Audio: 1978 - "Masterpieces"

All the songs listed in the Official Rarities section are cross-referenced by song title in these alphabetical pages.
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Home ] Up ] 1978 "Changing Of The Guards" ] 1978 "The Last Waltz" ] [ 1978 "Masterpieces" ] 1978 "Street-Legal" ]

Because of the length of the 1978 page, this sub-page contains all the entries for this release.

If you have any entries to add to the list or additions/corrections to existing entries, please let me know! Please note I cannot value your Dylan rarities - see the Mission page for reasons why. Contact the dealers on my Trading page for assistance!

Revised: 06 March, 2010


Titles in red are not available on a currently released Bob Dylan CD (for these see bobdylan.com )

Key to symbols used:
Links to other World Wide Web pages -
Links to email addresses -
Links to bobdylan.com for song lyrics -
Performances currently available on commercial CD are marked by (these are the ones that count as obscurities rather than as rarities)


Vinyl Releases


"Masterpieces" - 3LP set, CBS/Sony 57AP-875/6/7 (Japan), Mar 1978:
Masterpieces was originally a 3LP set and was first released on CD in 1987 as a 2 CD 35-song set - all these tracks listed were included although Rita May was faded (see below). The full compilation was re-released as a remastered 3 CD 39-song set in 1991 (again see below).


CBS/Sony 57AP-875/6/7 (Japan) - front with obi, scan by Seiji Murata

The Japanese 3LP set came with a "Fan Certificate", a booklet and a poster and was reportedly in better sound quality than the Australian release!  Shawn Chambers informs me this set was also released in Taiwan as three separate albums: Incredible Sound KS 5066, KS 5067 and KS 5068 - these are definitely questionable releases.

All the rarities except R-0480 were on Side 3 of the set, which also included Positively 4th Street and Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?, the last of which was then available nowhere else except as the original 7" mono single. This is Side 3, track 3, shown on the Japanese release as mono.


CBS/Sony 57AP-875/6/7 (Japan) - booklet front scan by Wil Gielen

CBS/Sony 57AP-875/6/7 (Japan) - booklet rear scan by Wil Gielen

"Bob Dylan Fan Certificate" included with CBS/Sony 57AP-875/6/7 (Japan) - scan by Seiji Murata, No. 01172 "This certifies that the possessor of this certificate is a true devotee of Bob Dylan and his music"
fan certificate.jpg (33311 bytes)
"Bob Dylan Fan Certificate" included with CBS/Sony 57AP-875/6/7 (Japan) - scan by Shawn Chambers, No. 12374

CBS/Sony 57AP-875 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Wil Gielen (promo release)


CBS/Sony 57AP-875 (Japan) - Side 2 including R-0480, scan by Gerd Rundel (promo release)


CBS/Sony 57AP-876 (Japan) - Side 3 including rarities, tracks 1,3,4,5 shown as mono, scan by Gerd Rundel (promo release)

CBS/Sony 57AP-876 (Japan) - Side 4 scan by Gerd Rundel (promo release)

CBS/Sony 57AP-877 (Japan) - Side 5 scan by Gerd Rundel (promo release)

CBS/Sony 57AP-877 (Japan) - Side 6 scan by Gerd Rundel (promo release)

CBS/Sony 57AP-875 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Gerd Rundel (commercial release)


CBS/Sony 57AP-875 (Japan) - Side 2 including R-0480, scan by Gerd Rundel (commercial release)


CBS/Sony 57AP-876 (Japan) - Side 3 including rarities, scan by Seiji Murata (commercial release)

CBS/Sony 57AP-876 (Japan) - Side 4 scan by Gerd Rundel (commercial release)

CBS/Sony 57AP-877 (Japan) - Side 5 scan by Gerd Rundel (commercial release)

CBS/Sony 57AP-877 (Japan) - Side 6 scan by Gerd Rundel (commercial release)

Stamped matrix numbers for the records shown above are as follows for both promo and commercial releases:

Record 1: Side 1 - 57AP-875 A1, Side 2 - 57AP-875 B1
Record 2: Side 3 - 57AP-876 A1, Side 4 - 57AP-876 B1
Record 3: Side 5 - 57AP-877 A1, Side 6 - 57AP-877 B1

On Side 2 is:

R-0480    Tomorrow Is A Long Time - live performance from New York Town Hall, 12 Apr 1963 with fade out (the version on Greatest Hits Vol.2 (USA)/More Greatest Hits (UK) is segued into When I Paint My Masterpiece)

The five rarities on Side 3 are:

R-0145-3 Mixed Up Confusion, 1962 - not Bob's first single R-0007 (see 1962), but the alternate mono take without the first harmonica solo from the Japanese promo LP Mr. D's Collection # 1 (see 1974) and promo EP, Mr. D's Collection  #2 (see 1976). This is Side 3, track 1.

