Customer Reviews

1967-1970 (Blue) Remastered

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Commonly known as the "Blue Album", the 2LP vinyl set "1967 - 1970" became an instant classic when it was first released in April 1973 (as did its "Red" counterpart "1962-1966"). When they were finally reissued onto the new CD format in 1993 however, they caused consternation because of their extortionate full price.

So is this newly remastered 2010 mid-priced 2CD reissue on EMI/Apple 5099990674723 any better - the answer is an emphatic 'yes'.

PACKAGING:
The first thing you notice is that the clunky double jewel-case of the 1993 reissue has been dumped for a three-way foldout card sleeve. The centre and right flaps picture the photograph on the inner gatefold of the original vinyl double album (St. Pancras Old Church in London, 27 July 1969, The Beatles with the public looking through the railings - it's the same photo on the "Red" album). It also houses the two CDs - CD1 has the full Apple label (14 tracks, 51:15 minutes) and the 2nd CD has the half Apple logo (14 tracks, 48:43 minutes). The vinyl set is yet to come, the Digital Download versions are available from 25 Oct 2010 and there's also an issue that lumps both the Blue & Red reissues together as one package in late November.

The left flap houses a new 32-page booklet. The lyrics are intact from the inner sleeves of the original album issue, there's new liner notes by BILL FLANAGAN the MTV Executive and author of "Evening's Empire" (a book on Rock in the Sixties) and there's plenty of superb colour photos from the period - it's impressively done. Downsides - some complained that the 09/09/09 card digipak sleeves for The Beatles reissues were easy to smudge once out of the shrinkwrap and worse - the inner flaps easy to tear as you removed the disc. I'm afraid these are the same. I suppose I would have been naïve of us to think that EMI would actually listen to the complaints of 2009 about packaging, but they haven't - the need for these issues to look the same as the preceding ones has overridden all considerations... Having said that, I still think they look great - substantial even...

PLAYING TIMES:
Unlike the "Red" issue which could easily have fitted onto 1CD (and even included bonus tracks), as you can see from the playing times provided above, it would not have been possible with this set. Anyway - EMI would of course argue that a single CD issue of this most `iconic' of double albums would fundamentally alter the aesthetic of the original release. At least this time, this 2CD reissue is at mid price, so we're not being charged for the privilege of separation.

TRACK CHOICES:
The compilation itself is basically the A-sides of all their UK 7" singles releases between 1967 and 1970 in chronological release date order with a few key album tracks thrown in for good measure. Eagle-eye fans would therefore note that up to and including "Get Back" - ALL Beatles UK 7" singles for that period were issued only in MONO ("The Ballad Of John & Yoko" was their 1st STEREO single in the UK). So the tracks on the album should reflect that - the MONO single mixes. But EMI did nothing of the sort. They're all in STEREO (there's 4 MONO on the "Red" set) and i would argue that accuracy's loss is the listener's gain, because the STEREO versions used here are awesome.

SOUND:
Although the compilation is copyrighted to 2010 (released Monday 18 Oct 2010 in the UK and 19 Oct 2010 in the USA), the liner notes don't try to hide that these are the 2009 remasters by the same team who did the much-praised Beatles catalogue of 09/09/09. The sound quality is fantastic - breathtaking clarity on instruments - the piano and guitars on "Lady Madonna", the jet screeching in at the opening of "Back In The U.S.S.R", the brass on "All You Need Is Love", Billy Preston's superb keyboard work on "Let It Be", the wonderfully loose live feel of "Don't Let Me Down" (best B-side ever?) - and so on.

CONTENT:
But what impresses most is the actual listen itself. Even now, it's truly shocking to hear just how accomplished The Beatles became during this ludicrously productive period. And diversity of writers crept in too. There's the 4 Harrison gems "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Old Brown Shoe" and the magical double of "Something" and "Here Comes The Sun", while Ringo gets the witty "Octopus's Garden". Leaving the rest as Lennon-McCartney originals. And what an embarrassment of riches they are...

7" perfection comes twice - "Strawberry Fields Forever" b/w "Penny Lane" and arguably the greatest single ever released - "Hey Jude" b/w "Revolution" (melodious Paul on the A with rockin' blistering John on the B). Most bands would kill a close relative to get anywhere near this level of genius. And by the time you get to the ballads at the end of Disc 2 - "The Long And Winding Road" and "Across The Universe" - adjectives begin to fail you... Were The Beatles really 'this' good - the answer is yes - and always will be.

