Fraggle CD collection arrives October 30

[Phillip Chapman]

Koch Records has sent out an official press release on the upcoming Fraggle Rock CD box set. Even though most of the info we knew already, it's great to see the publicity cranking up as the release draws near. We're about four weeks away now.

http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2007/091407.shtml

Hopefully sales will be strong enough for Koch to consider releasing a second box set of previously unreleased Fraggle tunes in the near future.

[Drtooth]

Well, I would say it's disappointing that it's just 3 re-released albums, exactly as they were issued, and the third disk repeats like 4 songs from the other 2 recordings... but then again, i didn't get the Fraggle CD back in the 90's when they released that compilation.

The one thing that is a disappointment is that I wished they had more previously unreleased TV tracks (like I'm a little Stew Pot). And it would have been great to have had the Animated FR theme as a bonus track (It's not that much better, but that piano riff at the beginning is amazing).

If anyone has these albums, I have a question. Is the FR theme different on the first album and the second album? I.e. is one the extended version, and one the TV size (broadcast theme)?

I really wish Disney would take this initiative to re-release the Muppet Show albums in a similar fashion.

[PinkTribeChick]

I'm thrillled about this set . . .
But I have two bones to pick . . .
And they have names . . .
"Across the Universe"
and
"Magic" (from the final episode - the song playing as they go through the new tunnel leading to Doc's new home)
Where are they? Why weren't they included in this set - particularly "Across the Universe", which is easily the most powerful of all the Fraggle songs in terms of its message? And "Magic" - it was the last Fraggle song, for heaven's sake! And hearing it still gives me goosebumps and a lump in my throat.
Otherwise - I have no complaints. I'm excited about learning to play some of the Fraggle songs on the piano and I'm thrilled to have so many songs on one set (even if I do have atleast 75% of them already sitting on my hard drive and on CDs and records in my bedroom). But please, please, please - is it too late to add those two songs to the set? *laughs* JK . . .

[Frogster]

Yeah... I'm not surprised that most of the songs are strictly from Season 1, and they're all from previously-released albums. But it's still disappointing. There's so many songs that they could have had on this, but at least we're getting a Fraggle Rock CD set in this day and age.

And yeah... where's Uncle Matt's "Around The Universe," "Magic Be With You," and others? MuppetCentral Radio seems to have every song from the show in excellent format- with perfect sound editing and everything- so it can't be too hard to get other songs to have CD-quality instead of just ripping it from the episode. For instance, "Follow Me," in the episode "Trial Of Cotterpin Doozer" is played without the banter of Large Marvin and Feeny on MC Radio-which is perfect. If MC Radio can do it, or obtain these songs from elsewhere, then I'm sure it can be done through HIT's contacts. I'm not too pleased but I'll still buy it.

This is why it's necessary to have websites like Sylinde Bren's. We want more.
And people wouldn't bootleg Muppet music if others recognized this. Most of these are songs we've heard before, again and again; give the people something new.

[Fluffinella]

Unlike The Muppet Show, the Fraggle Rock songs were recorded with an eye towards album production. That is, each song exists in an “album-friendly” form (without sound effects or dialogue interrupting the track).

HIT appears to be giving the fans what they want, in the sense that these are long-unavailable collectibles. HIT and Koch are producing something they think many diehards would want. Be happy we’re getting anything, buy what they produce and maybe we’ll get more.

It can happen.

[Drtooth]

I trust them. Hit is doing a great job with Fraggles so far (though I wish we got the Travelling Matt Plush). I mean, while a lot of Muppet music collectors have these albums already, but only 1 was available on CD. While I would say it does suck if you spent all this time converting them to MP3's, but I for one would love an official re-release of these, and I will no doubt buy it (budget permitting). And who knows, maybe these CD's will come with a survey. All you have to do is fill out the card and suggest a new CD full of previously unreleased tracks.

Kinda stinks we didn't get special bonus tracks, though... and some of the songs are repeated on the third album.

[heralde]

I think with these releases they are mainly thinking of general fans who have never had any songs on CD, rather than major fans who have heard everything, hehe.

I'm not a big fan of being happy just to get anything. Not to sound spoiled, but these things tend to be expensive so I look more for quality than quantity (not that anyone here doesn't). I may not buy these, but they are good collections and hopefully the general fans will.

[Winslow Leach]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

I really wish Disney would take this initiative to re-release the Muppet Show albums in a similar fashion.

I would love to own the original TMS albums on CD (especially the first one).

[heralde]

Yes that would be a very good idea.

[PinkTribeChick]

I wish Disney would take this care and intiative with everything Muppet they release - cause they really haven't done so well so far, with the exception of Muppet Show Season 1. I mean - can we re-release The Frog Prince and Hey Cinderella already, please? And Muppet Musicians of Brehman and The Bunny Picnic? I would kill to have these on DVD, along with soundtrack releases on CD . . .

[Drtooth]

I wish Disney had the initiative to do something. i understand they having to give Muppet Musique the death penalty, but they could at least try and release these on CD or something. This is getting rediculous.

[erniebert1234ss]

Hey, coincidentally, "Magic" is the new album from Bruce Springsteen, as well as the title track on the album.

BJ

[Traveling Matt]

Fraggle Rock Gets Ready To Roll
A 3-CD collection comes just in time for Halloween

by IGN Music
September 14, 2007

Who doesn't remember Fraggle Rock?

Jim Henson's bugged out subterranean vision carried on with same whimsical tradition he'd put forth on such sublimely seminal projects as Sesame Street, The Muppet Show (and subsequent movies), Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.

As with both The Muppet Show and movies, as well as Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock was instilled with an amusing musical attitude. In fact the show was so focused on music that during its run there were no less than three accompanying albums released, each one chock full of tunes featured in the show.

Long out-of-print, the music of Fraggle Rock will get a new lease on life come October 30th, 2007. That's when Koch Records will release Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Fraggle Rockin' -A Collection, a whopping 3-CD collector's edition that brings together all three of the original albums - newly remastered versions, no less - into a singular digi-pack set packed to bursting with rarely seen photos and contributions from the original composers.

As with the bulk of Henson's material an emphasis on harmony, both among species and within nature, was a core thematic element of the Fraggle Rock series. To this end music was used to not only enliven the show, but to help slip these messages of love and peace out into the world in a sly, playful manner.

The three Fraggle Rock albums - Fraggle Rock, Fraggle Rock: Perfect Harmony, Fraggle Rock: Music and Magic - features songs performed by the Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs. The music from the show was composed by Dennis Lee and Philip Balsam with musical direction courtesy of Don Gillis.

http://music.ign.com/articles/820/820233p1.html

[theprawncracker]

I am SO excited for this set! With less than a week away-- gah! I can't stand the anticipation!

[Traveling Matt]

Will Muppet Central receive an advance copy and post a review?