Would it be strange to want to listen to the Stereo remasters, the Mono remasters and be playing the Beatles Rock Band all at the same time? Regardless of the answer, that's all I feel like doing today to celebrate the release of the Beatles remasters.
I've been dying to hear these remasters and leading up to today, I have totally immersed myself in the world of the Beatles as of late in anticipation of today. I've been listening to my Beatles records and doing some reading about the band. Sgt. Pepper's was the first CD I ever received. I got that along with Beatles for Sale, with the beatles, Rubber Soul and Revolver for Christmas along with my first CD player one year. That was it for me. There was no looking back in regards to my love for the Beatles and more importantly, music in general. I remember looking at the album artwork and being fascinated. The members of the Beatles dressed in their army uniforms surrounded by all of those people. I spent many hours matching the faces to the legend included in the liner notes. The fascination with the artwork was nothing compared to what I felt when I listened to the music. Out of that first batch of records, I wore them all out with Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper's probably being worn just a little more. Even my inexperienced ears could tell that something was happening on Rubber Soul. You could hear a transition from the saccarine sweet pop tunes of the earlier albums giving way to the deeper, more complicated music that would follow. By the time Revolver rolled around, the transformation was complete in my mind and ears.
To think that the band's output came out of over a period of 7 years is mind blowing. By today's standards it would take bands at least 3 or 4 times as long and I can guarantee you the results wouldn't be as great. The effect the Beatles had on music and culture is something that I think it's safe to say will never be repeated. In today's music industry, it probably isn't even possible. The range and depth of the work of the Beatles is unparalleled. While many bands attempt to shapeshift into whatever is popular, the Beatles were creating new music and thereby determining what was popular. They were constantly altering the musical landscape. As soon as they released an album like the psychadelic masterpiece that was Sgt. Pepper's, they returned with the stark, white cover of The Beatles (The White Album) and a completely new direction musically. I've always wondered what someone like Mick Jagger thought after releasing Their Satanic Majestic Request in response to the release of Sgt. Pepper's only to see the White Album come out. After initially thinking, "Alright, we've done it! We're on the same track as the Beatles," he sees the White Album. Obviously the Stones went back to basics on Beggars Banquet, perpetuating the constant game of trying to catch the Beatles tail. It's as if the Beatles were constantly toying with everyone else. Based on their sense of humor coupled with their endless talents, I don't think it's such a far-fetched idea.
As I've listened to these records and recollected on seeing Paul McCartney a few weeks ago, I've realized just how much the Beatles mean to me. While there have been hundreds of bands I've loved that came before and after the Beatles I think a quote from the aforementioned Rubber Soul to describe my feelings is appropriate which is, "Tho' I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before, I know I'll often stop and think about them, in my life I love you more..." There will never be another band like them and because of that, I'm thoroughly enjoying this small resurgence of Beatlemania. For those rediscovering the band or discovering them for the first time, it's a feeling like no other. Cheers!
