40th Anniversary CD

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:25 am

Amazon.com just notified me (and I ordered) a new Castle compilation called the "40th Anniversary Collection". Unfortunately, that was ALL the info on it- no song list, etc. Is this the "Ultimate" collection refferred to in other threads? I expect delivery in early May. Will keep everyone posted.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 9:30 am

Tim Viney is the one to probably keep us posted here John, but I understand this release has now put back to June.

tim · Post by **tim** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:11 am

This CD will cover all phases of The Searchers' recording career from 1962 (Star-Club) to 1989 (Coconut). Getting licence releases is taking it's time, but it is hoped the CD will be in the shops by early June.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:16 am

Tim: Does this have to remain top secret or might you give us a hint or two about the material. Perhaps something that goes beyond the "Star-Club" and "Coconut" comments.

jjr · Post by **jjr** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 1:38 pm

Tim,

What about the RCA and Sire stuff?

tim · Post by **tim** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 6:37 am

It's no secret. There will be a selection of tracks from all the labels The Searchers appeared on. The biggest segment will (naturally) be the PYE years. but Star-Club, Liberty, RCA, SIRE and Coconut will all be represented. It is hoped to get the unreleased Liberty recording of "For What It's Worth" (Buffalo Springfield) for this collection. The delay has been caused by obtaining licence clearance from the respective inheritors of the original labels, and, in the case of the Liberty recordings, tracking down the master recordings. Hopefully all is now resolved. This release will be the 'definitive' Searchers' compilation.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 6:47 am

Tim: Thanks. To borrow a quote from Beyond the Fringe,

"Jolly good, the very thing we're looking for."

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 7:16 am

I agree a great collection to have, but for the "Avids" only one new track probably. I have to wonder to myself where the record company think the market is for such a release - Searchers "Avids" certainly, those who want every track or in some cases every release.
The appeal to a casual fan though may not be that great, the Pye tracks have been released "to death" for want of a better phrase, there are those of course who would not have been able to get the Coconut releases and Liberty releases.

Still I am glad that a company still feels The Searchers have such a profile to warrant such a release.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:47 am

Call me fanatical, but there is still something exciting about getting a "new" release from The Searchers. Being one to admire the "record album" I still get a kick out of seeing the latest package with the photos and liner notes. I do miss the large format of the "old" days though.

tim · Post by **tim** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 10:49 am

Latest update is that the Liberty masters have been obtained for the compilation.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Tue May 20, 2003 1:39 pm

How will the new Castle compilation compare to the "The Definitive Collection" which was released by Castle in 1998?

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Wed May 21, 2003 6:54 am

This release covers all era's and lineups, not only the Pye stuff, but Liberty, Rca, Sire and Cocumut labels, plus some Star Club tracks.

No track listing issued so far, there has been problems with Licensing but a release date of June 2nd now set.