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Phil Collins / Remixed and Other Sides

By Paul Sinclair

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305

‘Digital-only’ albums disappoint fanbase

Phil Collins‘ long-running physical reissue campaign apparently comes to an end with two new compilations – Other Sides and Remixed Sides – lumbered with a ‘digital only’ release status.

Other Sides features 18 songs issued as B-sides between 1981 and 2003 and includes many demos (most of which weren’t included on the two-CD deluxe editions issued back in 2016). Meanwhile Remixed Sides includes extended and remixed versions of tracks from Collins’ studio albums.

Having issued all the albums as two-CD sets (then put them out again as single disc remasters) and then released The Singles compilation via FOUR physical formats (2CD, 3CD, 2LP and 4LP) it’s bizarre, to say the least, that Warner Music appear to have given up with physical releases for this ‘Take A Look At Me Now’ campaign, especially since fans have been enquiring about the extended mixes ever since they were left off of all the deluxe reissues!

We know Collins’ has had health issues in recent years (he now walks with a cane) but the decision to not release these on CD is not the kind of physical decline we were expecting.

These will be available (groan) “through digital download and streaming services” on 31 May 2019. What are your thoughts on this decision? If you feel strongly leave a comment on SDE and let’s see if we can get the label to issue these as physical releases.

OTHER SIDES

1.    “In The Air Tonight” (Demo)
2.    “I Missed Again” (Demo)
3.    “If Leaving Me Is Easy” (Demo)
4.    “The Man With The Horn”
5.    “I Like The Way”
6.    “Big Noise” (Instrumental)
7.    “Homeless” (“Another Day In Paradise” Demo)
8.    “Lionel” (“Do You Remember?” Demo)
9.    “Broadway Chorus” (“Something Happened On The Way To Heaven” Home Demo)
10.   “Around The World In 80 Presets”
11.   “Rad Dudeski”
12.   “Don’t Call Me Ashley”
13.   “Both Sides Of The Demo” (Early Demo)
14.   “Everyday” (Early Demo)
15.   “For A Friend”
16.   “Stevie’s Blues” (“There’s A Place For Us” Instrumental)
17.   “It’s Everywhere”
18.    “Tears Of A Clown” (“Wake Up Call” 2003 Version)

REMIXED SIDES

1.    “In The Air Tonight” (Ben Liebrand Extended Version)
2.    “In The Air Tonight” (’88 Remix)
3.    “Easy Lover” (Extended Dance Remix)
4.    “Take Me Home” (Extended Remix)
5.    “Sussudio” (Extended Remix)
6.    “Who Said I Would” (Extended Remix)
7.    “Only You And I Know” (Extended Remix)
8.    “Don’t Lose My Number” (Extended Remix)
9.    “One More Night” (Extended Remix)
10.   “The Roof Is Leaking” (Nicka’s Stella Polaris Interpretation)
11.   “Medley Mega Mix: Sussudio/Don’t Lost My Number/You Can’t Hurry Love”
12.   “Something Happened On The Way To Heaven”( One World Remix)
13.   “Hang In Long Enough” (Pettibone 12″ Mix)
14.   “Hang In Long Enough” (Pettibone Dub Mix)
15.   “Hang In Long Enough” (Pop Club Mix)
16.    “Hang In Long Enough” (Dub 1)
17.    “Wear My Hat” (Hat Dance Mix)
18.    “Wear My Hat” (Wear My Dub)

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305 Comments

305 thoughts on “Phil Collins / Remixed and Other Sides”

  3. Agreed that this release is a mess. For me personally the biggest mistake being the 4 missing seconds of the first track.

    Wonderful remix by Ben Liebrand but completely messed up on this release by missing the 4 most crucial seconds of this track…

  4. Remixed Sides is a mess, level wise one extreme to another, that is DR16 right down to DR6, multiple sources for the tracks released on this Anthology.

    Looks like like both analogue and digital sources perhaps?

  5. There needs to be an electrical ZAP that screws every digital release up. Some big hiccup that destroys all things digital for a month! Making all these record company zombies realize that they ALWAYS need to make a few 100 professional glass mastered cds in every release ever produced. Thank God Japan has a hard – on for physical cd type media. This might just save the cd for a little while longer. Damn you stupid record executives that are trying to kill the cd format. Long live the professional glass mastered cd with the proper sound. I’m glad for vinyl lovers too as you are getting a little extension on your format as well.

  6. DISAPPOINTED IN REMASTERING:
    I just bought this download. Some tracks are LOUD in volume and then others are much lower in volume. This is disappointing. I am not sure yet in the sound quality on the lower volume tracks, the sound quality does seem to be different on those. But I am wondering if all these tracks were even digitally remastered for this collection . Were the “12”ers” versions taken from an old CD source? One has to wonder when the volume levels on those specific tracks are much lower in volume. And it seems the sound quality is different than the louder tracks. Not sure this is worth buying at all… even if you are fine with digital downloads. Ugh.
    Ugh is right.

  7. I’ve never bought a download, but I buy hundreds of CDs every year! I purchase many LPs on vinyl also. If I can’t hold it, I don’t feel as if I really own it! I want to own it! I would buy the remix one on CD, but would not ever buy the download.

  8. It happens that Homeless (“Another Day In Paradise” Demo), which is already available for sale on Qobuz and the other digital stores, is actually the regular album version.
    They are messing up everything right from the beginning.

    1. The version released on Spotify was actually not the album version, but a rough mix with a different intro and outro. Which means that they accidentally released something that was actually rare.

      It has since been removed from Spotify which means that they are actually listening to the fans, they just choose to ignore us most of the time.
      As soon as we flagged that they had included something rare accidentally, they took care of the situation immediately.

      1. Yes, you’re right, the song has some elements which slightly differ from the regular album version, but it’s very very close to it, and it surely isn’t the Homeless demo we know well, which was included on the I Wish It Would Rain Down single back in the day, neither the different one included on the 2016 deluxe edition of But Seriously.

        And i also concur with you that Phil collins entourage listen to the fans only when it suits them.
        As is now, the wrong version of Homeless is still up for sale on Qobuz, so i wonder if it’s better purchasing it soon before it vanishes…

        1. …they deleted it on Qobuz, but it’s still available in HiRes on 7digital…

          I’m curious which version of “Rad Dudeski” they are going to release. There is no previously released 3.55 version of the track. And sadly they will release only the short version of “I Like The Way” (which was previously released on an japanese CD single). The longer version remains “vinyl only”…

  9. CDs would be preferable, but I’d rather have lossless quality or high-res downloads than any amount of crap 7 inch vinyl picture disc only releases…

    If however the downloads are only lossy MP3,
    then they can shove it up their …..

  10. I’m fine with this being a digital-release. I can always rip the mp3’s to CD. but it’s the album art that scares the sh*t out of me everytime I see it. I understand it’s meant as a “remix ” concept or “mixed up” art. But I cringe everytime I see it. Haha

    I am excited to get these remixes, even though I already have many of them on vinyl from back in the day. I wish the alternate remix of ‘Take Me Home’ were included. But I have that already as well.

    1. I did my own custom iTunes artwork for both releases. It’s only 480×480, but drop me an email if you want the images… can’t seem to post them here.

  11. Not sure I understand all the outrage in this thread… I’ve been enjoying the hell out of these reissues! They indeed should have credited the origins of the live tracks, but onward. The remasters sound fantastic and I’d be thrilled for other artists to offer up as much as Phil has here. I’m quite fine with a live bonus track in place of a 9 minute “Wear My Hat” dance remix any day.

  12. So if you take the reissue program as a whole (including this – grrrr – digital-only release) then which b-sides/remixes/live tracks/whatever are still missing in action?

    Does anyone have a definitive list?

  13. Recently I had a conversation with the owner of a music distribution company(they primarily rely on physical sales) and he told me that Sony were moving towards everything being a download. They had decided that there was not enough interest in physical sales to make it worth their while and with digital downloads they can maximise their profit. It will be interesting to see whether this actually happens.

  14. How come no vinyl – no cd??
    Who will buy digital only – this is a shame for the fans Phil Collins…

  15. As an aside, I disagree with the assertion in the weekly newsletter that people weren’t interested in live tracks. Back in the day, large numbers of people who buy live albums, precisely because they often presented a far more interesting and dynamic version of a song. As other readers might recall, these often sold in huge numbers. Albums of discarded demos, with the notable exception of the likes of the Basement Tapes, not so much.

    1. A live album is different from randomly picking some live tracks from many different concerts as bonus material on a deluxe edition. Also, given that Phil made a point of saying how it was interesting to track the development of the studio song when played live, he then gave no detail at all on which concerts and what years the tracks were performed in. So even if you bought into his concept (which I didn’t) it was half-baked and not executed properly.

      1. I think my namesake has a point here. Live tracks are generally quite a draw for casual buyers, because they present an exciting alternative. I’d be more inclined to pick something up if it has a live bonus disc as opposed to a demo bonus disc or a 12″ bonus disc. And I think this is the thinking behind the releases, however it was executed.

        What’s certainly not right is delivering the rare tracks only as a download. I echo everyone’s wishes for physical releases, at least be consistent within the series!!

  16. Paul:

    I just loved the writing on the Week in Review about the digital only Phil Collins releases. You summed up my feelings perfectly.

  17. Nice Sunday email there Paul. I probably wouldn’t look for the invite to the Collins’ Christmas party this year (or ever). Maybe more importantly you can kiss those promo copies of his next release goodbye – oh wait it’s digital anyway. Nevermind.

  18. I understand why Warner/Rhino/Atlantic decided to not release physical (CD) release of this part of this reissue program. THEY WANTED TO COMPLETELY MESS UP THIS WHOLE CATALOG!
    The B-sides and remix can be bought by everybody that bought the remasters and everybody that TOTALY IGNORED THE WHOLE REMASTER PROGRAM, they bought the audiophile release (of first 4 titles), have all the original vinyl, (45’s too). They all would want the b-sides and remixes in a single place. This is the only way to end this program properly. Warner/Rhino is losing the Prince catalog, they are releasing a CD/2LP of famous B-sides and his verisons of songs he wrote for other people. Phil Collins fans deserve at lease that much. It would pay for itself and isn’t that the point.

  20. So many comments, amazing, Phil needs to wake up and listen to the customers who have helped make you who you are today, and continue to try and support you.
    CD please.

  22. Releasing it as digital only makes ‘Nonce-Sense’ like everyone here I still buy physical, hell I actually bought 14 albums this week, old releases and new. Now if Phil can’t be arsed with a physical release then I can’t be arsed paying for a digital release then I will just acquire this online from a decent bay of pirates.

  23. Two phrases guaranteed to stop me reading further – ‘digital only release’ and ‘vinyl release’. I have no interest whatsoever in either. I’m probably not the only 50 year old to say that.

    1. Hell yeah! I’m freakin sick of everyone trying to phase out the cd. People are crazy stupid! I understand some want vinyl but to hell with digital only. I only buy cd as well. Just turned 50 a few months ago.

  24. Just to add a bit of balance, the collection of studio albums (8 I believe) was released as a box set that I saw going for around 8 quid a few months back…the biggest bargain I recall seeing in recent releases. I also liked the updated covers concept…personal taste I suppose. Totally agree though that a digital only release is complete shite and indicative ofa record industry that once again wants to shoot itself in the foot.

  25. I’m another asshole that still is buying physical cds, last ones this past Friday. I’ve already posted words and words about the only digital versions, I will never buy such kind of ethereal shits.

    It’s more or less the shame shit with reissue of EBTG Amplified Heart 25th anniversary edition.

    I like buying anniversary, special and deluxe editions, but do not like completing them with live versions but alternative takes, …. for instance Marvin Gaye I want you and Let’s get it on.

    Thus, do not count on me with this digital stuff.

    1. Hey, I’m one of those assholes too! I refuse to pay for downloads, I want the physical CD in my hands and/or filed on the shelf. I may be out of room to store anything but I’ll make my own MP3/Flac/Wav files.

  27. I couldn’t agree more… It’s ridiculous that these collectors recordings are only available in low-resolution digital format, when the kinds of people who would be in the market for this are far more likely to be audiophiles who aren’t content to just stream MP3s on their iPhone… More than any other release in this reissue campaign, these need to be released as physical product, and I fully support Paul’s efforts in trying to make this happen. I own every Genesis and Phil Collins release that’s ever been put out, but I have no interest in listening to low-quality audio of these demos and remixes, and will wait until they put a physical product that at least is up to the Redbook CD standard (I have long given up on the possibility of ever seeing Hi-Res or surround mixes of Phil’s work)

    1. Please get yourself informed before feeding the shitstorm and spreading misinformation about “low-quality audio”. These are available as downloads in lossless CD quality. They may not be physical, but they do offer exactly the same quality as your beloved CDs.

  28. As many here, I support physical media. Most Phil fans come from the 80s decade and we are all familiar with physical formats instead of downloading or streaming music. So, it doesn’t make sense at all and there is no reason for digital format only. If the previous deluxe editions didn’t get good sales is because they did the wrong choices to put on every album. Remixes and Extended Versions were missing in the reissues. Now, they have the chance to do the right things but, they don’t. Only a few people probably are going to buy the digital edition. It is a shame!!!

  30. At least this means I can listen to him in a way that means it’s a lot easier to consciously avoid Phil Collin’s terrifying face. His disembodied head on his LP covers scared me as a child (not joking) & the recreated versions are 1000 times more creepy.

    You could’ve had a warning on your email before I scrolled down and shouted
    ;MAKE PHIL COLIN’S SCARY HEAD GO AWAY ‘ (austisc spectrum + anxiety disorder & some odd phobias)

    Kudos for the phrase “icing on the shitcake” though – best new swear that isn’t from Charlie Brooker or Modern Toss

  31. You e-mailed article (“He Missed Again”) said EXACTLY what I and many other fans are thinking. Please put that article onto your website, to increase the possibility that Collins and Warner Music executives might read it. That article has some of your best writing ever.
    Warner Music paid out substantial money to Collins for a license to reissue Collins’ back catalog, but Warners and the fans got burnt.

    1. Regarding the “He Missed Again” article it sounds like his neighbour Barry Gibb have been giving some of his “sage” advice lately. This is basically Barry’s stance on the Bee Gees catalogue as well.

  32. Other thought on the reissues was that the live tracks were pulled from mostly previously released live releases or audio from videos.
    The last rerelease still excluded tracks that were only on the DVD release.

  33. I love the rant in your newsletter this week Paul, you sounded like you were raging. Also ‘shitcake’ is a wonderful word I have not heard before.

  34. I absolutely love Apple Music. Used iTunes for years, subscribed to Apple Music from the very beginning. Having a world of music instantaneously at your fingertips/ears, what’s not to love? That said, I grew up on vinyl, cassettes, and CDs. I devour reissue CDs and vinyl and am a bit ashamed to admit how much I spend on them annually. Its true, I rip the CDs into iTunes at a high bitrate and then file them away, not likely to be used again. Obviously the vinyl gets played regularly.

    All this is to say, I’m not an “either/or” consumer, I’m an “and” consumer. I love both digital and physical product. But the consumer should have a choice. Many artists and releases I am completely happy to settle for a digital only release. Remixes and B sides of Phil Collins? Absolutely willing to settle – but I’m not that big a Phil Collins fan. He was very good with Genesis, good solo in the 80s, sucked later. My opinion. But to the point, I believe it is rip off to fans to have a piecemeal reissue campaign where you bleed the consumer and then dump the extras into a digital format only. If they were to do that with the next David Bowie box, for example, I’d be furious.

    My guess is that the Collins reissue campaign has been a bust, for a lot of the reasons Paul has mentioned (horrible covers, lack of extras) and the label simply isn’t interested in the expense of a physical B-sides/remix package.

  35. Hm. I largely disagree with our hosts comments in all but one regard.

    We agree – releasing something digital only, with no physical options (they should do vinyl AND CD) is ridiculous and heinous. Just as the Bowie camp has recently done with releasing tracks on vinyl only, it’s a horrible way to treat you audience.

    On the cover art – I thought that was a great idea. I think it worked well, and those complaining are being churlish. It also helped draw a line between previous versions, and the new ones. It worked for me, and I think it was a good decision.

    On the extras…. there’s a line. The music belongs to Phil Collins ultimately. There is an argument that while fans wants warts and all, the artist gets to decide what happens to their work. We may not like it – and to bring Bowie up again, he was notorious at nixing the release of demos etc. – as fans, but ultimately we should respect the artists wishes. We don’t have to buy the reissues, after all.

    On the liver material – it IS interesting to hear live versions of the album tracks. Again, just because we want demo’s and alternate versions (personally I dislike 99% of remixes and extended versions, but perhaps that’s just me) doesn’t mean live versions are not wanted. Fans complaining we didn’t get the cutting from the floor are again, being rather churlish, imo.

    That said – some of the other material is apparently coming out, and in a ridiculous way. Which leads me to this thought – the main problem with the reissues is that they should have been complete box sets, rather than simple 2-disc releases. That way they could have done more with the booklets, given us both live and demos etc. The plus side is, the way they were done kept the price down.

    I’ll end by saying – I appreciate some fans were disappointed. But to attack Collins in the way today’s email did is way out of line, imo. It really sounds a child’s tantrum. On the other hand, no physical aspect to the two newer releases is problematic. Sadly, SDE isn’t consistent in it’s desire for physical media, I don’t see complaints because the Bowie releases were Vinyl only. for instance.

    As time goes on, we’re going to have to fight for physical releases time and time again, especially for CD, which the music industry is busy trying to kill. That’s the battleground right now. Vinyl only releases are not the answer. And yes, CD sales will fall if you release less of them and butcher there mastering. Sad times.d

    1. Parlophone have already said the Bowie demos will come out on CD. And I did criticise the ridiculous pricing of The Mercury Demos.

  36. I didn’t purchase any of the reissues because there were no extended mixes included. I certainly won’t be purchasing a download of what I’m after. Release on vinyl please or failing that at least on CD.
    If I’m paying out my hard earned cash I need a physical format before I part with my money.

  38. If nothing else, this whole Phil Collins reissue campaign has been the epitome of how NOT to do such a project. Everything about this campaign has been done in the worst way imaginable. Every artist, manager, and record company executive should take note and vow to never do anything like this.

    I made the mistake of buying the deluxe CD reissues of the albums. I haven’t bought anything else, though, and I don’t plan buying anything else. There are a couple of b-sides I’d love to have on CD, but, as that’s not an option, there’s no reason for me to spend a penny. I’ll make do with my old vinyl and CD singles for all those great b-sides.

  40. Crazy! Would’ve purchased a 2 CD set. Digital? You’re having a laugh! I’ll pick up a free download and burn. Must try harder…

  41. Make them available as downloadable lossless formats for the public.
    I just don’t like the idea to pay money for lossy formats such as mp3.

  43. ive reluctantly pre-orderd the digital version from amazon in the hope that a cd or vinyl edition does someday make it. I was given the roof is leaking which starts of great then breaks into an awful dancebeat halfway through im assuming this is a new remix and not a period piece. I also cant believe there were no 12″ mixes from hello I must be going ” I don’t care anymore ” is screaming for a 12″ mix

    1. @elliott Buckingham If you ARE intent on going down the path of the dark side – sorry, I meant digital download – then you may want to consider ordering from somewhere like Qobuz rather than Amazon.

      That way you should ensure you at least get a CD-quality download rather than mp3.

  44. Incredibly disappointing news. This is even worse than the decision that had been made with the Billy Idol remix album to leave some of the new mixes off the CD version. I have already picked up some of Phil’s deluxe editions and would have grabbed this but will have to skip.

  45. I believe that Phil does not take this project too seriously. When the Deluxe Edition Campaign was launched a few years ago he explained the reason for NOT including all b-sides and remixes to the Deluxe Editions that fans will find these songs on the internet easily and thus have access to them anyway. So he believed that fans do not need “his support” by considering these songs and remixes for inclusiion on the Deluxe Editions. So from Phil’s point of view it looks like a major committment from him to make these recordings available anyway even if it is just a digital release. But thanks for no thanks Mr Collins! These digital releases set in connection with his previous arguements just sadly demonstrate that Phil and Warners are highly disconnected from their fanbase which is a sad thing to learn. But as long as Phil is “not dead yet” there may be hope for us that Phil “takes a real look at himself now”and get these albums released on CD and Vinyl before he is really gone for good .

