"Abracadabra" - The Steve Miller Band

The actual commercial 45 run time of the Steve Miller Band's "Abracadabra" is 3:37, not 3:34 as stated on the record label. (This timing info is courtesy of abagon.)

Gene, happy to help. I both own and have just pulled my copy of Capitol
SPRO-9797. It is a promo 12" single, with the same, listed (4:37), actual
(4:35) version of "Abracadabra" included on both sides. Pat does include a
notation for this promo 12" single's listed/actual timings with the song's
master db listing. But, to my eyes, Pat makes no other specific claims as
to exactly what is and isn't included on the 12" promo single version. It is
obviously a unique mix, because it's longer than the 45 version and
shorter than the LP version.

I just gave the promo 12" single a close listen. The Wiki allegation that the
verses are in a different order on SPRO-9797 is 100% false. The verses on
it begin with:

-I heat up, I can't cool down

-You make me hot

-I feel the magic in your caress

-Every time you call my name

(instrumental segment)

-I heat up, I can't cool down (repeated three times)

This is exactly the same verse order I have found to be present on both
the 45 and LP versions.

The only difference I detected between SPRO-9797 and the LP version is
an edit during the approx. 85 seconds after the 45 version faded out. An
early portion of this end segment was removed, with the later portion of
the end segment left intact. SPRO-9797 ends the exact same way as the
LP version does.

I noticed neither a slower tempo, nor a refrain vocal lacking the extra
inflection at the end of the word "Abracadabra", on SPRO-9797.

Bottom line: While the SPRO-9797 promo 12" version is unique, due to
the late edit, and is not currently available anywhere on a domestic CD,
I've confident that none of your quoted Wiki statements are true.

Still, just to be a million % sure, I'll forward this mix to Aaron, for him to
do an A/B comparison, at his convenience. I would also like to be able to
exactly note the edit point(s), a la Ron, for anyone interested in digitally
recreating the unique SPRO-9797 edit of the LP version.

Are you sure the version you heard on WLS wasn't a house
edit?

Remind me to never again postpone sleep when dead tired, go digging for
a promo 12", and start researching a song at 3 o'clock in the morning!

In the early 80's, there were two hit songs that drove me absolutely *nuts*
whenever I heard the "slow" version: "For Your Eyes Only" and
"Abracadabra". Finger nails on the chalk board. How I was able to play
PRO-9797 last night and not hear that, even when I was listening for
slower, makes me wonder if I should continue to cook my own meals!
(sigh....)

In my earlier post, I didn't happen to make a note of the initial "every time
I call your name" verse when listening to the LP version, as it sounded to
me at the time as just a line within a verse. Of course, that's where the 12"
edit was done.

My apologies to all for the faulty analysis. My best effort was pretty bad
last night. Thanks to YouTube poster "Pie Ness", for posting the promo
12" version that Aaron was able to hear/base his reply on, and to old pal
Doug for his impeccable 1982 WLS memories of the 12" version. I aspire
to be like you guys when I grow up!    :)

Edited by jimct

Ron, the 12" copy on YouTube runs at the exact same speed as the LP
version on your European compilation Hits On CD. The US
Abracadabra CD runs slightly faster than the European comp and
YouTube 12" dub. Without the actual vinyl LP to compare, I'm not 100%
sure which is the correct speed.

Edited by aaronk