Hi Michael, I think we need some transparency from VMP on Blonde on Blonde. My VMP copy looks to be using the same cut as the 1st edition, numbered, RTI pressed, MONO box set that was apparently cut by George Marino. If this is the case it is not an RKS cut, and even if it was using the RKS cut, apparently done at the same time under supervision of GM, it is a historic cut and not RKS as we know from his more recent work. Hey, it still may be a great record, but have we got what we thought we were buying?
Really liked the Dylan pressing. Compared it with my UK original, and this is much better imo. Drums and harmonica sound so much clear and detailed. The Lateef record, also a highlight.
Hi Michael! If you haven't heard yet you should check out Jack Whites Vault for this quarter. An unbelievable Mono remix of The White Stripes Elephant LP. I hope to see your thoughts on this upcoming release. Cheers from Pennsylvania!!!
Pulled the trigger on Blonde on Blonde. I already have original US mono and stereo, the Sony mono box, and the MoFi, but couldn’t resist. Here is what I find interesting… Supposedly, Sony does not allow the analog tapes out anymore, right? That seems to be part of why MoFi did their Dylan titles via DSD step. So, we have to ask the obvious question…why and how does VMP / Sterling get the tapes?
My understanding is that they were using lacquers/plates/hardware that were cut 10 years ago for a box set or something like that. So they didn't need the tapes.
I just paused the new Mike at the In Groove to watch this one. :) The Bob Dylan teaser got me. I have two clean(VG++ to EX/NM) 1st presses of Blonde on Blonde, and a 1970 Clean(EX) Repress but I still do not have a good sounding copy. Also, I just joined Vinyl Me Please and started off with Blonde on Blonde. Maybe my quest for good sounding copy is over. :) Thank You So Much for this.
Thank you Micheal 45! I have an original Mono copy and I have been waiting for some smart cookie to come along and reissue it up to the quality it deserves!!! If not the Best LP ever made, certainly in the top 3! Thank you again for the heads up!!🎯
I’ve been so happy with VMP, recently picked up the Enter The Wu Tang and Check Your Head, they were both the best sq of those versions yet. It may be that they’re records that not many other premium labels would generally cover, but that’s another reason I love VMP
+1 Wu Tang, Beasties, Biggie, OutKast, P.E. Rakim.... every time they do a hip-hop classic, it is the best sounding version out there on vinyl. I replaced my copies of every one of those w/ the VMP versions.
Just so people know, the blonde on blonde is the same source as the mono box. They just reused the plates. So if you already have the box you don't need this one. Though it's a cool variant. And if you don't have the mono box you should definitely get the VMP! Edit: The US box is cut by George Marino. The EU box is Ryan k Smith supervised by Marino. This cut was also used on the MOV pressings. So this is the same plates as the EU/MOV pressings. According to reviews of the boxes they're pretty much the same, which makes sense since George Marino was the one to supervise it so it was probably using his notes. I highly doubt that Ryan k Smith did it again, and I heard on hoffman it was using these older MOV/EU plates.
Are you sure they reused the plates from The Original Mono.. Box Set??? I don't recall Ryan Smiths RKS in the dead wax on the Box set - Sterling yes, RKS no. Or maybe there are versions of the Mono Box set using different stampers ??? . Does seem as though quite a few different cuts appearing through the 201X's.
@@simonhardy4551 yeah the EU box not US. The US box is cut by George Marino. The EU box is Ryan k Smith supervised by Marino. This cut was also used on the MOV pressings. So this is the same plates as the EU/MOV pressings. According to reviews of the boxes they're pretty much the same, with some prefering the US but that can be due to better pressing plant. But theyre pretty much identitical which makes sense since George Marino was the one to supervise it so it was using his mastering notes. I highly doubt that Ryan k Smith did it again, and I heard on hoffman it was using these older MOV/EU plates.
