This page contains all the messages put onto the BSN Stereo Chat Board during December, 1999. They are in chronological order from first to last. To search for specific topics, use the "find" utility on your browser. For a search of the complete archives, please go to the Stereo Chat Board Archives Main Page.
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Name: Mike & Brenda
Callahan Website: Both Sides Now Publications From: Virginia, USA Time: 1999-12-02 16:11:01 Comments: Well, wasn't that fun? Two weeks of the server being down, and they still haven't fixed it. Folks are getting antsy. We have moved the chat board to a different server. Although several people have suggested that we move from GuestWorld, we like their features and after looking at alternatives, decided that a switch of servers within the GuestWorld family would be best. One BSN Chat Board regular sent an e-mail extolling the virtues of his chat board server, how there had never been a problem, etc., only to have it crash and lose all previous messages the next day. These things are finicky, even in the best of times. Fortunately, we have been regularly saving the messages on the Chat Board, and they are now available in the updated Archives, which is now current to November 17, 1999. I tried to download the later messages when the board was temporarily up on Sunday, but couldn't. Eventually, they will be again available, and I will update the archives from November 17 to today. We now plan to retain this Chat Board as the main BSN Board, and not go back to the other one. When it comes on line again, we may use it for discography-related questions (Discography Chat Central?). Meanwhile.... we're BAAAACK! |
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Name: Groovin
Garrett Website: WPON-AM 1460 Detroit on the Web...for the best in rare oldies, webcast 24 hours a day. Time: 1999-12-03 10:13:22 Comments: Glad to see the board is back.... I'm curious as to how the overall sound quality is on the recent Westside release "Beyond The Valley of the Dimension Dolls". Has there been any effort to clean up the "master" of Carole King's "It Might As Well Rain Until September" (story goes, the "master tape" is simply a dub of the acetate master), and if there's any stereo here. Also, was "Mah-Na-Mah-Na" on the recent Hard To Find Pop Instrumentals a remix from the multi-track or what? The echo a bit much on the vocal..... |
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Name: Paul
Bigelow From: Austin, TX Time: 1999-12-03 10:39:10 Comments: On a recent trip in the South, I tuned in many an "oldies" and "classic rock" radio station and noticed something strange: 1) Oldies stations referred to themselves as "Cool" 2) Classic rock referred to themselves as "Arrow, Eagle, or Hawk" Could these stations all be owned by the same company, or is it coincidence, or does it have something to do with whatever company is supplying the music format? Any opinions on the recent Motown Stevie Wonder set? Is it mono, stereo, anything new? Thanks, Paul |
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Name: Randy
Price Website: From: New York Time: 1999-12-03 10:51:49 Comments: I recently listened on headphones to "Fingertips Pt. II" on my copy of Stevie Wonder's Looking Back LP anthology... It's definitely reprocessed and NOT true stereo. The info etched in the end groove (side 1) is "M 804LP3-D5RS-7618-1- 06C -- 1 -- 111". |
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Name: Tom
Daly Website: Skyline Digital Audio Restoration Service From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-03 12:30:27 Comments: Regarding "Mah Na Mah Na" on the Eric volume of HARD-TO-FIND POP INSTRUMENTALS, the 45 version was never mixed to stereo by the Italian label that owns it. They supplied an electronic stereo "master," which we rejected. By doing some comparison with the stereo LP version, we discovered that the 45 version was an edit of the LP version that ran longer, since the edit involved a loop back to :26 into the song. I re-edited the LP version to match the 45 version, otherwise we'd have ended up with either electronic stereo or a mono disc dub. Bill Buster and I believe we made the right choice opting for creating a stereo issue of the 45 edit, as do many customers who have emailed us about our work on the track. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-03 13:18:03 Comments: Paul, Those names you hear on those oldies and classic rock radio stations are "product" names of radio satalite services. The "cool" one is a product of Westwood One out of Santa Monica, California. We have them here in Arizona too. They're national, and they're irritating! All they do is play their carefully researched oldies that they've determined that people remember. So you get the same things over and over and over... The Stevie Wonder box appears to be all stereo except "Fingertips Pt. 2", which we all now know is a new mono remix. It has all LP length tracks. It still doesn't have ALL the hits, and despite earlier reports, it does have "Master Blaster (Jammin'). I'm not getting it because I already have all the LP length versions. I have to believe that someday they will remaster his individual CD's from the 70's and 80's. beetle |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-03 13:29:40 Comments: As I said, one of the country stations in my area is part of the "Real Country" satellite service based out of Tempe, Arizona. This is the only station that I get in my area that broadcasts vintage and current country in the same mix, while a 100% local country station in my area plays mostly current country and nothing else although they do claim to play "All Time Favorites" which they seem only to go as far back as 1986 unless the artists are still on the charts. |
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Name: Dave-o Thompson Website: From: Hershey PA Time: 1999-12-03 15:49:06 Comments: I take issue with Beatlefan's comment on all "Cool" stations being owned by one owner; just ain't so. Westwood One is a syndicator service, and they supply the programming. The "positioners", jingles and voice-over announcements particilar to that particular station's name, are added electronically. I work at a station called "Kool", and we've been programmed in-house for 10 years now. My wife, on the other hand, worked with another syndicator service - Jones Sattelite, in Denver - and before she went on any of the formats, would record literally hundreds of station identifiers, slogans and other things to help customize every station subscribing to the service. You will find, however, that many radio stations of the same format will enlist the programming advice of a mere handfull of consultants, several of which will reccommend the same tactics/slogans uses as they used in other markets (Why? One, because they have evidence of it working, and that's their bottom line...and two, because in some cases they own the rights to particular phrases, or have a deal with houses that sing the jingles, or have access to other production/imaging pieces that allow a station to sound unique for a fraction of the price they'd pay to have something dreamed-up just for them). |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-03 19:40:55 Comments: Dave-O-Thompson, I probably wasn't articulate with my reply but I did mention that Westwood One IS a satelite service. I didn't say the owned all the stations. It's the way radio stations operate on the cheap so there's minumum overhead. But, I don't think the "cool" thing is trademarked. I've had experience with one of these stations. |
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Name: Carl
Shell From: Greater New York Metro Time: 1999-12-03 20:34:37 Comments: Hey, it's nice to see this site up and running again. Really missed daily check-ins to see what everyone is up to. I think I know more than I ever need to know about the Stones stereo, Stevie's new box, Stax recordings, and Animals mono. I have received some great information here and I hope to utilize it with great results in 2000, along with my copy of THE BOOK. There is something I would like to pass along to others who enjoy oldies well programmed on the net. rondiamond.com is simply one of the most entertaining shows around. He does about forty five minutes devoted to a particular theme. Sometimes just regular broadcasts. What sets him apart is the expertise he brings in blending the music. The sets are perfectly assembled, and he brings a genuine sense of communication to the broadcast. Sound is exemplary compared to some of the muddy crap I've endured because the program content was really good. He has a classy site and you can listen to any show you want to as many times as you want to as long as it's posted. Radio programmers across the country should listen to how it can be done, and learn. |
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Name: Joel
Goldenberg From: Montreal Time: 1999-12-03 21:24:24 Comments: Recently got more 45s. Reissue 45 of Neil Diamond's Cracklin Rosie/He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother says mono both sides. Actually stereo. Rip-off!!!! Chicago mono 45s very good, powerful sound. Surprise! Surprise! Got RCA Living Stereo 45 of Jaye P. Morgan for $1.99! Sounds fabulous, really wide stereo. Maybe I'll buy one of them new-fangled stereophonic hi-fis after all! I'll keep you informed. See ya! |
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Name: Marty Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-03 22:18:36 Comments: Thank God the BSN site is still here. Whew. I had this strange dream the other night that all the regular members had committed suicide to protest the mono mix of "Fingertips"! |
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Name: Larry
Naramore Website: From: Sun Valley, Ca. Time: 1999-12-04 01:23:02 Comments: Listened to DCC Compact Classics re-issue of Johnny Cash's Sunday Morning Coming Down album again. Great stereo mixes!, great sound!. Anyone have any info i.e. sound quality on Collectable's Frankie Laine two-fer Rockin/Hell Bent For Leather re-issue? Thanks! |
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Name: Mike
Nickel From: Cincinnati, Ohio Time: 1999-12-04 08:41:05 Comments: Hmmm, any truth to the rumor that a label whose name rhymes with wino bought your server and decided to process all chat board material with a Univac??? |
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Name: Dave
Breathe Time: 1999-12-04 09:00:50 Comments: Just to complete the Stevie Wonder box-set drama, "Until you come back to me" is in MONO as always... Surely it was in Mono on the "Looking Back" 3LP set too, despite claims that all trax were stereo on some copies of that album? ...I like the box-set! |
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Name: Groovin'
Garrett Time: 1999-12-04 10:49:13 Comments: Re Tom Daly, "Mah-Na-Mah-Na" stereo mix: I wasn't at all criticising the version on the new CD at all. I'd never heard the stereo LP version, therefore I wasn't aware of the stereo mix w/the echo. You did a super job re-editing and mastering the track, as well as the rest of the CD. Kudos to you and Bill Buster! Have "Tall Paul", "First Name Initial", or either version of "O Dio Mio" (all Annette songs) ever appeared in stereo? I know Buena Vista wasn't keen on stereo to begin with, but then again..... Finally, this past Halloween I was listening to some tracks by John Zacherle (Halloween parody songs), and noticed that some of them use the same backing track as their Cameo/Parkway hit companions. I believe Mike brought this up in an edition of BSN some time ago, but this raises an eyebrow as to the existence of at least 2-track masters of some of this material. I read recently that Reco-Art, even though fond of mono, used a twin-track for some time. |
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Name: Richard
Otis From: Bellingham, Wash. Time: 1999-12-04 11:55:13 Comments: Hi from Richard, I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge of any of Verdelle Smith's Capitol material appearing on cd such as her minor hits of "In My Room" and "Tar and Cement"? |
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Name: jim
