Are you ready for Beatlemania?

[jonzer]

With the Beatles Rock Band game coming out on the 8th (I think), it seems it's stirred everything Beatles again, which will last for a couple of weeks. Remember when it all went nuts in '95 when Anthology came out? It seems every few years the media spotlights hits Elvis or the Beatles and people rediscover them.
What I've seen so far:
The Rock Band game publicity.
Rolling Stone has a huge story on them from last week.
They're in today's USA Today.
Blockbuster just received four remastered CDs with new art and liner notes (Abbey Road, Sgt Peppers, Revolver and Help) and they're all going for $20.
Also a new book is at Blockbuster on these guys.

I really don't mind it when the Beatles are exposed like this because I know it'll calm down and at the very least I'll hear some good music in places where they don't normally have decent music.
Plus, a friend of mine is buying the Rock Band game and she's giving me the Beatles cap that comes with it.

Anyway, Hail The Beatles. They still rock. I wish John and George were still around.

[hekawi]

the Rockband commercial is VERY cool:

[mr natural]

They really need to do a Yardbirds version of Rock Band.
-Mr. Natural

[garymaddox]

Hekawi, you are right. That is cooool.

[jonzer]

The game does look really cool as it takes them from The Cavern, to Shea Stadium to the Rooftop. The characterizations seem kinda weak...but it's still pretty impressive overall.
I'm not about these games and usually rant on them...but hearing these songs on the trailer actually kinda makes me curious to play it.

[Overseer]

at least the beatles 50th anniv is a legit reason for all this activity

plus there are those nice remasters of their albums coming out

[wylde4canes]

09-08-09 rock band comes out AND the UK discography ( plus magical mystery tour) remastered. I have been on a full fledged Beatles bender for the past two weeks in anticipation!

[jjkrause84]

anyone notice that the "guitar" that comes with it is a "Pro Jet" styled Gretsch? I wish they'd gone more with a Country Gent. Besides....I can't recall the Beatles ever playing a Pro Jet.....heck, did they even exist yet!?

[telideli]

Wow...I remember when the Beatles music inspired kids to learn to play 'real' instruments......

[metropolis74]

Heck yeah I'm ready for Beatlemania!!!!!

Originally Posted by jjkrause84

anyone notice that the "guitar" that comes with it is a "Pro Jet" styled Gretsch? I wish they'd gone more with a Country Gent. Besides....I can't recall the Beatles ever playing a Pro Jet.....heck, did they even exist yet!?

That's modelled after his Gretsch Duo Jet. George used it from 1961 and still had it the day he died I assume. It can be heard on every recording up to With the Beatles if I recall.

The Pro Jet is the modern Gretsch Electromatic made in China version of the Duo Jet. Gretsch is still making plenty of Duo Jets to this day. It is strange though that Rockband chose to use a guitar that George didn't play that long in the Beatles.

Interesting story here about how he acquired the Duo Jet.

[wylde4canes]

Originally Posted by telideli

Wow...I remember when the Beatles music inspired kids to learn to play 'real' instruments......

I like to think alot of kids get turned on to the music that they are listening to in these games and at least a portion of them will go pick up the real things. I am a guitar hero convert myself. I used to despise the game, until I played it with a more open mind. I had a blast, and it actually is pretty helpful in rhythm training! I know a couple parents I work with say their kids have started asking for real guitars as a result of the game too.

[telideli]

Originally Posted by wylde4canes

I had a blast, and it actually is pretty helpful in rhythm training! I know a couple parents I work with say their kids have started asking for real guitars as a result of the game too.

Yes, but most of them will spend more time on the game than learning the guitar.

The rewards in the game are 'instantaneous'. Video game addiction is a serious affliction.

[jjkrause84]

Originally Posted by metropolis74

Heck yeah I'm ready for Beatlemania!!!!!



That's modelled after his Gretsch Duo Jet. George used it from 1961 and still had it the day he died I assume. It can be heard on every recording up to With the Beatles if I recall.

The Pro Jet is the modern Gretsch Electromatic made in China version of the Duo Jet. Gretsch is still making plenty of Duo Jets to this day. It is strange though that Rockband chose to use a guitar that George didn't play that long in the Beatles.

Interesting story here about how he acquired the Duo Jet.

Awesome! Thanks for the info....

Now only if they still made Duo Jets with an actual tone knob like Georgie's got there...I'd have one already!

