The Beatles was released in November 1968 to mixed reviews due to the fact that the album was so eclectic. Many critics did not what to make of it. It was the first album to be released at the same time in the US and UK with the same track listings. In 1987 the CD was released in stereo and the current release is the first time the mono is officially available in the US.
Birthday – Mono. I surprised myself with this. I expected the stereo to be better. The song sounds cleaner in mono and the vocals in the stereo seem too far off to the sides.
Yer Blues – Stereo. You can just hear so much more in the stereo.
Mother Nature’s Son – Stereo by just a bit. You can hear a lot more depth, but the mono is really nice too.
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey – Stereo. This is perhaps one of the best mixed songs on all of the albums. It also has perhaps the best title of any song ever!
Sexy Sadie – Stereo. The vocals are so much better, it sounds like I am in the room with them.
Helter Skelter – Stereo. This pre-heavy metal song relies so much on the electric guitar which sounds better in the stereo mix.
Long, Long, Long – Tie. The stereo is mixed nicely but there is something about the mono that I jus t like.
Revolution 1 – Stereo. The opening guitar is just so much better in stereo, and the rest is just as strong.
Honey Pie – Stereo. Given the type of song I was hoping for a better mono, but the stereo is better.
Savoy Truffle – Mono. I assumed I would pick the stereo here as I have for the more psychedelic songs, but the vocals out of the right ruined it for me.
Cry Baby Cry – Stereo. Edges out the mono a bit.
Revolution 9 – Stereo. I don’t know how to approach this “song”. Clearly it was intended to be in stereo, so that is what I am saying.
Good Night – Stereo. The orchestra and chorus sounds better in stereo.
Here are both versions of Birthday. You Choose!
Enjoy!
Mono
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_YfFkqFNjE]
Stereo
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YqMSIOQ4YE]