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Joined: November 19 2005
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 10964
Topic: Why are Frank Zappa albums so expensive now? 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??
Joined: October 19 2007
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 3069
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.
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.
Joined: November 19 2005
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 10964
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.
Joined: October 12 2010
Location: Canada
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Points: 6446
Posted: February 26 2012 at 13:34
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.
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
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Points: 29630
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 Lumpy Gravy Absolutely Free One Size Fits All 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...
Joined: March 12 2005
Location: Neurotica
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Points: 166178
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.
Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.
Joined: September 26 2010
Location: USA
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Points: 1281
Posted: February 29 2012 at 23:20
zravkapt wrote:
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.
He looks at this world and wants it all... so he strikes, like Thunderball!
Joined: December 06 2011
Location: UK
Status: Offline
Points: 452
Posted: March 01 2012 at 00:48
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.
Joined: February 02 2004
Location: South England
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Points: 14693
Posted: March 01 2012 at 02:52
It's the same in the UK - for virtually every artist/band on Amazon, you can get really good bargains, either through them or through their 'marketplace'...
Zappa? No.
He's one of those artists whose albums hold their value, no matter how cheap the re-issue.
It's been years since I read about this so called vault on Zappa's property. A small building where he stored live tapes of various line ups from the many years of touring. Besides the point, he recorded a live track or 2 for every official release except for a few and Zappa would either leave the track in it's original form or place in overdubs. If there is such a vault of his or I should say private collection, then we are in for some entertainment beyond our imagination. Maybe he recorded entire shows from every year and decade that we have yet to hear through the availability for cd purchase off his website? I wouldn't mind a extensive version of Roxy and Elsewhere or a live show as a bonus which could be paired up with each studio release from the past. That alone is a Zappa fan's dream.
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
Posted: March 01 2012 at 08:28
I seriously doubt there is a vast treasure trove of worthy unreleased Zappa material out there now. Wazoo was pretty good. If you are a newbie you'll benefit from getting the classic stuff only once. The only thing I would gripe about is Rykodisc releasing We're Only In It For The Money with "Don't cum in me in me" not bleeped and then on re-release by the ZT the censorship was restored. Ir's a minor thing though.
Edited by Slartibartfast - March 01 2012 at 08:31
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
Are they? Last time I was at VV, Darkshade, I didn't see the FZ albums any differently priced than usual...though it was a bit ago. Ah man I shoulda bought the Zappa from there when I had the chance!
Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
Status: Offline
Points: 17847
Posted: March 01 2012 at 10:57
If it has to do with money and the artist is dead, the family trust is looking for some cash.....That's probably 50% of it.....the other part is just price gouging online.
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Why are Frank Zappa albums so expensive now?
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darkshade wrote:
