Are the New Beatles Mixes Better?

Are the new remixed versions of The Beatles' classic songs better than the originals? I explore the impact of Giles Martin's remixes on iconic albums like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The White Album, Abbey Road, and more.
Drawing on insights from The Beatles themselves, I navigate the complexities of preserving authenticity while embracing modern fidelity.
From the evolution of stereo technology to the nuances of historical accuracy, I provide a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing remix controversy.
Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below. Do you prefer the original remasters or the new Giles Martin remixes?
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00:00 Introduction
01:10 Giles Martin Remixes
02:20 Mono vs Stereo
04:30 Revolver + Pepper Remixes
05:04 Later-Era Remixes
06:00 The White Album?
06:36 Mono-Era Remixes!
07:15 Historical Accuracy
07:49 Final Thoughts
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[@BritishMusicHistory]

Do you think the new Beatles remixes are better, or should we just stick to the originals?

[@IsaacWale2004]

Some of them are better, but some of them aren't in my opinion...

[@steelypeanut]

I rooted my love for the Beatles by listening to the 2009 remasters & when the new remixes came around, I jumped in and was extremely pleased by what I found! These songs I’d been jamming to for years were suddenly turned into new experiences for me! In fact, these remixes entirely altered my perception on some tunes (“The Long And Winding Road” specifically comes to mind). This goes both ways, however. Every once in a while, I’d find a tune I preferred the 2009 mixes to but only one truly stayed in my rotation: “She Said, She Said”, whose buzzing guitars seem to have lost some of their bite. That’s really just nitpicking though. Overall, i definitely prefer the new mixes to the 2009 remasters.

[@brianpattishall774]

I like everything that Giles Martin has done

[@1sttvbn]

I totally agree. Yes Helter Skelter the fade out is almost unrecognizable on the reissue.

[@cashtripp3]

I’m a Beatles fan that simultaneously recognizes their genius but struggles to call them the greatest band ever. I struggled with The Beatles music for a long time. When I heard the remixed version of Eleanor Rigby it was a Euphoric experience. The remixes are pretty much what took me from casual enjoyer to fan. The old mixes were often disorienting and it became hard to fully appreciate their music.

[@jamesgorski7551]

I liked them regardless, and would buy any latest reissue just the same.

[@matheuscicchetto5027]

I've been a Beatles fan for 2 years by now. That means I'm not really emotionally attached to the original mixes, and I think whether the remixes are better or not is a case-by-case scenario. I haven't heard the remixed version of Let It Be, but for Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road, I'll choose the original mixes over the remixes. For Revolver, the remix is slightly better, while the remix for the White Album is the definitive version to my ears.

[@nestoreduardoflorencio3017]

Hola! Excelente opinión, nunca lo había visto así. Sin dudas estamos acostumbrados a sonidos modernos y la tecnología modificará las canciones haciéndolas sonar nuevas y hermosas pero.... Seguirán siendo los Beatles en escencia ? Respuesta difícil!. Saludos ! Desde Buenos Aires.

[@denniswood1437]

I enjoy many of the Giles Martin remixes. However, with "I am the Walrus" much of the stereo mix is improved but at the expense of omitting some of the King Lear recitation at the songs dynamic ending. Shouldn't a good remix enhance all the elements of a recording?

[@CAR_X634]

Very good

[@andrewperkin7192]

I think the remixes are fine for the new generations. However its clear from the 1987 cds that pepper onward really are the best digital versions.

[@michaelginever732]

Yes.

[@robinholland1136]

Stick to the originals. It's like people 'colorising' classic films made in black and white. My only hope is that an option to listen to the originals will remain. I actually found all the Beatles albums that my sister and I bought when they came out, the other day. I might buy a turntable and see what they sound like.

[@thefowlyetti2]

The fan made 2024 remixes are the best, using AI to clean up and separate the parts, then remixed in a more modern style.

[@thomas79marshall]

ewww

[@ocgmercury]

@@thomas79marshallListen to Diedre. Thats their youtube channel, some of their fan mixes are better then the recent remixes on the 2023 remixs

[@kenharvey8946]

I don't like any of the new mixes none of them period. I like the original American mixes I grew up with.

[@IsaacWale2004]

Some of them yes, some of them no. Depends on the song. Generally, they're good.

[@mtacoustic1]

No...Duh!!

[@toothbrush5190]

Some are much better. Some are not, Penny Lane is KILLER!

[@tonyfederici1961]

The new remix of “i am the Walrus” was a disaster, he destroyed the last 30 seconds of the song.

[@thomas79marshall]

No. The original mono mixes, and the 2009 mono remasters, are the best.

[@toothbrush5190]

Oh my NO!