Mills Brothers - "Cab Driver"

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   I have some old friends at WLNG in Sag Harbor, NY. A DJ asked me for a dub of "Cab Driver." He's been there since it was a current, and knows his versions. Pat's book said one version only, so I dubbed from CD for him. He gets it, calls me and says "Jim, all CD versions on "Cab Driver" are wrong - I already had the version you dubbed!" My 45 fades at (2:46); all non-re-recorded CDs seem to run in the 2:52-2:53 range, and end. This veteran DJ said he believes it's a different vocal take and mix. The 45 vocal may sound a bit more Dean Martin-y to me: you know, a bit looser; I think I hear his voice crack at the 1:35 mark of the 45, whereas the CD vocal sounds perfect; I also believe I might be hearing more background instrumentation added to the last :30 seconds of the 45, but I'm just not good at this - or, maybe he's wrong and it could just be an early fade of the CD version. But if he's wrong, it would be the first time in my experiences with him. Any help from the "sonic heavyweights" on the Board?

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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: Mills Brothers - "Cab Driver" Posted: 15 May 2006 at 8:49pm
	I have some old friends at WLNG in Sag Harbor, NY. A DJ asked me for a dub of "Cab Driver." He's been there since it was a current, and knows his versions. Pat's book said one version only, so I dubbed from CD for him. He gets it, calls me and says "Jim, all CD versions on "Cab Driver" are wrong - I already had the version you dubbed!" My 45 fades at (2:46); all non-re-recorded CDs seem to run in the 2:52-2:53 range, and end. This veteran DJ said he believes it's a different vocal take and mix. The 45 vocal may sound a bit more Dean Martin-y to me: you know, a bit looser; I think I hear his voice crack at the 1:35 mark of the 45, whereas the CD vocal sounds perfect; I also believe I might be hearing more background instrumentation added to the last :30 seconds of the 45, but I'm just not good at this - or, maybe he's wrong and it could just be an early fade of the CD version. But if he's wrong, it would be the first time in my experiences with him. Any help from the "sonic heavyweights" on the Board?

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: 16 May 2006 at 6:13am
	This is a good catch Jim. After listening to all of the cd's that run 2:52 or 2:53, I believe they are all alternate takes. There is a lyrical difference in the 1:40-1:43 range where on the 45 the line goes "why don't cha wait here by the door" and on the cd's it is just "wait here by the door". Now the question is, could this be the stereo LP version of this song and if anyone has the "Fortuosity" LP by the Mills Brothers please step forward with any further information. I just ordered the stereo LP on Ebay but it will take a while to get here so if no one comes forward immediately, I will have the answer in a couple of weeks.

Gary Mack Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 06 February 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary Mack Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 May 2006 at 12:55pm
	Pat, my original Dot 45 says why don't cha wait here by the door, whereas my Pickwick LP of Dot masters says wait here by the door. Haven't had a chance to time them or listen further, however. GM

Robert Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 04 March 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 2006 at 7:46pm
	Pat, I have the Fortuosity LP and I believe that it is the LP stereo version. It does not have the "why don't cha wait" line and it ends cold. It runs 2:53, while the 45 runs 2:46 and fades.

aaronk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 190	Post Options Post Reply Quote aaronk Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 October 2007 at 12:08pm
	Just had a chance to listen to both the stereo CD version versus the mono 45. They are, indeed, two different vocal takes. While the stereo version does sound very, very close in some places, it's not exactly the same. Other places in the song are completely different, as Pat has pointed out in an earlier post.

davidclark Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 17 November 2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote davidclark Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 October 2007 at 3:19pm
	aaron, where do you have the mono 45 version (hint hint)?
	dc1

eriejwg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 10 June 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote eriejwg Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 October 2007 at 4:13pm
	Hehe - double hint, Aaron. :)

aaronk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 190	Post Options Post Reply Quote aaronk Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 October 2007 at 8:05pm
	A very, very nice sounding vinyl 45. ;)

MMathews Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 18 August 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MMathews Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 August 2017 at 1:54am
	Well, after comparing the three mixes of this song, one thing I can tell you for sure is that was recorded at a studio with an 8-track. So, two of the mixes are discussed above, the mono 45 and stereo LP version. All CD's contain the stereo LP version except one which I'll get to in a moment. The LP version has the same backing track as the 45 but the instruments are mixed differently, and the LP version clips the opening guitar note, and as mentioned has an alternate take vocal track. Pat, the one CD you have in the DB that says "45 version" - the 1994 GSC set called "Thanks For The Memories" ... well, it's almost the 45 version. It is yet another mix. This mix has the correct vocal take, and does not clip the opening guitar note. But, it's also missing the electric-bass guitar and the bongos which both appear in the 45 and LP versions. BTW, this mix did not debut on this CD, it first appeared on the MCA Re-issue 45 circa 1980. I imagine it ended up on this CD because it was MFG. by MCA special products. MCA aquired Dot but there's always been a fuzzy line between what they own and what went to Welk's Ranwood label. MM