Triumph or Tragedy? The Beatles New Red & Blue Vinyl & CDs Reviewed
Vložit
- čas přidán 18. 11. 2023
- Head to squarespace.com/parlogram to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code parlogram
In this major review of the Beatles' new remixed red & blue albums, we cover all aspects of this exciting release. Including: the sources used for the reimxes, packaging, vinyl quality, sound quality of both the vinyl and CDs and the remixes themsleves. All you ever wanted to know and more about this album is right here!
Link to the full version of Giles Martin's interview on ABC Radio in Australia: www.abc.net.au/listen/program...
Other videos mentioned in this presentation which you might enjoy:
How The Beatles Recorded The Please Please Me Album - • How The Beatles Record...
She Loves You - The Incredible Story of The Beatles Greatest 45: • The Incredible Story o...
The True Story of The Original Red & Blue Albums: • The Full Story of The ...
Browse a selection of great sounding vintage Beatles and 60s vinyl on our website: www.parlogramauctions.com
You can help support the channel in any of the following ways:
1. Become a Channel Member which unlocks exclusive content and gives you early, ad-free access to our latest videos. Click here to find out more: / @parlogram
2. Click on the 'Thanks' icon below the video to donating an amount of your choice.
3. Browse our new merch in our Spring store: parlogram-auctions.creator-sp...
4. Join us on Patreon: / parlogram
If you would like to get in touch with us, you can do so in the following ways - but please note that we cannot do valuations online:
Email: andrew@parlogramauctions.com
Facebook: / parlogram
Twitter: / parlogram
Instagram: / parlogram67
Via our website: www.parlogramauctions.com/Con...
Thank you! - Hudba
Hands down the absolute best, most educated and informative Beatles channel on youtube if not on the whole world wide web ✌🏼
Wow! Thank you 😊
You can say that again.
Amen. Completely professional.
Should have his own satalite TV channel.
I don't agree. He's uninformed about basics. For example, his comments about "From Me To You." The original had all vocals on the right side and all instruments on the left side. The new mix is a VAST improvement.
Amazing how you can make 30 minutes seem like 30 seconds. I would like to have seen "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love" represented. I must admit I like collecting different mixes. Whether I like them or not becomes immaterial, in this day and age you can easily play your favourite one. Bye the way, I love the cinema projector changeover circles. I've noticed them for ages. Has anyone else?
Right! Can't believe they didn't remix or enhance Free as a Bird or Real Love with this new software.. What a missed opportunity! :/
Glad you enjoyed it, Steve!
There is most likely going to be an anthology remaster
@@TheBoyer19 I hope they don't butcher the pre-1963 stuff. Especially In Spite Of All The Danger.
@@R3TR0R4V3 Peter Jackson talks about it in the latest Things We Said Today podcast. It has to do with getting John's original master tape, not a copy.
When Andrew says "You've crossed the line," it's like Charles Bronson showing up at your door...
TY for agreeing about Walrus.
I predict that fans in the future will treasure original mixes of every song, and they will release them again in that form.
I already cherish the original mixes, especially after listening to Giles Martin’s remixes, which are hit and miss at best.
For me, Giles Martin’s remixes have always been hit and miss. Some sound brilliant while others just leave me wondering what he was thinking. It’s this inconsistency that leads me back to listening to the original mixes once again. Btw, to my ears, Peter Corbin’s remix of the Yellow Submarine Songtrack is still the gold standard for what these remixes could have sounded like.
Agreed. And to think the folks responsible didn’t have access to the new de-mix tech!
Don’t forget that he would always get Paul and Ringo’s final approval.
@@chrissullivan40 Point well taken. HOWEVER, the end result is for all of us to run out and (as Andrew often mentions) " spend our hard-earned cash" on "The next new thing". IMHO, different mixes are ok. But, adding or removing what was originally there is not. Personally, I love to listen to the "whispers", "coughs", "count-ins", "banter" etc. It's what gives the songs their "character". I don't want to listen to some "sterilized" version
I agree that the Yellow Submarine Songtrack (released 1999) are the best remixing job of Beatles songs. But I thought this was done by George Martin himself. Who is Peter Corbin? All I could find on Peter Corbin is that he's a visual artist, not a sound guy. I do wish that the remixes could be done Yellow Submarine Songtrack style, and I'm not a fan of most of the Giles Martin remixes, as I find them harsh and unmusical.
Should hsve let Steven Wilson take charge from the get-go, but, hey, nepotists gonna nepotise.....
The biggest disappointment to me with these was that Free as a Bird and Real Love weren’t included because after hearing Now and Then I definitely want remixes of the other 2!
My opinion is they are playing that card in the near future with the Anthology reissue. We will probably get those 2 songs remixed plus potentially expanded editions. I think so because it is surprising the video anthology is not available online and maybe the reason is they are planning to remaster all that footage in HD which is a massive work considering how many different videos sources are included in those 8+ hours
Lennon’s 70s demos aren’t really Beatles songs are they!
@JTKaeloo my sentiment exactly! Now I can't stand to hear John's blurry vocal on those songs, and I believe he deserves to be better heard in the mix.
20:07 When I do my mixtape of 62-66, I’m putting “Rain” on it.
"This isn't Taylor Swift. This is the Beatles." Shots fired!
