Stereo Stones
This is a compilation of alternate versions of early Stones songs recorded in TRUE Stereo. The difference in sound quality is like hearing the music in color instead of black & white. Unfortunately, the sources of these great classic recordings are somewhat harder to find, particularly the German PolyGram sources where entire LP's are failthfully re-issued in the original wide stereo LP format.
Japanese CD's:
The earliest set of stereo tracks can be found on:
"The Rolling Stones No. 2"
Time Is On My Side
What A Shame (Charlie hammers the right channel!)
Down The Road Apiece
I Can't Be Satisfied
The balance of tracks are mono and not electronically reprocessed. "The Rolling Stones, Now!" is also available in Japan and in the US with What A Shame & Down The Road Apiece in stereo, but replace Time Is On My Side with a stereo Heart Of Stone and exclude I Can't Be Satisfied.
"December's Children"
Look What You've Done
Get Off My Cloud
... in True Stereo
"Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" POCD-1964 (Note new ABKCO logo)
Heart Of Stone
Also Note: On Japanese version POCD-1056 all tracks are Monaural.
The early dark blue label London LP "Afternath" is distinctively stereo. It is the first US LP jacket that does not state "Stereo Electronically Re-Processed" and for good reason, but the same cannot be said of the US CD release, which has mono and very narrow stereo tracks. Track-by-track analysis and comparison of the sound quality:
US "Aftermath" CD 476 Matrix: None (74762)
Paint It Black - Mono
Stupid Girl - Narrow Stereo: Guitar slightly right, drums/bass slightly left, vocal middle.
Lady Jane - Narrow Stereo: Lap Dobro/guitar arpeggio slightly right, vocal middle, harpsichord (at 1:42) slightly left.
Under My Thumb - Narrow Stereo: Guitar slightly right, drums/bass/marimba slightly left, vocal middle.
Doncha Bother Me - Stereo: Drum/rhythm guitar left, lead guitar right, vocal middle.
Think - Stereo: Distorted "fuzz" guitar right, acoustic guitar/drums left, vocal middle.
Flight 505 - Stereo: Piano/vocal middle, drums left, guitar right.
High And Dry - Stereo: Harp/guitar right, high hat left, vocal middle. An early attempt at Country Music.
It's Not Easy - Narrow Stereo: Guitar slightly right, drums slightly left, vocal middle.
I Am Waiting - Narrow Stereo: Guitar slightly right, tambourine/bass/cymbals slightly left, vocal middle.
Going Home - Narrow Stereo: Guitar slightly right, lead & back-up vocals slightly right, harp/bass slightly left.
"West" German PolyGram "Aftermath" Matrix: 820 050-2 01
This is the UK track list so, Mother's Little Helper replaces Paint It Black, and add Out Of Time, Take It Or Leave It, and What To Do. The running order is also altered in the second half of the recording.
The cover is the UK LP version which is a different cover shot and is colorized purple. This photo is by Guy Webster and not David Bailey. Keith wears the same shirt in both photos.
Mothers Little Helper - Stereo: Acoustic guitar/feedback/bass far left, electric guitar far right, vocal middle with reverb.
*Stupid Girl - Stereo: Guitar right, drums/bass/keyboard left, vocal middle.
*Lady Jane - Stereo: Lap Dobro/guitar arpeggio far right, vocal middle, bell & harpsichord (at 1:42) far left. Check out the bell sounds in the opening section of the song!
*Under My Thumb - Stereo: Electric & acoustic guitar right, drums/"fuzz" bass/marimba left, vocal middle. This is my favorite early Stones track.
Doncha Bother Me - Stereo: Drum/rhythm guitar left, lead guitar right, vocal middle.
*Goin' Home - Stereo: Electric guitar/drum/bass/harp left, lead vocal middle, lead guitar & backing vocal right.
Flight 505 - Stereo: Vocal middle, drums/bass far left, piano/guitar right.
High And Dry - Stereo: Harp/guitar right, high hat left, vocal middle.
Out Of Time (Long 5:35 version) - Finger snaps/acoustic guitar/organ far right, marimba/bass/drum far left, vocal middle.
* It's Not Easy - Stereo: Guitars far right, drums far left, vocal middle.
*I Am Waiting - Stereo: Acoustic guitar far right, tambourine/bass/cymbals left, vocal middle.
Take It Or Leave It - Stereo: Acoustic guitar/drums far left, Keith/Jagger back-ups far right, lead vocal middle.
Think - Stereo: Distorted "fuzz" guitar far right, acoustic guitar/drums far left, vocal middle.
