Mixology: The Mono/Stereo Mix Differences Podcast

Hello Friends! After many months of promising a new edition of Mixology Conversations, the time has finally arrived for our discussion with the wonderful Andrew from Parlogram. Best known today for the fantastic series of videos on YouTube under the Parlogram name, Andrew got his start in this world selling records online for many years, and has naturally been very deep down the rabbit hole of collecting records of all shapes, sizes, and more importantly - mixes - from around the world. Thus, today felt like the perfect opportunity to look back on how the world of collecting has evolved over the last decade, the sonic value of the humble 45, navigating the creation of content in the realm of 60s music, why some of the best stereo mixes existed prior to the best mono mixes, why settling for a reissue is more than acceptable, and of course - sheep theft. So buckle up for two British men many miles from their homeland inevitably discussing the inescapable music made there. Happy Listening, Frederick Parlogram on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Parlogram Patreon  Email  Instagram - @hypnoticfred 

Hello Friends! We're finally giving the inimitable Scott Walker a spotlight on the show today, with a look at his debut solo LP from 1967, Scott. Issued unchanged in the US under the title Aloner, to say I was surprised by how different these mixes are would be an understatement. From my experience with label mate Dusty's catalogue on Philips, I assumed Scott's would similarly be close sonically between mixes, but as soon as I queued up the mono alongside the stereo mix, the vast difference in vocal echo was immediately apparent. True for many tracks across the album, the mono results in a much darker listening experience, retaining the ‘spook' the stereo often lacks, but this is also inversely true at times. Balancing also differs on numerous occasions, highlighting different parts on the backing track to allow impact to vary in subtle ways that make all the difference. I hope you'll agree that regardless of mix, this is a wonderful record, but one mix to me really brings the production home. Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon  Email    Instagram - @hypnoticfred 

Hello Friends! In today's episode we're heading out with a downright Australian classic, The Loved One's Magic Box. Issue in October 1967 as a collection of 10 of the group's previously released tracks and two warmup covers, this album is home today to classics such as 'The Loved One', 'Ever Lovin' man' and 'Sad Dark Eyes', but despite being issued in mono and stereo, the last 40 years have not been kind to the state of this LP. As of 1985, all issues of this album comprise of a faulty master created from an isolation of the left channel of the stereo mix summed to mono (with one exception), meaning many elements panned to the right are now lost, providing a listening experience not representative of either mix. Today I'll be breaking down what makes the two different mixes both unique and similar, but also tracks where the current digital issue is both a little closer to the intended experience than others, as well as where it truly neuters the experience. Regardless of it all, this album contains some incredible performances, so it back in your loverly car, and let's dive into The Loved Ones' Magic Box. Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon  Email    Instagram - @hypnoticfred    Many thanks to Jaenes / Q Records for his in-depth history on the group.  

Hello Friends! We're kicking 2025 off with a bang today, with something relatively obscure to listeners today. Released in 1968, the 2nd LP by Paul & Barry Ryan, and their 1st on MGM, was issued only in the UK in both mono and stereo. Simply titled Paul & Barry Ryan, these original pressings remain the only issues of the material to this day, and all signs sadly indicate that the masters for this material has long since vanished. As a result, all our audio today has been taken from two great copies of this somewhat hard to find LP, and for many listeners this will likely be their first taste of this material. But why am I covering such an album? Well, late in 2024 Andrew from Parlogram brought this material to my attention, promising two mixes that varied so greatly that they would make for a fantastic episode. And I must say, he was completely on the money with that statement. These mixes, for the most part, vary wildly in all the best ways. Heavy echo differences, wild balance variations, alternate vocals, and many elements missing in one or the other mix. This is the sort of album Mixology was made for investigating, and combined with the great music within, this episode will be a treat for all listeners, whether you are familiar with the album or not. As such, I want to give a huge thank you to Andrew for his assistance with today's episode. I heartily suggest you check out his YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@Parlogram - after listening to today's episode (if you are not already following along). You won't be disappointed. As a bonus for Patrons, I do will be covering the mono LP in a Longplayers in Mono episode soon, as I feel the music deserves a conversation aside from the mix differences themselves, so head on over to the Back to Mono Radio Patreon to sign up and listen if you haven't already at https://www.patreon.com/backtomono Happy listening, Frederick Patreon Email Instagram - @hypnoticfred

