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Simple Minds / Sparkle in the Rain replacement DVD update

By Paul Sinclair

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103

Simple Minds / Sparkle in the Rain five disc super deluxe edition box

New discs to replace the faulty DVDs that formed part of Simple Minds Sparkle in the Rain super deluxe edition box set will be sent out to those that requested them in about two weeks time, SDE has been told.

Initially, the issue seemed to be confined to the hi-res stereo mix (which was in mono not stereo) but it came to light that gremlins had got to Steven Wilson’s 5.1 mix, which, as the man himself pointed out on this blog, “does not sound as it should”.

Although these errors were disappointing, the good news is that both of these issues have been addressed. Sorting out the 5.1 has impacted the time it has taken to resolve, but we are assured that new discs should be on their way to fans before the end of this month.

If you were previously unaware of any issues but would like to request a replacement disc then you can email proof of purchase to [email protected] and request a replacement.

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103 Comments

103 thoughts on “Simple Minds / Sparkle in the Rain replacement DVD update”

    1. I just got round to listening to the Live at Glasgow Barrowland concert in this box set and i have to say it sounds awful even worse than a bootleg.

  2. Just to let everyone know, even after all this time Amazon are still selling the original defective boxset. I contacted Universal but was told that as all sellers were informed of this and have had ample time to replace any remaining defective stock I was to attempt to get my faulty DVD replaced by the seller.

  6. finally listened to it.
    A) it’s great.
    B) my dvd is a corrected one, so universal if they are stil selling it are selling the correct DVD.

    I too have a volume pumping issue with the dolby digital version. I am using an oppo BD103 to listen to. it has a thing called DRC which is basically a volume leveler for dolby.
    I disabled it and the volume didn’t pump as much but still isn’t completely gone. since the other 5.1 mixes sound fine i’ll just listen to those instead.

  7. so lucky me. i ordered the SDE from udiscover as mentioned above for $18.99 plus shipping came to $27. Took their sweet time (6 weeks, i bet they were hoping i’d cancel my order), but it arrived today! That’s less than the price for the 2cd version over here in the US.

  8. Some people still are selling the original faulty sets. Ordered one from an Amazon Marketplace Seller in early December and it was a first run pressing and printing. Have sent email to Universal but the seller has said they will pay return shipping.

    1. Copying an update over to this thread:

      I emailed Universal on Christmas Day after I opened and tested it. I emailed both the Amazon Marketplace Seller and Universal (at the [email protected] address) and attached a copy of my receipt from the Amazon Marketplace Seller. While the Marketplace Seller was in process to issue a pre-paid return label I got a reply from Cressida at Universal saying the replacement booklet and DVD-A were on their way. They arrived a few days later. I am in the USA and hope that Universal are still taking responsibility and minimizing the effort and expense that any other solution for a non-UK purchaser/retailer would require. I was greatly relieved. My Amazon UK Tusk Deluxe (another Christmas Present) also has the correct vinyl (some have the Side 1 repeated on Side 3).

      While Amazon UK never put it back up on their website as being sold by them after taking it down when the errors came to light, clearly one would be wary of Amazon Marketplace sellers. Perhaps Universal will replace if you bought it via mail order or are outside of the UK.

      Derek

  10. Thanks Paul. I guess I’ll have to just take my chances and if it’s old stock, an send an email to the address in a previous post.

    Best wishes,
    Dan

  11. Sorry to revisit an old thread, but can someone confirm that if I were to order the blu-ray tomorrow, I would definitely receive a corrected version? Any retailer in particular I should use?

    Thanks,
    Dan

  12. Hallo

    kann mir da jemand helfen der Deutsch sprechen kann? Ich habe heute die Super Deluxe Edition und es ist immer noch die fehlerhafte DVD in der Verpackung. Wie kann ich und ein Ersatzt bitten?? Sollt ich Amazon kontaktieren oder Universal Music in Deutchland??? Wie erkenne ich ob der Booklet auch fehlerhaft ist?? Bitte um hilfe.

