Thursday, January 20, 2005
Beatle Bits #275
I am quite a fan of the PBS show Antiques Roadshow. Today, the network debuted a new spin-off called Antiques Roadshow FYI.
And guess what the lead off item was?
Yes, a purported, first state stereo Yesterday and Today AKA the Butcher Cover.
The show was following up on the original story of a woman who claimed that she had bought the LP in a Sears store in Chicago in 1966, and had kept it in her record collection ever since, with no idea that it was a most desirable collectable.
Well, I guess if you believe her story, she must also be the most neat and tidy and careful record owner in history, as the album displayed on the Roadshow looked, better than new, in fact almost too good to be true.
I mean, this thing looked like it was purchased yesterday rather that 38 years of yesterdays ago.
The back cover and the record itself were not shown, but the PBS appraiser agreed that it was genuine, and said it could sell for as much as $12,000.
The woman was appearing on FYI to say that she had sold the Butcher at auction for "over $10,000," which had allowed her to put a new roof on her house, and take a trip to London, to take a stroll on the Abbey Road street where Fabs once walked.
There's probably no doubt that the LP shown on FYI is legit, but if the woman's story is also kosher, she has got to be either the luckiest Beatle collector in history, or the most daft.
I'd have to check again with Bruce Spizer, but I think he told me last time I asked that perhaps 2000 first state stereo Butcher Covers were actually sold to the public on the one day they were available. And I'd be willing to bet that 99.9% of them either don't exist anymore, or if they do they are in at best, poor condition.
So, if a mint copy can go for $12,000, I guess a sealed stereo is back up around $20,000.
Wish I had one in my collection I didn't know about.
And guess what the lead off item was?
Yes, a purported, first state stereo Yesterday and Today AKA the Butcher Cover.
The show was following up on the original story of a woman who claimed that she had bought the LP in a Sears store in Chicago in 1966, and had kept it in her record collection ever since, with no idea that it was a most desirable collectable.
Well, I guess if you believe her story, she must also be the most neat and tidy and careful record owner in history, as the album displayed on the Roadshow looked, better than new, in fact almost too good to be true.
I mean, this thing looked like it was purchased yesterday rather that 38 years of yesterdays ago.
The back cover and the record itself were not shown, but the PBS appraiser agreed that it was genuine, and said it could sell for as much as $12,000.
The woman was appearing on FYI to say that she had sold the Butcher at auction for "over $10,000," which had allowed her to put a new roof on her house, and take a trip to London, to take a stroll on the Abbey Road street where Fabs once walked.
There's probably no doubt that the LP shown on FYI is legit, but if the woman's story is also kosher, she has got to be either the luckiest Beatle collector in history, or the most daft.
I'd have to check again with Bruce Spizer, but I think he told me last time I asked that perhaps 2000 first state stereo Butcher Covers were actually sold to the public on the one day they were available. And I'd be willing to bet that 99.9% of them either don't exist anymore, or if they do they are in at best, poor condition.
So, if a mint copy can go for $12,000, I guess a sealed stereo is back up around $20,000.
Wish I had one in my collection I didn't know about.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Beatle Bits #274
OK, for all of you paying attention, get ready for the shock of yer Beatle lives.
I am about to actually defend Capitol/Apple/EMI et al from what I think are ignorant, petty, and piss ant criticism.
AbbeyRd has lately linked to several less than flattering reviews of the Capitol Albums Vol. 1 set, and the one from something called PopMatters.com caught my eye, and ire.
As Adrian Cronauer-played by Robin Williams in the film Good Morning Vietnam-said to his commander when he had been kicked off the Armed Forces Radio and sent on his way, "you know, you are in the most dire need of a bl** *ob of any white man in history," or something to that effect.
And that's how I feel about the guy who wrote the PopMatters.com review of the Cap set.
I mean come on, Sir! Get a life. This is not life or death, it's pop music for God's sake!
Leave it to a snotty Brit wanker to lay the blame on the greedy Americans and "nostalgists" for the set.
Come on man, if it were not for the utter and complete American embrace of the Beatles, they would have been only bigger than Elvis in the UK, and Germany, if that.
So cut us some slack, you spunker.
And take heart that over 20 songs appear in good remastered stereo for the first time on CD, and then chill out.
I am about to actually defend Capitol/Apple/EMI et al from what I think are ignorant, petty, and piss ant criticism.
AbbeyRd has lately linked to several less than flattering reviews of the Capitol Albums Vol. 1 set, and the one from something called PopMatters.com caught my eye, and ire.
As Adrian Cronauer-played by Robin Williams in the film Good Morning Vietnam-said to his commander when he had been kicked off the Armed Forces Radio and sent on his way, "you know, you are in the most dire need of a bl** *ob of any white man in history," or something to that effect.
