No, I cannot agree that the US LP version is perfect, because it has the songs in a different order than they appear in the movie. This is something I find very important.
My mom played The Beatles so much growing up, but really only up to Rubber Soul. I didn't discover Magical Mystery Tour until a few years ago and couldn't believe I hadn't heard this amazing album! My jaw dropped hearing Blue Jay Way for the first time, it's become one of my favorite Beatles songs.
@@Akchun21 It's a little repetitive in the end, but the backwards music (which is the entire song being played backwards and periodically being faded in and out of the final mix) and flanging that happened as a result of the Hammond organ going though the "chorus" effect of a Leslie speaker (when both 1: the rotating horns and dummy to counterbalance it) the upwards facing treble speaker is sent though and 2: the rotating drum with sound baffles (and counterbalances) the downwards facing bass speaker is sent trough are rotating slowly; (at about 1 rotation per second; with the treble horns rotating slightly faster than the drum the bass speaker is sent through) THAT THEN GOES THROUGH THE SAME LESLIE SPEAKER ON THE "CHORUS" EFFECT ALL OVER AGAIN IS INTOXICATING! That doesn't even take into account when Harrison's voice is going through a Leslie speaker on "Tremolo" mode; where the horn and it's counterweight the treble speaker goes through and the rotating drum the bass speaker goes through are spinning about seven times a second, again with the treble rotating horn spinning slightly faster than the bass rotating drum. Ringo's drums also sound like they're being sent through the "chorus" effect of a Leslie speaker.
Some years ago a writer for _Mojo_ (A British music magazine) suggested that considering that the songs were all recorded around the same time, and were all born of the same spirit of experimentation the U.S. _Magical Mystery Tour_ album is the second half of the double album that _Sgt. Pepper's_ should have been. *I've always loved that idea.* I also would've added three of the songs The Beatles relegated to the _Yellow Submarine_ LP; _Only A Northern Song,_ _All Together Now,_ and _It's All Too Much,_ for a grand total of 27 songs for my fantasy double LP.
the double LP idea is fun but i personally prefer single LPs as most double LPs feel bloated though it probably could work because one of the few double LPs i listen in full in one go is the White album so the Beatles could probably pull it off
That would've been the greatest Psychedelic Rock album of all time and now I'm disappointed that it isn't real. Someone needs to combine all the songs together and rearrange their ordering to create the ultimate soundtrack to the Summer of Love.
That's brilliant, and checks out. Mojo always has been among the better rock mags with good writers with good ideas and critiques, definitely better than that codswallop Rolling Stone. I'm always in tension as to which I like better. Sgt. Pepper is... SGT. PEPPER. But MMT is so seamlessly psychedelic, it almost captures a certain hallucinogenic, summer feeling better than Pepper. Then again, I wasn't around in summer 67 when, by all accounts, "you could hear Pepper playing out of every window and car you passed by." Why not combine them in our headcanons then?
This is the kind of vinyl nerd 🤓 content we need. I have the 2009 Remastered box - it's immaculate. A singularly premier achievement in audio archeology & restoration. It removes every previous limitation of format & technology, revealing details & textures in the original recordings you've never heard before. Some songs, it sounds like they're in the room with you. Yes - pick it up.
The 2009 remaster is so brittle it's laughable. The best version is the A3 Horzu German press. The Japanese APs and Odeons are good aswell (even if they have the infamous stereo foldowns). But the 2009 is just gonna offer you modern day clearness. Nothing else
@@applescruff1969 LOL, if I posted your comment on the Steve Hoffman forum you'd probably get so stoned. If you buy CDs because of that, then great, go on
Magical Mystery Tour is 10000x more psychedelic than Sgt. Pepper's could ever hope to be. In my opinion the US version is definitive and the inclusion of Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane make it better than the UK EP version.
Sgt Peppers is just mixed and arranged infinitely better, and Hello Goodbye, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, Baby You’re a Rich Man, and All You Need Is Love are just singles, they aren’t even from Magical Mystery Tour per se.
Magical Mystery Tour US makes a better replayable album than Sgt. Pepper imo. God-tier tracklist that was so good that it was adapted into the Beatles cannon!
@@kingcrimson2168 not just that singluar side but the order and placement of the songs and the merge of the original EP and those singles make up for a better psychedelic album that perfectly embodies the 60's and the creativity of the Beatles as a whole band. Sgt. Peppers is very cool and there a bunch of songs on that record that are so out of this world in terms of quality but as a cohesive album, Magical Mystery Tour feels so much more replayable, at least to me. Of course, I don't wanna be a 'Sgt Pepper' hater, totally respect if anybody holds it as their favourite album of all time, I just prefer the US version of Magical Mystery Tour personally :)
@@Josh-os7vn First of all, Magical Mystery Tour is essentially a 1 side album artistically anyway, and Sgt Peppers is one of the beatles most carefully arranged albums, it’s flows stunningly. In sheer music value, you might enjoy it, but artistically its minuscule.
In one of the interviews, John said that he really likes this album because it is so wierd. 😎 I find it very good & experimental. And, I've watched the movie Magical Mystery Tour on shrooms once. 🤪🤩😁 Interesting experience.
@@svjim1 Of course The British version. He was talking about the movie and the songs from that movie. The Beatles never would have thought to release an album with songs that came out before their previous album. Even, now the American version is not really thought of as a true Beatles release. It’s why when they remixed Sergeant Pepper they remixed Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane too and put them on the album as bonus tracks, something they would never have done if those tracks are truly thought of as authentic album tracks from Magical Mystery Tour.
The original US version of this was the first "adult" album I owned as a kid. It was my introduction to rock music, and I listened to it probably 5,000 times. It has always been the definitive version of this album, to me, and not knowing the origins of any of the songs on it as a kid, really the definitive Beatles album in general. (It always sounded like one cohesive album to me; it almost tells a sonic story from beginning to end, including side two.) I sadly lost that album at some point, but I bought it on CD in the late 80's and then bought the 2012 vinyl reissue (the one you say you don't have) at the Beatles Love show in Las Vegas about five years ago. It seems to me to be a faithful reproduction of what I remembered listening to as a kid, and while I admit I might not remember everything precisely (and wasn't listening on the best stereo in the 70's), I did listen to it constantly for about three years straight. It's seared into my brain. This reissue is packaged slightly differently - the booklet is now separate, still full size and stapled but not glued to the inside, instead just contained in the front gatefold sleeve. The cardboard all also has more of a glossy finish than I remember. But overall, it feels well produced and sounds really good and faithful to my ears. I'm happy to have it. (Oh, and the wizard artwork is still off-center in this reissue.)
