A few months ago, the album version of Trevor Jones' The Dark Crystal popped up on iTunes, Google Play Music, Deezer and a few other places (with copyright listed as Trevor Jones).
Today I noticed that it is now longer available to stream or download.
I don't want to jump the gun, but considering that this year is an anniversary year, could it be that this title is going to be revisited in some form?
Doubtful. Mr. Jones is less than cooperative with releases of his scores.
J
Why should that matter? LLL released the expanded Cliffhanger score this year without issues. TJ does not own the music, even though he seems to think he does. Missing masters are a different matter...
TJ does not own the music, even though he seems to think he does. Missing masters are a different matter...
Intrada and LLL have been able to release Cliffhanger because the masters and all the rights were in the studio's possession and Jones wasn't asked anything. Unfortunately, it's not the case for a vast majority of his scores's masters (including The Dark Crystal and Dark City) which are under lock in Leeds University. For the time being, the only authorized use of these recording sessions archives is for teaching and research.
Intrada and LLL have been able to release Cliffhanger because the masters and all the rights were in the studio's possession and Jones wasn't asked anything. Unfortunately, it's not the case for a vast majority of his scores's masters (including The Dark Crystal and Dark City) which are under lock in Leeds University. For the time being, the only authorized use of these recording sessions archives is for teaching and research.
That's interesting news. I wonder how the studios feel about Jones "donating" their property to a scholarly institution. On the other hand, studios track record of archiving these things is spotty, so rather safe at Leeds than in a landfill somewhere.
I still wonder why The Dark Crystal was pulled from iTunes though, could it be that Jones and one of our beloved labels managed to come to some agreement regarding an expansion?
I wonder how the studios feel about Jones "donating" their property to a scholarly institution.
Indeed. I can't find anything on this website that states the legal/rights status of such donation: http://www.trevorjonesfilm.leeds.ac.uk/archive/ Jones may have some kind of agreement with the studios. He may have "bought" some rights to his works? Jones certainly made sure to retain some rights to his music later in his career, through his CMMP studio company, that's probably why his later scores were almost all released by his own label (Contemporary Media Recording).
I still wonder why The Dark Crystal was pulled from iTunes though, could it be that Jones and one of our beloved labels managed to come to some agreement regarding an expansion?
The Dark Crystal DELUXE (COMING HOLIDAY SEASON 2017)
Due to overwhelming demand of our Record Store Day vinyl reissue of "The Dark Crystal" Soundtrack, we have decided to make very special deluxe edition which should be in hand & available to purchase later this year around the HOLIDAY SEASON 2017. This version will have completely new art in a numbered gatefold sleeve & will be available in various 180gram deluxe colored vinyl configurations.
New artwork (blurred out for now) looks intriguing...
Also, the iTunes download is up again, this time copyright Jim Henson Company:
