****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Will try and avoid repeating some of the other excellent feedback.#1. Paul, Linda, and Denny are on the front cover of the 50th Anniversary release. THIS IS UNIQUE. For 50 years prior, we have been staring at a band of characters up against a brick wall under spotlight on the front cover. They retained the brick wall photo/image; but, for this release, it was saved for the Disc 1 sleeve.#2. There is no mention of "Paul McCartney & Wings" on the front or the spine of this release. You have to flip the case over to the back to catch the name of the artists. The front reads "Band on the Run" in beautiful cursive script! The spine reads, "BAND ON THE RUN" in bold block print. Tiny mpl "Juggler" logo included!#3. The 2-CD release is in a 3-panel WHITE cardboard case. This release is in stark contrast to the 25th Anniversary release (which was in all BLACK outer case). 50th Anniversary packaging is all white, black lettering, and legacy front images of the 3 people who majorly contributed to this milestone album (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney (RIP), and Denny Laine (RIP).#4. Disc 1 is black in color with photo images (same photos as on the outer cover). Disc 2 is white in color with track listing in black lettering (BOTR "Rough Mixes" / "Underdubbed"). Disc 2 mixed by legendary Geoff Emerick.#5. In the USA, they have been distributing the 2-CD version sealed in shrinkwrap with beautiful front, red, circular hype sticker with white lettering. Sticker reads, "50th Anniversary 2CD"... (including "Linda McCartney Polaroid poster"). Back of package, there are 2 additional white and black stickers : "A Capital Records release" (side note, it is great to see Paul back at home with Capitol!), and "Made in Germany".#6. In case you are wondering about sound quality, IT IS SPECTACULAR! Crisp, brilliant, full of depth and range, excellent separation of instruments and vocals. DISCS INDICATE THESE PRESSINGS ARE MADE BY "OPTIMAL MEDIA" GROUP, Germany. For those in the know, the name is no misnomer! OUTSTANDING SONICS from a standard CD! We have compared the sound quality of these discs against the more expensive Japanese SHM discs for the same release - we prefer the sound of the Optimal Media discs!!!#7. Linda McCartney (and Paul) documented the BOTR sessions / Lagos trip with a Polaroid camera. Don't know what a Polaroid camera is? - google it! She compiled a whopping 82 images into a beautiful archival 2-sided poster! IMPRESSIVE!!! It features Paul, Linda, Denny, and friends at work (mostly play!). It is folded and included in the center panel of this release.#8. The Underdubbed mixes (Paul's nomenclature) are another brilliant facet of this landmark release! The rough mixes showcase the genius and skill of the songwriter / artists before subsequent studio layerings. Very enjoyable listening and a unique BOTR experience after all these years! The Rough Mixes also shine a light on the remarkable talents of individuals such as TONY VISCONTI (who helped make the original release so historic)!!! The Rough Mixes were / are an excellent choice for the 50th Anniversary release.#9. There were 9 notable luminaries who were captured on the original BOTR cover artwork (including Paul, Linda, and Denny). While the group shot is a fixture amongst legendary rock album covers, only Paul, Linda, and Denny contributed to the history-making music! "1985", "Helen Wheels", "Mrs Vandebilt", "Jet", "Let Me Roll It", "No Words", "Band On the Run" and more! This is a cornerstone rock release that has aged very well. Well, where did 50 years go??? Of the 9 individuals on the original album cover making up the "band" of escapees, only SIR PAUL and John Conteh are still alive. The others are no longer "on the run"...#10. The 50th Anniversary version of BOTR is a LIMITED release. Get it! Amazon has the best price out there. You are guaranteed to enjoy it for the next 50 years!
