in general, "bonus tracks" are mainly an excuse for the label to recycle/resell its catalog. i've purchased a few reissued-with-bonus-tracks cds that were actually worthwhile (uncle tupelo and traffic's john barleycorn come to mind), but typically i'm disappointed--the bonus tracks are either addons which obviously didn't match the quality of the original release or pointless remixes or alternative versions. some of the reissued bowie and badfinger are particularly bad in this regard. i share the sensibilty that the artist's original vision shouldn't be trampled with.
Reissue recordings with added tracks
I was curious what folks think about added tracks on reissue recordings.Most artists and/or producers go to great lengths to get the "flow" of the recording just right.Imagine,if you will,you've been listening to DSOTM and are really in the "zone".The closing notes are fading out then,BAM,you're hit with some outtake or other nonsense.IMHO,this would ruin the listening experience.I know why record companies do this and I know I don't have to buy the recordings,that's not the point of my post. I just want to hear other opinions on the artistic side of the equation.Let the debate begin!!!