Barbara Mason-"Sad, Sad Girl"

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   My commercial 45, confirmed as Arctic 108, has a listed time of (2:51) and an actual time of (2:52). Pat correctly states that this song is not currently available on a domestic CD. To my knowledge, the original recording has only ever appeared on one, very rare (if you can find it at all) and very expensive import CD. From the always-top-quality Bear Family label, out of Germany, in 1997, the CD is titled "Yes, I'm Ready" (catalog # BCD 16205 AH), "Sad, Sad Girl" appears in stereo, and runs (3:10) on this disc (the 45 fades out earlier; my understanding is that (3:10) was the original LP length.) FYI, this was one of two Barbara Mason discs that Bear Family put out for her in 1997. The other, titled "Oh, How It Hurts" (catalog # BCD 16206 AH) contains the title track, as well as all 4 of her other Hot 100 entries on Arctic. It is also quite rare and pricey. Aside from her big hit, "Yes, I'm Ready" these released-sequentially discs are the only place to get her other 6 Arctic charters. While Jamie/Guyden hasn't exactly been prolific in releasing their 60's/early 70's artists releases on CD, at least one or two will usually "trickle out" at some point. Except for Barbara Mason's Arctic stuff. Her 60's recordings are by FAR the hardest to come by, of all their hitmakers. I have no idea why this is, and why none of the "boutique" labels (Collector's Choice, Hip-O Select, Varese, etc.) have ever jumped in here. So, for the "completionists" out there, if you see this "Yes, I'm Ready" import, and it's worth it to you, grab it. I have never in my life paid as much for any CD as I did for this one, but I was absolutely thrilled to have found one at all (and there was only one out there), and I consider the purchase well worth it. I'd read somewhere (BSN board, perhaps) that vinyl was used in making these two discs. But after careful ear scrutiny, I find that just about impossible to believe. To me, the sound is absolutely pristine; I could find nothing even close to a pop or click on there anywhere, even at the very end of a song's fade. The sound is impressive, especially given the fact that the Philadelphia studios they used back then to record these tracks weren't exactly state-of-the-art, even for its era.

Edited by jimct

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jimct Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 07 April 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote jimct Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Barbara Mason-"Sad, Sad Girl" Posted: 23 February 2009 at 3:54am
	My commercial 45, confirmed as Arctic 108, has a listed time of (2:51) and an actual time of (2:52). Pat correctly states that this song is not currently available on a domestic CD. To my knowledge, the original recording has only ever appeared on one, very rare (if you can find it at all) and very expensive import CD. From the always-top-quality Bear Family label, out of Germany, in 1997, the CD is titled "Yes, I'm Ready" (catalog # BCD 16205 AH), "Sad, Sad Girl" appears in stereo, and runs (3:10) on this disc (the 45 fades out earlier; my understanding is that (3:10) was the original LP length.) FYI, this was one of two Barbara Mason discs that Bear Family put out for her in 1997. The other, titled "Oh, How It Hurts" (catalog # BCD 16206 AH) contains the title track, as well as all 4 of her other Hot 100 entries on Arctic. It is also quite rare and pricey. Aside from her big hit, "Yes, I'm Ready" these released-sequentially discs are the only place to get her other 6 Arctic charters. While Jamie/Guyden hasn't exactly been prolific in releasing their 60's/early 70's artists releases on CD, at least one or two will usually "trickle out" at some point. Except for Barbara Mason's Arctic stuff. Her 60's recordings are by FAR the hardest to come by, of all their hitmakers. I have no idea why this is, and why none of the "boutique" labels (Collector's Choice, Hip-O Select, Varese, etc.) have ever jumped in here. So, for the "completionists" out there, if you see this "Yes, I'm Ready" import, and it's worth it to you, grab it. I have never in my life paid as much for any CD as I did for this one, but I was absolutely thrilled to have found one at all (and there was only one out there), and I consider the purchase well worth it. I'd read somewhere (BSN board, perhaps) that vinyl was used in making these two discs. But after careful ear scrutiny, I find that just about impossible to believe. To me, the sound is absolutely pristine; I could find nothing even close to a pop or click on there anywhere, even at the very end of a song's fade. The sound is impressive, especially given the fact that the Philadelphia studios they used back then to record these tracks weren't exactly state-of-the-art, even for its era. Edited by jimct

Pat Downey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 October 2003 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pat Downey Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 2013 at 1:30pm
	Just wanted to let everyone know that Sad, Sad Girl has finally been released in the U.S. on a nice box set titled Cooler Than Ice - Arctic Records And The Rise Of Philly Soul. The track runs (3:15) which is :23 longer than the 45 or LP and appears in mono. Yes I'm Ready also appears in mono (45 mix) on this box set with a running time of (3:15) which is :11 longer than the 45. The box set includes a 50 page booklet of liner notes detailing the history of Arctic Records as well as song by song annotation.