Why are Frank Zappa albums so expensive now?
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Topic: Why are Frank Zappa albums so expensive now?
Posted By: darkshade
Subject: Why are Frank Zappa albums so expensive now?
Date Posted: February 26 2012 at 09:54
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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?? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Replies:
Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: February 26 2012 at 10:04
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Hmm...yeah that´s 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. I´ve purchased some of mine in Austria and most in Denmark and it was the case in both countries. ------------- http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/" rel="nofollow - Metal Music Archives https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date 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).  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... ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: February 26 2012 at 12:40
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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darkshade wrote:Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: February 26 2012 at 12:47
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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. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: zravkapt
Date Posted: February 26 2012 at 13:34
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. ------------- Magma America Great Make Again |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: February 26 2012 at 14:10
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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. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: February 26 2012 at 17:02
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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. |
Posted By: KingCrInuYasha
Date Posted: February 29 2012 at 23:20
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! |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: February 29 2012 at 23:31
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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. ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Canterzeuhl
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 00:48
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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Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 02:52
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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. I guess you have to pay for quality 
...or the Zappa Family Trust are a tad greedy... ------------- 
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: zravkapt
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 05:18
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^Both ------------- Magma America Great Make Again |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 07:43
| 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. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 08:28
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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.
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 08:31
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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! |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 08:37
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Frank has this evil grip from beyond the grave and is putting all the funds in his heavenly bank account.
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: Canterzeuhl
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 09:52
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 10:20
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Very, very cool video!! Ahhh the Roxy master tapes!! He should have just found some way to play them.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 10:57
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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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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 15:26
Quite some time I didn't buy any FZ, but I would post a similar question about Pekka Pohjola, his albums are f*ing expensive and I don't know why 
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 15:28
That's interesting because you are in an area where you'd think they wouldn't be. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: akaBona
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 15:41
In Finland you can buy Pekka Pohjola's CDs easily. Prices are between 8,95-12 € per cd. Some time ago they sold main Pohjola, Wigwam and Tasavallan Presidentti CDs at a price of 5,95 €. All remastered versions.
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 16:04
Well they are expensive wherever I have looked so far (I admit I haven't searched too deeply). I have some work colleagues in Sweden, probably they have no idea who Pekka is but I could ask them to buy some CDs for me there if they are well priced.
Will have to ask them to take a look in Sweden for me, 9 to 12 euro is very reasonable
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Posted By: akaBona
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 16:18
In Sweden they have this CDON. At least four first ones (and the best ones imo) are cheap there. http://cdon.fi/search?category=1&q=pekka+pohjola&x=0&y=0" rel="nofollow - http://cdon.fi/search?category=1&q=pekka+pohjola&x=0&y=0
Hope they can help you. If not, let me know ...
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Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: March 01 2012 at 16:30
It certainly isn't my dream to have to rebuy the whole studio catalogue for bonus live releases (assuming the whole show as you said). Just release the shows seperately and I'd be happy to buy...but I don't need duplicates of his material (no matter how much I love it). ------------- 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. |
Posted By: Lord Jagged
Date Posted: March 02 2012 at 09:16
As far as I'm aware the Zappa Family Trust has no European Distributor for their products. As a result the stuff they release is hideously expensive to buy due to the ludicrously expensive US Postal System. ------------- Dead Souls In The Rear View Mirror Hitch A Ride For A While.. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 02 2012 at 10:58
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Zappa's revenge?
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: March 02 2012 at 11:33
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Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: March 02 2012 at 12:56
| Zappa albums have never been cheap. The cheapest one i've bought was about $7, and that was used. New, the prices are in the $15 to $30 range usually, with the higher end of the price spectrum containing the majority of albums. |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: March 02 2012 at 13:09
I'm not sure that right now is a good time to ask these questions.
There is no comment, word, or a single response anywhere from the Trust group and I think that Gayle is simply tired of it all and has given up ... I don't blame her ... with WB kicking her on the right ... fans kicking her on the left ... and whatever else ... and it is making things really difficult.
I sincerely doubt that the stuff in the "vault" will ever come out while Gayle is alive. She's a rock'n'roll fan and lady and while I would not consider her a groupie, the material that she is mostly putting out is a rehash of everything that was done before and is not showing Frank in the composer light that he deserves to be in. And his best medium was improvisation and we're not seeing a whole lot of it as we should.
The real question is how Dweezil and the keeper of the vault will work these things after Gayle leaves us ... she has done an incredible job and even taken some serious abuse from Warner Brothers and many other folks while trying like heck to protect Frank's work ... and it has become a thankless job for everyone.
It is my believe that they are hoping all the rights, by anyone else, finally come to an end, so they can do their own releasing ... with one problem ... a lot less people will know Frank and his work then and I'm not sure that Dweezil alone can carry that flag when Gayle is also shutting down tribute bands and many other affairs out there -- which is not helping the legacy any ... but it would suggest that she could use a few dollars to get better lawyer support and help with some movie studios and some other conglomerates ... where the only hope is teh new Copyright Laws that revert the work back to the artist ... but movies? ... you're not an artist! The movie studio is!
Good luck ... wish you the best, and I know that I would like to buy some more stuff from them, but have decided to not do so anymore. I was looking to put together a book with the reviews of all these albums, but getting them was getting way too difficult to bother and I gave up! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |