5 comments about Magical Mystery Tour.

1. The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour often is not mentioned due too the fact Sgt. Peppers came out that same year. On this album The Beatles are obviously becoming more experimental and using many more affects and trying too be more psychedelic. Well it worked on songs such as, "Flying", and "Blue Jay Way", are extremly psychedelic songs using lots of affects. This album was also the last of The Beatles making really acid rock albums and after 1967 The Beatles started too fall apart. The songs on here have all remained classics, "Hello Goodbye", "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Penny Lane", and "All You Need Is Love". This album is for any of those who have a taste for psychedelic music buy today and is for any Beatles fan.



2. A lot has been said about the Beatles, and it leaves little to add. I enjoyed this piece when I first bought it back in 1972, which was 5 years after it's initial release.
   It blew me away then and it still does to this day. All ages will identify with this. Simply enjoyable to listen to.



3. Introduction: My brother, Marc, was a great fan of the Beatles. He was almost nine years older than me, and his music was what I listened to (not always by choice!) when I was a kid. My brother died, suddenly and unexpectedly, on 8/6/2002. Today, 8/10/08, would have been his fifty-seventh birthday.
   
   Magical Mystery Tour was the first album I bought, as a cassette tape, that might not have thrilled my parents. They saw The Beatles as hippies and a bad influence, but they did not openly object. I listened to it over and over again, way back when, and still enjoy the songs, for the most part. I now see the album as a mixed bag, quality-wise. Of course, all of this is just my opinion of the album.
   
   The songs are:
   
   1. Magical Mystery Tour - Where else to start but with the title song? Not every album does, but it makes perfect sense to me. This is a very cheerful, somewhat silly song, and I like it, for the most part, but feel that it has a somewhat weak ending. It is like a tour guide inviting you along for a ride, and the ride is the rest of the album. ****
   
   2. Fool on the Hill - This song seems somewhat of a lyrics-melody mismatch, as the instrumental is cheerful, but the words tell a melancholy tale. It has some real depth to it, as the Fool could be someone under the influence, someone mentally ill, someone who is so rapt up in recreation that he becomes oblivious, or something else entirely. It is interesting to listen to, and is one of my favorites on this album. *****
   
   3. Flying - Hmmm, how did this get here? It is a nice, if not memorable, almost-completely-instrumental piece, with the only vocals not involving any words. It is okay, but no more than that. ***
   
   4. Blue Jay Way - This is easily my least favorite song on this album. Even though I have listened to the album many time, starting decades ago, I keep forgetting it. When I listen to it again, I groan and say, "Why did they do this one?" I find it depressing and shallow, and not worth my time. Maybe I keep forgetting it is that I very much want to forget it. *
   
   5. Your Mother Should Know - This one, as far as mood goes, reminds me a bit of When I'm Sixty-Four, except it is not as catchy or memorable. As far as fitting in with the album, it almost feels like someone said, "We need one more song," and The Beatles complied, similar to when a book feels like the author was writing it to fulfill a contractual obligation to a publisher. ***
   
   6. I Am the Walrus - This is another one from this album that I dislike. It is nonsensical, it meanders, and it is replete with phrases and terms that sound symbolic but, after a while, I get the feeling that The Beatles were just trying to sound inscrutable and enigmatic, to give the impression of depth and profundity, but it has no real depth or meaning to it, as far as I am confirmed. The instrumental part of it is pretty good, though. **
   
   7. Hello Goodbye - Just when you start looking for a towel to throw in, giving up on this album, this gem begins a string of the three best pieces on the album. It is interesting to hear, both musically and lyrically, with a theme of two lovers being completely at odds, without animosity, and drifting away from one another. *****
   
   8. Strawberry Fields Forever - This song is a prime example of me liking something I would not expect to like. If you just read the lyrics, I think the song does not make much sense. But, when I listen to it, I like it. I think it is not a song telling a story, which is what I usually like, but a song meant only to create a feeling or set a mood. It does that, for me, very well. ****
   
   9. Penny Lane - I usually like songs that are about something meaningful and, at first glance, this one is not. It is about ordinary life on a street named Penny Lane. That sounds very mundane and boring. It is not! It sings of neighborhood, home, and community. The melody is cheerful and flowing. Every time I hear this song, I want to stop whatever I am doing and sing along. It is not meaningless. It is about life itself. *****
   
