And if so, will you be going for the stereo or the mono? The release is close enough now -- 09/09/09 -- that I'm starting to get pretty excited about this -- though I'm really not sure which to get. Maybe both? Nah, that would be awfully excessive, wouldn't it? But, we are talking about The Beatles, after all, so maybe ... What are your thoughts?
I am thinking about purchasing the Beatles CD remasters. I am not sure if it is really necessary or not because I like the sounds of all the Beatles music I have now.
Yes! On Vinyl when they arrive, It's a little off subject but this weekend I was speaking to a musician that made the comment "the only difference is that you cannot see it" when discussing sound fidelity differences between Compressed music and wax. I dont have any of the Beatles material other than compilation cd's friends have made me so this is very exciting news.
Bongofury, Good to hear that you're pleased with the sound on these. Many of us have waited a long time for sonic improvement of the entire Beatles catalog and were concerned that these might be a disappointment. So it's good hear some positive feedback!
Just got my mono box yesterday. Listened to the first seven albums. Very good remixing job--solid and improved production. I am loving the Rubber Soul and Revolver albums. Have not had a chance to hear Pepper and WHITE.
I have heard some Beatles being played in HMV - it sounded new and all jazzed up. I suspect they were previewing some of the new masters (like movie trailers).
FWIW: It sounds awful it is like everything sticks out too much and there is no subtlety anymore. If this was what I think it was (a preview) then I am not impressed by the heavy handed EQ that was applied.
No. Saving for another trip to London/Scotland. If you'll be visiting London for the first time, checkout the London walking tours. The Beatles tour was first rate with stops at studios, club where Hendrix first played in UK, the building on Sevile Row where the rooftop concert occurred, etc. This trip I'll take in a stage play (Regent Park Theater again?), spend more time at the British Museum (London has wonderful galleries and museums), do a self-guided tour of the "blue plaque" historical designations, and go back for delish seafood at the Michelin building (o:
Worked on the Beatles.com website. Had a nice tour of the rooms. Very nice man. Very proud of his association and was very beaten down by John's death.
I'm thinking of giving the mono set a shot, then maybe some stereo versions on an individual basis. According to my understanding only 10,000 mono box sets will available.
Listen to " I saw her standing there" from the Capitol release's and tell me that the old Parlophone versions sounds better. The Capitol version now has bass and dynamics.
That being said, Cyclonicman, I hope the new releases are better than the Parlophone versions. You can keep those!
I strongly agree with Hevac. I have the Parlophone and the Capitol boxed sets. The Capitol releases are horrible when compared to the original parlophone versions. Capitol deliberately butchered the American releases by adding some noise to the mixes. The Beatles were also appalled by the butchering that was done by Capitol records. I firmly believe that no system now or ever would make the Captiol versions sound better than the Parlophone versions, just not possible!
If Mono was the only choice, I would pass. The Capitol Box set issued a few years back with the first 4 Albums in stereo is FAR superior to the original Mono releases.
John Lennon is on record as saying that mono was the way to listen to the albums, especially he was fond of Pepper in mono, saying, "You've never heard Pepper until you've heard it in original mono." All their albums were originally recorded in mono until the White album. They were later adapted and released in some form of stereo as the format evolved.
Bongofury, I am confused, are you talking about current releases or original releases? As far as I know the mono's are original mono's and not mixed down. Even the White album has an origial mono mix and a stereo mix, after that they were all stereo.
The early mono albums were mixed down on tube-based analogue mixers and have that tubey magic that is lacking in the last stereo albums, which were mixed down on solid state equipment starting with the White Album sessions. Those later recordings lack the bloom and warmth of the earlier work. Wait until you hear the new Revolver and Rubber Soul. You can tell this today on the best vinyl copies of the original work. I have two pristine copies of Revolver and prefer the "wall of sound" mono version over "let's make the best of four tracks" stereo sound.
The mono set doesn't have Abbey Road, Let it Be, and Yellow submarine which were only recorded in stereo. It's kind of strange that Amazon has a higher pricing for the mono versions vs the stereo versions.
I am very excited about the Mono mixes. Despite what anyone says, this is how the music was originally mixed and played back at Abbey Road by the recording crews for the Beatles. Think of those mono mixes as the motherlode. Not a lot of time was taken for the stereo mixes back in the day, at was an afterthought by the engineers, which is why they have been in their less than pristine state since 1983. Having heard Rain live in Las Vegas, the sonic quality can be stunning, especially the 1966 to 1969 material. I think the Mono mixes are the way to go.
Please don't be offended. The Beatles were fantatsic at melodies that you just can't get out of your head. It is great stuff. Just not my thing that is all.
Absolutely!! I kind of wish that the release dates were staggered only because I know I am going to purchase them all. Just want to say that it scares me when people that supposedly have an ear for music say they don't like the Beatles music.
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