faro From: l.i., new york Time: 1999-12-04 15:36:22 Comments: does anyone know if bob luman's "you've got everything" is available on cd -stereo. i have a 45. i also have his "let s think about livin' " in stereo. a lso, does anyone have wmca dj in ny from 63-65- b. mitchel reed's- theme song or scott muni' s from wabc in ny. thanks for any help. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-04 17:19:05 Comments: To Jim Faro - Mitch's theme was "Hand Clappin' " by Red Prysock on Mercury. (This was a theme that many rock jocks used during that era.) Scott's theme was an English single issued here on Capitol called "Grasshopper Jump" by Tommy Watts. It wasn't a hit record but it was a great radio theme song. |
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Name: Jim
Warrick From: Burke, VA Time: 1999-12-04 18:32:15 Comments: I recently received the ROLLING STONES - STRICTLY STEREO CD from Discollector. Enclosed with the CD was some promo material, including a sheet advertising a 2 CD collection of THE BEATLES 1st 4 British albums ("Please Please Me"; "With the Beatles"; "A Hard Days Night"; and, "Beatles for Sale"). 54 Tracks in all, billed as "Original Master Recordings" and "true stereo". All this for $24.99. This seems to fall into the "too good to be true" category. Does anyone know anything about this 2 CD collection? Is it CDs made from records? Or is it truly original master recordings? Any help would be appreciated. |
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Name: Ed
Carr From: Northport, NY Time: 1999-12-04 23:15:32 Comments: I have an tape of what I thought were old recordings from the 1930's, but the music is in stereo and is engineered to sound old. It's obviously a re-make of old hits by a group of very talented musicians, and I would love to know who they are. The songs include "I'm Dancing With Tears in My Eyes", "Little White Lies", "It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane", "Caberet", "Mame", and others. I made the tape from an oldies radio station that played these songs all in a row (all by the same artist) back around 1974. Does anyone out know who the artist(s) of this re-made music might be? Ed Carr Northport, NY |
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Name: John
Preston From: Arlington, Texas Time: 1999-12-05 02:03:34 Comments: Anyone thinking of getting that RENE AND RENE cd, just released by Varese, be forewarned: All of it is hissy mono, except "Angelito", which is hissy stereo. It was mastered by Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch. We all know that Inglot does not believe in cleaning up anything, much less releasing the stereo versions. It's ironic that "Angelito" was included in stereo, noisy or not. |
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Name: Sergio
Ventura From: Brazil Time: 1999-12-05 08:55:27 Comments: I'm looking for a CD version of an old LP named 'Ecstasy' from 'Otto Cesana'. I've searched the net and I only found some used LP's. If anyone knows where I can find this CD (whether it exists), please mail me. |
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Name: Tom
Daly Website: Skyline Mastering From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-05 10:40:26 Comments: To Ed Carr: A couple of bands released stereo recordings like the one you've described: Gary Lawrence & his Sizzling Syncopators released albums on Blue Goose (BG 2020) and Columbia. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra recorded and released an album on Reward/CBS (FW-39135). This LP was partially produced by Bill Buster of ERIC Records. Neither of the two LPs for which I provided catalog numbers contain the songs you mentioned, so it's possible they're on Gary Lawrence's Columbia LP, which I don't have. |
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Name: P. Gordon Time: 1999-12-05 13:22:11 Comments: "Woman" in stereo??? You decide. www.petergordon.homepage.com |
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Name: Randy
Price Website: From: New York Time: 1999-12-05 13:27:59 Comments: To Jim Warrick: I ordered the Beatles' Original Master Recordings CD from DisCollector at the same time as the Rolling Stones' Strictly Stereo. What a treasure trove! Both collections have outstanding sound quality and are all stereo (except "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You" on the OMR CD.) The Beatles discs may have been mastered from vinyl, but if so it was probably from mint copies of the Mobile Fidelity audiophile releases of the first four British LPs. To Dave Breathe: Yes, "Until You Come Back to Me" is mono on the Stevie Wonder Looking Back LP. |
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Name: terryoregon From: Beaverton, Oregon Time: 1999-12-05 17:24:13 Comments: To Groovin' Garrett, As a long time collector of Annette, I have never heard Tall Paul, First Name Initial or O Dio Mio in stereo. Pineapple Princess and Walkin' and Talkin' are some of the earliest stereo recordings I've heard by Annette. Disney released a two CD box set a few years ago that included studio chatter with Tall Paul. This means they had the session tape (or at least a copy of it). If it was recorded in stereo, they have never opted to release it that way. I have a lot of authorized reissues of Annette that include LP's from EMI New Zealand and CD's from Japan. No stereo version of the songs you mentioned. Everything she did after about 1960 was in stereo (most of her beach movie stuff). |
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Name: Chuck
Iverson From: S F Bayarea Time: 1999-12-06 04:05:23 Comments: Losr earlier in internet space: Just received my copy of "Frank Guida presents Best of Norfolk"[If you want to be Happy?] The title song is in very good stereo, better than Soul's best of or Toga party. New Orleans is brighter than before and "Dear Lady Twist" has good stereo, but dull sound? What happened Walter? Worth buying for "Night with Daddy G" in mono but good sound. I received the Time/Life catalog, recently and noticed the "Your Hit Parade section. Missing were the great 60's disc's, I called and the lady there, told me "they were being discontinued". I immediately phoned CCM and placed my order for all three, great selection of one of a kind stereo hits, be warned collectors! Also have "Beats" Beatle disc from Discol. I agree with most comments, good sound, don't know origin of masters, mostly stereo. Can't wait for Hard to Find 45's vol. 4 on order. Thanks Tom! |
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Name: Bill Knoble From: Dallas Time: 1999-12-06 07:31:56 Comments: Reissue Record Label URL's Does anybody know the URL's for the following companies?: 1] Bear Family 2] Westside 3] Sequel / Castle Communications 4] Relic (I've heard they're out-of-business, but any website with their catalog listed will do) For your help, here are some you may not have: Ace (U.K): http://www.acerecords.co.uk Collectables: http://www.oldies.com Del-Fi/DF2K: http://www.del-fi.com Eric: http://www.ericrecords.com Legacy (Sony/Columbia/Epic): http://legacyrecordings.com Razor & Tie: http://www.razorandtie.com Repertoire: http://www.repertoire-records.com Sundazed: http://www.sundazed.com Taragon: http://www.cdmo.com/cgi-bin/cdmo/taragon?78GpmQRA;;9 Varese Sarabande: www.varesesarabande.com Thanks for your help. |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-06 07:56:35 Comments: Bill, Bear Family's URL is http://www.bear-family.de |
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Name: Jay
Johnston From: London, Ontario Time: 1999-12-06 08:23:02 Comments: Bill, Westside website is http://www.vci.co.uk/music/mindex.shtml Scroll down to the Westside logo and click on it. Their site was still months out of date though, the last time I checked. |
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Name: Alan
Carner From: Fort Smith Time: 1999-12-06 16:05:32 Comments: There is a Bear Family Box set on Charlie Walker called Pick me up on Your Way Down. Does anyone know if the Song, San Diego, is in Stereo. Thanks for the help. |
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Name: Dave
Dzurick From: Tucson Time: 1999-12-06 17:34:11 Comments: Charlie Walker's San Diego is in beautiful, clean stereo on the Bear Family Box. Dave |
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Name: Roger
Round From: Vancouver , Canada Time: 1999-12-06 22:40:10 Comments: I was browsing on Muze and i came across a Best Of Herman's Hermits available on a Pegasus/Cleopatra label. It says 18 trax in stereo. Does anybody have any info on this it was released 09/1999. Also I picked up Bobby Darin best of 1966-69 for the one track "Long Line Rider" in stereo .There are only 3 trax in stereo but for me it was worth it 'cause I've never heard that track in stereo before. Just thought I'd share that with you. Thanx |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-06 22:53:51 Comments: Roger, the Cleopatra Herman's Hermits compilation probably contains re-recordings. ABKCO does have the US rights to their original recordings and has their own compilation released. |
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Name: Boppin
Brian Website: From: So Cal Time: 1999-12-07 05:58:09 Comments: RECORD LABELS ON THE "WWW".......there are dozens---no 100s---- no jillions more informative web pages out there, for starters, try the dozens of record labels' sites under any of the better "Links" pages like ACE (U.K.)'s. There are several sources for minimal info (track listings & cover shots at least) on RELIC CDs (now turning up as cutouts for under $10 each ! Yikes!). Basic "Doo Wop" CD listings? try: http://www.doowopshoobop.com/index.html I actually find All Music Guide (http://allmusic.com/) most helpful, but, again, they don't list all of the Relic titles. Entering "Relic" or "Golden Age of Doo Wops" in a "search" will get you many of what they issued. Looks like Collectables has been busy re-releasing many of the Relic collections, with , of course, their typical crappy cover art..... Can anyone comment on "Eva" label CDs by Standells, 13th Floor Elevators, etc. ? How about any of the Elevators' I.A. material -- anywhere in stereo on CD? Norton (www.nortonrecords.com) reply to my recent email defends their mono - only SONICS & non-Rastafarian WAILERS Etiquette stance, sayin "Regarding our LP's and CD's on the Etiquette stuff. Everything is in Mono. Wailers are first to admit that the stereo Wailers sound bad. MONO MONO MONO. If that upsets you, so sorry!" and "There ARE no stereo masters. Mono masters are the only ones that still exist." ...and the beat goes on........BYE ! ! ! |
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Name: Groovin'
Garrett Time: 1999-12-07 10:53:56 Comments: OK, the plot thickens.....someone put up an MP3 file (17 sec. long) of the instrumental break in Peter & Gordon's "Woman". Thing is, it's true stereo. The horns are hard left, and the rhythm track is right, but there is no "duophonic" channel-cross. There is a true track seperation here. Problem is, none of the vocals are here! You be the judge. The file is at www.petergordon.homepage.com. |
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Name: Jay
Johnston From: London, Ontario Time: 1999-12-07 11:02:38 Comments: Re: Relic Records. Another good source of info and track listings for Relic cd's is www.cdconnection.com. You can search by mfg's label and bring up the whole list, plus most have track lists and Liquid Audio to hear parts of tracks. And they have been very good at obtaining any of the Relic cd's I was missing. |
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Name: Jay
Johnston From: London, Ontario Time: 1999-12-07 11:52:52 Comments: I spoke too soon regarding CD Connection. Just went on the site and found only 44 of the Relic cds listed. That's almost 100 less than were on there about two weeks ago, so if you still want some of them, order fast! I don't think they will last much longer, guess the well is drying up. |
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Name: John
