Mixology: The Mono/Stereo Mix Differences Podcast

The More I See You by Chris Montez

Hello Friends! Taking the moment for a little bit of a palette refresher, we're taking a trip out today with Chris Montez, and his smash A&M LP The More I See You. Following on from hit singles including the title cut and 'Call Me', this easy listening LP manages to pack in a surprising amount of differences between the original mono and stereo mixes for the genre (most focused around handclaps), so let's ease up for a second, and let Chris fly us to the moon, regardless of how high it is!
 
Happy Listening,
 
Frederick
 
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Horizontal by Bee Gees

Hello Friends! We're jumping around in the Bee Gees canon again this week, moving back to their second LP on Polydor, the fantastic Horizontal. Issued at the start of 1968, this LP came in mono and stereo mixes, including some classic Bee Gees differences in the different echo textures, and the use of said effect. However, unlike Idea which had some different vocal and instrument tracks highlighted throughout, generally here everything present in one mix is present in the other - with a few small exceptions. That said, the speed differences persist, which give both of these mixes a very different feel, and could make or break either mix for the listener. Regardless, Birdie Told Me you're excited to dig in, so let's hop on a ship to Massachusetts and dig in!
 
Happy Listening,
 
Frederick
 
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Hums of The Lovin’ Spoonful by The Lovin’ Spoonful

Hello Friends!
We're getting back on the Spoonful train this week with a look at the group's 3rd (and arguably best) LP, the fantastic 'Hums of...' from 1966. Including the hit singles 'Summer in The City' and 'Nashville Cats', the album was originally issued in mono and stereo, with the former single weirdly being in low-fidelity on the LP when compared with the shining mono 45 master. Much like Daydream, these are two mixes of different vibes more than actual differences, but there's still a smattering of these too - and of course that textural difference can make for some vastly different feeling songs too. So grab this LP in Full Measure and let's mess around with Voodoo in the Basement...
Happy Listening,
Frederick
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25 All-Time Greatest Summer Songs The Ultimate Collection: https://www.discogs.com/release/8318257-Various-25-All-Time-Greatest-Summer-Songs-The-Ultimate-Collection

Begin Here by The Zombies

Hello Friends! It's Zombies time again on the show, taking a look this time at their UK debut LP Begin Here from 1965. Half originals and Half covers, this LP has a curious mix history, being only issued in mono originally and having a few tracks subject to stereo mixes for international release (some barely issued digitally in poor quality versions on early CD issues and now out of print), all tracks were finally remixed in stereo in 2002 on the Decca Stereo Anthology. But should you stick with that original mono, or recompile it from the mountain of goodies present in said collection? What more can I do than help you answer that...
Happy Listening,
Frederick
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Beatles for Sale by The Beatles

Hello Friends! It's time for a trip out with The Beatles again here on the show, finally tackling their second LP of 1964, Beatles for Sale. Released just in time for the Christmas season, this LP is one famous for having a top class sounding stereo mix, in just about any release of said mix, with the mono often knocked, ignored, or just seen as inconsequential. Thus, my goal today was to take both mixes on an equal footing (as I always do), and make each one shine as best it can, and in doing so I've found some wonderful differences that make the mono unique, and in some cases, the superior mix (at least, in your host's opinion). So, with one mono LP and one stereo LP in hand, plus a brief 2015 remix for one song, let's see if it's really worth owning both copies, or if you should put one up.... for sale.
 
Happy Listening,
Frederick
 
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The Who Sell Out by The Who

Hello Friends,
 
This week on the show we're finally taking another trip out with The Who, and their 1967 concept peak, The Who Sell Out. Presented as an AM radio broadcast, complete with fake Ads and genuine Radio London bumpers, surely this album is designed with that Mono AM Radio format in mind - but does the quality of the recording exceed this and truly need stereo to understand it properly? And if so, does the 1995 remix present it in it's truest light? The short answer to all of these is yes and no each time. We've got differing echo effects, additional flange and tremelo, a differing guitar solo, missing instrumentation, different edits - the whole shebang! Plus of course an alternate 45 mix AND performance to boot! There's a whole lot to dig into here, so shall we see if Our Love Was worth it, or we should just dig into some Heinz Baked Beans instead...
 
