[kelly]

The Rolling Stones
released: 1964, US
notes: debut album; should be prefixed "England's Newest Hitmakers" (US version);
title is UK listing but tracks are US
1. Not Fade Away
2. Route 66
3. I Just Want To Make Love To You
4. Honest I Do
5. Now I've Got A Witness
6. Little By Little
7. I'm A King Bee
8. Carol
9. Tell Me
10. Can I Get A Witness
11. You Can Make It If You Try
12. Walking The Dog

12 X 5
released: 1964, US
notes: US only
1. Around And Around
2. Confessin' The Blues
3. Empty Heart
4. Time Is On My Side
5. Good Times, Bad Times
6. It's All Over Now
7. 2120 South Michigan Avenue
8. Under The Boardwalk
9. Congratulations
10. Grown Up Wrong
11. If You Need Me
12. Suzie Q

The Rolling Stones, Now!
released: 1965, US
notes: US version of "The Rolling Stones No. 2"
1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
2. Down Home Girl
3. You Can't Catch Me
4. Heart Of Stone
5. What A Shame
6. Mona ( I Need You Baby)
7. Down The Road Apiece
8. Off The Hook
9. Pain In My Heart
10. Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin')
11. Little Red Rooster
12. Surprise, Surprise

Out Of Our Heads
released: 1965, US
1. Mercy Mercy
2. Hitch Hike
3. Last, Time, The
4. That's How Strong My Love Is
5. Good Times
6. I'm All Right
7. Satisfaction, (I Can't Get No)
8. Cry To Me
9. Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man, The
10. Play With Fire
11. Spider And The Fly, The
12. One More Try

Out Of Our Heads (UK)
released: 1965, UK
1. She Said Yeah
2. Mercy Mercy
3. Hitch Hike
4. That's How Strong My Love Is
5. Good Times
6. Gotta Get Away
7. Talkin' 'Bout You
8. Cry To Me
9. Oh, Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin')
10. Heart Of Stone
11. Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man, The
12. I'm Free

December's Children (And Everybody's)
released: 1965, US
1. She Said Yeah
2. Talkin' About You
3. You Better Move On
4. Look What You've Done
5. Singer Not The Song, The
6. Route 66
7. Get Off Of My Cloud
8. I'm Free
9. As Tears Go By
10. Gotta Get Away
11. Blue Turns To Grey
12. I'm Moving On

Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)
released: 1965, US
1. Satisfaction, (I Can't Get No)
2. Last Time, The
3. As Tears Go By
4. Time Is On My Side
5. It's All Over Now
6. Tell Me
7. 19th Nervous Breakdown
8. Heart Of Stone
9. Get Off My Cloud
10. Not Fade Away
11. Good Times, Bad Times
12. Play With Fire

Aftermath (UK)
released: 1966, UK
1. Mother's Little Helper
2. Stupid Girl
3. Lady Jane
4. Under My Thumb
5. Doncha Bother Me
6. Going Home
7. Flight 505
8. High And Dry
9. Out Of Time
10. It's Not Easy
11. I Am Waiting
12. Take It Or Leave It
13. Think
14. What To Do

Aftermath
released: 1966, US
1. Paint It Black
2. Stupid Girl
3. Lady Jane
4. Under My Thumb
5. Doncha Bother Me
6. Think
7. Flight 505
8. High And Dry
9. It's Not Easy
10. I Am Waiting
11. Going Home

Got LIVE If You Want It!
released: 1966, US
notes: live
1. Under My Thumb
2. Get Off Of My Cloud
3. Lady Jane
4. Not Fade Away
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long
6. Fortune Teller
7. Last Time, The
8. 19th Nervous Breakdown
9. Time Is On My Side
10. I'm Alright
11. Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadows
12. Satisfaction, (I Can't Get No)

Between The Buttons (UK)
released: 1967, UK
1. Yesterday's Papers
2. My Obsession
3. Back Street Girl
4. Connection
5. She Smiled Sweetly
6. Cool Calm And Collected
7. All Sold Out
8. Please Go Home
9. Who's Been Sleeping Here?
10. Complicated
11. Miss Amanda Jones
12. Something Happened To Me Yesterday

