"Blood On The Tracks" by BOB DYLAN (2012 Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Audiophile CD Reissue - ULTRADISC UHR GAIN 2 Remaster in Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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BLOW BY BLOW - 1975

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"…In The Tall Grass…In The Ones I Love…"

The undisputed singer-songwriter champ/people's poet of the Sixties was all but commercially washed up by 1974. Neither the weedy "Dylan" from 1973 nor "Planet Waves" from 1974 were good as whole albums - with that old melody/lyrical magic only sporadically evident on songs like "Spanish Is The Loving Tongue" and "Knocking On Heaven's Door". A pointless live double "Before The Flood" with The Band followed in July of 1974 and smacked of contract filler damaging his reputation further. But come early the following year - all that lost faith was about to change...

Fast forward to April 1975 - and I'm scouring the singles boxes in Dublin's cool and trendy Dandelion Market (a sort of indoor Camden Town). Dealers would collect ex chart singles that were a few weeks past their sell-by-date from the city's abundant record shops and flog them for 50p or less. New and in their label bags - you'd pick up deals and take chances on new names. So I'm flicking through the Dawn and Bell label bubble gum pop when I spot "Tangled Up In Blue" by Bob Dylan on its Orange and Yellow CBS Records label (3160). I paid my 50p, took it home and hoped for the best when I put the needle down. My jaw promptly fell to the kitchen lino...and in many unhygienic ways...its been there ever since...

There can't be too many Dylan nuts who don't worship at the feet of CBS Records S 69097 and Columbia PC 33235 released January 1975 in the States and February 1975 in the UK. Charted at 4 in Blighty but going all the way to the top in America - "Blood On The Tracks" signalled that the man was back - and how. In all truth he hadn't sounded this vital (or confused) since "Blonde On Blonde" in 1966.

Let's get to the CD - two standard versions in 1989 and 1993 preceded the real deal - a proper remaster on a 2003 Columbia SACD Hybrid CD that contained both an SACD layer and a Standard STEREO mix. Easily available in a glossy card digipak - it has beautiful sound quality and should be enough for most. But this is Bob Dylan's "Blood On The Tracks" and if I can attain another microscopic ounce of audio quality out of yet another release - I'm gonna spend money on that sucker. So I bought this gorgeous USA-Only Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab audiophile pressing - and I'm thrilled I did. Here are the buckets of rain...

1. Tangled Up In Blue

2. Simple Twist Of Faith

3. You're A Big Girl Now

4. Idiot Wind

5. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

6. Meet Me In The Morning [Side 2]

7. Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts

8. If You See Her, Say Hello

9. Shelter From The Storm

10. Buckets Of Rain

USA released November 2012 (February 2013 in the UK) - this issue of "Blood On The Tracks" is an "Original Master Recording" CD on Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab UDSACD 2098 (Barcode 821797209861). An Audiophile Hybrid Edition - it has both SACD and DSD CD layers and does not require an SACD player for playback (it will automatically default to the DSD CD layer once in standard machines). The transfer from the original master tapes used Mobile Fidelity's patented ULTRADISC UHR GAIN 2 Remaster System with mastering by ROB LoVERDE (assisted by SHAWN R. BRITTON). It's a straightforward 10-track transfer of the album at 51:48 minutes housed in oversized hard card repro artwork. An inner gatefold black and gold card sleeve houses the gold CD (itself in a gauze protective) and there's a numbered (embossed) square on the rear cover.

When you first hear the opening triple-whammy of brilliance - "Tangled Up In Blue", "Simple Twist Of Faith" and "You're A Big Girl Now" - the differences to my ear are the acoustic guitars and the beautiful clarity to the bass - they're floating around the room but not drowning out his impassioned vocals. The high hats and drum taps on "Big Girl" are crystal clear but again they're not amped to a point where they take over. It's properly beautiful stuff.

And as everyone now knows the album revolved around the dissolution of his marriage - so the lyrics and songs flit between apathy and stupor ("Meet Me In The Morning") to slighting bitterness ("Idiot Wind") and a sort of hurting reconciliation ("If You See Her, Say Hello"). But then they come roaring back to simplicity and lingering affection ("Shelter From The Storm" and "Buckets Of Rain"). Dylan ends Side 1 with the short but oh so sweet "You're Gonna Make Lonesome When You Go". It's typical of the album - confessional yet still guarded - its Sixties throwback sound and vocals has to be one of his loveliest songs -with lyrical rhymes that thrill to this day (words from it title this review). The smacking of the acoustic guitar strings on "Buckets Of Rain" have fabulous clarity and that double bass in the background is warm and full too. Wonderfully done...

In some respects it's a shame Columbia simply don't just get on with it and do a DELUXE EDITION of this most iconic of his albums - maybe they will with its 40th Anniversary looming in 2015. There are two outtakes on Biograph and a further four on "The Bootleg Series Volumes 1 - 3" and with the original withdrawn album mix - would make a corker of a reissue.

In the meantime - if it's the best sound you want - then the spondulicks spent on this lovely reissue of "Blood On The Tracks" will pay dividends...