What To Do - Stereo: Drums/bass/hand claps far left, acoustic & electric guitar far right, vocal middle.
*Note: Significant sound upgrade.
Note:
- The Japanese version of "Aftermath" order number POCD-1937 is the same Mono/Narrow Stereo version as found in the States.
- The True Stereo CD version of Paint It Black is found on the Japanese version of "Hot Rocks 1" order number P25L 250479. Sitar far right, drums/bass far left, vocal middle.
"Aftermath" is an instrumental extravaganza. By 1966 Brian Jones was tiring of the guitar and is heard mastering any instrument placed in front of him.
US "Between The Buttons" CD 499 Matrix: 74992
Let's Spend The Night Together - Mono
Yesterday's Papers - Opening Stereo: Bass right, drums left. The rest of the song is in Mono.
Ruby Tuesday - Stereo: Piano right, strings left/ tambourine, vocal middle.
Connection - Narrow Stereo: Piano slightly right.
She Smiled Sweetly - Stereo: Keyboard left, piano right (at 1:08), vocal/drums middle. Listen for Keith's harmonies!
Cool, Calm & Collected - Stereo: Piano right, "Japanese" guitar left, vocal/kazoo middle.
All Sold Out - Narrow Stereo: Drums slightly right, guitar slightly left.
My Obsession - Mono
Who's Been Sleeping Here - Narrow Stereo: Vocal middle, drums slightly left, piano slightly right.
Complicated - Narrow Stereo: Guitar & piano left, vocal middle, organ right.
Miss Amanda Jones - Narrow Stereo: Bass & lead guitar right, rhythm guitar slightly left, vocal middle.
Something Happened to Me Yesterday - Stereo opening (trumpet right), rest of the song is in Mono.
"West" German PolyGram "Between The Buttons" Matrix: 820 138-2
The PolyGram front CD cover has the London logo on the right and an angled Digitally Re-mastered banner in the upper left. There are no "Button" logos. Charlie's buttons are blue not white.
*Let's Spend The Night Together - Stereo: Piano/drums right, bass left, vocal middle.
Yesterday's Papers - Opening Stereo: Bass right, drums left. The rest of the song is in Mono.
Ruby Tuesday - Stereo: Piano right, keyboard/strings/tambourine left, vocal middle.
*Connection - Stereo: Piano right, tambourine left, vocal middle.
She Smiled Sweetly - Stereo: Keyboard left, piano right (at 1:08), vocal/bass/drums middle.
Cool, Calm & Collected - Stereo: Piano right, "Japanese" guitar left, vocal/kazoo middle.
*All Sold Out - Stereo: Drums far right, guitar far left, vocal middle.
*My Obsession - Stereo: Drums/guitar right, piano left, vocal middle.
*Who's Been Sleeping Here - Stereo: Vocal/harp/guitar middle, drums left, piano right.
*Complicated - Stereo: Drums/bass left, distorted guitar/organ/Richards right, vocals middle.
Miss Amanda Jones - Stereo: Bass & lead guitar right, rhythm guitar left, vocal middle.
*Something Happened to Me Yesterday - Stereo: Trumpet/piano right, drums/guitar left, Jagger/Richards vocal middle.
*Note: Significant sound upgrade.
"Between The Buttons" POCD-1966
The import version from Japan POCD-1966 is also recorded in wide true stereo with a very bright and clear mix...and infinitely easier to find!
The commercially available version of this title does not do the music or the muscians justice. The German PolyGrams were limited and have been out of print for years. All tracks on the US CD version of "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (TSMR) are in stereo. The difference between "Aftermath", "Between The Buttons" and TSMR is Andrew Loog Oldham. Perhaps Oldham has rights to certain stereo tracks as producer prior to his TSMR departure. This could be the reason why mono tracks are now found on today's CD versions of well known stereo LP's.
Both "Hot Rocks" and "More Hot Rocks" releases are excellent sources for true stereo Stones, and the most likely versions that you'll come across in the more collector oriented independent record shops in the States. These doubles are issued as separates in Japan and are found in the number series 17/18 &19/20.
"Hot Rocks 1"
Time Is On My Side
Heart Of Stone
Play With Fire
Satisfaction
Get Off My Cloud
Mother's Little Helper
Paint It Black (In Mono on US "Aftermath" CD version)
Under My Thumb
"Hot Rocks 2"
Honky Tonk Women
"More Hot Rocks 1 (big hits & phazed cookies)"
Child of the Moon
It's All Over Now
Out of Time - Crisp finger snapping in the right channel! This is the 3:41 version, so both long & short edits can be found in true stereo on CD.
