Bob Dylan - Biograph

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Stateless, Sep 30, 2003.

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  1. Stateless

    Stateless New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    Bob's Biograph....

    I have the original BIOGRAPH CD box that came out in the late 80's or thereabouts. Is it true the box was remastered sometime in the mid to late 90's? If so, is it worth upgrading? I love this set, and think the quality is pretty good but is the newer set better? Thanks in advance for any info.

    WW
     
  2. Metralla

    Metralla Joined Jan 13, 2002

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Do you have the rare one? Some songs were pulled - and it was repressed. I'm not an expert on this one, but I'm sure I read about it here.

    Regards,
    Geoff
     
  3. czeskleba

    czeskleba Senior Member

    Location:
    Seattle
    Hopefully I remember this correctly. There are three versions of Biograph:

    1. Original mid-80s version
    2. 1997 remaster, recalled version
    3. 1997 remaster, corrected version.

    I think the remaster sounds notably better.

    Versions 1 and 3 have the same track lineup, except version 1 features the album version of Mixed Up Confusion, and version 3 features the single version.

    Version 2 features the single version of Mixed Up Confusion, and some mistakes:
    a. Several seconds of Dylan's intro to Baby Let Me Follow You Down are accidentally clipped off
    b. The 5/17/66 Manchester Free Trade Hall version of I Don't Believe You is included instead of the 5/6/66 Belfast version indicated in the liner notes.
    c. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight comes to a cold finish instead of fading out.

    Version 2 was recalled to correct these mistakes, but features the same mastering as version 3.
     
    john lennonist likes this.
  4. Larry Geller

    Larry Geller Surround sound lunatic

    Location:
    Bayside, NY
    The new one uses much better sources for many of the unreleased tracks, esp. Visions Of Johanna, which, on the original, sounds miles away, while on the remaster, it sounds like he's right next to you. I have versions 1 & 2. Both Box sets have now been repackaged AGAIN. Now they're in 6x12 book-style cases.
     
  5. Richard Feirstein

    Richard Feirstein New Member

    Location:
    Albany, NY
    And will there be a hybrid SACD revision. Very likely.

    Richard.
     
  6. Stateless

    Stateless New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    :rolleyes: Oh man....I am going to hold my original for now. Talk about Mixed Up Confusion. :confused: I'd like the CD size box. I wish they would make their minds up. :sigh:
     
  7. Xyzzy

    Xyzzy New Member

    Okay, now to dovetail a little bit here, is the LP version worth picking up? I see it everywhere for so cheap.
     
  8. Larry Geller

    Larry Geller Surround sound lunatic

    Location:
    Bayside, NY
    It has the same mastering & sources as the 1st CD version & the track order is compromised due to LP side restrictions. Get the new CD or wait for the SACD.
     
  9. lil.fred

    lil.fred Señor Sock

    Location:
    The East Bay
    But, the running order was developed for the LPs ; the sides have thematic centers which they're organized around. Side 1, for example, is all love songs (sincere ones). So is Side 8 except these are more rambunctious love songs. Side 2 is made up of early acoustic protest songs, only. Side 6 is all "end of relationship" songs. And so forth - divining how the sides were chosen is fun, it's a free high, and you can dance to it.
     
  10. lil.fred

    lil.fred Señor Sock

    Location:
    The East Bay
    By the way, on CD I have the original Japanese set. Is it remarkable?
     
  11. Larry Geller

    Larry Geller Surround sound lunatic

    Location:
    Bayside, NY
  12. jamesmaya

    jamesmaya Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Also, just released in the 6 x 12 "book" packaging is BOB DYLAN'S GREATEST HITS, VOL. I, II AND III. Saw it at Costco this weekend.


    Jim W.
     
  13. levi

    levi Can't Stand Up For Falling Down In Memoriam

    Location:
    North Carolina
    do versions 2 and 3 have the book and extensive liner notes that came with version 1? (the book and liner notes are as wide as the original box) I've always wondered about that.
     
  14. -Ben

    -Ben Senior Member

    Location:
    Washington DC Area
    I agree. I had the CDs from the time they were released, but when I finally got the LPs I found the each side had a nice theme that made sense. Regardless of sound, I found the LPs a more enjoyable listening experience. Who knows, maybe Classic or Sundazed will get a chance to do the vinyl with the better sources.
     
