Beatles Remasters get the Doctor’s approval

For a number of years now, a Beatles fan who calls himself “Dr Ebbett” has been dedicated to improve upon the official Beatles CD releases by recording so-called “needle-drops”, sound from original vinyl records, tweaking them, removing hiss and pops and distributing these recordings among collectors on CD’s. Collectors have sent him their rare vinyl pressings, because they wanted them transferred on to CD’s. His CD releases have won a lot of praise from Beatles aficionados, because the sound of the songs on these CD’s has been better than the official CD releases. The “Dr Ebbett” CD’s have been widely spread among collectors by mail and through internet download sites (often, these CD’s are noted as “DESS” CD’s, DESS being short for Dr Ebbett’s Sound System). A while ago, the “doctor” posted a mass mailer to his acquaintances, telling them that he i going to quit doing what he has been doing, for one reason. He has heard The Beatles’ new remasters. Here’s part of what he had to say: 

There has been considerable buzz surrounding the new Beatles remasters, due for release in September. There should be. We have all been waiting for this day, and it is about to arrive – finally! Thanks to a long-time supporter and friend to this project, I have had the opportunity to hear genuine samples of the new remasters due out in two months.
They are good. Very good. Those of you who will be buying them – and those of you who have already preordered – will not be disappointed. In fact, I will venture to guess than many of you will be more than pleasantly surprised at how good they sound.  And with what promises to be outstanding packaging all around, it will be a collector’s nirvana.

He went on to explain that his credo had been to make his CD edition until EMI did the right thing and released remasters to be proud of. He says the only reason he did this was because Apple/EMI/Capitol would not – and because he so very much loves the Beatles.

He explains that because EMI/Capitol began their release of the American LPs on compact disc a few years ago, and now EMI has tackled the British catalogue in fullest detail, his work is no longer called for. He has come to the realization that the Dr. Ebbett’s material does not – and will not – sound better than what is coming commercially in September. People he trusts agrees with him.

The remasters sound remarkably well balanced, with solid, punchy bass, smooth mids and not-to-harsh, yet crisp highs. In comparison, many of the Ebbetts masters fall short – weaker bass, dimished mids, and often too-bright highs.

Well, there we have it, a doctor’s recommendation. And the countdown continues…