La Bamba in True Stereo

[hornet61]

Yes, I believe there are various versions of Ruby Duby Du... I have a version by Joannie Sommers, and there is an Instrumental version,,,,,,,,,,

Checked-out that "Both Sides Now"..great site thanks for the heads up. Great site for Stereo freaks like me.

Beach Boys " Be true To Your School" Mono version........The Beach Boys are my all time favorite group, then the Beatles, having said that, The genius of Brain Wilson-includes being a mono deciple. It took many years to find all the stereo versions, Its a been while since I listen to the mono version. Brain and Larry Levine worked very hard and long with the mono-mixdown.....beach boy product will always have the best mono versions. "Be True" was a good example, Brian did a very clever thing with the original recording, an over-dub dual lead vocal by Mike Love on both left and right channels, and did the same with background harmonies both left and right channel(but alternating). A sort of surround sound, 40 years before it was invented. Subsequently the mono mix-down of "Be True To your School" is almost a stereo version of mono(kinda hard to explain), listen to the Stereo version on headphones, and you will see what I mean. Wilson and Levine in the studio were decades ahead of their time. It all came about due Brians fanatical phobia of control over his productions, that is why when we BB nuts refer to Brian Wilson as Genius, his creations are mind boggling, but again I must state that I am a BB FANatic, I love their stuff. Listen to the Beach Boys version of "California Dreamin" on headphones it's a swirling effect, vocals mixed in with saxaphones and guitar, awesome production.

 

[radioman148]

Yes, I believe there are various versions of Ruby Duby Du... I have a version by Joannie Sommers, and there is an Instrumental version,,,,,,,,,,

Checked-out that "Both Sides Now"..great site thanks for the heads up. Great site for Stereo freaks like me.

Beach Boys " Be true To Your School" Mono version........The Beach Boys are my all time favorite group, then the Beatles, having said that, The genius of Brain Wilson-includes being a mono deciple. It took many years to find all the stereo versions, Its a been while since I listen to the mono version. Brain and Larry Levine worked very hard and long with the mono-mixdown.....beach boy product will always have the best mono versions. "Be True" was a good example, Brian did a very clever thing with the original recording, an over-dub dual lead vocal by Mike Love on both left and right channels, and did the same with background harmonies both left and right channel(but alternating). A sort of surround sound, 40 years before it was invented. Subsequently the mono mix-down of "Be True To your School" is almost a stereo version of mono(kinda hard to explain), listen to the Stereo version on headphones, and you will see what I mean. Wilson and Levine in the studio were decades ahead of their time. It all came about due Brians fanatical phobia of control over his productions, that is why when we BB nuts refer to Brian Wilson as Genius, his creations are mind boggling, but again I must state that I am a BB FANatic, I love their stuff. Listen to the Beach Boys version of "California Dreamin" on headphones it's a swirling effect, vocals mixed in with saxaphones and guitar, awesome production.

I think you're right about "Ruby Duby Du". The Tobin Mathews version reached number one on WLS.

 

[TheFonz]

Beach Boys " Be true To Your School" Mono version........The Beach Boys are my all time favorite group, then the Beatles, having said that, The genius of Brain Wilson-includes being a mono deciple. It took many years to find all the stereo versions, Its a been while since I listen to the mono version. Brain and Larry Levine worked very hard and long with the mono-mixdown.....beach boy product will always have the best mono versions. "Be True" was a good example, Brian did a very clever thing with the original recording, an over-dub dual lead vocal by Mike Love on both left and right channels, and did the same with background harmonies both left and right channel(but alternating). A sort of surround sound, 40 years before it was invented. Subsequently the mono mix-down of "Be True To your School" is almost a stereo version of mono(kinda hard to explain), listen to the Stereo version on headphones, and you will see what I mean. Wilson and Levine in the studio were decades ahead of their time. It all came about due Brians fanatical phobia of control over his productions, that is why when we BB nuts refer to Brian Wilson as Genius, his creations are mind boggling, but again I must state that I am a BB FANatic, I love their stuff. Listen to the Beach Boys version of "California Dreamin" on headphones it's a swirling effect, vocals mixed in with saxaphones and guitar, awesome production.