And that's how I feel about the guy who wrote the PopMatters.com review of the Cap set.
I mean come on, Sir! Get a life. This is not life or death, it's pop music for God's sake!
Leave it to a snotty Brit wanker to lay the blame on the greedy Americans and "nostalgists" for the set.
Come on man, if it were not for the utter and complete American embrace of the Beatles, they would have been only bigger than Elvis in the UK, and Germany, if that.
So cut us some slack, you spunker.
And take heart that over 20 songs appear in good remastered stereo for the first time on CD, and then chill out.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Beatle Bits #273
As Joan Rivers used to like to say, GOSSIP! GOSSIP! GOSIPP!
According to a New York City gossip columnist, Paul McCartney's wife Heather Mills, reportedly told a young fan who mistook her husband for John Lennon, "No you fool, he's dead."
I guess this story could be true. But it could also be a load of rubbish, as the English like to say.
Man that Heather would have to be damn cold to blurt out something so brash to a young person who probably didn't know any better, and perhaps honestly believed that Paul was John. Remember, after all, the walrus was Paul. (Another clue for y'all.)
Then there was another story posted on AbbeyRd from down under-again thoughts of grief from Australia-that says that Heather has Macca under "her spell," or something to that effect.
Hell, who wouldn't be under a large busted biologically friendly young girl half one's age spell, then?
But saying in the same story that Paul had been turned from an introvert to an extrovert, is, to me, total bullshit.
Macca was never shy of the camera nor a microphone and meethinks that if anything, recent reports indicate that he may be more cranky out in public now, than ever before. (Recall last year's effing off to a photog in London whilst Macca and crew were soused?)
In any event, I say I can't wait to see and hear Sir P at the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on Feb 6.
And the only way I will buy into this "under a spell," bit is if I tune in and see Heather playing keyboards and singing back-up.
Now THAT, would really be born under a bad spell.
According to a New York City gossip columnist, Paul McCartney's wife Heather Mills, reportedly told a young fan who mistook her husband for John Lennon, "No you fool, he's dead."
I guess this story could be true. But it could also be a load of rubbish, as the English like to say.
Man that Heather would have to be damn cold to blurt out something so brash to a young person who probably didn't know any better, and perhaps honestly believed that Paul was John. Remember, after all, the walrus was Paul. (Another clue for y'all.)
Then there was another story posted on AbbeyRd from down under-again thoughts of grief from Australia-that says that Heather has Macca under "her spell," or something to that effect.
Hell, who wouldn't be under a large busted biologically friendly young girl half one's age spell, then?
But saying in the same story that Paul had been turned from an introvert to an extrovert, is, to me, total bullshit.
Macca was never shy of the camera nor a microphone and meethinks that if anything, recent reports indicate that he may be more cranky out in public now, than ever before. (Recall last year's effing off to a photog in London whilst Macca and crew were soused?)
In any event, I say I can't wait to see and hear Sir P at the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on Feb 6.
And the only way I will buy into this "under a spell," bit is if I tune in and see Heather playing keyboards and singing back-up.
Now THAT, would really be born under a bad spell.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Beatle Bits #272
Wow! Did I ever get a lot of feedback from BB271, in which I praised the new Beach Boys Pet Sounds DVD 5.1 disc, whilst lamenting the knuckleheads at Apple preventing us from having such good stuff from the Fabs.
Well, to be fair, we do have an excellent Beatles related DTS 5.1 offering, Paul McCartney and Wings Band On The Run, in a super 5.1 mix.
Although this DVD does not come with any of the extras of the Pet Sounds effort, this 5.1 mix is obviously derived right from the master multi-tracks, as there are things popping out all over the soundstage that heretofore had been quite burried in the 2 channel mix.
And the bottom end of this disc is superb! Bass to spare, way beyond compare.
I always thought that the stereo mix of this album was a little muddy, but this one is clear as a bell, and the soundstage is well used.
For instance, Jet, almost sounds like a different track, there are so many things going on in this Surround Sound mix. Bluebird is neat too, and even Helen Wheels rocks!
Let's hope Macca gets 'round to issuing Wings Over America in a DTS mix, because I think that recording is a perfect candidate for the 5.1 treatment.
In the meantime, if you don't have a 5.1 system, this disc and Pet Sounds is just the excuse you need to get one.
Enjoy!
PS: A guy whose audio smarts I really respect, old Veech from TOUP sez he thinks this BOTR as well as Venus and Mars DTS discs are actually derived from the old Quad mixes done some 25 years ago, which would make them 4.1 mixes in actuality.
Well, to be fair, we do have an excellent Beatles related DTS 5.1 offering, Paul McCartney and Wings Band On The Run, in a super 5.1 mix.
