Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (1975 Test Pressing with Original New York Sessions)

In the world of vinyl collecting, few items carry the weight of legend quite like the original test pressing of Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks. This is not simply a rare record. It is an alternate version of one of the greatest albums ever made, a ghost album that existed only in a handful of copies for decades before most Dylan fans even knew it was real. The test pressing contains the complete original New York sessions, five of which Dylan scrapped and re-recorded in Minneapolis before the album's official January 1975 release.

What you have with this test pressing is essentially a different album. The same songs, yes, but performed with a rawness and intimacy that the final release only hints at. For Dylan collectors, for serious vinyl enthusiasts, for anyone who cares about the creative process behind great art, this test pressing represents one of the ultimate prizes.

The Story Behind the Sessions

Blood on the Tracks emerged from one of the most turbulent periods in Bob Dylan's personal life. His marriage to Sara Lownds was crumbling, and the songs he wrote in the summer of 1974 reflected that emotional upheaval with a directness he had rarely shown before. Working with a notebook full of songs influenced by the painting techniques he had been studying with Norman Raeben, Dylan entered A&R Recording Studios in New York City in September 1974.

The initial sessions were remarkably intimate. Dylan recorded most of the tracks with minimal accompaniment, often just his acoustic guitar and harmonica, with occasional contributions from bassist Tony Brown and steel guitarist Buddy Cage (from the New Riders of the Purple Sage). The sound was sparse, confessional, and emotionally devastating.

Columbia Records prepared test pressings of this version of the album and sent them to reviewers and industry contacts. The album was scheduled for release. Catalog numbers were assigned. Everything was in motion.

Then Dylan changed his mind.

Over the Christmas holiday in 1974, Dylan played the test pressing for his brother David Zimmerman in Minnesota. David felt that some of the tracks sounded too similar in tempo and mood. He encouraged Bob to re-record several songs with a fuller band sound. Dylan agreed, and in a marathon session at Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis on December 27 and 30, 1974, he re-cut five songs with local musicians.

The five re-recorded tracks were "Tangled Up in Blue," "You're a Big Girl Now," "Idiot Wind," "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts," and "If You See Her, Say Hello." These Minneapolis versions replaced the New York originals, and the album was released on January 20, 1975.

What Makes the Test Pressing Different

The differences between the test pressing and the released album are not subtle. The five re-recorded songs changed significantly:

"Tangled Up in Blue": The test pressing version is performed in third person rather than the first person of the released version. The narrative perspective shift fundamentally changes the emotional impact of the song. The New York take is also more stripped down, with acoustic guitar dominating.

"Idiot Wind": Perhaps the most dramatic difference. The test pressing version is a quiet, almost whispered performance that sounds like a private confession. The released version is a searing, full-band arrangement that sounds like an accusation. Two completely different emotional experiences from the same lyrics.

"You're a Big Girl Now": The test pressing features a delicate, almost fragile performance. The released version adds organ and a more structured arrangement.

"Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts": The test pressing is a solo acoustic performance of this narrative epic. The released version features a full band with a more driving rhythm.

"If You See Her, Say Hello": The test pressing version includes a mandolin part and has a more Mediterranean feel. The released version is more conventionally arranged.

The five songs that remained unchanged from the New York sessions are "Simple Twist of Fate," "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," "Meet Me in the Morning," "Shelter from the Storm," and "Buckets of Rain."

Pressing Details and Identification

Authentic 1975 test pressings of Blood on the Tracks can be identified by several key characteristics:

• Label: White label test pressing on Columbia Records

• Catalog Number: PC 33235 (same as the released version)

• Matrix/Runout: The matrix numbers in the dead wax differ from the released version, reflecting the original New York session masters

• Track Listing: All ten tracks, but with the five original New York recordings

• Sleeve: Test pressings were typically shipped in plain white or generic Columbia inner sleeves, without the commercial cover art

• Pressing Quality: Standard Columbia test pressing quality, typically on quiet vinyl with careful quality control

The exact number of original test pressings produced is unknown, but estimates range from 10 to 25 copies. Some sources suggest as few as five were pressed, while others believe the number could be slightly higher given that copies were sent to multiple reviewers and Columbia executives.

Market History

The test pressing has been one of the most sought-after Dylan collectibles since word of its existence first spread among serious collectors in the late 1970s. For years, many Dylanphiles knew about the alternate versions only through bootleg recordings of varying quality.

