The White Album is THE record of my life. It's IMO the greatest LP ever recorded by any artist. I've got a history of 45 years with it. I know it since I was born. I've been listening to it thousands of times and I never get tired of it. It's THE perfect album! ❤ I never skip "Revolution 9". I own 15 different versions on all kinds of formats. I grew up with the original german stereo pressing so this will always be my beloved version. I love the UK mono mix as well. I must say I absolutely LOVED the 2018 5.1 remix. Enjoying it under the influence of a sporty jazz cigarette was a mind blowing experience.
I wish the blu-rays would get separate releases, I sound like a broken record complaining about it, but I would get a box set of just the blu-ray high-res and surround mixes in a heartbeat. I just didn't feel like buying pricey box sets just to get the blu-rays (which is why I also passed on the recent Kinks box set combining Muswell Hillbillies and Everybody's In Showbiz, which were already reissued only a few years ago.
I can't believe Cry Baby Cry wasn't liked enough to be included in either album. Me, I've always liked that song. I guess if everyone liked the same thing, the world would be quite boring. Thank you again, Andrew. I enjoyed this video.
I remember getting the “White Album” for Christmas in 1968. I just looked at it in awe for a half hour before unsealing it. I felt the raised letting of the Beatles on the front cover, opened it up to reveal a poster and four 6” x 8” photos of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Looking at the Apple Records Labels, Side A & C green, side B & C white, I proceeded to play Side 1 on my Low-Fi Nail. 90 minutes later I was left stunned by its diversity. It wasn’t what I expected from a Beatles Album, it felt like a bunch of solo tracks backed by the Beatles. A glimpse into the future but I didn’t know that or expect it. As “Let It Be” and “Abbey Road” gave the illusion that the Beatles were still a “band of brothers”. Flash forward to the 50th Anniversary Edition of the “White Album” in 2018, I felt the same feelings I had as a 12 year kid unboxing this album for the first time.
After seeing this excellent video I simply HAD to listen to "The Beatles" again. After 54 years it is still as fresh as wet paint, and is just amazing with all the widely varied styles and ideas. It's just sad to remember that the sessions for the album were rife with bickering and bad blood. I try not to think of that when I hear this astonishing and beautiful album.
*Er.. Andrew ?... How dare you say your equipement is "not an expensive one", sweetie ???... Your equipement is a top notch posh sophisticated Hi-Fi sound system, man and you know it. Most viewers here have Technics record players and JVC amplifiers Andrew !!!!!... Seeing that apparently you consider a "Project Debut Carbon Espirit player with Ortofon cartridge linked to a Rega and a Naim" not an expensive equipement will sound quite perplexing for many people you know...*
Nowhere near a posh system, when turntables can cost thousands by themselves. It's very good equipment, but not prohibitively expensive. I neither have technics nor JVC.
@@jconsolmagno oh come on, it is !... I mean, this is NOT a "cheap" set-up yo can get at your local Walmart is it ?... It is rather high end, you can't deny that.
The first time I heard it was the '87 double-CD version and it's the one I always go to when I want to listen to the album. And since it was direct from the Masters, I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
I like the 30th anniversary White Album CD. I think that it has a very cohesive sound from track to track that makes the individual track mixes sit very well together. And yes, the packaging is the very best of all White Album CDs. I have taken great care to preserve the packaging in mint condition out of respect for the great job EMI/Apple did on this 30th anniversary edition.
It's my go to of all CD copies. Closest to analogue sounding of digital versions. It actually sounds like mid 70s Japanese EAS pressings which is not a bad thing.
I recently bought the 30th anniversary CD at a half price bookstore and I tried looking into it, but I never saw many people talking about it online. I really love the packaging for it as well!
#1 on your list was my first White Album I got way up north in Sweden in the early 80's. Totally agree, sounds very good. Played it last week and compared it to some other of the pressings I have today. Including the 30th Anniversary CD. Beats that easily. The early German pressings sounds really good in my ears as well. Got a 1968, 1969 (both covers are top loaders). The analogue German DMM is another favorite. But in the end - the music is the best 😀
The mono White Album may be my favorite sounding album EVER. It's not the most pristine sounding, best engineered or anything like that. It just cooks! It sounds so full and warm, and makes every track work perfectly. Like a perfect collage of sound that never tires the ear. The single channel mix makes it sound dreamy.
The 30th Anniversary CD fixes some sequencing errors on the original CD, like the intros of "Bungalow Bill" and "Don't Pass Me By" being snipped off, or John's yelling (ALE) in "Bungalow Bill" starting "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Not as big a deal if you're listening cover to cover, but errors all the same.
my uncle was tasked at work with cleaning out an abandoned garage, and he brought me a few records he found because i only recently got into it at the time. one of them was a 1973 copy of the white album. i never listened to the beatles much before, but when i heard blackbird, i was hooked. love that album so much
One thing you said really struck me, along the lines of “you don’t have to have a high end system, just one you’re familiar with and trust.” That’s so true. I’m not a tech buff, audiophile or vinyl purist (oh no, I am! When did this happen?) and my ears aren’t what they used to be, so that’s very reassuring.
You make a good point about top of the line hi-fi equipment not being necessary to judge sound quality. I collect CDs rather than vinyl, but I often find that going from a brickwalled disc to a well-mastered one makes such a difference that it sounds like I've upgraded my speakers!
If anything, it’s even *more* evident on my car stereo, which sounds massive with a dynamic disc but extremely harsh with a brickwalled one. My home system actually does a better job of handling a modern disc.
I love these deep dives into Beatles specific releases. I humbly request the same look into their earlier albums, as their quality/mixes seemed to have been less influenced by the band themselves.
Great video, Andrew. I expect the Discogs median price of that Dutch pressing will be rising over the next few weeks! The White Album seems to be the one album that I can't have too many copies of, what a masterpiece.
Hey Andrew, I always look forward to what you have in store for us each week. The White Album is my favorite by the Beatles. Probably for sentimental reasons, my favorite is the one I talked my mom into buying for me for my birthday. The hard part was it was Summer and I couldn’t have it until December. 😳Like many here, I have quite a few copies of the album in stereo and mono, LP and CD. For sound, I like the mono version from 2009.
Another great deep dive Andrew. Just love your exhaustive attention to detail. You are, without doubt, the ‘gold standard’ producer of professional Beatles content by which all others must be measured. Fantastic work. Cheers, Rob
The debate about colored vinyl vs black vinyl is an interesting one. I once read in an American record collector magazine that the reason colored vinyl does not sound as good as black vinyl is because it is lacking the carbon black that gives it its color. The carbon black also acts as a lubricant as the stylus travels the grooves. I don’t know if this is true or not, but it does sound plausible.
I recently purchased a 1976 German LP. It sounds amazing! Best sounding pressing of the white album that I’ve ever heard. Ive never heard the Dutch pressing…
Excellent Andrew! I did have the Dutch version…and the DMM version of which was harsh to my ears. But I was a drummer and probably lost some range along the way. Great show!! The White Album deserves all the attention it gets! A brilliant set!! Thanks for the in-depth info as always. Cheers!👍🎶
Excellent video! I own the 1987 CD of the album along with the new remix. The 1987, to my ears, is still the best CD mastering. The fact that it is lower in level than the newer masterings, does not stop me from enjoying it. That's what they made a volume control for. The one complaint that I have regarding it is the pop that is heard at the beginning of Helter Skelter. I also own the 1981 mono pressing of the vinyl and that one is is great! Thank you again for shedding some light on these topics.
I have the original 1987 AND the 1998 30th Anniversary editions. The latter I bought on day one when it was released. I have not opened up the 1998 since I bought it for collector’s sake. Now I am very intrigued! Thank you for a wonderful episode! This is my favorite of all their albums and possibly one of my top 5 favorites of all time.
Thank you Andrew for posting this video! I had forgotten that I owned the 30TH ANNIVERSARY WHITE ALBUM CD and hadn"t played it in over 30years....I played it today and was blown away with the sound...p.s I am 72yo and the first 45 I bought was I FEEL FINE in early 65!!!!
