Vinyl Me Please Anthology

I didnt buy any anthology (and I'm not going to, specially with those ridiculous prices), but I like reading this thread so this is the opinion of an outsider.

It's not only the FOMO what makes this thing work.
It's the status. Or at least they are trying to make everybody believe there's something of status in this product. You don't buy a box, you buy "an experience". The experience is just a box, a booklet and a podcast, but if you're looking at the emperor's new clothes, that's "the experience".
And it works, there's lot of people who don't buy "a box" but "the experience".
In the end, it's just Stacy Malibu with a new hat.
 
I’m not a VMP fanboy by any stretch. But some folks really have enjoyed these anthologies and if they’re up for paying the expense, justified or not, then that’s the market. I think the critics are right to point out that buyers should be aware of FOMO and not let psychology drive the decisions. I’ve been helped numerous times on the forum by folks pointing out cheaper alternatives elsewhere. But after those warnings are given and info provided, it starts to sound a little like shitting on what makes people happy...and for some people, a VMP exclusive colored, overpriced collection provides some joy.I haven’t bought an anthology yet - the releases have been too expensive for me and there’s other stuff I want more (for God’s sake, I don’t even own Stevie Wonder yet, and that’s a higher priority than a 4th tier Motown artist). I’m happy Nathan and other folks clamoring for a stax release are happy!
 
mdmost said:
I love you guys. A couple pages already trying to convince people not to buy something because you don't see the value in it but they might.
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The problem is that airing our opinions isnt just about trying to pooh-pooh people's excitement over this set, but to articulate (semi-) publicly the issues with such a set on a forum that we know the company reads and to try to prevent such gouging as being accepted as the norm among the community. I know a lot of us are getting sick that the hobby is more and more being turned into a FOMO factory.

If you have the money and want to buy it, that's your right. But the idea that such a cost and the mediocre production by VMP should be deemed acceptable and not criticized on a forum is ridiculous. For such a premium priced product, they need to be held to task publicly and this forum is as good as any to do that.
 
mdmost said:
I love you guys. A couple pages already trying to convince people not to buy something because you don't see the value in it but they might.
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I am definitely not trying to talk people out of buying the boxset. If I lived in the US, I would have definitely bought the Motown and probably would grab the Stax set. I will probably spend sometime today streaming a few of the possible titles since I have time to make my final decision.

I bought the Blue Note set. While it had a lot a growing pains, the set did exactly what it was supposed to. It opened me up to a label and loyal and knowledgable fan base. Since AMP1 I have bought over 20 Blue Records plus another 5-7 jazz albums from other labels. So that first set did exactly what it was supposed to, despite the flaws of the boxset itself.

My hope is that VMP looks at doing more obscure labels for their focus. While Ghostly does not appeal to me, I was impressed that was the direction they went. I was totally unaware of the label and have enjoyed streaming a few of their artists, just not enough to make me want to buy the box.

So please buy the Stax box, and I really hope you are opened up to a new label/genre/community that you can explore for years to come. In the end I think that is all we want when we are buying a record somewhat blind.
 
I'm not saying you can't criticize it or air whatever you like. I didn't suggest otherwise. Just found it funny that I went to bed and awoke to two pages of the same "this isn't worth the price" talk that sprung up for "Mowtown" and Ghostly. It just seems we do this same song and dance every time an Anthology gets announced.
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
I am definitely not trying to talk people out of buying the boxset. If I lived in the US, I would have definitely bought the Motown and probably would grab the Stax set. I will probably spend sometime today streaming a few of the possible titles since I have time to make my final decision.

I bought the Blue Note set. While it had a lot a growing pains, the set did exactly what it was supposed to. It opened me up to a label and loyal and knowledgable fan base. Since AMP1 I have bought over 20 Blue Records plus another 5-7 jazz albums from other labels. So that first set did exactly what it was supposed to, despite the flaws of the boxset itself.

My hope is that VMP looks at doing more obscure labels for their focus. While Ghostly does not appeal to me, I was impressed that was the direction they went. I was totally unaware of the label and have enjoyed streaming a few of their artists, just not enough to make me want to buy the box.

