Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

  This (lengthy) response includes the portions of topic 199 which
  related to American Gramaphone.

  If you've been following the discssion there, you can skip to the
  next note.

  -- Ward

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                    GOLD::SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE.NOTES]CD.NOT;1
 SHOGUN::HEFFEL                  CD Discussions               16-NOV-1985 18:04
 Note 199.22                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    22 of 38
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Sob!

  Caveat Emptor.  The Mannheim Steamroller Christmas disc is packaged in
a hybrid jewelbox/cardboard container.  The disc itself is cradled in a
piece of plastic much like that which holds the disc in the jewel box.
(It does appear to be a lighter plastic.)  The rest of the packaging is
like an LP album jacket.  It folds out to display the usual liner notes.
It is evidently someone's idea of a good compromise.  While it is a better
idea than the standard cardboard LP-type jacket, it simply can't be as
durable as the jewel box.  The worst part of this whole thing is that I
payed $17.99 for it at a place that normally sells its CD's for $13.99 or
$14.99.  Why in hell can't we just leave well enough alone.


Gary (Not tlh, Jerry  :^)


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                    GOLD::SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE.NOTES]CD.NOT;1
 SPEEDY::LIONEL                  CD Discussions               18-NOV-1985 17:29
 Note 199.23                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    23 of 38
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Re .22:
    American Grammophone discs are always more expensive than "vanilla"
discs - I can understand this for LPs but not for CDs.  Sigh - I too want
the Christmas disc, so I'll have to put up with the bogus packaging.
Write to AG, though, and complain.
			Steve


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 MANANA::DICKSON                 CD Discussions               19-NOV-1985 09:42
 Note 199.24                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    24 of 38
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Rats.  That will teach me to buy new LPs without waiting for the CD
pressing.  So has anybody seen the Christmas CD in NH?


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 SPEEDY::CLARK                   CD Discussions               18-DEC-1985 01:18
 Note 199.25                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    25 of 38
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From:  USENET net.audio Newsgroup
Subject: Re: Mannheim Cardboard Sleeve
Posted: 5 Dec 85 16:59:00 GMT
 
Here's an update:
 
I wrote two letters to American Gramaphone Records last week giving them
my opinion of the new cardboard sleeve used for the Mannheim Steamroller
Christmas CD (AGCD-1984).  I also informed them that my copy was defective.
 
I received a telephone call this morning (12-10-85) from Mike Delich, a 
marketing executive from American Gramaphone records in response to the 
letters. He told me that he was sending me a plastic jewel box to encase 
my copy of AGCD-1984.
 
According to Mr. Delich, Am. Gram. has received several compliants about
plastic jewel boxes.  He did not say exactly what all the complaints were,
except something about the fact that jewel boxes "open like a book".  
Am. Gram. customers are apparently very picky about packaging.
 
The company decided to contract with AGI (?) of Chicago to design 
a new box that would be an improvement over the plastic jewel boxes.  
This box was used with ONLY the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD (so far).
Mr. Delich admitted that a "hurry-up" job was done to get the CD
out by Christmas  (hence the lack of an album title on the edge).  
 
Mr. Delich claims that the new cardboard design is NOT cheaper than the
plastic jewel boxes and, unlike CBS's cardboard,  was introduced in response
to customer compliants, to provide better packaging for their CD's. 
 
American Gramaphone is using the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD as a
test for the new cardboard design.  Mr Delich says they have received
several favorable letters on the cardboard design as well as some
complaints.  He said that they plan to make a decision on January 1,
whether to go with the new cardboard design.
 
If you would like to make a comment to American Gramaphone on their cardboard
box design, I would suggest you write (soon!) to:
 
Mike Delich
American Gramaphone Records
9130 Mormon Bridge Road
Omaha, NE 68152
 
Mr. Delich also offered to replace my defective copy of the Christmas CD.
While I am not happy with the packaging used for this CD, and am not 
convinced of the reasons for the change from jewel boxes, I am very impressed 
with American Gramaphone's attention to their customers.
 
