Customer Reviews

The Beatles (The White Album)

5 star:		(116)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

To all the golden eared audiophiles who can hear all the differences in this 30th Anniversery reissue, I say, what a bunch of whooee. This is the EXACT SAME MASTER as the 1987 release. No difference...NADA. Please notice, the Amazon listing has been changed from "remastered" to "original recording." It's amazing how much psycology is at work when people listen. If they believe it's remastered, their ear will trick them into believing it sounds different. Don't believe it.

So, that means all of us Beatle fans have forked over thiry-some odd dollars for the exact same product that we had. The question is, Capital/EMI, why the H didn't you remaster this? The white album is one of the most poorly remastered discs in the Beatles catalog (but it's got some stiff competition, the first four albums for starters). It's unfathomable to me that Capital/EMI would ask Beatles fans to shell out that kind of money for an unimproved product, and a product that sorely needed improvement. What, we're supposed to be happy to pay over thirty dollars for ridiculous miniture artwork which you need a magnifying glass to read and see? Come on, Capital/EMI! That's highway robbery, and you know it! With all the money you've already made on the Beatles' catalog, this is a particular heinous crime.

So, Capital/EMI, what about actually remastering the Beatles catalog? They are only considered the greatest musical force of the last half of the 20th century. The Who's catalog has been remastered; the Byrds catalog has been remastered, even the Hollies catalog was wonderfully remastered for their box set (by YOU EMI! ). It seems a tragic, bitter irony that perhaps the most musical of all the artists of the 60s gets the shoddiest of digital remastering.

As far as the actual album goes, find the vinyl. It just sounds much better, better bass, much less harshness. I've got the Mobile Fidelity LP, and it is a delight to listen to. I probably should just throw away my CDs.

As for the raging debate between Beatle lovers and Beatle haters regarding the merits of this album, here are a few things to ponder:

This album was made as the Beatles were still transitioning from having a manager and being a cohesive unit to managing themselves (unwisely) and being four distinctly different people with less and less in common. It was also the introduction of Yoko to the ranks, which probably really hastened the split. The album was made in this atmosphere of rapid changing dynamics within the group. It was also made over quite a long period of time: May through October of '68. The fairly close-knit bunch that gathered at George's home to make demos of their new songs in May were disparate, disenchanted individuals by the time they finished the album in October. Much has been made of them recording parts of this album separately. That only became true towards the end of the sessions, and only because they had gone way past their deadline and needed to finish the album quickly. Plus, that really applied mostly to overdubs.

So, bottom line on the White Album. It probably does go on too long, but that is probably part of its charm. There is certainly no other album in the Beatles catalog that remotely resembles it. Also much debate over the inclusion of Revolution 9 - does it belong on the album? Well, it's on there, and I suppose that's part of its charm as well. I do listen to it from time to time, and really, it's not either unlistenable or unmusical. I fact, if you've had the unfortunate experience to listen to any of John & Yoko's "avant-garde" recordings, you'll find this MUCH more listenable.

In the end, it's down to the songs, and how they are performed and produced. With a decent remaster, these songs stand up, performance and production-wise. They capture the songwriters still operating at peak power (much time and inspiration to apply to their craft while in India). In fact, John said more than once that he was very proud of his songs on the White Album. I'm sure Macca would say the same. Weaker songs like Don't Pass Me By and Long, Long, Long add to the character and mystique of the album. Goodnight is a beautiful lullaby, the perfect antidote to Revolution 9 and the perfect closer for the album.

The white album is an oddessy. It's a trip through many musical styles, and the journey of a group whose cracks are beginning to show; albeit in a charming way. I certainly don't think for a minute this is their best work, far from it. But the stength of the songs, and the strength of the band itself, show through and make this, well, another essential Beatles album.

But hold out, if you haven't bought it. Force Capital /EMI to give this album the remaster it deserves.

The above rating is not for the quality of the Beatles' performances. The album rates up there with Sgt. Pepper, Revolver, Rubber Soul and Abbey Road.

