Sam wrote:
> 
> > 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:

 ...I grew up in Bahrain, right next to Saudi Arabia... I didn't have
any problems finding the original... -_-; (life must suck in Saudi...)

> 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.

 ...videos, music, magazines, newspapers, heck, even FOOD I was able to
get the ORIGINAL Japanese.... (even Japan airlines flew into Bahrain
once a week ^_^;)

> 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.

 It doesn't come with 1) first press gifts, 2) nice booklets 3) other
misc. stuff that comes with the original stuff...
 AMG singles (CD album, first one) is a VERY good example... (that THICK
booklet (welll, a normal booklet, plus all those picture cards ^_^) THAT
was worth my money (more then worth it ^_^)
 
> 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.

 The booklet, etc. makes you feel that way, maybe...? ^_^; 
 
> Not to mention the fact the the folks who make the AMS CDs deserve
> your money for making such wonderfully enjoyable music.

 (I've got to agree with this totaly ^_-)
 
> Sam (who knows that Martin-san wasn't looking for a lecture, but
> can't resist the need to rant ;)

 ^_^;

					Kenji Shimizu