Like you say, the only people interested in hearing these early versions are the die hard fans that know about them and have a passing interest. A release of these tapes wouldn't register on anyone elses radar and no one else would care.

Honestly, how many bands/artists release demos, etc that people actually listen to more than once anyway? Maybe there are a few examples (such as a previous Van Halen conversation) but the rest of the time its novelty. I bought that Mr. Big Vault collection and think I started playing CD1 and then haven't gone back to it since, partly due to time, but ultimately its the finished version of the songs that I have a connection with.

If the Steinman sessions are as much of a trainwreck as Joe claims them to be, then they are better off buried.