All of the CDs in the Beatles U.S. Albums box set were available separately, except for The Beatles Story. I picked them up individually at Best Buy for $9.99 apiece at the time of release. A good pricel!
As one of the older geezers, I am actually looking forward to getting this set. I am glad they are revisiting the U.S. albums as I think they have been unfairly criticized especially given the fact that these albums sold tens of millions of records from the 60s through the 80s so they deserve some special attention. I think the CD set from 2004, 2006 and 2014 were all missed opportunities with some having the right sound and others having better packaging. When it comes to these new albums I am curious to see if they replicate the fold down mono mixes from the original 60s albums. Either I am happy to do an upgrade of these albums. Thanks for sharing Matt!
I agree, I think that having perfectly clean copies of these is something I’ve not really experienced plus it seems like we will be getting. An improvement in quality with a modern cut. Save they don’t ruin the mastering somehow.
My older brothers had these albums. I was 2 in 1964. I remember the Beatles' Story album at some point had half of the front jacket torn off. It wasn't me, I loved the Beatles even at that age. My parents did too, so who knows how that happened. That would be a great gift for me to give to my brothers, they can rotate them a month at a time. Thanks for the review, Matt! Sue
My dad had the Meet the Beatles album when I first moved in with him as a young child. I was mesmerized by every element of the record. It's absolutely one of my favorites!
@@davidkornblatt851 I’m hoping that they include both the U.S. and the U.K. versions, because after all, the U.S. version is what gave us Pet Sounds and like it or not, the U.S. release is a damn fine album all on its own, whenever I do a Rubber Soul playlist, I always use the tracks from the U.S. album as if they’re bonus tracks
It's $300 USD for the box set. It's $180 if you buy all the LP's separately (minus The Beatles Story which is exclusive to the box set). I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $120 for a slipcase and The Beatles Story!
They are keeping the original spirit alive that was behind The Beatles Story… which is to rip off the fans with an inferior product. If they really were smart, they would have included the full 1964 Hollywood Bowl concert on LP in the box set, released as Capitol originally intended. (Not the compilation of the 64/65 shows that came out in the 70s.)
Thank you Matt. I have to admit i am of two minds on this. While it is good to see younger listeners discover the Beatles, the other side of me is left gasping and gaping as just how much product Apple keeps shoveling out which, to me, is clear money grubbing as opposed to a rigorous curation of the music. I remember, in my teens, how simple it was to just collect the British versions and then the red and blue albums. It seems they could have stopped after the first box set except for maybe releasing that in CD format. IDK... the company keeps pushing out, like a production line, all this schlock. It might be attractive at some point, but I would tell young people that someday, in the future, their wife is going to be asking them if they would finally get rid of the stuff they no longer use. 😅 Seriously though, i would like to know who or what exactly "Apple" is these days. Luddite that i am, I'll stick with the early CDs as I am too indolent to change vinyl.
It would be cool if Apple released the Yesterday and Today album with Capitol's original Butcher Cover. As far as the Anthology albums are concerned. They could definitely add more outtakes and demos for each album. I have bootlegs that have complete tracks that easily could be cleaned up and added to each album. Also Free As a Bird needs work. After hearing Then and Now, I know they could make Free As a Bird sound so much better with today's technology. Apple could release a new set of DVDs as well. From what I have read there was a lot of footage of George, Paul and Ringo where they are sitting around the table, sitting outside on that blanket and in the studio that that never was used. That would be cool to see
As a person who is just starting to collect beatles box sets. This is a wonderful collection for me cause the Beatles US album is expensive now and the old original US albums are expensive also. This box set while aimed for collectors is a good gift for us new to the field. Have to think that way also.
Both Yesterday & Today and Revolver US mixes were released separately as CDs. The Y&T CD had a paste-on/over sticker of the Butcher cover for fun, packaging was nice, both had inner sleeve reproductions from the 60’s.
Some of the mixes on those CDs were the original US mixes but not all and the stereo versions were basically the 2009 UK remasters. Can't argue that they look pretty but they are a weird hybrid UK/US mish mash.
I have all of the original Capitol albums with their scratches and clicks and pops (except Beatles Story). I bought the complete UK CD box set that came in the wooden roll-top case. I also bought the Anthology CDs when they came out. I don't see me buying any more Beatles products, although I do listen to the CDs every now and then (on my computer). I also have the BBC sessions on the computer, but probably only listened to that once or twice.
The mono vinyl box set is probably the best way to go. Apple really made a balls up with the Red & Blue releases. An extended Anthology vinyl set would perk my interest though!
Oh boy am I going to get pummeled for this one. I happen to like the 2009 CD box sets. I own both the stereo and mono. I think the packaging on both is great and I like having the complete Beatles discography in one nice package. And yes I still have a CD collection and a player.
The 2009 mono box set is still a keeper. These are as close to flat transfers from the original mono tapes as you’ll ever get. (The stereo albums were “fiddled” with… and not always for the best.) The mono box was made to very high standards in Japan replicating the original sleeve designs. It’s still the best Beatles CD release to date!
@@tunesdonebyone3428 They did a few things, like adding compression to make the CDs sound "louder." They are far from the worst offenders in the so-called loudness wars, but they are quite a bit louder. They also fixed what they perceived to be errors, like the sound of Lennon flipping a switch on his guitar in "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and fixing some edits in songs like "Day Tripper." They also managed to mess up the opening chord to "A Hard Day's Night" by making it sound a bit muffled at first. Not sure what went wrong there, but that's arguably the most important note on the album. The 2009 stereo CDs aren't awful by any means, but some (including audio engineer Steve Hoffman) think that the 1987 CDs for the later Beatles albums are superior... as they are nearly straight transfers from the master tapes.
Hey Matt great video! I am going to pass on this too I all ready have the Beatles us albums in mono I collected them 6 years ago before the prices went up . Have a good one Matt
The 2004 & 2006 CD set was nice because it had both the mono and stereo release versions. As a lover of the mono version, I was able to enjoy what I loved best.
This was the best reissue of the Capitol albums. It was good value for the money and sounded great. When I want to experience the Capitol albums, this is still my preferred release.
Would be cool if they released their Christmas recordings, as well as if they added more to Anthology of songs they performed in the studio that they wrote and didn’t complete, that were in Get Back.
Being of the time......and a big Beatles fan.....I think this release is great......I bought these LPs when I was a kid.....I have copies in various forms but I will probably get the LPs not the box......prices seem to be high......30.00 per LP....as indicated elsewhere....at the time we didn't know about the UK releases.....still think The US Rubber Soul is the best version......it's all a nostalgic thing I guess....the important thing it's the original Capitol masters......this was not what I expected however......
I agree. This is not a necessary release. It's, I guess, just for vinyl collectors. And THE BEATLES' STORY? I had that album for many years, and enjoyed it, even though it's not really very good. I did use it, when I was High School in 1972, for an English class on writing a Biography. I had no Beatles books to reference, so I used that album to write my Biography.
A couple things. One of the first things I noticed when I bought The US Albums box set (which I love, because I just like the mixes better than the previous collections) was that Yesterday and Today had removable cover art, so I immediately switched to the Butcher Cover. Plus, for me the '09 reissues were a huge step up from the '87 releases, which to me always sounded tinny and thin. Except for the somewhat later initial release of the Red Album, I never go back to them. All CDs, because I purged the vast majority of my vinyl about twenty years ago and digitized my compact discs to my PCs and Macs.
Money, that's what they want. I guess we now live in a culture where everything gets upgraded every five years and we are more than happy to go along with it. To me the original albums were made to last, like that old 50's fridge in the garage you keep beer in.
I’m with you on this one Matt. Especially at ~$300. 😮. I’m very much interested in Rubber Soul - especially if there some more worthwhile outtakes. And bring on a remastered Anthology video!
I can't speak from personal experience, but I have heard that the best sounding vinyl box set is the mono pressings of 2014. I think it was Andrew from Parlophone Auctions (now called Parlogram) who said this set has the best sounding pressings around, and he's got just about every pressing there is. He backed up his opinion with spectral analysis but bottom line is that they apparently sound great (he can't play them or he'll get blocked). I just looked it up on Amazon Canada and it's selling for over $10,000 (Canadian dollars) for a set in "very good" condition.
