Beatles in Mono – Vinyl
Has any catalogue been more ruthlessly exploited over the past two years than the Beatles’? I have lost track – but it has gone something like this: 1. Beatles CD box set – in stereo; 2. Beatles CD box set in mono; 3. Beatles box set – stereo in 24-48 high definition audio on USB key; 4. Beatles in Stereo vinyl box set – digitally sourced; 5. The US Beatles albums – CD box set (thankfully mono and stereo). 6. The BBC sessions volume 2. 7. BBC sessions volume 1 CD and vinyl reissue. If you were to buy all of this stuff – it would cost you a couple of grand.
Wandering into our new HMV last week I was confronted by YET ANOTHER BOXSET – The Beatles Japan Boxset. For over Euro 100 you can be the proud owner of music that you already own – in different sleeves for more than Euro 20 each! Remember – the last Beatles album was released 34 years ago. At my last count I have about 6 copies of each Beatles album – including several compilations and the Red and Blue albums and 1 (which are probably enough for anyone).
Having resisted the urge to buy the two BBC sessions on vinyl, the Capitol Boxset and the ludicrously overpriced Japan box – you would think that I have become invulnerable to the lure of Beatles product (I’ve never been a big fan in any case) – but – NO – unfortunately while reading the Analogue Planet blog, I came across record collector Kryptonite – something that, no matter how hard I try, I cannot but pre-order on Amazon: The Beatles Mono Box on Vinyl. If you read thru my previous blogs you will note that I was altogether unimpressed with the digitally sourced high priced previous box set: so what gives? The following sentence says it all: “cut to lacquer using the original analogue master tapes.” Flat transfer and really clear provenience – read here. 14 LPs plus a hardback book – in beautiful (apparently) reproduction covers for the same price as the crappy digitally sourced stereo LPs. I want I want I want I want!
audioexchange 
Yes. We are suckers aren’t we! But .. But … Getting the sound right has to be the golden key. Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox (plugged in and ready to play).