We’ve been discussing the various Beatles mixes in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=46937 so I thought maybe a listing of them (both the true mono/stereo and the fake ones), and the current best places to find them on (legitimate) CD might be appreciated. I figure the easiest way for me to do this is to go album-by-album. Let’s get started:

PLEASE PLEASE ME – 1962-1963

I Saw Her Standing There” The uk mono mix can be found on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix is not currently available on CD. The Vee-Jay LP Introducing The Beatles uses the uk stereo master, but trims off most of the count-in (only the “FOUR!” remains). The edit is the same in both mono & stereo leading to speculation that the mono LP is merely a fold-down of the stereo (apparently there’s no concensus either way on that). Neither of the Vee-Jay edits are available on CD. The mono & stereo versions on the Meet The Beatles CD (found the the Capitol Albums – Volume 1 box set) were created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes. The stereo version found on the LP Rock And Roll Music was also created from the uk stereo master and is not available on CD.

“Misery” The uk mono mix is on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix is not currently available. There is speculation that the Vee-Jay LP Introducing The Beatles contains an alternate mono mix, but it may simply be a fold-down of the uk stereo master. Either way, it’s not available on CD. The stereo version on Capitol’s Rarities LP was created from the uk stereo by raising the volume of the instrumental channel and layering the vocals with reverb. It’s not available on CD.

“Anna (Go To Him)” The uk mono mix is on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix is not currently available. The mono & stereo versions on The Early Beatles CD (found in the Capitol Albums – Volume 2 box set) were both created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes.

“Chains” The uk mono is on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix is not currently available. The mono & stereo versions found on The Early Beatles CD were both created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes.

“Boys” The uk mono is on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix is not currently available. The mono & stereo versions found on The Early Beatles CD were both created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes. Likewise the stereo version on the Rock And Roll Music LP was also created from the stereo master and is unavailable on CD.

“Ask Me Why” There are two mono mixes of this track. The version on the 45 is “drier” (ie: it has less reverb) than the LP mix. The LP mix is available on the Please Please Me CD. The 45 mix is not available on CD (the uk singles box set uses the LP mix). The uk stereo mix is unavailable. The mono & stereo versions on The Early Beatles CD were created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes.

“Please Please Me” Like “Ask Me Why”, there are two mono mixes of this track. The 45 mix (which is unavailable on CD) is “drier” than the LP mix (which can be found on the Please Please Me CD). There is no stereo mix of this version of the song (see below)

“Please Please Me” A different take was used for the stereo mix of this song. The difference is readily apparent in verse 3 when John & Paul sing different lyrics (one sings “Why do I ever even try” and the other one sings “I know you never even try”, this is followed by John audibly laughing into the “come on, come on” that immediately follows). The standard stereo mix is currently unavailable on CD, however the mono & stereo versions on The Early Beatles CD were created from the uk stereo master. They aren’t alternate mixes, but they will give you an idea of what the uk stereo mix sounds like. There are no true mono mixes of this version of the song.

“Love Me Do” Like “Please Please Me” above, there are two different recordings of this track. The first one (featuring Ringo on drums) appeared only on the original uk pressings of the groups first single. That mono mix can be found on the Past Masters Volume 1 CD. The second version (featuring Andy White on drums and Ringo on tambourine) was released on the Please Please Me LP (the mono mix can be found on that CD, and every subsequent CD appearance of the song). Due to the fact that the session tapes were destroyed, no true stereo mix was ever (or will ever be) made. The version that appears on stereo LP is a duophonic (or mock stereo) mix created by raising the bass in one channel and the treble in the other. That mix (and a mono fold-down of it) can be found on The Early Beatles CD.

“P.S. I Love You” Recorded at the same time as “Love Me Do”, this track also has no true stereo mix. The mono mix can be found on the Please Please Me CD, while the duophonic mix (and its mono fold-down) can be found on The Early Beatles CD.

“Baby It’s You”, “Do You Want To Know A Secret” and “A Taste Of Honey” The uk mono mix of all three of these tracks can be found on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix of each is currently unavailable. The mono & stereo versions of each that appear on The Early Beatles CD were all created using the uk stereo masters and are not alternate mixes.

“There’s A Place” The uk mono mix is on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix is currently unavailable. A stereo version was created for the Capitol LP Rarities by raising the volume on the instrumental channel of the uk stereo mix. This version is also unavailable on CD.

