John and Paul: “I wonder why George doesn’t write so much” George: literally saving every song for his new album Which is three records LOL

I laugh now when George sings "Everyone has a choice...". It's as if he knew there'd be a polarized reaction to an alternate mix of the album

I really dig this "knowing,having the time put in,but arguing with yourself out loud to convey what you know" kind if approach vs a script. Please do more of this.i trust your ears,gear,time put in,passion,knowledge etc. This open sorta form,scrapping for the right words and phrasing,while not trying to embellish or talk bullshit,is a great thing. Great video.and I'm not all the way done yet!

Picked up an original pressing at a record store in Sacramento absolutely love it!

The Apple jams section is only remastered, not remixed. Those were recorded live directly to two-track stereo, so remixing is impossible. I will say that they are mastered quite nicely and sound great on the new record.

After listening to the comparisons, I think I prefer the original. The original has more clarity although overall it sounds thinner than the new mix. Definitely much less reverb on the new one. Good job!

I agree with you on the vocals. The vocals are amazing on the remix. I disagree on the drums being lower in the mix. The ballads are benefitted on the new mix. The more bombastic tracks (to me) end up getting more muddy as a result of the drums being mixed down.

This is awesome. The samples your playing really add so much and you are spot on with your analysis

I really appreciate the work you put into these comparisons!

I have not heard the new mixes (other than the short snippets in this video, which are further degraded by youtube's processing). But from what I heard, the new mix does sound more open. But it also sounds artificially forced. It is not a natural "open" sound. It sounds forward and "in your face" and "notice me" open. And I believe that the gain is a bit louder on the new mix (at times, or perhaps how our host created the samples?). And louder often has a tendency to sound better, at first glance. It also makes a bit harder to evaluate the sound quality, when the volume is not matched between the competing samples. From what I could tell (and this is, again, speculative, based on a few seconds of youtube quality samples), the master tapes have gorgeous sound quality. But the personnel in the studio; the elite few that actually have access to those precious master tapes... ...those people have a compulsion to have you listen to their high tech equipment, when they should have a compulsion to have you listen to the natural beauty that is on the master tapes. We should not be hearing anything from the studio. Just as great speakers, when properly positioned, "disappear", the best job that the studio could do is fool us into believing that equipment is not there, and we hear only the artist in all his glory. Cheers! (by the way, what I meant by speakers disappearing is that when quality speakers are really performing at their best, if you close your eyes, your ears cannot identify the location of the speakers -- and for those that never experienced this, it is magical)

This was very informative -- more useful than highly technical deconstructions I've watched

I like your comparison between the original (AM radio sounding) vs the new mix (FM radio sounding. Well stated, Eric.

First of all excellent review, very enjoyable. This release gives the album a more folk/rock sound then the first. Never being a big fan of Phil Spector, I feel he hurt 'Let It Be' and with the release of 'Let It Be Naked' I wasn't alone. I agree with you on the point of feeling like George is in the room. To me this release has more of an 'Abbey Road/White Album' sound to it, but again to each his own (by the way I was 14 when the first release came out in 71, so I've heard it a lot).

I love it when you talk sound. These are my favorite videos from Vinyl Rewind!!

I’m so damn excited for the 50th anniversary let it be mix considering we’ve been waiting for a whole year longer than expected

Excellent review! Inspired me to buy the new mix set.

Nowadays when you record, they set up the microphones and don't move them. When they recorded Harrison and The Beatles they would set up and tear down for every session. Both records sound inconsistent, because the capture in the studio was inconsistent

Great comparison!!! I was going to stick to my original, until I heard the side by sides. I can't believe how thin the original sounds. The balance sounds much better on the new mix and now you have convinced me to buy it!

I was hoping you'd get to _All Things Must Pass_ at some point, as it's my favourite George Album. Great video, as usual!

Hell yea.was hoping you'd do this vid.everyone just kinda moved on living this mix.git the 3lp and 3cd.theyre both so nice

Haven't seen it yet but great vid as always man!

When those clear as a bell vocals on Awaiting On You All came in I was floored!

