The Beatles - Love (CD + Audio DVD)
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Free Music Notes for Love (CD + Audio DVD)
Free Music Review: George Martin has his day
Hit: 5 Stars
This collection has a great deal of historical significance in my opinion, if for no other reason than the following: It showcases beyond question the intricate and essential role that George Martin played in the creation of the Beatles' music. Beatle fans have known for years that Sir George was responsible for a lot of their trail blazing arrangements and was the the guy who introduced the Fabs to many aspects of music that lay waiting for them outside the rock & roll periphery. But listening to Love, we finally get a chance to see just how influential he was.
My assumption here is that Martin's son, Giles, also given production credit for Love, was primarily on board to back up a man whose ears and hands are more than 80 years old. In other words, the feel of the project seems to be pure George Martin. (If I'm wrong, Giles, forgive me!) And what makes this collection so fascinating - and enjoyable - is that instead of hearing a work - i.e any other original Beatle album - which came from source material that occurred outside our awareness, we're listening to Martin's ideas about songs we already know quite well. Therefore, the Beatles' producer's mind is finally seen in full clarity.
Some of the material here is "merely" vastly improved remixing and remastering, such as Help. A few of the productions are a little forced at times - e.g., Octopus's Garden. But there's a lot of brilliance here and it's incredible, to me anyway, that a man of Martin's age still retains so much youthful exuberance in his vision.
As has been said elsewhere, Strawberry Fields is a classic, worth the price of the entire collection. My favorite part is when he's got Piggies and Hello Goodbye going neck and neck, the former changing the meaning of the latter's vocal melody because the chords are so different. If you've heard it, you know just what I'm saying. Another standout is Drive My Car, which has an almost Escher-like morphing process going, involving What You're Doing, Taxman, The Word and Drive My Car. It's an amazing arrangement and it's SO essentially Beatles that we now get how much of that sound came from this man's imagination.
And taking a cue from their last recording, Abbey Road, the CD ends rather undramatically, with a clip of Lennon from the end of one of the Beatles' early Christmas records made for their fan club members during the 60s - "This is Johnny Rhythm saying 'Good night to yas all - and God bless yas!'" If you're at all into the Beatles, or have ever wanted to be, you'll be really glad you've purchased this CD.
This added after a few listens:
Another interesting touch is the inclusion of complete tracks that were only partly used on the "official" release of certain songs. For instance, the end of Back in the USSR reveals McCartney vocal ad libs that were left off the White Album. Also, I Am the Walrus features more strings than the original, although truthfully, that may be a function of how cleaned up these mixes are. Either way, the experience is new, which is a pretty big deal for (us) Beatle fans that have heard these songs 1000 times over the years.
And one more thought: The transition from Mr. Kite to I Want You is so inspired it makes you smile in disbelief. Too much...
Free Music Review: Captures some of what is best about The Beatles (not all)...
Hit: 5 Stars
My first thought, as a fairly rabid Beatles fan, when I heard about "Love" was "SACRILEGE!" So I approached this disc with much trepidation and skepticism. I am very pleased to say that I was wrong. While not a replacement for any Beatles album or song (hopefully nobody looks at is as such), it is a great addition to the library. Oh, and note that this should probably not be anyone's 'intro to The Beatles'...they should probably get "1" for that.
Basically, this is a 'mash-up' of various Beatles material. While that might sound like it would result in a mess, it really does work here. The key is that the source material is so, so good...The Beatles, more than any other artist I've known, were not only incredible songwriters, they were the best at what I call "moments". Their songs contain so many little passages, hooks, riffs, progressions or whatever that 'catch your ear' that you can listen and listen and still discover new things after years of fandom. It is one of the things I've loved the most about them. Bits of guitar solos, the particular way a drum fill works against (or with) a bass riff...Beatles songs have SO many of these "moments".
What "Love" does is take many of these "moments" and apply them to other songs or parts of songs. The result is astounding. This is not to say that there isn't the occasional miss...there are a few, but very few. Take the a cappella vocal track from "Because" and apply the 'nature' effects from "Across the Universe"...it makes it a hymn to nature. Take bits of "The End" and various other guitar parts and it turns into a jam.
Anyone who is a fan of 'pop' (XTC, Robyn Hitchcock, They Might Be Giants, The Shins, any one of the indie pop bands out there now, etc.) will have much to catch their ear in this. If you like Olivia Tremor Control, Frosted Ambassador, Neutral Milk Hotel or any other band that has made effective use of "soundart", you will find much of interest here (and since The Beatles and Brain Wilson are the ultimate inspiration for most of that type of band, it is fitting to revisit their music this way).
