Teenbeat X - The Beatles US Albums

On January 20th, commemorating the 50th  anniversary of the Beatles first visit to the States, Apple arranged through Capitol Records for a special set of albums released for the US market specifically to be issued in both boxed and for a limited period separate editions as well as on iTunes. They contain both mono and stereo versions of each album.

As you can see they come in the collector popular Mini LP style mimicking the feel of a vinyl album with card jackets, replica inner sleeves and like their Japanese counterparts, have a plastic sleeve to keep the cd free from scratches with the entire packaged disc in a resealable archive see through plastic wallet. 
In America because royalities were charged per track rather than per album it was normal for their lps to have 11 or 12 tracks compared to typically 14 on British releases plus in the states albums always featured the hit single(s) whereas in Britain they didn't.
This needless to say is why these albums, the ones I grew up with, are different than the now standardized British ones and so for many North Americans are the albums we cherish as quirky as they were.
Eight of these albums were reissued in a set of cheesy boxes in 2004 and 2006 with thin card covers the sort Britishers would associate with Newspaper giveaways or some of us remember ISP's giving out with the first set being quite blurry too. I wrote about these sets at the time.
The recordings used were sent over from Great Britain usually using the same final mixes for mono or stereo as the UK releases although when tracks were sent early due to requests from Capitol for an upcoming album, sometimes different versions were sent from the one decided upon for the UK.
These were copied altering the sound, adding echo and in some instances making fake stereo versions from mono tapes and then used on the lps, a process which while giving it a unique sound nontheless caused some loss of quality compared to the tapes Capitol received.
The earlier box sets used these modified tapes throughout  with the mastering engineer just trying to get them as good sounding as the material he had would allow.

This album, a favourite of mine in this set, is a good example of that with two incredibly bad fake stereo songs in the middle of quite reasonable stereo with one unique mix and on the older cd it's that you hear on the stereo portion and some of mono tracks are not actual mono mixes just the stereo combined into mono.
The new version removes the fake stereo replacing it with true stereo mixes one of which had been available since 1966(!), keeps the echoey  mono US single version and uses the UK mixes for everything that's not unique.
It's this that has proven controversial with some fans who wanted an exact replica in sound of their lps but speaking personally having bought this version, I'm delighted with it as it approaches what I consider a 'audiophile' remastering, going back to originals, removing the  sonic grime to reveal more of the music making never mind the uprated packaging.
The four previously unreleased on cd albums are the A Hard day's Night movie soundtrack with instrumentals from the film originally issued on United Artists, Yesterday and Today, the US Revolver album I had which only had 11 tracks and the stereo only Hey Jude compilation of February 1970 featured then unreleased stereo versions of a good number of  Beatles singles.
I was going to buy the Box set complete with the mainly talk The Beatles Story bonus album but I didn't, this was sadly connected to another, less defensible aspect of how this project was handled by Apple.
Way back in the mid 1980's as plans were drawn up to release on compact disc the Beatles catalogue, Sir George Martin  was allowed to remix two UK albums (Help! and Rubber Soul) from the four track session tapes. Discovering Abbey Road studios echo chamber used on a number of tracks was out of use, he used digitally generated delay to attempt to get the same sound. Unfortunately it sound more like a karaoke type echo especially when he over did it on Dizzy Miss Lizzie and Drive My Car. Personally I can't stand them being 'too modern'.
These versions were themselves remastered in 2009 for the stereo set although the original 1965 stereo mixes were put on the mono cd set as bonuses.
Coming back to 2014, Apple have decided to use these stereo  remakes for the tracks from those two UK albums featured in four of the albums in this box set  (Beatles VI, Help Soundtrack, Rubber Soul and Yesterday and Today) where the previous 2006 box that had the first three with the 1965 stereo mixes on.
Personally, owing the the previous set, I really object to paying £146 for three albums whose stereo portions deviate from that which was issued not just in North America but even in the UK up to 1987.
I decided to rebuy the first four (Meet The Beatles, Second Album, Something New and Beatles '65) as the sound on at least the first two wasn't so clean,Second Album had an excessive amount of echo added to it and get the four previously unissued ones even with the stereo portion of Yesterday and Today being compromised with only 5 original mixes for the otherwise unavailable mono version.
As for the others, if I can come by cheap copies I may get them and switch the discs over as there's nothing on the jackets to tie them to any specific cd because I adore the packaging.
To  summarize my thoughts on this set, I really liked the idea of it as quite a bit of thought had gone into the packaging and even a great booklet for the boxed edition, almost equalling the acclaimed Beatles in Mono box but feel the sound side of it was compromised for a number of the discs needlessly in the stereo portions by insisting on not using the original UK mixes sent at the time and loved by most fans.
I'd give the set 7 out of 10 on balance.