"Living In The Past" by JETHRO TULL (1997 US-Only Mobile Fidelity Ultradisc-2 Original Mastering Recording 2CD Remasters With Both US and UK LP Track Lists) - A Review By Mark Barry...

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"…And Above You…There's No Other…"

In 2015 fans of the 2LP compilation set “Living In The Past” find themselves sandwiched between a Ford Anglia and a Rolls Royce (no offence to Anglia owners). This double is still the one hole in Jethro Tull's catalogue from those classic years as yet untouched by the magical knob-twiddling genius of Steve Wilson. You can buy it in only two versions - a horrible truncated single-disc from way back in 1990 with yuck sound - or this - the uber-expensive but uber-desirable Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab 2CD remaster (now deleted and very costly). Some history is needed to explain…

The 2LP set "Living In The Past" was first issued in July 1972 in the UK on Chrysalis CJT 1 and October 1972 in the USA on Chrysalis 2CH 1035 - both originals sporting hardback book sleeves with 12 pages of colour shots inside. The set's title reflected what was within - a ragbag of previously released album tracks bolstered up with new live and studio songs, rare single sides and their non-album flips. This 2CD version pans out as follows...

Released Stateside in September 1997 on Mobile Fidelity UDCD 2708 (Barcode 015775470828) — this 'full' 2CD version is an audiophile issue - an ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING housed in a card wrap with two gold ULTRADISC-2 CDs in two separate lift-lock CD cases inside. The detached oversized booklet slotted in beside the CDs replicates entirely the packaging and liner notes of the original double vinyl album - right down to the book texture feel of the front and rear sleeve. Nice touches it has to be said and the oversized nature of the booklet makes it a far better read that standard CD jewel case fare. However, the liner notes get some details wrong which need clarifying...

  

Disc 1 (42:55 minutes):

1. Song For Jeffrey [Side 1]

2. Love Story 

3. Christmas Song

4. Living In The Past 

5. Driving Song 

6. Bouree

7. Sweet Dream [Side 2]

8. Sing All Day 

9. Teacher 

10. Witch's Promise 

11. Inside 

12. Alive And Well And Living In 

13. Just Trying To Be 

Although the original double vinyl album had twelve songs on both sides of the pond - you will notice that Disc 1 has 13 tracks and not 12. The reason for the extra song is that, "Inside" (from the "Benefit" LP) appeared as track 5 on Side 2 of the original UK issue - but the US variant replaced that track with "Alive And Well And Living In" (another "Benefit" track in the UK and the B-side to the UK 7" single of "Inside"). Both have been included on this 2CD set for completeness. Tracks 1 to 11 and 13 make up the 12 tracks of Side 1 and 2 of the original UK double album using strict sequencing - the US variant is sequenced using Tracks 1 to 10 with 12 and 13.

Disc 2 (45:35 minutes):

1. By Kind Permission Of [Side 3 - Both 1 and 2 Are Live]

2. Dharma For One 

3. Wond'ring Aloud [Side 4]

4. Hymn 43

5. Locomotive Breath 

6. Life Is A Long Song 

7. Up The Pool 

8. Dr. Bogenbroom 

9. From Later 

10. Nursie 

Like Disc 1 - Disc 2 also has an extra track. Track 5 is "Locomotive Breath" from the "Aqualung" LP - it appeared as Track 2 on Side 4 of the original UK issue. However, the US variant replaced this with another cut from "Aqualung" - "Hymn 43" - again both tracks are included on the Mobile Fidelity issue for completeness. Tracks 1 to 3 and 5 to 10 make up the 9 tracks of Side 3 and 4 of the original UK double album using strict sequencing - Tracks 1 to 4 and 6 to 10 for the US variant.

To confuse matters further - the ok-sounding official 1990 EMI release of "Living In The Past" on CD is a truncated single disc...so this US-only Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab issue is the only way to get the full double in one place - and more importantly - with great sound.

Speaking of which - when I compare "Locomotive Breath" and "Hymn 43" on the 1996 "Aqualung" remaster to these MF versions - the difference couldn't be more marked. As every Tull fan knows the early "Aqualung" remaster was one of the worst and dullest of issues - these MF versions leap out of the speakers - although I’d have to say that Wilson's 2011 remaster now has the edge. As the recordings vary from 1968 to 1971, the sound does so too, but the Mobile issue still excels on them all - especially the beautiful acoustic turns "Just Trying To Be” and "Up The 'Pool". In fact - excepting the excessive two live tracks, which took up all of Side 3, it's amazing how well the whole set holds together - even to this day. I've always loved the way this double-album plays - it works. Lyrics from "Love Story" title this review…

If you're not bothered about owning the two Live cuts "By Kind Permission Of" and "Dharma For One" - then eagle-eyed fans will know that with the quality reissues of "Stand Up", "Benefit" and "Aqualung" - you can sequence Steve Wilson remasters of all the key studio tracks. But the bottom line is that if you want really great sound ‘and’ the full compliment - then this now deleted Mobile Fidelity 2CD set is the only place to get it. It’s just such a damn shame that in 2015 - it costs so bloody much. Time for a Super Deluxe Edition of "Living In The Past" methinks - and what a mouth-watering (and wallet-depleting) thought that is…

PS: see also my reviews for JETHRO TULL's "This Was: Collector's Edition" and "The 50th Anniversary Edition", "Benefit" and "Aqualung: 40th Anniversary Edition" in Original and Reissue Forms...

