Day 11: They Are Just Different From Us

"Do you prefer the UK or the American version?" Any true music fan understands what I mean by that question. Since the 1960's, many albums have been released in different versions in the UK than in the U.S. In the 60's it was due to a different view of the purpose of singles. In Britain, taking the more generous view towards the consumer, many singles were viewed (but not all) as separate entities from albums. A single was a release unto itself, like a "single" album track. Therefore, hit singles often did not appear on albums. Records were for other tunes. But almost from the beginning, in America, singles were seen as tools to sell albums. Therefore, the hit singles would be front and center on albums. The albums were then filled out with the "album tracks."

After the 60's, the British came around to the American view and started to include singles as part of albums (some artists still tried to give you something fresh on the singles in the way of B-sides that did not appear on albums. This was common stateside as well, making singles collectibles for many artists). But, British and American versions of albums still often would differ for certain artists. Or there would be (sometimes drastically) remixed versions of songs for American vs. British versions of albums (I am thinking about the different mixes of "Hungry Like the Wolf" on Duran Duran's Rio. of which the British is superior. And then the different mixes of "She Blinded Me With Science" for Thomas Dolby, of which the American is better.)

What are some examples of all of this? Early Beatles records were different across the pond. In the case of The Beatles, the British versions were considered uniformly superior, and now if you buy them on CD, you are buying the British track listings. The Rolling Stones are a bit more complicated. Stones albums were quite different across the ocean until they became uniform with 1967's Their Majesties Satanic Request and on. For the Stones, both versions are still widely available, but I almost always prefer the American releases over British for them. Take their classic Aftermath. The American version is a tighter listen and kicks off with "Paint It Black," whereas that classic is not even on the British Aftermath.

Hendrix's debut Are You Experienced? is another example. Drastically different listening experiences depending on which version you have. Hendrix recorded all of these songs in the same sessions, but in Britain he released many hit songs as singles only.

Which would you prefer?

British Track Listing: "Foxey Lady" / "Manic Depression" / "Red House" / "Can You See Me?" / "Love Or Confusion" / "I Don't Live Today" // "May This Be Love"/ "Fire" / "Third Stone From the Sun" / "Remember" / "Are You Experienced?"


ABOVE: The album cover for the British pressing of Hendrix's Are You Experienced?

American Track Listing: "Purple Haze" / "Manic Depression" / "Hey Joe" / "Love or Confusion" / "May This Be Love" / "I Don't Live Today" // "The Wind Cries Mary" / "Fire" / "Third Stone From the Sun" / "Foxey Lady" / "Are You Experienced?"


ABOVE: The American version of Are You Experienced?

That is a tough call, but I give the edge to the American version (although I love "Red House"). The Hendrix issue is moot at this point for CD buyers, because the CD version rightly includes all of the above songs, plus "Stone Free," "51st Anniversary" and "Highway Chile." As it should be, because all of the songs were recorded in the same sessions. That is an incredible fact to consider, by the way. All of those Hendrix classics tossed off in the same quick sessions?

Anyway, just another topic for music geeks to debate endlessly. I thought about this today as my daughter and I were playing with her ball machine and we were listening to the British version of Thomas Dolby's Golden Age of Wireless. A completely different listening experience than the American version.