The Beatles Anthology Vol. 1,2 & 3

quote:

how will i find the engineering quality and LOUDNESS?...

Variable - these are out-takes. Some of the early tracks were recorded on a tape deck in a bedroom. All of the stuff is interesting - you'll hear the Beatles with Eric and Ernie, on the Ed Sullivan show and so on. It is really for somebody who has all the studio albums and wants more ...

Thanks for reply Roft, this sounds okay to me, i hope they are interesting...
I'm expecting a lot of rawness (in the early tracks especially), i really don't mind this; in the interest of historical fasination.
I know it won't be anything as superb like the 'love' album : )

kind regards ~
nymph

Like many such box sets, I would argue these are for hardcore fans only. I have them on my shelves, but they rarely get an airing. To be honest, I'm not sure I'd miss them (except perhaps the string arrangement of Eleanor Rigby on vol.2) if I got rid of them. Of course, that may be that because, much as I enjoy the Beatles, I'm probably not a hardcore fan.

As ROTF says, buy all the studio albums first.

regards, Tam

Hello Tam,

the problem with much of the Beatles studio albums is LOUDNESS. I would rather wait until EMI produce a better batch of copies with expert (George & Giles Martin) digital remastering, and i know this could be a long wait... i have enough of thier 'acceptable' albums to get along with anyway for time being.

However, i am happily awaiting my 'anthology' order to arrive anyday now and very pleased with this generous price reduction, (considering you can still buy these 3 double albums from playdot for over 50 quid!)

Although, i know where you're coming from with cd's that get left unplayed on shelves, i have quite a few already... and my dvd collection is even worse for that! ; )

kind regards to you
nymph

p.s. I look forward to hearing the "string arrangement of Eleanor Rigby on Vol.2 : )

When these first came out, around 1996, I was riveted by the new material, out-takes, sound quality etc compared to the original CDs. Since then the 'Love' CD has shown what we could get soundwise if the CDs were ever remastered, and apart from a few gems like the Strawberry Fields demos and some of the 1968 outtakes, there are some fairly dull moments. The 2nd is probably the most worth having.

quote:

Originally posted by naim_nymph:

the problem with much of the Beatles studio albums is LOUDNESS.

Can you explain what the problem is with "loudness" on The Beatles' studio albums? Do you mean "apparent loudness" in comparison to more contemporary recordings?

Over the decades, the escalating war of apparent loudness has resulted in less musicality, a narrower and narrower dynamic range, largely through the use of compression in both recording and mastering. It's that all too prevalent "in your face every single second" sound one hears in many, but not all, contemporary recordings.

But this is an aesthetic choice, and, happily, on The Beatles' LOVE the Martins chose musicality. Keep in mind, the material on this album is totally remixed, and then that brand new mix has been mastered, which is not at all the same process as taking an original mix and simply remastering that. In the case of LOVE the result is increased clarity, increased tonal richness, and, actually, expanded dynamic range.

All best,
Fred

Out of interest Fred what control if any do you have over your works as regards mixes, use of compression or digital tinkering etc ?

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
Out of interest Fred what control if any do you have over your works as regards mixes, use of compression or digital tinkering etc ?

Thanks for asking.

I've had complete control on all my recordings, always working hand in hand with the recording/mixing engineer, and while not always present for mastering I've always had final approval.

On albums which were recorded using multiple tracks, prior to my association with The Naim Label, subtle compression has been used whenever a part or sound need to be brought into more focus. Once in a great while, heavy compression was used for special effect (to get a certain massive drum sound on a particular tune, for instance).

On my Naim albums, on which I've also had final approval, no mixing is necessary since we record straight to stereo in the first place, on analog tape at 7.5 ips, with no EQ, reverb, or other timbral processing. In a few instances we've made some very minor edits, but that's all we do other than pick the best takes, determine the right sequence, and then approve the master. No compression used at any stage.

I'm not sure what "digital tinkering" is, though. Sounds vaguely erotic.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

quote:

Originally posted by naim_nymph:
the problem with much of the Beatles studio albums is LOUDNESS.

Can you explain what the problem is with "loudness" on The Beatles' studio albums? Do you mean "apparent loudness" in comparison to more contemporary recordings?

Hello Fred,
my reference is indeed with CD compression and i guess you've answered your own question very well in this respect.
I know that many of the Beatles' CD quality are very disapointing considering how good they could be (or should be) with the available technology around this day and age. I've purchased a couple of their albums on recommondation from the kind folk on this newsgroup; Love, Yellow Submarine (songtrack)...
...and also Abbey Road from the supermarket (on impulse) which to me sounds quite wonderful; 1968 original soundtrack and digitally remastered by EMI records in 1989 - sleevenotes doesn't say by who or how...
However, during the same said impulse in the supermarket i also purchased the Rubber Soul album which is an example of unlistenable reproduction, like a two-dimensional wall of noise lacking in depth (and not to mention respite), which is a crying shame because this album has many of my favourite fab four tunes on it : (
George and Giles have given us a real treat with the LOVE album, may we have many more! : )

kind regards ~
nymph

quote:

Originally posted by naim_nymph:

Love, Yellow Submarine (songtrack)...

George and Giles have given us a real treat with the LOVE album, may we have many more! : )

To underscore my previous point, the Yellow Submarine songtrack (which is wonderful, I agree) is also entirely remixed, not just remastered, as is LOVE. There's a lot more that one can improve in remixing than in only remastering, in which any changes made are made to the whole mix, not individual instruments or sounds. It's global.

All best,
Fred

quote:

I'm not sure what "digital tinkering" is, though.

I was thinking of speeding up or slowing down, frequency shifting etc. I was pretty sure you wouldn't have used those devices.

quote:

Let It Be... NAKED

I like that much more than the original Let It Be ... anybody who exorcises Phil Spector production from a recording can't be all bad.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

quote:

I'm not sure what "digital tinkering" is, though.

I was thinking of speeding up or slowing down, frequency shifting etc. I was pretty sure you wouldn't have used those devices.

Well, like I said, on the Naim albums we didn't use any processing of any kind (other than minor splices) due to the nature of the recording process, straight to stereo.

However, in other recording situations I would use any technology available in service of the music as long as it sounds good and makes the music better. And I mean any technology ... in art, the end always justifies the means. As Duke Ellington said, "If it sounds good, it is good."

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
nymph,
Get a copy of Let It Be... NAKED.
You will love it.
Not that long to go now till we see some new Beatles remasters done with lots of TLC.
Munch

Thanks for recommondation Munch, will buy a copy very soon!
My 3 Vol's of Anthology have arrived and i'm off work for the next 10 nights so plenty of time to explore them ; )
(right now i'm off to bed... so tiredzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

nymph

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

Get a copy of Let It Be... NAKED

Yes, I agree ... a big improvement over the original. And like LOVE and Yellow Submarine (songtrack), it's not only remastered but remixed.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Fred,
I know i ask you this every 6 months or so.
But any news on when you and that fantastic drummer wife of yours might be coming over here to do some live shows?
Its got to be done man.
Regards Stuart.

Thanks once again, Stuart, I'm grateful for the persistent interest. But I think my invitation must be lost in the mail.

Seriously, I'd really love nothing more than to do it. The problem is always getting someone to put it all together. And the weak US dollar ain't helping much, either!

Someday, I hope!

All best,
Fred