Excellent walkthrough, appreciated seeing the cd boxes! I am a Parlophone collector and sold all of my Capitol...they just do not compare sonically imho and for me, Parlophone is the story of the Beatles.
I agree with you Matt about passing on this Box set. Between Ebay and Discogs, you can get great pressings of all of these albums at reasonable prices.
Sorry to hear you're not enthused about a potential Rubber Soul box set, which for me could be awesome (depending on how they handle it). I still ardently prefer the US Rubber Soul to the UK version, and I'd hope it would be part of a new box set. That classic folk-rock album has never collected literal or figurative dust for me. Thanks again for the update, Matt. Always fun to see you display the packaging and talk Beatles.
Yes you can buy individual $30 a piece! On the Beatles store! $299 box set! This is the same thing released a few years ago on cd in box set and individual cds
At first glance, it would seem that Apple/Capitol is just back peddling with the Beatles catalog for the Christmas market. But looking at the way this is packaged, it would be very tempting. Very tempting indeed.
Dear friend, Matt. Thanks for this video. I sincerely would never say anything negative about a Beatles' releasing. But I think, first, it gives a feeling that I would be buying tracks I already have. And, second, a release in vinyl form is definitively a product to only collectors, and even a not great number of them. It's my humble opinion. All the best.
Anybody buying these discs expecting the excessive reverb/processing done by Dave Dexter is going to be very disappointed, as that was done for the stereo albums (especially due to the hard L/R 2-track panning of tracks from With The Beatles for the “Second Album”). The UA “Hard Day’s Night” is probably the only worthwhile reissue, having the rushed mixes made for use in the film (Capitol receiving revised ones as made for the UK album). For “Beatles ‘65”, I Feel Fine and She’s A Woman are drenched (likely from a fold-down).
Same David. All Beatles music is on Spotify anyway. To be honest at 58 yrs old I rarely turn on my stereo anymore. Spotify and a simple bluetooth speaker is sufficient. And I can bring it into any room in the house.
Said perfectly. Born in 61 so I started collecting in the 70s. They were great. No trying to notice insignificant nuances. FYI my beloved grandpa did buy me original Beatles 2nd Album and Help/ I'm Down 45. Perfect choices
You are not misremembering Matt. All the 2014 CDs were released separately save for The Beatles Story (sound familiar). I never cared for the 2004 & 2006 Capitol packaging but the real mixes were great. Never got them but I have the rips on my computer. A volume 3 was planned, I know that. It was cancelled because of the 2008 economic crisis supposedly. I did get the 2014 box set but the fact that it’s not the capital mixes (with a few exceptions) really makes it a bittersweet release. So now we’re gonna have the genuine Capitol mixes….but just on vinyl. Nice thought, but you can buy THE ORIGINAL Capitol presses, for way less. Not to mention that at least two of the albums in the “wonderful” mono box, are just fold downs, (Meet the Beatles! And The Early Beatles). So I don’t get this set. I really want a Capitol cd albums box set. But all the albums with the Capitol mixes. And I mean ALL. Meet the Beatles-Let It Be. A Capitol US singles collection would also be greatly appreciated. But this? No thanks. Also, most everything on the Anthology albums were remixed for their 90s release. So it’d be interesting if they actually used the originally mixes before that. But I really don’t want anything else on vinyl that ALREADY EXISTS on vinyl. Great vid. Great point. Hard pass.
I appreciate the feedback. That's a very good point about buying originals at a cheaper price than new vinyl. I buy VERY little new vinyl across the board for that same reason. These are generally bought by people that already have the originals or the many other configurations that have been duplicated over the years. 1st World Beatle fans + idle cash = bookshelves full of box sets that are for show and not for listening.
I do like your explanations and discussions of this set, masterful job Matt. I still have, though well worn, all my Capitol albums from the 60's, but in the back of my mind a little negativity creeps in when at 15 I discover the British albums had more songs on it.
I agree also i'll passed on the box sets because it's too expensive just like i passed on the beatles 1962-1966 red album and the beatles 1967-1970 blue album from last year and anyways i have both the red and blue albums and satisfied what i have.
I bought 5 records of this set individually (instead of the box set) on The Beatles Official Store. They charged $8 per record for shipping - total of $40 for 5 records - which is crazy and outrageous. It really pissed me off!
I remember seeing some individual CDs of Capitol albums at a Walmart a year or two after the 2014 boxset. I like this video, and I generally agree with what you have said here. I listened to "The Beatles' Story" once, and that was about enough for me. That Vee-Jay spoken word Beatles album was better. I would like a "Yesterday and Today" LP in a gatefold cover, with the butcher cover inside, and a booklet telling the story of the cover, plus all the outtake photos from both sessions. Of course, it should have the US mix of "I'm Only Sleeping," which had different backwards guitar effects at different times.
Great video Matt! I’m gonna hold off on getting this set. A bit repetitive of what I have and I’m running out of room. Yes! I am hoping there’s going to be a Rubber Soul box set. And eventually, a box set for the earlier albums. Help! Beatles for Sale, etc.
The last two copies of 'The Beatles' Second Album', I bought were on cassette. Thank You Girl is the last song on cassette. I am now used to having it that way.
Great video Matt. I just received the Beatles store email. I too grew up on the us versions and never heard the parlaphone versions until the cds came out. Just before then, I did buy all the us capital albums, recorded them to cassette and placed vinyl and sleeve in plastic for preservation. I digitized them 10 years later and put them away again. I never bought the is box sets you showed, deciding to listen to my copies. I’m really curious if the mono mixes on the new set is the same dexterized capital duophonic sound that’s been in my head for years. Not sure if I’ll get the new box set. However on a side note I do enjoy listening to the 2009 mono mixes of revolver and sgt pepper.
@@popgoesthe60s52 It seems like they have applied the same methods in reproducing this US set as they did for the UK Mono set and that turned out pretty well. I think there might have been a case for reissuing the UK Mono set on vinyl as it is more expensive than a trip on Elon Musk's rocket now.
The second volume will feature help..rubber soul..yesterday and today and revolver will be my guess and I’m glad…these two volumes represent our musical childhood and even though by today’s standards of great remastering and remixes that I love..these collections are just like going back to good old mono and reverb…I am a Dave dexter jr fan and even revolver American version was great..again..accepting it as part of childhood which is really cool to me…can’t wait to get it😊
I just tumbled on the Parlogram channel who was talking about Carnival of light and some different and longer mix of some of their psychedelic stuff. Maybe this will be released in the years to come?
Wow Matt I thought I was the only one not really excited about this because like you, I have them all already but I guess it's good for the younger fans. Still hopeful for an eventual Rubber Soul box. Maybe next year.......
This is the box set that almost nobody asked for, much like the reissued Red and Blue albums from last year. The Capitol albums were in print on LP for three decades if anyone needed them and nice copies can still be found with a little effort. I won’t be buying this box because I’ve already tracked down original 60s pressings for all Capitol (and Parlophone) albums. The Capitol albums make for a nostalgic spin, but really aren’t something I need duplicates of. The one Beatles reissue you didn’t highlight was the Beatles in Mono LP box set from 2014. That remains the best reissue box set of all time, with all analog mastering, faithful flipback sleeve reproductions, and high quality German pressings. The records sound magnificent! This box initially sold for $350 and now fetches $1000-$1500 used and often $2000+ for a mint unplayed copy. What fans really want is something new… not Something New. Give us more deluxe editions with outtakes and demos… as there are eight albums that haven’t had this treatment yet. (Pair up albums in box sets if outtakes and demos aren’t available in quantity.) Give us live concerts that have been remixed using AI technology… Star Club, Washington DC, Hollywood Bowl, Shea Stadium, Japan, etc. Give us a Blu Ray of the concerts that were filmed (DC, Shea, Japan). Give us an expanded Maysales film of the first US visit. Give us SOMETHING we don’t have!
