Attempting to edit the LP version onto the vinyl 12" mix, I have come to the conclusion that the 12" either is a remix, or has added instrumentation, because the rhythm section is subtly more "jumpy" in the 12" mix vs. the more straight-ahead rhythm track on the LP version.

However, the sound quality of all the dubs I've found so far has been so terrible that I'm still creating my franken-mix of the first 45 seconds of vinyl followed by the CD because I don't think my audience is likely to notice and the quality is so much better.

This one REALLY needs a digital release from the master tapes!

(Has the source LP, "Too Low For Zero," ever gotten a 24 bit / 96 kHz release? That would be really nice, too. The CD I'm using actually fades on the right channel a hair before the left channel at the end of "I'm Still Standing.")

All these years later listening to this song again, I have to second the comment earlier about distortion. Every single version, from every single source, every remaster, has sounded "gritty" to me on the top end.

I don't believe these versions are coming from vinyl, and it doesn't sound like tape overload distortion, so my only conclusion is that there's something unique about the mix and EQ of the individual instruments and the final mix that, to my ears, sounds "gritty."

I'd love to know why my ears react to this recording this way, but I doubt there's any explanation other than "I hear weird." I'm just glad I'm not the only one who hears it that way! :-)