This occurrence reportedly runs slightly slow, see 1974 for more details. Ian Woodward also tells me that he remembers being told at the time that "in addition to the speed difference, the Masterpieces version was taken from just one of the two stereo channels rather than being a combination of the two stereo channels and that explained the odd sound".  The version of this take of Mixed Up Confusion that appeared on the original release of Biograph (R-0748, see 1985) is an edited version of this one (2:22 as opposed to 2:30) and in genuine stereo.

For details of the four released alternate takes of this song, see 1962. Many thanks to Les Kokay for all his information about these alternate takes, and for permission to reproduce his findings and to Jean-Pol Hiernaux and Larry Crum for further information.

R-0054-6 Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, Jun 1966 - live at Liverpool, May 1966, B-side of 7" I Want You single, mono as originally recorded (see 1966)

This is Side 3, track 4. This live version, never released on a regular Columbia album, is also on the Japanese promo LP Mr. D's Collection #1 (see 1974), the Japanese promo EP Mr. D's Collection #2 (see 1976), the Japanese Mr. D's Collection #3 promo CD (see 1993), the Japanese Dylan Ga Rock promo 2CD set (see 1993 and 2010) and the Capitol/EMI boxed set The Band: A Musical History (see 2005). Sadly, it does not appear as promised on the B-side of a withdrawn CBS Spanish EP (see 1972), because the record was mispressed with It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry from Highway 61 Revisited instead!

R-0072-3 Spanish Is The Loving Tongue, Jun 1971 - lyrics on bobdylan.com , B-side of 1971 Watching The River Flow single (see 1971), not version R-0096 from 1973 Dylan album (see 1973), still in mono confirmed by Larry Crum and Seiji Murata. This is Side 3, track 5.

R-0084-9 George Jackson, "Big Band" version, Nov 1971 from single, see 1971, lyrics on bobdylan.com

This track is distorted on the CD versions of this compilation, so the version on the 1993 Japanese limited release CD Mr. D's Collection #3 (see 1993) is the best available on CD.

R-0130-5 Rita May - Desire out-take, Jul 1975, released on singles Nov 1976/Jan 1977, lyrics on bobdylan.com (see 1976/1977)

R-0130 is also on two limited edition Japanese CD releases, Mr. D's Collection #3 and Dylan Ga Rock (for both, see 1993). R-0130 appeared on the Sony Music Bob Dylan Custom Mix CD web-site, Apr 2003, see Online Performances (Other). It was also one of the 42 rarities included for download with the Aug 2006 Apple iTunes Bob Dylan Collection, also see Online Performances (Other). It is now also released on the 2010 version of Dylan Ga Rock (see 2010)

Thanks to Seiji Murata, Shawn Chambers, Wil Gielen and Gerd Rundel for information and scans.


"Masterpieces" - 3LP set, CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia), Mar 1978:


CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - front scan by Stuart Moore

MasterpiecesAusBack.jpg (16383 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - rear scan by Stuart Moore

MasterpiecesAusInner1.jpg (17951 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - inner sleeve scan by Stuart Moore
MasterpiecesAusInner2.jpg (25626 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - inner sleeve scan by Stuart Moore

MasterpiecesAusInner3.jpg (19015 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - inner sleeve scan by Stuart Moore

MasterpiecesAusInner4.jpg (12569 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - inner sleeve scan by Stuart Moore

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 1 scan by Kenneth Robson (first release)


CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 2 with R-0480, scan by Stuart Moore (first release)


CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 3 with five rarities, here all shown as "STEREO", scan by Stuart Moore (first release)

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 4 scan by Stuart Moore (first release)

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 5 scan by Stuart Moore (first release)

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 6 scan by Stuart Moore (first release)
MasterpiecesAusSide1.jpg (21380 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 1 scan by Stuart Moore (second release)

MasterpiecesAusSide2.jpg (19855 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 2 with R-0480, scan by Stuart Moore (second release)

MasterpiecesAusSide3.jpg (19060 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 3 scan by Stuart Moore (second release)
MasterpiecesAusSide4.jpg (19845 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 4 scan by Stuart Moore (second release)
MasterpiecesAusSide5.jpg (20158 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 5 scan by Stuart Moore (second release)
MasterpiecesAusSide6.jpg (20440 bytes)
CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 6 scan by Stuart Moore (second release)

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 1 scan by Stuart Moore (third release)


CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 2 with R-0480, scan by Stuart Moore (third release)


CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 3 scan by Stuart Moore (third release)

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 4 scan by Stuart Moore (third release)

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 5 scan by Stuart Moore (third release)

CBS S3BP 220502 (Australia) - side 6 scan by Stuart Moore (third release)

Dr. George Christos informs me Masterpieces was once given away by an Australian beer company with a purchase of 24 cans of beer!

