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121 of 124 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
NOT REMASTERED, March 15, 2000
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.
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127 of 138 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A five star album given a one star treatment, January 12, 2000
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!
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pre-Imagine,McCartney,Extra Textuere,Ringo, March 20, 2000
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.
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