When you get a chance, listen to the single (mono) version again. Both versions are on the Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long 2fer CD. I'm convinced that they are different recordings. The stereo version lacks the "cheerleaders". It also has different background harmony. It just doesn't have the energy that the single version has.

 

[hornet61]

You know what, I don't have to listen to it ...you are absolutley correct, they are two different recordings ....I had forgotten about the Cheerleaders, the mono single does have more energy. I have been listening to the Stereo versions for so long, I can't recall anything else. Good call !!!!
Again, Brain did some wonderful things with his mono recordings, I am sure your are familiar with fact that he is legally deaf in one ear. Keep on rockin'

 

[amfmsw]

ahh...but be aware the newly remastered Capitol CD's (like the new Beatles reissues) are from the original tapes, and offer the correct stereo mix for the first time. "All Summer Long" was available in horrid stereo as an extra in the box set. It is properly mixed and balanced on later issues, as is Wendy and others. A real joy. I agree with most here that hearing the song in stereo is like hearing it for the first time. The phonies, however, get spotted right away. I've called pandora on it several times, but they TRULY don't have a clue.

The Dick Bartley and Hard To Find series will not dissapoint. And I can attest the site at Eric has excellent service.

And I dissagree...that Procal Harem is the correct 45 version, it's just that you can hear the edits from the safety dub, that's how clear it is. The dissapointment: "Loveland" Charles Wright/Watts 103rd St Rhythym Band is a vinyl dub.

 

[TheFonz]

ahh...but be aware the newly remastered Capitol CD's (like the new Beatles reissues) are from the original tapes, and offer the correct stereo mix for the first time. "All Summer Long" was available in horrid stereo as an extra in the box set. It is properly mixed and balanced on later issues, as is Wendy and others. A real joy. I agree with most here that hearing the song in stereo is like hearing it for the first time. The phonies, however, get spotted right away. I've called pandora on it several times, but they TRULY don't have a clue.

The Dick Bartley and Hard To Find series will not dissapoint. And I can attest the site at Eric has excellent service.

And I dissagree...that Procal Harem is the correct 45 version, it's just that you can hear the edits from the safety dub, that's how clear it is. The dissapointment: "Loveland" Charles Wright/Watts 103rd St Rhythym Band is a vinyl dub.

Please tell us which Beach Boys Capitol CDs are "remastered". Sometimes that's hard to follow. RCA, for example, uses that term every time it re-issues Elvis material.

 

[amfmsw]

The discs from the 80's & 90's are from the LP safety dubs. On this site, they give you the release date. Anything mid to late 2000's is remastered from the original multitrack, and is spectacular. The Pet Sounds DVD audio set is for fanatics only, but has a 45 stereo mix of Good Vibrations on it.

This is the one disc with the "All Summer Long" in correct stereo mix: "The Warmth Of The Sun" released two years ago.

http://www.oldies.com/search/music.cfm?q=beach+boys&format=cds&page=3

 

[TheFonz]

The discs from the 80's & 90's are from the LP safety dubs. On this site, they give you the release date. Anything mid to late 2000's is remastered from the original multitrack, and is spectacular. The Pet Sounds DVD audio set is for fanatics only, but has a 45 stereo mix of Good Vibrations on it.

This is the one disc with the "All Summer Long" in correct stereo mix: "The Warmth Of The Sun" released two years ago.

http://www.oldies.com/search/music.cfm?q=beach+boys&format=cds&page=3

O.K. Then the tracks on "Sights & Sounds Of Summer" (2005) are "remastered" and are as good as they're going to get?

 

[amfmsw]

I dunno Fonz...that one looks like a thrown together turkey. 30 cuts-1 disc? doubful on that one, despite it's later release date. It loks like just anothe Capitol repackage.

 

[Al Timiter]

Hornet61: Thank you so much for posting the link to Carol Kaye's website. I have been educated and I thank you and Carol Kaye for it. She truly is amazing. Those of you who have not visited her website will find it fascinating. carolkaye.com. I especially liked the Bob Edwards interviews. Also, Hortnet61: nice to meet another Beach Boys fanatic!