"Abraxas" by SANTANA - September 1970 US Second Studio LP on Columbia Records (2008 US Mobile Fidelity ULTRADISC II 24-Carat Gold Audiophile CD In Mini LP Repro Artwork with Poster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Is That You?"

There is a long line of classic Rock albums given multiple CD reissues with each issue claiming to be sonically better than the last – and Santana’s 2^nd album "Abraxas" from 1970 is no different. To my knowledge this is reissue number 4 – a 1980’s basic version best forgotten, a 1991 Mobile Fidelity ULTRADISC II audiophile CD remaster (UDCD 552), followed by a 2003 Song Legacy CD with 3 bonus live tracks and a proper Vic Anesini Remaster - and now this – a second MOFI Original Master Recording Audiophile CD in 2008 using their GAIN 2 SYSTEM transfer. Here are the naked lady details…

US released April 2008 – "Abraxas" by SANTANA on Mobile Fidelity UDCD 775 (Barcode 821797077569) comes in over-sized hard-card repro packaging that mimics the September 1970 original US LP – gatefold sleeve and all (37:30 minutes). 

 

It was originally released September 1970 in the USA on Columbia KC 30130 and November 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 64087 (in a single sleeve without a poster – American originals had a beautiful black and white foldout poster of the six-piece band that is unfortunately AWOL in this repro). 

 

This Mobile Fidelity CD is a 24-Carat Gold Audiophile issue – itself housed in a protective gauze sleeve within a black and gold gatefold card inner that gives detailed information about their ULTRADISC II range and their patented GAIN 2 SYSTEM of remastering from the first generation Original Master Tape. It’s a limited edition and numbered on the rear in gold (up to 10,000).

1. Singing Winds, Crying Beasts [Side 1]

2. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen

3. Oye Coma Va

4. Incident At Neshabur

5. Se A Cabo [Side 2]

6. Mother's Daughter

7. Samba Pa Ti

8. Hope You're Feeling Better

9. El Nicoya

Mobile Fidelity used to only use lift-lock jewel cases with barely any reference to the original packaging – but in the last six or seven years – most of their ULTRADISC II releases now come in these aesthetically pleasing card repro sleeves that at least give some recognition of the original artwork. It has to be said MOFI's improved efforts still don't really hold a candle against the superlative Japanese reissues on SHM-CD, SACD and now Platinum SHM-CD (they seem to have card repros down to a very fine art). 

 

The most obvious thing about this new issue is that you can barely read the album title on the famous and striking MATI painting that adorns the cover. The wordless colour photo that spread across the inner gatefold of original American LPs is here (with some new wording on it) but what would it have taken to reproduce the lovely poster as a separate foldout inlay? Instead we get a pointless gatefold colour repro of the album artwork again (albeit without the album title and with more readable songwriting credits).

ROB LoVERDE and SHAWN R. BRITTON carried out the remaster at Mobile’s studios in Sebastopol, California using their GAIN 2 SYSTEM. According to the Net and discussion forums the big news is (although it doesn’t say this anywhere on the packaging) that a mastertape has been found that precedes all others and apparently has for the first time the ‘right’ STEREO channel separation on it (left and right) – whereas all previous issues (including their own) used the old ‘wrong’ version with the channels arse-about-face. Certainly the sonic results are impressive – especially in the dense bottom end of Bass and Percussion.

The opening piano, high hat and percussion tinkles rattling out of "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts" (written by the band's Conga player Mike Carabello) is newly clear and when the rhythm section kicks in – the bass and congas are fabulous (there is hiss at the outset but it dissipates). It segues into the double cover version of "Black Magic Woman" (Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac) and "Gypsy Queen" (a Gabor Szabo song). The vocals are great and that big guitar break half way through is now muscular as it assaults your speakers. The funky single "Oye Coma Va" (a Tito Puente song) is probably best on here sonically – second only to that great bedsit-shagging song "Samba Pa Ti". The wonderful instrumental "Samba Pa Ti" is hissy but still full of extraordinary presence (millions of babies ahoy).

Both the Jose 'Chepito' Areas songs "Se A Cabo" (the rough translation from Spanish is "it's over") and the album finisher "El Nicoya" have great percussion definition even as Carlos lets it rip. The more rocky Gregg Rolie songs – "Mother's Daughter" and "Hope You're Feeling Better" break up the Latin rhythms nicely – and as the band lets fly – the guitars are suitably chunky and the vocals good too.

This is an impressive release – and makes me want to invest in the MOFI reissues of their 1969 debut and especially 1972's "Caravanserai" with its gorgeous "Song Of The Wind".

Is it worth the few extra quid - those hard-earned bucks? Absolutely. This a truly beautiful and full-bodied Remaster and if you have any love for the album, this is the absolute bizz-schnizz...