By John “Buzz” Bezzini
The new Rubber Soul Deluxe is out! This is one blog participant that with all due respect to streaming enthusiasts will never feel that streaming is superior to physical media. The tactile joy of reading a good book or holding a cd or record in your hand prior to listening to it is unequaled or unsurpassed. Businesses do not appreciate large overhead in any product they manufacture and streaming cuts down on their expenses making their profits go higher and higher resulting in their heavy promotion of streaming services.
I will never relinquish the thrill and the excitement of looking at a personal book and record archive, not dependent on the product being delivered to me by a phone or a computer or another third-party. Streaming technology has in my opinion decreased the writing skills and academic abilities of the participants. For example, who needs to know how to spell correctly if spell check and AI can correct your written text for you? No, sir, that world is not for me. Human thought being replaced by a machine. No, thank you!!!
This is one purchaser of physical media that will not relent in that pursuit. Here is the Beatles latest rerelease, with the CD boxed set of Rubber Soul which many consider to be their best album ever. That discussion is fruitless as there are many others that could also fall under that category. There is also a more expensive vinyl box set available for interested parties. The deluxe Cd box contains 4 cd’s, the new stereo remix of the LP, Rubber Soul Sessions, Demos and the single, the original rubber Soul Mono Master and Rubber Soul the original Capitol stereo mix. There is also a beautiful book of photos and recording details in this package
My favorite disk in these box sets are the outtakes or alternate versions that help to highlight the creative process. I was especially delighted to hear John’s demo of Little Girl. However, it is also disappointing that this was only a song in process and never was properly finished as a complete recording. Another “what if” to ponder about! Two more suggestions would have made this a more complete historical box set and that would have been the inclusion of a full 12 Bar Original instrumental track and the full demo for What Goes On featuring a different middle section. To not include these on the box was a MISTAKE that is not a comment on the quality of the 2 missing songs only a reaction to ensure a more complete content as historical artifacts.
I found this box set to be a welcome addition to my Beatles collecting library and I sincerely hope that the record company has plans for more such sets. Perhaps the next one can be a Magical Mystery Tour/Yellow Submarine box? what a TRIP that one could be! LOL
THE CD SLIPCASE COVER:
THE BACK COVER OF THE BOX-FEATURES THE 4-CD CONTENTS:
THE COVER OF THE BOOK INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:
Wonderful recording session details from Kevin Howlett and many beautiful photographs included in this book!
THE TABLE OF CONTENTS:
THE 4 CDS IN THEIR REPOSITORY OF AN LP-LIKE GATEFOLD:
DISKS 1&2:
DISKS 3&4:
There have been rumors that this set might be the last Beatles box. I, for one, hope that is not the case! History deserves more… and more…and more!!!
Be happy and be healthy!
Buzz
P.S. You can usually find the release at your favorite media purchasing outlet or you can also go directly to the Beatles official website:
OUR FEATURED BOOK TODAY: SONGS WE WERE SINGING
Songs We Were Singing
Take A “Magical Mystery Tour” through the Beatles’ Deep Tracks. The Beatles’ music has become so ingrained in our culture that their songs have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Who doesn’t know the words to “Hey Jude” or “Let It Be”? Who hasn’t been moved by the poetry of “Eleanor Rigby” or energized by that opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night”?
