Legit MTB CDs?

    Sorry, but I finally have to get this off my chest. Over the last couple of years many CDs that are marketed as "imports" have been offered for sale on E-Bay and other sites.  Most of these "imports" are live CDs.  It appears that many are not imports at all but merely CD-Rs with artwork created by whomever is selling them.

    There are two imports released by overseas "labels" that specialize in what often are called "bootlegs". One being Silverado and the other Live at Nassau (for more info on these, see the Discography page or Live Tapes page).  In both cases they are professionally made/printed CDs (in other words not a CD-R) that were ripped (recorded from) from the King Biscuit LP from which these performances were later aired (by King Biscuit). The "pops" from the LP can even be heard on the CD.  That being said, they were NOT authorized by MTB.  They have professionally printed CD inserts and CD artwork.   There are live tapes (recorded from the radio as they aired) of these same performances that capture the live show "vibe" much, much better.  On the King Biscuit LPs, the audience noise was faded shortly after the beginning of each song and turned up again only as the song was ending.  The radio shows feature the live unadulterated version - and, better yet, feature the full set list. 

"Bootlegs" sold by European labels

    There are also some unauthorized studio imports that feature tracks from the Capricorn albums. Neither Heard It In a Love Song or Fire on the Mountain are authorized by MTB.  The band did authorize the release of a greatest hits package in Europe titled the Millennium Collection (track listing is available on the Discography page).

Unauthorized studio imports

    If you are interested in specific titles on E-Bay or any other auction site (or website) you may want to see if they are offered by the likes of CDnow. If they don't sell it, chances are it's not authorized by MTB or their representatives. Also, many of the shows being sold on E-Bay will be given to you for FREE if you simply request a "weed" on this message board. They may not have the artwork, but the music will be awesome.  These "weeds" are only of old radio shows and do not include material that the band has officially released (studio albums, Stomping Room Only, Live at Garden State, etc).  True fans don't sell MTB's music in any form and don't trade officially released material.

The Millennium Collection

    That being said, I think it's important that we all support the band by purchasing the official releases. If we buy things like Anthology, SRO, Beyond the Horizon, the remasters and the Garden State DVD, then the success of these projects will probably result in the release of future projects from Ramblin' and Shout Factory.

    I, for one, hope that the next several years will see the release of new and old material, rarities, outtakes, more official live shows, etc. The fans support of MTB's legitimate projects is the only way to make these things happen. Let's say we make it happen?

    In closing, I think it's interesting that these E-bay "imports" have only surfaced after they have been offered as weeds by fans on MTB's websites or traded (not sold!) amongst collectors. So, please, do your research. Don't get burned - and support the official releases that the band authorizes!

                                        - Craig Cumberland