Bob Lovely
06-06-2002, 08:41 AM
Friends,
I puchased this CD on Wednesday evening and after two listenings I feel that the CD is worthy of a thread here. As with most Ace comps there are some real gems in the line-up. It comes with a 27 page booklet that is rich in information on the track selections. The CD was mastered by Duncan Cowell. Audible tape hiss is present on most tracks. The catalog number is CDCHD 832.
Here is the track line-up and some listening notes:
1) Good Lovin'--Young Rascals (Stereo) 1966
Initially, I would have preferred the Mono mix but, this mastering of the Stereo mix is very well done. The drums are more pronounced and there is more bass than other mastered versions of the Stereo mix. This hit was recorded "live" in the studio with no overdubs.
2) Spooky--Classics IV (Stereo) 1967
The best version of this classic that I have heard, It sounds less muffled (like a veil has been lifted) than previous versions that I have purchased. There is more deep low-end and well defined instrument placement. The Sax solo simply jumps out. More dynamic range than any version that I have heard.
3) Summer In The City--Lovin' Spoonful (Stereo) 1966
This version is a tad bright on the high-end but, the low end sounds very natural and warm, almost tubey. I learned from the liner notes that Roy Halee engineered the recording session and that he obtained the unique drum sound by placing a "mic" in a stairwell at Columbia's studios in New York City. He called it a "wow" sound.
4) Little Girl--Syndicate of Sound (Stereo) 1966
The best version of this mid 60's classic that I have heard. Definitely, more mid and low bass than other versions and the mid-range is just right.
5) Louie, Louie--Kingsmen (Mono) 1963
Good low end....the rest is, of course, just the sound of Louie, Louie!
6) You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'--Righteous Bros. (Stereo) 1964
The best Stereo version that I have heard. The drums have more bite like the Mono. The vocals sound more upfront. Because of the mastering it sounds slightly less "wet" than the other Stereo version in my collection. It has more "power" than any Stereo version that I have heard.
7) Harlem Shuffle--Bob & Earl (Stereo) 1963
Same great sounding Stereo version that Ace used on an earlier comp.
8) Dancing In The Street--Martha & the Vandellas (Stereo) 1964
I must own at least 10 different versions of this classic in Stereo and at least 2 in Mono all mastered by different people. This is, quite simply, the best version that I have ever heard. There is more of the circa mid 60's mid and low bass (it sounds more fat) and the rest of the frequencies are well balanced. Martha's vocals sound more upfront. Universal, are you listening?
9) Classical Gas--Mason Williams (Stereo) 1968
10) Mr. Bojangles--Jerry Jeff Walker (Mono single mix) 1968
The original Mr. Bojangles, sounds just like the 45.
11) Mr. Tamborine Man--Bryds (original Stereo mix) 1965
Wow!, I had forgotten how much this mix resembles the Mono 45 mix after getting used to the remix. From the opening guitar line, I had smile on my face. The sound is well balanced and the mix has the more "hot" feel of the Mono mix. According to the liner notes this song broke on KYA in San Francisco.
12) Baby Don't Go--Sonny & Cher (Mono) 1965
Less drenched in reverb than other versions that I have heard. More dynamic and Cher's vocals are more upfront as a result. I actually like this song better because it is more sonically pleasing to listen to.
13) Liar, Liar--Castaways (Stereo) 1965
In the past, I never much cared for the Stereo mix, that is, until I heard this version. More middle, more deep bass, more dynamic and definitely more fat sounding like the Mono. Beats the pants off the "Rhinophonic" sounding versions I have heard.
14) Mission: Impossible--Lalo Schifrin (Stere) 1968
15) Cara-Lin--Strangeloves (Stereo) 1965
Big "I Want Candy" sound and the follow-up that did not sell as well.
16) Somebody To Love--Jefferson Airplane (Stereo) 1967
I was very surprised by the sound of this version. It has more mid and low bass than I anticipated and beats the RCA Gold disc that I have. More than other Stereo version that I own, this version reminds me more of the sound of the 45 all those years ago. BMG needs to listen to the mastering on this track. Maybe I can talk Ace into including White Rabbit on Volume 3.
17) Polk Salad Annie--Tony Joe White (Stereo) 1969
The signature "Four" is chopped off the mix on this version but other than that small disappointment this version is sonically pleasing with a "fat" low end.
18) Magic Carpet Ride--Steppenwolf (Stereo) 1968
There is audible tape hiss during the fade up opening. The sound is well defined and balanced. The bass is strong and upfront but lacks the very deep bass as mastered by Steve on the Vintage series. It is sonically pleasing, none the less. The liner notes indicate that the 45 version has a different vocal--the guide vocal from the demo.
