disc of home demos/studio demos/outtakes/single versions/edits/bsides. It would make more sense than releasing boxsets of just rarities that "only" fans would want. But.... QP aren't letting go of any unreleased material so.....I'm really not sure why they would want to remix all the albums? We have remixes of certain singles, and extended (but not remixed)versions of others, and these could do with a remastered release. With regard to remasters, the Japanese vinyl replica releases (2004) are available in stores in the UK and online , and are easily the best sounding remasters yet - we don't need another set of re-released albums with no improvements. Going back to the original poster - marvellous idea of releasing rarities CDs and DVDs in chronological order; perhaps if they did they could release two versions of each package - one with the original album and one without. Then at least we could choose whether we wanted our 10th different version of ANATO or whether to just buy the rarities. All a bit of an academic discussion unfortunately, as it'll never happen - Brian is happily chatting away on his soapbox at the moment saying how he should re-release Starfleet Project on CD, whilst obviously forgetting that it was available on the Back To The Light CD singles!!!! |
| Phill the Thrill 21.09.2007 16:07 |
/QUOTENAME]Brian is happily chatting away on his soapbox at the moment saying how he should re-release Starfleet Project on CD, whilst obviously forgetting that it was available on the Back To The Light CD singles!!!!yeah but these were not available to most (or at least alot) of people, I was only able to get it on Ebay about 6 months ago. And they were wplit up on to 2 discs, and in a differant order...which was kind of crappy. So even though I wouldnt buy it again (unless i got a really good deal) I think this is not that bad of an idea. |
| Lester Burnham 21.09.2007 16:27 |
Micrówave wrote: Side note: How come Lester can quote Wikipedia, but if someone else uses it for "research" we burn them at the stake. Even the propietors of a certain Wikipedia look-a-like site constantly trash Wiki. Why? Has Lester started spreading lies across the QZ community? No! He simply started a good discussion, which has seemed to evade this site recently.'ere, I'll provide something more "official": link link I know Wikipedia is a horrible resource, so I stand humbly corrected. |
| Micrówave 21.09.2007 16:34 |
You don't need to apologize for anything Lester. Great thread. I went to the genesis box website... Whew!!! lots to digest there. (note sarcasm) I find Wiki quite enlightening, but mainly for the links at the bottom of the page. |
| Negative Creep 21.09.2007 17:14 |
cmsdrums wrote: I'm really not sure why they would want to remix all the albums? We have remixes of certain singles, and extended (but not remixed)versions of others, and these could do with a remastered release.Remix in the sense of going back to the multitracks and mixing them for CD - not of the albums sound great on CD (inc. the recent Japanese remasters)... probably due to lost stereo masters etc. Not dance remixes. |
| fantasticcircus 21.09.2007 20:24 |
You know... Supper's Ready is completely awesome. Anyway, I think this idea could work and it could work for both ideas. Some people on here are saying "yes box" some are saying "no, only fans would buy that". Well, what Genesis did was release the three boxed sets AND also released each album (except the b-side albums) individually, meaning that the casual fan can go and buy Abacab, Invisble Touch and Selling England By the Pound and avoid all the other (really good) stuff they don't really want, but can still have SACD quality. |
| Erin 22.09.2007 00:53 |
If there were enough rarities and demos in the boxes, I wouldn't have a problem buying the studio albums again...for the 10th or so time. |
| ok.computer 22.09.2007 04:16 |
Lester Burnham wrote: (SNIP) Six DVDs will accompany each box, one with contemporary material and promotional videos to correspond with each era (SNIP) Additionally, each box will come with an INFORMATIVE, lengthy book (as opposed to the one featured with The Crown Jewels, which just had the lyrics and a pointless essay by some MTV VJ).I would agree that something different, something worthy of the band and something quality is needed...but I am just wondering about what projected cost you would put on this? And if the releasing label wants to make money, then sure it will put something out there for the uber-fans...but it will have to be accessible to the more casual fan too. Having said that, what I've just written happened anyway for the Freddie box. Let's say you want to charge sixty quid a pop for each set...that starts adding up. And I think we all remember when the Freddie box come out, this site was fairly inundated with "i can't afford it" comments. It's really just an observation - the more material, the happier I'd be. And I have stuck a couple of hundred quid away for when they are released, so I won't be found wanting when they come out. (Actually, the money is part of my pension fund - I reckon that's when I'll be buying the boxes...) |