I always loved the way the high energy of Magical Mystery Tour leads into the gorgeous, melodic Fool on the Hill, one of my all-time favorite Beatle songs. Fool is one of McCartney’s vocal masterpieces.
I love the 7" EP format. Mainly because it feels like I have some secret treasure in my hands, and the picture book feels like a sort of grimoire. Which fits the wizard and magic theme.
The US version, no question about it. The addition of those strong singles on the second side of the album elevate it beyond a mere soundtrack and make it a must.
I have an original Capitol, The German pressing and the 2014 mono edition. The German stereo pressing is my favorite version of Magical Mystery Tour. The sound is killer!
I also have have the same copy, but the label itself has the Apple logo instead of Capitol, it might be a reprint from the early 1970’s since Apple acquired the pre-1968 Beatles catalogue while the other one had Capitol. It was a bit of confusion who acquired the pre-1968 Beatles recordings either Apple or Capitol where they put out reprints of the original Beatles albums while Capitol acquired the post-1968 Beatles catalogue including the “White Album”, “Abbey Road”, “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude” which was one of their first compilation LP’s in the US.
I usually only collect original 1st pressings of my vinyl, I just feel that there’s a history to who listened to these before me and it’s travels to end up in my hands. However, I do have the later US reissue of Magical Mystery Tour; absolutely love it. Thankfully, my picture book inside hasn’t fallen out 🍻
Thanks for making this comparison. I always wondered about the reasons behind making the double EP vs the LP. It's great to see a video showing the two side by side.
The U.S. of course. The B side is some of the best singles by the band during Srg Pepper in one place. Including arguably the two best songs they ever wrote, Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane. You can't go wrong there. Excellent history video non the less.
I grew up during the 80s with the LP format of *Magical Mystery Tour..* The EP info knocked me for a loop when I learned about it in the mid 90s. As I learned more about the original British issues of the Beatles catalog (the reissues of which I grew up with) versus the Capitol revisions, then was given a CD copy with the expanded sequence, I wondered why Apple Records chose to take exception with *Magical Mystery Tour.* Thanks for delving into the details. Another historic nugget pertains to the initial American distribution of the LP. At the time, a group in the Midwest calling themselves The Big Thing (consisting of drummer Danny Seraphine, gyutarist/vocalist Terry Kath, pianist/vocalist Robert Lamm, trombonist James Pankow, ttumpet/flugelhorn player Lee Loughnane, woodwind player Walt Parazaider) were already performing "Got to Get You Into my Life" and would add the *Magical Mystery Tour* title cut to their repertoire by December - when they shared the stage with The Exceptions featuring bass guitarist/vocalist Peter Cetera who was easily blown away by the Big Thing's take on the Beatles. Shortly after Peter joined the Big Thing, their name was changed to The Chicago Transit Authoruty, then finally Chicago.
I will always for some reason always see this album as a compilation, I guess having experienced most of Side 2 first as singles makes it feel like a collection of unrelated songs from the same period. In my eyes though, it's still a fantastic compilation album.
8:45 The 'Hello, Goodbye' single (24 November 1967) and the 'Magical Mystery Tour' EP (8 December 1967) both have 'I Am the Walrus'. This means paying twice for the same track within a month. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello,_Goodbye en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_the_Walrus en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Mystery_Tour
We own over 200 different versions of MMT in our collection on records.There are EPs from South America that were not 45s but 33s.There alone we have 10 different versions of the EP on 33s.We also have two versions of an Apple DMM( made in Germany) that came out in 1993.These are extreamly rare ,so rare that because I dont have a great record player I will not play them.They are not to be mixed up with the more common Black Parlophone version from the U.K. We also have over 100 different versions on Cassette Tapes. If you wonder why We have all these different Magical M;ystery Tour items , its because my Husband was in the Film for 2 days in West Malling on the 23er and 24th September 1967. Now 55 years ago almost to the day.
This channel, it’s design, and content are stupid light years above many. I mean Vinyl! Retro chic! Shag carpet! But here’s the thing, you aren’t making fun of it, you’re educating generations that never ‘lived’ it. So cool. The best thing… your honesty won me over. When you say stuff like… I didn’t like this, but now I do… man that’s refreshing. Thanks. Loving the simplicity and authenticity. :)
Nicely done, Eric! Capital records totally got it right. This idea of "the Beatles didn't want to put singles on albums" was admirable but is way overstated by fans today who rate releases based on this antiquated notion. In the 1970s when stereos took a massive jump in quality and technology, Americans didn't to fiddle around with putting 45s on and off their nice stereos when one could play an LP. One of their best albums in my opinion.
Something interesting about the 2012 Stereo Vinyl edition of MMT is the booklet is not glued into the album gatefold. It is slid into the jacket sleeve as a separate booklet. Also the 2012 edition sounds good to my ears.
I love peeking back into the male world of the Beatles that I grew up with, I makes me appreciate BC the Beatles, Another Kind of Mind, and One Sweet Dream so much more.
Aside from the recordings in Paris for the German records in late 63 or early 64.. shortly before the first American tour. Thanks for all the reviews and content!
Excellent video, as always. Love the wide camera angle showing off the most excellent Vinyl Pad around, as well as the attention to detail while covering all these different pressings of classic albums! Great work.
It’s true you learn something new everyday I had no idea this was the American version of the album I’d been listening to. I always thought it was the UK version
The one time the US/CAPITOL team got it right with a Beatles release. Collecting all non-Sgt Pepper '67 recordings onto an LP was a very smart move. And it all sounds great together. Well, not all...there were still the 3 tracks they did in '67 they were saving for Yellow Submarine too.
I'm a UK originalist in most things but I grew up with the Magical Mystery Tour LP* and its sequencing is perfect. The track order on the EP, when I finally got one, just seemed strange. *A digitally mastered all-true-stereo copy.
My preferred edition of Magical Mystery Tour is the 2014 Mono LP. The songs just feel better and sound more natural in monaural sound. The 2014 pressing is very well handled from start to stop to the turntable. Second and third in line for me are the mono and stereo CDs from 2009 lastly comes the 2012 Stereo LP pressing. It sounds reasonable, it just leaves me wanting more from it. What I would really appreciate is a Magical Mystery Tour remix CD/DVD or BluRay package. A new stereo mix and a DVD/BluRay with a 5.1 mix of the album.
This is one of my favorites i would listen to, i also have that same yellow and black philippines pressing i found at the local record store here in the bay area.
Back in 1967 I was 6 years old and on the US east coast with my family . I remember well my 13 year old brother having possession of this album and hearing it played on our parent's record player numerous times. My first introduction to the Beatles was a psychedelic trip 😎😂
I picked up a copy of MMT for $14.95 a few years back. It's an original 1967 pressing that is in newr mint condition as far as the sleeve/artbook is concerned as well as the record itself. I always thought the last three songs sounded weird on the album, and thanks to this video I now know why. Even if it isn't the most ideal method of listening to this album, the original 1967 US pressing will always be my favorite.