Preston From: Arlington, Texas Time: 1999-12-07 15:12:42 Comments: In case they're some Motown freaks out there (and I know you're there), I just received a cd of Stevie Wonder's original "Up-tight Everything's Alright" from overseas. No bonus tracks, just the twelve tracks that were on the original lp, in pristeen stereo (remastered using 24-bit technology by Kevin Reeves). I am fast becoming a Kevin Reeves fan. But why hasn't this disc been released in the U.S.? Plans may be to release it someday, but the import version was released last year! Ever feel like a second class citizen, in your own country? It's amazing how good these Motown lps still sound, even after all these years. Even though "Blowin'In The Wind", "With a Child's Heart", "Nothing's Too Good For My Baby", and the title track all made the R&B Top 10, there are several tracks here that would have probably been hits, if they had been released as singles ("Teach Me Tonight", "Ain't That Asking For Trouble", I Want My Baby Back", among others). Why do I get the feeling that this cd was held up, so that it wouldn't interfere with "THE" box set sales? |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-07 19:25:46 Comments: John Preston, You're probably correct. Also, the licencing laws are different overseas. And I don't think they're so concerned with moving x-number of units. I really hate it when you can get stuff as imports but you can't get them here. It seems people in Europe have a deeper appreciation of classic soul/r&b music than here. beetlefan |
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Name: Lex Bloom,
Ahead To Stereo From: Boston Time: 1999-12-07 19:47:27 Comments: To John Preston: Kevin Reeves may be fantastic at remastering the Stevie Wonder "Uptight" album for CD, but as I read from Marty not so long ago, he was one of the two gentlemen (Harry Weinger was the other) who decided to remaster "Fingertips" in MONO. By the way, as a lot of the Stevie albums went in the 70s and beyond, the tunes would always segue or crossfade into one another. That always irked me. Is that the way the box set goes? |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-07 21:40:26 Comments: John, Stevie's "Uptight" album was released on CD in the US back in the 1980's with the catalog number MOTD-5183. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-07 22:52:22 Comments: To Brad, We know. We're referring to the new remasters. To Lex: Remixing something into mono does not make Kevin Reeves a bad engineer any more than issuing mono versions makes Bill Inglot a bad engineer. I only wish I had their talent and experience. Also, tight edits and crossfades are Stevie Wonder's trademarks, as is Earth Wind and Fire's and Paul McCratney's trademarks. I like them. I'm starting to do the same on some of my homemade CD-R's where it works. |
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Name: John
Preston From: Arlington, Texas Time: 1999-12-08 02:05:20 Comments: Lex, I suspect that if Harry Weinger was the man in charge, Mr Reeves had to do what he was told, in regards to mono vs stereo, on "Fingertips". I wasn't there, so I don't know, but I'm convinced that Kevin Reeves could have done a bang-up job, if he could have done the song in stereo. Even if it was done in two-track, I'd have been happy, (and wide enough to tell there is separation, please!). I personally prefer wide left and right separation, most of the time, but on rare occasions, I don't mind the two tracks a little closer. But not like that Freddie King cd I bought not long ago. It was, for all practical purposes, mono, the tracks were so closely mastered. Maybe someone will pull them apart one of these days, so we can hear some separation. |
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Name: Boppin'
Brian Website: From: So CA. Time: 1999-12-08 05:41:03 Comments: Don't feel too bad, I too bought that "Modern Blues" label Freddie King cd cuz the cover blurb, as I recall promised his King instrumental hits for the first time in stereo, which they weren't ! The same label had a second, all-vocal Freddie/y King King collection, which I suppose is probably all mono too. A third, unrelated - King "Modern Blues" compilation from the late great flying-V - weilding Albert has his King material in substantially better sound than on King label CD issues. RELIC (I guess they are going , going....FAST, too !) had Albert King's earliest output recorded for tiny Chicago label in splendid-sounding (Little Walter-ized) Chicago blues collections. Yes, in '70s, no-longer "Little"
Stevie did issue numerous LPs with that irritating Moody Blues - style "cross - fading", including "Original
Musiquarium.." compilation....a radio programmer's nightmare !! This trend has marred numerous "box
sets", and does anyone else "hate it when that happens !!!" ...? Hopefully Stevie box (anyone out there
that didn;t "boycott" ?!?!) leaves tracks seperate. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-08 07:05:51 Comments: While I like tight edits and crossfading on individual albums, I don't think they really work on most boxed sets. Earth Wind & Fire's "Eternal Dance" box is the only place it really works because they have done it on virtually all of their albums. It's their style. Brian, as a radio guy, I can see why you don't like it. I think artists and/or producers sometimes did it to force people to listen to the whole side. Many albums were intended to be taken as one whole big piece of art while radio programmers were thinking market share and record execs were thinking of commerce. And there is the issue of LP versions/mixes verses single edits/mixes (which I like as well). Three examples of these issues are The Beatles' "White Album", "Sgt Pepper", and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". Berry Gordy fought Marvin for a single from WGO. beetlefan |
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Name: Dave
Breathe Time: 1999-12-08 07:09:54 Comments: In regard to query re: Stevie boxset. Broadly, segueing/crossfading follows the ORIGINAL albums: the early cuts all have 2 second gaps between, but from 1971, the trax from each ORIGINAL album collide with each other (not necessarily in the same order as originally!) - but not with trax from a different ORIGINAL album! e.g. Songs from "Innervisions" are separated by 2 secs from songs from "Talking book" or "FFF"... Trax from "Musiquarium" are separate (2 secs) & "I just called..." is too. Hope that helps... |
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Name: Dean From: Calgary Canada Time: 1999-12-08 11:36:10 Comments: Just to let everyone know of a new (I think) stereo find brought to my attention by Paul Stoddard. It's "The Witch Doctor" by David Seville from 1958. This song can be found in true 3 track stereo on a Canadian Compilation called "On my radio: Top hits of the 1950's " by EMI Music Canada 72435 20982-2-2-4. It sounds great in stereo. Too bad it takes 42 years for gems like this to surface but better late than never eh? In regards to Peter & Gordon's rumored "stereo" hit "Woman" it indeed exists. I'm not sure why there is so much confusion as to the existance of this song but in an effort to put this issue to rest and share a really great song in stereo with my fellow stereo collectors just E-mail me and I will send you a copy of this song on MP3 in it's entirety. In fact if anyone can't get a copy of the Witch Doctor either (since it is a Canadian release and may be hard to find in the States) I'll be more than happy to send you an MP3 of that song too! I just hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes by doing this but if I am please accept my apologies |
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Name: Paul Carr Time: 1999-12-08 16:40:47 Comments: I'm still looking for a Supremes singles collection with as much stereo as possible. The Ultimate Collection has all the singles, but they are all mono. Does anyone know about stereo on Supremes - 40 Motown Golden Greats(UK Motown/Polydor Import)? Also does anyone know anything about the Rolling Stones Strictly Stereo 64-69 (Arcade - German Import)? |
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Name: terryoregon From: Beaverton, Oregon Time: 1999-12-08 18:05:16 Comments: I just bought the Tokens CD by Taragon (All Time Greatest Hits). The first song on this CD is "Tonight I Fell In Love". Darn. . . . . it's in mono. That surprising, since I have this song in true stereo on an early seventies LP called "The Tokens, Both Sides Now" on the Buddah label. Hmmmm, "both sides now" is an interesting coincidence for an LP title. Anyway, the back of the Taragon CD says: "Tracks 1 & 9 are mono from full track master tapes; tracks 10, 13-14 from 2 track stereo sources; tracks 2-8 are stereo from 3 track session master tapes; 11-12 are stereo from 8-track session master tapes" I'm not sure what "full track master tape" means exactly. In searching the archives, a message from December 97 said: . . ."And there is a stereo version of 'Tonight I Fell In Love' but it's just an add-on instrumental track to create the stereo effect." I don't hear any such add on effect on my copy and it sounds the same as the one on the Taragon CD. Anyway, you can hear a 37 sec sample mp3 for this song at: http://home.integrityonline.com/terry/tokens.htm |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-08 18:30:24 Comments: "Full track" means the tape was recorded on a dedicated MONO deck. It's best to play one of these mono master tapes on a complimentary mono machine. Stay away from Diana Ross and The Supremes "Ultimate Collection" not because it has mono, but because was very poorly mastered from bad tapes, just like the "Forever Diana" box. |
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Name: Tom
Daly Website: Skyline Mastering From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-08 19:44:47 Comments: To TerryOregon: The Buddah issue of "Tonight I Fell in Love" has added instrumentation to make the song stereo. The Warwick single version, the original, was not recorded in stereo. For the Buddah LP, the Warwick mono master was copied to a multitrack tape, then more instruments were dubbed onto the recording to make it stereo. Reprise did the same with the Vogues' Co & Ce recordings, although "Five O'Clock World" has since been released by Varese from a two-track stereo master. |
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Name: terryoregon From: Beaverton, Oregon Time: 1999-12-08 21:07:40 Comments: I just spent some time listening to this again on headphones. This is indeed the slickest stereo trick I've ever heard. The only time in 30 years I've had to humble myself and admit I was fooled. I had to switch between right only and left only on my trusty Marantz amplifier to hear what's going on. What's particularly intersting is that the vocals also "appear" separated. But upon careful listening, I can now see that they also took the vocals, did some bandwidth filtering or delay and then put the modified vocals on the channel opposite the added instrumentation track. A real neat trick. Still, I like it much better than the mono version, illusion or not. |
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Name: Mike
Arcidiacono Time: 1999-12-08 21:48:38 Comments: Re: Tonight I Fell In Love Upon another listening, Terry is right!! They took the mono 45, and split it into channels, then they eq'd the midrange to boost the lead vocal on the left, and to reduce the vocal on the right, then mixed in the additional percussion on the left as well. They did a pretty good job, actually....it sound like the strings are ONLY on the left, but of course they arent. This is no NEW vocal track. Very Clever, Hank and Mitch!! Mikey |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-09 02:59:26 Comments: CORRECTION: Below I stated that one should avoid the Diana Ross & The Supremes "Ultimate Collection". That should read, Diana Ross's "Ultimate Collection". You monophobes wouldn't care anyway. Cheers! |
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Name: Bob
Olivia From: Burbank, Ca. Time: 1999-12-09 05:14:35 Comments: Anyone know if "El Watusi" by Ray Baretto is available on Cd, and if so in Stereo? Thank Bob. |
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Name: Blind
Jim From: Outer Limits Time: 1999-12-09 11:23:59 Comments: El Watusi appears on Ace's Land of 1000 Dances (CDCHD 702). An excellent collection, all in all. |
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Name: ALAN
END From: PLAINVIEW, N.Y. Time: 1999-12-09 11:50:30 Comments: Bob, EL WATUSI in stereo also appeared on the "CARLITO'S WAY" soundtrack. |