Hello Andrew 👋, I took your advice and tracked down an unmarked DMM pressing of the white album and was thrilled, I actually got chills listening, and several songs including )while my guitar gently weeps) were just stunning .......and a great buy at $120.00 for a truly mint copy 😊😊
I’m happy I held onto my 1981 mono even after finding a clean original 1968 copy. It’s my go-to copy for most occasions, even if there is a certain magic with spinning an original. Regarding the Giles remix, I recall him saying in an interview that early attempts to remix the White Album didn’t sound right, as they were too clean sounding. He thought the music needed to be a little muddier to “sound like the White Album.” Personally I wish he had gone with a cleaner sound to give us something new. I don’t think we’ll get an all-analog stereo set until the remix program is over. Right now they are selling the remixes as something every fan should own. Once the remix program is over, they can then sell us the original mixes all over again, as if they made some great re-discovery over how good they sound. Hopefully the original tapes are still up to the task. Even if they are, I think the BC13 sets will be hard to beat.
Another great video. I own a UK stereo -1/-3/-1/-2 from circa 1978 and the 2014 mono reissue. Scored them both for a total of 110 USD last year (the stereo at a record fair and the mono from a shop near me where I am tight with the staff) and both sound impeccable.
My White Album is a Canadian pressing I got in 1980. I’ve always been happy with it. I’ve not bought nor listened to the 2018 remix as yet, but I’ve always enjoyed the sound of my copy. Nice touch at the end of this video, by the way.
Hi Andrew! I'm an American, so I grew up with the US Apple/Capitol pressings from the original in 1968 to the 1970s ones. I did get it on CD in 1987, and STILL have that disc as well. I have the 2018 remix, but I've left it sealed and am saving it. Wish I had some of the ones you've mentioned here, but I grew up in Boston, NOT in London!! Cheers!!
Another absorbing edition which I found so interesting. The first vinyl album I bought was this one, a Pathe Marconi pressing, back in 1974! I have bought, and sold, quite a few since then but the White album will always have a special place in my heart. The pressing that gets my vote among the ones I have is the UK 1978 white vinyl copy.
I purchased a 1978 white album on white vinyl, only to receive a 1985 DMM white album on white vinyl. They were similar prices on discogs so I didn't complain. It sounds good.
Maybe you’re right about my beloved 2018 remix CD deluxe box set in hindsight of performance on a classic Hi-Fi system. I never tried it. My one and only way of enjoying my whole collection of classic rock CDs is by AirPods connected to my iPod. Once I purchased the CD I put it into my Mac and transfer it into iTunes. So I can enjoy my music everywhere and anytime by minimum laboriousness. - Going this way I first heard Back In The USSR in the remixed version in 2018 on headphones and was fully overblown by its raw power. Never had that experience with this song anytime before, appreciating the White Album since I first got my German vinyl from the early 80s. The remix made this magic double album even more fascinating for my ears.- Thanks for your highly professional videos, always a pleasure to watch👍🏻
Hi Andrew. Thanks for the tip-off. Managed to get an original mono pressing, and the Dutch version you have at #1 within 2 days of each other. Having grown up in the 80s and 90s I am most familiar with 1994 CD. So, listening to the mono version last night for the first time, was a real treat! So much to notice that does and doesn’t appear on the stereo pressing. I am currently part way through the first side of the Dutch version - superb! Absolutely superb! Thanks again for the great work you do, I shall now seek out late 70s / 80s pressings, provided your great advice hasn’t driven the price up to far 😉
Mahalo, Andrew! I’m gonna re-listen to my mono and stereo pressings back-to-back. Until your channel came along…I never even thought to do this. My time-worn habit is to simply listen to the mono CDs (yes…I’ve got those…) in chronological order, mostly. On another day, I’ll give my stereo LPs a spin…again from oldest to newset. Mahalo for giving me a NEW way to enjoy my Beatles collection!
Fun video. It made me pull out my old copy that I got new as a birthday present when I turned 11 or 12 (1979 or 1980 then - thank you Aunt Cathy! Love you! Miss you!), and which I literally have not played since the early 1990's. So, it is a US Capitol burgundy label pressing. I put on Side 2, and within five minutes it dawned on me I have no ability, at all, to hear it objectively. I poured over this copy for so long while growing up that it is simply too deeply ingrained in me. It sounds, minus a little extra surface noise, exactly the way my brain WANTS it to sound.
I hadn’t listened to this cast prior to writing what I wrote about Andrew’s playback system. I have a very good playback system, all UK, and German made but not over the top. With that said I used to send my high end Beatles albums to Michael Fremer at his home aka Analog Planet. He has a system that must be in the half million dollar arena . I don’t know what the components are but can conjecture they’re not something generally sold on the commercial market. Of all the great, and generally pristine first UK pressings I sent the one he liked best was a mono Decca pressed PPM album for what that worth .
I have quite a lot of copies of The White Album. Best sounding to are a 1984 UK pressing and the 1985 German DMM on white vinyl. Excellent video as always, Andrew!
I bought my first copy in the early 80's here in the Netherlands. After watching your nice video I was curious about what was on the label. And yes, Ik have that Dutch pressing, but never saw the misspelled titles. After about 40 years it still sounds great! Nice detail, mine came whit a double set of foto's!
The white album grew to be my number one Beatles album I love every second of it and it’s just got a great spirit and mood, it would be my one desert island album as there’s stuff on their for any mood you could ever be in ! I purchased my collectors edition Boxset of the LP and esher sessions when I was actually in Liverpool visiting some Beatles sites ! So I kept the receipt in the box so I know that one Beatles record in my collection of them came from their hometown !
In 1981 I walked into Sensuous Sounds in Tampa FL and laid down what I thought at the time were big bucks on the Mobile Fidelity pressing of The White Album by The Beatles. I have babied it for the last 40 years; played mostly on a Linn Sondek LP12. It is my understanding that in all likelihood, Capital Masters were used rather than the British tapes. Like Michael Fremer, I have given up on trying to find something better than what I currently own that is making me content and happy. So, I choose to "Let It Be.".
My favourite analogue stereo pressing is the 1985 DMM German one on white vinyl. The first UK stereo and mono pressings, the 2014 mono and the 50th anniversary mix are great too.
Agreed! Side 3 is absolutely devastating on the '85 German DMM white vinyl pressing, no other version I've heard even comes close to delivering that kind of power when you crank up the volume. Some people complain that this pressing is bass-heavy but I'm convinced the German DMM fully delivers what's actually on the tapes.
Another truly fascinating video. I love the classic jingles and the rotary phone joke! It’s amazing to me how many different pressings there are internationally and why some sound better than others. I learn so much from your terrific videos. Thanks, as always!
Thanks Andrew! I just bought your Dutch pressing on Parlogram Auctions :) This has always been my favorite Beatles album and I can't wait to hear this one.
Great presentation! You mentioned there needs to be a proper analog stereo mix of the White album not using a digital source and I certainly agree. Apple/ Universal sadly may not want to go the extra mile and bake the original tapes yet again and subject them to damage. The less cost and care using a DSD seems to be a growing trend as the Rolling Stones new In Mono box set.
Unfortunately for the Stones set, it seemed muddied, even after the new mastering. I enjoy having the new mono set due to its clear vinyl, but dislike the mastering/dsd sound.
Rather pleased to hear the 2 CDs mentioned in the list are ones I own! I remember feeling very pleased to buy the 1987 version from W. H. Smith as a sale item in 1988 for £10! That's when they retailed at about £25 (£85 in today's money!). Another fascinating video Thank you
Love these comparisons, Andrew! The best White Album I’ve heard is the one from the vinyl mono box. But that could be because every copy with a -1 matrix that I’ve owned have been pretty worn. Listenable but worn. As you said, finding clean ones is a real challenge.
You made me very happy with this video. I bought my original albums between 1979 and 1980 and I still have all of them. I always liked Dutch pressings and whenever I saw them I bought them. To that end, I have a Dutch pressing of the White Album complete with the Glass Union and While My Guitar Gentley Weeps mis-spellings.
Thanks, I enjoyed this episode! I've had the German DMM black vinyl in the past and loved it. I foolishly sold it when I got the German DMM white vinyl version. They are my favorite sounding versions of this album. I still have the German DMM white vinyl and treasure it! I also have most of the versions of this album from your list.
Now I'm really happy to have bought the 30th anniversary version when it was released...completely on a whim...jez I already had the 87 and four vinyl versions including my 1968 US copy. I never really sat down and A/B to my others but over the years it became my first choice and like you said, the packaging is superior. One bonus of the 50th LP is the heavy stock Photos. My original 68's are long gone so there's that. Keep up the good work Andrew.