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by jjkrause84

Awesome! Thanks for the info....

Now only if they still made Duo Jets with an actual tone knob like Georgie's got there...I'd have one already!

They do. Check this out.
VERY cool guitar that blows the Pro Jet out of the water. I know, I used to have one. But I digress....

[Overseer]

Originally Posted by telideli

Wow...I remember when the Beatles music inspired kids to learn to play 'real' instruments......

guitar hero inspires too.. young and old...!

a coworker went out and got a les paul (epi) and amp etc etc... couple years later its still pretty much untouched!

maybe it cheapens guitar playing?

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by jonzer

...
Blockbuster just received four remastered CDs with new art and liner notes (Abbey Road, Sgt Peppers, Revolver and Help) and they're all going for $20.
Also a new book is at Blockbuster on these guys...

Blockbuster is already selling the new CD's??!! What happened to the 9-9-09 release date that's been advertised for months? I thought that was kinda cool releasing the CD's and Beatles Rockband on 9-9-09...which is a nod the the Beatles' (moreso John's) fascination with the number 9...number 9...number 9...number 9...number 9...

Or they could have released it all on September 10th in reference to the 'One After 909'

[jjkrause84]

Originally Posted by metropolis74

They do. Check this out.
VERY cool guitar that blows the Pro Jet out of the water. I know, I used to have one. But I digress....

Ah! I didn't notice the dynasonics under Geore's hands there....

Hmmm.....

I'd still prefer filtertrons. I wonder if I could stick a filtertron in a dynasonic route..... (aimless pondering continues....I don't even have a Tele yet NO WAY do I need another Gretsch )

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by jjkrause84

Ah! I didn't notice the dynasonics under Geore's hands there....

Hmmm.....

I'd still prefer filtertrons. I wonder if I could stick a filtertron in a dynasonic route..... (aimless pondering continues....I don't even have a Tele yet NO WAY do I need another Gretsch )

Sure, if you're brave and handy with a chisel. Otherwise Gretsch already makes Duo Jets with stock Filtertrons too. Or get TV Jones Classics in the DeArmond size to replace the Dynas. Ooops my Gretsch GAS has now been inflamed.

OK back on topic - so who here is getting the mono or stereo remastered box set?

[jonzer]

Originally Posted by metropolis74

Blockbuster is already selling the new CD's??!! What happened to the 9-9-09 release date that's been advertised for months? I thought that was kinda cool releasing the CD's and Beatles Rockband on 9-9-09...which is a nod the the Beatles' (moreso John's) fascination with the number 9...number 9...number 9...number 9...number 9...

Or they could have released it all on September 10th in reference to the 'One After 909'

They're not released yet. We just received them. I think they come out on the 8th. I'm not sure.

[Gianni]

The Beatles are one of, if not my favourite band. Their work is simply incredible. The remasters and Beatles Rock Band are out 09/09/09 to clarify. I preordered:

Revolved
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Magical Mystery Tour
Abbey Road

Then ran out of cash. :D
Will pick up the other classic albums shortly after. Can't wait.

[sunkidd]

Originally Posted by jjkrause84

Ah! I didn't notice the dynasonics under Geore's hands there....

Hmmm.....

I'd still prefer filtertrons. I wonder if I could stick a filtertron in a dynasonic route..... (aimless pondering continues....I don't even have a Tele yet NO WAY do I need another Gretsch )

Yes you can stick a Filtertron in a Dynasonic route....
My TV Jones Classic is wonderful in my 6120...
I love the Filtertrons, but also, the Dynasonics are great also so I left my Dynasonic in the neck after testing out the guitar with both...
the metal not over the top of the Filtertron in the Gretsch, gives the pickup even more dynamics...
TV Jones convinced me of that on the phone with him... I also had him do a custom rewind on my Dynasonic...
makes a great combo, the Filter/Dyna set....


as you can see the TV Jones Filtertrons are one of my favorites....even in a Tele!

[Turtletwang]

"Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust." - "London Calling" - Clash

Just kidding. I'm interested in those Beatle mono masters that are supposed to be released soon. Anybody know when?

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by Turtletwang

"Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust." - "London Calling" - Clash

Just kidding. I'm interested in those Beatle mono masters that are supposed to be released soon. Anybody know when?

