Jeff Healey Album Release *Update

So this is interesting. I wrote to the record company putting out the controversial Jeff Healey back catalog and actaully got a response;

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Dear Alex,

You have every right to be 'distressed'.

First, you should know that the estate does not own the rights to this material. Jeff Healey and Joe Rockman signed away their rights a number of years ago.

Despite this fact and out of respect, the estate was contacted. Not only for their input, but to inform them that 10% of the profits from this package was going to be placed in a trust fund for the estate.

Their response? Nothing about input into the project. It was all about wanting more money.

So we all have the right to be distressed. Jeff Healey's legacy deserves better than that.

A lot of people's time and energy went into this compilation. And quite frankly, it is Jeff Healey and the Jeff Healey Band at their best in their formative years.

We stand behind this project with pride and enthusiasm. We will stand firm in our belief and let the music and DVD speak for itself.

The truth will come out Alex.

Thank-you for your passion and reaching out to us.

Kind regards,

Steve

Steve McAuley
Managing Director
Arbor Records
steve@arborrecords.com
www.arborrecords.com

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This is very interesting for a number of reasons...assuming their true.

1. They had the rocks to write me back.
2. The original press release put out on behalf of the Healey estate made it sound like they were getting "screwed" out of the money. However, it would seem the estate was offered 10%... which might not sound like a lot but that's probably a better royalty rate than Jeff ever made.
3. Signing away your rights is pretty cut and dry. You did or you did not. What's the point of having contracts if we get out of them when we don't like what we did willingly. Now I don't know the details here but if they own the rights, why would they NOT put out a record after Jeff's death? Sorry but that's just good business.

I gotta say I don't know what to think here but I am glad I looked into it. As usual it's not quite black and white. The label were pretty candid in their position and IF they are right in what they say, the people who cast such a shadow on them might be being unfair.

I'd like to be kept in the loop if anyone hears more on this. Someone in this thing is not telling the whole truth. Let's see who it is.

DO NOT BUY THE 'NEW' JEFF HEALEY RELEASE!

Not that people really need to be encouraged not to buy a CD these days but if there was ever a time to download something or otherwise steal an album this is it.

I have emailed the label for a response but as time of writing they have ignored requests for comment. Stay tuned.

JEFF HEALEY'S FAMILY "DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED" BY THE UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF A DOUBLE ALBUM OF OLDER MATERIAL

On November 4th Arbor Records, a small Winnipeg label specializing in Aboriginal recordings, plan to release a double CD/DVD set of material by the Jeff Healey Band, which broke up in 2002.

The release consists of early singles and unreleased live material, and is being released in collaboration with the former drummer in the Jeff Healey Band, Tom Stephen,

The release of this compilation, titled "Legacy Volume One" is being done against the wishes of the Healey Estate and his family. By the time of his death last March, Jeff had long ceased to have any association — creative or otherwise — whatsoever with Mr. Stephen, and had long endured a bitter feud with the former drummer, who claimed he was owed monies and rights to Jeff's music.

Cristie Healey, Jeff Healey's widow, released a statement that she was "deeply and sadly disappointed" that the label, who were notified of the Estate's objections, went ahead with the release — and that EMI Canada saw fit to handle the distribution of the record.

"We ask that Jeff's fans please refrain from purchasing this compilation out of respect for Jeff and his family. This release is NOT authorized or supported in any way by Jeff's estate."

Ms. Healey said the family felt that the collection lacked the care and attention that any "legacy" project should deserve. One disc consists of "yet another 'hits' compilation and the bonus disc is an assembly of inferior tracks that have been readily available for download for years."

Aside from the 'Mess of Blues' CD that was released with Jeff Healey's active participation and approval this past spring on Stony Plain in Canada, and Ruf Records in Europe and the U.S., there have been no other releases since his death.

However, the Healey Estate does plan to authorize the release of other Jeff Healey recordings in the future, including a Jeff Healey Jazz Wizards release to join the three already available on Stony Plain.

Said Ms. Healey: "The estate will ensure that future releases are assembled with the care and attention that they deserve out of respect for Jeff and his fans around the world.

"Other releases, which have not been authorized or approved by the Healey Estate, do not honour Jeff's memory or the legacy of his art, and are merely being released to exploit Jeff's name."

UPDATE: Sunrise and HMV have both indicated that they will not carry the record and are shipping all copies back to Arbor.