“Twist And Shout” The uk mono mix is on the Please Please Me CD. The uk stereo mix is currently unavailable. The mono & stereo versions found on The Early Beatles CD were created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes. Two other stereo versions (both unavailable on CD) were created from the uk stereo master for the Rock And Roll Music LP (this version has both channels moved towards the center) and the 1986 us single re-release (this version has the volume on the instrumental channel raised). Neither one is an alternate mix.

Thanks for doing this, Frank. As always, your efforts are greatly appreciated!

I, for one, am extremely pleased that Frank doesn't have a life.

Keep 'em comin', Frank!

WITH THE BEATLES - 1963

Okay, I’m gonna save myself a little bit of typing this time by stating the obvious right up front: All of the uk mono mixes of the following songs can be found on the CD With The Beatles. The only uk stereo mix that is currently available is for “All My Loving", which can be found on the 1962-1966 CD. The rest are as follows:

“It Won’t Be Long”, “All I’ve Got To Do”, “Don’t Bother Me”, “Little Child”, “Till There Was You” & “Hold Me Tight” The mono & stereo versions found on the Meet The Beatles CD were created from the uk stereo masters and are not alternate mixes.

“All My Loving” An untrimmed version of the uk stereo mix (and a mono fold-down of that unedited mix) was released in Germany on the Odeon LP With The Beatles. It is distinguished by five taps on Ringo’s hi-hat cymbal prior to the songs beginning. It is currently unavailable. The mono & stereo versions found on the Meet The Beatles CD were created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes.

“Please Mr. Postman”, “You Really Got A Hold On Me”, “(There’s A) Devil In Her Heart” & “Money (That’s What I Want)” The mono & stereo versions found on The Beatles’ Second Album CD (found in the Capitol Albums – Volume 1 box set) were created from the uk stereo masters and are not alternate mixes.

“Roll Over Beethoven” The mono & stereo versions found on The Beatles’ Second Album CD, and the stereo version found on the Rock And Roll Music LP (which is currently unavailable) were all created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes.

“I Wanna Be Your Man” The mono & stereo versions found on the Meet The Beatles CD and the stereo version found on the Rock And Roll Music LP (and not currently available) were created from the uk stereo master and are not alternate mixes.

For years, I'd heard that the mono Sgt. Pepper was the definite article, but I scoffed. I'm a stereo man and mono is Aquaman to me.

However, Fraxon has trumpeted the mono Pepper for so long that I finally decided to give in. I acquired a copy of the mono Pepper on CD and gave it a listen.

Wow.

I usually associate mono with flat, one-dimensional sound. Sgt. Pepper in mono was alive and vibrant. In some ways, it was like listening to it for the first time. "She's Leaving Home" is slightly sped up, enough that you know it, but not so much that it detracts from the experience.

What can I say? For the first time, I dig a mono.

1963 SINGLES

“From Me To You” The uk mono can be found on the CD Past Masters 1 (it’s also the mix used for every CD appearance to date). The uk stereo mix was released on the LP A Collection Of Beatles Oldies, but is currently unavailable on CD.

“Thank You Girl” The uk mono can be found on the Past Masters 1 CD. While it was never released in stereo in the uk, there IS a stereo mix of the song (and a mono fold-down of it) on The Beatles’ Second Album CD.

“She Loves You” The uk mono can be found on the Past Masters 1 CD (and all subsequent CD appearances). The session tapes were lost/stolen/destroyed and no true stereo mix was ever made, however two duophonic mixes were made. One appears on The Beatles’ Second Album CD (along with the requisite mono fold-down), the other appeared on the LP A Collection Of Beatles Oldies and is unavailable on CD.

“I’ll Get You” The flip-side of “She Loves” was recorded at the same session, which means that no true stereo mix exists of this song either. The uk mono can be found on the Past Masters 1 CD, while the duophonic mix (and the mono fold-down) can be found on the CD The Beatles’ Second Album. No duophonic mix was ever released in the uk.

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” The standard uk mono mix (and a duophonic mix made from it) can be found on the Meet The Beatles CD. The standard uk stereo mix can be found on the Past Masters 1 CD. To date there have been two other stereo mixes, both of which are unavailable on CD. The first is believed to have been made at or around the same time as the original mono mix (due to the very wide separation of instruments & vocals) was released in 1976 on an Australian single! Oddly, the lead guitar in this mix is centered, which sounds downright bizarre since it only plays the fills! The other stereo mix was released in Germany on the LP The Beatles Beat. This mix features noticeably louder lead guitar and hand-claps than the standard uk stereo mix. Finally, we have a stereo mix created for the Love show and CD which combines the re-mixed studio track with what sounds like the live 1964 Hollywood Bowl performance.

