Whenever someone says to me they don't like mono, this is one of the examples I give where the mono wins every time. You hit the nail on the head by saying it feels more like a rock album, the mono almost punches you in the face whereas the stereo is really kind of limp and lack lustre in comparison.
Thanks for that! I haven’t put an episode on Mixcloud for a hot minute actually, as they’re all on podcast platforms now - I just put out episode 39 today! You can find them all here on Podbean and on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else - just search Back to Mono! I’m always on the lookout for new records, so let me know.
Freddie, one of things I mentioned when starting this thread was that I decided to have a "British Beat Boom Day", this got me thinking what a great show you could put together along these lines, is there any chance of you taking up the challenge?
I’m sure I could - there’s plenty of beat in the previous episode (show 38), but what are you after? I can bring it all together in one mega episode if you want!
The Dylan Mono box on CD seems to be quite reasonably priced, at least here in the UK - £70ish as opposed to the £150ish the Beatles and Stones mono sets went for. I'm tempted to invest, I've never really dug into early Dylan, and hard-panned stereo tends to be a deal-breaker for me.
I was able to acquire some really great original mono lps during the lockdown phase of our lovely global pandemic. I can only order from US sellers on Discogs, which presents a challenge, but also clarifies things. In the last few months I've found, for reasonable prices: 1. Doors Strange Days US Monarch 2. Rolling Stones Aftermath & Between the Buttons UK DECCA 3. Fresh Cream US Monarch 4. Disreali Gears UK Reaction The only one in less-then-desirable condition is Between the Buttons, but it was also a great deal and those old mono grooves hold up pretty well; it still sounds good. Not too many choices on this side of the Atlantic. In normal times I would have paid 2.5x as much for a VG+. Disreali Gears really struck me as it sounds very organic and fast. I have a stereo Monarch and so far the mono is blowing me away in comparison.
There's the Obvious one's such as the Kinks, Beatles & the Stones etc but I think I'd pick out some of the more obscure artists who in many cases created some underappreciated gems, including artists our US friends may not be familiar with, such as.... Hedgehoppers Anonymous The Artwoods Johnny Kidd Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers The Animals Graham Bond The Searchers Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich Wayne Fontana The Tremeloes The Honeycombs Shane Fenton & The Fentones The Flee Rekkers Tony Sheridan The Tornados There are just too many to list but I do know they created some fabulous records.
On topic, while I haven’t got my records around my right now, I recently recompiled my UK Mono copy of “Through The Past Darkly” using all the mono single/EP mixes of the tracks, and I absolutely love it. An incredible compilation in it’s UK tracklisting. Essential.
You’ll need to She’s a Rainbow from the singles collection, but everything else you can just use from the In Mono box.
I'm spinning it again right now in probably a rather vain attempt to try to describe the difference. It's only a fold as you know so there aren't really any surprises but to my ears on my system the mono fold never let's you forget it's first and foremost a rock album. It's punchier sounding even though it's really not in reality - if you get my drift?! The stereo by comparison sounds more dramatic and richer with those sublime horns and strings being more pronounced and appearing to sound clearer. It's certainly worthwhile hearing but although it's probably the wrong thread to say this in but I honestly prefer the stereo.
Los Shakers: Shakers For You (1966) A fantastic South American rock album, unfortunately I don’t have the original nor the recent vinyl reissue (shipping and pandemics don’t go well together).
Thanks for the feedback Steve, in this case like you, I think I'll stick with the Chris Bellman mastered Stereo LP.
Oh, finally I've found someone (thanks Graham!) with the Bellman cut but I'm guessing you don't have the MFSL as well? I have the MFSL 45rpm which is totally out of this world and also the 50th Anniversary set including the latest Bernie Grundman cut which is very good indeed. Some say this is the best of the lot. I prefer the MFSL myself but I'd like to be able to compare the Bellman cut to both.
Got a mono copy of The End - Introspection and The Zombies Odessey and Oracle LPs. Both sound Beautiful!!!
I remember when people thought I was crazy to spend that much on that record. I personally recommend on eBay. Atleast thats where I was lucky to get mine. I got ebay bucks on top of that. Hey, its something.
Steve, I'm not sure if it helps, but Michael Fremer said in his Marathon video 100 Recommended All-Analog LP Reissues Worth Owning, that he preferred the Chris Bellman cut above all others including the MFSL. He basically said whilst the MFSL is good you would best served buying the Bellman cut because not only is it cheaper, it is also better.
Back to the mono discussion, I've just finished playing The Sundazed Bo Diddley LP mentioned above. Playing now is disc one of the Stones London Years Collection.....