Hello Friends! We're rounding out Mixology for the year today with a look back over everything we covered this year, including a couple of corrections and updates, as well as a look at a bunch of interesting emails I received through the year. 2024 has been an amazing year for the show that I am incredibly proud of, and while I can't imagine I can really follow-up on some of the highest highs I managed this year, I've got some wonderful things lined up for 2025 I've teased in this episode. Happy Listening, and see you in 2025, Frederick (Except if you head over to the Patreon, where I'll see you next week for Back to Mono 100! Find it at www.patreon.com/backtomono) Patreon Email   Instagram - @hypnoticfred

Hello Friends! As we move into episode 101 we bring you something quite special to follow-up the unfollowable. During my time working on Blonde on Blonde, I was approached by noted reissue producer and historian Andrew Sandoval to investigate a recent acquisition of a large number of Beach Boys 45s, both stock and promo, from across the Brother/Reprise years, and a number of anomalies present in his initial listening to these, most notably in the mono presentations on the promo copies, though the stereo was not without interest. Thus, today I present to you an episode in two parts: Our first half features a discussion between me and Andrew, both about the discs themselves and how he came to acquire the copies you'll be hearing samples from today, as well as a brief run-down and discussion of my findings. This was a wonderful discussion, and with many suitable tangents into the worlds of both record collecting and The Beach Boys, and proved a learning experience for us both. The second half of the episode, and the main bulk, is a slightly different take on the Mixology format, working through the singles from 1970 thru 1974 one by one, both in stock and promo, and comparing these to their regular LP presentations where applicable, to discover what had been modified for each release, and where modifications had been made, if these were consistent with current CD and Digital releases of these tracks. Believe it or not, we have a few mixes here today that have never been accurately represented in the digital domain, and remain unissued in authentic representations since these original 45s, while some did receive special processing for both stock and promo release that has not since been replicated, for reasons that are evident when listening. As a result, today's episode was an absolute joy to research, compile and record, and I want to thank Andrew again for reaching out with this opportunity for the show, and graciously surrendering a portion of his time for the conversation. Hopefully this slightly fresh take on the Mixology format delights you, the listener, and helps you to Add Some Music to Your Day. Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon Email   Instagram - @hypnoticfred

Hello Friends! Well, it's finally time for the big one - and not just that today marks Episode 100 of the show. After 6 months of planning, work, and research, we have arrived at what will surely be the peak of the Mixology format, our extensive look at Bob Dylan's 1966 classic Blonde on Blonde. Issued in both mono and stereo as a 14-track double LP, the album was subject to a partially revised stereo mix, issued as soon as 1966 in some countries (Australia never got the initial stereo mix for example), while the UK & Canada got a stack of exclusive mono mixes (more in the latter), and even France got a handful too. Many of the singles from the album were also heavily edited, and in the case of one, remixed too. This gives us a total of 52 vintage mixes and edits from the 60s period for this album - but the fun doesn't stop there... From the dawn of the CD era, this album has only been issued in remixed form, with new mixes being issued in 1987, 1992, and 1999, the latter of which is the mix you'll find available today. A number of the original and revised mixes have thankfully slipped out on compilations through the years, but for the most part these remain exclusive to the vinyl issues of these albums. Regardless, these remixed albums increase our mix look to a whopping 94 unique mixes and edits for this episode. As a result, our extensive run-time today comes as no surprise, and is well deserving of placement as episode 100 of Mixology. I hope you're sitting comfortably, with your Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat on tight, because we're in for one heck of a ride. I also want to give a huge thank you to two people whose assistance proved invaluable in the research of this episode. When it came to CD sources for the vintage mixes, James Messina came to me having done the majority of the dirty work, locating discs from all over the world as reference to ensure we had the best sources at hand for comparison. Without him this episode could not be as analytically sound as it is. Even moreso though I must thank Richard Ford from electricdylan.net, an essential resource for the 1965-66 period of Dylan's career. Much of what you'll hear me cover today comes from the extensive notes present on Richard's website, and I certainly could never have known the true extent of the mix mountain for the album without his research. Richard has also kindly been extremely helpful along the way in pointing me in the correct direction of sources I needed to pickup for the episode, and without him, this episode could not have been as comprehensive and complete as the final result has become. And now, it's time for you to all become a part of it. The world - not the album - that is the Thin, Wild, Mercury Sound of Blonde on Blonde. Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon Email   Instagram - @hypnoticfred

