The Beatles - Love (CD + Audio DVD)
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Free Music Notes for Love (CD + Audio DVD)
Free Music Review: All You Need Is "Love"
Hit: 5 Stars
The Beatles new album Love, which stems from the hit Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas extravaganza of the same name, is out of this world. If you think you've heard everything there is to hear from the Beatles, think again. This remix project, that's been subtitled a mash-up of the Fab Four's music, is just that. More than one hundred of their songs have been mashed up into twenty-six tracks clocking in at seventy-eight minutes. Originally, the idea of doing something similar to this came from George Harrison a few years before his untimely death in November 2001. In the mid-90's, he became fast friends with Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and the two of them had discussed a visual production set to the Beatles' music. Unfortunately, it wasn't until a year after Harrison's death that Laliberté put his head together with the Beatles' producer George Martin, and the ideas started to flow. The thought of this production was so exciting it actually brought Martin out of a decade-long retirement. Martin recruited his son, Giles Martin, a record producer in his own right, and together they worked diligently for over two years to create the most exciting "new" Beatles album since the entire band last laid down tracks in 1969. All in all, the 26 cuts on this collection is one trip back to the psychedelic age of the late 1960's but carries a sound that is as pristine as any new recording is for 2006. The album kicks off with an a cappella rendition of "Because" taken from the Abbey Road set. From there the journey turns into a trip that makes the Magical Mystery Tour seem dated. "Get Back" is treated to an introduction that begins with the familiar one-chord opening of "A Hard Days Night" which then is mixed seamlessly into the White Album gem "Glass Onion," all the while sampling "Hello, Goodbye" and "Strawberry Fields Forever." Speaking of Lennon's "Strawberry" masterpiece, that particular track is one of the many highlights among highlights, as the Martin's chose an alternate take that will take your breath away. The track "Yesterday" was tricky because it may be the one song that George and Giles thought might be overplayed and not welcome. What to do? What they did was an ingenious thirty-second introduction of "Blackbird" before hearing Paul's vocal on the first notes of the aforementioned landmark recording. Problem solved, beautifully. Other tracks that literally gave me goosebumps were Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (which was superbly remixed with a new string arrangement by the elder Martin that adds a certain vulnerability to the classic) and "Eleanor Rigby" (which also samples Lennon's "Julia"), while "Something" transitioned into "Blue Jay Way" which melts into the next track, "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite," which blew me away. "Octopus's Garden," which sampled "Sun King" in its delivery, was sublime. Speaking of "Sun King," you may notice that track #8 is one you don't recognize by name, but you'll recognize the sound. Its title is "Gnik Nus," which is actually the anagram for "Sun King." Giles turned the cymbal backwards on "King" and in turn also reversed the vocals for a fabulous innovative reinvention of the composition. I could list all twenty-six tracks and tell you how very unique each one is, but I'm afraid I would have to write three parts of this review to fully explain the genius of this entire album. The Beatles changed the course of pop music. This album respectfully extends their legacy. And in the end, like the last song says, "All You Need Is Love."
Footnote: If you want the full experience of Love, I implore you to purchase the special edition that includes the audio DVD disc. The sound on this 5.1 DVD is so extraordinary that you'll hear these songs like you've never heard them before. The slightest instrument and vocals come alive as if they never before existed. This audio DVD gives the familiarity of these songs something that's new and vibrant.
Free Music Review: George Martin's Greatest Hit
Hit: 5 Stars
"Love" will probably be the closest thing to a new Beatles album that I will see released in my lifetime. I was born about a year before John Lennon was shot. After discovering the Beatles, in my early teens, I felt like I'd been denied something extraordinary. Here was a man who could sing very well, write great songs, and perform them in such weird ways. I have never, to this day, heard anything as bizarre and full of ideas as the White Album. Maybe it was the time when they were making the albums, but I doubt that was all. The Beatles' albums show me how to make great art. You can't make it in a vacuum; you can't always make it alone. The Beatles were a group of talented individuals, coming together, to make something special.
With "Love", George Martin has proven himself as an essential member of the band; that is, if there was any question of that to begin with. The Beatles were great at experimenting in the studio, but it was always Martin who formalized those experiments. It was Martin who, during a lunch break, recorded and sped up an organ for the solo in "In My Life." It was also Martin who recorded a different and, in my option, much more focused outré to "Glass Onion" (for evidence of what it sounded like with Lennon's cut, please refer to the version on Anthology 3). Martin made sure that, no matter what instrument was used, what process it took to get a particular sound, it still came out sounding like a good pop record.
Here, we have the songs deconstructed. "Glass Onion" is an experiment as daring as "Revolution 9", but with a beat. "I Am the Walrus" is in full stereo, making it more disorienting (for this song, a good thing). "Drive My Car/The Word/What You're Doing" is three songs in less than two minutes. These songs are ingrained in our DNA; we hear them in the grocery store. We hear McCartney playing them at the Super Bowl. For Martin and son to bring out the original inventive spirit in which they were created, lo those many years ago, is an achievement.