Oof, seeing that CD waveforms was truly disheartening, particularly as at some point in late 2010s it almost seemed like “loudness war” was over… Evidently, not even close! Thanks for sharing
I love the fact that Giles Martin was born a few weeks AFTER Abbey Road was released.
Why?
Not changing the gatefold photo in Red to an era-appropriate picture was insane.
I really like it, but then again I would! I'm in it!
@@Deemun666 so you’d still be in the Blue album gatefold.
How "You Really Got A Hold On Me" made it on the expanded Red comp is baffling. Maybe one of these should've made the cut instead -- "I Should Have Known Better," "If I Fell," "I'll Follow The Sun," "Things We Said Today" or "Do You Want Tto Know A Secret?"
RNR Music - Mr Postman
Really got a hold... is the ONLY song sung in duet by John and George, Paul singing "only" backing vocals. It's a tribute to the two dead Beatles.
12:50 You nailed my biggest issue with how the Beatles are presented today. Early in the pandemic, I was able to scoop up one of the last of the CD mono box set and it's completely superseded all other ways I listen to their music (my CD setup is a bit nicer than my vinyl setup in my current space). As an under 30 fan who always grew up with the 80s stereo CDs, hearing their complete catalog in mono is like hearing it for the first time. What disappointed me most about a mix like "I Am the Walrus," is they didn't take the opportunity to re-inject some of the menace and tension the far-superior mono mix presents. I am pretty happy with the new track listings, though. Some quibbles, and if I was on a hardcore vinyl kick I wouldn't want these with the disjointed track layout, but throwing all of these tracks into a playlist with the 2009 masters definitely enhances the red and blue experience.
The Red album was my gateway in the early 80s. I’d saved a load of coppers and silver coins and used the money to purchase it. I would have been 10 years old. What a thrill it was.
Overall I’m happy with the remixes, & glad to have them on coloured vinyl. Chronological order would have been so much better, like the CDs. I would have liked Now and Then and the two 90s singles as an extra EP, rather than the one song on the blue album. They don’t belong on it imo.
Superb stuff, Andrew 👍
Cheers Matt! 👍
I have made a similar comment :)
I love the mono mixes, myself. The stereo versions weren't all that good, rather rushed. But these new stereo 'creations' sound rather wonderful, fresh and vibrant, so full of excitement and life; a triumph in my opinion. This might be because I have a top-notch hifi system and very revealing and musical headphones as well. I don't think the Beatles have ever sounded better. The overwhelmingly positive reaction from the public seems to back this up. The songs sound great, and the singing and performances. I found myself smiling repeatedly and saying 'wow' because there are so many places where the performances sound wonderful and rejuvenated, for now.
You're so right about the CDs, those wave files are MUCH to hot, inexcusable for that to be publicly released!. Of course in the modern musical world louder is better...except it's NOT.
What sucks is the 24-bit high res downloads are also compressed to death just like the CD's
I would love to see the Star Club tapes remixed with the new technology. The Beatles "punk" period deserves some light to be shined on it.
Actually they were dressed in the suits for this performance, not the leather jackets. They had signed a contract to play Hamburg in December 1962 and Mr. Epstein made them honor it even though they were on the cusp of fame. They were metamorphosizing.
@@yayafan the sound is brash, tough and loud. I don't care what they were wearing.
Except if you remember, its a release that they the group themselves tried to prevent, by going to court, back in 1977
@@Deemun666 now I've just read that Peter Jackson purchased the tapes this past year. I wonder what his intentions are...hmmm.🤔
you and me, both ! no other new Beatle release should come out until this happens !
Man, your videos are always incredibly interesting to watch and to listen to.
This stuff makes social media worthwhile.
Thank you!
In my opinion, the worst mistake on the blue album was noticeable missing guitar pieces on Old Brown Shoe. I was wondering if they ever noticed that in the final mix.
I find that Giles Martin has the habit of taking double tracked parts and spreading them across the channels. The flaw in that approach is perfectly exemplified in this song. Sometimes parts were doubled to sound stronger or perhaps to cover for missed notes in the original take. Whether this was a case of bad editing or not on Giles' part is up for debate, but the song suffers from it. And its a shamd because I wanted a really good stereo mix of this song
@@prettyshinyspaghetti8332 absolutely - the wide panning of the guitar tracks makes them sound thin and weak, and it really does a disservice to George's playing.
I could only listen to a few seconds, I thought George's vocals were all wrong in the mix, like was mentioned in this video, almost as if he was in a different room, that ruins it. The AI separation is good but it does make some vocals sound weird.
I thought I was missing something 😮
EXACTLY!! My point exactly when I heard Dear Prudence, and Giles spread double tracked electric guitar had dropouts in various places on each side! The original stacked double tracking gave a phasey effect and covered a multitude of sins! How can he not know this? @@prettyshinyspaghetti8332
The informative and entertaining quality of this and the rest of your videos is simply astounding.
Your content is arguably some of the best produced on CZcams - you would be a fantastic documentary film maker without a doubt.
Love the vids and look forward to future content!
Exemplary and fascinating, as is the Parlogram norm. Thank you Andrew.
Working in an independent UK record shop I can vouch for the interest in these albums, for those both in and beyond the existing fan base.