AND WHAT A BOX IT IS Thanks for the details. I have the US box and I ended up getting the VMP BoB because I didn’t respond early enough to change it to another VMP release, Visions of Johanna indeed ;-0
@@simonemurray1345 Thank you. Even though I am in the UK I got the US numbered box within 2 weeks of release (so no RKS). Opened my VMP copy this morning and it looks to be using the same cut as "my" Box - Matrix numbers are the same - so from what I have read it is not a RKS cut but George Marion's.
Thanks for the reviews. Gonna pass on “Ocean front property”. That was burned into my head living in the southern USA in the 80s😂 Curious: do you have the Dylan Mono box set from 2010? Also AAA. Curious how VMP stacks up to that?
Re: Blonde on Blonde VMP "cut" : OK I see i am going down a rabbit hole here and maybe a bit "confused", but so are others juding by a few comments I have seen here and elsewhere..... SO VMP have stated that "We duplicated the RTI metalwork that was used for the Original Mono Recordings box set. These lacquers were cut by Ryan Smith with supervision by George Marino." However I think it is fair to say that the common understanding was that Geoge Marino cut the laquers for the Original Mono box set (i.e. MF AnalogPlanet review, Music Direct Advert, Discogs). And according to Discogs, and coments below, there was a second set of lacquers cut by Ryan Smith that were used by MoV and maybe for a second run (unnumbered) of the Box set, and these have Ryan's RKS initials. So who and what is right? Note: The RKS intialled lacqers appear to have a different matrix number from those that don't, supporting the view that there are two different "cuts", and it is the non intialled set used by VMP. To me there are two possible answers: A) That both George Marino and Ryan Smith cut lacquers, however RTI sent the George Marino set to GZ by mistake or B) George Marino didn't cut the box set and Micheal Fremer's review, and Music Directs adverts, and the info on Discogs etc are incorrect. Does it matter? Yes it does. I expect others like me might have made a different decision to purchase based on the belief that the copy from the Box Set was cut by George Marion and they would like to see if a RKS cut is "better".
Hey Michael. I don't intend to subscribe to VMP but as the days go by it gets more tempting. Especially with that Blonde On Blonde. Nice work and very convincing of you!
Some cool releases for sure Michael. The Yusef ,and Dylan particularly I have the Blonde on Blonde Mono RKS from 2015,interesting to speculate is this cut brand new or have they reused the 2015 plates.The coloured vinyl variant on the Yusef is amazing . Would be interested to hear your opinion on the recent VMP Nebraska/Bruce Springsteen . I’ve heard very positive reviews. Great to hear your views today Michael take care 🙌
@@liammolyneuxmusic Hi Liam, Are you sure about the Mono Box cut? I don't recall Ryan Smith's RKS in the dead wax on my copy of the Box set - Sterling yes, RKS no. . Wouldn't mind being proved wrong. Maybe different versions of the Mono Box using different stampers ??? My Yuself lp is black, didn't know there was a colour variant.
So, not a Dylan fan - most of the songs I enjoy are covers by other acts. Never had a Dylan influencer in my past. I've made an effort to familiarize myself with his catalog in recent years so I ordered this VMP reissue. I can't imagine a serious Dylan fan would be disappointed - they did a beautiful job with this release. I enjoy the experience, but still not a convert. The Yusef Lateef is wonderful - and I took advantage of the 20% Sale in Dec. and picked up the Mankunku Quartet and Gábor Szabó LPs too!
Hi Michael. Seriously.. you expect me to believe you would listen to the country or the rap/thug album again? I went through the website and figured there was maybe 5% of the Vinyl Me Please releases were intriguing. Listening to snippets that are included on the website. Leads me to believe you are getting stuff for free to hype. Stay true to the music you truly love and don't try to convince people to listen to unlistenable stuff.
As far as I understand Sony doesn't lent out their analogue tapes anymore. That was one of the arguments in the MoFi discussion. So AAA, I don't think so...
It would have been cool if they could have gotten permission to do the Claudia gate-fold for Blonde on Blonde. I have learned so much about the production and recording of the album. I understand that the Mono mix was the main mix that Dylan was involved in getting right. I am so glad they did the Mono from the original Master Mono tapes. I cannot wait to get this.
