McCartney Wings VENUS & MARS Half Speed Master: Why I Don't Care

[@Bobmacca64]

Instead of releasing the same stuff over and over again in different configurations, go back to the Archive and pick up where you left off, Paul:=)

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Hi Joe, I'm also finding I'm passing on more things than usual lately, especially with reissues, but the half speed remaster campaign is one I'm still enjoying so am looking forward to Venus and Mars.

[@frankbarbaro4363]

I have this album on CD and vinyl. I’m good.

[@machiel5888]

I Love the Half Speed Master series. I listen to all my paul vinyl.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I'm really glad they brought those back. Columbia did a Half-Speed series on Paul and others in the 80s, with the blue symbol on top of the cover. I didn't know what that meant back then and I didn't see or hear the appeal, but now I do and I'd like them back, please. 😂

[@mjanovec]

We’ve gotten the 50th anniversary half-speed masters for McCartney, Ram, Wild Life, Red Rose Speedway, and Band on the Run. It was inevitable that we’d get Venus and Mars. Indeed, it would have stunk if they had just stopped the program midway through… like what seems to happen to other reissue programs. Not everyone needs box sets or deluxe editions of these albums. That already exists for Venus and Mars in the form of the Archive Collection. The appeal of the half speed masters is simply getting a high quality vinyl edition of the album without bells and whistles, while also getting a potential increase in sound quality. No colored vinyl, no picture discs, no extra junk… just a great presentation of the music the way it was originally intended to be heard. If one already has a great sounding copies of these LPs, they should rejoice that they don’t need to buy these half speed masters.

[@eikerkongen]

I´m with you on this one, Joe! I probably can't hear the difference between an MP3-file and a highres file anyway due to vintage ears and only owning an average sound system. Also, I just need the archive boxes of London Town and Back To The Egg.

[@Bandinthesky]

I fully agree! I didn't get the Red and Blue remix, Living in the material world remix, and won't be getting this. patiently waiting on that london town archive collection

[@kennethjoyce1457]

same here... and no Beatles Capitol Box Set after The Beatles site and Amazon screwed the record stores....

[@Bandinthesky]

@@kennethjoyce1457 I think id rather walk on hot coals than pay $30 dollars for meet the beatles LOL

[@FlaminpieSpain]

I tend to think, hey Paul you have all these people advising you but maybe you should just ask a few of your fans of 50years what they want?

[@vitocasola4309]

@@kennethjoyce1457 curious to know, what did they do? I missed it.

[@davidrowe7967]

@@FlaminpieSpain Surely getting in touch with MPL directly might well yield some information?

[@ronster58]

They should finally release archive editions of “London Town” and “Back to the Egg” soon so they can release 50th anniversary editions of those in 2028 & 2029. No doubt we’ll get “Speed of Sound” next year.

[@johnmadden8722]

Great Video, Venus & Mars Is one of my favorite Paul McCartney & Wings Albums. Not sure if I will purchase the Halfspeed reissue that comes out March 21st 2025, I cut back myself on buying every release! I’m almost 66 years old February 7th Just looking forward to the reissue of London Town and Back to egg 🥚 & Paul McCartney’s New Album! Thank you & & have a great day!

[@francoalvear2010]

Totally agree with you man, enough is enough. In fact, I wrote to the man in charge of these half speed remastering and asked him about the main differences between the Archive vinyl and the Half Speed vinyl and he told me that they're practically the same, and that you can notice the Half Speed is a little bit better if you have a very good sound system and a young and fresh pair of ears. So, I'm sticking with my Archive Collection.

[@charliewelch6859]

I'm with you, Venus & Mars is my favorite McCartney LP. I lived in New Orleans when he was there doing some recording for the album. Also it it inspired My Carnival as he was there for Mardi Gras. I need to find the double LP you held up.

