Blisstunes

Breaking: Paul McCartney Is Now Pulling His Albums from Spotify...

The following is a developing story. Please check back for continued updates, including any responses from Spotify, Concord, or other involved parties. 

Paul McCartney is now pulling both solo and Wings content from Spotify and other streaming services, according to details shared by sources this (Tuesday) evening.  Specifically, the takedown is coming from Concord Records, though other McCartney releases also appear unavailable.  In fact, a search this evening produced just a handful of McCartney songs, outside of covers, modified instrumentals and other variations.

Spotify has not responded to a pair of inquiries from Digital Music News, though a leaked takedown order lists some of the largest albums released by the post-Beatles McCartney.  The removal request, issued by Universal Music Group Distribution on behalf of Concord (and Hear Music), includes the following:

All the Best

Driving Rain

Flaming Pie

McCartney II

Off the Ground

Paul Is Live

Run Devil Run

Tripping the Live Fantastic

Tripping the Live Fantastic Highlights!

Tug of War

Unplugged - The Official Soundtrack

Wingspan

Back to the Egg

London Town

Wings Over America

Wings at the Speed of Sound

Red Rose Speedway

These releases are being pulled not just from Spotify, but from all streaming services, at least in the US.  That lists includes Rhapsody, MOG, and Rdio.  Additionally, sources involved in the pulldown have also confirmed that these albums will remain available for download, at locations like the iTunes Store and AmazonMP3.

Other famous titles, like Band on the Run, are not on Concord and not listed in the takedown order.  But they are also not available on Spotify, and we're still learning details on these releases.

Sources declined to share the exact reasons for the takedown, or even the exact decision-maker within the McCartney camp.   But a good guess is that this is rooted in financial comparisons, especially considering the decision to remain with download services.  

More details as they become available.

• Tweet

• 
  

  Visitor
  Tuesday, February 07, 2012

  Must be connected to his iTunes/Apple TV live stream promotion.  So now Apple's gonna make artist pull down from Spotify to get the love??

  Reply

  @madktc
  Tuesday, February 07, 2012

  Seems like good business in 2012.  Maybe not so much in 2015. 

  Reply

  Quoting Bob Lefsetz
  Wednesday, February 08, 2012

  Nobody gives a shit about his standards album anyway.

  Despite the reproduction of press releases in mainstream media, despite the reviews of said album in same, no one really cares. That's the dirty little secret of being a classic rocker, you're done, you're toast, only people your age have any desire to hear your new music, and most of them don't either.

  Which is why you've got to make it easy.

  Somehow, these acts still put money in front of exposure. When their problem is just the opposite. Believe me, McCartney's grosses are not going to go down if his music is on Spotify, just the opposite. People know the legendary cuts and want to hear them live. But they don't want to hear the new music. That's time to pee, to get popcorn, an indulgence by the oldsters that they tolerate, just as long as it's only a couple of songs. And how do you change this? By making good new music and making it available to people.

   

  read his entire letter at: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2012/02/

  Reply

  lastamerican
  Wednesday, February 08, 2012

  this is not about paul its about the record company.

  they dont have a piece of any other income stream, and they paid for the record.

  how they suppsed to get it back?

  the answer is, they shouldnt have made a deal unless they had a piece of touring or they shouldnt have paid and advance for the record....

  Reply

  Steven Corn (BFM Digital)
  Wednesday, February 08, 2012

  This move won't hurt Paul, Concord, UMD, or even Spotify.  It's a fear-motivated move that will be hard to defend or criticize months or years from now.  I seriously doubt if track sales will increase by removing these albums from Spotify and other streaming services.  I challenge Concord to do an analysis 6 months from now and see if sales increase beyond the 8% annual rise we've seen in past years.  I'll bet good money that there won't be a sizable bump.

  Reply

  
  

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/digitalmusicnews/~3/an8H12uEe7g/120207mccartney