Although this DVD does not come with any of the extras of the Pet Sounds effort, this 5.1 mix is obviously derived right from the master multi-tracks, as there are things popping out all over the soundstage that heretofore had been quite burried in the 2 channel mix.
And the bottom end of this disc is superb! Bass to spare, way beyond compare.
I always thought that the stereo mix of this album was a little muddy, but this one is clear as a bell, and the soundstage is well used.
For instance, Jet, almost sounds like a different track, there are so many things going on in this Surround Sound mix. Bluebird is neat too, and even Helen Wheels rocks!
Let's hope Macca gets 'round to issuing Wings Over America in a DTS mix, because I think that recording is a perfect candidate for the 5.1 treatment.
In the meantime, if you don't have a 5.1 system, this disc and Pet Sounds is just the excuse you need to get one.
Enjoy!
PS: A guy whose audio smarts I really respect, old Veech from TOUP sez he thinks this BOTR as well as Venus and Mars DTS discs are actually derived from the old Quad mixes done some 25 years ago, which would make them 4.1 mixes in actuality.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Beatle Bits #271
The next time you are sitting around pondering the crappy sound state of the Beatles back catalogue, I think it's best not to blame Capitol/EMI.
Why? Because if the Beach Boys are any indication, then Capitol REALLY DOES want to provide the fans with superior sound and product.
Witness the new Pet Sounds DVD Audio DTS 5.1 disc.
This thing is amazing!
There are 4-count 'em 4!-mixes of the album (5.1, DTS, Enhanced Stereo, Enhanced Mono), a bunch of original Pet Sounds promo films, a stills gallery, and each song is accompanied by the complete lyrics on screen.
There are also copius liner notes in a multipage booklet.
Then add 7 (!) bonus tracks, some not available in high end audio before, and well, you've got a super package. And all for around $20!
Now, I'm not sure that this is the best multi-channel mix that I have ever heard, but it is still very enjoyable. (But then again, how could it be a great 5.1 mix, when the original album was recorded in mono, and all subsequent multi-channel mixes, stereo included, have been essentially faux stereo mixes.)
Too bad that Apple-and I'm pretty sure they are the culprit-is still preventing great stuff like this PS effort, to come out with the Beatles as the main course.
Can you even imagine a special DTS 5.1 version of Sgt. Pepper done up like this Pet Sounds? (There's even a bit in one of the "making of" films in this package where Bruce Johnston recalls when the John Lennon and Paul McCartney came to the Beach Boys hotel in London in mid 1966 and listend to Pet Sounds all night.)
Man, the fans would be lining up at dawn to buy as many as they could get their hands on, and the meida would be going ga-ga.
When will those Apple twits ever get it together?
Hopefully, sometime in our lifetime.
Why? Because if the Beach Boys are any indication, then Capitol REALLY DOES want to provide the fans with superior sound and product.
Witness the new Pet Sounds DVD Audio DTS 5.1 disc.
This thing is amazing!
There are 4-count 'em 4!-mixes of the album (5.1, DTS, Enhanced Stereo, Enhanced Mono), a bunch of original Pet Sounds promo films, a stills gallery, and each song is accompanied by the complete lyrics on screen.
There are also copius liner notes in a multipage booklet.
Then add 7 (!) bonus tracks, some not available in high end audio before, and well, you've got a super package. And all for around $20!
Now, I'm not sure that this is the best multi-channel mix that I have ever heard, but it is still very enjoyable. (But then again, how could it be a great 5.1 mix, when the original album was recorded in mono, and all subsequent multi-channel mixes, stereo included, have been essentially faux stereo mixes.)
Too bad that Apple-and I'm pretty sure they are the culprit-is still preventing great stuff like this PS effort, to come out with the Beatles as the main course.
Can you even imagine a special DTS 5.1 version of Sgt. Pepper done up like this Pet Sounds? (There's even a bit in one of the "making of" films in this package where Bruce Johnston recalls when the John Lennon and Paul McCartney came to the Beach Boys hotel in London in mid 1966 and listend to Pet Sounds all night.)
Man, the fans would be lining up at dawn to buy as many as they could get their hands on, and the meida would be going ga-ga.
When will those Apple twits ever get it together?
Hopefully, sometime in our lifetime.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Beatle Bits #270
I am upon this day at this very moment listening to the new TOUP production of Beatles For Sale in faux DTS 5.1 mix
Been eagerly awaiting this release, and I assume it had been stuck in the Christmas mail jam, but whatever, was it worth the wait?
Well, that depends.
It depends on what sort of "sound" you like to have from the Fabs. I happen to like solid bottom end, and a chunky midrange, something that previous TOUP 5.1'ers did very well at. This one, maybe not soo good.
