Hi, All:

Regarding the planned 5-disc set, you can put all your conspiracy theories away. It's very simple - we've been "discussing" the release with Rhino (fighting/pleading/demanding/cajoling/convincing) and there are concerns on their end. 5-disc packages are not cheap to manufacture, and they want to be sure that not only is the market there, but do we have a place to distribute them? NOT easy in this day & age, when record stores are disappearing, and online-only sales - while significant - do not make up for the shortfall. Not even close.

The 5-disc set is to consist of the original 2-disc L.A. Woman 40th Anniversary release, plus 3 discs of ALL the outtakes, alternate takes and studio chatter from L.A. Woman that we have.

Here is what I know so far, and NOTHING is etched in stone: I think where we've all come to is that we want the outtakes/alternate takes/studio chatter to be made available to you, and we want it available in physical product (CDs) as well as digital. I believe this WILL happen. However, it will probably be reduced to a 3-disc set (JUST the alternates/outtakes/chatter), and packaged so as to be affordable (i.e. NOT an expensive, all-out designed hard box). So, you'll definitely see the 2-disc 40th Anniversary L.A. Woman on January 24th 2012, and then you'll probably see a separate, 3-disc set of all outtakes/alternates/chatter at an affordable price (most likely under 50 dollars) in a nice, soft box holder sometime after January (March? May? Not sure yet, but def in 2012). We will probably manufacture in UK and then bring some over here for our US fans, and distribute the remainder in Europe. UK does not have time to design, lay out and manufacture the 5-disc set for January - so we told them we'd rather see it as two releases (a 2-disc 40th Anniversary LA Woman and a 3-disc alternate/outtakes/chatter package), even if the 3-disc has to come later.

I will advise you when I know more, but I think it's safe to say you'll have what you want. The two releases together will equal the original 5-disc concept, as far as material goes. So, no one has to buy a duplicate.

For all those that preordered the 5-disc box on our site, you will be given several options which are still being decided. The only option we know of FOR SURE is that anyone who wants their money back will be 100% refunded without any problems. The other options we're discussing are some bundles which include the 2-disc set, the 3-disc set, and some special merch which may ONLY be available to those who preordered. I intend to make sure it's worth your while - but as I said, anyone who wants their money back will get it instantly, cheerfully, and no questions asked.

The 3-disc set, when it comes, will be available ONLY in VERY limited quantities in the US (probably only 1000 copies or so), and I intend/hope for them to be numbered. We already have almost 300 preorders, so if all of those folks want it, that leaves only 700 remaining for the US (IF we stick to the 1000 number). As details become available, I will post them here - no use asking me a million times....if I don't reply, it's because I don't have any answers. It's like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place - you all want info ASAP (and deservedly so), but if I tell you our "plans" (i.e., NOT confirmed), then some of you will be angry when my prognostications turn out to be inaccurate. So.....I am trying to be careful here as to what I tell you, while at the same time not being 100% incommunicado. I know you guys want the info, you want it ASAP, you deserve to have it, and just know we're deeply into woking on this and getting everything set in stone. But we have partners, and extant market conditions, and financial people, and a lot of territories, and a shrinking label workforce, and, and, and....please just try to stand by while we work it out. We know what you want, we're striving to deliver just that, and to satisfy all other conditions at the same time.