It's a beautiful album - innovative, poetic and full of fantastic themes and melodies - with a perfect Danny Cordell production. I would like to know more about the studio process that led to this, but for now I'm blank. It was recorded at about the same time as Joe Cockers debute (see previous post) and Cordell managed both, but with much help from Tony Visconti on the two. Had a stereo copy of this a while ago, but that sounded second-hand and constructed. This mono, on the other hand, sounds right all way through - big, warm and with perfect balance. I would like to think it's the ground mix and that the stereo was an after-thought. The mono is very fullfilling and the stereo not so much I'm having a hard time imagining it was the other way around. Released in US on A&M Records (SP-4151) with a different cover - later also used for German and other European issues. First UK with label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (RÄZ*)(YMÖ*)(PRÖX*)
I agree that the mono mix is superior. I have known the band's organ player, Matthew Fisher, for many years and I recall discussing with him the differences between the two mixes. This was back in the early Eighties, around the time when he produced my own band, Route 66. Matthew recalled then the separate making of the mono mix for the "Shine on Brightly" LP, but it was certainly not my impression that it was supposed to be the primary version. Furthermore, when recently I brought up the subject with him again, he no longer recalled at all that there had ever been a mono mix made and suggested it might be a fold down (bounce). However, I'm certain that is not the case. It might also be worth mentioning that Matthew always recalled Denny Cordell's influence on the album as being minimal, with Tony Vicsonti being the de facto producer.
SvaraRaderaClaes Johansen (author of "Procol Harum: Beyond the Pale", SAF Publishing, London 2000)
Thanks Claes! Very happy to get insight directly from the source, albeit contradictory. Also interesting to know Tony Visconti was the main producer. Always thought the more experienced Cordell was the leader and Visconti more of diciple at the time.
RaderaDon't have the UK 1st stereo for comparison, but it does sound like a separate mix, coming through perfectly balanced with top audio.