   10. Baby You're a Rich Man - I do like the music and the sound of this song. For some reason, I do not find it memorable. When I listen to it, though, I like it each time, as it talks about how people change when they become wealthy, and how other people might see them. It does get a bit repetitive at the end, though. ****
   
   11. All You Need Is Love - It would have been good to end this album, and this review, on an upbeat note, but it was not meant to be, I guess. This is an odd song, that starts with a brassy fanfare, includes very simplistic lyrics that get repetitive, and I have some concerns about the message. Love is an essential part of life, in my opinion, but if you understand the terms of formal logic, there is a big difference between necessary and sufficient. Air and food are necessary parts of human life, but we die without water, a strong and stable immune system, shelter, and many other things. In other words, air is necessary to life, but it is not sufficient. This song repeatedly forwards the idea that "love is all you need," which means it is a necessary and sufficient ingredient. Maybe I am being way too picky, and I can be, at times, but if you put a point on the table, over and over again, it better stand up to scrutiny. This song does not do so, and it just annoys me. The instrumentals are good, and the voices do sound good, but thumbs down on the message. **
   
   Overall: Many albums have an underlying, connective message, or theme, like chapters in a book. That is not necessary, but I like it, when it is there. This album is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It is a hodgepodge compilation of songs that vary markedly in quality, mood, depth, and message. I still have very fond memories of it from childhood, but that does not make it a good album. It is redeemed, somewhat, by the second, seventh, and ninth songs, and Penny Lane is one of the best work by the group. As an album, it earns thirty-eight of a possible fifty-five stars, or an average rating of 3.45 stars.



4. I have always loved this album. So underrated. So many Beatle albums are good, this one is great. I could listen to this forever, and trust me, I will.



5. 
   Yep, I'd heard plenty of Beatles' songs. But when my brother gave me the LP (vinyl) of this album after it had come out, this was my first Beatles' recording. I wore it out playing it on my cheap record players and too-long-used needles. But it was a lot of fun while it lasted!
   
   The sound is a lot different from the early Beatles albums. There are some glorious songs on this CD--as well as a few idiosyncratic items.
   
   The CD begins with the title song, "Magical Mystery Tour." A pleasing composition, with repetitive (almost hypnotic) lines. A sampling:
   
   "Roll up--Roll up for the Magical Mystery Tour,
   Roll up Roll up for the Mystery Tour.
   I've got an invitation to make a reservation."
   
   Psychedelic music that is still musical!
   
   This is followed by "The Fool on the Hill," a simple tune with good keyboard work. Some lines:
   
   "And nobody seems to like him they can tell what he wants to do.
   And he never shows his feelings but the Fool on the hill
   Sees the sun going down. . . ."
   
   Then, the late Beatles' classic, "I Am the Walrus."
   
   Remember the tag line?
   
   "I am the eggman, they are the eggmen
   I am the walrus goo goo ga joo."
   
   The CD closes out with a series of neat songs, one after the other--"Hello Goodbye," "Strawberry Fields Forever" (I really like that song!), "Penny Lane (Another neat tune), "Baby You're A Rich Man," and "All You Need Is Love" (a classic Beatles' work).
   
   Maybe not as well known or as well reputed as works recorded at about the same time (think Sgt. Pepper. . .), but an estimable work nonetheless.

5 comments about Sounds Of Summer - The Very Best Of The Beach Boys.

1. All the best oldies!! Brings back some really good memories. Sounds great! I LOVE IT!!



2. This CD opens with the classic Beach Boys song, "California Girls". It is the song that the group usually opens their live concerts with. Very cool. All their good songs are in this CD. Highly recommended.



3. "The thirty splendid tracks on 'Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys' vividly dramatize that legendary band's ability to evoke a vision of California as shimmering, rich and all-encompassing as the state itself...The Beach Boys had not simply defined their own sound, but they themselves had become one of the most significant musical forces on the scene." ~ Anthony DeCurtis ~
   
   How could this collection be the very best of the Beach Boys without my all-time favorite "The Warmth of the Sun?" I was going to give it a four-star-rating due to the exclusion of that beautiful song, but on second thought -- with a set of thirty of their hit songs that are included in this collection, I believe it is arguably a five-star-material.
   
   In my teen-aged years, I have loved the delightful and fun music of the Beach Boys. I was very impressed how their voices blended flawlessly into choir-like harmonies. With their combined talents and creativity, they composed and arranged their own songs. I never fail to listen to this compilation CD every once in a while whenever I want to turn back the hands of time and reminisce cherished memories of summers gone by. And this is also one of the CDs I listen to when I'm running on the treadmill as it is the perfect music that is so full of high spirit and energy.
   
