"Waves of Love" - CD and Downloadable Versions Completely Different

[HeyJude]

So I remembered listening to the Amazon sample of "Waves of Love" and thinking it sounded pretty nice overall.

So yesterday I got the physical CD copy of Al's album from Amazon, and played "Waves of Love." It sounded strangely not nearly as enjoyable. I figured at first it was just the difference between listening to a tinny-sounding 30-second sample and the actual CD. But something didn't seem right.

I went back to the 30-second sample and became convinced I was hearing a totally different version. Also, while the CD version clocks in at something like 3:26 (I don't have it in front of me at the moment), the downloadable version was listed at something like 3:56 or so (again, don't have the exact number in front of me).

I had a $1.00 Amazon MP3 credit, so I chanced it and downloaded the song. The verdict: Yep, we have two utterly completely different versions of the song. They are probably both based on the same recording, but are very different.

The CD version sounds very much like a live soundcheck performance, much more tentative. Carl's voice is much less noticeable in this version; it's buried under other voices. The "download" version sounds much more produced and polished, much more full. Al's lead vocal is completely different on each version, and is much stronger and forceful on the download version. Also, it sounds like they've stripped the echoey muck away from Carl's voice so you can actually hear his voice on its own on the download version. I'd go so far to say that Carl is more on "backing vocals" on the CD version, while he is essentially presented as doing a "lead vocal" turn on the download version. In any event, I have no idea why these two versions are totally different, but it may explain why I've been reading some descriptions of the song that don't quite match what I had been hearing. I don't know how many here have been listening to the CD versus the download (iTunes sounds to have the same "download" version as Amazon based on the sound sample). In any event, I'd say this track sounds noticeably better on the "Download" version.

[OGoldin]

Spotify has the download version and it sounds terrific to me.

In general the mix on Spotify seems superior to what I bought on itunes last year.

[HeyJude]

Spotify has the download version and it sounds terrific to me.

In general the mix on Spotify seems superior to what I bought on itunes last year.

This all does make me wonder if there are any *other* differences on the album between the CD and download versions. I've already bought this album at least three times (2010 download version and Amazon CD-R version, and of course the new 2012 CD), so I'm loathe to just buy the download version. Hopefully myself or somebody can compare track timings between the new CD and new download version to see if there are any other discrepancies. That wouldn't tell us for sure if any other mixes are different, but would perhaps give us a hint.

[The Shift]

Hmm… if the physical version ever arrives I'll cross-compare!

[SloopJohnB]

It would also be very interesting to know if there are differences between the Amazon CD-R & downloads released a while ago, and the new CD & downloads!

I downloaded the album when it first came out, so I need to know if I own the definitive mixes of these first 12 songs or not...

[GoofyJeff]

I have to say I prefer the Digital Download version... Carl's vocal is much more prominent.

Makes me wonder which version we'll get if the song appears on the reunion album, or if it'll be yet a third mix?

[Mikie]

So yesterday I got the physical CD copy of Al's album from Amazon, and played "Waves of Love." It sounded strangely not nearly as enjoyable. I figured at first it was just the difference between listening to a tinny-sounding 30-second sample and the actual CD. But something didn't seem right.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that neither version is 'nearly as enjoyable'.  But it can be if you want it to be!

[HeyJude]

So yesterday I got the physical CD copy of Al's album from Amazon, and played "Waves of Love." It sounded strangely not nearly as enjoyable. I figured at first it was just the difference between listening to a tinny-sounding 30-second sample and the actual CD. But something didn't seem right.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that neither version is 'nearly as enjoyable'.  But it can be if you want it to be!

Yeah, I’m certainly not trying to overhype the song. It’s not bad. If I gave the “Download” version even a 5 out of 10 though, the “CD” version would get about a 2. Like I mentioned before, the CD version sounds like a kind of limp soundcheck performance (and, apparently, it was literally recorded at a soundcheck or rehearsal). It has some overdubs, but everything sounds more loose and demo-ish.

In any event, the track is still above par compared to a good chunk of what the BB’s solo or collectively have done in a couple decades.

