Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
It begins with a twittering of birdsong lifted from "Across The Universe". And once the triple-tracked a capella harmonies of "Because" enter, followed by snatches from "A Hard Day's Night" and "The End", leading into a fired-up "Get Back", it becomes obvious that this is far more than just another Beatles compilation. This is "Love", conceived by the Fabs' former producer George Martin and son Giles as a stageshow soundtrack to Cirque de Soleil's Las Vegas spectacular of the same name, but appears to have taken on a life of its own. Where The Beatles' last release 1 delivered the (over?) familiar hits in a nice simple package, this is a mélange of the familiar and obscure, all literally mixed together in one 78-minute audio collage which succeeds in reminding the listener just why The Beatles truly are, as Lennon put it "toppermost of the poppermost". There's no new Beatles material per se, but the songs are all approached differently--some are cut together in a flawlessly mixed medley (check out the "Mr Kite/I Want You/Helter Skelter" moment), some reassemble different backing tracks and vocal performances to create new spins on old classics, but all the songs are revitalized considerably. Even in its weakest moments (which probably work better in the context of the show itself), it's still a formidable prospect, and one has to admire Martin's willingness to go out on a limb with such a project. While purists may complain that the cut'n'paste nature of the project is simply tampering with perfection, at the very least it'll make them reach for the originals and enjoy them all over again. For newcomers and everyone else, it makes a fine listen, both in its sonic clarity (the actual tracks are the best they've sounded on CD) and audacious nature.--Thom Allott
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I must admit I was very sceptical of this release but had read one glowing review after another so decided to invest in the two disc addition. The first disc, a normal cd is fantastic in it's own right. I have heard this album referred to as a "Mash up" and after hearing it I think this paints an inaccurate picture of what it really is. Rather than sounding like a cut and paste mess the songs are largely original and for the most part flow into one another. The 5.1 surround disc is simply stunning with the best recordings of these songs I have heard. I have a DVD player with the ability to play the DVD Audio format therefore realising the full potential of this disc (high resolution) however this disc will still play in a normal DVD video player and offer exceptional sound. The 5.1 mix is messmerising and the clarity combined with the creative mixing (eg birds,dolphins in the background of a few tracks) gives the album a very contemporary feel almost as if it were recorded last week. These tracks sound so good they actually sound like a live recording. In my oppinion this would be one of the best albums this year and without doubt one of the best 5.1 surround discs available.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Astounding in as much as here we are listening to pieces music that were originally produced around 40 years ago and yet still manage to see off the young guns!. The talent of these men was gigantic and all the hyperboyle is for once true. I for one am glad the Beatles never reformed, what else was there to prove or create? They stepped away leaving a legacy that will never be outdone and one that is burned into the history of popular music. The production and clarity of the 5.1 mix is another astonishment and brings decades old music crashing back into life as though it was made yesterday.This album is a wonderful time capsule of brilliant music that still to this day is emulated by musicians worldwide and loved and listened to by millions.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Until now if you wanted a contemporary-sounding Beatles album you had to buy something by Oasis. Now we have an album which reinvents the studio tinkering of George Martin's psychedelic prime for a new technological generation. It's still clearly a Beatles albums - if you listen inattentively many of the tracks sound very much like previous CD masters, albeit with much better sound - but there are touches of genius in the remixing/rejigging process that makes this much more than a standard compilation.
Purists will be relieved to hear that nothing appalling happens to many of the most revered tracks. "Eleanor Rigby" and "I am the Walrus" (among many others) are treated fairly straight. "A Day in the Life" sounds much the same, but with the emphasis shifted from the drums to the bass and the "sugar plum fairy" count-in of the recording session restored. Unfortunately, there is also a tendency within the project as a whole to add extraneous, sometimes irritating, sounds which somewhat spoils the version of "Strawberry Fields Forever" here.
While additions are sometimes merely fussy, however, there are some inventive segues and combinations that work perfectly. The way that "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" becomes "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" has to be heard to be believed, and the marriage of "Tomorrow Never Knows" to "Within You Without You" is a flagship example of how the techniques on this album can work spectacularly. The reinvention of "Lady Madonna" is another highlight, and will set your feet tapping when the rhythm section from "Hey Bulldog" erupts for a couple of bars. Many listeners will have a lot of fun with the DTS 5.1 mix, which challenges you to work out whether you are hearing a more polished mix of the original or something completely fresh.
