The Beatles Remastered Mono and Stereo Catalog on 180 gram vinyl -- Coming November 14, 2009

 
 Pre-Order the New Beatles Vinyl Box Set Here!


NEW: Beatles Revolver Stereo Remastered cd review and vinyl comparison

NEW: Click here to read the Review of the 2009 Remastered cd of Abbey Road

NEW:First Listen: The Beatles MONO Box Set (The White Album) Review and Comparison to U.K. Vinyl

On September 9, 2009, EMI will release remastered compact discs of the 12 proper Beatles albums as well as Magical Mystery Tour and Pastmasters volumes one/two. A stereo boxset of the 14 compact discs will be released along with DVDs documenting each release and a 10-disc mono boxset entitled The Beatles in Mono will also be released.

Ever since the initial announcement, there has been rampant speculation that the remastered Beatles catalog will also be re-released on vinyl. The only new Beatles vinyl available for the past twenty years has been sourced from the 1987 digital masters used for the compact disc releases.

Show Review: The Beatles Love -- Cirque Du Soleil at The Mirage, Las Vegas

I've just returned from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the most exciting news I have to share isn't a new set of speakers, a fantastic turntable, or even of a new series of audiophile pressings from a yet-to-be remastered artist. Last week, I finally saw Cirque Du Soleil's production of The Beatles Love at The Mirage, Las Vegas, and it was well worth the wait--and without question, the highlight of my trip.

In 1979, just beginning my teenage years, I went to see Beatlemania with a few friends. For the most part, I was underwhelmed, and have since been mostly skeptical of any effort showcasing The Beatles. Now, thirty years later, I wasn't expecting to be truly blown away by how good this show would be--I enjoyed it so much, I went back to see it a second time the very next evening.

Vintage Vinyl Spotlight: The Beatles "Blue Box" Collection BC-13

NEW: Click here to read the Review of the 2009 Remastered cd of Abbey Road

NEW:First Listen: The Beatles MONO Box Set (The White Album) Review and Comparison to U.K. Vinyl


Featured today in the Vintage Vinyl Spotlight is a collection that is essential for any fan of the Beatles who spins vinyl. Whether you're a long-suffering vinylphile, getting back into the hobby after a long layoff, or a exploring vinyl for the first time, you'll likely to want a good sounding Beatles collection.

What pressings sound the best? U.S.? U.K.? Japanese? Stereo or mono? For the Beatles fan wanting an easy, one-box solution, there is no better source than The Beatles Collection BC-13, also known as The Blue Box.

The Beatles catalog was originally released in the United States and the United Kingdom with slightly different track listings, covers, and packaging. A much more striking difference, however, was the sound. The U.K. releases used minimal processing and offered superior sound, both in the mono and stereo versions of each release. The U.S. versions on the other hand often used second or third generation tapes, and processed the recordings with excessive echo and reverb, particularly on the stereo versions, in an effort to make the records sound more modern--the result was simply inferior sound quality.

The Beatles Collection, catalog number BC-13, was first released as a U.K. import in 1978. A numbered U.S. edition, limited to 3,000 copies was also released. Also known as The Blue Box, this collection contained the stereo versions of all of the proper studio releases, as well as Rarities. The records are housed in a flip-top textured blue cardboard box, which has each of the band member's signatures embossed in gold on the front.

The Beatles Remastered: Stereo Revolver -- Review and Vinyl Comparison

In 1966, The Beatles released their seventh studio album, Revolver. Heralded as one of the first psychedelic albums, Revolver features the use of reverse guitar, tape loops, and other effects on songs such as Tommorow Never Knows and I'm Only Sleeping. Revolver may also be the height of George Harrison's influence, featuring three songs written and sung by him.

Unlike the stereo version of their previous album, Rubber Soul, which features hard-panned left-right placement of vocals and instruments--and a hole in the center, the stereo Revolver features a more natural stereo mix. Today, Myvinylreview reviews the remastered stereo compact disc, which is found in the Beatles Stereo Box Set and can also be bought as a single cd.

First Listen: The Beatles in MONO Remastered Box Set (The White Album)

On September 9, 2009, EMI released the long-anticipated remasterings of the Beatles U.K. catalog. For the first time on compact disc, all of the albums originally released on mono will be available, along with a two-disc Mono Masters set, which collects all of the singles and non-album mono tracks. These mono discs are packaged in a box set entitled, The Beatles in Mono and the individual titles will not be available separately.

Unlike the stereo box set, the mono set is being produced in limited quantities and is likely to become a collectible in the future. This mono set was manufactured in Japan and has exquisite mini-LP packaging, which replicates the original vinyl packaging right down to the Sgt. Pepper's and White Album inserts.

