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Jan Richards
G'd evening.
Too many jou-jou people around here and not very many collectors and I don't want to start a new topic for this so I just keep going on here. Coz this is something that may interest collectors of UK vinyls only.
Anyone ever been wondering why Big Hits and Satanic UK pressings has blue labels for mono and green labels for stereo?
Definition as per Decca management in the 60's
Red mono and blues stereo label LP's = second level raw material vinyl, may partly be reused vinyl. Used for rubbish modern pop music
Blue mono and green stereo label LP's = virgin high quality vinyl used for classical real music.
This info is directly from a person who used to work at the Decca pressing plant in the 60's....
Another mystery solved
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electricmud
@ Jan Richards
Thank you so much for sharing these informations with us and bringing some enlightening in our collector`s hearts. Like treaclefingers I was always wondering about these DECCA-labels.
Thanks again,
Tom
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treaclefingers
Interesting that for Satanic they wanted the stereo and better vinyl because of the effects and detail. Interesting because the Mono version is still the definitive and original version, just like Sgt. Pepper.
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His MajestyQuote
treaclefingers
Interesting that for Satanic they wanted the stereo and better vinyl because of the effects and detail. Interesting because the Mono version is still the definitive and original version, just like Sgt. Pepper.
Meaning the stones were part of the original mono mix, but had no hand in the stereo mix? Jagger was critical of the stereo mix after it was released.
The stereo version is better for hearing the many overdubs more clearly. Some instruments are kinda lost on the original mono mix and the 2nd version mono mix (stereo fold down).
Same with Between The Buttons. Some tracks suit mono others not so much. Cool, Calm, Collected sounds better in stereo to me, the balance between the instruments seems a bit wonky on the mono version. Brian's electric dulcimer part is quieter on the mono mix for example.
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treaclefingers
I'm not positive about that but I believe it to be the case.
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His MajestyQuote
treaclefingers
I'm not positive about that but I believe it to be the case.
Were mono and stereo versions released at same time?
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Horseswild
Jan Richards
G'd evening.
Too many jou-jou people around here and not very many collectors.
What does the term "jou - jou" mean and from what country ?
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Jan Richards
About the mono – stereo situation on early-mid 60’s Decca vinyls. This is somewhat a mess I think. I have never got into investigating the actual recordings, like which songs were recorded in stereo or in mono and how did they end up on the final product, the vinyl. Some songs were for sure recorded in stereo but ended up as mono on the vinyl. Original stereo versions then appeared much later on compilation albums like Hot Rocks.
As Decca was not really interested in doing pop music in stereo, they did not put in much effort in the few stereo LP’s made in the mid 60’s. Basically it was enough if some of the noise (read music) came from the left side speaker and a bit of a different noise came from the right side speaker, ah then you had stereo sound.
Some songs were recorded in true stereo but the master was cut in mono and other songs were recorded in mono but probably cut in stereo. I leave this investigation to other people with better ears than me. I am more interested in the manufacturing process of the LP’s, not that much into the recording and mixing side of the noise
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Jan Richards
About the mono – stereo situation on early-mid 60’s Decca vinyls. This is somewhat a mess I think. I have never got into investigating the actual recordings, like which songs were recorded in stereo or in mono and how did they end up on the final product, the vinyl. Some songs were for sure recorded in stereo but ended up as mono on the vinyl. Original stereo versions then appeared much later on compilation albums like Hot Rocks.
As Decca was not really interested in doing pop music in stereo, they did not put in much effort in the few stereo LP’s made in the mid 60’s. Basically it was enough if some of the noise (read music) came from the left side speaker and a bit of a different noise came from the right side speaker, ah then you had stereo sound.
Some songs were recorded in true stereo but the master was cut in mono and other songs were recorded in mono but probably cut in stereo. I leave this investigation to other people with better ears than me. I am more interested in the manufacturing process of the LP’s, not that much into the recording and mixing side of the noise
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Jan Richards
About the mono – stereo situation on early-mid 60’s Decca vinyls. This is somewhat a mess I think. I have never got into investigating the actual recordings [...]
