Manafon deluxe edition - too expensive??

[barryinstockholm]

I preface this with the background that I have been a fan of David's since 1981. And I have 98% of what he's released.

But the deluxe edition does strike me as expensive. Mostly because I don't WANT the dvd content. I would if he was included and/or if footage of the sessions was included, but that is not the case.

What I would like to order is the cd and book of lyrics...to go with all my Trophies.

But sadly I have not been given that option. It's all-or-nothing...but the packaging looks beautiful and I am absolutely sure it will be first-rate. One can't wear Prada and then do cheap design can one?

So I will have to be sullenly satisfied with the 6-panel digipack.

[Crickett]

Yeah I'm right there with Marcello.... and I do remember You Marcello! Actually I haven't posted here either for some time since early 2007.. but Manafon's release has brought me back! I was all geared up to buy the deluxe special edition but when I saw the price and then an additional shipping cost.. my excitement turned sour. I just ordered the standard release I do wish that the DVD would be made available seperately or at least the CD and DVD could come in a more scaled down package as Marcello suggested minus the books/lyrics/art and the price could drop considerabley.... My thinking is split down the middle are we paying for all the goodies and extras or is this like up scale retail for the indie music biz.... I don't know but if another remix album is released.. this time for Manafon I definitely think it's "Money for All" in the Samadhisound camp.. I don't know I could be completely wrong... maybe Samadhisound is struggling just like all of us....

[sonic_chronicler]

It certainly is expensive. Shipping is expensive too, but I think we can expect a high quality artifact from Mr Sylvian and his cohorts. One of the things that really interest me with this release is David's first foray into Surround Sound. The music is the primary attraction for me, the packaging secondary

I bought it with very little hesitation, unlike some other 'Special editions' (Porcupine Tree's 'The Incident' for instance) but then Sylvian is my favourite musician of all time and I didn't even flinch at shelling well over £200 for the Visionaire release - something I am still glad I did, because that is a beautiful thing.

Sonic

[Simonp]

is the DVD with Amplified Gesture only available as part of the deluxe edition? if that's true, which I think it is, that seems to go against the philosophies of the musicians portrayed in the film.

i would think that the musicians on Amplified Gesture would be grateful for any exposure they are given. Let's be honest, they are hardly mainstream and how many other films have been made about their art?

[fletchertronics]

Yes, it's expensive 'to me'. And yes, I hesitated before ordering... But whilst I could live without the packaging I do want the DVD, and to date I have purchased the majority of David's boxed sets (Weatherbox, etc) so it would be nice to continue the trend.

There are few (if any) other artists on whom I'd shell out so much, but I know that David is always personally involved in these things, therefore it is an extension of the work rather than a purely capitalist record company marketing strategy. The materials in this package doubtless dictate much of the price...

I do find the shipping to be pretty excessive though, and given the overall cost I won't be buying both versions like some here, even if it means a longer wait to receive the album.

[Simonp]

His solo releases are so few and far between I really don't mind spending a bit more to support him and his label.

[marcello09]

Hello Crickett!

Nice to see you back here, and nice to be back myself! BTW, whatever happened to the old Mick Karn message board that we used to hang out in? Perhaps Mick was a bit miffed that the Gary Numan thread was longer than his own?

Anyhoo, you're probably right, the folks at Samadhisound are looking for ways to maximize profit. I don't hold that against them, everyone's got bills to pay. But putting out a box set that only a small percentage of fans can afford might not be the best way to bring in the bucks. Only their accountant knows for sure.

In any case, as Adrian pointed out, Sylvian wears Prada -- he clearly doesn't need my $85 anyway!

cheers, Marcello

[Simonp]

Marcello...I note from your previous post you're not purchasing the deluxe OR standard versions...is this in demonstration against the high price of the deluxe version?

[marcello09]

Hi Simonp,

I'm holding out to see if a third option will become available -- either a CD/DVD package (without the books), or the DVD sold separately. One can always hope!

-- M

[Simonp]

Knowing Sylvian's stubborn-ness (sp), I think you'll have a long wait. I think the only other version that may be released is a limited vinyl edition.

[jon abbey]

is the DVD with Amplified Gesture only available as part of the deluxe edition? if that's true, which I think it is, that seems to go against the philosophies of the musicians portrayed in the film.

i would think that the musicians on Amplified Gesture would be grateful for any exposure they are given. Let's be honest, they are hardly mainstream and how many other films have been made about their art?

well, that's a fairly condescending response. first of all, it works both ways, Sylvian should be grateful for having the chance to work with them and be inspired by them as he seems to have been, and secondly, I produced a documentary that overlaps some with this which was released in 2004 and included in a few European film festivals, 'balance beams' (also amusingly available as part of a pricy box set, but on its own as a standalone DVD also).

anyway, the idea is nice, but the decision to include it only in the deluxe set is a poor one. this is a case where I'm glad that it'll likely be circulating illegally for free soon enough.

[marcello09]

I produced a documentary that overlaps some with this which was released in 2004 and included in a few European film festivals, 'balance beams' (also amusingly available as part of a pricy box set, but on its own as a standalone DVD also).

Sounds fascinating! Just did a Google search and it looks like it got some good reviews. How can I get a copy?

[jon abbey]

e-mail me, erstrecs@aol.com, thanks!

[Simonp]

is the DVD with Amplified Gesture only available as part of the deluxe edition? if that's true, which I think it is, that seems to go against the philosophies of the musicians portrayed in the film.

i would think that the musicians on Amplified Gesture would be grateful for any exposure they are given. Let's be honest, they are hardly mainstream and how many other films have been made about their art?

well, that's a fairly condescending response. first of all, it works both ways, Sylvian should be grateful for having the chance to work with them and be inspired by them as he seems to have been, and secondly, I produced a documentary that overlaps some with this which was released in 2004 and included in a few European film festivals, 'balance beams' (also amusingly available as part of a pricy box set, but on its own as a standalone DVD also).

anyway, the idea is nice, but the decision to include it only in the deluxe set is a poor one. this is a case where I'm glad that it'll likely be circulating illegally for free soon enough.

I don't think my response was condescending in the slightest. I wasn't dismissing the Amplified Gesture artists in the slightest, just making a point that more people are likely to have heard of David Sylvian than Evan Parker...even if it is the usual "is he that bloke that used to be in Japan". it can only be to their benefit being the subject of this film and introduce them to a wider audience. Yes it works both ways and Sylvian may also increase his fan base through the Erstwhile connection but I don't think it will impact that greatly on his existing fan base.

I am also appalled that you as a record label owner advocate the distribution of the DVD over the internet illegally. I'm sure sylvian would be delighted to hear that.

[jon abbey]

yes, we all know that there are many more Sylvian fans than there are electroacoustic improv/Erstwhile fans, that has nothing to do with my point, which was that this record wouldn't have existed without those other musicians.

I am also appalled that you as a record label owner advocate the distribution of the DVD over the internet illegally. I'm sure sylvian would be delighted to hear that.

I'm writing to him in the next few days, I'll be sure to tell him.

just to be clear, I'm not advocating it exactly, what I said was "this is a case where I'm glad that it'll likely be circulating illegally for free soon enough." my opinion is irrelevant in this case, everything circulates for free whether you or I or David S. want it to or not.