Hello Friends! Here we are, at episode 99, and what better way to hit the end of double digits with than The Kinks curio of a live album from 1967/68 [US/UK], Live at Kelvin Hall. Notorious for its overbearing loop of screams edited into the mixdown, the album is nothing if not an exciting listen. But what of the two mixes available for this sonic experience? Well, between the Stage Front of the Mono and the Hall Rear of the stereo, they couldn't be more different, including heavy echo usage in stereo only, entirely different guitar overdubs throughout in each mix, and a generally different balance and track edits in each. All-in-all, a vastly different experience that can be hard to initially quantify. So come on now - Batman wants answers! Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon Email Instagram - @hypnoticfred

Hello Friends! It's Beatle time here on the show again, as we finally round out our look at all the catalog LPs in the Beatles canon with a look at 1963's With the Beatles. Originally issued in mono and stereo, this twin-track recording seems like a simple comparison on the surface - and yes, many of the tracks are - but there's some real hidden secrets in these mixes that demand your attention, including unique overdubs in each mix, alternate edit pieces used, and a couple of odd balance moments independent of each other. We also have a couple of curious international variations, one with some extraneous session sounds, and the other the fault of a tape machine. Of course, MONEY makes a completely worthy climax to this knock-out programme. Hope it doesn't leave you too breathless to flip back to Side One for a repeat-play session WITH THE BEATLES. Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon Email Instagram - @hypnoticfred  

Hello Cabbages! This week on the show we're taking our first full-length look at Chad & Jeremy, addressed here by their full names, and their 1967 statement piece Of Cabbages and Kings. A tale of two sides, this takes an already very progressive baroque-folk set of songs on Side 1 and pairs it with The Progress Suite on Side 2 - a 5 part, most instrumental look at the rise and fall of society and the politics surrounding it. It's a grand, Gary Usher produced statement of an album that lands for the most part, but how do it's two mixes stand up? Well, for the most part the mono and the stereo are equally strong, especially over speakers, and I never truly feel left wanting from the mixes, but there's plenty of little details that make each unique. So with these two LPs in hand, and a 45 edit/mix of opening cut 'Rest in Piece' trailing behind, let's dig into this album to deep which is the Cabbage, and which is the King. I've also got to once again give a huge thanks to Ethan Alexanian from the Fans on the Run podcast for his work on the flatlay artwork for today's episode. Oh, and I want a word with whoever decided to put my name on a gravestone at the start of the album. I'm a little suss now... Happy Listening, Frederick P.S. If you want more Chad & Jeremy, we looked at 'Paxton Quigley...' b/w/ 'You Need Feet: last month over at the Patreon on Mixology on 45.  Email Instagram - @hypnoticfred  