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Name: Willie Time: 1999-12-10 00:44:49 Comments: Two questions please: 1) Anybody received the 4th quarter Both Sides Now Newsletter? and 2) Anyone heard the Japanese releases of the Association albums? Are they the same quality as the "From the Master Tapes" Series? Thanks. |
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Name: Chuck
Iverson From: Sunnyvale, CA. Time: 1999-12-10 03:22:47 Comments: Dear Mike, would you like reviews on the following, [I know you reviewed 4 before], but I'm not sure which ones. The series is from Time/Life called The Heart of Rock and Roll: I have the following years, 1956, 58, 59, 61, combos; 59-60, 60-61, 62-63. These discs are mostly upgraded from the Rock & Roll Era with an emphasis on softer rock, but usually better masters than originally used. Please E-mail back if you can use any of the above. I hate to meet like this, everyone on the chat board seems to get pissed about secrets on this board. I am glad the 99 archives were added to get me up to speed! |
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Name: Bill Knoble From: Dallas Time: 1999-12-10 04:48:37 Comments: Willie, no #53 Newsletter yet! I hope I don't embarrass myself by buying BAD CDs for friends and family this Christmas!!! M-i-k-e, Oooohhh M-i-k-e --- #53 out by end of Oct. ....cough, ...cough. Any udate you can give us? Oh, and while you're at it, how's the "Bible" coming? .... you know, the "King Callahan" version! Any specifics would be appreciated. |
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Name: Boppin'
Brian Website: From: So CA. Time: 1999-12-10 05:32:29 Comments: "Latin Soul Boogaloo" ( Various Artists) 1996 Delta/Laserlight 12913 is another, perhaps least expensive, way to get stereo"El Watusi" by Ray Barretto. Also included on this "budget" CD is the stereo "Bang, Bang" by Joe Cuba Sextet. Maybe someone out there will compile a "Far-out Foreign Forty-fives" with hard-to-find st reo versions of hits like the above two plus "Dominique", "Martian Hop", "Sailor", "Sukiyaki", "Volare", and others.....(O.K., O.K., so multitracks on these may be the ultimate "needles in a haystack", but it's fun to fantasize.....). |
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Name: Dave-o
Thompson Time: 1999-12-10 09:32:57 Comments: Anybody on this board know where to find Bob B Soxx's Christmas songs (at the least, "The Bells of St. Mary's")? My station just had a listener call in looking for it, and none of our databases cover Christmas various artist comps. Thanx in advance! |
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Name: Groovin'
Garrett Time: 1999-12-10 11:26:47 Comments: "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "The Bells Of St. Mary's" by Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans can be found on the Abkco CD "A Christmas Gift From Phil Spector", albeit in poorly mastered mono ("Digitally remastered from original master tapes by Phil Spector"). If you have access to a used record store, search out the vinyl copy on Passport/CBS called "Phil Spector's Christmas Album". It contains the same album as the Abkco release, except in fairly good stereo. There is also a "grey area" CD of the stereo album floating around (Mike reviewed it in BSN last year, I believe), but it was mastered from the same Passport LP and some songs fade in. If you're in a bind, though, the Abkco CD is fairly easy to find. |
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Name: David
Clark From: Ottawa Time: 1999-12-10 11:33:39 Comments: So, I found that "On The Radio - The '50s" CD on EMI Canada in my local CANADIAN store, and low and behold, "Witch Doctor" IS true stereo and the original (not a remake). Lead vocal on the near left, music centre, backing "chipmunks" right. Incredible how nothing on the package states that this 1958 is first-time stereo! Way to go Dean for bringing it to the Board! |
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Name: Dave-o
Thompson Website: From: Harrisburg PA Time: 1999-12-10 13:46:18 Comments: Garrett - Thanx for such a zippy response (on a question that had me bangin' my forhead - I KNEW I shoulda known that one)! While we're semi-on-the-subject, what's your favorite database site for tracking down entries on Various Artists? - that is, until the new Oldies On CD comes out, of course! |
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Name: Roger
Round From: Vancouver , Canada Time: 1999-12-10 22:27:07 Comments: I watched Notting Hill last weekend with Julia Roberts & Hugh Grant with my headphones on of course ( too many rock concerts in the 70's ) and Gimme Some Lovin' by Spencer Davis was playing on the soundtrack and it sure sounded like it was in STEREO. It sounded different so I went to the local record store and listened to it but it was the same mono track that I always hear. Why would they put a different version in the movie and not the same one on the soundtrack? Beats Me. Just thought i'd share that in case anyone else noticed that. |
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Name: Jay
Connors From: Jersey Time: 1999-12-10 23:42:59 Comments: I am just wondering about something. I have an original copy of A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU by Phil Spector et al on the original Philles label. I got this in the early to mid sixties and it has a yellow and red label. The sound is pure mono and very punchy! Very crisp, clear and "vibrant" sounding. I have heard versions of this record playing in the mall, at Sam Goody's, and was amazed at how dull and lifeless it sounded. They only play cd's at my Sam Goodys, so it wasn't a cassette. Question: Does anyone know how many original versions of this lp were manufactured. Mine was sent to a radio station as a "thank you" for supporting Philles records and contains a spoken message from Phil himself. Is this on the subsequent "reissues"? Would this be considered a "collector's item?" |
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Name: Marty
Blaise Website: The Blaise Page From: Houston, Texas Time: 1999-12-11 00:21:43 Comments: I noticed on www.amazon.com they are selling "The Little Drummer Boy" by the Harry Simeon Chorale. One of the reviewers says this is the original 1959 "Sing We Now Of Christmas" album. My question is - is Little Drummer Boy in rechanneled stereo on this cd or is it in true stereo. If it's true stereo, I'll buy this cd in a second. Thanks. |
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Name: Tom
Daly Website: Skyline Mastering From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-11 08:24:21 Comments: I'll try to clear up a couple of questions at once here: Any issues of the 1957 version of "The Little Drummer Boy" would be in electronic stereo, as it was on stereo pressings of SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS. The reason that track's mono is that it was recorded and issued by 20th Century-Fox on a single in '57. The LP was cut and issued the following year, based on the success of the single during the previous holiday season. Alas, no stereo tape of the hit version has ever materialized, and when Polygram absorbed MGM, Mercury, 20th Century-Fox, etc., any multis were discarded. The stereo recording that commonly appears on CD is the 1962 Kapp remake. It appears the original version is not available to license for use on compilation CDs. Stereo issues of "A Christmas Gift for You" appeared on vinyl as "Phil Spector's Christmas Album," first on the Warner/Spector label, then on a CBS subsidiary called Pavillion, not Passport (that was an indie distributed by JEM). |
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Name: Groovin'
Garrett Time: 1999-12-11 10:47:41 Comments: The mono version of "Phil Spector's Christmas Album" was also released in 1972 on Apple Records. I have heard this LP once, and the mono sound is much better than the current CD, so I would assume that both this LP and the original Philles version (either blue or yellow label) have the same mix. |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-11 15:43:42 Comments: Here's some great news for country fans, you can now order CD's, books, cassettes and videos from Ernest Tubb Record Shop online at http://etrecordshop.com/Merchant/merchant.mv? You can also see the main page at http://www.etrs.net |
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Name: Mike
Nickel From: Cincinnati, Ohio Time: 1999-12-11 15:52:18 Comments: I dug out my Passport/CBS vinyl press of Uncle Phil's Xmas album, and it's true stereo. I found I liked it better when I pushed the mono button in - the Wall of Sound roars when it's mono, especially the bass. When you listen in stereo, it's not the same experience. Balance wise the stereo is decent, but I don't care how much I prefer stereo most of the time - Spector got the Wall effect best when the mix ended up as mono. I'd love an original mono press of the Xmas album - all tube cutting chain, fresh tape, and mastered with Phil right there every step of the way. By the way, the Xmas message from Phil wasn't just on the original LP; it shows up on all the reissues... |
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Name: Mike
Nickel From: Cincinnati, Ohio Time: 1999-12-11 17:14:07 Comments: Hi, oops - I goofed on the label of that Spector Xmas album, too. It's not Passport, it's Pavillion... As for the CD reissues, the Rhino and ABKCO (two of our favorites these days) discs both sound muddy to me, like the hiss was filtered with a heavy hand. If the hiss sounds like eggs frying, a little removal is ok, but when it's just lightly present that scalpel of noise reduction starts to snag the high frequencies that breathe life into the track. I've been slowly upgrading my components (hot-rodded Dynaco amp, Adcom preamp, Dynaudio speakers, Grado phones and cartridge) and the things that make a track come alive (and are really noticeable now) are lurking in the midrange and highs where the ear seems most sensitive. Really skillful denoisers are a rare breed, so I guess it's one of those personal quibbles - when the music starts losing that magical, alive quality, it's time to back off the No-Noise/Sonic Solutions/CEDAR denoising and try again... |
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Name: John
Preston From: Arlington, Texas Time: 1999-12-13 02:03:18 Comments: According to Reel.com, the movie "Cooley High" will be released on DVD on January 18th. Do we dare to hope that "Fingertips" will be in stereo, (even in part), on the soundtrack? I won't be holding my breath, but it might be something to look out for, since the original vinyl version of the soundtrack did, (we're told), contain most of part 2 in stereo. |
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Name: Ken
Garland From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-13 13:52:13 Comments: I'm looking for Bertha Tilman "Oh my angel", any one have a clue where i might find it? Thanks. |
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Name: Tom
Daly Website: Skyline Digital Audio Restoration Service From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-13 14:58:05 Comments: Ken, Bertha Tillman's "Oh, My Angel" is available in original mono on Mr. Maestro 1006, Moments to Remember - 30 Original Golden Oldies. This disc can be obtained from Disc Collector at http://www.discol.com for a reasonable price. |
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Name: David
Clark From: Ottawa Time: 1999-12-13 16:15:14 Comments: yes, the Cooley High soundtrack LP does have a true stereo mix of "Fingertips" (I have it to confirm). It starts at the beginning of Pt. 1 and ends about 2/3 into Pt. 2, i.e., when the song kinda really ends and before Stevie comes back to take a bow and he continues the song. This is why I'm so PO'd at the box being mono. [ -- If I remember correctly, the version on Cooley High is not the same recording as the single. It sounded to me like it was recorded at a different show about the same time, which of course explains why the spontaneous "what key, what key?" encore part is not there at the end. -- MC ] |
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Name: Mark