I wasn't going to buy this because it was so expensive, but I recently got a job at a record store with a generous staff discount meaning that I could get the vinyl super deluxe version for about the same price as the CD or the 5 LP set, there was no way I could resist that. This is one of my favourite albums of all time (top 2, sometimes top 1...it switches with Rubber Soul), so to have all of that for that price, I had to do it. I read the book last night which is incredible and just listened to the remixed album tonight. I'm not sure if I prefer it to the original or to the 30th anniversary remastered version as I love all 3. I think the best thing about this mix is that you hear things you never really noticed before.

Thank you. I agree with you on 95%! I'll do a mixtape - I did same things with the albums I can't stand back in the days - like Bowie's Lodger - it works really well!

I won't lie; I'm a little disappointed that a purple capitol label pressing of the original mix acts as your reference. Those capitol label pressings can take a beautiful mix and kill it with the use of duplicate tapes (capitol never cut from the masters for this album) and poor mastering choices. It would have been a much better comparison with an original UK pressing, which is essentially a straight transfer from tape to wax. It's easy to say the original mix sucks when the copy was mastered so horribly from a subpar source.

I pretty much agree with all of this. Good work sir.

Theres a few songs I feel like don't work as well stripped down like on the 2020 mix, like Wah Wah and What is Life. Those songs really work as walls of sound and I think its really integral to the overall effect, kind of overwhelmingly big. I would say they're best on the 2001 mix that maintains the wall of sound but its sharper than the original. But most of the songs are very benefited by the new mixes imo, especially more intimate songs, like largely an improvement.

I agree with your descriptions of the differences. The new mix seems much more 'mellow' to me. His voice stands separate from the background, closer to me but softer. Definitely a richer sound in the low frequencies. Overall I think I still prefer the original and don't see a compelling reason to upgrade my OG copy. Thanks so much for this comparison - I know it was a bunch of work and it was presented perfectly!

I had it on vinyl, had is the key word here. Bought it as soon as it came out. It is still by far my fav Beatles solo effort

I'm going with my original press. PLAY LOUD

I bought the 50th anniversary edition on vinyl (5 discs) and I must admit it sounds a little muddy and fuzzy in places, so a bit disappointed for me the 30 th anniversary edition on CD mixed by George Harrison himself is superb ❤

Amazing

I pretty much agree on everything you said! Crazy to me that they missed the mark on My Sweet Lord so much since that's one of the key tracks, would love to hear your thoughts on the demos and jams!

Thank you, a lot of the initial reviews crapped on the new mix. I think I may prefer it also but there are pros and cons.

Great review! I've read that the "Apple Jams" tracks were only remastered and not remixed. This was possibly due to the unavailability or loss of the original 8 track multi-tracks. It might be worth dipping into your boxsets to find out more. I only have the three CD version which doesn't give the full reason. All the best from the UK!

The sound design on the original just does it for me, i like the atmosphere a lot more. Especially on songs like my sweet lord and run of the mill

Wow, your clips made the original mix sound much better to me. The new mix is very bass-heavy overall, giving it a muddier feel. If I need that much bass, I can adjust my stereo. I don’t want someone else deciding that for me. Also, the Apple Jam songs are not new mixes, but just remasters. Hearing the EQ changes they applied to these tracks is interesting, as they tried to make them fall in line with the bass-heavy remixes for the rest of the album. I’ll stick with the original. It’s worked for me all these years.

pleeeeease keep doing this series

It seems you are one of the few who prefers the new mix. To me it sounds too muddy sometimes, too much bass. But it does sound warmer. I agree with you there. And I also agree the original mix isn't all that good either, so maybe this is the best they could do.

Bass is quite heavy, but I really like the remix overall. So clear and beautiful

You're comparing the 50th Anniv remix with the 1978 Purple Capitol master, not the 1970. I suggest you either acquire the 1970 Apple pressing or Dhani's 2017 remaster, as you will have a better basis for comparison.

They tend to to add too much low end on the new vinyl mixes.

I totally agree with you this is my New go to version of the album. This was a great job and I’m so glad they did it.

i love your videos

George Harrison had stated that if he had recorded that album today he wouldn’t have put so much reverb.