Sgt. Pepper: Don't release the intended songs to complete the concept album, since we put a couple out as singles. Mystery Tour: Throw the singles on there.
The singles weren't thrown on there. That's why it was released as an EP in the UK. The Beatles had no control over what Capitol America did with their material.
@11:46 "...you got to check the matrix, because it's only the B-3 that has this mix" I have B-3 for side "2". However, my side "1" has the following stamper: SHZE 327 A 1X (and the "X" can be confused with the letter "A", due to the top portion of the "X" being partially hidden by the label). Also, on the side with the B-3, I have two rows of stamper codes (same as yours). But for my SHZE 327 A 1X side, it is the only stamper code on that side (a single row). My SHZE 327 A 1X is a German stereo pressing, and qualifies as a white hot stamper, based on my ear. In fact, I have two German pressings. One for top sound quality for side "1", and one for top sound quality for side "2". So I know that my SHZE 327 A 1X is as good as it gets. (it is really hard to find a single pressing with white hot sound quality even on one side, let alone having white hot sound quality on both sides -- so I often have pressings for side "1" and yet another for side "2"). My conclusion is that the "B-3" is not the only stamper code for these top-tier stereo pressings. Or, perhaps the "B-3" is unique to side "2"? By the way, it is not easy to see the stamper codes, and it is even far harder to film the stamper codes. How did you film the stamper code? What camera equipment did you use? Thank you.
Nice Beatles MMT vinyl review! Barring all the audio differences in the UK & US versions (yes I have heard the German true stereo mix, but did not know about the Martin mixes & I still need to hear the US mono mix) I still love the original US stereo mixes Dave Dexter or not, Duophonic/ fold down stereo to mono or reverse -Dave new the American ear for sound. I guarantee you no one had a problem with the mixes or sound when everyone put the album on their stereo or mono phonograph back then. Except for high end audiophile reviews it was a winner. True most people weren’t comparing the British or later German mixes to the US version but it didn’t matter as much, once that Capitol sound hit your ears it was all over- it was great. Thanks- just my opinion.
The US picturebook ALWAYS comes undone. What they should have done is made it about a half an inch smaller, therefore allowing it to be placed inside the jacket, similar to the WHITE ALBUM poster. Your verdict is perfect. The US MMT, the green label Capitol (purchased new in 1971) was a Christmas present to my brother that year. It holds a special place in my heart.
Sir,(dude) I never knew this about one of my favorite albums. That literally the version I know,as also the songs I love for their experimentation/lyrics was and is only around because Capital records . To use an overused euphemism ,”mind blown”! Danke for the info and danke RUclips for recommending this because of me subscribing to Key of Geebz . This is why you never stop learning or seeking knowledge ,you never know when you stumble across a unknown factoid that’ll interest you . Again danke ,earned a subscriber ,now to view the back catalogue .
This is a very underrated album i think. I can't seem to find a clean version, I have 3, two originals (but the "vinyl" is beat to hell) and one from 76 and that is beat up as well!! 1 complete good book. I love your channel.
Someone just gave me a collection of records and a stereo green Apple label Magical Mystery Tour album was included. I believe it was pressed in 1971 but it really sounds odd. It sounds like the instruments are really heavy and loud on the right channel while the left channel is considerable light. This is compared to two cd versions. I also have a rainbow Capitol label version which is probably between 69 and 71. Right? Anyway, I’ll have to compare with that one sometime. MMT was the first of only three Beatles cassette I bought in the 80’s. Of course I also have two E.P.s as well.
It should be noted that Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane were the start of the Sgt. Pepper sessions. They would have been on the album had EMI not pressured them for a single release and interestingly enough, the record did not make it to number one. Also, the Mono and Stereo Mixes of the Magical Mystery Tour EP are radically different, in particular on Blue Jay Way.
I am totally biased on this one. The ONLY Beatles album that my parents owned was the US version of MMT. I grew up listening to this one all the time, I didn't have a lot of records I listened to but this one was part of my primary rotation. It was my only exposure to the Beatles (I didn't actually become a fan until the '80s -- just a strange quirk of my childhood) but I loved this album so much.
Hey! I've been watching your show for a year since we switched cable services. I never want to watch programs like your's on my iMac. I like the sound and picture better on a large TV screen. The upside is it's best for me, the downside is you don't get a credit for me watching. I wish you would. Your keen perspective made me have to comment on this episode. I loved your past Beatles, Stones and Pink Floyd episodes, but choosing MMT UK vs USA was great. I'll tell you why I think so. It's a no brainer (Nobrainer is a popular expression, but it's also the name of a song by The Soundtrack of Our Lives. If you love the Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd and The Who; you're going to love this band. I recommend starting with their USA breakthrough Behind The Music. Then go back to their first 2 LP's and EP - Vinyl editions of the 2nd LP are amazing, then going forward into their career) that the USA version is better. But the way you present the case with the better arrangement of the MMT EP songs on the Capitol LP Side One and the addition of the 2nd side makes it so much better. Also, side 2 opens with Hello, Goodbye and side 1 closes with I am the Walrus - the B-Side of Hello Goodbye! So, that sort of chronological sequce is something to remember and appreciate. Please, keep the episodes coming! I have watched so many. I see you're a big fan of Tame Impala - please do a review. I couldn't find one of yours for their Innerspeaker LP. You may also want to check out Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (the name of the other biker gang, from the same film the Beatles got their name from!), Sloan, Big Star and Badfinger / Pete Ham. The last 3 being serious power pop essentials. Also, being majorly influenced by The Beatles. I can give you so many more suggestions, but there's only so many hours in a day... You're doing exactly like me and my gang do, except we prefer the 5.1 mixes when available. Check out The Doors Perception Box Set to hear what a truly great 5.1 mix sounds like, or any Super Audio CD of Elton John's early catalog. Keep up the good work and if you need info on the Beatles, Stones, Doors, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Guns N' Roses, Neil Young, etc. drop me a line. I'd love to contribute in anyway I can. Michael1984
Hi! Love your vids by the way! I got the UK double EP (from film box set) and have asked for the USA one for my birthday! Gotta wait til Monday to see if I got it!
I sometimes like to change the order of Side 1 to the EP track order. The main problem with the stereo version of MMT is that the last half of "I am the Walrus" is in fake stereo because the radio broadcast was recorded right onto the mono master as they were mixing it. The mono "All You Need is Love" has a longer fadeout and the mono "Baby You're a Rich Man" has a flanging effect that is not in the stereo version. On the other hand, I don't really like the phasing effects used on the mono version of "Your Mother Should Know". Either way, you can't have everything. Oh, and if you listen to "Blue Jay Way" in mono you will notice the absence of backward vocals and that the cello is not treated with echo.