   I have seen one of the live concerts of the Beach Boys back in the Nineties. To me, it was one of the most exciting moments in my entire musical journey to have watched this outstanding group perform live before the eyes and ears of admiring and enthusiastic concert-goers.
   
   This CD is not only meant to be listened to during summertime, but for all seasons through all the years. All the thirty tracks are fun to listen to, but my top twelve choices include the following.
   
   1. Surfin' USA
   2. California Girls
   3. God Only Knows
   4. Don't Worry Baby
   5. Wouldn't It Be Nice
   6. Do You Wanna Dance
   7. Little Deuce Coupe
   8. I Can Hear Music
   9. Fun, Fun, Fun
   10. In My Room
   11. Surfer Girl
   12. Kokomo
   
   We're on the last leg of summer and in a few days, we'd all be saying...Goodbye Summer of 2008. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" to turn back the hands of time and listen once again to Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnson and David Marks collectively known as the famous Beach Boys? Relive the luscious sounds of the Sixties and enjoy the splendid sounds of summer with this highly recommended CD. A delightful listen.
   
   "That beautiful season, the Summer!
   Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light
   and the landscape lay as if new created
   In all the freshness of childhood." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~



4. Cool music of the days gone bye...great music for sing along while doing the boring exercise just pass'in the treadmill time away. Yes, singing on the treadmill in one's mind's eye...



5. If you are a fan of the Beach Boys but not enough of a fan to own all of their albums, then this one is for you. It has alot of their best hits. I enjoy the whole album and it always cheers me up when I listen to it. Very upbeat and fun.

5 comments about 1962-1966 (The Red Album).

1. For those just starting out as Beatles fans.....Welcome. Not sure how to start ? Look no further. Instead of buying different albums or discs trying to figure them out start here. This is the start and pretty much the best of their early work and hits. It will bring alive The Beatles and yea your going to get hooked. You'll play these songs over and over again. They say you can't ware out a CD. You can and you will with this. The only down fall is that you WILL DEMAND MORE. Dont let the heavy price get you. You will find that this is more then worth it's price and a better start then "1" or Past Masters. Without a doubt this is the best way for a new fan to start. I was very happy to open this disc and see it on Apple too. Enjoy and please also see my review on the 1967 - 1970 disc too./No Neck



2. If you've spent any time burning your own audio CDs (i.e. "Redbook" CDs as they are known in optical media world), then you probably quickly figured out that all 26 tracks will easily fit on one standard CD-R (or, if you know your blank CDs, that'll be a Taiyo Yuden!).
   
   So, why are we "given" two CDs? Easy? So the record company can charge $23 instead of $13.
   
   Of course, the label's reason (read: pandering excuse) is that they are being "faithful to the original release." Since when are COMPILATIONS considered to be "original releases"?? Even classic packages such as Marley's "Legend" merely cherry pick the best (and best-selling) songs from his albums--just as every other "Greatest Hits" or "Best of" disc does.
   
   The VERY least that the label could have (SHOULD) done was to add extra tracks. God knows the Fab Four recorded enough hits and out-takes in order to fill these two discs out with a plethora of B-sides, different takes of classic songs, and sides that were unreleased for one reason or another.
   
   Those of us who pay attention wouldn't be sitting around wondering why so many albums by so many albums lesser groups are jammed to the gills with studio cast-offs, lame live versions and the occasional gem. (E.g. look at the "remastered" version of "Who's Next", a half-baked attempt to "recreate" the failed "Lighthouse" project, whose only notable result was the greatest album the Who and Pete Townshend ever recorded.)
   
   Even scraping the bottom of the barrel (creatively at least) they could slapped an interview onto one of the discs. The remastered version of Tull's "Thick As A Brick" has a fascinating 13-14min interview recorded around the time the album was made.
   
   What serious Beatles' fan wouldn't want to hear a good interview with the group, especially one from the period right before the became The Biggest Band in History, selling more than 170,000,000 records (that's more than Elvis and Barbara Streisand combined!).
   
   Bottom line is:
   
   The great songs are here (most of them anyway, "Twist and Shout" anyone?). The CDs sound is excellent; I'd love to a Mobile Fidelity version!
   