Mathews From: LI, N.Y. Time: 1999-12-13 18:03:02 Comments: Hello All! Hmmm, sorry Mike, the stereo version of "Fingertips" from the Cooley High soundtrack is indeed the same recording that was used for single (part 2), except for missing ending. I did a quick sync of the 2 and they phase perfectly. I was told by an industry "insider" that the end was probably not used on the stereo version because just as Stevie was finishing they started breaking down the mics on the stage, and were put back quickly for his "encore" return, making the last segment sound different in stereo. I cannot confirm this. The stereo version also lacks a lot of reverb and compression they used on the mono. Of course, I myself would just add reverb and compression to the stereo version and use the encore part anyway...but that's just me. Happy stereo all! -MM |
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Name: Jay
Connors Time: 1999-12-13 18:33:52 Comments: Re: Bertha Tillman. What a great, simple, elegant, heartfelt song! A one time magical moment if there ever was one. As an alternative to the Mr. Maestro cd, it is on one of the Lowrider Oldies series on Thump out of Los Angeles...a series of great soul oldies geared toward the Latino community. Oh My Angel is one of the top one hit wonders of all time. By and large, an overlooked and underated gem. |
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Name: David
Clark From: Ottawa Time: 1999-12-13 19:32:42 Comments: thanks, Mark for coming to my rescue. "Fingertips" on Cooley High is indeed the same recording as the hit, only it doesn't run til the end of the hit....Mike C.? [ -- Okay, I misspoke. I finally got around to listening again, and they are the same take, but both the ending and some of the beginning of part 1 are chopped off. -- MC] |
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Name: Willie From: San Francisco Time: 1999-12-13 19:59:13 Comments: To Ken Garland: "Oh My Angel" by Bertha Tillman is also available on "The Birth of Soul" on Kent (an Ace label in the UK but available in the US). That CD also has "How Can I Forget" and it is the only place I have ever seen that song. FYI; Nobody responded about my question on the Association individual lps on cd from Japan so I obtained two of the them this weekend, Insight Out and Birthday, and they sound very good. Definately worth having. Mike, where is issue # 53? I'm getting antsy. |
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Name: Willie From: SF Time: 1999-12-13 20:01:32 Comments: To: Jay Connors; Regarding "Oh My Angel", I couldn't agree with you more. Great Song. |
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Name: Tom Daly Website: Skyline Mastering From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-14 09:33:08 Comments: I guess I'll have to file Bertha Tillman's "Oh, My Angel" away for future reference on an ERIC "Hard-to-Find 45s on CD" compilation! It's such a great song! |
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Name: Marty
Blaise Website: The Blaise Page From: Houston, Texas Time: 1999-12-14 10:49:09 Comments: Tom, thanks again for the information on Little Drummer Boy. This got me to thinking and maybe our readers can help - what other "December/Christmas/Holiday" hits/recordings were released as singles in 1957 or so, and then added to albums as a mono or rechanneled track? Also, can someone tell me which "Christmas" releases that made the charts prior to 1960 were in stereo. Three I can think of, possibly are Jingle Bell Rock, Rocking Around The Christmas Tree and Catch A Falling Star (not really Christmas, but played a lot in December some places). I'm sure there were plenty of Christmas releases in mono after 1960. Some were collector items such as the Beatles Christmas records, but some chart records (Little Saint Nick?) were recorded in stereo. --- While on the topic of Christmas, I've always wondered why the song Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi) is stereo on the original albums with voice/instrument separation, but mono or rechanneled on Greatest Hits (cassette, I haven't checked CD version). Was it because some people do not like the instruments/voice setup? A lot of equipment comes with a mono button, so a version like this could be changed by the listener. --- White Christmas, by Bing Crosby, was recorded in 1942(?) I think - way early for stereo, but I've heard interesting stories about multiple microphones back then. Any chance that classic has a stereo version? Guess we can all hope. Seasons greetings to all. |
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Name: Bob
Olivia From: Burbank, Ca. Time: 1999-12-14 13:42:23 Comments: Can anyone recommend a CD copier that's easier to use than a PC version. Are they any quicker. A PC version seems to take forever to get it right. I have the HP version which also records CD RW. There are 4 ways to record, very confusing. Are the non PC version copier's less complicated. Bob Olivia |
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Name: Chuck
Iverson From: Sunnyvale Time: 1999-12-14 13:43:03 Comments: OK, Where do I find Jingle Bell Rock in stereo, never heard it before. I have lots of comps. with no stereo, including two by MCA, of course that could be the answer right there. Holiday greetings!!! |
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Name: terryoregon From: Beaverton, Oregon Time: 1999-12-14 13:48:19 Comments: Can someone tell me what currently available CD contains "California Girls" by the Beach Boys in stereo? In searching the archives, someone mentioned (8/8/98) that it appeared in clean stereo on an "Endless Summer" CD released in August 98. Amazon.com only shows one listing for Endless Summer (Gold CD) and California Girls is listed as mono on the track listing. That song is in mono on my old Endless Summer CD (Capital) that I bought in the late eighties. |
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Name: Jeff Time: 1999-12-14 15:23:06 Comments: For Terryoregon...the CD you want is "The Beach Boys Endless Harmony Soundtrack" (Capitol 72434-96391-2-6). I haven't seen the stereo mix of "California Girls" on any other B.B. CD. |
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Name: terryoregon From: Beaverton, Oregon Time: 1999-12-14 16:00:58 Comments: Thanks Jeff, I just ordered it. |
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Name: Bradley
Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-14 16:11:04 Comments: I looked at Mike's reply in the archives and he said that the stereo version can be found on some promo and radio-only compilations. |
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Name: Doug
Peck From: Elk Grove, CA Time: 1999-12-15 11:15:47 Comments: CALIFORNIA GIRLS is stereo on my copy of Endless Summer by the BEACH BOYS (Capitol CDP 7 46467). The center ring is inscribed with U2E-13. Printed on the CD and tray inlay card is "Copyright 1974" (!). I think I purchased it in about 1990. Happy holidays! |
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Name: Randy
Price Website: From: New York Time: 1999-12-15 12:02:35 Comments: My copy of Endless Summer (same catalog number, but with U1E23 on the center ring) is mostly stereo, but "California Girls" is reprocessed. |
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Name: Jay
Connors Time: 1999-12-15 12:26:29 Comments: Tom, Did I detect a note of thinly veiled sarcasm in your latest post re: Bertha Tillman? If one or two of us think the song is really special, maybe it deserves a second listen for real. It is a very unique arrangement...sounds like nothing else, before or after. Sound quality is excellent studio for the time. I have never heard it in stereo. Brent released some good sounding things in its time. If masters are available of some Brent or Shad or Time recordings, I am sure there would be some interest from some people who remember that New York kind of sound. By the way, the two latest cds as reviewed in ICE are on my list of items to order, on ERIC. Also do you know anything about The Whiffenpoof Song by Bob Crewe on Warwick? To me, that is a forgotten recording that deserves unearthing. Great big band arrangement, good vocals. It was Bob Crewe, wasnn't it? Before the Seasons. Or do I have it wrong, and its someone else? |
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Name: Luke
Pacholski Website: LukPac.org From: Madison, WI Time: 1999-12-15 14:42:55 Comments: Re: California Girls - a true stereo mix of the song didn't even exist until the "Endless Harmony" CD came out in 1998 (well, some people did put together the stereo vocal and backing tracks, but there wasn't an official mix). Still waiting for a stereo mix of Good Vibrations, though! |
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Name: Tom Daly Website: Skyline Mastering From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-15 20:37:02 Comments: No sarcasm at all, Jay. ERIC released "Oh My Angel" on a 45, backed with "Who's That Knockin'" by The Genies (ERIC 148). If I sounded at all off-the-wall, it's because ERIC had a license on it for the single, yet it hasn't come up as a possibility for a "Hard-to-Find" CD package. I guess I found some humor in the oversight! Now, there could be a reason it wasn't considered for a CD package: we haven't discussed 60s R&B for CD reissues, only pop. The other reason could be that the 45 didn't sell well, so it's been dismissed as a poor choice for a CD. I'll talk with Bill Buster about it, since he handles the CD content, but to allay your fears, I really do like the song. |
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Name: Jay
Connors Time: 1999-12-16 02:44:23 Comments: Thanks Tom, for the explanation. If I remember correctly ERIC has put out a remarkable catalogue of material including Paul Anka. Do the liscensing agreements still hold or do they run out after a certain length of time? I think a cd of New York label doo wop or "soul" semi hits or rarities from say the Laurie, Brent, Time, Bell, Mala, and other labels not already mined by WestEnd or Sequel, could prove successful, especially if stereo were available. The Roulette, Gone, Goldisc, End and other Goldner affiliated labels have pretty much been exploited, but there is a host of relatively unknown material from a number of small independents that would be of serious interest. I don't know about l2,000 minimums, but a lot of the music would be on long defunct labels, and hopefully the liscensing holders would be pleased to have their material reissued, regardless of money or numbers of copies projected. I guess this might turn into a monumental undertaking for small rewards monetarily, but from a collectors standpoint, a noble one. |
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Name: Ralph
Curcio Website: From: N.J. Time: 1999-12-16 09:32:24 Comments: Season's greetings, music lovers! For Jay and anyone else interested in obscure New York doo wop, Ace has recently issued "Wop Ding A Ling," a compilation of vocal groups from the Time, Brent and Shad labels. Haven't heard it yet but it looks interesting. Check out www.acerecords.co.uk under November releases for more details. The Web site says there will be another volume sometime next year covering the more familiar hit material from Time/Brent/Shad. Could we possibly hope for a stereo version of "Oh My Angel"? |
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Name: Jay
Connors Time: 1999-12-16 10:23:41 Comments: Recently acquired a King cd of Little Willie John with two of my favorites from the sixties era which have seen relatively little light of day otherwise. Sleep and Heartbreak. Both I believe charted in the top 100. The quality of sound is reasonable, but not great. Of noticable diminishment is the kicking bass that started Heartbreak along with the organ. This cut seems much less than it was on 45, as does Sleep which has a slightly synthetic sound to it despite the obviously original production and vocals. Does any one have recordings of Little Willie John or Hank Ballard and the Midnighters that capture the original power and sound? What is the story with King? Are there any reissues on this label which sound good? Do they liscense material to other labels easily? Their original 45s were very strong sounding with lots of energy and sounded great on the radio. I have been disappointed with any cd transfers I have heard. Also on the cd is Talk to Me. Great material in need of great sound. King seems to be part of Hollywood now which issues some original oldies and many poor re-recordings (all on the same discs!) You never know which is which until you hear them! |
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Name: David R.