  15. Chuck

    Chuck Senior Member

    Location:
    Carmel, CA
    Does anyone have a track listing for each side of the LP set?
     
  16. czeskleba

    czeskleba Senior Member

    Location:
    Seattle
    Yeah, they have the booklet with the exact same content. It's just shrunk down to CD-size dimensions. The discs come in a clam box and then it and the booklet are enclosed in a cardboard slipcase.
     
  17. czeskleba

    czeskleba Senior Member

    Location:
    Seattle
    Here it is, with guesses about the themes of each side. Not sure about some of them:

    Side 1 (romantic love songs)
    Lay Lady Lay
    Baby Let Me Follow You Down
    If Not For You
    I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
    I'll Keep it With Mine

    Side 2 (protest songs)
    Times They Are A-Changin'
    Blowin' in the Wind
    Masters of War
    Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
    Percy's Song

    Side 3 (rock and roll)
    Mixed-up Confusion
    Tombstone Blues
    Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar
    Most Likely You Go Your Way
    Like a Rolling Stone
    Jet Pilot

    Side 4 (poetic lyrics/ "best" lyrics)
    Lay Down Your Weary Tune
    Subterranean Homesick Blues
    I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Met)
    Visions of Johanna
    Every Grain of Sand

    Side 5 (memorable characters)
    Quinn the Eskimo
    Mr. Tambourine Man
    Dear Landlord
    It Ain't Me, Babe
    You Angel You
    Million Dollar Bash

    Side 6 (break up songs)
    To Ramona
    You're a Big Girl Now
    Abandoned Love
    Tangled up in Blue
    It's All Over Now Baby Blue

    Side 7
    Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
    Positively 4th Street
    Isis
    Caribbean Wind
    Up to Me

    Side 8 (lust songs)
    Baby, I'm in the Mood for You
    I Wanna Be Your Lover
    I Want You
    Heart of Mine
    On a Night Like This
    Just Like a Woman

    Side 9
    Romance in Durango
    Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)
    Gotta Serve Somebody
    I Believe in You
    Time Passes Slowly

    Side 10 (spiritual/philosophical songs)
    I Shall Be Released
    Knockin' on Heaven's Door
    All Along the Watchtower
    Solid Rock
    Forever Young
     
  18. You already have a "good" version of the same program:
    If you see the remaster used, buy it.
    Sound on the remaster is better but not
    an additional $60 better on top of what you already paid.

    If you have never owned or heard this material,
    buy it now at any price point!!!

    The sound on the new SACD's is better, but not
    a quantum leap better than redbook cd.

    Actually, 'Biograph' on 20-bit sbm has better bass than my
    'Bringing It All Back Home' SACD.
     
  19. Chuck

    Chuck Senior Member

    Location:
    Carmel, CA
    czeskleba,
    Thanks for the track listing.
    Chuck
     
  20. Adam9

    Adam9 Русский военный корабль, иди на хуй.

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Thanks for this tip, thomoz.

    I just found a used copy of the remaster for $35 Canadian and the tracks I've listened to so far sound significantly better than on my 1st pressing set. Mixed-Up Confusion on the new set makes the old one sound draggy by comparison. The version of I Don't Believe You sounds much better too.

    Nothing to do with this thread apart from the fact that there are some Dylan songs on it, but at the same store I found a quite clean copy of a vinyl All Things Must Pass for $6 Canadian. All in all a good day!
     
  21. RDK

    RDK Active Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Ah, I just picked up the '97 remastered version the other day. I had the original CD set from when it first came out years ago, but it was stolen and all i had left was a cassette copy I made at the time. Never bothered replacing it as I already have most of Dylan's albums and a large number of boots that covered the material pretty well. But I couldn't pass it by for less than $20 used. ;)
     
  22. njwiv

    njwiv Senior Member

    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Does anyone know if the book-style/long box version that was recently reissued is the original version or the remaster? I can see no indication on the package that it is actually the remaster. Thanks!

    Jay
     
  23. NJWIV, whichever version it is, Best Buy apparently has all the Sony boxed sets for $30, so it is a bargain in any form at that price!!!
     
  24. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    I bought 'Biograph" just for "Percy's Song" alone! What a fine song:)
    I like Bob's version best, followed by Arlo's...then Fairport Convention.
     
  25. njwiv

    njwiv Senior Member

    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Thom,

    I have the earlier version (LP-sized box) already, so I'm looking for the remaster. Thanks though,

    Jay
     
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