    1. I’m pretty sure this entire campaign was carefully planned. Notice that the bonus tracks from the CDs don’t overlap the new digital albums? Obviously the releases weren’t sequenced in the order of release, rather they determined what needed to be on a b-sides album and a remix album and what didn’t fit we got on the extra disc of the album remasters, including the alternate Paradise demo.

      As for digital, I would have preferred CD and I do plan to order from Qobuz to get lossless files, but even the MP3 sample of The Man With The Horn from Amazon sounds much better than any currently available source, so I don’t see the problem given that the price is reasonable. Some may want to pick and choose only certain tracks, which further reduces the cost. The ability to do that is unique to downloads/streaming, so I don’t think it’s the cock-up that many are making it out to be.

      With regard to the album art, I liked the idea of recreating the original covers but the result was not attractive, due in part to Phil’s hard drinking and subsequent falls, making him look old and frail beyond his years. One wonders if the horrid cover images are intended to make us glad we don’t have physical representations of the albums on our shelves (can you imagine the “remixed” image at a full 12” square?)

      The bottom line (pun intended) is that record companies are going to want to maximize profits from any release, and no matter how popular the artist, if a certain profit margin cannot be expected, the release never happens and the company has no regrets about that. I’d much rather get something in a less-than-ideal presentation than not at all, although personally I find lossless CD-quality files that presumably haven’t been remastered (i.e. “brickwall” limited) hard to beat.

  46. Normally I’d agree with the “CD only ” brigade, but in this case there is no way I would buy a CD with that cover. I will be quite happy never to even see it again, never mind allow it in my house. Is he trying to turn off as many people as possible?

    1. …..THANK YOU! My friend and I are 80’s fiends, FIENDS! and we were waiting with bated breath for Phil’s re-issues; I just about MURDERED ‘No Jacket…’ in the 80;’s, and was waiting for a Deluxe with the ORIGINAL artwork….

      In theory, it was a unique idea with ‘current’ Phil art ‘going back’ with the re-issued music, but staying forward, but, he looked like Satan on the ‘current’ “No Jacket” re-issue! I’m NOT bring that into my home, and, I got NO remixes, and NO “We Said Hello Goodbye”, one of Phil’s ULTIMATE best songs! >: (

      He turned ME off, but, I have a feeling Atlantic will give this project a re-do later in the future….but, to stay on topic, No Bueno on the ‘digital’ nonsense, AND to that funky “Both Sides” cover! I actually JUMPED when I saw it in this article!

  47. In retrospect, I have no real issue here, as a longtime fan I have most of this on CD already and the rest on vinyl. I have the many physical releases, and if this were cancelled today, I would be fine with that. I think this release is, however, for many fans the cherry of frustrationon top of Phil Collins in disconnect mode. I felt that since about 1988-1987 Phil Collins just got tired of being Phil Collins, and did his best to step back, first making a movie, and perhaps by accident making his finest piece of pop music, “Two Hearts” which really transcends the era from which it was created, I belive his most sucessful years were from 1988-1992? But he was in slowdown mode, making a ballad heavy album, the final (real) Genisis record, a collection of demos released as an album (Both Sides) dabbling on a somewhat half hearted level for the better part of ten years. I think he got too big and wanted to ease his way out. I remember watching Genesis in an interview in 1991 and just how disinterested he seemed, I can’t fault a man who did everything in pop and wanted out once he reached a certain age, it is just a shame he could not look back at his work with more fondness and excitement for the exceptional body of work he created and how it affected the people who bought and enjoyed his music. It seems ironic that much less popular pop acts have gotten full singles box sets while one of the most popular voices of the 80’s has been given a tidy digital download. Talk about selling gold for the price of silver.

  48. Would really love to see this as a CD release. Have most of the tracks in one form or another, so a digital download is not something I am interested in. Might download a couple of tracks to get better quality than my MP3 recorded from vinyl, but not the whole thing. Issue it on CD and these packages are a must have.

  49. These songs should have been added to the recent deluxe album remasters, and now it wouldn’t fit inside the “box”, but I’d gladly buy it as a Deluxe Combo 2 disc package to stand along-side it! Download only? Grrrr!

  50. I’m not even a Phil Collins fan but I’d like to add my voice as a young music buyer (I’m 24 years old). Warner Bros., there are many young music fans like me who want a CD in their hands still. Streaming is equal to radio in my eyes. I want to own my albums! The problem is a lot of people my age probably do not know this website exists, but just go on Youtube and you’ll see kids in their teens, 20s and 30s showing off their CD collection. Having this Phil Collins collection be digital release only is a blow to the fans that want to support the artists and record companies through purchasing music on a physical CD with gorgeous artwork, liner notes, and more. Please release this and all future releases on CD. Just please always have the options available to us who find fun and life fulfillment in collecting and owning music.
    Signed,
    A forever physical music fan

    1. Don’t confuse streaming with downloading. Downloads from itunes, qobuz etc. are all DRM-free, so you are owning these exactly as much as you are owning your physical CD. You can do anything with them, including backups and burning to CD-R as often as you want. If you prefer physical that’s fine, but it’s not needed in order to support the artists or to “own” music.

  51. The ‘Take a Look at Me Now’ campaign could have been so much more than it actually was…
    Picture each title with lavish books, 5.1 mixes, mini-documentaries, EPKS, b-sides, LD/VHS titles that never saw the light of day on the DVD/Blu-Ray formats… It was and always will be one of the most disappointing reissue series ever. Now don’t get me wrong. I love Phil Collins and he is one of my heroes, but someone needs to say to him that when it comes to releasing product to his fans, he is a bitter disappointment.

  54. It looks as though the video releases will not happen would like to have no ticket required on dvd since its never been released on dvd i do have it on laserdisc plus the perkins palace show from the first solo tour.

  55. My question is what is going on with the video releases particularly the live shows like no ticket required which has never been released on dvd i have it on laserdisc and also the show from his first solo tour which luckily i own on laserdisc it was broadcast on HBO back in the day albeit an edited version but same as the video release

    1. @Greg You may be more correct in saying that No Ticket Required has never been “legally” released on DVD, since I do in fact have a copy of it on disc (it’s a Brazilian import, in case you were wondering – I think copyright issues are a bit more ‘flexible’ in Brazil).

  61. ALSO….let’s not forget the one off track he did called “Deep Green” on the various artist album called Wild Connections (aka Skinningrove Bay).

    3. “Deep Green” is in fact a track from a solo album by Jack Lancaster called “Skinningrove Bay” which was published without Lancaster’s approbation under different names following a label debacle. Collins was just a guest on that track. Lancaster was one of Collins’mate from the Brand X first rehearsals back in 1975 but was never in that group…

  63. After the “The Singles” collection containing album versions instead of single/radio versions, here is a B-sides & Mixes collection available on digital format only.

    Phil Collins’ archival project is clearly curated by a bunch of amateurs (to stay polite).

  65. I own 4 of the 2 disc deluxe reissues and was looking forward to these. Who the heck is making these decisions?! No CD?? The only way I might buy this is if it’s available in WAV format.

  66. This is as disappointing as it would have been exciting to get these on CD. Had been waiting for the remix comp since the campaign begun. Hopefully plans will change to include a physical release.

  67. I love my Genesis 5.1s, but they are far from demo worthy. “Genesis” 5.1 SACD has so much hiss and “NO” discernible, discrete rear-activity, it’s disappointing beyond words. Yet, it still commands exorbitant ask$ on the 2ndry markets.

    Wow!

    So, this ambitious GENESIS 5.1 effort left you sour about modern surround-sound, Phil. I get it.

    1st off. Hire a “sure-thing” mixing engineer and release solo work like: “No Jacket Required” in 5.1 or 4K blu HIREZ disc 24/96 ATMOS with a digital download code for 2.0 & “lossy” 5.1/ATMOS.

    After experiencing success take on the next solo album, one at a time.

    Experience that your fans want a PHYSICAL PRODUCT that includes demo-worthy surround sound!

    Then tackle the Genesis catalogue – again. You know how to do it wrong: “Genesis” and half-right “Invisible Touch,” “Duke,” “Abacab” with bright spots: “Selling England by the £.” Remix, definitely RM and then re-RE the Genesis catalogue in surround 5.1 or ATMOS with a digital download card for 2.0 and “lossy” surround.

    It will sell out – again! This way EVERYONE wins, Phil.

  68. Downloads are only for people who live their lives in a virtual world, not the real world! Serious music collectors and fans of particular artists will always want physical product that they can see and feel as well as listen to. It is clear to me that these record company executives don’t live in the real world!

    Personally, I have no interest in a download release, however rare the tracks may be. For me, it’s CD releases or nothing!

  69. Not specifically about Our Phil, but on a wider note – this practice of collecting remixes and releasing them as a digital set appears to be something of a trend.

    Alizee (French singer, you might remember her, one UK Top 10 a decade or more ago) released a digital remixes compilation last year, as did Hall & Oates (you MUST remember them).

    I’m sure there are other examples.

    I’m not saying it’s right – it’s just that in thinking about it, it’s not without precedence…

      1. Which was shameful as their original releases on vinyl were works of art. I.had them all at the time. I found it disrespectful to the Garbage fans to release all.the b sides and mixes on download. Best way to alienate your fan base.

  70. I definitely agree with all of the support for physical media over downloads, but particularly for CD. This absolutely needs to be issued on CD – I will definitely pick up a copy if it is. I tried to go partially back to vinyl about 5-6 years ago and it was very short lived. I found some very good sounding LPs but ultimately I was just reminded of how much I loved getting away from it in the first place back in 84/85 (my first ones were bought in ’83, still play them today). Count me in!

  71. What grinds me completely is that of all the Phil Collins material, most everyone wanted the unreleased stuff and the remixes. Whose bright idea was to make it digital release only? I mean, they have released every configuration of all his other material on other formats so when we get to the really juicy stuff, the music company decides it’s too much to release it on physical formats? I am old school, I hate downloading music off the internet only, I like having the product in my hands. I just can not understand why they have not released a cd version of the two sets, it would be awesome and be a feather in Phil Collins hat if they did. I am but one voice but I say this needs a physical release ASAP!!!

