Into The Mist by Fiona Joy - Stereo SACD Edition

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bmoura

2K Club - QQ Super Nova
Since 2002/2003
Joined
Mar 2, 2003
Messages
9,518
Location
Redwood City, CA
From Cookie Marenco at Blue Coast Records....

Fiona Joy SACD Pre-Order Offer.jpg

"For the most ardent fans of Fiona and Blue Coast Records, we have an invitation to be immortalized on the SACD. Until September 10, we will add your name under "Special Thanks" on the digipak, send you 2 SACDs of "Into the Mist" (one signed) and a certificate of appreciation for $200. Space is limited. Please take advantage of this quickly if you are interested.

http://bluecoastrecords.downloadsnow.net/into-the-mist-sacd

If you click on the cover art link at the MicroStore you will see a pdf of the nearly completed 6 panel digipak. You'll also see the space where your name will appear on every digipak sold. It's a beautiful cover design worthy of a Grammy with artwork on the tray card by Fiona.

We expect to ship the discs on December 1, 2016 even though the actual release may not occur until Feb 2017. Additional signed and regular copies will be available in time for holiday gift giving.

About the Recording....

We used vintage B&K 4012 microphones on the 1885 7' Steinway, Millennia pre-amps and our specially designed silver/copper cable. Combined this equipment offers us the widest dynamic range without use of compression. This allows us to capture the full range of Fiona's delicate nuances and explosive phrasing. Most songs were recorded in one full take. No overdubs or headphones were used in this recording.

We recorded the entire album in DSD256, mixed through an analog console and back to DSD 256. (Thank you, David Robinson!). After many, many tests, we find that DSD or analog tape is our preferred sound.

That said, we offer 8 different formats for you preferred listening at home. We realize that many of you have systems optimized for WAV or FLAC or DSD of various sampling rates. When I'm not in the studio, I listen to many formats including YouTube (yes, a complete playlist of :"Into the Mist" exists there also). For a downloads visit:
http://bluecoastrecords.downloadsnow.net/fiona-joy-into-the-mist

Many of you wonder why we don't mix "in the box/computer". After numerous tests we find that adding efx and volume changes in an analog stage better preserves the original sound. Sometimes, we run through the tape machine without tape just to get a "sound". That's what we did for "Into the Mist". Why? because we liked it. :)

"Into the Mist" followed on the heels of Signature - Solo, Fiona's first solo piano recording with Blue Coast that topped the ZMR Radio charts and won Best Solo Piano of the Year. For "Into the Mist", Fiona expands her composition prowess to more impressionistic and romantic themes. Her influences from travelling to China (now 3 successful tours) is heard on songs like "Moon Over Lotus Pond".

David Robinson of Positive-Feedback fame (and champion of DSD 256) said this of Fiona's album...
"Her calm and delightful presence imparts a harmony that is more than simply musical…it is soulful. It moves me to contemplation, and to that quiet shift inwards that heals. And that's a very high compliment to her composition and playing." You can read the whole review here.
http://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/brief-impressions-fiona-joy/

Recording an album is an expensive venture. Many fans are not aware that sales do not cover the costs of recording, mixing, mastering, conversions and building a MicroStore. Once complete, there are manufacturing, marketing, promotion, internet and radio costs. Storing email addresses and files for downloads comes with a hefty price monthly tag as well.

With your help we will provide Fiona an opportunity to receive the worldwide attention she deserves. If you would like to contribute to our cause for other titles (like Executive Producer) or support other artists / projects becoming SACDs, please contact us directly!

At this time, we would also like to thank Bob Rogers for his incredible support!.

Write to us at [email protected]

Have a GREAT week of loving and living music!
Cookie Marenco

founder and producer
Blue Coast Music "
 
This is not intended as a threadcrap, at all, just curious as to the motivation behind somebody wanting their name on a product they had nothing to do with other than pay to have their name put on it.. quite strange imho but if it pleases someone to be "immortalised" in such a way, fair play to them, I just personally wouldn't be bothered about that kind of thing, that's all but I love to explore what makes people tick :)

What are the surround mixes like on this one? Active/immersive or atmospheric/ambient?
 
This is a continuation of a trend where artists and record labels are launching Kickstarter campaigns to fund recording sessions and album releases on CD, DVD Video and other formats.

It has proven very successful for projects like "The Wrecking Crew" movie where over 4,200 music fans contributed over $300,000 to sponsor the movie's release and get a spot on the DVD Video's credits.

We will no doubt see more such campaigns and offers in the future.

