Audio: International Album Releases (Regular)

The Basement Tapes (1975)

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.

Hard Rain (1976)

ç

è

Original US stereo LP, Columbia PC 33893, 5 Jan 1976. Thanks to Charlie Pritchard for the information that the cover photo is reportedly inspired by the one on the 1970 solo album by John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, The Wolf King Of L.A.!

For releases of Desire with rarities, including quadraphonic albums, see 1976. For a UK cassette release with an unfaded version of Oh, Sister, see 1990.

This title was one of the fifteen Dylan albums released in Sep 2003 as a hybrid CD/SACD. This is playable both in stereo on an ordinary CD player and in enhanced stereo on an SACD player or a DVD player that also plays SACDs (Sony's higher range models all do this). Some titles will be available in 5.1 surround sound, but not this one, despite the fact it was released in a quadraphonic mix.

Thanks to Ulf Gyllenspetz for the photographs and to Patrick Helfrich for the scans. Patrick Helfrich has commercial copies with gold and silver text/borders as the Dutch copy below. The silver copy also has a "Gold Record Award" sticker.

Columbia PC 33893 (USA) - front detail scan by Patrick Helfrich (gold text/border)

Columbia PC 33893 (USA) - Side 1 photo by Ulf Gyllenspetz (promo release)

CBS Masterworks C 33893 (USA) - rear photo by Paul Prince

CBS Masterworks C 33893 (USA) - Side 1 photo by Paul Prince

Thanks to Jon McAuliffe for information and Paul Prince for photos of the CBS Masterworks release, C 33893.

Columbia PCQ 33893 (USA) - front scan by Olav Langum ("Quadraphonic" at top left)

This album was created using the Columbia "SQ" quadraphonic system and has mistakes in:

R-0124 Joey - at the end of verse three there is a vocal mistake - "to the boss I say he said" - this must have been edited out on the regular release

R-0125 Romance In Durango - again at the end of verse three there is a vocal mistake - "In the face of God will appear" - this too must have been edited out on the regular release. It's also reported there is an outstandingly bad trumpet track that was also removed from the regular stereo release!

Another lesser difference is that in One More Cup Of Coffee there is apparently an intrusive scraping sound just before the third verse, again something that was edited out of the regular stereo release

Rob van Estrik: "The entire album was drastically remixed by Don DeVito from the master session tapes for quadraphonic replay. The resulting LP sounds entirely different from the regular release and is consequently one of the most collectable Dylan albums. Contrary to what was stated in Isis #50, the CD version of the album is NOT the Quadraphonic remix." This is confirmed by Les Kokay, who has sent me a detailed analysis of the differences between the current CD version and the Quadraphonic mix. Thanks to Olav Langum for the scans and further information.

The very rare Dutch release has a similar rear sleeve to the regular release and the same inner sleeve. The Spanish release has a distinctive gold border, and extra printing on the right centre of the front cover "NO. UNO EN USA" [#1 IN USA]. The rear sleeve has the song titles in Spanish and English with pictures of six other quadraphonic releases including Nashville Skyline. Matrix numbers: QAL/P BL 33893-1A. The labels translate the album title as "Deseo" and also have the song titles in Spanish and English. (Information and scans from Hans Seegers.)

Thanks to Bill Hester for information about the Australian release and Peter Lindberg for photos. This release is in a gatefold sleeve with a laminated front cover and buff quadraphonic SQ labels. It is dated 1975 (the copyright year). Thanks to Hans Seegers for the information that the very rare New Zealand quadraphonic release had the same catalogue number, CBS SBPQ 234778, but had a different cover and labels. Scans will be added as soon as possible.

There must be other international quad releases to list here! None of them were ever reissued as far as I know.

CBS Q 86003 (Spain) - rear scan by Hans Seegers

CBS Q 86003 (Spain) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers

CBS Q 86003 (Spain) - Side 2 scan by Hans Seegers

This album has the standard US sleeve front and back, while the record itself has red/yellow CBS labels with matrix numbers:
Side 1: CBS S 86003 A 1 (stamped), "ALLEN" (written)
Side 2: CBS S 86003 B 1 (stamped)

The inner sleeve is made of shaped card with fold-under flaps on the inside of the rear, unlike the Japanese rear sleeve below. The front has musician credits and the rear has sleeve notes by Allen Ginsberg. Thanks to Patrick Helfrich for scans of the Simply Vinyl 2000s reissue, which has a square inner sleeve with fold-under flaps and red Columbia labels.

