BOX SET ALERT: Meet The Beatles! (again): The US Albums box set

62 thoughts on “BOX SET ALERT: Meet The Beatles! (again): The US Albums box set”

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3. wow, how confusing. is there a websight that list track by track each box set and what the source was for them. And what was done to each track to make it different from the master tape from the 60’s used to cut the record. or if it was not even the same master. I would think that would be pretty easy. Just list each song and say if it was from the same master as the vynal or not and what was done to it besides a digital re eq’ing to make it sound “better”. One more question I had, were the Capital Records Vol 1 & 2 remastered or are they an untouched copy of the master tapes? Thanks.

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4. Il est encore un bon moment pour planter des pelouses de gazon, dit Hollister. "Tant que ce n’est pas la pluie ou boueux, vous pouvez planter du gazon, y compris les graminées de saison chaude comme les Bermudes," dit-il. "Planter des graminées de saison chaude maintenant et ils vont établir un système racinaire puissant et être prêt à décoller au printemps quand le temps se réchauffe.».

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5. Did anybody else’s “Yesterday and Today” come with two discs in the box set?

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   1. No, Yesterday and Today is The original Butcher Cover and it comes with The Steamer Trunk Cover in sticker form so you can stick it over The Butcher Cover. Like you really wanna do that when everyone knows the Butcher Cover is the most sought after original Beatles album cover of all time.

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6. BEWARE! I purchased the new set and it is all the UK mixes put into US album format and NOT the original Capital records mixes. The first two Capital records box sets ARE the correct US mixes.
   If you are looking for the original US mixes like I was, DO NOT purchase this box set. You will be sorely disappointed. I wish there was someone to complain to, but I have had no success finding anyone.

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7. I hope they use the mix of and i love her from the United artist lp. I purchased a newer Capital vinyl version of that lp and they used a different mix.I do own the Capitol vol. 1 and 2. I think i may just buy the missing cds, Revolver,Hey Jude etc. I just wished they used the original U.S. masters. If they are using the UK masters,what about help and Rubber soul? I read that they used a 1980s remix of the two albums for the 2009 set.

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8. I own the higher resolutioon Beatles USB stick, which contains the stereo versions of the album, and also the 2009 Mono Box set and most of the 2009 stereo CDs. I have many of original U.S. LPs, some stereo, some mono, including Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (censored cover). I’m interested in the U.S. Beatles Box Set, but I would want it on Hi Rez USB (Stereo and Mono). I don’t need another bulky box that takes up room with my other sets.

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12. Following the Amazon.ca thread: I just received my Complete Benjamin Britten set for the Canada Amazon and i had to write the UPS driver a $25 check for some fee (can’t remember exactly what). It wiped out any savings I might have realized. Anyway, I think I am passing on this Beatles set until I get reviews from folks once they have heard the discs.

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13. Pingback: DEAL OF THE DAY: The Beatles / The US Albums box | superdeluxeedition

14. I was excited at first about this box set but after further reading I believe I will pass. I’ve got the Mono and Stereo box sets from 2009 and the Capital Box Sets Vol. 1 & 2. so except for the packaging I could probably burn my own CDs using what I own. Having 3 to 5 unique mixes from Yesterday and Today sounds nice but at least 3 won’t be authentic because the stereo versions of those were fake stereo I believe. The stereo versions on A Hard Days Night were also fake stereo so except for the instrumentals (I could probably download for free) I already have what you are purposing. Basically I’ve got the Hey Jude Album from my 2009 collection too so what’s the point. No I’ll pass. Thanks but no thanks. Another corporate screw up. Would have been easier and real had you just made a vol.3.

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    1. I got an email from Amazon.com offering the set for USD 160 and if you pick the 8-14 day delivery option which guesstimates the import taxes for you (you get refunded the difference) it comes in at USD 204 so you save around £25.
       Just saying.

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       1. Before everybody jumps on the USA pricing, I suggest you check out Amazon’s Canada price – as of 17th Dec around £80 (ex-tax, post etc.) but still a worthwhile saving.

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          1. Cock a doodle do!
             No import tax issues then? Has anyone here ordered anything from Amazon Canada before?

