Sourced from the original master tapes and cut at Abbey Road Studios

Pressed on 180-gram vinyl; album's North American LP debut in stereo

Optimum audiophile-quality sound from a first-rate team of producers and engineers

The BEATLES ON VINYL - DONE RIGHT!

For years the most anticipated vinyl reissues have been from the one, the only Beatles catalog. Finally, after a delay due to the meticulousness of the remastering process and assorted other hurdles, that day has come.

For Americans in the full grip of Beatlemania, this was the first album they could buy. With The Beatles (sold as Meet The Beatles! in the U.S.) was the Fab Four's second British record. With the Beatles produced the singles "It Won't Be Long" and "All My Loving." John Lennon and Paul McCartney were on a songwriting roll that would be unmatched in rock history, and at this point they were still a real team. Like no other digital or analog edition, this LP pressing showcases how far the Fab Four really were beyond any of their peers.

For its Beatles' Stereo Albums series on LP, Capitol/Apple turned to a crack team of engineers to remaster With The Beatles from the original sources. The team, including Guy Massey, Steve Rooke and Sam Okell with Paul Hicks and Sean Magee undertook a four-year restoration process for the LP versions, combining state-of-the-art equipment, vintage studio gear and rigorous testing to meet the highest fidelity standards and produce authentic unsurpassed sound rivaling the original LPs. There is no longer any need to pay hundreds of dollars for Japanese pressings!

Recorded in much the same fashion as Please Please Me, With The Beatles used close-miking techniques and a combination of direct and ambient sounds gathered from group microphones. There's a great rollicking liveliness and depth captured. Paying homage to Motown, the band sends up "Please Mister Postman," "Money (That's What I Want)," and "You Really Got a Hold On Me" with equal parts ragged urgency and poignant emotion. A batch of rich originals spans bittersweet ballads ("All I've Got to Do") to shout-out-loud rock classics ("It Won't Be Long").

The set has been criticized by some for containing too many covers; yet it's a snapshot of the Beatles during the band's last connection to its Cavern Club days and avoids any dull moments. Again, the production emphasizes an in-the-studio feel, with minimal effects and few baffles. Now, hear just how hard the Beatles rocked in what's the equivalent of 3D sound. The strings of the band's guitars and pop of Ringo's 20-inch Ludwig kick drum resonate with punch, drive, and true-to-life imaging. It's all thanks to Capitol's meticulous mastering.

Track Listing
Side 1
It Won't Be Long
All I've Got To Do
All My Loving
Don't Bother Me
Little Child
Till There Was You
Please Mister Postman

Side 2
Roll Over Beethoven
Hold Me Tight
You Really Got A Hold On Me
I Wanna Be Your Man
Devil In Her Heart
Not A Second Time
Money (That's What I Want)