Sony Recalls XCP CDs

In the face of criticism, Sony BMG announced that it is recalling the CDs with the copy-protection software XCP, which installs hidden files deep in PC users' Windows operating system. Among the twenty affected titles were Trey Anastasio's Shine, Neil Diamond's 12 Songs and Celine Dion's recent greatest hits package. The move comes in the wake of at least two viruses unleashed by hackers that take advantage of a security flaw created by the software.

"We share the concerns of consumers regarding discs with XCP content-protected software," Sony BMG said in a statement, "and for this reason we are instituting a consumer exchange program and removing all unsold CDs with this software from retail outlets." Although the music publisher has not named an exact figure, millions of discs may be affected.

Earlier the company issued instructions on how to delete the software; users who tried to remove it manually found that their CD-ROM drivers had been disabled. "Sony is basically treating its customers like criminals," says Windows expert Mark Russinovich, who first discovered the hidden files.

Sony BMG reportedly plans to copy protect all of its CDs by next year.

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Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

More Song Stories entries »

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