> Given that and without sounding too condemning, I'd ask that you at least
> make every effort not to purchase SonMay CDs unless you happen to reside
> in Taiwan and have no other choice. I know the originals are expensive,
> but there are a lot of people who's paychecks are dependent upon people
> buying legitimate copies. A true fan, I would think, would want to reward
> the folks who brought him or her the music and anime they so enjoy. I'll
> get off of my soap box now. Thank you.

I've got my own attitude to pirating. I grew up in Saudi Arabia, 
where there were no originals, only Pirated copies of everything: 
videos, music, hell sometimes magazines. Every video was a copy of 
a copy of a copy and were almost unwatchable. All the music was done 
by companies like 747, and hence the quality was apalling. Son May's 
copies are at least musically replicas.

Now don't think I'm supporting pirating. I was one of those rare 
Amiga owners who went in for originals, and have never bought a 
pirate in my life. I *do* own two Son May CDs (Mononke Hime and AMS 
97 Singles) but they were a gift from a friend :)

The thing is, I wouldn't *want* a pirated version of something. It's 
like copying things off TV - it *feels* like you've not got a proper 
version. Buying pirated AMS CDs would feel like buying an issue of 
the manga that was drawn by someone other than Fujishima. "But Sam" 
you yell, "Son May copies are digitally identical!" The trouble is 
that it doesn't *feel* the same.

There's one other issue to raise. I was looking at a friend's Son May 
versions of some AMS and other CDs and they were of just as high a 
presentation as western originals. Then I had a look at my own and 
other people's original Japanese CDs, and the quality of presentation 
is just phenomenally different. One gets so much more with a 
_Japanese_ original. If a reader here doesn't get Les's morality 
point or my "it still *feels* like a low grade copy" stand, at least 
think about the fact that you get so much more with a Japanese 
original.

Not to mention the fact the the folks who make the AMS CDs deserve 
your money for making such wonderfully enjoyable music.

Sam (who knows that Martin-san wasn't looking for a lecture, but 
can't resist the need to rant ;)