The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
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- Alanis Morissette »
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HMV stores across Canada have taken Bob Dylan CDs off their racks in protest over Starbucks' exclusive selling of the singer's Live At The Gaslight 1962 release.
The chain will no longer sell any Dylan CD, so don't go a shoppin' for Blonde On Blonde yee Canadians. It also no longer sells any Alanis Morissette records, again in protest at Starbucks' exclusive deal to sell her acoustic re-working of Jagged Little Pill. Her other releases were withdrawn from HMV's Canadian outlets in June.
Insiders say that HMV Canada's decision will not affect its profits, but should stores in the US follow their lead the chain will suffer.
DiScuss: Right or wrong? Shouldn't HMV cater for its customers rather than protest over a single record? Also, doesn't Costa kick Starbucks' coffee-burning ass anyway?
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The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
Good move, but it is one corporate behemoth battling another. No artist should sell the rights to there works exclusively to anyone other than their record company.
Does Dylan have a record company?
Doing so can only be for personal gain. If Dylan was making a point, such as that he has control over his music, he should have the sense to choose a less corporate chain or even to put it on personal web space.
Ultimately his release will be used to sell coffee. That’s not what music is about.
Has Dylan lost touch?
I think so, but then again I can hardly see him loving the way mainstream culture has gone.
Does Dylan have a record company?
Doing so can only be for personal gain. If Dylan was making a point, such as that he has control over his music, he should have the sense to choose a less corporate chain or even to put it on personal web space.
Ultimately his release will be used to sell coffee. That’s not what music is about.
Has Dylan lost touch?
I think so, but then again I can hardly see him loving the way mainstream culture has gone.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
As a massive massive Dylan fan, and excusing him a hell of a lot, including appearing in lingerie ads (who wouldn't) this is the one piece of news that has disappointed me most.
Basically though he doesn't seem to give a fuck.
Basically though he doesn't seem to give a fuck.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
The thing is he himself has pointed out he never claimed to be (or indeed want to be) any kind of left wing anti-corporate counter-culture figure. It was just something people made him out to be based on a small number of his songs at a crucial point during the sixties.
I can't say I'm especially for or against Dylan but this is hardly inconsistent behaviour and it seems a bit pointless to chastise him for betraying principles he never claimed to have in the first place.
Was Dylan making a point? Probably no. Probably he was just making money (and maybe, to an extent, trying to dispell the myth about himself).
To be honest, I think HMV have thrown their toys out the pram but I don't really blame them for being annoyed. I doubt it'll affect their sales as I think by now people either own Bob Dylan's back catalogue or don't plan to buy it.
As to DiS' question of whether HMV should cater for thier customers rather than protest over a single record, then maybe yes, but shouldn't Bob Dylan make his record available for his fans everywhere?
For what it's worth I personally think it's abhorrent that anyone'd with a shred of principle or dignity would sign a deal to sell in one chain only but then I'm not Bob Dylan.
I can't say I'm especially for or against Dylan but this is hardly inconsistent behaviour and it seems a bit pointless to chastise him for betraying principles he never claimed to have in the first place.
Was Dylan making a point? Probably no. Probably he was just making money (and maybe, to an extent, trying to dispell the myth about himself).
To be honest, I think HMV have thrown their toys out the pram but I don't really blame them for being annoyed. I doubt it'll affect their sales as I think by now people either own Bob Dylan's back catalogue or don't plan to buy it.
As to DiS' question of whether HMV should cater for thier customers rather than protest over a single record, then maybe yes, but shouldn't Bob Dylan make his record available for his fans everywhere?
For what it's worth I personally think it's abhorrent that anyone'd with a shred of principle or dignity would sign a deal to sell in one chain only but then I'm not Bob Dylan.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
Costas just abit good. They put loads of cream on my moccas. Mmmmm dairy goodness.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dyla
starbucks has gingerbread lattes at christmas time, therefore starbucks owns costa's ass.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
costa coffee tastes like ass. sure starbucks is overpriced and omnipresent, but their food and coffee is the best going and at least they do some charitable stuff and serve fair trade coffee and food. the rage against the machine fans can piss off and drink their coffee somewhere else and keep their white dreadlocked faces out of mine.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
Coffee is Coffee, and I'd rather not get mine from moraless coffee chains.