"This Boy" The uk mono mix can be found (along with a duophonic mix created from it) on the Meet The Beatles CD. A different duophonic mix was creted from the uk mono for the LP Love Songs. That mix is currently unavailable on CD. The uk stereo mix was created quite by accident in 1966 when, in preparation for the upcoming A Collection Of Beatles Oldies LP, it was mistakenly pulled out and mixed by an engineer who had confused its title with the song “Bad Boy”. The stereo mix was not released in the uk until 1981, when it was featured on the ep Rarities. The us market had to wait until 1988 when it was included on the Past Masters 1 CD.

A HARD DAY’S NIGHT – 1964

The uk mono mixes are all available on the CD A Hard Day’s Night. All but four of the uk stereo mixes are also available: “If I Fell”, “I’m Happy Just To Dance With You”, “And I Love Her”, “Tell Me Why”, “Any Time At All”, “I’ll Cry Instead”, “Things We Said Today” & “When I Get Home” can all be found on the Something New CD (which is in the Capitol Albums – Volume 1 box set). “I’ll Be Back” can be found on the Beatles ‘65 CD (also in the Capitol Albums – Volume 1 box set). The rest are as follows:

“A Hard Day’s Night” The uk stereo mix is unavailable. A mono version created from the uk mono mix was released on the United Artist stereo (!) LP A Hard Day’s Night. It is currently unavailable on CD. An alternate mono mix (used in the film) with an extended fade-out (the guitar riff plays 5 times instead of 3) was released on the cassette (in 1968) and 8-track (in 1970) tapes of the UA A Hard Day’s Night LP. It is not available on CD. Finally, an alternate stereo mix was made (with the vocals more centered) for the 1962-1966 CD (it’s also on the CD 1).

“I Should Have Known Better” The uk stereo mix is unavailable. An alternate stereo mix (correcting a mistake in the uk stereo mix where the harmonica drops out suddenly during the opening of the song) was released on the Reel Music LP. It is not available on CD.

“If I Fell” A mono version created from the uk mono mix was released on the UA stereo LP A Hard Day’s Night. It is not available on CD.

“And I Love Her” An alternate mono mix was used on both the stereo and mono UA A Hard Day’s Night LPs. It features a mostly single-tracked lead vocal where the standard uk mono vocal is almost entirely double-tracked. It is not currently available on CD. A stereo version (extending the guitar part at the end) created by editing the uk stereo mix was released on the German Something New LP and later on the Capitol Rarities LP. It is not available on CD. Finally a new stereo mix was made for the 1962-1966 CD.

“Tell Me Why” A mono version (created from the uk mono mix) was released on the stereo UA A Hard Day’s Night LP. It is unavailable on CD.

“Can’t Buy Me Love” The uk stereo mix is currently unavailable on CD. A mono version (created from the uk mono mix) was released on the stereo UA A Hard Day’s Night LP. It’s unavailable on CD. An alternate stereo mix was released on the 1962-1966 CD (it’s also on the CD 1).

“Any Time At All” An alternate mono mix appears on the CD Something New.

“I’ll Cry Instead” There is an alternate mono mix (containing a repeat of the first verse’s vocals, but over a different instrumental) available on the Something New CD. A stereo version similar to this was created from the uk stereo mix, but it simply edits in a repeat of verse 1 – vocals & instruments. It’s not available on CD.

“When I Get Home” There is an alternate mono mix (the piano is louder, the percussion is softer) available on the Something New CD.

“You Can’t Do That” The uk stereo mix is currently unavailable on CD. There is an alternate mono mix (and a duophonic mix created from it) on the CD The Beatles’ Second Album. An alternate stereo mix was created for the 1994 video release of A Hard Day’s Night, but it is not available on CD.

“I’ll Be Back” An alternate mono mix is available on the Beatles ‘65 CD.

BEATLES FOR SALE – 1964

This one is surprisingly easy! The uk mono mixes are all available on the Beatles For Sale CD. All of the uk stereo mixes are also available, spread out over two discs: “No Reply”, “I’m A Loser”, “Baby’s In Black”, “Rock And Roll Music”, “I’ll Follow The Sun”, “Mr. Moonlight”, “Honey Don’t” and “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby” can be found on the Beatles ‘65 CD, while “Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey”, “Eight Days A Week”, “Words Of Love”, “Every Little Thing”, “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party” and “What You’re Doing” are all on the Beatles VI CD (which is in the Capitol Albums – Volume 2 box set). The stereo mix of “Eight Days A Week” is also available on the 1962-1966 and 1 CDs. There are NO alternate mixes of any kind for these tracks!

