Alice Cooper Under My Wheels

[Vyn]

In November 1971, the Alice Cooper band released their fourth LP, Killer. The lead-off track is Under My Wheels, a song written by Michael Bruce and Dennis Dunaway, with some help from Bob Ezrin.

In December of the same year, it was released as a single, with Desperado as the B-side. This was a 7", 45rpm disk.

According to sources online, Under My Wheels has a running time of 2:51 for both the LP version and the single version. Which is interesting, because although I do not have the 45, I do have the LP and it is shown to have a running time of 2:50. I recently played the LP and timed it. 2:50. I know it's one second, but facts is facts, as they say

I have found one single version online that was released as a 33 and a third rpm disk. It was issued only in Brazil in 1972, but of course there may be others. It shows a running time of 2:48. Discogs lists a 33 and a third rpm 10" acetate of, Desperado. Heres the link for reference:

https://www.discogs.com/release/17423521-Alice-Cooper-Desperado

So, that's the back story. The front story is that I have a 10" acetate with Under My Wheels on it that plays at 33 and a third rpm, with a stated running time of 2:24. I played it once, recorded it, and timed it. Yep, 2:24. The run out of the song abruptly ends whereas the LP version (and presumably the 45 version) smoothly fades out. Additionally, the acetate I have is a different mix that the LP version. Or any version of that song I have ever heard. It has more reverb across the board, to the extent Cooper's voice sounds like he's singing in a tunnel, and the high frequencies are accentuated.

Furthermore, it appears to be the "mate" of the Desperado acetate listed on Discogs. Same label style, same numbering scheme, written in the same pen/marker and writing style. And they are the flip sides of the single release, except I have not been able to locate a 10 inch or twelve inch single. The Brazil release is the correct speed, but it is a 7 inch.

My question to the collective Community brain is - does anyone know of a release of Under My Wheels that is 33 and a third rpm, in either a ten or twelve inch format? I have not been able to find any information about such a beast.

Here's a picture of mine. I'll post the recording once I have time to prep it for internet upload.

Thanks!

[Vyn]

One other thought - looking at my copy of their Greatest Hits LP (the one with the gangster motif), the version of Under My Wheels lists a running time of 2:44. The version of Desperado on it lists 3:26, which is the run time marked on the acetate from Discogs. But the version on Killer lists Desperado as 3:25. I wonder if these two acetates were meant for the Greatest Hits release - I didn't acquire mine until the early '80's, so that's certainly possible. And, mine has track markings in wax pen on it...since the mix is different though, maybe they decided to scrap the one I have and went with the original mix that was slightly shorter than the original LP in order to fit on the Greatest Hits vinyl.

Hmmm...

[Charger]

I only have the original CD pressing from the early 80s (I'm guessing, it does not have a year stamped on it)

The cd sleeve says Under My Wheels has a 2:50 running time but on the cd the track is shown to be 2:51 long. Although the song fades out and ends at 2:48 leaving 3 seconds of silence at the end!

This does NOT help with the confusion a whole lot now does it..?

[Zzzptm]

My guess is no, as 12" singles in the early 70s were experimental efforts to get album-buying folks to go back to buying singles. Wondering if that acetate was pressed during the recording process as a check on things and to prep the band for laying the final track.

[Zzzptm]

Also, because of this thread, I found out Alice Cooper was in the atrocious Sgt. Pepper movie from 1978 and that got me to go and listen to some of the tracks from that disaster.

Oh my, but there was a LOT of cocaine going around in 1978...

[Vyn]

Wondering if that acetate was pressed during the recording process as a check on things and to prep the band for laying the final track.

Could be something along those lines. The mix is different, but not in anyway that I would call "good". The actual recording is obviously the same (not a different take from the sessions) that everyone knows and loves. But sounds like they are in a hallway or something. Would make sense it was more of a test for the actual production run in some manner.

In fact, it sounds lightweight, in a sense. I know they had Rick Derringer play on that track - I wonder if this is pre-derringer?

Probably making way more out of it than the actual reality, but not knowing or being able to make sense out of this thing's raison d'être is both frustrating and interesting lol

Thanks to you and Charger for taking the time to give it some thought.

[Zzzptm]

If the acetate was grooved as they played live, it would explain the hallway sound - the engineers need to know what the vinyl will "hear", which can be different from our ears. And if it's lacking a guitar track, then it'd be pre-Derringer. Get things set up right in time for when our guest rolls 'round so we don't waste time. That's my thought on the story... but if you had an account of the recording sessions, there may be some light shed on the acetates...

[Vyn]

That seems plausible to me. I might see if I can get an email to Bob Ezrin, he's still among the living it seems. Since there is about a one percent chance of hearing anything back from the guy, I'm going to avoid holding my breath.