19) I Can't Believe What You Say--Ike & Tina Turner (Mono) 1964
20) Judy In Disguise--John Fred & his Playboy Band (full Stereo mix) 1967
My other version is a combo Mono/Stereo mix on a Dick Bartley On The Radio series. I like this version better because the clarity of the vocals is better, it is more dynamic and it has a more "fat" low end like the Mono single mix. The double tracked vocals in the middle of the song add a fun effect.
21) Watermelon Man--Mongo Santamaria (Stereo single edit) 1963
A definite "nice to have" (Stereo single edit) and very sonically pleasing.
22) Love's Made A Fool Of You--Bobby Fuller Four (Stereo) 1966
Has that definite Bob Keane sound. I had always thought that Bobby had died in a traffic accident but, in the liner notes, I learned that he died as result of a brutal beating where he was made to ingest gasoline. The sound on this version is very good.
23) Sunny--Boby Hebb (Stereo) 1966
Sounds very pleasing with more low-end than most versions that I have heard. The vocals are not quite as good as the version mastered by Dennis Drake. Has the Mono sound but only in Stereo, a good middle, in other words.
24) Batman Theme--Neal Hefti and his Orchestra (Stereo) 1966
25) Bread And Butter--Newbeats (Stereo) 1964
A fine mastering but, the Stereo mix is exccessively "wet" with the vocals not upfront enough in the mix. I wish they had included the Mono single mix instead. Nothing wrong with the mastering of this Stereo mix, but it does not have the feel of the "dryer" Mono single version.
26) The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)--Jan & Dean (Stereo) 1964
This is the original Stereo mix versus the remix made a few years ago. It sounds pleasing and is well balanced with more low-end than other versions that I have in my collection. Less mid-rangy than a few versions that I have heard.
27) Time Of The Season--Zombies (Mono single mix) 1969
Finally, I have the Mono single mix, as I remember this classic, on CD. A must to have in Mono with a less "wet" sound and the instrument placement upfront and more powerful, especially, the organ solo at the break. Sounds like a mint copy of the 45 in terms of sound.
28) Road Runner--Gants (Mono single mix) 1965
Another "great to have" and it sounds the way I remember it. The Stereo version cannot match the shear power of the Mono mix and it is exccessively "wet". Great mid and deep bass in this version with a more natural, solid midrange just like the 45. Highly recommended!
29) Elenore--Turtles (Stereo) 1968
Sonically pleasing mastering but nothing trully notable about this version either.
I highly recommend this CD for those of you seeking special, unique and great sounding versions of these classics!
Bob
I puchased this CD on Wednesday evening and after two listenings I feel that the CD is worthy of a thread here. As with most Ace comps there are some real gems in the line-up. It comes with a 27 page booklet that is rich in information on the track selections. The CD was mastered by Duncan Cowell. Audible tape hiss is present on most tracks. The catalog number is CDCHD 832.
Here is the track line-up and some listening notes:
1) Good Lovin'--Young Rascals (Stereo) 1966
Initially, I would have preferred the Mono mix but, this mastering of the Stereo mix is very well done. The drums are more pronounced and there is more bass than other mastered versions of the Stereo mix. This hit was recorded "live" in the studio with no overdubs.
2) Spooky--Classics IV (Stereo) 1967
The best version of this classic that I have heard, It sounds less muffled (like a veil has been lifted) than previous versions that I have purchased. There is more deep low-end and well defined instrument placement. The Sax solo simply jumps out. More dynamic range than any version that I have heard.
3) Summer In The City--Lovin' Spoonful (Stereo) 1966
This version is a tad bright on the high-end but, the low end sounds very natural and warm, almost tubey. I learned from the liner notes that Roy Halee engineered the recording session and that he obtained the unique drum sound by placing a "mic" in a stairwell at Columbia's studios in New York City. He called it a "wow" sound.
4) Little Girl--Syndicate of Sound (Stereo) 1966
The best version of this mid 60's classic that I have heard. Definitely, more mid and low bass than other versions and the mid-range is just right.
5) Louie, Louie--Kingsmen (Mono) 1963
Good low end....the rest is, of course, just the sound of Louie, Louie!
6) You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'--Righteous Bros. (Stereo) 1964
The best Stereo version that I have heard. The drums have more bite like the Mono. The vocals sound more upfront. Because of the mastering it sounds slightly less "wet" than the other Stereo version in my collection. It has more "power" than any Stereo version that I have heard.
7) Harlem Shuffle--Bob & Earl (Stereo) 1963
Same great sounding Stereo version that Ace used on an earlier comp.
8) Dancing In The Street--Martha & the Vandellas (Stereo) 1964
I must own at least 10 different versions of this classic in Stereo and at least 2 in Mono all mastered by different people. This is, quite simply, the best version that I have ever heard. There is more of the circa mid 60's mid and low bass (it sounds more fat) and the rest of the frequencies are well balanced. Martha's vocals sound more upfront. Universal, are you listening?
