What possible reasons could there be for his not cutting Side 2 of the U.K., though? I know we are guessing in the dark.
The only thing I can think of is his cut was originally intended for the UK, but a part got damaged requiring a recut. That is pure, 100% speculation, however.
Possible reasons , all pure speculation: 1. There is some small edit or difference that was made to the side 2 of the Uk that none of us have noticed in all of these years that necessitated a new side be cut in the UK. 2. Lost or damaged stamper? 3. Townsend or someone else on the UK side didn't like his cut of side 2. We know no Track version was issued with a B//1 side. It starts with B//2. Was Sax's side two, presumably/logically B//1 rejected?
Unlikely, since the masters stayed at The Mastering Lab until the mid-'80s. I doubt it would have been rejected by Townshend, as I believe he was the reason it was cut by Sax in the first place.
I like these ideas, but for 3. is that a slip? Why would a Side 2 be designated B//1? Excuse me if I am making some novice's error here in misunderstandings what you are getting at.
It's a fair question. Sometimes you will see the UK Polydor cut sides as A//1 B//1 like Electric Ladyland. Other times like Layla there is a A//1 B//2 sequence . We don't know if the use B//2 release logic indicated a rejected side or manufacturer protocol. it raises the possibility that there was a that B//1 cut that used the master tape lacquer from Doug Sax and for some reason never saw the light of day.
I think I get you but wouldn't mean there was a A//1 on Side 1? There isn't, is there? I have to go and check my Track.
Haha, processing all this matrix information often gives me a headache, but, can I be certain that my UK Track copy with headhunters inner and A//1 , B//2 inscriptions is actually a first pressing ? I don't really mind if it is or not, it's in excellent condition and sounds great to these ears, but it would be good to know for sure. Slainte, Danny.
Ah, thanks. I kind of knew it was, but again you'd expect a first press to be A//1 , B//1 or similar. I also have a UK press with A//4 , B//3 which was my first ever copy of the album bought way back around '73 or '74 and played many, many times but still in really nice condition. I have a US decca but don't know the numbers in the matrix and don't have it to hand at the moment. Threads like this one are a really valuable source of information and I know there are lots of them, but I always have trouble remembering what is what. Thanks again. Slainte, Danny.
I have the A//1, B//2 but the sleeve is dated something 74, which can't be right (I hope). Sleeves can be easily swapped. Would anyone buy a 1st U.K. with a headhunters sleeve as proof that it was a U.K. 1st? Meaning that without a headhunters sleeve it would mean it's a later pressing? Is there anything in the matrix or on the label that would prove one is the very first run over others with the same matrix?
As you said, sleeves can be swapped. It could also be a transitional pressing but: Why not leave such extreme forensics to Interpol or the FBI? You've got an A//1, B//2, you've got a first press. Everything else is..... everything else. To quote Warhol Your avatar is great. September is coming. 1977-2017.
Thanks, Neonbeam, for your kind words. It's really gone beyond the actual the sound. I just like the communal detective work, but, yes, it's for people better than me to sort this out!
Interesting detective work! Just to continue the options, looks to me like Doug Sax's work found it's way to both sides of the original Australian pressing? Seems to be a crossed out W1 on side 2. The original pressing is not an easy version to find these days over here.
My copy that cost me $5 about 20 years ago is the same, with that scribbled out W1 on Side 2. Sometimes Australia or New Zealand gets lucky and gets imported metalwork, like this, or the Lee Hulko Cat Stevens cuts…and sometimes we get unlucky and get cuts from hissy copy tapes that have had a low pass filter applied to reduce the hiss. Exactly why one Island album uses imported metal and another one a few years later, pressed by the same company doesn't is beyond me.
I had one of these back in February this year, and to be honest, didn't think it was all *that*...... sold it on.
