Zombies and Hitsville Box - thanks!

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone here!

Only Steve CD I had until this morning was a Buddy FTOMT, which always sounded great, but I knew not why!

The only Steve CD that easily available in this country is The Zombies and although I only know the “big hit”, I decided to take the plunge. Now the only copy of She’s Not There I’ve got is on a compilation CD, but the difference between that and Steve’s version is immense.

The comp version sounds as though it’s being played through a car horn, whereas the SH one sounds, well, just smooth. And where did all that bass come from.

So thanks…

Also, arrived today was the Hitsville Box, again, on the recommendation of this forum.

I guess I’ve never heard Motown in mono. Everything sounds different…where did the bass guitar on the intro to “Tears Of A Clown” come from – that’s not on the stereo – and why is the mono noticeably slower. Or is it the stereo’s faster!?

Thanks once again.



Nobby (Soon to be a pauper!)

 

Ken,

You're right - have to say I really love that version on the Hitsville box!

 

Psychoaccoustics! Lower frequencies will give a person the perception that something is slower. But, many times, the mono mix IS a tad slower than the stereo. I can only imagine that the stereo mixdown deck was running a tad slow. Other times, the speed change is deliberate.

Concerning those mono mixes, the way they sound was very intentional! The mono sound is what Berry Gordy wanted and what the engineers worked hard for.

Welcome to discovering what many who didn't live with the 45s in the 60s have discovered, that Motown music was vibrant! Notice how wonderfully dry and clear "You Can't Hurry Love" sounds? Notics how the drums and vocals seem to pop out more? Notice the phat bass on "ABC"? That song isn't bubblegum anymore, now is it?

 

Re: Re: Re: Zombies and Hitsville Box - thanks!

You too. huh?

 

Yeah, that's a wacky mix of "What's Going On." I first heard both the stereo Lp mix and the mono 45 mix around the same time, before I got accustomed to either. The Lp mix seemed right to me, just because that fake fade felt so awkward. Plus, I think they cut out some of the opening chatter, which always gets my dog to perk his ears.

 

You want another wild experience? Check out the original "Detroit mix" of the LP version.

 

You wanna speed up the poverty? Seek out the Temptations "Emporers Of Soul" 5-CD box set. It has all the mono mixes too!

In both cases, notice how powerful The Temptations' "Ball Of Confusion" now sounds without all of that stupid, limpy stereo experimentation crap fouling it up? The mono mix jams! Words of steel!

 

Re: Re: Re: Zombies and Hitsville Box - thanks!

>>>Ha!!! Ever hear the stereo mix of "Whats So Good About Goodbye"??

 

If only Steve could do the Motown singles...

 

Agreed, they would sound awesome in all their tube glory.

They WOULDNT sound like the 45s tho. The 45s had a layer of "grit" on 'em probably from overdriving the cutting amps to get that "Car radio" sound.

Steves verison would be smooth and sound just like the master tapes.

 

Hey Ken, I didnt know they had remixed it!! Thats good news. The original stereo was pretty bad, and I'm a stereo nut.

I have a single disc hits collection and its the mono mix on there. I'll have to check out the new stereo mix. Can you remember what it sounds like? Did they spread the instruments out, left and right?

 

The stereo mixes are not wide.

But I think you will be happy with the first-time stereo mix of "You've Really Got A Hold On Me".

 

Thanks ken!!

 

But, even though I have the remixes, I still need the original mono mixes for historical accurracy, so I hang onto the boxed set.

My main complaint with the Smokey remixes/new mixes is that I don't like the EQ. The stereo sounds thin. I'm listening to them now.

 

The new stereo Smokey mixes are very wide and full-bodied to these ears. I personally like them a lot, as far as providing a fresh listening experience for familiar material. In that regard, no complaints whatsoever about the Ooo Baby Baby set. Actually, I wish they had done more remixing - the new remixes end right at the Going to a Go Go material, which could really benefit from a fresh mix. What they accomplished with the "new" mixes is pretty far superior to what they stuck with in terms of the existing stereo mixes of the Going to a Go Go songs.

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Zombies and Hitsville Box - thanks!

When it comes to Motown, I'm still amazed how little the 5.1 DTS FOREVER YOURS is mentioned. It's the closest to being 'in the studio' I've ever heard from the company, and while "What's Going On" doesn't have the punch of the mono 45, it IS stripped down like the 45, without the extra embellishments of the stereo Lp version. It doesn't fade back, unfortunately, but boy, what clarity and range! The whole disc is like that, even the earliest tracks. Can't recommend it enough!

ED