Joel Hurmence
(ihnp4|hplabs)!hpfcla!j_hurmence


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 MOTHER::RHINE                   CD Discussions               18-DEC-1985 08:16
 Note 199.26                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    26 of 38
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The Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD is impressive, both in content and
quality, except for the box.  The box, fortunately will cut up and fit into
a jewel box!  Also, I got an ad directly from American Gramaphone.  They
wanted $18.99.  Rockit Records in Nashua sold it at $16.99.  It is probably
available cheaper elsewere.  The price is steep for 35 minutes of music,
but I found it worth the money.  I will, however, write and complain about
the packaging.  Thanks for the name and address.

Jack


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 CURIUM::BENNETT                 CD Discussions               18-DEC-1985 05:00
 Note 199.27                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    27 of 38
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I picked up the Christmas Album out in LA last week while at DECUS for
$13.99.  I haven't been able to keep the disk "mounted" in the sleeve --
everytime I open it the disk is loose.  I will be writing AG and
complaining.

				- John


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 TURRIS::LIONEL                  CD Discussions               18-DEC-1985 11:06
 Note 199.28                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    28 of 38
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I bought it yesterday (at $18.99 - sigh), and the disc was loose in the
package.  The package is attractive, but not very functional, and it just
barely fits in my CD rack.  I too will write.  The disc itself, though, is
fantastic - the first record of Christmas music I actually like listening
to!
					Steve


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 PHOBOS::WICKERT                 CD Discussions               18-DEC-1985 13:26
 Note 199.29                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    29 of 38
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Yes, but again the package is not marked if the recording is DDD or <what>?
Anyone know?  It sounds like DDD... I like it.

-- Dave

PS. In my letter, I am going to include my most common complaint that AG
does not plainly mark the recording type.  I could have swarn that Fresh
Aire III was fully digital, but wasted my money anyway... I have taken a
pact to never buy a non-DDD CD again.  I took a chance on this one.


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 BABEL::LIONEL                   CD Discussions               18-DEC-1985 16:55
 Note 199.30                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    30 of 38
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All the AG discs are analog recordings (at least the Fresh Aire series).
A good quality analog recording properly mastered can sound as good as
a digital recording.  If you restrict yourself to DDD discs, you won't
buy very many within the next few years.
				Steve


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 PHOBOS::WICKERT                 CD Discussions               19-DEC-1985 01:44
 Note 199.31                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    31 of 38
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True?  I thought Fresh Aire IV and V were fully digital (or at least I
KNOW the LP's were... so I assumed the CD's would be).  I won't debate
you about whether a "good quality analog recording properly mastered can
sound as good as a digital recording"... just it is ever harder to determine
a "good" analog master vs. a "bad" one (and I have seen more "bad" ones).
I just want the best sound out of my medium quality equipment.  I have found
fully digital gives me that.  I can worry more about the type of music vs.
the recording type.

-- Dave



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                    GOLD::SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE.NOTES]CD.NOT;1
 MANANA::DICKSON                 CD Discussions               19-DEC-1985 01:49
 Note 199.32                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    32 of 38
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Where are people finding the Christmas Album?  Strawberries in Nashua
continues to not have it  (nor the new Barbra Streisand album)  in CD.

My CDs of 20-year old performances of Wagnerian operas sound better than
the CD of the Bolling jazz suite for flute and piano (hiss).  Both were analog
mastered.  I guess it depends on how much care you take in the recording
process.


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 ORPHAN::CARIGNAN                CD Discussions               19-DEC-1985 02:03
 Note 199.33                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    33 of 38
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Re .32:

	As of last night Rockit Records in Nashua had one copy of
	Mannheim Steamroller left on the racks.

	(For a chuckle or two, be sure to read the "liner notes")

					- Don


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 ELUDOM::LIONEL                  CD Discussions               19-DEC-1985 04:28
 Note 199.34                  Cardboard sleeved CDs                    34 of 38
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I found mine at Recordland in the Burlington (MA) Mall.  They had two
left after I bought mine on Tuesday.
				Steve

  RE: Christmas album @ Rockit Records

  Late Friday evening, there were 2 copies of the Mannheim Steamroller
  Christmas CD at Rockit Records (for $16.99).  There were in different
  sections in the CD racks.

  Now, one of those 2 is in my bottom dresser drawer, awaiting the big
  day.