Hello Friends! We're moving into the land down under this month on the show, with a look at the fantastic 2nd LP from Australia's own The Twilight, Once Upon a Twilight. Issued in 1968 in mono and stereo exclusively in Oz, the album has since been reissued on CD, including a Mono/Stereo issue by Aztec. Sadly, this uses a fold-down of the stereo for the mono presentation, while the original LP is wonderfully a dedicated mono affair, complete with drier vocals, and some wildly different use of effects throughout this very 'studio' production. This is a wonderful piece of late 60s Pop-Psych, and if you're a fan of The Beatles' 1967 efforts, or The Hollies' Butterfly, you'll love this album. Not convinced? What a silly thing to do! Be Mr. Nice and Take Action - the Blue Roundabout is waiting! Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon Email Instagram - @hypnoticfred  

Hello Friends! Today we're completing our look at the Bee Gees' catalog* here on the show, with their first international release Bee Gees 1st from 1967. Issued originally in both mono and stereo mixes, I was shocked at how much stronger the stereo mix here was than the rather poor showing on Horizontal, generally being comparable to the mono, with a couple of exceptions. But what are these exceptions, and what makes some of the stereo mixes stand out above their mono mixes? Well send those vocals to the echo chamber and turn up those orchestration overdubs, as we head down to Cucumber Castle for the Turn of the Century. Happy Listening, Frederick *Remember, non-LP tracks such as 'Words' & 'I've Gotta Get a Message to You' can be found on Mixology on 45 over at the Patreon Email   Instagram - @hypnoticfred  

Hello Friends! It's time to hop back on the Beach Boys train this month with a look at the group's 2nd LP of 1965, the commercial smash Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!). Containing huge hits 'Help Me, Rhonda' and 'California Girls', the album was only initially issued in mono and Duophonic stereo back in 1965, but once the late 90s hit, the album steadily gained true stereo mixes of it's tracks, until in 2012 the whole album received it's first true stereo edition, using many of the previously issued mixes, and some additional ones created for this issue. However, those stereo mixes had been changed multiple times prior - not always with notice - giving us a perplexing bevy of mixes to look into, along with an alternate fade on the single version of 'California Girls', and a unique 2003 DVD-A mix of 'Summer Means New Love'. In short, you'll need an entire summer day and night to digest it all! A huge thanks to @vinylbenjy on instagram for his second flatlay artwork to grace the show while my collection makes it's way between countries! Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon   Email   Instagram - @hypnoticfred  

Hello Friends! As promised, it's finally time to blaze it up, with the 1967 LP from the much derided Herman's Hermits, Blaze. Issued in October of that year, the album was not issued at the time in the UK (though formed popular on the import market), the album comprised of 10 tracks produced by the ardent lover of mono, one Mickie Most. This overall leads to a generally simple stereo presentation, including two reprocessed stereo tracks (though not necessarily of the same mono mixes), but this does not mean these don't feature some significant differences. Things get more interesting when we bring in Ron Furmanek remixes from 1991 of the first 7 tracks for the album. If one hasn't heard a Ron Furmanek remix before, it's important to understand his sound for the period. These are very clean and open mixes, and compared to the often heavy compression and EQ used on ‘60s mixdowns, Ron prefers to keep it dynamic and dry, heavily aided by his very ahead-of-the-curve syncing of stage tapes, albeit with some minor sync issues sadly. I personally find them more fascinating insights than actual preferred listening experiences, and the tracks as presented on the Bear Family set also appear to have a bloated sounding EQ, especially apparent when moving from the ‘60s mixes, so do keep all these pointers in mind as we compare. As a little bonus, I'm going to be including the song ‘Mum & Dad', which was recently brought to my attention by Andrew Sandoval as excised from the LP late in the production, present in the tracklist (but not audio) for the US reel-to-reel release, as the second to last track on the LP. Of course, this eventually saw release on The Best of Herman's Hermits Volume III in the US only, which gave us true mono and stereo mixes of the track, and we were treated to a remix from Ron again for this one. All in all, this makes for an episode that was far more fun to make than I was expecting, and it was very much one initially done out of the love for the album over anything else. And hopefully you learn a lot too!  Happy Listening, Frederick   Patreon   Email   Instagram  