[@jerrycful]

Thanks Joe! I really appreciate you and your informative videos! 😎

[@MeanMrMayo]

Thanks

[@anthonyvigliotti6560]

Well, once again, you nail it, Joe, well at least for me, that is. I bought the V&M Super Deluxe CD set in '14. And i love it. I have no desire to buy more of this lp. (I have mint 1975 vinyl as well.) I WILL buy Egg & London Super Deluxes if Macca puts them out. Maybe some folks are buying based on what they DO NOT have. For me, the Venus 2014 Deluxe is the ultimate package. Thank you, Joe

[@PennyLane-67]

How many times can they reissue an album? Very rarely l will buy a reissue.

[@mattgregory971]

Great Video Joe! I didn’t buy the Archive on Vinyl I did on cd but I been waiting for the half speed they sound good. But I am picky now and then a lot of box sets are just getting repackaged material now. Have a good one!!

[@M.B-l8b]

My english is not the best but here are my 2 cents about this topic. I collect cds and lps. I have a big collection. And I have 2 "big" rules: 1. buy an album only once! 2. buy the version (cd vs lp) that has more songs on it (for example the "new" album "Wings - one hand clapping" I bought the LP version with the additional 7 inch vinyl.). So instead of buying the same Wings album 5 times (CD, original vinyl album, colored vinyl album, archive album, "obi-version), I prefer to have 5 completely different albums from different artists/bands. Music comes first. This rule is becoming more and more important as the prices for CDs and vinyl continue to rise (at least you can buy CDs cheaply at flea markets). But there is no rule without exceptions! - I have for example the Beatles Mono Vinyl Box and the Blue Box by the Beatles (from the 70s) - but one is in stereo and the other one is in mono. So I buy an album sometimes two times when there is a mono and a stereo version - I like buying box sets. Even though I already have the Beatles' Abbey Road album, I bought the Abbey Road box set. Why? Because this box set has additional outtakes etc. So there is "new" music I didn't have already. That's why I bought it. - Sometimes I have a CD but later on the album comes out as an LP with one or two additional songs. Then I buy the album too - especially if the official covers are different too. Example: "The Little Willies" (Norah Jones). The CD and the LP cover are different (at least the CD-Version I do have in my collection) and the LP had an additional song on a 7' vinyl. If the covers are not different I try to sell the older version - but that is very difficult with cds. And last but not least: If an album has become really, really valuable, I sometimes sell it to finance my collecting passion - in the hope that there will be a re-release sooner or later. So for example I sold my Rolling Stones black vinyl mono box set and later I bought the Rolling Stones colored vinyl box set. Or I sold my album by A Fine Frenzy "One Cell In The Sea" on vinyl for 500$ (no re-lelease till now). Sometimes reason prevails over my passion for collecting.

[@jasoncastor8535]

I don't consider it a cash grab; it's another way of listening to the music. The different colored vinyl I consider a cash grab. It's like a new album coming out as an LP, CD, Cassette and streaming, It's your preferred listening, but putting out the album on 12 different colors, that's a cash grab because they know the fans and collectors will buy them all or most of them and never say never

[@MeanMrMayo]

@@jasoncastor8535 It's ALL cash grab, and like I said it's normal and ok. What I forgot to add is that nobody's grabbing your cash, you give it to them - and you can always opt out.

[@GuineaPigDan]

I was hoping we’d get archive versions of London Town and BTTE but it seems very unlikely that series will continue. Maybe we’ll get half speed vinyl versions when those albums’ 50th anniversaries come up, but then I’d be afraid we’d get no bonus features on them like the archive sets. Does Paul feel bitter towards his last two Wings albums?

[@ronfowlermusic]

I think he does. LT and BTTE remind him of the final years of Wings, how tired he was of replacing musicians, his falling out with Denny, and getting busted in Japan.

[@johnalello9233]

Great thoughts Mr.Mayo on 50th anniversary half- speed good to have new products for the new fans to purchase and old fans too! Venus and Mars is a great album i have the archive collection and that is great! I like the archive collections because you get remastered and extras demos and all that! I know sound quality is great on half -speed master! At least we're getting something from Paul and Ringo's excellent Look up album! Thanks Mr.Mayo great conversation on half speed Venus and Mars

[@beatleman4paul288]

I feel the same way you feel about buying over and over again .I been watching your videos since you did your first one great job always looking for your videos

[@MeanMrMayo]

Thanks

[@carjo512]

I agree with you about all the reissues coming out , how many more do we need. The $5 for I want to hand your hand was so pricey for RSD . But I like to see archive editions of “London Town” and “Back to the Egg.