I’m interested in simply why two vastly different versions of the song have been released. Particularly, I’m curious as whether this was intentional or not. I would lean towards no, but it’s hard to say.

[GuyOnTheBeach]

One difference between this new one and the previous one is on "Drivin" where Al said "B.P, you're killin' me, man" he now says "Texaco, you're killin' me, man"

[Paulos]

One difference between this new one and the previous one is on "Drivin" where Al said "B.P, you're killin' me, man" he now says "Texaco, you're killin' me, man"

The 'Texaco you're killin' me man' was the original lyric as released on the 'An ESQ Offering From The Boys Of Summer' CD from 2010.

[Fall Breaks]

One difference between this new one and the previous one is on "Drivin" where Al said "B.P, you're killin' me, man" he now says "Texaco, you're killin' me, man"

Considering the BP oil rig catastrophy I'd say that the BP line fits much better ...

[GoofyJeff]

Has anyone else noticed a (perceived?) different mix on "Don't Fight The Sea"? I listened to the CD version last night and it sounded different. Haven't had the chance to A/B the two yet...

[The Shift]

One difference between this new one and the previous one is on "Drivin" where Al said "B.P, you're killin' me, man" he now says "Texaco, you're killin' me, man"

Considering the BP oil rig catastrophy I'd say that the BP line fits much better ...

... which is why the line was changed to "BP" from "Texaco" in the first place.

[Andrew G. Doe]

My impression is that the download is the original 1994 demo, and the physical CD version - which btw is also nearly 20 seconds longer - is the revised, 'official' release, with new overdubs and a new ACJ lead.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

My impression is that the download is the original 1994 demo, and the physical CD version - which btw is also nearly 20 seconds longer - is the revised, 'official' release, with new overdubs and a new ACJ lead.

Good info AGD - do you detect any other differences in the CD tracks vs. the downloads? R the BB really re-cutting this for the new album?  Hardly see the purpose of three versions.

[Awesoman]

This should be obvious, but iTunes also has the "download" version of this song. 

[SurfRiderHawaii]

This should be obvious, but iTunes also has the "download" version of this song. 

Huh?

[Aegir]

Is there anywhere online to hear the CD version?

[HeyJude]

My impression is that the download is the original 1994 demo, and the physical CD version - which btw is also nearly 20 seconds longer - is the revised, 'official' release, with new overdubs and a new ACJ lead.

 

The CD version sounds like the demo to me, while the download version sounds like the finished version.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

My impression is that the download is the original 1994 demo, and the physical CD version - which btw is also nearly 20 seconds longer - is the revised, 'official' release, with new overdubs and a new ACJ lead.

 

The CD version sounds like the demo to me, while the download version sounds like the finished version.

I'm so confused 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Duh. My bad, I got them the wrong way round. 

[Jim V.]

So which is which? I know everybody is saying they prefer the download version, but I gotta say I prefer the physical release version. It has a more subtle feeling, not trying as hard to sound like the '60s Beach Boys. And Al's vocal on the actual CD is nicely restrained whereas on the download he kinda sounds unrestrained and out of his range. And I kinda feel like I hear a "wall of Al's" on the CD version, which would lead me to believe it was a studio recording and not a soundcheck. It's nice to hear Carl so clearly on the download version, but it kinda just sounds like a background part pushed way up front. Whereas, where he in the harmony stack on the CD makes sense. Just my take...

[Wirestone]

I've purchased the iTunes version, the Amazon version and the actual CD.

All of the "Waves of Love" versions are all 3 minutes and 51 seconds long. Playing them in sequence, I'm hard-pressed to tell any difference between them.

I seriously doubt -- unless an incorrect mix was released via one of Amazon's overseas channels -- there is more than a single released version of this song.

[Emdeeh]

My Amazon download of WOL and the version on the physical CD I have are radically different.

[SonoraDick]

My Amazon download of WOL and the version on the physical CD I have are radically different.

Same with mine. Got my CD from Amazon on day of release. WOL is 3:35 rather than the Amazon download of 3:51. Maybe some of us got an early pressing that wasn't intended for release &
WOL was changed on later copies??? (Can't believe too many copies were available in any form.)