The US MMT album is very interesting and under-rated. Although the Beatles themselves never planned it that way, it worked out well. 😊 Thanks for the cool review. 👍
I have the Apple version I bought brand new around 1972, I think, maybe 73. I’ll have to put it on and give it a listen. Also have the German pressing as well, got it in the early eighties. The EP on CD, in fact all Beatles EPs on CD sound fantastic. Great review as always, my friend.
Once again great information - Liked. I think during the 1970's to mid 1980's the Capital 12 inch format helped to keep these songs more easily available in the retail market compared to the EMI Double Extended Play version? Great channel.
The only time Capitol got a Beatles album right. It is now considered canon in The Beatles catalogue so much so that the singles included on the LP version were not included on the past masters CDs in the 1987 box set (which included the LP version of MMT). I would have preferred if they just blew the EP cover up to LP size. The text of the songs & background make it look like a cheap compilation album. Do we have to wait until 2027 for a Giles Martin remix?
I have a stereo from '78 on the capitol label that's pretty good. Also the recently released stereo and the recent mono from the analog tapes. I gotta look for that German stereo for sure. Thanks this video was great.
Which is the best version to own? Man, that´s a tough question; as our dapper host stated, the EP set forces you to get up and change sides every few minutes - the longest side amounts to about 5:21 - but on the other hand, it has the songs in the same order as they appear in the movie. For me personally, I have so many good memories attached to the EP version, so that, in combination with the correct track order, gives this version a strong edge over the album.
Since it had originally come out, all I'd ever heard was the Capitol stereo version. The reprocessed stereo was a given and acceptable for the time. It was in a used record store when I saw and found out about the U.K. stereo EP set, in the 1970's. I thought it a little strange, but unique. I already had the Capitol stereo LP, so I didn't see the point in buying it. Besides the U.S. version was 12" and had that same 12" picture book pages. Years later, that U.K. EP set version, in stereo, seemed to be everywhere, so I bought a couple copies. I didn't know that there was also a mono version. Those were pretty rare so I couldn't get it. I also thought it strange that the film hadn't been released in the U.S. Well, when they finally released the video in a boxed set, it also included a new pressing of the MONO U.K. EP set, so now I have it. Previously reprocessed stereo versions of most of the songs HAVE BEEN remixed into true stereo. I think that even the 1/2 stereo, 1/2 mono was fully remixed into stereo, but I can't locate it in my collection right now. The latest stereo remix of "Strawberry Fields..." was for the 2015 Deluxe Box version of "Sgt. Pepper's...". All but 2 of the Beatles well-known hits, "She Loves You" and "Love Me Do" have some sort of true stereo mixes. It's funny that the German language version of "She Loves You" can be found. It is on one of the "Past Masters" albums. Because the Capitol stereo version was the first time I'd heard that album, I'd stick with it first and the 2012 mostly true stereo LP version 2nd.
I love the MFSL version, I bought it when it first was released. This is somewhat off subject, but it is the best pressing of Magical Mystery Tour full album IMHO.
I'm used to the US track sequencing on Side 1. The EP sequencing sounds interesting but I really like the transition from Flying to Blue Jay Way, which wouldn't be the same if you had to flip the record.
IMO the very, very best version of MMT is the 2012 full stereo remixes. BUT !! - for some unknown reason Apple EMI decided not to release these remixes on a Songtrack LP like they did with Yellow Sub. So the only way to hear these amazing new mixes is to watch the movie on the DVD/Blu-ray. Less than ideal as the songs fade in and out of the script and background noise of the movie. We got a new Giles Martin mix, Eric, but it's locked onto the DVD only.
Good balanced presentation. I think for the countries that got the EP, it was a fun way of getting six great Beatle songs with the book and packaging. I am not sure if this was the first of its kind, I do not know of any other. However, the Album version with the packaging is for me the best format. Better than the CD format, get the magnifying glass out to look at it ! Excellent album !
The US release of this album definitely should be a must for every Beatles fan, or even record collectors. Everything about it is purely perfection.
However, the artwork of the EP is better. I prefer the blue cover.
US version for listening with UK edition for looking (and region B blu-ray for watching)
No, I cannot agree that the US LP version is perfect, because it has the songs in a different order than they appear in the movie. This is something I find very important.
with presses done in NY you get free orange peel with the vinyl ..in it
i agree and maybe a lot of people would disagree with me but i think this album is better than sgt pepper, which i think is overrated:)
My mom played The Beatles so much growing up, but really only up to Rubber Soul. I didn't discover Magical Mystery Tour until a few years ago and couldn't believe I hadn't heard this amazing album! My jaw dropped hearing Blue Jay Way for the first time, it's become one of my favorite Beatles songs.
It was my favourite at one point.
Blue Jay Way sucks lol
@@Akchun21 It's a little repetitive in the end, but the backwards music (which is the entire song being played backwards and periodically being faded in and out of the final mix) and flanging that happened as a result of the Hammond organ going though the "chorus" effect of a Leslie speaker (when both 1: the rotating horns and dummy to counterbalance it) the upwards facing treble speaker is sent though and 2: the rotating drum with sound baffles (and counterbalances) the downwards facing bass speaker is sent trough are rotating slowly; (at about 1 rotation per second; with the treble horns rotating slightly faster than the drum the bass speaker is sent through) THAT THEN GOES THROUGH THE SAME LESLIE SPEAKER ON THE "CHORUS" EFFECT ALL OVER AGAIN IS INTOXICATING!
That doesn't even take into account when Harrison's voice is going through a Leslie speaker on "Tremolo" mode; where the horn and it's counterweight the treble speaker goes through and the rotating drum the bass speaker goes through are spinning about seven times a second, again with the treble rotating horn spinning slightly faster than the bass rotating drum. Ringo's drums also sound like they're being sent through the "chorus" effect of a Leslie speaker.
Blue Jay Way is the worst song on the album you fool.
@@Revolver1981just horrible!! amazing Yoko wasn't involved
Some years ago a writer for _Mojo_ (A British music magazine) suggested that considering that the songs were all recorded around the same time, and were all born of the same spirit of experimentation
the U.S. _Magical Mystery Tour_ album is the second half of the double album that _Sgt. Pepper's_ should have been. *I've always loved that idea.*
I also would've added three of the songs The Beatles relegated to the _Yellow Submarine_ LP;
_Only A Northern Song,_ _All Together Now,_ and _It's All Too Much,_ for a grand total of 27 songs for my fantasy double LP.
the double LP idea is fun but i personally prefer single LPs as most double LPs feel bloated though it probably could work because one of the few double LPs i listen in full in one go is the White album so the Beatles could probably pull it off
That would've been the greatest Psychedelic Rock album of all time and now I'm disappointed that it isn't real. Someone needs to combine all the songs together and rearrange their ordering to create the ultimate soundtrack to the Summer of Love.