@@JC-bt8jo I've heard claims that Apple lost money on the 2014 mono box. I'm not quite sure how they figure that, as they eventually sold out. But it did take about 3-4 years to sell out, so maybe they deemed it a non-success. I think they will be offering mono LPs with each new super deluxe set like they did with Revolver. Unfortunately that involves buying expensive LP box sets even if you only just want the mono LP from each set.
@@mjanovec That’s a good point and observation. It’s quite possible that they only will include the mono lps on box set releases - hadn’t thought about that
“The US Albums” box contains 99.9% of the unique mixes sent to Capitol by EMI London. The only screw up was they used the wrong stereo mix of “I’m Only Sleeping” which is the UK version and not the alternate true stereo mix on the US album.
I’ve preordered it. It’s time that the US catalog got some vinyl love. Volume 2 would be; Beatles VI, Help, Rubber Soul, Yesterday and Today, Revolver and Hey Jude
Hi Matt: Here’s a question that a lot of Beatles fans (including me) have: What’s your take on the Giles Martin remixes of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road, and the White Album? Specifically, even though the new remixes are much clearer and reveal sonic details that we didn’t hear even in the 2009 releases, there’s one major problem: the Giles Martin remixes don’t sound like the Beatles’ music was recorded in the 1960s. By contrast, recent remixes and remasters of albums such as The Doors 40th Anniversary release, recent remasters of Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane, and re-releases of Birthday by The Association are clearer and sound better, but they still sound like they were recorded in the 1960s. But while Giles Martin’s remixes of Sgt. Pepper and the White Album have a much richer sound, with a louder bass that makes you appreciate Paul’s bass lines, and more detail in in the high end, these albums don’t sound like they were recorded in the 1960s. Albums from that period had a lot of the vocals and instruments panned hard to the right and left, or instruments were panned to the left and the reverb and echo was panned to the right. So Giles Martin has cleaned up the mixes and made the overall sound much cleaner and clearer, but it’s like we’re distracted by hearing what this really is: music from the 1960s that sounds like it was mixed for a contemporary audience in the 2000s. Indeed, hearing Giles Martin’s remix of Sgt.Pepper is like a totally different listening experience. While George Martin’s original 1967 mix sounds Baroque in flavour, Giles Martin’s remix sounds like a punchy Rock n’ Roll album. And that’s yet another problem, because those of us who grew up listening to the original mix are used to it, and we find that what Giles Martin has done is ultimately kind of weird. Songs like “Fixing a Hole” and “Being for the Benefit of Mr.Kite” now sound like original music from 2017, not 1967. Giles Martin did an amazing job in bringing out sonic details that had been barely audible, but I still find myself listening more to the original George Martin 1960s mixes because they fit in with what recorded music back then sounded like. What are your thoughts, Matt? That might make for a fascinating discussion. As always, love your channel and your amazing encyclopedic knowledge of Rock and Pop’s greatest decade.
Hi Greg. I've not delved too deep into the remixes though I do have them and have commented on the things that hit me most. Generally, all this remixing is confusing and I hear more dissatisfaction than satisfaction from fans which makes me ask, "is any of it worth remixing." If its a good song, people will listen to it regardless of a new mix. One reason the Doors, Airplane and Association sound better (in my opinion anyway) is that the source tapes were originally recorded on 8-track tape machines as opposed to 4-track by the Beatles. The Beatles didn't use 8-track until midway through the White Album and consequently, the American bands had more separation at the source due to the 8-track. I think this has been a problem for Okel-Martin team, as they seem to be all over the place in their remixing methods. You mentioned the bass sound. I don't see any need for boosting the bass. That was the one instrument that stood out in the original mixes! To boost it means to take away from something else. At least that is how I hear it. If I could, I would prefer to make my own mixes if I felt there was a need and I think that is the future of Beatles music is fans making their own remixes.
Hi Matt: Thanks so much for your reply. Like you, for the most part, I think I’ll stick to the original George Martin mixes, and keep the recent Giles Martin remixes as a sort curio that I’ll listen to occasionally if I’m in the mood to hear a contemporary re-imagining of music from the 1960s.
A Beatles Canadian albums set would be something I would buy. It would be Beatlemania!, Twist and Shout and Long Tall Sally in mono. It could come in a box with both vinyl and CD, a nice booklet with some sort of essay and pictures. Probably priced between $150 and $200. I would buy that without doubt.
Ill probably still forge ahead with the Capiphone project for next year.How about Paperback Writer,Rain,Day Tripper,Ticket To Ride,Michelle and a few others,with LATER fades!!!Film mixes on the US HDN and Help!!Amazing collection!!!Will satisfy us Beatle fanatics hunger!!!
P.S. I also listen to the US albums box set every day and it makes me feel better during the day when I listen to this box! I don’t have any problem with the 2014 box at all!👍
I have all the boxes that you have in front of you except for volume two of the capital years. I have listened to the first volume of the capital years and it does sound like the original recordings from the 60s and the mono and stereo boxes that came out in 09 are totally awesome, but everyone has their opinions about everything: I like my MONO and studio boxes from 09!✌️🤘😎
15:00 - I know Anthology 1 could use an overhaul, Pater Jackson-style, as could Free as a Bird and Real Love. I have the "Beatles 1" DVD set and have heard the two Anthology singles remixed, but was a bit disappointed, maybe expecting too much. However, I really loved what Jackson did with Now and Then, so I have a lot of faith in his hand on the two other ones. I also remember hearing Lennon's demos of the two on "The Lost Lennon Tapes". If I may go off course for this line, one Lennon demo I absolutely flipped over was the "Real Life" with the melody of Stepping Out, but it's a slow-tempo piano demo. Steppin Out on Milk and Honey is a groove and it's very funny, but this nearly dirge-like demo is very moving.
I'd hold on to that 2009 CD set because I'm afraid Giles Martin or somebody else will be remixing those early albums and cranking up the bass & drums for "today's listeners". I think the technology to remix them is a great thing to enhance the original tracks but not to tinker with, don't PRODUCE the albums just give us true stereo.
Thanks for the update Matt. More stuff I would never buy (haha). EX versions of the analog US albums still seem plentiful on discogs & ebay at reasonable prices, they pressed a gazillion copies back in the day. Cheers!
Hey Matt, I’m with you on not wanting to duplicate parts of my collection, but it’ll be interesting at least to see how these sell. My interest these days lies in what hasn’t been released, for example, outtakes and demos, things like that, which I’ll listen to, but not necessarily buy.
Good shout! There's far too many remastered/remixed versions of the Beatles at ridiculous prices. John Lennons "Mind Games" Box for over 1000$ a prime example. What a pity your idea for an extensive "Yesterday and Today" With the originsl tryptichon cover didn't come through. By the way, as maligned as it is, the running order of the Songs are perfect. It sounds beautiful. Pity though that Capitol then issued a corrupt Revolver LP that is ridiculous missing 3 of the best Lennon Songs😮
Will we someday see a 4 album set of the white album mono ,/ Stereo vinyl ? Will they put the Rarities album in the Vol. 2 ? Lol. I have all the original vinyl, US & UK , the capital box sets 1&2 ,the remixed box sets , so I too will skip this ( although I'd love to read Bruce's text , but I have his books on these albums , so ? ). Original Beatles fan of the '60s. Another great video.
I also didn't appreciate that the second box didn't have the Dexter mixes. I did get the individual Yesterday and Today CD, though, to get the butcher cover in at least one form.
Oh dear. Given the undisputable probability that you'll listen to the Beatles' Story two or three times in your life, you may be well advised to get a replacement for the one or two of the other albums in your collection that are most worn. Other than that, this does not go beyond the Capitol Albums on CD of 2004 and 2006 other than it's vinyl. On the contrary, the CD versions had the mono AND the stereo versions of the original US mixes and superb sound quality to boot. I confess that I don't very often listen to the US albums (apart from the Second Album, which I really like), and the CDs are all I need (I have a couple, but not all, of the original albums on vinyl, too). That may be different for US fans who grew up with those versions, but even for them I don't see much of a reason to spend so much money on a set that STILL does not contain Revolver and Yesterday and Today (beloved by some but a true atrocity in my mind, sorry to say that!). Thanks for the video, Matt!