9-9-09...that's the date that has been repeated like a mantra all over the media for the past few months getting us psyched for 21st century Beatlemania. Good luck finding the mono set. Pre-orders are sold out everywhere and it's only available for a limited time.

Check out Beatle News.com for daily updates.

[jonzer]

At Blockbuster we only received four copies of each. It'll be interesting to see if they sell there. I just noticed I can't find my copy of "Abbey Road"...WHAT????...so I'm gonna have to purchase that one.

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by sunkidd

Yes you can stick a Filtertron in a Dynasonic route....
My TV Jones Classic is wonderful in my 6120...
I love the Filtertrons, but also, the Dynasonics are great also so I left my Dynasonic in the neck after testing out the guitar with both...
the metal not over the top of the Filtertron in the Gretsch, gives the pickup even more dynamics...
TV Jones convinced me of that on the phone with him... I also had him do a custom rewind on my Dynasonic...
makes a great combo, the Filter/Dyna set....

Perfect example of what I was talking about above. At the bridge of your 6120 - a Filtertron (TV Classic) housed in a Dynasonic (DeArmond) surface mount. best way to avoid routing for a stock Filtertron sized pickup. Cool!

[OutlawSteph1975]

I thought about getting the mono set but ended up ordering the stereo set. I know more time was put into the mono mixes but to me stereo just sounds better and you can hear the individual guitar parts more clearly. Perhaps my own hearing issues have to do with not hearing mono as well. When Pet Sounds came out in stereo I was thrilled.

So, yes, I'm real excited about 9/9. Last year before the remasteres were announced we had a Beatles thread. Paul said they were coming. So I heard it here first.

[jjkrause84]

Mr. Jones...man....the world is better for people like him! He helped me choose my pups for my 5122 (a Supertron in the neck and Classic Plus in the bridge). I never would have considered that but it is PERFECT. I can play jazzy/bluesy stuff all day in the neck and twang all night (no....that is not suggestive.....) in the bridge. The first time I played in the middle positon I thought there was somethign wrong....surely my amp is off or something because it sounds exactly like the guitar unplugged. Wait...the amp's gotta be on cause it's LOUD in here!

Eventually I hope to stick both pups in a Tennessee Rose and ditch the electromatic. I love it, I really do, but once I get a job and start making money (one more year left of school...yay! Why didn't someone tell me a doctorate took so LONG ) I wanna upgrade. Used Roses go for as little as 1K on eBay....not a bad deal at all and I can recoop a fair bit by selling the 5122.

Dreeeam dream dreeeam, dreeee-E-E-E-eeeaam

[imsilly]

The Beatles were a great band, but I dare say they have been done to death.

Listening to an old Beatles record to many is like staring at Leonardo's Mona Lisa, you know how significant what you are experiencing is, but the sheer familiarity of the whole event renders it underwhelming. Familiarity will often lead to contempt. Still great music, just not exciting or fresh enough to get the juices flowing anymore. Plus their stuff hasn't aged as well as stuff made by other bands of the time. The other mega-groups of the 60s seem to always out do the Beatles in a particular aspect of their music, they were just great all rounders and innovators. I find most people I know listening to the Kinks for their lyrics, The Who for their live stuff and Stones for their raunchy R&B. The Beatles just don't resonate with todays culture in the way they used too.

I think to those that have never heard them before it might bring on a new Beatlemania, but frankly who hasn't heard them.

[bluetele54]

Originally Posted by imsilly

The Beatles were a great band, but I dare say they have been done to death.

Listening to an old Beatles record to many is like staring at Leonardo's Mona Lisa, you know how significant what you are experiencing is, but the sheer familiarity of the whole event renders it underwhelming. Familiarity will often lead to contempt. Still great music, just not exciting or fresh enough to get the juices flowing anymore. Plus their stuff hasn't aged as well as stuff made by other bands of the time. The other mega-groups of the 60s seem to always out do the Beatles in a particular aspect of their music, they were just great all rounders and innovators. I find most people I know listening to the Kinks for their lyrics, The Who for their live stuff and Stones for their raunchy R&B. The Beatles just don't resonate with todays culture in the way they used too.

I think to those that have never heard them before it might bring on a new Beatlemania, but frankly who hasn't heard them.

...I feel it might be a generational thing...after the assassination of Kennedy,here in the US,there was this need for some good news and release from the sadness of that dark event,and here comes this positive voice..."Ladies and Gentleman,the BEATLES!!!...