Let me then explain why it deserves the rating. At the time of its initial release on vinyl, the music portrayed an encyclopedia of music styles: from hard rock (Helter Skelter), to blues (Yer Blues), to jazz (Honey Pie), to country (Rocky Raccoon), to Beach Boys surf (Back In The USSR).

Its cover was inspired by the white art of Yoko and individually numbered like works of art. In fact number 1 has recently turned up. Then in 1987, it was released on CD on two separate discs packaged together in a longbox.

Then later it was repackaged in a double CD clamshell which was the start of its downfall. It listed the songs for Disc One, and then Dics (sic) Two. As far as I am aware this gaffe still exists.

Then we come to this latest repackaging. Yes, it was a nice way to commemorate the 30th anniversary by presenting it in a mini album format complete with gatefold sleeve, poster, and four mini pictures of the Beatles. However, one begs the question: why wasn't it remastered?

Sgt. Pepper was to be remastered in mono for its 30th anniversary. That was pulled much to the fans displeasure. Then the execs at Apple didn't want to pass up on the White Album, so they simple dressed up the packaging, charged extra, and left the remastering circa 1987!

Why not put out the mono mix? Piggies, Blackbird, Helter Skelter, Don't Pass Me By have subtleties that would sound refreshing today.

In fact, Happiness is A Warm Gun in mono corrects a mixing error left in the stereo. The instrumental bridge actually had John's middle 8 sung over it. He actually sang that twice. However, in mixing out the first one for the stereo they didn't do it completely because you can hear the last half of the word "down" before he repeats it. The mono mixes this out completely!

As I have stated before, the Beatles catalog demands an overhaul. Maybe if enough fans complain, we'll see it happen!

Though the sound of the new 30th anniversery edition is the same as the '87 CD edition,at least EMI did away with the shoddy tracking(Bungalo Bill's Spanish guitar on the tail end of Wild Honey Pie's track as well as other anomilies).As an album itself,the white album is probably the most brilliant yet bewieldering album ever.You get great music by Lennon,McCartney,Harrison & Starr,but not The Beatles.By 1968,group unity was virtually non-existant.Each member worked on their own tracks(sometimes Paul would play,as well as overdub his own music without the rest),while the others only functioned as session players.The music however isn't without merit.From Back In The USSR all the way through Goodnight, the album has a diverse,yet chaotic appeal that would be disasterous in anyone elses hands.The album goes from rock(Helter Skelter,Yer Blues,While My Guitar..,Everybodys Got Something To Hide..)to pastoral(Dear Prudence,Mother Natures Son,Blackbird)personal(Julia,I'm So Tired,Sexy Sadie)to even whimsy(Obla-Di,Obla-Da,Martha My Dear,Piggies,Birthday)with an ease that only The Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie.. has ever come close to achieving.Even though Anthology 3's white album out-takes show the tension between the group wasn't on tape,the real tensions were ahead.And although an ironically titles album,it paves the way towards their 70's solo albums.

Brilliant, uneven, inspiring, maddening...the Beatles' White Album is all of this and more. Thirty songs and two discs long, this 1968 release is the greatest rock album ever recorded.

Which, of course, is not entirely fair to say, considering that it isn't merely a rock album; the project spans genres as erratically as an encyclopedia does subjects. There's rock, of course. And pop, sure. But let's not forget country, blues, and vaudevillian jazz. This record could easily have its picture in Webster's next to the definition for "inconsistent," all of which makes it all the more breathtaking...in less than two hours we're given ample examples of the capacities of rock's most revered band.

The pop/rock behind "Back in the USSR," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Birthday," and "Revolution" make them easy sells and undisputable classics. But when the Fab Four unveil the quiet folk of "Blackbird" (believed by some to be written about Civil Rights and Black empowerment), the result is one of striking and poignant beauty. The same could be said about "Julia," another arty ballad that would make any songwriter jealous.

Other songs are quirky; the tall tales behind "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" and "Rocky Raccoon" stand tall among rock's most inventive tunes. "Honey Pie" is a charming ditty that sounds straight out of the roaring Twenties, and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" is nearly impossible to classify but just as impossible to resist.