Happy Listening,
Frederick
 
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The Mamas and The Papas (Cass.John.Michelle.Dennie) by The Mamas and The Papas

Hello Friends! It's time to jump back into the world of The Mamas and The Papas today, with their self-titled second LP from November 1966. A fantastic collection of music from the canyon, we of course saw original release in both mono and stereo, while final single 'Words of Love' also received a new dedicated mix with overdubs for 45 release. There's some fantastic differences here to dig into, but also some mixes that really serve each other well, making choosing a favourite a difficult task. So don't trip, stumble and fall grab your dancing bear and let's go dancing in the street!
 
Happy Listening,
Frederick
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Disraeli Gears by Cream

Hello Friends!
 
In our latest Patron requested episode, we’re taking a look today at the 1967 classic LP from British Rock Trio Cream, Disraeli Gears. Originally issued in mono and stereo mixes, this LP has occasionally been mislabelled online as a fold, outside of both sides of the Strange Brew/Tales of Brave Ulysses 45. Today I am very happy to confirm this is not the case, with each of the 11 tracks most certainly having its own dedicated mixes for both editions of the LP. However, does this mean we have one consistently definitive mix, or would a blend between the two LPs ultimately create the best listening experience? This ain’t no mother’s lament – let’s find the answer together and dance the night away!Happy Listening,
Frederick
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Smiley Smile by The Beach Boys

Hello Friends! In an episode I teased as coming soon almost a year ago, it's finally time for Mixology to take on The Beach Boys' most unusual offspring, 1967's Smiley Smile. Recorded in the aftermath of Smile's cancellation, this incredibly lofi, yet incredibly intricate little album was only originally issued in mono, getting a couple of stereo mixes for the first time in 2001, and then finally a full LP stereo mix in 2012 for it's issue in Japan - before then being tweaked further before being issued in the rest of the world that same year. Despite this, with only 10 new tracks to look at ('Good Vibrations' was of course covered in my Sounds of Summer episode, but has been pasted in here), this seemed like a quick task. With an episode totaling a hair under an hour later for an LP under 28 mins in length. So, from the odyssey of mixes for 'Heroes & Villain', thru lost ambient sounds, different edit lengths, differing takes, alternate instrumentation, and general mixing tomfoolery, let's dig into the most unique album in The Beach Boys canon, and discover why the mono mix truly has the spook, but the stereo almost manages to be creepier.
Happy Listening,
Frederick
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Neon by The Cyrkle

Hello Friends! As is routine, it's time for me to pull out a slightly left-field pick for the show, which means today we're looking at the fantastic LP Neon by The Crykle. Released in 1967 on Columbia in the USA and CBS in the UK, this LP is chock full of killer melodies, fantastic performances, and was issued in two great mixes. As was often the case on Columbia, we either end up with songs that sound very close, or songs with some very dramatic and clear differences, and today we have a lovely helping of both! From edits to shorten tracks, differing speeds, instruments dropping in and out, and changing levels of echo, we've got plenty to dig into today. So, with a Sundazed CD in one hand, and a sealed US Mono LP in the other, our mix choice is in question.
Happy Listening,
Frederick
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The Fold-down Chronicles, Vol. 1 (feat. The Association, Margo Guryan & The Rolling Stones)

Hello Friends! The time has come for the first part in a sub-series for Mixology on a topic I've been wanting to cover for a while - fold-downs. Specifically, albums that originally had a stereo and a mono issue (usually as a promo) that was created primarily using the Stereo mix as the source. Today, we’ll be taking a look at 3 fantastic LPs from 1968 - Birthday by The Association, Take a a Picture by Margo Guryan, and Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones. Do these albums benefit from the fold down treatment? What makes them unique compared to their Stereo source counterparts? And above all - are these worth seeking out, or should you just stick with the pure Stereo source? It’s time to start breaking down the myths around these mixes, and evaluating the results. And I can assure you - there’s plenty more where these came from!
Happy Listening,
Frederick
 
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The Monkees - Headquarters Mixography Booklet Announcement!

Hello Friends,
Just a quick message from me regarding a very special announcement Monkees fan of the show won't want to miss!
 
​Hey, hey everyone!​The Headquarters Mixography booklets are being printed!These are 48 pages, 7.25” x 7.25” (to match the super deluxe edition booklets). This guide lists all variations of recordings made from January to March 1967. There are full mix notes for all Headquarters album tracks and several other key tracks. In full transparency, while all available versions of the Jeff Barry New York tracks are listed ("A Little Bit Me . . . ", "99 Pounds," etc.), there are no detailed mix notes for these tracks in this printing.​If you are interested, I am collecting information via Survey Monkey so I can reach back out once we have actual shipping rates. This is especially critical if you want the booklet shipped outside the United States.The booklets are $8 plus shipping for a physical copy with download; a PDF will be available for $4 after physical copies have shipped.
 
