Beatles

When I heard about this, I was wondering how they were going to use their catalogue. for remastering. I am kind of hoping that they don't sanitize the sound too much. I actually like the original sound of a popped P now and then.

As for I Feel Fine and She's a Woman I hope they use the British master and add reverb to approximate the effect. Those tracks sound pretty horrible in comparison to the others on the records.

I'm also not quite sure but some, maybe all the masters sound like they used safety copies. It is my hope where mixes that are identical that they use the real or supposed real masters.

...now officially confused, Beatle wise. 

I wonder if the film of their first concert in the US will ever be officially released - it does exist.  So still does the building where it took place, known as the Uline Arena and then the Washington Coliseum (just off New York Avenue, not far from Gallaudet University), although it hasn't been used as a concert venue for some time.

So much Beatles stuff happening. Aren't we still waiting for the mono UK releases to be re-released on vinyl soon? Whatever happened to those?

I like a few of the things Capitol did with the catalog. "The Beatles Second Album" and "Rubber Soul" are more coherent albums than the British counterparts. I know the aritistic intent of Rubber Soul was violated by Capitol, but making the entire album a "folk-rock" album by using other songs from 1965 made for a great sound.

If you were around then in the US, it cetainly didn't lessen the impact the record had on you; in fact it might have increased it.

The "Second Album" basically was programmed to show "the Beatles as rock 'n rollers" and used a lot of cover versions. Just a great, fun song sequence that shows them off for the great rock band they were. There are even one or two of the songs where I like the added reverb, but we won't get into that as I'll get flamed. 

I do, however think the intended release of the box set is sort of weird if they don't use the American masters. What's the point (other than money) of releasing the UK tracks programmed in the US running order? I can easily do that by myself with digital technology if I want to. So why buy the CDs?

I wish Bob Whitaker were still alive to see hIs long suppressed butcher photo not only finally released by Capitol, but trumpeted as a major selling point for the new box set. He appeared to be somewhat bewildered by the controversy created by a photograph of four guys sitting in chairs with doll parts and meat on their laps. In retrospect, it all was a little silly.

Mikey, it does blow my mind, always have and always will. In the span from 62 to 69 how'd they do it? Of course Sir George Martin is included in the "they". If the folks at Apple Corps/Capitol would include a CD of the Yesderday and Today cover that peels off to reveal the Butcher cover now that would be cool. Gonna pass on this set and wait for the Mono LPs.

I know that the original UK releases are supposed to be the gold standard for the best sound you can get from the Beatles on a recording. I seem to remember you covering this once before, but is it still possible for new pressings of these to be rereleased? Used versions can be found, but at a really high price.

Here we go again... Another shameless money grab from the Beatles 'trust'. The only real advantage, if you want to call it that, is other Beatle-like albums such as The Beatles Story (which was a documentary double LP, not so much a Beatles album), plus A Hard Day's Night soundtrack will finally see the light of day. But that's not saying much.

The instrumental tracks for HDN are in true stereo, but the Beatle tracks on the stereo LP are in mono only. Maybe they'll substitute... If anyone really wants to replicate the playing order of the Capitol albums (if not the 'sound'), all you need do is rip all the 2009 re-mastered CD's onto your computer/music server, and create the appropriate playlists in your favorite media player. As far as I Feel Fine and She's a Woman goes, just take the stereo U.K. re-masters and add some similar reverb to them using some decent mastering software and reverb plug-ins. Easy-peasy.

Also, it's fairly easy to find adequate jpg renditions of the Y&T 'butcher cover'  on the internet.

I guess DSD versions of the original U.K. catalog is a bit too much to expect in our lifetime...HA!

Do people really still buy CDs? I find that so strange, I guess in part because I haven't bought one for twenty years, myself. But with digital having almost no intrinsic value, and pretty much free for the taking, if I were a record company, I would come out with vinyl first, quality downloads second, and CDs not at all. CDs, and their attempt to force them on us, are what got the record industry into the mess it's in now.

i come here for analog!!!!

If its not asking too much Mickey, maybe you can get them to cut us Revolver from the master tapes at 45 on a set of 200 gram vinyl disks. Its a bucket list thing...oh and all analog with some tubes in there some where.  

Ken

That's all I can say..

Perhaps the authorities can sweep in and institutionalize anyone who pays cold cash for the CD of the truncated US version of Revolver on the theory that they must pose a threat to themselves and others. Beatles Story buyers, too!

I  am being digitized on an analog planet.

I have not purchased any Beatles CD's or the new Vinyl. Waiting for the High Rez Versions. (24/192) or (DSD) Not falling for the hype. $$$$$$$

I didn't bother getting any of the new Beatles vinyl. And I won't. 

If you have original Parlaphones and Apples, mono and stereo, why??  

The Beatles catalog on 45 rpm vinyl, mastered by Bernie Grundman or Hoffman or one of the other greats, pressed at a good plant - very different story. I would not hesitate. 

If you have the earlier Vol 1 & Vol 2 boxes, it really doesn't matter much what tapes (UK, US, or otherwise) they use for this new box because nearly all the Dexterized and duophonic/stereo folddown tracks were on the albums in those two boxes  -- and those boxes used the original Capitol cutting masters with all of the goofiness (some would say, charm) present.

For the most part, the "charm" on the remaining albums not included in the first two Capitol boxes was simply suboptimal mastering from 4th (or worse) generation dubs of the original UK masters.  Why would anyone want to recreate that?

Now there are a few unique mixes on those LPs not in the original two Capital boxes, but they will be apparently using the Capitol tapes for those tracks (although it's not clear whether they will simpy use the cutting masters for these tracks or they will go back to the original tapes sent over to the US by George Martin...I assuming Capitol got the 1st generation mixdowns of these unique mixes, but I suppose the US could have gotten dubs and the original masters remain in the UK).

I personally hope they use best sources available for all of the unique US mix tracks because 1) we've already gotten the Dexterized, etc versions from the cutting masters for the Vol 1 & Vol 2 albums and 2) I see no benefit in using anything less than the 1st generation masters for these tracks for other LPs.

Essential reading for those fond of the Capitol US issues is The Beatles Second Album (Rock of Ages) by Dave Marsh.  Marsh maintains that it's an accidental masterpiece, given how it was Dave Dexterized: he also recounts how that Dexterization occurred along with interesting biographical details about DD (who hated The Beatles). I'll have to say, I've always considered Beatles '65 to be a better album than Beatles for Sale ( I think the UK version is one of their lesser efforts, needing a firmer hand in the editing and running order) plus, the US version includes  I Feel Fine, which practically jumps out of the vinyl at you.  Finally, I'm wondering why Hollywood Bowl isn't included in this new set: has it ever seen the light of day as a CD?

Wow.... Just think, the entire history of the Beatles occurred between 2007 and now.   That's mind blowing.   It also occurred to me that is the year Led Zeppelin reunited and performed one  concert called Celebration Day.  The newly released vinyl version just arrived at my doorstep.  What took so long?  

The Capitol long boxes were excellent sounding repros of the original Capitol albums and they were in mono and stereo. They should have issued Volume 3. Why would I even think about rebuying the whole deal which will not be as authentic (to the original Capitol remasters)as the last remaster?