Tommy Roe - Dizzy

I love this 1969 gem, and its eleven key changes. The rock-solid Hal Blaine drum part just seals the deal for me.

Mono 45 version (2:52)

The opening snare drum hit is dry, with no reverb. There's plenty of reverb on the cool drum breaks, just not on the opening snare.

It fades from about 2:38 to 2:52.

It's not available on CD.

Stereo LP version (2:57)

The opening snare drum has reverb on it. Overall, it's a slightly different mix than the 45, and is around 2% slower than the 45.

It fades from about 2:38 to 2:57.

This version shows up on Rhino's Billboard Top R&R Hits 1969 (both 1989 original release and 1993 rerelease; both are digitally identical). I think (but can't confirm) that the left and right channels are swapped on Billboard.

Non-hit 1986 remix (2:57)

Mastering engineer Steve Hoffman remixed a few of the songs on MCA's Vintage Music series, but I haven't found documentation listing which songs are remixed. "Dizzy" is one of the remixes.

Overall, it's not that far off from the original mix, and you wouldn't recognize it as a remix unless you were A/B-ing it. In the first ten seconds, there's a prominent acoustic guitar in the left channel of the original stereo LP mix. In the remix, it's much farther back in the mix. Plus, the sound of the reverb is different. In the opening snare of the stereo LP mix, you can hear the attack of the snare very clearly. In the remix, the opening attack seems swallowed up by the reverb that follows. (Thanks to David C and Mark M for helping with the A/B comparison.)

It fades from about 2:46 to 2:57. If you're unsure which version you have, check the fade. If it stays at full volume to 2:46, it's the 1986 remix.

The remix showed up first on MCA's Vintage Music Vol. 10 (1986). The same analog transfer is used on:

• Time-Life's Classic Rock Vol. 6 1969 (1988)
• Time-Life's AM Gold Vol. 33 The '60s Generation (2001) - digitally exactly 1.04 dB louder than Classic Rock Vol. 6 1969

Ron remarks about Hal Blaine on his "Dizzy" drumming
sound reminds me of the same on "Sweet Pea". I have a
stereo LP bub of this track and the drum is outstanding.
To me way more noticble on LP versus Cd versions.

As for Dizzy I have a 1993 MCA greatest hits CD with a
stereo version that runs 2:46. Perhaps it runs too fast?

Thanks for that explanation of the 1993 MCA mix.

I seem to remember the"panning" effect heard of the drums
in the 45 mix of Sheila really shines on the MCA disc or
one of my Rhino title I have.

My issue of the MCA 1993 Great Hits has Sheila in mono.
The Rhino Billboard 1982 disc has great mono sound. The
opening drums here offer a feel or hint of panning
despite being a mono track. The original ABC stereo LP
track sounds good using lots of reverb on the opening
drums. The original 45 version on Judd records uses a
different style of drumming without the opening sound.

When I get a chance I will dig out my copy of the Rhino
1962 to see what I have.