Bought the 2 CD version of this album today; really enjoying the new mixes and early takes.
At first hearing, some remixes work better than others, with perhaps too much bass on She Said and Yellow Submarine which muddies the vocals a little. I'm Only Sleeping really stands out, sounding more funky due to the clearer bass. Ringo's cymbals are a little muted on some tracks, again, as in She Said She Said, but the overall drum sound has more impact than previous issues, particularly on I Want to Tell You and Good-day Sunshine.
I really like the way you no longer have voices from one channel and instruments on the other. Instruments, such as the French Horn on 'For No One' are clearer due to the new mix. Good-day Sunshine seems to have more 'oomph', etc etc.
Is it 'better' than the 2009 stereo issue, the original release or the mono; I don't know, but I find it more enjoyable.
The 2 CD issue includes stereo versions of Paperback Writer and Rain, plus early takes, mainly before additional overdubs and instruments were added. The horn-free 'Got To Get You Into My Life' comes across as harder rocking.
Fascinating extras, but not essential. Nice booklet, too.
Other views?
Geoff
At first hearing, some remixes work better than others, with perhaps too much bass on She Said and Yellow Submarine which muddies the vocals a little. I'm Only Sleeping really stands out, sounding more funky due to the clearer bass. Ringo's cymbals are a little muted on some tracks, again, as in She Said She Said, but the overall drum sound has more impact than previous issues, particularly on I Want to Tell You and Good-day Sunshine.
I really like the way you no longer have voices from one channel and instruments on the other. Instruments, such as the French Horn on 'For No One' are clearer due to the new mix. Good-day Sunshine seems to have more 'oomph', etc etc.
Is it 'better' than the 2009 stereo issue, the original release or the mono; I don't know, but I find it more enjoyable.
The 2 CD issue includes stereo versions of Paperback Writer and Rain, plus early takes, mainly before additional overdubs and instruments were added. The horn-free 'Got To Get You Into My Life' comes across as harder rocking.
Fascinating extras, but not essential. Nice booklet, too.
Other views?
Geoff
Not listened, but from what I've read it seems the original was deconstructed into tracks and rebuilt using 'AI' (whatever that really means). It appears to be so different to the original that I wondered if it had gone so far beyond 'a good clean up' that, while it wasn't a different album it had moved from the category of 'remaster' to something new?
Like artificially coloured film, or that (thankfully) shortish fad for producing stereo versions of albums originally recorded in mono. Which isn't to say that it should be deplored or anything, but is there a point where restoration is so extensive it becomes? What? re-creation, re-imagining?
All said and done though, I'd be happy to enjoy it on it's own terms, though for the moment I'll settle for my seventh pressing because, honestly, the music transcends the medium...
Like artificially coloured film, or that (thankfully) shortish fad for producing stereo versions of albums originally recorded in mono. Which isn't to say that it should be deplored or anything, but is there a point where restoration is so extensive it becomes? What? re-creation, re-imagining?
All said and done though, I'd be happy to enjoy it on it's own terms, though for the moment I'll settle for my seventh pressing because, honestly, the music transcends the medium...
Thanks grindstone and Steven. Here's a quick summary:
Giles Martin used Peter Jackson's AI audio separation technology to produce the new stereo mix.
The original stereo version was limited by the fact that the Beatles only had access to 4-track recorders in 1966.
I'll be interested in listening to the result.
Giles Martin used Peter Jackson's AI audio separation technology to produce the new stereo mix.
The original stereo version was limited by the fact that the Beatles only had access to 4-track recorders in 1966.
I'll be interested in listening to the result.
I loved the comment from The Wombles creator Mike Batt:
"I’ve destroyed many of the original multitrack tapes for The Wombles and my solo albums so people can’t f*ck around with them after I’m gone."
"I’ve destroyed many of the original multitrack tapes for The Wombles and my solo albums so people can’t f*ck around with them after I’m gone."
As Paul and Ringo, plus Olivia and Yoko were involved in the project, I'm happy with the concept. John said in several interviews that he'd like to re-mix the entire catalogue.
The process with the new Revolver is quite different from, say, Alan Douglas 'creating' new Jimi Hendrix material by erasing Mitch, Noel and Billy (and sometimes even Jimi himself) from unfinished studio tapes and overdubbing new musicians. The results varied from OK - Crash Landing - to dreadful Midnight Lightning - although that wasn't really the point.
I had a second listen to the new mix last night and compared it to my mono LP. Apart from the slightly buried cymbals in She Said She Said, I really enjoy it. Paul's marvellous bass playing and Ringo's under-rated drumming are better displayed than on previous issues.
