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I have all but one of the remasters now. The results in general were that the mono version works much better on rockers like 'I Saw Her Standing There', 'Please Please Me' and 'Twist and Shout'. The 2009 Remaster comes off better on the ballads like 'Misery' and 'Anna'. The first couple albums, especially Please Please Me, were recorded in mono and sound best left that way. If I had to have one version, it would be the mono version because it feels more accurate to time and place. I have a mono CD version of Please Please Me that was manufactured in West Germany. The truth is that the remastering works best on the later material. There's more punch, and even though the bass thuds a little bit, it sounds appropriate.
(I don't know if all of the ones we got here were made there). I made my own CD with the 2009 version cuts immediately followed in succession by their mono counterpart. There's some subtle instrumentation picked up that isn't there on the mono version.
The Beatles' first album was largely recorded in one day. The obvious or single-choice "I Saw Here Standing There", did not come out in the UK, but was released several places in Europe and the following year also in the United States. In the US it reached the number two spot - in fact "Do You Want to Know a Secret" managed to do the same in 1964 - a bit more surprising, I should say.Apart from Ringo's vocal on "Boys" and partly George's on "Do You Want to Know a Secret" it is in particular the vocals that are impressing; both individually and in harmony. Then when you are listening to the music, which sound incredibly tight, inspired and accomplished, you may be in lack of words. McCartney shines on "I Saw Here Standing There" and "PS I Love You ". BreathtakingMost of the numbers were inherited from the group's live material, and this is obviously part of the reason that they were able to record in such a short time. An unbelievable performance by today's standards. John Lennon's vocal tour de force performance of "Twist and Shout" was also released only outside the UK.
It should be mentioned, in the name of truth, that four numbers originated from previously released singles. Eight tracks are Lennon / McCartney originals, including the singles "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me" which had already been in the charts at the time of the album release. Highlights are Lennon's vocals on "Anna", "Ask Me Why" and not least on "Baby It's You" and the Twist and Shout ". George performing lead vocals works fine on "Chains" and together they are terrific on "Misery" and "There's a Place".Finally it should be mentioned, that without a producer like George Martin, it would never have possible to create a milestone like this under such circumstances.
Stereo would not be effective for a few years after. I am 60 years old now. It was all we could talk about. Technology wasn't good for stereo. Showed that they could play music made by girl groups as well as music they wrote. I love the British versions, done better.
Buy both. When the Beatles first 2 albums came out, on VJ and Capitol(American versions) we as kids were very excited. I've heard mono and stereo. My son bought me all the stereo remasters. My main point is that mono was a preferred version because most of us had mono players. The first album was a milestone in rock music.
Enjoy.Tom Petkavitch (S.C).
They don't let you know until you spend the money. What's the deal.CD is supposed to be remastered in Stereo. What a rip. Love Me Do and P.S. I love You are mono. Two things to make these cd's worth the money. Repackage 2 albums on one cd, 2-Make available for Download,so you can pick the songs instead of a record executive picking what he wants you to hear
This is one of my favorites showing the talents of the Beatles early in their career. I already have a copy but due to the remastering it sounds like the Beatles recorded this just yesterday.
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