new Bob Dylan remasters: meisterwerks for the 21st century or Evil Pointless Cash-ins?

However, the original issue of Blonde On Blonde was supposedly notioriously bad even by the low standards of the original Dylan CD releases. Apparently it actually faded out 'Sad Eyed Lady Of The Low Lands' early (an editorial decision?)

I only have Between the Buttons (great, great album) and I'm still getting used to the *new* sound. I'm still figuring out exactly what's been done. Jagger sounds louder and certain instruments sound louder too - piano for one. There's also masses more apparant separation and 'space'- I think.

I can't imagine that could possibly sound as good as remastering it directly from the original master tapes. If you want to listen to it in mono, you could always press the mono button on your stereo, right? Or this some other subtle benefit of the mono version that I'm missing?

i suppose i would have liked session information and so forth, but that might have simply been distracting and anyhow the information is easily available on the interweb. i should also note that yet another volume of the "bootleg series" comes out later this year (it's the halloween eve concert with joan baez, from 1964 i believe) and more are planned, so those eager for "new" bob dylan material need only wait. and of course there's the plethera of actual bootlegs for you to explore.

that said, i hope they use these remasters as an opportunity to revisit "the basement tapes." the original release was sort of hedged--several of the songs are actually studio demos by the band from after their big pink recordings with dylan. i believe these were put in because at the time (1974-75) the band had a lot of cachet and were able to demand several tunes with non-dylan vocals so that it could be properly advertised as a joint release. since the record was something of a compilation to begin with (and at the time of its release, many people had heard much more of the real basement tapes than was placed on the record via the earliest LP bootlegs) it doesn't seem like severe revisionism to add a few things. but i doubt it will happen.

my problem with the packaging of the new cds are some rather poor design choices for the back covers and interior photos. as fabrice notes a certain kind of historical fidelity was obviously a priority, but it is violated in rather slapdash ways. note: as part of the authenticity program they did include the horrendous liner notes to "blood on the tracks," for better or worse.

the terrible liner notes for "blood on the tracks" are still in the new issue, reflecting either the producers' dedication to historical fidelity or bob's continuing lapses in good taste, or both.

Has already happened.

"Up" by Peter Gabriel was re-released on SACD in 5:1 surround around 2-3 weeks after its original release. :-)

The others are essential. I am so thankful I waited to upgrade my Dylan stuff until now because the sound is killer.

Bonus tracks are also GREAT. But what I like is when they just make it a two disc set--one disc as the original album and then another disc with curios. Keep them separate.

Does anyone know anything about these new editions? The remastering is dated 2003 and is credited to someone called Peter Calb (I think?). They are not SACD, and are being sold at budget price.Has anyone heard them? Are they any good? Most of my Dylan collection is still on vinyl as I was warned off buying his CDs due to the poor mastering job on the initial batch, so I'd appreciate some advice on this.

it's kind of weird when you realize one of your favouritest albums ever used to sound kinda like garbage... but it's a good feeling too.