My favorite CD reissue of "The Beatles" is the 30th anniversary edition, which has the most accurate reproduction of the original cover design that I've seen on a CD reissue. It has the blind-stamp embossed title, the cover is a top-loader (like the original LP edition), and the enclosed photos and collage/lyric sheet are the most accurate reproductions I've seen. The edition was numbered also, with an authentically reproduced stamped number in the lower right corner. As for sound quality, I'd rate it about the same as the 2009 CD reissue. The 2009 cover reproduction is not as authentic as the 1998 30th anniversary version. While the title is blind-stamp embossed on the front it is not slightly crooked like the original, and there is no sequential numbering in the lower right. The four glossy photos are printed on the inside four-panel gatefold, not as separate photos. Also, the photo collage poster is slightly clipped off on the top and bottom. A very slapdash production for so great an album. The only advantage is that the 2009 edition has a booklet with rare photos and two short essays; "Historical Notes" and "Recording Notes", although both essays do not have credits for the authors. Also the song lyrics are printed so as to be more easily readable than they are on the reverse of the photo-collage poster. I was astonished to learn that there are over 800 different pressings of this album! But I am sure Andrew found the best Top 10 of all those.
Good to see a lot of love for the German DMM. While I would love to have a copy of the vinyl, I do have a needle-drop of the DMM White vinyl version on CD and it sounds truly amazing. You've never heard the justifiably celebrated Side 3 of this album (perhaps the most perfect sequencing of songs in music history IMO), until you've heard it on this.
Another FANTASTIC video - thank you!! The matrix numbers on my copy looks like this: Side 1: YEX 709 138-04173-A-36407-2Y Side 2: YEX 710 138-04173-B--36408-4Y Side 3: 192-04174 YEX 711 A// 1Y Side 4: YEX-712//43028-1Y
Good video Andrew and I notice no U.S. version of that Album. There is a story around that George Harrison remixed the album when he was in America. What was George doing in the U.S., he was producing Jackie Lomax album, meeting Bernard Krauss (maybe spelled wrong) for his moog work and writing songs with Bob Dylan Inamely "I'd have You Anytime" and "Window, Window". Cry Baby Cry The U.S. version has a drop in sound during “By the Children” in the last verse, probably a tape Glitch. The MFSL version does not contain the Glitch. Did not hear it on the CD version. Can you picture the white album being a single disc, but with "Hey Jude" on the album. If the Beatles were signed to Decca, we would never hear the tracks "Dear Prudence", Don't Pass Me By, Helter Skelter, Long, Long. Long or Revolution 9. The unreleased Stones songs from 1968 are still unreleased and they had the Gaul to ask Mick "We need one more song" and Decca still has Unreleased songs from 1963.
Hi Andrew. I gotta say, WA is somewhat of a favourite of mine (and is by far the most present item in my Beatles collection). I am quite d'accord with your assessment of the German analogue DMMs. As for the Dutch, I was very pleased with it as well in terms of smoothness and overall balance (it also has the least sibilance present on most other issues). However, I would still be interested in the matrices of your copy (the Y cut number is enough, like -2Y or -3Y). The reason being: the Dutch were notoriously sloppy as far as matrix combinations went, so the matrices were usually all over the place. Also, even the odd German-cut side found its way into a Dutch pressing (I have two of such Dutch WAs myself, having Side 4 cut in Germany). Oh yeah, the "Glass Union" typo is on all of them. Even on the rare pressing with red-rimmed Apple labels. :) Another pressing I found noteworthy was the first French pressing on Pathé Marconi (I found it very smooth-sounding, also quite free of sibilance and in a wonderfully wide stereo).
I’m happy with my French pressing for the German market that I bought by mail order in the 80’s. The serial number doesn’t have any printing ink; it’s just pressed into the cardboard and even not completely readable. The vinyl is still good although it was played on low end record players back then. But it’s my copy when I was a teenager and has its own history… Thanks for the video, Andrew. See you soon •/\• Martin
In the past month I've somehow gotten two Dutch BC-13 pressings and one 1985 German DMM (which is playing as I type this). So far I prefer the Dutch (although Wild Honey Pie sounds GREAT on the DMM right now) but one funny thing I've noticed on the DMM is that 'The BEATLES' on the front cover is larger than usual and actually very close to the center. Anyway, thanks for the recommendations, brother, they've served me well.
Good video as always. I enjoy the 2009 mono cd box set and the 1/2 speed master 2018, both have a great sound. I have my original 1971 copy, which is still very clean and would put at a VG+. I am very partial to my BC13 for the sole fact of how clean and underplayed it is. It comes across very dynamic and clear and gives the detail you talked about. Going on 40 years, it looks and sounds like brand new. Whoever own the box set before never played it. Good job again, fun to watch.
When you ask Alexa to play the White Album, you'll still get the claps on Ob-La-Di Oh-La-Da and Why Don't We Do It In The Road?, the yeah's in the fade-out of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Don't Pass Me By at the proper speed, the mouth bass in the first verse of I Will, Paul yelling during the second bridge in Birthday, the first tamborine hit on Sexy Sadie, and of course, the full ending of Helter Skelter. You won't get any of that with a mono copy of this album.
Wonderful presentation. Thanks for confirming my suspicions on the UK white vinyl album. There was always speculation that Harry Moss did an updated master and new metal works, but I never found definitive information on that issue. I also never knew until now, the company that actually pressed the white vinyl records. That information alone Andrew, made my year! Anyone who has listened to the German DMM knew their remastering of the White Album was at least, enlightening. I remember playing it for the first time in the mid eighties and was flabbergasted. I also remember meeting a lady who husband just passed and she was selling her husband's records. I asked her what her husband did. She informed me he used to work for EMI Holland. She was selling her husband's EMI Beatles Employee Only BC 13 box set. Looking at it, it was obvious he never played the albums. When you have collected Beatles albums for decades, sometimes it takes awhile to play what you buy. Knowing they were unplayed, I just set them aside. Eventually played each one, years later, I was flabbergasted once more. My God, who was the engineer and master in Holland that did these? Harry Moss, ? (Holland), and Mr. Kramer (Germany), thank you, thank you!! Andrew, best one yet!! Thank you too! Any EMI Holland data will be appreciated as well. One more question, the White Album in the Holland box set is not numbered, just 'No.' impression, no following number. I'm speculating the employee Holland BC 13 box numbers were not numbered? Correct?
I have the Dutch BC13 box set and my white album IS numbered. Unlike other white albums that are numbered in gray, it is embossed very lightly “No. 125733”.
FYI, do have an early non blue box Dutch pressing, #0006830. Each side is: 1Y, 3Y, 1Y, and 1Y. Really an excellent pressing too. My Blue box non numbered White Album actually has on side 2, a 4Y ending. Which is quite uncommon (at least to me)
The "Best" White album for me is the one I've been listening to for years. It's a Capitol Orange Label from the 1970's Side one has a #2 and side 2 has a #3 pressing? Any comments Andrew? Thanks, I'm learning so much from you.
I think I bought the American pressing of the “White Album” in 76/77. I had not heard any of the tracks. The high price kept me away for a while, but I finally broke down and spent the $20 to get it. It soon became my favorite Beatles album. I still like it, though it hasn’t worn as well as say “Abbey Road”. It was my favorite before the “White Album” and it still is my personal favorite. The name of the game for Capitol Records in the 70’s was cost cutting and it really showed in the way the Beatles albums were treated. The embossing of “The Beatles” was as on off the cover and replaced with a gray flat pronged version (My copy had the embossing, the Apple labels on the album centers). The Apple centers replaced by an orange Capitol labels just seemed so wrong. My friend bought the White Album for me on CD. I am pretty sure this was the 1987 release. I have lost one of the cases and the sleeve, but now. Unaware that I already had the White Album, she bought me the 2009 CDs. The format of the 2009 version is way better than the 87 version. My son bought me the 50th anniversary White Album book with the CDs in the back cover. I mostly play the 87 version because it’s out in the garage where I do a lot of work. So now, I am really interested in comparing these versions. George Martin has said the Beatles had enough songs for one really good record. This is what he proposed, but was overridden by the group in favor of the Double Album concept. I am glad George M. didn’t get his way. The White album isn’t perfect but it is an honest record showing what was on their minds in 1968.