Great video! although i wish you would do another stereo showdown. Why? wel... with a an UK Apple (or by many people the best version of the orignal mixes would be a UK First press) the capitol pressings are known & even in my collections i own a few capitol pressings on fewer beatles albums. they do lack big time in sound quality. sometimes just are completely not lissenable. i think even palogram auctions did a video about the capitol beatles albums aswel and i think those albums were Horrable. he also did a video on wat is the best sounding of the orignal pressing is. and came out the UK first press was. by looking at the pressing you own might be a Not orignal 1970! this is a capitol 1978 REISSUE boxset. Not an orignal 1970 (reissues might used diffrent masters or even completely new mixes done by Capitol themselfs?). so i would qualify this Comparison as something to redo with a True propper sounding 1970's ''All things must pass'' box as in a November 30 1970's ( Apple Records - STCH 639). this is also the box i own and the sound quality of the UK apple from 1970 Compaired to a 1978 capitol. is allready a Day & night diffrence! i mainly think the reissues are by some lables ''as in Capitol & another one called Harvest / EMI'' sometimes didnt handle some tapes with care. as specialy i have problems with Harvest Reissues. such as the band ELO (Eletric light orchestra) on some of the reissue albums ''E.L.O. 2 or Complication albums'' there is sometimes alot of noticable wear & tape bleed be heard on the vinyl cutting. and wen i lissended too ones were pressed on a JET records lable. those mostly sounded so much better then the reissues hopefuly you will take note of this! Greetings from SV

I dunno I’m not a fan of remasters tbh, its taking a moment in time and altering it usually without the people that made it there to even guide it often. Taking significant reverb off the tracks alters massively the entire sound obviously. Having said that it’s interesting lesson in the benefits and issues surrounding adding reverb to tracks and mixes. I would like to say also it’s lovely hearing George voice clearer and I think phil spectre killed the album too. He murdered across the universe too and other Beatles tracks.

I like the review. He did a great job contrasting the two versions. I've listened to the remix version and I enjoy it more than the original mix. My opinion. Oh, let's cut the VG some slack about using a purple label Capitol issue for his reference as no other remasters were done between the '70 issue on Apple and the version he used. It would be the closest to the original press State side.

My biggest takeaway from ATMP is the question "Why did George want Phil Spector to produce this LP if he didn't want the 'wall of sound'?"

I like the 50th ATMS version. It sounds very good. I also have the USA first press and the 2001 USA first press. The 50th and the 2001 I like very much.

I feel about the new mix like I feel about directors(Like George Lukas) going back and changing their films with new technology. It’s always an interesting “what if.” The new mix sounds great, but it’s not the original album. There’s only one original release, flaws and all, and it should never be lost to history and replaced by the new mix. The technology was what it was, and for better or worse, that’s what they had at the time, and that’s the album they released, and it’s beautiful, period. Everything after is just an interesting “what if,” but not the original album. I’ll always ultimately chose the original album with the original mix just as I’ll always chose the original Star Wars without Lucas’ digital tweaks over the years. It is what it is, and it’s perfect as it is.

This was one album I’ve been looking into getting for a while, but I couldn’t commit to the price. Recently, I found an original 1970 pressing for $10 with all 3 records, and I could not pass. This comparison was neat, but I actually found myself preferring the original mix on almost all of them.

You going to do anything for the black album? I’d love to get an album review!

Listening on headphones I noticed immediately that the audio levels are louder on the new mix which the ear will naturally gravitate to the louder sound. The new mix sounds like the life has been sucked out of it. The purple label Capitol is a poor transfer, should have used the original UK or the 2014 remaster to compare.

This is the mix I was longing for. Simple as that. The songs are too deep and it was a shame that the vocals were so buried down in the mix.

Coming from someone who’s only comparison is this video, and I’m aware to listen to the actual album, but it appears the new mix sounds like someone turned on the Dolby NR. I hear more bass but don’t hear more clarity. As glad as I am that they’re cleaning up and remastering Beatle and solo albums, how many remastering are they going to do? It seems like there’s another remastering every couple of years. There’s only so much they can do with the tapes. All they seem to be able to do is tweak the audio. I sorta like hearing tape hiss because at least I know my HiFi system is set the way I like it.