I'm suprised HMV are protesting on anything, usually they couldn't give a sh't, although, I'm sure they're motives are monatery though. I fact, I know it is.
I'm suprised HMV are protesting on anything, usually they couldn't give a sh't, although, I'm sure they're motives are monatery though. I fact, I know it is.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dyla
Dylan's shit, who cares
Re: The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
I'd like to perceive the man who wrote 'Blowin' in the wind' as having some kind of social conscience. It's a pity that he seems generally not to care, because for me it a least seemed that he once did. I've young and I only have his music to go on, but this move seems inconsistent with some of his works.
Dylan saying that he never made himself out to be a left wing anti-corporate counter-culture figure is kind of irrelevant. This isn't about counter culture; it's not about being a hippy, its about - for me anyhow - knowing what is right and having the responsibility to understand that every action has a consequence. If he's short of a dime you can't blame the man for trying to earn a bit of cash. I dunno, I guess I'm just disappointed it has come to this.
Dylan saying that he never made himself out to be a left wing anti-corporate counter-culture figure is kind of irrelevant. This isn't about counter culture; it's not about being a hippy, its about - for me anyhow - knowing what is right and having the responsibility to understand that every action has a consequence. If he's short of a dime you can't blame the man for trying to earn a bit of cash. I dunno, I guess I'm just disappointed it has come to this.
Re: The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
I'd like to perceive the man who wrote 'Blowin' in the wind' as having some kind of social conscience. It's a pity that he seems generally not to care, because for me it a least seemed that he once did. I've young and I only have his music to go on, but this move seems inconsistent with some of his works.
Dylan saying that he never made himself out to be a left wing anti-corporate counter-culture figure is kind of irrelevant. This isn't about counter culture; it's not about being a hippy, its about - for me anyhow - knowing what is right and having the responsibility to understand that every action has a consequence. If he's short of a dime you can't blame the man for trying to earn a bit of cash. I dunno, I guess I'm just disappointed it has come to this.
Dylan saying that he never made himself out to be a left wing anti-corporate counter-culture figure is kind of irrelevant. This isn't about counter culture; it's not about being a hippy, its about - for me anyhow - knowing what is right and having the responsibility to understand that every action has a consequence. If he's short of a dime you can't blame the man for trying to earn a bit of cash. I dunno, I guess I'm just disappointed it has come to this.
Re: The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
I'd like to perceive the man who wrote 'Blowin' in the wind' as having some kind of social conscience. It's a pity that he seems generally not to care, because for me it a least seemed that he once did. I've young and I only have his music to go on, but this move seems inconsistent with some of his works.
Dylan saying that he never made himself out to be a left wing anti-corporate counter-culture figure is kind of irrelevant. This isn't about counter culture; it's not about being a hippy, its about - for me anyhow - knowing what is right and having the responsibility to understand that every action has a consequence. If he's short of a dime you can't blame the man for trying to earn a bit of cash. I dunno, I guess I'm just disappointed it has come to this.
Dylan saying that he never made himself out to be a left wing anti-corporate counter-culture figure is kind of irrelevant. This isn't about counter culture; it's not about being a hippy, its about - for me anyhow - knowing what is right and having the responsibility to understand that every action has a consequence. If he's short of a dime you can't blame the man for trying to earn a bit of cash. I dunno, I guess I'm just disappointed it has come to this.
Re: The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches
thank you for that valuable contribution.
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dyla
HMV are seriously the worst record store chain in the world (excepting Tower Records). Hideously over-priced. Most albums near £15-22.
But y'know...that's not linked to the rise in downloading AT ALL...
But y'know...that's not linked to the rise in downloading AT ALL...
Re: The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
Hang on - did you just say no artists should sell the rights to their works exclusively to anyone other than their record company?
The record companies ARE the corporate behemoths, HMV and Starbucks pale in comparison.