I’ve had a great fortnight: not a day, maybe even an hour,has passed without a customer inquiry or conversation about Now and Then, and the Red and Blue sets.
For my part, the Rubber Soul tracks are the absolute sonic highlight, and most of the Red set. I’ve just about recovered from the initial shock of hearing I Am The Walrus (sounds like an Aphex Twin mix from his 26 Mixes For Cash LP), and I quite like it’s brazen differences.
Other than a shared worry that these new mixes replace the originals, I’m all for these sets.
Fortuitously, we’ve had a From Liverpool box in store to sell. I was playing it one morning last week on the shop deck, and it sold within an hour of being listed for sale.
It’s still my own favourite compilation, too. I play it more than my UKBC-13, in fact.
Thanks again for all your marvellous work.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for your remarks about these new compilations. I have always considered myself very fortunate to have lived through the entire Beatles career. Having owned all the Capital albums my purchase of these 2 sets was only for the 8 track tape to listen to in my car. While I am a fan of Giles earlier reissues so far, I'm inclined to pass on these. My thought is Giles will surely eventually redo all of the earlier LP's and I would hope, Past Masters. This will eventually render these very expensive new compilations unnecessary. At least to me. It also begs the question, how many times must we repurchase all of these? Was looking more forward to Rubber Soul and hope it is next on Giles list. Patience is the key word here. Thank you again and Cheers.
Don't forget that these are meant for bringing in new fans. For us older fans, they are just curiosities as to how they sound. We will always prefer the albums.
I am the same as you Andrew. First Beatles albums I bought was the Red and Blue back in 79, changed my life.
I grew up on my mom’s 1993 cds and then got the 2010 cds love the comp
I have to agree that separating the guitars, especially on the early tracks, is a revelation. John's rhythm and George's tasteful licks really come through on some of the tracks, for example, I Saw Her Standing There. George was so underrated as a guitarist, maybe because he couldn't improvise stunning guitar solos on the fly like Clapton. But Beatle music wouldn't be Beatle music without his instrumental contribution.
Thanks again Andrew for another awesome and insightful review.
I have the Original 1967 to 1970 on album....it is so cool to hold this album in my hand....also Meet The Beatles in mono on a 1960s pressing.....my All time favorite is The White Album!!!!😊
Wonderful and informative as always Andrew. Giles’ remixes are indeed hit and miss. Just two quick examples : overall, I find his remix of Sgt. Pepper very good overall. On the other hand, and this is the term I’ve used since his remix of this album came out, he “butchered” Abbey Road. Heading into the coda of ‘Come Together’ John does a moaning “Aghhh …” sound which is perfect for the feel and mood. But it’s inaudible on the remix. He also relegated the prominence of the guitars during the coda of ‘I want you (She’s so Heavy)’ which, in my opinion is a major sin. The guitars repetitive chords are the highlight of this song and they create the mesmerizing atmosphere attributed to this song. To this day, after listening to it twice, it sits on my shelf and will remain there. The 1983 Japanese CD and the 1987 EMI version are my go to albums. Here’s hoping the Red & Blue albums will have more likes than dislikes. 👍 🇨🇦
I think the issue with the remix of Abbey Road was that it really didn't need a remix of any kind, being the best-sounding Beatles album anyway. However, the "aaahhh" at 3.58 you're talking about in Come Together has been replaced, effectively, by an elongated "oooh, aaahh" at 3.52-3.54. If a remix sounds the exact same as the original mix, what was the point of a remix?
Well said; besides the examples you sighted, for me it’s the defanging of Helter Skelter, She Said She Said and Revolution (dont get me started on I Am the Walrus). Very hit and miss, and that’s why the original mixes will always be my preference.
Thanks for your comments. It's discouraged me from buying the CD versions.
I’m glad you said ‘they crossed the line’ with the ‘I Am The Walrus’ remix because that’s exactly what I said. I think about it as the analogy of restoring a masterpiece painting like Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’. It’s fine to enhance the colours make everything more vibrant, but imagine if the restorer added another sunflower or removed one completely. Absolutely crossing of a line on what was my favourite outro on any song ever. I’m now worried that new remix will become the standard on streaming devices & radio play etc.
Love your Van Gough analogy. Perfectly said.
Walrus is hugely disappointing to my ears.
Loved the 'Fluff' Freeman bit at the end. I think you should address your audience as 'Pop-pickers'.
Thank you, Justin. Glad you enjoy them!
Years ago, I had the most wonderful opportunity to have conversations with Geoff Emerick multiple times. The conversations eventually turned to discussing the Beatles and the various mixes made during and after the band’s break up. Geoff was adamant about the subject, almost irritated by the thought as he felt (in his words) that anything other than the mono versions were “pure rubbish.” He explained the mono versions captured the true energy of The Beatles, unlike the American (quasi) stereo versions. And I agree with him. In my opinion, anything created or related to the music of The Beatles without all four members, including George Martin, in the same room should be categorized, punctuated literally as “UnOfficial Versions.” The seemingly endless remix butchering is simply Apple Corp’s hunger to siphon every last penny from past and future Beatles fans. You are spot on in your concern that it’s questionable how “Original Mixes” could be marginalized or even lost decades or generations from now. What Giles Martin is creating is an alternative universe and should be labeled as such, or in my opinion, condemned as such. Again you’re spot on regarding the balance of certain instruments within the Giles remixes. He’s turned greatness into mediocrity by eliminating what we loved the most about The Beatles. Their magic! No one, including the son of the brilliant Sir George, should disturb nor distinguish the brilliance created in the collective moments shared together as members of the band during the creation process. If all 4 members of the band left the control room proud with their performances, compositions completed mixes, and agreed upon by all four, why isn’t that enough for us? Should we change a brushstroke, add or delete a single color from Van Gogh’s Starry Night just because we now have the technology to do so? No. In my mind, heart and ears, The Beatles were perfection. Isn’t perfect close enough?