Between The Buttons
released: 1967, US
1. Let's Spend The Night Together
2. Yesterday's Papers
3. Ruby Tuesday
4. Connection
5. She Smiled Sweetly
6. Cool Calm And Collected
7. All Sold Out
8. My Obsession
9. Who's Been Sleeping Here
10. Complicated
11. Miss Amanda Jones
12. Something Happened To Me Yesterday

Flowers
released: 1967, US
notes: contains tracks from UK's Between The Buttons and Aftermath plus singles
1. Ruby Tuesday
2. Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow
3. Let's Spend The Night Together
4. Lady Jane
5. Out Of Time
6. My Girl
7. Back Street Girl
8. Please Go Home
9. Mother's Little Helper
10. Take It Or Leave It
11. Ride On Baby
12. Sittin' On A Fence

Their Satanic Majesties Request
released: 1967
1. Sing This All Together
2. Citadel
3. In Another Land
4. 2000 Man
5. Sing This All Together (See What Happens)
6. She's A Rainbow
7. Lantern, The
8. Gomper
9. 2000 Light Years From Home
10. On With The Show

Beggar's Banquet
released: 1968, US
1. Sympathy For The Devil
2. No Expectations
3. Dear Doctor
4. Parachute Woman
5. Jig-Saw Puzzle
6. Street Fighting Man
7. Prodigal Son
8. Stray Cat Blues
9. Factory Girl
10. Salt Of The Earth

Through The Past Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)
released: 1969, US
1. Paint It Black
2. Ruby Tuesday
3. She's A Rainbow
4. Jumpin' Jack Flash
5. Mother's Little Helper
6. Let's Spend The Night Together
7. Honky Tonk Woman
8. Dandelion
9. 2000 Light Years From Home
10. Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
11. Street Fighting Man

Let It Bleed
released: 1969, US
1. Gimme Shelter
2. Love In Vain
3. Country Honk
4. Live With Me
5. Let It Bleed
6. Midnight Rambler
7. You Got The Silver
8. Monkey Man
9. You Can't Always Get What You Want

Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out
released: 1970, US
notes: live
1. Jumpin' Jack Flash
2. Carol
3. Stray Cat Blues
4. Love In Vain
5. Midnight Rambler
6. Sympathy For The Devil
7. Live With Me
8. Little Queenie
9. Honky Tonk Woman
10. Street Fighting Man

Hot Rocks 1964-1971
released: 1972, US
1. Time Is On My Side
2. Heart Of Stone
3. Play With Fire
4. Satisfaction, (I Can't Get No)
5. As Tears Go By
6. Get Off My Cloud
7. Mother's Little Helper
8. 19th Nervous Breakdown
9. Paint It Black
10. Under My Thumb
11. Ruby Tuesday
12. Let's Spend The Night Together
13. Jumpin' Jack Flash
14. Street Fighting Man
15. Sympathy For The Devil
16. Honky Tonk Women
17. Gimme Shelter
18. Midnight Rambler - (live)
19. You Can't Always Get What You Want
20. Brown Sugar
21. Wild Horses

More Hot Rocks (Big Hits And Fazed Cookies)
released: 1972, US
DISC 1
1. Tell Me
2. Not Fade Away
3. Last Time, The
4. It's All Over Now
5. Good Times Bad Times
6. I'm Free
7. Out Of Time
8. Lady Jane
9. Sittin' On A Fence
10. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadows?
11. Dandelion
12. We Love You
DISC 2:
1. She's A Rainbow
2. 2000 Light Years From Home
3. Child Of The Moon - (remix)
4. No Expectations
5. Let It Bleed
6. What To Do
7. Fortune Teller
8. Poison Ivy - (Version 1)
9. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
10. Come On
11. Money
12. Bye Bye Johnny
13. Poison Ivy - (Version 2)
14. I've Been Loving You Too Long
15. I Can't Be Satisfied
16. Long Long While

Metamorphasis
released: 1975, UK
1. Out Of Time
2. Don't Lie To Me
3. Somethings Just Stick In Your Mind
4. Each And Everday Of The Year
5. Heart Of Stone
6. I'd Much Rather Be With The Boys
7. Sleepy City, (Walkin' Thru The)
8. We're Wastin' Time
9. Try A Little Harder
10. I Don't Know Why
11. If You Let Me
12. Jiving Sister Fanny
13. Downtown Suzie
14. Family
15. Memo From Turner
16. I'm Going Down

