Seals & Crofts

On another thread, you also wrote on 22 June:

EdisonLite wrote: I'm amazed that Rhino and other labels haven't put out a "Definitive Collection" on Seals & Crofts, and that the one Cd that's been out for 20 years is missing 3 of their big hits -- "Get Closer", "You're the Love" and "My Fair Share". When so many labels re-hash Greatest Hits CDs over and over again, I'm flabbergasted that no one's rehashed Seals & Crofts and included all these later top 40 hits on a compilation.

You're not alone, EdisonLite - I, too, have been LONG awaiting an updated/complete/remastered S&C hits collection, preferably a 2-CD set. (Sounds like a perfect candidate for Rhino's current "Definitive Pop Collection" series, if you ask me!) But just for the record, although it's never been issued on CD, there was one other S&C compilation released here in the U.S., which was far superior to 1975's 10-track "Greatest Hits" on Warner Bros., and does include all three of the later hits you mention: The 16-track "Seals & Crofts Collection" from 1979 on K-tel, of all labels! In fact, I happen to own it in all three formats that it was released on: LP, 8-track, and cassette... :-)

I was admittedly unaware of this (hopefully) new collection from Rhino supposedly coming out on July 17, until I read your post. You're right - at this point, it doesn't sound very hopeful, but I'd also like to know the track listing for it, and will keep checking back here as well...

In the meantime, I just dug up this bit of info from the FAQ page over at the fan site www.sealsandcrofts.com, which partially answers our questions:

2. What music is available?
There is [2004's] Traces [CD]. Sadly, Warner Brothers/Time Warner holds the masters for the old albums and they have only directly issued the Greatest Hits and Summer Breeze albums. Rhino Records, the prolific licensee of the Warners Brothers catalog, basically ignored the Seals & Crofts masters for many years. Plans to issue a multi-disc anthology were scaled back to a single disc, extended hits package that mirrored the old K-Tel Seals and Crofts Collection lp, with the addition of "Unborn Child," "Wisdom" and "First Love." The liner notes were fully prepared. But Rhino abandoned even this modest project. A box set was never even considered. Part of the problem was timing. By the time Rhino got around to a serious release a few years ago, Traces was in the works. There was a perception that the anthology release would compete on the market, and hurt the sales of Traces.

In February of 2005, Rhino's cut-rate Flashback division suddenly released the Diamond Girl album. The timing was peculiar and totally unexpected. Evidently, there was little concern over competition from Traces after all. It was certainly welcome despite the lack of remastering or bonus tracks. But there was no promotion and even the Flashback website neglected to list it in its own catalog! One cannot expect more S&C releases from Flashback. The division looks pretty dormant, not having released anything at all since November of 2005. Perhaps the best prospect is Rhino's newer Homemade division. Fans are encouraged to petition their website to get more S&C albums released. . . or put up the license fee for the masters and go make the cds yourself! Rhino did put out a pointless set of five hits called "Hi Five."

There is, incidentally, a rare overseas rendition of the Year of Sunday album on cd. It appears on ebay.com periodically and has been known to go for about $100. Moreover, mp3 versions of the the Get Closer album can be found at a few websites, such as this one. Caveat emptor. The propriety of these offerings is unknown.

According to CD Universe, it's just a reissue of the same 10-track CD:

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7457145&BAB=M

Interesting info, 80smusicfreak.

And typical to learn that Rhino's S&C comp is just a rehash of the 10-song comp that's been out nearly 20 years. Rhino also put out a Laura Branigan comp last month -- which is just the comp that's been out for 13 years. And she has some early Atlantic singles, never released on CD, that would have been a nice bonus for a new comp.

What I don't understand about Rhino re-re-reissuing the S&C and Branigan compilations is this: you figure that 99% of the fans of these 2 artists have already gotten around to buying these Greatest Hits CDs over the last 15-20 years -- So Rhino is reissuing the CDs to get the other 1% to buy them?!?!? Why not add 2 or 3 bonuses and re-sell to the 99% of the fans that already bought the CDs!??

Edited by EdisonLite

Yes, ever since Rhino (or actually, Warner Brothers head honchos) let the Best Rhino staffers go, they went way downhill. They're trying to save on money. IMO, I see no evidence of anyone left who's putting any effort into creating new compilations of artists that differ from previous releases. They're just re-releasing comps they've put out before but this time with cardboard covers. What a shame .. and a waste of a record label.

gentlemen...i have both of the lesser know and often thought of as never been on cd tracks by seals & crofts.....

my fair share---45 states a run time of 2:42 and the cd version i have runs 2:42 and is identical to the vinyl 45 version

you're the love---45 states a run time of 3:17 and the cd version i have also runs 3:17 and is identical to the vinyl 45 version.....if anyone who like a copy, please send me a private message and i can send it......edtop40