http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mNkAAOSwopRYa6Jh/s-l1600.jpg http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tD8AAOSwa~BYa6Jm/s-l1600.jpg http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/yg8AAOSw9GhYa6Js/s-l1600.jpg What is this??? It says Mono AND Stereo! How is this suppose to sound?
It's pretty common for French records of this era to have this text and it means it is mono & stereo compatible. Not sure if it means this particular record is actually stereo or mono though. French record experts out there?
It quotes the US catalog number for the album- FS 1018. Most likely it is a stereo album and all they are saying is that, even though it is a stereo album, it could be played on mono equipment. The album probably was pressed when record companies were trying to stop maintaining both individual mono and stereo inventories. Personally, I think this stereo album wouldn't sound too good when played on a lot of the older consumer grade mono equipment of that period, but it certainly could have been played (it probably would have worn-out fairly fast too if played with many of the older non audiophile mono cartridges available when that record appears to have been pressed).
You will love it in mono. The mono is what made me love this album and it's my preferred way of hearing it.
Just listening to Sinatra's "All Alone" album. A wonderful collection of songs, not the best sounding album. What the general view of the album here?
I’m giving my original mono pressing of All Alone a spin right now. I really enjoy this mix. The bass sounds great , and I find the balance of the vocals and the orchestra nearly perfect. I hear a bit too much echo (?) on the vocals at a few points, but I haven’t done a close listen to the stereo mix in a while so perhaps this is the same across both.
I could not agree more. The mono version is what made me love this album. I don't know why I like it better than the stereo mix, but I do.
One of my favorite Sinatra albums, just the concept alone is so different for that era. It is probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite Jenkins arranged, LP.
Love the old-fashioned almost 1910's like feel of it. It's so beautiful. Comes to mind that most of my all-time favorite Sinatra recordings are in 3/4 time. I'll follow my secret heart, Wait till you see her, Weep they will, I'm not afraid, etc.
Seems to be a lot of sealed, official CDs of this one on Ebay right now for cheap, in the ballpark of $12 including shipping from Europe. Recently out of print or something, maybe? (There has only ever been one mastering of this title. It never got the EOTC treatment.)
These are the 2011 rebranded UMG 11-track reissues. They are missing the “Come Waltz with Me” bonus track that appeared on the original (1992) Reprise CD. Don’t believe the “remastered reissue” hype in the eBay listings. It is the identical digital mastering as the long-OOP Reprise CD, with the extra track removed. Note that only 12 Reprise CDs ever got the EOTC treatment.
Played All Alone UK MONO LP thought it was a Capitol album at first with the dreamy Gordon Jenkins strings. How is this album regarded with fans of his Reprise albums ?
Part of the golden era of Reprise. The performances of the Irving Berlin songs on this album are, IMHO, definitive.
Why did the original title Come Waltz With Me idea get nixed, too similar to Capitol trademark album titles ?
Steve Lawrence. But the song (and title) was discarded by Sinatra because it really didn’t fit the mood of the rest of the album—too upbeat.
A few years back I finally found a NM original A-1/B-1 stereo copy of All Alone (way harder to find than the mono) but I still kinda want that! At least now I know what's hitting the turntable next!