New 9-9-09 Re-Masters Reviews Thread!

[mervap]

Abbey Road- A First-hand Listen

I am going to do something a little different for me...I am going to review the newly remastered "Abbey Road" as I listen to it, so what you are reading will be a first impression:

1) Come Together- This song has not been a fave of mine...I was struck immediately by the amount of 'quiet' there is on this track...by that, I mean noises and things that aren't instrumentation or vocals: pops, hiss, things like that in the background that I'm usually unaware of. This allows the controlled intensity of "Come Together" to shine through.

2) Something- Anyone who says the Beatles never tried as hard on George's compositions has never listened to this track. Macca's bass line is wonderfully 'present'...in fact, all the instruments seem to be more present and separate, but somehow in a way that doesn't lead to a cold, clinical sound.

3) Maxwell's Silver Hammer- Some folks will never like this tune...I would challenge them to imagine it was written by John Lennon, a man who wrote a few songs about social misfits. Paul must have had a great time doing his vocal...you can hear him smiling on the remaster.

4) Oh! Darling- It's hard to believe this is the same set of vocal chords on this song as the previous one. The remaster does not seem to have helped this one as much as the others so far.

5) Octopus's Garden- Maybe the weakest track on "Abbey Road", "Octopus's Garden" is a fun song to listen to nonethless...I really enjoy the guitar in the left channel, presumably John's. Everything sounds so much cleaner!

6) I Want You (She's So Heavy)- I was really looking forward to this one...Macca's bass runs in this song are among the best he's done. However, the remaster really shines a light on Ringo here...sounds as if he's right HERE! I did notice that the 'quiet' I found on the other tracks to be absent here...I know John asked for a white noise generator on this song, but that comes on during the march-out. I wonder if the engineers that worked on the remaster project found it impossible to remove it here? The ending bit is more meanacing than ever...

7) Here Comes the Sun- The perfect antidote for the previous track's forboding spirit, "Here Comes the Sun" is my favorite Hari-as-Beatle song...I had always known there were strings on this song, but I have never really HEARD them until today! So understated, so subtle...as if they weren't meant to be heard, but felt...positively stunning!

8) Because- As close to 'chamber music' as John ever got, "Because" showcases the Beatles' knack for harmony singing in the fore. It's very clean. ;)

I will group the rest of the songs together, as they are on the album. I have had an epiphany whilst listening to this medley...some of you may have had this happen and come to a different conclusion than I, but I have a new movie in my head for this medley: Paul is alone, sitting at his piano, sad at the state of affairs in his band, playing "You Never Give Me Your Money"...as the song goes on, he remembers some of the things they have done and gradually dozes off. "Sun King" begins a dream sequence that is populated by some very strange characters (we know them well!) who are somehow connected to his past. "Polythene Pam", "Mean Mister Mustard" and the lady in "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" are all characters in the dream. After all of these charater studies are done, Paul meets...........himself. Soothingly, he talks about what must now happen, how everything he's known will soon slip away and there is nothing to be done to change it. The weight will be his to bear...

Paul wakes up to find the rest of the Lads wondering why he's been mumbling in his sleep...Paul says, "Should we try and lay down the guitar on "The End?"

I am trying to think of a good metaphor for what the remastering has done for "Abbey Road" that hasn't been used yet...it's like looking into a mirror at your reflection...then, someone shows you it's not a reflection at all, but another actual person there, so much more real than a reflection...I came away with a greater respect for just how great a band the Beatles were.

[Greg]

Wow.  Can't tell you how interesting that was to read.  Much appreciated.  Is there any way to hear this remastered stuff except to buy it or the library?  Will the remastereds be on the radio, or is that not possible?

[mervap]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/09/remastered.beatles.review/index.html

I thought I had posted this, but we had some server issues earlier...there are a couple of comparative samples here, plus the Amazon. com Beatles store has them over to the right side of the window here:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Beatles/e/B000APTK6K

Of course, the sound quality isn't going to be as good as on the CDs, as I found out!

[mervap]

And I thank you very much, Greg! I was inspired by the Lads! I actually wrote that review twice...the server issue erased the original.

[Paperback Writer]

Kudos Mervap - Great review - thanks!

Did the Target deal after work tonight, buy two discounted re-masters, then get a $5.00 gift card on top of the sale price - sweet!

I bought Sgt. Pepper and The White Album.

I will review the White Album, Side 1 here:

Overall, the Beatles have met AND exceeded my expectations!  The sound is clean.  I can hear details I never heard or even read about.  I am no audiophile, but my simple ears can easily hear the unvarnished sound.  Picasso cleaned his windows, you might say. 

Most prominant, overall, consistant change is a heavier, more upfront bass sound eminating from Macca's digits.  On top of that is a consistantly more dominant sound coming from Ringo and his drum-kit.

BUT the star that has risen the most on CD 1 of the White Album is John Lennon - his vocals are smoking hot and down your ear-drum.  If someone told me the CD was re-mixed to put John's vocals out-front (it's not) - I'd believe it from listening to this CD.
We have all read and often decided ourselves that The White Album was often a solo Beatle with the other Beatles serving as a back-up band.  This will change your mind, as the most of the CD features a much bigger GROUP sound.