To sum up - the sound on these new reissues is fabulous; the packaging better than the 1993 versions and each is being sold at mid-price - available in most places for less than the price of a single new album. You can't help but think that millions of people globally will take one look at these beauties on a shelf somewhere and slap them straight into their shopping baskets. And rightly so...

I've loved re-hearing these classic Beatles songs in this beautiful sound quality - I really have - and despite some minor packaging quibbles - the 2010 version of the "Blue" album is wholeheartedly recommended.

Kids, what you have to realize is the Blue (and the Red) albums aren't just more made up compilations from the digital age. Long ago in a galaxy far far away these albums were stand alone collections. An awful lot of people who grew up with the Beatles bought these for a variety of reasons, some to replace their worn out albums, others might have just missed the relavance of it all but were old enough in 1973 to want to know what they missed out on. People loved these two collections just for what they were at the time. For some, the Blue album was really their Abbey Road, you know?

Nobody bitched about length of LP sides, mono vs. stereo or anything else. You just played the LP's and loved the music completely. I still think the Blue album is the finest "best of" collection ever issued, by anybody.

So take a deep breath and enjoy this for what it was.....and still is. Bonus tracks would do nothing to improve on this, you really think it would???? If you disagree then by all means burn your CDR's and move on.

Thank you.

Just for those interested: The new remastered version of the Blue album, retains the "clean" intro to "A Day In The Life" as was done on the previous CD release. This was the only offical way to get this song without the fade in from SPLHCB-reprise. The US album version (vinyl) had the fade in version.

Having collected pretty much all the Beatles' CD releases since 1987, I would like to present my considered (but by no means definitive) views on the re-release of the 'Blue' Album Compilation (1967 -1970) which has been newly minted in remastered form by Apple Records.

For all fellow Beatles fans considering whether to invest (again!) in this title - I have played and compared it, track by track, against the original 1993 CD and also against previous digital releases that hold some of the same tracks, namely The Beatles '1' CD Album (from 2000) and the `Let it Be - Naked' CD Album (from 2003). My aim is to provide a useful, constructively-critical guide to anyone unsure about committing themselves to this purchase.

Disc 1

1. "Strawberry Fields Forever" - 4:10
I found the new version on the '2010 'Blue' Album to have far more detailed and defined mellotron in the opening bars of the song than the old 1993 CD, there's also better resolution to John's vocals to the point where the `splice' that makes up the two halves of the track can now be clearly identified; the increase in added information continues with the gently whispered '1, 2, 3, 4..1, 2' count by George Martin mid-song now clearly audible in the mix.

2. "Penny Lane" - 3:03
I think that the 2010 'Blue' version has much better bass definition than the 1993 'Blue' version and the piccolo trumpet and flute scores are now crisper and more believable, Ringo's symbols now have truer metallic edge and Paul's plaintive vocal is fuller in the mix.(It has to be noted that the version on the '1' album was particularly bright and brittle sounding in the brass section).

3. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - 2:02
It seems obvious to me that the Yellow Submarine - 'Songtrack' versions of the next three songs sound superior to anything available on the 1993 & 2010 'Blue' albums, in this case Paul's vocal is delivered with greater scale and dynamics, Ringo's snare has a real 'crack' to the impact on the drum skin and the French Horn parts are full of vigour.

4. "With a Little Help from My Friends" - 2:44
The superlatives continue with the Yellow Submarine - 'Songtrack' version of this track too, starting with the lead vocal from Ringo which has the kind of resolution that makes you believe he's in the room with you, allied to the stunningly detailed answering harmonies from John and Paul and the crisp and realistic tone to the tambourine that now doesn't sound like someone shaking aluminium bottle-tops. Nothing on the1993 or 2010 'Blue' album versions come anywhere near it.

5. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - 3:28
Again I think that the Yellow Submarine - 'Songtrack' delivers the best rendition of John's psychedelic song than either of the 1993 or 2010 'Blue' album's can muster, the stereo image is wider and more expansive the effects-laden lead vocal is more powerful and direct, Ringo's drums have better presence and Paul's bass sound is both richer and fuller.