A few picky comments/opinions about VMP from a professional designer: please stop with the colored vinyl, lose the OBI (wasteful), no need to have the art print (additional cost and unnecessary), and I don't love the silver VMP stamp on their releases. It's a little larger than it needs to be and why does it need to be so apparent it's VMP? They didn't sign the artist or pay to record and promote the album. Just my thoughts, but just give us quality (AAA when avail) pressings on black vinyl, quality jacket/printing at a fair cost. That goes for a lot of reissue labels.
The only reason vinyl records are black is becasue of the added Carbon black. This was originally done to match the color of shellac records, which were black becasue 3/4 the mass of shellac records was pulverized slate. There is no sonic reason to continue adding carbon black to the vinyl. From a design perspective, some of the vinyl colorations are stunning to me. I have a few records that I believe suffer from mixing the colors in the vinyl, but it is most likely from recycled vinyls that contains bits of paper and other foreign matter.
@@jayzeeshawn I'm aware of the carbon black. As mentioned, I'm a designer and just prefer the look of black. Black vinyl also has benefits, it is much easier to spot pressing issues like imperfections or non-fill etc. Colored vinyl is way more difficult to spot these issues. Lastly, the album art & label were designed by an artist with black vinyl in mind, so changing it is an afterthought. A lot of time and thought went into every original design decision, so arbitrarily picking a colored vinyl most of the time isn't that thoughtful. It's usually a color similar to a color found on the album. I'm happy you like it, buy em up. Colored vinyl sells, and that's why they do it. But there's a reason you don't see Analogue Productions (sans "Clarity vinyl") or Tone Poet pressing on colored vinyl. I should note, if it's a contemporary album by a new artist, I have a much easier time with it. I still think it's gimmicky though, but sometimes I give in to those. Time will tell. This will def be the era of colored vinyl.
You don’t have an appreciation for marketing, do you? Everything you just mentioned is brand marketing. Btw, agree on the colored vinyl and art print. Disagree on the other stuff.
I have to call BS on VMP. Michael I got my first vmp record. In The Dark. It came with a severe seam split. It took vmp 3 days to respond by email, only. I left instructions to remove the disk in the replacement and that was last week and no response to that. Also they say 7-10 days before they ship the replacement. I will never but another vmp record again. Their service is a absolute 0!
@@playingforthecheapse because I have a choice to who gets my money. I don’t reward unprofessionalism. Is that how you’d treat your customers? You have so little self respect? Worst service I’ve seen from those I do business with. By far. That answer your question?
I hear you regarding their packaging and shipping -- it took me three tries to finally get a Nebraska without seam splits. This is a re-occuring issue with VMP and their $47 products. However, their customer service has been cooperative and tries to rectify. But why not just use Analog Productions-style boxes to begin with and avoid all the problems?
Hi Michael, I think we need some transparency from VMP on Blonde on Blonde. My VMP copy looks to be using the same cut as the 1st edition, numbered, RTI pressed, MONO box set that was apparently cut by George Marino. If this is the case it is not an RKS cut, and even if it was using the RKS cut, apparently done at the same time under supervision of GM, it is a historic cut and not RKS as we know from his more recent work. Hey, it still may be a great record, but have we got what we thought we were buying?
Really liked the Dylan pressing. Compared it with my UK original, and this is much better imo. Drums and harmonica sound so much clear and detailed. The Lateef record, also a highlight.
Thank you for the great reviews. I have become more of a Bob Dylan fan over the last two-years and plan to purchase more of his work in 2023.
Hi Michael! If you haven't heard yet you should check out Jack Whites Vault for this quarter. An unbelievable Mono remix of The White Stripes Elephant LP. I hope to see your thoughts on this upcoming release. Cheers from Pennsylvania!!!
Pulled the trigger on Blonde on Blonde. I already have original US mono and stereo, the Sony mono box, and the MoFi, but couldn’t resist. Here is what I find interesting…
Supposedly, Sony does not allow the analog tapes out anymore, right? That seems to be part of why MoFi did their Dylan titles via DSD step. So, we have to ask the obvious question…why and how does VMP / Sterling get the tapes?
