The Rolling Stones in Mono

Many years ago I wrote a substantial entry around the longstanding British rock band, the Rolling Stones and my recordings by them and on September 30th, a 15 cd box set of their recordings was issued.

Basically the box set covers what I'd call the Decca or the London Years where from 1963 through 1970, they recorded for Decca records of Great Britain but with a twist as this set only comprises of individual albums of studio recordings that were issued in monophonic sound.

Unlike the Beatles to whom only about five recordings were only available in mono and to whom there are mono and stereo sets of everything except the last two studio albums, it's fair to say most of the pre 1966 Rolling Stones songs are only in mono and they appeared as recent as 2002 in generally good remastered cds and a few records from the same sources.

It's also important to note a good number of those 1964/5 tracks that were only mixed in stereo such as 2120 South Michigan Avenue were simply 'folded in' for the mono editions so you're not hearing different outside of the sound all now coming from the centre of your speakers on these discs.

This means there is quite a bit of duplication between those cd  issues and these new cds.

The discs are fitted so you remove from from the top with what I'd regard as a silly magnetic catch and at the front there is a booklet with a short write up of the the groups history and pictures.

It tells you nothing about the recording history of the groups albums such as the dates, studios used when originally issued and catalogue numbers or even which albums are featured that I feel is quite an oversight.

 The albums appear in mini lp form which I favour but lack some of the individual touches such as 'fold backs' on the UK titles, period mock inner sleeves and in the instance of Let It Bleed, the poster that was included in all copies of the album. At cost the Japanese issue features all of that and more!

The European edition has see through plastic inner sleeves and plastic resealable outside sleeve jackets to protect them. This inexplicably was been missed of the North American edition which has the discs spine face down in the box so they can easily get scratched where at least the European has them slotted with the spines to the left hand side of the box.

Like most sixties groups their UK and US discographies difference greatly but unlike that of the beatles they were compiled by the bands own producer for US consumption leading of itself to duplication.

To simplify, it includes the following US titles also released back in Canada on London records:
12x5, The Rolling Stones, Now, Out Of Our Heads, December's Children (and everybody's), Aftermath and Flowers plus all of the UK titles.

This means that for the first time since 1995 their first UK album is actually available here in the UK in it's original form and for the first time outside Japan, the second album is finally issued on cd, something as a person who chose back home to collect the UK versions I'm delighted about.

That's the first UK album - note unlike the Beatles in 1964 it wasn't deemed necessary have the bands name on it - where next to it the London 12x5 album of July 1964 that did!

Talking of sleeves for some inexplicable reason 1968's Beggars Banquet album which only has one special mono mix on it of - Sympathy For The Devil - uses the 1984 'toilet' cover rather than the R.S.V.P. scripted one originals had.

The band may of wanted that at the time as the cover but it wasn't what was issued so in many ways it just jars with whole notion being a facsimile of the original lp issue.

The inclusion of the American edition on London of 1966's milestone Aftermath album seems odd given they removed two other US editions and that only what is seen from a  UK vantage point of the inclusion of Paint it, black, a 1966 single and opening track is only what separates it from the UK edition as just ten of the UK versions fourteen were used with no differences in versions.

I say that because they compiled a special compilation album called Stray Cats for this set that houses other mono only tracks such as 45's or tracks from UK extended play releases not on these albums where there is space for it and where it would make more sense to have included it next to it's 'b' side. 

A number of tracks were re-transferred and others had some processing done in 2002 for initial super audio cd release removed and these do actually sound better as in more 'open' and analogue sounding.

Outside of that and the reappearance of the first two UK albums, the main plus of this set is getting the dedicated mono mixes unavailable since the late 1960's of their Aftermath, Between The Buttons and Their Satanic  Majesties Request albums that suffered from that extreme left, right so-called 'stereo' popular back then and in any event was often less of a priority than the more commonplace in the home mono.

The amount of time spent varied where separate mixes were made made in four hours or less in stereo compared to days on the mono with less care about how loud any one part of mix was in stereo compared to the mono.

