R Dean - Indiana Wants Me, Feedback?

Hi Folks!

Ok, recently there was a revived thread about this song, but please forgive me I wanted to start a new thread about it. Once a thread gets to so many pages it can be difficult to wade through all the pages.

To summarize the valuable info in the other post, we are dealing with these different versions of the song in various places (thanks BillCahill) :

3:35 single (original and reissue)
3:01 single
3:02 true stereo single reissue
3:43 Lp version

As posted, a recent Motown box finally released 2 of the above single versions, in mono.
I occasionally do some work for Eric records, many here are familiar with them. (this is not a commercial, by the way.) Bill at Eric is planning on including this track on an upcoming release of "Hard To Find 45's on CD" (i think volume 12) The difference is he'd like to include the song in true stereo. and hopefully a better mix than the yesteryear 45, that is a strange mix.)

We were discussing the song and i pointed out that according to many contributors of this forum, the commercial 45 had 2 different issues.

So, i suggested here as a good starting place (thank you, Pat) to *ask* which 45 version would be considered the more desired version to use for the Eric CD (can't have both!).
How often do we get to chat about Top 40 music on CD before it's on the CD, and have some input.
It would be easy to say the 3:35 version likely was released first, so go with that version - but then the 2nd issue, shorter, faster, and without the siren issue was likely what lots of markets heard on their radio stations, and maybe got when they bought it!
By the way, Eric will try to acquire the actual multitrack session tape to mix for stereo. This may not be possible, but he's contacting Mr. Taylor and we'll see if they still exist. We doubt Universal/Motown has this one in the vault.

Your feedback on the subject is most welcome and appreciated, either here or emailing Eric at their website.

I guess no label is ever perfect, but i applaud Bill at Eric for asking these questions BEFORE the cd is made.

By the way, also to commemorate all the great trivia in the other thread on the song - you may want to check out R. Dean's website www.rdeantaylor.com. He has a few recollections about making the song, and mentions the initial reason for removing the siren from the 45.
He also talks about some of the other Motown hits he's written and played on. I know he smacked that tambourine on many hits.

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

-Mark M

I couldn't believe my good fortune in finding a near-mint promo copy of the song with its original sleeve in the giveaway box at my college station a year after it had been a hit. When I took it home and played it, I knew why it had been tossed.

It was the 3:35 version, which I'd never heard on the radio at all. Ths slow pitch is what really bothered me. The police would have had no problem nabbing that slowpoke!

I'd vote for putting out what was heard by most radio listeners at the time it was a hit, and since Eric is known for hunting down the stereo versions, short stereo it is.

I also vote for the short version (in stereo if possible).

I vote for the short (no sirens) stereo version as well. And don't forget there are mix differences with the LP version towards the end of the song. I think the police chatter is slightly different in the short version.

Edited by Brian W.

MMathews wrote: Hi Folks! Bill at Eric is planning on including this track on an upcoming release of "Hard To Find 45's on CD" (i think volume 12) -Mark M

If vol 12 is early 70's than might I suggest these 45's that have never appeared on CD.

1) Which Way You Goin' Billy -- Poppy Family (#2)
2) Games -- Redeye (#27)
3) Check Out Your Mind -- Impressions (with Curtis Mayfield) (#28)
4) Temptation Eyes -- Grass Roots (#15)
5) Mama Told Me (Not To Come) -- Three Dog Night (#1)

Eric does a great job by the way (even though they put the lp version of "Billy" on vol 8), but after 20 years of CD marketing, I'd go with versions not easily found. I bet sales of the Eddie Money Playlist title are being spurred by including the 45 version of "2 Tickets" after all this time.


Edited by Indy500