I'm gonna get it because I don't own any of the US releases in any format. Also I'm excited to hear Anthology mentioned because I really want the DVD set upgraded to HD. The cd's are fine but fix the video.
Capital Records was stopped by Apple Corps from releasing any further US mixes of the Capitol Albums on CD because of the decision to remix and or remaster the entire catalogue for release on CD in 2009.
Geezer here (b.1954). Started with the Beatles by buying 45s (1966-69). Started buying LPs from 1969 onwards and by 1974, I started buying some 8-tracks equipped on my '74 Z-28. Moved in 1985 overseas, bought a CD player and began buying many of the 1987 Beatles CDs. Bought of the 2009 boxed set, then started buying the individual CDs that have been re-mixed, from the latest to the earlier ones (inc. "Revolver"). Now, I said "enough". I do like the 2009 set and the re-mixed one even better. Never did like the 1987 CDs. I have over 6,800+ CDs and the new 80s technology seem a bit primitive with older ones compared with the later ones. Not just Beatles, even classical ones. But in any case, I'm done!
Fair comments. I'm only interested in things we haven't been officially released before. The Peter Jackson documentary ticked a lot of boxes first time seeing and hearing was pretty mind blowing and myth busting. As far as buying the same thing over and over and just collecting and not listening its an exercise in marketing. Ive done it before let's keep this one in the wrapper to sell in later years as an investment. It doesn't work like that the reissues are sold at collectors prices that's how they make the money. 40 years those releases will not be in demand because we will seen the reissue of the reissues of the reissues and all will be worthless and albums that are not listened too have no human value. We are entering the world of stamp collecting.
The 2004-6 CD release was very satisfying for me. Especially if you got the correct Rubber Soul version. No need to go further. Seems the original US mixes came from the first gen source, so what more can one ask? Nobody should get the 2014 CD package. I think the new vinyl release is a great idea. Clearly they're looking ahead for Rubber Soul, Yesterday & Today, Revolver to come next year. I wouldn't be surprised if they'll include a butcher cover as a box set only bonus, like they're doing now with the Beatle's Story. As long as the LP's are available individually and on the Capitol label, works for me. :- )
I'm in the UK and have always tended to avoid the box sets. Rather pricey, and I've never been particularly bothered about out-takes, to be honest. Interesting for a single listen, maybe, but not much mileage after that (for me). I was recently thinking of trying to source some US albums on vinyl, just because I liked the idea of getting some of these (I have the CD sets from a few years back). So when I saw this, I decided to get this particular set and look forward to receiving them in November. Expensive, I guess, but I'm treating this as an early Christmas present to myself. Good video, Matt.
I am getting the six proper albums individually from this. I can’t justify buying the BEATLES STORY. I also hope a second box comes out with…. BEATLESVI HELP RUBBER SOUL REVOLVER YESTERDAY TODAY HEY JUDE RARITIES (Capitol)
Certainly not for me but still hoping for the Rubber Soul one, along with perhaps Hard Day's Night, Help, Hamburg tapes, With the beatles etc at some point (if there is any material to be released there). Only been buying the two CD sets, not the full on massive collections though
Haha! I posted this comment before seeing Matt suggesting the same thing. Great minds think alike! That release would be a huge hit! BTW, I have a Butcher Shop framed and hanging in my office. Love it!
I too have most of these, some in mono, some in stereo. I also have the US albums box on cd and the Capitol Albums v. 1 & 2, although I agree with your criticisms of those. I’d be inclined but for $300 price tag. Too rich for my blood.
I think this was intended to be a 1964 box, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Beatles' arrival in America. I recognize that this set also contains the Early Beatles, which was released in 1965 (with recordings coming mostly from 1963). As Matt suggested, perhaps it's a surrogate of sorts for VJ's Introducing the Beatles, which did appear in 1964. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a second box next year covering all of the remaining US albums.
The mono CDs were never sold separately, at least not officially. People often split up the boxes and sold the CDs individually on eBay, but Apple never sold them separately. (There were bootlegs masquerading as official CDs as well.) The 2014 mono LP box set release did see each LP get a standalone release shortly after the box set was released. I have both the box set and a few of the standalone LPs. The standalone 2014 mono LPs all sell for $100-200+ today if still in the shrink wrap. Sgt. Pepper is the most desired of the bunch as those sold out first.
The 2014 box had some titles released separately (I’ve seen “Something New”, “Yesterday…And Today” and “Hey Jude” as separate CD titles, but not as vinyl releases.)
Why are these being made available? I thought Apple wanted only a standard Beatles catalog. They are nothing but anachronisms. Although I grew up with the Capitol "collections of songs", I only consider the UK LPs the legitimate albums. Why doesn't Apple give us something new from the Archives instead? Agree with you on all these remixes etc.
A suggestion; I would like to see you do a review of what I think has proven for me (and perhaps in the future for everyone else) one of the best post-Beatles records: George Harrison's 'Wonderwall", an album that these days I listen to even more than I do with actual Beatles' stuff
I am still waiting for Peter Jackson to complete the Hamburg tapes restoration.
That's probably the most interesting thing apple hasn't released.
@@AkiraFelix-k2l I want more live Beatles material, I don't care how tired they sound
You mean the album where the best cut is sung by the waiter, Horst? Ooh!
@@robertpincus6528 while musically is not interesting, It is historically.
All of the CDs in the Beatles U.S. Albums box set were available separately, except for The Beatles Story. I picked them up individually at Best Buy for $9.99 apiece at the time of release. A good pricel!
As one of the older geezers, I am actually looking forward to getting this set. I am glad they are revisiting the U.S. albums as I think they have been unfairly criticized especially given the fact that these albums sold tens of millions of records from the 60s through the 80s so they deserve some special attention. I think the CD set from 2004, 2006 and 2014 were all missed opportunities with some having the right sound and others having better packaging. When it comes to these new albums I am curious to see if they replicate the fold down mono mixes from the original 60s albums. Either I am happy to do an upgrade of these albums. Thanks for sharing Matt!
I agree, I think that having perfectly clean copies of these is something I’ve not really experienced plus it seems like we will be getting. An improvement in quality with a modern cut. Save they don’t ruin the mastering somehow.
Thanks for educating us, Matt!
My older brothers had these albums. I was 2 in 1964. I remember the Beatles' Story album at some point had half of the front jacket torn off. It wasn't me, I loved the Beatles even at that age. My parents did too, so who knows how that happened. That would be a great gift for me to give to my brothers, they can rotate them a month at a time. Thanks for the review, Matt!
Sue
My dad had the Meet the Beatles album when I first moved in with him as a young child. I was mesmerized by every element of the record. It's absolutely one of my favorites!
"I like to buy old used records and pretend I always owned them, I lie to myself all the time." - John Taylor, Duran Duran
This is a stopgap measure for the SuperDeluxe RubberSoul in 2025
@@davidkornblatt851 I’m hoping that they include both the U.S. and the U.K. versions, because after all, the U.S. version is what gave us Pet Sounds
and like it or not, the U.S. release is a damn fine album all on its own, whenever I do a Rubber Soul playlist, I always use the tracks from the U.S. album as if they’re bonus tracks
Here's hoping.
It's $300 USD for the box set. It's $180 if you buy all the LP's separately (minus The Beatles Story which is exclusive to the box set). I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay $120 for a slipcase and The Beatles Story!
Good way to break it down! It does seem silly when you put it that way.
Too bad Beatles don’t have a spokesperson to explain how a double album documentary and slipcase is Worth $120.
@@alanabentrod3963 Apple wisely leaves that task to the many tubeyou fanboys who are unable to say anything negative about the lads.
