Simon & Garfunkel – Bookends

Found a practically unplayed version without the poster! Other reviews (see below) delineate the Mono difference so I’ll focus on the fidelity. How’s it sound? Damn fine! Beautiful EQ with a nice wide 3D soundstage and bass rocks just right, but it’s the texture of the acoustic guitars and vocals/voices that make this shine. Highest recommendation. [Tech specs in profile].

When buying the mono Bookends, do make sure that it's in a mono cover (top right of back cover says mono) as well, since copies packaged in stereo covers with "mono" stickers on them do exist.

Here is a list of differences I can hear between the mono mix and the stereo mix.

Bookends Theme - slightly faster in mono

Save The Life Of My Child - Vastly different sound cues in each, faster in mono, segue into America is slightly longer in mono.

America: drums are louder in mono.

Overs: Slightly slower in mono, Garfunkel's vocals are louder and more balanced in mono

Fakin' It: Different intro in each mix, slower in mono, heavy vocal reverb in stereo, drums are quieter in mono, longer fade in stereo.

Punky's Dilemma: Bass guitar is mixed very loud in stereo, Garfunkel's vocals are louder in mono, longer fade in stereo.

Mrs. Robinson: Lead guitar is slightly off beat in the fade of the stereo mix, corrected in mono, long fade in mono.

At the zoo: Slightly slower in mono, bass drum is mixed very loud, and reverbed in mono, longer fade in stereo

Very great sounding vinyl, really rare, but my copy isn't in great shape. But I picked it up for $5 so what did I expect. Great album too.

Ridiculously rare, but highly sought after for being a dedicated - and at times, better - mix than the stereo counterpart.

A few highlights:
"Save the Life of My Child" is thundering with bass, almost like a whole new song.

On the song "Overs", in stereo, Garfunkel sounds distant, almost like a ghost; but in mono, he comes up close with his beautiful high harmonies, as if he's singing to you in the same room.

Vocals in general mix are noticeably drier than in stereo, but that suits the mono format better whilst reverb does better in stereo.

In stereo, the end guitar riff on "Mrs Robinson" is slightly behind the beat, and it always sort of bothered me; but in mono, they mixed it in time with the drum beat, and it goes on for a few seconds longer, as well.

Last, but certainly not least, the kick drum on "At the Zoo" is positively BOOMING, with reverb added as opposed to the dry kick in stereo. This is probably the best change I heard on the album.

BTW, erddie has a podcast called "Mixology", where he goes into depth reviewing the differences between mono and stereo on "Bookends", as well as many others. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

A great, dedicated mono mix of this classic album, with multiple mix variations to be aware of. A Hazy Shade of Winter & Mrs. Robinson differ from their Mono Single Mixes.