Blondie "Parallel Lines": Different CD masterings thread

I recently picked up an older pressing of Blondie Parallel Lines, and it makes me curious about all the different CD masterings out there, so I thought I'd see if anyone was interested in exploring this topic.

This particular CD I just got is CCD 1192, made in West Germany. The copyright date shown (besides the original 1978) is 1983, but I'm skeptical that the CD is really that old. In any case, this CD does have the longer "disco version" of "Heart of Glass", although I believe that version had already become standard for the LP before CDs even appeared, so I don't know if that means much. (I think Keith has this same CD listed on his web site.)

There is a lot of info on this web site, and this particular CD I have is shown here.

Anyhow, this CD has a different mastering that other versions I own, so I though I would list what I have here. Because this CD does have a kind of early mastering sound, I am very curious to know if it's the same as other early pressings from Japan or the U.K. If it is, it might save me the trouble of buying another copy. Does anybody have another early pressing for which they would like to post peak levels?

In addition, I've listed an early USA club CD I have, which has the original "Heart of Glass" (shown here); a 1999 Japan issue which is loud but sounds very nice to me (also with the short HoG); and the much-maligned 2001 remaster.

Obviously there is the DCC, which I would love to hear and own someday, but that hasn't happened yet. For now, can anyone help me decode the various other CD masterings out there?

 

I have the USA F2 21192 (DIDX 000446) with the "short" version of Heart Of Glass, despite it claiming to feature the "Disco Version". While the catalogue number might suggest that it is related to the West German disk, the EAC values confirm that it is an exact clone of your early USA club CD.

 

Thanks. Interestingly, the page I linked to above lists the club CD and catalog number that matches mine, but none of the three images it links to shows a CD with that number... but it does show yours!

 

I'm confused by this claim on the site.

I have always been under the impression that the VK releases were before the F2 releases. Can a US. member confirm which is correct please?

 

Here are the peak levels for the Japan 1st pressing, catalog #CP32-5349, not listed on the above linked site. Also, the track listing is different on this one.

Track 1 (Heart Of Glass)
Peak level 99.5 %
Track quality 99.9 %

Track 2 (Denis)
Peak level 98.0 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 3 (The Tide Is High)
Peak level 98.0 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 4 (In The Flesh)
Peak level 100.0 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 5 (Sunday Girl)
Peak level 96.0 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 6 (Dreaming)
Peak level 100.0 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 7 (Hanging On The Telephone)
Peak level 82.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 8 (Rapture)
Peak level 100.0 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 9 (Picture This)
Peak level 95.8 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 10 (Union City Blues)
Peak level 89.1 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 11 ([I'm Always Touched By Your] Presence Dear)
Peak level 100.0 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 12 (Call Me)
Peak level 90.2 %
Track quality 100.0 %

Track 13 (Atomic)
Peak level 90.2 %
Track quality 99.9 %

Track 14 (Rip Her To Shreds)
Peak level 89.4 %
Track quality 100.0 %

 

Dave, those are the tracks from Best Of. Might you have some levels for the Japan 1st press of Parallel Lines?

 

Mine is a US pressed VK release and has the black printing. The track listing and the disc label itself both claim to have the Disco Version of "Heart of Glass", but it's in fact the standard short version.

 

Oops, that'll teach me to read two Blondie threads at once. Sorry, I don't have it.

 

Oh, and I agree with your confusion Dave. That site claims that a blue printed Chrysalis CD came before a black printed one. We all know that's not the case. All the first issue Chrysalis CDs, at least those sold in the U.S., had black silkscreen printing. The blue printing came later.

That site shows the early U.S. issues here. The one I have is the second one of the three, and I'm sure it's really the first issue.

 

The same as all VK CD pressings on Chrysalis. These VK pressings certainly look older than the F2 pressings that do not come with the compact disc logo on the front of their booklets like the VK's have.

EDIT: Thanks Joel, I see your post above now.

 

Yeah, mine is a BMG CD like the third one , but it has the black printing.

 

This discussion implies that the first pressings have the long "disco version" of HoG. Am I getting that right?

By the way, how are you sure that your CD is "really the first issue"? I have no reason to doubt you -- I'm just curious. Are you able to post peak levels for it?

If it's not obvious, I am starting to wonder if various "first pressings" worldwide are (a) the same mastering, (b) have the long HoG "disco version", (c) are the same as my West German CD.

 

No, it's not the "disco version". But the label and the track listing on the back of the case says that it is. It was a mislabeling that lasted a long time.

When I bought it, it was the only Blondie CD available besides "Best Of" (which was the very first Blondie CD issued AFAIK). I'll see what I can post later this evening. It's not an actual first pressing (at least I'm pretty sure it's not), but it is among the early pressings.

