? & The Mysterians "96 Tears"

Tim Lyman wrote: Hi Pat, Your database entry for "96 Tears" lists two variations for the Cameo 45. One has a stated running time of (2:53) but actually runs (2:40), and the other states a running time of (2:38) but actually runs (2:40). I have a third 45 variation which has a stated running time of (2:38) but actually runs (2:56). This version is identical to the version that appeared on the 96 Tears vinyl LP. Tim

   I don't know about the times, I have long lost the 45 I grew up with, and cannot locate another. But, I did once have the LP version on CD.

What I remember about the 45 I grew up with is thet it ran slower than any version I have heard on CD, including the Cameo-Parkway box. What's up here?

Brian W. wrote: Tim, what is the catalog number on your 45 with the LP version?

C-428-A. The matrix # in the runout groove is C428A.

This is a tough one for me to figure out. My two Cameo copies sound totally different. Of course, one could be a bootleg. It doesn't LOOK like a bootleg but it wouldn't surprise me.

Copy 1 has a copyright date of 1963 on the label (Cameo didn't bother to print new labels each year) and is written by Randy Martinez. The sound on it is the highest quality I've ever heard for the song, as if it came straight from a master. I believe future pressings including the album versions compressed it a little more to cover up all his mike pops, which were strong enough to knock some needles out of the grooves. Copy 2 has a copyright date of 1960 on the label and is written by the Mysterians. (As all future ABCKO reissues said). The quality is not so great and it could be a boot. Sounds like the more compressed full length version faded early. It has the full length time (2:54) on the label but fades out at 2:40.

Maybe somebody else has more definitive infomation.

Anyway, I would suspect there are many boots, and possibly slightly different speeds here and there depending on the pressing plant. We all know that Cameo wasn't the best run company, especially by 1966..

BillCahill wrote: Copy 1 has a copyright date of 1963 on the label (Cameo didn't bother to print new labels each year) and is written by Randy Martinez.

Is Copy 1 the full-length album version?

Hi Bill,

Did it actually say 'Randy Martinez' or *Rudy* Martinez?

If the 45 is handy could you re-check it for me?

Andy