Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown"

[carlo]

Hey guys,

I'm listening to "Tears of a Clown" on the 35th Anniversary Box-Set right now. Why does this version sound different to my ears? I've heard this song so many times, but this version sounds a little faster paced...?? Or is it just me?:p

[soulster]

That's because it is different. I don't know if you realized it, but that box used the hit 45 RPM singles versions. Until that box, many hadn't been heard since the 45s were first released.

"The Tears Of A Clown" single version had previously been issued on the first Hitsville U.S.A. boxed set. The single version uses a different drummer, has the bass on the intro, and has more compression applied....and it's mono.

Most people have gotten so used to hearing one of the two stereo mixes that they have totally forgotten about how different the 45 sounded.

I don't think they sped it up, though.

Carlo, i'm surprised you didn't know the differences!

[westgrandboulevard]

I think the version on 35th Anniversary is the US 45 version?

Interesting as, to my ears, I would say it is not faster paced, but actually slower than the version released here in the UK, which is slightly different, and powers along...and I must say, is the one I prefer!

[soulster]

I think the version on 35th Anniversary is the US 45 version?


Yes. I prefer it too.

[rovereab]

The mono Make It Happen LP version of TOAC has a different lead vocal take to the well known UK stereo, US stereo and US mono 45 mixes.

[robbert]

I may add: TOAC was a Miracles' album cut on Make It Happen in 1967.

When (radio?) DJ's started to pick up the song in 1970 (in the wake of a huge UK Tamla-Motown revival, including This Old heart Of Mine and others), the 1967 version was released as a 45 in the UK and it soared to the no. 1 spot.
I don't have the UK 45, so I don't know if it was mono or stereo, but considering the UK Motown policy in those days I assume it was mono.

In The Netherlands we ordered at Motown USA a STEREO tape of the original song from the Make It Happen album, which was promptly sent. In short: the Dutch pressing of the TOAC 45 in 1970 was the 1967 cut, in stereo (and it reached the Dutch Top-10 in the late summer of 1970).

Meanwhile... back in the USA, Motown tried to cash in on that UK No. 1, but somehow found it necessary to give the 1967 cut a 'contemporary boost', so an extra drum track and percussion were added, among other things. I assume there was also some remixing. I never liked that version, though, because the original had a bright sparkling sound, which the 1970 remixed version lacked.
If the over all tempo was slowed down a bit, my ears say YES, but I never checked it out with a metronome.
By the way... the 1970 version went to no. 1 in the USA, too...

Which European countries took the original cut or the 1970 version for their 45 release, I don't know, but as we in Holland were coordinating the Motown releases for the European mainland, I assume the 1967 version was released as a 45 all over Europe.

[marv2]

Robbert, the version that was released in the United States of "Tears of A Clown" was much better than what you got over there. I have the old album, "Make It Happen" and our version (the updated version of 1970) of the song was the best version period. Sorry.

[midnight johnny]

I may add: TOAC was a Miracles' album cut on Make It Happen in 1967.

When (radio?) DJ's started to pick up the song in 1970 (in the wake of a huge UK Tamla-Motown revival, including This Old heart Of Mine and others), the 1967 version was released as a 45 in the UK and it soared to the no. 1 spot.
I don't have the UK 45, so I don't know if it was mono or stereo, but considering the UK Motown policy in those days I assume it was mono.

In The Netherlands we ordered at Motown USA a STEREO tape of the original song from the Make It Happen album, which was promptly sent. In short: the Dutch pressing of the TOAC 45 in 1970 was the 1967 cut, in stereo (and it reached the Dutch Top-10 in the late summer of 1970).

Meanwhile... back in the USA, Motown tried to cash in on that UK No. 1, but somehow found it necessary to give the 1967 cut a 'contemporary boost', so an extra drum track and percussion were added, among other things. I assume there was also some remixing. I never liked that version, though, because the original had a bright sparkling sound, which the 1970 remixed version lacked.
If the over all tempo was slowed down a bit, my ears say YES, but I never checked it out with a metronome.
By the way... the 1970 version went to no. 1 in the USA, too...

Which European countries took the original cut or the 1970 version for their 45 release, I don't know, but as we in Holland were coordinating the Motown releases for the European mainland, I assume the 1967 version was released as a 45 all over Europe.

Robbert...I didn't think you were trying to debate which was the best version...you just gave some interesting information and said which version you liked better. I have a special place in my heart for the "untweeked" original version too...and I agree with you about the sparkling sound of it that got lost when they created the denser 1970 version.
John

[topdiva1]

Thanks to you guys I am ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS learning here!!! This recording no matter what version is a true true Classic!!!!!

They just cannot, for some reason sing produce and/ or make great recordings like this - what the heck has happen to music!!!!

Thanks guys!!!

[tamla617]

i've just learnt something again!
and echo topdiva's thanks!

i've got make it happen and tears of a clown,same album 'cept for title.
i've never even thought there would be a difference.i'm going to get my ears sorted!

[Sotosound]

The UK got the original stereo mix. The UK matrix number was YTMG 745A, with the "Y" denoting that the track was in stereo.


(If it had been mono then the matrix number would have been TMG 745A).


The US mono single mix is slowed down. You don't really need a metronome to tell the difference because slowing it down changes the pitch, meaning that the song ends up in a different key. If you've got both versions then play them one after the other and you'll see what I mean.


The 1970 US stereo mix isn’t slowed down, and it retains the newer 1970 drum track but uses the original bass line. It also appears to have been entirely remixed from the original multi-track since the Miracles’ backing vocals are much cleaner and undistorted.


(On the original stereo mix the backing vocals are very distorted and even break up at times. This might have been a deliberate choice considering that some Motown mixing engineers really went to town with distortion in the mid-60s.)

My personal preference is for the original version since the drummer has a lot of energy but also a wonderful lightness of touch, and he really drives the track along. Just listen to his initial pick up – it’s fabulous. The bass (JJ?) is equally great.

(Fortunately for we Brits, the original stereo mix also places both the drums and bass dead centre in the mix, allowing them to drive things along. This was less than usual for Motown in 1967.)


The drummer on the 1970 version, however, had to follow the track rather than drive it, and, to my mind, this shows. The drumming style might have been slightly more contemporary but it is also a bit ponderous and boring. For me the initial pick up is a let down.


The bass suffers just as much on the US single mix, again probably because the bassist (BB?) wasn’t in the studio playing with an ensemble. Instead, he probably had to sit there with headphones on and, effectively, do karaoke bass.

There's another thread or two around on the old SDF about this track that explains why the track couldn't be released as a single when it was first recorded, which basically revolves around Smokey's use of a non-Motown drummer (the drummer from his touring band) on the track.

The one thing that I'd really love to hear is the original mono mix from "Make It Happen". This track is long overdue being heard. Is anyone aware of this having ever been released on anything other than the original mono “Make It Happen” LP?