Is the Yellow Submarine Songtrack the BEST Beatles REMIX Album?

The 1999 Yellow Submarine Songtrack was the first Beatles material to be remixed from scratch. It was engineered by Abbey Road's then senior engineer, Peter Cobbin before Giles Martin came onto the scene. Widely regarded as being superior to the recent remixes, we find out how it's sound stand up 23 years later. We also compare the 'Sgt Pepper' remixes on this album with Giles Martin's 2017 effort and look forward to what the next remix project might be.

00:00 - Opener & titles.
1:01 - The original 1969 soundtrack album.
2:12 - Mono wasn't mono.
2:44 - U.K & U.S. cover differences.
3:35 - The EP idea re-surfaces.
4:25 - The 1999 cover redesign.
5:05 - The task of remixing - enter Peter Cobbin.
6:32 - Working with the original tapes.
7:56 - Paul, George & Ringo's reaction to the remixes.
8:12 - The album's release.
8:52 - The sound of the remixed tracks.
9:47 - Cobbin vs Giles Martin's Sgt. Pepper remixes.
12:41 - What Cobbin did next.
14:09 - The next Beatles remix project...
14:40 - Coming next.

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[David_Hirsh]

Well done Andrew, yet again. Your video intros are becoming almost as enjoyable as the content itself! This was your best one, yet. You've really stepped up the overall presentation. At this rate, soon you'll be doing hour-long documentary-style "deep dives" into various subjects that would truly benefit from an in-depth discussion of the type that you would excel at, and we would all benefit from.

Wait.... did I just give you a great idea? haha.

I couldn't help but take note of your comment about Apple providing you license to play Beatles tracks, or at the very least, snippets to help with pressing/mixing comparisons of various tracks and albums. It got me wondering if this was said offhandedly in jest, or if you've actually taken steps to see if this is possible! It would be pretty cool if they did. I'm sure you know that you can play short, 5-6 second-long bits without triggering the copyright police. But of course, it would be preferable to have Apple's blessing.

[franciscoop]

Come on Apple Corps, get Andrew that broadcast license approved for the channel - you can see from the quality of his work he's more than earned

[benedictweisser]

Good video! The late 90s Yellow Submarine helped resuscitate the song "Hey Bulldog, " which has grown in estimation over the past twenty years and now has its place in The Beatles' canon as a rocker of the first rank.

[BeatleBradley]

100%. This release contains what should be regarded as the hands-down definitive mix of “Hey Bulldog.”

[greeneyedmonster]

since this album came out, I had no intention of buying it. I figured I already had all these songs, there was really no reason. But since watching this video when it first came out, I put buying it on my list. Took me a long time, but I eventually picked up a copy yesterday. I popped the CD into my car stereo, and my jaw hit the floor from the very start. The vocals for one are incredibly clear, not at all buried into the mix, and it's an absolute revelation. I'm amazed that with all the technology Giles Martin currently has that this was made without any of that tech. Just amazing, and very worth having. Thanks for posting this video, otherwise I may never have took the chance!

[michaelharrington]

I believe the next remixes will be the 60th Anniversary of Please Please Me and With the Beatles in 2023. It's time for those early albums to receive proper stereo mixes. Giles Martin was also very impressed at Peter Jackson's software that would allow them to completely separate voices and instruments on an audio track. That exactly what they need to do remixes of the early 2 and 4 track recordings.
The Beatles didn't do a bunch of outtakes, orvextra tracks back then, so I doubt there will be any deluxe editions? The Beatles also released 2 albums a year, and singles throughout the year, so they might just release the remixed albums together?
Those first 7 albums are the ones that could benefit most from a true stereo remix. I hope it starts with those first 2 next year?

[pethel]

Songtrack is really good! The remixes should have been done to all Beatles’ tracks in this way.

[ginghamt.c.]

