I have a copy of "Friends/20/20" which was bought when it was released in 1990 as well as the 2001 release. Now aside from the version of "Ol' Man River" being different on the two releases, I have also noticed (particularly on the "Friends" album) that there fade outs are slightly faster too. "Be Here In The Morning" and "Anna Lee, The Healer" have shorter fade outs when compared to the 2001 release. What I am wondering is, which is a true representation of how the album (Friends) sounded when it was released in 1968 with regard to the fade outs? Did it have the faster fade outs as heard on the 1990 release of the album or rather that of the 2001 release? Why would those involved change something like that in the first place?
Not having a vinyl copy to hand I can't guide you, but the version of friends I have on my PC always sounded akin to that copy... I think my Friends mp3 is 1990, sinc eit down't appear top be heavily compressed...