Singles Collection: The London Years
released: 1989, US
DISC 1:
1. Come On
2. I Want To Be Loved
3. I Wanna Be Your Man
4. Stoned
5. Not Fade Away
6. Little By Little
7. It's All Over Now
8. Good Times, Bad Times
9. Tell Me
10. I Just Want To Make Love To You
11. Time Is On My Side
12. Congratulations
13. Little Red Rooster
14. Off The Hook
15. Heart Of Stone
16. What A Shame
17. Last Time, The
18. Play With Fire
19. Satisfaction, (I Can't Get No)
20. Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man, The
21. Spider And The Fly, The
22. Get Off Of My Cloud
23. I'm Free
24. Singer Not The Song, The
25. As Tears Go By
DISC 2:
1. Gotta Get Away
2. 19th Nervous Breakdown
3. Sad Day
4. Paint It Black
5. Stupid Girl
6. Long Long While
7. Mother's Little Helper
8. Lady Jane
9. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
10. Who's Driving Your Plane?
11. Let's Spend The Night Together
12. Ruby Tuesday
13. We Love You
14. Dandelion
15. She's A Rainbow
16. 2000 Light Years From Home
17. In Another Land
18. Lantern, The
19. Jumpin' Jack Flash
20. Child Of The Moon - (Remake)
DISC 3:
1. Street Fighting Man
2. No Expectations
3. Surprise, Surprise
4. Honky Tonk Women
5. You Can't Always Get What You Want
6. Memo From Turner
7. Brown Sugar
8. Wild Horses
9. I Don't Know Why Aka Don't Know Why I Love You
10. Try A Little Harder
11. Out Of Time
12. Jiving Sister Fanny
13. Sympathy For The Devil

** Please reply with corrections and additional notes.

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly Aftermath (UK) released: 1966, UK 1. Mother's Little Helper 2. Stupid Girl 3. Lady Jane 4. Under My Thumb 5. Doncha Bother Me 6. Going Home 7. Flight 505 8. High And Dry 9. Out Of Time 10. It's Not Easy 11. I Am Waiting 12. Take It Or Leave It 13. Think 14. What To Do Flowers released: 1967, US notes: contains tracks from UK's Between The Buttons plus singles 1. Ruby Tuesday 2. Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow 3. Let's Spend The Night Together 4. Lady Jane 5. Out Of Time 6. My Girl 7. Back Street Girl 8. Please Go Home 9. Mother's Little Helper 10. Take It Or Leave It 11. Ride On Baby 12. Sittin' On A Fence

"Flowers" also contains tracks from the UK version of "Aftermath" (Out of Time, Mother's Little Helper, Lady Jane).

Also, did you find the track list for "Metamorphosis ?" I had the original US Lp. It wasn't that good, but it did contain "Memo From Turner."

Otherwise, Kelly, you've done a great job and provided a great service.

 

[kelly]

FCJ

Added your note to Flowers, added Metamorphasis (which seems to be the UK version), added release dates to the compilations.

From what I can tell, very different versions of the tracks appear on different albums. I would not presume that a version of any given song on one of the compilations is the same as on any of the individual albums.

Any other informaton appreciated.

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly FCJ From what I can tell, very different versions of the tracks appear on different albums. I would not presume that a version of any given song on one of the compilations is the same as on any of the individual albums.

While that was true when these records were originally released (for example, "Out of Time" on Aftermath is longer than the version on "Flowers"), and when the reissues were first released, I hope that has been fixed, although I won't know until next week. The only occasion where I can see a difference remaining is when it was done by design ("Metamorphosis" does contain alternate versions, and I assume that the "Singles Collection" contains a shorter, single-length version of "You Can't Always Get What You Want").

Regarding "Metamorphosis," they are releasing the UK version. It differs from the original US version in that it contains two tracks not included on the original 1975 US LP issue: “Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind” and “We’re Wasting Time.”

 

[kelly]

FCJ

Why would they purposefully dilute the diversity of their catalog? If, for example, an excellent mono version of a song appears on one album but an excellent stereo version appears on the compilations, messing that up would only serve to annoy collectors or to give completists one less reason to own both discs.

There seems to have put forth some effort to preserve the original work of these albums. If little differences like "guitar solo is 3 seconds longer on the UK single version", I seriously doubt they would purposefully homogenize them -- especially given the sheer number of Stones fanatics.

But it would of course be nice to have some official word about this sort of thing. WHy have no reviews been published yet?

