More On The Exclusive B&N Version Of "A Piano"

Many of you are wondering, “How exclusive is ‘exclusive’?”

We’re sorry to have to report … very.

Yes, it’s true, we have definitive confirmation that the 6-disc version will only be sold by Barnes and Noble. Period. We know that folks in other regions will be very disappointed, but have no doubt that resourcefulness will enable most of you to find some way to view this, whether on multi-region players or DVD-rom drives or what have you.

[Note: if you previously ordered the 5-disc version from B&N and would rather have the 6-disc version, you need to contact them. It’s not safe to assume they’re automatically going to send you the 6-disc version instead, because they’re two separate items with different prices and codes.]

[UPDATE: If you prefer to buy this in-store, B&N suggests you call your local store to verify whether they will be carrying it. In order to get the 20% discount, however, you should buy online. To the best of our knowledge, B&N will only be selling the 6-disc version … from here on out, anyway. They also confirm that all DVDs they sell, both online and in-store, are Region 1.]

Exclusive 6-Disc Version of A Piano: The Collection

Barnes and Noble is offering an EXCLUSIVE 6-disc version of A Piano: The Collection. The online non-member price of $59.98 reflects a 20% discount off the list price of $74.98. (B&N members pay $53.98, which is a further 10% discount.)

UPDATE, September 11: B&N has raised their non-member price to $67.48, which now reflects a 10% discount. Members pay $60.73.

B&N’s website says:

”...our exclusive edition of A Piano includes a 27-minute DVD interview with Tori, shot at her home studio, in which she discusses her career and the making of this one-of-a-kind set. The entirely remastered box features rarities such as: an entirely resequenced version of the Little Earthquakes album, a 22-track disc of B-sides, and the previously Internet-only track “Merman.” There’s track-by-track notation by Tori herself, scads of rare photos, and amazing packaging—the collection is housed in a replica piano box with full-sized keys!”

This sounds pretty sweet.

Also note that this mentions that the entire set has been remastered, which we presume is true of the 5-disc version as well.

(Thanks to Darrell and axeslade for letting us know about this.)

Track Timings For A Piano

BMac points out that Bücher’s listing for A Piano: The Collection includes track timings for all the songs on all five discs of the box set. Times for the previously unreleased tracks are:

• Take Me With You 4:40
• Walk To Dublin (Sucker Reprise) 5:24
• Not David Bowie 3:54
• Zero Point 8:55
• Ode To My Clothes 2:03
• Intro Jam & Marys Of The Sea 8:54
• The Dolphin Song 5:50
• Peeping Tommi 4:19
• Fire-Eater’s Wife/Beauty Queen (Demo Version) 3:11
• Playboy Mommy (Demo Version) 1:34
• A Sorta Fairytale (Demo Version) 3:08

Read on for the times for all of the tracks.

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A New Photo of "A Piano: The Collection" From Barnes & Noble!

Barnes and Noble has updated their listing for A Piano: The Collection with a new photo showing the contents of the box: a wide-booklet and the five CDs which are packaged in digipacks with (surprise!) piano-themed cover artwork. Looks lovely…but it’s still not going to fit on my CD shelf!

Thanks to Darrell for tipping us off.

Online Stores Listing New Box Set For Pre-Order

Not that you can buy it, yet, but A Piano: The Collection is now listed at BestBuy.com (to the tune of $69.99) and at Amazon.com for the list price of $74.98 the reduced price of $54.99. Thanks to Roel for pointing it out!

Several people have written to mention other online retailers that are taking pre-orders for the box set. Some of these include (ordered by price):

• f.y.e ($44.99 after mail-in rebate, see details on website) NEW
• JB Hi-Fi (AU$79.99) NEW
• CD Universe ($52.49)
• Overstock.com ($53.23) NEW
• Deep Discount CD ($62.96 with free shipping)
• Barnes and Noble exclusive 6-disc version ($67.48/non-members; $60.73/members)
• HMV / Amazon.ca (CDN$79.99)
• Amazon.fr (€63,08) NEW
• bol.com (€64,99)
• NLstore (€68,00 with free shipping in Netherlands) NEW
• Amazon.co.jp (¥10096)
• Amazon.de (€69,95)
• JPC (€69,99)
• Amazon.co.uk (£49.99)
• HMV.co.uk (£49.99)
• ASDA (£52.97)
• Proxis (€79,09)
• Play.com (£53.99 or €86,49, with free shipping in Europe)
• CDGO (€82,45)
• 101cd.com (£67.99 | US$125.10 | €99,27 | ¥13598 | AU$163.18 with free shipping to UK only)
• CDWow (€102,63)

Prices last updated on October 2nd 2006.

Note: If you come across a site selling the set in a region we don’t have covered, or if you find a site with a price that beats the pants off of the ones we already have listed, please let us know.

Sweet The Sting Featured On XM Artist Confidential Compilation

XM Satellite Radio and Starbucks Hear Music have announced that they will jointly release a compilation CD consisting of live performances from XM’s music performance and interview program, Artist Confidential. XM Artist Confidential, Vol. 1 will feature exclusive live tracks by Bonnie Raitt, Coldplay, Willie Nelson, Roseanne Cash, Raul Middon, Phil Collins, Tracy Chapman, Joan Baez, Bruce Hornsby, Cyndi Lauper, Robert Plant and Tori. Her track is “Sweet The Sting”. The collection will be on-sale only at Starbucks stores and though their on-line store starting on August 29th.

Read on for the full press release and track listing.

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AIDS Research Benefit CD To Include Tori

Billboard reports that Tori will be one of several artists contributing cover songs to Between The Covers, an upcoming compilation benefiting AIDS research. The collection will be released on September 12th by Sony BMG in the United States and Nettwerk Records in Canada. Tori’s track is her cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Amazon has a listing for the CD with the cover artwork and the full track listing.

Also on September 12th, VH1, VH1 Classic and Logo will all be airing a half-hour special about the project. At this time, it’s unknown if Tori will be included in that program.

Thanks to Robbie, Chuck and Cain for telling us about this!

ToriAmos.com Catches Up...

ToriAmos.com sent out their latest e-mail newsletter yesterday evening. It focused primarily on A Piano: The Collection, but there was also a healthy dose of RAINN news included as well. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any new news in the newsletter, but it’s good to see some stirrings of activity from the Tori Camp.

If you are not subscribed to the ToriAmos.com newsletter but you want to be, visit Everything Tori or ToriAmos.com to sign up.

Jump the fold for the mailshot in all its glory!

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A Piano: The Box

Ta-da! Yes indeed, this is it. It really, really is. No kidding. A photo of the boxed set.

Start cracking those piggy banks open!

(Kudos to Doron, Sweet Shiseido, Andrew, and Helen for ferreting this out.)

Note On A Piano: The Collection

For the fans who’ve been wondering, the graphic you’ve seen thusfar for A Piano: The Collection (the one patiently sleeping over in our right-hand column) is NOT the artwork for the project itself. It is a temporary image.

The press release promises “deluxe packaging that resembles a piano’s keyboard” ... we’re told that’s the key. We haven’t seen the real artwork, but we are confident it will be something special and very unique.