1 [VINYL]

Everyone knows the music on here and it's beyond criticism. You may also have the CD of this set that was issued in 2000. In 2015 Giles Martin remixed every track and the set has been half-speed mastered for vinyl at Abbey Road. The remixes are just for better sound, nothing has been changed with a couple of exceptions. It's mono for the first three tracks and then stereo from 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' onwards. As with every hits package since the red/blue albums in 1973, the stereo version of 'Help!' has been used. It's a different vocal performance to the mono take that was issued in 1965. The version that went to No.1 all round the world in the 60's can now only be heard on the reissued mono CD's and vinyl. The main difference is John's phrasing of "changed my mind" a couple of times. The original flowed better in my opinion but it's a rarity now. Even the movie has been re-dubbed with this version on DVD/Blu Ray. 'Penny Lane' also sounds a bit different (the piano has more echo on it than normal and the trumpet is down in the mix). The effect is minor and there is now a better version that was issued in 2017 following the discovery of more of the original multi-track layers (pre-bounce-down). That version was on the Record Store Day single and the Sgt. Pepper 50th set. 'Let it Be' is the single version with the quieter guitar solo. This is to be expected but I hope the more powerful guitar solo gets priority in the 'Get Back' reissues later this year (2021), rather than being swept away with all things Spector. The packaging of the double vinyl set is lavish for the price. A nice gatefold with the Avedon portraits both inside the gatefold and in four prints similar to the photos in the White Album. There is a poster and also two inner sleeves with lots of international Beatles singles sleeve art. It just goes to show how naff the artwork could be once the band and Brian Epstein were out of range. EMI/Capitol mucked around with the group's releases terribly outside the UK until finally redeeming themselves in late 1967 with the 'Magical Mystery 'Tour' album. In collecting their 1967 singles on side 2, this was a better package than the somewhat esoteric UK double EP. The LP is now the mainstream version. Listening to all the singles in order gives a somewhat different view of the band's incredible career to the one you get from playing the albums. John seems to dominate up to 1965 and then Paul thereafter. The albums are all much more balanced between them (and later George). You realise that John's last big Beatles single was 'All You Need Is Love'. For the next two years he contributed some fabulous album tracks but was no longer producing chart-friendly material in the way he had from 1963-65. 'Come Together' is listed here as a No.1 in the USA but it was really the 'B'-side of 'Something'. Both were written and recorded for an album ('Abbey Road') and later issued as a single by Allen Klein with little involvement from the band. Reading the chart history of the 27 songs as listed on the inner sleeves it is mystifying to see that 'Hello Goodbye' was a much bigger hit than 'Penny Lane' both in the UK and US. Few would rate them that way round these days. It obviously took the public a while to catch up to where the band was going. It's always a shame that 'Please Please Me' is not counted as their first No.1. In some ways it was (on 3 out of 4 charts then published in the UK) but you'll lose points if you give that answer at the pub quiz. This set on 2LPs is a real treat. Even if you've got all the songs, it's a very nice set to own and play straight through. Highly recommended as a prezzie to self in lockdown. Go for it.

Great album, very quick delivery. Great. Value and quality. Great service..well.packed

Fast delivery great value fabulous album

brilliant

I purchased this for my Granddaughter as a Christmas gift . I did think it was rather expensive but the quality is really good and the posters a lovely addition. My Granddaughter loves it and the posters were on her bedroom wall within minutes. All in all worth the money .

The packagw is beautiful with psychedelic posters of each member. The records are high quality 180g. My only issue with it is the super small font of the record side indication. The song selection is excellent, almost every song is a hit. Each record side represents a different sound period in the Beatles history, so its a fun ride to listen to. The biggest problem is the sound mix. My feeling is that the remastering favor the dynamics a bit too much. The sound is dynamic but quite muddy and feels not detailed enough. Some songs sound better than others, but overall i was disappointed with the sound quality, I would score the sound quality 7 out of 10. Even with its not that great sound quality, I still think its a worthy purchase for the beginner Beatles fans who want just one record of the band.

It has 2 big posters. Quality of box is very good. Audio is great, a list of song is amazing. We love to listen the records on Sunday morning when is raining (always)

Great record ×2 all the ones I liked good to have a chart of their albums and pictures of them inside the sleeve very pleased with it