I dunno about that, David.
here's what I wrote in response on the 313
list re: the situation (also refs Dan Sicko's reading
of the reply from Sony):
Dreyer, regardless of the way he *really* feels,
could have taken the high road and said
"Sony has rethought its release of the cover version
of the Aztec Mystic's 'Knights Of The Jaguar'
and will press no more vinyl copies of our cover.
In addition, we have decided that we will not press
the cover on CD or release it in any form in the future."
But, Dreyer, even in his rebuttal, though he seems
to be trying to show a tiny bit of concern, manages
to stick his foot in his mouth big time. Despite what
he says, it still comes down to the fact that Sony decided to do
what they did without asking. And, regardless of
the legal ramifications of the situation, in doing so Sony
showed that, despite what they have tried to say re:
this situation, their
#1 concern is the money, their last concern is the music.
That Sony acted like this should not come to a shock
to anyone, but it's still the epitome of crassness: the juxtaposition
of UR's way of working and Sony's way of "working" will
hopefully show consumers that we should use our wallets
to effect and reinforce positive ways of working, ways
of dealing with artists and their creations, and ways of
dealing with each other as people. We shouldn't think
any sort of battle has been won here; as Dan says,
the fact that even one commercially-available copy of the
cover version exists without the consent of Rolando,
Mike Banks, and UR, is an injustice. Let this situation
be a reminder, and a constant one, of the importance
of *thinking* before doing. Obviously Sony thought
about the $ that could be made from the cover, they
even admit such, but they didn't think that perhaps
Rolando, Mike Banks, UR--and those who understand
what Rolando, Mike Banks, and UR *are about*--
might not take the cover version lying down. Think
Harder. Andrew Duke
Dan Sicko wrote:
quoted 20 lines Obviously you think, that it is our aim to make UR customers buy Sony
> >
> >Obviously you think, that it is our aim to make UR customers buy Sony
> >records.
> >Kind of paradoxical. We don?t share your point of view that a cover
> >version of
> >Jaguar makes you sell less records. The people interested in your
> >original
> >vinyl are way different to Sony buyers. People who have bought UR records
> >will
> >still buy UR records.
>
> He's addressing the wrong issue, isn't he? If there are two versions (one
> wack and readily available and one good import), which one would the
> average Joe Schmo DJ grab?
>
> ----------------------
> Dan Sicko
> reverb@hyperrreal.org
> http://www.reverbmag.com
> http://www.techno-rebels.com
DAVID HAMPSON wrote:
quoted 72 lines I've been cc-ed in this reponse to the UR vs Sony case - looks like the big
> I've been cc-ed in this reponse to the UR vs Sony case - looks like the big
> boys have decided to keep face and back down on the issue!
>
> BABY DIDDY
>
> >>
>
> Mike & Rolando,
>
> unfortunately you were not able to get back to me personally. Some direct
> words
> from you to us could have avoided a lot of misunderstandings, wrong
> suspicions
> and excitement causing damage to both sides.
>
> Obviously you think, that it is our aim to make UR customers buy Sony
> records.
> Kind of paradoxical. We don?t share your point of view that a cover
> version of
> Jaguar makes you sell less records. The people interested in your
> original
> vinyl are way different to Sony buyers. People who have bought UR records
> will
> still buy UR records.
>
> In the past days we have received a lot of feedback from the underground to
> our
> cover. Apart from some people just abusing Sony Music with 4-letter words,
> many
> people express their feelings in a detailed and reasonable style.
>
> We understand that you generally disagree with the whole major company
> business.
> In this case Sony can be reproached for picking up someone elses idea for
> profit
> reasons without taking care of the attitude of the inventor. We realize,
> that
> even that we are save on the legal side and the reactions from the
> ?overground?
> to our version are euphoric, its commercial release would cause a damage to
> the
> relationship of the industry to the underground that could not be
> compensated.
> We see ourselves as a company supporting and benefitting from inventive
> artists.
>
> Instead of trying to benefit from the huge buzz that has been created, we
> have
> decided to respect your attitude and declare that we will not work any
> further
> on the Jaguar cover. Sony Music will not commercially release the track
> rather
> on CD maxi or compilations. We are quite sure, that a different company will
> use
> the idea and milk the cashcow.
>
> We are sorry that we have hurt your feelings. Finally at least the UR
> record
> will benefit from the story. We wish you good luck and a lot of sales for
> this
> classic piece of music.
>
> Regards
>
> Dirk Dreyer
> A&R Manager Sony Music Dance Divsion
>
> <<
>
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