I absolutely, positively, couldn't agree with you more!! The ONLY reason to use the technology (IMHO), would be like Mr. Jackson used it to separate and clarify what was already there.
Go Andrew!! Thank you very much for this content and creating a space where us Beatle nerds can discuss our passion ❤
My pleasure!
Hi, Andrew. A bit off topic, but I really enjoy the "retro" graphics you use in your videos. They sort of take me back to a time and place from a long time ago!
Same! 🙂
Glad you like them, William!
Andrew, your opinion always respected and appreciated. The one thing not mentioned that I came away with after a though go 'round with these sets: I actually prefer Back In The U.S.S.R and Dear Prudence without the crossfade. The remixes are always going to be polarizing. Personally, I appreciate a new way to hear this music.
i pray the original versions aren't replaced with the modern mixed versions as you were saying Andrew. thankyou for this video by the way.
Not having the reverb at the beginning of Nowhere Man is almost criminal. For me, the Yellow Submarine Songtrack version is still the best. It also makes me wonder how much interest would there now be in a Rubber Soul remix? Seeing that the best songs from that album already have good stereo remixes. I'll still probably buy it anyway.
The Red and Blue albums were many people's gateway into the music of the Beatles, but that was a bit before my time (I was born in 1976). Believe it or not, my gateway into the music of the Beatles was through the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie starring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton, along with the soundtrack album, which I listened to endlessly as a 5 year old. I didn't even know that these weren't the only versions of the songs, and wasn't aware of the Beatles (or much of anything else at that age).
My first memory of hearing the Beatles' versions of some of the songs was that I didn't like them, and wanted to hear the "originals", haha.
Hi Andrew, as usual, I was so looking forward to your review of these new releases...you always deliver above and beyond expectations! We all thank you for taking the time to prepare such high quality, informative and highly articulate presentations!!
Thank you, Tony. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Andrew, I was going to buy the CD versions, but i'm glad I waited for this video as I think i'll stick to the originals instead.
I’ve been waiting patiently for your response video, and you certainly haven’t disappointed. Thanks for the well balanced look at these new mixes. I’m convinced that no matter what would have been done, it would be impossible to please everyone.
I’m personally happy with all of these new re-mixes, knowing that I already own the originals. And I even found the end of Walrus to be a creative, and daring twist.
I certainly don’t believe it’s right for these to replace the originals, but I do like the listening experience hearing these songs in a different light.
The fact that so many people are reacting so passionately (both positive and negative) about these versions makes me really happy. Clearly The Beatles still have a huge and devoted following here in the twenty first century.
Thanks again Andrew, great job as always. And the introduction you used was priceless.
Glad you enjoyed it, Dan!
I love your breakdowns so much. Sad to see the new waveforms, honestly. I wish i could hear Atmos without Apple Music 😢
I found the Atmos remix of the blue album on Apple Music but not the red. Anyway, while I’m not an expert on music remixes , I can clearly hear the difference btwn that & non-Dolby Atmos !😮
Deezer has Atmos
Please let me not be the only Beatles fan who didn’t realise there were bongos on A Hard Day’s Night! I’ve gone back and listened to the ‘09 mix, and whilst they are audible, they’re incredibly buried.
I’ve always heard them especially in the last verse for some reason. I think they’re just a little too loud now but that’s probably because I’m too used to the more subtle level.
Andrew is one of the preeminent Beatles scholars of our day. A Beatologist? Quality videos with quality information.
Thank you! Much appreciated!
Thanks for the in depth review. This just confirms what I was thinking in the first place. Going to stick with my 70's copies.
Same here. I scanned through the new red and blue on streaming and was not impressed except with the quieter tunes. The more rocking ones are so drum and bass heavy as to be annoying. I'm not going to spring for these on cd nor vinyl.
What Giles and Sam did on the demixed tracks recreating the non existing reamped band in Studio 2 reminds me something like Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman creating Frankenstain Junior. Let it Be!
This was most likely done to cover up the artifacts left over from the de-mixing process. De-mixing is not perfect by any means.
The Revolution mix was the one I was reakkt looking after... And it turned out to be a piece of Ice Cream once again.
I was expecting to be blown away as the LOVE remix did (just without the added elements at the start and end), but nope, it still was the half-assed 1973 mix with the left and right channels brought a bit to the center. No guitar separation, just both of them panned to the right with bass and drums to the left. What a bummer...
Really*
Bad typing lol
Perfect timing. I have just finished listening to my 1973 Red and Blue vinyl and ordered the new mixes which are due to arrive today. I'm really looking forward to hearing them and seeing if Giles brought something new to the table. Thanks for the video, Andrew!