    Dear Friends, sorry my englisch is not so well. Have adquired today de Super Deluxe Edition and de DVD are the faulty version. What can i do?? Can i ask by Amazon Germany or Universal Germany for a repalecement of the DVD??? Please send me Information.

    the DVD Code is 06025 470 143-2 51 01 + 53663639

    Viele Grüße – Regards
    Julio Garcia

  14. Does anybody know if the two CD Deluxe Edition has the new stereo remix by SW or is it just the old remaster from 2002? Do you have to buy the Blu Ray to get the new mix?

  16. MONTHS after the official release date ( i thought i’d wait for a release without the crappy DVD) I purchased the box last weekend. Got my SuperDuperDeluxe Sparkle in the Rain Box yesterday…me very happy, but… Guess what!

    The DVD sounds crap!! Still the issue! I’m very very disappointed in this.
    E-mailed to [email protected]
    Now wait for a, hopefully, quick reply.

    Keep you posted

    1. Update

      Still no reply… nothing (after sending 3 e-mails)

      I will send back the box with the crappy dvd to the seller.
      No more boxes or Steven Wilson Mixes from Universal for me again! Thanks Universal. You were very helpfull!

  18. as per Universals instructions (outlined on this site) that all retailers have updated inventory I requested a replacement bluray from Amazon UK , they promptly sent a replacement no questions asked

    however they both bluray discs have the same matrix 55981828/00602537973552 S21

    both discs the 2014 stereo mixes sounds mono

    can anyone with a confirmed updated bluray post the matrix number?

    1. The matrix number for the ‘new’ bluray is 56100044/00602537973552V3 S21 which suggests you do still have the old one.

      To save you going back and fro with Amazon I can pull a few strings and get one sent directly to you. Please email me your name and address and I’ll get it sorted: paul at superdeluxeedition dot com

          1. Mmm,
            Found something on Discogs that would be interresting.

            http://www.discogs.com/Simple-Minds-Sparkle-In-The-Rain/release/7161101

            ==============

            Notes
            Repress of the faulty DVD from the 2015 Deluxe Edition Box Set of “Sparkle In The Rain”.
            Sent out by Universal Music upon request and delivered in a sealed paper sleeve with a new corrected booklet.

            Initial copies of this DVD had a mono mix instead of Steven Wilson’s 2014 Stereo Mix. And problems with the 5.1 Mix had been acknowledged too.

            Matrix numbers help distinguishing this DVD from the faulty one.

            Despite the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 logo on the label side of the disc, this audio format is not available on this release.

            Audio formats available in DVD-Video mode:
            – DTS 96/24 5.1 (1509 Kbps)
            – Hi-Res LPCM stereo (24bit / 96Khz)
            – Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 Kbps)

            Audio formats available in DVD-Audio mode:
            – Advanced Resolution stereo (24bit / 96Khz)
            – Advanced Resolution 5.1 surround (24bit / 96Khz)
            Barcode and Other Identifiers

            Matrix / Runout (DVD Layer 0): 06025 470 143-2 50 01 + 53747525
            Matrix / Runout (DVD Layer 1): 06025 470 143-2 51 01 + 53747523 A A
            Mastering SID Code (DVD): IFPI LV27
            Mould SID Code (DVD): IFPI 01ZE
            Rights Society: BIEM/SDRM
            Other (Cat# Booklet): 3797349

  24. Got the blu ray now. Even though there was this confusion, I like to point out that I got helped fast and without any fuzz. Kudos and thank you to Mr. Hammonds!

  25. I originally purchased the blu-ray version with the mono mix.
    Universal sent a replacement disc for the DVD to me in error. I then asked for a replacement disc for the blu-ray. Now I have three discs at home (the initial DVD is the only one I don’t have), and I just checked the first minute of “Waterfront” in its 5.1 form on all three discs to see if I could hear any differences in the mixes.

    What I found out is quite confusing as the Dolby Digital, DTS 96/24 and MLP tracks from the new DVD, and the DTS-HD Master Audio and PCM tracks from the initial blu-ray all sound the same, mix wise. To explain that a little further, I would say that the snare is more forward or louder than in the original mix, and that the second synth pad of the intro (coming after the 8 bars of the first synth pad and lasting 4 bars before the first JK vocals appear) almost disappears in the mix.
    However the DTS-HD Master Audio and PCM tracks from the new blu-ray disc sound different. The snare sounds more as we expect it to and the second synth pad is more present or balanced as the way it is in the original stereo mix.

