Classic 45s

I'm switching tack this week to present some ace 256k MP3s directly mastered from classic 45s.

I don't have no kick against no particular format if truth be told, don't prefer mono to stereo, analogue to digital. But there are cases where the original 45 mix or pressing kills! - straight from fresh tape, mastered and cut by people whose work has added so much to the joy of life.

So I give you, with apologies for crackles and for some VG+ rather than M copies -

The Byrds - Lady Friend

From the 1990 box set on, there's been a nice clear stereo version of this masterpiece freely available. You can hear Hugh Masakela on it. Yet, it didn't seem to blow me away as it had on the Original Singles vol 2 LP I bought in 1984. When I got this Columbia pressing from Ebay it really let me know I hadn't just grown bored of the track - which is my number 2 favourite single after the Cookies' I Never Dreamed - I just hadn't been hearing it quite as it had been intended.

In mono the guitars and drums merge into a hurried clatter, David Crosby's heroic vocal is pushed right out in front, and the supporting voices merge with his to give him added strength.

Nice to have an actual one time heavy doper on this unfortunately named blog too.

The Kinks - Til The End of the Day

The Yardbirds - Evil Hearted You

The Rolling Stones - 19th Nervous Breakdown

Come and take me on Allen Klein. I'll walk into court playing Breakin The Law by Priest. Then commit suicide as they have urged me to, backwardsly, so many times before.

Listen to the bass ring and boom on this one. Great cut.

The Cryan Shames - Sunshine Psalm

A rip off The Byrds' I See You to be sure, but come on - what a blast! Superbly produced by mystery men Jim Golden and Robert Monaco.

More 45s next week!