alannah myles "black velvet"

Songs are most commonly edited by labels to keep them at a desirable length for both radio and the 7" format or to lend 'hit value'. This is hardly a case of a removed verse or chorus repeat.

The average (and slightly above average) listener would not notice a track starting .15 seconds late (meaning edtop40 is just a freak, that's all...j/k!) and to state this was specially done for the single is frankly rediculous.

There are singles with milisecond drop outs in one channel, but we aren't going to consider such a thing a single version are we? "Album Version with mastering glitch" better describes this kind of issue.

Edited by Underground Dub

maciav wrote: Isn't it possible that Atlantic intended for the 45 released in 1989 - 1990 to have the truncation?

Nah... it's not like it's a different mix. I'm glad we noticed it, and if I were using it on a collection, I personally would probably use the truncated version. But this wasn't intentional.

maciav wrote: I do not have expensive software and / or hardware that allows me to "re-create" the 45-version, etc.

Don't fret, neither do we... I don't think any of us spent more than $50 on the software we use to edit songs.

maciav wrote: Think about this: if the record companies didn't "play games", this web site / chat board may not even exist.

I agree that record companies often times remix singles, make edits, etc. I wouldn't necessarily call that "playing games." They are doing it for a particular purpose---to make a song sound better or to shorten the length for radio play. I honestly don't think someone suggested "Hey, just for fun, let's cut off the first .15 seconds for the single release."

I'm certainly glad that this group of collectors has a place to discuss the many different versions of songs. I don't disagree with you, maciav, that if you really want to have exactly what was issued on the single, you'll need to get that truncated intro. I just don't want to make unncessary purchases, and I feel a "45 version" comment is misleading.

As Underground Dub says above, there are plenty of mastering glitches to note. Just because the EQ is slightly different or it fades a couple seconds early, to me, does not mean it should get a special designation.

aaronk wrote: maciav wrote: Think about this: if the record companies didn't "play games", this web site / chat board may not even exist. I agree that record companies often times remix singles, make edits, etc. I wouldn't necessarily call that "playing games." They are doing it for a particular purpose---to make a song sound better or to shorten the length for radio play. I honestly don't think someone suggested "Hey, just for fun, let's cut off the first .15 seconds for the single release." I'm certainly glad that this group of collectors has a place to discuss the many different versions of songs. I don't disagree with you, maciav, that if you really want to have exactly what was issued on the single, you'll need to get that truncated intro. I just don't want to make unncessary purchases, and I feel a "45 version" comment is misleading. As Underground Dub says above, there are plenty of mastering glitches to note. Just because the EQ is slightly different or it fades a couple seconds early, to me, does not mean it should get a special designation.

Very beautifully articulated points. One other thing I might add is to keep in mind that those of us who seek out multiple versions of a song make up a very small fraction of the music buying public. I don't think record labels release edits and remixes of songs with the belief that lots of additional money will be made as a result of consumers seeking to purchase each version. As Aaron has pointed out, labels are always seeking optimum ways to increase exposure for their songs and artists and often a song will be edited or remixed so that it is more suitable for radio airplay or for a particular radio format. I believe the overwhelming majority of the music buying public are content to have just one version of a song they like, regardless if its an LP version, 45 version, DJ edit, etc.

I very much respect the thoughtfulness and passion behind your position, maciav. By the same token, I believe having the database specifically note which domestic CD releases contains the slightly truncated opening note of "Black Velvet" adequately serves readers who are actively seeking the song on CD in its exact commercial single incarnation. I agree with Aaron that I would be unhappy if I spent money purchasing a CD I'm led to believe contains a 45 version of "Black Velvet" only to eventually discover that the sole difference between the 45 and LP is a tiny mastering error in the song's opening note.

Edited by Todd Ireland

"first 0:015 of this song is truncated, either by design or error, but the 45 version intro is clearly different than the full cd/lp version"..............


...but that sounds so stupid...