Modny Time: 1999-12-16 11:16:18 Comments: Re: Stereo "Good Vibrations" - We may have to wait QUITE a long time to see that one in stereo Luke, as the vocal multi-tracks are still missing. The only thing some people have attempted is syncing the official full track mono version with the Linnett created/edited stereo backing track from the box set (it's not the ACTUAL backing track) with marginal results (i.e. phases problems). Also, to re-emphasize a point Luke made; "California Girl" was only mixed to true stereo for the first time in 1997 for the "Endless Harmony" set - any issue before is either the original mono or duophonic mix. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-16 12:24:43 Comments: In reply to Jay Connors. King Records is presently part of the Gusto Music Group which includes King, Starday, Musicor, Scepter and Wand. Hollywood has been an often used budget line moniker which combined original recordings with re-records. (Gusto owns quite a large library of re-records, similar to those which K-Tel releases on their Dominion label.) King generally does not license individual tracks from the Starday or King labels for various artist packages. On the "sound" issue, in recent years, Gusto has generally gone back to the best quality master tapes in their vault. I can only presume on the Little Willie John situation that either they couldn't find the original source masters or perhaps a good amount of eq was added to the original '45 master which was not on the original session tape. If the CD was processed from the original non-eq'd session tape, this could account for somewhat less punch in the sound. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-16 15:14:17 Comments: I would like to clarify a few points regarding a recent question and a recent reply by someone regarding "The Little Drummer Boy" by the Harry Simeone Chorale. All that exists in the Universal east coast tape vault is a mono LP production master. The original version on 20th Century Fox has never been issued on CD since there is apparently no paper trail of ownership for this recording. 20th Century Fox was sold to PolyGram and then PolyGram was sold to Universal. It could wind up being licensed in the future but it would take a certain amount of persistence by a project compiler to track down exactly who owns rights to license this track. It may, in fact, be Universal. Officially they do not say they DON'T own it; they just can't say with certainty that they DO own it. Since there is a very good quality re-record (in stereo) on Kapp, most compilers have decided that since the newer recording is definitely better sonically and it is also in stereo, that buyers would probably be just as happy getting this version. If I ever do a Christmas package in the future, I will do my best to license the original version...if for no other reason than it SHOULD appear on CD, albeit in mono. I also believe that this track was originally recorded in 1958, not 1957 as was indicated in a recent post. The song did not show up on the Billboard chart until Christmas of '58. As was often the case during that time frame, record producers wound up beginning a project in mono and then finishing it in stereo. When the sudden popularity of the single demanded an album, I don't think 20th Century Fox thought it worth the money to go in to re-record this song in stereo. Remember, stereo was not a major factor yet. One last point here. The major record companies had the money to invest in the new, and very expensive, three-track machines before the smaller and less-well-funded studios. There are certain songs which were recorded at hole-in-the-wall studios or even at radio station studios as late as 1960 which were done in mono. The fact that these songs have never appeared in stereo on CD does not necessarily mean that multi-track or stereo mixes were lost, or that record companies are too lazy to search for stereo.....these may have only been done in mono either because of budgetary considerations or because the creative decision makers did not foresee the future of stereo and were content to record in conventional "mono." CD compilers do owe it to the buying public to carefully research song titles from this era, because if there is a possibility that a good stereo master (or a multi-track) does exist, it should at least be evaluated for use on a project. Then it turns into a budget question of whether it is economically feasable to book time to remix a three-track tape (note: I am not talking about mickey-mouse sync-ups which often appear as being "stereo"!!) |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-16 17:34:17 Comments: Gusto has licensed many of George Jones's early hits to Sony/Legacy for use on their "Essential George Jones" boxed set, they have licensed to Rhino for compilations on B.J. Thomas, Gene Pitney and other artists. Varese has also issed a Gene Pitney compilation. These are some examples. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-16 18:01:08 Comments: Bradley, if you read my reply carefully, I indicated that Gusto is reluctant to lease specifically King or Starday masters. They have no problem licensing Musicor, Scepter or Wand material and in your reference above, it seems to be material from these label artists who have been licensed to other labels. Gusto will license King and Starday material (they've done this with Rhino), but then only if it is for an entire artist package (i.e. Billy Ward & The Dominoes/King). |
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Name: Tom Daly Website: Skyline Mastering From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-16 18:19:14 Comments: I must offer a rebuttal to the claim that the original 20th Century-Fox recording of "The Little Drummer Boy" by The Harry Simeone Chorale has not been issued on CD. The stereo LP master for the 20th Century-Fox LP, Sing We Now of Christmas was released on CD by PolyGram on Casablanca 822 744-2, with the title The Little Drummer Boy. The CD boasts a copyright date of 1978 by PolyGram Records, Inc., and claims that it was also available on LP and cassette. The title track is slightly rechannelled, only because one channel is noticeably louder than the other, otherwise it's the mono master. An A-B comparison with an original 1958 pressing of the 20th Century-Fox single (#121) clearly indicates that this compact disc contains the "hit" version. An A-B comparison with the 20th Century-Fox stereo LP (TCF 110-2S), Sing We Now of Christmas indicates that the CD was sourced from an LP master. I apologize for incorrectly identifying the original recording date of the hit single as 1957 in a prior post. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-16 18:36:43 Comments: To my knowledge the Simeone CD on Casablanca is no longer available. Too bad. My recent post was incorrect, although I meant to mention that this was a mono track on a stereo production master. I now recall listening to this tape several years ago at the Edison Studios and hoping that we did actually find a stereo master of this song, only to find that "Drummer Boy" was in mono. Hopefully the time for this recording will come around again. In stereo, would they be "oxen" and "lambs"? " |
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Name: Tom Daly Website: Skyline Mastering From: Metro Boston Time: 1999-12-16 19:22:48 Comments: If anyone needs the CD with the original version of "The Little Drummer Boy," copy this URL into your web browser and order it: http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=905386845/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/ArtistID= SIMEONE*HARRY+CHORALE/itemid=454441 It's only $9.49, plus shipping and handling! |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-16 20:01:24 Comments: I guess I don't get out enough! It is nice to see the mono version of "Little Drummer Boy" is available on CD. Thanks Tom for the research. |
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Name: Marty
Natchez From: The Great Lakes Time: 1999-12-16 22:27:37 Comments: Feeling holidazed yet? Well, my mood has already been soured by a few recent CDs that show greed, not quality, is alive and well. I'm not sure whether to blame Demon/Edsel's takeover of the Britain's Westside label for its abominable CD reissue of the Jimmy Clanton album "Venus in Blue Jeans," but unlike the admirable upgrading of his Ace catalog on previous CDs, "Venus" is an ALL-MONO disaster that was transfered from a bad LP. Ticks, pops, tracking errors, you name it. Even with a few collector's items that are not found anywhere else, this type of release has shaken my confidence in their future Ace reissues. You've been forewarned. As bad, and just as disappointing, is the British Hallmark label's budget CD "Jimmy Jones: The Original Handy Man." Usually Hallmark product is a good value, but all 15 tracks -- including the readily available "Handy Man" and "Good Timin'" -- are taken from disc dubs. Granted, I expected some "cleaned-up" product, when I saw that the track list included his more obscure Cub, Bell and Parkway recordings. But what could have been a very appealing retrospective turned out to be another bottom-of-the-barrel disappointment. On a brighter note, the latest Mr. Maestro CD, "Mr. Dee Jay: 30 Original Golden Oldies," finds STEREO CD DEBUTS of "Elevator Operator" by the Rays, "Stardust" by the Dominoes, "Happy-Go-Lucky Me" by Paul Evans and "Torture" by Kris Jensen. Yet considering Mr. Maestro's preference for seeking out stereo, whenever possible, "El Watusi" by Ray Baretto is MONO here. And blah...blah...blah... And that's my story. Too bad every CD can't be as surprisingly good as "Strictly Stereo 1964-1969" by the Rolling Stones. Did you put that one on your wish list? It's GREAT! |
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Name: Terryoregon From: Beaverton, Oregon Time: 1999-12-17 01:22:04 Comments: There is a very clean wide stereo version of Good Timin' on "21 Hard To Find 45's On CD (Eric label). It is the best I've ever heard for that song. Handy Man also appears on that CD ( but in mono). The back of the CD states "All tracks AAD digitally transferred from original analog master tapes by Fred Meyer at Polygram Studios. Also included on that CD is "Born To late" (1958) in flawless wide stereo. There is also is a very clean stereo version of "I Ran All The Way Home" by the Impalas. Go here for a 28 sec mp3 sample of Good Timin': http://home.integrityonline.com/terry/jones.htm |
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Name: Jay
Connors From: Metro New York Time: 1999-12-17 04:48:26 Comments: I don't know if Mike is going to get mad at me, but I thought maybe some of you would like to see my "End of Year" homemade compilation made from compact discs acquired during the last 12 months. Since most of these would be considered "collectors" tracks, and they were good enough for me to dub onto a cd for my own personal listening, maybe he'll let it pass. Best of 1999 tracks for me, in the order assembled on cd.....Bobby Rydell--Goodtime Baby, Beach Boys, Wendy,--Elvis, My Wish Came True--Royaltones, Flamingo Express--Martha and Vandellas, Come and Get These Memories--Gene Pitney, I'm Gonna Be Strong--Skyliners, Pennies from Heaven--Freddy Cannon, Buzz, Buzz A Diddle It--Cookies, Don't Say Nothin' Bad--Little Richard, Lucille--Byrds, So You Wanna Be a Rock n Roll Star--Everly Brothers, So Sad--Little Willie John,Fever--Orlons,Don't Hang Up--Neil Diamond, Soliatary Man,--Pet Clark, I Know a Place--Ray Charles, You Don't Know Me--Crystals, He's a Rebel--Bob Lind, Remember the Rain--New Coloney Six, I Will Always Think About You--Brenda and the Tabulations, When You're Gone--Versatiles, Lundee Dundee--Frankie Avalon, Gingerbread--Videls, Now that Summer is Here--Lou Stein, Got a Match--Connie Francis, Together--Mark Dinning, Top 40 News, Weather and Sports--Maxamillion, Greyhound--Tracey Dey, Teenage Cleopatra. The purpose of posting this list is to express amazement that all of these are available on cd in 1999. Many obscure titles, many excellent recordings, much musical enjoyment all available because of the internet and a little used cd shopping savvy. I am waiting for Mike's Book to come out so I can renew my search efforts for titles such as these that get his stamp of approval. There are still so many single tracks from the past that I need to fill in the holes in my collection: Among them, "Unhip Hits" from Eric as reviewed in the latest Ice. I hope that you enjoy your own personal cd compilations as much as I do mine. Cheers to all for the holidays! |
