Guy Mitchell - Heartaches By The Number

I got sent an mp3 of this song (from England) in mono. It is slightly different from my stereo mix on "Your Hit Parade - 1959". At :26 and 1:02, the stereo has a drum hit that is not oh the mono and Guy's vocal sounds different in places (most noticeable at :40 when in the mono he holds the word "Heartache" longer than in the stereo).

So, do we have another mono/stereo (i.e., 45 vs. stereo LP difference here?). Perhaps a different vocal, or just in parts (it's happened before).

Pat, could you check your mono version on "The Fabulous Fifties - Unforgettable Fifties" and compare with your stereo version?

I could send you (or anyone) an MP3 of this one if you like to compare.

Edited by davidclark

It could also be an england/america difference, as there are quite a few UK singles where the differences are sometimes very small between versions released in the USA...

Okay, David, here's what I found:

The stereo version and mono version on the Heartland CD have no take differences.

I have the alternate mono version you're referring to on a New Zealand CD called "Memories are Made of This," and you're right... it at the least is a different mix with some vocal sections from a different take. The drums are not as pronounced in the alternate mix, and there could be an extra guitar in there. The background vocals sound a bit louder. The mix overall sounds denser than the Heartland CD (also more distorted). It may be an entirely different recording. However, the liner notes do say copyright 1959 Sony Music. It's also not impossible that the mono version on the Heartland CD is a fold-down, though there are other stereo tracks on that CD, so I don't know why they'd do that.

So... either could be the single version. We'll have to see if we can obtain an original 45 and verify.

I'm glad you discovered that!

Thanks, vanmeter! That's an amazing Guy Mitchell site. I still want to get the original 45, but it sounds from that discography like what I've been calling the alternate mix is actually the original mono 45 version, and what has become the standard version is an alternate take!

However, it says the stereo version was issued as a 33rpm stereo single in 1959... so it can legitimately be called "stereo 45 version."

I have been out of town for a week so it is interesting reviewing the old posts and this one is quite a find! I have the original Columbia 45 4-41476 and this version is not found on any of the domestic cd's listed in the database.