New release (version 2): What if:

[Harry]

Again, this is just an exercise. I know nothing, and nothing should be assumed from these posts.

A new Herb Alpert box set comes out. It's not all-encompassing like the last one we theorized about, and THAT one doesn't exist. No THIS is all that comes out: a four or five-disc CD set that contains most of Herb's big hits and favored album tracks from his whole career, "Lonely Bull" through "The Look Of Love" on COLORS. As it turns out, the selections are all pretty much the same as what's already been released on CD compilations before, something like this:

What Now My Love
Work Song, The
Brasilia
Jerusalem
So What's New
Last Tango In Paris
My Favorite Things
This Guy's In Love With You
A Banda
Flamingo
Cabaret
Zazueira
Bittersweet Samba
Wade In The Water
Lonely Bull, The (El Toro Solo)
Spanish Flea
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Love Potion #9
Never On Sunday
Mexican Shuffle
Taste Of Honey, A
Tijuana Taxi
South Of The Border
A-me-ri-ca
Whipped Cream
Zorba the Greek
Adios, Mi Corazon
Lollipops And Roses
Shadow Of Your Smile, The
Casino Royale
Walk In The Black Forest, A
Cinco De Mayo
Salud, Amor Y Dinero
Sundown
Marching Through Madrid
Acapulco 1922
Warm
Cantina Blue
She Touched Me
Making Love In The Rain
Our Song
El Presidente
Struttin' With Maria
Slick
Mame
Third Man Theme
Can't Stop Thinking About You
Qué Pasa Mr. Jones?
Route 101
Garden Party
Beyond
Maltese Melody, The
Summertime
More
Up Cherry Street
Friends
It's All For You
Street Life
Moon River
Happening, The
Passion Dance
Winds Of Barcelona
Rotation
Maniac
Beba
Behind The Rain
Bo-Bo
Push And Pull
Diamonds
You Are The One
Memories Of Madrid
More And More Amor
Tangerine
Hello, Dolly!
Mexican Road Race
Spanish Harlem
Beautiful Friend, A
Rise
Green Peppers
Girl From Ipanema, The
Without Her
Our Day Will Come
Second Wind
Three O'Clock Jump
Keep Your Eye On Me
Jump Street
Red Hot (Remix)
Fandango
Magic Man
Eight Ball ("8" Ball)
Bullish

In other words, there's nothing new or dramatic here. If you've collected all of the various CD releases around the world, you already have all of these tracks.

For this exercise, let's say that the tracks are all given a modern remaster treatment, but really don't sound all that much better than what's already been released in the past. And we'll include some decent liner notes.

The set would retain for about $70.

Do you buy it?

Harry
...just makin' this stuff up as we go along, online...

 

[Harry]

I again voted for the top choice, "I'll buy anything with Herb Alpert's name on it", but in this case I'd feel more regret. Yes, it's less money than the other mega-set we discussed, but this one is all rehash of what's been released before. I'd be buying it for the liner notes, I suppose.

That track list, by the way, comes from sorting a database I have of Alpert tracks. These really are the ones that have been released before, though I would imagine a better order for listening purposes. If you've bought CLASSICS 1 and 20, GREATEST HITS 1 and 2, GOLD SERIES 1 and 2, FOURSIDER and SOLID BRASS, the two-disc PORTRAIT OF, and a few other comps, then this is what you get.

Harry
...presenting another possibility, online...

 

[timbrown]

Since I already own most of the old stuff and some of the new (rise and Fandango), I'd probably not be interested. I think that the ONLY way I'd be interested in purchasing would be if the new releases wer SUBSTANTIALLY better than the old vinyl.

NOW, here's an idea....what if they were to release split tracks? If they did I would really like Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. I've been wanting to play this at church some Christmas.

THAT is something I'd be interested in!

TIm

 

[mikeargo]

I'd buy that kind of compilation, mainly because I have so little Herb Alpert & TJB on CD to begin with, I'm not that particular about the sound quality (as long as it's not WORSE than listening to my old, well-worn LPs), and that price would be right. I'd want some meaty liner notes to go with it, including a gallery of all the album covers from Lonely Bull to Colors and as detailed a sessionography as possible. But you know, I'd buy it regardless of how it sounded and how deep the liner notes were and that's why I checked off "I'll buy anthing with Herb's name on it."

Mike A :bandit:

 

[Captain Bacardi]

For this set, I chose the "not pay full price" option. Not only do I have all of this stuff anyway, but it pretty much ignores the You Smile... and Coney Island albums, as well as Just You And Me and the Herb/Hugh albums. It's not necessarily a bad collection, but it doesn't excite me, either. Better than nothing I guess.


Capt. Bacardi
...just missing Hurricane Claudette online....

 

[Clark]

I like it, tell me were to send my check

 

[Kathy]

Eh, given that this set is more along the lines of "Definitive Hits", I think I'd rather have the Mega-Box you've presented earlier.

From the way this is presented (and that only "Zazuiera" and "Warm" from WARM appear), the earlier set would be more worth buying, at least in MY opinion.

Kat

...just gimme the MEGA-BOX...!!!

 

[timbrown]

FOrgot about that one...! Now I'm going to have to find the "Warm" album!