  -- Ward

I'd like to know where I can obtain a copy of Fresh Aire IV.  If possible
I'd like to hear it beforehand.  My copy of _The_Essentials_ offers a special
collectors series of I-IV on LP.  I'm not interested in that because I already
have I and III on LP, am not interested in II, and now that I have a CD player
it is my prefered medium for recorded music.  They also offer I, II, III,
and V on CD, but I see no mention of IV.

Rich

Fresh Aire IV is not yet released on CD.

Barnes and Noble in downtown Boston had several copies of the "Christmas
Album" for something like $15.98 as of Sunday.

				Steve

I called AG a few months ago and they told me that Fresh Aire IV should
be out some time in the early spring.  They also hinted at Fresh Aire VI
being available around the same time.

Steve

  I received a new American Gramaphone circular in the mail the other day.
  There are several new releases, and some already-released material.
  Several albums are not available on CD.

  Here's the text.


  "NEW RELEASE

  "Mannheim Steamroller
  Saving The Wildlife

  "Join the Mannheim Steamroller for an exotic musical safari with Saving
  The Wildlife.

  "Composer Chip Davis captures the individual character and native habitat
  of more than a dozen endangered species in this original soundtrack to the
  PBS special, "Saving The Wildlife."

  "Listeners journey from the darkest jungles of Africa to magical Asian
  forests and from mysterious depths of the sea to remnants of the American
  frontier.

  "Explore new musical frontiers with this newest release from the Mannheim
  Steamroller, Saving the Wildlife.

  "A portion of the proceeds aid efforts by the Species Survival Plan to
  prevent the extinction of endangered species.

  "Available on Album (AG2086, $12.00)
  and Cassette (AGC2086, $10.98)
  formats only.


  "New on C.D.

  "Ballade

  "Classical piano pieces from extraordinary Mannheim Steamroller pianist,
  Jackson Berkey.  Selections from Debussey, Satie and Rachmaninoff,
  including Trois Gymnopedies.

  "Available on Compact Disc (AGCD371, $18.95), on Album (AG371, $16.00),
  and on Cassette (AGC371, $10.98).


  "New on C.D.

  "Urban Surrender

  "Contemporary jazz fusion from new American Gramaphone artist/composer,
  Ric Swanson.

  "Available on Compact Disc (AGCD600, $18.95), on Album (AG600, $16.00),
  and on Cassette (AGC600, $10.98).


  "The classic Fresh Aire series

  "For more than a decade, Fresh Aire has set the standards for audio
  excellence.  Superb Reproduction and lush orchestral sound have earned
  these recordings international recognition.

  "Here's a chance to complete your collection of these audio masterpieces
  by the Mannheim Steamroller.

  "Or possess a piece of audio history with the Collector's Series, a
  special edition of the first four Fresh Aire albums.

  "Fresh Aire:  the classic audio series from American Gramaphone.


  "Fresh Aire I

  "Album (AG355, $16.00)
  Cassette (AGC355, $10.98)
  Compact Disc (AGCD355, $18.95)


  "Fresh Aire II

  "Album (AG359, $16.00)
  Cassette (AGC359, $10.98)
  Compact Disc (AGCD359, $18.95)


  "Fresh Aire III

  "Album (AG365, $16.00)
  Cassette (AGC365, $10.98)
  Compact Disc (AGCD365, $18.95)


  "Fresh Aire IV

  "Album (AG370, $16.00)
  Cassette (AGC370, $10.98)


  "Fresh Aire V

  "Album (AG385, $16.00)
  Cassette (AGC385, $10.98)
  Compact Disc (AGCD385, $18.95)"


  Note that Fresh Aire IV is not available on CD.

  There follows an order form, which I will abstract.

  To order, call (402) 457-4341, or send to:

  Mail Order Department
  American Gramaphone
  9130 Mormon Bridge Road
  Omaha, Nebraska 68152

  They honor MasterCard and Visa.

  "Please add $3.00 for shipping and handling charges.  Additional charge of
  $2.00 for Collector's Series."

  It also says, "Allow 4 weeks delivery."

  I ordered Fresh Aires I, II, and V last night.

