BBR: Dr. Ebbetts

OK, time for another boring edition of Beatles Bootleg Reviews! This time, we'll look at a series that many believe puts the official EMI/Apple CDs to shame, given to us by the man known only as... Dr. Ebbetts.

The doctors bootleg CDs are basically what you heard on the original US and UK LPs, for better or worse. They are not 'remasters' (such as the circulating 24-bit remasters) nor remixes (good for Legs). They seem straight transfers of either excellent early vinyl editions of these albums, or possibly (as I've heard) the cassettes or 8-tracks, which I'm not sure I believe. Now, in theory, since vinyl albums almost always sound better than CDs, then these discs should be superb, right? Well...sometimes. The problem is, especially with the Capitol versions, what you got on record wasn't great quality to begin with. That said, lets go through a few of the good doctors releases.
"Meet the Beatles!" was, of course like the others, a mish mash of stereo, mono and fake stereo mixes. That said, this disc sounds suprisingly good. Let the stereo "This Boy" rip thru the speakers, and you'll be pleased. That whole disc is pretty good (the stereo and the mono), but "The Beatles Second Album" (stereo and mono) is a superb job from Ebbetts. And this is because it sounds like the vinyl!! Thats a good thing, in cases.Youv'e heard me rave before about this LP; I grew up with it, and this CD is a pleasant surprise. Both versions have their strengths and good points, and to finally hear a clean CD version of "Roll Over Beethoven" does me good. At this point I might add this: I dont feel theres any re-EQing going on here, which is interesting, since most of these affairs do just that, and generally WITHOUT any EQ-ing or de-clicking, the songs usually fade out too soon, to prevent you heraing those pops that, face it, are part and parcel of vinyl. This doesnt happen here, and I'm amazed. Now... "A Hard Days' Night" is different. The United Artists LP is fondly rememebered by some, but when was the last time you actually heard it? The Ebbetts CD brought back memories, sure. Of how silly the instrumentals are, and what crappy mixes EMI gave UA for the soundtrack. Remember, even with a stereo album, you still had Beatles in mono. So while its a nice novelty, this one is a good example of being too slavish to the original: it sounds as bad as the original. Good or bad? Thats up to you.
Moving WAY ahead to the doctors "Sgt. Pepper" in stereo: No sir, I don't like it. It sounds as though he got a much later (late 70s-80s) pressing of the album, and I'm not impressed. I'm also not impressed with his "White Album" mono. Its been sucked of the bass like the stereo LP was, and that was something good about the monoural: you could HEAR the BASS!! I don't know WHAT he's done here. That said, the mono EP version of "Magical Mystery Tour" is quite good, as is his version of the U.S. Capitol LP.
SUMMARY/OVERALL RATING: *** 3 STARS- Tired of the commercial CDs? Then you can go here and enjoy,especially if you have to have the early Capitol LPs. Only one thing can surely put an end to these types of releases though, and any need for them: The re-released 'new and improved' Apple CDs in 2006, and Capitol actually releasing the American 'first four'. Will it happen? Look into your magic eight-ball and see...
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COMING UP: Umm...I'm not sure whats next, but it'll be worth waiting for, whatever it is Ravellers fans! Tune in next time for <font color="red">Beatles Bootleg Reviews! </font> Now, let the reviews of MY reviews begin! And what the heck WOULD you wanna see next time?

Thanks Dave for the review, and explaining what the Dr. Ebbetts releases are.I admit I had it confused and thought these releases were remixes or whatever, till I found out that the Dr. Ebbetts releases were just straight forward transfers from original lp's.

Which brings you to the question, can't you just do it yourself if you've got the lp's and a good program to do it.
I admit the transfer I made from my "Please Please Me" lp didn't really work out, but in theory anyone can do it.

And are the Ebbets releases really the best. It is really confusing to see what is out there, how many versions of each album does someone need to buy.MFSL, Mirror Spock, the german digi pack version, which I saw again at a Beatlefest.
So I just setle for the EMI/Parlophone/Apple releases. Tho I wouldn't mind trading for some Dr. Ebbets, as that seems to be the prefered choise.

Then which version of each album is the best source.On the bootleg zone forum, I read someone reguesting a transfer of "Die Beatlles", not die Beatles but "Die Beatles" which is German for "The Beatles". This german album is supose to be the best version of "Please Please Me", and the one that should be transfered to cd, acording to the person posting on that forum. Is it confusing or what?

[ QUOTE ]
Legs Posted:

Which brings you to the question, can't you just do it yourself if you've got the lp's and a good program to do it.
I admit the transfer I made from my "Please Please Me" lp didn't really work out, but in theory anyone can do it.


[/ QUOTE ]
Exactly right. Now, I'm SURE what Ebbetts does takes some very pricey equiptment. A high quality needle, turntable, etc. Now, whats the best thing to buy? I meant to say, but I've never HEARD the Spock versions, but theres some mixing going on there. It all depends on what you want/need. I wanted a nice transfer of "Second Album", and this is what the doc basically provides. Now, do I prefer the 24-bit remasters of some of the albums? Yes. More bass with a clean sound. And just because an LP is well known for warm analouge sound, this does not mean just anyone can provide a CD worthy reproduction. I said there was no EQ-ing, but there should be a certain amount of 'mastering' done to a album before it goes digital. The less the better, sure, and it seems thats what Ebbetts has done with the early albums.
I would STILL however, wait a bit. I am almost postitve that "LIB Naked" was a trial run for remixed (slightly) Beatles CDs, and how to do it and what amount of 'tampering' the public would accept. What do you think the "BBC" discs were for? Apple admits they were a test to see if people might buy unreleased Beatles.
Anyway, the point to the Doctors discs is the same: if you REALLY want a CD copy of the mono "Meet the Beatles", these are hard to pass up, PARTICULARLY... if you relish that old record sound. Vinyl DOES color the sound, to my ears, and thats heard here. On the 'remix' discs, no. But those are more for the sound quality than the memories, you dig (to use a 70s expression)? Cool, cat.

BTW..generally German and Japanese vinyl is best, and yes, I've heard "Die Beatles" is excellent, IF you find an early pressing.
My advice? Everyone just get a good turntable and use that, don't transfer to CD! :;):

I think if you start trying to collect mono and stereo versions of all the Capitol, Vee-Jay, etc. LPs, you'll be broke very soon. I'm happy with the official CDs, along with standard stereo bootlegs of the early songs. And I guess throw in a mono White Album, gotta have that one.

Other than those, I'd rather drag out the old LPs.

Well GENERALLY, theres not much difference in many of the mono/steeo mixes, but I agree, as stated abovr; you can't beat the original LPs. Viva le Vinyl!
Some people just have to have it all, which you can do at a reasonable price.. IF you know where to get 'em!
Its like the White Album sessions; theres a lotta stuff out there, and Ive heard it all (matter of fact, heard something new yesterday!) but frankly, I just dont WANT it all. It may be Beatles somehow, but theres such a thing as enjoyable listening experiences, if you understand..!

What did you hear yesterday, if there is something new please share.

NOt much, its the fragment from the sessions for the "Revolution" promo, but it goes on a bit longer, thats all. But indeed I had not heard that yet, and since Im trying to put together a "Making of Revolution" disc, this is a cool addition.

Pushing this one back up, cause of the new Capitol set.