And there's a healthy helping of songs that are just plain out there. "Happiness is a Warm Gun" could be about anything, or nothing...or both. "Why Don't We Do it in the Road" and "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey" each manage major hooks, in spite of the fact that each song has a lyrical theme shorter than their titles. Lyrically clear but just as left-field is "Piggies," which takes social satire to a deceivingly cheerful-sounding extreme. But the only truly unlistenable moment is "Revolution 9," an eight-minute excursion into the realm of performance art...Yoko is no doubt at fault, at least partially.

However, the most telling element of this album's brilliance is the ability it gives to tell where bands and artists that came after the Beatles found inspiration within it. Led Zeppelin no doubt learned a lot from "Yer Blues," and Sheryl Crow owes just as much to the likes of "Savoy Truffle" as she does to her beloved Rolling Stones. Then again, there aren't many bands or artists who don't owe a huge debt to the Beatles, rock or otherwise. The fearless experimentation and variety of this record showcases everything brilliant about the Beatles, making the White Album the greatest and most essential rock album of all time.

If you haven't already heard the Beatle's White Album (I couldn't quite imagine that!), you might not want to buy this deluxe remastered (more expensive) version. Assuming you have heard this masterpiece in sound, I am going to focus my comments on the remastering itself and what I can say about that is that indeed there are suprises. Songs as unexpected as Birthday, I'm So Tired, Bungalow Bill, Yer Blues (what used to be side 3, in general) take on a new and deeper sonic dimension. The entire Beatles catalogue could use a bit of remastering(I always thought they rushed the cd's out originally and was never knocked out by the sound quality) and this album certainly has less hiss so that you are left with just the music. The result? This album sounds alot less sloppy and haphazard than it originally did and yet, unlike the recent remixes of Yellow Submarine that I found awful, the character of the album you already know and love is intact. The only exception to this (to my ears and please remember, it's a bit of an esoteric, audiophile thing I'm talking about) is staples like While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Dear Prudence (what used to be side 1 in general with some exceptions) seem to be slightly diminished in power. You really have to know this album like the back of your hand to notice so I don't think it's that important but I did feel that the unision guitar/bass line in the middle eight of "While My Guitar" has less robustness and power (I have compared it with the original cd issue and prefer the original in this case). So don't get rid of your old version! But in this rare case, it's worth it to have 2 copies of this very special and seminal album. Also the packaging is an exact reproduction of the original vinyl album complete with poster, inserts, embossed white cover, even the Apple label (another problem with the original Beatle issues-those gorgeous covers were butchered!) If you are a Beatles fanatic, you'll want to have this-listen for the fade of Revolution 1 (stuff I never heard before), the entire Revolution 9, little bits scattered all over the album that leap out of the speakers that I never had noticed-and believe me, I've spent lots of time listening to it on vinyl, cassette and CD!

By 1968, pop music evolved into a very different sound and the concept of writing music experienced a major change. One year before the "double white" arrived into the record stores, Cream, Floyd, Zappa, Jethro, and other progressives had already shown their first works. Beat music as represented by the Hollies, Byrds, Mamas & Papas, Animals, Stones, Beach Boys, and Beatles was soon to become a collectors item. The "double white" summarizes the 60's decade and also introduces major contributions to the new era. Helter Skelter, Back to USSR, Savoy Truffle, Revolution, Birthday, Yer Blues, While My Guitar..., Happiness is a Warm... are all samples of these innovations. Although we all know that the 4 members were experiencing a high level of tension among them, these tracks are "Beatles" work. In addition, there are solo contributions like Blackbird, Julia, Why Don't We do it... etc. Somehow this album resembles the Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young kind of approach, where they all appear on the credits however the 4 musicians form duos, trios, and a quartet in the same album. After all they are all human and individual talents. I do not regard the album as seprated Beatles work. After all Paul had played lead guitar in many previous albums (Help, Rubber Soul, Revolver, etc.) where George took the credit of leading. Paul's Yesterday was a solo effort and John's You've Got to Hide Your love Away, could have been done without the others. In this album "the dream is not over", however the myth of Paul playing bass, George lead guitar, John rhythm guitar and mouth organ, is over. In this album George gets to plays some bass and to bring Calpton to play in one tune, Paul does lots of solo stuff while John does his share and gets to bring Yoko Ono into the studio. In summary it is rich in style, aggressive in its sound, innovating in concept and free in its direction.