[@Beatlescollector00001]

Great video ! ❤

[@davidrowe7967]

I wish they would hurry up and release the remaining Beatles/solo remix albums!

[@andrewhull7167]

Where is Back to the Egg & London Town. Would be nice if McCartney stops pretending they don’t exist

[@EliteXclutchX21]

Venus and Mars is one of my favorite albums ever I’ve been waiting for this half speed press since the line started, however this album is notorious for not sounding the best. Very boxed in and compressed sound, so I’m not sure if the album is really going to benefit here in sound quality considering this is a remaster and not a remix. Although my archive addition already sounds great, but will there be a difference? I’d rather wait to hear what folks say about it before grabbing it. When I compare my Archive edition of Wings wild life to the half speed master for example, there’s a big boost in sound quality when playing the half speed. But that album is mixed clean. I’ve had excellent experiences with these Half speed McCartney remasters, they sound really fantastic and are affordable for someone like me who wants a solid sounding pressing that isn’t too dollar.

[@kincaide67]

Love what you had to say here....I don't see any purpose in having 17 copies of the same album just because of a slight variant in color or weight or smell or whatever. If there's bonus material, then yes! - I'm in. But to just put the album out (yes, even at half-speed) again and not have anything new - I can't. To me that would be like going and getting your favorite movie on dvd/bluray every time they re-release it with a variant cover...Or in a different collection...Or in a holiday package, etc. If this were the case, I'd have 45 different versions of the Clint Eastwood Collection (as well the 12 Elvis Extravaganzas!)....and would have probably picked those up in the $5.00 bin at Walmart. Anyway - thanx for the info, Joe. Love these vids. Until the next one, take care!

[@josephmantineo1376]

Hey Joe! EXCELLENT video!!! I don’t blame you for limiting yourself to all these releases of the same material that keep Getting released. The archives are different cause they give bonus material and stripped down material + essays and propaganda from the time that the different original albums were released, but to just put out the same material over and over and over again at a high price at that it’s not worth it to me either give me a archive with all the bells and whistles and a new album and I’m happy. I find it silly to put out a new album and a few years later put out a colored version (sorry Beatle Brad ) with no extras. I also hate when a new album is released with 3 different versions like New and Egypt Station was (for example). I want all the songs on 1 version without having to buy 3 different versions. Thanks again Take care Joe!!!

[@garettjeff]

I have the Venus and Mars deluxe box set ……I’m happy with that

[@mrbeatlespro]

I kinda made the same decision awhile ago myself only difference is that I waited for the price to go down. For example I picked up georges atmp deluxe cd set for 20 bucks brand new! And the 5 lp set, for…. You’ll have to watch my next video for that one. Lol. 😂😂😂

[@TheDunc1]

I have a colored vinyl version which I am happy with. I would love a revamped special edition on both vinyl and CD with a book different from the one 10 years ago, when I could not afford the deluxe edition. I am sure several other fans would appreciate this.

[@christianshubzda1108]

Hey Joe, Completely agree with you here. MPL has been packaging and repackaging the same stuff over and over again. What I wanna see is more stuff from the vaults, more archives, and reissues of albums on CD and vinyl that haven’t been available in decades.

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Release all the Denny Laine lead vocal tracks on a new compilation thanks..

[@astrosjer822]

I personally love the archive box of the album and I am satisfied with that. Now if they would have done a remix on CD and an Underdubbed, I would have been all in. Otherwise I will skip this

[@sharonevans6864]

Joe, I am with you 100%, I'm retired, I have a great collection of everything and like you am now selective. Enjoyed hearing you stand up to not buying everything that has a Beatle attached ,good show, take care!

[@joshua2814]

I don't have any version of Venus & Mars, so maybe this will be the one I get.

[@Gabriel_707]

The cash grab logic in this situation doesn't completely work to me, because they did an archive edition AND an half speed master edition of Wild Life, an album (I love it) that did worse on the UK and US charts than both London Town and Back To The Egg, which never got any recent re-release. So if they wanted to re-release just the popular Paul albums they have made some mistake. But at this pace, we will maybe get London Town and Back To The Egg half speed master editions in 2028/29.

