Why are some of the recordings that are in circulation get no remastering attention whatsoever? I mean, I know it takes time to get to these things, such as the recent 2009 remaster of the Bird rehearsal from Purple Rush volume 2 disc 2 released in 2002. But some have been sitting untouched for ages. And I want to know why.

Such as the Washington show (aka Sexuality for audio) from November 21, 1981. I'm burning the City Lights Remastered & Expanded volume set and I finally noticed that the Washington show is no where to be found on there, but every other Controversy show is. That video, although very great for its age, could use some remastering like its sibling Summit 81 had been.

Also, the Valentines Day 1999 shows from Washington DC (February 13th and 14th shows). I didn't even notice the footage from the 14th show was in circulation until last year. It's not that impressive at all however with heavy VHS deterioration. I'm sure there's a better source out there.

But the copy of the shows I have are non-tracked and mismatched horribly. I don't even think I still have them cuz they're so bad, which is a stupid part by me.

Another one I can think of at the top of my head is the 1999 Norfolk show. The video quality is not that bad and way better than the Valentine's Day shows, but why no remastering there? I'm sure with a better source or whatever, they can fix the coloring of the footage, like they had done with Roadhouse Garden. Also there is no tracked audio show! At least to my knowledge, and I'm a looker.

^ All these mentioned are also not on City Lights Remastered and (so-called) "Expanded".

So my question is, Why are these gems getting ignored? Too much work? too many other things going on maybe? Easier said than done? Need more time & patience? What?

I guess this is a question for the labels themselves...

Well, we always complain about what Prince won't put out... why not complain about what the bootleggers won't put out?

I would assume that since every bootleg does not come from the same source, there is not a better or lower generation source tape being discovered for every bootleg. Also, I'd guess that some audio problems are easier to clean up than others. And lastly I imagine that those that spend the time and do the work to clean up the tapes focus on the shows that they themselves believe to be the most worth the effort.

My assumptions, guesses and imaginings are just that, I don't really have a concrete answer to your questions. So, take it with a grain of salt. I'd like to see the One Nite Alone In Louisville show cleaned up and in better quality... maybe one day.

^

Alrighty, thanks for your answer

I think that many more gems will eventually be worked on, or new sources found. We just need to be patient.

There are a small group of labels doing fantastic work where this is concerned, and releasing that work for free.

Then there are the people who poach the hard (and real) work done by these labels, repackage it, then charge a lot of money for the privilege.

I know which i prefer.

[Edited 1/29/11 11:52am]