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OK, I got my cue: an actual request of my opinion on the remastered Beatles.
All I can say is I haven't heard them. But I am disappointed by what they are not. A number of their albums deserve not just remastering, but remixing. To be clear, remastering is taking the original master, which was the actual tape to which they mixed down their album. So that mix was the best it could sound, using state of the art equipment -- from the 1960s. In contrast, remixing is taking the original multi-tracks, and remixing them to a new master.
I have no doubt that the new remastered CDs sound much better. There are even hopes for my favorite, the White Album. The White Album has been on my dream list of remixes for years. Great songs, shitty mix. CNN explicitly mentioned "Dear Prudence" as being a White Album track that sounds much improved. There was plenty of room for sonic improvement on that one, and I'm relieved to hear that it happened.
But no matter how much you hear them talk about how great the technology is that went into the remastering, remember that that could all be applied to the process of remixing. Each of those high-tech tools for extracting and enhancing could be applied to each individual track, then used to make a sparking, beefy mix. We know it can be done. We first heard it on the Anthology series. they took the alternate takes, original multi-tracks, and suddenly the Beatles goofing around, playing wrong notes was heard like you were hanging out with them. Then they remixed Yellow Submarine, and that was mind-blowingly superior. "Eleanor Rigby" became some sort of 3D experience, just using my two stereo speakers. Then they did it again with Let It Be... Naked. So it's not impossible. They've already done it themselves.
So until I get to hear the White Album and Revolver remixed properly, I will not be satisfied. After so many decades, it's about time we get to hear whatever Ringo might be playing on the upbeat number, "Got To Get You Into My Life". I've heard them mentioned as a... kit of drums? Drum kittle?
2009-09-10 06:01 pm (UTC)
remixing revolver??
(Anonymous)
2009-09-10 06:06 pm (UTC)
"I am the Walrus" would be similarly problematic - nothing like mixing in random live radio broadcasts during mixdown!
They did a lot of crazy stuff like that.
2009-09-10 08:13 pm (UTC)
remaster rant
(Anonymous)
2009-09-11 02:13 pm (UTC)
When are they going to release the remastered and remixed "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft?"
2009-09-15 04:11 pm (UTC)
I was actually a little annoyed with the "toying" they did to Yellow Sub. The remix sounded phony and foreign and they took it even one step further on "Love".
These sound like the same albums, only much, much better sounding. You can hear instruments that I didn't know were there. I've only listened to the White Album so far.
I could see the early stuff (all the vocals on one side, all the music on the other) being annoying, but you can always get the mono CD to correct for that.
I've been thoroughly enjoying these. I would reccommend that you avoid letting a petty hang-up developed over years and years ruin your listening experience.
That said, I just got some awesome White Album outtakes that I have never heard before. I'm sending them out to you this week.
2009-09-15 05:04 pm (UTC)