...Pandemonium!!!...


...I agree that those other bands you speak of had a tremendous effect on us when we first heard them as well,but the Beatles had a simple and direct message that resonated with the "everyman",and its "positivity" was part of a healing process...the Beatles also enabled those bands to be introduced to the American market,the so-called "British Invasion"...

...there was sooo much pressure on the Fab Four to succeed and keep pushing the envelope...when you consider that (I've read this somewhere) it was about 18 months between the recording of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Tomorrow Never Knows",that's astonishing!!!...

...I hope the mono transfers sound great,as I assume they shall,but I have stereo and mono vinyl on most all of the recordings that were released in both mixes,so I don't know if I'll bite quite yet...

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by bluetele54

...when you consider that (I've read this somewhere) it was about 18 months between the recording of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Tomorrow Never Knows",that's astonishing!!!...

8/63 to 4/66 = 32 months, but that's still icredible!

Most bands today can take 32 months between albums and the new one sounds exactly like the old one. Not many bands today take chances like the Beatles and many others of their day used to take.

[wylde4canes]

Originally Posted by imsilly

The Beatles were a great band, but I dare say they have been done to death.

Listening to an old Beatles record to many is like staring at Leonardo's Mona Lisa, you know how significant what you are experiencing is, but the sheer familiarity of the whole event renders it underwhelming. Familiarity will often lead to contempt. Still great music, just not exciting or fresh enough to get the juices flowing anymore. Plus their stuff hasn't aged as well as stuff made by other bands of the time. The other mega-groups of the 60s seem to always out do the Beatles in a particular aspect of their music, they were just great all rounders and innovators. I find most people I know listening to the Kinks for their lyrics, The Who for their live stuff and Stones for their raunchy R&B. The Beatles just don't resonate with todays culture in the way they used too.

I think to those that have never heard them before it might bring on a new Beatlemania, but frankly who hasn't heard them.

I can't disagree more. It is all opinion, but I think the Beatles work is more relevant than the Stones or the Who. I can hear a song like Let It Be and be completely transfixed for the duration where as when I hear My Generation or Honkey Tonk Women I think, "Classic Rock Bar Band"

I also feel like, while I have to take breaks from their music ( like I do anyone's) that listening to their stuff really inspires me. Plus George Harrison was a phenomenally under rated guitarist in comparison with guys like Pete Townsend and Keef. Listen to his note selection.. you can feel the changes!

But like I said, it is all opinion and you and I are both welcome to our points of view on the matter.

[imsilly]

I think it really boils down to what you want to get from your music. Like a lot of the above posters have mentioned The Beatles seemed like a remedy for a number of woes at the time. I reckon that is one reason they don't seem to have the same kind of resonance with my generation.

I clearly remember when I was growing up and going through the record collections of my parents and my friends parents, we really got deeply into bands like The Velvet Underground, The Stooges and The Monks. I reckon at the time those bands were recording they hardly registered on the mainstream of pop because unlike The Beatles their appeal was narrowed by their themes and musical approach, but by the time we started listening to those records 30 years later they had found a larger audience.

It's like nowadays in Europe especially there is a massive swing, jump blues and rockabilly revival going on. It's because kids really like the sweaty, trashy, retro style. They don't really care to much about the innovation rather, they just want the fastest raunchiest music to play. It's just a matter of whether you want to sit down and listen to loverly written pop song or jump around listening to snarly, reverb filled noise with a beat.

I love a good song, but sometimes I'd rather just get really wasted and wallow in distortion. I think it's far more cathartic then listening to Harrison on Mother Natures Son, even though I love to listen to songs like that at the right time.

[Mike Eskimo]

The Beatles were a great band, but I dare say they have been done to death.

Listening to an old Beatles record to many is like staring at Leonardo's Mona Lisa, you know how significant what you are experiencing is, but the sheer familiarity of the whole event renders it underwhelming. Familiarity will often lead to contempt. Still great music, just not exciting or fresh enough to get the juices flowing anymore. Plus their stuff hasn't aged as well as stuff made by other bands of the time. The Beatles just don't resonate with todays culture in the way they used too.

+1,000


W/ 6 older "boomer" sisters, I never need to listen to the Beatles ever again.

Always way too much British Music Hall flavor to a lot of their stuff for my taste as well.

But - think of all the money I've saved w/ all their "product" coming out again and again over the years.