That's brilliant, and checks out. Mojo always has been among the better rock mags with good writers with good ideas and critiques, definitely better than that codswallop Rolling Stone. I'm always in tension as to which I like better. Sgt. Pepper is... SGT. PEPPER. But MMT is so seamlessly psychedelic, it almost captures a certain hallucinogenic, summer feeling better than Pepper. Then again, I wasn't around in summer 67 when, by all accounts, "you could hear Pepper playing out of every window and car you passed by." Why not combine them in our headcanons then?
This is the kind of vinyl nerd 🤓 content we need.
I have the 2009 Remastered box - it's immaculate. A singularly premier achievement in audio archeology & restoration. It removes every previous limitation of format & technology, revealing details & textures in the original recordings you've never heard before. Some songs, it sounds like they're in the room with you. Yes - pick it up.
The 2009 remaster is so brittle it's laughable. The best version is the A3 Horzu German press. The Japanese APs and Odeons are good aswell (even if they have the infamous stereo foldowns). But the 2009 is just gonna offer you modern day clearness. Nothing else
@@giovannigobbi4832 "The 2009 remaster is just going to offer you modern day clearness."
Um...what the hell else do you want out of it? Lol.
@@applescruff1969 LOL, if I posted your comment on the Steve Hoffman forum you'd probably get so stoned. If you buy CDs because of that, then great, go on
The 2009 remasters are just CDs on vinyl
Magical Mystery Tour is 10000x more psychedelic than Sgt. Pepper's could ever hope to be. In my opinion the US version is definitive and the inclusion of Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane make it better than the UK EP version.
10000x...?
Acid makes it sooooo much more intense
Absolutely
Agree 100%. The final seconds of Flying itself is more psychedelic than the entire Sgt. Pepper's
Blue Jay Way and Ariel (if you can find it) are my favourites.
Sgt Peppers is just mixed and arranged infinitely better, and Hello Goodbye, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, Baby You’re a Rich Man, and All You Need Is Love are just singles, they aren’t even from Magical Mystery Tour per se.
I don't collect vinyl. Yet i love this channel.
Iv got a copy for sale in my store if your in Oklahoma lol
I mean the US version is the only capitol record considered official in the Beatles discography, so I think there’s a clear winner
Magical Mystery Tour US makes a better replayable album than Sgt. Pepper imo. God-tier tracklist that was so good that it was adapted into the Beatles cannon!
I assume that’s because of the b-side
@@kingcrimson2168 not just that singluar side but the order and placement of the songs and the merge of the original EP and those singles make up for a better psychedelic album that perfectly embodies the 60's and the creativity of the Beatles as a whole band. Sgt. Peppers is very cool and there a bunch of songs on that record that are so out of this world in terms of quality but as a cohesive album, Magical Mystery Tour feels so much more replayable, at least to me. Of course, I don't wanna be a 'Sgt Pepper' hater, totally respect if anybody holds it as their favourite album of all time, I just prefer the US version of Magical Mystery Tour personally :)
@@Josh-os7vn First of all, Magical Mystery Tour is essentially a 1 side album artistically anyway, and Sgt Peppers is one of the beatles most carefully arranged albums, it’s flows stunningly.
In sheer music value, you might enjoy it, but artistically its minuscule.
If you don’t care about the art of a given record, you might as well buy a greatest hits album.
@@Josh-os7vn Its unworthy of being compared to Sgt Peppers, even though it is an incredible album like all Beatles albums.
In one of the interviews, John said that he really likes this album because it is so wierd. 😎 I find it very good & experimental. And, I've watched the movie Magical Mystery Tour on shrooms once. 🤪🤩😁 Interesting experience.
I wonder which version he was talking about.
@@svjim1 Of course The British version. He was talking about the movie and the songs from that movie. The Beatles never would have thought to release an album with songs that came out before their previous album. Even, now the American version is not really thought of as a true Beatles release. It’s why when they remixed Sergeant Pepper they remixed Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane too and put them on the album as bonus tracks, something they would never have done if those tracks are truly thought of as authentic album tracks from Magical Mystery Tour.
"Babe, wake up, Vinyl Rewind just posted"
Magical Mystery Tour is my favorite Beatles album, every song is killer
The original US version of this was the first "adult" album I owned as a kid. It was my introduction to rock music, and I listened to it probably 5,000 times. It has always been the definitive version of this album, to me, and not knowing the origins of any of the songs on it as a kid, really the definitive Beatles album in general. (It always sounded like one cohesive album to me; it almost tells a sonic story from beginning to end, including side two.) I sadly lost that album at some point, but I bought it on CD in the late 80's and then bought the 2012 vinyl reissue (the one you say you don't have) at the Beatles Love show in Las Vegas about five years ago. It seems to me to be a faithful reproduction of what I remembered listening to as a kid, and while I admit I might not remember everything precisely (and wasn't listening on the best stereo in the 70's), I did listen to it constantly for about three years straight. It's seared into my brain. This reissue is packaged slightly differently - the booklet is now separate, still full size and stapled but not glued to the inside, instead just contained in the front gatefold sleeve. The cardboard all also has more of a glossy finish than I remember. But overall, it feels well produced and sounds really good and faithful to my ears. I'm happy to have it. (Oh, and the wizard artwork is still off-center in this reissue.)
I always loved the way the high energy of Magical Mystery Tour leads into the gorgeous, melodic Fool on the Hill, one of my all-time favorite Beatle songs. Fool is one of McCartney’s vocal masterpieces.
It's one of McCartney's greatest songs. It's massively underrated; I never hear people talk about it.
I love the 7" EP format. Mainly because it feels like I have some secret treasure in my hands, and the picture book feels like a sort of grimoire. Which fits the wizard and magic theme.
I’d love to see a review of George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” record
Magical Mystery Tour was always my favorite Beatles album, always happy to see a video about it. Great Video as always good sir.
Oh fabulous! Magical Mystery Tour is one of favorite albums! The sequence of the end of Flying into Blue Jay Way is total ear candy!
The US version, no question about it. The addition of those strong singles on the second side of the album elevate it beyond a mere soundtrack and make it a must.
You’re the king my man, big fan for a while. I’d love for you to do a video to give us an idea of how large your entire collection actually is.
I think the best version of baby your a rich man is the yellow submarine songtrack version you can hear it on youtube its beautiful and very clear.