1964 SINGLES & EP TRACKS

“Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand” Only one mono mix and one stereo mix were made for this track. Both are available on the Something New CD. The mono is also available on the Past Masters 1 disc.

“Sie Liebt Dich” Only one mono & one stereo mix exist for this track as well. The mono can be found on the Past Masters 1 CD. The stereo mix was released on both the uk & us Rarities LPs, and is currently unavailable on CD.

“Long Tall Sally” & "I Call Your Name” The uk mono mixes can be found on the Long Tall Sally disc in the Compact Disc EP Collection box set. The uk stereo mixes are available on the Past Masters 1 CD. Alternate mono & stereo mixes can be found on the CD The Beatles’ Second Album.

“Slow Down” & “Matchbox” Only one mono & one stereo mix were made for each of these tracks. Both mono & stereo mixes can be found on the Something New CD. The mono mixes can also be found on the Long Tall Sally CD, while the stereo mixes can also be found on the Past Masters 1 CD.

“I Feel Fine” The uk mono mix is available in the CD Singles Collection box set. A duophonic mix made from the uk mono was released in Germany on the Beatles Greatest LP. It is unavailable on CD. The uk stereo mix is available on the Past Masters 1, 1962-1966 & 1 CDs. An “untrimmed” version of the uk stereo mix was released in the uk on the 1962-1966 LP. This has been called the “whispering version” of the song due to what sounds like someone whispering at the very beginning of the song. It’s not whispering, it’s just some very faint studio noise. Anyway, that particular mix is not available on CD. An alternate mono mix (which is positively drenched in echo) and a duophonic mix created from it are both available on the Beatles ‘65 CD.

“She’s A Woman” The uk mono is available in the CD Singles Collection box set. The uk stereo can be found on the Past Masters 1 CD. An untrimmed version of the uk stereo mix (containing the count-in) was released in 1981 on the Rarities ep. It can be found on that disc in the Compact Disc EP Collection box set. An alternate mono mix (and a duophonic mix created from it) can be found on the Beatles ‘65 CD. Like “I Feel Fine”, it is swimming in a river of reverb.

General question for the assembled multitudes: Do y'all think that the CD Singles and CD EPs boxes (mentioned by Frank) will go OOP when the new remasters are released? I've got the EP box, but I'd be inclined to grab the singles box too if it's gonna disappear forever.

I thought they'd been OOP for something like a decade now.

I thought the US albums had the "Dexterized" mixes.

You can still get 'em through AmazWAN.com, but they ain't cheap. Also, the singles box isn't nearly as nice as the EP box.

Some do, some don't. As soon as Capitol caught up to where The Beatles were, release-wise, the Dexter-ized versions became less and less prevelant. Wherever I know of any differences, I've listed 'em.

BTW, I don't believe Dexter added the echo to "I Feel Fine" and "She's A Woman". I think George Martin did.

The first time I heard "I Feel Fine" was on the 1962-1966 double album, which has the echo. When I got Past Masters Volume I years later, I heard the dry version for the first time. To this day, that version sounds "wrong" to me. Not bad, but it's not the version I grew up on.

Twitchy and I were discussing those over in the "Grey Area" not too long ago. I prefer the (very) "wet" versions of 'em, whie UT prefers the dry versions.

Hearing "Help!" without the James Bond-style intro music from the movie also took some getting used to years later when I bought the Beatle albums on CD.

I love all that stuff, too! Hell, I even like the instrumental numbers on the u.s. A Hard Day's Night & Help! LPs!

I was thrilled when George Martin's arrangement of "This Boy" finally showed up on one of those "Instrumental Hits of the 60s" CDs. It's on Martin's box set, too, IIRC.

Same here!

This is a great thread. And of course, there are all those peculiar differences between the mono and stereo mixes of "Revolver."

However, I'm curious if our erstwhile curator has also done a comparison of the quasi-bootleg Japanese Beatles releases from around '90/'91. There was the 9-CD release under the "Perfect Collection" rubric on the mysterious TF label, and a 3-disc "Best Selection 62-68" box on the equally dubious Craig label. These discs featured stereo mixes of most of the song titles that were only available in mono on the EMI releases, long before the "Capitol Albums" boxes came out. Any comparison on the mix sources? I'm assuming they did not come from the original tapes, but vinyl dubs. But with Japan's curious copyright laws then (I recall there was only a 20-year limit), these companies may have had access to 2nd generation tapes.

Well done, Fraxon! Man, reminds me of that dorky Wacky Packages card - poor foolball, you'll never collect them all.

For the record, I like the GM instrumental stuff as well. I guess those will be released when the Let It Be DVD comes out