NP - Beatles Remasters

[Robin Landseadel]

On Sep 16, 2009, at 2:03 AM, Carvill, John wrote:

>> Every aspect of the mono mix of Pepper is superior.
>
> I think that may be over-stating the case, there are interesting  
> aspects
> of both versions.

The mono version clearly makes better use of effects and other mix- 
related options. There's something about the SP mono mix as opposed to  
the speaking about the mono mixes in a more generic fashion. It's the  
one mono mix that really pops out of the set.

> But yeah, the mono is better overall, as in a lot of
> Bealtes albums. But maybe Revolver, maybe Pepper, is where the stereo
> starts to compete, where the debate gets interesting.

Certainly true of the Magical Mystery Tour remaster. And the Stereo  
White Album is generally more highly regarded on the Hoffman list than  
the mono version. Haven't heard that yet, only part of the mono mix,  
which is quite fine, thank you.

>> One notices that Dirk McQuickly's bass lines are now the lead
> instrument and that all of Ron Nasty's vocals have been erased.
>
> Heh. There's an amusing, if not too credible, rumour going around,  
> that
> McCartney and Ringo somehow bullied the Abbey Road engineers into
> boosting their parts of the performances. Not that it's even remotely
> possiible, but, had they tried to pull such a trick, don't you think
> Yoko might have had something to say?

And yet, it's the basslines and drum parts that really pop out of the  
new cds. There is a consistent elevation of the bottom two octaves in  
these remasters compared to the 87 mixes. There's also a spike around  
10k, where there's lots of overtones for the drum kit. This is really  
noticeable on MMT and Abbey Road. Try "Baby You're a Rich Man" and  
"Come Together" and hear the difference.

> Thanks for the tip on the Hoffman forum, I know it well. But I  
> wanted to
> get the opinions of p-listers, rather than hard-core Beatle- 
> audiophiles.

And yet the one p-lister who actually responded [as opposed to simply  
flinging pot-shots 'n monkey spew] happens to be a hard-core Beatle- 
audiophile/Hoffmanite as well. Figures.

By the way, viz the Hoffman list—the winner appears to be the stereo  
"Beatles For Sale." That seems like it's everybody's favorite among  
the new remasters.

And now from the Meridian Room in the Park Plaza hotel in New York  
City, we return to the music of  Droolin' Floyd Womack and his  
orchestra.