Personally I feel those mono mixes offer more of a sense of the performance everyone including the bands own members wanted us to hear and be judged on, sounding better balanced to my ears.

The inclusion of a completely folded  from stereo into mono Let It Bleed album, an album that is one of their very best ever is puzzling as while it was issued briefly in 1969 in this form in the UK, it was soon gone and sounds no different than playing a current version on cd with the mono button engaged.

I'd of issued the stereo version with a period cd logo in mini lp form in stereo complete with replica dedicated inner sleeve and poster as a bonus as that would be of more value, making the set a good mainly mono way into the 1960's Rolling Stones recordings.

To summarize, the box set performs a valuable function in presenting the whole of the studio recordings of the Rolling Stones in mono in single spot very well transferred although the execution on the artwork and some choices on the contents could of been better given more thought and general attention to detail.

The Rolling Stones Vinyl Collection

One of the things I want to do this year is finally complete a few of my music collections and in particular chunks of my record collection that got cut down with no real plan during the late 1980's and 90's when I was replacing stuff by cd.

Specifically my Rolling Stones lp collection remains all over the place with the odd legacy disc remaining and odd titles picked up off and on in the mean time even though I started the collection in the late 1970's.

One reason for attempt a restocking is the UK albums aren't all available on cd form today because Abkco, who have the rights for the 1960's recordings, prefers to keep the first two UK albums off the market and equally the two UK compilations High Tide  and Green Grass and Thru The Past Darkly that contain many tracks not issued on studio album but scattered without any real reason across several US discs was not issued (They issued the inferior US versions instead!).

It may come as shock to some but unlike the Beatles where I infamously love my Canadian/American discs, the Stones are the one act I really prefer to hear via their UK albums because as sequences of songs they make more sense rather than adding odd singles and heaven forbid faded in and out live tracks mid flow just because London Records wanted new product that season! 

Currently many of their albums can bought new on lp sourced from the transfers done in 2002 for the SACD/CD issued released back then (I use the word 'transfers' because what happens after the track is transferred at a a very high digital resolution is the mastering and there is evidence that some alterations (noise "hiss" reduction and narrowing the stereo image) were made from the when the promotional cd was issued and the SACD's were issued and these difference won't necessarily be on the vinyl as that was mastered separately.)

In December 2010 Universal/Decca issued a lp box set of the UK albums complete with digitally sourced versions of these two compilations, two studio EP's and the 1975 outtakes album Metamorphosis.

Postscript: In 2013 Clear vinyl editions were issued of Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed and the US compilation Hit Rocks.

My collection so far: 

The Rolling Stones (England's Newest Hit Makers) 2003 issue in mono which begins with Not Fade Away as the lead off track and sounding much more fuller than any original U.K. edition.

12 X 5. London 2022 reissue.

This US release is basically the Five By Five UK EP with singles, B sides and new recordings which is good summary of where musically they were in mid 1965.

The Rolling Stones No.2 UK Decca mid 70's mono reissue which has the long version (five  minutes) of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love and the guitar intro Time Is On My side which isn't on the US album. (Not available new separately on lp and only issued on cd in Japan that issue of which is out of print).

The Rolling Stones, Now 2024 reissue.

While not a replacement for No.2, it does have quite a number of otherwise missing tracks.

Out Of Out Heads. 2023 Abkco reissue of U.S. version in mono.

Much much better than the UK album of the same name when you add December's Children this version starting off with Mercy, Mercy and that second album starts with She Said Yeah.

The two american albums gain from having the singles and b sides from the same sessions plus in being more chronological order reflection just where they were at back then.

I bought this re-issue because from the 1970's onwards the original Decca lp of this title I had was in a ghastly form of fake stereo and with some you can hear the tape riding unevenly between the channels that prevents you from putting it back into mono! 

This lp does sound extremely good.

Aftermath Decca UK 1982 copy -7/-10 matrix

A landmark Stones album from April 1966 featuring Mother's Little Helper, Lady Jane, Under My Thumb and Out of Time, everybody needs to hear it.

