Audio: International Album Releases (Regular)

Highway 61 Revisited (1965)

This page is part of a new section of original releases by release date of international commercially-released regular stereo Dylan albums. They do not contain rarities or obscurities and are not eligible for the Searching For A Gem list. Nevertheless, their interest value or scarcity means they're worth listing here - as far as I know some are not included on any other Internet site. Promo releases of regular albums are now listed here and not in the yearly Promo sections.

This page is still incomplete - more entries required. For releases of this album in CBS/Columbia multi-packs, see International Album Releases (Regular) - Multi-Packs.

Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits (1967)

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Original US stereo 2LP set, Columbia C2S 841, 16 May 1966.
This release date is disputed by many contemporaries, who think it was actually released no earlier than June 1966 or even early July. It may be that this was the official release date, but production problems with what was at that time a unique double album with a gatefold sleeve delayed the album's appearance in stores.

The front photograph is by Jerry Schatzberg. For the original inner gatefold with the deleted pictures see The Blonde On Blonde Missing Pictures.

For mono releases of this album, see Mono Album Releases. For details of rarities in mono and stereo vinyl releases, see 1966 Blonde On Blonde Rarities. Also see 1966 Blonde On Blonde Rarities for CD versions with differences from the "standard" US commercial CD (up to Sep 2003). For an 8-track release with a shortened Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands, see 1974.

For information on differences between the various releases of this album, see Roger Ford's "Electric Dylan" web-site .

Jason Spradlin has a copy of a 1966 release with "Stuck Inside Of Memphis With The" on the record label of Side 2 but "Memphis Blues Again" on the inner sleeve, matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM113765-3A, Side 2  XSM113766-2A, Side 3  XSM113765-2D, Side 2  XSM113765-2H. Thanks to Janice Bernath for scans of this release.

Henry V. Bell has a copy of the second stereo mix of this album with red Columbia labels with the "STEREO/360º SOUND" logos in white, and matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM 113765-3D, Side 2 - XSM 113766-3D, Side 3 - XSM 113767-3D, Side 4 - XSM 113767-2K.

The photo submitted by Bruce from the USA shows a label with white "STEREO"/"360° SOUND"/arrows logo and Bob's name above the album title. The Side 2 scan from Frank of London shows Bob's name below the album title. Track 2 is mistitled "Stuck Inside Of Memphis With The" (as Jason Spradlin's copy) and the title of track 3 is lower case. Peter Stone Brown says that the first release of the album had track 2 as "Memphis Blues Again" - this may be the second US release, although Hans Seegers thinks this copy may come from Canada.

Charlie Pritchard used to work in the HMV record shop in London and has a late 1970s release of C2S 841 stickered for sale in the UK, where Columbia traded as CBS.

Robert Kornovich has several copies of the US stereo pressing with no song titles on the inside of the gatefold. This appears to be deliberate, not a misprint. The records have matrix number ending 3A, 3A, 2D and 2C respectively. The gatefold is of the type where the artwork is on paper pasted on to card, not printed onto white card directly. The records are in generic square paper inner sleeves (not semi-circular clear plastic sleeves as with earlier copies).

Thanks also to Robert Kornovich for the pictures of the labels from the Canadian stereo releases.

The later release records are different in that the first record has a catalogue number of CS 9316 only (C2S 841 is not shown) and track timings. The second record has the catalogue number C2S 841 with CS 9317 underneath it, and no track timings.

The first release of the album (the copy owned by Mick Robinson) used a stereo label with the same design as the first mono label, with "BLONDE ON BLONDE" above "BOB DYLAN", with "Record 1" etc. on the right, and showing the record speed as just "33" (see below). The album owned by Henry V. Bell was bought at Christmas 1967 and has "BOB DYLAN" at the top above the album title and "Record 1" etc. and the speed shown as "33¹/₃". Although the matrix numbers of this copy are SDDP 66012 A1/B1/C1/D1, which would indicate a first pressing, this is still a re-release. Hans Seegers has a first release copy of the album with a promo sticker listing the track titles, see below.

