The Beatles (Apple Corps Ltd.)
2009 has been anything but a hard day's year for Beatles items to be bought. There have been so many special things out this year they've seemed to have never stopped.
Here's a list of some of the things to consider for holiday giving (or buying for yourself):
The music:
- The Beatles remastered CDs: These, of course, should be at the top of everyone's list. Whether you buy the box sets or get them separately, they are worth the price of admission. The update in sound is better on some songs than others, but the Beatles' catalog deserved better than what the 1987 CDs offered. And in 2009, we got it. If you're weighing getting the Beatles Mono Box Set, we suggest you definitely do it. One reason is the box won't be around forever. For another, the mono mixes were the initial mixes. And they sound wonderful. We still hope that at least some of those mono albums, like Pepper and the White Album, will come out separately, but for now, the box is the only way you can get them.
- The Beatles [USB]: If, for some reason, you passed on the remastered CDs, this might be an acceptible substitute. It comes in a Granny Apple container and has all the remastered CD music files in FLAC and high-res audio mp3. Like the mono box, this is limited.
- The Beatles: Rock Band: The reach on this video game has to have surprised at least a few people. Harmonix was smart to make this a separate entity from the other Rock Band games. There are several elements of the game that work on different levels. First, the basic Rock Band play in which the player(s) take on instruments and be a virtual version of John, Paul, George or Ringo in varying degrees of difficulty. Even at the most difficult level, it's still playing along with a video game, but it's fun, even for those who aren't really gamers. For the fan, the new studio chatter and different mixes offers diehards something new to hear for the first time. Also, there are the extras available through game play, again directed at the diehard fans. This is just a lot of fun, all the way around. The Beatles: Rock Band Limited edition has Beatles instruments and a mike stand. The Beatles: Rock Band Special Value Edition has generic instruments.
Books:
- John C. Winn's "That Magic Feeling: The Beatles' Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966-1970," the followup to his equally incredible "Way Beyond Compare: The Beatles' Recorded Legacy, Volume One, 1957-1965." Both belong on every Beatle reference shelf.
- "The Beatles Paperback Writer: 40 Years of Classic Writing" (amazon.co.uk): The latest collection of vintage writings about the Beatles we've seen, this British import includes writings by Cynthia Lennon, Ray Connolly, Mark Lewisohn, Maureen Cleave, Barry Miles, George Martin, Jon Wiener, Pauline Kael, Hunter Davies, Richard DiLello, Peter Doggett, David Sheff, R.D. Laing, Derek Taylor, Ray Coleman -- well, you get the idea. It's a collection of excerpts, but it has a lot in it. Also available through Amazon.ca (Canada).
- Another collection is Sean Egan's "The Mammoth Book of the Beatles." Essays by the author are supplemented with work by Maureen Cleave, Charlie Gillett, Hunter Davies, Kenneth Tynan, Mitch Axelrod, Alan Clayson and Paul Gambaccini, to name a few. Not as thorough as the entry above, but good for the collection.
- Chris O'Dell's "Miss O'Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Women They Loved," a collection of great behind-the-scenes memories with some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll. A great you-are-there type book.
- Eric Krasker's "The Beatles: Fact and Fiction, 1960-1962," which tries to clear the air about a number of Beatle mysteries from the early days. (Information on availability here.)
- Peter Ames Carlin's "Paul McCartney: A Life," a very respectful analysis of Paul's life story and accomplishments.
- Jude Southerland Kessler's "John Lennon: Shoulda Been There," the first of a multi-volume enhanced biography of the former Beatle. It's full of intricate details and interesting facts.
- Any Beatles books by Bruce Spizer are great for the fans on your list who also are into detailed history of the group.
Games:
- The Beatles Edition Trivial Pursuit: The latest and maybe the best Beatles game from Usaopoly. The questions were formulated by author Bruce Spizer and range from easy to incredibly hard. The Beatles Monopoly Game, which came out last year, is fun, too.
Solo CD/DVDs:
- Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City [2 CD + 1 DVD Combo]: Wonderful film and audio of the CitiField shows. Paul was at his best that night and it shows.
This, of course, is hardly all. We'll post more gift ideas as the season goes along.
Comments
I learned more about George and Pattie's relationship reading Chris O'Dell's book, as well as Ringo and Maureen's relationship, than in any of the other books, including Pattie Boyd's. A must read for the Beatles fan.
Steve,
I hope you get a little bit of $$$ for all the hard work you've put in plugging all the Fab Gear .... you deserve it.
RS
You missed out Ringo's Soundstage DVD.
Rock Singer - he should get $$$. This article is basically a load of Amazon affiliate links. Nice little earner.
Thanks for the great book suggestions. Question: How do you order Paperback Writer since its only on Amazon UK? Can you still order that in the states? Or will doing so cost me a small fortune?
Don't forget Let It Roll: The Songs of George Harrison. Came out in June, but it's still 2009.
I second that motion for "Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison."
It is a high-quality release, both the music and packaging. When you stop by Best Buy for Paul's new NYC CD/DVD, pick up a copy. Other than it not having some obvious song choices it is a very enjoyable listen.
Let It Roll? Really? That was one of the worst releases of all time. Shockingly inept in its lack of depth and haphazard track selection...
Let It Roll? Really? That was one of the worst releases of all time. Shockingly inept in its lack of depth and haphazard track selection...
Oh Pete,
worst releases of all time -- hahahahaha!
Shockingly inept -- hahahahaha!
Oh dear. He was serious?! How naive & self-important. How CRASS on Hari's death anniversary! These people who review "imaginary" cds - judged by what's NOT on them or the way they WEREN'T sequenced, just crack me up!
I guess the writer doesn't grasp the programmable aspect of cds.
I guess the writer must have seen a total of about 10 cds to list LET IT ROLL as one of the worst and shockingly inept.
I have a guess as to why the writer posted an identical entry twice - seven hours apart - but I'll keep that to myself.
I agree with IAN and SMITTY. LET IT ROLL is 79 minutes of sublime solo Harrison music which sold well even in the thick of the M. Jackson death media frenzy. Yes, it could have been more comprehensive and satisfying as a 2-cd set, as Olivia originally intended, but when EMI refused, we got a 1-cd LET IT ROLL, every tune a gem, better price. A GREAT holiday gift!
Well, Klete, you open yourself up to arguments as good as your own, and you are certainly entitled to your point of view, as I am entitled to mine. I am not reviewing an imaginary disc. I am stating a point of view on the actual disc as presented to the consumer. For the record, I own about 2000 discs, including just about every official Beatles related disc. I guess that's a little bit north of "ten."
As for the double post, I sent it in the evening and did not see it the next day. I thought I had made a mistake or experienced a computer glitch and tried it again. To my chagrin, it appeared twice. I would like to take credit for a brilliant, sinister plan, but, alas, that did not work out.
I can only agree with you when you write, "Yes, it could have been more comprehensive and satisfying as a 2-cd set, as Olivia originally intended..."
Continued:
You effectively made my point. I love George Harrison, as I suspect you do too, and he deserves a well-though out release that captures his career arc as an important musician, writer and artist. This disc is *not* that.
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