Rhino Records: response to remaster inquiry

[KarmaContestant]

So, I wrote an e-mail to Rhino records today - they do an incredible amount of remastering and reissuing, as some of you may know.

I wrote to ask them several questions, of which only one was answered. I asked why Rhino (owned by Warner) would reissue Madonna's albums in Europe on vinyl, but not the U.S.. I also asked about the remastering /reissue of Mirage and Tango. I asked about Stevie's first four studio albums being remastered or expanded. I asked if the impetus for these projects is the artist or the label. I asked why Warner would release a 40-CD Madonna Singles box set in Japan, but not in North America.

Of course, I also stated that I knew they could not provide me with any information about upcoming releases such as dates, etc...but was hoping they could say "soon" or "someday" or "it's in the works".

The only response I got was:

We do not have current plans for these release, but thank you for your input.

I will forward your email to our suggestion box.

Dr. Rhino

If anyone else wants to e-mail Rhino about any remasters, you can write to them at [email protected] At the very least, suggestions may be submitted.

[Macfanforever]

Thats a great Idea.I love to see Stevie's and FM's works remastered also I would love to see Stevie's HBO and US fest remastered on DVD along with FM's Tusk docu and other vids remastered.

I love to see IYD vinylized.


Maybe we get a street team campaign running online on Facebook and Twitter on this.

I think its BS why Rhino sell those sets over in other countries then here in the states.

They pull the same BS on having sales of special collection for the states only too.

[becca]

There's always the possibility if there seems enough interest for Rhino to put something out in a limited edition through their Rhino Handmade section. Rhino is a bit downsized though from what it was a few years ago as I understand it.

[SpyNote]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I wrote to ask them several questions, of which only one was answered. I asked why Rhino (owned by Warner) would reissue Madonna's albums in Europe on vinyl, but not the U.S.. I also asked about the remastering /reissue of Mirage and Tango. I asked about Stevie's first four studio albums being remastered or expanded. I asked if the impetus for these projects is the artist or the label.

Thanks for submitting the questions. I don't think we'll see either Mirage or Tango reissued anytime soon. There isn't much incentive for them to do so when Rumours brings in all the cash.

I asked why Warner would release a 40-CD Madonna Singles box set in Japan, but not in North America.

I have a theory about this. 1) Japan actually has quite a large Madonna fan base, so releasing a singles box set there isn't unusual. 2) But the main reason for an exclusive release is more likely to prevent Japanese consumers from buying American versions of the same releases, which are considerably cheaper (American CD singles are a fraction of the cost of the Japanese counterparts). This is also the likely reason Japanese releases contain additional/bonus tracks; to encourage Japanese consumers to buy their own country's products.

Fortunately, you aren't missing much from the box set. Nearly all of the tracks are identical to the US releases. There are some mistakes, too, like the album version of "Like a Prayer" being used instead of the single remix, which was originally issued. The only rare track is the single version of "Borderline," which has never previously been available on CD. Everything else has been released elsewhere. No remastering.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by SpyNote

I have a theory about this. 1) Japan actually has quite a large Madonna fan base, so releasing a singles box set there isn't unusual. 2) But the main reason for an exclusive release is more likely to prevent Japanese consumers from buying American versions of the same releases, which are considerably cheaper (American CD singles are a fraction of the cost of the Japanese counterparts). This is also the likely reason Japanese releases contain additional/bonus tracks; to encourage Japanese consumers to buy their own country's products.

Fortunately, you aren't missing much from the box set. Nearly all of the tracks are identical to the US releases. There are some mistakes, too, like the album version of "Like a Prayer" being used instead of the single remix, which was originally issued. The only rare track is the single version of "Borderline," which has never previously been available on CD. Everything else has been released elsewhere. No remastering.

Well, that's interesting. Worldwide, Japan is known for superior products, so it seems odd that they would prefer the American releases. I guess the old mantra holds true - always buy the import! The Japanese box set looks nice, but the Euro CD singles were so much better, and didn't get released here either. What really peeves me is the vast quantity of her material that has never seen a CD release. Much of it is small beans, really, but hardcore fans would buy it and that's really what remasters and reissues are for. Speaking of Borderline, I can't get enough of the 12" mix, backed with the Lucky Star 12" mix. Both are outstanding! Those are the kind of gems I'm really on the hunt for, and while most were released in Europe on CD, the prices on eBay are often a little out of hand...and it's harder and harder these days to justify 40 or 50 bucks for a CD single with one or two mixes. Of couse, I have them on vinyl (the synthy beats in Borderline sound *awesome* and deep on the 12" single), but CD would be great.

I'm really hoping, someday, for a singles box set collection like Depeche Mode has, with 6/7 singles per box, and each single contains every alternate or remix or live version that was ever released in a non-album format (promos, singles, etc...). But...not holding my breath - I'll just make them myself in iTunes.

