Ace UK: Chartbusters Vol.2 (1963-1969)

John B · Jun 7, 2002

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Friends,

I puchased this CD on Wednesday evening and after two listenings I feel that the CD is worthy of a thread here.........
...........I highly recommend this CD for those of you seeking special, unique and great sounding versions of these classics!

Bob
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Thanks for taking the trouble to start this thread Bob. It's a big help for me and I'm sure many others to be able to get your analysis and all of the other feedback. My aim is to make wise purchases so thanks again.

John

sgb · Jun 7, 2002

Re: Re: Re: Ace UK: Chartbusters Vol.2 (1963-1969)

Originally posted by Pat

sgb,

I think that "tons" of Classic California Rock CDs were sold about 2 years ago , when someone mentioned it on the BSN website!

I got mine at Circuit City for $5.99

Recommended!
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That must have been a pretty smart fella, Pat

That's where I got mine too.

Bob Lovely · Jun 7, 2002

Re: Re: Ace UK: Chartbusters Vol.2 (1963-1969)

Originally posted by John B

Thanks for taking the trouble to start this thread Bob. It's a big help for me and I'm sure many others to be able to get your analysis and all of the other feedback. My aim is to make wise purchases so thanks again.

John
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John,

Thanks! I believe detailed reviews serve a great purpose here versus a simple "it sounds pretty good". I enjoy sharing my findings with my fellow Forum members and new found friends. Sharing of knowledge is the key, I love sharing and learning new information.

Bob

chip-hp · Jun 7, 2002

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Looks like Capitol.

I used the wide mix when I did the Razor & Tie double CD that has Mr. Tambourine Man on it. Damned if I can remember what that set was called. Had a bunch of 1960's folk, protest and hippie music on it.

The only thing I did to the wide mix was fix the top and bottom.

Ah yes, it was called "Changin' Times"!!!

I still play it. Came out great...
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Steve,

I couldn't find "Changin' Times" listed in your site Razor & Tie discography. Did I just miss it or is there an inside joke to which I am not privy as a relatively new member?

Angel · Jun 7, 2002

No, it's real. Of course.

Steve asked Holy Zoo to add it to his discography but he must have forgot.

Can't rag on him too much about it, after all, this entire site is his doing!

chip-hp · Jun 7, 2002

Originally posted by Angel
No, it's real. Of course.

Steve asked Holy Zoo to add it to his discography but he must have forgot.

Can't rag on him too much about it, after all, this entire site is his doing!
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Thanks Angel and thanks Holy Zoo .... I think this is a great site! Not being a technical or industry person ... just a lover of 50's and 60's music, I am not always sure what some people are talking about, but I enjoy learning new information about the music and how it was and is produced.

Now for the important stuff ... where can I see a track listing for "Changin' Times" and is it OOP?

Michael · Jun 27, 2002

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Friends,

I puchased this CD on Wednesday evening and after two listenings I feel that the CD is worthy of a thread here. As with most Ace comps there are some real gems in the line-up. It comes with a 27 page booklet that is rich in information on the track selections. The CD was mastered by Duncan Cowell. Audible tape hiss is present on most tracks. The catalog number is CDCHD 832.

Here is the track line-up and some listening notes:

1) Good Lovin'--Young Rascals (Stereo) 1966

Initially, I would have preferred the Mono mix but, this mastering of the Stereo mix is very well done. The drums are more pronounced and there is more bass than other mastered versions of the Stereo mix. This hit was recorded "live" in the studio with no overdubs.

2) Spooky--Classics IV (Stereo) 1967

The best version of this classic that I have heard, It sounds less muffled (like a veil has been lifted) than previous versions that I have purchased. There is more deep low-end and well defined instrument placement. The Sax solo simply jumps out. More dynamic range than any version that I have heard.

3) Summer In The City--Lovin' Spoonful (Stereo) 1966

This version is a tad bright on the high-end but, the low end sounds very natural and warm, almost tubey. I learned from the liner notes that Roy Halee engineered the recording session and that he obtained the unique drum sound by placing a "mic" in a stairwell at Columbia's studios in New York City. He called it a "wow" sound.

