Beatles Capitol vs EMI recordings talk

[Mikey]

Maybe it's just me --- I'm beginning to think so, but I like the Capitol releases better than the original EMI releases.

The EMI releases are more cleaner and natural, but I think the Capitol releases have a nicer full-body feel.

Maybe it's because I was brought up on Capitol that i'm just used to them.

Here's I want to Hold Your Hand ...... EMI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKHFUKZ-IXE

and here is the Capitol release
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9c1FRhrl7I

which do you like best ?

[jimsmegos]

Go side by side and only using my crappy PC speakers I can really hear the warmth in the Capitol recording. So my vote is Capitol. The EM actually sounds a little tinny to me. But then again I am judging by way of my crappy computer speakers.

[stevenlore]

That's because the Captiol added reverb..."Dexterization" and such, to give it a fuller sound...plus to some, the sequencing was better on the Capitol releases.

I also grew up on the capitol releases, but I have grown to like the EMI versions.

[huedell]

I like the EMI better. It sounds "punchier" to me... tho' I'm not one to
usually quibble over such things. (or even notice them most of the time)

[Zemo]

That's because the Captiol added reverb..."Dexterization" and such, to give it a fuller sound...plus to some, the sequencing was better on the Capitol releases.

I also grew up on the capitol releases, but I have grown to like the EMI versions.

[Type3Toys]

I like the EMI better. It sounds "punchier" to me... tho' I'm not one to
usually quibble over such things. (or even notice them most of the time)

Yup. The original releases had more of an edge to them.

[SeattleEd]

The UK releases are far superior and have more clarity, depth and color while the US versions feel like outfakes at times and bland.
I grew with the original mixes from the UK so I am truly biased. Capitol never did a good job of any of their releases, IMO. Martin always did a great job and to have other engineers come in and monkey around with his art is just sacrilegious.
However, I would LOVE to hear Giles Martin remaster the entire catalog with his ears. He's done amazing work on LOVE along with his father. Love the new versions of "Fool on the Hill" and "Girl". His version of "Come Together" Blows away the newly remastered versions IMO.

[Type3Toys]

The UK releases are far superior and have more clarity, depth and color while the US versions feel like outfakes at times and bland.
I grew with the original mixes from the UK so I am truly biased. Capitol never did a good job of any of their releases, IMO. Martin always did a great job and to have other engineers come in and monkey around with his art is just sacrilegious.
However, I would LOVE to hear Giles Martin remaster the entire catalog with his ears. He's done amazing work on LOVE along with his father. Love the new versions of "Fool on the Hill" and "Girl". His version of "Come Together" Blows away the newly remastered versions IMO.

Funny you should mention "Love". My wife and i saw the Circ show Love in Las Vegas. What an experieance! Each seat had about 9 speakers in it. It felt like each song was going though your body.

[kingdom warrior]

I like both to be honest, because I live in New York when I was a kid I had access to buying both the EMI and Capitol versions. I prefer the EMI versions now because of the clear sound and I can follow George and John's guitar playing better. So I have the EMI versions on my IPOD but for pure nostalgia because Capitol milked the Beatle Brand name by putting out more albums and it does have a fuller sound...I have the Capitol versions for my record player........

[Jason73]

I only have the Capitol albums. This thread really makes me want to hea the EMI version.

[SeattleEd]

^^Jason, when you come over I will play the EMI remasters. If you have an iPod and it's PC formatted I can load them up for you.

[SeattleEd]

Funny you should mention "Love". My wife and i saw the Circ show Love in Las Vegas. What an experieance! Each seat had about 9 speakers in it. It felt like each song was going though your body.

John, you lucky dog, I've been trying to get to see that every since it came out. We have to wait until our girls are older and will appreciate it more. One thing I want to see in my lifetime. I heard about the speakers in seats. That sounds like a blast!

[Brazoo]

That's because the Captiol added reverb..."Dexterization" and such, to give it a fuller sound...plus to some, the sequencing was better on the Capitol releases.

I also grew up on the capitol releases, but I have grown to like the EMI versions.

The original is in mono too, right? Is that another difference in the sound or EMI create stereo versions of these also?

[SeattleEd]

The original is in mono too, right? Is that another difference in the sound or EMI create stereo versions of these also?

The first four albums were recorded in Mono and would later be reissued as in fake stereo. The recent Stereo boxset contains the first four albums in TRUE stereo for the first time since they went in and utilized the 4 track masters to make them Stereo.
Hence why the Stereo versions sound much better than the fake stereo Capitol versions.

I personally love the Mono versions of Rubber Soul, Revolver, SPLHCB and The Beatles aka White Album. The Mono mix was the first mix they did with mostly the Beatles present, in the case of SPLHCB, they were there for the mix down of the entire album to Mono. Days later George and Geoff would mix it to Stereo as they would do with all the albums since Stereophonic made it's presence.
Yes there are differences if you compare the mono to stereo. Not just the sound coming from the speakers but the actual mixing of the instruments is much different. The mono sounds FULL and solid, IMO.

[Brazoo]

The first four albums were recorded in Mono and would later be reissued as in fake stereo. The recent Stereo boxset contains the first four albums in TRUE stereo for the first time since they went in and utilized the 4 track masters to make them Stereo.
Hence why the Stereo versions sound much better than the fake stereo Capitol versions.

I personally love the Mono versions of Rubber Soul, Revolver, SPLHCB and The Beatles aka White Album. The Mono mix was the first mix they did with mostly the Beatles present, in the case of SPLHCB, they were there for the mix down of the entire album to Mono. Days later George and Geoff would mix it to Stereo as they would do with all the albums since Stereophonic made it's presence.
Yes there are differences if you compare the mono to stereo. Not just the sound coming from the speakers but the actual mixing of the instruments is much different. The mono sounds FULL and solid, IMO.

Ahhh - interesting! I've been meaning to check out these new Beatles box sets, and now you've really peaked my interest.

Cheers!