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1967 Side 1 label with "33¹/₃" in large text, scan by Henry V. Bell

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1967 Side 2 label, scan by Henry V. Bell

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1967 Side 3 label, scan by Henry V. Bell

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1968-69 gold foil stereo sticker on rear sleeve (my copy, battered!)

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1968-69 Side 1 label with "33¹/₃" in smaller text

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1968-69 release front cover detail showing logo at 90º to picture of Bob

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1968-69 Side 2 label

CBS SDDP 66012 (UK) - 1968-69 Side 4 label

The 1968-69 design also has  "BOB DYLAN" above "BLONDE ON BLONDE" with "Record 1" etc. below, and again shows the record speed as "33¹/₃". The 1967 label has "33¹/₃" in larger text than the one used in 1968-69 (see details below). My copy, which is a replacement bought after the original was stolen in May 1968, has much paler orange labels than the earlier release - thanks to Roger Ford for confirmation that this was indeed the case. My copy's matrix numbers are: SDDP 66012 A2/B1/C3/D1.

Thanks to Hans Seegers, Mick Robinson, Henry V. Bell and Gavin Whitehouse for information, photo and scans.

The 1980s set has orange/yellow CBS labels. Of interest are the paper inner sleeves, which have text announcing their replacement of the polythene bags previously used for Australian vinyl releases.

Thanks to Stuart Moore, Peter Lindberg and Robert Kornovich for information and scans.

CBS S2BP 220019/SBP-233346 (Australia) - Side 3 scan by Stuart Moore (late 1960s release)

Thanks to Peter Lindberg for information and photos.

CBS SBP-473314/473315 (New Zealand) - inside of gatefold sleeve, photo by Peter Lindberg

The record has plain red US-style labels with three CBS logos and the white STEREO "360° SOUND" logo. It has matrix numbers XSM-113765/66/67/68.

Thanks to Gerard for the photos and to Hans Seegers for further exrensive information.

Thanks to Hans Seegers and Scott Smith for information and scans.

CBS YS-748-C (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Scott Smith (promo release)

Roger Ford says the only copy he's seen of the separate release of disc 1 had the "revised" stereo mix released in the USA in 1968. Thanks to Hans Seegers for information and scans. Thanks also to Ulf Gyllenspetz.

Thanks to Robert Kornovich for information and scans.

CBS/Sony SONP 50158-159, 1968
CBS/Sony SOPI 3-4, Dec 1973
CBS/Sony SOPJ 47-48, 1974
CBS/Sony 40AP 274-5, 1978

SONP 50158-159 was the second Japanese release of Blonde On Blonde - the album was originally released in Japan in two parts: Record 1 - Rainy Day Women 12 & 35: Bob Dylan/Vol. 5, CBS YS-672-C, Sep 1966; Record 2 - Blonde On Blonde: Bob Dylan! Vol. 6, CBS YS-748-C, Mar 1967. I now know that all these releases used the 1966 US mix, and that SONP 50158-159 did not have not original mixes as originally reported.

Thanks to Roger Ford and Hans Seegers for the information, and to Hans Seegers, Seiji Murata and Robert Kornovich for pictures.

CBS/Sony SONP 50159 (Japan, 1968) - Side 4 scan by Seiji Murata

The 1972 release had orange 1960s-style CBS labels. The records were switched, so that the regular Sides 1 and 2 were on Record 2 and the regular Sides 3 and 4 were on Record 1! The records were in printed inner sleeves with the English lyrics and there was also a double-sided insert with text about the album and reviews in Spanish.

The records of the 1975 release had orange/yellow 1970s-style labels, and were the right way round. The 1975 release also had the 1972 insert.

Thanks to Hans Seegers and Juan B. Heinink for information and to Hans Seegers for scans.