If anyone wondered who decided all the vocals should go on one channel and the guitars and drums on the other in those songs on Rubber Soul and Revolver, I think "Love" proves Martin is that man. In the 5.1 mix, the vocals are prominent on the center speaker, while the instruments are often panned hard to the left and right. The two rear speakers are used for ambience, and the occasional surprise. This makes me happy. The best part of the recording quality of a Beatles record is that you can hear the discreet parts of the song. Each instrument, each person clapping, even the occasional stray studio sound can be heard. The listener is the one who makes a recording complete, and in the case of the Beatles, they knew that and created songs that reached out for completion. This is still the case with "Love."
This album should be remembered for two main things. The first, more prosaic item is that this will hopefully show how to make an album in 5.1. You can use multiple speakers and not have a wash of sound (or even a wall of sound). You can isolate tracks in speakers and still have them fit in with the larger sound. It's an impressionistic approach to mixing - sit next to one speaker and hear one part of the song, but step back and hear the whole thing. It's a good trick.
The second reason this album should be remembered is for the people who made it. The Beatles showed us all how exciting it can be to create. Their songs resonate to this day because you can hear the people making the music, can actually feel the joy that went into each track.
It is an exceptional combination of artistic talent, craftsmanship, and technology that brings us "Love." As is always the case, it takes the most effort to reach the simplest truth.
Free Music Review: Fascinating, Exciting and ALL BEATLES--Must Have
Hit: 5 Stars
I have nearly everything the Beatles ever did, much of it on the original vinyl, plus the newer anthologies, greatest hits, etc, and when I heard this was coming out, I was quite excited. I read the reviews on Amazon prior to the album's release to try to gauge just exactly what this album had to offer, and what made it different. It seemed that everybody discussing the album was in one camp or the other. One, the purist camp, believed that anything put together post-Beatles was/is an abomination and that "LOVE" is no more than a remix of old tunes undertaken to pad the retirement accounts of Paul, Yoko and George (Martin). The other camp, the 'We Love Anything That Says 'Beatles' on It' faction, feel that any new music, better sound, or different remixing of old sounds is a great thing. I fall somewhere between the two camps, but much closer to the "Anything is Good" bunch. Some of the post-Beatles offerings have been good, and some not much needed--for example, 'Beatles: Let it Be, Naked' was a waste, as was the new version of 'Yellow Submarine'. I read the reviews of "LOVE" and then, on the day the album went on sale, went and plopped down my fifteen bucks for the CD/Audio DVD version at Best Buy.
The first time I listened was on my Discman, and while I enjoyed it and found it innovative and fun, I wasn't overly impressed. Then, today, I put the Audio DVD into my system and cranked it. Sounds came out of those old songs that I had never before heard, even with my good system. The sound is truly amazing. At one point, one of the ambient sounds was so real, it made my look around. It's like the Beatles are in the room with you, sharp and clear. Also, it takes a few listens to hear all the snippets and riffs that fill in each song. Martin has mixed two and at times three songs together, sometimes by slowing one down a bit, sometimes because they are the same tempo. Several times, these mixes are nothing short of brilliant.
Here are my highlights on this Audio DVD.
1. 'Because'. A slow a capella version with ambient sounds similar to a seacoast. The voices sound ethereal and nothing short of angelic. It will send shivers up your spine.
2. Ringo's drumming to open up 'Get Back'. You've got to hear it to believe it. Yes, you'ver heard it before, but not like this.
3. 'Glass Onion'. Interesting mix.
7. 'Drive my Car, The Word, What You're Doing'---Wow. You've heard them all individually, now listen to what happens when they are mixed and mashed.
8. GNIK NUS--'Sun King' played backwards, including the lyrics. And it sounds wonderful and strange.
16. "Octopus's Garden". What was a fairly mid-level Beatles tune becomes one of the highlights on the album, thanks to the clarity and the new mix.
20 and 21. 'Revolution' and 'Back in the USSR' never sounded better. 'Revolution sounds similiar to the track on the 'Anthology', a stripped-down version. Great.
22. HIGHLIGHT OF ENTIRE ALBUM--"While My Guitar Gently Weeps". George Martin's first new orchestration for a Beatles song and according to the liner notes, his last. An acoustically-based version, very simple, with a classic George Martin score. This is the one song on the album that may actually be better than the original, though I imagine many would disagree as it is one of George's greatest tunes. Listen carefully before disagreeing.
24 to the end--Great rocking finish designed to make the audience leave with a big smile on their faces and assured them that dropping who-knows-how-much to see the live show was worth every penny.
If you are a Beatles fan, you must get this album. You will hear the classic songs but what Martin has done with them is nothing short of amazing, and it will move you.
Free Music Review: If your expectations for this CD aren't too high, read on....
