Hi JFw
Originally posted by John Foxxworthy:
"However, a consensus of opinion could not be reached on whether unreleased material that had not previously been made available should be included on these CDs. In deference to this, Island made the decision to remaster and release only what has been previously available."
With this passage in mind, I concluded that Island, not the band, rejected the extra bonus tracks. The passive construction "a consensus of opinion could not be reached" is a little ambiguous.
Reading between lines is always a tricky task at the best of times. However, in this case, I'm with EG in reading the passage as indicating that it was the band not reaching consensus that is the reason for Island deferring to release the tracks in question. If that is the case, Island would likely have been on dodgy ground releasing material unapproved by it's originators.
Further to what both EG and Rob & Cerise have indicated, record labels still have to invest in a full remastering process for any tracks for re-issues. Further, there is the question of running times for the albums. Extra tracks may mean extra discs, different packaging etc. All has a knock-on financial effect that has to be weighed against possible return of investment.
As to why the various members could not reach decision, the same puzzler may be faced by anyone in any field of life that has to make decisions as to what to go forward with, and what not.
Fairly clearly the tracks weren't released back in the '70's for various reasons known only to the band and label. That they weren't released originally may indicate their merit to those parties.
Personally, - semi-completist though I am - from what I've heard of them, they do seem a little derivative of other music of the time and not as 'original' in content as the other tacks we've come to know down the years.
Just a (long-ish) thought, anyhoo.
Merry Xmas! One and all