Hello Friends! The time is finally here for the epic journey that is our Mixology exploration of the 1966 classic from Ike & Tina Turner, River Deep-Mountain High. Of note due to it's 5 Phil Spector productions (including the title cut), and 7 killer Ike Turner originals, this is a 12 track album of wall to wall bangers that didn't see release in American until 1969. Naturally, the album was issued in 1966 in both dedicated mono and stereo mixes, but unacknowledged until now was fully remixed into stereo in 1969 for the worldwide A&M reissue of the album, giving us 3 unique mixes of the 11 tracks carried across the 3 releases, plus 2 for 'You're So Fine', the track unique to the 1966 LP.   However, the fun doesn't stop there, as discussed recently in my breakdown of the mix exploration for this album (free to all over at the Patreon), 3 of the tracks were issued in seemingly unique mono mixes on the 1991 Back to Mono box set, and the mono LP and 45 presentations of the title cut are vastly different sonically - but are they differing mixes? We have a lot to dig into today, and to help me cover the deep dive taken for this is Patron, Assistant and Friend Andy, who joins me for a chat about the various pressings, cuttings, LPs, 45s and CDs we explored to cover all the bases of this seemingly innocuous album, and who is also responsible for this episode's flatlay.   This is the most excited I've been for a Mixology episode in a long time, and I hope you'll have a blast discovering these mixes (and maybe even this album) with me today on this epic journey. And to top it off, there's some great differences between these mixes too. So grab that tambourine in hand, get the echo unit ready to roll, and let's sail on down the river and climb that mountain - no matter how deep or how high!   Happy Listening, Frederick   Patreon   Email   Instagram  

Hello Friends! We're back with our first proper Mixology breakdown of 2024, taking our first look on the show at The Searchers, and their fantastic 1965 LP Take Me For What I'm Worth. The last LP issued by the group until their late 70s renaissance, the album sees the group moving in a Folk Rock direction, and deep in the throws of a love affair with the echo chamber, giving us some wonderful differing echo levels between the two mixes, along with a few other tidbits. An album deeply worth your time, it's time to see which mix you should be after - if you don't just take either for what they're worth! Happy Listening,  Frederick Fans on the Run Podcast (feat. Frederick French-Pounce) Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

Hello Friends! We're kicking off the world of Mixology for 2024 with a bit of a theory based episode. Friends is one of The Beach Boys' best loved studio LPs. Issued in 1968, this did not see a mono issue in the USA, and elsewhere in the world any mono issues were done simply as fold-downs from the stereo mix. Thus, aside from 2 sides mixed to mono initially for 45 use, we have never been presented with an authorised mono mix of the album... or have we? Understanding the mixdown process for this album, and Brian Wilson's unique involvement in it, means that the monophonic LP saga for the group may not actually end with Wild Honey, and just maybe, that UK mono LP you hold might actually prove to have some worth...   Happy Listening, Frederick   Patreon   Email   Instagram

Hello Friends! It's that festive time of year again, so I thought I'd pull out one of the few 60s seasonal LPs in my collection for your listening pleasure today, courtesy of Andy Williams. Today, we'll be looking at the first of his 5(!) Christmas albums, here sensibly titled The Andy Williams Christmas Album from 1963. Not reissued in it's mono mix since it's first issue, this LP is home to the classic 'It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year', along with other Side 1 bangers such as 'Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells'. Side 2 then delves into the more secular side, which while not my usual chosen side of things, seems appropriate to cover, and overall, this is certainly a solid holiday LP from the period that deserves to have it's poppier material heard in that punchy monophonic sound, but the stereo is certainly no slouch - if anything, it's a little too bombastic! So let's weigh it all up, and most importantly, don't forget to hang up your sock! Happy Listening,  Frederick Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