  74. The Phil Collins reissue campaign has certainly been a strange one – from the choice of tracks on the 2nd CDs (why not just a do another live compilation?) to the current day Phil replacing the original Phil on the album covers. I thought the Plays Well With Others was/is a bright spot of the campaign pulling in a lot of odd, hard to find, or “I’m not into that artist but it’s Phil on there too” type tracks. Certainly a solo Rare (demos, B-sides), and Remixes collection was what fans have been asking for. The decision to not issue it on physical media is puzzling at best.

    I subscribe to Apple Music on the family plan, but I still buy CDs. I like the product, the booklet, the notes, the lyrics, the writing credits, the player credits, the photos that go into a good package for a new or reissued album.

    Pity that Phil, his management team, or the folks at Warners don’t understand his fan base better. I think the gold standard for catalog reissues have been XTC and Yes Steven Wilson reissues (big fan – bought them all) and Jethro Tull (not a fan but from SDE reader feedback they seem very well done). I’d also mention Deacon Blue, EBTG, and Gene as silver/bronze medalists in my book.

    If this Phil package is released on Apple Music, I will listen, and Warners can collect their pennies after I’ve played it through a few times (if I even get that many plays – these are demos and remixes after all ;-) ).

    I will not buy the digital song files.

    Had they released it on CD, I would have purchased it on Day 1 and still listened to it on Apple Music.

    GenZ/Millenials may not appreciate/desire physical product, but Phil’s fan base is firmly established in Gen X with a lot of Baby Boomers and Gen Y in there as well, who most notably still buy physical things.

  75. Need to see a physical release for me! Also the artwork would be nice if it featured elements from the other albums incorporated into it. His …Hits album did a reasonable job of this. This looks cheap!! Shame on you Warner Bros!!

  76. ‘lumbered with a ‘digital only’ release status’ says it all. As pointed out on this thread, all of or maybe most of these tracks should have been on the 2CD deluxes. Instead, leaving most of them out, did at least gave the hope that maybe a physical collection like this was planned. No such look.
    Don’t get this campaign at all, I mean why bring out Plays Well with Others as a book type set, surely that was more suited to downloading, as people like myself as a Gabriel/John Martyn/Gary Brooker, etc etc fan had most of what I wanted anyway so didn’t bother, whereas I would have bought this.

  77. Wow over 190 comments, take note Warners!

    Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m fairly certain this reissue program was all under Phil’s watch, therefore he has the final say as to how/what (his) music is released. Looking at this new compilation I can only assume that going by the published tracklist it would have to be a three disc set thus bumping up the retail price. Knowing (from past interviews) PC is not exactly fond of theses leftover b-sides and remixes, that is probably our answer as to why there is no physical release here. Luckily I still have my 12” ers cd…

    1. Yeah guys that’s the ghosts we called ourselves. In the beginning napster illegally downloaded and now the digital scrap is bought in portals. The music industry responds to ever-shrinking sales of physical sound carriers. It will not be long before artists no longer have any physical sound carriers. That’s the “nice new future”. Cheers …

  78. As a Phil Collins, I was disappointed that some of the songs presented here were not included in the deluxe editions of the eight studios albums.

    Phil has said he disliked some of them (“I Like The Way”, “It’s Everywhere”) and as these are his songs, I had understood that he didn’t want them to be in the re-issue campain.

    But why these only digital releases ?
    There are very few platforms where lossless tracks can be bought (Qobuz is one of them and these releases are available there, so you can buy these tracks in FLAC), but there is incoherence to not have these songs in limited CD editions at least.

    It is said that the tracks are not even remastered but this is a chance to have them all in one shot !
    I’m not really interested in the remixes even if I prefer “Only You Know And I Know” in this form but I don’t have all the tracks on “Other Sides”…

    There are, on the first CD, 8 demos, 5 instrumental tracks and 5 songs, some of them are really good (“For a Friend” is a pure gem, “I Like The Way” and “The Man With The Horn” from respectively “No Jacket Required” and “Hello, I Must Be Going!” sessions have their qualities)

    I will certianly buy them through Qobuz if I don’t have the choice of CDs but I’m so sad about these facts…

  79. In a period of renewed interest in the physical form of music, especially vinyl, it is incredible that Warner contemplated for a second that this was a good idea. A major part of the attraction and joy to a fan/collector is to be able to hold the physical product – digital releases are an ethereal thing that doesn’t really exist in a collection. No cd, no sale for me.

  80. Warners – the people that bring you digital download of Collins material, and fleece you with a ridiuclous Bowie box set of vinyl and tat and on the otherhand give us a balanced price and packaged Prince set. Is there different departments of stupidity within Warners?

  83. The irony for me, is that if this had been a physical release on 2 CD, I’d have bought it in a heartbeat and then agreed to buy the (admittedly, badly put together) Deluxe Edition re-releases of his albums to compliment it.

    As many others have said, no physical CD release, no sale.

    1. I’m the exact same! I skipped the re-issue campaign as I’m a casual Phil Collins fan, but a physical release of these two projects would have brought me on board as I didn’t have any of this material already. From there, the completist in me would have gone back and bought the other reissues. As download only, I won’t be bothered with any of it. I don’t do downloads unless it’s someone whom I must absolutely have EVERYTHING by and downloads are the only way to get the material. This is not for me at all.

  84. What consumers want is CHOICE! A restaurant which put just one dish on the menu would soon go out of business. Why do music companies think they can forces a single option on fans? The posts here overwhelmingly support the idea that, given choice, consumers will happily part with their money. Half the fun of collecting music is choosing between formats, even between options within formats.

  85. It is a shame not to release these on double CD.

    I didn’t buy any of the Take A Look At Me Now reissue double CDs. Live tracks don’t interest me at all, but I did pick up the box set of the 8 individual albums for under a tenner. I even grew to like the re shot album covers. Pity there was only the Essential Going Back included though and not the full set.

    I do have the US CD issue of 12 inchers so that contains the six most interesting 12 inch mixes here. I have never heard any of these B sides before. Like I say it is a shame. I would have bought it on CD.

    Although I have bought downloads in the past , I did it reluctantly for exclusive mixes or bonus tracks and to be fair haven’t bought one for quite a few years. I hate streaming too. It’s not what record buying is about. It’s a whole package process – appreciating the cover designs, reading the sleeve notes, enjoying the music… Downloaders are missing out… and missing the point.

    Incidentally the Take Me Home extended mix on the 12 inchers CD is 8m6s. Is this the edited version mentioned earlier? Is there a longer version?

  86. I was really hoping to see these tracks released as part of this reissue campaign, but it’s definitely a disappointment to see them only get the “download/streaming” treatment.

    I can’t imagine the label will be forced to eat out of cans or burn the furniture to keep warm if they put these releases out physically.

    Also a bit boggled by the decision considering the era of the music in question. It’s not like your average millenial is hankering to see extended remixes of Phil Collins songs on Spotify…

    If it could be sourced in a lossless format, I’d probably be in for these releases as downloads. As MP3s via iTunes or Amazon, it’s a no-sale, sadly. Would love to see a physical release on CD. The thing wouldn’t even need to be particularly deluxe to sway me. Two discs for each release (I’m assuming these won’t fit on one), in a slim double jewel case with some informational liners giving the dates of the single releases and we can call it a day.

  90. I collected the vinyl rereleases, and would have loved these on vinyl too. Such a shame.
    Release stuff people already have physically, then you put out the rare stuff, that’s arguably less interesting , digitally. Bonkers.
    I guess they don’t expect it to sell well and don’t want to invest in it.
    If that’s the case then do a limited run so the fans can get it.

  91. These would have been the only 2 releases which I really wanted to buy on cd from the reissue campain.
    I already own the original studio albums (on cd and vinyl) and wasn’t overly interested in the reissues with live tracks, I do prefer to have b-sides or remixes included in an album reissue and rather have a live cd as a separate release.
    Very disappointing, I don’t buy digital albums without any physical release combined.

  92. Frankly I’d rather have all of these mixes in unedited form as a download than something like the Rolling Stones’ Rarities 1971-2003 CD where remixes were edited down so they would all fit on a single disc.

    That having been said, this digital release better be available in lossless audio and not just as MP3 or AAC. Here’s hoping that this will be the case.

  93. Just confirming that I would have bought this on CD, but wouldn’t even consider downloading.

    Here’s a story; a few years back, a friend asked me to go to see an Iron & Wine concert with them. I had never really listened to the music before, but thought ‘what the hell’, so I got on iTunes and downloaded ‘Essential iTunes: Iron & Wine’ (about 18 songs). The music was great, the gig was even better and I was happy, thank you very much.
    Anyway, fast forward to now – I have a new laptop and a new iPod. For some reason, iTunes must have lost the rights/contract (however it works) to the majority of the songs included, as my iTunes now only has 2 Iron & Wine songs on it. Now admittedly, I should have backed these files up by burning them onto a disc or something, but I didn’t. Regardless, I paid around £10 for these 18 songs and they are now gone. I can’t get them back as iTunes no longer lists them (even if I felt inclined to pay for them again), and that is why I will NEVER buy another download. If I had bought a CD, I would still have it now. It wouldn’t have disappeared. I would have owned the CD and no-one could have taken it away from me.
    I will never, ever, ever buy a download, no matter who the artist is, as when I hand my hard-earned cash over for music, I want something in return, not just ‘sound’ for a limited period.

    When these get released on CD, I’ll buy them :)

  94. Wow. Phil is really taking a beating on SDE. And this time, he deserves it. And this is coming form a fan who always defended him.

    This is truly an incomprehensible decision. Phil fans are mostly in the market share that actually still buy physical releases. For us, this is the same as not existing at all.
    And I am 33.

  96. Physical CD release please Warners.
    We collectors of “hard copy” are still around and will be for a long time .
    Phil Collins show some interest in your releases for us long term fans

  98. I don’t mind digital releases BUT only as a last resort – as sometimes something is better than nothing!

    For example quite a few artists I like have released what are labelled as ‘vault’ releases – which have all been digital compilations. I’d rather have these tracks than not.

    Maybe the issue is generational. I would expect a Phil Collins compilation to have a physical release as clearly that is what the fans expect. However I’d expect a modern pop artist to be purely digital.

    But as we all know the likes of Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode strike a good balance.