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15. Using Google shows that my memory and I are completely WRONG.
    http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct09/articles/beatlesremasters.htm
    Wish I had Googled BEFORE I ordered 3 of these albums!

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16. I have to agree with Paul & say that the 2009 remasters were indeed a very comprehensive remastering of the Master Tapes. They did repair & patch the odd drop out & tape deterioration (the classic guitar riff drop out on Day Tripper, etc, etc). The Mono masters hadn’t been used for so long apparently the tape used to link the tracks together on the Master tape had begun to undo. Thankfully EMI unwittingly used very good quality master tapes for that time.

    So they did not remix in anyway, unlike they did with Yellow Submarine Songtrack & the Love project. Which just goes to show how good a remix & remaster would have been. That’s for the future … A long way in the future.

    I also agree with the chap that said a Capitol Volume Three with the rest of the Capitol albums with correct US mixes would have been a better idea. I think the constant reissuing here is to protect future copyright laws of the Beatles material in the US & UK, so a missed opportunity for this (supposed) US box by using 2009 UK remasters as a basis. Oh well! Who would have thought this would have got so complex?! Cheers everyone!

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17. Hi Paul,

    Would you be able to confirm if the albums with tracks from the UK “Help!” and “Rubber Soul” (“Beatles VI,” “Help!,” “Rubber Soul,” and “Yesterday and Today”) will contain the original 1965 UK stereo mixes (that were used as a bonus on the mono CDs) or the 1987 stereo remixes that remained canon in 2009? Any information on this would be very helpful.

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18. Any definitive confirmation of that or is it just a hypothesis?

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19. Rephrasing:
    If I remember correctly, the 2009 reissues were NOT JUST remasters. They were reconstructed from the multitrack tapes to replicate the original mixes while capturing all the audio info that 60s mixing boards would lose. The 2009 mixing engineers studied the 60s mixes for reference.
    In the 60s, the UK master mix tapes were manipulated to make the US variant versions. I think this new box is being made by manipulating the 09 reconstructions so that they match the 60s US variants.

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    1. I don’t think they did do that… my memory is that they were just very comprehensive remasters from the stereo and mono masters (not multi-track). Could be wrong but don’t recall reading anything in line with what you’re saying. Anyone?

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20. Can’t you people see that Capitol/EMI are taking you for an expensive ride?

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21. HUH?!

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22. Weren’t the original (1960s) US different versions made by modifying the UK masters? And weren’t the 2009 masters made from the multitracks, remixed? And when the remixing was done in 2009, weren’t the original UK 60’s mixes used as templates for the new mixes? So, isn’t “(using) (t)he 2009 remasters … to create these US albums newly EQ’d from a 24/192 digital source alongside original 1960s U.S. master analog tapes to preserve specific mixes and edits”, the right way to get both the richness of modern audio technology and the differences of the 60’s American-release alterations? Maybe we aren’t getting the versions we are buying these for, but maybe we are! I ordered RS, Y&T, and Revolver and have my hopes up high!

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23. Soooo, this is a fake box set?! That is really bad.

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24. I might as well make my own CDRs.

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25. Basically, if you already own the 2009 remasters, all you are getting in the UK for your hard earned £145 is a nice set of replica sleeves because 99% of honest people will not hear any difference in the audio.

    If they had taken the time to do it properly and sourced the original audio then I would have bought the set but I’m not paying for the same audio. Especially at that ridiculous price.

    £145 is a joke.

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26. Hi Ben

    I’m confused…

    The post on SDE reads ” The 2009 remasters have been used to create these US albums newly EQ’d from a 24/192 digital source”

    You then posted a link from the examiner than confirms what I’ve said in the post.

    I’m not sure what your point is? What’s been ‘refuted’?!

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    1. Paul, you stated that, “So the answer to your question is yes, they went back to the 24/192 and did not use the digital source that created the 2009 remaster CD versions.”
       Maybe it is me who is confused, but this seems to read that they will not use the versions from the 2009 reissues.

