Mind Games on Vinyl : Original US & UK vs the MoFi & Ultimate Mix

[@EMSHWILLER86]

Mind Games, the song, is superb! I've always loved it. The album generally, mediocre. I prefer Plastic Ono Band (as morose as it is) and Imagine...I mean, Plastic Ono is all John and Ringo! The hooplah over these recent Mind Games re-issues is mind-boggling, but, that's just me. God Bless...

[@RMD_FreeLance]

First of all, I have to say that you’re doing an amazing job and your videos have been a must-watch for me for a while now. As for the Mind Games album, I have no issues with John’s mix because I’ve come to love the album exactly the way John mixed it. Regarding the new release, I must say it’s just as beautiful, and I’m enjoying it. I hope we’ll have the chance to hear all of Lennon’s solo albums in the Ultimate Mix series. John is my favorite artist, philosopher, and creator, and there’s no doubt that the new Ultimate releases confirm that. Greetings from Banja Luka ✌️

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you for your kind words and support ✌🏼

[@gordonlang2866]

Is john lennon your favourite wife beater as well?

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

Akways enjoy your take on music. Well done.

[@elvispresleycollectorsgroup]

Great to see this review of the different releases. Nice video 👍

[@mazzysmusic]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@martinpatrick3589]

About a dozen years ago I was going through some trying times. I picked up a number of used cassettes and one of them was Mind Games which I knew as an album but had never listened to closely. I agree the production is over the top but so much emotional and force still comes through in the songs and it was a really wonderful LP to keep on repeat for a while.

[@andrewt4042]

Thanks Mazzy. Nice overview of a classic album.

[@marcellavankraaij]

Interesting video Mazzy, I completely missed that MoFi release. So I just ordered a copy on Discogs!

[@jazzthunder50]

Thanks that was really helpful video. I have the Mo-Fi and original and could not decide what of the new releases to go for. I have now made my mind up and will go for the vinyl ultimate mix. Although I may need to be prepared to return a few of if I get a bad pressing! You now what I miss- Back in the 70’s when I bought records I could go and listen to the record in the store. They woukd actually take the record out of the sleeve to show you it was not warped etc. nowadays the records are shrink wrapped and they will not open it to let you check it !

[@gordonlang2866]

Mazzy used to poo-poo all these compassions of pressings! He said he would never used to stoop so low as to do them! And, now, here he is. Like an old-hand, every week we get to see Mazzys many pressings & hear how they all sound at "The Sweet Spot" Of course all of his pressings sound "ggggrrrreeeaaatt! But the ones we have sound like a crackle of gravel!

[@mazzysmusic]

First of all : I said I do very few shoot outs. But I do do them when I have multi copies and it’s an important release I imho. Secondly I can only tell you how I hear these and I’ve always said that my MC cart and table is very forgiving. My copy of the new mind games is dead silent and flat. The sound choice is subjective.

[@LifelongMusicJunkie]

I recently acquired a sealed Mofi, number 80, and I agree that it is fantastic! There are some copies still around, Music Direct has sealed ones, Acoustic Sounds has some for sale in their Vinyl Vault and of course Discogs. Cheers

[@TRamone01]

The deluxe CD box will set nicely with the other Lennon boxes that I have. Speaking of Mind Games, I just learned what gas lighting is. Good thing to know. Thanks.

[@deanthomason6987]

Awesome and informative video Mazzy. I like the new ultimate mix however I have the 2002 CD remix which as you say is still pretty good.🙂

[@danny1959]

I like the original mix the best. I don’t like the decisions they made to take instruments away from the new mixes, and that includes the guitars on “Tight As” as well as the sax.

[@keithbertschin1213]

100%, can understand boosting low end and making less muddy but I want to hear what John chose not Sean

[@fidelios_frequency]

I’m actually intrigued by the later reissue that you didn’t play! Maybe the vinyl pressing was better?🤔

[@raymondullmer2222]

I'm a big fan of John's original mix. Maybe it was well-matched to my starter stereo system at the time, but I never thought of it as lacking. It is bass-shy, but that's what tone controls are for. I wish I had the mofi, but it's over $100 now, and I've spent enough on this new release, buying both the blu ray box and the vinyl. The new mix is revealing, especially on the slower numbers. The rockers, Tight A$ and Meat City, rock better on the original mix. It is important for folks to know that you don't get a dynamic mix with the blu ray - it's the same mastering as the CD. (Although all the extras are fully dynamic). You NEED the vinyl to get the dynamics. No other way, unless you're a geek and can downmix the dynamic atmos to stereo... And Mazzy couldn't agree more about GZ. Ugh! No, Sean, stop! Optimal for Walls and Bridges, eh?

[@timsinnott386]

The Album is packed with great honest songs! I prefer the no sax mix ! I think it’s a beautiful heartbreaking album? Agree the 2002 mix is great but find this 2024 one now show cases the recordings and song depth? Good review thanks 🙏

[@miquefan]

I spent a lot of time last week listening to Mind Games from the new box and previous releases. All of my copies are on CD. It really increased my appreciation for the album as a whole since it's been some years since I listened to it all. Overall, my favorite was the MoFi with the 2002 Peter Cobbin remix. My only complaint with the 2002 mix is the early fade on "Meat City", but otherwise the remix is fantastic. The original mix sounds like it was made for AM radio and never sounded good to my ears.