Oh, one final note...the sound quality is nothing short of amazing. The "Eleanor Rigby" track, which is actually quite stripped down compared to most on here (a testament to the 'rightness' of that song), makes you feel as if you are sitting in amongst the instruments (in a small room). The mastering here puts the standard CD versions of the albums very much to shame. The stereo mix has been very carefully done to provide a nearly perfect soundstage (I've not yet listened to the surround version, but am anxiously awaiting a day when I have the house to myself so I can carefully position my speakers and crank it to '11'.).
I could go on here but you get the point...take some of The Beatles best musical moments, mix them up (with great care and an ear for flow), clean up the source material until it sparkles, apply a tiny bit of psychedelic soundart philosophy, and you get "Love". It will make you smile, sing along, glory in The Beatles mastery of their craft and...dig out your collection and re-listen to every single album with, perhaps, a new ear.
Free Music Review: A Revelation
Hit: 5 Stars
My daughter is only 5, but she is already a Beatles fan and has been for as long as she can remember. At age 3, we started her on the movie Yellow Submarine, and moved on from there. She can recognize and name each of the Beatles, and in many cases can even tell who's singing which song. So it came as no surprise to me that she liked the "newest" Beatles release, Love.
Our first listening was in the living room, together. "I heard Sgt. Pepper!" my daughter squealed delightedly. And so did I, for a moment. As well as any number of snippets from countless other songs, all mixed together as smoothly as one of 007's martinis. I listened in awe, and in horror, at what I was hearing... Here were the Beatles, the beloved icons of my childhood, lurching back to life, resurrected by a pair of mad geniuses who don't realize that what they've done approaches blasphemy.
Sir George Martin, and his son Giles Martin have assembled a real Frankenstein's monster here. Shards and fragments of my favorite songs have been unnaturally sewn together, against what ought to be all laws of propriety. The result is upsetting, eye-opening, and nothing short of brilliant. These guys should be hanged, or Knighted. Oh, wait-- Baron Victor von Martin has already been Knighted. Perhaps it's time for all of us to polish up our pitchforks and storm Abbey Road Studios demanding his head.
There are some real gems here. It starts off simply, with an a capella rendering of Because, and ending, perhaps appropriately, with All You Need Is Love. In between those are 24 others that range from the un-retouched, early days of Beatlemania (I Want To Hold Your Hand) to heavily re-mixed, swan songs from Abbey Road (e.g. Something, Octopus's Garden, Here Comes The Sun, and Come Together). One of the many revelations on this album results from the conjoining of two songs that never really seemed part of the Beatles "A" catalog-- Within You Without You and Tomorrow Never Knows. The result, far from the train wreck that one might expect, is a truly compelling composition that I couldn't disengage from.
I saw an excerpt from another reviewer's comments about this album, in which he likened it to "rummaging through your father's closet". That's fair, but to me it seemed more like coming home to find my daughter has rummaged through *my* closet, leaving all my treasures strewn across the floor. Not broken, just... touched. One wonders how much of this monster was Giles' idea, and whether his father came to work one day to find his favorite things strewn across the studio floor. So it goes with children and treasure chests.
My daughter doesn't yet realize, or hasn't yet been told that the Beatles aren't all still with us... To her, they're all vibrant and real... they all look like they did in Yellow Submarine, eternally young. And to tell the truth, after listening to Love with her, I think I see her point.
