It's go time. Let's do another comparison thread! Here's what I have to bring to the table on this one: •R-1003 mono, A8/B8 •R9-1003 stereo, A5 for side one, but "R-9-1003-B 30,037-7" on side two, and in that space between the two designations, there's a "3" inside a circle, and below that three is a mark that looks kind of like a "del segno" mark: •FS-1003 stereo, two-tone orange label, both sides 1-H. •Original Ampex reel, catalog #RSL-1707 •The Suitcase CD.....if I can find it. (It's not where it belongs. That's bad. ) Shall we also look at the bonus-track from the IRT sessions? I have "In the Blue of Evening" on "Greatest Love Songs" and the suitcase. If you have anything to contribute, please drop me a PM! For the album comparisons, let's use "I'll Be Seeing You." Thanks as always, Matt
Yes, if you want to compare a different sounding session, since it was held at Radio Recorders instead of United.
Incidentally, there have been THREE American CD releases of I REMEMBER TOMMY... Reprise 9 27019-2 (November 1991) - original 13 tracks and LP liner notes Reprise 9 45267-2 (April 1993) - adds bonus track; expanded reissue notes by James Isaacs Reprise 9 46969-2 (September 1998) - EOTC edition; drops bonus track and extra notes Most people are unfamiliar with the shortlived first issue. There are no CD production or engineering credits on that one. The more common second CD reissue with "In the Blue of Evening" was produced by Joe McEwen; the third CD by Greg Geller. Lee Herschberg is credited with digital remastering on both the 1993 and 1998 ("20-bit") resissue CDs. (The recent 2010 reissues by UMG in the EU and Japan are identical to the 1998 Reprise CD.)
I think we will have the following versions covered thus far, with thanks to stevelucille, Bob F, and MMM: •R-1003 mono, A8/B8 •R9-1003 stereo, A5 for side one, but "R-9-1003-B 30,037-7" on side two •FS-1003 stereo, two-tone orange label, both sides 1-H. •Original Ampex reel, catalog #RSL-1707 •Later S9-series Stereotape reel •The Suitcase CD •1993 CD •EOTC CD Anybody able to send clips from other versions? Non-US versions, maybe? If so, please PM me. Bob - do you know if the 1991 and 1993 discs share the same mastering as far as the original 13 tracks go? If they don't, or if you aren't sure, could you send clips from the 1991 disc, too. (I assume you have it in your vast Sinatra Vault.) Thanks, Matt
I mixed that album in 2000, both the four channel Radio Recorders rejected version and the three channel United Recording remake. Good times, good times.
Musically this is a great album. I only have a "scowling Frank" mono LP at home, and would like to know where the best sound can be found.
I remember you saying in another thread that you mixed enough material from the RR sessions to have Reprise make a "comparison" CD of the difference in the material that Mr. S rejected and what we have been hearing for 50 years. Juicy stuff, indeed!
IMHO the Japanese mid 80's pressing is superior to all. Supremely quiet vinyl and excellent sound. Sorry, but I am not at home so I cannot now present the catalogue number. But tis' a goody!!!
Really looking forward to your comparisons on this one Matt as it's one of my favourite Reprise albums.
They appear to be the same, except for the bonus cut added (as track 13) on the later CD. I'd bet this is the original stereo LP mix from back in the day, but I'll leave it to you to tell us for sure. Samples on the way.
The original stereo mix of this album was quite good. If you all can find a nice, warm, non-messed-with mastering of it, grab it. The unmixed three-track is rather grim sounding. The two track reduction is in many ways, better. So there!
Just in casual listening today, I'm really impressed by the POP in the brass and drums on the old stereo LP. Even the later non-gatefold LP that I have sounds really, really nice, at least on the comparison track. Matt
The deal? Don't know, or (more honestly, I used to know but have forgotten). However, Frank was discovering (or coming to terms with) the fact that he chose to do a Dorsey Tribute album and couldn't hold the soft notes any more. This gave him endless frustration at Radio Recorders and reels and reels of tape were recorded of him trying to nail songs he could have nailed in 5 minutes just 5 years before. He was very unhappy and talked about it on the open mic during the sessions. His head was in a much better place when he tried again at United, he had come to terms with the fact that he couldn't sing the stuff like he had before and chose to move on instead of being Mr. Pitiful about it. A fascinating listen for me, I felt quite uncomfortable eavesdropping on this stuff but Frank emerged a better person in a better place so all was well for him more or less after that..
On "Daybreak" and "Take Me" I swear the man is Dorsey's trombone reincarnated! Mr. S really did his homework on this one with Sy Oliver.
Nice to see Bob posting, I thought he was too busy elsewhere doing " Bobs Burgers" Whatever THAT is LOL!
This is my favorite Reprise era Frank LP and still gives me a smile every time I play it. The Stereo mix is splendid. And a joy to these ears. My favorite pressing of this LP is the original pre-1963 Scowling Frank label pressings. The notes by Lawrence D. Stewart are essential and missing on the later variants. The Reprise RSL 1707 Ampex 4 track reel tape is superb (wish I owned one, a friend of mine does). Essential album for all fans of Ole Blue Eyes.