They are keeping the original spirit alive that was behind The Beatles Story… which is to rip off the fans with an inferior product. If they really were smart, they would have included the full 1964 Hollywood Bowl concert on LP in the box set, released as Capitol originally intended. (Not the compilation of the 64/65 shows that came out in the 70s.)
@@mjanovec Good point. Apple seems to not know how to best curate the Beatles releases.
As a Gen Z who loves the Beatles-I'm interested in this, but $300 is just insane. If it were $100 cheaper it'd be a no-brainer.
I agree. Just buy them individually. It’s quite a bit cheaper.
Yes.
Thank you Matt.
I have to admit i am of two minds on this. While it is good to see younger listeners discover the Beatles, the other side of me is left gasping and gaping as just how much product Apple keeps shoveling out which, to me, is clear money grubbing as opposed to a rigorous curation of the music.
I remember, in my teens, how simple it was to just collect the British versions and then the red and blue albums. It seems they could have stopped after the first box set except for maybe releasing that in CD format.
IDK... the company keeps pushing out, like a production line, all this schlock. It might be attractive at some point, but I would tell young people that someday, in the future, their wife is going to be asking them if they would finally get rid of the stuff they no longer use. 😅
Seriously though, i would like to know who or what exactly "Apple" is these days. Luddite that i am, I'll stick with the early CDs as I am too indolent to change vinyl.
It would be cool if Apple released the Yesterday and Today album with Capitol's original Butcher Cover.
As far as the Anthology albums are concerned. They could definitely add more outtakes and demos for each album. I have bootlegs that have complete tracks that easily could be cleaned up and added to each album. Also Free As a Bird needs work. After hearing Then and Now, I know they could make Free As a Bird sound so much better with today's technology.
Apple could release a new set of DVDs as well. From what I have read there was a lot of footage of George, Paul and Ringo where they are sitting around the table, sitting outside on that blanket and in the studio that that never was used. That would be cool to see
What a great video have a wonderful weekend Matt also Sunday is my mom birthday ❤😊
As a person who is just starting to collect beatles box sets. This is a wonderful collection for me cause the Beatles US album is expensive now and the old original US albums are expensive also. This box set while aimed for collectors is a good gift for us new to the field. Have to think that way also.
Both Yesterday & Today and Revolver US mixes were released separately as CDs. The Y&T CD had a paste-on/over sticker of the Butcher cover for fun, packaging was nice, both had inner sleeve reproductions from the 60’s.
Some of the mixes on those CDs were the original US mixes but not all and the stereo versions were basically the 2009 UK remasters. Can't argue that they look pretty but they are a weird hybrid UK/US mish mash.
I'm a boomer and have them all - but mine are probably worn to the grooves. I ALWAYS loved The Beatles' Second Album. Particularly the second side.
Yes. Great collection.
I have all of the original Capitol albums with their scratches and clicks and pops (except Beatles Story). I bought the complete UK CD box set that came in the wooden roll-top case. I also bought the Anthology CDs when they came out. I don't see me buying any more Beatles products, although I do listen to the CDs every now and then (on my computer). I also have the BBC sessions on the computer, but probably only listened to that once or twice.
The mono vinyl box set is probably the best way to go. Apple really made a balls up with the Red & Blue releases. An extended Anthology vinyl set would perk my interest though!
An honest review which I appreciated quite a bit. Thank you, Matt.
In the UK with postage this is £235. I will get it as I have very few US albums. Great video Matt.
Oh boy am I going to get pummeled for this one. I happen to like the 2009 CD box sets. I own both the stereo and mono. I think the packaging on both is great and I like having the complete Beatles discography in one nice package. And yes I still have a CD collection and a player.
Those are really nice sleeves on the 2009 Stereo Box. Trifold with great color reproductions. I wonder if those box sets will be forgotten.
The 2009 mono box set is still a keeper. These are as close to flat transfers from the original mono tapes as you’ll ever get. (The stereo albums were “fiddled” with… and not always for the best.) The mono box was made to very high standards in Japan replicating the original sleeve designs. It’s still the best Beatles CD release to date!
@@mjanovec I will hang on to that one. You've convinced me.
@mjanovec Care to elaborate on how they "fiddled" with the stereo collection? I'm aware that some folks think they're lousy.
@@tunesdonebyone3428 They did a few things, like adding compression to make the CDs sound "louder." They are far from the worst offenders in the so-called loudness wars, but they are quite a bit louder. They also fixed what they perceived to be errors, like the sound of Lennon flipping a switch on his guitar in "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and fixing some edits in songs like "Day Tripper." They also managed to mess up the opening chord to "A Hard Day's Night" by making it sound a bit muffled at first. Not sure what went wrong there, but that's arguably the most important note on the album. The 2009 stereo CDs aren't awful by any means, but some (including audio engineer Steve Hoffman) think that the 1987 CDs for the later Beatles albums are superior... as they are nearly straight transfers from the master tapes.
Hey Matt great video! I am going to pass on this too I all ready have the Beatles us albums in mono I collected them 6 years ago before the prices went up . Have a good one Matt
Good review and update. Many good points. Well done. 👍
Thank you, Anthony.
The 2004 & 2006 CD set was nice because it had both the mono and stereo release versions.
As a lover of the mono version, I was able to enjoy what I loved best.
This was the best reissue of the Capitol albums. It was good value for the money and sounded great. When I want to experience the Capitol albums, this is still my preferred release.
Would be cool if they released their Christmas recordings, as well as if they added more to Anthology of songs they performed in the studio that they wrote and didn’t complete, that were in Get Back.
@@Joey_Cisar there was a box-set of the fan club Christmas messages on colored-vinyl 45s a few years ago.
Being of the time......and a big Beatles fan.....I think this release is great......I bought these LPs when I was a kid.....I have copies in various forms but I will probably get the LPs not the box......prices seem to be high......30.00 per LP....as indicated elsewhere....at the time we didn't know about the UK releases.....still think The US Rubber Soul is the best version......it's all a nostalgic thing I guess....the important thing it's the original Capitol masters......this was not what I expected however......
Meet the Beatles is a better Beatles album than With The Beatles.
I agree. This is not a necessary release. It's, I guess, just for vinyl collectors. And THE BEATLES' STORY? I had that album for many years, and enjoyed it, even though it's not really very good. I did use it, when I was High School in 1972, for an English class on writing a Biography. I had no Beatles books to reference, so I used that album to write my Biography.
"They're just collecting dust at this point". A key statement that helps explain why I will pass on this release.
A couple things. One of the first things I noticed when I bought The US Albums box set (which I love, because I just like the mixes better than the previous collections) was that Yesterday and Today had removable cover art, so I immediately switched to the Butcher Cover. Plus, for me the '09 reissues were a huge step up from the '87 releases, which to me always sounded tinny and thin. Except for the somewhat later initial release of the Red Album, I never go back to them. All CDs, because I purged the vast majority of my vinyl about twenty years ago and digitized my compact discs to my PCs and Macs.
Money, that's what they want. I guess we now live in a culture where everything gets upgraded every five years and we are more than happy to go along with it. To me the original albums were made to last, like that old 50's fridge in the garage you keep beer in.
These albuums haven't been reissued on vinyl in over 40 years.
I actually have a fridge in basement from the 50's! Works fine! 😮
@@sx20Ramar Good for you.
I’m with you on this one Matt. Especially at ~$300. 😮. I’m very much interested in Rubber Soul - especially if there some more worthwhile outtakes. And bring on a remastered Anthology video!
My favorite is Rubber Soul. Everything about it was revolutionary.
I can't speak from personal experience, but I have heard that the best sounding vinyl box set is the mono pressings of 2014. I think it was Andrew from Parlophone Auctions (now called Parlogram) who said this set has the best sounding pressings around, and he's got just about every pressing there is. He backed up his opinion with spectral analysis but bottom line is that they apparently sound great (he can't play them or he'll get blocked). I just looked it up on Amazon Canada and it's selling for over $10,000 (Canadian dollars) for a set in "very good" condition.
The mono pressings vinyl box set is the UK mixes. Apparently they've used the same methodology to create this new US mixes release.
