Atlanta Rhythm Section - Alien

Current db CDs for this forgotten song, which was the group's only 80's
hit, only hit for Columbia, and final Top 40 entry, has one CD with the 45
length, while the others all feature the (4:52-4:53)-ish LP length.

We were sent a promo 12" single for "Alien" (Columbia AS 1271) in 1981,
and here are its particulars:

Side 1:
1-Alien (listed 4:45)

Side 2:
1-(a different song, "Homesick")
2-(a different song, "Quinella")

My initial conclusion here was that the listed (4:45) time for Side 1 was
just off by a few seconds, and that, in truth, this was simply the LP
version. Columbia was always among the very worst labels, as to
providing any "unique version" clues, aside from "short version/long
version". Unless the label guy had specifically told us they were gonna
send out a 12" promo re-mix, and why (which was very rare), it was very
easy for us to overlook the small print. We were always busy, and the
amount of new product coming in to us each week was always quite
steady.   

Over the years, there have been several cases where, now that I've gone
back and more closely examined an item's contents, I'd discover
additional info about a promo 12" mix, that I often wish I'd known about
back then. Like for this one. I just now noticed, in the smallest possible
print size, at the very bottom of Side 1, that it says "Special Version Of
The Columbia Single 18-02471". This promo 12" includes a unique mix.
Just for perspective, we'd often receive 12" singles that simply featured
the LP version of a song, so it was very easy to overlook minor details -
especially when you needed a magnifying glass to become aware of such
version differences!

In this particular case, though, it mattered not. This song was on our
radar, all during both Sept. & Oct. of 1981. And, while we did come close,
we never did end up actually adding "Alien" to our playlist.

Edited by jimct

Andy, patience my friend. I don't think my copy has ever been played. And
while my stylus is fine, I can't currently shoot vinyl dubs out.

I'd rather not give it even a single spin, just yet. But rest assured, I already
have a process in place, to obtain the absolute highest-quality de-vinyl
results possible, usually within a month or two. So when I get the results
back myself, I will immediately shoot you out the results.

I'm pleased to know that you're so happy to discover this new mix. It's the
entire reason that I'm now going through all my promo "hit" 12" singles. I'm
thinking there could be many other such "unknown" version discoveries. I'm
still not even done with the "A's" yet!     :)

To Jim:

Thanks! I don't mind waiting at all.

Andy

I guess what Columbia considers to be a "Special Version", worthy of a
promo 12" single, could sometimes be as insignificant as just adding a little
treble. Sorry it turned out to be basically a marketing ploy by the label, Andy.
Sure wasn't the first time that tactic was employed. The only way to tell for
sure is to analyze the track, as you just did - thanks!