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Posted: |
Aug 27, 2014 - 7:01 PM
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By: |
Torapatapom
(Member)
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Since the subject surfaces again in this forum, I think it’s time to clarify the situation regarding the series of US soundtracks releases that DCM could produce in 2012 because they were in the public domain in Canada. Although many of this scores available only on LPs were considered as “losers”, most of our releases sold well and as far as I know the reception has always been very positive, including for the sonic quality.
The only customer who ever complained to us was Basil Wrathbone (I recognized him easily despite he used his real name). This guy wrote us a hatred post, claiming that he could not stand the reverb used to create a hint of stereophonic effect in Victor Young’s THE BRAVE ONE. I offered him a refund but he finally preferred to keep the CD. Draw your own conclusion...
Early in 2013, we had some other releases in the pipeline, starting with THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK paired with ANASTASIA. However, this double CD had to be cancelled a few seconds after it was advertised because the 20th Century Fox asked the US main film music retailers not to carry. They also threatened us of a legal sue. Obviously, this production company had an agreement with a domestic label, so there was no room for our own effort. Since the CD was already manufactured, it had to be destroyed, except for a handful of copies that were already sold or given for promotion.
Two months of efforts vanished. At least I could recover the money for the mechanical licenses.
Since then, I had the opportunity to listen to the “official” DIARY OF AN FRANK release and, honestly, I think our mastering sounded better. I am quite sure even Basil would have been (secretly of course) delighted with it.
After such a bad experience, I was so disgusted that I decided to go back to the European repertoire, making a dozen of fully worldwide licensed releases. Anyway, I would not have had the support of the US specialized outlets to go on with other American composers stuff after all the controversy that took place in the FSM forum. The sales of these CDs, which were tolerated so far in your country, became illegitimate, not to say illegal. Some of my competitors and their supporters jumped on the opportunity to deny all merits to my label, while the vast majority of our satisfied customers, preferred to keep quiet as a bunch of cowards.
I don't intend to restart a discussion on this matter. This is only my second post in this place and it will be the last one.
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Torapatapom --
I'm sorry you've been bruised hereabouts, and I'm sorry I never noticed those abusive threads to which you refer, or else I would have tried to put in a good word for you, and your label's output. Without going one way or the other into any legal controversies, which are not my field of expertise, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for rare Rozsa and Skinner music which you've made it possible to enjoy at last on CD.
Take care,
Preston
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Watched this on Tcm uk, was reminded how good the score is, mexican-flavoured trumpets, a little along the lines of Wonderful Country. Reiterating what others said in this thread, a release would be long overdue.
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Frank Skinner is a terrific composer who's library of work could definitely use a fresh set of ears. I think his most known, or famous score to today's listeners is Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein - which I don't believe any original recordings still exist. I don't know what stuff is out there for any of his other work, but it would be nice to see him get some recognition and a few releases!
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Frank Skinner is a terrific composer who's library of work could definitely use a fresh set of ears. I don't know what stuff is out there for any of his other work!
Stuff of his 40s work which is out there on acetate discs in the University of Illinois:
- ARABIAN NIGHTS
- BACK STREET (1940)
- THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES
- SABOTEUR
I have at least CDR copies of the first three of these (the acetates contain the more or less complete scores) in - considering the age of them - quite acceptable sound quality.
Just have a look at the Skinner collection here:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/mpal/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2016/12/Skinner_Collection_List.pdf
Would any of them ever come out within the Universal Heritage Collection in the way Waxman´s BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN was released a few months ago?
And maybe there still exist some original Skinner recordings from the 60s at Universal like THE APPALOOSA, SHENANDOAH or MIDNIGHT LACE. Who knows? And who is willing to release them?
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