This copy was pressed by PolyGram and used a more recent set of stampers whose groove did go further to the label area than previous copies that allowed for a marginally higher cutting level and a bit more bass on what is a very long playing album running for some fifty two minutes.

It has wider stereo seperation and notably more opened sound than later "digitally re-mastered" editions so why they had the advantage of DMM cutting which helps fit more music in with better sound actually this is the best vinyl edition.

High Tide and Green Grass Decca UK 1981 copy. My lp is in EX= condition but the lp jacket has worn corners and a missing 1/2 inch black bit from the front cover so I bought a new copy I can re-home the original lp in.

Issued in late 1966 this is a must on vinyl because singles were not issued on lps in the UK and the Stones albums over here are no different not that tracks like Satisfaction didn't change the world either

On later pressings Paint It, Black, It's All Over Now, Heart Of Stone (From Out Of Our Heads) and Time Is On My Side (Guitar intro) appear for the first time in stereo.

Got LIVE if you want It TelDec 1980's

A partial faux live album issued in 1966 outside the UK that says it is from London's Royal Albert Hall but isn't and heavily overdubbed it's main stay is it gives an idea of what a mid sixties stones gig was like.

Between The Buttons. 1981 Decca reissue 6w

Musically a continuation in many ways of Aftermath with a touching cartoon on the rear cover by Charlie Watts.

This like a few others goes back to the early  nineteen eighties before the original London cds were issued and like most discs of that era is a bit thin compared to todays pressings but the sound hasn't been messed with unlike the 2003 remastered lp.

This is very quiet and unlike the sacd/cd version has a wide stereo image and no noise reduction artefacts that plagued that issue so does offer a better experience than the sacd.

Flowers. July 1967. 2022 London/Abkco reissue.

A compilation that gathers most of the songs missed off the US version of Aftermath and Between The Buttons coupled with two singles and outtakes, this is an interesting hodgepodge of tracks that does work and has the shorter version of Out Of Time rather than the british five minutes fifteen seconds.

Their Satanic Majesties Request 2003 Abkco re-issue.

Cruelly described by many as a second rate answer to the Beatles Sgt Pepper album, while you have to ignore all albums before or since being very much of it's time, it does have some great moments such as the Bill Wyman composition In Another Land and the dance number Sing This All Together (see what happens) utilizing West African rhythms and 2000 Man covered to great effect by Kiss on their Dynasty album

The main single was She's A Rainbow c/w 2000 Miles From Home which remain my favourites from this album.When originally issued on December 6th 1967 it came out in a 3D cover and green label in the UK and that was the one I had until the mid 80's when I let it go naively believing at the time they were all like that. So sad you could cry into your wineglass when you see just how much they go for now!

The reissue is very good - dead quiet with a very full sound and She's A Rainbow just leap out from beyond the loudspeakers at you - and although I miss the cover this version sonically more than makes up for it.

Beggars Banquet. 2003 Abkco re-issue

I originally bought this on lp in August of 1978 but have only just (1/10/11) got a replacement.It's the home to Stray Cat Blues, Street Fighting Man and Sympathy For The Devil seeing the Stones going back to their roots and even venturing into folk and country not unlike Bob Dylan in the same era.

I bought the digitally sourced 2003 version because oddly enough it was found all previous lp and cd's issued of this album run slow due to a tape speed error back then which this new version corrects and generally improves on the thin sounding original.

Thru' The Past, Darkly. Late 70's UK Decca.

Rounds up all the UK singles up to and including Honky Tonk Woman and adds dedication to Brian Jones who had died near the time of release adding You Better Move On from the Rolling Stones EP

Let It Bleed 2003 Abkco re-issue
I first bought my copy in December 1979 from Edinburgh, Scotland but was without a copy on lp since the late 80's. 

This re-issue of the original 1969 album is very good with you feeling Charlie's drums coming in on Love In Vain, the bass is that low and is very quiet.

The album sees the Stones exploring country, folk and produce their take on writing a blues murder ballad, Midnight Rambler which I feel runs for a little to long but, hey that's just me.

Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out 2003 Abkco.
The December 1969 Madison Square Gardens concerts and the last album that had to be issued contractually between the Stones and Decca in 1970, it remains a classic live album even if there are a number of tracks where stuff was re-recorded and mixed to the original concert reel.

This edition was loads of phat bass!

Stone Age UK Decca 1971.
"Cash in" shouted the Stones publicly but much of this album had not been issued on lp form previously comprising of ep tracks, tracks only issued on US albums and the odd 45 only track which makes it worth owning in the context of a lp based collection although it's all out there on cd currently.

Gimme Shelter 1971 UK Decca.
I bought this new in December 1979.

A compilation of sorts the first side plunders Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed for songs featured in the Gimme Shelter movie documentary but the second side is a gem continuing six of the 12 'live' tracks issued in 1966 on the US London lp Got Live If You Want It! (See above).

In reality many of these tracks are studio cuts with overdubbed screams and the venue for those recorded live but extensively re-dubbed was City Hall, Newcastle, England not the Royal Albert Hall, London as claimed. Fun to listen to!!!

Rock n' Rolling Stones 1972 UK Decca

The album front with Jagger surrounded by motorbikes brings up ghosts of Altamont on this cheap and cheerful cover and it would be an easy title to dismiss as yet another cash in other than this release does contain three titles of one remains an exclusive.

First off this has the track Bye Bye Johnny from the EP present although in fake stereo form but secondly it does contain the true stereo mixes of Down The Road A Piece and critically Everybody Needs Somebody To Love which some how evaded Teri Landi and the others at Abkco when researching the who Decca era tape vaults in the UK and US and so isn't available in the cd age.

With this I have three of the four stereo mixes issued on the tape version of No.2 as Time Is On My Side was issued on later (post 1969) copies of the UK High Tide and available on Rolled Gold + .

No Stone Unturned 1973 UK Decca
I bought this in 1980 having borrowed it several times from the municipal library.

An inspired collection of b sides in addition to odd US album tracks never previously issued in the UK with a classic David Bailey photo cover

Metamorphosis 2003 Abkco 
A collection of demo versions from the early to mid '60s for the most part not used by the group with Mick Jagger singing with session musicians on one side of the album and actual Stones tracks not issued at the time, it's an interesting release first issued in June 1975.

I did buy the Decca UK issue back in the day but my original had a warp problem causing skipping and the jacket was a bit mangy so I bought the 2003 re-issue lp recently which I feel does sound better although the tapes still have the messing about with the stereo image (a few tracks are almost mono) and other processing applied by Andrew Oldham in '75 so isn't as much as an improvement as other releases in the series.

.

Rolled Gold + 2007 Decca/Abkco
I wrote a review in November 2007 of the cd but this was issued in vinyl, not just any vinyl but 180 grams in a four lp format that provides plenty of space to cut the bass and minimizes any tracing distortion at the end of the lp side by making sure there's a good amount of space between the last track and the run out grooves.

I was able to get a brand new copy on Sunday cheap and it arrived on 1/12/2011 well wrapped from Laura.

This I'd have to say is the best sounding vinyl compilation I've ever heard and is pressed on really quiet vinyl

Well worth the money.

One album of theirs from the early 70's I do like a lot is Goats Head Soup from 1973 which is the home of Angie, a top ten single and Can You Hear The Music with its mystical arrangements.

My copy is the 1979 reissue.

Made In The Shade (1975)
A very good 40 minute resumé of the cream of the early 70's Stones tracks from singles like Angie, Brown Sugar and It's Only Rock and Roll, issued to coincide with the 1975 Tour of the Americas. UK COC 59104 A2/B3 original pressed by Atlantic/WEA near mint copy.

Love You Live (1977)
The live album featuring three side from the 1976 Paris concerts where performances apart Mick Jagger's diction is poor and third side from a small 350 seater performance in Toronto where the Stones get back to their roots and is in my opinion the best thing about this double live album.

My copy is the UK one pressed by Atlantic/WEA with the original Andy Warhol inner sleeves to match his album jacket design 

Some Girls (1978)I had this originally on vinyl with it's banned inner sleeve but lost it in the years then went through two cd versions.