Hope you enjoy them!
I've done A/B comparisons of the new mixes with all the previous mixes, and yes, some of the new mixes absolutely shine ("Yesterday" is glorious). But I can't bring myself to spend $220 + tax (in Canadian dollars) for the vinyl releases considering that I already own 4 of the 6 LPs with mixes that I'm happy with. Most of the new mixes shine (even the songs that don't seem to belong in the collection) but they don't shine that much.
I'd rather purchase the orphaned LPs from each collection as a NEW collection (pick another colour in the series). Back in the day, the Beatles didn't put their singles on albums because they didn't want to force their fans to buy the same thing twice. Can someone tell Paul and Ringo that I miss those days?
One of the most memorable moments in this video was... 25:00 "This isn't Taylor Swift for crying out loud. This is the Beates!" Actually, this entire video is quite well done and informative. Thank You!
I’m fascinated with your archival footage showing records being manufactured and then people buying them…I never thought I’d see that! It’s always interesting to see little relics of the past, and how much - or sometimes how little - things can change.
I agree with most of your assessments, as well. I really like what Giles did with the songs on the second half of the red album. One has to wonder why they used the botched vocals for Please Please Me, then took away the King Lear section from “I am the Walrus”? I found that disappointing.
Hi Andrew, an awesome video! I love I saw her standing there and Yesterday , all the Rubber Soul and Revolver tracks on the red album and Magical Mystery Tour on the Blue! I got cds of 2023 albums. I love the expanded versions in chronological order on the cd, shame about not including rain, i enjoy reading the booklet too! The vinyl red and blue albums I bought in 1990 and got me hooked on the Beatles music. Cheers keep up the excellent videos! 😊
My son, Jack, and I (aged 11) are both Beatles nuts. We have been watching your videos for several months now. We look forward to your new videos and always appreciate the deep dives, production values, and tone! Thanks, a lot, Andrew - and keep up the great work :)
That's really great to hear. All the best to you both! 😀
I'm really enjoyed this video. I think it's scary how Beatles still surprise us!. It's true that the CD version sounds saturated.
I enjoyed how the tape splices in "She Loves You" disappeared so neatly.
I'm a drummer, so I was surprised and pleased to find that I could hear the drums better on some songs. It's as if I've encountered these song all over again!
In Japan, a set of color vinyls sells for 77 pounds or 86 euros, leading to competition and further price hikes. I didn't feel like buying it!
Saturated? Mine sound crisp, clear and amazing? I’m not sure what people mean by “saturated” or “brickwalked” because mine sound really good?
A well done episode sir!
I think, with a person my age, and as a collector for over 51 years (sheesh) I’ve been privy to so many mixes, versions and so on that when Capitol, EMI or Apple finally would release something I was always kind of blasé about the audio especially on greatest hits packages;though I was looking forward to this one for sure.
Having said that I wasn’t disappointed because of the added tracks. Like you, “Rain” was sorely missed.
To me, the highlight was “Can’t Buy Me Love”. Ringo’s drums were solid. I never felt that before. I always heard a push/pull feel in previous releases. Being a drummer I love to hear any percussion that was buried before on other tracks as well.
As far as “Now and Then” I totally agree. Why was the track “hammered” like that? I think because so much more (regarding frequencies) can be put on a cd, I feel there’s an abuse of power concerning audio sometimes.
As I always say…no 2 ears are alike.
Great episode Andrew.
Thanks a lot, Brian. Glad you enjoyed it!
As Desmond Dekker & the Aces always say... "No two ears are alike" 😉
The intro is hilarious ('the albums nobody asked for..'). Also, you've noticed that the new remix is a 'demix'.
What we are missing is: It's All Too Much, Real Love & Free As A Bird, since they've put Now & Then on the album.
Thank's for a fantastic review. The best and most informative I've seen on CZcams🎶💯
Thank you! I appreciate that!
hey Andrew, thank you for this deep dive! i really appreciate it when you mention where we can hear your favorite mixes of these tracks, but listening to many of these older releases can be difficult. i was wondering if you would consider releasing a video going over what you believe are the best versions of these songs that are available on streaming services. great video!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Love your videos Andrew..really interesting and informative. You are my go to person for opinions and advice when I want to know anything about a Beatles release.
Thank you, Mark. I appreciate that!
Thank you for the detailed vinyl vs. cd analysis! Relieved that its not my ears deceiving me that the digital files are totally bricked.
As a lifelong Beatles fan , 1963 onwards , I really enjoyed this review ! My Mum Dad bought me Please Please Me album , I was 11 years old , perfect age to start my Beatles love affaire !
My sentiments exactly ❤. Love it, Andrew. I wish there was a package of the 3 singles. Wouldn’t it be nice for an updated ep box? Or maybe an updated singles box set?
That would be cool!
The announcement of the new single and Red and Blue albums reignited my love for the Beatles who I’ve been a fan of since 1963. So much so that I’ve recently acquired mint copies of the CD singles and EP box sets from sellers on eBay. They sound absolutely fabulous, and I don’t think that they need any tweezing by Giles, just reissuing with a suitable booklet in each box.
