“Eric Clapton has released a four track EP today, previewing his forthcoming album dedicated to the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson,” NME reports.
Eric Clapton is putting out the EP exclusively through Apple’s iTunes Music Store. The EP includes the tracks “When You Got A Good Friend,” “Come On In My Kitchen,” “Milkcow Calf Blues” and “If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day.”
Clapton’s EP can be found here (link will launch iTunes and take you directly to Clapton’s new EP in Apple’s iTunes Music Store).
Has anyone noticed that you can’t tell Barry Manilow and Rod Stewart apart these days?
Man, first the Fat Boys break up..Now THIS!!!
Excellent recording quality on this puppy…
Does this mean I can’t carry on listening to ABBA?
Does anybody know if Apple is dealing directly with the recording artists for the exclusive tracks, or is Apple and the artist still being ripped off by the recording company?
I think it depends on the artist. If the record company they are signed with doesn’t control all releases, then Apple may deal with them directly, or in some cases, the artist controls live recordings but nothing else, and I’ve seen some of the live recordings attribute back to artist as the label. But I think, with the exception of those artists who are starting to forgo record labels or start their own–such as Prince, Pearl jam, Ani DiFranco, etc.–Apple primarily deals with the labels. Though, obviously Apple or Steve Jobs seems to have some direct relationships with some artist, and these artist seem to release more exclusives than others.
Some “artists” own their music and others do not. The most well-known example of this is The Beatles. Under their contract with EMI, their music went out of their hands. It was only later that they set up the legal cyclops that is Apple Corps. Currently Michael Jackson owns the early Beatles music. Maybe with his need for money, MJ will sell and Sir Paul can get back what should have always been his.
By this point in his career I’d hope Clapton has better ownership of his new material.
NoPCZone: Although Sir paul created Apple Corps, he still used EMI when he was with Wings, when he was solo, even during his “buddy” years with MJ.
If Apple was smart, the exclusive deals with artists should be a 50-50 split of the profits without giving a dime to the labels.
I would feel better if I knew my money was going to the artists and Apple rather than the greedy labels. It would be a marketing plus and get more artists to deal with Apple for future songs rather than deal with labels.
Re: the Beatles’ early catalogue
I was thinking the other night that Steve Jobs should offer is beleaguered, misunderstood ‘friend’ Michael Jackson a boatload of cash for his rights to the early Beatle catalogue. That would make the attorneys for Apple Corps have a massive stroke!! Then Steve could turn around and sell it to McCartney for a fair price, in exchange for exclusive access to the ENTIRE Beatles’ catalogue on iTMS. Then everyone would be happy… except Yoko, but who cares about her?!
rogozhin: I think that is a great idea… and Apple Computer has the cash on hand to do it.
Cool idea. Problem is, Jackson isn’t sole owner of the Beatle’s catalogue. He owns a percentage, Sony owns the rest.
It also should be clarified that what Jackson co-owns is the publishing rights to the songs, not the recordings themselves. People tend to get that confused.
Right, and part of the deal would be that Apple Corps would have to give Apple Computer the right to deal in music media (using generic enough terms that it could cover just about anything), so they get that in writing and Apple Corps stops suing Apple everytime they blink.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Who can give Apple permission to sell Beatles on iTMS? SONY/MJ, EMI, or Sir Paul?
Beatles songs performed by the Beatles require permission of the recording rights holder – Apple Corp (McCartney, Yoko Ono all have a say in major decisions)
To perform, record Beatle songs – you need permission from the publishing rights holder – Sony & Michael Jackson.
It’s also a bit belligerent to say that all record labels are ripping off all artists as the records labels get them publicity through retail and radio play. The rest is up to the artist to build upon that.
Those with talent and charisma such as Eric Clapton can then sell you a front row seat for $1,500 – he gets the bulk of that (his label makes nothing from concert ticket sales – they might get a little from performing rights if they own the publishing rights). At $1,500 a seat for a couple hours – you can decide who is ripping off whom.
Please stopping mentioning Yoko Ono! It is too frelling early and I am hung over. Ahhhhhh!
aahhh