 

[billyg]

When you get a chance, listen to the single (mono) version again. Both versions are on the Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long 2fer CD. I'm convinced that they are different recordings. The stereo version lacks the "cheerleaders". It also has different background harmony. It just doesn't have the energy that the single version has.

It's a totally different recording. Brian cut it as a LP track for the "Little Deuce Coupe" LP but wasn't happy with the result and decided to re-do it as a single. Same thing happened with Help Me Ronda/Rhonda after Terry Melcher told Brian he wanted to release it as a Bruce & Terry single.

And as Brian said during a interview he preferred mono because 1) he is deaf in one ear (most of his early 60's stereo mixes were done by engineer Chuck Britz) 2) he wanted to control the final mix, not leaving it to the listener with the L-R balance controls 3) AM radio ruled back then and most teenagers had mono phonographs in the early-mid 60's.

One stereo mix I hate is The Beatles "I Want To Hold Your Hand" with George's guitar noodling around on the right channel... the mono mix on "Meet The Beatles" just pulverizes it.

 

[gunterm]

Beach Boys true stereo mixes are a mess, many people try their hand at "flying in" the missing pieces from the 45 version since Brian mixed down to mono live for quite a few songs. Fortunately I combed through enough of several versions to get the best ones for airplay.

Help Me Rhonda - multitrack is missing the piano and guitar solo from the break near the end.
I Get Around - multi is missing guitar overdub.
Good Vibrations - stereo backing track exists but the tape with the vocals is MIA.
Wouldn't It Be Nice - multi has the bridge lead vocal recorded by Brian, but the 45 had Mike Love.
Barbara Ann - multi appears to have all the elements but for some reason never got released in stereo (I use the Unsurpassed Masters cut).
Do It Again - part of the multi was erased when mixing down the "Stack O Tracks" album. An excellent reconstruction of the song exists that sounds identical to the 45.
Darlin' - not sure why this one is missing in stereo but probably a similar story, same person who created the Do It Again mix did this and it's perfect!

Also for a bit of trivia, there was one Beach Boys hit that was recorded in a foreign language (German), "Ganz Allein" which means "All Alone" however uses the In My Room backing track and has similar lyrics. In stereo on the Unsurpassed Masters discs.

BTW, the stereo mix of La Bamba is actually a sync up of the mono hit version and the backing track tapes that Bob Keane has in his possesion.

 

[TheFonz]

BTW, the stereo mix of La Bamba is actually a sync up of the mono hit version and the backing track tapes that Bob Keane has in his possesion.

That makes sense. I thought that 1958 was a little early for true stereo.

 

[cjunkielover]

This post is an FYI since this thread started with a discussion of a true stereo version of Ritchie Valen's La Bamba.

Bob Keane, owner of the Keen, Del Fi and Donna labels in Los Angeles and the man who discovered Ritchie Valens died yesterday at age 87. I believe the cause was organ failure but he had been battling cancer for several years.

He also recorded the Bobby Fuller Four, Little Caesar & The Romans plus a lot of surf bands.

Many of the Del Fi compilation albums are available on CD.

 

[hornet61]

BTW, the stereo mix of La Bamba is actually a sync up of the mono hit version and the backing track tapes that Bob Keane has in his possesion.

That makes sense. I thought that 1958 was a little early for true stereo.

1954 - Feb. 21, RCA made its first commercial stereo recording of a symphony when Jack Pfieffer and Leslie Chase went to Symphony Hall in Boston to record the "Damnation of Faust" by Berlioz with a RCA RT-11 two-channel tape recorder and two Neuman U-47 mics. This same month, EMI in London made "Stereosonic" recordings at its Abbey Road studio that were announced to the public in April 1955.


I recall reading something that Splish Splash was the first Stereo recording using Les Paul technology available to atlantic records or possible stereo techniques by the great Atlantic records engineer Tom Dowd.

Sad News About Bob Keene he was a great musician and arranger who used his vast musical training to create some classics in the LA Area

 

[TheFonz]

BTW, the stereo mix of La Bamba is actually a sync up of the mono hit version and the backing track tapes that Bob Keane has in his possesion.

That makes sense. I thought that 1958 was a little early for true stereo.

