My Kind of Girl played on Wogan Mon 29.9.08

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:13 am

...and right after Coldplay!

And followed by Jools Holland.

I thought the mix of From Russia With Love was a bit different (especially the piano part). Perhaps it was because I listened through headphones. I'll listen at home to one of my CDs and listen closely to see if there's a difference.

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:22 am

Hi Paul, I'm sure I have noted a slightly different mix on a couple of my recordings of From Russia With Love, especially on the intro (i'm referring to the stereo mix as opposed to a different 'playing' style).
There may be a posting on this very subject somewhere on the forum, I seem to remember asking Richard about it.

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:49 pm

There are three different mixes of From Russia With Love.

1. Single Version - Alternate vocal (also appears on the Bond Soundtrack)
2. Original Stereo Mix
3. Altered Stereo mix. Based on the original mix the strings at the beginning are panned centre and then move to one side when the Tack Piano joins in - This is completely down to the way it was recorded.

The four track tape is like this

Track 1 - Orchestra
Track 2 - Tack Piano
Track 3 - 1st Vocal
Track 4 - 2nd Vocal

This tape is still in the EMI Archives. It is my hope that I can twist their arm to let me remix the original single version into Stereo for the singles set in a couple of years time.

The vast majority of Matt's singles were recorded in stereo or with stereo in mind. I think it would be nice to issue the singles set with Stereo mixes (where they already exist or can be created from multitrack) provided they match the single versions. The Mono mixes of the vast majority of Matt's recordings have very little difference if at all - although I will personally check every mix to make sure they are correct.

One exception of course is 'One Day' where the Stereo mix is a different take - Once again the session tape exists so Stereo of the right take can be achieved.

There are only a few titles that were either never recorded in Stereo or have not been released in Stereo and no multi tracks exist.

These are (off the top of my head)

Love Walked In (mono recording)
I'll Know Her (mono recording)
When Love Comes Along (Only mono session tape survives)
The Music Played (Multitracks Missing)
One Day Soon (Multitracks Missing)
Yours Alone (Multitracks Missing)

What are others opinions about this? Do most of you want good newly remastered stereo mixes or all the original mono mixes?

I have to admit to being a Stereo freak. I think things always sound better in Stereo - but what's your opinion?

Of course I can't guarantee anything at this stage, but I am interested to hear your opinions.

Richard

john · Post by **john** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:38 pm

I must admit I also prefer the Stereo versions Richard, but saying that anything of Matt in whichever format is just great.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:55 pm

I agree with John--if there is anything still in the "vaults" that has not come to light yet, stereo or mono, we want to hear it !!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:57 pm

Me too.

Marian

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:16 am

Stereo is best, but any new material by Matt, either in stereo or mono will be just fine

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:25 am

Thanks for your posting Richard.
Without a doubt, stereo for me.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 11:05 am

Gray--are you saying then that if some new material turned up in mono only, that you would not want to listen to and own it ???

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:45 am

Oh Gosh, no, Marian!
Sorry for the confusion!

But, if I were given the choice, I would always plump for a stereo version over the 'original' mono mix.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:42 pm

Terry Wogan played Matt's "On Days Like These " this morning

Dave Kirkpatrick · Post by **Dave Kirkpatrick** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:35 pm

The mono mix can often be better as ably demonstrated by The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper. The mono version throws things out which are lost in stereo.
Having got both versions I know which one I prefer! Not that I want to be considered a dinosaur.....

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:24 pm

Hi Dave,

I know exactly what you mean. The difference is the way Beatles music was recorded compared to Matt's.

The Beatles used Multi track to layer music - often bouncing from one multi track tape to another - Matt's recordings (after late 1962) were basically live to multi track therefore just delaying the point at which the vocal was locked together with the background.

In many cases only three out of the four tracks were used - Stereo Back ground (or on rare occasions a split of brass/rhythm) and then a vocal track.

Occasionally the tracks would be 1 & 2 stereo strings, 3 rhythm section, 4 Matt's vocal.

Even in the early days Matt's recordings would not differ in stereo. They were recorded with a Stereo tape machine and a Mono tape machine running at the same time, the Mono was just the left and right channels combined.

I have yet to discover a Mono mix (that uses the same take) that differs in anyway to the stereo version in Matt's catalogue - And of course should I remix anything rest assured it will be to match the mono version exactly.

By the way when 8 track came into being (Matt's first 8 track session was in October 1969) Mono mixes were very rarely made (if at all).

Richard

Dave Kirkpatrick · Post by **Dave Kirkpatrick** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:35 pm

Thanks for that info Richard.

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:29 pm

Richard

Sgt Pepper was circa 1967, do you know when Matt's 'non-live' recording was please?
Or was he recording the layered format you describe right up to 1969?

Also, do you know what the songs were Matt recorded in that first 8-track session please?
Also, also, was 'On Days Like These' an 8 track recording?
I know the Italian Job movie is dated 1969, would you know any details of the recording of this sublime song, please?