   But this package could have been fully fleshed into something interesting, something perhaps even special. That way the $23 we shelled out for this "two" disc set would have been worth it.
   
   Yet with this Beatles' set we get exactly what we would have paid for in 1967.
   
   Hello, record company executives!! It's 40 years later. Time to get a clue. Instead of taking advantage of the 80-82 mins ea. CD gives them, the label decided to pretend they still had to work within the time constraints, between 45 and 50 mins using both sides.
   
   And they wonder more and more people are downloading more and more music: they can pick exactly the songs they want without what used to be called "filler"--but is nowadays called "hit singles".



3. I enjoy every song! These songs I grew up with so they bring back happy memories of singing these songs on the way home from school.



4. A very good compilation, nothing to say about the songs included here. But I think that if you're looking something to start, you can buy this item and the blue album. Another good choice would be the CD called "1", but you wouldn't get some tunes included in this item and its companion (the blue album), but surely a far better sound since the "1" album was given a very good remastering that this compilations lacks, (that's the reason for which I rate this item "only" with four stars) and you will pay less for a single disc compilation. Both choices are here, and each one has its pros and cons, but anyway you can't go wrong with any choice you take.



5. If you like the Beatles, and the early Beatles you'll love this CD, as it
   contains most of the material and good Beatles songs from that period.
   A must have for Beatles Collections.

5 comments about 1967-1970 (The Blue Album).

1. For The Beatle beginner this is the second disc to purchase (The first being 1962 - 1966, see my review please). This disc is the hits from 1967 to 1970 but also you will hear how The Beatles were maturing as a group and also changing with the times and yet could still belt out the best music ever created and music that would still find it's way to the top of the charts AGAIN. There will never be another Beatles. In these discs you will hear why. There is not a bad song on either collection. Originally released in 1973 three years after they had called it quits the four did come together to put theses two packages together (1962-1966 & 1967-1970). Even though The Beatles were gone forever the four could still get together in a room and put two perfect packages together and both again go to the top of the charts. /No Neck



2. I enjoy every song! These songs I grew up with and enjoyed singing them walking home from school.



3. Very well liked if you like the beatles in the Late 60S phase this is the Cd For You !! Very well re-mastered and sounds good Favourites are My Guitar Gently weeps, Let It Be, Lucy in the Sky, Long winding road , A must to have !!!



4. Great price for a classic Beatles collection. I owned it on LP & the quality on CD is excellent



5. The copies are from either Brazil or Argentina, this is not stated in the product information. The Vendor, Innuendo has not sent the requested return call tag, and has indicated that it will not give a refund if the product is un-wrapped. It was never wrapped in a factory shrink with the tamper tape on top. I suspect that the vendor may be selling bootleg and/or pirated copies. Buyers beware of purchases made from Amazon and Innuendo. This is product misrepresentation that isn't disclosed until the shipping invoice is sent. 'Caveat Emptor.'

5 comments about Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix.

1. We loved this Jimmy Hendrix CD. We found some 8mm video tapes that my husband took while he was in Vietnam in the 70's. We sent the tapes off to have them put on a DVD and had them put the Jimmy Hendix cd as the background music. It turned out great !!! Brought back a lot of good and bad memories !!!! CD was worth every penny we paid for it !!!



2. As a diehard Hendrix fan... like who isn't, I have to confess I felt that some of Jimi's best songs are conspicuously missing from this album. For example, I can live without "Dolly Dagger" but not without "Spanish Castle Magic"! I wish they had consulted me first when picking songs... but, oh well, heavy sigh, they did not. Still, even with its organizational faults, Jimi still rocks.
   
   This is a classic CD; I carry it in my car at all times. I know I am in the universal flow when I turn on the radio and find myself catching the next Jimi song on the radio waves. (It's called hanging ten on the Tao.)
   
   There are some things you simply cannot get enough of, and Jimi Hendrix is one of them. If you are not going to sit down and burn your own customized CD with your favorite Mr. Jimi songs, then get this album. It is the next best thing.



3. I wanted some Hendrix and this CD was it. Took me back to the days when he was monster. Amazon delivered quick in perfect condition.



4. I'm a new fan of Jimmy Hendrix, so I wanted to find the one CD collection that contained his most famous hits. This CD is definitely the one to go with if you want the best bang for your buck.



5. Words don't do his music justice this is the one that I simply could not live without. It's incredible.

5 comments about Pink Floyd - Live at Pompeii (Director's Cut).