Free Music Review: STOP WITH ALL THESE BEATLE COMPILATIONS, AND JUST REMASTER THE WHOLE BEATLES CATOLOUGE ALREADY!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I enjoy this cd immensley. The 5.1 sound is incredible on my theatre system. The songs intertwined is really interesting and gives you the listener a new Beatles experience. The cheering crowds from the Beatlemania days add a certain historical 1960s essence. This latest Beatles release is helmed by George Martin. Who has done a fine job on the remastering of the original Beatle tapes. The linear notes are very informative explaining more in depth about the "Love" project. This cd is definintly a trip through the Beatles remarkable musical career. I praise Capital and George Martin for a beautiful Beatles remastered cd. My only gripe and I know there are countless Beatles and rock fans that will agree with me on this " Why doesnt Capital records or who ever is responsible remaster in the same quality as "One and "Love" the whole Beatles catalouge. The reason is money. Since 1987 Capital has released the Beatles complete catalouge but not remastered as these releases are flat sounding, and mostly in mono. Big deal another Beatles release of old songs we have heard countless times but still enjoy. "Yellow Submarine","One"and "Love" are nice remastered releases but clearly dodge the real issue of Capital or whoever, releasing these new Beatle compilations to make loads of money instead of remastering the whole Beatles catolouge from "Meet The Beatles" to "Past Masters Volumes 1 and 2". Once they remaster the whole Beatles catolouge, than these new Beatle compilations would be nice to add to our remastered Beatles catolouge. Clearly Capital is just pumping out these different Beatles releases (some I have not mentioned) along with the twenty year plus unremastered Beatles cds to make money. That is all good, said and done, PLEASE CAPITAL OR WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CURRENT BEATLES UNREMASTERED BEATLES CATOLOUGE, STOP WITH ALL THESE RIDICULOUS MONEY MAKING BEATLE COMPILATIONS AND GIVE THE FANS WHAT THEY REALLY WANT. A COMPLETE 24 BIT OR 5.1 DTS, REMASTERED BEATLES AMERICAN RELEASE FROM "MEET THE BEATLES" TO "PAST MASTERS VOLUMES 1-2", ALL 16 BEATLES CDS COVERING ALL THEIR COMMERCIAL RELEASES AND SINGLES, THERE IS THE 16 CD SET OF THE BEATLES RELEASES ALREADY AVAILABLE, BUT I WILL NOT BUY IT FOR IT IS NOT REMASTERED AND DOES SOUND FLAT. PLEASE REMASTER THIS SAME SET. THAT IS ALL I ASK OF CAPITAL. "Love" is a highly recommended and an enjoyable Beatles listen. IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF THE LATE JOHN WINSTON LENNON(1940-1980)
"IMAGINE", HAVING THE WHOLE BEATLES CATOLOUGE REMASTERED. WOULDNT THAT BE BETTER THAN THIS NEW BEATLES MONEY MAKING COMPILATION OF I HAVE READ WERE APPLE, CAPITAL IS SUPPOSED TO RERELEASE THE WHOLE REMASTERED BEATLES CATALOUGE IN 2007. THIS WILL BE THE SAME CATALOUGE RELEASED IN 1987, YOU WILL HAVE TO UPGRADE TO THESE NEW REMASTERED BEATLES CDS. THE 1987 BEATLE CD RELEASES ALL REMASTERED IN 2007 AND IT TOOK A MERE TWENTY YEARS. LOL!!!!!!!
Free Music Review: Something Different and Special
Hit: 5 Stars
I agree with the spotlight reviews that I saw on page 1 of this site. Yes it is wonderful to hear the Beatles in ear popping, 2006, technological splendor. George Martin has always been a genious with the Beatles' music,and with his son Giles, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. It's nice to know that the torch has been passed to a family member. In the hands of Giles Martin this music will continue to shine. I particularly love the tasteful string arrangement added to Harrison's Anthology version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and George's voice sounds so clear, it tingles the spine. It is actually an emotional experience to hear, as are several of the tracks on this cd. A standout for me is, I Want to Hold Your Hand, live at the Hollywood Bowl. You can hear every note of George's guitar, and their voices sound so life like, I feel like I am sitting on the stage with them. Mind you, this is a 1964 recording of a live show, and it sounds that good. As a sonic experience, it is eons away from the 1977 Hollywood Bowl Album. I was disappointed that it was so brief. It then segues into a combo of Help and What You're Doing which is also great. If this brief snippit of the Hollwood Bowl concert is any indication, then why haven't the entire Bowl concerts from 1964 and '65 been issued on cd with this mind boggling sound quality? I understand that Apple/EMI/Capitol/Paul/etc. doesn't want to cheapen the Beatles original catalogue with too much product, and I agree with that. But please this one double or triple cd would be so lovely to have. I just don't see any reason why it hasn't been issued. It would certainly sell, especially since there are no live Beatles albums to be had...legitimently that is.
In the mean time, while I'm waiting...and waiting... for my Hollywood Bowl cd,this Love cd is a very different and welcome edition to my collection. I bought it in November while I was out doing my Christmas shopping, and played it for the first time while baking for Thanksgiving, and as any Beatle listener will tell you, it is unbelievable. My kids,ages 11 and 14(both Beatle fans since birth) couldn't believe what they were hearing. My 14 year old saying, "WHAT IS THIS?" "What did they do to the songs?" You will have to hear it to understand it. While it is not a substitute for the original cds, it is still fun to listen to. Paul and Ringo loved it and spurred the Martins on, and that's not surprising,considering the Beatles quircky sense of the absurd, and refusal to take themselves seriously. I know John and George would have been thrilled also. You will too, but don't buy this one if you don't already have the 13 original cds. Nothing can replace those cds. 'Love' is just a fun change of pace for Beatlephiles.