When the Beatles CDs were released in remastered editions in September 2009, millions of fans rushed out to buy new stereo editions of their favorite albums. But for other diehard fans, the true versions of these classic albums could only be found in a limited edition box set called "The Beatles in Mono."
The box set -- also released in September 2009 -- featured 11 Beatles CDs (including one CD of singles and odds and ends) in their original mono mixes. Initially limited to 10,000 copies, the box marked the first chance for Beatles fans to hear many of these mono mixes on officially released CDs.
Soon, fans began to speculate: Would these mono mixes ever be released as individual CDs?
The Beatles CDs -- Mono differences
The answer is important, because the Beatles CDs often sound very different in their mono formats. The differences are too numerous to mention. But some of the major differences to be found in the mono mixes include the following:
- "If I Fell." Paul fails to hit the note in the second "vain."
- "Help." Completely different vocal track from John.
- "I'm Only Sleeping." Extra backwards guitar part.
- "Got to Get You Into My Life." Longer fade-out.
- "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." Different "phasing" effect applied to the vocals of the chorus.
- "She's Leaving Home." Runs much faster than the stereo version
- "Sgt. Pepper" Reprise." Different sound effects and vocalizations from John and (especially) Paul.
- "I'm So Tired." Paul's vocal is much more to the fore.
- "Helter Skelter." Does not feature Ringo's famous declaration: "I've got blisters on my fingers!"
The Beatles CDs in Mono – As the Band Intended?
Many Beatles fans believe the mono mixes are vastly superior to their stereo counterparts. This is particularly true of the first four albums ("Please Please Me," "With the Beatles," "Hard Days Night" and "Beatles for Sale"), where the group's sound has more force and cohesion in mono, particularly on harder-rocking tracks.
But it's also true of later albums. The mono mix of "Rubber Soul" has greater balance than the stereo version (which places the vocals in one channel and the music in the other).
Even "Sgt. Pepper" sounds more inventive in mono, with famed Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick going so far as to say "the mono version of Pepper is indeed the only one."
Up through at least "Sgt. Pepper," the Beatles themselves typically were only present for the mono mixes. Stereo mixes were an afterthought left to others. Emerick mentions that it took three weeks to mix "Sgt. Pepper," but that just three days of that time were spent on the stereo mix.
So, a reasonable case can be made that until the White Album, the mono mixes are the only true way to appeciate the Beatles' music at the band itself intended.
Will The Beatles CDs Be Released as Individual Mono Copies?
Given the primary role of mono in the Beatles history, it would make sense that EMI eventually would release the Beatles CDs in individual mono copies. That way, the average music lover could purchase a mono version of "Revolver" without having to spend hundreds of dollars buying the box set.
Demand for "The Beatles in Mono" box set was so strong that in September 2009, EMI announced plans for additional pressings of what was supposed to be a limited edition of 10,000 units. In May 2010, the Beatles in Mono box set went platinum.
So, clearly there is a demand for the music in this form.
But to date, there appear to be no plans to release the Beatles CDs as individual mono copies.
Sources: " The Beatles in Mono " Wikipedia article; "Big Differences in Stereo vs. Mono Beatles" by Jake Brown, Oct. 28, 2009; "Meet (and be) the Beatles," by Randy Lewis, Aug. 30, 2009.
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