So please buy the Stax box, and I really hope you are opened up to a new label/genre/community that you can explore for years to come. In the end I think that is all we want when we are buying a record somewhat blind.
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You and I had a similar experience. The Blue Note set opened me up to a much larger world than just Miles and Coltrane. Jazz listening is probably 60% of what I play now which definitely flipped after the Blue Note set. So for me, it's worth it to try more of these Anthologies. I think VMP has gotten a lot better at doing them since their massive fumbling out of the gate with Blue Note. They seem to have gotten a lot worse at other avenues of their business since then.
 
mdmost said:
I'm not saying you can't criticize it or air whatever you like. I didn't suggest otherwise. Just found it funny that I went to bed and awoke to two pages of the same "this isn't worth the price" talk that sprung up for "Mowtown" and Ghostly. It just seems we do this same song and dance every time an Anthology gets announced.
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I mean that’s because the prices aren’t going down and the volume of product isn’t going up. It’s stupendous that they can charge that much for that little from where I’m sat. The tune won’t ever change from here unless either the prices plummet or an amount of content that correlates with the cost is provided.
 
Nathan, saw this post on Reddit. Storf said the artists are listed chronologically. So you might get your wish.

PutYrDukesUp

1 point·8 hours ago·edited 7 hours ago

That means, best case scenario:
Booker T & the MG's - Soul Dressing
Sam & Dave - Hold On, I'm Comin'
Otis Redding - ? (Otis doesn't make sense based on what you've said. The only one without a recent, still in-print reissue is Otis Blue. Which came out in 1965. But Sam & Dave's first album came out in '66. So one of those two things doesn't check out.)
Bar-Kays - Soul Finger
Eddie Floyd - I've Never Found A Girl
Johnnie Taylor - Philosophy or Raw Blues
Albert King - Lovejoy
William Bell - Phases of Reality
 
Joe Mac said:
I mean that’s because the prices aren’t going down and the volume of product isn’t going up. It’s stupendous that they can charge that much for that little from where I’m sat. The tune won’t ever change from here unless either the prices plummet or an amount of content that correlates with the cost is provided.
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While I enjoyed the music on the Ghostly set and it was new to me, I felt like I got less product and content for the money then the Blue Note set. I've haven't gotten any of the background that I think a set should provide. The pressings sound okay, but aren't worth the price paid.
 
supahypeag said:
I’m not a VMP fanboy by any stretch. But some folks really have enjoyed these anthologies and if they’re up for paying the expense, justified or not, then that’s the market. I think the critics are right to point out that buyers should be aware of FOMO and not let psychology drive the decisions. I’ve been helped numerous times on the forum by folks pointing out cheaper alternatives elsewhere. But after those warnings are given and info provided, it starts to sound a little like shitting on what makes people happy...and for some people, a VMP exclusive colored, overpriced collection provides some joy.I haven’t bought an anthology yet - the releases have been too expensive for me and there’s other stuff I want more (for God’s sake, I don’t even own Stevie Wonder yet, and that’s a higher priority than a 4th tier Motown artist). I’m happy Nathan and other folks clamoring for a stax release are happy!
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I agree with you 100%. personally, if I had an iPhone 7 and it's not broken, I wouldn't go and but the iPhone 11 just because it's newer. And if i need a new phone and I find an iPhone 9 that costs 300 dollars less, I would buy that one.
But lots of people don't see it this way, and that's great because in the big picture that's what makes the economy move and grow up. It's called capitalism, I think, but I'm not sure, not an expert about it.

(That said, if next Anthology is something like the discography of The Divine Comedy, I'll kill a nun to be the first in line to get it)
 
mdmost said:
I'm not saying you can't criticize it or air whatever you like. I didn't suggest otherwise. Just found it funny that I went to bed and awoke to two pages of the same "this isn't worth the price" talk that sprung up for "Mowtown" and Ghostly. It just seems we do this same song and dance every time an Anthology gets announced.
Click to expand...

That's the nature of the beast. I actually don't mind people voicing their opinions. To some, this is overpriced. I understand.