This is easily the greatest album of all time! Its 30 songs are some of the most influential in the history of popular music. "Back In The USSR", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", "Cry Baby Cry", "Birthday", "Happiness Is A Warm Gun", "Everybodys Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey", "Helter Skelter", and "Dear Prudence" are the albums biggest hits. Once again, John Lennon proves to the world why he is the greatest artist, and songwriter, in the history!

I bought this with a little hesitation. There wasn't anything on the sleeve indicating that it had been remastered using current state of the art technology(20 or 24 bit, like PET SOUNDS, or HDCD like the Springsteen's TRACKS). The sound is marginally better. It's still a great album, although a bit spotty in areas. Some of the Beatles' greatest songs are nestled next to some of their most average tunes. My question is why Capitol didn't reissue this with the mono mixes(some of which differ substanially), or at the very least, the rest of the legendary demos recorded at Harrison's house. It looks like Capitol didn't give much thought to this reissue--just slap the 30th anniversary label on it and repackage it. This classic deserves better, but while EMI is in control, it is unlikely to be done the way it deserves. The packaging, while duplicating the original(well, the original lp didn't open from the top...curious choice) packaging with the poster and glossy photos, Capitol fails to package it in very sturdy cardboard. It's like they decided to do a half assed job because, in the U.S., they can get away with it. Come on guys! Get with it! Reissue this album(along with Sgt. Pepper, Revolver and Rubber Soul)the way it should be--with bonus tracks(mono or otherwise)and superior packaging! No wonder they did such a poor job with most the Badfinger reissues--they just don't care about the quality of the music, or how historic it really is! A sad comment on the music industry. The music is still great, though.

I was delighted the first time I heard this ablum. It has so much to offer in textures, timbres, rhythms, and content. It also has a unique presence to it. Indeed, it was recorded in the summer and it even sounds like it. Outstanding tracks? 1) Dear Prudence; 2) Happiness is a Warm Gun; 3) I'm So Tired; 4) Sexy Sadie; 5) Revoltion 1; 6) Cry Baby Cry. If you enjoy musical diversity, you'll like The Beatles. Thank you!

I could not give this album 5 stars like I wanted to, but 4 stars was the highest rating this masterpiece of the "four or five magicians (debate amongst yourselves who the 5th 'magician' was (George Martin))" deserved. The Beatles are the greatest band ever, and if not for 2 things- the death of Epstein and the arrival of Ono, they probably could have endured like the Rolling Stones have. Nonetheless, the White Album rates second to Pepper in the Beatles catalog. What I heard throughout the album is sort of a heavy darkness added to the music. Sgt. Pepper, their previous REAL album(MMTour was a greatest hits album, hands down) still showed their optimism and comraderie, but listen to Glass Onion, Happiness Is a Warm Gun, Yer Blues, Helter Skelter- the songs are weighed down by a general darkness that runs throughout the heavy bass lines, the occasionally ghostly harmonies, and the grating lead vocals which characterize a new period in Beatles music. Revolution 9, the "outcast" of the whole album, is a masterpiece. Listen to it. Listen to it. Ignore the people who say that it is nonsensical sounds and noise thrown together, but observe that there is certainly an organization in the track. If you periodically listen to the CD, skip it often. It is taken best only occasionally. My advice for listening to any music, be it NSync, Rob Zombie, Eminem, Oasis, MC Hammer, The Bangles, Men Without Hats, Barry Manilow, etc, even if you're in a compound in Nam and they force you to listen to music against your will, is to "turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream..." Revolver 15:1`