Post by dauber on Nov 14, 2018 12:36:12 GMT -5
Yup, I sprang for this despite the fact that one of the discs is a Blu-Ray with audio mixes and I have neither a 5.1 setup nor a Blu-Ray reader for a computer so I can extract the 5.1 mixes and listen to the individual channels...but the rest of it...I need that! The box comes with the poster and photos that came with the original release of the album. The box and the CD holders are all embossed with "The BEATLES." Serial number printed below that on the box, and printed below on the CD holders are "disc 1," etc.
I haven't read the hugely extensive liner notes yet, but I listened to the audio CDs.
- The new remix from Giles Martin is nice. The "white" album was never my favorite Beatles album, but in 2009 with the long-overdue remasters of the Beatles' catalog, I gained a huge appreciation of the album. And with the remix, an even huger appreesh. I'll just mention a few noteworthy things that jumped out for me. "Dear Prudence" doesn't completely fade out -- it only fades down to a certain volume, but then you hear the song come to its natural end. I don't remember ever hearing that on the regular release. "Piggies" sounds frickin' amazing! "Helter Skelter" incorporates a lot of the craziness that's present in the original mono mix that wasn't in the original stereo mix. I was expecting "Revolution 9" to be very revelatory, but it wasn't, except there was a place or two when I could clearly hear part of "Revolution 1" (proper) bleeding through.
- The session highlights, I think, are the star of the box. Interestingly, there's a take of "What's the New Mary Jane" that breaks down, but not a complete take, but it's a fun listen nonetheless. "I'm So Tired" --> interesting in that John's gibberish mumbling occurs throughout the song, not just at the end. (Also, some surprise harmonies!) The surprise highlight for me: "Don't Pass Me By." Absolute KILLER track! Ringo really takes control like a boss! And take 10 of "Good Night"...whoa....sit down while listening! Most surprising thing: apparently the backing track of "Back in the USSR" was recorded at a slower speed and sped up later.
- the Esher demos -- it's basically what's on all the "white album demos" bootlegs, EXCEPT....1) the recordings are much clearer and in stereo, 2) the double-tracking in "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" does not fall out of sync, and 3) the "Sour Milk Sea" demo is actually a completely different recording from what's been bootlegged!
Overall, a worthwhile investment. I hope they do the same treatment to Abbey Road and that they come back around and do it with Rubber Soul and Revolver too!