Hello Andrew, I enjoy your videos about the Beatles vinyl. I don't have that many copies of the white album, 5 I think. I like your equipment but I would suggest you get a cheap set of 3 way speakers. Connect them to the B output on your amp. Play something and switch between your 2 way and your 3 way speakers. You will be surprised, I have carried out this excercise for a number of people and in every case they picked the 3 way speakers because the sound quality was so much better than the bookshelf speakers. You will have a whole new experience listening to all these versions again. Take care and keep up the good work.
@@FrankieLovesElvis Many people would agree, especially when played at a decent volume, but of course what sounds the best is subjective to any individual. The 2009 and later CD issues are more compressed and probably do sound better than the 87 at low volumes or in noisier environments, like in a car but not on a decent home stereo. If you are more into vinyl I reckon the 2014 mono version is the best of the vinyl and better than the original 68. But again, what sounds the best is subjective.
In the mid 1980s, me and a Beatle buddy heard the US white vinyl Capitol issue, and both agreed it was the best we'd ever heard to that point. Flashing forward a few years, I made a good mix of my own by doing a fold-down to mono mix from the original US stereo CD.
Thanks Andrew! This is my favorite album by anyone. Glad to see a few of my copies here. Especially the UK 78 white stereo, UK 81 mono and 84 German white DMM. My favorite sounding copies. As far as the cd goes I waited until 98 to buy the anniversary issue. Glad I did because the packaging is so much nicer. But it’s still the 87 cd master technically and is preferable sound wise to the next releases.The later issues are a fun listen a couple times IMO but the 09 release has too much bass and the 2018 Giles mix is loud. Your channel is great man. Keep up the good work. Wonder if Paul or Ringo ever watch? Perhaps you’ve answered some of their questions
I was fortunate enough to purchase the 1984, German DMM blue box from you and many, though not all, have become my go to stereo albums. I agree they may not be to everyone’s taste, but if you appreciate them, then it’s hard to play anything else, including, as you observe the White album. As for mono, I am torn between my 2014 box set copy and my 1968 first pressing. If that wasn’t enough the album in any format, any mix, any master is my favourite Beatles album, period.
Well since the Dutch BC13 box are the Beatles records I've listened to all my life, it's nice to know that it indeed is as good as I always thought. Some day I'll try to find the Mono versions as well. Thanks for another great video.
Great video Andrew. I do have the 1A Dutch White Album along with the other Dutch pressings from the BC 13 blue box. The local cuttings are identified by the suffixes in the dead wax 1Y/2Y/3Y/4Y etc. However on my copy, side 3 was cut with German supplied metalwork. It does sound excellent but I found a late 70's - early 80's UK reissue that I think beats it but hey, it's great to have both.
Brilliant and interesting as usual, Andrew. I don't know if I have the ears to distinguish between all the pressings, although I do enjoy the white vinyls. I never skip Revolution 9 either. I often hear something I think I haven't heard before, P.S. I'm trying to watch the easiest and cheapest way to get perfect mono sound on a stereo system but it keeps coming up as an error. Do you know if anyone else is having the same problem?
Thanks for another great video, Andrew. I appreciate your expertise and your diplomatic attitude toward differing opinions. I feel vindicated whenever I have a copy of anything you recommend. Unfortunately, that happens rarely. In this case, I believe I have both that you mention for no. 5. My 1987, however, was part of the HMV box set with badge and LP size, 12 page booklet. I recently acquired from eBay. Mine is no. 40824. I picked up the 30th anniversary off Amazon a few years ago still with the clear plastic slipcase.
The 1987 CD-- at least certain copies-- has a sticky oxide audio glitch before the coda of "Happiness is a Warm Gun", also found on certain 80's US vinyl pressings. They corrected it by the time of the 30th edition-- comparing waveforms shows that they re-transferred that one song.
I don't have a definite favorite pressing of "White Album". But I have had some surprises during the years, in both directions: things being better or not as good as expected, and I like to mention one of them. I once stumble on an east european copy. Not sure about the country. I may be russian. Everything is with Cyrillic letters, and I can't read that. It was cheap and I bought it just for fun as a collectors item. You may think it is as discount as it gets. But it sounds surprisingly good. Just as well as many English pressings. So that one was REALLY a surprise.
Very true about the actual white colour of the German DMM pressing being redundant, compared to the price of others. However, I just love watching it spin! Especially the green apple in the middle of all the white. Interesting how it contains the actual DMM logo, while the others, do not. I checked my copy and it has the actual logo on the apple. Either way, the black or the white German pressings seem to have the same sound ('85). Didn't know there were white Chinese counterfeits. Just when I think I know everyrthing about the Beatles, I'm proved wrong again. Great video.
My White Album was purchased in Okinawa in 1976. It says EMI Japan on the back cover. The runout looks like YEX-709 1S 52, YEX-710 1S 61, YEX-711 1S2 80 (and a 6-5 as well) and YEX-712 1S3 28. There is also a lightning bolt in a circle on each side.
I Haven't listened to ALL the white albums in the world but my favorite copy I've heard so far is the German 1977 stereo version. It has a golden sticker on the front that says "Deutscher Schall Platten Preis" it has good bass and clarity on every song.
It is an interesting rabbit hole to dive into. I only have two copies of the White Album myself, a 1977 German pressing and a 1991 Soviet AnTrop bootleg. I've been happy with how they sound, but will probably buy another one if one comes my way cheaply.
What a lovely Sunday morning treat that was! My only gripe is that I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of your videos without it prompting me to buy something! (I even sprung for the black triangle recently. If my wife asks it cost a tenner) 17:26 . But buying the white album is incredibly confusing so thank you for the steer. I have one with a gold sticker on it, I’ll have to check if it’s the DMM version - seems they put that sticker on quite a few variants.
There is one that you’re missing out is the US release. I have the “White Album” on vinyl, and it was a 1980’s reissue on the Capitol label with the 60’s era “Rainbow” design. It has the best sound quality that you can get from other releases. There were many of these “White Album” reissues out there. There’s one on an orange Capitol label from the 1970’s which was also good, the other one on a purple Capitol label in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s which has the same sound quality as well.
Those later re-cuts on Capitol do sound pretty good. The really solid ones are the SRC pressings from 1986-1990(?). And it’s cool seeing the album on a classic Capitol Rainbow label Lp spinning on your turntable.
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The White Album is THE record of my life. It's IMO the greatest LP ever recorded by any artist. I've got a history of 45 years with it. I know it since I was born. I've been listening to it thousands of times and I never get tired of it. It's THE perfect album! ❤ I never skip "Revolution 9".
I own 15 different versions on all kinds of formats. I grew up with the original german stereo pressing so this will always be my beloved version. I love the UK mono mix as well. I must say I absolutely LOVED the 2018 5.1 remix. Enjoying it under the influence of a sporty jazz cigarette was a mind blowing experience.
"The Beatles" is also my Number One favorite album of all time.
"Enjoying it under the influence of a sporty jazz cigarette was a mind blowing experience." 🤔
@@RAFchurchlawford4469 I once listened to it after dropping a tab of LSD. By the time "Revolution 9" came on I was...zonked.
I wish the blu-rays would get separate releases, I sound like a broken record complaining about it, but I would get a box set of just the blu-ray high-res and surround mixes in a heartbeat. I just didn't feel like buying pricey box sets just to get the blu-rays (which is why I also passed on the recent Kinks box set combining Muswell Hillbillies and Everybody's In Showbiz, which were already reissued only a few years ago.
Yes.
I can't believe Cry Baby Cry wasn't liked enough to be included in either album. Me, I've always liked that song. I guess if everyone liked the same thing, the world would be quite boring. Thank you again, Andrew. I enjoyed this video.
Thanks Scott. Glad you enjoyed it.
I remember getting the “White Album” for Christmas in 1968. I just looked at it in awe for a half hour before unsealing it. I felt the raised letting of the Beatles on the front cover, opened it up to reveal a poster and four 6” x 8” photos of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Looking at the Apple Records Labels, Side A & C green, side B & C white, I proceeded to play Side 1 on my Low-Fi Nail. 90 minutes later I was left stunned by its diversity. It wasn’t what I expected from a Beatles Album, it felt like a bunch of solo tracks backed by the Beatles. A glimpse into the future but I didn’t know that or expect it. As “Let It Be” and “Abbey Road” gave the illusion that the Beatles were still a “band of brothers”. Flash forward to the 50th Anniversary Edition of the “White Album” in 2018, I felt the same feelings I had as a 12 year kid unboxing this album for the first time.