Regarding Tango and Mirage, I imagine a Tango remaster would do very well. Warner/Reprise missed the mark in a huge way last year with the 25th anniversary going by unmarked and unnoted. It was their most successful album after Rumours, and it just blows my mind that we got nothing. Some albums are landmarks - being a teen of 14 when Tango was released, those singles were EVERYWHERE... The radio was exploding with Little Lies and Big Love and Seven Wonders. There were 12" singles and 12" picture discs and CD singles and remixes - celebrating the 25th year of release with a reissue would have been grand. The Rumours deluxe box could have been released at the same time as the Tango deluxe box, virtually guaranteeing a good sales turnout. I imagine many fans would have just picked them both up at the same time.

Although I don't want to admit it, I've accepted that the probability of Stevie Nicks reissues is slim to nothing.

[chiliD]

At one point back before the Fleetwood Mac, Rumours & Tusk remasters with bonus tracks/discs were released, Rhino (then aka Warner Special Products) had announced that the entire WB/REPRISE Fleetwood Mac catalogue was going to be remastered, with bonus tracks/discs...from Then Play On to Time...even when & after the "holy trinity" was released, there were still announcements that they were just releasing those first, then the rest would be released in no particular order over the next 5 years. (I seem to recall there was also some speculation at the time, that the Buckingham Nicks album would be included in that remaster program, as well). Obviously, those plans changed.

[Phil]

I thought that the edited 7" single mix of "Holiday" was also included in the Madonna Japanese Singles Box Set. Does anyone know if this version is available elsewhere on cd?

[Phoenixgypsy]

I don't see it happening, but I hope I'm wrong. I would love to have the remasters with bonus tracks. Even if the bonus were just b-sides from the albums era, it would be nice to have those on cd.

[KenshiMaster16]

Horrible thought but mark my words; we'll get them when they're dead. Michael Jackson, Tupac, Elvis, Lennon, there's always an explosion of releases upon and after their passing.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by KenshiMaster16

Horrible thought but mark my words; we'll get them when they're dead.

But, this doesn't mean "go out & speed up the process", people.

[nightbird28]

I just wrote in asking about the remasters. Another, inquiry can't hurt. Didn't we have a petition awhile back to get material released from the vaults? Maybe we should start one for just remastering Mirage and Tango.

[SpyNote]

Originally Posted by Phil

I thought that the edited 7" single mix of "Holiday" was also included in the Madonna Japanese Singles Box Set. Does anyone know if this version is available elsewhere on cd?

It's on the box set. It also appeared on a series of promo CDs when the song was reissued in the UK for The Immaculate Collection. So yes, that would be a rare edit, as well, considering that the edits for most of her '80s singles predate CD singles. Shep Pettibone's remix/edit of "True Blue" with additional vocals would be another nice one to have on CD/digital format.

The Second Disc reviewed the singles box set a while back. There is some helpful collectors' information in the comments section.

Originally Posted by chiliD

At one point back before the Fleetwood Mac, Rumours & Tusk remasters with bonus tracks/discs were released, Rhino (then aka Warner Special Products) had announced that the entire WB/REPRISE Fleetwood Mac catalogue was going to be remastered, with bonus tracks/discs...from Then Play On to Time...even when & after the "holy trinity" was released, there were still announcements that they were just releasing those first, then the rest would be released in no particular order over the next 5 years. (I seem to recall there was also some speculation at the time, that the Buckingham Nicks album would be included in that remaster program, as well). Obviously, those plans changed.

I wonder if that ball has finally started to roll. I can't wait to get the Rhino reissue of Then Play On on August 20.

[Phil]

Thanks for that SpyNote. I wish Madonna would release a singles collection with the actual single versions.

[lyonluv]

the Madonna box set actually does have all of the Japanese single versions. It has an exclusive edit of the remix of Burning Up as well as single versions not on any other CD like Borderline, Holiday, Angel (both 7" versions are on the disc, neither on any other CD), True Blue and Papa Don't Preach. the Japanese single for Like a Prayer was issued in two versions one with the 7" version and the other with the LP version with fade, the latter being what is in this set. I personally love this set, having bought it when it first came out.

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by lyonluv

the Madonna box set actually does have all of the Japanese single versions. It has an exclusive edit of the remix of Burning Up as well as single versions not on any other CD like Borderline, Holiday, Angel (both 7" versions are on the disc, neither on any other CD), True Blue and Papa Don't Preach. the Japanese single for Like a Prayer was issued in two versions one with the 7" version and the other with the LP version with fade, the latter being what is in this set. I personally love this set, having bought it when it first came out.

This is a Stevie Nicks forum can we not solely discuss this terrible film actress and mediocre singer. Never in the history of pop culture has anyone gotten so far on so little talent.