 

Quickly, here's my copy - VK 41192 DIDX 446

Track 1
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Hanging On The Telephone.wav

Peak level 49.8 %
Track quality 99.9 %
Copy CRC C6AD83A8
Copy OK

Track 2
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\One Way Or Another.wav

Peak level 62.1 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC 979B24F3
Copy OK

Track 3
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Picture This.wav

Peak level 52.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC 61F2452B
Copy OK

Track 4
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Fade Away And Radiate.wav

Peak level 52.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC 038FCE61
Copy OK

Track 5
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Pretty Baby.wav

Peak level 45.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC 3BA2CB2B
Copy OK

Track 6
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\I Know But I Don't Know.wav

Peak level 56.1 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC AC82F67A
Copy OK

Track 7
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\11-59.wav

Peak level 51.3 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC 02E5B9FB
Copy OK

Track 8
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Will Anything Happen.wav

Peak level 43.6 %
Track quality 99.9 %
Copy CRC 41E5F121
Copy OK

Track 9
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Sunday Girl.wav

Peak level 52.4 %
Track quality 99.9 %
Copy CRC 753A5E4F
Copy OK

Track 10
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Heart Of Glass.wav

Peak level 45.7 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC 7215D538
Copy OK

Track 11
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\I'm Gonna Love You Too.wav

Peak level 46.3 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC C0E08FB4
Copy OK

Track 12
Filename C:\My Documents\Music Files\Blondie\Parallel Lines\Just Go Away.wav

Peak level 53.2 %
Track quality 100.0 %
Copy CRC 960D6D9E
Copy OK

 

Thanks! You might have noticed that it's the same as my club CD that I listed at the top. This is good to know -- since it deters me from buying a bunch of other club CDs out of curiosity.

I gotta say I'm still quite curious about the timeline on these releases, though. These U.S. releases are probably fairly early, but it seems like there's always an earlier pressing from Japan. That web page shows the first Japanese pressing as 1989, and that seems late. But who knows?

 

As a Blondie collector and avid fan, it's always been my impressiong that the earliest Blondie Chrysalis CDs in the United States were in fact 1983 pressings. Two of them having different catalog numbers and one having the orginal LP version while the other one having the Disco Version. The other Blondie albums were put out on disc from Chrysalis in 1985. So the poster before assuming the Best Of and Parallel Lines were the only ones available for a while are correct. The Best & Parallel lines were also reissued in 1985 and 1990 respectively. The US 12 track Best Of CD currently still in print & circulation still says copyright of 1981, 1990 Chrysalis Records.

Most audiophiles will agree in most cases that Japanese pressings tend to sound better then regular Issue US pressings. Must be with the equipment used. I have no idea why but it has been proven time and again in comparisson. I don't own any of the Japanese pressings so i can't say for sure about Parallel Lines or the Best Of.

I do own however the 1983 UK pressing & the 1990 standard re-issue of The Best Of Blondie & the 1990 Parallel Lines re-isssue with the blue printing on the CDs.
It has also been my understanding through my own research that most of the first pressings/issues were the original LP/Short version of Heart of Glass and some of the later pressings with the Disco Version. I believe one of the issues in 1983 (the West German) and the 1985 version have the Disco Version. My 1990 standard (non-club) re-issue says (Disco Version) on the sleeves but is in fact the short version.

My 1990 Best Of has better sound than the 1983 UK pressing even though the peak levels are low on the 1990 Best of, the sound is rich and spread out with warmth too it whereas the 1983 disc is a little louder wiht the plainest stereo mastering. I'm sorry I do not have peak level images to show for comparrison.

You can also look up catalog numbers and issues on the Blondie Discography website here:
http://www.recmod.com/albums-cd/parallela.html

 

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to have to pick these up!

 

FTW DCC parallel lines.

 

Picked up Nimbus pressings of this and "The Best Of" for a £1.00 each,sound rather good.

 

Can you post EAC levels from the UK Nimbus CD of 'Parallel Lines' you mentioned above?

 

Will try later.

 

The DR numbers are interesting, but not something you should base buying decisions on except maybe not to buy the horrible ones. Anything close is likely to other factors that are more important.

 

Here you go:

Track 1 - 91.4
Track 2 - 95.9
Track 3 - 91.0
Track 4 - 83.2
Track 5 - 79.8
Track 6 - 81.7
Track 7 - 100.0
Track 8 - 80.0
Track 9 - 98.5
Track 10 - 91.5
Track 11 - 84.4
Track 12 - 89.9

 

Hi, could you tell me whether your UK edition of Parallel Lines has the long or short version of "Heart of Glass"? Thanks!

 

Hi..
I have the CDP32 1192-2 UK Nimbus pressed CD with the black printing on the disc.

The length of Heart of Glass on my CD is 5:47.

The dates listed on the cover are 1978 & 1983.

I picked up this disc around 1988

Hope this helps