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Name: Boppin'
Brian Website: Time: 1999-12-17 05:53:15 Comments: Interesting list "Jay". All of these aren't stereo, are they ?!?! Read somewhere that "Flamingo Expess" is now on a CD in stereo. Also, "Stardust", referred to below on "Mr. Mastered from Musty - Dusty Moldy 45s" label compilation is also (first ?) on a Marty W - mastered CCM collection in stereo
Had been waiting for someone to pick up on a couple of errors here lately, and y'all got all over that
"Drummer Boy" deal, it appears…so, well, here we go anyway: "A Christmas Gift for You" ("Phil Spector's Christmas Album") did come out on Passport ("marketed by jem") in 1984, (# PB 3604). It's nice stereo, too (how else are you going to be able to hear the footsteps walking from L to R, then R to L on the intro to side 2 ?!). Prior LP reissues include Impression PSLP 2 (U.K., 1983, stereo), Pavillion (1981), Warner Brothers/Spector 9103 (1975, stereo ?), Apple 3400 (1972, mono - better than CD). Original Philles LP issue runs consistently a bit faster throughout when compared to Abkco CD. As an example, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" timings: CD - 3:24, Stereo reissue LPs - 3:18 or 3:19…Philles mono LP (perhaps ala "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' " 45) lists it as "2:29". Philles mono LP also seems, to these ears, to have better, clearer, less "boxy" sound on vocals, when compared to Abkco CD which has less "presence", & an almost "phasy" sound on vocal portions. Passport stereo LP cover pic of "Santa Phil" (same shot used in Abkco CD's "fold-out"/"booklet"), logically, has the two little red "Back to mono" buttons blotted out. "Jingle Bell Rock" certainly has never been stereo. If this was cut at "Bradley's Barn", they had no stereo recording capabilities until maybe late 1958….. Since someone brought up King things, how about Charles Brown's original stereo King hit "Please Come Home For Christmas", and for that matter his whole 1961 King "Sings Christmas Songs" LP ? Another case of "the re-recording will do" on CD reissues. Several overseas labels (Ace, Charly, Westside - hope the latter ain't going "downhill", as post below seems to indicate…!) have dipped into the King/Federal/DeLuxe vaults, but no trace of hard-to-find stereo stuff like Little Willie John's "Sleep" & Hank Ballard & the Midnighters stuff. Agree that most Midnighters CD transfers suffer poor sound quality….that "boxy"/"phase-y"/"under - water" percussion sound. Every once in a while King stereo will "sneak out" in U.S…. in unexpected places though, like on compilations, usually, … like the stereo "Lay it on the Line" by The Dominoes. Seems like Gusto or Highland (or whatever they're calling themselves nowadays) is one of those labels that will license product for U.S. issue if they can do the mastering (= poop), manufacturing, etc. Closing on another holiday note, notorious reissue "grinch" Warner Brothers has dozens of yule goodies they're holding back, that would be great to have on CD in stereo. Ike & Tina Turner & the Ikettes' "Merry Christmas Baby" (W.B., 1964) made it onto one of those Rhino "Cool Yule"compilations, but is it stereo ? "Jin - gle A-l - l the W - a - y a - y a - y !!! " |
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Name: Bill Knoble From: Dallas Time: 1999-12-17 08:04:55 Comments: --- LABEL NAMES & NUMBERS --- Could I remind those, who are not already doing
so, to please include the "Label Name & Number" when referring to a specific album (unless, perhaps,
this info. was given in the last 5 or so posts). Yeah, I know, it takes a few seconds to find the info. and a
few more to type it, but, since the Label Name/Number is the "fingerprint" of a CD, it sure cuts down on a
lot of misguided searching, or worse, buying the wrong one. Look at it this way; what if Mike didn't include this info. in his publications? A little frustrating, eh, and certainly more work for all. Thanks:) |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-17 08:25:00 Comments: Boppin' Brian, since the Sony George Jones boxed set was released in 1994 (a more recent release), I can verify that they are now known as Highland Music. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-17 12:46:44 Comments: BSN readers will be interested to know that I have a CD version of "The Little Drummer Boy" by The Harry Simeone Chorale in TRUE stereo where at the end, on the fade out, you hear Clarence Paul saying "what key, what key?" OK - enough levity. In answer to a few recent posts regarding Gusto/Highland. As I represent these people for music licensing, let me clear up a few points. Bradley, they do go by some different names... Gusto Music Licensing, Highland Music are the two most prominent. Years ago they acquired the King label from Sid Nathan. In later years they bought Scepter and Wand and also Musicor. They do treat King somewhat more protectively than the others regarding outside licensing and generally will not license individual King tracks for v/a compilations. They will graciously supply DAT copies you request for projects and have no problem letting others do the mastering on material they control; (as Bill Inglot and I have both done - he for Rhino and Varese, me for some Varese titles). I think there is an inherent problem with labels which have been sold and where the new owners may just not be aware of the undocumented facts regarding the tapes. For instance, on a Little Willie John song there could be a "single" version, "edited" single, "radio" mastered single, LP mix, stereo LP mix, re-channeled version, in other words MANY versions of the original song. What may exist 40 years later are only some of these and while the tapes may physically be available, they may not be cataloged very well. As for the comment on "Star Dust" by Billy Ward. You'll all be happy to know that Varese will be releasing a Billy Ward & The Dominoes of their Liberty masters in the first quarter of 2000. I have co-compiled this set with Cary and mastered the CD with all original tapes personally supplied by Billy Ward. These are either the binaural masters, or in a few cases, mono masters. Suffice it to say, I was the first to use "Star Dust" from a binaural source on the Collectors' Choice "Choice Voices" package and this is in a totally wide version. On the Liberty package I have panned the binaural tracks but only slightly. Fans of "wide" will not be disappointed. On this site, there are no fans of "narrow"!! Incidentally, through all the intensive research we till never came up with "Deep Purple" except in mono, although this version sounds somewhat cleaner than those on Time/Life or Eric. It did not require any processing, hence no artifacts. If you've read this far, here's your reward! You can look forward to the definitive Chordettes 25 track CD coming in February also from Varese. This will contain all their hits with some surprises. More on that later. There will also be a completely revisited Isley Bros. set with a couple of tracks we licensed from another label - hint: think cuddly animal. Look to Cary Mansfield at Varese to come up with some fresh and exciting projects for 2000. Happy holidays to all. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-17 13:03:13 Comments: To Marty Wesker: you sure you said that right? "The Little Drummer Boy" also has the musician saying, "What key? What key????" :-) To Jay Conners: yes, I enjoy my homemade comps so much I listen to them more than the commercial ones! Happy Holidays! |
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Name: Luke
Pacholski Website: LukPac.org From: Madison, WI Time: 1999-12-17 15:41:35 Comments: Marty, re: - wide vs. narrow. *In general* I prefer wide mixes - the wider the better. However, there are exceptions. As far as The Beatles go - I like the wide mixes of the early stuff (both the two track material and the later 4 track) - for the most part there is some bleed from the rhythm track (left channel) to the right channel, which creates a nice blend. However, some of the early Stones mixes (most notably Satisfaction and Mother's Little Helper) loose some of their punch in stereo. The rhythm track is mixed hard left in both cases, and the vocals and overdubs are too loud. I've heard remixes of both of these, which have the rhythm track moved a bit more to the center and louder - the "feel" on both is much better. There may be ways to increase the punch factor without doing that, but in that case it worked. Another example would be some of The Who material produced by Shel Talmy that has shown up in stereo - lead guitar hard left, vocals center, rhythm track hard right. I think even if the rhythm track was pushed ever so slightly to the left (possibly with some echo/reverb in the left channel) the mixes would sound a lot better. As it is they don't feel very cohesive... |
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Name: Curt
Lundgren Website: Reel Top 40 Radio From: Twin Cities, MN Time: 1999-12-18 11:27:32 Comments: Marty, I'm curious. Just listening to the Jane Morgan Collection on Varese (thanks, Cary) and wondering about "Fascination" (1957). Do you know where this was originally recorded? Since it's established that Roger Williams' "Autumn Leaves" in stereo is a re-recording, this must be the label's earliest hit in true stereo. Makes me wonder about the rest of Dave Kapp's catalog. Also, what happened to "With Open Arms"? |
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Name: Uncle
Al From: Long Isalnd NY Time: 1999-12-18 11:41:57 Comments: Gotta agree with Luke on those Stones wide stereo mixes, add "Get Off of My Cloud" to that list. Why do compilation discs always give me the single edits of songs like "Nights in White Satin", "Sunshine Superman" and "Whiter Shade of Pale" and always the album versions of "Spinning Wheel" and "Magic Carpet Ride"? I never seem to get the version I really want. |
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Name: Chuck
Iverson From: Sunnyvale Time: 1999-12-18 11:43:09 Comments: To Boppin' Brian: Stereo Flamingo Express avail: AL-CD6310121 Alvorado disc Spain, from Discol. and also at Rock Classics at a clearance price! Fl XP not to die for stereo, very close, maybe 2-track disc dub, or maybe it is "wide" mono. The disc is called "The Royaltones VS the Ramrods. also includes Poor Boy in TS Ghost Riders, in something narrow also includes TS of Jingle Bell Rock by B. H. Happy Holidays Massie get the Multi's from the Goldner collection, before Rhino does. |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-18 12:22:32 Comments: Uncle Al, you can get the LP version of "Nights In White Satin" on the Moody Blues "Days of Future Passed" album which has been reissued on CD and the 45 version of "Spinning Wheel" on the Legacy remaster of Blood Sweat & Tears's "Greatest Hits" album. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-18 13:27:55 Comments: Uncle Al, you can also get the 45 version of "Magic Carpet Ride" on the "On The Radio" CD compilation on Varese Vinatge. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-18 14:56:03 Comments: In reply to Curt Lundgren ... "With Open Arms" by Jane Morgan was going to appear along with the correct single version of "Two Different Worlds" on "The Jane Morgan Collection - Volume 2". Need I tell you that the first volume on Varese did not go double platinum (I think it went "zinc") and the follow-up CD got shelved. (Or as they say in ICE Magazine - "temporarily postponed.") Fortunately, I used both of the above tracks on another Varese package called: "The 50's Remembered" (VSD-5783), so if you want these songs, this is where you will find them. "Fascination" could be one of the early stereo sessions recorded by Kapp. The date does seem a bit early, but it sure sounded like real stereo to my engineer and me. Kapp generally used Fine Recording Studios for their New York sessions. Since session documentation information cannot be found anywhere, it is only an educated guess that "Fascination" was recorded there. But if any New York independent studio would have had an early Ampex 3-track, it would have been them. Interestingly, when tape sourcing the Jane Morgan project, I did find a rehearsal version of "Autumn Leaves" by Roger Williams with a scratch vocal by Jane Morgan. Roger performed it very close to the final issued "hit" instrumental version though it wasn't quite as polished. Jane's vocal was very rough too. I guess Kapp decided not to do any more work with this vocal approach and instead concentrated their studio time on doing a really great Roger Williams instrumental instead. For a fast minute, I was tempted to use this rough performance on the Jane Morgan CD as an "unreleased track," but it was obviously not intended for commercial release and it really didn't showcase Jane's vocal talents very well either, so we shelved it. |