I purchased both from HDTracks. I actually really like the stereo mix of Love Me Do. I was somewhat disappointed with the new mix of She Loves You. I was surprised with the prominent distortion. With the new machine learning de-mixing technology, wouldn't they have been able to isolate that and cut it out of the mix? There is a similar issue with Help but it's less noticeable. I think the new mixes for Day Tripper and Drive My Car push the harmony vocals more to the clearl forefront. And Norwegian Wood and Michelle sound like new recordings and further the 'soft' Rubber Soul feel. Paul's bass and Ringo's drumming really does come out to shine better in these new mixes.
I'm thinking of buying the HDtracks' version too. But, can you tell me if those masters have been brick-walled liked the CD masters? Thank you.
@@EltonoutoftheclosetOfficial They are pretty loud. Limiting was not used sparingly like with the '09 remasters. I normally would prefer uncompressed but considering what these new mixes achieve, I personally don't mind it here.
Thank you Andrew for another cool video! All the best from Finland!
Thanks Jucciz! Glad you enjoyed it!
Been waiting for this all morning! Thanks Andrew. Love from Philly USA
Hope you enjoyed it, Tommy!
I find myself largely in agreement with you, Andrew. I do like the new mixes on the whole, but the early albums in particular will always sound better in mono, I think!
Just played my She Loves You and Revolution singles and they really do sound great, as you say.
I agree with She Loves You, but I think they could do a great stereo mix of Revolution. I can hear bits I like in various mixes, but they haven't nailed it yet.
My mom bought the Blue Album & she wasn’t really a big Beatles fan. ( she grew up in the 1940’s & was more into Sinatra, etc) & they introduced me to their wonderful music.👍
Andrew, yes please to your offer for a follow up video. I really enjoy your videos and even though I’ve been a Beatles fan for over 50 years, I learn something new every time.
Love the clean intro on Dear Prudence! The Atmos mixes on headphones are so great, especially You Can't Do That. The hi hat on Nowhere Man is in synch, it's just that all of Ringo's hi-hat hits are not there. Plus, the drums are all over the place in that remix. It doesn't resemble a real kit. On Please Please Me the stereo picture on headphones is so amazing, IMHO
You nailed it. While I don't mind the She Lives You, I prefer the mono especially 1962-1963 material. I am the walrus and Old Brown Shoe is just baffling. Great job Andrew.
Thank you, Michael!
I actually like walrus and old brown shoe remixes a lot
@@neoPeake and that is why opinions matters, because everyone is different. I like most of Walrus except when the play comes in. It did not need that other fee, unless the BBC said something.
The King Lear parts are still there, it’s clearly not any kind of rights issue but an artistic decision - whether you agree or not of course.
One of the things I like about watching your videos is your apparent commitment to objectivity and not whimsy. You have such a great ability to articulate what I experience listening to this material... celebrating its successes and being reasonable about any shortcomings.
Thank you. Much appreciated!
Great review, Andrew. I've never been a fan of this compilation, but now I'm tempted to get the vinyls.
I'm happy with it. My old red and blue copies are really worn out. I do agree with you that I have a problem with cramming two discs in one sleeve. I also bought a 12" 45 of Now And Then, and I'm probably going to wear it out because I can't stop playing it.
Yes I agree with you the original red and blue releases were very special - Maybe the track selections were not the best they could have been on the original red album - and the new edition is certainly a better selection with the cover versions added - But yes Rain should have been added - but could mean an updated Past Masters is on the way ? I also have bought 4 different versions of the red and blue over the last 50 years - Will another one turn up in the futurec - Probably !! - Looking forward to the updated Rubber Soul maybe next year - But my dream is still to see a cleaned up Live at the Star Club and the Decca Auditions coming out as a Box set soon - I can dream anyway - thanks Andrew
Peter Jackson recently acquired the original tapes so you never know!
When I reached "I Am The Walrus" I was under shock and started to put everything of these releases in question.
Glad you showed the incredible difference in sound of CD and Vinyl.
Could not believe that the majority of listeners is happy and excited about the Red and Blue. Maybe the Vinyl would change my mind.
I only heard the CD Versions.
I´ll stick to my 1973 Vinyl set. One of my "First Love"s.
Sounds so "naturally beautiful".
I think that´s my point. I like the natural beauty. These new releases are like Plastic Surgery. And the Walrus looks terrible with its new B***.
Nice Lips, Twist and Shout, but, sorry.
I bought both of these on CD 💿 shortly before these editions were announced. I think I'll stick with what I've got and catch the new edition on streaming.
I had 1967 to 1970 when I was 13.... That was my Beatles.....Meet The Beatles...was the one that started it all......as a kid.....in the 1960s.....it made me love Rock and Roll......!!!😊
Although I can’t and won’t forgive Giles and Sam’s mixing choices on She Said She Said last year, I have to say I generally love these 2023 remixes. I listen almost exclusively on headphones, through the ‘Music Player X’ app instead of iTunes/Apple Music. To my ears everything sounds great - mostly. A little uneasy about the opening chord of AHDN - too much of the piano. My highlights: From Me To You, Yesterday, I Feel Fine, Magical Mystery Tour, I Saw Her Standing There, Day Tripper, Drive My Car. To me they all have a new power. Also I Want To Hold Your Hand is now amazing. In these new mixes it’s mostly because of Ringo’s brilliant drumming shining, John’s usually buried rhythm guitar now up in the mixes and Paul’s heavier bass. I’m ok with She Loves You and I do not hate Walrus (prefer this to cutting off the end of the apparently much praised LOVE remix where girls screaming and announcers announcing is deemed better than the King Lear bit: “sit you down father, rest you”, etc.
