1962-1966 : The Red Album

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
The closest the Beatles came to a greatest hits package, this document of the early part of their career features hit singles (in chronological order) and selected album tracks, running from "Love Me Do" through the groundbreaking Rubber Soul and Revolver albums. While this may be an excellent intro for beginners, real fans will never be content with only selections, especially when you're dealing with those aforementioned albums. Capitol packages the collection on two discs, copying the original vinyl version--but, of course, CDs hold more music than records did. Still, you do get 26 bona fide classics, so there's no real need to complain. --Bill Holdship

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Description
This superb compilation, often called "the red album", brings together the majority of the Beatles' hits from the earlyto mid '60s. Consequently, it plays like an overview of thesome of the most popular and indelible rock songs of all time. From the "yeah, yeah, yeah"'s of "She Loves You" throughthe amped-up giddiness of "I Want to Hold Your Hand", the minor-key melodicism of "And I Love Her", and on to the chiming power pop of "Eight Days a Week" and the tweaky feedback of "I Feel Fine", these are the songs that turned the entireWestern world on its ear.
The second half of the set--inaddition to its phenomenal songs-- is interesting in that it charts the Beatles' move from straightforward pop toward the new chapter of rock the band would help script in the late '60s. After the expansive chords and slinky melodies of "Ticket to Ride", the band becomes alternately darkly introspective ("Yesterday") and looser and more groove-obsessed ("Drive My Car"), while trying on allegorical Dylan-inspired narratives ("Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"), and happy-go-luck psychedelia ("Yellow Submarine"). These songs are part of our living, breathing cultural identity, and--as this collection reminds us--for good reason.

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Customer reviews

review by: jembateman date: 2008-01-31 rating:
now superfluous?
In 1980, I bought my first album, and this was it - followed by its twin blue album as soon as I had another £5.49! No one could fault its songs and strengths, but I hereby contest that this selection does NOT represent the Beatles as it could have done.
Why? Well, it's entirely written by Lennon and McCartney (only their 2nd such album, after A Hard Day's Night). Their 1962-6 output was about 20% covers, and Twist and Shout is surely one of the 28 tracks which should represent the group for this period (a huge hit US single and UK EP). Again, Till There Was You could have exemplified McCartney's 'respectable pop balladeer' aspirations (which I do respect).
Interestingly, there are 6 songs from the now neglected Rubber Soul vice just the 2 singles from Revolver. The latter is now hallowed in 'greatest album' lists, but its psychedelia is ignored on this compilation. Was Rubber Soul really rated higher than Revolver in 1973? I love 'Drive My Car', but I'd drop it and add 'Tomorrow Never Knows' - maybe to close the set and lead into the '1967-' collection.
I'm dissing the selectors rather than the band, and the Red and Blue vinyl albums were a great buy in 1973 (and, more personally, 1980). But glancing thru my Beatles collection, I'd recommend 1 for the basic hits, and the Past Masters CDs for the big hits and a fuller range of covers & others. (Also, the 'red' and 'blue' albums could have been single boxes with 2 discs in each - or even 1 disc? - saving on packaging and disc-changing effort).

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review by: date: 2008-01-23 rating:
It Certainly Pleased Me
Many words have been written about the phenomenon that was The Beatles. This album simply puts together some of my best musical memories of the era. Those Lennon/McCartney compositions were just superb, and the chord structures and harmonies gave just that extra touch of musical class - head and shoulders above the competition. They were also capable of producing memorable cover versions of hits by other artists.

At the time the Beatles first broke through, British record artists were generally playing second fiddle to American acts. The sounds were becoming rather predictable, dominated as they were by those irritating tinkly piano bits, and one vocalist after another named Bobby! We had lost a great talent in Buddy Holly, who I think was a great influence on the Beatles. Holly wasn't a hard rocker like Presley, but the sheer quality and freshness of his music was irresistible.

In my humble opinion, Presley's initial wave of success was lessening by 1962/3 - certainly, I think his films, at least, were becoming increasingly mediocre. So it was when The Beatles first filled the void. Undeniably they had felt Presley's influence,("Before Elvis, there was nothing") but it was a refreshing change to hear a British band with such originality. Let's face it, in the late 1950's/early 60's, almost all that British acts could do was just produce a pale imitation of the great American Rock 'N' Roll exponents like Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Fats Domino, etc.

The individual tracks on this CD need no introduction or further coverage - it's all been said already.

So, whether you're an ageing aficionado like myself, or a younger listener curious to know what The Beatles were all about, go out and get this album and listen to a slice of musical history in the making.

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review by: date: 2008-01-20 rating:
good buy
Songs are obviously great. Together with the Blue double album, which covers later songs, the albums cover most of the songs that old fan, like me or a new admirer, ought to have.

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review by: carol date: 2007-12-29 rating:
great compelation of beatles at their best -buy it!
A fantastic double cd of the fab four at their best-in my opinion this is much better than the later 1970s double cd and every song is special in its own way.
I have every album the beatles made but still very much enjoy this double album.
A fantastic introduction to the beatles if you are a new fan or a great value buy to old fans like myself.
All I can say is GO BUY IT NOW AND YOU WONT REGRET YOUR PURCHASE-THE FAB FOUR AT THEIR BEST!


review by: date: 2007-08-29 rating:
No weaknesses - but many good songs left off
My only criticism of this first attempt at a Beatles 'Greatest Hits' is that there are so many, not every great song is on here for the period. I think the Beatles recorded 216 songs, most of which are worth some play, so that gives you an idea of what's left off here.

Still, I can;t think of a better way to get into the Beatles than to get this and the blue album (67-70) and then go exploring. Next stop should be the six-CD 'Anthology' which is simply amazing and plays you many demos and outtakes that complement the released versions very well.

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