1. Back In the USSR _ The plane is bigger! (Listen to the intro engine roar!)  Noticeably more whoops and hollers can be heard here.

2.Dear Prudence - One of the most striking improvements. Are you fuc*in' kidding me?  How can the version we all know be improved?  Just listen here and you'll hear how.  Listen!  It's Paul's backing vocals and flugelhorn.  John's lead vocal here is out of this universe.

3.Glass Onion is fleshed out as a nice rocker as the bass and drums are pumped up.

4.Obla Di Obla Da - Paul always wanted this released as a single, never agreed - until tonight!   With deeper bass and drums this is now a party song!  Would have really had an impact released as a single after Pepper and before the WA.

5.Wild Honey Pie - loses the sickly saccharine and grows some organic wild honey, much better.

6.Bungalo Bill - nice acoustic drive is now dominant.

7.While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Yes it's got the "George-ous" guitars - but I'm also diggin' Paul's piano and John' organ sounds.  What a killer tune!

8.Happiness Is A Warm Gun - Clearly this is a stunner sound to now match a stunner of a song.  The Beatles' personal favorite song of the album. John and George sizzle on guitars, Paul and George 'get down' on harmony vocals and John sings for his life. 

9.Martha My Dear - Oh, it's John playing a swingin' bass riff!

10.I'm So Tired - Another complete knock-out! John's vocal is intimate, the wonderful bass- guitar interlude begs for additional play time,a jam here would lengthen and strengthen an already fab song.

11.Blackbird - Oh, Paul is in my living room singing and tapping his foot.

12.Piggies - I'm hearing an uncluttered great song and props to producer Chris Thomas on the harpsichord.

13.Rocky Racoon - you really can hear the beautiful subtle drums of Ringo.

14.Don't Pass Me By - Benefits from sound upgrade.

15.Why Don't We Do It In the Road? Play that funky music Macca boy, oh, he's playing every instrument, louder and clearer than ever .  Wish THIS was longer.

16.I Will - Nice harmonies by Paul on Paul

17.Julia - John you did this all on your own and that guitar sound has never shimmered more beautifully and your vocal is so sublime.

I have not gotten to CD2, but stay tuned, it will be reviewed.

 

[mervap]

GREAT review, PBW......anxiously awaiting CD 2!

[Kylenz]

I've only got to sit down and hear Abbey Road so far (agree with your excellent review Pat by the way), as I've spent the rest of the evening copying all the discs in the box set to Apple lossless format and also 320k LAME mp3, for the Ipod and for the car, y'know.. get all the 'housework' out of the way first before really getting down to the nitty gritty and LISTENING.

I had a quick listen to bits and pieces of the White Album, and Wow it sounds incredible. So much louder and direct. With Pepper I had a quick listen to the title track and Lucy in the Sky, and was a little disappointed the drums aren't a bit louder than I expected them to be (with the exception of the THUMP THUMP THUMP in Lucy of course).

But the thing I am most impressed about, is the packaging. The design and presentation. Each cd is packaged like a little mini LP, complete with an authentic label for each album (Parolophone / Apple, even the Capitol label for Magical Mystery Tour). The liner notes are interesting, in the same vein as the Mark Lewisohn book so provides great value for those who have never read Lewisohn's 'Recording Chronicles'. There are pictures in each album booklet that I can put my hand on my heart and say I've never seen before! Each album I pick out and look at is like having all my Christmases come one after the other! I love how they faithfully recreated the original LP art with computer technology and using the same font styles to create each album booklet. A lot of work and love has gone into each disc. It's cool how they packaged the White album with the individual portraits and the lyric sheet / poster and the embossed title on the cover (can't find the old embossed braille bit from the old LP though, unless someone can help me find it?).

Can't wait to watch the mini documentaries. I like how they packaged all the mini-docos on one disc so you have the option of watching them all at once. Very cool idea. Plus Yellow Submarine has a previously unreleased mono version of Only A Northern Song. I always hated the 'fake stereo' sound of the original pressing (the stereo version on Anthology 2 is brilliant though). Guess what I'll be listening to for the next few months... hahaha :)

[mervap]

I think with albums like "Sgt. Pepper" and "Revolver", the engineers were a little limited by the fact there were, by necessity, many 'bounce-downs' done. Anyone who's done some 4 track recording will tell you the biggest issue is finding more tracks...the Beatles & George Martin did this by taking the first 4 tracks they recorded and moving them over to another 4 track machine, usually utilizing only one track, thereby creating 3 useable tracks for more overdubs. The problem is that ever time they did this, those 4 original tracks were frozen forever together, even with today's digital formats. The genius shows through in how well those bounces were done and that's why these remasters sound so great.

Can't wait to hear more of your impressions, Kyle!

[Paperback Writer]

Kyle;  Great description of the generous packaging, it is truly awesome!

I also appreciate they did not gouge, price-wise, and jack the prices $5.00 more a disc, as others would have.

Artistically, very true to the original vision of the LP's.

