I think they are pretty good, but I would have killed two birds with one song by including "Taxman" in place of "Girl". There were only two songs from REVOLVER and none by George on the RED album. "Girl" is a fine song, but it was neither a hit nor a popular album track. Putting on "Taxman" (a fairly popular album track) would give George a song and would represent REVOLVER more. RUBBER SOUL (where "Girl" comes from) is already well represented.
For me, 62-66 should have been 14 tracks each disc, and i did some changes: Disc 1, Side A Love Me Do Please Please Me Do You Want To Know A Secret (USA charts number 2, i would like to put Twist And Shout, but it's a cover, and also, a Harrison track that he is a lead vocal) From Me To You She Loves You I Want To Hold Your Hand All My Loving Disc 1, Side B Can't Buy Me Love A Hard Day's Night And I Love Her Eight Days A Week I Feel Fine Ticket To Ride Yesterday Disc 2, Side A Help! You've Got To Hide Your Love Away We Can Work It Out Day Tripper Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) Nowhere Man Michelle Disc 2, Side B In My Life Paperback Writer Rain (A classic of the band) Taxman (Harrisson lead vocal and also writer) Eleanor Rigby Yellow Submarine Tomorrow Never Knows (well, for a compilation that starts with Love Me Do, end with this would be awesome) - See more at: 1962-1966 (1973) - About The Beatles »
My changes of 67-70 Disc 1, Side A Strawberry Fields Forever Penny Lane Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band With A Little Help From My Friends Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds A Day In The Life All You Need Is Love Disc 1, Side B I Am The Walrus Hello Goodbye Your Mother Should Know (Yes, this one, FOTH it's good, but Mother it's really funny to listen, and i saw Paul sings this live) Magical Mystery Tour Lady Madonna Hey Jude Revolution Disc 2, Side A Back In The U.S.S.R. While My Guitar Gently Weeps Helter Skelter (Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da it's cool, but God, IT'S HELTER SKELTER, How dare Apple cuts this track from this compilation) Hey Bulldog (To put a Yellow Submarine album track here, and no, YS and All You Need Is Love not count) Get Back Don't Let Me Down The Ballad Of John & Yoko Disc 2, Side B Here Comes The Sun Come Together Something Octopus's Garden Let It Be Across The Universe The Long And Winding Road - See more at: 1967-1970 (1973) - About The Beatles »
Along with the white album I was brought up with the red and blue's and thought that was it regarding the best of the Beatles. Then I got introduced to Revolver at sixteen and I couldn't believe it that things got better! So in some ways I'm glad revolver wasn't represented much on those compilations. It didn't "ruin" the album for later listeners like the endless kinks compilations that ruined something else album for me
A then-unreleased song would have been great on 62-66 (Leave My Kitten Alone), but things didn't work like that in those days.
Red album should have had 1 or 2 more songs per side. And Old Brown Shoe shouldn't have been on the blue album. One more song from the White Album would make more sense.
Red Album: Remove "Girl". Add "I Saw Her Standing There". Blue Album: Remove "Old Brown Shoe". Add "Birthday".
These albums were my introduction (gateway drug) moving from being aware of the Beatles to being a huge fan. So no, I wouldn't change them. It was nice when the cds came out in the mid 80s to discover songs I hadn't heard as much due to their not being on the red or blue albums. However, if I were to do my own compilation of my favorite songs, many of the proposed changes in this thread would be considered.
He's dead to me! Seriously, John and, as I recall George, made up track listings for Capitol (not EMI as I recall the request came from the U.S. Label rsther tha. The corporate parent) and both ,Ade up a potential list. I'm sure Ri go probably just agreed with whatever they did. Paul was trying to was asked but, as I recall, he didn't respond or participate. This is based on memory of what I read back in the day mind you. The plan was to stick to singles and key album tracks that received radio air play as I recall. No covers allowed!
John and George I remember were asked for lists. I dint recall if Ringo was but I recall somewhere that he agreed and made a suggestion or two. I seem to remember that Paul didn't respond but my memory could be fault. From time to time.
The thing about these two albums was the fact they did the covers in the same location as Please Please Me. That was the talk then. That was the selling point. Myself I just played them and heard the same songs again never really cared what was or wasn't on the records. I don't think anyone did. I listened to the blue album more than the red but since then they've been archived as almost everything on them has been re-released a number of times.
To the Red album I would add: I Saw Her Standing There Twist And Shout Long Tall Sally Rain Taxman Here There And Everywhere And Your Bird Can Sing For No One Got To Get You Into My Life Tomorrow Never Knows
Both were fine compilations on vinyl back in 1973 but they are very poorly presented as double CDs. Much too short, particularly the Red album. They could cram on loads of extra tracks and reissue them both as double 75 minute CDs
The Blue album could do well without: Obladi Oblada Old Brown Shoe Octopus Garden Instead add: Dear Prudence Happiness Is A Warm Gun Hey Bulldog
You could just add all of those and keep the other songs on there. I like them all even Octopus's Garden. George's guitar playing, the harmonies and the arrangement (which sounds a bit like Paul and George) elegant an ordinary kids song to something else entirely.
It would certainly still fit onto 2CDs. 2LPs would be rather long. It is already 99 minutes. Just my personal taste.