More Beatles Mini lps:
At the start of the year I'd acquired some unofficial mini lps of albums put out in the 1970's that had been retired with aim of buying this set adding these to them.

1976's 28 track Rock and Roll Music compilation, a double lp on a single cd although it lacks the gatefold of the original is well printed.It uses the untouched UK versions of the tracks unlike the Capitol edition.

1977's Love Songs compilation which comprises of 25 songs with a love theme, lacking the gatefold but this section is part of a four page insert.
It's always been a favourite of mine being a comforting listen at boarding school running for about an hour.

1977's Live album of recordings from August 1964 and 1965 at the Hollywood Bowl that Apple refuse to release presented in full gatefold form reproducing the rear essay by Sir George Martin clearly with original lp styled photo inner sleeve.
The audio on these pressed cds (they're not cheap home made jobs) is actually very good matching that of the lps reproduced on a high quality vinyl system and come with Japanese notes and full English lyrics. 
If you need them, these discs are good value.

P is for...petticoats

I was doing a little research as you do the other week and this captivated me as it has continued for a chunk of my childhood visiting the fashion exhibits at the local museums.

The practice of wearing petticoats as undergarments apparently was well established by 1585. Petticoats were worn throughout history by women who wanted to have the currently fashionable shape created by their clothing. The petticoat(s), if sufficiently full or stiff, would hold the overskirt out in a pleasingly domed shape and give the impression of a smaller waist than the wearer actually had. It would also complement the desired large bust.

Elaborately decorated petticoats were worn under open-fronted gowns and looped overskirts from the mid-sixteenth century. Eighteenth century petticoats of wool or silk were often quilted for additional warmth and were worn with matching short gowns or jackets, which could be fashioned like a man's jacket with military details and trimmings. These ankle-length petticoats remained a rural fashion, especially in the UK, into the nineteenth century and are a part of Welsh national dress.

Elaborate, lacy petticoats were worn with elegant silk dresses in the eighteenth century in much of Europe and America, sometimes supported by whalebone frames.

In the early nineteenth century, dresses became narrower and simpler with much less lingerie. Then, following the popularity of the waltz then in the 1820s, full-skirted gowns with petticoats were revived in Europe and the United States. You find that by the mid nineteenth century, petticoats were worn over hoops, which were placed over other underwear, including a corset cover, a corset, and drawers. The popular novel Gone with the Wind provides considerable, detailed descriptions of these fashions. Upon watching it, one scene in the 1939 film adaptation with actress Vivien Leigh gives a good idea of the layers of petticoats and underwear that were worn in the 1860s.

The sheer weight of the clothing, along with the tightness of the corsets, sometimes caused women to faint. The voluminous, layered Victorian petticoats were fashionable in the eras when "full-bodied" was associated with health, wealth, and belonging to a higher class in the social structure, while "skinny" was associated with sickness, poverty, and belonging to a lower class.

Multiple petticoats continued to be popular until the 1870s, when the bustle was introduced, resulting in a return of narrower skirts. Some full-skirted gowns with petticoats were revived in the 1890s into the early twentieth century, but most women continued to wear relatively narrow skirts. The "Gibson Girl" look with white blouses and long, narrow skirts was very popular during the late nineteenth and early 20th-century.
Lately the full, tiered petticoat has made a small comeback in the alternative subcultures, especially the gothic and Lolita subculture. They have also been popular with some cross-dressers.
Although the traditional purpose for the petticoat is no longer in fashion, the general design has stayed the same with minor alterations including ripping and/or the usage of bright or generally non-traditional colors.

