Upcoming Japanese cd reissues...

[Phil]

I'm curious about the seven cd reissues being released in Japan on September 4th - does anyone know if these are remastered from the original tapes or are they simply reissues with a bit of tweaking? Additionally, have the recently reissued vinyl albums actually been remastered and if so, will these versions be the same as the Japanese remasters?

[KarmaContestant]

I'm curious about the seven cd reissues being released in Japan on September 4th - does anyone know if these are remastered from the original tapes or are they simply reissues with a bit of tweaking? Additionally, have the recently reissued vinyl albums actually been remastered and if so, will these versions be the same as the Japanese remasters?

I do not believe the new vinyl was remastered, just reissued, although new lacquers were cut for them from the original masters.

The Japanse releases you speak of are unrelated - they are straight re-releases.

[Phil]

Thanks for your reply Karma. That's disappointing about the Japanese releases - I just assumed there must be a legitimate reason for issuing them at this point (ie that they would be remastered). The recently released version of Then Play On in the USA has been remastered so I wonder why the other albums have not been?

[KarmaContestant]

Thanks for your reply Karma. That's disappointing about the Japanese releases - I just assumed there must be a legitimate reason for issuing them at this point (ie that they would be remastered). The recently released version of Then Play On in the USA has been remastered so I wonder why the other albums have not been?

Well, my guess is that Warner & Rhino are testing the market. I would not be surprised to see Kiln House, Future Games and Bare Trees reissued on CD, but I do think it depends on sales of Then Play On...and the vinyl box set.

Then again, I would not be surprised to see Warner drop the ball and walk away from the project.

Warner Japan, like Warner in Europe, operates independently of the U.S. company, and they tend to be prolific with reissues.

Ultimately, I do hope the Warner catalog is all reissued up to 1974.