Jim, Originally, the stereo version, but my mono box set arrived later today and I listened to Rubber Soul, Sgt Peppers, and A Hard Days Night in MONO. The mono versions are excellent and the difference between the mono and stereo mixes are very pronounced in Sgt Peppers. The new mono remaster of A Hard Days Night overshadows the 1987 mono version by far. The remasters have more body, clarity, pacing and resolution. When I listen to the 1987 versions, it's as if I was listening through a door and the new remasters has put the music right in front of you. I am both happy and impressed with the remasters!!
How to listen to the Beatles re-releases?
There have been some stupid questions asked on these forums over the years, and several of those stupid questions have come from me. Perhaps here's another one for the ages...
I'm 38 and have never really listened to the Beatles catalog. I own "Peppers", "Rubber Soul" and "Abby Road" on vinyl, plus "Love", but wouldn't say I'm as familiar with their body of work as I am with, say, R.E.M (they were "my" band during my high-school and college years).
However, I've pre-ordered both the stereo and mono Beatles re-releases. What's the best way to re-introduce myself to the genius of the "fab four"?
Should I sit down and work my way through their collection chronologically? Is there a good companion book to read through while I listen? Should I listen to an album over-and-over until I really "get it" before moving on to the next? Both mono and stereo?
There are albums that I pick up and think "Wow...It would have been awesome to listen to this the first day it was released." Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors". CCR's "Willy...". Rush's "Moving Pictures". Etc. The excitement of the release. The cultural and musical context. The significance. I'll never be able to experience that with the Beatles, and I'd like to put myself in a place (mentally) to really listen to the Beatles for the first time (again).
Does this make sense? Blast away. I figure I couple of people will understand what I'm asking and have some thoughtful suggestions.
I'm 38 and have never really listened to the Beatles catalog. I own "Peppers", "Rubber Soul" and "Abby Road" on vinyl, plus "Love", but wouldn't say I'm as familiar with their body of work as I am with, say, R.E.M (they were "my" band during my high-school and college years).
However, I've pre-ordered both the stereo and mono Beatles re-releases. What's the best way to re-introduce myself to the genius of the "fab four"?
Should I sit down and work my way through their collection chronologically? Is there a good companion book to read through while I listen? Should I listen to an album over-and-over until I really "get it" before moving on to the next? Both mono and stereo?
There are albums that I pick up and think "Wow...It would have been awesome to listen to this the first day it was released." Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors". CCR's "Willy...". Rush's "Moving Pictures". Etc. The excitement of the release. The cultural and musical context. The significance. I'll never be able to experience that with the Beatles, and I'd like to put myself in a place (mentally) to really listen to the Beatles for the first time (again).
Does this make sense? Blast away. I figure I couple of people will understand what I'm asking and have some thoughtful suggestions.
80 responses Add your response
Thanks. The NY Times reviewer said there was little difference between the stereo versions of Rubber Soul, so I was wondering whether your experience was different. I've ordered the original and new re-masters of the stereo versions of Abbey Road and the White Album to make the comparison. Some reviewers have said the difference the stereo remasters make is most pronounced on these recordings. I'd like to believe the new versions are better, and if so I will buy them. But I confess I'm a bit skeptical: I've done comparisons between the Rolling Stones original and re-mastered versions, and the original ones are far superior. |
Jim, I can hear little nuances between the stereo version and the mono. If you are a real Beatles fan as I am, you will notice it. For one thing the voices have a different timbre to them. There is virtually no equalization on the mono versions. Cam, I actiually had to check it out, but Rubber Soul is as it was, with the voice on one channel and music on the other but it doesn't sound like it's separate as the 87 CD did. There is just a lot more music to hear than was available before on the original CD's. I think when you hear it, you will be happy with the results. My guess is that they didn't want to stray away from the original stereo mixes. |
Jim, There is no comparison! The new remastered version overshadows the 87 pressing in every imaginable way. The remastered version has greater body overall. The bass is more enhanced and unmuddied. The vocals are more transparent, you just hear all of the music. Ringo's drums are more prevalent than before. The pace of the music even sounds more rhythmic. I can't explain it better than to say that it sounds more like vinyl than anything that I have heard before. What I found amazing is that one doesn't have to make an effort to notice the changes. By the time I listened to Think for yourself, I stopped analyzing and started listening to the music. You have to hear it for yourself!! |
I can't believe anyone would even argue the greatness of the Beatles? You can say you don't like them, but you put your ignorance on display if you don't acknowledge their absolute greatness, beyond compare. You cannot compare the Beatles to any other rock band. You can compare them to Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart, Ludwig Van Beethoven, George Gershwin, but don't throw out the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin or Elvis, their not in the same league. 400 yrs from now people will still love the Beatles and all the words to their songs as we, even though it is subconscience, know all the works of Mozart. They are that important to Western (and far eastern Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Phillipines) culture. I will say that the Beatles are NOT my favorite band. But I will agree they are the most important band EVER. There is not any question of that. There would be no Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin(my Favorite), Elton John, Artic Monkey, Oasis (especially Oasis), Fleetwood Mac, heck even Metallica without the Beatles. |
I put 7 cd's in my cart at Amazon, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. I was born in 1950 and liked music at a very early age, mostly my mom and older sister's records (my mom had one of those suit case record players). I remember the first time I heard the Beatles...I thought it was radical cutting edge stuff!.....nothing like what I was listening to up to that point. They really opened up the flood gates so to speak. Dave |
I've been listening to maccaradio.com on my rig all evening. THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING WHAT SOUNDS LIKE ALL BEATLES REMASTERS....MANY IN MONO!!!!! Pure heaven....... Update: Unfortunately, that program on Macca radio just ended at 12:00 am 9/12. I'm sure the remasters will pop up again here and on other Beatles-friendly internet stations...keep an eye and ear out. |
it seems the u fn audio guys have been twiddlin your knobs too long. just listen to the discs , can u really complain. 90% of u cant do your job 10% as good as the remasters were done. i spent thousands on uk mono press lps and for $200 i got 99%. my ex herd the diff. in the car and shes half deaf in one eye. i u like the beatles you WILL like this stuff mono or stereo. i had 5 people listen to the stereo set with the mono switch on and not one said a word. HI FI is just to play the music back not to make your dik bigger |
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I’ll take the troll bait. It’s boring under my bridge. Gee, I guess we could might want to talk musicianship when talking about a band be it a pop group or symphony orchestra. And there is in my opinion no denying the Beatles musicianship. They were an iconic group. And they were a product of their time. I just wish we could experience their like today but I think that ship has sailed. |
We should remember, who inspired the Beatles. Who inspired the Stones , Zeppelin , The Who... who's music did they all play in those basement clubs back then. An interesting older read of someones perspective who was there and part of the music scene then. Who also inarguably seemed to have a pulse on what was happening musicaly proven by his numerous successful goes reinventing himself. Let alone the impact he had aswell. Not for any other purpose than to read his insight and context. https://solterosongs.com/the-group-according-to-david-bowie-was-more-influential-than-the-beatles/ |