Wrecking Crew on Kickstarter.jpg

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wreckingcrew/the-wrecking-crew-doc-untold-story-of-rock-and-rol
 
Brian - with all due respect, Fiona Joy is not the Wrecking Crew - that aside, Crowd funding is indeed hardly a new idea. It's just that I didn't expect to see a solicitation for a contribution on QQ
 
Brian - with all due respect, Fiona Joy is not the Wrecking Crew - that aside, Crowd funding is indeed hardly a new idea. It's just that I didn't expect to see a solicitation for a contribution on QQ

I've read folks on QQ talk about engaging in crowd funding to get more albums released on SACD disc.
Here's a chance to do exactly that.
 
I realized that I stumbled upon the Stereo SACD thread in error - but I'm taking a wild guess that few here are interested in funding a stereo SACD of new age solo piano music.
 
I realized that I stumbled upon the Stereo SACD thread in error - but I'm taking a wild guess that few here are interested in funding a stereo SACD of new age solo piano music.

Time will tell. The album was recorded to Stereo DSD 256. So it will be out as a DSD Download for sure.
As for an SACD edition, that may depend on the fund raising campaign.
 
So if I contribute enough $$$, I could be on stage (as the Executive Producer) picking up a Grammy Award if the album wins one?

Ok, I'll start preparation on my speech.

I'll buy the SACD regardless.
 
So if I contribute enough $$$, I could be on stage (as the Executive Producer) picking up a Grammy Award if the album wins one?

Could be. Though the Executive Producer title goes to the people who provide most of the project funding.
Much more than $200.

For example, on the Jazz album "Haiku" that was released on Stereo CD and DSD 256 Stereo Download by Nick Philips Productions & DownloadsNow,
the Executive Producer credit costed $5,000 (see PledgeMusic campaign below).

Exec Producer.jpg

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/maybeephillips
 
I realized that I stumbled upon the Stereo SACD thread in error - but I'm taking a wild guess that few here are interested in funding a stereo SACD of new age solo piano music.

Same here, I only just realised this was a Stereo release after seeing this post of yours now! :eek:

Fair play to these people if they can drum up business to flog their wares by selling people ego trips..

..maybe AF could do likewise? it might crowdfund the Quads they now seem unable to justify on sheer sales alone.
 
Hey y'all. You're being too tough on Brian and the project. QQ is surround AND HiRez by your own choice. Many of you PM'd me to add stereo SACDs to the forum, so there you are.

If you aren't into this, that's fine. But trashing the message bearer is "so internet", ya know? Let's be civil.
 
Hey y'all. You're being too tough on Brian and the project. QQ is surround AND HiRez by your own choice. Many of you PM'd me to add stereo SACDs to the forum, so there you are.

If you aren't into this, that's fine. But trashing the message bearer is "so internet", ya know? Let's be civil.

Jon, I was ONLY kidding Brian. He is one of my very favorite posters. He's a true maverick, a gentlemen and a scholar when it comes to DSD and QUAD.

And yes, adding STEREO is a good idea since it accounts for 99.99% of ALL music releases
 
Jon - you're the leader here - and your words carry weight. If a moderator endorses a project, I imagine that his or her words carry similar weight. Brian seems to be perfectly capable of handling the criticism and/or ribbing. I have no particular issue with the stereo SACD element of the project. I do, however, find the crowd funding "solicitation" a bit ridiculous and stated as such. Brian responded appropriately.
 
This is a continuation of a trend where artists and record labels are launching Kickstarter campaigns to fund recording sessions and album releases on CD, DVD Video and other formats.

It has proven very successful for projects like "The Wrecking Crew" movie where over 4,200 music fans contributed over $300,000 to sponsor the movie's release and get a spot on the DVD Video's credits.

We will no doubt see more such campaigns and offers in the future.

My name is Cookie Marenco and I founded a record label -- Blue Coast Records. In 1982, I founded a recording studio... I'm not sure which required more passion for audio and music. Either would be considered insanity by many. LOL

Thank you, Brian, for reposting my newsletter seeking patronage for Into the Mist by Fiona Joy. This is Fiona's second solo piano recording on Blue Coast Records.

As you mentioned, crowdfunding is more and more to be the norm for any artist. Recorded music is a dying industry. Even established artists have trouble raising money for a recording project. An emerging artist has few choices.

It would be a sad world if we were confined to major label choices where there is little understanding high end recording standards. Many of the titles available on SACD are created by indie labels and artists.

The original newsletter was sent to 30,000 subscribers around the world who have signed up for the Blue Coast Music newsletter. Within 48 hours we had achieved our goals (and then some). Others can look forward to intro pricing on the SACD to begin October 1.