I think the new mix sounds better overall. Think I'll pick this up. 👍

Everyone hated on spectres mix for years but after the 50th anniversary I think it’s hard to argue he did a good job it’s over the top at points but it sounds fantastic on lots of songs. Lots of people prefer the original lots prefer new mix. Original for me personally I think while sounding very good prob better on quieter numbers on the big songs my sweet lord, what is life, ATMP etc it lost a lot of the size the grandness imo

Your A/B methodology is on point - Closed in is probably the word you were thinking for the original mix. I wasn’t going to rebuy this album, but damn, you are right - I think I prefer the new mix because the cardboard tube sound of the original is gone.

I do prefer the new mix, but your comparison reveals how bass heavy it is. It may have a lot to do with your setup, but I like how relatively uncluttered the new mix is, plus you can hear George a bit better. Wah Wah, Let It Down and Awaiting On You All was noticeably distorted from all the reverb and the compression in the 1970 mix.

This would be the definitive review except for one GLARING error on your part, which many others before me have already outlined in the comments so far: The "Apple Jam" disc on the 50th Anniversary set was NOT - I repeat WAS NOT - remixed with the rest of the original album, but rather, simply REMASTERED. As per the official announcement, "Apple Jam" was recorded live in the studio direct to a 2-track machine, and therefore could NOT be remixed. Otherwise, great video. And yes, I do agree that there are pros and cons to both the new remix and its original counterpart. But I can tell you for a fact that I LOVE the new remix all the same!

This is the type of comparison we all needed, but why did it take you so long?

By the way, you were doing an A/B comparison with an inferior sounding 1978-1982 US reissue of ATMP on the Capitol label that was sourced from a submaster. The original release is on the Apple label, with the UK version using the original master tapes and sounding vastly superior to its US counterpart.

Great review very comprehensive and articulate. Overall I enjoy the new mix over the original. All the best!!!!

I like this mix much better than my 2001. Never had an original so I can’t compare it to that.

If the vocals weren't louder & clearer, I would swear they just turned down the treble and turned up the bass. Turning down the treble also hides some of the hiss. I can get the same effect from changing my EQ. The snares thud where they used to crack.

I never liked how they mixed Wah-Wah. I really need to hear the new version now.

I need more than 3 seconds to reach an overall conclusion. I hear good in both

16:38 Hey VG, they didn't remix the Apple Jam, they just remastered it

Hi! I got the old Apple one from the 70's and it sound a lot better than the Capitol from the 80's , so out of the bat it would be more interesting to compare the new one whit the one from the 70's.

Thanks for your interesting perspective on this classic album. I think it boils down to that signature Phil Specter sound on the original. I agree that the original works for certain songs but overall it taxes the listener after a while, where the new mix does not. Great video! 👍🏼 Looking forward to the next one.

Engagement!

Loving the new mix. The clarity of George's voice is wonderful. It's great to have both versions to hand, but the new mix is enthralling to these ears.

“Duller” and “not as alive” is a good way to describe the whole mix. I can point to specific details that may be improved in the new mix but the overall effect feels limp. The lowkey ballads sound too clean and processed and, while some of the big production numbers benefit from a clearer treatment, others seem to lose their sense of grandeur and overwhelming force. In attempting to “fix” the weaknesses of the Phil Spector mix I think they inadvertently provided a better appreciation for its strengths.

Not much of a difference just more treble purchased a first NM Japanese pressing last month and I ❤ it!

The remix sounds better on vinyl than streaming.

One of the musicians who actually played on ATMP, listened to the 2021 vinyl mix and had a KZfaq review were he said it sounds like a complete amateur did it. He has since removed the review but I have been curious for someone else to compare vinyl vs vinyl. I only listened to the CD and Blu-ray mixes of the 2021 ATMP and I really like them. I also like George’s 30th anniversary version so to me there is a place for both. I am not a professional musician but I just don’t see how the 2021 mix can be described as rubish. Your A/B comparison of vinyl vs vinyl at least seems to indicate that you are getting the same sound I experienced with the CD/Blu-ray version. Maybe that musician received a bad copy of the 2021 vinyl?