  99. The box set and reissue music site for fans who love holding the music in their hands…

    WHAT ABOUT THIS PAUL …… why promote downloads … pls get back to core business,

    1. I can’t see how you think this post is ‘promoting’ downloads – it’s flagging the fact that this release isn’t being issued physically.

  100. Record companies always complain about decreasing sales! What do they expect when they release wanted items just as downloads or streams? Why should I go to a shop when I can foresee they haven’t the products I want to buy? Is Warner trying to abolish themselves?

  102. Digital only releases don’t really help collectors and completists complete their collections. Half of the pleasure comes from holding something in your hands and not releasing a physical format shows a lack of respect for the fans from the artist and record company. The Saint Etienne anniversary releases and deluxe reissues are a great example of a band doing it right.

  104. This is a complete disaster! The content of these “albums” are the songs every fan exspected to be included in the Deluxe Editions. Now we have this more than frustrating news. First we were let down with the Deluxe Editions which did not include the B-Sides but some “nice to have” but hardly essential live tracks and which had not the original covers but the updated “old Phil” pictures. After the singles release came the two remastered Live Albums which did not include ANY new material at all (not even the DVD from the Berlin Show). To make this nightmare of a reissue campaign complete we now get contentwise what fans always wanted but format-wise what they hate! Who wants to pay for mp3 files??? I assume that Phil approved this way of release and that would make it even worse. So Paul , PLEASE approach the genius marketing guys at Warners and ask them why do Warner and Phil hate the fans of PC Music so much to punish them on repeat over the years and in now in great style! Tell them I take this personally!

      1. Thanks for the award Simon as my frustration just got hold of me !
        But like Justin Currie sang in’98 “You need to cry to be found” or even Fish in ’90 “…that you’re not just a voice in the crowd ….

  105. Dear Mr Collins and Warners,

    Might I suggest you take a look at the ongoing Jethro Tull reissue campaign?

    THAT’S how you do it!

    (Or look at the reissues of King Crimson, Yes, XTC…………)

  106. When Yazoo reissues were slated as “vinyl only”, I said I’d buy them if they were on CD. They were released on CD, I bought them…

    I’ll buy these on CD!

  108. What a bad decision to make these only available as a download. I am happy with all my 2 cd reissues. Love the packaging as well. When I saw the image of the “cover” for this remix I liked it until….. download only ???? what is this….. I like the physical product and have no intention to buy stuff that can only be downloaded. Ofcourse it’s up to the record company what to do with these comments but I hope that, at least, the will reconsider their decision.

  110. Another poor decision regarding Phil Collins reissues. Surely digital-only releases are cheaper for them, but a lot of Phil fans would buy the physical edition. Maybe they’re trying to fix the reissues campaign offering fans what was not included in those deluxe editions, but they’re making it worse this way.

  111. While I had the first couple of Collins solo albums on vinyl (along with the going back 45′ box set), plus copies of all his albums on CD including the “Singles” 3CD set, the 12″ers and the “Plays Well With Others”, I could not justify buying any of the reissues. The hodge-podge on the second disk, made even considering them unlikely. (I ended up getting the Steve Hoffman remasters instead).

    I would jump on these in any physical format, but have no interest in getting “files of music”.

  112. I agree 100% that these releases should be made available in physical format, on CD and Vinyl. However, not one of the comments here has entertained the idea that perhaps there is a valid reason for digital release only. What if Phil has agreed/licensed to digital only, because he wants to do separate super deluxe box of all the albums, and include the tracks in question here as physical? What if they couldn’t get clearance on some remixes, or the licenses cost a lot for physical product and decided that it was reasonable to release as digital for now?
    An excellent article by Jeff Rougvie (SDE via Twitter) on Bowie’s multitude of recent demo releases, speculated that there have to be other motives for such releases.

    BTW Paul, I have a home server which holds my digital music collection including Hi-Rez FLAC files. My amp in my listening room is connected to the home network via ethernet, and the amp’s 192/24bit DAC takes care of the rest. I of course buy physical, CD, Vinyl, DVD, Blu Ray etc, but it’s a nice convenience to have some stuff as digital.

    In this case of course, if indeed there is no hidden reason to release these as digital only, there is no excuse. Majority of Collins fans would be into physical media for sure.

  113. Hi Paul,

    Fantastic blog as always! I’ve truly enjoyed reading this article and everyone’s take on this matter (digital only vs physical formats). I have been an avid music fan and collector since the 5th grade and I am 50 now. I started with cassettes, then albums, even a had a few 8-tracks albeit that format was dead or dying during my youth, CD’s, blu-rays and I finally adapted the digital format more out of necessity versus desire. That being said I ended up moving abroad in late 2017. I was unable to take my collection with me and I certainly did not want to leave it in storage, so I uploaded all my music (over 2000 CDs) into iTunes and then sold my entire collection and made the move.

    I currently reside in the Philippines, for the foreseeable future, where there is little or no available “legal” music available at least not in the smaller cities. You will most likely find street venders selling a CD-Rom with popular music. I still believe in supporting the artists so I made iTunes my main source of new music.

    Keeping that in mind I now only look for new releases and box sets available in the digital format, which are quite often difficult to find. It has been very frustrating for me to see these exclusive vinyl only releases for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, The Police and so many recent David Bowie albums and singles. Bruce’s second box set vinyl only?! That just sucks for almost everyone aside from vinyl enthusiasts. I am not anti-vinyl at all and I think it is cool that it has made a comeback, but it certainly is frustrating for people such as myself who are willing to pay for the new releases, but are stuck in an unavailable or undesirable format.

    I understand the cost issues of reissuing everything on every format, but it would seem digital releases are arguably the easiest and cheapest way to go. I wish the music industry would not exclude anyone from buying an artist’s music, but it does seems like a legitimate way to drive the market and raise interest in music and to make it collectable again. So I will be supporting Phil Collins with these two new digital only releases, but I totally agree with everyone out there saying how messed up it is to release your entire catalog on CD and then choose not to release these new releases on CD. In any case, thank you for doing what you do Paul!

    All the best,

    Russ

  114. Going by the feedback, these 2 ‘stream’ only compilations are going to be more of a flop than the old floppy disc and at least there were an actual physical format even if not the best for sound quality.

  115. So, it’s been mentioned that there’s a shorter “extended version” of Take Me Home from Japan. It took me awhile to realize that that particular version is on the Japanese cassette and vinyl of 12″ers, both of which I have. Up until this point, I didn’t realize that they were shorter and exclusive to these issues! Anyways, so that’s one version the label has missed. As for the two “sets” on offer, only the following songs have never been issued digitally / on CD before:

    B-sides
    1. “In The Air Tonight” (Demo) – first time available other than on vinyl
    2. “I Missed Again” (Demo) – first time available other than on vinyl
    3. “If Leaving Me Is Easy” (Demo) – first time available other than on vinyl
    4. “The Man With The Horn” – first time available other than on vinyl
    5. “I Like The Way” – first time available other than on vinyl

    Remixes
    15. “Hang In Long Enough” (Pop Club Mix) – first time available other than on vinyl
    16. “Hang In Long Enough” (Dub 1) – first time available other than on vinyl

    Missing b-sides / remixes:
    Tomorrow Never Knows (demo)
    Hang In Long Enough (Dub 2)
    Life Is A Rat Race – yes, I know this is the song The Man With The Horn with revised lyrics, but still, you have to wonder if he actually re-recorded the whole song with the new lyrics.

    Yeah, the whole reissues campaign wasn’t thought out very well and was quite a disappointment for me (and I’m a Phil Collins fan!). I know his live stuff is good, but when we get deluxe reissues, what we really crave is studio material (finished or demo). If he felt so strongly about his live stuff, then he should have done the reissues as a 3CD affair – CD 1 – the album remastered with b-side songs, CD 2 – remixes OR b-sides & demos given that particular album, CD 3 – live versions.

    1. I Like The Way was released on CD single back in 1998 during a Japanese CD singles campaign in which 5 Phil Collins CD were released. I Like The Way was the only unique track during that campaign. It’s great that we finally get the 3 Home Board demo’s and The Man With The Horn but since they will not being remastered i’ll hold my breath about the quality.

      1. Ah, ok, I didn’t realize that I Like The Way had made it on to CD. What I don’t understand is why those Japanese CD singles from 1998 go for such crazy high prices (mainly looking at Discogs). They must have been really limited edition CD singles.

  116. So at the same time Warners and PC’s management team think no one will buy a decent 2-CD set, the Woodstock shows get both 10 and 38 (!!!) physical CD releases… I certainly don’t understand the industry anymore…

  117. Hello Phil and Warner

    I am a huge fan and still purchase media. Please consider releasing these products in physical form. As you can see there are a number of grams that feel the same.

    Thanks!

  118. No CD, no buy. It’s that simple.

    Don’t know whether it’s Collins or his record company that made this decision, but it’s a sad thing not to close the reissue program, strange and somewhat useless as it was, with physical copies of the songs that should have been on the individual volumes.

    I would have bought CDs of these. And then probably nothing else by Phil Collins ever.

  119. Not much to add to everyone else but if the record companies are watching: I like physical releases with liner notes and photos

  120. This should have also included the remix of “we said hello goodbye” as it was remixed for the Playing For Keeps soundtrack and it was originally a b- side, it even got some mainstream radio play. It is also hard to believe there was nothing else relevant in the vaults to release, I know there was a promo mix for one of the Motown songs, (I forget which one) and that alternate Take Me Home, but this is just about the most lazy attemp of a reissue ever: Missing the audience by a country mile. All of this should have been included in the deluxe reissues. All should be released on a physical format with a booklet. Obviously no one cares but the hardcore fans, yes, the ones who this release is presumably for. Perhaps these people at WB should find a new line of work.

  121. Digital download only what a freaking joke!! The whole purpose of a deluxe edition is to have the physical product. Besides, how many millenials are actually going to purchase Phil Collins?! Record labels should cater to their audience. Absolutely pathetic!!