[@limomangeno]

What color vinyl is it in...

[@MeanMrMayo]

Black

[@projectpat006]

I have the original 1975 Wally cut LP. Thats all I need to have & it sounds great!

[@sveinsigurdgismarvik4445]

I have the original album from 1975. Thats enought. A good album.😮

[@RixVSpinner62]

I have an original UK pressing of Venus & Mars, it's all I need. My Canadian pressing sounds good as well really. I agree, great album and one of my fav of Paul's solo and wings albums. I wonder what engineers like Ken Scott or Allan Parsons think of half speed mastering. London Town is a good album that is sort of under rated. I like some of Back To The Egg but prefer Flowers In The Dirt more.

[@sharigreen9252]

I've never understood the need for all of this. Especially if one is a fan since the beginning (first generation fans). I have all my original albums and CDs. I did purchase the Flaming Pie remix or whatever it was and the Abbey Road 50th Anniversary CD. I'm getting up there in age and I don't see the need for continuously buying 50+ years old music. But if people want to throw money away, that's their perogative. Someday they'll be looking for it. Glad you're finally coming to your senses.

[@MeanMrMayo]

@@sharigreen9252 I don't agree with them necessarily "throwing their money away". You may not understand the need for all of this, but maybe others do. Maybe someone would say you were out of your senses in buying the Flaming Pie Remix and Abbey Road 50th. If I ever fully "come to my senses" to the point of not wanting to have anything, then I'll know I'm dead.

[@sharigreen9252]

@MeanMrMayo Well I bought the Flaming Pie remix because it had songs not on the original CD. But I'm talking about continuously buying the same 50+ years music over and over again. You buy it once ok. Twice fine. Don't you agree it's overkill already? Another example is the US albums being re-released as new mixes. I guess I'm in the minority here. I actually love my original records/CDs. I know every nuance, sound and inflection. I'm not a fan of these remixes, etc. because it many instances there are differences in how they sound to me. This happened with the 50th Anniversary Abbey Road release. Kudos to Niles Martin for his hard work, but I'll take my originals any day. I can think of other and better ways to spend my money, but whatever floats your boat. Cheers.

[@cleolechien]

Is there a chance you can have it for cheap in a few years at the various stores you visit or even at flee market?

[@MeanMrMayo]

@@cleolechien Don't want it even for free.

[@interglotti3858]

I passed on the Beatles US albums, because it felt a bit too niche of a release to start throwing money at absolutely everything. It certainly doesn't help in this decade, where all the 70s solo albums are turning 50, and all the Beatles stuff is turning 60

[@chrissnyder7181]

I love the half speed masters. But "Venus and Mars, I'm not sold on it yet. I wanna here how it sounds first since the original was highly compressed. It has to sound really awesome!!

[@BeatleDustino]

It’s good to be selective. You’re still a collector. You’re proving it isn’t a “cash grab” as all these people claim. You’re not forced to buy it.

[@djreid]

Venus and Mars album definitely deserves the Half-Speed master more than any Wings album because of the extreme material in sound quality. But, this is not a priority. These Anniversary Issues is bogging our Collections for the Company's Priorities over us, the fan. We, the fan, want London Town and Back to the Egg and other new song material. Like you, down the line, we might pick up those collections available. I would like to see these obscure B-side material by Wings and featuring one or two rare songs, that are under rated good songs. McCartney has several obscure tracks and even album material, that would be more interesting than the same rehash songs.

[@charlesduncan3194]

I agree with you joe all the way. I only have my original 70s copy I bought back then that does me fine, it's in mint condition. Now I'm only waiting for new material from mccartney in 2025

[@Konngeman]

I think Archive boxes are not coming anymore, because CD boxes are not selling well. Not commercially effective.