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       1. Depends on how technical you want to get really. The 24/192 digital source is basically the purest version of the 2009 remasters. But that isn’t the source the 2009 CDs were created from. there was a ‘layer’ in between that and the CDs. The CDs were created from a 16bit digital source (confirmed to me by Apple). Anyway, what I said is correct. To create most of the content of these new US CDs, they have stepped back in the process to the very high quality 24/192 digital files and moved forward again from there. They are still the 2009 remasters – they aren’t going back to analogue tapes and starting the whole process again – but they have tweaked the EQ to match levels with Capitol analogue masters and to edge the sound more towards what US pops fans liked to hear in the ’60s without doing the whole slapping on reverb, fake stereo etc.

          So YES they are the 2009 remasters, but at the same time they will be a little bit different. Modified 2009 remasters, might be the best way of describing it. I’ve got no idea how apparent all this will be when you play the new CDs. They may just sound identical to all but the most discerning of ears.

          Hopefully the above makes some kind of sense.. :)

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27. From the Examinr web site (http://www.examiner.com/article/beatles-label-says-they-worked-to-preserve-mixes-used-new-u-s-albums-box) , the 2009 masters were used for this box:
    The company says that in preparing the albums for reissue, they decided not to remaster from the original Capitol master tapes.

    “While doing so would have been the easiest way to go, it would not have created the best possible listening experience. In an effort to preserve the original intentions of the band and the producers, the masters used are, in most cases, the same as the stereo and mono remasters released in 2009 as part of the Parlophone/Apple core catalog, all approved by George Martin and The Beatles. All of the duophonic mixes have been replaced with the approved stereo mixes when available and some mono mixes in the few instances where no true stereo mix exists.”

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    1. Yes, this is mentioned in the post!

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       1. I understand, but I thought that point had been refuted in your post about your reliable source who stated that the 2009 was not used. Don’t post this, just felt a bit “hollered at” in your reply…..

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28. The new EQ is the only audio bait they can throw out there and I doubt that it will be distinguishable from the 2009 audio. Regardless, it is still not faithful to the music the sleeves are promoting.

    Having observed what the industry is putting out in recent years through helpful sites such as this, it is now entirely obvious when genuine, faithful and quality products are being offered and when record companies are trying to take your cash for sub-standard products requiring as little effort as possible on their part.

    I’d prefer authentic vinyl rips on these CD’s rather than the wrong audio that offers nothing different to what I already own.

    I may as well just go and look at the US sleeves in a book or online rather than have them in a box as an ornament on my shelf.

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29. I read there is also a vinyl set as well. As an American, I welcome these releases. It reminds me of growing up with these LP’s. I am especially glad finally have Help, and A Hard Days night re issued! Can’t wait.

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    1. Wasn’t Help on Vol 2 of the Capitol Box set?

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31. Most favorite version of I Want To Hold Your Hand is the fake stereo one recorded in Meet The Beatles.
    I’m so sad that version will be erased from beatle history…

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32. Hey Paul,

    Where did you hear about the albums being created newly EQ’ed from 24/192 source? Does it mean they went back to the 24/192 transfers to create new remasters and not use the existing 2009 24/44.1 “approved” versions? That’s a very interesting possibility….

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    1. From a very reliable source within Universal/Apple. So the answer to your question is yes, they went back to the 24/192 and did not use the digital source that created the 2009 remaster CD versions.

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       1. Thanks Paul! So basically we are getting all new 2013 remasters for the UK mixes as well. That makes this box a lot more interesting.

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          1. In effect, yes. How different they will sound due to new EQ etc is another matter, but they will not be digitally identical to the 2009 CDs which is I suppose the key point.

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33. They should’ve just gone with Capitol Albums Vol. 3 and continued that series FROM THE US MASTER TAPES. This is a ridiculous facsimile. And an expensive one.

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34. This was a definite purchase for me, but now that I’ve heard it’s just the 2009 remasters… I’m not so sure. I’d still love to have the instrumentals and the packaging, but if the mixes aren’t different there just isn’t that much worth in it. Not to mention I’ve already bought all of these albums countless times anyway, in one form or another. I would also like The Beatles Story out of curiosity, since I haven’t been able to track it down on vinyl (nor have I really had the drive to, honestly), but it’s box set only. I’m going to have to really think about if this set is worth it. I’m not sure.

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35. Uk rip off prices again, £99 USA £145 UK ………….

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36. As clearly stated, the audio is being sourced from the 2009 remasters, so all your £145 is getting you is a set of pretty replica sleeves.