My understanding is that they were using lacquers/plates/hardware that were cut 10 years ago for a box set or something like that. So they didn't need the tapes.
I just paused the new Mike at the In Groove to watch this one. :) The Bob Dylan teaser got me. I have two clean(VG++ to EX/NM) 1st presses of Blonde on Blonde, and a 1970 Clean(EX) Repress but I still do not have a good sounding copy. Also, I just joined Vinyl Me Please and started off with Blonde on Blonde. Maybe my quest for good sounding copy is over. :) Thank You So Much for this.
Thank you Micheal 45! I have an original Mono copy and I have been waiting for some smart cookie to come along and reissue it up to the quality it deserves!!! If not the Best LP ever made, certainly in the top 3! Thank you again for the heads up!!🎯
I’ve been so happy with VMP, recently picked up the Enter The Wu Tang and Check Your Head, they were both the best sq of those versions yet. It may be that they’re records that not many other premium labels would generally cover, but that’s another reason I love VMP
+1 Wu Tang, Beasties, Biggie, OutKast, P.E. Rakim.... every time they do a hip-hop classic, it is the best sounding version out there on vinyl. I replaced my copies of every one of those w/ the VMP versions.
Just so people know, the blonde on blonde is the same source as the mono box. They just reused the plates. So if you already have the box you don't need this one. Though it's a cool variant. And if you don't have the mono box you should definitely get the VMP!
Edit: The US box is cut by George Marino. The EU box is Ryan k Smith supervised by Marino. This cut was also used on the MOV pressings. So this is the same plates as the EU/MOV pressings. According to reviews of the boxes they're pretty much the same, which makes sense since George Marino was the one to supervise it so it was probably using his notes. I highly doubt that Ryan k Smith did it again, and I heard on hoffman it was using these older MOV/EU plates.
Are you sure they reused the plates from The Original Mono.. Box Set??? I don't recall Ryan Smiths RKS in the dead wax on the Box set - Sterling yes, RKS no. Or maybe there are versions of the Mono Box set using different stampers ??? . Does seem as though quite a few different cuts appearing through the 201X's.
@@simonhardy4551 yeah the EU box not US. The US box is cut by George Marino. The EU box is Ryan k Smith supervised by Marino. This cut was also used on the MOV pressings. So this is the same plates as the EU/MOV pressings. According to reviews of the boxes they're pretty much the same, with some prefering the US but that can be due to better pressing plant. But theyre pretty much identitical which makes sense since George Marino was the one to supervise it so it was using his mastering notes. I highly doubt that Ryan k Smith did it again, and I heard on hoffman it was using these older MOV/EU plates.
AND WHAT A BOX IT IS
Thanks for the details. I have the US box and I ended up getting the VMP BoB because I didn’t respond early enough to change it to another VMP release, Visions of Johanna indeed ;-0
@@simonemurray1345 Thank you. Even though I am in the UK I got the US numbered box within 2 weeks of release (so no RKS). Opened my VMP copy this morning and it looks to be using the same cut as "my" Box - Matrix numbers are the same - so from what I have read it is not a RKS cut but George Marion's.
5:32 Lucky enough to have originals of both the Stereo and Mono first pressings. Always prefered the Mono version, absolutely stunning record.
Thanks for the reviews. Gonna pass on “Ocean front property”. That was burned into my head living in the southern USA in the 80s😂
Curious: do you have the Dylan Mono box set from 2010? Also AAA. Curious how VMP stacks up to that?
