Las Vegas Weekly

September 10, 2009 · 10:43 PM

Dennis Mitchell fires off six reasons he loves the (new) music of The Beatles

By John Katsilometes

Dennis Mitchell, at home with The Beatles.

Photo: Sam Morris

Upon release of The Beatles’ remastered original albums yesterday, I asked the city’s foremost expert on Beatles music, Beatles history and Beatles trivia, “Breakfast With The Beatles” host and 963 Classic Rock Web site co-founder Dennis Mitchell, to list his highlights, so far, of the enlivened material. Mitchell, who started The Beatles radio show in 1991, hasn’t worked through all 14 CDs yet, but here are his top six highlights:

1. “Sgt. Pepper” in mono: “It shines. Every single noise is discernable and appreciable. You can't help but relive how you felt the first time you heard it.”

2. Ringo's parts, stereo and mono. “You find yourself paying more attention to them and appreciating the sum of all parts more.”

3. The closeness of the vocals, particularly in mono. “The one many have pointed to is the destruction of John's vocal cords on ‘Twist and Shout,’ but you'll feel like you're sitting next to Paul for ‘Yesterday’ and ‘I Will’ and really feel it for ‘Helter Skelter,’ especially in mono. Same with John on ‘Girl.’ ”

4. “The White Album” in mono. “An adventure for those who haven't heard it before, a thrill for those of us who have, but only by way of lower-level imports.”

5. The packaging. “The material is lovingly done and actually enhances some of the original album art with new photos and a separable book with each stereo CD.”

6. Nostalgia. “It’s just a great excuse to re-absorb this music and let it have the same effect on us once again.”

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.

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