Petticoats also appear to be  making a comeback due to recent trends towards lavish weddings and grandiose bridal attire. Petticoats are commonly worn under bridal gowns with full skirts as a means of maintaining the gown's intended silhouette.

As well, people who dress in period costumes have begun wearing petticoats for a more authentic look.Indeed a number of websites offer a great variety of petticoats for sale, while other websites show historic and modern photographs of petticoats, often worn by models.

The everyday use of petticoats in the 1950s and early 1960s appears to have passed. In the 1970s during the height of the miniskirt era, petticoats were still worn and were very tiny.

Skirting around the issue

Oh my brain hurts from a migraine but here goes.
It's not often I talk much around gender identity at least in part  because I've known mine for eons so it's kinda old hat to me plus I got tired of snarky debates around who was really what what in various trans forums because to me I'm just that-me, being me. I mean, if it said girl on my birth certificate you wouldn't  care.
Also as a number of you have actually seen me for real, you know cos you sensed it, we didn't need to say anything.

Overlooking the wrong uniform colours, this could of been so easily me had at the age of ten had I had been allowed to wear a skirt to school and I still can't see what was so wrong with that idea. Gee, I always draw myself as girl back then, something the psychologists I saw for other issues did pick up on so why the heck not?
Ironically some schools from time to time attempt to ban skirts today!

A chilly start

Brr! This current weather is making me wish it was summer and I take a layer or two offer while taking in the sun with the rain and storm damage we've had so far into the new year. I don't know what gets into it but anyway I've been enjoying myself reading my annuals while it hasn't been good enough to go out much having had a few near misses as I lost my balance walking on the mogul like icy sidewalks here in the last few days.
You might recall I mentioned in the Christmas edition about sometimes getting the 'wrong' presents as in socks too big and scarcely me.

Well oversized boring  grey socks got replaced by smaller grey socks that are more girls socks a few days ago so at least we start the new year as I intend to: Being me.

Another 365 days in the World of Joanne_chan

Phew! Where did all that time go this year as it seems that so much happened, some of it unexpected so as we see the olde year out here's a few reflections on it.
First things first, I established my own Tumblr for odd random stuff , which surprisingly got quite a following for something that doesn't hide it's alg side, has lead to some interesting conversations and in its own way is breaking a few stereotypes down.
I also started the Pre-blog series of past memories from notes connected with being  trans and alg typed up very much 'as is' that are about things that lead to my later life and the Blog proper.
Thanks to every  at GT, Ik, FA and Tumblr for your support throughout the year.
Before I forget, I have updated the odd  "Favourite site" link, like Karla's too.
I enjoyed quite a bit of music this year aided by cheap re-issues of box sets, a number of good new specialty re-issues and thanks to the lower prices older specialty discs go for thanks to bad state of the economy, got a good number of otherwise too expensive titles by artists I liked issued many years ago.
Thanks to iTunes, I was able to get otherwise not available digitally UK Rolling Stones titles including on a number of them booklets in extremely good sound.
I visited a number of places this year, having a whale of a time, not least Llandudno where I drifted very much into my little side as well as giving me much needed rest from the stresses of home life.
Perhaps the biggest thing for me personally came at the end of the year where I presented for the first time to group of people not known in 'RL' whatever that is including those raised as female from birth, as my little girl self and they just accepted it without question. I was rather nervous about it - groan up trans sites often make a big meal out of 'passing' - but I just felt I belonged with them, carrying myself being able to engage freely as me. 
That for me was progress.
This leads me back to meeting with Jennifer and Susan locally, spending time with them plus Andi that lead up to the GHS Christmas party where I met so many others and their partners, none of which I'd of expected to have happened this time last year.
So in many ways it's been a momentous year that I feel sets the tone for this upcoming one, spending more time face to face with you, going on adventures and -gasp- having a life!
Here's to 2014.

