The Beatles Remasters - Not A Peep, Where's The Love

[greenhorn]

I have been following the info and hype about the Beatle remasters the last month or two. Well alongs comes 9-9-09 and I decided to bite. Wasn't sure what I was going to do, decided to stop off at the local BB and see what was up. I decided to buy a few (4) that I don't have, open one see if it really sounded that good and if it did open others, if not return the un-opened.

I have 6 or 8 Beatles already, so I ended up with Help, Past Masters, Hard Days Night and Please Please Me.

First up was Help. Initial impression was WOW. I was in love with my speakers and the Beatles. All I could say to myself was way can't all CD's sound this clean and clear... I felt like crying (just an expression here) out of happiness because it sounded so good, or cry becuase some many cd's sound so bad.

You could turn it up! and it still sounded good... it wasn't shrill, it didn't hurt your ears. You could get it nice and high and get a little physical sense from the speakers... it was thrilling. It's always so dishearting to hear music sound wonderful in a movie or even TV and then put a CD in and be so disappointed. Over the past few years I had put a fair amount of money into a decent system and movies were the saving grace sonically, most CD's were a disappointment.

My system was singing and I was loving it.

Help was outstanding, the detail, nuances coming out, it was like hearing it all new again. There were some that I didn't have 100% apprication for that sounded so good, appriciate them so much more.

Past Master was next. I couldn't get over how strong Don't Let Me Down is, so far be song, always liked it, favorite Beatle song now. It was amazing.

Last night I went out and bought the other 10 CD's. Rubber Soul was next up and while it was very good, it was a little high on top but still could be played loud. Have to keep in mind how it was originally and other factors, still 90 out of 100.

Abbey Road was wonderful.

Disc one of the White Album is playing now and Rocky Raccoon is a treat.

Time to go and kick off a Beatles CD weekend. :T

[Alaric]

I still prefer the mono releases over the first remasters in stereo.

[bigburner]

greenhorn, your observations are consistent with those of my friends who have heard the new stereo releases. I'm really looking forward to hearing them.

Nigel.

[Johnloudb]

Greenhorn, Thanks for the review. I can't say I've been a big Beetles fan in the past. I like some of there music but not really enough to actually buy anything in the past. But your review has me very tempted to try something, and maybe I'll be surprised by it. What one or two CDs would you recommend?

[bigburner]

What one or two CDs would you recommend?

I'd recommend that you start with Abbey Road. Follow that up with Rubber Soul and Revolver. By the time you've got to grips with those three albums you'll be a devoted Beatles fan and want to hear everything they've done.

Nigel.

[greenhorn]

Greenhorn, Thanks for the review. I can't say I've been a big Beetles fan in the past. I like some of there music but not really enough to actually buy anything in the past. But your review has me very tempted to try something, and maybe I'll be surprised by it. What one or two CDs would you recommend?

I kind of group their work into 3 phases, so I would either pick which you prefer or one of each.

The first phase I consider mostly high Pop and they did some covers. It's generally light, faster and simpler. From this group I would go with Please Please Me.

The second phase was high creativity and experimentation. You can't go wrong with Rubber Soul or Revolver and Sgt Pepper on the edge.

The last phase was what I consider the deeper or heavier feel and sound. I would throw The White Album, Abbey Road and Let It Be here. Yellow Submarine falls into this time frame, but is kind of an oddity. From this group I would go with The White Album or Abbey Road.

In thinking about it if there was just one disc to recommend I would suggest Past Masters. Here you get two discs for a good price and it spans all three phases or style to a degree. There are also some tunes that you might not be as familair with. I'll be the first to agree that some are reluctant with the Beatles due to over saturation, hearing them like this makes it fresh again.

Go get yourself Past Masters 2 disc set for $12.99 if there is a best buy around your and see how it feels.

[Johnloudb]

Thanks Guys! :T

[Burke Strickland]

Hmmm.... The Beatles... I've done some research and found that they were a 1960s rock band, but apparently they are so little known they are not even represented on iTunes. Could their music really be that good that a "remaster" is warranted?