[@MeanMrMayo]

@@Konngeman I'm betting the Archives will continue

[@beatleman69]

I for one will buy it. It's been a long time since we had an archive release, I thought they gave up on it

[@dutchcoyote]

Hi Joe, there is 1 thing you should never, ever do and that is to sell records from your collection, I did that when the CD era started and sold some of my records, I should never have done that, so I will never do that again. It's just well-meant advice. Regards from the Neterlands.

[@richardsypniewski9279]

"Your mileage may vary" 😆 Perfectly said Joe.👍

[@pauls7488]

Totally agree, I don't need everything. What I am looking forward to is the album in Atmos, but it's incredibly frustrating that U have to be subscribed to streaming to hear it. I'd happily buy it on blu ray.

[@L.E.55472]

I had to buy a newer car In August and just installed a new furnace yesterday soooooooooo there ya go...I’m just a watcher at this point 😕😖😭

[@pollyhewitt5413]

Agree, starting to pick and choose myself. Got the colored vinyl and some of the Archives too. They really need to finish the Archives first. Did pick up the McCartney half speed master but the only one. Love Paul, but getting older and running out of room. Would rather pick up a nice new Rubber Soul box set soon hopefully. Thanks, Mr. Mayo.

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

How about a half-speed master recording of Danny giving a lecture on how we shouldn't spend too much money? Or, a half-speed mastering of Melo D coughing?

[@frognut]

Is the consensus that these McCartney half speed remasters sound great? I did hear that the Rolling Stones half speed masters do not sound good at all

[@daytripper9222]

I'm not interested in these half-speed Masters whatsoever. I would have rather had a remix or something else from McCartney. Enough with these half-speed Masters. A waste of money, just my opinion.

[@kevinminahan5940]

I'm 100% with you Joe

[@bobbybannerman2853]

HI GREAT VIDEO. I ONLY BUY SOME VINYL NOT EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT. PEOPLE CAN MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES TAKE CARE. 😊

[@BillyPlaid]

If you have super high end audiophile equipment you might hear a difference. Me, I'll listen to it on a phone, a laptop, in my car - it's the music that appeals to me - its never going to be in a perfect listening environment

[@graemeknowles1431]

I'll stick with my Japanese SHM CDs that came out last year... They sound absolutely amazing.. Really loud..

[@allanc.records8484]

I wholeheartedly agree, Joe!

[@billharvey5256]

Why not get it it looks like you have everything.

[@MeanMrMayo]

I don't have nearly everything. That's impossible.

[@richardsypniewski9279]

Hi Joe! 👍

[@josephsirchia65]

I’m passing on this one

[@michaelholmes4374]

Still no London Town and back to the egg😮

[@johnnada.]

I only collect the first Paul

[@ralphacton]

Spot on Joe. I’m sure half speed masters are nice, but not worth the price.

[@liamgillespie3407]

Personally I’d prefer a Back To The Egg or Off The Ground Archive Collection.

[@FlaminpieSpain]

Tend to agree with you Joe

[@jeffreylind3739]

Wait- how many colored vinyl versions of McCartney III did you buy? Cash grab or just options? IMO- there IS no cash grab here. It's an OPTION for you to buy or not. Presenting a fresh half-speed mastered version for his fans is appropriate, given it's been fully a half a century! since this LP was released. I do agree with you that there seem to be perhaps too many versions of numerous McCartney LPs, while others have seemingly been left out.. To buy or not to buy, that IS the question-not is this a cash grab.

[@MeanMrMayo]

@@jeffreylind3739 I bought most of the M3 color variations at the time. Since then I've now sold most, only choosing to keep certain key colors. The whole "cash grab" thing really is semantics, I think. We can call it whatever. I'm just saying companies like to keep milking things and yes, we have the option to pass or buy.

[@jeffreylind3739]

@@MeanMrMayo I think sometimes people forget that record companies are in business to make money and sell as many records/CDs/Tapes/Streaming as possible. Yes, someone as famous as McCartney would have to approve of it all. As you said, this has gone on forever. When Buddy Holly/Crickets began getting famous, Decca records-which had dropped him- went back and started issuing the recordings he made back in '56 in an effort to cash in. I personally think the rising prices of re-issues is eventually going to strangle sales as people cut back on their purchases. The record labels are going to screw themselves by continuously jacking up their prices.