Beatledrops: Samples of Beatles Mono and Stereo Vinyl, CD, Remasters

NEW: Click here to read the Review of the 2009 Remastered cd of Abbey Road

NEW:First Listen: The Beatles MONO Box Set (The White Album) Review and Comparison to U.K. Vinyl


With the remastered Beatles compact discs arriving in less than a month, interest in Beatles pressings, both vinyl and cd, stereo and mono are at a high not seen since the original compact discs were released over twenty years ago.

September 9, 2009 cannot come soon enough for many, but don't expect vinyl collectors to dump their collections-- with the price of the mono and stereo boxsets each topping $200, not everyone will automatically pony up the bucks for the remastered cds. Many are hoping for remastered vinyl, others will continue to search for the best sounding vinyl already out there on Ebay and elsewhere.

Second Listen: The Beatles in MONO Remastered Box Set -- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Released in 1967, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band marked the Beatles most ambitious recording project to date. Originally released on vinyl in both mono and stereo, the mono version quickly went out of print and has never been issued on compact disc until now. Favored by many hardcore fans as representing the true intention of the band, a mythology has developed behind the mono version and many younger fans are now hearing it for the first time.

While there will always be some debate over which is the greater version of the recording, there is no doubt that the mono Pepper remaster has been about as highly anticipated as any other of their recordings, save The Beatles (White Album) in mono. Given that interest, Myvinylreview reviews the Pepper mono remaster today.

First Listen: Beatles Remastered Compact Discs vs. U.K. Stereo Vinyl (Abbey Road)

Well, the day is finally almost here--9/9/09 is two days away. And if you haven't yet decided whether to buy the remastered cds, are wondering how they sound compared to your Blue Box or original U.K vinyl, or you're still waiting for newly remastered vinyl, you've come to the right place. While Myvinylreview can't make up your mind for you, we're going to try to help you over the next week with a review and comparison of a different album each day. First some stereo issues, then some monos.

Because this is first and foremost a vinyl review site, I do not plan on comparing the original issue 1987 compact discs to these remasters. Instead, I will compare them to original and reissued U.K. vinyl: Original Yellow and Black Parlophones, one-box, two-box (Blue Box era), '82 reissue Parlophone monos, and U.K. Apples.

Today, we'll start with the Beatles' last recorded effort, Abbey Road. Originally released on September 26, 1969, Abbey Road was the Beatles last recorded effort (though Let it Be was released later, it was actually recorded earlier) and is generally considered to be their album with the highest fidelity and is a perennial fan favorite.

The Beatles: 40th Anniversary Abbey Road Deluxe Vinyl Box -- Coming November 7, 2009

Now that September 9, 2009 has come and gone--and we've had an opportunity to see and hear the stereo and mono Beatles remasters on compact disc, anticipation for the remastered vinyl continues to build. With the originally rumored release date of November 14, 2009 only two weeks away, and still nothing announced regarding their release, it seems highly unlikely that we'll see anything in the way of remastered vinyl by then.

Nonetheless, in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the original release of Abbey Road, there will be a special vinyl edition of the album released on November 7, 2009. The Beatles Abbey Road Deluxe Vinyl box will include a vinyl copy of the album, a t-shirt featuring the original artwork from the 7" single Come Together/Something, and a corresponding poster. This boxset will be released on Vinyl Saturday, which is sposored by the folks behind Record Store Day and will be limited to 5,000 copies worldwide.

The Beatles: Remastered Vinyl Update -- Paperback Writer b/w Rain 45 RPM Single

As we near the one-year anniversary of the release of the 2009 Beatles remastered catalog on compact disc, there is still no definitive release date for the mono and stereo albums on vinyl.

The Beatles: 7 inch vinyl singles and T-Shirt Target Exclusives and Giveaway!

As the prospect of remastered Beatles vinyl still remains uncertain, EMI appeared to float an additional trial balloon this weekend, with combo packs of 7 inch vinyl singles and t-shirts showing up in select Target stores this past weekend. The four singles chosen for this limited release were Can't Buy Me Love, b/w You Can't Do That, Help! b/w I'm Down, Hello Goodbye b/w I Am the Walrus, and Let It Be b/w You Know My Name (Look Up the Number). Every title is in mono--except for the Let it Be single, feature the original U.S. sleeves and singles mixes, and are pressed on heavy vinyl.  Each single includes a different Beatles t-shirt, sized either S/M or L/XL. 