I managed to get an original UK pressed version using the Sterling mastering that sounds great.

Emotional Rescue (1980)
This album was one I bought on a UK dolby cassette while on vacation would of been in August that very year having heard a interview with the band broadcast on Liverpool's Radio City fm stereo station where they played tracks from the album.

It had two hit UK 45's Emotional Rescue from July and She's So Cold from October that I also bought in picture sleeve UK 45 editions at the time.

My brother was a big Stones fan and bought the lp version and always loved how it sounded.
I managed to get the UK first pressing A1/B1 with the Sterling mastering and poster

Tattoo You (1981) 
An album made mainly from older sessions tapes with dubbed new playing and vocals it was the album the now famous '81 US tour stood behind featuring the hits Start Me Up, Waiting On A Friend and Neighbours. 

My copy is a mint UK one with the picture inner although I've put the disc itself in a better inner sleeve.

Updated by Tammy 2023.

Rolled Gold and Styx Equinox with Crystal Ball

This week we're looking at two cds I recently bought.

 

This came out a year back and I recently picked up a copy used.

It's the 1975 and 1976 Styx albums - the first two for A&M Records - after changing from Wooden Nickel. Featuring Lorelie, Suite Madam Blue and Crystal Ball this twofer remastered by Andrew Thompson at Sound Performance sounds great and can be recommended.
Catalogue number: BGOCD 724

What comes around goes around, eh?

That was my first thought when I heard of the release of yet another Rolling Stones CD recently.

The original CD's were issued in Europe around 1984/7 and because of licensing issues were replaced by the US mastered (and somewhat inferior sounding) issues in 1995.

Then in 2002 it was announced that the were to re-mastered using new DSD techniques for the Super Audio CD (SACD).

In total 22 discs which included the US versions of the Big Hits and Thru' The Past, Darlkly compilations, Hot Rocks and Hot Rocks 2 Double compilations and the London Years ( All the singles and B sides on three discs).

And that's how everybody thought their Decca era output on CD was going to stay, so why issue this?

This album on LP and Tape was issued in 1975 and proved to be exceptionally popular because in one package it had the main singles and important album tracks, providing a good way into the bands 60's recordings.

In the CD age however this compilation is a surprisingly good choice.

First off, one problem with the US inspired Hot Rocks and Hot Rocks 2 sets is the material is scatted in no particular order across four CD's and in the case of Hot Rocks 2 not even in chronological order.

Some of the tracks on Hot Rocks 2 are only really there because the original US LP's such as After-Math missed off tracks from the UK issues that never found their way onto other US 'albums'. That's why 'What To Do' ends up on disc two.

Equally if one was to consider the individual Big Hits and Thru' The Past Darkly discs these use US versions that miss off UK hit singles.

The re-introduction of Rolled Gold solves this problem at a stroke as it features all the UK singles issued from 1963 thru 1969 plus the US singles. It has notable tracks like 'Carol', 'Lady Jane', 'Yesterday's Papers' and 'Gimme Shelter'.

The tracks run in near chronological order so you can sense the musical development of the group from those early R&B sessions to what is the template for much of todays Indie rock.

It is little appreciated outside of Stones fanatics circles but there was a major problem in the last otherwise good re-mastered series.

On 'Ruby Tuesday' somehow they pulled the 'wrong' tapes and got a copy which misses off the multi-tracked vocals and some instrumentation and that is on all the compilations re-issued plus the Flowers album.

This issue puts it right not without some controversy as seemingly they 'cloned' the right version from the older CD! Never mind the sound is quite acceptable although had they used an actual tape it could have made to sound better.

'Time Is On My Side' is the UK version in stereo whilst 'Mothers Little Helper' uses the mono version issued on single in the US.

In a strange move they've added two recordings from 1971, 'Brown Sugar' and 'Wild Horses' to the compilation.

So at long last we have a decent Decca era CD compilation and a low price too. There also is a inexpensive 4 Lp version available from HMV and eil.com in the UK.

Strongly recommended