After seeing this excellent video I simply HAD to listen to "The Beatles" again. After 54 years it is still as fresh as wet paint, and is just amazing with all the widely varied styles and ideas. It's just sad to remember that the sessions for the album were rife with bickering and bad blood. I try not to think of that when I hear this astonishing and beautiful album.
*Er.. Andrew ?... How dare you say your equipement is "not an expensive one", sweetie ???... Your equipement is a top notch posh sophisticated Hi-Fi sound system, man and you know it. Most viewers here have Technics record players and JVC amplifiers Andrew !!!!!... Seeing that apparently you consider a "Project Debut Carbon Espirit player with Ortofon cartridge linked to a Rega and a Naim" not an expensive equipement will sound quite perplexing for many people you know...*
Well its not.
I agree it's not the cheapest, but it's nowhere near what I would call a 'high-end' system.
Nowhere near a posh system, when turntables can cost thousands by themselves.
It's very good equipment, but not prohibitively expensive.
I neither have technics nor JVC.
@@jconsolmagno oh come on, it is !... I mean, this is NOT a "cheap" set-up yo can get at your local Walmart is it ?... It is rather high end, you can't deny that.
Mate, you go online and look at some properly expenses stuff and then we'll talk.
The first time I heard it was the '87 double-CD version and it's the one I always go to when I want to listen to the album. And since it was direct from the Masters, I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
I like that one too
It is indeed a fantastic listen. I hear things on this CD I don't hear on my original 1969 vinyl!
I like the 30th anniversary White Album CD. I think that it has a very cohesive sound from track to track that makes the individual track mixes sit very well together. And yes, the packaging is the very best of all White Album CDs. I have taken great care to preserve the packaging in mint condition out of respect for the great job EMI/Apple did on this 30th anniversary edition.
It's my go to of all CD copies. Closest to analogue sounding of digital versions. It actually sounds like mid 70s Japanese EAS pressings which is not a bad thing.
@@bobsoldrecords1503 totally agreed. It's a gem!
I recently bought the 30th anniversary CD at a half price bookstore and I tried looking into it, but I never saw many people talking about it online. I really love the packaging for it as well!
#1 on your list was my first White Album I got way up north in Sweden in the early 80's. Totally agree, sounds very good. Played it last week and compared it to some other of the pressings I have today. Including the 30th Anniversary CD. Beats that easily.
The early German pressings sounds really good in my ears as well. Got a 1968, 1969 (both covers are top loaders).
The analogue German DMM is another favorite.
But in the end - the music is the best 😀
The mono White Album may be my favorite sounding album EVER. It's not the most pristine sounding, best engineered or anything like that. It just cooks! It sounds so full and warm, and makes every track work perfectly. Like a perfect collage of sound that never tires the ear. The single channel mix makes it sound dreamy.
I've got the 30th Anniversary CD and the 2009 Mono CD. I can't speak for any vinyl copies, but these are the top of the heap for the digital realm.
The 30th edition has the same mastering as the 87 CD. They all sound great.
The 30th Anniversary CD fixes some sequencing errors on the original CD, like the intros of "Bungalow Bill" and "Don't Pass Me By" being snipped off, or John's yelling (ALE) in "Bungalow Bill" starting "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".
Not as big a deal if you're listening cover to cover, but errors all the same.
my uncle was tasked at work with cleaning out an abandoned garage, and he brought me a few records he found because i only recently got into it at the time. one of them was a 1973 copy of the white album. i never listened to the beatles much before, but when i heard blackbird, i was hooked. love that album so much
Haha love the Python ☎️ reference, excellent video as usual Andrew 👍😬
Glad you enjoyed it, Louise!
Still the best double album I’ve heard. I just buy it every time a new edition comes out. So that’s five CDs and one LP!🍏🍏🍏🍏
One thing you said really struck me, along the lines of “you don’t have to have a high end system, just one you’re familiar with and trust.” That’s so true. I’m not a tech buff, audiophile or vinyl purist (oh no, I am! When did this happen?) and my ears aren’t what they used to be, so that’s very reassuring.
You make a good point about top of the line hi-fi equipment not being necessary to judge sound quality. I collect CDs rather than vinyl, but I often find that going from a brickwalled disc to a well-mastered one makes such a difference that it sounds like I've upgraded my speakers!
If anything, it’s even *more* evident on my car stereo, which sounds massive with a dynamic disc but extremely harsh with a brickwalled one. My home system actually does a better job of handling a modern disc.
I love these deep dives into Beatles specific releases. I humbly request the same look into their earlier albums, as their quality/mixes seemed to have been less influenced by the band themselves.
Great video, Andrew. I expect the Discogs median price of that Dutch pressing will be rising over the next few weeks! The White Album seems to be the one album that I can't have too many copies of, what a masterpiece.
Hey Andrew, I always look forward to what you have in store for us each week. The White Album is my favorite by the Beatles. Probably for sentimental reasons, my favorite is the one I talked my mom into buying for me for my birthday. The hard part was it was Summer and I couldn’t have it until December. 😳Like many here, I have quite a few copies of the album in stereo and mono, LP and CD. For sound, I like the mono version from 2009.
I love the DMM white vinyl version.I love the White Album and this version sounds so good to me.
Another great deep dive Andrew. Just love your exhaustive attention to detail. You are, without doubt, the ‘gold standard’ producer of professional Beatles content by which all others must be measured. Fantastic work. Cheers, Rob
Cheers Rob. Glad you enjoyed it.
I own about 20 different pressings, but the Japanese EAS was the one that impressed me most so far.
The debate about colored vinyl vs black vinyl is an interesting one. I once read in an American record collector magazine that the reason colored vinyl does not sound as good as black vinyl is because it is lacking the carbon black that gives it its color. The carbon black also acts as a lubricant as the stylus travels the grooves. I don’t know if this is true or not, but it does sound plausible.
Always improving my Sunday! Thank you Andrew for putting out these videos, super informative, and great to watch!
Thanks Jack, glad you like them!
The “best sounding” mix may be the one you mentioned but the true best one to my ears will always and forever be the one i grew up with
I recently purchased a 1976 German LP. It sounds amazing! Best sounding pressing of the white album that I’ve ever heard. Ive never heard the Dutch pressing…
I bought one when I was in Germany. in 1976 and I have to agree it is Excellent !
Excellent Andrew! I did have the Dutch version…and the DMM version of which was harsh to my ears. But I was a drummer and probably lost some range along the way.
Great show!! The White Album deserves all the attention it gets! A brilliant set!!
Thanks for the in-depth info as always.
Cheers!👍🎶
Cheers Brian!
Excellent video! I own the 1987 CD of the album along with the new remix. The 1987, to my ears, is still the best CD mastering. The fact that it is lower in level than the newer masterings, does not stop me from enjoying it. That's what they made a volume control for. The one complaint that I have regarding it is the pop that is heard at the beginning of Helter Skelter. I also own the 1981 mono pressing of the vinyl and that one is is great! Thank you again for shedding some light on these topics.
Thanks for the watching!
Well said, The Chuckster. I’ve been saying that ever since I heard about the “loudness wars”: “Isn’t that why there’s a volume knob?” Duh.
Once again Andrew, a magnificent story to captivate my morning.
I look forward to Sunday because of you and your expertise!
Thank you.
Thanks George. Glad you enjoyed it!
I have the original 1987 AND the 1998 30th Anniversary editions. The latter I bought on day one when it was released. I have not opened up the 1998 since I bought it for collector’s sake. Now I am very intrigued! Thank you for a wonderful episode! This is my favorite of all their albums and possibly one of my top 5 favorites of all time.
Thank you Andrew for posting this video! I had forgotten that I owned the 30TH ANNIVERSARY WHITE ALBUM CD and hadn"t played it in over 30years....I played it today and was blown away with the sound...p.s I am 72yo and the first 45 I bought was I FEEL FINE in early 65!!!!
Hello Andrew 👋, I took your advice and tracked down an unmarked DMM pressing of the white album and was thrilled, I actually got chills listening, and several songs including )while my guitar gently weeps) were just
stunning .......and a great buy at $120.00 for a truly mint copy 😊😊
I’m happy I held onto my 1981 mono even after finding a clean original 1968 copy. It’s my go-to copy for most occasions, even if there is a certain magic with spinning an original.
Regarding the Giles remix, I recall him saying in an interview that early attempts to remix the White Album didn’t sound right, as they were too clean sounding. He thought the music needed to be a little muddier to “sound like the White Album.” Personally I wish he had gone with a cleaner sound to give us something new.