I have an original Capitol, The German pressing and the 2014 mono edition. The German stereo pressing is my favorite version of Magical Mystery Tour. The sound is killer!
I also have have the same copy, but the label itself has the Apple logo instead of Capitol, it might be a reprint from the early 1970’s since Apple acquired the pre-1968 Beatles catalogue while the other one had Capitol. It was a bit of confusion who acquired the pre-1968 Beatles recordings either Apple or Capitol where they put out reprints of the original Beatles albums while Capitol acquired the post-1968 Beatles catalogue including the “White Album”, “Abbey Road”, “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude” which was one of their first compilation LP’s in the US.
I usually only collect original 1st pressings of my vinyl, I just feel that there’s a history to who listened to these before me and it’s travels to end up in my hands. However, I do have the later US reissue of Magical Mystery Tour; absolutely love it. Thankfully, my picture book inside hasn’t fallen out 🍻
The mono version of Magical Mystery Tour is definitely a different experience, especially on I am the Walrus.
I am a huge fan of the Beatles and somehow I had no idea about this. I thought Magical Mystery Tour was the same in both. No clue how I missed this.
Thanks for making this comparison. I always wondered about the reasons behind making the double EP vs the LP. It's great to see a video showing the two side by side.
Fascinating. I learned so much. I’ll hope we get more Versus content again soon.
The U.S. of course. The B side is some of the best singles by the band during Srg Pepper in one place. Including arguably the two best songs they ever wrote, Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane. You can't go wrong there.
Excellent history video non the less.
I've been waiting for another installment of this series for so long!
I grew up during the 80s with the LP format of *Magical Mystery Tour..* The EP info knocked me for a loop when I learned about it in the mid 90s. As I learned more about the original British issues of the Beatles catalog (the reissues of which I grew up with) versus the Capitol revisions, then was given a CD copy with the expanded sequence, I wondered why Apple Records chose to take exception with *Magical Mystery Tour.* Thanks for delving into the details.
Another historic nugget pertains to the initial American distribution of the LP. At the time, a group in the Midwest calling themselves The Big Thing (consisting of drummer Danny Seraphine, gyutarist/vocalist Terry Kath, pianist/vocalist Robert Lamm, trombonist James Pankow, ttumpet/flugelhorn player Lee Loughnane, woodwind player Walt Parazaider) were already performing "Got to Get You Into my Life" and would add the *Magical Mystery Tour* title cut to their repertoire by December - when they shared the stage with The Exceptions featuring bass guitarist/vocalist Peter Cetera who was easily blown away by the Big Thing's take on the Beatles. Shortly after Peter joined the Big Thing, their name was changed to The Chicago Transit Authoruty, then finally Chicago.
I will always for some reason always see this album as a compilation, I guess having experienced most of Side 2 first as singles makes it feel like a collection of unrelated songs from the same period. In my eyes though, it's still a fantastic compilation album.
I had never thought of the album like that. I think you make a good point ! Lots of individual pieces made into an album !
8:45 The 'Hello, Goodbye' single (24 November 1967) and the 'Magical Mystery Tour' EP (8 December 1967) both have 'I Am the Walrus'.
This means paying twice for the same track within a month.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello,_Goodbye
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_the_Walrus
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Mystery_Tour
"How many versions are there of Magical Mystery Tour?"
*"Yes."*
We own over 200 different versions of MMT in our collection on records.There are EPs from South America that were not 45s but 33s.There alone we have 10 different versions of the EP on 33s.We also have two versions of an Apple DMM( made in Germany) that came out in 1993.These are extreamly rare ,so rare that because I dont have a great record player I will not play them.They are not to be mixed up with the more common Black Parlophone version from the U.K. We also have over 100 different versions on Cassette Tapes. If you wonder why We have all these different Magical M;ystery Tour items , its because my Husband was in the Film for 2 days in West Malling on the 23er and 24th September 1967. Now 55 years ago almost to the day.
12
@are you crazy? petramitchell4509
This channel, it’s design, and content are stupid light years above many. I mean Vinyl! Retro chic! Shag carpet! But here’s the thing, you aren’t making fun of it, you’re educating generations that never ‘lived’ it. So cool. The best thing… your honesty won me over. When you say stuff like… I didn’t like this, but now I do… man that’s refreshing. Thanks. Loving the simplicity and authenticity. :)
Nicely done, Eric! Capital records totally got it right. This idea of "the Beatles didn't want to put singles on albums" was admirable but is way overstated by fans today who rate releases based on this antiquated notion. In the 1970s when stereos took a massive jump in quality and technology, Americans didn't to fiddle around with putting 45s on and off their nice stereos when one could play an LP. One of their best albums in my opinion.
Something interesting about the 2012 Stereo Vinyl edition of MMT is the booklet is not glued into the album gatefold. It is slid into the jacket sleeve as a separate booklet.
Also the 2012 edition sounds good to my ears.
i might need to get that version then as my older copy of MMT's booklet came with most of it's pages missing
On every other Beatles album I prefer the UK version but with this release I definitely prefer the US full length version.
I love the order of the songs . They fit like a mini musical journey as he stated .
So cool. My first album I ever got. Back in the 70's. It was such a thrill. Thank you it brought back such great memories
I love peeking back into the male world of the Beatles that I grew up with, I makes me appreciate BC the Beatles, Another Kind of Mind, and One Sweet Dream so much more.
This is some classic Vinyl Rewind stuff. I dig it.
Yo I’m excited that the series is back!
Aside from the recordings in Paris for the German records in late 63 or early 64.. shortly before the first American tour.
Thanks for all the reviews and content!
Excellent video, as always. Love the wide camera angle showing off the most excellent Vinyl Pad around, as well as the attention to detail while covering all these different pressings of classic albums! Great work.
It’s true you learn something new everyday I had no idea this was the American version of the album I’d been listening to. I always thought it was the UK version
This is my favorite series on your channel! Thank you for bringing it back!!!
The one time the US/CAPITOL team got it right with a Beatles release. Collecting all non-Sgt Pepper '67 recordings onto an LP was a very smart move. And it all sounds great together. Well, not all...there were still the 3 tracks they did in '67 they were saving for Yellow Submarine too.
I was waiting for you to talk about mmt, a really underrated album
Gotta love Johnny Cash overseeing the proceedings like a boss! Excellent video, VR!
The Mono 2014 sounds absolutely perfect!
I'm a UK originalist in most things but I grew up with the Magical Mystery Tour LP* and its sequencing is perfect. The track order on the EP, when I finally got one, just seemed strange.
*A digitally mastered all-true-stereo copy.
