Preview: Bob Dylan -- The Original Mono Recordings Vinyl and Compact Disc Box Sets

Following the success of the Beatles Mono Box released in 2009, Sony/Columbia has just released box sets of Bob Dylan's first eight albums, using the original mono mixes. Going back to the original analog mono masters, this is the first time these versions have been available on compact disc. At the time of this writing, I still have not received the vinyl box, which has likely been mired by holiday postal delays. I have, however, spent some time with the compact disc mono box and I must say I'm impressed.


The mini-LP style packaging, while not quite up to the exacting standards of the Japanese-produced Beatles mono box, is very nice and is mostly faithful to the originals. The sound, is among the best of any modern compact disc set--and what I've heard so far compares favorably to the original vinyl. Mark Wilder, at Sterling Sound, has done a superb job transfering the original mono masters to digital and I can recommend this set without hesitation to anyone who wants a fantastic sounding, very nicely packaged and reasonably priced set of this essential music.

*Bob Dylan -- The Original Mono Recordings Compact Disc Box Set

*also shown is the Dylan in Concert at Brandeis University bonus disc, which is only included in Amazon's bonus edition of the box set.

An all-analog vinyl mono box set has also just been released, and was also mastered at Sterling Sound from the original analog mono masters--by George Marino, who (as with the recent Hendrix vinyl remasters), used his all-analog mastering chain. Click here for a full review of the vinyl set, including comparisons to original Columbia monos and Sundazed mono reissues.