The Fab Four: Mono Only

A very important package arrived at our door this evening: The Beatles In Mono Box Set. If you are the type of person who leaves CDs on the floor of your car or use them occasionally as coasters, this is not the box set for you. If you are sold on stereo being the only way you'll ever listen to music, then this set is definitely not for you.

The set was created for the hard-core fan. It includes the first ten albums in re-mastered mono and a double album of singles and EPs, called "Mono Masters". What I love is that each disc looks like a miniature "33", complete with plastic anti-scratch sleeve, inner paper sleeve, original album cover, inserts and all original text. Now that is a great gimmick. It doesn't replace the actual joy of owning the collection on LP but it's a nice consolation prize and perhaps could make one less anxious at record conventions.