    1. That is a problem for all media companies. Looking at the BBC the reports are coming out that they are starving Radio3 and Radio4 of cash and throwing buckets at Radio1 trying to capture the youth market. Older people listen to 3 & 4 kids do not listen to Radio1. Somebody high up has decided to chase the youth market but being 40 odd years old just doesn’t get it.
      It’s easy to label us as having “Rose tinted glasses” in that it was better in our day but it truly was because we had space and time. Between 10 and 18 now, they have neither. How many of us here in their mid-teens would have given a solid hour or two to listening to an album. Many is the time at 13 years old I put Tubular Bells on and devoured every note closely followed by all of Incantations. I did nothing else. Not read, not watch TV (only three channels that didn’t start until 4pm). The people these execs are chasing do not have the time to listen to an album. Snapchat, Netflix, WhatsApp and whatever is currently hip are all that matter.
      I guess the point I am trying (badly) to make is they are chasing the wrong people. You are spot on Carl, cater to the willing rather than chasing the unwilling.

  123. Low In High School DELUXE EDITION 2LP 2018
    https://www.discogs.com/es/Morrissey-Low-In-High-School-%C3%89dition-Extr%C3%AAme-De-Luxe-/release/12894634

    Vinyl 2 was exclusively released on vinyl, digital and streaming, no CD for this release. I bought the digital one but it was just mehh….I’ve been collecting Mozz on CD for many years now and no cd this time for many of us.

    Mozz supports vinyl, he’s in love with the format and sadly he can’t see beyond that, at the end he’s only making streaming stronger.

    Same for these 2 artists:

    Mikel Erentxun – A Corazón Abierto , LP only. 2016
    https://www.discogs.com/es/Mikel-Erentxun-A-Coraz%C3%B3n-Abierto/release/8431746

    Diego Vasallo – Sesiones de Moon River, Vol. 1. 2019
    https://www.discogs.com/es/Diego-Vasallo-Sesiones-De-Moon-River-Vol-1/release/13521631

    Two of my favorites artists releasing new music exclusively on that format. Am i happy? Obviously not, but they don’t care, they are in love with their old format, they say it sounds “better” (according to them obviously) and there’s nothing i can do about it, they don’t want me to listen their stuff then i won’t.

  125. The only decent release apart from the remastered single disc version was the “Play well with Others” disc set.

    It is a damn shame what Warner is doing. I own the 12 inches CD and there are some extended versions there, but wouldn’t think twice on buying both albuns on CD AND vinyl.

    Warner, you fools. You go launch some more unwanted live music.

  126. Rhino is getting lax in knowing what their customers want. They finally released a concert of Linda Ronstadt in her prime, but then cut out 8 of the 20 songs (why do they think we just want the “hits?). Now they release the Phil Collins b-sides, demos and 12 inches as a download – exactly what we don’t want. Rhino also used to care what the customer wanted – now they don’t seem to care (I base this on my previous contacts with them and a recent reply from “Dr. Rhino.).

  127. No CD edition, no purchase for me. That’s just the way it is.

    And I agree with Lois (and anyone else who posted) about format:
    CD1: Demo versions
    CD2: Extended versions
    CD3: Instrumentals

  128. What a shame! A box of b-sides and remixes on cd is what the fans asked from day one. Who will listen to them on digital? Most of his fans are cd people. So disappointing…

  129. This is my view. I don’t have a problem with digital-only releases, as they’re not all that bad, especially these two forthcoming PC compilations. At least they include the other B-sides and remixes that his remastered albums failed to include! If sales for the deluxe reissues were really that dismal, then I’m shocked. It is what it is, I guess.
    However, there’s a couple flaws with those compilations. There’s a remix of “We Said Hello Goodbye” that appeared on the soundtrack to the movie “Playing For Keeps,” plus an alternate extended mix of “Take Me Home.” They’re not included on either compilation. Makes you wonder why, don’t it?

  131. Dear Warner,

    You probably looked at the sales figures for the “Take A Look At Me Now” reissue campaign and decided they were so dismal, that you are not going to do a physical release of the B-sides, demos and remixes.

    The numbers were dismal because that reissue campaign was total sh!t. When you do a deluxe reissue of an album of an essential artist, you don’t just add a live disc. You add the B-sides, remixes, out-takes, edits, demos and preferably a 5.1 surround sound mix on Blu-Ray. So now that you finally release what ppl want (minus the surround sound), you still don’t get it right because there is no physical format.

    Shame. On. You.
    I will not spend a cent on this unless it has a physical release.

  132. After being massively disappointed because these “Take A Look At Me Now” reissues mainly contained only an extra cd of unwanted live stuff, we finally get what we want: the B-sides, demos and remixes. But this reissue campaign fails to deliver once again. It’s not on CD! Who makes that up? I will obviously not spend any money on downloading this. Hysterical, really. This entire reissue campaign is a lesson in how NOT to reissue a life’s work of an essential artist. I’ll hold on to my old 12”ers CD. Ridiculous.

    1. Indeed. I like Phil Collins – he’s a great musician, a fine singer and a pretty good songwriter, but his skills when it comes to reissues are totally lacking.

  134. CD yes, Vinyl maybe, download no thanks. I will access these songs so unless they are issued in a physical format, that will be no money to the record company or artist and I will feel 100% guilt free as well.
    I do not really understand their logic.

    1. Their logic? i believe it’s pretty simple they wish we could back in time when vinyl was the king and the only relevant format.

      Obvioulsly that’s not gonna happen. Streaming will remain the king for the time being and cd and vinyl niche formats.

  135. ‘Vinyl-only’ albums show disdain to fanbase too.

    So far for me 3 new albums released on vinyl exlusively, i don’t eat vinyl i’m a cd guy so there’s no way to listen to them. Some guys are happy with that even the artists are fine with that, well, then good luck selling millions of copies of them….

    Regarding digital files i don’t mind as long as i own “something” like a file. It is cheaper and i can save money for other stuff.

    In the meantime i’m still buying cd stuff, new Morrissey CD this month and the second Def Leppard boxset next month.

  136. If these stream & download-only collections weren’t bad enough, Warners’ plans to reissue Collins video programs is apparently not to be.

  137. Oh i forgot to mention, all of the 36 tracks will NOT be remastered for this release so i guess we will get vinyl and CD transfers without any work on them. Deeply gutted!

  138. Physical or bust I say. I don’t waste money on something I can’t hold : ) …that defeats the purpose of being a horder…um…I mean collector. I would buy the physical remixes for sure, the B Sides not of much interest to me personally.

  140. I do NOT listen to music via ‘streaming’, so whoever came up with the dreadful idea of these compilations not being available on CDs can shove them both where the sun don’t shine because I am NOT interested!!!!!

  141. Although i have all these b-sides and remixes on CD and vinyl i would buy them in a heartbeat if they were made available on CD. All his b-sides including The Man With Thr Horn made available for the first time on CD? Please Paul, do your things and send all these messages to Warner. I don’t care about the artwork. Just brings these out on CD and then i will pay. In the meantime i will keep enjoying them all on my HD including the Japanese mix of Take Me Home.

  144. The salesmen at these record labels analyze the numbers and determine what will make the most profit. The idea that any of these reissues are for the fan is fantasy with a few exceptions. I read that record labels read this comment board? My response to that is – So what. It will not change when they do when only the bottom line matters.

  145. Who does Phil Collins think he is, Paul McCartney? This brings back my bitter feelings over Flowers In The Dirt. Relegating the b-sides to digital. I downloaded them and burned them to a CD-R and stuck it in the box, but it’s not the same and still bugs me.

  146. Unless these are available on CD, they don’t exist. Even as a Phil Collins completist I’m not buying non-physical versions of these. Ridiculous.

  147. I would buy this if they were physical. Honestly, they should have been grouped with their parent albums, but dedicated releases are at least something. However download-only is barely more than nothing, and for my purposes IS nothing.

  148. The real kick in the nuts will be after they make their money off the digital releases. They will double dip by putting them out on CD. Greedy record labels.

  149. How do we get our concerns to the record company? Is there a letter writing campaign we can start. Some kind of petition to start? Anybody have any thoughts as to how and get these demands to the people in charge?

  150. It seems very wrong for me on Warner’s part not to release it on CD. Then they complain that they do not sell CDs, the fault is that they have everything in their hands and do what they want.
    That they reconsider what they do and that this be put into cd in various formats. They want to earn money they have it in their hands

  152. As far as I’m concerned, “Remixed Sides” doesn’t exist UNLESS it is to exist as a physical product. Very disappointing for this longtime Phil Collins fan.

  153. And here i thought i was behind the times. I still buy lossless flac files vs streaming. Apparently i am in the middle of the pack, since there are those holding onto physcial so tightly. To be fair, before you spam me, i get why people enjoy physical. Its just good to know that while im not bleeding edge I’m not at the back of the pack either (yet.) I expect the age of scarce media was a limited windows that is closing. It encouraged collecting and appriciating works in a deeper way that i expect will ever be experienced again. Art was appriciated as art, vs as a commodity. I am thankful that that window was open during my lifetime.

    1. @elliottbuckingham Yes, it is irritating that it’s not on the remixes “disc”, but never fear – it’s on the Virgin 21st Anniversary Sampler CD.

      18 copies on eBay at the time of writing :)

  155. I will buy these, but ONLY if they are put on CD. I have so much digital music I never listen to because I can’t see it. I forget I have it.

  157. These many Phil Collins churn out albums are just the big lead up to his talked about new album! After his son asked him what he did, and is why he came back on tour, probably before new stuff is put out there (but new music plans may have changed!).

  158. What i would have done with this release if i was in charge:

    Remixed :
    Available on 2 CD or/and on 4 Vinyls

    Other Sides :
    Code for Hi Res digital download (24 bit – 192 KhZ, if available, or 24bit – 48 khz at minimum) for anyone who purchased either cds or vinyls, or both.

  160. It’s all about money. It’s a lot cheaper to release digital only than digital and a physical product. Legacy artists, like Collins, have only so many years of earning power left, so they can leave their descendants a substantial fortune for years to come. Their goal is to maximize profits, to which digital-only releases (along with exhorbitant concert ticket prices) contribute.

    1. Yes, it’s cheaper. But they aren’t going to LOSE money selling CDs so long as they don’t produce too many and someone does their job properly in terms of compiling them and making them an attractive product. Demon just made a 20-disc Paul Young set economically viable when priced at £55, so don’t tell me Warners couldn’t make money flogging a Phil Collins 2CD set for £18, or whatever.

