PunBB

In a duel between HMV and Dylan, HMV has fired the first shot, while reports are that Dylan isn't paying attention. HMV is reported to be bleeding badly from the foot.

That's the roundabout introduction to saying I went to buy the new Bob Dylan today (or the new old Bob, if you like). I went to HMV as it happens to be closest. And they are refusing to carry it, or anything else by Dylan, for that matter.

Apparently they throw this hissy fit whenever someone decides to distribute a disc without letting HMV sell it. In this case, it's Dylan selling the Gaslight Tapes through Starbucks that has them in a tizzy. They've also done it to the Rolling Stones. And for country fans, rumour has it they're about to do it to Garth Brooks.

So they sure taught Bob, anyway, as I went running into the arms of their competitors, who promptly gave me a big hug and a kiss. So this cost who, again? Given that the girl at HMV gave me directions to the competition?

Are these people utter morons? As more and more artists explore alternative means of distribution, how many times do they think they can pull this stunt before people start bitching that they can never find what they want, and vote with their feet? I guess this just shows that if you can spell MBA, you can run a business.

Skippy, you always make me laugh. good points. I almost bought the dylan cd today at starbucks actually..but I didnt have enough money on me...and I thought it would be cheaper at a CD store...

:jump

~Will.

willthenurse Wrote:I almost bought the dylan cd today at starbucks actually..but I didnt have enough money on me...

I think you would need to take out a loan to buy a CD from Starbucks! Good choice sticking to the CD store.

How about a review of this CD from someone when they get around to it.

Drez7 Wrote:How about a review of this CD from someone when they get around to it.

Two reviews for the price of one.

Live at the Gaslight 1962 (available only at Starbucks): a very impressive set of early Dylan songs, except that only three of the ten songs are Dylan songs. (The CD cover has it wrong; Hard Rain, Don't Think Twice, and John Brown are Dylan originals. Rocks and Gravel is traditional.)

The traditionals actually outshine most of the original Dylan stuff, but that makes sense as this was before Freewheelin'. Moonshiner, Cocaine, Barbara Allen and Rocks and Gravel are standouts. Hard Rain is the best of the Dylan songs. Don't Think Twice is the weak point, as Dylan repeatedly fumbles the lyrics - the song was half-written at the time.

No Direction Home (available at Starbucks, and all record stores except HMV): The second disc of the two disc set is outstanding. Outstanding. The alternate takes from the Blonde on Blonde, Highway 61 Revisited, and Bringin' it All Back Home sessions are the equal of the originals - and these are genuinely alternate takes, completely different takes on the songs. Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, Visions of Johanna and Ballad of a Thin Man are outstanding. Outstanding, I say!

Not that disc one is bad. It's good, too.

Both are worth a listen.

Not that I'm biased, or anything.

Garth Brooks will be actually be selling all his music exlcusively through Wal-Mart in the future. Interesting that he signed a deal with a non-traditional music retailer. While I actually shop at Wal-Mart, I've never bought a CD there, and I don't think I will unless they sign a deal with the Hip or something. :thumb:

skippy the wonder dog Wrote:Are these people utter morons?

Rhetorical question, right?

skippy the wonder dog Wrote:So they sure taught Bob, anyway, as I went running into the arms of their competitors, who promptly gave me a big hug and a kiss. So this cost who, again? Given that the girl at HMV gave me directions to the competition?

Ha, that's classic! :lol: :lol:

Wonder if the "powers that be" at HMV ever thought their staff would encourage people to shop at their competition when they use this tactic to supposedly punish the artist? Probably not... considering that they seem dumb enough to not realize that people can actually find the CD(s) they want to purchase at other stores. Might as well put a sign on the door saying "No thanks, we don't want your money, please give it to someone else."

ya but most of the people who work at the Hmv dont give a shit about this sort of thing. Its a job with a great discount, thats all! Most part-timers at any job are just their too work through school etc...

Which is why it's pretty damn funny that said part-timers know more about customer service than the people higher up the food chain....