 

[Paperback Writer]

The White Album - CD - 2 - Review:

My general comments about the sound quality about CD1 apply here, as well.  I'd add that many great under-rated gems in the Beatle collection of songs reside here - and the remastering increases this fact.

Here, on CD-2, I'd say George is the chief beneficiary of the enhanced sound, as his songs and guitar playing are impossible to overlook
- especially now - as they bask in this sound-stage.

1. Birthday - Another song that has the Beatles sounding like a cohesive group, as the sound spacing un-muddies another great party song.

2. Yer Blues - Somehow, this sounds downright JOYOUS!  This song gains much spirit from much more detailed guitar work and chasing bass.  John rips the vocals, creating passion in his self-described despair.

3.Mother Natures Son - Clearer access to some interesting percussion runs, as Macca coos flawlessly in flawless
 sound.

4. Everybody's Got STHEFM+MM - A riot on disc breaks out, as the Beatles slash and jump their instruments, especially aggressive guitar breaks.  Really can hear Paul's backing vocals and additionall "Whoops!"

5.Sexy Sadie - Sounds faster to me (Because I listen to the slower Anthology mix of this a lot), really a joy to hear Paul and George on harmony and the keyboard work of Paul's piano and John's organ.

6. - Helter Skelter - It BURNS!  You know the song, now hear Ringo really drumming in your face. How does he do this!  You'll also hear a glint of John playing saxophone somewhere in between the chain-saw guitar battle.  Like a real "helter-skelter" this gives a great ride -now in remastered style.

7. - Long, Long - Always a pretty song, now a beautiful one, as the sound enhances the instruments and vocals.  What beautiful keyboard work from Macca.  George is totally living this song as he sings it.  That shaky, vibrating wine - bottle sound near the end of the song never sounded clearer.

8. - Revolution #1 - Just so much better, the tempo is hypnotic and clear now.  Hearing tasty electric guitar runs laced-in.  Paul's "in the house," more distinct harmony, , some counter-harmony, as well.

9. - Honey Pie. - Somehow,  much more of a Beatle sound now, much less Paulie schtick.  John steps forward with some precise jazz guitar strumming. Paul's vocals are  - pure honey!.

10. - Savoy Truffle - George stepping out - bringing in forceful horns which are more than matched by excellent guitar punches to the gut. 

11. - Cry Baby Cry - John sets a haunting tone on this song that features  a locked-in Paul shadowing every John move

12. Revolution #9 The sound kaleidescope never sounded better and it is much better than I remembered it.  When your in the mood, this can blow your mind.  Interestingly, in listening to the remastered disc, it NEVER breaks the mood, as it did in the past - probably because you can hear everything so clear and its more of a collage than a mess.  My thoughts on this are that John was inspired for this as he would roll his short-wave radio dial back and forth, back in the day,  - now like we surf the web.

13. - For me, one of the most under-rated songs!  Bee- u-tiful.  The new clarity makes it sound nothing like "muzak" which it slightly did in less pristine sound.  Thought: John written, given to Ringo, considered a Ringo song.
IF this were on Abbey Road, instead of Octopus' Garden ?????

Other opinions, information on this most welcome.

This is the BOMB!

[Kylenz]

Speaking of George, I was listening to 'Old Brown Shoe' and 'The Inner Light' on the remastered Past Masters disc - WOW!! each song is coming to life, like you've never heard it before. They have done a magnificent job, ensuring that everything is not only beefier, but also crystal clear. I'm still yet to listen to CD 2 of the White Album yet, but judging by your review, PW, it's going to be a BLAST!

I listened to Magical Mystery Tour today, a truly solid clear thumpy sound. I Am The Walrus is mind-blowing, Baby You're A Rich Man features a renewed clarity in John's lead vocal. Then I skimmed around various tracks from Revolution to Hey Bulldog, these tracks rock so hard now! I heard a weird breathy bit at the beginning of Lady Madonna before Paul begins his lead vocal that I swear I've never heard before.

The journey, is only just beginning!

[mervap]

You all are whetting my appetite for more Beatles remasters....I will have them....oh, yes.....they will be MINE!!

[lampie1970]

Speaking of George, I was listening to 'Old Brown Shoe' and 'The Inner Light' on the remastered Past Masters disc - WOW!!

Ditto for "Let it Roll: Songs by George Harrison" release in June/July 09...has post-beatles-era studio remasters and live "something" and "here comes the sun".

And talk about packaging...the booklet insert for this one is so glossy pics on cool card stock...I've never seen it before...sort of like the McCartney Years booklet caliber (only that was matte..this is GLOSSY)...someone in that camp knows how to package...still channeling epstein maybe?? ;) ;)

[Kylenz]

I'm finding that some songs seem to have more remastering treatment put into them than others.. (i.e louder bass and drum, clearer vocal) ..did the remastering team put more effort into their personal favourites? Or sometimes a song would fly into life perhaps towards the end of a song.

Or is this all psychosemantic? Is there really that much difference between the vinyls, the '87 CDs, and the new CDs? Sure there is an improvement, I think they're as good as they possibly can be.

[mervap]

With some of the songs, the way things are grouped on tracks would have something to do with how much improvement was possible...