1. Since I lost my VHS version of this film, I had missed the occasional nostalgic viewing. This DVD version brings it all back. It's as good as ever, and includes some new enhancement to the setting at Pompeii. Worth replacing your old version.



2. Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii - Great, great, great, great!!!! This DVD contains the "Director's Cut" as well as the original concert film. Basically the Director's cut features lots of extra visuals, including computer graphic recreations of Pompeii, the exploding Vesuvius, and other things like NASA shots of rockets going up into space, space walks, images of suns and stars and moons and planets, all the usual things you'd expect of someone depicting a "space rock" band. It also has some extra bits from the studio in Paris when they were recording "Dark Side of the Moon." The Directors Cut starts out with space and planets animated instead of the big zoom-in to the arena in Pompeei of the original film. Not really an improvement, although it's nice to see something different I guess. Cool to see a grand piano in a roman ampitheatre. Gilmour and Wright shirtless, Waters and Mason in black. Integrates black and white studio shots with colour live stuff from Pompeii. Guys walking over steaming earth, awkward cuts to Wright and Gilmour screwing up their Echoes lyrics. Mason flips his drum stick. Broken drum heads on his kit - 8 drums and 5 cymbals. Racks and racks of amps - one shot goes behind them and we see the cameras and crews that face the band. Back of amps all say "Pink Floyd. London." Shots of the London Underground, clock going backwards, empty platform. Throwaway film experimentation. Pink Floyd's psychedelic breakfast at Abbey Road studios as Nick goes weird about apple pie, Roger's veins as he tries out weird keyboard sounds. Talking about over-using equipment. "It's like saying `give a man a Les Paul guitar and he'll become Eric Clapton." Did Clapton play a Les Paul? Constructing the "On The Run" sequence with sequencers and keyboards. "Careful With That Axe Eugene" with wild lava flows and screams. The and eating oysters. "There's the danger of becoming slaves to the equipment, it happened before. Can't hide behind equipment." Saucerful of Secrets - Waters smashing cymbols with toms, Wright attacking his grand. Fly on Waters' arm - smashes gong that we see on the cover art - all of the guys thin and trim and gangly in t-shirts and jeans, barefoot sand getting into the effects pedals. The band talks money and economics, "rock is not dying like they say," and there's still money in it. Wright doing piano parts in shades fo r "Us and Them" as camera sweeps around. Gilmour "we're not a drug-oriented group. You can trust us." "One of These Days", mason on toms on ctymbols, weird geographic CG. Slow-mo on Mason as the song kicks into high gear, all you see is him, no Gilmour solo or Waters screaming. Mason loses a stick, then pulls a new one out. Nice butterfly logo on blue long-sleeve shirt. Keyboard too high in the mix. Interesting quotes about how well they've learned how to get along, "we're happy together." That wouldn't last. While the others are chatting, Gilmour pulls a perfect "Echoes" guitar solo. "Mesdomoiselle Nobs" with the wailing dog - Wright holding the dog, who sings on cue, Gilmour on harmonica, Waters on guitar (although it sounds like a bass) Address the topic of arguments and in-fighting by claiming that they have the same sense of humour and lust for money. "We can still combine our interest. That's when it breaks down, when one person finds that wheat he's doing isn't interesting, thinks he can do better by himself," says Mason. Then shifts to Gilmour noodling on the guitar, gives a big beautiful smile when he notices the camera. "What would rock `n' roll be without feedback?" Gilmour plays heavy, thick guitar solos on "Brain Damage," they obviously were never used since the finished product is much more relaxed. "Set The Controls For the Heart Of The Sun", Mason's purple butterfly t-shirt - he has two? "Echoes" in studio - Gilmour stops singing - is he being a prick? Images of Roman erotica, humans cavorting with fauns. Closing "Echoes" - sunnyday Pink Floyd with other backdrops. TERRIBLE computer graphics bit (1:23:35). DVD extras. Generally not great, although there is some good stuff. Three posters, one of which calls the show "A Zappaesque musical pastiche." Three newspaper articles from the day. Five "covers of bootlegs" pages with two on each page, so 10 covers. Four previous covers. Four albums' with graphics, two songs' lyrics (why only two? why bother?), one 24-minute interview with directore Adrian Maben that was very interesting. No voice of the interviewer, questions appear as banners. He explains some of the reasons why there were so many wanky graphics and things, he complains that "you are always unsatisfied with something, you never get it right," and I think that even after 30 years he's ruined his chance to "fix" his mistakes. But he didn't have much to work with - apparently the rushes were lost, so he couldn't add any material from 1972 into the film, so he put 2003 stuff in. Big mistake. I read on the Wikipedia that the shots from the studio in Paris that was supposedly of them recording "Dark Side of the Moon" was actually faked - the band had already finished recording the album and were mixing it. Other fake shots were done on a sound stage somewhere. You can tell which ones they were because there are no ruins of Pompeii, the band are squeezed together, and Rick Wright is beardless. But at least they try.
   
