Got it! Here tis:
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Band of Gypsys was released in the US in 2 CD versions — the first was released in 1995 as the 25th anniversary Douglas era CD (Capitol 96414 or the mini-vinyl card version Capitol DPRO 79534) and then in 1997 the Hendrix family released the ExperienceHendrix/Capitol CD release (72434-93446). The mixes used are the same and appear to have been remastered from 2 track tapes: the differences lie in the tapes used. The 25th Anniversary CD issue was sourced from a copy of the master tape, not the original Eddie Kramer-mixed stereo master tape. The original master tape had been marked "Do Not Use" by EMI-Capitol Records (possibly because it was deteriorating while the copy was in good condition) so the copy-master was used for the latter versions on vinyl and initial CD runs. They sound like it - obvious bass distortion abounds (especially in Who Knows), along with very slight treble phase shift.
The new version by EH/Eddie Kramer uses the "Do Not Use" tape (the original stereo master) and sounds mostly better than the Douglas version. The bass is excellent now and the treble clearer. The rapid fade up of the original Bill Graham introduction has been slightly improved also. A minor caveat is the appearance of occasional soft crackling noises on the new release. I seem to remember these on the original 1970 Capitol (green label) vinyl (STAO 472 — released in April 1970) although they weren’t present on the Australian Polydor vinyl release (2406-002), nor later Capitol (purple or red label) pressings). I always thought that these were vinyl faults. The copy-master therefore appears to have been used for most versions of Band of Gypsys beyond the original US issue, despite its inferior sound. I guess the crackling noises on the original Capitol vinyl release and the EH/Capitol release are sounds caused by the original master tape deteriorating.
I love the US cover of this album — a return to the past (see above, including the amazing light show inside the gatefold). The EH version includes all the original cover art as well as a history of the recording and the legal hassles surrounding its release.
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Band of Gypsys had an alternative Puppet cover (UK Track 2406002 or Australian Polydor 2406002 vinyl and also seen on the original Japanese CD release). This cover was really sub-par and contained no photos of the band. It was the result of another executive decision at Track records to alter the original artwork for the UK release (see Electric Ladyland’s UK "electric lady" cover — hated by Jimi apparently- or the proposed artwork for Who’s Next (!)) The sound quality of the UK vinyl was never as good as that of the US, being cut at too low a volume and with rolled off bass and treble frequencies The Australian vinyl was quite good, even if it had some bass and treble roll off — the audience laughing after his crack at the beginning of Machine Gun was most audible on this release — despite the dodgy puppet cover.
For sound quality, in order of preference, The Classic records vinyl reissue may be the best version (I haven’t heard this), followed closely by the EH/Capitol CD version and then the Capitol 25th Anniversary CD and vinyl versions. The Australian vinyl version comes next and finally the UK Polydor versions of this album are inferior (both on vinyl and CD) — unusual for Jimi Hendrix albums, where the Polydor copies were usually much sought after for sound quality (e.g. Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love and Electric Ladyland).