CBS 86003 (UK) - inner sleeve front (shaped)

CBS 86003 (UK) - inner sleeve rear (front flaps fold under)

CBS 86003 (UK) - Side 1

Columbia 86003 1/Simply Vinyl SVLP 350 (UK) - detail of rear, scan by Patrick Helfrich

Columbia 86003 1/Simply Vinyl SVLP 350 (UK) - inner sleeve front (not shaped), scan by Patrick Helfrich

Columbia 86003 1/Simply Vinyl SVLP 350 (UK) - inner sleeve rear (not shaped), scan by Patrick Helfrich

Both have a card inner sleeve, which is not shaped like the inner sleeve of the UK pressing. There is also a lyric sheet, not provided with the UK release.

The first release has stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - 01-86003-2A-1 A NL, Side 2 - 01-86003-3B-1 A NL.

This release has a "softer" cover compared to the two copies of the second release, similar to the other normal Dutch pressings of Dylan albums. The "BOB DYLAN DESIRE" text on the front cover is in a much lighter colour than on the covers of the two copies of the second release. The back cover has "LC" in right bottom corner, with "CB271" and "57" in the top right corner. The labels have a star above Rams Horn Music, no LC Number, (P) at bottom.

The second release (both copies) has matrix numbers: Side 1 - 86003 A III (handwritten) AL 33893 -3L (stamped), Side 2 - 86003 B II (handwritten) BL 33893 -2B (stamped)

The cover of both copies is is thicker and more solid than the first release - not as thick as US covers but thicker than normal NL pressings, The "BOB DYLAN DESIRE" text on the front cover is printed in deeper, stronger gold on one copy and with a green shade on the second. There is no "LC" on the back cover, and a blue "Y" instead of "CB271" and "57" in the top right corner. The labels have no "LC" and no star above Rams Horn Music.

The Columbia 32750 1991 release has a "Nice Price Dylan Originals 30 Years on Columbia" sticker on the front cover and the logo has been obscured. There is a barcode on the rear sleeve in the top right corner. It has a paper inner sleeve and a lyric insert . The record has red Columbia labels with matrix numbers: Side 1 - 01-32570-26-2A1 (handwritten) 01-86003-20 2A1(handwritten), Side 2 - 01-86003-3B-1 (stamped) 01-32570-26-3B1(handwritten).

Thanks to Paul Prince for photos of what appears to be a 1980s Dutch release of CBS 86003 on gold vinyl with plain red labels. Thanks to Hans Seegers for information that this is an unofficial release that was not released by CBS Holland. I've left it here to help other collectors.

Thanks to Patrick Helfrich for scans of the 1980s CBS release with the plain red labels and the new catalogue number CBS 32570. Matrix numbers: Side 1 - 01-86003-2A-1 (handwritten), Side 2 - 01-86003-3B1 (stamped).

Columbia 32570 (NL) - detail of rear with barcode, scan by Patrick Helfrich

Columbia 32570 (NL) - 1991 sticker, scan by Patrick Helfrich

Columbia 32570 (NL) - Side 1 scan by Patrick Helfrich

The catalogue numbers are the same as the Dutch releases. Note the extra printing on the right centre of the front cover "NO. UNO EN USA" [#1 IN USA]. On the rear cover the sleeve notes are translated into Spanish. This album has a lyric sheet in English (below), not included with the UK release. The labels say "MADE IN SPAIN", but Hans Seegers assures me it was actually manufactured in Holland for the Spanish market. There were two releases with the same sleeve but different labels: the first release in 1976 has the labels in English only, the second in 1977 has labels in Spanish and English, with the album title translated as "Deseo". Patrick Helfrich has a copy of the original release without the "NO. UNO EN USA" overprint and "y" on the rear sleeve like the second Dutch release. he also has a 1980s copy with serial number CBS 32570 with plain red CBS/Sony labels with titles in English only. It has the front cover with the "NO. UNO EN USA" overprint with the old catalogue number overprinted by the new one.

