Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel

Todd asked a number of Simon & Garfunkel questions back on May 12 and after listening to the 45's and LP's involved, I have updated the database with some new information regarding 45 and LP versions. There is one particularly troublesome comparison and that is with regards to the song Mrs. Robinson. Jim forwarded me an mp3 of this 45 and it runs 4:01 just like the version found on the LP Bookends. But Todd stated in his post that there is a :13 difference between the 45 and LP so is it possible that there are 2 different pressings of this 45? There are some timing differences on various cd's that contain this song with the shortest being found on the soundtrack to "Forrest Gump" (3:50) while most others run (4:01).

As Todd pointed out, I do hear a difference in the mix with the cymbals being audible during the chorus on Bookends while not being audible to my ears on the 45. As it turns out, I hear the cymbals on the short (3:50) version as well as all versions that run (4:01) but I cannot explain this timing difference that Todd mentioned. It sounds to me like all cd's contain the cymbals which would indicate an LP version but the timing differential mentioned by Todd puzzles me so does anyone else have any input on this situation?

Jim was very kind to supply me his "Mrs. Robinson" vinyl 45 on mp3, which I clocked with a run time of 4:03, and I compared it to the stereo mix on Simon & Garfunkel's Best of CD (Columbia/Legacy 66022). The chorus on the 45 packs far greater punch than on the CD because the bass guitar (which sounds like it's coupled with a kick drum) and vocals are mixed "hotter" on the 45. Also, at the 3:43 mark of the 45, I can faintly hear some sort of odd outer space-like sound effect (I believe it's actually a piano!) that lingers through the song's fade out. The closing moments of the 45 also consists of an extra guitar strum or two. Neither of these instruments and effects are on the stereo mix.

By the way, I also notice at the 3:37 point on the Best of CD, the audio on the left channel very suddenly drops to a practically inaudible level, while the right channel continues to be heard for an additional :24 before completely fading out at 4:01. Does the Bookends LP also fade out this way with only one channel of audio?

Edited by Todd Ireland

DUPLICATE POST DELETED.

Edited by Todd Ireland

Pat:

Given the differences we've documented between the 45 and LP of "Mrs. Robinson", do you think the database should also incorporate the comment "LP mix" or "LP version" for all stereo versions of the song on CD to date? Seeing how the 45 contains the aforementioned piano chords and guitar strums toward the end of the song that are not on the LP, I'd say yes.

Edited by Todd Ireland

Pat:

I wanted to revisit this topic concerning Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" because I've taken a second opportunity to do an A/B comparison between the commercial mono 45 and the stereo LP as it appears on the duo's Best of CD (Columbia/Legacy 66022). I think we can both agree the cymbals and bass guitar are mixed much hotter on the 45 than on the CD. But to me, the kicker is the strange dischorded piano notes that can be heard throughout the fadeout on the 45 starting at the 3:43 mark. The piano is nowhere to be heard on the CD. Therefore, I'm firmly of the opinion that all stereo CD appearances of "Mrs. Robinson" in the database should contain an "LP version" comment.