Der folgende Text findet sich im aktuellen Classic Records Newsletter, den ich heute erhalten habe. Offensichtlich bezieht er sich auf die (exklusive?) Vertriebspartnerschaft mit „Acoustic Sounds“. Was dies für die zukünftige Verfügbarkeit und Preisgestaltung in Deutschland bedeuten wird bleibt abzuwarten.
„I remember what the then president of consumer long distance at the old AT&T said to me one day during a strategy briefing I was giving „If a business isn’t growing then it is dying“. After I left the corporate world and strategic analysis to start a high end audio store in New York City in the late 80’s, I came to realize that the wise man I had been advising had it almost right. I submit that, „A business that isn’t changing is dying“, is a more appropriate guiding business principle not to mention one that AT&T of that era should have adopted rather than trying to maintain the status quo.
Classic Records was founded in 1994, and from the onset change became the order of the day as a way of trying to make a better sounding LP. Over the past 16 years, we have seen changes in cutting systems, lacquers, vinyl formulas, jacket construction, and even the profile of our records. Outside of our continued commitment to making the best LP’s in the world, the product we make today is quite a bit different and hopefully better than it was in the beginning. We have been successful, I think in large part, due to our ability to change.
Changing the way we make records over the years has afforded Classic Records a wealth of knowledge about the details of how to make a great sounding LP that we have used to our own advantage. The undisputed advancements in playback fidelity that result from our Super Vinyl (Flat) Profile and more recently from our Clarity Vinyl formula are examples of what change, in the pursuit of better sound, can achieve.
We have recently made some changes in our distribution channels that have lead to some speculation that Classic Records is going out of business. To paraphrase Mark Twain, „Rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated“. Acoustic Sounds is the largest seller of LP’s in the world and as such has always been a strategic partner for Classic Records. As a record seller, they are also famous for extracting a premium for titles that are low in quantity or soon to be out of print. Some might say it is gouging while others might argue it is the capitalist way with the camp you fall into dependant upon whether you bought the title before the price went up on the now scarce product. I am reminded of a story relayed to me by an old hifi customer of mine in New York City. It seems, in his attempt at cornering the market for copies of a Ry Cooder Live record, he found a stash of sealed original copies in a record store in Georgetown. The first day he bought 3 copies for $20 each and was giddy about his „score“ on the way back to his hotel. The next day, he went back to buy more and was shocked to find out that the remaining copies were marked up to $75 each. When he asked the owner about the price increase the proprietor smiled and said, „when I had 5 copies the price was $20 each but when I have only 2 copies left the price is $75 each.“ He bought the remaining 2 copies but was reminded of an important lesson – those who wait often have to pay more! Anyone who has tried to buy one of the long out of print Classic Records Led Zeppelin titles will be equally shocked at the price of admission.
In terms of what changes lay ahead for Classic Records, I can tell you that we continue to be committed to bringing the world the best LP’s by leveraging our knowledge and experience. In addition to at least 50 new releases that we have in the can, you can expect us to continue to collaborate with others that recognize the reputation that Classic Records has achieved and therefore chose to have us handle their releases. As an example of just such a collaboration, I am proud to announce that Classic Records is producing the latest Peter Gabriel record on LP which will be distributed by EMI in the US and Universal in Canada. The record, entitled „Scratch My Back“ is a unique approach to, what some would call, a covers album with Peter covering songs from Neil Young, David Bowie, Magnetic Fields and Bon Iver among others. The twist is that, in return, the artists Peter has covered, have each agreed to cover a Gabriel song as well. So, on record day (April 17th), Real World will also release a Classic Records produced 7″ 45 rpm single with Peter’s version of „Book Of Love“ written by Stephin Merritt from Magnetic Fields coupled with Stephin’s version of „Not One Of Us“. Both releases are highly recommended with the LP featuring Peter performing with orchestral support rather than his traditional band!
It is my sincerest hope that Classic Records can continue to change in ways that will sustain it and as always we appreciate the support you have given us over the years.
Happy Listening,
Michael Hobson
President Classic Records Inc.“
Dies schreibt der deutsche LP-Versender Connaisseur zum Thema:
„Diese Nachricht schlug ein: Classic Records schließt die Pforten. Eines der wichtigsten Reissue-Labels überhaupt, wie nur wenige andere für den Fortbestand der LP mitverantwortlich, hört auf. Gründe dafür gibt es etliche, und das Classic Records-Management selbst ist nicht unschuldig. Sehr bedauerlich ist es trotzdem, denn der in zwei Jahrzehnten aufgebaute Back-Katalog wird so nicht wiederkommen. Das betrifft den ganzen RCA-Living Stereo-Katalog mit etlichen der besten Klassik-Aufnahmen der Tonträgergeschichte, auch natürlich so bedeutenden Dokumenten amerikanischer Musik wie den Carnegie Hall-Konzerten Harry Belafontes. Das betrifft außerdem eine Unzahl exzellenter Wiederauflagen aus dem Rock/Pop-Sektor, die man in solcher Klangqualität noch nicht kannte: Peter Gabriel, Mike Oldfield, zuletzt gar Frank Zappa; auch Vinyl-Exklusivausgaben wie die Dylansche „Bootleg Series“. Eine Weile wird der Abverkauf der Lagerbestände wohl noch weitergehen können; der Illusion, man könne alsbals mit günstigen Schnäppchen rechnen, sollte man sich allerdings nicht hingeben: Die „Verwertung“ hat Chad Kassem von Analogue Productions übernommen, und wer dessen Politik kennt, kann sich ausmalen, in welche Richtung sich die Preise entwickeln werden.
Wer also noch Repertoirelücken hat: Die Zeit ist jetzt, solange der deutsche Vertrieb (und wir selbst) noch Bestände hat.“
Es bleiben viele Fragen offen.
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