Christmas 2013

For me Christmas started with waking up rather early in anticipation following the previous nights chat and actually being sat with Mommy for a brief period in the front room still in uniform watching a church service!
Having woken up I got dressed and fixed some breakfast before the start of present exchanging that I'll return to shortly and the inevitable nya's from my cat who really, really doesn't like having his routines turned upside down by human festivities.
By around 11:30 my younger brother and partner had arrived shortly followed by my older brother and male he lives with so I get my outstanding card giving sorted having decided after lunch would be better to deal with presents.
We went to the local Gastropub, the one The head girl of Lower 6th and First Former met me within spitting distance of for a meal cos Mom didn't feel like catering for everyone, something I quite agree with as she deserves a break from that having pre-booked both table and meal options. I declined a starter, finished off a Turkey platter with  vegetables  plus cranberry sauce  and a delightful Lemon Bell sweet with cream. Service was excellent with the only real negative being the boring boy toy talk at the table.
Getting back to presents, I presented mine upon our return which for the males of species was kinda easy to arrange as much as prefer carefully selecting something for an individual as they're kind of boring and with my brothers had gotten together to buy Mommy a new tv for her bedroom as her old one was, well old, and needed an external digital tv box to enable it receive anything.
I'm delighted to say a couple of ikky boy things of the wrong size and gender aside, most of my gifts were little and even distinctly LG for once.

Mommy excelled herself  this year with this Hello Kitty  face cloth and hand towel set which will be ideal for Camp.

Also she bought me a new and very girlie  pair of pull on fur lined slippers and some cute socks.  By the way that bell's kinda old and loud!
She also bought me one of three specialty cds  I had -a Gold cd of Crosby Stills and Nash (1977 aka "Boat Album") - the others are by Hall and Oates and the Doobie Bros
Inside the pile of parcels were the 2014 Beano, Dandy and Jacqueline Wilson annuals  plus a special 75th anniversary Christmas Beano special with reprints from the past in it including some stories I recall first time around!

Hurrah for Minnie The Minx and the Bash Street Kids!

Did you know there is a place in the Wolverhampton area where you can get a Desperate Dan Pie that is massive?

My copy has a poster included. Also included was Diamond, a new hardback novel by Jacqueline Wilson continuing the Hetty Feather story. I like her books loads.

There were copious quantities of chocolates too.
I had a new torch that doesn't use old type bulbs (It has nine L.E.D. things) from my Younger brother that is a good deal brighter from my old one useful for Camp and other occasions.
A pair of the wrong socks can easily be turned around into a pair of socks suitable for a school girl soon enough - done this morning actually - so while I'd rather that kinda stuff didn't happen, there's no point obsessing over it as you can deal with and anyway not everyone is fortunate to receive presents at all. Talking of which I also did get some more 'regulation' lingerie.
I went to have my nap just before evening meal as I was starting to feel flatlined - an unfortunate side effect of being pawley and then had a Beef salad and a home made Trifle.
Here endeth  my Christmas report, typed fully uniformed and advise the next scheduled edition will be within the last day or two of December.

The food edition

I don't know about you, but I think I almost ready for Christmas now having written the last card ever for this year and dealt with the present buying which is as well as it's been cold and windy for most of the week.
Yesterday Mommy made my tea and she come up with something really nice in lots of ways.

You somehow not feel like much before the big Christmas day dinner so she makes me Fish Fingers, peas and fries which is very yummy as these some of nicest ones you can buy and I liked them when I was younger too and my tastes aren't much more sophisticated today.
I mean I'd be happier eating from the children's menu as it has stuff I do like rather than stuff in sauces, on beds of this and that and so on and that's before we get to the too big for me portions even! We have Apple pie and ice cream after too so it doesn't just taste nice, it feels right too.
Before I forgets, the next post will be after Christmas so bye for now and Happy Christmas!