With The Beatles Remastered
1963’s With The Beatles is definitely not not the best Beatles studio album, in fact it’s likely their worst non Yellow Submarine album. That is not to imply I do not love hearing the album in it’s 2009 remastered format nor is it to imply that With The Beatles doesn’t have any fine songs on it because that is definitely not the case.
I do think that when looking at only the 8 original songs on the record, it’s likely the least good selection of original songs John, Paul, George, & Ringo ever put out on an album (the underrated Beatles For Sale (1964) has a much better selection of 8 original songs in my opinion) on the other hand, the six covers on this album are quite nice (better than the six covers on Beatles For Sale, which was their fourth album.)
My most favorite Beatles originals to listen to on the Remastered With The Beatles are the first three tracks: “It Won’t Be Long,” “All I’ve Got To Do,” and “All My Loving.” In particular I have been enjoying track #2 “All I’ve Got To Do” in mono. It sounds fantastic.
Another original track that has actually been making an impression on me is track #9, “Hold Me Tight.” Paul McCartney wrote and sang lead on this song and he’s dismissed it as being an album filler. And while the song is far from Paul’s best work, I think it is a good time.
“Till There Was You” is my favorite cover on the album. It’s an extremely sickly sweet love song but I think in some strange way it works because of that. The LP’s last song, “Money” is a great way to end the album. When I listen close to the versions of this song included in remastered box sets I actually hear the song as much more unhinged than I realized. It rocks pretty darn hard.
In general I prefer the stereo versions (particularly with the mid to late 60s albums) when it comes to the 2009 Beatles remasters but I do think that this album sounds better in mono.
But all things considered, The Beatles in Stereo Remastered Box Set is more bang for your buck. If you can afford just one, got for it.