Matrix numbers, 1976 release (CBS 86003):
Side 1 - AL 33893-3A D (stamped) 2T 5055 86003 A (written)
Side 2 - BL 33893-3E F (stamped) 1915 (written in mirror writing)

Matrix numbers, 1977 release (CBS S 86003):
Side 1 - AL 33893-3C (stamped)
Side 2 - BL 33893-3E (stamped)

Information from Hans Seegers, David Burgess and Patrick Helfrich, scans from Hans Seegers and Patrick Helfrich.

CBS 86003 (Spain) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (1976 release - Desire)

CBS 86003 (Spain) - Side 2 scan by Hans Seegers (1976 release - Desire)

CBS S 86003 (Spain) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (1977 release - Deseo)

Both records have the same Side 2 label, but the first record has a very different Side 1 label, with "STEREO" on the left instead of the right, and "SIDE 1" instead of "STRANA 1"/"STRANA 2" as on the labels of the second copy. Are there copies with a Side 2 label in the same style as the first Side 1?

Thanks to Ronald Born for information and scans.

This album has an obi in dark green, pink and white with price ¥2,500. The sleeve itself has the US design front and back. The record has orange/cream CBS/Sony labels with matrix numbers: Side 1 - SOPO 116 A1 1A12, Side 2 - SOPO 116 B1 1A12. Øyvind Svele has a later copy of this with matrix numbers: Side 1 - SOPO 116 A1 1A16, Side 2 - SOPO 116 B1 1A13.

There is a dark green six-page fold-out lyric booklet with the Japanese translations of the sleeve notes, plus the lyrics in Japanese and English. The printed inner sleeve is the same design as the UK inner sleeve, but is square rather than shaped. It is made of thinner paper than the UK inner sleeve, but has an additional polythene insert. The fold-over flaps are on the outside of the rear, with a white edge, as shown below.

Desire was reissued on vinyl in Japan as CBS/Sony 24AP 289, see below.

Thanks to Hans Seegers for scans of the promo release, which has white labels and matrix numbers: Side 1 - SOPO 116 A1 1A1, Side 2 - SOPO 116 B1 1A6.

CBS/Sony SOPO 116 (Japan) - inner sleeve front (square)

CBS/Sony SOPO 116 (Japan) - inner sleeve rear (front flaps fold over with white edge)

CBS/Sony SOPO 116 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (promo release)

CBS/Sony SOPO 116 (Japan) - Side 2 scan by Hans Seegers (promo release)

CBS/Sony SOPO 116 (Japan) - Side 1 (commercial release)

This record has unique orange/black labels with written matrix numbers SOPO 116A/B. It has "Singapore and Malaysia" on the cover (not shown). The catalogue number is the same as the first Japanese release.

Information and scans from Hans Seegers.

This release in a unique gatefold sleeve has the Spanish words "INCLUYE TODOS LOS TEXTOS DE LAS CANCIONES" ("Includes all lyrics of songs") printed on the front cover at the bottom. The gatefold opens to show the lyrics to all the songs on a white background in English (not translated). The back cover design is unique in that it's a mixture of the "standard" rear sleeve and the UK and Japanese inner sleeve rear in layout, with the Allen Ginsberg liner notes translated into Spanish. The large black-and-white picture of Bob is missing. There is also a small "disco para demostracion/venta prohibida" ("demonstration record/sale prohibited") sticker next to the CBS logo in the top right hand corner. This text is also printed on the promo labels. This album is very collectable as it was discontinued because pressing the gatefold covers was too expensive.

Thanks to Lars M. Banke and Eduardo Gomez Kodela for the information that the previous statement that "later Argentinean releases abandoned the gatefold" was incorrect. In fact there was no later Argentinean vinyl release - the local market afterwards was served with imports from the USA and Brazil.

Information and scans from Hans Seegers, photos from Sergio Magnacca.

CBS 119.525 (Argentina) - Side 2 scan by Hans Seegers (promo release)

CBS 119.525 (Argentina) - gatefold photo by Sergio Magnacca

This release has the Columbia STEREO logo with arrows on the front cover above Bob's head. On the rear cover the sleeve notes are omitted and replaced by the list of musicians. It has orange CBS labels with the song titles in Spanish and English.