Re: Blonde on Blonde VMP "cut" : OK I see i am going down a rabbit hole here and maybe a bit "confused", but so are others juding by a few comments I have seen here and elsewhere..... SO VMP have stated that "We duplicated the RTI metalwork that was used for the Original Mono Recordings box set. These lacquers were cut by Ryan Smith with supervision by George Marino." However I think it is fair to say that the common understanding was that Geoge Marino cut the laquers for the Original Mono box set (i.e. MF AnalogPlanet review, Music Direct Advert, Discogs). And according to Discogs, and coments below, there was a second set of lacquers cut by Ryan Smith that were used by MoV and maybe for a second run (unnumbered) of the Box set, and these have Ryan's RKS initials. So who and what is right? Note: The RKS intialled lacqers appear to have a different matrix number from those that don't, supporting the view that there are two different "cuts", and it is the non intialled set used by VMP. To me there are two possible answers: A) That both George Marino and Ryan Smith cut lacquers, however RTI sent the George Marino set to GZ by mistake or B) George Marino didn't cut the box set and Micheal Fremer's review, and Music Directs adverts, and the info on Discogs etc are incorrect. Does it matter? Yes it does. I expect others like me might have made a different decision to purchase based on the belief that the copy from the Box Set was cut by George Marion and they would like to see if a RKS cut is "better".
Hey Michael. I don't intend to subscribe to VMP but as the days go by it gets more tempting. Especially with that Blonde On Blonde. Nice work and very convincing of you!
Thx Dom!
Some cool releases for sure Michael.
The Yusef ,and Dylan particularly
I have the Blonde on Blonde Mono RKS from 2015,interesting to speculate is this cut brand new or have they reused the 2015 plates.The
coloured vinyl variant on the Yusef is amazing .
Would be interested to hear your opinion on the recent VMP Nebraska/Bruce Springsteen .
I’ve heard very positive reviews.
Great to hear your views today Michael
take care 🙌
Also interested in whether the Dylan is the same cut as the (fantastic) mono box set
@@lphaski9778 yes indeed also cut by Ryan K Smith 🤙
Would like to know as well.
@@liammolyneuxmusic Hi Liam, Are you sure about the Mono Box cut? I don't recall Ryan Smith's RKS in the dead wax on my copy of the Box set - Sterling yes, RKS no. . Wouldn't mind being proved wrong. Maybe different versions of the Mono Box using different stampers ??? My Yuself lp is black, didn't know there was a colour variant.
@@simonhardy4551 just presumed Ryan did all Dylan for sterling,interesting No RKS in deadwax in the mono box 🙏
how does the dylan blonde on blonde compare to the mono box and mofi??
Hi, Michael! Excellent as always! Where can I find the Blonde on Blonde release here in the US? Thank you for the information.
CNN - The War Report is my all time favorite HipHop album it’s a real classic! Just sayin 😉✌🏼
So, not a Dylan fan - most of the songs I enjoy are covers by other acts. Never had a Dylan influencer in my past. I've made an effort to familiarize myself with his catalog in recent years so I ordered this VMP reissue. I can't imagine a serious Dylan fan would be disappointed - they did a beautiful job with this release. I enjoy the experience, but still not a convert. The Yusef Lateef is wonderful - and I took advantage of the 20% Sale in Dec. and picked up the Mankunku Quartet and Gábor Szabó LPs too!
Collectors should go for the french mono mix from 1966. Different gatefold too.
I changed the sound for text message received on my phone to a clip from this one, it"s two words I"ll let everyone, guess which two words..... lol
VMP had a bumpy start but they really have a great club. I’m going to do the annual subscription to save a lot of money.
Great Bob Álbum, i love This must cover art...Cool
Mike great year for you. Great songs and happy days.
i want that bob dyllus bad but i dont want to join that club or pay top dollar. so how do i get it?
Threw me for a loop with the Capone-N-Noriega inclusion. Nice touch. That vinyl actually looks delicious. Like as a meal, possibly. Enjoyed.
Hi Michael. Seriously.. you expect me to believe you would listen to the country or the rap/thug album again? I went through the website and figured there was maybe 5% of the Vinyl Me Please releases were intriguing. Listening to snippets that are included on the website. Leads me to believe you are getting stuff for free to hype. Stay true to the music you truly love and don't try to convince people to listen to unlistenable stuff.
As far as I understand Sony doesn't lent out their analogue tapes anymore. That was one of the arguments in the MoFi discussion. So AAA, I don't think so...
