Listening to With the Beatles in mono on the car stereo at the moment. There is so much harmonic movement in these songs, so much musical invention. These are not simple songs at all. Then that arty cover, arguably one of their best. Yes, The Beatles progressed in the 60's but this album is right up there for me as one of the best ever done by anybody. Period. The covers are very tastefully done and great selections. I adore McCartney's vocal on Till There is You. Did Lennon ever sound in better voice than the haunting All I've Got to Do?
I have this pressing and it sounds so dynamic that it must be a flat transfer! I would get a pressing from the late 70s with the normal cover because it’s much cheaper than the HörZu one and sounds exactly the same
This is the German pressed copy I have of this LP... It is the second German pressing (number 2 matrix) and is reportedly a much better sound than the earlier number 1 matrix pressing on the HorZu label (except for the final HorZu version). The Germans did something great with these albums once the 1970s hit, it seems
I like this version of AHDN most of all the ones I have. Blows away the 2012 LP with a lot of warmth and I also have a 1980s Holland pressing (or maybe EEC pressing) that to me falls flat compared to this German variation
Same matrix numbers! Listening to my German pressed Rubber Soul right now... blue Odeon label (1969 pressing?). Full of life
For me, the cover of WTB is as monumental and mature as the music. It propelled Pop/Rock group cover artwork to a whole other level which, frankly, their surrounding competition had a hard time catching up to. That WTB photo is the early 60’s art equivalent of Rock album covers to follow many years later (and once again, largely influenced by those of The Beatles).
Yes, but the "Hörzu Langspielplatte" logo does often have the 3 fake stereo versions on side 2. So chosing the later Hörzu logo from 1973 or the Apple is always safe if you want to get the 3 true stereo versions.
Right. But sometimes you can't see the matrices when you buy online. That's why it's also good to know that the later 1973 Hörzu and Apple logos always have the true stereo versions.
For some reason it wasn't redone in the 70s like most other albums. That's why all blue Odeon pressings of that LP sound totally muffled. I believe it was due to a bad tape. No idea why they didn't order a new one from EMI. In the 80s they did the analog DMMs - but that's another story and not really everyone's taste... So to answer your question - I would always pick an early 70s UK pressing if I want that album.
I listened to this 2CD set for the first time in many years! I’ve always known that Paul’s solo career was and is amazing, but I didn’t think that it was so great
After 55 years of listening to Strawberry Fields Forever, it never dawned on me until now that Paul's bass playing in the opening sequence disappears at 1:01 when George Martin's edit switches to orchestration! That is unless it's still there buried in the mix? How did I not notice this before!
I noticed it but it took me quite a while as well..a couple of decades worth. Even when it’s there, this has to be the most subtle, laid back bit of bass playing on any Beatle recording.
Indeed, it’s downright feathery with a subtle bounce. Paul could’ve continued playing bass throughout the song, yet an artistic decision was made somehow which works.