Information and scans from Hans Seegers.

Discos CBS CLS-5496 (Mexico) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers

These albums were two separate releases with the same catalogue number. The Australian release has a gatefold sleeve with the designs from the inner sleeve on the inside of the gatefold. The record has orange/yellow CBS labels.

Information from Bill Hester, scans by Patrick Helfrich.

CBS SBP 234778 (Australia) - inside of gatefold sleeve, scan by Patrick Helfrich

CBS SBP 234778 (Australia) - Side 1 scan by Patrick Helfrich

Thanks to Hans Seegers and Patrick Helfrich for information and scans. The label photo found on eBay by Stuart Moore has an "ACUM" logo to the right of the CBS logo.

CBS 86003 (Israel) - detail of rear with Hebrew text, scan by Hans Seegers

CBS 86003 (Israel) - Side 1 scan by Patrick Helfrich

CBS 86003 (Israel) - Side 2 scan by Patrick Helfrich

Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.

CBS PC 4778 (Australia) - cassette Side 1, scan by Stuart Moore

This is the second commercial release, with a new catalogue number. This release has a pale-green, black and white obi. As well as the commercial release with orange/cream labels, there was a promo release with white labels. Matrix numbers: 25AP 289-A1/B1.

There is a booklet and inner sleeve.

Information from Ulf Gyllenspetz, further information and scans from Hans Seegers.

CBS/Sony 25AP 289 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (promo release)

CBS/Sony 25AP 289 (Japan) - Side 2 scan by Hans Seegers (promo release)

CBS/Sony 25AP 289 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (commercial release)

Thanks to Jack from Canada for information and scans.

For more details see 1990.

Information and scans from Gil Lamont.

Columbia CK 33893 (USA) - rear insert scan by Gil Lamont

Columbia CK 33893 (Canada) - unfolded front insert, scan by Jack from Canada

Columbia CK 33893 (Canada) - rear scan by Jack from Canada

First release: CBS/Sony 30DP 307, with light-green multi coloured obi (not shown) with price ¥3,000 (1983). It has a 28-page booklet with lyrics. It also comes in a yellow card box.

Mid-price "Nice Price" release: Sony SRCS 6168, with black, red, white, blue and yellow obi with price  ¥1,800 (1991). It has a 24-page booklet with lyrics.

Information and scans from Hans Seegers.

CBS/Sony 30DP 307 (Japan) - inside of front insert scan by Hans Seegers

CBS/Sony 30DP 307 (Japan) - rear insert scan by Hans Seegers

CBS/Sony 30DP 307 (Japan) - CD scan by Hans Seegers

Sony SRCS 6168 (Japan) - CD scan by Hans Seegers

Sony SRCS 6168 (Japan) - rear insert scan by Hans Seegers

Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.

Columbia CDCBS 86003 (Australia) - rear insert scan by Stuart Moore

CBS CDCBS 86003 (Australia) - CD scan by Stuart Moore

Columbia CD 32570 (Europe) - CD

Columbia UK 1997 promotional insert front

Thanks to Keith Owen for the sealed copy of the magazine and to Hans Seegers for further information.

Thanks to Pachi Becerril for the photocopies and to Hans Seegers for further information.

There is an 8-page booklet with the original sleeve notes. The lyrics of the songs are no longer included. The SACD design reproduces the Columbia US stereo vinyl label used in 1976.

The booklet for the Canadian releases has been printed in Canada. This release also has the sticker shown for The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan on the outside of the shrink-wrap.

Thanks to Hans Seegers for information about the Japanese release. It has a black/red/white/blue on grey obi with price ¥2, 520 - scans required.

Columbia CH 90318 (USA/Canada) - outside of 8-page booklet

The 2004 remastered CD has CD-TEXT (as does the 2003 hybrid SACD), whereas the previous release did not. Thanks to Éamonn Ó Catháin for this information.

The Japanese release comes in a card sleeve reproducing the LP sleeve with a side obi.

Information from Hans Seegers.

Columbia CK 92393 (Canada) - rear scan by Jack

Columbia CK 92393 (Canada) - inside scan by Jack