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly FCJ Why would they purposefully dilute the diversity of their catalog? If, for example, an excellent mono version of a song appears on one album but an excellent stereo version appears on the compilations, messing that up would only serve to annoy collectors or to give completists one less reason to own both discs. There seems to have put forth some effort to preserve the original work of these albums. If little differences like "guitar solo is 3 seconds longer on the UK single version", I seriously doubt they would purposefully homogenize them -- especially given the sheer number of Stones fanatics.

It depends on who you mean by "they." I doubt the Stones had anything to do with the differences in UK/US album version (the Beatles had the same issue when their original albums were released). It was the record companies doing. Also, remember that ABKCO did the Stones no service when they first reissued the catalog in 1986. It looks as if they learned from their mistakes this time. Also, read the press release. When some of the songs were first issued, they were released at the "wrong speed." That problem, too, has been corrected.

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly FCJ WHy have no reviews been published yet?

Here's one, by Fred Kaplan in Slate

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly FCJ WHy have no reviews been published yet?

Here's a review by Fred Kaplan in Slate

 

[kelly]

Quote:

Originally posted by FCJ Here's one, by Fred Kaplan in Slate

I read that review and it's always good to hear an audiophile say the "sound is good" but I'd like to read a more thorough review by a Stones fan who maybe even has the original vinyls and could talk about song versions and such.

I would not agree with an assertion that the band is the ultimate authority on what the song was "supposed to sound like." If anyone should be contacted there it's the albums producers and engineers. Beyond that though, I believe that once a piece of art has been created, the authority is then the audience.

Let me give an example. Ridley Scott is my favorite director and someone I admire a lot so take this criticism with that in mind. When Ridley got the opportunity to do the directors cut of Blade Runner, he took it--and the theatrical version of the movie soon disappeared from store shelves. Now you can only buy it one way--his way. I own his version on DVD and own the theatrical print on Criterion's Laserdisc. I think there are simply too many good qualities about each version to pretend one or the other did not exist for the sake of the director's "vision." A yet third version is scheduled for release later this year and is something like "What Ridley Scott really, really meant" but as far as I know, the other two version won't be included in this edition either. Blade Runner is one of my favorite films. I've likely seen it more times than Ridley Scott his. So I ask you, who is Ridley Scott to tell me which version *I* have to watch? And what kind of ego does it take to take a choice people liked having away from them?

So... I would go as far as to say that even if some of the tracks had "errors" that if they're that way on the MASTER TAPE, then they should be that way on the disc--within reason. More than that though, is that I don't think you can call some of the differences mistakes. From what I'm reading on some of these pages there are literally different lengthed guitar solos on different versions of the songs. And whether to preserve the stereo or mono version of the tracks is certainly not something I'd want a remastering engineer to decide. Surely the answer there is both. But, as much as I do like the Stones, *I* am not a real fan and I don't know the answers to this stuff. That's why I'd like to read a good review.

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly I would not agree with an assertion that the band is the ultimate authority on what the song was "supposed to sound like." If anyone should be contacted there it's the albums producers and engineers. Beyond that though, I believe that once a piece of art has been created, the authority is then the audience. Let me give an example. Ridley Scott is my favorite director and someone I admire a lot so take this criticism with that in mind. When Ridley got the opportunity to do the directors cut of Blade Runner, he took it--and the theatrical version of the movie soon disappeared from store shelves. Now you can only buy it one way--his way. I own his version on DVD and own the theatrical print on Criterion's Laserdisc. I think there are simply too many good qualities about each version to pretend one or the other did not exist for the sake of the director's "vision." A yet third version is scheduled for release later this year and is something like "What Ridley Scott really, really meant" but as far as I know, the other two version won't be included in this edition either. Blade Runner is one of my favorite films. I've likely seen it more times than Ridley Scott his. So I ask you, who is Ridley Scott to tell me which version *I* have to watch? And what kind of ego does it take to take a choice people liked having away from them? So... I would go as far as to say that even if some of the tracks had "errors" that if they're that way on the MASTER TAPE, then they should be that way on the disc--within reason. More than that though, is that I don't think you can call some of the differences mistakes. From what I'm reading on some of these pages there are literally different lengthed guitar solos on different versions of the songs. And whether to preserve the stereo or mono version of the tracks is certainly not something I'd want a remastering engineer to decide. Surely the answer there is both. But, as much as I do like the Stones, *I* am not a real fan and I don't know the answers to this stuff. That's why I'd like to read a good review.

