Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

FIRST! Watch out for counterfeits. They are all over the place. The fakes have flexible boxes rather than firm, sturdy boxes. The artwork is fuzzy and not as sharp as originals. The CDs are lighter to hold (just a bit) than the originals This is especially true on many Japanese issues whch were actually made in China. In one incident, some of the CDs were not able to play music on a standard USA CD player. So, be careful! FAST FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE! What is great about the original non-fake box set? *Album (CD) covers are Exact replicas of those issued in the UK *The CDs are replicas of the record labels issued in the UK * The CD covers are larger than normal size making them very easy to handle and easier to read and enjoy! * The booklet is large and full of info and photos * Also, the "Help" and "Rubber Soul" CDs include the additional 1965 original stereo mixes on them so that is very cool. * And please note that even though this is a USA Box set, ALL the CDs state that they were manufactured in Japan. That's actually a good thing. * The four Beatles songs from YELLOW SUBMARINE album which were not previously issued in Mono on CD ARE included on the Mono Past Masters CD in this box set. They are "It's All Too Much", "All Together Now", "Hey Bulldog" and "It's Only A Northern Song". * Wonderful, clear mono sound with special goodies like the Original Single Record version of "Help", the fast version of "She's Leaving Home" which is how Paul intended it to sound (By the way, when George Martin made his "Insightful Comments" on the "Making of the Pepper Album", he never talked about "She's Leaving Home" as he did not actually produce it in its entirety. Paul was upset with Martin's availability at the time and had someone else do the initial arrangments of the song. This fact is rarely discussed and it is still iritating to George Martin. **In overview, these CDs are great with excellent packaging that includes plenty of photos. But be careful Beatle People, it isn't worth more than $230.00 and people (Blue Meanies) are selling these sets for $400.00 on Ebay. Don't even fall for that. Stick with Amazon! It is by far your best buy! Looking Forward to the future CD release of the USA Issue of "A Hard Day's Night" which has some outstanding instrumental music on it by George Martin and His Orchestra i.e. "Ringo's Theme (This Boy)" and "And I Love Her". Those two songs actually charted on the Billboard 100 in 1964. And I actually bought the 45 record when it came out. I just thought it was so good! And being very young at the time ( and very ignorant), I actually thought that The Beatles played some of the instruments on these songs. I remember thinking "Man, are these guys talented" :) PS: Even though The White Album is interesting to listen to in Mono, the Stereo Issue is still sooo much better....cuz you can see that Paul really put some quality time in on his bass dubs. GENIUS! BRILLIANT! :)