1954 - Feb. 21, RCA made its first commercial stereo recording of a symphony when Jack Pfieffer and Leslie Chase went to Symphony Hall in Boston to record the "Damnation of Faust" by Berlioz with a RCA RT-11 two-channel tape recorder and two Neuman U-47 mics.

Aah, yes. I think I remember Jocko Henderson playing that song a time or two on WDAS.

 

[TheFonz]

BTW, the stereo mix of La Bamba is actually a sync up of the mono hit version and the backing track tapes that Bob Keane has in his possesion.

That makes sense. I thought that 1958 was a little early for true stereo.

I recall reading something that Splish Splash was the first Stereo recording using Les Paul technology available to atlantic records or possible stereo techniques by the great Atlantic records engineer Tom

I guess I was wrong about 1958, although I don't remember any of the following stereo 45s at MY record store. I'm guessing that they were mainly for juke boxes, since very few people had stereo record players in 1958. But then again, the book doesn't say that the songs were actually issued on 45 r.p.m.

From THE NEW BOOK OF ROCK LISTS by Dave Marsh & James Bernard:

10 OF THE EARLIEST ROCK & ROLL HITS RECORDED IN STEREO

"Don't Let Go," Roy Hamilton (1/58)
"Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes," Chuck Willis (4/58)
"What Am I Living For," Chuck Willis (5/58)
"Yakety Yak," The Coasters (5/58)
"Born Too Late," The Poni-Tails (7/58)
"Chariot Rock," The Champs (8/58)
"Sumemrtime, Summertime," The Jamies (8/58)
"It's All in the Game," Tommy Rdards (8/58)
"I Wish," The Platters (9/58)
"It's Only Make Believe," Conway Twitty (9/58)

 

[hornet61]

BTW, the stereo mix of La Bamba is actually a sync up of the mono hit version and the backing track tapes that Bob Keane has in his possesion.

That makes sense. I thought that 1958 was a little early for true stereo.

1954 - Feb. 21, RCA made its first commercial stereo recording of a symphony when Jack Pfieffer and Leslie Chase went to Symphony Hall in Boston to record the "Damnation of Faust" by Berlioz with a RCA RT-11 two-channel tape recorder and two Neuman U-47 mics.

Aah, yes. I think I remember Jocko Henderson playing that song a time or two on WDAS.

thank you

 

[billyg]

I recall reading something that Splish Splash was the first Stereo recording using Les Paul technology available to atlantic records or possible stereo techniques by the great Atlantic records engineer Tom Dowd.

Sad News About Bob Keene he was a great musician and arranger who used his vast musical training to create some classics in the LA Area

Atlantic Records was the first record company to purchase an 8 Track recorder for their own studios, the only other person who had one was Les Paul.

Sad to hear the news about Bob Keene. He was another record company president and producer who experimented with stereo. His mid 60's recordings with Bobby Fuller (recorded in a 10 track recording studio Keene built) sound far better than what artists were doing at the same time.

 

[bigtom101]

On WRRC we play the stereo versions of La Bamba, Jailhouse Rock, Lonely Teardrops, Shout, etc - I'm really anal about finding the best sounding versions of songs for oldies airplay. Some people would rather hear it as they 1st did - in mono.

Kudos to you for THAT!! I agree about the "best sounding" versions and sometimes the original mono sounds better to my ears. Example: "Do You Love Me"-The Contours. I also heard on the 'net a stereo version of Jimmy Jones' "Good Timing" and it just didn't sound right.

WRRC?? Rider College?? Hey my best friend was a grad long time ago now. I'm a New Brunswick native. Do you have a website?

Yes! Now Rider "University." And if you want some nice sounding stereo mixes, check out "The Motown Box," "Doo Wop: Vocal Group Greats," and "Doo Wop Love Songs" for some really classic stereo oldies. For some not so clean, look here http://www.gocontinental.com/cdlist/twomikes001_yougotta.shtml and http://www.gocontinental.com/cdlist/twomikes002_yougotta.shtml. I use those sources (and a few others) to play some nice cuts that most oldies/classic hits places don't use.

To listen to WRRC, go to 1077thebronc.com, or just punch http://s2.viastreaming.net:7030 into Winamp.