[@jastorino]

Thanks Mazzy! Your my trusted Beatles audiophile reviewer, and because of this I picked up the Mind Games remix 2 CD and 2 LP. I didn’t see a video on the inagine set, do you have any thoughts? I have an original US, the 1984 (?) MoFi vinyl as well as the 2000 CD remix and the signature box. I do have the ultimate mixes big blu ray / CD box of imagine but on the fence for going back and getting the 2 LP

[@MJP3055]

I have the Mofi version of this LP, and it sounds completely FLAT. Also just recently purchased the RSD EP, and it sounds MUCH better!

[@simonbnyc]

It's interesting that the original UK pressing has the US Capitol matrix numbers in the deadwax.

[@mazzysmusic]

Interesting. I didn’t compare and look at them

[@andrewmacdonald3667]

I have the Mofi compact disc version. It’s a nice little package with three bonus tracks and excerpts from Dave Marsh’s positive review. Lester Bangs review is not included. 🤔

[@Norman-bone13]

Mind Games… again😮

[@davepounds8924]

Nice video! I own the US ORG and always felt that it sounded muddy. The 2002 CD mix has blown all vinyl versions away in terms of sound quality The new remix sounds great but if you want the original version the 2002 version is the one that sounds best

[@charlesgund4812]

The problem with GZ is consistency. They can do some great pressings.

[@franksmusic2880]

Great video Mazzy, your defense for this album is spot on but I just can’t get on board. I still have my US og and the 2002 cd remastered version. I plan to just keep those two. Apart from a few songs, this album just doesn’t cut for me. I would have preferred Sometime in NY. Hopefully this one will come out next.

[@cradio52]

Totally unrelated to Mind Games, but I was just listening to this video in the background without the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3qlZJ2BmKeKl68si=aIoNcHhxeaGn6ONf And I was instantly struck by how much the man’s voice in this video sounds just like yours. And to add a further layer to this, his name is David Axelrod but not the musician David Axelrod. That’s a different guy. But he sounds like you and has the name of a famous composer, so I thought… David Axelrod… the musician? And this guy sounds just like Norman Maslov… is this a video of Mazzy talking about “Heavy Axe” or something...?! I thought I clicked on one of my political podcasts! 😅 Although I wonder if you’d listen and feel like he sounds absolutely nothing like you because we all hear our own voices differently, haha… regardless, I just wanted to pop in with a fun curio I literally just encountered and then ran here to post. 😁

[@keithbertschin1213]

I do not like the new mix, bloated bottom end as usual for these things. Also never got the thing about we must boost the vocals. Music is a piece of art, you don’t boost the blue in a Picasso! So distraught I got the 2002 remix. What a joy

[@ernieweller3460]

Hello! I love John Lennon and your video was great! However, this comment is not related to any of that… I recently read a wonderful book by Haruki Murakami that he did a few years back called the T-Shirts I love and I think you should do a video of your Record Label shirts and other great T-Shirts that we see in your videos. You might also do something with hats! Love all your videos and look forward to everything you come up with! Mazzy, Eddie loves you…see you

[@sjbang5764]

Hi Mazzy, you speak of "Sean and company..." Is Yoko part of the "and company"?

[@mazzysmusic]

Sean and the Abbey Road team. Not sure YOKO is a big part of the audio portion of this. But probably more of the art and book portions.

[@samuelknights1334]

Mazzy, where did you buy your new copy of the ultimate remix? I'd like to take a shot at getting lucky with this one. Maybe your source has a good batch?

[@mazzysmusic]

@@samuelknights1334 I just bought it locally at Easy Street records. No special spot 😎

[@martinmcgrath1985]

Compare Johns solo to Dylan’s and it’s pretty laughable really.. John took shots at Dylan’s work.. John have a listen to your own solo..Dylan BLOWS solo John out of the water.. 1975 as John was a spent force creatively he was taking shots at Dylan Paul and jagger.. These guys were doing blood on the tracks, band on the run..what was John doing? Walls and bridges LOL

[@martinmcgrath1985]

Revolution 9 is a better song than the entire album, apart from the title track.

[@mazzysmusic]

You sure are a heckler. Actually Revolution #9, which I like, is not a song at all, but is a sound montage. The album of Mind Games is good. I understand that you don’t like it. 🤕🤡😴

[@martinmcgrath1985]

@@mazzysmusic I honestly believe this statement 99.9% of the Beatles is better than 99.9% of solo.. I am a Beatle nut..I’m NEVER gonna praise an album like MG.. RINGO STARR was writing better music than John in 1973.. For all the insults John threw Paul’s way I’m DELIGHTED Paul was making songs botr, Jet, let me roll it that year.. John spoke often of Paul dying creatively..how average his solo is for all the hype I can’t get my mind around it!