I think the album is the best sounding in the Beatles catalogue, warm and rich and has a wonderful seperation of sound. I'm convinced Eleanor Rigby is the way it is to seperate out the track and allow the vocals and strings to breath, rather than sounding out of sync, it instead just sounds imposing and triumphal. With the vocals at last moved to centre as well, it's a massive improvement on all previous stereo mixes and for me the standout remix on Yellow Sub Songtrack, all of which are superb.

[robertbritton]

The Yellow Submarine Songtrack is an excellent addition to The Beatles' albums, and my vinyl copy has been added to my 2009 Stereo box set.. The original YS album is stored in my 2009 Mono box set. Listening to George Martin's Side 2, is well worth a listen periodically.

[joelwright]

I bought the CD of the Yellow Submarine songtrack when it was first released in the US. It was a revelation. I had never heard The Beatles sound so good on a recording. And at that time I owned all of their CDs that had first been released in the late ‘80s. But this sounded so much better. And I love the album cover artwork.

[stevedundee]

Yellow Submarine has always been the album at the very back of my Beatles collection, gathering dust. Your vid has inspired me to give it a spin after many many years. And now I'm curious to listen to the modern remix. That yellow vinyl looks gorgeous. Thanks Andrew 👍

[allisons]

The Songtrack showed us all what the Beatles COULD sound like.

[StanKindly]

The whole Yellow Submarine project was a masterpiece and again showed how The Beatles were a center of creative gravity - bringing together just the right people in every area. Amazing too how it was done so quickly.
I saw it first run in a packed theatre and the people were reacting with emotions (reminiscent of Beatlemania) as I'd ever experienced at a film.

[craigphillips]

The Yellow Submarine SongTrack is the reason why I have been so gravely disappointed in the remixes by Giles Martin, which are sometimes brilliant, but for the most part leave me completely frustrated. Every time I hear the SongTrack, I am left with the feeling, 'oh what could have been.'

[DougMcDave]

I'm so glad I have this album! You have just reinvigorated my interest in this CD. It's better than I remembered!

[syater]

I bought the "Songtrack" when it was released primarily because it had Beatles' songs from the film. But I was surprised and amazed how much better the song mixes were. I immediately thought "they really have to give this treatment to the rest of the Beatles albums." It really was an eye-opener (or ear-opener) at the time. I'm definitely anticipating a remix of Revolver.

[greeneyedmonster]

I really hope Apple would grant you the license cause your channel is absolutely stellar, and how you shine a light on the unsung heroes of The Beatles music, namely the technicians. Great video, as always!

[paulpietromonaco]

Hi Andrew - well done as usual! It is worth noting that this is not the only Beatles (or more correctly Beatles-adjacent) remix project Peter Cobbin was associated with. He also did the 2000-era remixes of some of the John Lennon catalog under the supervision of Yoko Ono. They're slightly out of favor now, after the 2010 re-masterings and subsequent "Ultimate Mixes", but I remember how clear sounding the remix of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was, and the true stereo mixing of all of the Imagine album. He's also credited with the Mind Games and Rock & Roll remixes - which I still need to track down.

As for the Yellow Submarine Songtrack, I remember getting the CD and being blown away by the clarity of the instruments. Using the pre-bounce elements of the tracks made a big difference to me. There's an article in Mix Magazine where Peter describes how careful he was to use as much of the Abbey Road original tech - echo chambers, Fairchild limiters, etc. - as possible to keep it sounding accurate. I still enjoy this album today!

[jimc]

I really liked this new version of Yellow Submarine released in 1999. In fact this version is my “go to” and has replaced the original 1969 version in my collection. Stay away from the digipack version release in 2012. Brickwalled and compressed to increase loudness.

[matipedia_]

I had heard Eleanor Rigby several times and I thought that from some release on the stereo was "fixed". I didn't look too much into it. With this video I now realize that the Yellow Submarine Songtrack is not just some mere compilation album but way more special. I ran to get my copy! Thanks for the review.