"Sunburst Finish" boxset

Hello Merikan1 – as per your suggestion, I have written you a mail. Thank you.

Hello Bill – thank you very much for your input (and I will desperately try not to indulge – too much – in "I've been a huge fan of yours since first hearing 'Drastic Plastic' in my final year of high school in 1977 / 1978" talk!). Indeed, it appears as though "Sunburst Finish" in particular has fallen victim to people who are out to make a buck... actually, a lot of bucks. I understand what you mean in terms of being content – very content – with having the original vinyl pressing, which of course I do. The darn thing is though that the completist in me is now faced with the dilemma of knowing that having a complete collection of the boxsets is nigh impossible with "Sunburst Finish" a likely gaping hole. Goodness knows how many copies Cherry Red initally pressed, but obviously it was not enough. And their reluctance to repress seems counter-intuitive to me (although as I mentioned in my response to Tourist, a similar phenomenon exists with the Jethro Tull boxsets). Rest assured, no eBay crooks or rip-off merchants will be getting money from me. And once again, thank you so very much for so many decades of wonderful music... all starting with being transfixed by the sight of the white vinyl edition of "Drastic Plastic" spinning on my turntable and the remarkable music I was hearing. It was a brand new world for me.

Hi Tourist – thank you for your reply, as well as your honesty and transparency. Not knowing what "French-based website" you were referring to, I decided to see if FNAC had any copies... and they do!... only one, as best I can tell, and it is at the chain's Paris – Ternes location. But the kicker is that it costs €94.31... which is crazy, and does not include postage. I agree with you, a boxset that originally cost about £50 should continue to be the price today, especially at a retail store (as compared to a private seller). And that eBay price you referenced of £250? Ouch. A similar phenomenon exists with the series of Jethro Tull boxsets (which are gorgeous)... some titles remain obtainable at a reasonable price, whereas others are being placed for sale by independent sellers for extraordinary amounts of money. Which in a roundabout way leads me back to wondering why Cherry Red appears to be disinclined to repress "Sunburst Finish," and why Tull titles like "War Child" and "Minstrel in the Gallery" are also (at least for the time being) not being repressed either.

Hi David, yes, FNAC was the site I was referring to...I see Bill has posted a comment as I write, which pretty much sums it up really. All I can suggest is just keep a lookout and one will crop up sooner or later at a sensible and reasonable price...possibly.

Besides, if you think about the £80 price tag for the Sunburst set, that same £80 will secure you a pre-order copy of Bill's spiffing, brand new and upcoming 6 CD earbook set, My Private Cosmos = now you're talking!😎😉

@Tourist Hi Tourist – well, if nothing else, I believe FNAC is reputable (although I hasten to add that I have never purchased anything from them... but it is the French equivalent of HMV or, in bygone days, Virgin). As you might see, I have responded to Bill and I agree that Bill's assessment is spot-on. I still am hoping that Cherry Red realizes there is demand (I can't be the only person who wants this to happen!) and does the right thing. And good call regarding the upcoming "My Private Cosmos" release!

Hi Bill – thank you for your feedback... truth be told, I am one step ahead of you... I have been in touch with Cherry Red (not once, but twice, and I hasten to add that they have been super-prompt in responding to me, so kudos to them)... unfortunately both times I was told there are no imminent plans to repress "Sunburst Finish." Of course, plans can change, and hopefully they will. But as of now, that's not in the cards.