My preferred edition of Magical Mystery Tour is the 2014 Mono LP. The songs just feel better and sound more natural in monaural sound. The 2014 pressing is very well handled from start to stop to the turntable. Second and third in line for me are the mono and stereo CDs from 2009 lastly comes the 2012 Stereo LP pressing. It sounds reasonable, it just leaves me wanting more from it. What I would really appreciate is a Magical Mystery Tour remix CD/DVD or BluRay package. A new stereo mix and a DVD/BluRay with a 5.1 mix of the album.
Just bought an original EP at a market today out of impulse and I love it
Very enjoyable and informative video you have excellent style sense as well as a hip looking pad, looking forward to more, rock on.
This is one of my favorites i would listen to, i also have that same yellow and black philippines pressing i found at the local record store here in the bay area.
Back in 1967 I was 6 years old and on the US east coast with my family . I remember well my 13 year old brother having possession of this album and hearing it played on our parent's record player numerous times. My first introduction to the Beatles was a psychedelic trip 😎😂
I picked up a copy of MMT for $14.95 a few years back. It's an original 1967 pressing that is in newr mint condition as far as the sleeve/artbook is concerned as well as the record itself. I always thought the last three songs sounded weird on the album, and thanks to this video I now know why. Even if it isn't the most ideal method of listening to this album, the original 1967 US pressing will always be my favorite.
Sgt. Pepper: Don't release the intended songs to complete the concept album, since we put a couple out as singles.
Mystery Tour: Throw the singles on there.
The singles weren't thrown on there. That's why it was released as an EP in the UK. The Beatles had no control over what Capitol America did with their material.
Awesome episode as always! I love these comparison videos! \m/\m/
@11:46 "...you got to check the matrix, because it's only the B-3 that has this mix"
I have B-3 for side "2".
However, my side "1" has the following stamper:
SHZE 327 A 1X (and the "X" can be confused with the letter "A", due to the top portion of the "X" being partially hidden by the label).
Also, on the side with the B-3, I have two rows of stamper codes (same as yours).
But for my SHZE 327 A 1X side, it is the only stamper code on that side (a single row).
My SHZE 327 A 1X is a German stereo pressing, and qualifies as a white hot stamper, based on my ear.
In fact, I have two German pressings. One for top sound quality for side "1", and one for top sound quality for side "2". So I know that my SHZE 327 A 1X is as good as it gets.
(it is really hard to find a single pressing with white hot sound quality even on one side, let alone having white hot sound quality on both sides -- so I often have pressings for side "1" and yet another for side "2").
My conclusion is that the "B-3" is not the only stamper code for these top-tier stereo pressings.
Or, perhaps the "B-3" is unique to side "2"?
By the way, it is not easy to see the stamper codes, and it is even far harder to film the stamper codes.
How did you film the stamper code? What camera equipment did you use?
Thank you.
Yes
Nice Beatles MMT vinyl review! Barring all the audio differences in the UK & US versions (yes I have heard the German true stereo mix, but did not know about the Martin mixes & I still need to hear the US mono mix) I still love the original US stereo mixes Dave Dexter or not, Duophonic/ fold down stereo to mono or reverse -Dave new the American ear for sound. I guarantee you no one had a problem with the mixes or sound when everyone put the album on their stereo or mono phonograph back then. Except for high end audiophile reviews it was a winner. True most people weren’t comparing the British or later German mixes to the US version but it didn’t matter as much, once that Capitol sound hit your ears it was all over- it was great. Thanks- just my opinion.
The US picturebook ALWAYS comes undone. What they should have done is made it about a half an inch smaller, therefore allowing it to be placed inside the jacket, similar to the WHITE ALBUM poster. Your verdict is perfect. The US MMT, the green label Capitol (purchased new in 1971) was a Christmas present to my brother that year. It holds a special place in my heart.
Sir,(dude) I never knew this about one of my favorite albums. That literally the version I know,as also the songs I love for their experimentation/lyrics was and is only around because Capital records . To use an overused euphemism ,”mind blown”! Danke for the info and danke RUclips for recommending this because of me subscribing to Key of Geebz . This is why you never stop learning or seeking knowledge ,you never know when you stumble across a unknown factoid that’ll interest you . Again danke ,earned a subscriber ,now to view the back catalogue .
This is a very underrated album i think. I can't seem to find a clean version, I have 3, two originals (but the "vinyl" is beat to hell) and one from 76 and that is beat up as well!! 1 complete good book. I love your channel.
Someone just gave me a collection of records and a stereo green Apple label Magical Mystery Tour album was included. I believe it was pressed in 1971 but it really sounds odd. It sounds like the instruments are really heavy and loud on the right channel while the left channel is considerable light. This is compared to two cd versions.
I also have a rainbow Capitol label version which is probably between 69 and 71. Right? Anyway, I’ll have to compare with that one sometime.
MMT was the first of only three Beatles cassette I bought in the 80’s.
Of course I also have two E.P.s as well.
It should be noted that Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane were the start of the Sgt. Pepper sessions. They would have been on the album had EMI not pressured them for a single release and interestingly enough, the record did not make it to number one. Also, the Mono and Stereo Mixes of the Magical Mystery Tour EP are radically different, in particular on Blue Jay Way.
I got the 2009 remaster I'm happy with it and the nice thing about it is the book isn't attached to the to the record jacket it's separate.
MMT is my favorite beatles album. This video is awsome!
I was so excited when the verses battles were back
I am totally biased on this one. The ONLY Beatles album that my parents owned was the US version of MMT. I grew up listening to this one all the time, I didn't have a lot of records I listened to but this one was part of my primary rotation. It was my only exposure to the Beatles (I didn't actually become a fan until the '80s -- just a strange quirk of my childhood) but I loved this album so much.
My Favorite Album!
Hey!
I've been watching your show for a year since we switched cable services. I never want to watch programs like your's on my iMac. I like the sound and picture better on a large TV screen. The upside is it's best for me, the downside is you don't get a credit for me watching. I wish you would. Your keen perspective made me have to comment on this episode. I loved your past Beatles, Stones and Pink Floyd episodes, but choosing MMT UK vs USA was great. I'll tell you why I think so. It's a no brainer (Nobrainer is a popular expression, but it's also the name of a song by The Soundtrack of Our Lives. If you love the Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd and The Who; you're going to love this band. I recommend starting with their USA breakthrough Behind The Music. Then go back to their first 2 LP's and EP - Vinyl editions of the 2nd LP are amazing, then going forward into their career) that the USA version is better. But the way you present the case with the better arrangement of the MMT EP songs on the Capitol LP Side One and the addition of the 2nd side makes it so much better. Also, side 2 opens with Hello, Goodbye and side 1 closes with I am the Walrus - the B-Side of Hello Goodbye! So, that sort of chronological sequce is something to remember and appreciate. Please, keep the episodes coming! I have watched so many.