      1. Paul, I noticed Amazon offers ‘made on-demand’ CD-Rs for some album titles that have been discontinued by a record company. As a similar business approach, a record company could likewise manufacture official redbook CDs on a demand basis from pre-orders placed by customers through a retailer like Amazon. This way the record company wouldn’t have to worry about losing money on any unsold CDs. Just a thought.

        1. Universal too had a “CDonDemand” series where they made available albums on cd that they wouldn’t have otherwise bothered with. Yes, the inlays were basic to say the least but you were getting product on cd – if there were 50 orders, they made 50…if there were 5,000 they made 5,000.
          Ought to be a no-brainer for “cash-strapped” (ahem!) record companies…
          However, if you do become bored with whatever Amazon CDonDemand discs you paid good money for – don’t try selling them on eBay as they always get pulled from sale and you get banned from selling for a week.

  161. Maybe this is a cunning ploy on the part of Warners to drum up some controversy/enthusiasm so they can announce CD releases “by popular demand”!!!

  163. I wonder if it one of those hype things. A marketing ploy to make a few waves rather like Heinz did with the news that they were go to cease making Salad Cream. Uproar amongst the column inches. There was a school of thought that macca was up to the same thing with ridiculous pricing / disappearing product which miraculously appeared at a slightly lower, but still high price. All a ploy or not? It depends how cynical one is. It would not surprise me one iota to find out the physical product is already made and will be revealed once the company relent due to unprecedented fan feedback. To a normal 50 something guy it all seems a bit silly. Maybe our demographic is less important than we like to imagine in our cosy SDE bubble. I would have snapped their hand off for a 4 LP remixes set. As it is I will keep my £50.

    1. It could be like Salad Cream… or it could be like Colman’s French Mustard. That never came back and it still hurts :)

  165. I want a CD release. I bought the 2 Disc versions of each album. Plus I’d like to see “LIFE IS A RATRACE” from the Miami Vice episode where Phil stars in it

    1. Life is a Rat Race is The Man with the Horn but with lyrics for a Miami Vice episode game show instead.. not sure that will ever see the light of day, even on streaming!

  168. I would buy the physical release – but swerve the digital downloads…. please release as CD and or Vinyl. Five Star have never been this Furious and it is really upsetting Grandmaster Flash. As a result Melle Mel won’t come to stay any more.

  170. I agree with the comments here. I would definitely buy both CD and vinyl pressings of each of these sets. If nothing else, maybe the label can press these up for Black Friday Record Store Day in a few months.

  171. If you’re interested in the music, it really shouldn’t matter if those 0’s and 1’s are coming from a piece of plastic or from somewhere else. Being older than 40 or 50 (I’m 47) doesn’t necessarily mean being fixated on yesterday’s technologies. Qobuz is offering these in lossless CD quality:

    https://www.qobuz.com/de-de/search?q=phil+collins&i=boutique

    So get them, enjoy them, and if you absolutely have to, burn a CD-R.

    In the recent years I’ve bought more CDs than ever before, because used CDs are dirt cheap, but these are just getting ripped and then shelved. I appreciate physical media, but thousands of CDs are taking up so much space that now I’m thankful for anything that’s digitally available (as soon as it’s at least CD quality).

    1. The point is, few people are set up for high quality streaming around their house. It’s an extremely narrow part of the market. So assuming you are not, what exactly do you do with a lossless quality download? Play it through your laptop speakers? Listen to it via your iphone earbuds? On the other hand loads of us have decent quality CD players, good turntables etc. Burn a CD? Do Apple send you the bits and expect you to self-assemble your phone?

      1. Most young people no longer have any use for physical media and don’t what to clutter their rooms with these. Like it or not, these young people are our planet’s future. Time passes, technologies evolve and what once was mainstream is becoming a niche at some point (like vinyl already is) or is just disappearing completely. When we were young in the 90’s albums stopped being released on vinyl and became CD only. Now, one generation later, Vinyl remains a niche and CDs are beginning to be replaced by downloads or streams. Of course this is an unpopular observation on a site named “Superdeluxeedition” where it’s mostly about physical editions, but let’s face it, that’s just life – it’s full of changes. If people are unable to accept that and insist on listening to music (now and in the future) via their CD players only, this is just their loss, but the world won’t stop turning because of them. Playing your music via a PC or Mac really isn’t some kind of rocket sciene and it’s also not like most people here wouldn’t be able to afford that.

          1. This was just a general observation regarding physical vs. digital. I absolutely agree that a great portion of Phil Collins’ most successful releases coincide with the golden age of CD (80’s and 90’s) and that many of those who grew up with his music (on CD) are still interested in CDs and would buy these two releases on CD (but will probably not buy them as a download). On the other hand, as Nick Love already said, “I can’t believe a comp like that would have been released in the height of CD sales, let alone in 2018.”, so maybe we should be thankful that these are seeing the light of day, even if it’s only as a download (just like R.E.M., whose two big b-sides/live compilations were iTunes only and have also never been released physically). Just think about how many extremely popular 80’s artists (I’m talking about superstars like Springsteen, Madonna, Prince, Dire Straits, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackon, Foreigner etc.) mostly never saw competent singles/b-sides/remixes compilations (which still totally baffles me).

          2. Understood, but rightly or wrongly, bunging these up on Spotify doesn’t feel like they are being ‘released’ to me. I’m a bit old-school… if you can’t hold it in your hand (to coin a phrase) it doesn’t actually exist. Today I went to play Duran Duran’s “Astronaut” via Spotify. Guess what? It’s not there anymore. Precisely what I don’t like about streaming. If I didn’t own the CD then I wouldn’t be able to listen to it.

          3. I think Shaboo that people (including myself) are upset because this decision of digital only excludes a lot of people that do not stream music. Plus, it’s a slap in the face for all the avid Phil Collins fans that spent money on collecting the deluxe reissue CDs from a few years ago to then not be able to complete the set. Warner market a format as being the thing to get so you can see why people get annoyed when all of a sudden they’re excluded. The amount of comments left on this page prove there is absolutely a market for physical discs.

            Kids with their iPhones and their Apple Music ain’t gonna be listening to the remix compilation on their way to school! Warner have gone the wrong way about this. Stick it on a disc, slap £12 on it and we’ll be happy (for now)

          4. Poor Paul! Regarding Duran Duran’s “Astronaut”, I told myself : I have this one on LP so I will send Paul the whole file of songs (if he wants) but there was no download card back in 2004. :-( Oh well! Do not despair, Paul! This one on CD still available on Discogs at a good price. And maybe there will be a 15th anniversary edition this year… But for now, each time I will listen to this album, I will think of Paul’s SDE!
            Cheers!

          5. I have the CD and the Dual disc thanks. The point remains that streaming is a poor substitute for the real thing.

        2. For the record. I rarely buy physcial super deluxe editions, or any editions for that matter. But i do appriciate the opportunity to go deeper into albums that i care most about, regardless of format. I expect streaming and digital download will continue to encourage the sde format for years to come!

      2. I just sold my 2 channel setup and bought enough sonos speakers to fill ever corner of the house. Best investment i ever made. I’ve enjoyed more music in the past 6 months than the previous 6 years. That said, burning cds is crazy cheap these days.

        1. I’ve got a Sonos set-up too. They’re great for Spotify but don’t do hi-res and are rubbish trying to get working well with iTunes.

  173. Have you all been looking at the visual provided for “Remixed Sides” as published here by Paul ?
    Couldn’t get creepier ! It gives me nightmares. I would like not to look at it ever again. They really have messed Phil’s face up. Freddy Krueger looks handsome in comparison.
    Hoping this to appear on the front cover of a CD is beyond my understanding. No physical release please !

    1. Seconded. It is the scariest, plain ugliest sleeve ever that would wipe out any chance of success. What are they playing at?

  174. The music industry has always been very good at shooting itself in the foot [they must be a centipede..] and here’s another example for the catalogue.

    Download? Nah!

  175. I don’t mind if record companies/artists choose not to release their music on physical format (CD)…it saves me money as I don’t buy downloads nor do I stream.

    And then I simply stop supporting the artist, don’t go to shows etc. Which saves me even more money down the line.

    Its a win/win and simply a fantastic business plan.

  176. Might be a contrary view but isn’t it better that they are all available again, rather than buried on cd singles? Better digital than none at all, like many artists we discuss here. Also the market for streaming is far bigger than physical product and though we might hope for fully comprehensive cd / vinyl box sets, sure there are many people, young or old, who will happily just listen.

    1. I’d say the market for a 4LP vinyl of Phil Collins singles is no bigger or smaller than the market for a 2CD set of B-sides/Demos. The difference is that they will make less money on the CD set so they (apparently) can’t be bothered. Meanwhile it’s okay for an artist to earn £0.0002 per stream, or whatever it is.

  180. It’s been almost 32 years since the “12”ers” CD was released. I would love to unload my original copy and purchase an updated version. And just when I thought my favorite media format was making a comeback (see the Woodstock 50th 38 disc set)…not really but… C’mon Phil! C’mon Warners!

  181. I bought the 2cd issues, despite the track listing not being what it could have been. These downloads fill a lot of the gaps missing from the 2 cd sets but I won’t be buying unless they release them physically. I must have over 4000 cds and numerous box sets and have downloaded one album in my entire 52 years on this planet.
    No CD no buy for me….

  182. Still missing: Phil Collins – Take me home (Japanese Extended Mix) 6:46 [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMUVIBH8hEs[/youtube]

  183. The different version of Take me Home is missing. The one from the Japanese release. But then again without a CD release not gonna buy it anyway. Dissapointed BIG time.

  184. Record Companies don‘t listen to Fans anymore!
    It is really a shame, because I always thought Warner
    is THE label that give Fans what they want!

    But they made the same mistake with Roxette (Look
    Sharp!) and B-52’s (Cosmic Thing)!
    Warner, we want the REMIXES and not Demos or
    Live versions!

  185. This is so straightforward for me. I’ve bought pretty much everything he has ever released on cd (albums and singles) and on vinyl (albums and 12” singles), but won’t be buying this as a download, sorry Phil. So if the label wants a bit more of my cash then they need to release this as a double CD at the very least and ideally on vinyl too!!

  186. Digital only? What the heck is wrong with Warners/Rhino? I got all the Genesis and the other Phil re-releases on disc. They can count me out on this one.

  187. Given that a box set of, what was it, 8 of his albums has been easy to score for around £11 for ages, it’s hardly surprising the label don’t see any money in manufacturing and distributing this.

