Alexander72 wrote: October 6th, 2025, 7:56 am
Bilbobaggins wrote: October 6th, 2025, 7:35 am
On the subject of mono mixes, if my information is solid... (So please correct me if I am wrong).
Period of real dedicated mono mixes
1954 - 1968:
RCA made monomixes of (all?) Elvis recordings until about the end of 1968.This means that the mono versions were not simply "fold-downs" (stereo merged into mono), but mixed versions with sometimes noticeable differences in balance, EQ, dynamics etc.
Singles (45 rpm)
Up to and including U.S. Male (1968) and some later tracks such as A Little Less Conversation (1968), the mono singles still got their own mix.These were often more powerful and direct, intended for AM radio.
LPs (33 rpm)
The last Elvis LP with a real mono mix was Speedway (RCA LPM-3989, 1968). After that, mono LPs, such as Elvis (NBC TV Special) (1968), were already fold-downs of stereo mixes.
Since 1969
The complete transition to stereo (from From Elvis in Memphis, 1969) ended the true mono mixes. Any mono singles from 1969 on were only technically folded stereo.
That maybe correct. In the UK MONO labels were available until approx. 1971. The Brits had good taste and were apparently hesitant to introduce the awful Electronically Reprocessed Stereo. After quitte a busy week I still not managed to give
From Elvis In Memphis a proper listen but I hold it to be a fold-down mono-mix indeed. Maybe some of the UK collectors could shed their light and educate us on the exact details of the UK catalog. Happy to learn more.
As I understand it, the UK mono pressing of FEIM is indeed a fold down, but it's a nice listen and well worth having.
Throughout the '60's the UK Elvis albums were pressed by Decca on behalf of RCA, as RCA's UK pressing plant in Washington, Tyne and Wear didn't open until May 1970.
If my memory is correct, the small orange label issues were the last of the Decca pressings. Of course, large orange mono (RCA) pressings exist for some titles, but these weren't around for long.
Once, RCA UK took control of the catalogue, the mono pressings were phased out, and a number of titles were deleted. The strange thing is that some stereo titles remained available with their original SF prefix stereo catalogue numbers (G.I. Blues & Something For Everybody for example) whilst others (such as Blue Hawaii, His Hand In Mine & How Great Thou Art) were given new SF catalogue numbers.
From 1970 onwards a number of recently deleted old titles were also released with new cover artwork (see Elvis' Golden Records Vol.1 &Vol.2, Rock 'n' Roll & Elvis For Everyone).
Interestingly, the sleevenotes to the 1972 reissue of Rock 'n' Roll mentioned a forthcoming reissue of A Date With Elvis, and even referenced the new catalogue number which had been allocated to it, but this never materialised.
The rationale for the new covers was clearly to make the older albums look current, and perhaps attract new fans. However, I'm almost certain that I once saw a press article stating that the 1970 reissue of Elvis' Golden Records was slated for release on the budget priced International label.
This would certainly make sense, given that the artwork for this reissue was certainly in keeping with the style of the UK budget albums from this period, but at some point there appears to have been a change of plan.
Whilst the deletion of poor selling mid sixties soundtrack titles is understandable, the decision not reissue Loving You after the Flaming Star & Summer Kisses album (which had been a showcase for these recordings following the deletion of the original 10" Loving You album) was unfathomable. And whilst this title finally reappeared in late 1977, A Date With Elvis wouldn't see another reissue until the early eighties, when the green International label started to be used for back catalogue reissues.
