The Beatles Second UK LP: With The Beatles
With The Beatles (1963) is definitely not not the best Beatles studio album, in actuality it is likely their least good studio album. That is not to say I don't like hearing this early classic in it's new glorious remastered format nor is it to say that it doesn't have any fine tracks on it because I do and it does.
I do think that when considering just the eight original songs on the record, it's likely the worst selection of original songs John, Paul, George, & Ringo ever released on a record (the underrated Beatles For Sale has a much better selection of eight original songs) on the other hand, the six covers on With The Beatles are quite good (superior to the six covers on Beatles For Sale.)
My most favorite original songs 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 loving track #2 "All I've Got To Do" in mono. It sounds wonderful.
Another song that has actually been growing on me a bit is song #9, "Hold Me Tight." McCartney wrote and sang lead vocals on this song and he's been very dismissive of it. And while I'll agree the song isn't perfect, I think it is a good time.
"Till There Was You" is my favorite cover on the album. It is a very cheesy sickly sweet love song and while I feel I shouldn't like it, I do anyway. The record's final track, "Money" is a great way to end the record. When I listen close to the remastered mono version I realize that the song rocks much harder than I ever realized.
In general I prefer the stereo mixes (particularly with the mid to late 60s albums) when it comes to the 2009 Beatles remasters but I do think that this album sounds a bit better in mono than in stereo. - 18423
I do think that when considering just the eight original songs on the record, it's likely the worst selection of original songs John, Paul, George, & Ringo ever released on a record (the underrated Beatles For Sale has a much better selection of eight original songs) on the other hand, the six covers on With The Beatles are quite good (superior to the six covers on Beatles For Sale.)
My most favorite original songs 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 loving track #2 "All I've Got To Do" in mono. It sounds wonderful.
Another song that has actually been growing on me a bit is song #9, "Hold Me Tight." McCartney wrote and sang lead vocals on this song and he's been very dismissive of it. And while I'll agree the song isn't perfect, I think it is a good time.
"Till There Was You" is my favorite cover on the album. It is a very cheesy sickly sweet love song and while I feel I shouldn't like it, I do anyway. The record's final track, "Money" is a great way to end the record. When I listen close to the remastered mono version I realize that the song rocks much harder than I ever realized.
In general I prefer the stereo mixes (particularly with the mid to late 60s albums) when it comes to the 2009 Beatles remasters but I do think that this album sounds a bit better in mono than in stereo. - 18423
About the Author:
Harold Donald Quesenberry's favorite music sites are this Beatles Focused Music Blog and this Online "Radio Station"