6. "A Day in the Life" - 5:06
I actually much prefer the new 2010 'Blue' album's version of this track to the previous 1993 incarnation, it's clear from the outset that the reverb-drenched lead vocal from John now has a larger scale and that his punctuated end delivery of '....made the grade...t-t-t-t-t' leaves far more echo to decay far deeper into the soundstage; the climactic Orchestration now has real bite and menace and the ring of the alarm clock that signals Paul's bouncy middle eight is crisper and more defined than on the previous version.

7. "All You Need Is Love" - 3:48
Back to the Yellow Submarine - 'Songtrack' CD for the best rendition of John's `One World' signature tune in my view, the sweeping string section of the Orchestration has a more clear sonic bite and the lead vocal is more solidly delivered than either version found on the 1993 or 2010 'Blue' albums; Ringo's opening drum-roll is far more precise and the wandering cellos reveal each bow movement from there score in greater detail.

8. "I Am the Walrus" - 4:37
The 2010 'Blue' Album gives a slightly wider and taller stereo image than it's 1993 counterpart, as a consequence the mellotron part is now more audible, Ringo's drums are better defined and John's heavily distorted vocal is more focused; the trumpet score is now particularly large and imposing allied to the stronger potency to the swirling effects tape that punctuates and ends the song.

9. "Hello, Goodbye" - 3:31
I think the Beatles `1' Album contains the better sounding version of this bouncy single from Paul than either of the 1993 or 2010 'Blue' albums, although the detail level in comparison to both is 'brightly lit' which may not suit all tastes, it does mean the Orchestration of the strings is relayed with a touch more realism and the strike of Ringo's drumsticks against his symbols is audibly `metallic' - Paul's bass figuring is also fuller and more rounded.

10. "The Fool on the Hill" - 3:00
It's clear from the outset that the 2010 'Blue' Album version beats the old 1993 'Blue' Album CD as Paul's dreamy vocal delivery now has stronger depth and fuller studio reverb, the background timpani, triangle and maracas are all better realised and defined.

11. "Magical Mystery Tour" - 2:51
The smoother trumpet intro to the 2010 'Blue' Album version and its more accurate portrayal of Paul and John's driving vocals throughout the song allied to stronger bass and striking cowbell percussion means it is clearly better than the previous 1993 CD release.

12. "Lady Madonna" - 2:17
I much prefer the new 2010 'Blue' Album remaster of Paul's boogie-woogie style thumper to both the old 1993 version and the version on The Beatles '1' Album, the tack piano is better defined, the sax solo is stronger and Ringo's drum kit has a meatier drive to the beat.


13. "Hey Jude" - 7:08
Again I feel that the new 2010 'Blue' Album has the better sounding version of Paul's classic single, his opening vocal sounds creamier as is his punctuation at the microphone and the bass and drum tracks really hit home hard as the song builds to its climax. (It has to be noted that the Beatles '1' Album version was plagued with sibilance to the vocal and brittleness to the sound of the symbols in comparison)

14. "Revolution" - 3:21
In my opinion the 2010 'Blue' Album version of this rocker beats the 1993 incarnation in every department, it's a no-brain clear winner with superior drums, guitar, bass and vocals - wow.



Disc 2
1. "Back in the U.S.S.R." - 2:45
In my opinion the 2010 'Blue' Album version only just pips the 1993 'Blue' Album version - as this track probably comes the closest to saying that there's no dramatic sonic improvement, the vocals are a little clearer and the tack piano is a smidgen better focused with a touch better sound to Ringo's drum kit - but it's all very slight.

2. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - 4:45
I think the new 2010 'Blue' Album presents a perceptible upgrade to the previous 1993 release, George's vocal is sweeter with a touch more studio echo, Paul's bass is smoother and Ringo's kit now holds the beat with real 'snap' to the snare and metallic 'tap' to the high-hat.

3. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" - 3:05
Again, it's my belief that the new 2010 'Blue' Album holds the improved version of this quasi-Reggae track from Paul, the core bass, piano and drums are all better presented and the handclaps that open the track now sound like human hands rather than damp rags.

4. "Get Back" - 3:14
I think the best adaptation of this driving single from Paul comes packaged within the `Let it Be -Naked' CD from 2003, the stereo image is far more accurate and the soundstage wider and deeper; Paul's bass is stunningly deep and the piano parts (both standard and electric) are far more defined within their own space in the sonic image - amazing.