9) Classical Gas--Mason Williams (Stereo) 1968
10) Mr. Bojangles--Jerry Jeff Walker (Mono single mix) 1968
The original Mr. Bojangles, sounds just like the 45.
11) Mr. Tamborine Man--Bryds (original Stereo mix) 1965
Wow!, I had forgotten how much this mix resembles the Mono 45 mix after getting used to the remix. From the opening guitar line, I had smile on my face. The sound is well balanced and the mix has the more "hot" feel of the Mono mix. According to the liner notes this song broke on KYA in San Francisco.
12) Baby Don't Go--Sonny & Cher (Mono) 1965
Less drenched in reverb than other versions that I have heard. More dynamic and Cher's vocals are more upfront as a result. I actually like this song better because it is more sonically pleasing to listen to.
13) Liar, Liar--Castaways (Stereo) 1965
In the past, I never much cared for the Stereo mix, that is, until I heard this version. More middle, more deep bass, more dynamic and definitely more fat sounding like the Mono. Beats the pants off the "Rhinophonic" sounding versions I have heard.
14) Mission: Impossible--Lalo Schifrin (Stere) 1968
15) Cara-Lin--Strangeloves (Stereo) 1965
Big "I Want Candy" sound and the follow-up that did not sell as well.
16) Somebody To Love--Jefferson Airplane (Stereo) 1967
I was very surprised by the sound of this version. It has more mid and low bass than I anticipated and beats the RCA Gold disc that I have. More than other Stereo version that I own, this version reminds me more of the sound of the 45 all those years ago. BMG needs to listen to the mastering on this track. Maybe I can talk Ace into including White Rabbit on Volume 3.
17) Polk Salad Annie--Tony Joe White (Stereo) 1969
The signature "Four" is chopped off the mix on this version but other than that small disappointment this version is sonically pleasing with a "fat" low end.
18) Magic Carpet Ride--Steppenwolf (Stereo) 1968
There is audible tape hiss during the fade up opening. The sound is well defined and balanced. The bass is strong and upfront but lacks the very deep bass as mastered by Steve on the Vintage series. It is sonically pleasing, none the less. The liner notes indicate that the 45 version has a different vocal--the guide vocal from the demo.
19) I Can't Believe What You Say--Ike & Tina Turner (Mono) 1964
20) Judy In Disguise--John Fred & his Playboy Band (full Stereo mix) 1967
My other version is a combo Mono/Stereo mix on a Dick Bartley On The Radio series. I like this version better because the clarity of the vocals is better, it is more dynamic and it has a more "fat" low end like the Mono single mix. The double tracked vocals in the middle of the song add a fun effect.
21) Watermelon Man--Mongo Santamaria (Stereo single edit) 1963
A definite "nice to have" (Stereo single edit) and very sonically pleasing.
22) Love's Made A Fool Of You--Bobby Fuller Four (Stereo) 1966
Has that definite Bob Keane sound. I had always thought that Bobby had died in a traffic accident but, in the liner notes, I learned that he died as result of a brutal beating where he was made to ingest gasoline. The sound on this version is very good.
23) Sunny--Boby Hebb (Stereo) 1966
Sounds very pleasing with more low-end than most versions that I have heard. The vocals are not quite as good as the version mastered by Dennis Drake. Has the Mono sound but only in Stereo, a good middle, in other words.
24) Batman Theme--Neal Hefti and his Orchestra (Stereo) 1966
25) Bread And Butter--Newbeats (Stereo) 1964
A fine mastering but, the Stereo mix is exccessively "wet" with the vocals not upfront enough in the mix. I wish they had included the Mono single mix instead. Nothing wrong with the mastering of this Stereo mix, but it does not have the feel of the "dryer" Mono single version.
26) The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)--Jan & Dean (Stereo) 1964
This is the original Stereo mix versus the remix made a few years ago. It sounds pleasing and is well balanced with more low-end than other versions that I have in my collection. Less mid-rangy than a few versions that I have heard.
27) Time Of The Season--Zombies (Mono single mix) 1969
Finally, I have the Mono single mix, as I remember this classic, on CD. A must to have in Mono with a less "wet" sound and the instrument placement upfront and more powerful, especially, the organ solo at the break. Sounds like a mint copy of the 45 in terms of sound.
28) Road Runner--Gants (Mono single mix) 1965
Another "great to have" and it sounds the way I remember it. The Stereo version cannot match the shear power of the Mono mix and it is exccessively "wet". Great mid and deep bass in this version with a more natural, solid midrange just like the 45. Highly recommended!
29) Elenore--Turtles (Stereo) 1968
Sonically pleasing mastering but nothing trully notable about this version either.
I highly recommend this CD for those of you seeking special, unique and great sounding versions of these classics!
Bob