I agree with you 100% Andrew. I am so glad to FINALLY hear someone give a review of this two sets that I agree with. It's funny that for you at ten years old, the blue album was your first Beatles purchase, because for me the red alum way my first purchase at ten years old along with The Best Of George Harrison. I got my hands on the US versions of course which had the James Bond intro to Help the reverb covered I Feel Fine. I know they're not the best, but it's what I remembered and loved from those albums. Jiles does a decent job, but I really feel that Peter Gobbin is the man for these remix jobs. There is so much disappointment in these remixes along with some happy surprises as well. All in all, I will not replace the originals with these remixes. They are just not as good as the monos in my opinion.
They were my first albums too ! Now i have the new Japan SHM versions of the Red and Blue and in the box version
Been waiting for this! Great work Andrew! Cant wait for the next one. Greetings from Uruguay! 👍💙❤
Thank you, Bruno 🙏
Yet another superb review and retrospective of the esteemed calibre we expect from Parlogram. No stone left unturned; delivered with warmth, charm and wit. Superlative. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Samuel!
I am really disappointed at I Am The Walrus, it's almost a massacre! But worst of all is not including Free As A Bird and Real Love. I hope they do something about the Anthology albums again.
I am happy the mono only tracks (Love Me Do, She Loves You) were given a stereo mix for the first time. I hope they do it soon on the others (PS I Love You, I'll Get You, and the yet full stereo of You KNow My Name)
I am excited to get the Now And Then single on vinyl, but I'll skip the red and blue 2023 editions until they become dirt cheap on the market.
Still Andrew, thanks so much for this video. I do agree in most of your points.
Walrus is horrible by Giles.
Andrew: I really enjoyed this video.
My only negative comment is about the blue album, and, in particular, the new mix of Revolution.
Giles has put the 2 guitars together in the right channel until the solo, when he separates them and then back to the right channel for the rest of the song. Although the clarity of each instrument is amazing, I find that his mix of the song on the Love album is superior, with the guitars on each side of the stereo picture throughout.
It’s almost as if he was trying to make them different for no good reason!
Otherwise, the new mixes are wonderful!
Thank you Andrew for another great video! As you said, these collections hold a special place in the heart of many Beatles fans. I recall getting the Red Album on cassette for my 10th birthday! I completely wore it out on my cheapie Sanyo JVC boombox. A friend of mine from school had the Blue Album on vinyl and we ended up trading cassette copies. Oh we were little pirates! Such great memories!
I agree that She Loves You is a mess! Even listening to the Dolby Atmos mix was not satisfactory! Everything sounds so muddy. I hadn't noticed the "cough" in Norwegian Wood so I'm going back to listen to it on iTunes.
Many thanks for this video Andrew, I always enjoy hearing what you have to say on these issues and what your thoughts are. I have to say that I am enjoying both the Red and the Blue, and have been giving them quite a listen over the last week or so. Red is for me the clear winner over the two sets, primarily for the amount of remixes. For me the real jewels on this are the Rubber Soul tracks, spoilers for the Deluxe Box to come perhaps? It is nice to end this set with tomorrow never knows, which has pleased me, but I'm in the camp of why no Rain? It should've been on here, and they have missed a trick with only one track off Beatles For Sale. The Blue as you say is mainly comprised of the mixes we all already have via the various sets already released. But I do like what has been done with the tracks remixed for this album. Especially MMT and Walrus. I'm just enjoying listening to them, and if I wasn't happy with any of these mixes, well I can always go back and listen to the other mixes I have in my record collection. I am puzzled however at the omission of both Free As A Bird and Real Love on this set, as these were both hit singles when released. A good friend of mine, a fellow Beatles fan expressed disappointment that Movie Medley was also not included, but I have a feeling he was only joking. I have listened to these albums through my regular speakers, on my I-Tunes Library , on my I-Pod and on my Brennan system and for me they all sound great, and I guess I'll be listening to them for quite some time to come. I have to agree with you on squeezing two albums into one album sleeve, it seems to be the way right now, have bought new and reissued double albums of other artists and this now seems to be the norm, and they look awkward on the record shelf, and it seems to distort the actual sleeve. Again thanks so much for this video, you always bring a fascinating take on the technical side to these pressings and remixes which I enjoy learning about...
Great review! I totally agree with you on Now and Then. It should have been placed on an improved/remixed Anthology set. I really want to hear a cleaned up/remixed version of Real Love and Free as a Bird. Hopefully those are coming.
Thanks! I hope so too!
I would love it if you did a video on The Beatles Rockband video game. It was such a big period for The Beatles and kickstarted a lot of what came out in 2009 and caused stems for Beatles songs to be commonly heard. It's interesting how the game mixes the songs depending on who's playing and it doesn't sound nearly as harsh as the 2009 remasters which used the same stems.
