Amazon.ca's "Canadian Essentials" Lists Help Canadians Build Their Libraries of Great Home-grown Works; Notable Reviewers Share Their Favourite Canadian Classics
SEATTLE-August 10, 2004-Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) today launched its Canadian Essentials series, which features the 50 greatest Canadian CDs, DVDs, and books-as chosen by Amazon.ca's editors-based on the titles' national or international impact on the industry, genre, or pop culture. The series debuted today with a list of the 50 greatest albums by Canadian artists; the DVD and books lists will follow on August 17 and 24, respectively.

The music list, unveiled today, features albums of historical import across genres ranging from alt-country to progressive rock to classical. Highlights include:

 

  • The Band's "Music from Big Pink," the seminal 1968 release that introduced alt-country 30 years before bands such as Wilco and Blue Rodeo repopularized the genre;
  • Glenn Gould's "A State of Wonder," which captures the two landmark recordings of Bach's "Goldberg Variations" that bookended Gould's career;
  • The Cowboy Junkies' "The Trinity Sessions," made during a one-day recording session in an old church and one of the group's most satisfying listens;
  • Sloan's "One Chord to Another," the only album in Canadian rock history with so many hooks and harmonies;
  • Leonard Cohen's "Songs of Love and Hate," Cohen's most emotionally intense, dark, and moving album;
  • Stompin' Tom Connors' "Souvenirs," as every Canadian household should have at least one album by Connors, and this one includes "The Hockey Song."


 

Like the music list, Amazon.ca's Essential DVD and books lists will reflect a diversity rarely found in rankings of the best films or novels. The DVD Essentials will include classic TV shows, great hockey series, and memorable rock concerts; the Books Essentials will feature novels as well as the best biographies, poetry, reference books, and children's books.

In addition to the Amazon.ca editors' Canadian Essentials lists, several well-known Amazon.ca reviewers have contributed their own lists of great Canadian works. These include:

 

  • "Rewriting Canadian History," created by Peter Darbyshire, winner of the 2003 ReLit Award for best novel and a proprietor of the leading Canadian literary blog, Bookninja.
  • "Classic Canadian Painted Van CDs," "Great Books That Are Almost Canadian," and personal top 10 lists from notable music, film, and book columnists.
  • Bronwyn Drainie, critic and editor of the "Literary Review of Canada," and Mark Frutkin, Governor General's Award-nominated novelist, will share lists of their 10 favourite Canadian books.


 

"So many Canadian artists have meaningfully shaped the evolution of their art, both within Canada and internationally," said Steve Duda, editor-in-chief for Amazon.ca. "We want to help our customers find and discover and share our passion for this wide range of great works, while learning a bit about their history and why we believe them to be the greatest Canadian CDs, DVDs, and books currently available. We're also hoping customers will share their opinions by contributing their own 'Canadian Essentials' lists."

Amazon.ca customers will also find several niche lists, including "Essential Canadian Books No Longer in Print" and "Canadians in Classic Hollywood," and are encouraged to add lists of their own favourite Canadian works via the site's Listmania feature, be they their picks of the greatest overall titles or classics in select categories, such as "Essential Canadian New Wave Records."

To view the 50 Essential Canadian albums, DVDs, and books as picked by Amazon.ca's editors, as well as lists from reviewers, artists, and Amazon.ca customers, visit the Amazon.ca home page (www.amazon.ca) or go directly to www.amazon.ca/ca-essentials.

About Amazon.ca Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) is part of the global family of Amazon Web sites that have become known for great prices, selection, and convenience. Amazon.ca customers can find and discover millions of English and French books, CDs, videos, and DVDs as well as a vast array of software, video games, and consoles-all at everyday low prices. Amazon.ca also offers FREE Super Saver Shipping, available on orders of $39 or more delivered to a single Canadian address. Amazon.ca sources products directly from Canadian publishers and distributors, ensuring a rich offering of Canadian titles and content. Features such as original editorial reviews in English and French and product recommendations help Amazon.ca customers find the right products for them among the site's broad selection. Through Amazon Marketplace, Amazon.ca customers can conveniently buy and sell used, new, and collectible merchandise on the same pages where Amazon.ca sells those items new.

To ensure all orders are delivered to customers quickly and efficiently, Amazon.ca works with Canada Post, one of the world's most progressive postal companies. Orders placed at Amazon.ca are fulfilled and shipped from within Canada by Assured Logistics, a part of the Canada Post Group of Companies.

Amazon.ca is the trading name of Amazon.com.ca, Inc., an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, commercial agreements and strategic alliances, seasonality, potential fluctuations in operating results and rate of growth, foreign exchange rates, management of potential growth, system interruption, international expansion, consumer trends, inventory, fulfillment center optimization, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, fraud, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and all subsequent filings.

To arrange an interview with an Amazon.ca representative, please contact:

Victoria Kirk
National Public Relations
416-848-1419
vkirk@national.ca