Even if you weren’t a fan of this animated movie released relatively near the end of the Fabs’ incredible run, these reconstituted soundtrack, dumping the orchestral instrumental filler for many of the classic tracks actually used in the film, is a great snapshot of the Beatles’ psychedelic period.
What’s really incredible, and somewhat maddening in it’s context, is hearing the remastered versions of these songs, including some from "Revolver," "Rubber Soul," "Sgt. Pepper," and "Magical Mystery Tour," alongside those written for this project, like "Hey Bulldog," "All Together Now," and "Only a Northern Song." Individually, they each beg the question as to why Capitol doesn’t get off its corporate fanny and release all of the Beatles’ albums, remastered from the original tapes (note to buyers out there: the remastered done in the late 80s is nowhere near the technological quality available today).
Still, it’s a lot of fun to have "Eleanor Rigby," "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "All You Need is Love," and "When I’m Sixty Four" sounding this good, on one record.
- Mark T. Gould
****1/2