For once, I have the promo CD single.
HOLD ON - Wilson Phillips
SBK DPRO-05334, 1990
1. Hold On (Single Fade) 3:30 [actual 3:39]
2. Hold On (Unlabeled, but LP length) 4:35 [actual 4:25]
The single fade is indeed an early fade of the LP version, with a fade beginning at about 3:27 and ending at about 3:39. The fade has a long tail, and a good approximation is a 16-beat sinusoidal fade beginning on the downbeat at about 3:27 and ending at about 3:36.
One disturbing element of the promo CD single is that the sound is compressed/maximized. This became common practice, unfortunately, in the mid-'90s and continues to this day. This song, a hit in mid-1990, is one of the first example I've seen of the compression/maximization on the promo CD single.
If you're a stickler for sound quality like I am, you may look for other sources for the single edit. I have the edit on:- Now That's What I Call Music 18 (Virgin EMI Polygram UK CD NOW 18, 1990)
- Now 1990 (Virgin EMI PolyGram UK 8 27080 2, 1993)
These two are British and may be pricey nowadays, so I'd recommend doing your own fade on one of the LP versions, which are available on:- Living In The 90s (Razor & Tie S22-18601, 1995; excellent-sounding, with no maximization)
- Mystic Music presents Cool Rock (Cema Special Markets S22-18168, 1995; sounds as good as above R&T disc)
- Mega Hits Of The '90s (Time-Life R143-35, 2001; Bad! Even more maximized than CD single!)
|