    The audio is not an authentic reproduction of what was originally on the albums.

    Do it right or don’t bother, especially at that price.

    Seems like another money-grab from a label knocking half-baked product out on the cheap.

    If the audio was as authentic as the replica sleeves I’d buy it as a companion piece to the original mono/stereo CD boxes but I’m not stupid enough to pay for the exact same audio masquerading as something completely different.

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37. sorry to hijack this thread but it is Beatles release related.

    On Tuesday, Universal plans to release, on iTunes only, “The Beatles Bootleg Recordings 1963,” a compilation of 59 recordings, among them a handful of studio outtakes; a few dozen BBC performances, drawn from the same well as the recent “On Air” two-CD set; and informal demonstration recordings of two songs the group gave to other artists — Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s acoustic guitar duet version of “Bad to Me” and a Lennon piano demo of “I’m in Love.”

    The releases are a response to a new European Union copyright law that will extend copyright protection to 70 years — but only for recordings that were published within 50 years after they were made. So in the case of the Beatles, the group’s 1963 debut album, “Please Please Me,” already benefits from the copyright extension, but the unreleased session tapes — unused versions of the same songs on the album — did not, hence the release. Similarly, the BBC performances released on “Live at the BBC” (1994) and “On Air — Live at the BBC, Vol. 2” (2013) — are protected, but they represent less than half of the 275 performances the Beatles recorded for the BBC between 1962 and 1965. Another 44 of those recordings are included in the set to be released on Tuesday.

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    1. Thanks for the info. Buy, download and stash on another device ASAP.

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38. I think there’s going to be trouble if these don’t properly replicate the unique versions that are on vinyl.

    Yesterday & Today was out a couple of years ago on a great mini-LP format, with sticker, from a Russian website, an absolutely lovely item (these turn up at record fairs and on ebay). I feel that this box is official competition for these high quality unofficial pressings – they must get the contents right!

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39. Speaking as a Canadian fan, I grew up never knowing the authentic UK versions of Beatles albums. I can appreciate that the Beatles themselves hated what Capitol did in North America. However, we here grew up with the titles presented in this new box set, and as a souvenir of our youth, these versions will bring back many happy memories. I used to love playing the Beatles VI and Hey Jude albums on my stereo, and look forward to having the pleasure of reliving those magical times.

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40. Sort of misses the point of the Capitol vols I and II..which was mainly the sound of the original US releases brought about by the different mixes/edits/treatments (whether fake stereo or reverb) as well as the sequencing and stretching of releases. As has been pointed out, using the 2009 masters takes this away…and you’re left with nice but pricy rep sleeves.

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41. I bought the two Capitol sets, which sadly stopped with “Rubber Soul”. I had been awaiting “Yesterday…and Today”, which was the first Beatles LP I owned as a kid. I would have bought the next volume just to get the US mix of “I’m Only Sleeping”, which was very different from the UK version. If all that is being provided is tweaked versions of the UK tracks, I’ll have to pass.

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    1. According to the info, ‘special care wail be given to the US tracks that differed from the UK releases.’ Why not just release the songs as a download?

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42. I agree with the prior post 100% , very skeptical , and where is the “Live At The Hollywood Bowl CD” it was a Capitol release …..

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    1. They didn’t include the “Rock And Roll” or “Love Songs” or “Reel Music” collections from the late 70’s or the 80’s either. This was meant to be a set of original albums released in the US while the Beatles were still The Beatles, not “cash-ins” after they broke up.

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44. Hmm, seems a bit pointless if they are losing some of the quirks of the American issues. Also, are they going to use the correct mixes for these? I am sceptical (skeptical for our U.S. friends.) However the trunk sticker thing is a nice touch.

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45. Looks good, i think i’ll pass at that price though, but why use the 2009 remastered tracks to recreate these albums? Surely they should be using something like the Capitol mixes Vol. I & II. After all, the US mixes where very different, often using fake stereo effects on mixes, making them sound very different. So does that mean that this US box is a make up of of the very same UK 2009 remasters!? Seems a bit odd! What about US only tracks on some albums, what remasters are they using … !? Perhaps it’s me missing something … :-/

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    1. Agree Si

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