I was worried that the technology used to re-mix the album might give it a sterile quality or things might sound artificial, but that's not the case.
Of course, it's a great album whatever the format and that's what really matters.
Geoff
Australian stereo LP; Japanese Kenwood mono LP, red vinyl; original CD issue; 2009 box set remaster; 2022 CD re-mix!
One of my ten all time favourite albums, a tie between it and Electric Ladyland for #1
Geoff
One of my ten all time favourite albums, a tie between it and Electric Ladyland for #1
Geoff
Downloaded Hi-Res from Qobuz and listening now. Sounds superb compared to previous digital releases and remasters.
As with previous Beatles re-mixes, it's the same album of course but I hear more of the music compared to other issues, so I enjoy it more although I'm not sure the neighbours agree.
Perhaps not all of the recent releases have been as successful as this one: I thought the 'Let it Be Naked' album was a better listen than 2021 'Let it Be', although the Glyn Johns mix was nice to have in proper quality. Abbey Road and The Beatles were excellent, as was the little know 'Yellow Submarine Songbook' remastered collection of some years ago.
Geoff
Perhaps not all of the recent releases have been as successful as this one: I thought the 'Let it Be Naked' album was a better listen than 2021 'Let it Be', although the Glyn Johns mix was nice to have in proper quality. Abbey Road and The Beatles were excellent, as was the little know 'Yellow Submarine Songbook' remastered collection of some years ago.
Geoff
What I like about this is that the stereo now sounds normal, not overdone, not weird, but just normal. The instruments do come through better, but I can't say if every hit on the cymbal is clearer or not because I don't listen that closely. You can hear Ringo now, and Paul's bass is definitely deeper.
Paul's reaction to the original CDs when they were finally released was "Where's the bass?" My guess he is the one having them push it on these remixes. I blew out a speaker when I listened to the remix of Sgt Pepper LP at proper volume. Not too serious though, ScanSpeak told me how to fix it with wood glue. It was the dust cap that poppep off.
Paul's reaction to the original CDs when they were finally released was "Where's the bass?" My guess he is the one having them push it on these remixes. I blew out a speaker when I listened to the remix of Sgt Pepper LP at proper volume. Not too serious though, ScanSpeak told me how to fix it with wood glue. It was the dust cap that poppep off.
Sadly I don't own this issue of Revolver, hence can't contribute too fruitfully to this discussion. But I own that black cube, containing a plastic apple with a USB stick inside. It is called The Beatles Stereo USB. As far as I'm informed it's a 2009 remix version, and it sounds good in my old, wooden ears 😉 . The bass is distinct and the stereo image is convincing. I think I won't buy newer releases of the albums, as I've already ceased buying new Led Zeppelin releases of thier old albums that I own.
Best regards!
Best regards!
People still own music? I was collecting LPs up until a few years ago, not a serious collector, just an occasional one. But once I subscribed to Qobuz I just stopped buying, and mostly stopped playing them too. There is always something new to hear, as well as just about everything you've ever wanted to hear too but didn't own. Plus, the quality of the hi-res is good. You could argue this all day of course whether it is as good or better than LP.
I've heard the arguments along the lines of "what happens when the take it away from you?" or "what if they go belly up?" I don't care, I don't own it, nor did I ever have the impression I did. Find another service.
And back to Revolver, it is available at 24/96 on Qobuz.
I've heard the arguments along the lines of "what happens when the take it away from you?" or "what if they go belly up?" I don't care, I don't own it, nor did I ever have the impression I did. Find another service.
And back to Revolver, it is available at 24/96 on Qobuz.
Of course you'll be able to download/stream almost anything but I like to own a physical copy, these days on CD as LPs in Oz are very expensive. With the new Revolver issue - I bought the 2CD version - you get a very nice package with a 40 page booklet, heaps of interesting photos, information etc. So I'll always buy something I really like.
I've played this new version every day, sometimes twice a day and absolutely love it. In terms of the new remixes, it's the most different from the old versions. The 2009 remastered CDs still sound good and I'm pretty sure they were the versions included on the USB stick.
Bring on Rubber Soul.
Geoff
I've played this new version every day, sometimes twice a day and absolutely love it. In terms of the new remixes, it's the most different from the old versions. The 2009 remastered CDs still sound good and I'm pretty sure they were the versions included on the USB stick.
Bring on Rubber Soul.
Geoff
It was one of the last in my collection and once I had it, I gave myself a serious head slap.
So that's where all those great Beatles songs I don't have are! Including the song 'Got To Get You Into My Life'. While not being the greatest song of all time does sound like it came from the mid 80's not 1966. The rest are just the regular old 'Beatles Magic.' 🙂