Search - Shangri-Las :: Myrmidons of Melodrama: Definitive Collection

Differences Between The Two Versions of "Myrmidons of Melodr

Jessica Winney | Houston, TX USA | 10/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As most buyers of Shangri-Las music have already discovered, there are two versions of the group's greatest hits collecton "Myrmidons of Melodrama," one released in 1995 that sports a color, pop art-inspired cover and one released in 2002 that sports a black-and-white cover with a photo of the group. Although both versions have essentially the same tracks on them, there are some minor differences that could influence a customer's decision to purchase one over the other. These differences are listed below:



Original version with color artwork released in 1995: This version includes the singles "Maybe," "Wishing Well," and "Hate To Say I Told You So," which are NOT included on the 2002 re-release. This version, however, lacks any stereo mixes of the songs and does not include the single "Simon Says/Simon Speaks."



2002 re-release with the black-and-white cover: This version includes stereo mixes of some of the group's singles and includes the single "Simon Says/Simon Speaks." Excluding the three songs mentioned above, the track listing is identical to the original version (taking into account the fact that the tracks are listed out of order on the back of the CD). This is a minor, albeit irritating, clerical error.



So the question really becomes one of importance. If it is more important to you to have the three songs that are included on the 1995 version, then that is the one you should buy. If having stereo mixes of the songs is what you're after, then the 2002 re-release is for you. Personally, I would rather have the stereo mixes of some of the group's classic hits than have three songs that I have never heard before, but that it merely my preference. Collectors will probably want to buy both versions."

Really the best Shangs comp ever.

L. L. Waterreus | Melbourne Australia | 01/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To put it blunt this is miles ahead of the other cheapo comps. It took 2 years for the compiler to get this together, the alternate takes on it are STEREO TAKES !!! You previously would have paid an arm to get a stereo mix of the girls in action ( they were rare indeed ). Almost every compilation previously used the original MONO mixes, hence the rarity of the stereo mixes. The stereo mixes are also the classic hits, which is a bonus. You can listen to Mary on the right with Margie,Maryann and Betty to the left, incredible. The packaging is nice, and the liner notes fold out to a poster . As for the Revlon ads, theyre cute, and a nice add on touch to the compilation. Again these Ads would have appeared on a collector revelon picture disc ( vinyl), again a highly collectible item.



In regards to the missing tracks, well you cant have everything, Cds can only contain so many tracks. And the track order mis print ... leave that to the librarian, I am only happy I have finally purchased a TOP quality compilation with excellent sound quality.



I give it 10 out of 5 !! In other words, a cd I know I cant live without, should I lose it, Id replace it instantly. Not alot of cds I could say that about."

Myrmidons the way to go.

Michael Landes | California | 02/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You probably already realize from other reviews that Myrmidons is the best single source for Shangri-Las, and that both versions are perfectly great. You also realize that there are differences between the two issues of that title. One reviewer was unhappy with the later (b&w cover) issue because he felt that the three biggest hits, Remember, Give Him A Great Big Kiss and Leader Of The Pack,didn't sound right. Another reviewer said she preferred the later version because those three, along with an additional three major tracks, were in stereo instead of mono. I'd like to offer additional information about the differences between the two versions of Myrmidons.



One of the reviewers has listed the differences in track selection. Here it's a toss up. Both have all of the essential tracks. On the other hand it's all worth having. I personally am glad I got both, but you really only need one from the standpoint of essential tracks.



The mono tracks sound the same on both Myrmidons issues (with one exception and in that case it's arguable which is better and they are very close) So now we are down to the six tracks that appear in mono on the first issue (color cover) and in stereo on the second issue (b&w cover).



These are all major tracks so this bears some consideration:



Remember (Walking In The Sand)- The stereo version has better fidelity. That is to say, there is less distortion, there is less apparent wear on the source tape. The mix is a little different than the mono version that was the single release. But most significantly, the mono mix was tweaked before release. A dramatic layer of echo was added to the single master.

This is not present on the stereo mix. Clearly the mono mix is the authentic single and the stereo mix is not. But which is better? Well, as already stated, the stereo is cleaner, but the echo makes a big difference in the overall sound of the two tracks. They are quite different and I love them both.



I Can Never Go Home Anymore - All of the same can be said of this track as well, with one difference. I always felt that the echo was way overdone on the original release and was a terrible mistake. Having an

echo-less version (the stereo) to compare it with only confirms my feeling. I love this track now and never listen to the "authentic" echo-drenched mono mix at all.



Leader Of The Pack and Give Him A Great Big Kiss - Once again there is a tiny bit less distortion on the stereo versions. But once again there is an additional difference between versions which is more significant. In these cases, however, the difference is not echo, it's the mastering. Now mastering is always a subjective call. So as with Remember there's no predicting which you will prefer. The stereo mixes are less precessed, more lifelike. Once again the single mixes were tweaked for release. It sounds like the high end was a little limited in the mono to give a warmer, rounder sound the the records. It's a perfectly successful judgement call. To the discerning ear there is a more muffled quality occasionally,but not irritatingly so, while the over all feel of the track has that desired added fullness. As with Remember, I like both approaches.



So you pays you money and takes your chances. A winner either way. Me?

I had to have them both and I'm still glad I've got them. .......

and the Polygram/Mercury best of too (for the four Mercury tracks)!!



If you're not in a hurry, hand around a couple of years and I'm willing to bet a definitive two-cd/44 track comp comes out."