The original performance was recorded to DSD256 and released for sale in DSD256 along with 7 other formats. It's been our best selling album of 2016 with numerous requests for SACDs. We believe this album is worthy of more attention than we can afford to promote. The additional sponsorship will go for manufacturing, promotion and radio publicity.

Even though we may not have received contributions from this group, we appreciate the discussion. We view sponsorships for album creation as the same as donations solicited by PBS and other organizations for their programming. Kickstarter, Indiegogo and other crowdfunding platform are wonderful for soliciting large amounts to offset expenses for these albums.

Until now, we have relied solely on word of mouth to promote our recordings. With 3 successful tours of China playing to 1000 seat halls, we feel Fiona deserves wider recognition in the USA and the reason for our campaign.

Myself and our Blue Coast Records crew are always available for answering questions about the recordings or playback abilities for consumers. Contact us directly at [email protected] and alert us to any questions you believe we can answer at this forum.

We look forward to participating to move high end music forward.

Enjoy your music!
Cookie Marenco

Founder and Producer
Blue Coast Records and Music Group
 
My name is Cookie Marenco and I founded a record label -- Blue Coast Records. In 1982, I founded a recording studio... I'm not sure which required more passion for audio and music. Either would be considered insanity by many. LOL.......

Welcome to the forum, Cookie. Nice to have you stop by.
 
THAT distinction already belongs to Brian Moura The DUOPHONIC Maven!

Those Quad tapes, BABY, went out with the bathwater!

So Ralph, if you were AF you wouldn't consider crowdfunding future Quad/5.1 Surround SACD releases?

I know I would, in these uncertain times.. and then pull the plug if there were a lukewarm response after going to those lengths, by all means, at least you really went out on a limb.. but then I'm just a customer with no experience of running a label..

meantime, I take my hat off to these Blue Coast chaps and hope its a great success for them.. I just feel its maybe a business model other specialist and boutique labels could consider following right now, perhaps.. was all I was saying..
 
So Ralph, if you were AF you wouldn't consider crowdfunding future Quad/5.1 Surround SACD releases?

I know I would, in these uncertain times.. and then pull the plug if there were a lukewarm response after going to those lengths, by all means, at least you really went out on a limb.. but then I'm just a customer with no experience of running a label..

meantime, I take my hat off to these Blue Coast chaps and hope its a great success for them.. I just feel its maybe a business model other specialist and boutique labels could consider following right now, perhaps.. was all I was saying..

Crowdfunding future 5.1/4.0 projects is a VERY sticky subject, Adam. It ALL sounds great on paper but when one gets involved with the Nitty Gritty it becomes less tolerable.

For instance, WE ALL HAVE guilty pleasures we'd like to see released in surround and therein lies the rub........WHO gets to choose....and then there are those pesky restrictions......NOT all tapes are in usuable condition with multitracks lost or misplaced....and then of course there are those artists (those Prima Donnas) who don't want their masterpieces vivisected into four or five surround channels for 'purity' sake.

As much as I admire Fiona Joy (Hawkins) artistry.....she is only one of MANY new age pianists who flood the soundscapes vying for our ear~time (a RAMISM?). As surround nuts, why is her new album stereo, only, when her previous output was multichannel? If you're going to do a pricey SACD why not take FULL advantage of its various layers (RBCD/STEREO/MULTI)? A VERY missed opportunity, IMO.

And my big OPPOSITION: I spend a fortune EVERY year on reissued Hi Res music and like many on this forum cringe when the 'choice' of a new upcoming QUAD/5.1 release is NOT to my liking not to mention the lackluster choice of surround mixers and the use of LOSSY codecs to encode the surround release in question.

Crowd funding is like charity.........one gives out of the goodness of their heart. To give $200 towards an 'iffy' cause is not my idea of charity and what happens when the artist in question fails to meet their goal......Do we get our $$$$ back?

It's times like these that sometimes I just put on a REMASTERED BD~V with LOSSLESS Remastered 5.1 surround that I paid 5 bucks for NEW and say to myself......why can't the record companies do the same instead of charging outrageous sums for remastered music that I already PREVIOUSLY own on MULTIPLE FORMATS??????????

THOSE GREEDY RECORD COMPANIES LOST MY RESPECT A LONG TIME AGO.

If Fiona wants my $$$$$, maybe she should start playing with her hands AND her toes.........and capture that sound in MULTICHANNEL. But perhaps I would consider funding Windham Hill artist George Winston's lovely output for release on multichannel SACD....as if that would EVER happen!!!!!!!!!
 
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