Beatles fans rush to purchase digitally remastered CDs

Wednesday 09th September, 01:33 PM JST

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chuckers at 10:23 AM JST - 10th September

amazon.co.jp has it for JPY 29,313.

Granted, at current exchange rates, you are better off buying it from the US Amazon site at $179 (JPY 16,468) and have it shipped over.
Even with shipping it would still be cheaper.

Still trying to figure out what is included and what isn't before I make the leap.
smartacus at 10:34 AM JST - 10th September

The758

I beg to differ with you. The Beatles are the greatest music group to date. I personally think that Lennon and McCartney were among the 20th century's best songwriters. Beatles music will still be listened to decades from now because of their rich harmony and ground-breaking electronic techniques.
Cicada at 10:52 AM JST - 10th September

Beatles music will still be listened to decades from now because of their rich harmony and ground-breaking electronic techniques.

By then there will be plenty of other rich ground-breaking stuff. Beatles are OK, but a lot of their lyrics are too goofy.
terebiko at 11:04 AM JST - 10th September

Odds are good that the Japanese versions have all of the booklets in Japanese, and lyrics included in both English and Japanese. That could partially account for the higher price. Another reason for a higher price is the simple fact that people in Japan will pay a higher price. When I bought CDs, oh so many moons ago, I rarely purchased US cds because I wanted the lyric booklets included in the Japanese cds. Now with the internet it is very easy to find lyrics. There were drawbacks. I remember buying an Eric Clapton best cd about 20 years ago and having a laugh while reading the lyrics. It was painfully obvious that they had paid someone to transcribe them. I especially remember the "I Shot The Sheriff" lyrics. Hilarious.
Noripinhead at 01:43 PM JST - 10th September

I might get Revolver, generally considered to be their best album. It was a quantum leap ahead for the Fab Four from their previous stuff.
JohnBecker at 01:26 AM JST - 11th September

Definitely Revolver and Rubber Soul. No need to replace the old CDs that I already have.

I happen to love the music, but even if you don't, you must admit that the Beatles did indeed change the world.
Pukey2 at 07:49 AM JST - 11th September

I can never understand why Japanese versions of CDs are so much more expensive than imported versions, which are already fairly pricey. Double the price for that extra booklet in Japanese? No, thank you.

Never really liked the Beatles' earlier stuff. Too girlie. But their later stuff was different.
memyselfI at 07:53 AM JST - 11th September

Alot of money to be made. Why can't they sell it cheaper Whhhhyyyy !!!!
aintgottimetobl at 02:44 PM JST - 11th September

and to 'rent' from Tsutaya will cost....
taiko666 at 03:52 PM JST - 11th September

cicada: you seem to be forgetting that the Beatles started out 50 years ago, yet are still causing this sort of excitement. Can you think of any current acts that will be doing the same in 2059?

It'd be interesting to hear this remastered stuff. Consider that their first hits were recorded live on two tracks, whereas at the end of their career (just 8 years later) they were using synths, 16 tracks and generally pushing the boundaries of music recording.
Nessie at 04:29 PM JST - 11th September

Revolver, generally considered to be their best album. It was a quantum leap ahead for the Fab Four from their previous stuff

Conventional wisdom:

Revolver - their artistic breakthrough Sgt. Peppers - their masterpiece Abbey Road - their swansong

Rubber Soul and the White Album get short shrift, but the former is totally solid and heralds Revolver, and the latter has some quirky gems that stand out from their catalog (Dear Prudence, Savoy Truffle, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Glass Onion, Happiness is a Warm Gun, I Will)
bdaniel08 at 05:44 PM JST - 11th September

One week ago a friend got it free from Vuze...a shame ! (?)
Noripinhead at 06:34 PM JST - 11th September

Changed my mind. If I had to pick one it would have to be A Hard Day's Night. Hit after hit and pure Beatlemania. Had enough of the so-called masterpieces, which are so cliche now. Getting back to basics.
kokuryu at 02:50 AM JST - 12th September

Sigh once again these CDs are just so highly priced.. I have wanted to add the Beatles CDs into my collection for the longest time, but something in me refuses to pay a premium for CDs anymore... I'll wait a few months - someone will sell their set on eBay or something dirt cheap - I'll get it then.
carlosgodoy1 at 03:09 PM JST - 13th September

The reason CD prices in Japan are so high is because their minimum price is regulated to keep the prices high by the J-gov. The extra tracks for Japan market are released just to justify the high prices as an incentive to buyers.