CBS S 66012 (Spain) - inside gatefold scan by Hans Seegers (1972 release)

CBS S 66012 (Spain) - detail of inside gatefold with info about free single, scan by Hans Seegers (1972 release)

It comes in a slipcase with a black cartridge with two labels (the rear label folds over the end as on two of the three Bringing It All Back Home examples above).

Thanks to Thomas Wilmeth for the information and to Hans Seegers for further information and scans.

Note that Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again is on the fourth track with Sad Eyed Lady of The Lowlands, and mistitled "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The" (repeating a mistake from the first US release). For a British release with the error "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With Thee", see The Blonde On Blonde Missing Pictures.

Columbia 18 20 0012 (USA) - end scan by Hans Seegers (folded label)

Thanks to Goran Ekberg for information and photos.

Thanks to Henry V. Bell for information and scans. He adds "The quality is surprisingly good and it sports the original UK stereo mix identical to my stereo LP which was replaced by the updated mix in the UK about 1982".

CBS 40 22130 (UK) - cassette Side 1, scan by Henry V. Bell (1970s release)

Thanks to David Burgess for information and scans.

CBS 40 22130 (UK) - cassette Side 1 scan by David Burgess (1980s release)

(R-0063, an alternate mix of 4th Time Around without the harmonium-sounding keyboard instrument, appeared on the first French vinyl release, see 1966 Blonde On Blonde Rarities.)

Thanks to Jean-Luc Sarrabayrouse for the information that there are two different sleeves for this album - the first variant has openings for the records on the outsides of the gatefold sleeve as normal, but there is also a variant where the openings are in the centre of the gatefold sleeve, at the centre fold.

Information, scans and photos from Hans Seegers, Ulf Gyllenspetz and Dietmar Petschl.

Globus International 21 065-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - Side 1 photo by Ulf Gyllenspetz

Globus International 21 065-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - Side 2 photo by Ulf Gyllenspetz

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - Side 3 photo by Ulf Gyllenspetz

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - Side 4 photo by Ulf Gyllenspetz

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - blue multicoloured vinyl Side 3 scan by Hans Seegers (promo release)

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - blue multicoloured vinyl Side 3 scan by Hans Seegers (promo release)

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - red multicoloured vinyl Side 3 scan by Hans Seegers (commercial release)

Globus International 21 065-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - blue vinyl Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (commercial release)

Globus International 21 065-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - pink vinyl Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (commercial release)

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - yellow vinyl Side 3 scan by Hans Seegers (commercial release)

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - green vinyl Side 3 scan by Dietmar Petschl (commercial release)

Globus International 21 066-1 312 (Czechoslovakia) - green vinyl Side 4 scan by Dietmar Petschl (commercial release)

Side 1 - 08 45860 20 1A1 SVLP063
Side 2 - 08 45860 20 1B1 SVLP063
Side 3 - 08 45860 20 1C1 SVLP063
Side 4 - 08 45860 20 1D1 SVLP063

Thanks to Patrick Helfrich for information and scans.
 

Simply Vinyl SVLP 063/Columbia 66012 (UK) - rear scan by Patrick Helfrich

Columbia CGK 841 (USA) - outside of front CD insert, scan by Rich Wong

Columbia CGK 841 (USA) - rear insert scan by Rich Wong

Thanks to Jack from Canada for information and scans.

SRCS 6157 was a mid-price release with black, red, white, blue obi with price ¥1,800. It came in a standard jewel case with a 24 page folded booklet. The CD itself was green. Hans Seegers has two copies - a promo release and the commercial release. The promo release has a numbered sticker on the rear insert and handwritten Japanese text on the clear plastic centre of the CD itself.

SRCS 7905 came in a folded card sleeve which was cased with the obi inside a hard transparent plastic sleeve. The obi was white, orange and black with black and white text and price ¥2,000. It also had a 24-page folded booklet. The CD itself was red.

SRCS 9237 came in a standard jewel case. It has a red and black obi in the "Super 1600 Nice Price" series with yellow and white text and a price of ¥1,600. Hans Seegers' copy is still sealed.

