Traffic fans.... "Mr. Fantasy" vs "Heaven Is In Your Mind"

I'm going to be picking up one of these two on cd. I'm looking at the remasters, but I can't decide which of these to get. It seems like "Heaven Is In Your Mind" has a couple more tracks, but the "Mr. Fantasy" remaster adds some cool mono single mixes. Is the remaster of "Heaven Is In Your Mind" the mono album or stereo? Which of these two is the one to get?

 

Mr. Fantasy is all mono, and follows the UK configuration of the original album, with several single sides (also in mono) added as bonus tracks.

Heaven is all stereo, and features the US tracklist of the album, which omitted two songs from the UK version ("Utterly Simple" and "Hope I Never Find Me There") and added four single sides in their place. Those omitted songs appear on the CD as bonus tracks, accompanied by two songs from a movie soundtrack (Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush).

I'm partial to both the stereo mixes and the US tracklist, so the Heaven reissue would be my pick. Your priorities may be different; and, of course, a case could be made for having *both* versions if you can afford to do so.

 

Beware: I bought the UK remaster with bonus tracks and it was so heavily NR'd that I couldn't stand to listen to it.

 

I'm with Steve.

BTW, Smiling Phases was released in 1991 Polygram CD 510553.

 

Unfortunately, that set doesn't include "Dealer" and "Giving to You"--both standouts from the first album. The best issue I have of this material is the MFSL title, though it omits "Paper Sun" and "Smiling Phases."

 

Smiling Phases, 314-510 553-2, ©1991 Island.

But I agree with the other comment, as both are needed if you're a completist.

This album would have made a great Deluxe concept if more material could be used (found, whatever, maybe even a live CD paired with?)

 

Isn't one of these the mono U.K. "Mr. Fantasy" followed by the U.S. "Heaven is in your Mind"? That is the one I would go for and then find the MFSL of the stereo "Mr. Fantasy".

 

I sold mine for the same reason.

 

No. The way Traffic's first album has been reissued is confusing. As far as I can grasp, there're three separate CDs:

a) The US "Heaven is In Your Mind" CD. It presents the stereo album, with stereo versions of the "rejected" tracks at the end. No NR, a bit more hiss than the UK config, but it still sounds great.

b) The US "Mr. Fantasy" CD. This is the mono UK config, plus mono mixes of the singles.

c) The UK "Mr. Fantasy" CD. Apparently, this gives you the MONO "Heaven is In Your Mind" and the STEREO "Mr. Fantasy," tidying up loose-ends. Problem: it's apparently NRed. I haven't heard it.

Then there's the MFSL, of course.

 

Actually, there are 4 CDs.

a) and b) are correct. The recent remasters are US stereo and UK mono.

In 1999, the UK did their own line of Traffic remasters (some, not all albums). They have the UK Stereo (Mr. Fantasy) and the US MONO (Heaven is in Your Mind) CDs. So between both countries, all 4 versions of their debut album are out.

The US remasters have very little futzing with sound, but did use newly-found sources in some cases. Buy with confidence!

 

I agree! Mine started skipping so I have to go find a used copy. All the good stuff though.

 

But I'm pretty sure those two you cited are on one CD. In fact, I just saw one, so I'm positive. Thus, 3 discs: the two US discs, and the one UK disc.

Incidentally, I recall reading somewhere that there are in fact slight differences between certain aspects of the US and UK issues, tracklistings aside. Can anybody find the source for this? If the mono Heaven is In your Mind is necessary for a completist, that would be the only reason to grab the UK disc, as the stereo "Mr. Fantasy" is available via MoFI.

-D

 

I think some of Traffic's albums merit being heard in full, especially "Low Spark" and "John Barleycorn"

Jonathan

 

Speaking of the individual albums, I think the current remasters of Traffic's catalog sounds great. At least the titles, that I have.

 

So where does the MFSL fit into the equation?
Is it mono or stereo, UK or US?

I've got Heaven, don't necessarily want the MoFi if it's essentially the same tracks (ie stereo). Would I be better off with the mono Mr.Fantasy?

 

Stereo mix. UK Track listing. The best sounding version of the stereo mix. (and I used to have the pink Island of this particular title. It sounds very similar. However. Being in Canada, we don't have the luxury of aquiring the US Mr. Fantasy release. (with unfutzedwith mono!) Just the UK - and may I remind - STAY AWAY FROM THE UK CD'S!! (enough caps now paul...)

 

How does the original Canadian Island issue of Mr. Fantasy (CID-90060 or CIDM-90060) stack up to any of the reissues?

Also the single 45 mix of Medicated Goo is slightly different than the album version. I don't thignk that's out on CD anywhere.

 

Some of the US remasters can be found in Canada but only the later releases.
I can order from the US or pick 'em up next I'm in Seattle.
Think I'll get the US and MoFi Mr.Fantasy (if I can find the latter at a reasonable that is).
Thanks for the advice on UK RM's. Will avoid like the plague.

 

EXCEPT that the UK Barleycorn remaster has live tracks that are not available anywhere else. The US Barleycorn remaster does blow it away for the actual LP tracks.

 

Or you could go here. Go to page 2 half way down. I picked mine up today and it is excellent mastering! This is the first time I've ever heard 2/3 of John Barleycorn Must Die sound so good.

 

Dave, it says it's a special order...is that where you got yours? How long did it take?

 

I picked up a copy of JBMD at a Best Buy in Seattle for $6.71, but haven't had time to listen yet.

 

Yes Dob, that's where I got mine. I placed an order and within 7 days they called me and said it was in.