| Tero 22.09.2007 05:18 |
It would be absolutely wonderful if the Queen back catalogue would get even the Genesis treatment, even though that isn't close to perfect either. In addition to the surround mixes the first boxset did include two concert videos and a documentary each almost an hour in length, but there was the possibility of including hours of other material. Similarily, the second box set includes a couple of rare videos but at the same time omits plenty of concert videos that are never going to be released anywhere. What made it possible to release these sets in the first place is what's going to stop Queen from ever achieving even this level... Genesis didn't want to personally oversee the remixing. It was done by their latest producer with very little input by the band. |
| Roger's Beard 22.09.2007 05:26 |
They're too busy with the stupid musical (still). Surely all Brian has to do is tell Justin to get on with the work and just pop in occasionally to check it? What IS the problem??? |
| Pim Derks 22.09.2007 06:30 |
Tero wrote: It would be absolutely wonderful if the Queen back catalogue would get even the Genesis treatment, even though that isn't close to perfect either.Indeed. It seems there's always something wrong with these 'definitive' boxsets. The Genesis 1976-1982 box misses the original b-side version of It's Yourself. Besides that I think it's rather complete - yes, there is lots of videostuff - but audiowise it has everything they released in that period (with the exception of It's Yourself - the version they included is the single version, but with an extra verse and a different ending). Now, the forthcoming 1983-1998 boxset is something different. They choose NOT to include all the b-sides from the Calling All Station (sans Phil) period. I don't give a shit about those tracks, but they should've been included - they were officially released and so must be included in a definitive box. What made it possible to release these sets in the first place is what's going to stop Queen from ever achieving even this level... Genesis didn't want to personally oversee the remixing. It was done by their latest producer with very little input by the band.Indeed. Tony Banks did come by everyday to give hints and tips, but for the rest the band-input was minimal. Too bad Brian doesn't want to give anything away :( |
| steven 35638 22.09.2007 09:11 |
It might be useless, but I think Lester should e-mail Queen Productions. link Just copy and paste what you wrote in this thread. It's worth a try, you know? |
| cmsdrums 22.09.2007 10:33 |
Negative Creep wrote: Remix in the sense of going back to the multitracks and mixing them for CD - not of the albums sound great on CD (inc. the recent Japanese remasters)... probably due to lost stereo masters etc. Not dance remixes.When the CDs are done there is no "remixing" (other than for the 5.1 mixes). All the CDs are simply remastered versions of the original mixes. I do agree with you on the latest Japanese CDs, some are definitely better than others (although even the worse that don't stand out are still, in my opinion, better than any earlier masters) :-) |
| Lester Burnham 22.09.2007 11:11 |
<font color=FF0033 face=symbol>Freddie wrote: It might be useless, but I think Lester should e-mail Queen Productions. link Just copy and paste what you wrote in this thread. It's worth a try, you know?Eh, it's worth a shot. Maybe they'll recognize me as that jackass who wrote Complete Works and completely ignore me ;) |
| Tero 22.09.2007 17:25 |
Pim Derks wrote: Now, the forthcoming 1983-1998 boxset is something different. They choose NOT to include all the b-sides from the Calling All Station (sans Phil) period. I don't give a shit about those tracks, but they should've been included - they were officially released and so must be included in a definitive box.Ah yes, I forgot all about that... It's not that I hate that period of the band or already own those tracks, but I guess it's just that I've gotten used to being shafted so much by all these boxset releases that I won't even pay attention to it all of the time. ;) |
| Negative Creep 23.09.2007 06:47 |
cmsdrums wrote:Why would I be suggesting something that's already been done? I know full well the CDs are all from the original stereo mixes - hence the suggestion. For the albums to sound good on CD they either have to find better masters to work with or remix the albums.Negative Creep wrote: Remix in the sense of going back to the multitracks and mixing them for CD - not of the albums sound great on CD (inc. the recent Japanese remasters)... probably due to lost stereo masters etc. Not dance remixes.When the CDs are done there is no "remixing" (other than for the 5.1 mixes). All the CDs are simply remastered versions of the original mixes. I do agree with you on the latest Japanese CDs, some are definitely better than others (although even the worse that don't stand out are still, in my opinion, better than any earlier masters) :-) |