The market timeline for this pressing tells a story of steadily escalating demand:

• 1980s-1990s: A few copies surfaced at record fairs and through private sales, typically selling in the $2,000 to $5,000 range

• 2000s: As online collecting communities grew and information about the test pressing spread, prices climbed to $8,000 to $15,000

• 2015: A copy offered by a West Coast record chain made headlines with a $12,000 asking price, drawing mainstream attention to the pressing's rarity

• 2019: Record Store Day released an official limited edition of the original New York sessions on vinyl, which satisfied some demand but also increased awareness and desire for original test pressings

• 2020s: Authentic original test pressings now command premium prices that reflect their extreme rarity

Current Market Values (2024-2026)

Condition	Estimated Value
Fair (significant wear, surface noise)	$8,000 - $15,000
Good (moderate wear, playable with some noise)	$15,000 - $25,000
Very Good (light wear, minimal surface noise)	$25,000 - $40,000
Very Good Plus (near-clean play, minimal marks)	$40,000 - $60,000
Near Mint (essentially unplayed)	$60,000 - $100,000+

These values are estimates based on the extremely limited number of sales. With fewer than 25 copies believed to exist, each transaction is essentially unique, and prices can vary significantly based on provenance, buyer motivation, and the specific circumstances of the sale.

Condition Grading for This Pressing

Grading a test pressing follows the standard Goldmine grading system, but with some specific considerations:

• Vinyl Surface: Test pressings were made to check audio quality, so they should theoretically be in good condition. However, these were played by reviewers and executives, some of whom may not have been careful with the records.

• Labels: White test pressing labels should be clean and legible. Handwritten notations (common on test pressings) add provenance value rather than detracting from it.

• Jacket/Sleeve: Since these shipped without commercial packaging, the presence of any original Columbia shipping materials or inter-office envelopes adds value.

• Provenance: Documentation of the pressing's history (who received it, how it was stored) significantly affects value.

The 2019 Record Store Day Release

In 2019, Columbia/Legacy released an official version of the original New York sessions as a Record Store Day exclusive. This limited pressing (catalog number 19075969341) was manufactured in unknown but presumably limited quantities and sold out quickly at participating record stores.

This release is itself collectible, with sealed copies now trading for $100 to $300 depending on condition. However, it is fundamentally different from the 1975 test pressing in several ways:

• It was manufactured using modern mastering techniques from the original tapes

• It was pressed on 180-gram vinyl

• It came with proper commercial packaging including liner notes

• The audio quality may differ from the 1975 test pressing due to different mastering and pressing technology

The RSD release did not diminish the value of original test pressings. If anything, it increased awareness and desire for the genuine 1975 artifacts.

Authentication Challenges

Given the extreme values involved, authentication is critical. Potential buyers should be aware of several concerns:

Counterfeit Pressings: It is technically possible to create convincing-looking test pressings using bootleg copies of the New York sessions. Authenticating the vinyl requires examination of the matrix numbers in the dead wax, the pressing characteristics (which are specific to Columbia's 1974 pressing plant), and the label stock.

Misidentified Pressings: Some collectors have confused the 2019 RSD release, various bootlegs, or other Dylan test pressings with the genuine 1975 Blood on the Tracks test pressing. Each has different physical characteristics that an expert can identify.

Provenance Documentation: The strongest authentication comes from documented chain of ownership. Test pressings that can be traced to specific Columbia Records employees, reviewers, or radio stations carry the highest confidence of authenticity.

For a purchase of this magnitude, engaging a recognized vinyl authentication expert or a reputable auction house with experience in high-value records is strongly recommended.

Investment Analysis

The Blood on the Tracks test pressing is in many ways the ideal vinyl collectible:

• Extreme Rarity: Fewer than 25 copies believed to exist

• Cultural Significance: An alternate version of a consensus top-10 album of all time

• Artist Stature: Bob Dylan is among the most collected artists in all of recorded music

• Historical Interest: The pressing documents a crucial creative decision that shaped one of rock's greatest albums

• Cross-Market Appeal: Attracts Dylan collectors, vinyl enthusiasts, and cultural artifact collectors

The primary risk is liquidity. Finding a buyer for a five or six-figure record requires access to the right market. Major auction houses (Heritage, Julien's, Christie's) have handled comparable music memorabilia, and specialist dealers maintain networks of high-end collectors.

Storage and Preservation

For owners of an original test pressing, preservation is paramount:

• Store vertically in a polyethylene-lined inner sleeve (Mobile Fidelity or equivalent)

• Use an outer sleeve to protect any original packaging

• Maintain consistent temperature (65-70F) and humidity (45-50%)

• Never stack records flat, which causes warping and ring wear

• If playing, use a properly calibrated turntable with a high-quality stylus to minimize groove wear

• Consider professional cleaning with a vacuum record cleaning machine before archival storage

• Insure appropriately through a specialty collectibles policy

Why This Pressing Matters

The Blood on the Tracks test pressing is more than a rare record. It is a window into one of the most fascinating "what if" moments in popular music history. What if Dylan had released the album as originally conceived? Would it have been received the same way? Would "Tangled Up in Blue" be the same cultural touchstone if it had remained in third person? Would "Idiot Wind" still be considered one of rock's great performances if it had stayed as a whispered confession rather than a full-throated roar?

These questions can never be fully answered, but the test pressing allows us to hear the alternate reality. For collectors who value music history in its most tangible form, there are few objects more compelling.

Browse all Vinyl Records →

Related Items