There are three label variants of the Australian 3LP release (on all of them the four mono tracks on Side 3 are shown as stereo, unlike the Japanese release):

The first has songs credited to "Albert" only and does not have track times. The copyright text at the bottom of the label round the edge is "MADE IN AUSTRALIA BY A REGISTERED USER OF THE TRADEMARKS".

The second is like the first in that it has all songs credited to "Albert" and omits track times, but the copyright text at the bottom of the label round the edge is longer, it has the first variant text plus "(the CBS logo) AND "CBS" ARE TRADEMARKS OF CBS INC., U.S.A."

The third has songs credited to "Chappell" and "Albert", the longer copyright text, and includes track times.

Thanks to Stuart Moore and Kenneth Robson for information and scans.


"Masterpieces" - 3LP set, CBS S3BP 220502 (New Zealand), Mar 1978:


CBS S3 BP 220502 (New Zealand) - Side 1 scan by Ronald Born


CBS S3 BP 220502 (New Zealand) - Side 2 with R-0480, scan by Ronald Born


CBS S3 BP 220502 (New Zealand) - Side 3 scan by Ronald Born (this is again the side with five rarities, here also marked "STEREO")

CBS S3 BP 220502 (New Zealand) - Side 4 scan by Ronald Born

CBS S3 BP 220502 (New Zealand) - Side 5 scan by Ronald Born

CBS S3 BP 220502 (New Zealand) - Side 6 scan by Ronald Born

The New Zealand release of CBS S3 BP 220502 had the same sleeve as the Australian Masterpieces but the records, which had a different label design, were manufactured in New Zealand. The matrix number (found on side two only) was 3580-700.

Thanks to Ronald Born for information and scans.


Cassette Releases


"Masterpieces" - 2 cassette set, CBS 3PC 502 (Australia), 1978:
This 2 cassette set comes in a double-width case. The now rather battered cassettes have off-white labels with the CBS logo. The rarities are on Side 2 of cassette 1. The reverse of each insert is plain white.


CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 1 front scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 1 insert scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 1, Side 1, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 1)

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 1, Side 2, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 2)

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 2 front scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 2 insert scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 2, Side 1, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 3)

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 2, Side 2, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 4)

Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.


"Masterpieces" - 2 cassette set, CBS 3PC 502 (Australia), 1980s:


CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 1 insert scan by Stuart Moore

This later CBS 2 cassette set also comes in a double-width case. The smaller inserts have the track listings on the insides. The cassettes have blue text printed directly on to the cases, there are no labels. The rarities are on Side 2 of cassette 1.

Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.


CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - reverse of cassette 1  insert, scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 1, Side 1, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 1)

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 1, Side 2, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 2)

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 2 insert scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - reverse of cassette 2  insert, scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 2, Side 1, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 3)

CBS 3PC 502 (Australia) - cassette 2, Side 2, scan by Stuart Moore (Side 4)

"Masterpieces" - 2 cassette set, Columbia 462448 4 (Australia), 1991:


Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - front scan by Stuart Moore
This re-release of the cassette set can be dated as 1991 (when Columbia replaced CBS in Australia) because of the "Dylan Originals" sticker. It also comes in a double width cassette case and the cassettes have clear cases with white text, no labels. The first cassette insert has three folds, the second cassette insert has only one.

Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.


Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - spine scan by Stuart Moore


Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - rear scan by Stuart Moore


Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - cassette 1, Side 1 scan by Stuart Moore (Side 1)

Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - cassette 1, Side 2 scan by Stuart Moore (Side 2)

Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - outside of unfolded cassette 1 insert, scan by Stuart Moore

Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - outside of unfolded cassette 2 insert, scan by Stuart Moore

Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - cassette 2, Side 1 scan by Stuart Moore (Side 3)

Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - cassette 2, Side 2 scan by Stuart Moore (Side 4)

Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - inside of unfolded cassette 1 insert, scan by Stuart Moore

Columbia 462448 4 (Australia) - inside of unfolded cassette 2 insert, scan by Stuart Moore

CD Releases


"Masterpieces" - 2CD set, CBS 462448 2 (Australia), 1987:
This 2CD release in a double-width jewel case was replaced in 1991 by a 3CD version (462448 9, see below) which duplicated the original 1978 3LP set - both the 2CD and 3CD versions are now out of print. The front picture of the 2CD set is a crop of the original album cover. There is an 8-page stapled booklet.