I don’t think we’ll get an all-analog stereo set until the remix program is over. Right now they are selling the remixes as something every fan should own. Once the remix program is over, they can then sell us the original mixes all over again, as if they made some great re-discovery over how good they sound. Hopefully the original tapes are still up to the task. Even if they are, I think the BC13 sets will be hard to beat.
Another great video. I own a UK stereo -1/-3/-1/-2 from circa 1978 and the 2014 mono reissue. Scored them both for a total of 110 USD last year (the stereo at a record fair and the mono from a shop near me where I am tight with the staff) and both sound impeccable.
My White Album is a Canadian pressing I got in 1980. I’ve always been happy with it. I’ve not bought nor listened to the 2018 remix as yet, but I’ve always enjoyed the sound of my copy. Nice touch at the end of this video, by the way.
Hi Andrew! I'm an American, so I grew up with the US Apple/Capitol pressings from the original in 1968 to the 1970s ones. I did get it on CD in 1987, and STILL have that disc as well. I have the 2018 remix, but I've left it sealed and am saving it. Wish I had some of the ones you've mentioned here, but I grew up in Boston, NOT in London!! Cheers!!
Another absorbing edition which I found so interesting. The first vinyl album I bought was this one, a Pathe Marconi pressing, back in 1974! I have bought, and sold, quite a few since then but the White album will always have a special place in my heart. The pressing that gets my vote among the ones I have is the UK 1978 white vinyl copy.
I purchased a 1978 white album on white vinyl, only to receive a 1985 DMM white album on white vinyl. They were similar prices on discogs so I didn't complain. It sounds good.
Maybe you’re right about my beloved 2018 remix CD deluxe box set in hindsight of performance on a classic Hi-Fi system. I never tried it. My one and only way of enjoying my whole collection of classic rock CDs is by AirPods connected to my iPod. Once I purchased the CD I put it into my Mac and transfer it into iTunes. So I can enjoy my music everywhere and anytime by minimum laboriousness. - Going this way I first heard Back In The USSR in the remixed version in 2018 on headphones and was fully overblown by its raw power. Never had that experience with this song anytime before, appreciating the White Album since I first got my German vinyl from the early 80s. The remix made this magic double album even more fascinating for my ears.- Thanks for your highly professional videos, always a pleasure to watch👍🏻
Thanks for the watching, Karsten.
Hi Andrew. Thanks for the tip-off. Managed to get an original mono pressing, and the Dutch version you have at #1 within 2 days of each other. Having grown up in the 80s and 90s I am most familiar with 1994 CD. So, listening to the mono version last night for the first time, was a real treat! So much to notice that does and doesn’t appear on the stereo pressing. I am currently part way through the first side of the Dutch version - superb! Absolutely superb! Thanks again for the great work you do, I shall now seek out late 70s / 80s pressings, provided your great advice hasn’t driven the price up to far 😉
Mahalo, Andrew! I’m gonna re-listen to my mono and stereo pressings back-to-back. Until your channel came along…I never even thought to do this. My time-worn habit is to simply listen to the mono CDs (yes…I’ve got those…) in chronological order, mostly. On another day, I’ll give my stereo LPs a spin…again from oldest to newset. Mahalo for giving me a NEW way to enjoy my Beatles collection!
You're welcome, Jim. Have fun comparing them.
Fun video. It made me pull out my old copy that I got new as a birthday present when I turned 11 or 12 (1979 or 1980 then - thank you Aunt Cathy! Love you! Miss you!), and which I literally have not played since the early 1990's. So, it is a US Capitol burgundy label pressing. I put on Side 2, and within five minutes it dawned on me I have no ability, at all, to hear it objectively. I poured over this copy for so long while growing up that it is simply too deeply ingrained in me. It sounds, minus a little extra surface noise, exactly the way my brain WANTS it to sound.
I hadn’t listened to this cast prior to writing what I wrote about Andrew’s playback system. I have a very good playback system, all UK, and German made but not over the top. With that said I used to send my high end Beatles albums to Michael Fremer at his home aka Analog Planet. He has a system that must be in the half million dollar arena . I don’t know what the components are but can conjecture they’re not something generally sold on the commercial market. Of all the great, and generally pristine first UK pressings I sent the one he liked best was a mono Decca pressed PPM album for what that worth .
Andrew all your Beatles videos are great and so helpful to us old Beatles fans! Thank you!!!!
You're welcome! Glad you enjoy them!
I have quite a lot of copies of The White Album. Best sounding to are a 1984 UK pressing and the 1985 German DMM on white vinyl. Excellent video as always, Andrew!
Thank Matt!
I bought my first copy in the early 80's here in the Netherlands. After watching your nice video I was curious about what was on the label. And yes, Ik have that Dutch pressing, but never saw the misspelled titles.
After about 40 years it still sounds great! Nice detail, mine came whit a double set of foto's!
The white album grew to be my number one Beatles album I love every second of it and it’s just got a great spirit and mood, it would be my one desert island album as there’s stuff on their for any mood you could ever be in ! I purchased my collectors edition Boxset of the LP and esher sessions when I was actually in Liverpool visiting some Beatles sites ! So I kept the receipt in the box so I know that one Beatles record in my collection of them came from their hometown !
In 1981 I walked into Sensuous Sounds in Tampa FL and laid down what I thought at the time were big bucks on the Mobile Fidelity pressing of The White Album by The Beatles. I have babied it for the last 40 years; played mostly on a Linn Sondek LP12. It is my understanding that in all likelihood, Capital Masters were used rather than the British tapes. Like Michael Fremer, I have given up on trying to find something better than what I currently own that is making me content and happy. So, I choose to "Let It Be.".
My favourite analogue stereo pressing is the 1985 DMM German one on white vinyl. The first UK stereo and mono pressings, the 2014 mono and the 50th anniversary mix are great too.
Agreed! Side 3 is absolutely devastating on the '85 German DMM white vinyl pressing, no other version I've heard even comes close to delivering that kind of power when you crank up the volume. Some people complain that this pressing is bass-heavy but I'm convinced the German DMM fully delivers what's actually on the tapes.
Another truly fascinating video. I love the classic jingles and the rotary phone joke! It’s amazing to me how many different pressings there are internationally and why some sound better than others. I learn so much from your terrific videos. Thanks, as always!
Thanks for the watching!
Thanks Andrew! I just bought your Dutch pressing on Parlogram Auctions :) This has always been my favorite Beatles album and I can't wait to hear this one.
Thank goodness you bought that one. I was surprised how long it sat there on their auction. You'll love it!
Thanks Errol!
Great presentation! You mentioned there needs to be a proper analog stereo mix of the White album not using a digital source and I certainly agree. Apple/ Universal sadly may not want to go the extra mile and bake the original tapes yet again and subject them to damage. The less cost and care using a DSD seems to be a growing trend as the Rolling Stones new In Mono box set.
Unfortunately for the Stones set, it seemed muddied, even after the new mastering. I enjoy having the new mono set due to its clear vinyl, but dislike the mastering/dsd sound.
Rather pleased to hear the 2 CDs mentioned in the list are ones I own! I remember feeling very pleased to buy the 1987 version from W. H. Smith as a sale item in 1988 for £10! That's when they retailed at about £25 (£85 in today's money!).
Another fascinating video
Thank you
Thanks Nick. Glad you enjoyed it.
Love these comparisons, Andrew! The best White Album I’ve heard is the one from the vinyl mono box. But that could be because every copy with a -1 matrix that I’ve owned have been pretty worn. Listenable but worn. As you said, finding clean ones is a real challenge.
Once again you made an amazingly informative video. Thank you for all you do. The Beatles Community is better for it.
Thank you, James. Glad you enjoyed it.
You made me very happy with this video. I bought my original albums between 1979 and 1980 and I still have all of them. I always liked Dutch pressings and whenever I saw them I bought them. To that end, I have a Dutch pressing of the White Album complete with the Glass Union and While My Guitar Gentley Weeps mis-spellings.
My pleasure, Ian.
Thanks, I enjoyed this episode! I've had the German DMM black vinyl in the past and loved it. I foolishly sold it when I got the German DMM white vinyl version. They are my favorite sounding versions of this album. I still have the German DMM white vinyl and treasure it! I also have most of the versions of this album from your list.