    That leads me to think that the only corrected 5.1 mix available is on the new blu-ray and that the new DVD still has the defective 5.1 mix…
    I will perform further tests on other songs to be sure but that’s odd.

  26. When I got in touch with Univeral regarding the faulty blu-ray audio of “Sparkle In The Rain”, I complained about the Universal jingle playing at the beginning before the actual album. I also pointed out the fact that “PLAY” was the only indication available on the blu-ray player front panel instead of the usual track number and elapsed duration while playing the album.
    I am today grateful toward Universal because on the corrected blu-ray received lately both issues have been addressed.

  31. I got a DVD instead of a blu ray, contacted them and within 20 Minutes got a reply that they will send another replacement. Hopefully a blu ray this time :’D

  32. Got my replacement DVD and Booklet this a.m. (Canada). I concur with Chris above regarding how these matters are handled. The lousy quality control with the initial offering aside, I am happy that they got these discs out. Now…the Blu-ray folks getting DVDs….

  33. Today I got mine but instead of the Bluray disc I received dvd and booklet from the superdeluxe edition. Writing to them again.
    Emili from Spain.

  35. Thanks for the reply Steve Wilson, to be honest I didn’t expect a reply. However I would like to point out that I wasn’t using a computer but an Aiwa XD-DV370 through a Yamaha RX V379 both old but reliable so I tried again with a Philips BCP 3100 and the same receiver – same issues.

    Up on th Catwalk is all over the place,

    Significant drop in volume – verse 1 line one “catwalk” 18 secs
    line four “heaven” 25 secs

    It slightly jumps up and down until
    Chorus 53 secs drops significantly and again up and down until:

    1:08 (politicians) again drops significantly after and jumps up and down slight but noticeable

    I can go on but you get my gist – BTW the DTS is amazing! But the Aiwa is an old player and the DTS mix won’t play? (Same as SFTBC from TFF) But that’s a hardware issue and as DTS movies play fine I’m not changing it as I am happy with it otherwise!

  36. I received my corrected versions and in the spirit of how I’ve always approached honest mistakes, I don’t get upset about the error but pay close attention to how it is addressed and in this case, I have no problems with Steve Wilson’s efforts. Actually, I think he served as a great example of how to address issues like this and even though I realize I’m just one of a great many who are faceless voices on the internet and should not expect Steve to really worry about what I think, I hereby judge him to be honorable and one of the good guys. I love his music and like the fact that he did as much as he could to rectify the problem as fast as he could.

    Having said that, I would have made different decisions with respect to the new stereo mix. The big drum sound, that Lillywhite signature that was to me, one of the highlights of the album……lost its oomph. SITR is a drum, piano and vocal album with minimal flourishes of synthesizer and guitar that help to color the album. Taking down the snare seemed to change the album too much for me. I really relish these DVD mixes in that in many ways they offer a different perspective of the album and sometimes correct bad decisions made while producing the album but I wouldn’t have changed the snare in this way. The rest is pretty good but I guess I was expecting something different which may be why I’m not making records and having people pay to see me play instead of being some guy on the internet sharing his opinions that no one really asked for. Oh well, Steve, if you see this……kudos to how you handled this situation. Lesser people could have done much worse but you did an admirable job………….even if we don’t see eye to eye on the Lillywhite snare. :-P Cheers.

  37. here in the USA.

    still no replacement for the DVD and booklet.

    i have the bluray, but don’t know who to ask for a replacement.

    later
    -1

  39. Gregory, please let me know how you get on. I’m okay because I bought the box set, but a friend of mine got his Blu-Ray from WOW HD and would rather not have to send it back to Australia if he can avoid it. Also, WOW HD has a 60-day returns cut-off even for faulty items, and I suspect he has fallen foul of it….

  40. I emailed Universal about the faulty blu-ray I had purchased and have been waiting for a replacement disc since.
    This morning I have been delivered two letters containing each a DVD-Audio with the corrected booklet related to the box set deluxe edition !
    As I’ve been reading in the previous posts, I am not the only one getting the wrong disc format.
    The whole thing is getting quite annoying but I’m not giving up. I’m going to write to Universal once again and ask for a replacement for my faulty BLU-RAY !

