The Who "A quick one" (1966) mono vs. stereo differences.

Wow, lukpak - great investigation! What you say makes total sense. Listening to the clip I hear exactly what you mean, but I can't place the song.

 

Found this thread because I listened to the 2002 secret/remix remaster CD today and I'm thinking of getting the stereo HDTracks version...all this info is enough to make your head spin...you'd think with a band as popular as the Who *someone* would get a definitive stereo release of this album right but I guess not...

 

Yes, this is the Who album/era that is the most confusing when collecting the various song versions.

 

Video Unavailable. Maybe just in the US?

 

Just had a proper listen through headphones;

"George and Ringo are coming down later with their wives y'know"
"Excuse me sir will you move your car, Traffic Warden's outside"
I can't understand the line following that, but it seem to be the same character.
And of course in the background "Get the ale in! Get the ale in!"

 

My wife got me the 180 gram vinyl remaster from 2015. I've had it for months and finally played side one a couple days ago. I was floored. Absolutely love it. I had no idea there was extra lead guitar on the mono mix of "Run, Run, Run." This edition buries every CD version of the record that I've heard. I've always thought that this was among the weakest of The Who's albums, but I think I now understand why some swear by it, with some even thinking that it's their best. I think I also now finally understand why it made the cut for Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Album of All-Time poll. What a fun album. Can't wait to get home and spin the second side!

 

There should be a giant box, or maybe better a series of boxes, with every released Who recording in all known versions.

 

Did a "Happy Jack" lp shootout real carefully and I'm keeping the stereo for only one part. I a/b'd all the stereo vs mono tracks (excl the 4 fake stereo) and in every case I prefer the mono no matter what except i like the bass soundstage on the first section of "A Quick one while Hes Away", on the stereo. I dont know if I prefer it exactly, but it is worth keeping for. Also I wanted to say as far as fake stereo goes, I've heard **WAY** worse....although fake stereos never good of course

 

If they did, it would take up an entire wall of everyone's music room.

I'm beginning to think Pete was a sadist whose intent was to drive us all crazy trying to track down the fifteen different mixes and edits of every song the 'Oo ever recorded!
.

 

I looked through the thread and couldn't find the answer so forgive me if it's already been covered. Does this deluxe 2CD version contain the original mono and stereo mixes? Also, are the bonus tracks remixes? Thank you.

 

Original mono and stereo mixes of the LP. Bonus tracks are original mixes when original mixes are available. On the stereo disc 13, 14, 18, and 19 are modern mixes.

 

Before you shell out $300 or whatever it goes for nowadays, just be aware that the stereo SSAU there is a needledrop. I passed on buying it for that reason, though I kinda wish I had it still for the other stuff and the fact that it's my favorite by the band. Unfortunately, AFAIK, there is only one good CD source for the stereo SSAU, and that's the old 80s MCA U.S. Happy Jack CD. The rest of that 80s disc sounds pretty weak though and a lot of it is fake stereo. SSAU is true stereo on that one.

 

Unfortunately every official stereo release is lacking in one way or another.

I'm hoping that can be rectified in the not too distant future, although I'm not holding my breath.

 

If the band ever gets around to releasing a properly done deluxe set for this album that uses correct sources, that would be something I would buy. I don't usually buy deluxe sets, but I would for this album.

 

I just acquired a copy of the ‘88 Polydor CD and compared So Sad About Us and A Quick One on it to the same cuts on the ‘88 MCA disc. Indeed, the Stereo versions on the MCA disc sound great (mostly), though does anyone else hear some nasty hiss on the left channel of A Quick One (at 3:33 to 5:12)? At first I thought it was a cymbal with rivets but I don’t believe that’s the case. The sound clears as the song transitions into the next section.

 

That's not hiss, that's the recording. It's also present in the mono mix on the Polydor CD.

 

Thanks, did not notice it on the Polydor. If it isn’t hiss, then what (or why)? Ivor’s Steam train? One can definitely hear the acoustic guitar strumming better on the stereo version (left channel).

 

‘Don’t Look Away’ and particularly ‘So Sad About Us’ are definitive in mono IMHO.

 

I don't know exactly what it is, but presumably something with a ton of EQ and compression.

Funny. I find the stereo mix of Don't Look Away to be one of the best sounding tracks on the whole album.

 

So Sad About Those who apparently find it too difficult to type out the name of a song so that everyone has to try to guess what they're talking about.

 

Just acquired a copy of this vinyl version

The Who - A Quick One

The stereo sound is pretty decent, though I’m guessing the channels are switched on at least the song AQO since the hiss I noted above is now in the right channel. (Audio cables confirmed correct!)

 

No, the channels are correct on that LP.

 

Ok, thanks for confirming this. Does that suggest the channels on the MCA CD are reversed?

 

Yes. Reversed on the Happy Jack LP as well.