The problem with the stereo mix of the original LP was that there were some "reversed polarity" shenanigans going on in the mixing, and while it really wouldn't affect anything drastically when listening to it in stereo, it would cause havoc when folded to mono with vocals and instrumentation now mysteriously missing (they were, of course, being phased out). Any hip FM station at that time would have been spinning the LP, but anyone listening who wasn't set up for FM *Stereo* would have been hearing a seriously messed up mix. (And remember....in the late 60s, you may have had an FM receiver but it wasn't always a stereo receiver). It's mono all the way for the debut album. It's a rock solid punch, and you get no mixing artifacts.
Especially the harmony vocals on 'Hey Grandma' and Jerrys guitar on Omaha Arguably all five were major talents. Just think if they would have signed with Elektra or Warner Bros, and gotten some guidance and practical support from their record company
I've looked for that Sweet Ride film on blu ray before. I don't think it exists in that format. There's a DVD which is pan & scanned though.
The Rising Sons might have a sad story to tell as well... L to R: Gary "Magic" Marker/Kevin Kelley/Jesse Lee Kincaid/ Taj Mahal/Ry Cooder
I’d love to know more about what happened to The Rising Sons. That material that came out on Sundazed was great, these guys would have been a top-tier band for sure. Would have been cool to see them on the same kind of career trajectory as Buffalo Springfield.