Thanks to Hans Seegers and Wil Gielen for information and scans.

Sony SRCS 6157 (Japan) - front insert scan by Hans Seegers

Sony 40DP 1029 (Japan) - rear insert scan by Wil Gielen

Sony SRCS 9237 (Japan) - sealed front scan by Hans Seegers

Sony SRCS 9237 (Japan) - obi scan by Wil Gielen

Sony SRCS 9237 (Japan) - sealed rear scan by Hans Seegers

This CD has a total length of 74 mins, unlike the edited UK release which totals 72 mins.

Information and photos from Ulf Gyllenspetz.

Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.

Columbia CDCBS 66012 (Australia)- front insert scan by Stuart Moore

Thanks to Hans Seegers for scans.

This release had a 32 page booklet, but no rear insert (to show the gold CD). It had a black and gold obi with price ¥3,200. This gold edition of the album was replaced by the 1999 Super Audio CD (SACD) release, see International Albums (Regular).

Thanks to Hans Seegers and Wil Gielen for information and scans.

SME SRCS 6682 (Japan) - disc scan by Hans Seegers

Both MiniDiscs are still sealed, so I have no information about which version of the album it might be.

Thanks to Hans Seegers and Wil Gielen for information and scans.

Sony SRYS 1214 (Japan - front scan by Wil Gielen

Columbia/Legacy 480417 2 (UK) - gold CD front insert (my copy)

Columbia/Legacy 480417 2 (UK) - gold CD slipcase back

Columbia/Legacy 480417 2 (UK) - reverse of gold CD front insert (unfolded)

This is a reissue of the 1992 gold disc release shown above. The jewel case containing this CD is in a white card slipcase with a shaped hole cut in the front that shows the gold CD itself. There's a similar hole in the rear insert. The jewel case front insert unfolds to show the second US gatefold inner sleeve design - left-hand side on the reverse, right-hand side on the front. All the colour pictures have the colour balance shifted towards yellow - this is from the original, not a fault of the scanner.

The CD was actually made in Japan and has an extra serial number DIDP 11263. This gold edition of the album was replaced by the 1999 Super Audio CD (SACD) release, see International Albums (Regular).

Columbia/Legacy 480417 2 (UK) - gold picture CD

Columbia CS 841 (USA) - slipcase front, scan by Jack from Canada

This edition of the album, which was initially only available to those who had the equipment to play SACDs, was at the time the most satisfactory stereo version so far released, even better than the Mastersound gold CD version. Before this all CD versions were thought inferior to the original mono LP mix. For the 2003 hybrid SACD release with standard stereo, SACD stereo and SACD 5.1 surround sound, see below.

Thanks to Jack from Canada for the US scans and Hans Seegers for the Japanese scans.
 

This CD came in a card sleeve reproducing the original LP artwork. What is extremely interesting is that the inside sleeve genuinely does have the original UK artwork with the picture of Claudia Cardinale, now banned in the USA - see The Blonde On Blonde Missing Pictures. It also has what appears to be the equivalent of a Japanese obi, denoting it's a Millennium Edition (there were several other CDs in this series by Columbia artists other than Dylan). Reports are that the CD itself is the same as the gold CD, even though it's silver. Thanks to Éamonn Ó Catháin for information that this release does not have CD-TEXT.

Thanks to David Burgess for information and scans.

Columbia MILLEN15 (UK) - "obi" scan by David Burgess

Columbia MILLEN15 (UK) - inside sleeve scan by David Burgess

Even though this is a silver CD, it is the same mix as the former UK gold CD (see above). Note the inside of the digipak has the original right hand picture layout with Claudia Cardinale, this time on the left.

Thanks to Roger Ford for information and scans.

Columbia 510576 2 (UK) - booklet scan by Roger Ford

Columbia 510576 2 (UK) - tray scan by Roger Ford

Columbia 510576 2 (France) - rear scan by Hans Seegers

Thanks to Hans Seegers for scans of the French release of the Millennium Edition with a unique French information sticker.