How to listen to the Beatles re-releases?


There have been some stupid questions asked on these forums over the years, and several of those stupid questions have come from me. Perhaps here's another one for the ages...

I'm 38 and have never really listened to the Beatles catalog. I own "Peppers", "Rubber Soul" and "Abby Road" on vinyl, plus "Love", but wouldn't say I'm as familiar with their body of work as I am with, say, R.E.M (they were "my" band during my high-school and college years).

However, I've pre-ordered both the stereo and mono Beatles re-releases. What's the best way to re-introduce myself to the genius of the "fab four"?

Should I sit down and work my way through their collection chronologically? Is there a good companion book to read through while I listen? Should I listen to an album over-and-over until I really "get it" before moving on to the next? Both mono and stereo?

There are albums that I pick up and think "Wow...It would have been awesome to listen to this the first day it was released." Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors". CCR's "Willy...". Rush's "Moving Pictures". Etc. The excitement of the release. The cultural and musical context. The significance. I'll never be able to experience that with the Beatles, and I'd like to put myself in a place (mentally) to really listen to the Beatles for the first time (again).

Does this make sense? Blast away. I figure I couple of people will understand what I'm asking and have some thoughtful suggestions.
128x128nrenter

Showing 10 responses by cyclonicman

Chashmal, I think the Beatles were the best band producing the best rock music ever and so do many others. I saw another one of your posts where you state that you don't get Elvis either. You hate Elvis, Coke and Jesus. Man what is it that motivates your posts and how can anyone of any religion hate Jesus or Buddha or Mohammed. Don't even try to answer for my benefit. I am just annoyed that I have seen so many posts with you on them and it's always negative.
Jim, Originally, the stereo version, but my mono box set arrived later today and I listened to Rubber Soul, Sgt Peppers, and A Hard Days Night in MONO. The mono versions are excellent and the difference between the mono and stereo mixes are very pronounced in Sgt Peppers. The new mono remaster of A Hard Days Night overshadows the 1987 mono version by far. The remasters have more body, clarity, pacing and resolution. When I listen to the 1987 versions, it's as if I was listening through a door and the new remasters has put the music right in front of you. I am both happy and impressed with the remasters!!
Jim, I can hear little nuances between the stereo version and the mono. If you are a real Beatles fan as I am, you will notice it. For one thing the voices have a different timbre to them. There is virtually no equalization on the mono versions.

Cam, I actiually had to check it out, but Rubber Soul is as it was, with the voice on one channel and music on the other but it doesn't sound like it's separate as the 87 CD did. There is just a lot more music to hear than was available before on the original CD's. I think when you hear it, you will be happy with the results. My guess is that they didn't want to stray away from the original stereo mixes.
Jim, There is no comparison! The new remastered version overshadows the 87 pressing in every imaginable way. The remastered version has greater body overall. The bass is more enhanced and unmuddied. The vocals are more transparent, you just hear all of the music. Ringo's drums are more prevalent than before. The pace of the music even sounds more rhythmic. I can't explain it better than to say that it sounds more like vinyl than anything that I have heard before. What I found amazing is that one doesn't have to make an effort to notice the changes. By the time I listened to Think for yourself, I stopped analyzing and started listening to the music. You have to hear it for yourself!!
Chasnal, FYIF, after reading your initial post on this thread, I ignored all of the rest.
Audiofeil, the fact that even a caveman could make those points could mean that Chashnal is evolving?? On second thought, NAH!!!
Mapman, remember Ringo starred in the movie "Caveman". I think the cavemen would have also enjoyed the "White Album", probably the mono version.
All that equipment!!! A waste of money!!! I should have known there wasn't any size difference even after I used NOS tubes.