2013 Recommended Vinyl (Bowie, Beatles, Jack White, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Donald Fagen)

2012 was a huge year for new vinyl releases as well as audiophile reissues, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down in 2013. Here is the latest list of myvinylreview's recommended releases:

Preview: Bob Dylan -- The Original Mono Recordings Vinyl and Compact Disc Box Sets

Following the success of the Beatles Mono Box released in 2009, Sony/Columbia has just released box sets of Bob Dylan's first eight albums, using the original mono mixes. Going back to the original analog mono masters, this is the first time these versions have been available on compact disc. At the time of this writing, I still have not received the vinyl box, which has likely been mired by holiday postal delays. I have, however, spent some time with the compact disc mono box and I must say I'm impressed.

Bob Dylan: Original Mono Recordings Vinyl Box Set (w/ included digital download)

The Music
Following the sucess of last year's Beatles Mono Box Set, Sony/Legacy has released a box set of Bob Dylan's first eight albums using their original mono mixes. Like the Beatles, Dylan's Sixties output--and particularly his all-acoustic efforts, are best heard in mono--as the stereo mixes can be unnatural, wonky affair, with vocals on one side, guitar on the other. The original mono mixes, approved by Dylan himself, are much more focused and are simply the best way to hear the music. 

As you enter his electric era, opinions differ whether the mono or stereo versions are better--but as a listener, you'll be rewarded by the differences in the mixes, especially if you've never heard the mono versions that have now been out of print for thirty years.

The Beatles Rooftop Concert 40th Anniversary: Watch it here

Today is the 40th Anniversary of The Beatles rooftop concert. Watch part or all of the concert by clicking the screens located below (refresh your browser if image doesn't immediately appear).

Coming Soon: Paul McCartney and Wings -- Band on The Run Deluxe 180 Gram Vinyl

Following the recent agreement between Paul McCartney's MPL and Concord Music Group, the first installment of a multi-album McCartney reissue program has begun, with the venerable 1973 effort from Paul McCartney and Wings, Band on the Run. Reissued last week on multiple formats, including a super deluxe cd/dvd edition (including a code for downloading a hi-res 24/96 digital version of the album), as well as a deluxe two-record vinyl set, each version includes remastered versions of the original album tracks, three bonus cuts--including Helen Wheels (originally not on the UK version), as well as six live cuts from the One Hand Clapping television special.

The Cars: S/T MFSL 180 gram vinyl

In 1978, with new acts like Blondie and Elvis Costello already tasting some success, The Cars burst onto the new wave scene with their self-titled debut album. The band went on to release five more albums over the next ten years, including the massively successful 1984 release, Heartbeat City, which netted four top 15 hits.

Despite this commercial success, fans of the band almost universally agree that the band never again reached the heights they acheived with their debut, which is considered by many to be one of the finest debut rock albums ever. The Cars not only plays like a greatest hits album, but has aged quite well and doesn't have the dated sound that plagues so many synth-based records of the era.

Short Spin: Elvis Costello and The Attractions -- Armed Forces Mofi 180 Gram Vinyl

Mofi's latest installment in their series of Elvis Costello's albums is his third effort, Armed Forces. Released in 1979, amidst a slew of releases from other new wave acts, such as the Police, Joe Jackson, the Cars, and the Talking Heads, Armed Forces moves beyond the caustic, borderline misogynistic messages of This Year's Model, toward more sophisticated themes, including politics and war.

Paul McCartney & Wings: Band on the Run -- Deluxe 180 Gram Vinyl (w/included digital download)

Following the recent agreement between Paul McCartney's MPL and Concord Music Group, the first installment of a multi-album McCartney reissue program has begun, with the venerable 1973 effort from Paul McCartney and Wings, Band on the Run. Widely regarded as McCartney's peak as a solo artist apart from the Beatles, this album was a natural place to start the campaign--with multiple formats, including a super deluxe cd/dvd edition (including a code for downloading a hi-res 24/96 digital version of the album).

Today, I review the deluxe two-record vinyl set, which includes remastered versions of the original album, three bonus cuts--including Helen Wheels (originally not on the UK version), as well as six live cuts from the One Hand Clapping television special.

Short spin: Jet -- Shaka Rock 180 gram vinyl (w/included cd)

Aussie rockers Jet are back with an all new album, Shaka Rock. Propelled in part by airplay on the popular television series The OC, Jet originally burst onto the scene in 2003 with Get Born, and their brand of classic rock mixed with punk swagger. Get Born proved to be a hell of a fun record and went on to sell in excess of three million copies.

Their 2006 sophmore effort, Shine On was a letdown, both musically, and for anyone who cares about good sound. A particularly glaring casualty of the loudness war, both the cd and vinyl versions of Shine On were terribly loud and compressed--to the point of being "brickwalled" so badly that I simply couldn't enjoy listening to them.