Excellent walkthrough, appreciated seeing the cd boxes! I am a Parlophone collector and sold all of my Capitol...they just do not compare sonically imho and for me, Parlophone is the story of the Beatles.
I agree with you Matt about passing on this Box set. Between Ebay and Discogs, you can get great pressings of all of these albums at reasonable prices.
Sorry to hear you're not enthused about a potential Rubber Soul box set, which for me could be awesome (depending on how they handle it). I still ardently prefer the US Rubber Soul to the UK version, and I'd hope it would be part of a new box set. That classic folk-rock album has never collected literal or figurative dust for me. Thanks again for the update, Matt. Always fun to see you display the packaging and talk Beatles.
Hard Days Night is the only one worth getting because it has great instrumentals.
Got a glimpse of your copy of the Joni Mitchell Essentials magazine!
Yes you can buy individual $30 a piece! On the Beatles store! $299 box set! This is the same thing released a few years ago on cd in box set and individual cds
At first glance, it would seem that Apple/Capitol is just back peddling with the Beatles catalog for the Christmas market. But looking at the way this is packaged, it would be very tempting. Very tempting indeed.
Dear friend, Matt. Thanks for this video. I sincerely would never say anything negative about a Beatles' releasing. But I think, first, it gives a feeling that I would be buying tracks I already have. And, second, a release in vinyl form is definitively a product to only collectors, and even a not great number of them. It's my humble opinion. All the best.
Anybody buying these discs expecting the excessive reverb/processing done by Dave Dexter is going to be very disappointed, as that was done for the stereo albums (especially due to the hard L/R 2-track panning of tracks from With The Beatles for the “Second Album”). The UA “Hard Day’s Night” is probably the only worthwhile reissue, having the rushed mixes made for use in the film (Capitol receiving revised ones as made for the UK album). For “Beatles ‘65”, I Feel Fine and She’s A Woman are drenched (likely from a fold-down).
Cool, but I'm happy with my British version CDs; I have the entire collection.
Same David. All Beatles music is on Spotify anyway. To be honest at 58 yrs old I rarely turn on my stereo anymore. Spotify and a simple bluetooth speaker is sufficient. And I can bring it into any room in the house.
I bought them way back when . You shoulda been there
Yes.
Said perfectly. Born in 61 so I started collecting in the 70s. They were great. No trying to notice insignificant nuances. FYI my beloved grandpa did buy me original Beatles 2nd Album and Help/ I'm Down 45. Perfect choices
You are not misremembering Matt. All the 2014 CDs were released separately save for The Beatles Story (sound familiar). I never cared for the 2004 & 2006 Capitol packaging but the real mixes were great. Never got them but I have the rips on my computer. A volume 3 was planned, I know that. It was cancelled because of the 2008 economic crisis supposedly.
I did get the 2014 box set but the fact that it’s not the capital mixes (with a few exceptions) really makes it a bittersweet release. So now we’re gonna have the genuine Capitol mixes….but just on vinyl. Nice thought, but you can buy THE ORIGINAL Capitol presses, for way less. Not to mention that at least two of the albums in the “wonderful” mono box, are just fold downs, (Meet the Beatles! And The Early Beatles). So I don’t get this set. I really want a Capitol cd albums box set. But all the albums with the Capitol mixes. And I mean ALL. Meet the Beatles-Let It Be. A Capitol US singles collection would also be greatly appreciated. But this? No thanks.
Also, most everything on the Anthology albums were remixed for their 90s release. So it’d be interesting if they actually used the originally mixes before that. But I really don’t want anything else on vinyl that ALREADY EXISTS on vinyl. Great vid. Great point. Hard pass.
I appreciate the feedback. That's a very good point about buying originals at a cheaper price than new vinyl. I buy VERY little new vinyl across the board for that same reason. These are generally bought by people that already have the originals or the many other configurations that have been duplicated over the years. 1st World Beatle fans + idle cash = bookshelves full of box sets that are for show and not for listening.
I do like your explanations and discussions of this set, masterful job Matt. I still have, though well worn, all my Capitol albums from the 60's, but in the back of my mind a little negativity creeps in when at 15 I discover the British albums had more songs on it.
Thank you, Charlie!
The ghosts of John and George at the 15:09 mark👻
I agree also i'll passed on the box sets because it's too expensive just like i passed on the beatles 1962-1966 red album and the beatles 1967-1970 blue album from last year and anyways i have both the red and blue albums and satisfied what i have.
I bought 5 records of this set individually (instead of the box set) on The Beatles Official Store. They charged $8 per record for shipping - total of $40 for 5 records - which is crazy and outrageous. It really pissed me off!
I remember seeing some individual CDs of Capitol albums at a Walmart a year or two after the 2014 boxset. I like this video, and I generally agree with what you have said here. I listened to "The Beatles' Story" once, and that was about enough for me. That Vee-Jay spoken word Beatles album was better. I would like a "Yesterday and Today" LP in a gatefold cover, with the butcher cover inside, and a booklet telling the story of the cover, plus all the outtake photos from both sessions. Of course, it should have the US mix of "I'm Only Sleeping," which had different backwards guitar effects at different times.
Great video Matt! I’m gonna hold off on getting this set. A bit repetitive of what I have and I’m running out of room. Yes! I am hoping there’s going to be a Rubber Soul box set. And eventually, a box set for the earlier albums. Help! Beatles for Sale, etc.
The last two copies of 'The Beatles' Second Album', I bought were on cassette. Thank You Girl is the last song on cassette. I am now used to having it that way.
Great video Matt. I just received the Beatles store email. I too grew up on the us versions and never heard the parlaphone versions until the cds came out. Just before then, I did buy all the us capital albums, recorded them to cassette and placed vinyl and sleeve in plastic for preservation. I digitized them 10 years later and put them away again. I never bought the is box sets you showed, deciding to listen to my copies. I’m really curious if the mono mixes on the new set is the same dexterized capital duophonic sound that’s been in my head for years. Not sure if I’ll get the new box set. However on a side note I do enjoy listening to the 2009 mono mixes of revolver and sgt pepper.
Supposedly these are the same 60s mixes but I'm sure some audiophiles will find some differences. I'm glad they are coming out.
@@popgoesthe60s52 It seems like they have applied the same methods in reproducing this US set as they did for the UK Mono set and that turned out pretty well. I think there might have been a case for reissuing the UK Mono set on vinyl as it is more expensive than a trip on Elon Musk's rocket now.
11:17 The Beatles Box (the Liverpool crate from the 80s) contained alternate mixes and these mixes are rarely discussed.
The second volume will feature help..rubber soul..yesterday and today and revolver will be my guess and I’m glad…these two volumes represent our musical childhood and even though by today’s standards of great remastering and remixes that I love..these collections are just like going back to good old mono and reverb…I am a Dave dexter jr fan and even revolver American version was great..again..accepting it as part of childhood which is really cool to me…can’t wait to get it😊
Can't wait to get this boxset
Every time we think it's the last artifact's Beatle out, they find something new to sale! It's not a critique, I'm truly puzzled!
I just tumbled on the Parlogram channel who was talking about Carnival of light and some different and longer mix of some of their psychedelic stuff. Maybe this will be released in the years to come?
Wow Matt
I thought I was the only one not really excited about this because like you, I have them all already but I guess it's good for the younger fans. Still hopeful for an eventual Rubber Soul box. Maybe next year.......
This is the box set that almost nobody asked for, much like the reissued Red and Blue albums from last year. The Capitol albums were in print on LP for three decades if anyone needed them and nice copies can still be found with a little effort. I won’t be buying this box because I’ve already tracked down original 60s pressings for all Capitol (and Parlophone) albums. The Capitol albums make for a nostalgic spin, but really aren’t something I need duplicates of.
The one Beatles reissue you didn’t highlight was the Beatles in Mono LP box set from 2014. That remains the best reissue box set of all time, with all analog mastering, faithful flipback sleeve reproductions, and high quality German pressings. The records sound magnificent! This box initially sold for $350 and now fetches $1000-$1500 used and often $2000+ for a mint unplayed copy.