Hit: 5 Stars
Here is what I thought about this project, when I first heard, that there will be a 'mashed up' Beatles CD : This is another opportunity for Paul and Yoko to cash in. After 'Let it be.... naked' and the Anthology albums, do they really need to re-release their material in a somewhat new format again ? Is this going to be something along the line of the 'DJ Dangermice' mixes - something, that anyone with a home PC and the appropriate software could have done ?
Needless to say, I did not expect much, when I bought this album..... how wrong was I !
First of all, when I heard, that this is like a 'musical collage', I thought it is a collection of musical snippets, somewhat connected by the Cirque Soleil concept. That is not the case.... It is a beautifully put together album that is building up to one highlight after another - in a way, that only the genius of George Martin (with a little help from his son Giles) could have done it. It's a bit of 'Abbey Road' or Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' : An album, that it simply perfect in its entirety.
Everybody knows, that the Beatles were outstanding songwriters, but what this album showcases even more is, what brilliant musicians they were. And in their newly, restored format, these recording sound better than anything that has been released in 2006. How can this be ? Looking at the technology nowadays, any band should sound better than what the Beatles have recorded on their 4 track, or later 8 tracks recorders... It is not just their outstanding talent and craftsmanship, it is the way they (and George Martin) paid attention to every little detail. Kind of in a way, how an old building still looks fascinating, where new developments are boring and put together in a hurry.
It is prove, that technology can not produce creativity. Not even the most modern recording studio can hide, if an artist doesn't have any talent (like so many of today's put together releases). In most cases, "Garbage in" results in "Garbage out", no matter how many tracks you use to record your material.
That said, it is fascinating, how George Martin and his son have carefully restored and combined these 26 tracks. Again, their attention to the little details is unbelievable. You have to hear it, to really understand what I try to say.
Living in the age of the iPod, it has been years, since I really played a CD over and over again - usually, I just let my mp3 player shuffle through my music collection. But I have played this CD ever since I bought it, and I still am not tired of it. Even I have heard these tracks hundreds of times, this new collections made me fall in love with every single one of them again.
The only thing I wish they would have done, is using the whole versions of songs like 'I want to Hold your Hand', 'Drive my Car', or 'Revolution', simply because they sound so fantastic in their new mixes. But then again, you get superb versions of 'I am the Walrus', 'Something', 'Strawberry Fields Forever', 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds', 'Octopus's Garden' or my absolute favorite, George Harrison's 'Here comes the Sun'.
So all I can say is, let your ears be the judge. I still can not believe, that George Martin, who was diagnosed with hearing damage a couple of years ago, gives us this masterpiece, and the best sounding CD I have heard in many years ! Simply beautiful !
Free Music Review: Love the Beatles Love album from the Cirque show
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw this Beatles Love Cirque show at the Mirage Theater and absolutely loved it. I recently received this album as well as the documentary as gifts and I love both as a remembrance of the show and as a celebration of the Beatles music as well. From reading some of the reviews I think some folks are not getting that this is a soundtrack to a live show, not just a new compilation of previous work. While it's not necessary to have seen the Love show to appreciate this album, it does help place it context.
If you have the opportunity to see or rent the accompanying documentary, All Together Now: A Documentary Film you can see the time, work, and care that went into creating the Cirque Beatles show, it was a long arduous process! Ringo and Paul were very involved, as were the families of George and John along with the brilliant George Martin--just imagine trying the make all of them happy. Aside from the Beatles themselves, few knew or understood their music as well as George Martin and his input, along with that of his son Giles, on this soundtrack was invaluable. Just as he guided most of the Beatles albums, his sure hand shows here as well.
In the end, it's not like any of them need the money, they knew this was a way to introduce their music to folks who might think the Beatles was just that group their parents listened to, people who maybe don't understand that there were once actually musicians who composed their own music, wrote their own lyrics, did their own arrangements, played their own instruments, recorded on 4 tracks instead of 75, and played live concerts without lip-syncing. Yes, Virginia, such a creature once existed! <g>
Be aware, the DVD on this package is NOT the video documentary-that's sold separately. The DVD here is 5.1 audio disc for enhanced music systems. I play it on my Home Theater sound system at home and it sounds fantastic, truly amazing you can hear all nuanaces you just can't hear on your car stereo. However, if you don't want or need this, just buy the cheaper single CD that is also sold on Amazon that's playable on any CD player. Love
But back to the soundtrack, in the end, I found this to be celebration of Beatles's music, just as the show is. I personally loved the way the music is woven together here. Yes, I have all my Beatles albums and this soundtrack certainly doesn't take the place of those, but it does augment them. Hearing the music in different context than the original albums, enhances, rather than detract from the enjoyment. The sound is impeccable, and the song choices from all points of the Beatles albums and anthology are interesting, and all of the beatles are represented, not just McCartney and Lennon. For example, the vocal from My Guitar Gently Weeps" is from a demo recording of Harrisons (found on the anthology) that had a more emotional tenor to it than the cut that finally ended up on the album. Martin conducted the music to lay behind the original vocal and the end result is stunning and emotional. The way the many songs and snippets of music are interwoven is beautiful.