On 01/01/2011, Nelson-Strauss, Brenda wrote:
> "The only cases I know of where something is released for
> download-only with no ability to buy a CD (or LP or 45-single) because
> none were printed, would be very-indie self-made albums and special
> one-off singles"
>
> I'm seeing a much bigger drop off in popular music. I assume younger
> buyers are the most likely to purchase MP3s and forego CDs entirely.
> Tom is correct that a lot of indie stuff and one-off singles are
> download-only, though I wouldn't go so far as to say "very-indie." And
> unfortunately this is the stuff that's the most "collectible."
>
> This year (oops, I mean, last year) there was a definite shift - and
> I'm wondering if labels have a formula - i.e., we don't expect this
> artists to sell over x copies, so we'll just release MP3s. Conversely,
> artists who have very high sales figures are more likely to have
> several versions of albums released (deluxe ed., etc.). I was just
> notified by a publicist that the forthcoming album by conscious rap
> artist Talib Kweli will be "digital only in North America - all
> formats the rest of the world." That was a huge blow as normally I
> would collect all of his albums. More and more of the music I would
> normally purchase for the archives is not available to me since 1.)
> libraries can't legally download from iTunes, Amazon, etc. and 2.) we
> lack the infrastructure.
>
Naxos have taken to releasing many of their classical CDs for download
only, usually with a note saying the disc will be available as a real CD
later.
Regards
--
Don Cox
[log in to unmask]
|