[@judgetimbers]

I am in a particular Venus & Mars mood since reading Legacy Vol 2, but I have absolutely no interest in this. My old CD sounds just fine to me. So I guess I agree with you Joe.😊

[@beatlesnqueen]

Like you said it’s all subjective. For you it makes total sense to me that you wouldn’t be getting these. I’m that 30 year old collector you mentioned lol so the half-speed and color vinyl reissues still interest me. I do still make decisions not to buy things though, like the SHM CDs. No interest in those.

[@paulhaworth6399]

I consider myself a huge Beatles fan and especially Mccartney but like you I’m selective. I didn’t buy the red and blue albums or the single, I didn’t get the mind games or living in the material world albums . Mind games was only an ok album and I didn’t want another copy of material world. The set that excited me was one hand clapping which I bought. I have the first 2 McCartney releases at half speed and may get speed of sound when it comes out to replace a lost album. Only a few months ago I bought a coloured vinyl of Venus and mars so I will pass on this new release.

[@petercozzi1772]

Cash grab ? Nobody forcing you to buy it. My attitude has always been the same, if I want it I get it, if I don't want it I don't get it.

[@MeanMrMayo]

@@petercozzi1772 I agree.

[@GoonyBoxes]

I don't collect solo Beatles reissues anyway so won't be getting this. I don't like the term "cash grab". Like you say, it's a business and of course they want to make money, but no one is forced to buy anything. If I recall correctly you passed on the US Album set last year. I bought that because I wanted it, but the previous year I didn't want the expanded Red and Blue so didn't buy it. No one grabbed my cash. I think where they run the risk of over egging the pudding is when they put out stuff on different coloured vinyl with a different bonus track on each one. With stuff like that it'll get to the stage where even the completest who wants literally everything will say "enough" because it has the feeling of exploitation.

[@MeanMrMayo]

Well said

[@mikeciresi3697]

The Lennon camp is just as bad. One of the biggest disasters was the latest Red & Blue album release. It’s been ridiculous for a long time as far as money and releases go. People keep complaining about the situation but keep buying. I’ve been buying music since I was five years old in 1969, I live albums but in the past 10 years pricing and quality control is awful.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

6:45 - Who'd you sell them to, Beatle Brad? He loves the coloreds😂

[@PetesCDVinylWorld]

I don't care either, it's an average album anyway. Just another release for the sheep to line up with their money. You know Mazzy has it

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

Side note: about white vinyl, I prefer black, because it's on dark vinyl that you can most easily see if there is any dust on it.

[@christopherhahn6728]

Yep, hard pass. Give me an Archive or a new album or something else I don't have already like a Cold Cuts with all the still unreleased tunes.

[@comclass_69]

Bit of a pointless video, 'man doesn't want to buy a record he's already got' so what? You get what you want to get. Not everyone has bought all the MCartney (or other artists') releases you have so why shouldn't they have the chance to buy a brand spanking new copy of something they don't have or replace an old, crappy copy with it? Trying to hint it's a 'cash-grab' is frankly ridiculous and you sort of admitted it when looking at all the stuff on the shelves behind you, which I'm sure is stuff you wanted to buy to make you happy, no problem.

[@MeanMrMayo]

Not pointless to those who've watched my videos for 13 years. They're interested in what I buy or not, and my point here was that I've become way more selective these days. You're right that we have options out there and we simply get what we want to get. Or not. I made that clear, this release is there for those who want it.

[@josephmantineo1376]

Hey Joe! EXCELLENT video!!! I don’t blame you for limiting yourself to all these releases of the same material that keep Getting released. The archives are different cause they give bonus material and stripped down material + essays and propaganda from the time that the different original albums were released, but to just put out the same material over and over and over again at a high price at that it’s not worth it to me either give me a archive with all the bells and whistles and a new album and I’m happy. I find it silly to put out a new album and a few years later put out a colored version (sorry Beatle Brad ) with no extras. I also hate when a new album is released with 3 different versions like New and Egypt Station was (for example). I want all the songs on 1 version without having to buy 3 different versions. Thanks again Take care Joe!!!