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Topic ClosedWhy are Frank Zappa albums so expensive now?

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Canterzeuhl View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 01 2012 at 00:48
Originally posted by TODDLER TODDLER wrote:

I believe the Zappa estate could be in the process of owning the rights to everything (if they already haven't), and plans to remaster his cd's with bonus studio and live tracks to match the time period of each individual release. If this is the case...it would be better to wait, however remastering a catalog of close to 50 or 60 official releases could be time consuming. I haven't been able to confirm any of this activity, yet every vendor I speak with gives me this story along with their hate comments about Gale Zappa.
Oh sweet jesus I hope not. I'd feel compelled to replace my 50ish Rykodiscs and I'm not sure I fancy the expense.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 29 2012 at 23:31
Dweezil needs some cash. 

Really, I don't know. I have virtually all of the 'approved' remasters and a sh*tload of vinyl (early years). I ain't buying them again.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 29 2012 at 23:20
Originally posted by zravkapt zravkapt wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

 There was nothing wrong with the original albums.
 
Even though the Ryko CDs were all "Zappa approved" masters, they were remastered just before Franks death when he probably didn't have the greatest hearing or attention span. The original mix of Hot Rats has never been released on CD; both Apostrophe and You Are... have a screwed up mix where the left channel is muffled and is half the volume of the right channel (you'll notice this on headphones compared to his other albums). Etc, etc. In this case reissuing his back catalogue is a good idea.


If his estate does plan on delaying any further releases until they can remaster them, I hope it turns out well. I've been skeptical of recent remasters ever since I was disappointed with the ones of The Doors catalog in 2007 and I've used that as a yardstick on whether or not a remaster is good.

Anyway, I've spent a good chunk of my pay getting my hands on as many Zappa albums as I can get. Yes, they're expensive (the shop across town has them for $20 average), though considering that his work is quite consistent, it's worth it.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 17:02
I believe toddler is correct. At least, thats the rumour. I for one hope it's not true, as I like you want the unleased stuff thats either been 'in the eings' forever or stuff like Wazoo, Feeding My Monkies..., and that flo and eddie concert that I can't remember the name of.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 14:10
When it comes to posthumous stuff, Wazoo is really good.  Before that the last additions to my collection were Japanese mini LP CDs of old stuff I didn't have.

Holy cow I got
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back in 2005
The last new addition before Wazoo was actually Zoot Allures back in 2006.


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 26 2012 at 14:16
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 13:34
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

 There was nothing wrong with the original albums.
 
Even though the Ryko CDs were all "Zappa approved" masters, they were remastered just before Franks death when he probably didn't have the greatest hearing or attention span. The original mix of Hot Rats has never been released on CD; both Apostrophe and You Are... have a screwed up mix where the left channel is muffled and is half the volume of the right channel (you'll notice this on headphones compared to his other albums). Etc, etc. In this case reissuing his back catalogue is a good idea.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 12:47
CDs

Dammit, this is quite frustrating. There was nothing wrong with the original albums. Why don't they focus their energies on releasing unreleased Zappa stuff, like the Roxy DVD, a show or two from the '73 lineup with Jean-Luc Ponty since there's very little of that stuff officially released in good quality. OR... any other material that hasn't seen the light of day. I don't need bonus material from albums I already know, which I guarantee will be remixes, alternate takes, or a couple live versions of songs from their respective album, which I see as unnecessary.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 12:40
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

I have a lot of Zappa albums, all the essential ones and then some. There's a few I want to re-buy because one is scratched, another is missing a booklet, a couple I don't have, etc.

My local record shop jacked the prices up on FZ albums to where they're all 18-35 bucks. On Amazon and a couple other sites, his albums go anywhere from 30-200 bucks!!! for new copies (used copies were pretty expensive too)

Anyone know why these prices have shot up so drastically? Last time I bought a Zappa album, it was $7.99 for Tinseltown Rebellion, and most of his other albums averaged $11-$16.

I know his albums were re-released recently. Could this be why??
 
Are you talking about LP's or cd's? I can tell you that in the last 3 years his cd's were recalled from all the chain stores in south Jersey. Many of his titles are now priced high on Amazon. For 2 years his cd's were available from the Artist Shop at $6.99 and $7.99. Now they are deleted. I have been told that sealed copies are not available for purchase. The card for his section has been pulled from FYE, Best Buy, and in the independently owned shops his cd's are mainly used and pricy. I believe the Zappa estate could be in the process of owning the rights to everything (if they already haven't), and plans to remaster his cd's with bonus studio and live tracks to match the time period of each individual release. If this is the case...it would be better to wait, however remastering a catalog of close to 50 or 60 official releases could be time consuming. I haven't been able to confirm any of this activity, yet every vendor I speak with gives me this story along with their hate comments about Gale Zappa.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 10:06
Probably.  I'd enjoy what you have and wait to see if things come down.  My most recent was Wazoo (not the grand one). LOL

It's an out of print thing most likely.  People will post gouge if they think they can it. 

Alas I sold off my last Zappa offering a while ago.  I'll mention that I have some good stuff up for sale on half.com...


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 26 2012 at 10:07
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 10:04
Hmm...yeah thatīs a bit odd. I remember when the first Rykodisc Zappa CDs were released and they were pretty expensive too. Or at least they were priced in the high end of the regular price spectrum. Iīve purchased some of mine in Austria and most in Denmark and it was the case in both countries.

Edited by UMUR - February 26 2012 at 10:50
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 26 2012 at 09:54
I have a lot of Zappa albums, all the essential ones and then some. There's a few I want to re-buy because one is scratched, another is missing a booklet, a couple I don't have, etc.

My local record shop jacked the prices up on FZ albums to where they're all 18-35 bucks. On Amazon and a couple other sites, his albums go anywhere from 30-200 bucks!!! for new copies (used copies were pretty expensive too)

Anyone know why these prices have shot up so drastically? Last time I bought a Zappa album, it was $7.99 for Tinseltown Rebellion, and most of his other albums averaged $11-$16.

I know his albums were re-released recently. Could this be why??
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