2012 remasters - Boogie Woodie, Don't Back Down and Please Let Me Wonder

[Cristian Kiper]

I've been listening to the 2012 remasters on Spotify, trying to make up my mind on whether they are worth buying or not, and I noticed some "issues" with the mono mixes for these 3 songs, and I was wondering if it was just a Spotify thing, or if the CDs are also like this, and if so, if the original mono vinyl releases are also like this (I've never heard the original mono releases for these albums, all I have are the two-fers).

- Boogie Woodie: the mono mix seems to be missing an organ which is present in the stereo mix, you can hear this right at the beginning of the song.

- Don't Back Down: something strange happens to the sound of the song as soon as the second chorus starts, like some filter was turned on or something. This doesn't happen in the mono mix that appeared in the US singles box set.

- Please Let Me Wonder: I understand this is a new mono mix, and it sounds quite different to what I'm used to (specially the intro), but is it also slower than the two-fer version? What does this mean? Was the original mix sped up like Caroline, No, and this is the original speed, or is this version simply slower for unknown reasons? What was the speed of the song in the original 1965 vinyl release?

This is what I've noticed so far, have you noticed any other "issues" with other songs?

[DonnyL]

Not sure about your other questions, but that problem with 'Don't Back Down' is present on the original mono LP as well.

[Cristian Kiper]

Strange, I wonder how that got past Brian and Chuck back in the day. I guess they corrected it for the EP.

[Mikie]

There's a LOT of stuff that got by Brian and Chuck back in the day. Some of these anamolies, or "mistakes" could be exposed on the stereo mixes. I think for the most part, Mark cleaned it up (such as the cough in the middle of Wendy). Sometimes you can even hear edits and punch-ins.

On the original Boogie Woodie (mono), one of the songs you question:

At 0:32, 1:02, 1:22, 1:32, 1:45, 1:50, there's talking. At 1:25 there's a high pitched buzz.

On the original mono of Please Let Me Wonder:

0:15-0:16, 1:04-1:05, 1:08-1:11, 1:22, there's static.

[Bean Bag]

I've been listening to the 2012 remasters on Spotify, trying to make up my mind on whether they are worth buying or not, and I noticed some "issues"

Having all these albums in both mono and stereo   -- and in fantastic sound, with original artwork for 9.99 a pop -- was simply a matter of how fast I could get to Best Buy.

I even bought Pet Sounds again.

But even if you don't like/care about the 'remastering' or packaging (understandable) -- the mono and/or stereo versions that are making their first appearance on CD should be enough for hardcore-types.  Unless... you're smart about your music and Beach Boy purchases.  Which I am not.  I have a sickness for buying music.  And a raging fever for Beach Boys.  

[Cristian Kiper]

Well... the problem I have with these things is that they keep getting re-released over and over again. Isn't the American 2012 remaster of Smiley Smile different from the Japanese one? And that was just a couple of months between releases, right? If they are going to keep changing/fixing these albums until they get them perfect, I don't know, maybe I should wait until the next best thing comes along.

Also, the new Please Let Me Wonder bothers me. I don't understand why Brian's original mix couldn't be kept. If this becomes the new standard mix of the song, that means Brian's mix will get lost, unless you already have it. Just like with Brian's first solo album and the original mix of Melt Away. Can that mix be found anywhere nowadays, or only if you find a used album on eBay or something like that? I guess I'd like these releases to be historically accurate whenever possible (so even if this mix of Don't Back Down has sound issues, I'm glad they kept it that way if that's how it originally sounded on the 1964 LP).

I love it when they release new stereo mixes, it doesn't bother me if those are radically different from the original mixes, just as long as they also make available the original stuff.

[Lowbacca]

New PLMW mono mix slower (than 2fer mix)? You sure? 

[Cristian Kiper]

I'm at work now, but I'll try to compare them with Audacity when I get home (I'll have to record the Spotify version, since I don't have the new CD).

Still, I'm pretty sure.

[Bean Bag]

Well... the problem I have with these things is that they keep getting re-released over and over again.

I know.  It's crazy.  I have all the 1990 twofers... and the 2000 twofers.  And now these.  Thankfully, they get better sounding.  I think these sound the best... some say they're a little bright, etc.  I can see that... but they sound better than the previous ones.

