Yet another Beatles Mono thread: How is the Magical Mystery Tour?

Hi Kuma,

I have compared the new mono LP with an original US Capitol stereo version I have. The original to me is much better. For me MMT is one of the biggest disappointments with the box set, the other being Revolver. It's a much louder cut than the original but sounds dull and less dynamic than the original.

Steve

Thanks Steve.

You've saved me some trouble there. 

It's interesting to know that for the Magical Mystery Tour, the stereo pressing sounds better than the mono which is a contrary to what I have been reading so far on the internet. ( I suspect that a lot of hype involved just like their stereo release a few years back )

Looks like I have to hold out for a US Capital Mono or Stereo then.

Or a UK mono perhaps. You may also want to see if there are any copies of the original UK two EP pressing and booklet floating around out there.

matt,

So you also think the new mono Magical Mystery Tour isn't a good one?

i've not had a great copy of this in the past, always a bit beat up so not much to compare.

the new monos are a bit overhyped there's no doubt about it.

i was expecting face-melting beatle-love and my face is still here.

MMT is great in mono and sounds full and clear with some very nice bass.

i can't imagine the best originals; UK or otherwise sound like this however.

something is clearly missing.

av in bc.

Are you comparing it to the original Capital US stereo issue?

So the new mono MMT is much fuller and better bass than your older pressing?

What's missing?

i'm not comparing anything really, i like the new monos for what they are.

they sound good, really good just not amazing.

well worth the price that i can be sure of.

if you want the best, do some research and buy the best, this album is worth it.

Not really Kuma. I do not have an original US mono version to compare it to. My only mono version is the UK EPs wth a total of 6 songs. The LP version was another US album made by adding singles to the MMT EP and releasing it. On the songs which overlap I found the original version to be more transparent with more high frequency information and a tad more life. To my ears on my setup the box version is balanced to the lower end a bit more and has better bass. I still think the box version  is a good record even if it is not mind blowingly amazing.

For those loiking for original pressings, if you're very quick 8 mins to go

here http://auction.catawiki.com/ka...parlophone-1963-1965

does there seem to be an awful lot of old Beatle records

that are suddenly going up for sale these days?

I called my dealer up to see if they had any Magical Mystery Tour LPs and lo and behold they have several pressings including some Japanese release ( not holding my breath on this ) AND the new mono box set.

I think I am going to bring my US Apple Label reissue to the shop and compare!  

matt,

I don't think I have ever heard a *mind blowingly amasing* sounding Beatles records. 

The last time I have heard the Magical Mystery Tour was from the US release of Blue Album and thought it sounded wonderful.

Sounds like the new mono was tweaked for the release if the balance is different from the original.

Enjoy your visit Kuma. Hopefully you'll expand your listening beyond MMT.

Is anyone with the box using the plastic slip cases for each LP (the ones which stick down)? I was thinking of trimming mine (with the flap stuck over the sticky, permanently open) over each LP.

Haven't tried the MMT mono yet but will compare to my 1970s stereo and my 1967 mono EPs.

Dave maybe just get some some poly outer sleeves and keep the original

slip cases in the box (i think there's room).

So as to keep everything nice and mint and complete.

I use mine and don't seem to have issues taking the records out or

putting them back in. Bit of a pain, for sure you have to be careful, that's true.

Hi Kuma, we can all agree that the MAGIC of the Beatles happened in the 60s, it is ingrained in our minds and spirit even if we had a crappy TT or car radio.  As we get older so many other things swamp us and familiarity often makes me put things in automatic mode.  I think I need more Zen and meditation to put me in NOW!

your quote "I don't think I have ever heard a *mind blowingly amasing* sounding Beatles records. "

3 years ago I bought a MONO MMT Capitol recording, a missing one in my collection of stereos.  I just put it on and enjoyed it, but thought back to the day I got it at 14.  I did feel it was disjointed even then, not as great, cohesive, as Pepper.  Sure they continued to do mind bending things in the studio and some really fun songs, they were the leaders of their time for us faithful.  I noticed some new things in this recording with deeper listening, but lets face it, 67  and using 4 track reduction from what Fremer says in his review.  It has a dated sound,  I don't think it will ever pop out 3D like some recordings we experience.

However,  when Baby Your a Rich Man came on, my jaw dropped, I popped up and cranked that sucker LOUD,  my arms were waving, feet tapping, singing along. Same with All You Need is Love, Big Brass opening, chorus and oboe,  snappy rhythms,  the 60s bloomed once again with Magical Mystery Tour.

you really need to compare (if you should compare at all) their recordings

to others of that same year as technics and technology

was moving pretty quick even back then.

please, please me recorded on a two track machine in less than a day and essentially live.

still holds up pretty well today for just its quality of recording; quiet, decent dynamics, clarity and

great frequency range. i mean 1963, right!

as for MMT is still remains one of my favourites.

even though the second side is not really part

of the original concept and maybe that's why

it lacks some coherency for some i guess.

but the list of songs is just unbelievable, some of their best work.

mudwolf,

Sounds like the original US Capitol MONO is the winner?

'Baby You're Rich Man'  in this Apple Label US Stereo reissue sounds the worst with white out  and break up at the dynamic peak. I had to do the opposite when the tune came on: to turn it down the volume.

I did not realise that Magical Mystery Tour contains many of my favourite tunes from the Blue Album. 

Kuma,

Did you have the chance to compare the different versions yet?

matt,

It was a real fun and interesting experience.

So I brought my Apple Label '71 stereo reissue to the shop ( Accent on Music Mt. Kisco ). Left copy is mine and the right copy is the latest mono reissue in question. 

She also had two other pressings. 

Original Capitol Rainbow Label '67 US Stereo ( top left ) and Maroon Label '88 reissue mono. ( no stereo indication anywhere on this album )

We started out with my Apple stereo. Shouty and bass light as I have heard it in my system. Interestingly the original Capitol stereo is also very top end heavy and a fair amount of *white out* glare in the intro. Lively but tiring in the long run. Both stereo pressing had the same balance and distortion with heavy upper midrange glare. They both were in an excellent condition with very little self noise. (But there is always a possibility of invisible groove damage, however ) 

Then we moved onto the Purple label ( mono? ) this is a 80's reissue but it now sounds better balanced altho, still bass light and not as groovy as it should be. We played the new Mono reissue last and you are right! The frequency emphasis has shifted downward a bit ( almost like adding an extra VTF ) but now the bass has a nice contour and definition. The tune is much easier to follow and the whole balance isn't so top heavy like those stereo pressings. 

None of them have a clarity of modern recordings but the mono reissue is quite nice and well worth replacing my stereo reissue for sure. 

You've mentioned that the original UK pressings are tad more transparent and livelier. We find the mono pressing plenty lively but unfortunately no UK pressings to compare it to.

I did not go through all the records in the mono box but it was interesting to hear different pressings of MMT.

Thanks for the nice write up Kuma. I also thought the new mono was done well. Indeed the mono box was very nicely done, better than the stereo box a couple of years ago in my opinion. Hopefully the rest of your visit went well. I am due for a visit to see Alma and David in a few weeks. Hopefully can get my Kandid soon.

matt,

Alma said yours is coming in next month.

I got lucky because Alma called me to tell me that one of her client who ordered the cartridge ahead of me fell through so they had an extra Kandid and I was coming into town for the concert anyway so I decided to bring my ARO.

So I was at the right place at the right time as I don't get over to the shop that often.

Anyways, you'll love it!!

I used to have MMT on clear yellow vinyl at one time...it was the stereo release though.

Sounds like a good trip Kuma. Looking forward to my Kandid.