Hello Friends! Today on Mixology - you guessed it - we're covering all the new remixes featured on the 2023 expanded and remixed editions of 1962-1966 & 1967-1970 by The Beatles - better known as the Red and Blue albums. Expanded to 3 LPs each and compiled entirely from either remixes done from 2015 to the present, or from brand new remixes, these LPs pack quite a punch, and these 36 brand new remixes make up our look today. Extending well over an hour, this is a deep dive into the many approaches taken to give this material a fresh shine, and help you understand exactly what makes these mixes different compared to their most recent or common mix options.  Happy Listening,  Frederick Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

Hello Friends! We've got a slightly different look this week, with The Doors' 3rd LP, Waiting For The Sun. Released in mid 1968, this was at the height of the phase-out of mono in the USA, and is the only Doors mono LP that has never been reissued. As such, I wanted to take a look today and see if we can pick apart the many different takes on this album on the internet. Is it true mono? Is it a fold? Or is it a mixture - and if so, how much? With a fresh needledrop of the original US mono and US stereo in hand, let's breakdown the similarities, and see what secrets we can find... Happy Listening, Frederick   Patreon   Email   Instagram

Hello Friends! We're completing The Kinks' studio LP output on the show today, with a look at their debut LP, succinctly titled Kinks. Issued in October 1964, the album is built around 'You Really Got Me', with a snatch of Ray Davies originals, R&B covers, and two dire Shel Talmy compositions. That said, we have a shockingly fun stereo mix for a pop LP in 1964, and a random unique US mono mix too, giving us a lot to look at with surprisingly little effort. So let's hop in the Cadillac to Bald Mountain and see if we Got Love... If You Want It.   Happy Listening, Frederick   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

Hello Friends! We're finally taking time out with Gerry and The Pacemakers on Mixology this week, with a look at the soundtrack LP from the group, Ferry Cross The Mersey. Issued in mono and stereo, this album included 9 originals from the group, plus three other cuts produced by George Martin from The Fourmost, Cilla Black, and The George Martin Orchestra. This fantastic beat collection features some huge differences in editing and vocal mixing, as well as a general balance difference between the mono and stereo, making a break down like this shockingly essential. So let's hop on the Ferry and find out Why Oh Why mono is the way forward here... Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

Hello Friends! After a suggestion by Ethan from the wonderful Fans on the Run podcast (an episode of which I will be appearing on very soon - and a huge thanks to Ethan for this episode's flatlay!), we're today looking at the 1968 epic from Small Faces, Ogden's Nut Gone Flake. Part ripper song collection, part fairy story, this fascinating collection was of course issued in mono and stereo, with some tasty differences throughout, and a real power factor at play. We also get a later single remix of the fantastic 'Afterglow (of your Love), and of course address the horrendous 'additional production' on the US issue of the album, if only briefly (in short - avoid). So let's take a ride out with Happiness Stan to HappyDaysToyTown, to the Song of a Baker!   Happy Listening,   Frederick   Check out Fans on the Run wherever you get your podcasts, or here.   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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 Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono   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

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 Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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 Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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 Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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 Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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 Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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 monkeesmixography Mixing Links Book Happy Listening, Frederick Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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   Patreon   Email   Instagram   Back to Mono

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/  

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

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

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

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

Hello Friends! We're taking a trip back again with The Hollies this week, and their second LP on Parlophone, the wonderful In The Hollies Style, released in November of 1964. A huge step up from their debut LP, this saw the bevy of original numbers grown from 1 on the debut to 7 here, along with some fantastic covers to boot. But with this growth, do we see a development in mix differences? Well, with a mono mix only done for the UK, and a stereo mix made for export only, we shall have to dig in and see if the answer is in her kiss by getting down to the nitty gritty! 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