4) Little Girl--Syndicate of Sound (Stereo) 1966

The best version of this mid 60's classic that I have heard. Definitely, more mid and low bass than other versions and the mid-range is just right.

5) Louie, Louie--Kingsmen (Mono) 1963

Good low end....the rest is, of course, just the sound of Louie, Louie!

6) You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'--Righteous Bros. (Stereo) 1964

The best Stereo version that I have heard. The drums have more bite like the Mono. The vocals sound more upfront. Because of the mastering it sounds slightly less "wet" than the other Stereo version in my collection. It has more "power" than any Stereo version that I have heard.

7) Harlem Shuffle--Bob & Earl (Stereo) 1963

Same great sounding Stereo version that Ace used on an earlier comp.

8) Dancing In The Street--Martha & the Vandellas (Stereo) 1964

I must own at least 10 different versions of this classic in Stereo and at least 2 in Mono all mastered by different people. This is, quite simply, the best version that I have ever heard. There is more of the circa mid 60's mid and low bass (it sounds more fat) and the rest of the frequencies are well balanced. Martha's vocals sound more upfront. Universal, are you listening?

9) Classical Gas--Mason Williams (Stereo) 1968

10) Mr. Bojangles--Jerry Jeff Walker (Mono single mix) 1968

The original Mr. Bojangles, sounds just like the 45.

11) Mr. Tamborine Man--Bryds (original Stereo mix) 1965

Wow!, I had forgotten how much this mix resembles the Mono 45 mix after getting used to the remix. From the opening guitar line, I had smile on my face. The sound is well balanced and the mix has the more "hot" feel of the Mono mix. According to the liner notes this song broke on KYA in San Francisco.

12) Baby Don't Go--Sonny & Cher (Mono) 1965

Less drenched in reverb than other versions that I have heard. More dynamic and Cher's vocals are more upfront as a result. I actually like this song better because it is more sonically pleasing to listen to.

13) Liar, Liar--Castaways (Stereo) 1965

In the past, I never much cared for the Stereo mix, that is, until I heard this version. More middle, more deep bass, more dynamic and definitely more fat sounding like the Mono. Beats the pants off the "Rhinophonic" sounding versions I have heard.

14) Mission: Impossible--Lalo Schifrin (Stere) 1968

15) Cara-Lin--Strangeloves (Stereo) 1965

Big "I Want Candy" sound and the follow-up that did not sell as well.

16) Somebody To Love--Jefferson Airplane (Stereo) 1967

I was very surprised by the sound of this version. It has more mid and low bass than I anticipated and beats the RCA Gold disc that I have. More than other Stereo version that I own, this version reminds me more of the sound of the 45 all those years ago. BMG needs to listen to the mastering on this track. Maybe I can talk Ace into including White Rabbit on Volume 3.

17) Polk Salad Annie--Tony Joe White (Stereo) 1969

The signature "Four" is chopped off the mix on this version but other than that small disappointment this version is sonically pleasing with a "fat" low end.

18) Magic Carpet Ride--Steppenwolf (Stereo) 1968

There is audible tape hiss during the fade up opening. The sound is well defined and balanced. The bass is strong and upfront but lacks the very deep bass as mastered by Steve on the Vintage series. It is sonically pleasing, none the less. The liner notes indicate that the 45 version has a different vocal--the guide vocal from the demo.

19) I Can't Believe What You Say--Ike & Tina Turner (Mono) 1964

20) Judy In Disguise--John Fred & his Playboy Band (full Stereo mix) 1967

My other version is a combo Mono/Stereo mix on a Dick Bartley On The Radio series. I like this version better because the clarity of the vocals is better, it is more dynamic and it has a more "fat" low end like the Mono single mix. The double tracked vocals in the middle of the song add a fun effect.

21) Watermelon Man--Mongo Santamaria (Stereo single edit) 1963

A definite "nice to have" (Stereo single edit) and very sonically pleasing.