On every track presented here, the 50th anniversary sounds muffled and muddy despite the louder guitars and voice. I own the original Apple (not Capitol) 1970 release, the 2014 Remastered release, and the 50th anniversary remix. Each has its own pro and cons, so in conclusion, they are all a mixed bag.

I dunno, I thought the new mixes had a bit too much lower mids making the overall sound muddy?

Do you know Anthony Fantano

There is a massive mixing error on “isn’t it a pity (version two)” at least on my pressing (maybe it got corrected later). Starting around 2:18 or so, there is a huge multi-track track synchronization error during the instrumental break. Sounds awful, and I can’t believe the record made it out the door with that.

I've listened to the new mix firstly on good headphones and then on vinyl through speakers. I had two different experiences which I found a bit bizarre. Wah Wah sounded awful through my speakers, I was quite shocked. Those backing vocals on Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp were an odd delight. Not going to go into every song, but overall I think they got more right than wrong with some not sure such as My Sweet Lord. The more acoustic based songs are definitely better. No harm to Dhanni but he's a nothing musician and I hope he leaves future remixes of his dad's albums to the experts.

Wait...I think I read somewhere that the Apple Jam record wasn't remixed, only remastered...

I usually agree with your assessments. IMO, this particular remix missed the mark for me. I think it actually feels more crowded in the soundstage.

One thing I remembered. And I don't know if it is true - as to why the original mix is narrow - Phil Spector is anti-Stereo.

Noice

The bass is much too loud in the new mix. I'm going mostly by the Dolby Atmos mix on the blu-ray disk. The bass is just way too loud on the new mix. I also don't like pushing back the Phil Spector Wall of Sound on the bigger songs like What is Life and Wah Wah. The 50th anniversary mix sounds "flat" to my ears. I'm sorry, but I prefer the original mix hands-down.

Brylcreem boy 😍

Maybe the tracks were at different sample rates.

I miss some of the reverb on his voice I must confess.

Loke your vids. Confused about original mix vs 2020 remix. The original mix show the Capital label on records. The 2020 remix show the Apple label on records. I have the “All Things Must Pass” album that i bought when released in 1970. It has the Apple label on records. Just a guess but mine bought 1970 it would be an original unless Capital released a mix before mine in 1970. That is possible.

Ofcourse, the Drop+ A-T Carbon TT has a straight shaft tone arm, but your video shows a curved tubular tone arm. Do you even know what TT you have?

I agree with Bobby Whitlock. Too bad he is being censored on the 50th Anniversary version. His comparisons would have been epic.

All tracks from Out Of The Blue onwards are NOT new remixes. They are remastered. It was impossible to remix the last 5 songs. Some tracks are better on the new mixes but on some it’s like they’ve lost the punch of the original. Let It Down for instance, you can’t really hear the electric guitar in the intro.

This album is my undisputed #1. If it’s possible to wear out a CD this would be it. Although I do have it digitally as well as vinyl which I rarely play. I know George complained of too much reverb on the Spector recording so I’d like to hear it tuned down.

How would you compare this vinyl reissue with the version George remixed for the 2000 CD edition?

I think I'm in the underdog camp that prefers the sound of the original. From the samples presented the bass is waaay too heavy and thick and vocals too up front for my taste. I prefer the original reverb drenched lost voice sound with the louder snare. (No snare, no party.) New version sounds too opaque, muddy and muffled. For me, the whole charm of this album IS the heavy reverb! However, I'm sure I'll pick this up and listen & explore further with open ears.

Honestly any comparison to this new one should be done with an original UK. Otherwise it’s just unfair.

nah dude, for real the new mix is heavily compressed, they toned down the drums in some songs to a really sad state (What is life). Although I do not hate the new mix as some people I think it is a great addition to my collection, I think you have a bad pressing of the original, the original or the HDTracks reissue of a few years ago totally beat the new mix in soundstage and dynamics. Your opinion and my opinion, I like your videos don't get me wrong.

Overall I prefer the new 2020 Remix.