Tim

 

[Harry]

From the way this is presented (and that only "Zazuiera" and "Warm" from WARM appear), the earlier set would be more worth buying, at least in MY opinion.

Ah, but remember, for the purposes of this exercise, there IS NO mega box set. This one is all you'd be able to get.

Harry
...setting conditions, online...

 

[Mike Blakesley]

I would buy it and then go right back to complaining that they need to reissue the WHOLE albums.

Almost without fail, a big factor in a decision on whether to buy a box set is the booklet, and I have rarely been disappointed. The book in Fleetwood Mac's 25 YEARS: THE CHAIN is not very good (no text, except a discography; black & white pics) but when you get a good book (like the one in Rhino's Doobie Brothers or America boxes) it's almost worth the price of the box all by itself.

I have a feeling a Herb book would be one of the good ones.

 

[Kathy]

From the way this is presented (and that only "Zazuiera" and "Warm" from WARM appear), the earlier set would be more worth buying, at least in MY opinion.

Ah, but remember, for the purposes of this exercise, there IS NO mega box set. This one is all you'd be able to get.

Harry
...setting conditions, online...

Ah, then like Yoko Ono's 'Ono Box', Phil Ochs' 'Farewells & Fantasies Box', and Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' Box, I'd buy it and keep the suppossedly valuable booklet. And in this case, find a place to sell the CD's to when and IF something better comes along. Much like how I've sold the CD's of other Boxed-Sets and managed to keep the booklets, while the CD's surprisingly sold, or were at least taken in.

Kat
...admitting that I've just joined "The Better Than Nothing Club", online...

 

[Captaindave]

I voted to buy it, but on sale...

It would be nice to have this much material all in one place; however, I mostly want the TJB albums from Lonely Bull through Beat of the Brass. And I want the entire albums because there are songs that I like or want to have that would never make it onto any sort of compilation, no matter how good the compilation.

Also, I did not care for the sound or style of some of the solo recordings, and I wouldn't buy anything that has the disco or urban hip-hop sound. While I realize that some will disagree, I have always felt that Herb was "searching" for his musical identity or what direction or next step artistically to take on some of these solo efforts - I felt these recordings were less than satisfying for me as a listener.

I guess I am probably saying the same thing as many fans - I want to have on CD what I have on vinyl, especially from the original TJB. Unless that happens, I'll probably be wary of spending much money...

 

[Stephen Vakil]

Harry

I'd buy it for the collection but it's nothing special is it?! What I would like is the complete album set with original artwork etc. Even thogh i have most of it, I'd like Ninth, Sound Like and Warm on CD (and I'd also add Summertime if somebody hadn't burned me an excellent copy!!).

What would also interest me is some alternative takes and live recordings etc. It's always been suggested that these are lying in the vaults somewhere.............

And what about some of Alpert's best work: You Smile, Coney Island and Just You and Me?

I am no Carpenters expert but I have (what I take to be) a complete box set of their recordings (no artwork but short notes on each album from Richard C). I really can't see why there is a reluctance to offer a Herb version. I reckon there's the possibility it could sell with the right marketing, somthing Herb's work has never received in this country.

Stephen

 

[Harry]

This is why I'm throwing these exercises out to everyone - to present the potential buyer with whatever scenario might occur. I know that we die-hard fans are clamoring (and have been for years) for the old original TJB albums, particularly those that never made it to CD. But there is still the reality that we might or might not get what we want, but rather whatever is perceived to be the mass market's want.

It's all just hypothetical. I want Warm, Coney, et al too.

Harry
...just supposin', online...

 

[Kathy]

This is why I'm throwing these exercises out to everyone - to present the potential buyer with whatever scenario might occur. I know that we die-hard fans are clamoring (and have been for years) for the old original TJB albums, particularly those that never made it to CD. But there is still the reality that we might or might not get what we want, but rather whatever is perceived to be the mass market's want.

It's all just hypothetical. I want Warm, Coney, et al too.

Harry
...just supposin', online...

Well, I'm looking forward to "What If: (Version 3)", then. It's true that the Mass Market's Wants are a lot different than that of each individual buyer.

Nevertheless, between what Univer$al would put out, and perhaps what some obscure Japanese label (with A&M's Licensing) would think highly of :twitchy: and just put on two discs (with a LOT from Warm), I guess the IDEAL COLLECTION really IS a possibility.

Kat
...hoping the hypothetical really DOES become a reality, online...

 

[Brasil_Nut]

Gosh Harry...you come up with great topics!

I also voted for, "I'll buy anything with Herb Alpert's name on it". However, I'd still prefer a complete box set, as opposed to something composed of highlighted material. In other words, going back to the original "What If" thread, I'd prefer to have all of the TJB albums in one package. $75, $100 or $250 -- I don't care. A complete box set would definitely be worth every penny in my book.

Jon

 

[Captaindave]

I'd rather pay more for the "real thing..." i.e., all the albums rather than a super compilation.

 

[Brasil_Nut]

I'd rather pay more for the "real thing..." i.e., all the albums rather than a super compilation.

Captain! I definitely agree with you on this one!! I would also prefer the "real thing" as opposed to a compilation. In going along with the "what if" of Harry's topic, if it's a choice between a compilation of highlights or everything by the TJB, I'd rather have everything by the TJB. But again, like you, I'd rather have them released individually as well.

Jon