This album features songs from their first motion picture. It's also the first to utilize four-track technology and the first in which every song was credited to Lennon-McCartney (John writing 10 of the tracks, Paul with 3). The hits off this album are "Can't Buy Me Love", the title track and the single "And I Love Her" released in the US. Of all the tracks, only "I Should Have Known Better" appears in stereo for the first time.
The Fab Four were still fundamentally a rock group at this point showing traces of their roots.`This is arguably their third best album of the Beatlemania era only behind "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver". A truly essential album.
If ever there was a person to earn the title of "5th Beatle"....it would surely have been George Martin and Brian Epstein....and NOT New York radio DJ, Murray the K.
Martins invaluable knowledge of musical theory and arrangement, as well as his vast overall familiarity with each of the instruments and vocalizing; plus his willingness to bet on a longshot and take risks.
It was Brian Epsteins original interest in the band that convinced them to change their appeance/image and got them in the doors at Parlophone in the first place.
When you listen back to 1962 to the Decca Tapes, the Tony Sheridan recordings and the Star Club in Hamburg,Germany.....It doesn't take a genius to figure out that NOBODY transcends from being a barely competent musician to the Beatle level in only 14 or 15 months. Also keep in mind that short of Paul McCartney, no one in the band had any formal musical training.
I believe this is where George Martin and Brian Epstein come into the picture....Their guidance and vision took a group of 4 very ambitious young men who were extremely talented; yet raw and and transformed them into the biggest band of the century. In very short order, they became better than any of their peers. The bands appearance took on a new look....as well as their sound..
In the studio....Martin undoubtedly helped them to polish their vocal and musical skills...showing them the tips and secrets only the pros were familiar with. It was Martin who helped them accelerate their prowess of the piano and organ...as well as giving them tips on how to accentuate their playing style on guitar, bass and drums..This is the job of a good producer....to get the most out of the performer and to capture it all on tape.
So.....If there ever was ANYBODY who deserved to be referred to as a "5th Beatle"....It would have to be George Martin and Brian Epstein. These 2 men were every much a Beatle as the 4 who you saw on all the records and cd's.
When I think back to all the hoopla that was associated with Beatlemania....I am really convinced that it wasn't all hype at all....These guys (with the help of Brian and George) really deserved all that attention and they truly were a phenomenon and destined to be the BAND OF THE CENTURY.
If you doubt me....just listen to the music.
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I consider A Hard Days Night to be the pinnacle of The Beatles recorded success...every song a literal masterpiece...The stereo mix is true and not that hokey "left-music, right-vocals" B.S. that basically ruined the listenability of PLEASE PLEASE ME, WITH THE BEATLES and RUBBER SOUL.
One suggestion....when you listen to the CD...program your tracks to play YOU CANT DO THAT to follow CANT BUY ME LOVE (as it was the 8th song written and recorded for the movie). DVD owners will note that recent versions of the movie now have them performing YOU CANT DO THAT live in front of the studio audience..along with the other 7 songs.
The overall remastering has a slightly cleaner sound and a tad more detail than previous CD's...but also consider that the master acetates it was recently culled from, are now 22 years older then when the original cd's were made in 1987.
My biggest criticism of the whole catalogue....They should have included BOTH stereo and mono versions of each album (as they did with the Capitol album box sets).... I see they have released a MONO BOX SET...just some more of Capitols old tricks to get even more money out of our wallets.
All in all, they did a nice packaging....I think you may want to invest in plastic sleeves for the CD tho, as sliding them in and out of those hard, scratchy paper cases will eventually scuff the playing surfaces to the point of skipping...if you aren't extremely careful.
"much hype or nothing?"
2009-10-14
- Reviewed By User: A3FKLGMJ6VPWZD
I have to be honest, I haven't sat down and listened to this album on my home stereo, with headphones. It sounds good, but I don't think I need to buy the entire "remastered" set. I don't see a really big deal listening to it with head phones on my computer. But, if you think it sounds better, then to you it does.
"I love The Beatles"
2009-10-14
- Reviewed By User: A2VI7KUCKS2BT3
The sound is so good. Of course the songs are the early Beatles and their simple formations of music inspired by their love rock and roll and love songs. I listen to it while driving to and from work and it puts me in the right kind of mood.
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"Excellent album now in stereo."