Los Pop Tops - Oh Lord, Why Lord

I know, not a top 40 song, but I know there are some of us who have an
interest in non-top 40 songs, and figure this is a good place to ask. I have an
English version of the song (mono) and a mostly Spanish version (with some
English) in stereo. Some Calla 45s state stereo. So, does anyone know which
version charted at #78?

(I am also aware of several remakes, that do not confuse me, as my two
versions are the same backing track and run the same length).

When I read David's initial post last summer, I thought I might've had a
Calla 154 promo, but wasn't positive. Well, I happened to have that
particular "1968 low BB charting promo 45s" box nearby at the moment,
and I thankfully remembered to check it.

My white-and-blue label U.S. promo 45 copy both states and is
mono/stereo. Both sides state listed times of (3:58). The mono side has
an actual time of (3:57), with handwritten deadwax of "C-154A (MONO)",
while the stereo side has an actual time of (3:59), with deadwax of "CS-
154A (STEREO)". Both versions feature 100% English lyrics.

David sounds certain that he's heard "Oh Lord..." version(s) with Spanish
lyrics and there certainly could've been either a different stock or promo
U.S. 45. I'm thinking such lyrics would've most likely appeared on an
international (Spain/Mexico/South America) 45 release. I never recall
hearing one, however, in either 1968 or since. As for the promo 45
version I have, I'll shoot vinyl dubs of both promo 45 sides out to Mark,
for his analysis. While I'm fairly sure it's gonna be the same as his labeled
flac file, at least my promo 45 looks to be in better shape than what he
has on hand at the moment.

I also own a French CD (Magic Records/MAM 3930798) as by Pop Tops
(no "Los"), titled "Mamy Blue". (not "Mammy", which was the U.S. 45's
spelling.) Two versions of "Oh Lord...." are included on this CD, which
includes no listed times for any of its tracks. Its first appearance on this
CD is in stereo, with 100% English lyrics and an actual time of (4:01).
Under "Bonus Tracks" is a second "Oh Lord" version, noted as the "EP
mono version". It is, in fact, mono, again includes 100% English lyrics, and
has an actual time of (3:55).     

This French CD also proclaims that "Oh Lord.... hit #1 in France, Belgium &
Switzerland". I'm sure that the Euro label ensured that the version they put
out on their CD was the Euro hit version, so if a Spanish or Spanglish lyric
version of "Oh Lord..." does, in fact, exist, it doesn't look like it found a
larger worldwide niche outside of the world's native Spanish-speaking
population.

Finally, David, I just browsed eBay for you, and I saw a Spanish "Oh
Lord..." 45 offered, on Spanish label Sono Play SN-20.124, b-w "El Mar",
with a pic sleeve, for $7.33 + S&H, from merchant "Spaintony". If I were
you, based on my findings above, I'd consider that option to be your best
bet, at this point, to snag a Spanish lyrics version at a reasonable price.
Good luck!

**PS-Since their 1971, even-bigger-than-Oh-Lord...,#57 BB hit "Mammy
Blue" (ABC 11311) isn't exactly on a ton of CDs in its own right, and it's
also included on the French CD I've cited above, I thought I should also
quickly provide its particulars here. It is in stereo, with an actual time of
(3:49). Only owning a listed (3:51) stock copy of it, I just found/ordered a
mono/stereo promo 45. Only the mono side was scanned, which also
listed a time of (3:51). If I find unusual "Mammy Blue" particulars once my
promo 45 arrives, I'll report back with them here.**

Edited by jimct

Jim was kind enough to send me dubs of both the mono and stereo sides of his "Oh Lord, Why Lord" promo 45, and I can confirm that the stereo side is the same as what Steve described above: a narrow stereo mix, with the plucked strings panned slightly to the right. Phil Tris' lead vocals are panned dead center whenever the "OLWL" refrain comes up, but leading up to them, they are panned slightly left. As the record progresses, his split vocals are panned left and right, so this is most definitely not (E).

The mono side of the promo 45 is a dedicated mono mix.

I also have the Magic label CD from France Jim has, and for starters, we can rule out track #5 on it, the stereo mix. While it is in English, it's a completely different recording (I'd noted that in my original notation, but had to have a fresh listen to jog my memory.) The Calla DJ 45, both the mono and stereo sides, are the same performance, which begins with the full orchestra and bass. Track 5 on the CD begins with only a piano, with a bit more instrumentation and choral backing on the second half of the intro. The bass doesn't come in until the 23-second mark. It sounds of more modern vintage than the 1968 recording.

Track 15, which as Jim mentioned, is denoted as the "EP mono version," is, in fact, a fold-down of the stereo version on the Calla 45, as evidenced by the differences in levels of those panned vocals, when the stereo 45 is summed to mono.

Unfortunately, the "EP mono version" CD track is a poor quality needledrop. The sustained fadeout on the final note must've had a lot of noise on the source vinyl. Remember the ol' fade-the-fadeout-early-and-then-do-a-reverbed-fade-to-cover- it-up rudimentary vinyl repair trick from the original Napster era? That's exactly what appears here, as the bottom end completely disappears at the point where the bogus reverb fade is tacked on. It's very disappointing, to say the least. Jim's Calla 45 dub sounds much crisper than the dull 'drop on the Magic CD.

The two-second timing difference between the mono and stereo sides of Jim's Calla promo 45 can be chalked up to a speed issue.

Edited by Yah Shure