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His MajestyQuote
Jan Richards
About the mono – stereo situation on early-mid 60’s Decca vinyls. This is somewhat a mess I think. I have never got into investigating the actual recordings, like which songs were recorded in stereo or in mono and how did they end up on the final product, the vinyl. Some songs were for sure recorded in stereo but ended up as mono on the vinyl. Original stereo versions then appeared much later on compilation albums like Hot Rocks.
As Decca was not really interested in doing pop music in stereo, they did not put in much effort in the few stereo LP’s made in the mid 60’s. Basically it was enough if some of the noise (read music) came from the left side speaker and a bit of a different noise came from the right side speaker, ah then you had stereo sound.
Some songs were recorded in true stereo but the master was cut in mono and other songs were recorded in mono but probably cut in stereo. I leave this investigation to other people with better ears than me. I am more interested in the manufacturing process of the LP’s, not that much into the recording and mixing side of the noise
When you say recording are you meaning at actual recording sessions where instruments are played or mixing and recording mixes to master tapes?
Essentially anything they recorded at the recording sessions using more than one mono track machine could be mixed to mono or stereo.
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Jan Richards
Meaning everything that takes place before the cutting head of the lathe machine is put on the blank lacquer disc
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RobberBride
Jan is the man.
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djgab
dear Jan
thank you so much for your comments
djgab
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CarsterQuote
Jan Richards
About the mono – stereo situation on early-mid 60’s Decca vinyls. This is somewhat a mess I think. I have never got into investigating the actual recordings [...]
Because you don't have the talent. You never had. Stick to the labels & flipbacks.
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DandelionPowderman
Your site is great, Janne!
I'm just a beginner when it comes to collecting, though. Recently, I started with the singles.
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Chris FountainQuote
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Chris Fountain
This album is a masterpeice!! Song election, order, is correct. It's a personal fav that does not get credit where due. I've listened to this album just as much as any other Stones' work. Please do not open the sealed album. That is a great personal asset!
Thanks Chris,
I would be remiss in not pointing out that it is an 80s ABKCO reissue, so my enthusiasm for it is qualified. Having said that I certainly wouldn't open it!
I've collected quite a few sealed. Some of the more interesting ones:
The Rolling Stones (debut album) on DECCA - I'm sure it's a reissue, but even still I don't know the last time they released this. I think it may be a 70s issue.
Out Of Our Heads US, on the LONDON label - it's in stereo but looks as though it's pasted over a mono sleeve.
Between The Buttons US, on London label in stereo
Beggar's Banquet US, on London label in stereo also the 2002 DSD remaster
Through The Past Darkly US, two of them, both on London label in stereo, both are octagonals (Love these)
GYYYO again US on London label
Sticky Fingers reissue, without working zipper
Hot Rocks with gold promo stamp London label...
Beyond that I have everything in still sealed stated after GHS.
I did a lot of collecting a few years ago. I'm feeling much better now.
Nice - Through the Past Darkly octangular album cover is awesome.
December's Children is not on the list. Any particular reason? BTW- the album cover pic is awesome! Not to mention the song list "I'm Free, "Blue Turns to Gray" Singer not the Song" etc..
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martinw
Any sealed original Decca album would indeed be a rarity (or a fake) as, as far as I can remember, no albums were sealed or shrinkwrapped in the UK until around the mid-1970s. Apart from albums imported from the US, the first album I can remember buying that was sealed was Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here in 1975 (in black plastic). Didn't the Island label experiment with shrinkwraps in the early 1970s? Anyone else remember?
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RobberBrideQuote
martinw
Any sealed original Decca album would indeed be a rarity (or a fake) as, as far as I can remember, no albums were sealed or shrinkwrapped in the UK until around the mid-1970s. Apart from albums imported from the US, the first album I can remember buying that was sealed was Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here in 1975 (in black plastic). Didn't the Island label experiment with shrinkwraps in the early 1970s? Anyone else remember?
I think you are on the right path here. Have never come across UK sealed ones of the early catalog. The US however is another matter.
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DandelionPowderman
Your site is great, Janne!
I'm just a beginner when it comes to collecting, though. Recently, I started with the singles.