The Culture Of Pop: Something New, Indeed: Remastered Beatles CD's Sneak Preview.. - The DVD Marquee, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

The Culture Of Pop: Something New, Indeed: Remastered Beatles CD's Sneak Preview..

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Sneak Previewing The New Beatles CD's, Part I

Ladies and gentlemen? They're baaaaaack....as our (now month long) coverage of Beatlemania 2009 begins.

Coming across the universe to my mailbox this afternoon (well, the package actually hailed/made its way from Los Angeles to me, but that seems a universe away to me, anyway): A two disc sampler from Capitol Records/Apple with 32 tracks from the remastered Beatles catalog hitting stores tomorrow on (all together now): 09-09-09).

As a fan for 45 of my 47 years, I've heard this band's music in every format from 1st pressing monophonic vinyl to 5.1 DVD soundtrack mixes and all points in between: Capitol-ized stereo, godawful 8 track, slightly better cassette, imports, boots, re-releases taken from God knows what number generation master tapes and the mostly dissappointingly flat sounding 1987 original release of the catalog on CD (save for the excellent re-mixed versions of Help! and Rubber Soul which sadly met with shocking indifference from picky long time fans).

Judging from the results on the first 12 tracks on the 2-disc promotional sampler I recieved today that I've heard so far? I think there's going to be quite a few billion fab and gear kindred spirits struggling to pry themselves away from their CD's players tomorrow..and for a whole life long.

Track by track thoughts; Phase One:

I Saw Her Standing There: Any worries about the early two-track recordings from the early part of the band's career still sounding rough and inferior on CD? Gone once the lads get rocking after Paul's infamous count in. The presence of the vocals stun from the get go..and for the first time ever, I can hear John's rhythm playing come to the fore in the right hand channel along with Paul's funky bass playing really standing out, too (Macca's bass playing is noticeably/wonderfully improved on many of the early tracks, btw).

I Wanna Be Your Man: First time I've heard the 1st generation British mix of this song in stereo. Ringo's double track vocals have a ironic warmth to them conisidering this is such a rocker.

This Boy: Wonderfully quiet, intimate sound to the point that not only can I pick out the individual harmonies of John, Paual and George, but there's nuances to Lennon's vocals that I've never heard before.

Things We Said Today: Great to finally hear this song in British stereo for the first time minus the reverb Capitol added stateside to it's appearance on the "Something New" album.

Eight Days A Week: Grinning ear to ear from start to finish hearing this one; one of my top 10 Beatles songs. Sounds like you're listening to this from the master console of Abbey Road. Crystal clear. Such a treat to hear George's electric guitar riff that counters John's acoustic strumming stand out so well.

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away: After listening to this heartfelt, lovely ballad for over 40 years, I had tears form in my eyes for the first time ever when John's vocals came in on this remastered version. Shockingly intimate; like you're mere inches away from him and his jumbo Gibson acoustic in the studio. Beautiful crispness to the acoustic guitars and flutes.

If I Needed Someone: Another one that had me all smiles for two minutes plus. George's vocals, his unforgettable 12 string riff, John & Paul's enthusiastic harmony support...Love it! Great teaser for what should be an amazing re-master of Rubber Soul.

Rain: First so-so moment on the sampler for me. Always loved the wide mix of this song that appeared on the American Hey Jude (aka The Beatles Again) album. Although the narrow British mix is not quite as appealing to my ears, it still possess good stereo separation and is clear as a bell. Gonna have to go back to my '87 Past Masters CD to re-listen to the version included there, for I don't recall Rain sounding so narrow on it.

Here, There and Everywhere: Two words. Jaw. Dropping. Oh, to have been witness to Paul's reaction upon hearing one of his favorite musical kids sound so stunning 43 summers later. By far the highlight of the remastered tracks I've heard so far and one that beautifully demonstrates how far digital techonology has come over the last 22 years since the original CD's landed.Will the rest of Revolver sound this aurally scrumptous on CD at last? Tomorrow never knows.

Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite: Since the '87 Sgt. Pepper CD was so well done, not much of an improvement to me. Actually sounds a bit low key sound wise in comparison. Will have to A/B the '87 Pepper CD release for comparison.

The Fool On The Hill: Along with the controversial remasterings of Help! and  Rubber Soul on their respective 1987 CD releases, Magical Mystery Tour  remains one of the best sounding CD's from that era. Like Mr. Kite from Pepper I commented on previously, how can you improve on something that was lovely sounding to start with? Perhaps a bit less tape noise, slightly cleaner, but otherwise...

Glass Onion: From the irressistable groove Ringo's drumming brings to this track being allowed a chance to really breathe for the first time (on any recorded format at that) to John's wonderfully compressed vocal, what a teaser for the remastered White Album which was such a disaapointment to me sound wise. If the remainining 29 tracks from that classic double album sound this good? I'll name all my kids after the EMI engineers that worked wonders. Even if they're all girls. We can work it out.

More track by track reviews of remastered Beatles tracks coming in time for the big day tomorrow...and need I say "a splendid (read) is guaranteeed for all"?

Also coming in days/weeks ahead, podcast interviews from noted Beatles experts including Steve Marrinucci (Beatles Examiner), Jorie Gracen (The Macca Report), Al Sussman (Beatlefan Magazine) and a multi-part video interview with beloved singer/songwriter Neil Innes (Bonzo Dog Band/Monty Python/The Rutles).

-Jeffrey Rosado