THE BAND – MUSIC FROM BIG PINK: UK ORIGINAL “MONO MIX” LP – CD

$35.00

JAPANESE RELEASE – 1 CD

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SKU: K5282027 Category:
THE BAND - MUSIC FROM BIG PINK: UK ORIGINAL "MONO MIX" LP - CD

Description

Taken from the original UK “Mono Mix” LP (Capitol Records & EMI Records, T2955)

★This LP is the only one where you can listen to the Mono Mix! The detailed digitization is overwhelming! Another version of this historic masterpiece is a must-listen!
This week, The Band’s historic album “MUSIC FROM BIG PINK” will be released in a must-listen, ultra-rare version!
By 1968, stereo became mainstream in the United States, and the frequency of mono releases drastically decreased. The Band’s historic first album, “MUSIC FROM BIG PINK,” was released in stereo only, following this trend.
On the other hand, in 1968, there was still plenty of demand for mono in the UK, as evidenced by the fact that albums such as The Beatles’ White Album were made in both mono and stereo mixes. In response to this situation, albums by American artists, who already only had stereo mixes, were actually made into mono and sold only in the UK.
The Beach Bees’ “Friends,” a label mate of The Band, is a prime example of this, and this “MUSIC FROM BIG PINK” was also released only in the UK as a mono LP at the same time as the US release in 1968. This UK original mono LP is a unique version created under the circumstances mentioned above. Naturally, this mix has not been reissued and has now become a premium item on the second-hand market, selling for tens of thousands of yen.
Naturally, this original mono LP is not only rare, but the sound quality that is unique to mono is very attractive. The early band and their albums were described as having a “woody, chunky sound”, so there’s no way that their unique sound and mono wouldn’t go together! Even if it wasn’t an album produced with the premise of mixing to mono from scratch, the appeal of the sound is clearly apparent in this monoized state, which is the true essence of “MUSIC FROM BIG PINK”.
The unique sound of this album has been consolidated into a mono album, evolving it into an album with a more rustic feel. In particular, the graininess of Rick Danko’s bass and the vocal parts of each member are brought to the forefront by being mono-converted. In “Long Black Veil,” their singing sounds even more vivid.
I think you can understand that this alone is full of mono flavor, but for example, even the guitar solo played by Robbie Robertson in the second half of “To Kingdom Come” is pushed forward more than stereo, so at first listen it’s almost like a different mix.
And in the timeless classic “The Weight,” the simple sound of the song goes perfectly with mono! The way it approaches with a more vivid sound than stereo is also overwhelming!
For the release of these rare mono LPs, a clean transfer was achieved that thoroughly eliminated scratch noise. This was actually a breakthrough, and although vintage LPs are something of a hit these days, it is extremely difficult to obtain or play LPs released in the 1960s in noise-free condition today.
However, this problem has been thoroughly solved for this CD release. To be honest, this CD release is incomparably clearer than getting the original LP. Moreover, this album has many quiet parts, including the intro to “The Weight.” It is revolutionary that you can enjoy such an LP with such a clean sound so easily.
And although it goes against the artist’s wishes, the album title is included on the cover (in pink font), and the back cover is also uniquely designed to resemble the original UK version, and is faithfully reproduced in CD size. You can enjoy both the sound and the packaging. The mono version is so perfect that it’s really refreshing! You can’t help but wonder why The Band didn’t make a mono mix… This super rare and historic masterpiece, “MUSIC FROM BIG PINK,” can only be better appreciated when listened to in mono! Highly recommended!

★The 1968 UK-only mono mix album “MUSIC FROM BIG PINK” has been miraculously reissued for the first time! The officially unreleased, elusive mix has been faithfully reproduced with high sound quality. The depth and texture of The Band really shines in mono, making this the “other true form” that all rock fans need!

(41:55)
1. Tears Of Rage
2. To Kingdom Come
3. In A Station
4. Caledonia Mission
5. The Weight
6. We Can Talk
7. Long Black Veil
8. Chest Fever
9. Lonesome Suzie
10. This Wheel’s On Fire
11. I Shall Be Released

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