  188. Will be interesting to see if the digital releases include hi-res download options (via 7Digital, HDtracks, Qobuz et al) or whether they will be limited to 320 mp3s (or lower).

    If they are the former, then I *might* spring for the downloads.

    No promises, mind!

  189. Very good idea.
    I dream cd extended version rarities exclu.
    CD bonus instrumental version.
    Big fan music Phil Collins.

    I dream box 3CD
    Cd1 – démo
    Cd2 – extended version
    Cd3 – instrumental version

  190. Oh dear. Again the music companies are not listening to the buyers. I would say the majority of Phil Collins fans are over 40. I would also say the majority of physical music buyers are over 40. Yes, I have no problem with digital releases, hey I download various tracks when I need to, but when it comes to albums like this or regular sd releases it needs to be on CD. It’s Paul McCartney all over again.

  191. You can bet that this is being released because of complaints from fans over the material missing from the recent deluxe remaster campaign. Hold tight, folks. We may still see a limited cd release of this set.

  193. I bought the boxed set of the remasters on CD and the 3-CD Singles compilation. If these were released on CD, I would buy them without hesitation, but I don’t pay for lossy downloads. They will doubtless be available for nothing on various torrent sites within a few days of release, and I’ll be getting them from there. Warner/ Rhino, if you want my money, release these on CD and I will happily pay for them!

  194. Its a madness … Remixes and Demo’s in digital compressed format ? Sounds for me the some like please paid us for the release and go listen to YouTube …. what with people who’s not listen a music from buzzing devices ? If I paid for music release I need good quality sound not a substitute what I can find in YouTube. Sorry for me not acceptable decision :(

  196. I fifth the previous comments… this is a sad day indeed.. considering alot of these songs were never on CD before anyways (cassette singles, 45 records), now that they have the actual chance, it seems that they still wont make their CD debut!

    Here’s the thing about digital downloads. If I want a digital download I’ll take the CD that I bought and rip it. Otherwise I want physical media and I will always want physical media! If I want something better than 44.1 16 bit (CD quality) then I will choose to buy a hi-res flac file (if available) and then I will have a download only option, and I accept that.

    Speaking of Hi-Res flac files… this is another area where this Phil Collins campaign dropped the ball. I don’t believe anybody on this site ever noticwd or mentioned the fact that his first two albums were released as 24/96 files but by the time it came around to his third release No Jacket Required, that reissue was a measly 44.1 /16-bit (cd quality) flac file and subsequently so were all the rest of the album reissues. It’s a shame too because the first two albums sounded astoundingly in 24/96!

    The whole thing is sad, because Phil has always been in my top 5 since I was 8 years old and now waiting some 35 for his catalog to get the treatment it certainly deserves has been poorly managed to say the least!

    1. @Jeff – actually, the original master of Face Value was briefly available in 24/192 hi-res via HDTracks (I think) before the start of the remaster campaign. When the remaster campaign kicked off, it got pulled and replaced with the new version.

  200. I generally don’t buy digital only releases. I’ve made some exceptions but these 2 won’t be the exceptions.
    “The Other Sides” is interesting except I have just about everything except maybe some or all of the demos. This is probably a 2 CD set.
    But I don’t feel like gagging through 18 “remixes” – I would assume all on the 12 Inchers CD are included here. This would be a wasted 3 CD set.

  202. I have little interest in it. I think that demo versions should always be on a bonus CD only or available with a download code. Most of the 12″ versions have been released on CD before especially the Jacket songs. Easy Lover was not on CD before, I believe. From track 12 on (CD2) it’s 90s style remixes. I still don’t like them after all these years. In The Air Tonight (12″ remix) gets a little bonus of tolarance though.

  203. This whole reissue series has been botched from day one. Albums released with ‘reimagined’ artwork, truly abominable remastered sound quality, live tracks from recent concerts included whilst sought after demos languished, poor quality control on the vinyl issues (4 out of 8 virtually unplayable on first purchase, had to get 4 replacements before Hello IMBG was accepatable), even one album edited down from its original. And now they decide that the most desirable material is going to be streaming only! Thank god its all available second hand on ebay so it can be purchased without a single penny more going to the idiots who sanction such a shockingly poor set of “deluxe” reissues.

  204. Absolutely crazy digital downloads don’t mean a thing I like to have the real cd or vinyl I’ve got everything of phil Collins and hopefully they will be releasing this

  205. I have zero interest in digital downloads and feel this is discrimination against the CD lover. I’d buy it if it were on a physical medium – if not, forget it,

  208. Warner Music must release both compilations on CD. It is a strange decision to release these as a digital download only. All of Phil Collins albums has been reissued on CD and vinyl. So why not these two albums ? They should know by now that Phil Collins fanbase wants a physical release. I hope that Warner Music change their mind.

  209. Hi not to be bragging but got the 2 cd album sets including the box that came with the first two sets and I got the box with the single CD releases again for the car as well as the singles 3 CD set and the Plays with others box. Personally feel strongly that the two download only albums be released as physical product as I know that loads of people would buy them as there are tracks on there that are otherwise unavailable. Sense that releasing downloads is the cowards way out as it gives the fan nothing really but digital files. A travesty. Phil C is old school, so do the right thing and give us vinyl and CD releases.

  210. Huge Phil fan here since I was a teenager. I picked up a completed box set of all the remastered vinyl and I love it. Saving up to get the 2-disc cd versions someday.

    I would purchase both of these releases on vinyl AND cd if they were available as both.

    Such a shame that these aren’t going to get physical. I’ll probably just stream them and curse under my breath every time I do.

  211. It’s ridiculous that the fans HAVE to vote for a physical release for this!!! Another low (where I was thinking it couldn’t get any lower with this campaign).

    Who is really to blame for this nonsense? Phil? Warners? Anyone?

    I didn’t buy any remasters since the first came out in 2016 because of lacking in tracks that end up here. Only got The Singles 3CD, but here’s where it ends for me. Total disregard.

  212. They could have forgotten about the Ben Liebrand ‘remix’. Wish I could. Adding additional noises and a crappy drum machine isn’t a remix.

  213. Agree, the glut of physical formats for the Hits collections was absurd and this is ridiculous. I was waiting for this material as well, noticing that not all the demos were included on the 2-CD sets.

    And now, they’re not gonna be physical at all.. VERY disappointing. Surely all this could fit snuggly on a nice 3-CD box set.. do they think it’s too niche and therefore not warranting physical? I think they underestimate his fanbase. No need to press up vinyl for this, CD would be just fine. If we can Warner to change their mind, that would be great.

  216. I CAN’T BELIEVE, IT’S DIGITAL !!!!!
    THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS PRAY FOR RHINO CHANGE ITS MIND AND TURN THIS RELEASE INTO PHISICAL.

    1. I really think Warner doesn’t know (anymore) there was a 7 inch single version in the first place. Error #1.

      No physical release? Error #2.

  218. It is totally beyond bonkers to not release this physically. Why Phil didn’t follow the 2007 re-release format that Genesis used for all their albums in 5.1 with bonus discs included is truly hard to fathom.

    For the sake of argument, if you were going to release anything in a digital only format, why wouldn’t it be the proper albums? Those are the commoditized parts of these re-release programs.

    The b sides and extended mixes are things ONLY THE HARD CORE fans want. So you give us the readily available stuff in physical format, but the b side demo stuff on streaming only?

    Come on guys….. Just bollocks to the nth degree….

  219. This reissue program has been one of the worst, cobbled together in lo- fi extras. Who did his archives, someone in Jr High on their cassette deck? But Seriously, This needs to be released as a CD if they want any mone from me. Seriously.

  220. CDs in jewel cases or digipacks are still very cheap to have manufactured. The huge corporations / record companies are fully aware of this. As are the smaller / cult / non mainstream thriving companies / artists still putting out CDs.

    The market has changed, but if CDs go away it’ll be because companies WANT them to go away, not because there’s no customers. We’re not all dead yet, thankyou very much.

  221. Dejarlos fuera de la reedicion de 2 cd fue algo horrible, ahora además solo lo van a editar en formato digital. Es una burla para los fans, que en su mayoría -me incluyo- tenemos un amor especial por las ediciones fisicas. Espero que la discográfica haga lo correcto y lo edite en formato físico.
    En particular hay algunos tracks que solo fueron editados en vinilo en su momento.
    Great site, Paul. Keep on going!!!

  222. don’t buy it,we should all boycot the digital release!!!! nobody who bought the physical reissue campaign sets is interested in digital only,so RELEASE THIS AS A CD BOX SET(3cd’s)

    i hope many people demands from the recordcomapy to release this physcial and of course hope they would listen to the buying public for once

  223. Digital releases don’t mean squat to me. I class them the same as listening to my radio in the car. Something to do while I don’t have access to my physical stuff.
    Phil Collins is a big part of my music collection. Always been physically and 99% vinyl. Don’t understand why they would do this.

  224. Excuse me stereotyping, but, like me, dare I suggest that Phil Collins fans’ are of a ‘certain age’? An age perhaps that holds little value in downloads and streaming. I’ve purchased plenty of vinyl / box sets and never given any download code more than a cursory glance. Arguably I may be missing out on something but I know what I like (sorry).

  225. I would like to add my voice to those requesting a CD release of these albums. I have been waiting a long time for song of these tracks to be re-issued.

  227. I pray that Warner/Rhino/Atlantic read the comments section – RELEASE THIS AS A CD!! – it shows a complete disregard to everyone who purchased all the expanded remasters in 2016.

    We had Plays With Others and yet this they decide to not release physically… what the heck?!

    1. No kidding Ben, as a Genesis fan and a close follower of their solo careers I try to collect as much of it as possible on CD, and in this era of the last gasp of the CD I was shocked to see a compilation like Plays Well with Others released. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it, especially the first disc, but I can’t believe a comp like that would have been released in the height of CD sales, let alone in 2018.

      1. Nope, there are a few missing. There is “In the Air Tonight” from MTV Unplugged Europe (b-side from “No Matter Who”) and “Always” (Big Band) which is a b-side from “It’s In Your Eyes.” I’m also pretty sure that there are a b-side or 2 (or maybe 3) from the “Do You Remember” live from from Serious Hits Live.

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