In honor of The Beatles on Sullivan ( a review of the latest nostalgic cash-in, see ) & in general in recognition of the smash they were here in the States, there, and everywhere:
Do not consider buying the new Universal / EMI / Capitol / Apple box set of US Albums.
The band didn't approve of those albums; there's no value whatsoever to the last of 'em (The American Revolver: same mixes as UK versions and missing three Lennon cuts), and the UK / international versions are just plain superior. Also, in the purported interest of providing the best audio the new box doesn't even contain the infamous Capitol reverb / mono fold down / fake stereo duophonic sonic touches, yet still has some newly added worthless echo / reverb thrown on top of Martin's masterful recordings, just not the actual reverb from back in the American day. More confusingly, it doesn't even contain all the actual unique mixes provided to Capitol by George Martin.
In honor of The Beatles, then, if you want to hear these albums which The Beatles didn't even want in existence, download that shit illegally. Specifically, if for some reason you do feel the need to hear those Capitol albums (they can be fun, sure! especially the Second Album and the US Rubber Soul), instead of the new box illegally download the two Capitol boxsets from a few years ago. They actually use the Capitol tapes, at least. I bought 'em when the shuttering Tower on Sunset was deep discounting. If you want to buy 'em, you gotta watch out because there were content errors in first batch. So, you're safer downloading 'em. You get the first 8 Capitol Albums that way. Then, illegally download bootlegs or needledrops of the later ones. Grab that Italian Beatles In Italy comp while you're at it, that's a good selection of singles. Grab it all, whatever. The Beatles Live At The Hollywood Bowl? Still not on CD. Download it! If you've never bought the Beatles albums, then ok fine buy it all! But if you're going to buy it, get that UK mono box. That's The Beatles as nature intended, minus the last couple LPs and singles. Of course, this can all be hard to find online...
Wait, I got it!!! At least if you've got a turntable: Go buy used vinyl, and spin that. I do understand if you want the new Yesterday... And Today reissue CD with the baby dolls and meat cover. For those who fetishize objects (I can relate: You like to touch and hold and shelve and store and handle and inspect.) please note: I'd bet the whole box'll be priced to move in a couple of years.
In honor of the Beatles making it big, so big the survivors don't possibly need any more money off the albums that made them big; In honor of all the Classic Rockers making it big; In honor of Rock n' Roll, don't pay for a Classic Rock album today. Download a Classic Rock album or bootleg illegally, in honor of Rock n' Roll. And give it a listen. That is, remember to actually play your ill-gotten Rock n' Roll. Then, if you have any money to spend, go see a live band or buy the latest Deerhoof vinyl or something like that.
“Rock on lovers everywhere, because that's basically it”
(Wings vinyl run-out, and the truth)
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