It is, more than 40 years… right?

Pretty lame song in my opinion, should have been left in the vault…

Given the AI part of this exercise I guess we can expect anything. I hear a Beatles rap song forming in that AI world.

Turn it off.

Well, it turns out there was another reason they released that song.

https://redstate.com/jerrywilson/2023/11/12/the-beatles-1962-1966-and-1967-1970-are-back-and-theyre-glorious-n2166223

^ that's interesting. For me, if this is true, it's 1 million times more important than the release of "Now and Then.":

Giles Martin, son of the late Sir George Martin, who produced all of The Beatles’ recordings, has spent years lovingly remixing his father’s work, using the latest studio technology not to autotune or embellish that which needs neither but rather to bring the music an audio sheen of stunning presence and warmth. Tracks previously available only in mono or early gimmicky stereo now naturally breathe, causing the listener on so little as a halfway-decent sound system to constantly peek behind the speakers to make sure John, Paul, Ringo, and George aren’t secretly camped out back there performing live. Yes, the sound is that good.


I've always suffered disappointment with the quality of the Beatles recordings from the '60s. It's like the technology wasn't there to bring out what was there at the time. I do remember seeing The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage in Las Vegas and being blown away at the quality of the sound, so I'm excited to see how good these Giles Martin remixes are.

Gotta prime the pump…

The early recordings were awful, so maybe…

The technology at the time was nowhere near what we have now. If you can read Geoff Emericks book, or some excerpts from it you will be impressed with what he did to create the sounds that the Beatles used. Some of his innovative engineering tricks are just amazing and formed the basis for much of what is used today.

Definitely not Strawberry Fields or A Day in the Life. I agree with George Harrison on this.

'Tomorrow Never Knows' is my fav Beatles song.
Just amazing for it's time.

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I am a Beatles fan going back to 1964. Had all the albums when they first came out. Love all of them except Let It Be.

That said, I think that Then And Now is terrible. It is bland and plastic. It has no soul. I don't hear any passion or innovation. It is a triumph for for proof of concept with what can be done with AI but it failed in having a human touch.

I found this very fascinating from a the technology side. Being able to lift Lennon's voice from the tape. This was impossible, even in the 90s when they first tried to get the song recorded. And then they add in Harrison's guitar parts from the 90s.

Generally I found this a great tribute and I also love the video, where they blend old with new and in-between footage, including the 90s first attempt. I agree, the song is not a big hit, but that was not the goal here, I am sure.

No they were not. The original Parlophone pressings sound excellent. The US Capital 1960s (Dave Dexter Jr) pressings were not good*, for many reasons, including being drenched in reverb and simulated (fake) stereo and cut using 3 or 4 generations old tape. People who do not collect Beatles vinyl (and on other media) have no idea how many times these recordings have been released and what has been done or not done in the process.

The same thing happened to the Stones’ releases in the USA.

If anyone wants excellent soundings Beatle recordings, they are out there if you know what your looking for and are prepared to pay. The Mono box set (I have the vinyl and CD sets) are the easiest and most affordable way to get close to the original excellent sounding Parlophone releases.

*those that grew up listening to the Capital records identify only with them and enjoy them for what they are…I am one of them. But when made to compare the sound quality to “originals” there is no comparison.

L
 

I might be the only other guy here that has read Emerick’s book.

The problem with the technology of that time was not a problem with the recording, mastering, cutting and pressing process….in order to produce a stunning sounding record or tape. The limitation was in the playback systems the consumers had available. And yes, creative and inventive techniques were necessary to add effects and manipulations compared to today.

I have many original pressings from the 50s and early 60s that are stunning in their fidelity* Today’s ability to capture sound in hi fidelity (and to produce the record) is no better than it was 70 years ago. In fact, by choice- due to cost and convenience, it’s worse now.

Sure, “special effects” and manipulation are far easier today but that is a separate and distinct issue.

* I will supply a list of recordings from 50- 65 years ago that are of a sound quality that have not been bested yet upon request :)

As for the new song, I don’t like it. John would be pissed.

If instead this was their first recording, and not their last, the Beatles may never have been around long enough to have become the group they did.

It is not horrible, but it will not be something I buy and add to my playlist.

I think it's did its job by stirring memories for all their other songs.

If faced with the choice of hearing the song or not, what's the harm? Many will like it.

Benny is good but he is no Duke.Ellington! 🙃

Like like or LIKE LIKE?

If you LIKE it you may fall in love with it.

Steve and AI sitting in a tree... 😋

100%, I think that was the intent.

Put it out a week before the release of the remastered stuff to get them in the headlines again.

I guess. Beatles fans know what’s going on and don’t need to be stirred and those (casual fans/listeners) that do, are they going to buy the remix CDs or vinyl or just stream it? I don’t know. To be honest, I’m such a huge Beatles fan that I don’t know what non Beatlefreaks do or think- I can’t relate to those weirdos

I wish they could remaster the Anthology DVDs. I watch it repeatedly and the video quality sucks

Interview with Giles
https://variety.com/2023/music/news/beatles-giles-martin-now-and-then-producer-remixing-red-blue-albums-interview-1235778746/