What fans really want is something new… not Something New. Give us more deluxe editions with outtakes and demos… as there are eight albums that haven’t had this treatment yet. (Pair up albums in box sets if outtakes and demos aren’t available in quantity.) Give us live concerts that have been remixed using AI technology… Star Club, Washington DC, Hollywood Bowl, Shea Stadium, Japan, etc. Give us a Blu Ray of the concerts that were filmed (DC, Shea, Japan). Give us an expanded Maysales film of the first US visit. Give us SOMETHING we don’t have!
All good points. Apples seems intent on giving fans things they don't ask for while ignoring what is asked for!
I’m hoping they’ll reissue the 2014 Mono Box set - Give the people what they want! LOL
@@JC-bt8jo That is a perfect example. Look at the price of those on ebay!
@@JC-bt8jo I've heard claims that Apple lost money on the 2014 mono box. I'm not quite sure how they figure that, as they eventually sold out. But it did take about 3-4 years to sell out, so maybe they deemed it a non-success. I think they will be offering mono LPs with each new super deluxe set like they did with Revolver. Unfortunately that involves buying expensive LP box sets even if you only just want the mono LP from each set.
@@mjanovec That’s a good point and observation. It’s quite possible that they only will include the mono lps on box set releases - hadn’t thought about that
“The US Albums” box contains 99.9% of the unique mixes sent to Capitol by EMI London. The only screw up was they used the wrong stereo mix of “I’m Only Sleeping” which is the UK version and not the alternate true stereo mix on the US album.
I’ve preordered it. It’s time that the US catalog got some vinyl love. Volume 2 would be; Beatles VI, Help, Rubber Soul, Yesterday and Today, Revolver and Hey Jude
Hi Matt: Here’s a question that a lot of Beatles fans (including me) have: What’s your take on the Giles Martin remixes of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road, and the White Album? Specifically, even though the new remixes are much clearer and reveal sonic details that we didn’t hear even in the 2009 releases, there’s one major problem: the Giles Martin remixes don’t sound like the Beatles’ music was recorded in the 1960s. By contrast, recent remixes and remasters of albums such as The Doors 40th Anniversary release, recent remasters of Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane, and re-releases of Birthday by The Association are clearer and sound better, but they still sound like they were recorded in the 1960s. But while Giles Martin’s remixes of Sgt. Pepper and the White Album have a much richer sound, with a louder bass that makes you appreciate Paul’s bass lines, and more detail in in the high end, these albums don’t sound like they were recorded in the 1960s. Albums from that period had a lot of the vocals and instruments panned hard to the right and left, or instruments were panned to the left and the reverb and echo was panned to the right. So Giles Martin has cleaned up the mixes and made the overall sound much cleaner and clearer, but it’s like we’re distracted by hearing what this really is: music from the 1960s that sounds like it was mixed for a contemporary audience in the 2000s. Indeed, hearing Giles Martin’s remix of Sgt.Pepper is like a totally different listening experience. While George Martin’s original 1967 mix sounds Baroque in flavour, Giles Martin’s remix sounds like a punchy Rock n’ Roll album. And that’s yet another problem, because those of us who grew up listening to the original mix are used to it, and we find that what Giles Martin has done is ultimately kind of weird. Songs like “Fixing a Hole” and “Being for the Benefit of Mr.Kite” now sound like original music from 2017, not 1967. Giles Martin did an amazing job in bringing out sonic details that had been barely audible, but I still find myself listening more to the original George Martin 1960s mixes because they fit in with what recorded music back then sounded like. What are your thoughts, Matt? That might make for a fascinating discussion. As always, love your channel and your amazing encyclopedic knowledge of Rock and Pop’s greatest decade.
Hi Greg. I've not delved too deep into the remixes though I do have them and have commented on the things that hit me most. Generally, all this remixing is confusing and I hear more dissatisfaction than satisfaction from fans which makes me ask, "is any of it worth remixing." If its a good song, people will listen to it regardless of a new mix.
One reason the Doors, Airplane and Association sound better (in my opinion anyway) is that the source tapes were originally recorded on 8-track tape machines as opposed to 4-track by the Beatles. The Beatles didn't use 8-track until midway through the White Album and consequently, the American bands had more separation at the source due to the 8-track. I think this has been a problem for Okel-Martin team, as they seem to be all over the place in their remixing methods. You mentioned the bass sound. I don't see any need for boosting the bass. That was the one instrument that stood out in the original mixes! To boost it means to take away from something else. At least that is how I hear it. If I could, I would prefer to make my own mixes if I felt there was a need and I think that is the future of Beatles music is fans making their own remixes.
Hi Matt: Thanks so much for your reply. Like you, for the most part, I think I’ll stick to the original George Martin mixes, and keep the recent Giles Martin remixes as a sort curio that I’ll listen to occasionally if I’m in the mood to hear a contemporary re-imagining of music from the 1960s.
A Beatles Canadian albums set would be something I would buy. It would be Beatlemania!, Twist and Shout and Long Tall Sally in mono. It could come in a box with both vinyl and CD, a nice booklet with some sort of essay and pictures. Probably priced between $150 and $200. I would buy that without doubt.
Ill probably still forge ahead with the Capiphone project for next year.How about Paperback Writer,Rain,Day Tripper,Ticket To Ride,Michelle and a few others,with LATER fades!!!Film mixes on the US HDN and Help!!Amazing collection!!!Will satisfy us Beatle fanatics hunger!!!
P.S. I also listen to the US albums box set every day and it makes me feel better during the day when I listen to this box! I don’t have any problem with the 2014 box at all!👍
I have all the boxes that you have in front of you except for volume two of the capital years. I have listened to the first volume of the capital years and it does sound like the original recordings from the 60s and the mono and stereo boxes that came out in 09 are totally awesome, but everyone has their opinions about everything: I like my MONO and studio boxes from 09!✌️🤘😎
15:00 - I know Anthology 1 could use an overhaul, Pater Jackson-style, as could Free as a Bird and Real Love. I have the "Beatles 1" DVD set and have heard the two Anthology singles remixed, but was a bit disappointed, maybe expecting too much. However, I really loved what Jackson did with Now and Then, so I have a lot of faith in his hand on the two other ones. I also remember hearing Lennon's demos of the two on "The Lost Lennon Tapes". If I may go off course for this line, one Lennon demo I absolutely flipped over was the "Real Life" with the melody of Stepping Out, but it's a slow-tempo piano demo. Steppin Out on Milk and Honey is a groove and it's very funny, but this nearly dirge-like demo is very moving.
I was just about to start adding the Japanese flag series reissues of the U.S. albums to my collection so I'm looking forward to this release.
I included true mono and stereo mixes,from UK,North America,and Germany,so all the essential mixes are included.And others that are new to issue!!!
I'd hold on to that 2009 CD set because I'm afraid Giles Martin or somebody else will be remixing those early albums and cranking up the bass & drums for "today's listeners". I think the technology to remix them is a great thing to enhance the original tracks but not to tinker with, don't PRODUCE the albums just give us true stereo.
Good idea!
Thanks for the update Matt. More stuff I would never buy (haha). EX versions of the analog US albums still seem plentiful on discogs & ebay at reasonable prices, they pressed a gazillion copies back in the day. Cheers!
If you live in the U.K. as I do why on earth would we want this stuff that the band never authorised and also dispised.
But happily cashed the royalty checks.
@@beatlz6561They did not have control or the time to deal with that when they were together. That was Brian Epstein’s forte.
@@BigSky1 I didn't mean they literally went to the bank and cashed checks. It was a joke.
These albums sold millions upon millions. I guarantee you they didn't despise them as much as you think.
Americans be Americans.
Hey Matt, I’m with you on not wanting to duplicate parts of my collection, but it’ll be interesting at least to see how these sell. My interest these days lies in what hasn’t been released, for example, outtakes and demos, things like that, which I’ll listen to, but not necessarily buy.
Good shout! There's far too many remastered/remixed versions of the Beatles at ridiculous prices. John Lennons "Mind Games" Box for over 1000$ a prime example.
