I'm Down with the Beatles Remasters

In an act of true kindness, and an acknowledgement of Rock Turtleneck's ever-growing influence as an industry mover and shaker, the folks at EMI/Capitol were kind enough to send me a 2-CD sampler of the remastered Beatles catalog.


As you probably know, The Beatles' studio oeuvre was meticulously remastered and re-released to much acclaim on 09.09.09. And with selections from all of their albums ranging from massive hits (“Eight Days a Week,” “Something”) to deep album cuts (“And Your Bird Can Sing,” “Long, Long, Long”) and killer 45 B-sides (“Rain”) the 09.09.09 Sampler would make a fine release on its own right. (Which is why copies are going for $100 or so on eBay.)

The new Beatles CDs sound warm and full. Listening to a track like “Things We Said Today” from A Hard Day’s Night, you get a sense of the Abbey Road studio where it was recorded. Unlike the 1987 CDs which sound relatively lifeless, with these you feel like you are there with the band. If you are fan of genius songs played and sung immaculately and with unbridled enthusiasm, they are definitely worth your while.

One of the benefits of a fresh remastering job is that you hear the songs with fresh ears. One I've been enjoying the most is "I'm Down," the hard-rocking B-side of "Help!" from 1965. Written as an homage to Paul's hero Little Richard, "I'm Down" is easily one of the band's most fun, underrated tunes. In fact, for years, I thought it was a cover and was rather shocked to learn it was a Lennon/McCartney composition. The remastered version, available on the Past Masters leftovers collection, really brings out the rockingness of the track. The guitars are crunchier and Ringo's drums swing harder.

Understandably, the Fabs were quite gear about playing "I'm Down" live; John Lennon famously went a little mad during the tune during one of their legendary Shea Stadium concerts, playing the Vox organ solo with his elbows:


In 1986, the Beastie Boys recorded a raunchy rap cover of "I'm Down," sampling John & George's cheeky background vocals. It was set to appear on their breakthrough LP Licensed to Ill, but Michael Jackson, who had just purchased the Beatles' catalog, put the kabosh on it. This was perhaps the only time Michael Jackson said no to boys.


To close the Rock Turtleneck show, here are The Beatles doing "I'm Down" in Japan in 1966, this time with George taking the solo on guitar. Notice how Paul McCartney's stage banter, where he points to his watch indicating it's time to go, is almost exactly the same as at Shea. He probably still does it today. Take it away, boys.