"Love" - The Beatles

deaf pea · #1 01-08-2007, 10:10 AM

I just now heard this CD and was blown away . . . a friend brought back a copy from Europe, where he spent the holidays with his family. As I don't have the CD booklet, what can you guys tell me about this CD. Is it a new release? I haven't heard any media noise about it here in Mexico . . . OR here at TalkBASS either!

geoffkhan · #2 01-08-2007, 05:36 PM

Yup it's a pretty recent release. Pretty cool what you can do with old tracks and outtakes.

Peter Squire · #3 01-08-2007, 10:47 PM

It's a collaboration with George Martin (original Beatles producer/studio whiz) and the guys who score all the Cirque Du Soleil shows.

Basically, the original master tapes have been remixed together to make a soundtrack to a circus show in Las Vegas, all based around the Beatles music. It's merit depends on your point of view.

Some purists think it's sacrilige, whilst for others it brings a new audience and experience to the Beatles music.

YMMV

dougjwray · #4 01-09-2007, 08:33 AM

Sir George Martin's son, Giles (I believes that's his name) worked on it too.
I heard a bit of it and really enjoyed it. Some cuts have the vocal track from one song over the instrumental track of another... it might annoy purists, but it's done with class and a lot of ingenuity.
George Martin wrote a string part for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", and in the liner notes he reflects that the string accompaniment that he wrote for "Yesterday" was his first, and this one will be his last (for the Beatles). That actually kind of choked me up.
The tracks that are not messed with sound way better than ever (digitally remastered from the original tapes, etc.).
It's well worth checking out.

Stealthco4545 · #5 01-09-2007, 08:42 AM

The way Because is mixed (acapella) it gives me goosebumps to hear them harmonize. Especially when Paul hits that high note towards the end.

MonetBass · #6 01-09-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougjwray

Sir George Martin's son, Giles (I believes that's his name) worked on it too.

You are correct, sir!

Got this for Christmas, and I agree that it is well-done. The arrangement on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is amazing with just guitar and orchestra. In reality most of the tracks are fairly untouched, just remastered (which makes this disc worth it just from that). Very, very good music.

Professor X · #7 01-09-2007, 09:17 AM

As someone who has been surrounded by the music of the beatles all of my life, I can honestly say i love this album. I think the combinations and arrangements are genius and am actually "spinning" it at the music store i manage right now...

ps i too got goosebumps the first time i listened to the verson of "because"

Techmonkey · #8 01-09-2007, 09:51 AM

the track that did it for me was Sgt Peppers...

wow! totally different to the original, but i really really liked it! sounded really modern!

bassbrad · #9 01-09-2007, 12:15 PM

I got "Love" the day it was released here and have really listened to it a lot. I appreciate the way the music has been reconstruced, restructured and deconstructed. For me it has been a way to re-experience music that has been so important in my life. I have even heard sounds and parts in the original recordings since hearing 'Love' that were never there before.
I have had several heated arguments with Beatles 'traditionalists' who are almost violently opposed to the whole idea of "Love" for reasons that have nothing to do with the music. To me that is a real shame and in some ways against what the Beatles were all about. One drummer friend was visiting my house when we got into the argument, when I asked if he had even heard it he said no it was the principle of the thing. I said that he really should have no opinion until he had at least heard it. We proceeded to fire up the stereo, neon and lava lamps get comfy and listen to "Love". When it was done he was in "Love". We spent the rest of the evening listeneing to the Beatles going back and forth between the original recordings and the 'new' Love recordings. It was kinda like the old days when folks would get together and really listen to music together.

deaf pea · #10 01-09-2007, 05:13 PM

Thanks for all the info, guys.

Is that true that this was made as the soundtrack for one of the Cirque Du Soleil shows?
Is GM's son Giles in any way afiliated with the Cirque Du Soleil? And just who IS the music producer/arranger/remix producer/remixer on this project? I was told that it was the inspiration of GM and his son, and hadn't heard ANYTHING about the connection to the Cirque Du Soleil. Is that true (GM's participation), or was he only involved minimally in a highly creative work directed by others?

At any rate, this is a very interesting "suite" of the music of the Beatles, obviosly using the original recordings (AND new material, similar to how remiers "de-construct" songs in their various versions), and a good listen!

Any more info or comments?

Edit: BTW, these remixes DO sound very modern, in the sense of the sound quality AND in the sense of the quality of the music . . . how this 40-year-old music can sound so "now" really amazes me!!!

deaf pea · #11 01-09-2007, 05:25 PM

Is it just me, or does anybody else think that Paul's solo vocals are more present in the mix than John's solo vocals are? Or do you think it's more a stylistic thing, with John singing more rock (with it's characteristic "buried" vocal mix-style) and Paul singing more pop-oriented stuff?

Peter Squire · #12 01-09-2007, 07:33 PM

hey, deaf pea

check out this link:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/Cirque...ntro/intro.htm

deaf pea · #13 01-09-2007, 08:47 PM

Peter Squire -
Thanks for the link . . . I was re-directed to The Beatles site from there and learned a lot . . .

BTW, I was in Adelaide in the early-mid 70's touring (I don't really remember if it was with The Osmonds or with David Cassidy - teeny-bop pop, but it paid well and the musicians were well-treated). A lovely place, very hilly, IIRC. I seem to vaguely remember going with the FOH engineer to a recording studio out in the country . . . I also remember, even more vaguely, something called "Thai stick" that put an end to my Marijuana useage . . . REALLY strong sh*t!!!

deaf pea · #14 01-09-2007, 09:21 PM

After reading stuff and seeing the videos on the making of the CD at the Beatles web site (thebeatles.com), I'm convinced that this CD IS a valid expansion of the Beatles music. How ANYBODY could gripe about how it's "not right" to mess with this music . . . come on, this IS a commercial project, but it's a collaboration between Apple Corps (which IS the Beatles own company) and the Cirque Du Soleil. The Cirque Du Soleil musical directors are NOT involved in any way, artistically (they may have been involved logistically, though). This is purely the work of GM and his son, Giles, guided by the surviving Beatles and the wives of John and George. The bottom line is that this CD is a valuable addition to the Beatles discography, very entertaining AND very enlightening.

Peter Squire · #15 01-09-2007, 09:27 PM

I agree, deaf. When I said the musical directors were involved, I meant logistically because they had to explain how they were going to put the music to the circus element of the show.

It's a great listen and definitely worthwhile for the Beatles catalogue.

bearfoot · #16 03-13-2007, 05:24 PM

I just discovered the album this week. Other than a couple of awkard transitions that take me out of it, it is a refreshing joy to listen to. Though I don't yet own a 5.1 system, the mix, on the DVD I believe is 5.1. Can't wait to hear it like that.
I was going to list some favorite moments but don't want to spoil any surprises for anyone reading this.