Respond to the Survey
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Mixing Links Book
Happy Listening,
Frederick
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Odessa by The Bee Gees

Hello Friends! As voted on by my Patrons, this week on Mixology we’re taking on the 2LP beast from The Bee Gees, the ever-fascinating Odessa. Originally issued in 1969 in stereo, as well as a late mono issue in the UK, this gives us two lovely mixes for this wonderful album, both of which I heartily enjoy, and of course both carry with them their own unique elements. From the grandiose entry of the title cut, through single First of May and the country tinged Marley Purt Drive, and even the orchestral instrumental piece Seven Seas Symphony, there’s a real mix of flavours here, giving us plenty to sink our teeth into across these 17 tracks. So which mix is your Black Diamond? Let’s take a trip down to Melody Fair with Edison and find out…
Happy Listening,
Frederick
 
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Their Satanic Majesties Request by The Rolling Stones

Hello Friends! It's time to take a trip back to the land of The Rolling Stones as we continue our look at the Psych of 1967, with Their Satanic Majesties Request. The Christmas effort that year from the group, this album has divided opinion since release, and with a messy history of the issue of it's mono mix, which is the way one should be listening to this rather unique offering from the group? Thankfully we only have the mono and stereo mix to look at once again, so in that case - on with the show!
 
Happy Listening,
 
Frederick
 
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The Piper at the Gates of Dawn by Pink Floyd

Hello Friends! We're kicking the year off proper today, with an album I have had requested from the moment I started Mixology, and that is The Piper At The Gates of Dawn by Pink Floyd. The only LP released by the group under Syd Barrett's leadership, this album truly is something else, with seemingly disconnected ideas strung together to somehow make a psychedelic classic. Never remixed, this album was issued in 1967 in both Mono and Stereo, and oh boy, do we have plenty to dig into here. Prepare for extra instrumentation, flanging, phasing, echo, egregious panning - the whole shebang! So, without further ado, take up thy stethoscope and walk with me to find out if the somewhat elusive mono mix of this album is the one to seek out, or if you should be going into interstellar overdrive in stereo!
Happy Listening,
 
Frederick
 
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A Conversation with Craig Smith (Monkees Mixography; Mixing Links: The Monkees on Disc)

Hello Friends, and welcome to Mixology for 2023! We're starting the year off a little differently, with a wonderful conversation I had recently with Craig Smith. Best known for his work on the Monkees Mixography website and the upcoming Mixing Links: The Monkees on Disc book, Craig has worked with his partner Derek Miner to create the most comprehensive guide to the 900+ unique mixes in the Monkees US discography, in a resource used by everyone from Andrew Sandoval to this very podcast!
Less of an interview and more of a conversation between friends, Craig and I took this opportunity to chat about our love for all things mix difference, from our very different introductions to the world, to how this affects the way we listen to and interact with music today. Of course, we also dig into the history of the Monkees Mixography website and it's origins, and how through a reboot gave life to the concept that became Mixing Links: The Monkees on Disc, as well as an update on the current state of the book itself. And of course, The Beatles come into it. So, don't be feeling Nine Times Blue, come join us in our Conversations!
And if that wasn't enough, I joined Craig over at the Pods and Sods Network for a very special Monkees episode of Two Pick Ten, which you can listen to now at https://podsodcast.com/
Happy Listening,
Frederick
Support the show and get hours of extra content (including Mixology on 45) at: https://www.patreon.com/backtomono
Browse the Monkees Mixography: http://monkeesmixography.wikidot.com/
Get a sneek peek into the Mixing Links book: https://mixinglinksbook.com/
Email the show at: backtomonoradio@gmail.com
Find me on Instagram @hypnoticfred
Listen to companion podcast Back to Mono: https://www.mixcloud.com/backtomonoradio/playlists/back-to-mono-complete/
 

Do I Have To Do This All Over Again? (or Everything You Told Me I Missed, Vol. 1)

Hello Friends! Well, with another year over, and a bout of illness delaying recording, it's time to look back over the year we've had. It's been one of incredible growth for the show, and I wanted to take some time to thank you all, not just in words, but by finally responding to some of the emails I've had over the last three years telling me everything I missed, and setting the record straight. So, with a bevy of seemingly unconnected mixes in hand from the likes of The Monkees, The Hollies, and The Rolling Stones, and some passive-aggressive corrections in the other, let's take a look back over my catalog and 2022, and see if we can spend a little while Writing Wrongs.
 