   The "Beastie Boys" made a funny tribute to this movie for the video of their song "Gratitude." Cz-Cz-Cz-Czech it out!"



3. Compared to the original version of "Live at Pompeii" this one has more material in it, without anything dropped. There are some more interviews, where Roger makes fun of the interviewer, that's so much fun! And some Odyssey like video parts have been added to the songs that looks pretty cool.



4. "Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii - The Director's Cut" could have been a better film than it is, even with the extra and new footage, if Adrien Maben hadn't tried to run the gamut here. It's total overkill. The audio is now more clear sounding, and the picture is now sharper than it was, and some alternate footage from the time is included to enhance the experience, but there is some serious inconsistency in the bigger picture.
   
   In its original form, the viewer gets an opening sequence made up of some eerie music the band recorded for the film, some shots of the Roman ruins, and the preliminary stages of the road crew setting up the equipment. Now, there is a black screen, with a heartbeat and some heavy breathing. I felt like I was watching "Friday The 13th." You then get some nice spacey images during the first bars of "Echoes: Part One," looking suspiciously like Stanley Kubrik's "2001: A Space Oddessy." It does fit the music, and it's probably what the band would have shown on "Mr. Screen," as they called it, in the shows from those days, so I took this in stride. It is, after all, a new version. The visuals are really very beautiful during this, but the majesty of this performance is belied by footage of David Gilmour and Rick Wright recording the vocals to the original version in the studio. The sound itself is from the "concert," but seeing them fumble through outtakes during this, takes the covers off them. And even though there is no acting, per se, Gilmour does what every film director says not to do; he looks directly at the camera between lines. But even with these glitches, the film still does look and sound good.
   
   And even cleaned up, the original footage, already in existence, as well as some other exposition, has a slightly gritty look to it, causing the "documentary" feel, and it works. But there is some computer-generated imaging which jars the viewer out of the lull they achieve while enjoying the band's performances. Time and circumstance do not allow a complete play-by-play in this forum, but if the original footage had a digital-era clarity, or the segments of new digital-era footage were slightly grittier looking, the transitions would have worked wonderfully. This is only my opinion. But, usually, new treatments are supposed to fit seamlessly into the original piece; here, it's the metaphorical "sore thumb." And too bad, because it is a very ambitious cut, worthy of watching anyhow. The scenery shots, previously unused, are unbelievably beautiful. The landscapes, from the original cut, and the shots taken from the vault and added in, are breathtaking. For real.
   
   Certain things I wouldn't have done (I know, this is Adrien Maben's film, not Jerry H's film) if I were the director, though, include one thing I didn't care for, in the original film. It's not bad, but not what I would have done. In some of the outdoor footage, there are some stunning landscapes, with the band members walking through it, on an outdoor hike, looking something like The Beatles in "Yellow Submarine." These shots should have been done without Waters, Wright, Mason, and Gilmour, out on some nature-hike. It's just pointless. They only worked together, they didn't go hiking and whatnot, but this is only a viewpoint. And the other thing: The newly included black-and-white footage of the interviews from the cafeteria. The only saving grace here, is some conversations with Rick Wright, conspicuously absent from the original cut. But, really, watching Roger Waters eat oysters for lunch, is one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen. I cringe at the sight of this, and even writing about it. And he obviously has a holier-than-thou attitude as well. He makes some very valid points in his conversations, but here, he is showing just how boorish he can be. But I guess, these parts show us that they are just a bunch of regular guys who laugh and joke with one another, they aren't embassadors from another planet. I just wouldn't have included these clips.
   
   But, as I have said earlier, sometimes the new edits work very well. During the climax of "A Saucerful Of Secrets," there is some stock film of a volcano erupting, and the flooding of a city with hot lava, including a shot of a horrified little girl watching her home town being destroyed by one of God's temper tantrums. But, some of the additional visuals look like something you'd see while using a Play Station video game. This is what cost this video a star for me.
   