Also it's the same cut as the MOV pressing so more clues to this not being all analog.
This was made using plates/hardware that was made previously from the analogue tapes, like 10 years ago, for a mono box set or similar.
It would have been cool if they could have gotten permission to do the Claudia gate-fold for Blonde on Blonde. I have learned so much about the production and recording of the album. I understand that the Mono mix was the main mix that Dylan was involved in getting right. I am so glad they did the Mono from the original Master Mono tapes. I cannot wait to get this.
Thanks
I have the 1st press mono press and the 3 disc mofi box of blonde on blonde that’s enough for me
*choke* Did I hear you right on that hip-hop genre Michael? lol! 😊
Wow I love George Strait so much it’s unreal
Chapeau !
A few picky comments/opinions about VMP from a professional designer: please stop with the colored vinyl, lose the OBI (wasteful), no need to have the art print (additional cost and unnecessary), and I don't love the silver VMP stamp on their releases. It's a little larger than it needs to be and why does it need to be so apparent it's VMP? They didn't sign the artist or pay to record and promote the album. Just my thoughts, but just give us quality (AAA when avail) pressings on black vinyl, quality jacket/printing at a fair cost. That goes for a lot of reissue labels.
The only reason vinyl records are black is becasue of the added Carbon black. This was originally done to match the color of shellac records, which were black becasue 3/4 the mass of shellac records was pulverized slate. There is no sonic reason to continue adding carbon black to the vinyl. From a design perspective, some of the vinyl colorations are stunning to me. I have a few records that I believe suffer from mixing the colors in the vinyl, but it is most likely from recycled vinyls that contains bits of paper and other foreign matter.
@@jayzeeshawn I'm aware of the carbon black. As mentioned, I'm a designer and just prefer the look of black. Black vinyl also has benefits, it is much easier to spot pressing issues like imperfections or non-fill etc. Colored vinyl is way more difficult to spot these issues. Lastly, the album art & label were designed by an artist with black vinyl in mind, so changing it is an afterthought. A lot of time and thought went into every original design decision, so arbitrarily picking a colored vinyl most of the time isn't that thoughtful. It's usually a color similar to a color found on the album. I'm happy you like it, buy em up. Colored vinyl sells, and that's why they do it. But there's a reason you don't see Analogue Productions (sans "Clarity vinyl") or Tone Poet pressing on colored vinyl. I should note, if it's a contemporary album by a new artist, I have a much easier time with it. I still think it's gimmicky though, but sometimes I give in to those. Time will tell. This will def be the era of colored vinyl.
You don’t have an appreciation for marketing, do you? Everything you just mentioned is brand marketing. Btw, agree on the colored vinyl and art print. Disagree on the other stuff.
Booooom !!! VMP reviews are back !!! Thank you 😍 , really helps me ,especially when I want to swap for a different title
Yusef L is a must have.
Blond on blonde is really enjoyable in mono. Kinda feels bohemian. It just fits the era somehow.
I have to call BS on VMP. Michael I got my first vmp record. In The Dark. It came with a severe seam split. It took vmp 3 days to respond by email, only. I left instructions to remove the disk in the replacement and that was last week and no response to that. Also they say 7-10 days before they ship the replacement. I will never but another vmp record again. Their service is a absolute 0!
Seems like as long as you get a replacement, and the audio is good, why be so upset?
@@playingforthecheapse because I have a choice to who gets my money. I don’t reward unprofessionalism. Is that how you’d treat your customers? You have so little self respect? Worst service I’ve seen from those I do business with. By far. That answer your question?
I hear you regarding their packaging and shipping -- it took me three tries to finally get a Nebraska without seam splits. This is a re-occuring issue with VMP and their $47 products. However, their customer service has been cooperative and tries to rectify. But why not just use Analog Productions-style boxes to begin with and avoid all the problems?
@@about.the.music... don’t they use resealable bags? Just remove the LP during shipping.
One bad experience and you're breathing fire?!? What's the real problem?
No one is this upset with 1 bad experience involving like 40 bucks.