The "errors" that are described in the ABKCO press release are errors in speed, not content. I think these should be fixed. This is completely different from something that, say, Frank Zappa did--he didn't like the backup on some of his early songs and he re-recorded them for reissue purposes. This, I will agree with you, is something that I do not tolerate. And how do I voice my displeasure--I don't buy the reissue.

The Stones reissues, however, are reissues that I am looking forward to because: (1) they're great music; (2) they've helped influence and define rock music as we know it. I can't wait to buy them.



Regarding your comment that the producer/engineer has the final word, what if the artist is also the producer? Also, I think that many of the decisions that were made on the Stones catalog when they were recorded were made with the technological limitations of the time in mind (at one point, pre-late 1960s, many records were released in both mono and stereo versions), not necessarily artistic vision. Whether they released an album track as a single in a shortened version speaks more to the dictates of the market than artistic vision. That, however, is a subject in and of itself.

Me, I would like to have all the versions released so that as a consumer I can make my own choices. However, I think some reissue stuff has gone too far (reissuing false starts and the like). However, I vote with my pocketbook not to purchase such things.

 

[kelly]

Quote:

Originally posted by FCJ Regarding your comment that the producer/engineer has the final word, what if the artist is also the producer?

Just to make sure I didn't lose the point--I DON'T believe the producer or engineer should have the final say, but I believe they are often more responsible for the vision than the talent is and that this is almost certainly true with the Stones. Again, my point was that despite this, even the producers and engineers should not be the ultimate authority--the consumer should.

Quote:

Also, I think that many of the decisions that were made on the Stones catalog when they were recorded were made with the technological limitations of the time in mind (at one point, pre-late 1960s, many records were released in both mono and stereo versions), not necessarily artistic vision.

And sometimes the mono track sounded better than the stereo track. Sometimes they released in mono and then went back and remixed it into stereo later -- sometimes a completely different engineer did this. So then it's not even one vision we're talking about.

One of my favorite CD releases is the Beach Boys Pet Sounds disc which had room for all of the mono and stereo tracks on the same CD. It's good to have choices. Still, if I had my picky way about it, I'd rather have the stereo disc seperate. Another good example is the Deep Purple - Machine Head rerelease which has the original album faithfully remastered on one disc and remixed on the second disc. I listen to both so I'm not sure who "wins" there--the point is that I got a choice and liked having the choice. The remastered Deep Purple disc sounds faithful to the recording standards of the time. The second disc sounds more like what the album would sound like if it were recorded in a studio today. Both have their merits, to me anyway.

Quote:

Whether they released an album track as a single in a shortened version speaks more to the dictates of the market than artistic vision. That, however, is a subject in and of itself.

Again, who is to say who is right in a piece of art? Just because it may betray the original creators intent does not mean that the final product is invalid or that you're wrong for preferring that version. James Cameron's Terminator 2 had several scenes cut for length--ONLY for length, so that the film could be shown more times a day in theaters and make the studio more money. But you know what? I think the cut version of the film has better pacing. The scenes they cut were good content but they detracted enough from the action that the movie drags a little. So now what? Now I'm just a stupid consumer because I like the more profitable version better than the creator's vision? It's subjective. That's my whole point.

Quote:

Me, I would like to have all the versions released so that as a consumer I can make my own choices. However, I think some reissue stuff has gone too far (reissuing false starts and the like). However, I vote with my pocketbook not to purchase such things.

Are you talking about remasters here or out-takes? Out-takes are another subject entirely.

 

[kelly]

By the way guys, the track content is in the first post of this thread so if anyone has anything additional, just reply and I'll add it to the first post. Feel free to ignore or participate in whatever other meandering discussions come up here (you have to take good discussion where you can get it sometimes) but I'll edit the first post to add anything related to the Stones track content.