However, one aspect people aren't taking into consideration are licensing fees. I've seen people repeatedly mention how they can put together Stax reissues on their own for $20 a piece. The reason they can do that is because those reissues are from Craft Recordings. Craft is under the Concord umbrella and Concord owns the Stax catalog. They can charge less upfront since it's their own catalog and they don't have to pay any licensing fees. Inhouse reissues means the price to the consumer will be lower. A third-party reissuing anything (i.e. VMP) will have to pay licensing fees. Licensing fees are not cheap. This adds to the price.

What about presentation? I have a few Craft reissues. They're fine, but it's what I'd expect for $20, give or take a few bucks. I think the Anthology titles will likely have high gloss, tip-on jackets from Stoughton. That's not cheap either.

Basically, I think pricing discussion should be a bit more nuanced than VMP is ripping everyone off. That said, VMP is still a business and they're going to do what businesses do. They don't exist for benevolence. I'm personally not going to get emotionally invested either way. The only Anthology I have is the Blue Note one. There were some growing pains with that release, but they were ironed out thanks to our protests. I like Motown, but thought the set was overpriced, so I skipped it. No big deal. I don't have FOMO. And honestly, it's weird when adults keep going on about FOMO. They're records. Nothing about any of this is essential in your life. Get it or don't get it, life goes on. I had no interest in Ghostly, so I skipped that too. The Stax set looks good to me and is right up my alley, so I'll get it.
 
Just a few things........

First and foremost, i believe the bulk of us just don't want to see anyone make a knee jerk purchase or get caught up in the FOMO. There are plenty of new people to this hobby and to educate them is part of what this place is about, and I don't mean that in a condescending way, @Joe Mac 's QOTSA was a perfect example, that being said, it's your money, do what you want with it.

The problem I, and I'm not going to speak for others, is the notion that you don't have a choice, that all the issues are acceptable for some reason, that's just not true, but it does force each of us as individuals to look in the mirror and make that choice. Complaining about something while continuing to feed into it, regardless of what it is, makes no sense to ME.

And I want to be clear, again, this is where I'm at, I want VMP to come around and do things better because I want to be a subscriber, I honestly do. I'm not a fan of all the releases they've done but there are, were, enough to make me want to be there regularly. But I don't and can't support the way the do business so I won't support them in any way, shape or form until I see things change.

VMP knows their customer base really well, and any good company should, but I, ME, am not a fan of how they market to that customer base. Members shouldn't get overly upset with people who buy VMP products and those who are VMP Subscribers should also understand the frustration on the other side as well. Things tend to get funneled a bit in this thread, complaining about the price of an item happens all over the forum, it's not a VMP thing, people have always helped guide others to better prices, but in here, it turns into picking on VMP.

I'm done putting the blame on anyone, company or individuals. You earn your money, you have the right to spend or not spend it as you see fit, but as long as the conversation stays clear of attacking individuals, it'a a conversation that's had just like any other conversation about any other company or product, there are those who will be in and those who will be out...........and if you have the "conversation" properly you might sway folks from opposite sides to see your point of view.

I'm sure VMP pops into this forum "occasionally" but don't kid yourself into thinking anything around here is going to change what they do, the majority of their user base is non-vocal in any capacity. This was the major reason for the old forum being shut down, you can't have ANY negativity in your own back yard if you want to bring in new subscribers, that would force people to have to think about it.

So like I said, do what you want, but don't think you can't just get up and say enough is enough...........you can and you should.
 
AnthonyI said:
Just a few things........

First and foremost, i believe the bulk of us just don't want to see anyone make a knee jerk purchase or get caught up in the FOMO. There are plenty of new people to this hobby and to educate them is part of what this place is about, and I don't mean that in a condescending way, @Joe Mac 's QOTSA was a perfect example, that being said, it's your money, do what you want with it.

The problem I, and I'm not going to speak for others, is the notion that you don't have a choice, that all the issues are acceptable for some reason, that's just not true, but it does force each of us as individuals to look in the mirror and make that choice. Complaining about something while continuing to feed into it, regardless of what it is, makes no sense to ME.