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Name: John
Preston From: Arlington, Texas Time: 1999-12-19 02:02:14 Comments: For those of you who were wondering about that Japanese release of "The Association's Greatest Hits", save your money. It's identical to the domestic version. Well, that's not true: you get an insert with Japanese lyrics and a different matrix number, but that's it. Quite a ripoff! No added songs, no improved sound quality, no nothing, except it costs about $30.00. For what it's worth, I love the stereo versions of the early Rolling Stones hits. There's room for the mono and stereo versions. That "Strickly Stereo" cd is not bad, but the track "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby" is nowhere near as good as the other stereo version floating around. |
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Name: pierreux
frederik From: belgium Time: 1999-12-19 11:50:35 Comments: hi, could anybody give me any information about a LP box, released in 1970, and is called "the Motown Story" info. like; where i can get it, etc. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-19 13:28:24 Comments: To Pierreux Fredrik: I don't believe in exists on CD, but I have the original LP box. I've just never took the time to sit down and master it to CD-R. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-19 15:22:34 Comments: This was created by a long since defunct mail order company called SIMCO (or CIMCO) and they were based in Los Angeles. This was never issued on CD. I believe when this came out, it was before Motown made it a practice to ever license their songs to other labels or for various artist mail order packages. At that time they were still very possessive of their music. Afterwards they eased up quite a bit and you started seeing their hits appearing all over, but mainly on Rhino and also Time/Life packages, first on vinyl and cassettes and then on CD. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-19 19:41:12 Comments: Marty, I'm looking at the box right now. It is a Motown product with the Motown logo and Map label. There is absolutley no indication of it being anything otherwise. It may have been marketed by this company at the time, but I bought my copy at Tower Records on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles in 1982. Motown's corporate offices were just a few blocks down the street then. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-19 21:07:23 Comments: Also, the 5 LP box set uses what sounds like session tapes and instrumental tracks without vocals. It is highly doubtful that Motown would allow anyone access to those tapes! |
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Name: Fred Povey Website: Time: 1999-12-19 21:29:10 Comments: Marty, the CIMCO package you're thinking of is a special-products style 4-LP set from the mid-'70s called "The Greatest 64 Motown Original Hits." It's a good collection of Motown hits along the lines of the first "Hitsville U.S.A." CD box issued in the '90s. It was way overpressed and was widely available in record-store bargain bins. On the other hand, there have been two incarnations of "The Motown Story," both issued as regular Motown albums. The first was a 5-LP set issued in 1970, containing 58 hits each preceded by an interview snippet and narration by disc jockey Charlie van Dyke. This was to commemorate "The First Ten Years" of Motown. Then in 1983, Motown released another 5-LP set, "The Motown Story: The First Twenty-Five Years," with an updated track selection and new narration by Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson. A version of this package was later issued on CD. |
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Name: Uncle
Al From: Long Island, NY Time: 1999-12-19 22:43:43 Comments: I also have the "Motown Story" 5 lp box set. It is catalog number MS 5-726 and is indeed released and ditributed by Motown. I bought the box years ago and shelved it immediately as it contained a constant commentary that stepped on the intros and endings of almost all the songs. |
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Name: Curt
Lundgren Website: Reel Top 40 Radio From: Twin Cities, MN Time: 1999-12-20 09:12:00 Comments: Guess I'd better chime in on the "Motown Story". MY box contains SEVEN lps. The box copyright is 1970, the discs (Motown PR 121 A-N) 1983. This set is promotional, and I believe we aired it a couple of times as a weekend special. Narration is by Smokey & Lionel. |
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Name: John
Preston From: Arlington, Texas Time: 1999-12-20 14:03:43 Comments: Thinking of Christmas, I sure wish I could find the following hits on cd: the mono, single edit of the 1962 version of "Santa Claus Is Watching You" by Ray Stevens, Marion Worth's "Shake Me, I Rattle", and the Eagles' "Please Come Home For Christmas". And speaking of Christmas, everytime I hear the instrumental hit "Telstar", by the Tornadoes, I hear it as a Christmas song. Has that ever happened to others? I know that the song has nothing to do with Christmas, but because it was all over the radio during the 1962 holiday season, my subconscious mind thinks of Christmas, every time I hear it. Incidently, has anyone ever tried to slow down the stereo version of Ace Cannon's "Tuff", and see if it is the same take as the mono single? Since the stereo version is shorter and less bluesy, I have always wondered about that. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-20 14:59:29 Comments: John, in a weird way, I consider any pop/rock/soul song that was popular during Christmas time a Christmas song. You can find the Eagles "Please Come Home For Christmas"/"A Funky New Year" on an Elektra CD single in stores. I usually see it in Circuit City around this time of year. I've never bought or heard it. I should get it before I can't find it anymore. |
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Name: Mike
Arcidiacono Time: 1999-12-20 20:47:33 Comments: Re: The Harry Simone Chorale: The stereo version of The Little Drummer Boy is available on the Excelsior Cd of the same name, EXL-2-5301. I assume its the 1962 re-record. Sound quality is very good, altho a little hissy. A good value at 5.99!!! Mikey |
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Name: Jay
Connors From: New York Metro Time: 1999-12-20 22:04:08 Comments: Let's see if we can get an answer here. Neil Diamond recorded Solitary Man twice. Both on Bang, one is an alternate take, which surfaces on later Columbia greatest hits package. The other is the original 45 rpm hit single. I am told that the original hit 45 is not available on cd. Is this true? Supposidly, Neil preferred the alternate take and that is what was used for everything after the 45 was released. I seem to remember seeing a greatest hits on cd on the Bang label. Does anyone know if that cd has the original? It strikes me as very strange that the original 45 rpm version of Solitary Man would not be available anywhere on cd? What about imports or grey area material? Somebody must have the answers to these questions. What about VA Comps? Thank you for your help! |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-20 22:54:19 Comments: In the new issue of ICE it says a Japanease label has an HDCD remaster of the Beatles "Please Please Me" and "With The Beatles" CD's in stereo. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-20 23:00:27 Comments: Oh yeah, Jay, the original MONO single version of "Solitary Man" is on his box set, "In My Lifetime" released on Columbia/Legacy. The version we've been hearing for so long on CD is the stereo mix. The 45 mono (here we go again) mixes sound very different from the common stereo. |
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Name: Bradley Olson Website: Bradley Olson--A Person With Autism From: Bemidji, Minnesota Time: 1999-12-21 11:09:03 Comments: The mono version of "Solitary Man" can also be found on "Greatest Hits: 1966-1992" which was rated D by Mike as it features many re-recordings of his Uni/MCA hits. A guide to his mono/stereo versions of Bang recordings on LP's and CD's can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/mo/iris/neilbang.html |
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Name: Randy
Price Website: From: New York Time: 1999-12-21 13:35:06 Comments: There are actually three versions of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man": the original (mono) single version (which is on the CDs mentioned below); a stereo alternate take which appeared on several Bang LPs, including the Double Gold compilation; and a second stereo version, which is on the Classics The Early Years CD. |
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Name: Marty
Wekser From: Los Angeles Time: 1999-12-21 14:47:42 Comments: Fred Povey seems to have cleared up this Motown Box Set business! There were obviously several different packages produced and licensed by Motown. Though I didn't immediately recall the "retail" set to which Curt Lundgren made reference, my familiarly was with that 4-CD mail-order package which came out during the four year period I worked for Jobete Music in the early 70's. Incidentally, In later years (1991 to be exact) Jobete (Motown's publishing division) issued a four CD promotional sampler called "Jobete Music Presents Million Performance Songs" which was serviced primarily to record producers and to music supervisors for film and tv. If you are lucky enough to have this set, it is a good mono collection of not only Motown label hits; it also includes some non-Motown hits which were published by Jobete, i.e. "My Arms Adored You" by Frankie Valli. Now, in my OPINION (intentionally set in "caps", since many BSN posters often do not acknowledge that they are merely offering "opinions" on a subject, not "facts")... the best "mono" representation of Motown hits is on the Cary Mansfield produced box set called "Hitsville, U.S.A." (Before someone sends a reply saying "Marty, you must be mistaken, Cary Mansfield runs Varese Vintage", he produced this box set BEFORE he became head of Varese Vintage!) These are the hit single versions and the mastering quality is excellent. But like me, If you have in later years really come to appreciate the the stereo mixes of the Motown hits (allowing that some are different performances, different edits, different fades and some of the stereo mixes reflect more inherent tape hiss from the 3-track masters), I think the best option is the various volumes of the Time/Life series"Classic Rock" where you'll find gems like "Baby, Baby Don't Cry", "My Baby Must Be A Magician" and "Indiana Wants Me". Very good mixes are also to be found on the Al Quaglieri produced series: "The Sound Of Young America", but this was only a partially realized project which was abandoned midstream with only several "years" seeing the light of day. I think there is now a '64, '66, '68, '69 and '70 and perhaps a couple more of the '70s years. The versions used on the Millennium Series are good sounding stereo (Miracles, Four Tops, Temptations, Supremes, Jackson 5, Mary Wells, Martha & The Vandellas and Marvin Gaye while Stevie Wonder's early stereo hits are well-represented on the new box set). The only major Motown artists not included in the Millennium series are The Marvelettes, Junior Walker & The All-Stars and Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell. Again, in my opinion, this is such great music that if you are a fan of these hits when they came out and you heard them on the radio, (some BSN posters were DJ's and played them on the radio) you must have them in your CD library in mono... on the other hand, many of the stereo mixes are great that you should have these versions too, if nothing else but to give you a different perspective! |
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Name: Curt
Lundgren Website: Reel Top 40 Radio From: Twin Cities, MN. Time: 1999-12-21 15:12:34 Comments: Correction, Marty. My set is a seven-lp PROMOTIONAL (white-label) Motown box. And yes, I was lucky enough to play 'em on-air when they were hits. Starting in late '66, anyway. |
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Name: beetlefan Time: 1999-12-21 |