22) Love's Made A Fool Of You--Bobby Fuller Four (Stereo) 1966

Has that definite Bob Keane sound. I had always thought that Bobby had died in a traffic accident but, in the liner notes, I learned that he died as result of a brutal beating where he was made to ingest gasoline. The sound on this version is very good.

23) Sunny--Boby Hebb (Stereo) 1966

Sounds very pleasing with more low-end than most versions that I have heard. The vocals are not quite as good as the version mastered by Dennis Drake. Has the Mono sound but only in Stereo, a good middle, in other words.

24) Batman Theme--Neal Hefti and his Orchestra (Stereo) 1966

25) Bread And Butter--Newbeats (Stereo) 1964

A fine mastering but, the Stereo mix is exccessively "wet" with the vocals not upfront enough in the mix. I wish they had included the Mono single mix instead. Nothing wrong with the mastering of this Stereo mix, but it does not have the feel of the "dryer" Mono single version.

26) The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)--Jan & Dean (Stereo) 1964

This is the original Stereo mix versus the remix made a few years ago. It sounds pleasing and is well balanced with more low-end than other versions that I have in my collection. Less mid-rangy than a few versions that I have heard.

27) Time Of The Season--Zombies (Mono single mix) 1969

Finally, I have the Mono single mix, as I remember this classic, on CD. A must to have in Mono with a less "wet" sound and the instrument placement upfront and more powerful, especially, the organ solo at the break. Sounds like a mint copy of the 45 in terms of sound.

28) Road Runner--Gants (Mono single mix) 1965

Another "great to have" and it sounds the way I remember it. The Stereo version cannot match the shear power of the Mono mix and it is exccessively "wet". Great mid and deep bass in this version with a more natural, solid midrange just like the 45. Highly recommended!

29) Elenore--Turtles (Stereo) 1968

Sonically pleasing mastering but nothing trully notable about this version either.

I highly recommend this CD for those of you seeking special, unique and great sounding versions of these classics!

Bob
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Bob, I agree with you on every song! I compared "Spooky" to the new EMI CD on Taragon. I was very impressed with the bass response on the Chartbusters CD, Much more bottom end than on the EMI CD. Very noticeable! Yet, the EMI CD is essential for the extended ending.

lukpac · Aug 1, 2002

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
BMr. Tambourine Man is in mono on the old Columbia stereo LP (and companion CD).

There were two remixes in the late 1980s, both done by Bob Irwin I think. The first one, was very narrow stereo, done with Roger (Jim) McGuinn for that Bob Hyde project. The second (wide) mix was done later and sounds more authentic.
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I believe the second (wide) mix was done by Vic Anesini, with Bob Irwin producing. I might be wrong, since it was done (apparently) before the rest of the reissues, but...

The first (narrow) mix was done by Jim Dickson and Lawrence W. Wendelken, for the "Never Before" set, produced by Nick Shaffran and Bob Hyde.

Bob Lovely · Aug 1, 2002

Originally posted by lukpac

I believe the second (wide) mix was done by Vic Anesini, with Bob Irwin producing. I might be wrong, since it was done (apparently) before the rest of the reissues, but...

The first (narrow) mix was done by Jim Dickson and Lawrence W. Wendelken, for the "Never Before" set, produced by Nick Shaffran and Bob Hyde.
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Luke,

Thanks for sharing the info!

Bob

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Ace UK: Chartbusters Vol.2 (1963-1969)

John B Once Blue Gort,<br>now just blue.

sgb Senior Member

Bob Lovely Super Gort In Memoriam Thread Starter

chip-hp Cool Cat

Angel New Member

chip-hp Cool Cat

Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

lukpac Senior Member

Bob Lovely Super Gort In Memoriam Thread Starter

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Ace UK: Chartbusters Vol.2 (1963-1969)

John B Once Blue Gort,<br>now just blue.

sgb Senior Member

Bob Lovely Super Gort In Memoriam Thread Starter

chip-hp Cool Cat

Angel New Member

chip-hp Cool Cat

Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

lukpac Senior Member

Bob Lovely Super Gort In Memoriam Thread Starter

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