And I want to be clear, again, this is where I'm at, I want VMP to come around and do things better because I want to be a subscriber, I honestly do. I'm not a fan of all the releases they've done but there are, were, enough to make me want to be there regularly. But I don't and can't support the way the do business so I won't support them in any way, shape or form until I see things change.

VMP knows their customer base really well, and any good company should, but I, ME, am not a fan of how they market to that customer base. Members shouldn't get overly upset with people who buy VMP products and those who are VMP Subscribers should also understand the frustration on the other side as well. Things tend to get funneled a bit in this thread, complaining about the price of an item happens all over the forum, it's not a VMP thing, people have always helped guide others to better prices, but in here, it turns into picking on VMP.

I'm done putting the blame on anyone, company or individuals. You earn your money, you have the right to spend or not spend it as you see fit, but as long as the conversation stays clear of attacking individuals, it'a a conversation that's had just like any other conversation about any other company or product, there are those who will be in and those who will be out...........and if you have the "conversation" properly you might sway folks from opposite sides to see your point of view.

I'm sure VMP pops into this forum "occasionally" but don't kid yourself into thinking anything around here is going to change what they do, the majority of their user base is non-vocal in any capacity. This was the major reason for the old forum being shut down, you can't have ANY negativity in your own back yard if you want to bring in new subscribers, that would force people to have to think about it.

So like I said, do what you want, but don't think you can't just get up and say enough is enough...........you can and you should.
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100% and my QOTSA is very much at the more acceptable end of the range. I overpaid, just on that record, by roughly €2.50 and it is a very nice variant. It’s more the whole pitch of the way it was sold that leaves a sour taste. Plus being stuck in a 3 month sub. Am I happy to be getting Aretha this month? Yes. I’m i delighted. Am I happy to be paying $36 (€32.50) for a purple swirl in a sub I’m tied into when the same version on black is €16.99 in my local? Not so much! Again individual record, I’ll live and learn.

I would struggle to live with the decision to pay $300 for an 8 record set like this from a company like VMP.
 
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btf1980 said:
That's the nature of the beast. I actually don't mind people voicing their opinions. To some, this is overpriced. I understand.

However, one aspect people aren't taking into consideration are licensing fees. I've seen people repeatedly mention how they can put together Stax reissues on their own for $20 a piece. The reason they can do that is because those reissues are from Craft Recordings. Craft is under the Concord umbrella and Concord owns the Stax catalog. They can charge less upfront since it's their own catalog and they don't have to pay any licensing fees. Inhouse reissues means the price to the consumer will be lower. A third-party reissuing anything (i.e. VMP) will have to pay licensing fees. Licensing fees are not cheap. This adds to the price.

What about presentation? I have a few Craft reissues. They're fine, but it's what I'd expect for $20, give or take a few bucks. I think the Anthology titles will likely have high gloss, tip-on jackets from Stoughton. That's not cheap either.

Basically, I think pricing discussion should be a bit more nuanced than VMP is ripping everyone off. That said, VMP is still a business and they're going to do what businesses do. They don't exist for benevolence. I'm personally not going to get emotionally invested either way. The only Anthology I have is the Blue Note one. There were some growing pains with that release, but they were ironed out thanks to our protests. I like Motown, but thought the set was overpriced, so I skipped it. No big deal. I don't have FOMO. And honestly, it's weird when adults keep going on about FOMO. They're records. Nothing about any of this is essential in your life. Get it or don't get it, life goes on. I had no interest in Ghostly, so I skipped that too. The Stax set looks good to me and is right up my alley, so I'll get it.
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Stop being reasonable, this is the anthology thread.
 
Joe Mac said:
Am I happy to be getting Aretha this month? Yes. I’m i delighted. Am I happy to be paying $36 (€32.50) for a purple swirl in a sub I’m tied into when the same version on black is €16.99 in my local? Not so much! Again individual record, I’ll live and learn.
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I know it doesn't matter to many people, but just for the sake of clarity, it is not the same version. It is cut by JP at Optimal and I haven't found any definitive confirmation if it is AAA or not. The VMP version is AAA, cut by Ryan Smith and pressed at GZ.

I have read that the EU Rhino one sounds good so it would be interesting to hear a comparison of them.
 
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