Blood on the Tracks -- new versions?

Norm Apter
Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
edited October 2009 in Music & Movies
A few days ago I put an old issue of Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks CD, after not listening to it for several years, and was struck both by how poor the sound quality was but at the same time how much I enjoyed the actual songs (might just be my favorite of his)

I see on Amazon that the disc has been re-released a few times in recent years: 2004 remaster and 2003 hybrid / SACD.

Knowing that all remasters aren't necessarily always an improvement, I'm wondering if any of y'all have listened to either of these more recent pressings and have any impressions of the sound quality.
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Comments

  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited October 2009
    Yes the new SACD pressings are very good. "Blood on The Tracks" rocks in Multichannel. And yes, "Blood" is IMHO the best Dylan, right up there with "Highway 61", also available in SACD (stereo)
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited October 2009
    I've compared the Redbook layer of the BOTT SACD to a regular Redbook version...the SACD redbook layer was MUCH better. It clears up a lot of the tape hiss and brings a lot of parts much more forward in the mix...

    I've never heard the SACD layer though, so I can't vouch for that.
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited October 2009
    Yes, the new versions clean up real good. The SACD "Blood" puts Dylan's vocal , harmonica & guitar work up front with the band nicely filling in the surrounds. On top of that, the Dylan vocals (at least for me) sound really strong & mature, not shrill.
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited October 2009
    I was just last night listening to Bob Dylan's Infidels. This album was produced by Mark Knopfler and features him on electric guitar. In my mind a very under rated Dylan album, plus the sound is excellent as well. Give it a listen.
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited October 2009
    Fongolio wrote: »
    I was just last night listening to Bob Dylan's Infidels. This album was produced by Mark Knopfler and features him on electric guitar. In my mind a very under rated Dylan album, plus the sound is excellent as well. Give it a listen.

    Will do, spent most of my listening to BD on earlier stuff, however have heard nothing but good about Infidels. By the way, even though his voice is cranky & old sounding, "Modern Times" is really good.
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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited October 2009
    OK, looks like the SACD it is. Since posting here, I have heard from others elsewhere about how engaging the SACD is, reaffirming many of the comments above.

    Additionally, I have come across a set of alternative sessions known on the street as "Blood on the Tapes," I believe. These tracks were laid down in New York (not Minnesota) and can be found on the "internets" Listening to this version right now and it sounds mighty fine. Maybe just as good as, or better than the commercially-released album. Check it.

    Thanks for the recommendation on the Infidels.
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