First cassette I ever bought as a Metro Detroit kid in the 70s was 62-66. I still have it, including Bono & Larry's autographs when I met them coming out of the Charles Hotel in Boston for soundcheck during the Joshua Tree tour.
It is sad that the best listening experience medium for these re-issues is in Dolby Atmos. For those of us who indulge in physical mediums, mainly vinyl, this is as criminal as it is disappointing. It doesn't have to be this way. We have come to believe that, while Giles Martin may be the supreme technician, he either does not possess the delicate, sympathetic, less-is-more finesse of his brilliant father, or he simply makes a lot of bad, bad decisions. Andrew, you have really nailed it in this video, in both packaging and listening issues. I've been pissed since 1973 (pissed in the American sense, meaning angry) that "Rain" was left 62-66 THEN!! To leave "Rain" off this current iteration is worse than brain-dead. So, don't surrender your 2014 Holland-pressed, Red and Blues just yet. Or your German A1-B3 MMT. Or your UK blue box. Or many other superior pressings. These latest offerings could have been game-changing, but, with an exception or three, it ain't there. So in (the) future, when yet another series of re-mixes hit the market, look for the promo sticker affixed to the shrink-wrap that states "Definitely NOT the Giles Martin re-mixes of the past!!!!"
Giles needs to ditch his socks and sandles as it's clouding his judgement
One can only hope. If there is such a thing as re-mix terrorism, many of these Giles decisions would certainly qualify....@@reuvengershon6625
Oh, that quote! Got it. That sticker will have to be applied to any future albums.
I played the Holland set from 2014. Clearly a better set.
With hindsight, I do regret describing Giles' decision-making as 'bad.' A bit harsh. I wish I had used a word more akin to 'unusual,' but I still believe that there are intuitive (?) elements missing in many of these final results. @@paulreckamp7502
I still find the 1988 CD's to be my favorite mixes and were my first. Are we just old and stuck in our ways or do remixes really just mess up perfection?
The best and truest review I’ve seen so far on Red & Blue. You’re the best! Thanks so much.
How about that Mish-Mosh at the end of Walrus? Ughhhhh!!!
Giles has been wonderful and we want him to continue what he’s doing, but Please Please PLEASE don’t change the original tracks in any way, as far as content goes.
We all love and appreciate Giles’ work on these, but changing history isn’t ok.
Great review! Cheers!
Just got done listening to both the Red and Blue albums on iTunes via Dolby Atmos, and while I was able to pick up the individual parts really well, you are absolutely correct that its missing that extra "Oomph" and it felt "Distant". Please Please Me was the one that really stood out as feeling a bit sterile on the red album, as in my previous normal listenings I could really picture the Beatles with that real excitement specifically on Please Please Me.
One of my favorite aspects of listening to The Beatles is that I feel like I am a part of their music, an active participant that you rarely get with other bands. When an album is remixed to this level I just feel like I'm listening and not participating, if that makes any sense.
I think this was a fun listen out of curiosity of where technology can take the Beatles, but future listenings will go back to my old dependable method, records and CD's.
The Beatles deserved to be in better hands.
I was waiting this so much! I agree that not all the tracks are the same, but was a totally surprise to me hearing all clear vocal harmonies, Ringo's bassdrum finally appear!. Not all the fans had the oportunitty to hear the original records, so as an aproach is better that I expected. I wanna hold your hand made me cry, to be honest. Great video and obviusly, great channel. Greetings from CHILE !!!!
Thank you, Gonzalo. Many greetings to you in Chile!!
THIS is the one review I’ve been waiting for! Very excited. 😃
Hope you enjoy it!
Appreciate your knowledge & insights about this project as well as others related to the Fabs. Educational on different levels.
Excellent review! I haven't heard these new remixes yet and am still waiting on my colored LP boxset to arrive from Canada of all places.. They were sold out everywhere else at the time and thought I'd miss out, but I really should've had more patience, as it ended up getting restocked. Doh! 🤦🏻 Oh well, anyway, I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.
Sounds like I need to hunt down the atmos digital versions as well! 🍻
Although the "Love" album was an interesting foray into mashups and gave us an exciting new angle to listen to the Beatles, nepotism aside, I really don't think that Giles has been the man for the job. As much as we wave our flags and try to be encouraging about these remasters, for the most part and to my ears, I feel like the heart and soul and energy are being zapped from so many songs that just didn't need this treatment. You mentioned yourself at some point that certain elements have been lifted to the point of making them tedious. I think that sums it up succinctly.
P.S: Old brown shoe has literally ben converted to a rough mix demo. (Giles seems to have a knack for making the drums seem like they were an afterthought [kicks in particular seem disconnected from the mixes])
Completely agree 👍
Old Brown Shoe wasn't broke at all...until they 'fixed' it. Why did they do that to the guitar? Somebody's kid messing around with the knobs?
Uh, yeah. I guess that's exactly what it is.
@@franksherman1774 exactly! Curiously, the Solo in that tune was one of my favourites in how it dominated then cuts off to that wonderfully bouncy bass. Thank God at least we have the original mixes to fall back on
Class video again Andrew, great perspective.
Thanks Geoff. Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome overview. Your video are so informative. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Excellent review... Agree totally hat some of the early remixes lack the energy of the of the original. I was expecting great things an I am now a little underwhelmed by some of the tracks