Paul says "Jump !" and y'all say "How high Sir Paul ?"

[Gianni]

I realised the Beatles were my favourite band because of the warm fuzzy feeling I got in the pit of my stomach listening to them. The glorious, brilliant, lovely pop that makes you want to grin from ear to ear. And then you get to the Revolver to Abbey Road phase and it's just... wow. The thought, ideas and freshness just blazes through the music. Think of Revolver! It's like a journey, from Taxman to Tomorrow Never Knows. You could say the same for Sgt. Pepper, A Day In The Life has to be one of the best songs ever.

I'd just like to add:
I'm 14 years old. I didn't grow up around The Beatles. I bought the album 1 to try out one of the most influential bands ever and was blown away... and then I looked into the proper album material. The Velvets have been mentioned in this thread, and I adore them too, heck, I saw the legendary Lou Reed live (yes... it was amazing), but they give a different kind of listening experience to the Fab Four. Both are incredible and its all down to opinion really.

Roll on 09/09/09. :D

[Mechanic]

Ok gotta post on this one. Yes there is new tech to remaster and clean up the sound on the Beatle recordings. I'll sit back and listen to the Mobil Fidelity's (sets) I own. I bought the reissued cd's from the last Beatles binge. I save Sgt. Peppers for special occations of grand kids coming over and wanting to listen and when I'm fealing the blues and need a pick me up (more often these days). I feel that its the Jacksons (who now own the rights, Nothern Songs) who are milking the cash cow because of Michel being out of it, and the mess he left. Sir Paul and Richie will go along for the ride with the others.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my Beatles music. They inspire me to try and play thiers and other peoples music. Thank you. Zappa, I think said it best:

"Strictly Commercial"

[Brad Pittiful]

09/09/09 and this comes out out tomorrow...im enjoying all the cool specials on tv...lots of stuff i havent seen before

i think this will kick in a new generation of beatle fans...as generations go newer gens dont know or care about the past...not all but most...one band that should carry into the future is the beatles...imo

[Escondido Bound]

Originally Posted by Mechanic

I feel that its the Jacksons (who now own the rights, Nothern Songs) who are milking the cash cow because of Michel being out of it, and the mess he left. Sir Paul and Richie will go along for the ride with the others.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my Beatles music. They inspire me to try and play thiers and other peoples music. Thank you. Zappa, I think said it best:

"Strictly Commercial"

Just to clarify: Sony and Michael Jackson's estate at this time own the publication rights to the songs--they do not own the copyright to the Beatles' own recordings of their songs. Apple/EMI owns the rights to the albums themselves, and this remastering of the Beatles recordings has nothing to do with the death of Michael Jackson. The re-issues have been in the works for years, and just as the first set of CDs coincided with the anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's famous line ("It was twenty years ago today"), this set is no doubt arriving at 09-09-09 in honor of the number 9 association from the White Album and the fact that this is also forty years ago since the Beatles closed out their album recording career. After Abbey Road in 1969, the Beatles only rehashed the already finished recordings that became Let It Be and brought out a couple more singles.

I have to admit that I am really excited. Obviously, it's commerical, but I also think there is a genuine effort here to restore the Beatles' central product--their albums--to the stature they deserve. The sound is remastered (to great effect according to everything that I've read), and the album art is more in line with how the CDs should have been released in the first place.

EB

[63dot]

I can't wait. There are big posters at the computer gaming store. It's a nice touch that the guitar controllers use the brand names of the guitars. Maybe they can keep expanding on this and make more guitar controller models, like George Harrison's rosewood telecaster.

[J-man]

I can't wait either - definitely going to get bought.

[OutlawSteph1975]

Originally Posted by wylde4canes

I can't disagree more. It is all opinion, but I think the Beatles work is more relevant than the Stones or the Who. I can hear a song like Let It Be and be completely transfixed for the duration where as when I hear My Generation or Honkey Tonk Women I think, "Classic Rock Bar Band"

+1! In the long run, I think it worked in the Beatles' favor that their later material is very difficult to impossible to pull off live sounding anything like the record. Nothing got over-played or hacked to death by a million sound-alike bands.

In the early days of the British invasion, many bands sounded like the Beatles, or tried to, but the Beatles themselves transcended the scene that they created. And the better look/sound alike bands post-invasion, like the Byrds, found their own identidies.