   Also, as a gift to the purist, the original "concert" is included in the bonus features, in tact, the first of the three releases, no interviews, no toying with the running order, just the band playing their best material of the day for the camera crew, and this is a 5-plus rating on the 1 to 5 scale available here.
   
   My favorite bands are Pink Floyd, The Who, Steppenwolf, and The Mothers. Videos like this are the reason.



5. One evening in 1973 I was watching reruns of 'Night Gallery' on my 10 inch black and white TV and I began flipping channels during the commercial to see what else was on. On PBS I couldn't believe what I was seeing, PINK FLOYD! I looked at the TV Guide and saw it Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii. Needless to say, I did not go back to my other show and I looked in vain for years for a repeat of the show. Well, now it is on DVD in color on my big screen TV and is an instant nostalgia device. One thing I don't understand though is why everyone complains about the director's cut. I agree that it isn't necessary since it detracts from the power of the original which launches right into the music without the 'fan club sentimentalities' and dressings of the director's cut. But BOTH VERSIONS are on the disk, so watch the ORIGINAL CONCERT MOVIE first if you just want the simple truth and later watch the DIRECTOR'S CUT if you want more, but please don't whine.

5 comments about The Beatles Anthology.

1. Thanks so much--this was perfect. Just what I wanted and expected and at a very fair and reasonable price. Timely delivery as well. Great transaction.



2. I purchased this documentary on VHS when it first came out (for about $100! ) so that should tell you how I feel about it! If you are a big fan (big- not "moderate" or "casual") you'll eat this up. Besides the early never before heard recordings, photos, performances, and interviews, the stories told by the Beatles and their close associates are just fascinating. And what's great (and pretty funny also) is that they don't always have the same opinions or recollections on events surrounding the band. For example, it seems apparent that George Harrison disliked Beatlemania but Ringo sounds like he really enjoyed it. Also, it's great to learn that despite the eventual acrimony they were very close to one another, something else that makes this worth watching. The last few chapters kind of bum me out because of the dissension and eventual breakup, but you'll get an insight as to why it happened and I think come to realize it was their only option. The added disc has special features about the making of the documentary and accompanying videos that will also be devoured by "big" fans. If you're near my age, 50, it will bring back great memories of a great time and answer all the questions you ever had about the Beatles, The most enjoyment a Beatle fan can have for $49.95. Highly recommended.



3. Since purchasing this set, I have watched it through twice and some parts three or more times. It is both entertaining and gives a good overview of Beatles music. The real strength of this set is the range of music it includes and the very fine video from televised performances, newsconferences, reporting, documentaries, etc. The film clips are very good. I also liked the special features extremely well, particularly the feeling of the remaining Beatles (three at that time) about arranging and recording John's "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love" tapes.
   
   The film gives only a very general chronology. It also addresses some controversies in passing, but the main focus is on the music and the sensation that resulted from it as well as recording the individual personalities of The Beatles. Ringo probably talks more and is more open in the interviews on this series than I have ever seen him.
   
   I found that the series fed my desire to explore specific topics of Beatles history including the Hamburg experience, Stu Sutcliffe, Pete Best, Brian Epstein, George Martin and Goeff Emerick at EMI studios; Cynthia Lennon and Yoko Ono. So, it's not the whole story, but the central portion of it--the boys themselves and as musicians. And I take it as a very strong complement to these materials that I was encouraged to look deeper.



4. I bought this anthology as a present for my dad who is, still, the greatest Beatles fan in the world. He really wanted to see some live concerts, but I wasn't sure whether these DVDs would satisfy his curiosity. I watched the 5 DVDs with my dad and they were unbelievably entertaining. They present the Beatles in a new light - these guys were very funny and easy going. It was a pleasure to follow their career from the very beginning! The DVDs contain live concerts, interviews and personal footage. A MUST HAVE!!!



5. Boyfriend loved it. Nearly fanatic Beatle fan and this really worked for him and I found myself watching it much longer than I'd have expected. it's very interesting. Lisa

5 comments about Hot Rocks 1964-1971 [DSD Remastered].