5. "Don't Let Me Down" - 3:33
It's clear to me that the `Let it Be -Naked' CD has the superior version of this heartfelt song from John, Ringo's bass drum has a real 'kick' to it and the backing track of bass and piano are cleaner and more accurate than the new remaster.


6. "The Ballad of John and Yoko" - 2:59
It was a close call, but the version from The Beatles '1' CD seemed to me to have better vocals and piano than the remastered version on the 2010 release; it also suffers less tape-hiss and the simple drumming provided by Paul is relayed with better clarity.

7. "Old Brown Shoe" - 3:18
I believe The 2010 'Blue' Album has the best sounding version of this song from George, the remastering now brings clarity to the bass, tack piano and most especially to George's lead vocal which turns from the 'muffled' sound on the 1993 release to a delivery that more accurately describes that it was captured in the space of a vocal booth.

8. "Here Comes the Sun" - 3:05
It's clear that George's beautiful song of freedom and renewal gets a fresh outing on The 2010 'Blue' Album remaster, it trumps the previous 1993 CD version in most departments with significantly improved lead guitar, drums and bass; the background sound of the moog synthesiser is `fatter' and the Orchestration in the closing bars is portrayed with a wider and more crystalline stereo image.

9. "Come Together" - 4:20
As this Chuck Berry influenced rocker from John is based mainly on the trio of guitar, bass and drums it's significant to hear the improvements of all these instruments on the 2010 'Blue' Album remaster, John's heavily reverb-drenched vocal and Ringo's thumping drum fills are a clear step up from the older 1993 CD as well as the newer 2000 '1' release.

10. "Something" - 3:03
George's gorgeous love song gets a definite clean and brush up on the 2010 'Blue' Album version - his vocals, Paul's bass and the backing organ and Orchestration are all a major upgrade when compare to the dry 1993 CD and over-processed and sibilant '1' CD version.

11. "Octopus's Garden" - 2:51
It's clear to me that the 2010 'Blue' Album version of this upbeat song from Ringo beats the previous 1993 CD in every way, the drum track drives harder the high-hat and symbols now relay the detailed `tap' of drumstick on metal and the lead vocal, harmonies and bass figures all register far more distinctly in the stereo mix.

12. "Let It Be" - 3:52
As previously outlined, unless you're a huge fan of the 'Spector' mix of this single I'd point you in the direction of the 'unadulterated' version that exists on the 'Let it Be - Naked' CD from 2003 as the piano, vocals, drums, bass and harmonies are all superior in every respect. (for those of you who are partial to the `harps & harmonies' version then, although it falls short in key areas for me, the new 2010 remaster isn't too shabby).

13. "Across the Universe" - 3:48
Again, unless you're only interested in the 'Spector & Klein' origins of this track I'd wholeheartedly recommend the version on the 'Let it Be - Naked' Album, as you're closer than ever before to John's plaintive vocal held against a sparse but dynamic background of acoustic guitar and swirling swarmandel. (if you must hold to the overdubbed version, then the new 2010 remaster is a fair alternative - with only slightly improved sound over the 1993 'Blue' CD).

14. "The Long and Winding Road" - 3:38
A final call for all 'Phil & Alan' fans who can have a decent upgrade in sound by visiting the new 2010 remaster - but, in my honest opinion, the real gold lies buried within the `Let it Be -Naked' Album as this `undubbed' version clearly excels in all areas, you can easily distinguish between the makes of instruments within the generously expansive mix as Paul delivers crystal clear vocals over his Blunther piano parts and John delivers his best bass attempts on the 6 string Fender Bass whilst George's Telecaster solo has never sounded so rich and true.



So in closing, I can recommend this new 2010 Apple records release to all those new to the Beatles' musical catalogue as it's the best place to continue your journey of discovery of their recorded work (after the `Red' 1962 - 1966 Album) - for all those others, like me, who are already 'addicted', you can buy this CD knowing most of the tracks will give an upgrade in sound quality to the 1993 release....

However, if you don't have them already, I also recommend that you buy the `Let it Be - Naked' & The Beatles '1' CD albums to fully realise the best sounding versions of these 28 tracks.

I remember when I was 14 years old in June 1977 saving my allowance to buy this, my first Beatles album. I still have the same vinyl copy today. I see here it has been remastered & the price reduced. I'm surprised to see it's now only 4 or 5 bucks more than what I paid 33 years ago. It's good to see the music I loved as a teen being kept in print & improved.

