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Just picked this one up. Some of these tracks sound a little wierd...lots of fake stereo on this disc? I know I could sit down and figure it out myself, but I figured one of you had done so already...
Also, Heat Wave sounds like CRAP. And is totally inferior to the Two's Missing version, IMO. Just had to get that off my chest.

True stereo:

Run Run Run
Boris The Spider
I Need You
Cobwebs & Strange
So Sad About Us
A Quick One While He's Away

mono/fake stereo:
Whiskey Man
Heatwave
Don't Look Away
See My Way
Happy Jack

IIRC, So Sad About Us sounds nearly identical to the Decca LP version that Fang says is the best source. Sans vinyl problems, of course. The title track sounds good too, albeit with totally different EQ compared to the German vinyl.

Thanks a bunch. SSAU does sound really good....

I'd tend to agree. Fang always bashed the CD but thought the LP (when true stereo) sounded good. The (Decca) LPs I've listened to sound pretty close to the CD.

I've only got the mono Decca LP, which I've always liked but not had anything other than remixes to compare to, until now. Seems like the true stereo mixes underwent a little less processing (in mixing or mastering) as compared to the mono, but that's based mostly on memory and could be totally false.

My guess would be that the MCA CD is made directly from either the US stereo master or a cutting submaster (each with fake stereo), but again, that's a guess. If it's right, though, it would explain why the CD sounds close to the LP, and also call into question Fang's sanity, again.

The mix of stereo/fake stereo is identical, FWIW.

In terms of mono/stereo, the differences I can think of are Run Run Run (mono has an additional overdub) and So Sad About Us (IIRC the mono has echo on the vocals while the stereo is dry). At least one of the edits in the title track is actually better in stereo.

Doesn't the beginning of So Sad About Us have some speed/pitch variation on that CD?

I can check, but I don't remember anything out of the ordinary.

Is So Sad About Us different from the stereo Astley version? I ask because I can't get past the soggy drum sound on there, nor the cold ending from the vocals - both are in contrast to the mono mix.

I generally prefer AQO in stereo otherwise ...

The Astley version is remixed, so it is slightly different. I'm listening to it now, though, and it doesn't seem to be *that* different to the normal stereo mix. There's some reverb on the vocals, unlike the original stereo mix. The original mix is also wider (both vocal tracks hard left and right).

The original mix doesn't have the vocals go on at the end like that. Wow, I never noticed that before. Interesting.

I thought the Astley was fake stereo for SSAU? Haven't compared, just thought I remembered reading that.

The Astley *stereo* disc is true stereo for everything except See My Way. I *think* SSAU is mono on the first re-issue CD.

Ryan

No. Going from memory...

stereo remixes:
Run Run Run
Boris The Spider
I Need You
Heatwave
Cobwebs & Strange
So Sad About Us

original stereo mixes:
Whiskey Man
Don't Look Away
AQOWHA

fake stereo:
See My Way

Eh...my "no" was in response to dudelsack, FYI.

Yes, the 1995 is mono, with the exceptions of Run Run Run (stereo) and Whiskey Man (fake stereo).

And note I'm ignoring bonus tracks.

How would you compare the sound quality of the title song in stereo....original MCA CD versus 2003 remaster?