Mstr2CD2.JPG (33038 bytes)
CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - front jewel case insert (Paul Read's copy)

Mstr2CD3.JPG (39272 bytes)
CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - rear jewel case insert (Paul Read's copy)

Mstr2CD1.JPG (51571 bytes)
CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - booklet cover (Paul Read's copy)

CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - booklet inside page scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - CD1 scan by Stuart Moore


CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - CD2 scan by Stuart Moore


CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - booklet inside page scan by Stuart Moore

CBS 462448 2 (Australia) - booklet inside page scan by Stuart Moore

This set has the other five rarities, but instead of R-0130, it has:

R-0481 Rita May - faded version of Desire out-take R-0130, Jul 1975, released on singles Nov 1976/Jan 1977 (see above), lyrics on bobdylan.com

Thanks to Paul Read for the loan of the inserts and to Stuart Moore for further scans.


"Masterpieces" - 3CD set, Columbia 462448 9 (Australia), 1991, re-released 1995 and late 1990s:
This release, also in a double-width jewel case, replaced the 1987 2CD version (462448 2, see above). There is a folded insert in place of the 2CD set's stapled booklet. It has all six of the original 1978 rarities. R-0480 is on CD1 and the rest are on CD2.


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - 1991 release, front with sticker, scan by Stuart Moore
There are four different CD designs and two different artwork designs. The first set of discs from 1991 were made by Disctronics, who made the discs for the 2CD set. The second set of CDs is from between 1992-94 (mine and Jack's) and has the text "MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA BY SONY MUSIC AUSTRALIA LIMITED" on three lines. The third set of discs is from 1995, and has the text "MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA BY SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED" on four lines. The most recent set of discs is from the late 1990s and is red in colour.

The 1992-94 artwork set (mine) has the same cover picture as the 3LP set, while the 1991 set (Paul Read's) uses a different picture from the booklet as the front insert. Paul Read's 1991 set is in the "Dylan Originals" series and has a "Specially Remastered" sticker.

Mstr3CD2-3.JPG (29850 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - 1991 release, front jewel case insert (Paul Read's copy)

Mstr3CD2-4.JPG (37335 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - rear jewel case insert (1991 release, Paul Read's copy)

Mstr3CD1-3.JPG (34163 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - 1992 onwards release, front jewel case insert (my copy)

Mstr3CD1-4.JPG (35773 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - 1992 onwards release, rear jewel case insert (my copy)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - detail of CD1, scan by Stuart Moore (1991 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - detail of CD1, scan by Stuart Moore (1991 release)

Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - detail of CD1, scan by Jack from Canada (1992-94 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - detail of CD1, scan by Stuart Moore (1995 release)

Mstr3CD2-1.JPG (78656 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - outside of unfolded insert (Paul Read's copy)

Mstr3CD2-2.JPG (85527 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - inside of unfolded insert (Paul Read's copy)

Mstr3CD1-1.JPG (80010 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - outside of unfolded insert (my copy)

Mstr3CD1-2.JPG (82018 bytes)
Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - inside of unfolded insert (my copy)

Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD1 scan by Stuart Moore (1991 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD2 scan by Stuart Moore (1991 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD3 scan by Stuart Moore (1991 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD1 scan by Jack from Canada ( 1992-94 release, same as my copy)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia)- CD2 scan by Jack from Canada (1992-94 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD3 scan by Jack from Canada (1992-94 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia), - CD1 scan by Stuart Moore (1995 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD2 scan by Stuart Moore (1995 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD3 scan by Stuart Moore (1995 release)


Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD1 scan by Stefan Asplund (late 1990s release)

Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD2 scan by Stefan Asplund (late 1990s release)

Columbia 462448 9 (Australia) - CD3 scan by Stefan Asplund (late 1990s release)

The front picture of my 3CD set restores the full album picture, but is different from the 1987 2CD set as it has light blue borders and light blue spines and "3 CD SET" text. The rear insert is different from that of the 1987 2CD set in that the track listing and barcode are differently positioned and it has light blue spines. Stuart Moore's 1991 set is confusing in that it has Paul Read's CD case inserts but the the same folded insert as my set! Stuart Moore's 1995 copy has the same inserts as mine.

Thanks to Paul Read for the loan of the inserts for the 1991 release. Thanks to Stuart Moore, Jack from Canada and Stefan Asplund for information and CD scans.


Home ] Up ] 1978 "Changing Of The Guards" ] 1978 "The Last Waltz" ] [ 1978 "Masterpieces" ] 1978 "Street-Legal" ]

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