The wonderful world of Japanese CDs
Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:05 am
So as some of you may know, I am currently in Japan. On my totally touristtastic journeys, I have found time to stop into a few CD stores.
In summary:
Dear lord.
It's distinctly odd to see so much sh.tv sploogerificness together in one place...or in so many places. Cp32s! Black triangles! Irritating first pressings of things! P33L Stones discs! They are all fairly common, although even used they are fairly expensive. Pig Whisperer must be making a mint offa this, though.
I do have to say, though, that audio content aside, many of these Japanese discs are really intriguing from an aesthetic standpoint. For example, there were at least TWO issues of the Byrds discs pre-remaster in Japan, and they both look so much nicer than the shitty US CBS CDs that it isn't even funny. Remember, Japanese CDs are in print for a very limited time, although they sometimes get "instareissued" with new catalog nos when they go out of print. This is something that just doesn't happen elsewhere. So, for example, you get the original CBS versions of the Stones RSR catalog (looking, I should point out, quite mercenary) and then far nicer--but presumably identical audio-wise--Sony discs from around the time of the Stones' Japanese Steel Wheels tour.
I obviously have not picked up much, due to the overwhelming cost and the fact that I have to lug these things around. Apart from some Japanese albums I wanted, I limited myself to some "magical first pressing" Lennon CDs that were on beat-up clearance, and a P33P issue of Live at Leeds that has (atypical for major-label reissues) incredibly poorly transcribed liner-notes that are an absolute hoot.
Anyway, I have three days to go...so if anybody wants me to be on the lookout for things, send me a PM (and get ready to Paypal...)
-D
In summary:
Dear lord.
It's distinctly odd to see so much sh.tv sploogerificness together in one place...or in so many places. Cp32s! Black triangles! Irritating first pressings of things! P33L Stones discs! They are all fairly common, although even used they are fairly expensive. Pig Whisperer must be making a mint offa this, though.
I do have to say, though, that audio content aside, many of these Japanese discs are really intriguing from an aesthetic standpoint. For example, there were at least TWO issues of the Byrds discs pre-remaster in Japan, and they both look so much nicer than the shitty US CBS CDs that it isn't even funny. Remember, Japanese CDs are in print for a very limited time, although they sometimes get "instareissued" with new catalog nos when they go out of print. This is something that just doesn't happen elsewhere. So, for example, you get the original CBS versions of the Stones RSR catalog (looking, I should point out, quite mercenary) and then far nicer--but presumably identical audio-wise--Sony discs from around the time of the Stones' Japanese Steel Wheels tour.
I obviously have not picked up much, due to the overwhelming cost and the fact that I have to lug these things around. Apart from some Japanese albums I wanted, I limited myself to some "magical first pressing" Lennon CDs that were on beat-up clearance, and a P33P issue of Live at Leeds that has (atypical for major-label reissues) incredibly poorly transcribed liner-notes that are an absolute hoot.
Anyway, I have three days to go...so if anybody wants me to be on the lookout for things, send me a PM (and get ready to Paypal...)
-D