Doors S/T mono official digital release on Amazon...any thoughts?

Hi all

I noticed that the only way to officially get the first Doors LP in mono digitally is through Amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Doors-Mono-Version/dp/B00440FBUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298168355&sr=8-1

How do they sound compared to the alternatives (needledrops)?

 

It's also on iTunes, but harder to find because it's not labeled as "Mono" the last I checked. There are 2 or 3 versions of the self-titled up there, and you just have to listen to samples to find it.

 

Stuff like this makes me glad I have a turntable.

 

Good to know, thanks!

 

This is an "official" needle-drop, right? And only available as a download...talk about colliding technologies.

 

Is it a needle-drop? I hadn't heard that.

 

How else would it be available digitally? Would Elektra or whoever owns them now prepare a digital master from the original mono tapes just for selling via download?

 

I think it's from Rhino who also released the LP.

There's no way the LP was cut from a needle-drop I assume.

I would imagine the source for these files was the same source as the LP they released (whatever that was).

 

Interesting, I never knew there was a mono reissue on vinyl of the debut album. When did that come out?

 

It comes as part of Rhino's vinyl box set...

http://www.amazon.com/Doors-Vinyl-Box-180-Gram/dp/B000LRY9P4

I don't think you can buy it separately.

 

it was also available separately (from the box set) last Black Friday/Record Store Day 2010. there are probably still copies floating around shops

 

Interesting thanks!

 

Yep, I'm very happy they finally sold it separately. I picked mine up just after Thanksgiving. Love it!

 

If this is a needledrop or from the same source as the LP cut...why oh why don't they offer up 24/96!?! Dadgum irritating is what it is.

 

Did the mono mix of LMF always run a correct pitch or was it too slow like the original stereo mix?

 

good question

 

I remember reading that was the only version before the remix to have LMF at the correct pitch, but I don't have a source for it.

 

The Doors lost a sale from me by not releasing a CD for the mono mix. Would a couple of thousand copies been that hard to create?

 

You could listen to the Amazon sample.

 

I actually suspected it may have been a deliberate choice. The background:

In the year 2000, I emailed Mr. Botnick and asked why Light My Fire ran a half step slow compared to all live versions. I specifically asked him if it was intentionally slowed down for surreal effect -- or if the tape machine was not running at correct speed during the mixdown. He stated it ran at correct speed and was not intentionally slowed down by either he or Rothchild. I then asked Botnick if he had compared the pitch on the stereo mix with the pitch on the multis. He said he had compared the multis with stereo mix and there "was no appreciable difference" in pitch.

However, in 2006 Botnick remixed The Doors and Light My Fire ran at correct pitch. In the liner notes of the 2006 The Doors s/t remix Botnick ascribes the issue to a tape machine not running at correct speed. Botnick notes it was first brought to his attention by a professor 3 years after I reached out to him.

Here's Botnick's quotes from the liner notes.

 

So was it a mistake it ran slow or an artistic choice? Seems to be two opinions on the subject.

 

Does anyone have an original first pressing of the mono mix for the debut album? I'm curious if the mono album mix of Light My Fire ran at correct pitch or not.

 

I don't disagree. Despite Botnick's email feedback to me and his liner notes in the 2006 remix, I have the lingering suspicion Rothchild may have intentionally slowed down LMF to get a "Strawberry Fields" type of psychedelic effect.