What a pity your idea for an extensive "Yesterday and Today" With the originsl tryptichon cover didn't come through. By the way, as maligned as it is, the running order of the Songs are perfect. It sounds beautiful. Pity though that Capitol then issued a corrupt Revolver LP that is ridiculous missing 3 of the best Lennon Songs😮
Will we someday see a 4 album set of the white album mono ,/ Stereo vinyl ?
Will they put the Rarities album in the Vol. 2 ? Lol.
I have all the original vinyl, US & UK , the capital box sets 1&2 ,the remixed box sets , so I too will skip this ( although I'd love to read Bruce's text , but I have his books on these albums , so ? ).
Original Beatles fan of the '60s.
Another great video.
Thank you, Tim!
I also didn't appreciate that the second box didn't have the Dexter mixes. I did get the individual Yesterday and Today CD, though, to get the butcher cover in at least one form.
Don't need it myself....have VG+ copies of all the mono and steteo originals! 😁
Oh dear. Given the undisputable probability that you'll listen to the Beatles' Story two or three times in your life, you may be well advised to get a replacement for the one or two of the other albums in your collection that are most worn. Other than that, this does not go beyond the Capitol Albums on CD of 2004 and 2006 other than it's vinyl. On the contrary, the CD versions had the mono AND the stereo versions of the original US mixes and superb sound quality to boot. I confess that I don't very often listen to the US albums (apart from the Second Album, which I really like), and the CDs are all I need (I have a couple, but not all, of the original albums on vinyl, too). That may be different for US fans who grew up with those versions, but even for them I don't see much of a reason to spend so much money on a set that STILL does not contain Revolver and Yesterday and Today (beloved by some but a true atrocity in my mind, sorry to say that!). Thanks for the video, Matt!
I'm gonna get it because I don't own any of the US releases in any format. Also I'm excited to hear Anthology mentioned because I really want the DVD set upgraded to HD. The cd's are fine but fix the video.
Capital Records was stopped by Apple Corps from releasing any further US mixes of the Capitol Albums on CD because of the decision to remix and or remaster the entire catalogue for release on CD in 2009.
I bought the Help box set. Wasn’t bad.
Did you notice that when you said you don’t like remastering some of your records in the background fell forward?
😊
Geezer here (b.1954). Started with the Beatles by buying 45s (1966-69). Started buying LPs from 1969 onwards and by 1974, I started buying some 8-tracks equipped on my '74 Z-28. Moved in 1985 overseas, bought a CD player and began buying many of the 1987 Beatles CDs. Bought of the 2009 boxed set, then started buying the individual CDs that have been re-mixed, from the latest to the earlier ones (inc. "Revolver"). Now, I said "enough". I do like the 2009 set and the re-mixed one even better. Never did like the 1987 CDs. I have over 6,800+ CDs and the new 80s technology seem a bit primitive with older ones compared with the later ones. Not just Beatles, even classical ones. But in any case, I'm done!
Fab gear!
Fair comments. I'm only interested in things we haven't been officially released before. The Peter Jackson documentary ticked a lot of boxes first time seeing and hearing was pretty mind blowing and myth busting. As far as buying the same thing over and over and just collecting and not listening its an exercise in marketing. Ive done it before let's keep this one in the wrapper to sell in later years as an investment. It doesn't work like that the reissues are sold at collectors prices that's how they make the money. 40 years those releases will not be in demand because we will seen the reissue of the reissues of the reissues and all will be worthless and albums that are not listened too have no human value. We are entering the world of stamp collecting.
Every album except 'Beatles Story' will be available for purchase by itself.
The 2004-6 CD release was very satisfying for me. Especially if you got the correct Rubber Soul version. No need to go further. Seems the original US mixes came from the first gen source, so what more can one ask? Nobody should get the 2014 CD package. I think the new vinyl release is a great idea. Clearly they're looking ahead for Rubber Soul, Yesterday & Today, Revolver to come next year. I wouldn't be surprised if they'll include a butcher cover as a box set only bonus, like they're doing now with the Beatle's Story. As long as the LP's are available individually and on the Capitol label, works for me. :- )
I'm in the UK and have always tended to avoid the box sets. Rather pricey, and I've never been particularly bothered about out-takes, to be honest. Interesting for a single listen, maybe, but not much mileage after that (for me). I was recently thinking of trying to source some US albums on vinyl, just because I liked the idea of getting some of these (I have the CD sets from a few years back). So when I saw this, I decided to get this particular set and look forward to receiving them in November. Expensive, I guess, but I'm treating this as an early Christmas present to myself. Good video, Matt.
Thank you, Mark!
I actually prefer the US albums box sound to the originals. And yes they were released individually
I am getting the six proper albums individually from this.
I can’t justify buying the BEATLES STORY.
I also hope a second box comes out with….
BEATLESVI
HELP
RUBBER SOUL
REVOLVER
YESTERDAY TODAY
HEY JUDE
RARITIES (Capitol)
Certainly not for me but still hoping for the Rubber Soul one, along with perhaps Hard Day's Night, Help, Hamburg tapes, With the beatles etc at some point (if there is any material to be released there). Only been buying the two CD sets, not the full on massive collections though
I don’t know anything, but believe Capital should re-release the Butcher Shop cover. I think it’d be a huge hit.
Haha! I posted this comment before seeing Matt suggesting the same thing. Great minds think alike! That release would be a huge hit! BTW, I have a Butcher Shop framed and hanging in my office. Love it!
I too have most of these, some in mono, some in stereo. I also have the US albums box on cd and the Capitol Albums v. 1 & 2, although I agree with your criticisms of those. I’d be inclined but for $300 price tag. Too rich for my blood.
Thank"s Matt for the review of the new american Beatles release,but it dosen't have some other albums like Beatles IV and Yesterday and today.
I think this was intended to be a 1964 box, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Beatles' arrival in America. I recognize that this set also contains the Early Beatles, which was released in 1965 (with recordings coming mostly from 1963). As Matt suggested, perhaps it's a surrogate of sorts for VJ's Introducing the Beatles, which did appear in 1964. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a second box next year covering all of the remaining US albums.
@@alanlinfield4318 I thought the same thing Alan.I Agree that their will be second box set for the remaining albums .👍
I have a Original 1964 mono Of MEET THE BEATLES on LP.....i wish they were a Stereo Remastered version of It on CD
Hey Matt , The mono box set CD's were available as separate CD's also , not vinyl. Except the Beatles Story I believe .
The mono CDs were never sold separately, at least not officially. People often split up the boxes and sold the CDs individually on eBay, but Apple never sold them separately. (There were bootlegs masquerading as official CDs as well.) The 2014 mono LP box set release did see each LP get a standalone release shortly after the box set was released. I have both the box set and a few of the standalone LPs. The standalone 2014 mono LPs all sell for $100-200+ today if still in the shrink wrap. Sgt. Pepper is the most desired of the bunch as those sold out first.
Nice job
Nice channel
Thank you very much!
I’ve already got an OG 1964 Mono “Second Album” in my collection. If the others are released separately, I’ll consider getting a few over time.
The 2014 box had some titles released separately (I’ve seen “Something New”, “Yesterday…And Today” and “Hey Jude” as separate CD titles, but not as vinyl releases.)
I have ordered the boxset, have never owned these as the UK issues are the ones released in Australia for the most part.
Why are these being made available? I thought Apple wanted only a standard Beatles catalog. They are nothing but anachronisms. Although I grew up with the Capitol "collections of songs", I only consider the UK LPs the legitimate albums. Why doesn't Apple give us something new from the Archives instead? Agree with you on all these remixes etc.
That is a good point that I have no answer for. It seems like this box is aiming completely away from young buyers.
A suggestion; I would like to see you do a review of what I think has proven for me (and perhaps in the future for everyone else) one of the best post-Beatles records: George Harrison's 'Wonderwall", an album that these days I listen to even more than I do with actual Beatles' stuff
Yes, I have also personally reappraised that album. Thanks for the request!