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly Just to make sure I didn't lose the point--I DON'T believe the producer or engineer should have the final say, but I believe they are often more responsible for the vision than the talent is and that this is almost certainly true with the Stones. Again, my point was that despite this, even the producers and engineers should not be the ultimate authority--the consumer should. And sometimes the mono track sounded better than the stereo track. Sometimes they released in mono and then went back and remixed it into stereo later -- sometimes a completely different engineer did this. So then it's not even one vision we're talking about. One of my favorite CD releases is the Beach Boys Pet Sounds disc which had room for all of the mono and stereo tracks on the same CD. It's good to have choices. Still, if I had my picky way about it, I'd rather have the stereo disc seperate. Another good example is the Deep Purple - Machine Head rerelease which has the original album faithfully remastered on one disc and remixed on the second disc. I listen to both so I'm not sure who "wins" there--the point is that I got a choice and liked having the choice. The remastered Deep Purple disc sounds faithful to the recording standards of the time. The second disc sounds more like what the album would sound like if it were recorded in a studio today. Both have their merits, to me anyway. Again, who is to say who is right in a piece of art? Just because it may betray the original creators intent does not mean that the final product is invalid or that you're wrong for preferring that version. James Cameron's Terminator 2 had several scenes cut for length--ONLY for length, so that the film could be shown more times a day in theaters and make the studio more money. But you know what? I think the cut version of the film has better pacing. The scenes they cut were good content but they detracted enough from the action that the movie drags a little. So now what? Now I'm just a stupid consumer because I like the more profitable version better than the creator's vision? It's subjective. That's my whole point. Are you talking about remasters here or out-takes? Out-takes are another subject entirely.

I agree with you that since it's art, there are no right or wrong visions or decisions. That's both its beauty and curse.

I also agree that having choices is a good thing. As a consumer, if I want to buy a reissued CD because of extra tracks, mono plus stereo version, etc., that's good. However, sometimes under the name of a "remastering" job some things of questionable quality are done. Like poor packaging. Like false starts. Like outtakes that should have stayed in the vault. If the original version is still available to me as a consumer, along with the new remastered version, that's good--I have a choice.

I wouldn't venture to put a percentage to it, but I bet that commerce rules here in a majority of the cases. Not a bad thing, mind you, but it happens. In your "Machine Head" example, the hook to get you to buy it is the remixed version. Was the decision to release it based on "artistic merit?" Maybe, maybe not. However, you benefited because you enjoyed the choice of having the remastered version. While, on occasion (and it appears that you're NOT one of them) people disparage commerce when it comes to art, I feel that it gives better choices to people. Not always, mind you, but most of the time.

Off topic--thanks for your recco of the Corda HA-1. I bought it based on your review, and I think it's great. Can't wait to hear the Stones through it.

 

[FCJ]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly Another good example is the Deep Purple - Machine Head rerelease which has the original album faithfully remastered on one disc and remixed on the second disc. I listen to both so I'm not sure who "wins" there--the point is that I got a choice and liked having the choice. The remastered Deep Purple disc sounds faithful to the recording standards of the time. The second disc sounds more like what the album would sound like if it were recorded in a studio today.

Isn't there a line in "Smoke on the Water" that goes something like "Making records with the mobile?" Isn't that the Rolling Stones Mobile that they're referring to? I guess we've come full circle . . . .

Everyone, enjoy the SACDs on Tuesday. I look forward to everyone's comments.

 

[KurtW]

I'm only just now stumbling onto this thread and the other similar one. Thanks Kelly for putting this info in one place.

One reason to buy some of the hits collections used to be that you could get different versions, like stereo instead of mono of the same songs. I assume that most of these differences will go away with the remastering, other than the totally different takes. For example, Out of Time on my Metamorphosis LP and on the Singles Collections is totally different (over-produced IMO...the Rolling Stones and strings!) than the original release on Flowers.

There are three different packages of greatest hits, the older Big Hits and Big Hits vol 2 (2CDs), the Hot Rocks and more Hot Rocks(4 CDs), and the Singles Collection (3CDs). As has been pointed out before, there are some big songs only available on the collections CDs that weren't released on their regular releases, but certainly most of these hits collections are duplications. The Hot Rocks series may be the way to go if someone isn't going to be getting most of the other releases. It doesn't have all the songs as the Singles Collection, but the biggies are there, just not the B sides, and it seems less jumbled up. Big Hits 1&2 are half the number of CDs and $, and has all the hits missing from the regular releases except Child of the Moon, which actually was a B side although one I like alot.

The quality of what I've heard so far is excellent, both on CD and SACD. They may not be the best mixes for headphones, however. When I first put on Love in Vain I thought my right channel had gone dead...there was nothing there for the first 16 seconds until the vocal started.