Yes, of course it is. I got up at 5 AM on 09/09/2009 to get online to place an order for Best Buy in-store pickup of the stereo set of all 14 albums, which I now have in hand. So far I've listened to all of Abbey Road (twice), both discs of "The Beatles" ("the white album" ), Magical Mystery Tour, Sgt. Pepper, and Past Masters I & II. So far I am very favorably impressed with the clarity and dynamic range on each disc -- well worth the upgrade. Next up: "Revolver" and "Rubber Soul".

Of course it is still the same music, so if you really think The Flaming Lips, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Dave Clark Five or (insert name of any other notable band in the running for "second place") :>) better represents the era, this magnificent rendition of The Beatles work is probably not going to change your mind. On the other hand, if you are new to The Beatles music, or are a fan and want to hear the music without a layer of audio grunge, these remastered (NOT "remixed") discs are definitely the way to go, IMO.

[greenhorn]

Humm

[mjb]

Hmmm.... The Beatles... I've done some research and found that they were a 1960s rock band, but apparently they are so little known they are not even represented on iTunes. Could their music really be that good that a "remaster" is warranted?

Am I missing the joke or sarcasm, or just getting old?

[mjb]

I still prefer the mono releases over the first remasters in stereo.

I'm sure you've seen, there are "new" mono disks too - I've not heard them, but the reviews on Amazon are thumbs up.

[aud19]

Greenhorn you evil SOB : I've been trying to avoid them like the plague as I'm a HUGE fan and I've already shelled out my hard earned dollars for all their albums and the Anthology (DVD's and CD's). I really didn't want to hear how good the new ones sound!!

[Industrial]

I have the MONO box set on the way. I was lucky and the store I went to had ordered more on the very same day they sold out. They ordered 2, I got one. So even if I was a little bit late I get to have one of the Numbered box sets. I did get the 3 last albums they did. They don't come in the mono box set since they were originally done in Stereo. I have the 87's stereo CDs and these new ones blow them away. The drums sound so much better, cymbals are nice and crisp sounding. The vocals no longer have that "part of the voice was cut in two" sound and sound nice rich and full. There is a little bit of tape hiss here and there but not very much. Most parts I can crank it up and they background is very clean. The sound is very Dynamic. I'm sure it helps that I'm playing this on equipment kinda similar to what Abbey Roads uses (B&W speakers and Benchmark DAC1).

- This is all Subjective as I am not a Audio Engineer.

[Alaric]

I'm sure you've seen, there are "new" mono disks too - I've not heard them, but the reviews on Amazon are thumbs up.

Ok. Now you have my attention!

[Burke Strickland]

Am I missing the joke or sarcasm, or just getting old?

Yes, it appears you are missing the joke. As of now, The Beatles actually are not represented on iTunes, but it is not because of obscurity. So that was a joke. The question that followed was answered in the rest of my post (under the black stripes -- put your cursor there and the rest of the text will be visible).

[littlesaint]

I also have the mono set on order, plus the 3 stereo only albums. Can't wait. :T

[JonMarsh]

I've been looking at these, too, but have been so busy- time to get a few on order!

[bigburner]

Here’s an interview with Allan Rouse, the Abbey Road engineer in charge of the remastering project:

http://christopherave.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/beatles-remasters-the-latest-from-abbey-road/

Nigel.

[aud19]

Found a good review comparing mono vs stereo album by album for those interested

Part 1:

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/review-the-beatles-remasters-1963-66-219124

Part 2:

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/review-the-beatles-remastered-1967-70-219227

[sikoniko]

I received these last week and promptly ripped them to disk, but was not able to start listening to them until recently.

One thing I especially like is being able to identify Mr. Winston O' Boogie's strumming. It normally gets drowned out. Now I can tell if he is just plucking the stings somewhat muted or actually playing the chord. I found it quite interesting.

[JonMarsh]

Just in three for now- Revolver, Rubber Soul, and Abbey Road.... add in a new DAC, and = Big smile!

Sounds the way I always imagined it must have when they recorded it, but somehow didn't capture. Remarkable.

[David Meek]

You guys are killing me. With my birthday coming up next week my wife and children have asked me not to buy any movies or music for the last few weeks, so the stereo set is at the top of my gift list. Here's hoping. . . .

[Hdale85]

I just picked up this new set yesterday and listened to it all day yesterday and partially today and I agree it's fantastic compared to the other copies I've had.