I see you're a big fan of Tame Impala - please do a review. I couldn't find one of yours for their Innerspeaker LP. You may also want to check out Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (the name of the other biker gang, from the same film the Beatles got their name from!), Sloan, Big Star and Badfinger / Pete Ham. The last 3 being serious power pop essentials. Also, being majorly influenced by The Beatles. I can give you so many more suggestions, but there's only so many hours in a day...
You're doing exactly like me and my gang do, except we prefer the 5.1 mixes when available. Check out The Doors Perception Box Set to hear what a truly great 5.1 mix sounds like, or any Super Audio CD of Elton John's early catalog. Keep up the good work and if you need info on the Beatles, Stones, Doors, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Guns N' Roses, Neil Young, etc. drop me a line. I'd love to contribute in anyway I can.
Michael1984
Hi!
Love your vids by the way! I got the UK double EP (from film box set) and have asked for the USA one for my birthday! Gotta wait til Monday to see if I got it!
The UK 2xEP track order was made with the timing of the side in mind, to avoid loss of the fidelity.
Yer spot on about the double 7" MMT being inconvenient to play. I think I've played my copy only once, 12" version is the way to go.
I sometimes like to change the order of Side 1 to the EP track order. The main problem with the stereo version of MMT is that the last half of "I am the Walrus" is in fake stereo because the radio broadcast was recorded right onto the mono master as they were mixing it. The mono "All You Need is Love" has a longer fadeout and the mono "Baby You're a Rich Man" has a flanging effect that is not in the stereo version. On the other hand, I don't really like the phasing effects used on the mono version of "Your Mother Should Know". Either way, you can't have everything. Oh, and if you listen to "Blue Jay Way" in mono you will notice the absence of backward vocals and that the cello is not treated with echo.
I’m very happy you made this video
The US MMT album is very interesting and under-rated. Although the Beatles themselves never planned it that way, it worked out well. 😊 Thanks for the cool review. 👍
2:43
This record is made in the philippines and it also has the PARI stamp on it
AKA "the Philippine Association of the Record Industry
I have the Apple version I bought brand new around 1972, I think, maybe 73. I’ll have to put it on and give it a listen.
Also have the German pressing as well, got it in the early eighties.
The EP on CD, in fact all Beatles EPs on CD sound fantastic.
Great review as always, my friend.
I bought that album when it came out in 1967. As I recall the record slid in from the outside not inside the cover. Anyone else remember this?
Once again great information - Liked. I think during the 1970's to mid 1980's the Capital 12 inch format helped to keep these songs more easily available in the retail market compared to the EMI Double Extended Play version?
Great channel.
great vid dude always enjoy seeing your vids
The only time Capitol got a Beatles album right. It is now considered canon in The Beatles catalogue so much so that the singles included on the LP version were not included on the past masters CDs in the 1987 box set (which included the LP version of MMT). I would have preferred if they just blew the EP cover up to LP size. The text of the songs & background make it look like a cheap compilation album. Do we have to wait until 2027 for a Giles Martin remix?
I have a stereo from '78 on the capitol label that's pretty good. Also the recently released stereo and the recent mono from the analog tapes. I gotta look for that German stereo for sure. Thanks this video was great.
Great stuff as always!
MMT is kinda underrated, although it's getting less so everyday. Such an awesome thing to dive into!
I once owned the EP i was very proud.
Unfortunally i had to sale it.
Which is the best version to own? Man, that´s a tough question; as our dapper host stated, the EP set forces you to get up and change sides every few minutes - the longest side amounts to about 5:21 - but on the other hand, it has the songs in the same order as they appear in the movie. For me personally, I have so many good memories attached to the EP version, so that, in combination with the correct track order, gives this version a strong edge over the album.
Since it had originally come out, all I'd ever heard was the Capitol stereo version. The reprocessed stereo was a given and acceptable for the time. It was in a used record store when I saw and found out about the U.K. stereo EP set, in the 1970's. I thought it a little strange, but unique. I already had the Capitol stereo LP, so I didn't see the point in buying it. Besides the U.S. version was 12" and had that same 12" picture book pages. Years later, that U.K. EP set version, in stereo, seemed to be everywhere, so I bought a couple copies. I didn't know that there was also a mono version. Those were pretty rare so I couldn't get it. I also thought it strange that the film hadn't been released in the U.S. Well, when they finally released the video in a boxed set, it also included a new pressing of the MONO U.K. EP set, so now I have it.
Previously reprocessed stereo versions of most of the songs HAVE BEEN remixed into true stereo. I think that even the 1/2 stereo, 1/2 mono was fully remixed into stereo, but I can't locate it in my collection right now. The latest stereo remix of "Strawberry Fields..." was for the 2015 Deluxe Box version of "Sgt. Pepper's...". All but 2 of the Beatles well-known hits, "She Loves You" and "Love Me Do" have some sort of true stereo mixes. It's funny that the German language version of "She Loves You" can be found. It is on one of the "Past Masters" albums.
Because the Capitol stereo version was the first time I'd heard that album, I'd stick with it first and the 2012 mostly true stereo LP version 2nd.
I love the MFSL version, I bought it when it first was released. This is somewhat off subject, but it is the best pressing of Magical Mystery Tour full album IMHO.
Next Video: Meet The Beatles vs With The Beatles.
Dude you deserve so many of these videos and need to hire editors my man
The blu-ray issue of the movie has a 2012 Giles mix. I personally ripped the tracks from the film for my library and they sound fantastic.
Wow I didn’t even know there was an original Ep. I grew up thinking the US version was always part of the main catalogue.
I'm used to the US track sequencing on Side 1. The EP sequencing sounds interesting but I really like the transition from Flying to Blue Jay Way, which wouldn't be the same if you had to flip the record.
PLEASE do another one of these for the US and UK releases of Aftermath by The Rolling Stones!
Terrific review 👍
As usual. Very interesting and informative. Agree the German pressing is a must have.
IMO the very, very best version of MMT is the 2012 full stereo remixes. BUT !! - for some unknown reason Apple EMI decided not to release these remixes on a Songtrack LP like they did with Yellow Sub. So the only way to hear these amazing new mixes is to watch the movie on the DVD/Blu-ray. Less than ideal as the songs fade in and out of the script and background noise of the movie. We got a new Giles Martin mix, Eric, but it's locked onto the DVD only.
Good balanced presentation. I think for the countries that got the EP, it was a fun way of getting six great Beatle songs with the book and packaging. I am not sure if this was the first of its kind, I do not know of any other. However, the Album version with the packaging is for me the best format. Better than the CD format, get the magnifying glass out to look at it ! Excellent album !
Best possible version: 12 inch 6 track EP, 3 tracks per side, at 45 RPM. That would be interesting!