As I said yesterday, Magical Mystery Tour was released as a double EP in the UK and as an LP in the US. The US version was actually released about 2 weeks before the UK. In 1976, the US LP was released as an LP in the UK to satisfy demand. In 1987 when the CD discography was being completed, Apple and EMI chose the US version to be the official version of MMT.
The second side of the album was made up of A and B sides from singles released that year. Some of these were to be the most well known and loved of all Beatles songs (including Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane). The mono versions so better (in my mind) on the first side of the album (the movie soundtrack) and the stereo on the second.
Hello Goodbye – Stereo. The stereo just edges out the mono. Both sound similar but the stereo is a bit cleaner.
Strawberry Fields Forever – Mono. This was a surprise to me. I really expected the stereo to sound better, but the mono sounds fuller here.
Penny Lane – Stereo. The beautiful orchestration works much better in stereo.
Baby You’re A Rich Man – Stereo. A very full and beautiful mix
All You Need Is Love – Stereo. The orchestra is best in stereo.
Here are both versions of Strawberry Fields Forever. You Choose!
Enjoy!
Mono
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwcIvr0vLBw]
Stereo
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaRmyUrEu4I]
Honestly, a toss-up. There are things I really prefer in mono and some things I really like in stereo. In stereo, you can hear the guitar work of the first minute of the song, including the slide guitar work George played for take one. I prefer the density of the mono recording in some ways, especially the placement of the vocals.