Hello Friends! We're taking another trip out with The Monkees this week, jumping right back to the beginning with their debut LP. Released in October 1966, we once again have mono and stereo mixes of the whole album to look at today, as well as 3 unique TV mono mixes/edits used in the first series of the show. So Take a Giant Step outside your mind and see which mix truly is definitive, and if Rhino have kept the correct one in circulation... 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

Hello Friends,  After the recent passing of Seekers member Judith Durham, I felt it only natural to direct my next Mixology efforts towards my favourite studio LP from the group, the wonderful Seekers Seen In Green from 1967. With it's ill-fitting psych-drenched jacket, this folk-pop gem was thankfully issued in mono and stereo upon original release, with no unique single mixes or subsequent remixes, and was reissued on CD in 1991 in both these mixes. While these sources aren't the best mastering of the album, short of a perfect needledrop of both, they are the best on offer. So with Peter Mew's handiwork at hand, and this sweet little collection of music, let's follow the rainbow and find out if indeed Angeline is always friday - or if she prefers the mono or stereo for that measure.   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

Hello Friends! This week on the show we're taking our second look at The Byrds, with their 3rd LP Fifth Dimension. Released in both mono and stereo in 1966, 5 of the tracks were treated to new stereo mixes in 1990, and then an unknown quantity in 1996. Today, we'll be comparing the original mono and stereo mixes, all the new 1990 mixes, and also all mixes used on the 1996 CD, regardless of the evidence suggesting remix or not, as honestly it's hard to tell (as you would know if you've checked out my episode on Younger Than Yesterday, and we were never given confirmation either way). With this absolute bevy of mixes in hand, let's dive into the material at hand, and take a trip to the Fifth Dimension with Captain Soul!   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

Hello Friends! We're taking another trip back to Kinkdom today, with The Kinks' last LP to be released in both mono and stereo, 1969's Arthur (Or The Decline and Fall of The British Empire). A shockingly late period mono mix, this fantastic album explores a more matured, rock sound for the group, with plenty of British baroque elements mixed in, to give us a group of mixes that, while not as far apart as the UK and Australia, certainly have enough cultural differences to make them both worthwhile. But which of these two mixes is definitive, or is neither an all-out winner? If you're young (and if you're healthy) why not get on a boat and come to Australia, where we have all the answers!   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   Join the Facebook Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/backtomono

Hello Friends! We've got an extra special episode of the show today, digging into all of the new mixes presented on the recently released Expanded Edition of The Beach Boys' huge selling compilation Sounds of Summer, newly remixed by Mark Linett. With 28 9not the listed 24) tracks to look into, we'll be breaking down each of these mix by mix, in the order they appear on the compilation, starting with the earliest mix offered, and working through a summary of all subsequent mono, stereo, single mixes and remixes, culminating in the new 2021 mix of the track, and breaking down exactly what makes these new mixes unique. We'll also be correcting some mislabelling of mixes here, to give you a proper breakdown of exactly what you're getting. From first-time stereo mixes of tracks like 'I Get Around' that emulate the original mono mixes extremely closely, to later remixes of 70s tracks such as 'Let Us Go On This Way' that radically change the soundscape, let us see what's on offer here, and help you decide if these new mixes will become your new sounds of summer.   Happy Listening,   Frederick   Support the show and get hours of extra content 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   Join the Facebook Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/backtomono

Hello Friends. Many moons ago a listener of the podcast requested I cover The Lovin' Spoonful on the show, and I can only apologise that is has taken this long! On the show today we will be looking at the group's 1966 album Daydream, a mid 60s pop classic by anyone's measurement. Filled to the brim with fantastic singles, hooks, and original cuts, this album is a real treat for the listener. Between the mono and stereo mixes, we don't encounter too many true differences, but there is a real difference in feel between these mixes that is hard to quantify. Which ultimately suits the material best, and is this consistent from track to track? Let's dive into the big noise from speonk and find out!   Happy Listening,   Frederick   Support the show and get hours of extra content 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   Join the Facebook Community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/backtomono