The Beatles: Remastered and Rock Banded
When I found out that the Beatles' original albums (all thirteen of them, plus the two Past Masters albums combined into one) were going to be digitally remastered for the first time ever, I could hardly contain my excitement. Even though I was born after the Beatles broke up, I still can't get enough of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The Beatles are mythic, and yet at the same time, like trusted friends. I feel as if I know them, somehow, through their music.
Everyone knows their story, of course. And everyone has their own Beatles stories. I remember singing "Help!" at the top of my lungs while my Mom's old vinyl record played in the background (I was three) and learning the story of John Lennon's life and death for the first time (I was, perhaps, five). "Yesterday" was the first song I ever karaoked. My first boyfriend recorded "Norwegian Wood" on a cassette tape and gave it to me as a gift (this was before the era of CDs!) And when I first heard the song "Eleanor Rigby"--well, my breath caught in my throat.
So the thought of being able to hear the original Beatles catalog remastered is just--wow. The Beatles remastered catalog will be released on 09-09-09, and will coincide with another highly anticipated event: the release of The Beatles: Rock Band. For the first time ever (another first!) fans will have the opportunity to experience being part of the band. It's pretty awesome if you ask me. I can hardly wait!
Luckily, we have plenty of Beatles-related fun going on in the meantime. In honor of worldwide Beatles Day, we've tricked out our Beatles Store and we're kicking off a Beatles celebration that will last for the next two months--right up to the release of the remasters and Rock Band.
Visit the store to check out the remastered albums, preview The Beatles: Rock Band, watch videos, and test your knowledge of the Fab Four. And check back often--we'll soon be counting down our favorite Beatles albums of all time.
Are you as excited as I am?
(Watch the trailer for the Beatles Remastered in the Beatles Store if you can't see it above)
--Bri Nguyen
Serena on September 21, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I love the Beatles. It's a family tradition for us to sing their stuff on the holidays. I love this exciting (and funny) recent Ringo Starr Video too! http://bit.ly/WIuNW
Ever Cry Over Beatles Songs ? on September 10, 2009 at 04:25 AM
awesome hog beatty
what a douche brad is lol
hes a lone voice beaking in the wind
funny how pretty much every one of the
worlds top musicians adore the beatles
they know as musicians they are the bomb
but brad is apparently smarter lol
i bet hes like 14 with pimples
or 45 with a beer gut
Ever Cry Over Beatles Songs ? on September 10, 2009 at 04:21 AM
I have cried huge.
Many of their songs tug at the soul.
The only other thing to do that
is listening to Mozart.
God Bless From Canada
wow are u kidding on September 10, 2009 at 04:18 AM
anyone that dares call any of the beatles hacks are wacked !
U dont have to play like malmsteen to be a great guitarist.
And beyond guitars how about musicianship.
theres no one better, SO its all jealousy.
Their music is creepily perfect, and I dont
know how u even explain that. Who else comes close ?
Anyhoo-to the bedroom guitar hacks that no one will
ever listen to , especially when they are
trying in vain to learn bits and pieces of
judas priest licks to no ones interest ,
the remastered masterpieces are here !!
Mark on July 18, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Watching Amazon closely for what hopefully will be the lowest price anywhere for the stereo box set of the remastered CDs in September!!
Hog Beatty on July 13, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Casey,
Thank you for enlightening me and allowing me to understand the following:
1) If a song and the playing thereon is "unchallenging" then the players are hacks.
2) A musician, their playing, their songs and their bands must not be enjoyed, appreciated or loved because in comparison to others, their technical skills may not match up. More importantly, by enjoying, appreciating and/or loving said musician, one is automatically dismissing and/or ignoring other musicians' accomplishments. They are disrespected by not being mentioned: a grievous error of omission. My apologies to all mentioned by Casey plus Brahms, Bach, Beethoven, Miles Davis, John Coltrane.....oh, just every musician that ever lived. I am so sorry.
3) I am wrong to "give it up" for John Lennon. I should not enjoy or appreciate his work. I should feel the same way as you do "a pop-tunes rhythm backup entertainer who didn't musically accomplish squat after leaving the Beatles" because you are correct: left brain good; right brain bad.
Thank you, again, Casey. Bless you.
Casey on July 12, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Oh, my goodness. Hog Beatty is a dyed-in-the-wool fanboy.
Holmes, dunno how to tell you this, but both All My Lovin' and I Want To Hold Your Hand were unchallenging Top 40 pop songs. They were a lot (quite a lot) of fun, but hardly sophisticated. As for the "raw attack" on Revolution: Turn up the gain to 10. Crank up the distortion. Scream into the microphone.
Yep. That's what I call a brilliant musician; someone who can hold a 4/4 beat on I Want To Hold Your Hand. Let's forget Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Al DiMeola, Robert Cray, Slash, Stephen Stills, Jeff Healey, Jerry Reed, Jimmy Page (sorry for all the J's), or Carlos Santana. Nope, let's give it up for a pop-tunes rhythm backup entertainer who didn't musically accomplish squat after leaving the Beatles.
Cue spittle-flecked furious rebuttal from Hog in 3, 2, 1...
Benjamin Lukoff on July 12, 2009 at 09:28 PM
John Lennon was a decent guitarist, but he was only the third best guitarist in the Beatles. That having been said, his solo on "Get Back" was spot-on — no hack there.
Hog Beatty on July 12, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Dear Brad,
I do not think or believe that John Lennon was a hack guitarist. I appreciate the drive of his rhythm guitar. Some examples:
1) sextuplet chords throughout "All my Loving"
2) galloping rhythm on "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
3) the raw attack on "Revolution"
What musical instrument do you play, Brad? How may one experience one of your live or recorded performances?
Best regards,
Hog Beatty
Marcy on July 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Been a Beatlemaniac since I was twelve, fall of 1963. Saw 'em in Atlanta August 18, 1965. In Atlanta this August 15th I see Sir Paul for the 13th time. If any of you ever get a chance to go to one of his shows, GO FOR IT. You're in for the experience of a lifetime. The Fab Four 4-Ever!
Brad on July 11, 2009 at 05:09 AM
John Lennon said two things that are worth remembering. One was that he wished he could play guitar like B.B. King, good idea Lennon was a hack guitarist and the second was that he never could figure out what the big deal was as they were just a rock & roll band, admirable self-awareness.
b on July 10, 2009 at 05:51 PM
ummmm...the world eats them up because they're awesome. sorry, they're AWESOME.
the metallica guitar hero was absurdly fun.
i can only imagine how great a led zeppelin game would be.
and the beatles with three part harmonies and all of the guitar parts? this is going to be amazing.
Someone who dislikes Rock Band on July 10, 2009 at 05:53 AM
The makers of these games will continue making them because they know the world just eats this crap up. A Rolling Stones Rock Band you say? I'LL BUY IT! LED ZEPPELIN? METALLICA? I may as well buy them all, because that's cool, right?