1. Sensacional. La primera época de los Rolling Stones, llena de imaginación y de buenísimas canciones.



2. One of the most addictive qualities to a new romance is the opportunity to reinvent yourself. New couples exchanges personal histories when acquainting themselves with one another and, of course, histories get reinterpreted and subsequently recast. Once a couple completes the process of individual explication, then, alas, reality, the new narrative, proceeds, fixing itself in quotidian praxis. Boo hoo. It's so hard to change identities when the significant other knows so much. Consider happily ever after. If happiness is so desirable, then why does it END the story? These are some of the themes contained within Hot Rocks. If we ever wondered what might have become of Byron, had he lived, look no further than Mick. Now, if you'll excuse me, the wife is screaming something from the other room.



3. This is a must own double CD of The Stones early work and is as timeless as any album they have ever released. I own the album version of this gem but no longer have the capability to play it so...to replace it I bought this DSD remastered set and the sound quality is excellent. However, this is not an SACD if that is what you are expecting!! For those who want a quality sound and to hear songs from their beginning up until 1971, this is an excellent choice...



4. Early Stones at their best. You can understand the lyrics! That alone was worth the purchase.



5. what can I say? This is exactly what it is supposed to be. It is exactly what I ordered and what I expected, what more could I ask?

No comments about Multi-Dimensional Warrior.

5 comments about Electric Ladyland.

1. Great CD i love the songs and etc. Only thing is it took a while to get it shipping wasn't very fast.



2. Electric Ladyland is, in my humble opinion, the single greatest recording ever made. 'nough said.



3. I am at a loss for words [speaking of Jimi]. I've purchased this recording at least 4 times !!! Since it first came out on vinyl !!! The only question to ask is, Quality of the reproduction?
   
   YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET !!! If you buy a cheap quality reproduction ,,, it will sound like poop.
   
   Pay the money and get GREAT QUALITY ,,, take it from a wise man who has traversed the trials and tribulations of a ca. 60's baby-boomer !!!
   
   THIS CD IS AWESOME, MOST EXCELLENT ,,, IT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT !!! enough said, peace



4. A great album timeless. Its not just a rock album but a, jazz, blues, funk, and mainly psychedelic rock album. Coming out in the summer of 68' this was a huge hit. This album is also really experiementing with the wah-wah pedal a lot. Some key tracks on here are, voodoo child(slight return), still raning still dreaming, rainy day dream away, gypsy eyes, all along with the watchtower, 1983 a merman i should turn too be, house burning down etc.
   1. ... And The Gods Made Love 4/5 stars
   2. Have you ever been to electric ladyland 4/5 stars
   3. Crosstown Traffic 5/5 stars
   4. Voodoo Chile 5/5 stars
   5. Little Miss Strange 4/5 stars
   6. Long Hot Summer Night 5/5 stars
   7. Come On Let The Good Times Roll 4/5 stars
   8. Gypsy Eyes 5/5 stars
   9. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp 5/5 stars
   10. Rainy Day Dream Away 5/5 stars
   11. 1983(a merman i should turn to be) 5/5 stars
   12. Moon Turn The Tides Gently, 4/5 stars
   13. Still Raining Still Dreaming 5/5 stars
   14. House Burning Down 5/5 stars
   15. All Along The Watchtower 5/5 stars
   16. Voodoo Child(Slight Return) 5/5 stars



5. Jimi Hendrix's third and final album with the original Experience found him taking his funk and psychedelic sounds to the absolute limit. The result was not only one of the best rock albums of the era, but also Hendrix's original musical vision at its absolute apex. When revisionist rock critics refer to him as the maker of a generation's mightiest dope music, this is the album they're referring to.
   But Electric Ladyland is so much more than just background music for chemical intake. Kudos to engineer Eddie Kramer (who supervised the remastering of the original two-track stereo masters for this 1997 reissue on MCA) for taking Hendrix's visions of a soundscape behind his music and giving it all context, experimenting with odd mic techniques, echo, backward tape, flanging, and chorusing, all new techniques at the time, at least the way they're used here. What Hendrix sonically achieved on this record expanded the concept of what could be gotten out of a modern recording studio in much the same manner as Phil Spector had done a decade before with his Wall of Sound. As an album this influential (and as far as influencing a generation of players and beyond, this was his ultimate statement for many), the highlights speak for themselves: "Crosstown Traffic," his reinterpretation of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," "Burning of the Midnight Lamp," the spacy "1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)," and "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)," a landmark in Hendrix's playing. With this double set (now on one compact disc), Hendrix once again pushed the concept album to new horizons.