  41. Yip, I have received the replacement disk (New Zealand).
    The explanation from SW is very interesting, I’ll keep that in the back of my mind next time when I have a listen. The restored 5.1 does sound significantly better than the faulty disc, but I have to have a listen to it more often to make my final say on it.
    My first thoughts though are: before this rendition was made public, I had been hoping for a 5.1 remix of this album because it’s one of my very favorites from the 80’s and the music certainly would flourish with a proper 5.1 version of it.
    My hopes were that the Extended versions of Up On The Catwalk (UOTC), Speed Your Love To Me (SYLTM) , Waterfront (W) and A Brass Band in African Chimes (ABBIAC) would get the 5.1 treatments as well, and that Mr Steve Lylliwhite would be involved doing the mix or at least supervising the process.
    No offense to SW who has been doing awesome jobs on this one, as well as Yes’ CTTE and Relayer and Tears For Fears Songs From The Big Chair; SW did an excellent job withing the scope/brief that was given to him.
    What I do find a pity is that the extended versions weren’t part of SW’s brief, because those versions would have made this box stand out!
    It seems that the album versions of UOTC, SYLTM and W in 5.1 are almost too bombastic for their own good, which would not have been so much of an issue with the extended versions.
    I feel this is a missed opportunity.
    Again, I will listen to it more often and I want to do a proper review on Amazon once I’ve done that.

  45. I finally purchased this Super Deluxe Edition set thinking that the DVD mixing issues have been resolved, but the copy I received still had issues with the 5.1 mixes. Volume varying and the sound was muffled when playing the DVD on my home stereo system and on my computer.

    I had contacted UMC requesting a replacement DVD, but I was told that the period for getting replacement DVDs had passed, and that I was to either contact the vendor for a replacement or return the DVD as defective.

    I have checked my DVD and verified that the number of the disc matches the Replacement: 06025 470 143-2 51 01 + 53747525 provided by Salamander on June 19. Thank you for this information. I can only assume that I have the remastered version, and I need to decide whether the issues with the remastered DVD are serious enough to return the set as defective, or to keep the Super Deluxe Edition set even though the 5.1 mixes sound defective.

    I agree with others who have stated that the stereo mix sounds ok, but the 5.1 mixes have issues. The DTS version is better than the Dolby version, but they both sound inferior to the stereo mix. I would be interested in other opinions on the quality of the 5.1 mixes, as I can’t really listen to the 5.1 mixes without noticing the audio issues.

    To the points about compression being enabled on the computer as a cause of the audio issues or the channel assignment on the stereo system, when playing other DVDs on both systems, I don’t notice similar audio issues.

    Sorry to say that the mix is still disappointing.

  46. I received a booklet and dvd yesterday which is a shame because I specifically asked for the blu ray. Anyway I’ll take that up with Cressida. Thanks to Steven for taking the time out to post the above. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the XTC b/c. And also thanks to Paul for creating this splendid platform without which I suggest many fans would have been none the wiser about the problems with this release.

  47. Hello folks, me again. I’m still on tour, but I did check the 5.1 mix this time before it was authoured and it sounded good to me, it certainly should sound quite different to the previous disc. To the guy listening to the Dolby version, it sounds like you are playing back from a laptop (?) and need to turn off the audio compression – some software players default to having this on with Dolby, and if so the audio will pump up and down (better to listen to the DTS version anyway to be honest).

    If anyone is not finding that the front speakers are predominantly anchoring the drums, bass and guitars, with keyboards and backing vocals mostly in the rears, and lead vocals clear in the centre speaker (previous version had them somewhat swamped due to a significant imbalance of the drums in the other channels), then there could be an issue with playback. The 5.1 mix is simply a spatially expanded version of the stereo, so if the new stereo sounds correctly balanced to you (and being a big fan of Simple Minds, I certainly aimed to match the original as closely as I could) but the 5.1 mix does not, then something may have gone wrong with the 5.1 reproduction and/or channel assignment on your system (even when it seems correct on another disc).