					-- Roger

        I stopped by American Gramaphone at the CES show to see if they
        had any "deals". They were selling albums only, no CDs. They also
        had no order forms as did Telarc and Reference Recordings.
        I did pick up two albums. They were priced at $6 each, 2/$10,
        and $2 for the samplers.
        
        I remember that there was a note about trying to get a group
        discount from AG, and that they refused. I was hoping that
        things might be different at the CES, but no luck. 

    
    I remember.... Sigh.  American Gramaphone seems to really be into
    protecting their dealers.
    
    Steve
    

	Just purchased "Water Wind and Stone" (AGCD-700) by Checkfield.
	I beleive it's a relatively recent offering on CD.  The sound is
	excellent, so is the performance. A mix of environmental, acoustic, 
	and electronic sounds.

	Tracks:

	1. Crystal Water - very nice acoustic guitar with the proverbial
		babbling brook in the background, very relaxing
	2. Africa - more mellow electronic than acoustic, with a very slight
		hint of vocal in the background, light beat that gets
		you going
	3. The good Brown Earth - piano and birds, fading to orchestra, 
		flute and violin
	4. Traveling - Guitar and synthesizer
	5. First Flight - Guitar and percussion, with a string quartet,
		similar to some Shadowfax
	6. A Sailor's Lament/The Wind - Guitar and background vocal becoming
		heavily synthesized
	7. Baroque an' Stone - Flute, orchestra, and guitar.

						     
							- JP

    I just received a mailing that contains the following recall notice:
    
    RECALL NOTICE!
    Due to a human error there is a minor defect on the "Saving the
    Wildlife" CD.  The discs slipped past our quality control and for
    that we apologize.  We would like to replace the disc with a perfect
    one.  Please send the disc to American Gramaphone Records and we
    wil send you a replacement.
    
    I bought the disc about a month ago, and have noticed no problem
    with it (though I have not yet played it on my (pickier) Technics
    portable).  Has anybody noticed a problem with the disc?  Is it
    worth it to send it back?
    
    Rich

    Re: .10
    
    My copy of "Saving the Wildlife" is one of the best discs I have!
    It plays and sounds perfect!
    					Steve

    I decided to listen to my copy last night to see if I could sense
    anything wrong with it.  The sound was typical Mannheim Steamroller
    - perfect.  Just as I was beginning to get tired and consider going to
    bed I figured out the defect.  The liner notes (and the print side of
    the disc) only list 11 tracks, but my players find 13!
    
    Rich

    
    My player finds 13, too.
    
    This is not enough to make me send back the disc.  I love it.
    
    DFW

    More music.  Without having the titles, it's hard to say.  But they
    are part of the whole work, not something different.
    					Steve

    I too see 13 tracks and only 11 titles. I did try to access the
    tracks for grins and couldent. oh well! i still like the 11 that
    are there.
    Did anyone out there see the pbs special with this music?
    Anyone hear if it will be re-shown?
    
    -jerry
    

    I had no trouble accessing tracks 12 and 13.
    			Steve

    The problem is that the titles for the tracks on the liner and on
    the CD inself don't match the tracks, in addition to the extra
    tracks.  If you listen to the tracks you will see that the music
    doesn't match the description of what the track is about.
    
    Dennis
    

    After reading .17 i went home and tryed again with no luck.
    Took it back today and the new copy pplays all 13.
    This is the first disk i had to return for any reason.
    
    -jerry
    
    

Actually, the liner notes list everything that's on the CD.  The problem
occurs in the fourth piece on the CD--the FLORIDA SUITE.  This piece has
three movements.  The liner notes list the entire piece as track 4.  In fact,
the CD itself has each movement assigned its own track.  Thus, FLORIDA SUITE
is tracks 4, 5, and 6.  What is listed in the liner notes as track 5 is
really track 7, and so on.  Hence, 11 tracks in the liner notes (and printed
on the CD) and 13 tracks on the CD itself.

This could be an error either in the CD or in the liner notes.  It could be
that the CD was intended to have 11 tracks, and track 4 was supposed to have
3 index points, but they botched the manufacture of the CDs.  If this is
the case, then the copy mentioned earlier, where the player found only 11
tracks, may be one of the new, corrected ones.

--PSW