Happy Listening,
 
Frederick
 
Support the show and get hours of extra content (including Mixology on 45) at: https://www.patreon.com/backtomono
 
Email the show at: backtomonoradio@gmail.com
 
Listen to companion podcast Back to Mono: https://www.mixcloud.com/backtomonoradio/playlists/back-to-mono-complete/
 
Find me on Instagram @hypnoticfred

Headquarters (1989 & 2022 Remix Edition) by The Monkees

Hello Friends! We're back at it again today with, not only another new remix, but also a look at an album already covered on the show, The Monkees' classic 1967 LP Headquarters. In our original instalment we covered the original mono and stereo mixes, but today we're covering both the 1989 Bill Inglot remix on Arista, and the brand new 2022 remix by Andrew Sandoval from the Super Deluxe Edition of the album. While the 1989 was a remix from the final 4-track master, the new 2022 remix provides a resync of the multistage tapes to provide a far more evenly balanced mix, while retaining the sound of 1967 through and through. If you're on the fence about picking up the set, this episode should push you off of it - and with only a few copies left, there's No Time to waste! So, let's see if this is like comparing Shades of Grey, or if [this] May Just Be The One.
 
Happy Listening,
Frederick
 
P.S. The HQ fun doesn't end here - this Sunday on Mixology on 45 we'll be looking at the brand new mixes of non-LP single A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You & The Girl I Knew Somewhere, and then in December we will be looking at the 9 other new mixes of the bonus tracks in a Patreon exclusive Mixology! Sign up to support the show now to get access as soon as they go live, from just £1 a month, at https://www.patreon.com/backtomono
 
Purchase the box set exclusively from Rhino here: https://monkeesstore.warnermusic.com/en/the-monkees/home/the-monkees---headquarters-super-deluxe-edition/081227883836.html
 
Email the show at: backtomonoradio@gmail.com
 
Listen to companion podcast Back to Mono: https://www.mixcloud.com/backtomonoradio/playlists/back-to-mono-complete/
 
Find me on Instagram @hypnoticfred
 
Artwork for this episode by @vinylbenjy

(The Curious Case of) Evolution by The Hollies

Hello Friends! This week on Mixology we're riding back to 1967 with The Hollies (again - whoops!), and their fantastic LP Evolution. Recording at the same time as Sgt. Pepper, and released the same day, this is an album that has always had a very curious stereo mix, one that sounds identical to the fantastic mono. Are these two dedicated, but very focused mixes, or is the mono simply a fold? Today we'll be taking a slightly different approach through the story of this mix, with a discussion on what makes or breaks a fold down, and the environment at EMI in which this album was released, and if Graham Nash, was actually a mastermind behind the mixing console. So if you think you're going to Leave Me, Stop Right There! You won't believe The Games We Play...
 
Happy Listening,
Frederick
 
Support the show and get hours of extra content (including Mixology on 45) at: https://www.patreon.com/backtomono
 
Email the show at: backtomonoradio@gmail.com
 
Listen to companion podcast Back to Mono: https://www.mixcloud.com/backtomonoradio/playlists/back-to-mono-complete/
 
Find me on Instagram @hypnoticfred

Revolver by The Beatles (inc. 2022 Remix)

Hello Friends! Thank you for your patience as I've been moving house, but now it's time to come back into things with a bang, as we breakdown The Beatles' 1966 All-Time classic Revolver, in celebration of the new reissue of the album. We'll not only be looking at the original UK Mono and Stereo mixes of the album, but also the many stray mixes issued in the USA (and the UK), the various remixes done in 1999 and 2015, and of course the new 2022 remix - a first for the Beatles episodes of Mixology, where I have previously only focused on vintage mixes for the group. So, with a huge bevy of mixes in hand, let's dive right in and see if the impressive remixing effort was worth it, or if the original really is the best...
 
With this in mind, over on the Patreon next Sunday, Mixology on 45 will be following this episode up with a look at the two non-LP tracks from these sessions, 'Paperback Writer' and 'Rain'. While the vintage stereo mixes have been covered on the show before, we will be looking at the 2015 and 2022 stereo remixes, and seeing what they bring to the table that the originals didn't! Find it (and support the show) at https://www.patreon.com/backtomono
 
Happy Listening,
 
Frederick
 
Email the show at: backtomonoradio@gmail.com
 
Listen to companion podcast Back to Mono: https://www.mixcloud.com/backtomonoradio/playlists/back-to-mono-complete/
 
Find me on Instagram @hypnoticfred