Now I'm really happy to have bought the 30th anniversary version when it was released...completely on a whim...jez I already had the 87 and four vinyl versions including my 1968 US copy. I never really sat down and A/B to my others but over the years it became my first choice and like you said, the packaging is superior. One bonus of the 50th LP is the heavy stock Photos. My original 68's are long gone so there's that. Keep up the good work Andrew.
My favorite CD reissue of "The Beatles" is the 30th anniversary edition, which has the most accurate reproduction of the original cover design that I've seen on a CD reissue. It has the blind-stamp embossed title, the cover is a top-loader (like the original LP edition), and the enclosed photos and collage/lyric sheet are the most accurate reproductions I've seen. The edition was numbered also, with an authentically reproduced stamped number in the lower right corner. As for sound quality, I'd rate it about the same as the 2009 CD reissue. The 2009 cover reproduction is not as authentic as the 1998 30th anniversary version. While the title is blind-stamp embossed on the front it is not slightly crooked like the original, and there is no sequential numbering in the lower right. The four glossy photos are printed on the inside four-panel gatefold, not as separate photos. Also, the photo collage poster is slightly clipped off on the top and bottom. A very slapdash production for so great an album. The only advantage is that the 2009 edition has a booklet with rare photos and two short essays; "Historical Notes" and "Recording Notes", although both essays do not have credits for the authors. Also the song lyrics are printed so as to be more easily readable than they are on the reverse of the photo-collage poster.
I was astonished to learn that there are over 800 different pressings of this album! But I am sure Andrew found the best Top 10 of all those.
Have you seen the 2009 mono CD? The packaging is superb!
Good to see a lot of love for the German DMM. While I would love to have a copy of the vinyl, I do have a needle-drop of the DMM White vinyl version on CD and it sounds truly amazing. You've never heard the justifiably celebrated Side 3 of this album (perhaps the most perfect sequencing of songs in music history IMO), until you've heard it on this.
I had no idea there were that many various mixes. Thanks for the information and awesome video!
Thanks for watching, Ted!
Another FANTASTIC video - thank you!!
The matrix numbers on my copy looks like this:
Side 1: YEX 709 138-04173-A-36407-2Y
Side 2: YEX 710 138-04173-B--36408-4Y
Side 3: 192-04174 YEX 711 A// 1Y
Side 4: YEX-712//43028-1Y
I know that U.K.first mono pressing is the best,but as one of the people here wrote,the best one is that i listen at times. Nice one Andrew.😎
Good video Andrew and I notice no U.S. version of that Album. There is a story around that George Harrison remixed the album when he was in America. What was George doing in the U.S., he was producing Jackie Lomax album, meeting Bernard Krauss (maybe spelled wrong) for his moog work and writing songs with Bob Dylan Inamely "I'd have You Anytime" and "Window, Window". Cry Baby Cry The U.S. version has a drop in sound during “By the Children” in the last verse, probably a tape Glitch. The MFSL version does not contain the Glitch. Did not hear it on the CD version.
Can you picture the white album being a single disc, but with "Hey Jude" on the album. If the Beatles were signed to Decca, we would never hear the tracks "Dear Prudence", Don't Pass Me By, Helter Skelter, Long, Long. Long or Revolution 9. The unreleased Stones songs from 1968 are still unreleased and they had the Gaul to ask Mick "We need one more song" and Decca still has Unreleased songs from 1963.
Hi Andrew. I gotta say, WA is somewhat of a favourite of mine (and is by far the most present item in my Beatles collection). I am quite d'accord with your assessment of the German analogue DMMs. As for the Dutch, I was very pleased with it as well in terms of smoothness and overall balance (it also has the least sibilance present on most other issues). However, I would still be interested in the matrices of your copy (the Y cut number is enough, like -2Y or -3Y). The reason being: the Dutch were notoriously sloppy as far as matrix combinations went, so the matrices were usually all over the place. Also, even the odd German-cut side found its way into a Dutch pressing (I have two of such Dutch WAs myself, having Side 4 cut in Germany).
Oh yeah, the "Glass Union" typo is on all of them. Even on the rare pressing with red-rimmed Apple labels. :)
Another pressing I found noteworthy was the first French pressing on Pathé Marconi (I found it very smooth-sounding, also quite free of sibilance and in a wonderfully wide stereo).
I’m happy with my French pressing for the German market that I bought by mail order in the 80’s. The serial number doesn’t have any printing ink; it’s just pressed into the cardboard and even not completely readable. The vinyl is still good although it was played on low end record players back then. But it’s my copy when I was a teenager and has its own history… Thanks for the video, Andrew. See you soon •/\• Martin
Excellent video. I don't have a White album. The facts in this video will be helpful in choosing a copy. Thank you. 😊
In the past month I've somehow gotten two Dutch BC-13 pressings and one 1985 German DMM (which is playing as I type this). So far I prefer the Dutch (although Wild Honey Pie sounds GREAT on the DMM right now) but one funny thing I've noticed on the DMM is that 'The BEATLES' on the front cover is larger than usual and actually very close to the center. Anyway, thanks for the recommendations, brother, they've served me well.
Just playing my old
White Album CD through 90s
Bose cd speaker system (the ones flogged in mags). Your are right. It sounds superb.
Good video as always. I enjoy the 2009 mono cd box set and the 1/2 speed master 2018, both have a great sound. I have my original 1971 copy, which is still very clean and would put at a VG+. I am very partial to my BC13 for the sole fact of how clean and underplayed it is. It comes across very dynamic and clear and gives the detail you talked about. Going on 40 years, it looks and sounds like brand new. Whoever own the box set before never played it. Good job again, fun to watch.
Excellent review! Knowing the history of these pressings helps tremendously.
When you ask Alexa to play the White Album, you'll still get the claps on Ob-La-Di Oh-La-Da and Why Don't We Do It In The Road?, the yeah's in the fade-out of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Don't Pass Me By at the proper speed, the mouth bass in the first verse of I Will, Paul yelling during the second bridge in Birthday, the first tamborine hit on Sexy Sadie, and of course, the full ending of Helter Skelter. You won't get any of that with a mono copy of this album.
Wonderful presentation. Thanks for confirming my suspicions on the UK white vinyl album. There was always speculation that Harry Moss did an updated master and new metal works, but I never found definitive information on that issue. I also never knew until now, the company that actually pressed the white vinyl records. That information alone Andrew, made my year!
Anyone who has listened to the German DMM knew their remastering of the White Album was at least, enlightening. I remember playing it for the first time in the mid eighties and was flabbergasted.
I also remember meeting a lady who husband just passed and she was selling her husband's records. I asked her what her husband did. She informed me he used to work for EMI Holland. She was selling her husband's EMI Beatles Employee Only BC 13 box set. Looking at it, it was obvious he never played the albums. When you have collected Beatles albums for decades, sometimes it takes awhile to play what you buy. Knowing they were unplayed, I just set them aside.
Eventually played each one, years later, I was flabbergasted once more. My God, who was the engineer and master in Holland that did these?
Harry Moss, ? (Holland), and Mr. Kramer (Germany), thank you, thank you!!
Andrew, best one yet!! Thank you too! Any EMI Holland data will be appreciated as well.
One more question, the White Album in the Holland box set is not numbered, just 'No.' impression, no following number. I'm speculating the employee Holland BC 13 box numbers were not numbered? Correct?
Glad you enjoyed it, Paul. My BC13 Dutch White Albums were not numbered either.
@@Parlogram thank you!
I have the Dutch BC13 box set and my white album IS numbered. Unlike other white albums that are numbered in gray, it is embossed very lightly “No. 125733”.
@@labajadaman thank you for your reply. Any Holland Box set information is greatly appreciated. I can only speculate why yours is numbered.
FYI, do have an early non blue box Dutch pressing, #0006830. Each side is: 1Y, 3Y, 1Y, and 1Y. Really an excellent pressing too.
My Blue box non numbered White Album actually has on side 2, a 4Y ending. Which is quite uncommon (at least to me)
Wow!! Didn't know how many variations could sound so different. Looking handsome as ever Andrew❤
The "Best" White album for me is the one I've been listening to for years. It's a Capitol Orange Label from the 1970's
Side one has a #2 and side 2 has a #3 pressing? Any comments Andrew? Thanks, I'm learning so much from you.