    And if that all checks out but you still don’t like the sound of it, then I guess it’s just the mix that let you down, in which case my fail!
    SW

  49. Receive the replacement DVD and booklet yesterday. The Stereo mix is perfect. Unfortunately it is not so easy to tell the faulty disc apart from the correct one. The label is the same on the German (FSK ab 0 freigegeben) version.

    Numbers then on the data side (you may need a magnifying glass for this one):
    Faulty: 06025 470 143-2 51 01 + 53663639
    Replacement: 06025 470 143-2 51 01 + 53747525

  50. Just received a replacement DVD here is Singapore today.

    Whilst my original purchase was the Blu-ray, the DVD has the correct 24/96 version which is what I wanted anyway, so I’ll leave at that

  51. Emailed Universal a week ago and just got a reply from Cressida telling me to “return your faulty product to the retailer you purchased it from who will be able to provide you with a refund or replacement product.”
    Great. How is the retailer going to know which copies of the box have the faulty disc and which don’t? I think I’ll email her back and ask if she has any info on that that I can pass on to the retailer.

    1. Hello from Canada

      I sent a screen capture of my invoice and got the same message that Derek got as well. I did a pre-purchase on the box set and the return policy has passed. Are they not willing to send the replacements to their Canadian customers? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am intending to send a reply e-mail. Thanks.

  52. Got my replacement disc today – just listened to it and the hi res stereo mix is fixed – but Dolby 5.1 mix of Up on the Catwalk eas all over the place volume seemed to jump up and down! Was like I was after consuming copious amounts of alcohol! Will listen again tomorrow to see if I can make sense of it! Maybe it’s the hour but I doubt it! Waterfront seems fine! Maybe it’s just me but I would be interested in what others think!!!

  55. Got our Blu Ray replacement disc this morning and as per the DVD the 2914 stereo mix is now corrected. Had some issues playing the disc for some reason. An older Sony BDP S550 doesn’t want to know whereas the original supplied disc with the mono fault still plays fine. Plays better on another Sony player. Thankful it’s been corrected but puzzled by some playback issues which might just be one of those things.

    1. Not sure if it’s a typo or not. You mentioned “2914 stereo mix”…perhaps our replacement discs will reach U.S. shores by then. Universal Music, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”.

      1. Got mine this morning as well.

        Booklet OK, didn’t need the extra page, just re-justified the individual track descriptions to make it fit.

        Hi Resolution Stereo is now Stereo. Hooray!

        Background shifting between Waterfront and East At Easter and back again has been fixed.

        White Hot Day and Kick Inside are now correctly indexed, so no longer include dying seconds of preceding track.

        Bizarrely, though Street Hassle now contains the last second of East At Easter on all three mixes, but I think we can overlook that!

        Not bothering to compare the 5.1 mixes, just assume they are now OK.

        Glad it’s been sorted.

  58. Thanks for the update Chris – I had been thinking about the replacements this week and was going to post a comment asking if anyone had received their disc and booklet yet! I’ll keep an eye on the post over the next week or so.

  59. Good news!
    Just got a reply from Steve Hammond. The discs are going out this very moment. They had to scrap the first batch because of the faulty 5.1 mix.
    So let’s see what the next six weeks bring :)

  60. Yes, just got the exact, word for word reply (cut and paste) from Cressida, 2 days after I emailed them (from Canada), so at least they are replying, to some degree. I’ll be watching the mailbox.

  61. Guys,

    I got the following email from Universal after enquiring about how long the exchange process is taking.

    Hello John,

    Thank you for your patience.

    We have now received replacement parts and are currently in the process of packing up all replacements, as such they will be sent out together imminently.

    Kind regards,

    Cressida Mudaliar
    Customer Services Advisor
    Universal Music Operations
    St Andrews House
    Caldecotte Lake Drive
    Milton Keynes
    MK7 8LE

    So, hopefully see some discs soon!

    John D

    1. Yes, I’ve actually received replacement DVD and booklet from Universal on Monday, June 15, but haven’t yet check them, thanks to the care of Cressida and Jon from Universal Music Operations Customer Services.

