There was a GOLD CD of John Barry's DANCES WITH WOLVES which included the tracks from the original regular soundtrack CD plus two pop versions of the score's two main themes (these two pop versions had also been released on a vinyl single).

handstand, March 24, 2009; 2:48 PM

The ones I have are:
Somewhere In Time (MCA Ultimate Master Disc)
Out Of Africa (MCA Ultimate Master Disc)
Dances With Wolves (Epic Super Bit Mapping Master Sound)
Frances (SCSE Limited Edition Gold Disc)

The first three I bought through eBay (relatively cheaply from USA sellers); the last from a UK dealer (expensive!)

I'd owned the original releases of the first three (two different releases of SIT) ... are the gold discs any better sound-wise? I'd like to say yes but this maybe more wishful thinking than reality.

The more recent release of DWW (re-mastered) is probably the best sound wise ... though it does have a slightly different programme of music, meaning that both releases are essential for me.

As for the VS re-recordings of SIT (and Out Of Africa, Born Free and Body Heat): yes: get them! I find each not on a par with the OSTs (though I know some prefer the re-recording of SIT) as they come over a little "cold" - almost clinical - but they each have extra music and for that, if nothing else, they're well-worth having. IMHO, of course - a JB "addict"!

Mitch, March 24, 2009; 3:41 PM

The only Gold discs I have are Goldeneye (I dont know if that counts) but I also have Music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Mysterious Film World of Bernard Herrmann. The sound is crisp but anymore than a silver, I could not be truthful as I do not have the silver pressed CDs.

TheSaint.786, March 24, 2009; 6:35 PM

I have Gold Disc sfor Dances With Wolves, Frances as well, but the best to know the difference was listening to the gold disc of Williams 'Schindlers List'. which without a doubt has a wider soundfield...if that makes sense.
Get em gold i say.

tanemahuta, March 25, 2009; 2:04 AM

If there is any audible difference between gold and silver discs, it results in a remastering
process before the pressing. The material of the disc itself does not affect the audio quality.
The only (possible) advantage is, that gold discs do not seem to be concerned by "disc rot".

I do own the whole range of Barry goldies, but as most of these date from more than a
decade ago, actual pressings mostly offer an advanced quality of sound. Talking particularly of
SIT, the gold disc and the regular silver disc do sound absolutely alike.

And to answer your last question, no, as there were too few of these gold editions, you won't
find a dealer who specializes in them. Even though Columbia once tried to establish them, by
re-releasing a lot of their mid-price albums (Billy Joel etc.) on these. But that was twenty
years ago and hardly anyone cared for these editions. They nowadays do not sell for a higher
price than the regular pressings.

coma, March 25, 2009; 7:36 AM

If you are interested in better sound quality, I would recommend buying Japanese pressings. They have better mastering in Japan as opposed to the rest of the world, but they aren't gold plated if that's what you're after.

piano632, March 25, 2009; 12:36 PM

There's also 24k gold CD's of "Robin And The Seven Hoods" (Nelson Riddle) and "The Day The Earth Stood Still" (Bernard Herrmann).

I found the 24k of "Dances With Wolves" at a second hand shop for a $1.00.

"Somewhere In Time" is a great John Barry score. Sentimental and sad. The film is horrible. The Richard Matheson novel is great. A real tear jerker.

I don't care for the Roger Williams recording of the theme include on the score recording. Distracts from the listening experience.

The two track promo disc of "Dances With Wolves" was also released on CD with an alternate cover design.

victoravalentine, April 18, 2009; 1:40 AM

Sometimes there is a difference in soundquality of gold discs
compare to regular silver discs. For instance Dances with wolves has
indeed a better sound than the regular to my opinion.


rmensing, August 5, 2012; 7:38 PM