The Beatles Revolver


Just read where Giles Martin is using  AI-powered audio separation technology to remix Revolver. From what I read he can take the mono tracks and separate all the instruments and vocals on the 4 track tape the were recorded on and then I guess remix them in 24 track or whatever he wants. Is this good? I love The Beatles and no matter how much better it my sound it not the same. They had what they had in 1966. And George Martin did wonders with 4 tracks. Where does this reissuing of classic albums stop. Is Revolver remixed in multi tracks still Revolver?

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Yes it’s still Revolver the new Beatles remixes so far have all been excellent.

Looking afresh at any recording doesn't detract from the original. Aside from the technology involved here any album mix that involves multitracking of any kind (even four track) is representative of a set of views at a point in time. Other perspectives can give additional insights into the music because producers and mixing engineers are constantly having to prioritise what the listener gets to hear, and, in consequence, what s/he doesn't.

I, for one, am looking forward to hearing the new mix.  Last year, I heard a bootleg remix from someone who dubbed himself Lord Reith who de-mixed and re-mixed most of the Beatles' material, and when I heard his new version of Revolver, it was an absolute revelation. 

There seems to be two reasons the mono mixes are usually preferred: the first is that the mono mixes were the priority since that is how most fans would actually hear the music (and therefore somehow more "authentic"), and the other is that the stereo mixes of the pre-Sgt. Pepper material often interfere with the "willful suspension of disbelief" since they commonly have the elements hard-panned to the left or the right without much blending across the middle; hearing the drums in just one speaker, for example, is just plain weird.

So when I heard the Lord Reith remix with the instruments and vocals blended across the channels much more naturally, I really connected with it in whole new way.  In fact, the final track, "Tomorrow Never Knows," never made much sense to me, but with that remix, it suddenly came alive.

So if a very talented guy somewhere on the Interweb using an alias can create such a magical version, I can only wonder what someone with the last name Martin can pull off.

While I clearly understand the desire to remix songs from days of yore, my personal feeling is that you get to choose to purchase them or not.

I like the original vinyl that I bought new back then and will always play it.  If, for some reason, I happen to like the remixed versions, I will put my hard-earned money on the counter and make the purchase.

So far, I have only heard one "remix" song.  It is from the Eagles, and I don't care for it.  Unfortunately, I have to look hard on the internet to find the original version as I don't happen to have the vinyl.  I will, however, purchase it if I find it.  Oh, the song is one of my favs, and best, IMO, in the original mix:  Please Come Home for Christmas.  (The Bon Jovi version, while not as good, is by far the sexiest video I have ever seen, and they perform it with their clothes on!)

Cheers!