Another short schedule for the first week of 2011.
Various Artists, Icon (UMe)
As detailed in this post, a variety of releases in Universal's budget compilation series are released today. Unlike previous batches, though, they're either fairly comprehensive or feature some neat rarities here and there.
Ella Fitzgerald, Twelve Nights in Hollywood Vol. 1 & 2 / Vol. 3 & 4 (Verve)
A pair of double-disc live sets first released as a full box set by Hip-o Select in 2009. (Vol. 1 & 2 at Amazon, Vol. 3 & 4 at Amazon)
This pair of Ella sets is just *rude* to those of us who bought the box set at (at least) 20 bucks more! They'll reference "special packaging" and all that, but I don't much like the packaging of the box set and even if I did the music is what matters and these 2 2-disc sets replicate it exactly. =( I have to wonder now how many other sets they are going to do this trick with, seems their Dinah Washington set would be perfect for their next re-reissue of box set contents ... This is so wrong, just ... like I said, rude.
I actually had the opposite reaction, Marty. I didn't pick up the Ella box at the time of its initial release; chalk it up to "Too many boxed sets, not enough cash" syndrome! So I leapt at the chance to acquire these miniature versions of the set when both volumes were offered as Barnes and Noble exclusives last year. I, in turn, was disappointed that none of the terrific liner notes from the box were reprinted in these no-frills editions, just a brief note and credits. Those would have been worth $20 to me, but I understood Hip-o's decision; that's the unique content who took the plunge initially.
While I understand your frustration at not having had the option to purchase these when you bought the box (I actually would prefer the box for its packaging and notes; I respect that you're in the opposite camp), I applaud Hip-o for attempting to maximize its profits and expose this wonderful music to as many people as possible. The box itself was never sold in Borders or Barnes and Noble; these mini-releases will expose it to many more customers, and at the end of the day in this fractured music biz, isn't that a positive thing?
Overall, transparency is always a positive thing when it comes to the relationship between labels and buyers. But Hip-o is one of the most consumer and collector-friendly companies out there, and I think the decision to market the Ella box in these editions is similar to the decision to make a limited edition available in a wider release after that initial run is sold out. This frustrates some collectors, too, particularly those who buy an item for its "collectibility." But as you said, the music's what matters, and I think the folks at Hip-o would appreciate your input should they "reduce" more boxes in the future.
Thanks for your thoughts, Marty.