The Beatles - on CD

Posted by: naim_nymph on 02 September 2007

Earlier this year I purchased The Beatles 'Love' album. I find it a fantastic album which not only shows how well CD's can produced these days but is also a example of brilliant re-working by George, and Giles Martin...

A couple of weeks ago I purchased 'Abbey Road', and again I am delighted with the music quality that is so entertaining from start to finish... On this CD it states; Original Sound and Recording in 1969 - Digitaly re-mastered in 1987 by EMI Records Ltd.

However, a couple of days ago I purchased 'Rubber Soul'... but this CD sounds hard... lacks a natural feel... it is generally unmusical... distant and with a sort of 'transistorized' sound instead. Further inspection to the CD reveals that it is [ADD] and - 1965 original sound recording made by EMI Records Ltd... It doesn't say when or how it was put onto CD.

These 'Abbey Road' and 'Rubber Soul' CD's both look very similar, like they have been made in the same factory (in Holland) and although the quality is sadly lacking in 'Rubber Soul', the prices are the same - £8 each.

I am wondering if this Rubber Soul is a 'compressed sound'?... although I have also tried it in my car and it sounds just as awful there too.
I would love to hear peoples points of veiw on this topic in the hope I may learn how to avoid buying duff CD's in future.

Regards to you all
nymph
Posted on: 16 September 2007 by bhazen
quote:
Originally posted by naim_nymph:

and nymph's Roll Eyes


Apologies, n_n; I'm so accustomed to this accursed hobby being a male preserve. As opposed to lovely strawberry preserves.

I have no idea what I'm on about here...oh, yes: I also recommend the Beatles CD compilations 1962-1966 and 1967-1970; they both sound fab, and are a great cross-section of the bands' career. BTW, they include all the hits represented on 1, but sonically bettah. Plus lots of great album tracks.

ROTF, I just got the Piper deluxe remaster - can't wait to spin the mono tracks!
Posted on: 17 September 2007 by naim_nymph
quote:
Originally posted by bhazen:
Apologies, n_n; I'm so accustomed to this accursed hobby being a male preserve. As opposed to lovely strawberry preserves.


It's okay, no need for apologies : )
I noticed this was a gentlemans club when I first came in and saw the leather high backed chairs and smelt the cigar and pipe smoke. I only tip-toe around on the axminster carpet, plumping up the cushions while eavesdroping the interesting conversations.
Anyway, must go and find the feather duster, it's amazing how much dust settles on these old audiophiles ; )

Kind Regards
nymph
Posted on: 17 September 2007 by bhazen
quote:
Originally posted by naim_nymph:
It's okay, no need for apologies : )
I noticed this was a gentlemans club when I first came in and saw the leather high backed chairs and smelt the cigar and pipe smoke. I only tip-toe around on the axminster carpet, plumping up the cushions while eavesdroping the interesting conversations.
Anyway, must go and find the feather duster, it's amazing how much dust settles on these old audiophiles ; )

Kind Regards
nymph


Ironic, really; as women generally have much better hearing than men. Well, gotta put on the smoking jacket, pour myself a whisky and settle in at the club for a round of oft-told war/sports/hunting/fishing stories. Lies all, no doubt.Winker

But, seriously Nymph; good luck with the Beatles CDs; a splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Posted on: 17 September 2007 by kuma
quote:
Anyway, must go and find the feather duster, it's amazing how much dust settles on these old audiophiles ; )

Will you be wearing a French maid's outfit? Big Grin
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by naim_nymph
quote:
Originally posted by kuma:
Will you be wearing a French maid's outfit?


Absolutly!

It's the only way I can get in past the bouncers! Winker

nymph
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by fred simon
quote:
Originally posted by bhazen:


The Let It Be...Naked CD is an abomination: remixed blandly, and No-Noised almost to the point of suffocation. IMHO, of course.


I love Let It Be...Naked! In college I had a bootleg of the Let It Be album before Lennon and Spector hijacked it ... the original tracks were stripped down and beautiful. This is the way I prefer to hear this music. Spector made a lot of great records, but not this one.

All best,
Fred


Posted on: 18 September 2007 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by naim_nymph:
quote:
Originally posted by kuma:
Will you be wearing a French maid's outfit?


Absolutly!

It's the only way I can get in past the bouncers! Winker

nymph

You're doing much better than I, miss.

I tried but did not pass the physical.
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by bhazen
quote:
Originally posted by fred simon:
I love Let It Be...Naked! In college I had a bootleg of the Let It Be album before Lennon and Spector hijacked it ... the original tracks were stripped down and beautiful. This is the way I prefer to hear this music. Spector made a lot of great records, but not this one.

All best,
Fred


Fred,

I have some sympathy for your view...I think I had the same boot (it was the Glyn Johns mix, IIRC) and it was great. My main issue with Naked is the sound. I also wish someone a bit more creative had been involved with the mixing, Jon Brion perhaps? I do love the "Across The Universe" on it though.

Cheers,
Bruce
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by _charlie
Call me sentimental but I liked the original 'Let it Be' produced by Phil Spector. The strings add scope and depth to songs that are not that impressive in their raw form. John Lennon thought so too and said that Spector saved the album with his production.


Phil Spector is considered on of the finest producers in the history of the recording business for a reason.



Charlie
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by fred simon
quote:
Originally posted by bhazen:

I have some sympathy for your view...I think I had the same boot (it was the Glyn Johns mix, IIRC) and it was great. My main issue with Naked is the sound. I also wish someone a bit more creative had been involved with the mixing, Jon Brion perhaps?


Well, I can't compare its sound with the Glyn Johns boot ... my college roommate stole it 35 years ago. But the mix is pretty much the same to my ears (and memory), and according to Paul McCartney who said that Naked is mixed the way they had originally intended until John unilaterally decided otherwise.

A more "creative" mix a la Jon Brion (or, even better, Giles Martin, who's certainly proved his creative mettle with LOVE) would be cool, for sure, but it's also nice to have an official release of the original as intended.

All best,
Fred


Posted on: 18 September 2007 by Guido Fawkes
Hi sentimental
quote:
Originally posted by _charlie:
Phil Spector is considered on of the finest producers in the history of the recording business for a reason.


Not by me - I detest superfluous strings. It wasn't him who messed up the Pretty Things Emotions album, was it?

ATB Rotf
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by _charlie
Hi superfluous



Guess you don't like Classic acts like the Drifters or most of Motown then.



Charlie
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by u5227470736789439
*
Posted on: 18 September 2007 by bhazen
quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
Hi sentimental
quote:
Originally posted by _charlie:
Phil Spector is considered on of the finest producers in the history of the recording business for a reason.


Not by me - I detest superfluous strings. It wasn't him who messed up the Pretty Things Emotions album, was it?

ATB Rotf


No; that was somebody else who effed up Emotions. Reg Tilsley, actually.