  63. I think it’s a bit lame to go through the process of purchasing the box, requesting replacements via e-mail. That makes me wonder whether there is a process in place to swap the faulty boxes that have yet been sold with fixed ones. There should be and I assume there is, but I haven’t seen any mention of this issue among any of the obvious places where you buy to have a prit, like ‘wait till xx-xx-xx date before purchase, this box contains issues that are being addressed’ or something. The faulty 5.1 indeed sounds odd – the drums are waay to much in the forefront and sound dull and dry and the bass has faded away, from my from my first listening sessions. Good news I can expect replacements soon – I live at the other side of the world in New Zealand and it typically takes a week for mail / parcels to arrive. Can’t wait to have a proper listen to the corrected versions, then I will be writing reviews etc.

  64. My last correspondence from Jon Moyes (Customer Services Manager) was on April 9th. No replies back from him on a second email asking for an update/status check. This is NEVER going to happen and Universal Music Operations is just stalling their customers to exceed the time folks have to dispute the credit card transaction and/or ask for a refund. I’ve honestly had enough of this and will pursue things with my card issuing back. This has been the worst music related purchase in my lifetime (41 years old and 5500+ CDs in the collection).

  65. Just read a post on FB saying that Burning Shed has sent out an email to customers notifying them that the replacement DVD’s, BluRays and booklets are done and ready to start shipping from UMG. Burning Shed say they expect to have theirs next week.
    Heard anything Paul?

  66. No contact to universal england (Steve Hammonds) since 2 weeks, no answers about shipping the replacements (ready?), very bad service since universal (calling uk – 0 points), i’ll wait from 25th march for the dvd and will return the box to amazon.

  67. If someone receives their replacement disc(s), it would be great to hear. I’m thankful for this site and the ability to monitor things.

  68. pulled the pin on the bluray from amazon uk yesterday

    anyone know if there is a matrix number or similar so you can quickly ID if you’ve got an updated version?

  70. I have just received my bluray copy from amazon Italy. I don’t know if it is a new edition with all issues solved;it came in a plastic bag and it definitely wasn’t a brand new copy but I’m testing it now and I can say that the stereo version it is indeed stereo and the 5.1 mix seems fine. Singer’s voice is not too loud,I can also read the titles of the song perfectly well on the menu screen.

  71. Thanks for the update. If I do indeed get my replacement Blu-ray without additional hitches, I will be pleased with Universal’s response to the problem. After all, they could have just ignored the whole thing.

  72. Hi Paul

    would you know if the blu-ray audio will be sent out together at the same time with the replacement DVD?

    I haven’t got any reply from them as yet.
    (i reside in Malaysia)

  73. Total agreement on holding off buying box sets until I know better from forums and feedback – I really wanted to get this box set but all of this madness has put me right off. Let’s hope that if New Gold Dream gets the superdeluxe treatment in the future then all of this silliness is avoided.

  74. So that’s the second dodgy 5.1 mix involving Wilson if you include Aqualung.

    Can they not get a number of people to sit through every single mix on a particular release to make sure there are no flaws before the customer is faced with the hassle of these perpetual disc replacement schemes?

    These companies/labels are supposedly putting out a definitive deluxe product when they advertise these sets, yet don’t have the competent staff to check the audio is faultless and the text is both accurate and spelled properly.

    How many people hold off buying deluxe sets now until they have checked forums and feedback to see that there are no glaring errors that were missed by supposedly trained personnel?

    I know I do.

  75. Morning Paul
    how about some sort of Hall of Shame for releases such as this? I am sure there would be plenty of nominations for this kinda situation, or just for generally underwhelming releases.
    There could also be the reverse section as well, the SDE stamp of approval or something similar…

  78. JPC Germany (where I bought the box set) contacted me that they are Going to send me the replacement DVD and Booklet automatically once they are produced.

  79. Total farce of a situation people having to wait over two months to get replacements. Glad i never bought this because apart from the problems it’s not a very good album anyway apart from a few tracks on the first side.

  80. Exactly, for those who held off buying, will complete correct boxsets be reissued or all will have to go through this contact Universal process?
    Ditto to the blu-ray, does the disc have to be also replaced or a complete new version will be available?

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