I also think these are more complete and intelligently compiled.  Twofers bother me.  I like one album per disc, with no bonus tracks.  Save the bonus tracks for a box set.  And having mono and stereo is fantastic.

I love it when they release new stereo mixes, it doesn't bother me if those are radically different from the original mixes, just as long as they also make available the original stuff.

Agreed.

[Waspinators]

If you find 'em at a decent price, go for it. Personally I'm satisfied with my 2000 two-fers, and I just hit up my Beach Boys 2012 Spotify playlist when I feel like hearing the new remasters.

[Cristian Kiper]

I've just compared the new mix of Please Let Me Wonder with the two-fer mix, and the new one is much slower. To give you an idea, with both mixes starting at the same time, in the old mix Carl says "I love you" 4 seconds before he says it in the new one.

[halblaineisgood]

.

[metal flake paint]

Flipping the bird, more like.

[halblaineisgood]

.

[drbeachboy]

New PLMW mono mix slower (than 2fer mix)? You sure? 

It is not slower. I just played every mono version that I possess and they all end at 2:46. I checked the mono versions from the DCC Spirit of America, Greatest Hits Vol. 2, 2001 Today/SD 2-fer, U.S. Singles Collection and the 2012 Today mono/stereo. All the same.

[drbeachboy]

I hear the organ at the beginning of Boogie Woodie, as well. It is lower in the mix on the mono version, but it is there. Cristian, I think you need to buy the CDs.

[Mikie]

I think his issue with "Don't Back Down" is on all of the previous mono versions too. No different.

[Cristian Kiper]

New PLMW mono mix slower (than 2fer mix)? You sure? 

It is not slower. I just played every mono version that I possess and they all end at 2:46. I checked the mono versions from the DCC Spirit of America, Greatest Hits Vol. 2, 2001 Today/SD 2-fer, U.S. Singles Collection and the 2012 Today mono/stereo. All the same.

It IS slower. Load the two-fer version and the 2012 version on something that let's you play multiple tracks at the same time (like Audacity) and hit the Play button. They start going out of sync right away. If they last the same, the only thing I can think of is that the faster version has a longer fade out.

[Cristian Kiper]

I think his issue with "Don't Back Down" is on all of the previous mono versions too. No different.

Like I mentioned, I didn't hear the problem in the US singles box set.

[drbeachboy]

I hear no drop outs, change in sound, nothing on the two mono mixes of Don't Back Down. To my ears both sound exactly the same.

[SMiLE Brian]

They sound the same to me, then again ears are a dodgy thing.

[Cristian Kiper]

BTW, this is what Amazon shows for the 2012 remaster:

 7. Please Let Me Wonder (Mono)    2:51

http://www.amazon.com/Today-Mono-Stereo-Remasters-Beach/dp/B008LA7RMK

[drbeachboy]

New PLMW mono mix slower (than 2fer mix)? You sure?  

It is not slower. I just played every mono version that I possess and they all end at 2:46. I checked the mono versions from the DCC Spirit of America, Greatest Hits Vol. 2, 2001 Today/SD 2-fer, U.S. Singles Collection and the 2012 Today mono/stereo. All the same.

It IS slower. Load the two-fer version and the 2012 version on something that let's you play multiple tracks at the same time (like Audacity) and hit the Play button. They start going out of sync right away. If they last the same, the only thing I can think of is that the faster version has a longer fade out.

Can't do that here at work. I played 5 different recordings. If all five end at 2:46 then they cannot be off. Spotify must have ripped it incorrectly or something. I would not use that file as a measurement.

[Mikie]

They sound the same to me, then again ears are a dodgy thing.

"Dodgy". Isn't that a Chrysler product?

[drbeachboy]

BTW, this is what Amazon shows for the 2012 remaster:

 7. Please Let Me Wonder (Mono)    2:51

http://www.amazon.com/Today-Mono-Stereo-Remasters-Beach/dp/B008LA7RMK

Doesn't matter. Mine says 2:52, but the music ends at 2:46.

EDIT: Just a thought, maybe the U.S. release is different. My 2012 Today Mono/Stereo is the Japanese release.