I know record labels are a necessary evil with regard to mass distribution etc, but seriously, why the fuck should anyone sell the rights to their hard work to some guy who probably doesn't even like their music, only the money they will potentially make HIM?!
The record companies ARE the corporate behemoths, HMV and Starbucks pale in comparison.
I know record labels are a necessary evil with regard to mass distribution etc, but seriously, why the fuck should anyone sell the rights to their hard work to some guy who probably doesn't even like their music, only the money they will potentially make HIM?!
Re: The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches
Hmmm I don't agree with you Sean. In real terms, albums cost £26 on average 30 years ago. It's stupid to expect HMV and Virgin to sell their albums at a loss like the Supermarkets do - if they didn't make any money on CDs and DVDs and Games then they wouldn't exist - with the supermarkets they can whack on an extra 2p to the price of baked beans and make millions! This is partly why tescos have been so successful - they've got 'bums in seats'. I find it unbelievable when people moan about the price of music in chains when they a) have sales on pretty much every month, where you can always find albums/DVDs/games for less than a tenner, and sometimes 2.99 or less, b) when new release albums are rarely more than £11.99, singles no more than 2.99 c) they have such an incredible range and d) the staff are knowledable and passionate. I'm a massive fan of indie stores as well, but sadly all the ones in Southampton where i'm from are shit (all 2 of them....). I recently went to Select A Disc in Nottingham and found the Turncoat 7" and iForward Russia! vinyl...and they had loads of good indie LPs that they couldn't shift and were selling off for a fiver... God I love record stores. Right, rant over...
The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dylan
If people who honestly declare themselves fans of music actually followed through with supporting the industry, supermarkets would only sell James Blunt and dance compilations, Virgin/HMV/MVC/QVC would all be dead and the indies would be rolling around with people hunting down Arcade Fire EPs and the next stars of kitsch underground indie pop.
Sadly that's not, nor is it ever going to be the case. Instead, the whole world is shifting the other way, chain stores will make money one way or another - working closer with the labels and distributors in order to maximise sales and plant a big Monty Python style foot upon the roof of every indie store in the land.
Not every town has one, but we need to support the indie stores now more than ever. The more obscure stuff we buy, the greater the selection we have to choose. In short, there are a lot less indies about than there was even 5 years ago, and it's us who are killing them off.
The same goes for independant labels, if no-one buys that Fierce Panda single, why the hell should we expect those obscure little hopefuls on Creeping Bent to be able to get their CD on the shelves?
Next time you walk into HMV and buy a major label artist, THINK. Next time you burn a copy of an album from a mate, THINK. Next time you see a promising band on tour, struggling for their very existance - remember we are ALL part of the problem.
Starbucks, Dylan, HMV, Sony, Island, Alanis etc. - YOU MAY CONSIDER YOURSELVES MURDERERS.
Sadly that's not, nor is it ever going to be the case. Instead, the whole world is shifting the other way, chain stores will make money one way or another - working closer with the labels and distributors in order to maximise sales and plant a big Monty Python style foot upon the roof of every indie store in the land.
Not every town has one, but we need to support the indie stores now more than ever. The more obscure stuff we buy, the greater the selection we have to choose. In short, there are a lot less indies about than there was even 5 years ago, and it's us who are killing them off.
The same goes for independant labels, if no-one buys that Fierce Panda single, why the hell should we expect those obscure little hopefuls on Creeping Bent to be able to get their CD on the shelves?
Next time you walk into HMV and buy a major label artist, THINK. Next time you burn a copy of an album from a mate, THINK. Next time you see a promising band on tour, struggling for their very existance - remember we are ALL part of the problem.
Starbucks, Dylan, HMV, Sony, Island, Alanis etc. - YOU MAY CONSIDER YOURSELVES MURDERERS.
Re: The times they aren't a chainin': HMV ditches Dyla
My sister's called Ailsa. I thought she was the only one (apart from the bird on home and away)
Who are you kidding?
Dylan is shit hahah pull the other one, he's probably the most influential artist ever.
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