The Beatles compilation The Beatles 1967-1970 a/k/a The Blue Album was first released in April of 1973.
It is hard to pick the best of The Beatles' work and compile into one collection. The first attempt was in 1973 with the two double albums The Beatles 1962-1966 (see review) and The Beatles 1967-1970 (which this review pertains to). Then there were the poor one disc attempts to make a single best of The Beatles classics with such best ofs as The Beatles 20 Greatest Hits and Beatles 1 which, in my view, pale in comparison to the Red and Blue 2-disc best ofs. When the Red and Blue best-ofs came out, The Beatles had been disbanded since 1970 and its members (which were singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist John Lennon, singer/songwriter/bass player Paul McCartney, singer/guitarist George Harrison and singer/drummer Ringo Starr) were now solo superstars but when they were together they were responsible for changing music much more than Elvis did.
The first disc covers tunes from the band's two 1967 albums Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (represented by its title cut, "With a Little Help From My Friends", "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" and the classsic "A Day in the Life"). Its followup in December of 1967 called Magical Mystery Tour (which is represented by the singles "Strawberry Fields Forever" (a UK #1) and "Penny Lane" (a US #1) plus the other singles from 1967 "All You Need Is Love" (a US #1 in 1967) and "Hello Goodbye" (which hit #1 in the US in 1967). There's also the title cut to Magical Mystery Tour, Paul's "The Fool On the Hill" and John's masterpiece "I Am the Walrus"). Then we end the first disc three singles from 1968. First is the single penned by Paul called "Lady Madonna" then one of the best double A-sides ever "Hey Jude" which was penned by Paul and a huge #1 hit and of course John's rocker "Revolution".
Disc two picks up with more from 1968 with three from The White Album which is represented by "Back In the USSR", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Oblidi Oblada". Then we go to 1969 two double A-sides. First is Paul's #1 hit "Get Back" and John's masterpiece "Don't Let Me Down". Then another out of John's "The Ballad of John and Yoko" and George's "Old Brown Shoe". The band's final album Abbey Road is represented by four great tracks. First is John's rocker "Come Together", George's classics "Something" (a #1 hit) and "Here Comes the Sun" and lastly Ringo's "Octopus' Garden". We close with the 1970 single mix of "Let it Be" and then two tracks from the controversially re-produced by Phil Spector Let it Be album out of "Across the Universe" and "The Long and Winding Road" (the band's final #1 single).
The Beatles 1967-1970 would top out at #1 on the US charts and sell millions and is their second highest selling album in US sales.
In 2010, the album is re-released in a newly remastered version superbly remastered at Abbey Road packaged in a digi-pak which looks similar to the original LP and also comes with a booklet with extra photos, an essay and full lyrics. Like the 1993 re-release, it is a 2-CD set but is much cheaper than the 1993 re-issue which was insanely charged high.
RECOMMENDED!

There have been countless Beatles anthologies released and they're all great. But this collection and the red one are the ones to have. Each set contains the best of the best from the Beatles and these remastered issues are remarkably fantastic.

Everything released by the Beatles is worth purchasing - and this is no exception.

1. The complete version of "A day in the life" is available
2. The three songs from the "White Album" are individually tracked
3. If you have the complete set of pre-2009 remastered Beatles' CDs
and don't want to duplicate your collection, this one is a supplement
4. This is the most convenient way to enjoy Beatles music in one goal

The Beatles 1967-1970 aka The Blue Album contains their greatest hits from the years 1967-1970. The sound quality is crisp and clear and remastered very well. In the booklet it includes pages full of Beatles pictures, history of their music and lyrics which is a good idea to include in the booklet. My favorite tracks are "Strawberry Fields Forever," Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," best Beatles song by John Lennon, "All You Need Is Love," "The Fool On A Hill," "Hey Jude," "Lady Madonna," "Get Back," "Come Together" and "Something." If you want a Beatles CD with their greatest hits, you should add this album to your Beatles collection and 1962-1966 (Red) Remastered as well.

As the years roll on all things Beatles just get better.I purchased my first copy of the orignal LP WHEN I was 15.Now I'm 50 and
the Beatles are as relevent as when I was a teenager.Buy this CD,find a quiet spot,put on head phones. The beautiful majestic songs
you'll hear will take you on a magical musical tour. Of course one should expect great music: It's THE BEATLES!