"More Hot Rocks 2 (big hits & phazed cookies)"
What To Do
I Can't Be Satisfied
Dandelion
We Love You - Unbelievable panning effects. The chain clanking at the beginning "walks" from left to right channel. Jagger's lines call and respond from left-right channels.
I Can't Be Satisfied
Lady Jane
Sittin' On A Fence
The "Hot Rocks" releases have many of the stereo songs, but you'll need "December's Children" to get Look What You've Done, and "The Rolling Stones No. 2 (note these are found on the US version also)/Now!" to get What A Shame & Down The Road Apiece. Over the years the Japanese releases have been issued with different packaging and they are found with white cardboard end strips (previously red w/ P25L) under the number series POCD.
True Stereo Tracks on the Westwood One "Rarities on Compact Disc" Series
"Volume 16"
Let It Rock (Live At Leeds University, Saturday, March 13, 1971)! - Keith right, & Mick Taylor left channel. Stereo CD versions of this song are also found on unauthorized recordings: "Get Your Leeds Lungs Out! - Revisited" The Swingin' Pig, "Leed Guitars...T.V. Stars" Turd On The Run, and "Diverse Harmonics" Vinyl Gang.
Honky Tonk Women - Cowbell & Keith right channel, Jagger/Richards middle vocal, Second guitar left channel.
Get Off My Cloud - Lotsa reverb on Jagger's vocal.
Mother's Little Helper- Also lotsa reverb on vox.
Out Of Time ("Metamorphosis", Oldham Orchestra version - 3:20)
Heart Of Stone
The song Oh How I'd Like To See Him On The "B" Side w/ the Oldham orchestra can also be found on this disc.
"Volume 20"
Play With Fire - Acoustic guitar & keyboard left, vocal & tambourine right.
Satisfaction
Child Of The Moon
Dandelion
Time Is On My Side
Memo From Turner
All "Rarities" tracks can be found on the Japanese "Hot Rocks" and "More Hot Rocks" series. These were also issued on unauthorized recordings, such as "Jewel Box 3" on Home Records.
Stereo Tracks on Unauthorized Releases On CD
"in stereo" Chapter One (25203) & "Dartford Renegades" Scorpio (OM 9064 18)
Pre June, 1966 songs:
The Last Time (Instrumental left/vocals & lead guitar right)
Satisfaction
Heart Of Stone
Get Off My Cloud
19th Nervous Breakdown #1 (alt. vocal w/guitar right)
19th Nervous Breakdown #2 (released vocal w/guitar right)
Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
Note: The Last Time and 19th Nervous Breakdown have not been officially released in true stereo.
"England's Rarest Hit Makers!" (KO-004)
Confessin' The Blues - True wide stereo
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love - True wide stereo & slightly different mix.
2120 South Michigan Avenue - This is recorded from a vinyl source in true stereo. Drums left, guitar right, & Harp center.
"Mad Shadows" Scorpio (SC-91022)
There are only two stereo songs on Mad Shadows that are not alternate takes (which I don't count):
Don't Lie To Me
Heart of Stone
- Both found in mono on the "Metamorphosis" LP from 1975.
"Collector's Only/No. 2" #27631
A CD copy of releases originally issued on German vinyl.
Time Is On My Side
What a Shame
Down The Road Apiece
I Can't Be Satisfied
"Ear Candy!" Tendolar Matrix: TDR-139
Inlay notes say: "The "Aftermath" and "Between The Buttons" LP's from the stereo master tape sources which is Polygram-Germany are now yours to enjoy!!!!"
This statement is indeed a fact as verified by the officially released sources reviewed on this page. CD time limitations did not permit the inclusion of What To Do and Goin' Home on this compilation.
"Strictly Stereo" Arcade CD-R
It's All Over Now
Time Is On My Side
Heart of Stone
* The Last Time
Play With Fire
Satisfaction
Get Off My Cloud
* 19th Nervous Breakdown - This is not the alternate take, but it is definitely an upgrade to other sources previuosly available.
Paint It Black
Mother's Little Helper
Lady Jane
* Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
Under My Thumb
Out Of Time
Dandelion
Ruby Tuesday
She's A Rainbow
Jumpin' Jack Flash
Street Fighting Man
Honky Tonk Women
Gimme Shelter
A nice compilation of of true stereo tracks that is also very useful because of the inclusion of three (*) tracks that were previously only available through collector's trading circles.
Tracks like Satisfaction sound quite different in true stereo. The question is: How did the Stones really intend for these songs to sound? The music will sound somewhat different, but the Japanese CD's have got the sound you've been looking for.