I think I bought the American pressing of the “White Album” in 76/77. I had not heard any of the tracks. The high price kept me away for a while, but I finally broke down and spent the $20 to get it. It soon became my favorite Beatles album. I still like it, though it hasn’t worn as well as say “Abbey Road”. It was my favorite before the “White Album” and it still is my personal favorite. The name of the game for Capitol Records in the 70’s was cost cutting and it really showed in the way the Beatles albums were treated. The embossing of “The Beatles” was as on off the cover and replaced with a gray flat pronged version (My copy had the embossing, the Apple labels on the album centers). The Apple centers replaced by an orange Capitol labels just seemed so wrong.
My friend bought the White Album for me on CD. I am pretty sure this was the 1987 release. I have lost one of the cases and the sleeve, but now. Unaware that I already had the White Album, she bought me the 2009 CDs. The format of the 2009 version is way better than the 87 version. My son bought me the 50th anniversary White Album book with the CDs in the back cover. I mostly play the 87 version because it’s out in the garage where I do a lot of work. So now, I am really interested in comparing these versions.
George Martin has said the Beatles had enough songs for one really good record. This is what he proposed, but was overridden by the group in favor of the Double Album concept. I am glad George M. didn’t get his way. The White album isn’t perfect but it is an honest record showing what was on their minds in 1968.
Another great insight into The Bealtes thanks Andrew. Love the white album too.
Hello Andrew, I enjoy your videos about the Beatles vinyl. I don't have that many copies of the white album, 5 I think. I like your equipment but I would suggest you get a cheap set of 3 way speakers. Connect them to the B output on your amp. Play something and switch between your 2 way and your 3 way speakers. You will be surprised, I have carried out this excercise for a number of people and in every case they picked the 3 way speakers because the sound quality was so much better than the bookshelf speakers. You will have a whole new experience listening to all these versions again. Take care and keep up the good work.
I love the 2018 remix. It has a lot of punch to it.
Andrew, fantastic information as always. I am happy that you always have good things to say about the 80s Beatles CD releases. I loved them.
My pleasure, Chris!
Same thing for me, I enjoy the new remixes as alternative versions, a new way to hear more details, but I always go back to the original mixes...
1987 CD for me. As Emerick said, it sounds exactly like the master tapes. The 2014 mono is a close second.
So you’re saying my 1987 cd sounds the best? Compared to the original vinyl? Compared to other cd versions?
@@FrankieLovesElvis Many people would agree, especially when played at a decent volume, but of course what sounds the best is subjective to any individual. The 2009 and later CD issues are more compressed and probably do sound better than the 87 at low volumes or in noisier environments, like in a car but not on a decent home stereo. If you are more into vinyl I reckon the 2014 mono version is the best of the vinyl and better than the original 68. But again, what sounds the best is subjective.
In the mid 1980s, me and a Beatle buddy heard the US white vinyl Capitol issue, and both agreed it was the best we'd ever heard to that point. Flashing forward a few years, I made a good mix of my own by doing a fold-down to mono mix from the original US stereo CD.
Thanks Andrew! This is my favorite album by anyone. Glad to see a few of my copies here. Especially the UK 78 white stereo, UK 81 mono and 84 German white DMM. My favorite sounding copies. As far as the cd goes I waited until 98 to buy the anniversary issue. Glad I did because the packaging is so much nicer. But it’s still the 87 cd master technically and is preferable sound wise to the next releases.The later issues are a fun listen a couple times IMO but the 09 release has too much bass and the 2018 Giles mix is loud. Your channel is great man. Keep up the good work. Wonder if Paul or Ringo ever watch? Perhaps you’ve answered some of their questions
I was fortunate enough to purchase the 1984, German DMM blue box from you and many, though not all, have become my go to stereo albums. I agree they may not be to everyone’s taste, but if you appreciate them, then it’s hard to play anything else, including, as you observe the White album. As for mono, I am torn between my 2014 box set copy and my 1968 first pressing. If that wasn’t enough the album in any format, any mix, any master is my favourite Beatles album, period.
Well since the Dutch BC13 box are the Beatles records I've listened to all my life, it's nice to know that it indeed is as good as I always thought. Some day I'll try to find the Mono versions as well. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks for the watching, Tony.
Hi Parlogram auctions great video showing off the best sounding pressings of the Beatles, self titled double album, the White album. Thanks again.
Thanks for the watching, Jordan!
Great video Andrew. I do have the 1A Dutch White Album along with the other Dutch pressings from the BC 13 blue box. The local cuttings are identified by the suffixes in the dead wax 1Y/2Y/3Y/4Y etc. However on my copy, side 3 was cut with German supplied metalwork. It does sound excellent but I found a late 70's - early 80's UK reissue that I think beats it but hey, it's great to have both.
Brilliant and interesting as usual, Andrew. I don't know if I have the ears to distinguish between all the pressings, although I do enjoy the white vinyls. I never skip Revolution 9 either. I often hear something I think I haven't heard before,
P.S. I'm trying to watch the easiest and cheapest way to get perfect mono sound on a stereo system but it keeps coming up as an error. Do you know if anyone else is having the same problem?
Thanks for another great video, Andrew. I appreciate your expertise and your diplomatic attitude toward differing opinions. I feel vindicated whenever I have a copy of anything you recommend. Unfortunately, that happens rarely.
In this case, I believe I have both that you mention for no. 5. My 1987, however, was part of the HMV box set with badge and LP size, 12 page booklet. I recently acquired from eBay. Mine is no. 40824. I picked up the 30th anniversary off Amazon a few years ago still with the clear plastic slipcase.
The 1987 CD-- at least certain copies-- has a sticky oxide audio glitch before the coda of "Happiness is a Warm Gun", also found on certain 80's US vinyl pressings. They corrected it by the time of the 30th edition-- comparing waveforms shows that they re-transferred that one song.
I don't have a definite favorite pressing of "White Album".
But I have had some surprises during the years, in both directions: things being better or not as good as expected, and I like to mention one of them.
I once stumble on an east european copy. Not sure about the country. I may be russian. Everything is with Cyrillic letters, and I can't read that. It was cheap and I bought it just for fun as a collectors item.
You may think it is as discount as it gets. But it sounds surprisingly good. Just as well as many English pressings. So that one was REALLY a surprise.
Very true about the actual white colour of the German DMM pressing being redundant, compared to the price of others. However, I just love watching it spin! Especially the green apple in the middle of all the white. Interesting how it contains the actual DMM logo, while the others, do not. I checked my copy and it has the actual logo on the apple. Either way, the black or the white German pressings seem to have the same sound ('85). Didn't know there were white Chinese counterfeits. Just when I think I know everyrthing about the Beatles, I'm proved wrong again. Great video.
My White Album was purchased in Okinawa in 1976. It says EMI Japan on the back cover. The runout looks like YEX-709 1S 52, YEX-710 1S 61, YEX-711 1S2 80 (and a 6-5 as well) and YEX-712 1S3 28. There is also a lightning bolt in a circle on each side.
I have a late 70s French pressing on white vinyl that I really enjoy. Sounds awesome to me!!!
another very enjoyable video andrew and so well documented. cheers, andre.
Glad you enjoyed it, Andre.
I Haven't listened to ALL the white albums in the world but my favorite copy I've heard so far is the German 1977 stereo version. It has a golden sticker on the front that says "Deutscher Schall Platten Preis" it has good bass and clarity on every song.
It is an interesting rabbit hole to dive into. I only have two copies of the White Album myself, a 1977 German pressing and a 1991 Soviet AnTrop bootleg. I've been happy with how they sound, but will probably buy another one if one comes my way cheaply.
What a lovely Sunday morning treat that was! My only gripe is that I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of your videos without it prompting me to buy something! (I even sprung for the black triangle recently. If my wife asks it cost a tenner) 17:26 . But buying the white album is incredibly confusing so thank you for the steer. I have one with a gold sticker on it, I’ll have to check if it’s the DMM version - seems they put that sticker on quite a few variants.
Awesome video! Will definitely consider purchasing a Dutch white album now.
There is one that you’re missing out is the US release. I have the “White Album” on vinyl, and it was a 1980’s reissue on the Capitol label with the 60’s era “Rainbow” design. It has the best sound quality that you can get from other releases. There were many of these “White Album” reissues out there. There’s one on an orange Capitol label from the 1970’s which was also good, the other one on a purple Capitol label in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s which has the same sound quality as well.
Those later re-cuts on Capitol do sound pretty good. The really solid ones are the SRC pressings from 1986-1990(?). And it’s cool seeing the album on a classic Capitol Rainbow label Lp spinning on your turntable.