Rascals Groovin' Sundazed LP

[-Ben]

First, I want to say that I love Sundazed and their 180g LPs.

I enjoyed listening to the new The Young Rascals Groovin' LP by Sundazed for a week (and so will you if you like this music) before I pulled out my Atlantic Mono and Stereo copies and began comparing.


IMHO (FREE and worth every penny):

1. Atlantic MONO purple/orange label. If you are not a MONO hater, this is the baby you want. It sounds just right to my ears.

2. Atlantic STEREO blue/green label. Some songs have competitive stereo mixes (A girl like you, Groovin', and How can I be sure sound very good in stereo), but some of the others have that primitive stereo sound. In any case...I prefer the mono.

3. Sundazed STEREO blue/green label. If you don't have the time, money, patience, or inclination to look for pristine Atlantics, the sundazed will more than make you happy. However...it just doesn't have "the breath of life" that the Atlantics have. It sounds veiled. Example: The tambourine in Groovin' sounds right in front of you in the Atlantic STEREO. In the Sundazed...you have to pay attention or you'll miss it.

This reminds me of a previous thread where Sckott recommended the Abcko Rolling Stones as "Not Bad" and TP (Humorem) wouldn't wish the digital Abcko LPs on his worst enemy... recommending instead the UK DECCAs. Well...I have both sets and ScKott and Humorem are not wrong. If you want to spend a lifetime and thousands of dollars for a compleat set of "pristine" DECCA Rolling Stones... TP is right (these are the best. However...Sckott is also right because you can have a compleat pristine set for less than $200 with just a phone call. The digital Abckos are "not bad" and definetely better than the blue London analogs (specially the unlistenable electronically reprocessed ones).

Remember: A Mono Atlantic Groovin' copy is not hard to find. A "pristine" "like new" Mono Atlantic is.

Why did Sundazed not use the MONO masters? I don't know....maybe they got burnt in the 70s fire of the Atlantic warehouse.


BC

[Bob Lovely]

While I often prefer "good" Stereo mixes over their Mono counterparts, the Rascals Mono mixes are definitely the versions of their hits to have. The Stereo mixes are not well done. On CD, my favorite version of the their Mono mixes is from a Japanese import of their Greatest Hits that, simply, track for track mirrors it's American release counterpart. The Japanese import of their hits in Mono sounds much better, in my opinion. Sundazed has been "Stereo oriented" with their re-releases of previously released material. Occasionally, they will throw in the Mono version of a big hit as a bonus track on CD releases.

Bob

[hoboken lad]

Bencanas,

As you may know, Rhino recently released in their Handmade series a 6-CD collection of all the (Young) Rascals Atlantic recordings. Included amidst the array of stereo versions of all the group's Atlantic albums are mono versions of both sides of all but one of the Atlantic singles from "Ain't Gonna Eat Out" (first LP) through "Heaven" (from "Freedom Suite").

Now, in the notes within the booklet, it states (and I paraphrase) that PERHAPS (my emphasis) the mono album masters, along with other rarities, will someday appear. This may explain why Sundazed used the stereo masters to the Rascals they released. Maybe Rhino was thinking ahead and didn't want ANY mono albums (even on vinyl) to appear. Then again, maybe Sundazed liked the stereo versions better.

[-Ben]

hoboken lad,

I almost pre-ordered the 6CD Rhino set. How is the sound? Do you have any other Rascals CDs for comparison?
Thanks
BC

[hoboken lad]

Bencanas,

The first three albums are DEFINITELY better than the late 80's WEA Special Products stereo issues.

I have not heard the Japanese set that has been referred to. Perhaps someone else can help.

As for the mono singles, they seem to be very close to the orginal vinyl issues in the 60's, at least the ones I have. They also seem to be better than the mono tracks on the 1992 Rhino "Anthology" set. The later stereo (from "Freedom Suite" on) seems to be reasonably true to the original LP issues (maybe a bit more bass). I'm not sure if that's good or bad. I like it, but it's up to you.

The set was mastered by Bob Fisher, if that helps any.

If you want to spend three figures on the Atlantic/Rhino set, by all means, be my guest. For me it was worth it.

But please note: my audio system is very basic, very average. I decided early on that I wanted to hear what an average consumer hears. I do not, in any way, shape or form, have an audiophile system.

[-Ben]

Thanks hoboken lad...your review does help.
BC

[Humorem]

Originally posted by bencanas
Sckott is also right because you can have a complete pristine set for less than $200 with just a phone call. The digital Abckos are "not bad" and definitely better than the blue London analogs (specially the unlistenable electronically reprocessed ones).

Ben, I have to disagree. The ABCKOs are just plain dreadful and I wouldn't pay $2 let alone $200 for a set of them. You and I have very different standards if you find those records satisfying on any level. I'd be very surprised if the CDs aren't better. As I don't own any I can't say what they sound like. I play LPs when I want to hear the Stones. And noisy ones are fine with me; at least there is something to listen to behind the noise.

Blue label Londons? Don't know, can't comment.

Stones and Beatles on current LPs? Forget 'em. About as satisfying as kissing through a screen door.

TP

[-Ben]

Tom,

I actually agree with, respect, and appreciate your standars.

Lets agree on one thing: the digital Beatles LPs (UK and US) ARE worthless (Yellow Submarine Songtrack excepted).

This is how I grade the Stones 1963-1970 period:

Best: Original UK DECCA LPs (mono reds until Between the Bottoms, and stereo blue after that). Also early red US London monos made by DECCA.

Good: Some MFSL, Some Germans, Some Japanese pressings.

OK (not bad): German London CDs and ABKCO digital LPs

Bad: ABKCO CDs and Most Blue Stereo London LPs

Dreadful: Electronically Reprocessed for Stereo Blue London LPs


My point was: someone that knows nothing about the Stones and has a limited income has only 3 choices:

OK, bad, or dreadful.
As bad as you think the ABKCO LPs are...believe me... there is worse.

I can't tell the world DECCAs or don't listen to the Stones.

Sure...I don't listen to my ABKCO LPs...I dont even listen to my complete collection of German London CDs.

I listen mainly to my DECCAs, Japanese pressings and the MFSL box.

BC