Now this 5.1 FS is nicely sound-staged, but it is my opinion-and remember ONLY my opinion-that this mix does not have enough bottom end oomph, and has sacrificed a chunky mid for more 5.1 trickery, although songs from the middle of the LP on do seem to have a bit more bass than those from the beginning of the recording.
Some of the vocals on this mix sound a little strained-such as Ringo's on Honey Don't-and perhaps they could all use a touch of warm EQ and even a more uniform "sound" throughout the recording.
However, some folks like to hear the music the way this thing is mixed, and rest assured I believe the master-mixer Veechster knows what he is doing, so this mix may grow on me.
(And hell, realitically, if these TOUP thang's get any better, the next 3 words we will hear are "cease and desist," from those rotten juicy fruit peddlers.)
And I really like the mixes of Every Little Thing, What You're Doing, and Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby. Also includes the two bonus tracks, Baby's in Black from the Hollywood Bowl, and an outtake of What You're Doing.
Decent job fellas, keeps the pump primed and now ON TO THE WA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And like, hurry up, will ya?
Been eagerly awaiting this release, and I assume it had been stuck in the Christmas mail jam, but whatever, was it worth the wait?
Well, that depends.
It depends on what sort of "sound" you like to have from the Fabs. I happen to like solid bottom end, and a chunky midrange, something that previous TOUP 5.1'ers did very well at. This one, maybe not soo good.
Now this 5.1 FS is nicely sound-staged, but it is my opinion-and remember ONLY my opinion-that this mix does not have enough bottom end oomph, and has sacrificed a chunky mid for more 5.1 trickery, although songs from the middle of the LP on do seem to have a bit more bass than those from the beginning of the recording.
Some of the vocals on this mix sound a little strained-such as Ringo's on Honey Don't-and perhaps they could all use a touch of warm EQ and even a more uniform "sound" throughout the recording.
However, some folks like to hear the music the way this thing is mixed, and rest assured I believe the master-mixer Veechster knows what he is doing, so this mix may grow on me.
(And hell, realitically, if these TOUP thang's get any better, the next 3 words we will hear are "cease and desist," from those rotten juicy fruit peddlers.)
And I really like the mixes of Every Little Thing, What You're Doing, and Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby. Also includes the two bonus tracks, Baby's in Black from the Hollywood Bowl, and an outtake of What You're Doing.
Decent job fellas, keeps the pump primed and now ON TO THE WA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And like, hurry up, will ya?
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Beatle Bits #269
Well, it looks like we depart 2004, the same way we did 2003, with Sir Paul McCartney and Ms. Yoko Ono at each other's throat's-IF recent published reports are true.
This time, it appears Sir P is pissed because Ms. Ono supposedly said ix-nay to the use of Yesterday, on a planned Macca love songs compliation.
Now obviously-regardless if the latest tales have even a shred of truth-it really sticks in Macca's craw that he can't do what he wants with Yesterday-a song he totaly wrote and performed without the other Beatles even in the studio-while other Lennon-McCartney tunes like Give Peace A Chance are never embargoed by McCartney whenever ever Yoko trots them out on various reissues and projects.
So I am going to shock the Macca Madhatters and say that I think Sir P appears-and I stress appears-has the more fair and logical postion in this latest dispute.
Yet it would appear Mac can't win this war.
Can you Imagaine the uproar that would be ensue if McCartney told Yoko to go suck a grapefruit whenever she wished to use GPAC, or even, the Ballad of John and Yoko?
She would get loads of sympathetic press about how the spoiled, pompus rock icon McCartney was messin' with a dead legend's leagcy.
So my suggestion to both Macca and Ms. Ono is: grow up!
To all of my loyal readers-and yes that mean you MMs too- I wish you the very best in 2005, and hope for your continued support.
This time, it appears Sir P is pissed because Ms. Ono supposedly said ix-nay to the use of Yesterday, on a planned Macca love songs compliation.
Now obviously-regardless if the latest tales have even a shred of truth-it really sticks in Macca's craw that he can't do what he wants with Yesterday-a song he totaly wrote and performed without the other Beatles even in the studio-while other Lennon-McCartney tunes like Give Peace A Chance are never embargoed by McCartney whenever ever Yoko trots them out on various reissues and projects.
So I am going to shock the Macca Madhatters and say that I think Sir P appears-and I stress appears-has the more fair and logical postion in this latest dispute.
Yet it would appear Mac can't win this war.
Can you Imagaine the uproar that would be ensue if McCartney told Yoko to go suck a grapefruit whenever she wished to use GPAC, or even, the Ballad of John and Yoko?
She would get loads of sympathetic press about how the spoiled, pompus rock icon McCartney was messin' with a dead legend's leagcy.
So my suggestion to both Macca and Ms. Ono is: grow up!
To all of my loyal readers-and yes that mean you MMs too- I wish you the very best in 2005, and hope for your continued support.
