The Beatles1962-1966 & 1967-1970 (2023 Edition) Half-Speed Mastered 180g 6LP Box Set

The Beatles' 1962-1966 ('The Red Album') and 1967-1970 ('The Blue Album') landmark compilations have introduced generations of fans to the incredible history of the most storied band in music. For its 50th anniversary, the collections have been expanded: 'Red' has 12 additional tracks, including for the first time some of George Harrison's earliest songs and some classic Beatles versions of R&B and rock 'n' roll hits that were so influential on the band. 'Blue' has 9 additional tracks including "Blackbird" and "Glass Onion" plus the last new Beatles song "Now and Then," for a total of 21 new additions which are all compiled onto the third disc, effectively creating a 'new' LP for each set.

Together the 6LPs contain 75 tracks, 36 of which have new mixes for 2023. The inserts contains new sleeve notes by journalist and author John Harris.

For current fans and future generations alike, the new 1962–1966 and 1967-1970 collections are a joyous celebration of The Beatles' timeless musical legacy.

The expansion corrects a couple of flaws on the original sequence of The Red Album by adding a good chunk of Revolver and several songs from George Harrison, who had no lead vocals or compositions in the 1973 incarnation of the compilation. Additionally, the enduring standards 'I Saw Her Standing There' and 'Twist and Shout' have been added to the album, making for a fuller picture of the Beatles' early years. The big news about this particular reissue isn't the expansion so much as the remix. Using the machine-learning technology developed for Peter Jackson's 2022 documentary Get Back, Martin was able to isolate elements of the original mixes, thereby allowing him to develop dynamic new mixes that employ the full range of the stereo spectrum. These new remixes retain the spirit of the original but leap from the speakers, sounding bigger and bolder than before.

The expansion corrects a couple of flaws on the original sequence of the Blue Album by adding George Harrison's Indian exploration 'Within You Without You,' the lovely pair of 'Dear Prudence' and 'Blackbird' from the White Album, plus the heavier rockers 'Hey Bulldog' and 'I Want You (She's So Heavy).' The big news about this particular reissue is all tied to the machine-learning technology developed for Peter Jackson's 2022 documentary Get Back. This technology allowed Martin to isolate elements of the original mixes, thereby enabling him to develop dynamic new mixes that employ the full range of the stereo spectrum. These new remixes retain the spirit of the original but leap from the speakers, sounding bigger and bolder than before.

Hearing the 2023 stereo remixes of early mono tracks like 'I Saw Her Standing There' and 'Twist and Shout' or Rubber Soul's 'Norwegian Wood' truly tells the tale. Once peaky vocals are smoother, a soundstage is defined, harmonies are detailed, and the clarity of the bass and drum figures are far superior. 'Twist and Shout,' for example, rocks like never before—Lennon's throaty vocal was never as vivid or present. The original British monos still may win on pure immediacy, but these close the gap. If you grew up listening to the American pressings in processed, hard-panned stereo, these are stunners and worthy additions to any Beatles collection.