Not everything works, though. The string section of "Goodnight" is stuck unsympathetically onto the start of "Octopus's Garden" and there's definitely a sense that some things are done in the production process just because they could be and not because there is an actual musical improvement. The most obvious selling-point of the album - George Martin's fresh orchestral arrangement for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - sounds dull in the setting of a bright, edgy album and would probably also sound schmalzy compared to the version on "The White Album". As a whole, though, the album is never less than interesting ... high praise for a project where all the source material is so thoroughly known.
I was all ready to hate this, but actually it's a really welcome addition to the catalogue.
Purists will be relieved to hear that nothing appalling happens to many of the most revered tracks. "Eleanor Rigby" and "I am the Walrus" (among many others) are treated fairly straight. "A Day in the Life" sounds much the same, but with the emphasis shifted from the drums to the bass and the "sugar plum fairy" count-in of the recording session restored. Unfortunately, there is also a tendency within the project as a whole to add extraneous, sometimes irritating, sounds which somewhat spoils the version of "Strawberry Fields Forever" here.
While additions are sometimes merely fussy, however, there are some inventive segues and combinations that work perfectly. The way that "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" becomes "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" has to be heard to be believed, and the marriage of "Tomorrow Never Knows" to "Within You Without You" is a flagship example of how the techniques on this album can work spectacularly. The reinvention of "Lady Madonna" is another highlight, and will set your feet tapping when the rhythm section from "Hey Bulldog" erupts for a couple of bars. Many listeners will have a lot of fun with the DTS 5.1 mix, which challenges you to work out whether you are hearing a more polished mix of the original or something completely fresh.
Not everything works, though. The string section of "Goodnight" is stuck unsympathetically onto the start of "Octopus's Garden" and there's definitely a sense that some things are done in the production process just because they could be and not because there is an actual musical improvement. The most obvious selling-point of the album - George Martin's fresh orchestral arrangement for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - sounds dull in the setting of a bright, edgy album and would probably also sound schmalzy compared to the version on "The White Album". As a whole, though, the album is never less than interesting ... high praise for a project where all the source material is so thoroughly known.
I was all ready to hate this, but actually it's a really welcome addition to the catalogue.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Unforgetables Beatles
All right as agreed and fast shipping. Price set forth in England. This album is like remembering the old days 60's, with great memories. The DVD-audio sound is unbeatable. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Jose
Jimbo
The Beatles at their best as always- no group can beat them for their pioneer approach to recording originallity. many try but few are as succesful.
Published 20 months ago by Mr. James Crouch
Just awful...
Whilst not a Beatles fan myself, I do accept that for whatever reason, they were the biggest band of the sixties. Read more
Published on 17 April 2009 by FAMOUS NAME
At Last! The Beatles on DVD Audio!! Absolutely Stunning!!!
I have to admit to not having read the excellent and accurate Amazon review before ordering this album. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2008 by Music Fan
Thumb's Up
Just as I have no quarrel with a Mona Lisa sporting a moustache (provided the original still hangs in the Louvre), I am quite happy to hear Beatles music in a new and stimulating... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2007 by Laurence Upton
For The Love Of The Beatles!
If someone were to tell you that a new Beatles album was out and it was made partially for Cirque Du Soleil, you'd probably remember the 1978 Peter Frampton/Bee Gees travesty and... Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2007 by Martin A Hogan
Different in a good way.
I could talk about how the Beatles work changed the world and should never be touched, messed with. That's for other people to do. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2007 by David Bowers
Remixed and Reimagined
Sir George Martin and his son Giles have done a fine job in remixing many classic Beatles songs to create something which feels quite new, but also refreshingly in form with the... Read more
Published on 3 July 2007 by G. Brading
Fantastic
If you've not already been to Las Vegas to see Sergeant Pepper come to life then this album should make you want to go.
Published on 18 Jun 2007 by AV maestro
Beatles LOVE (DVD-A)
The bonus DVD is Audio only - it does clearly state this on the sleeve, but the sound reproduction is amazing. I have a 5. Read more
Published on 22 April 2007 by R. Viner
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
