THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD CD Question

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 2:35am

After watching the Tony Awards performance (and that oddly enjoyable music video), I really want to hear the score. I can't seem to find the CD though, except on Amazon or ebay where it goes for hundreds of dollars. Anyone know why?

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 2:47am

Well... it's out of print.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 3:27am

BDrischBDemented is exactly right.
The OBCR is indeed out of print.


Updated On: 7/3/08 at 03:27 AM

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 3:30am

Do a search, there are several threads that delve deep into the recordings 2 or 3 releases. It's an interesting tale. You can find mp3's online at various places.

Good things come to those who wait . . .

[jam_man]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 3:44am

^ Very true - I was looking for a copy for about four and a half years (after narrowly losing out on an eBay auction), then a few months ago, I found a copy at my campus' library!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 4:44am

Brian Druteman of Decca (who now own the masters) argues that it has been issued twice on CD (first on Polydor - with all the alternate endings - and later on Varese-Sarabande with only the opening night ending) and neither edition set any kind of sales records.

Perhaps they will let ArKive re-release it on CD-R.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 5:52am

It's quite an interesting supply and demand thing. It went out of print, which made it tricky to get hold of, and it became so desired because of collectors who go "Edwin Drood is difficult to get! Therefore I MUST have it!", and it's just sort of... circularly become massively sought after. Not because of quality or anything, just *because* it's so sought after. If they reprinted it, there would an initial surge of the unlucky collectors going "HAHA I CAN OWN IT AT LAST!", then it just wouldn't sell any more than any other cast recording.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 6:17am

I have a copy someone made for me that has "Ceylon", "Moonfall Quartet", each "Out on a Limerick" and all the different confessions from both CD releases. It's actually one of my favorite recordings.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 6:37am

No recording seems to have the songs A British Subject or England Reigns. I saw the show, and it was one of the best things I ever saw on Broadway. The cast was sublime, and Betty Buckley's final song remains among my favorites. It is perfectly rendered, on every level.

[sparrman]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 10:22am

Weez, I think it's a bit silly to say Drood's desirability has nothing to do with quality! It's generally regarded as a fine score, which I feel it is. "Moonfall" is one of the most beautiful songs ever heard on Broadway, methinks.

If it was really bad, almost no one would want it, regardless of how rare it was.

Posted: 7/3/08 at 10:23am

It's a funny thing- Out of Print CDs become fantastically over valued not because there are a lot of people who want them but because there are a few people who want them, badly. History is full of stories like this where a company reissues a disc only to find no one wants to buy it now that they can.

I recall a fantastic market for Whoop-Up on LP when it seemed it would never be released on CD. Then, the CD came out and didn't sell at all. Now the CD is out of print and it's probably trading for hundreds of dollars again.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 10:31am

Weez, I think it's a bit silly to say Drood's desirability has nothing to do with quality!

That's not *quite* what I was trying to say. Obviously it's a great show (I have familiarity with it an' all), which is why people wanted it in the first place. But as time has gone on, the desire for it has escalated (hence the mad prices) and I've come across certain collectors who now only want it *because* it's so difficult to get hold of.

[bk]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:01am

As the one who reissued it the first time, I'm here to tell you that the sales were actually shocking. At that time, the Polydor was fetching fifty to one hundred bucks, and we thought, well, we should do well with this. We didn't, although I'd do it again.

[divarobbie2]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:17am

Well, bk, I for one wish you would!

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:18am

There are lots of places to download the music, if that's all you want.

[divarobbie2]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:20am

As someone who works for a record label and a designer of CD booklets, I tend to want the full package, and to pay for it. But thank you.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 11:41am

Should probably list one of mine on eBay . . . have thought about it for a while, but haven't done it.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 2:12pm

Click Me!

[cfmiller]

Posted: 7/3/08 at 6:18pm

I got the LP in mint condition for a buck. I about spit all over myself when I saw it in the bin with every other record. I listen to it often.

I love the cover art as well.