Description
SKU/Barcode: 724383444823
As expected, the second installment of the Anthology series reflects the Beatles' increasing use of the studio-as-laboratory during their 'middle years.' Some live material from 1965 to 1966 appears on the first disc, and the second 'reunion' single ('Real Love') leads off the set. But the emphasis is upon alternate takes from early 1965 to early 1968, during which time the group rapidly evolved from post-Merseybeat through folk-rock to psychedelia. As with the first volume, this is nearly always interesting but perhaps thinner on revelations than some might expect. The Help!-era outtakes 'If You've Got Troubles' and 'That Means a Lot' are on the light side but very fun, especially the latter, which Paul and the group perform much better than P.J. Proby (who covered the song shortly afterward). Some of the alternate takes are extremely different and excellent performances on their own merits: the funkier version of 'I'm Looking Through You' and the less mellow arrangement of 'Norwegian Wood,' a wall-of-drugs reverb for 'Tomorrow Never Knows,' a very Byrds-like approach to 'And Your Bird Can Sing' (with giggle-laden vocals), and an acoustic demo of 'Fool on the Hill.' The earlier, much more acoustic version of 'Strawberry Fields Forever' is the most notable gem. On the other hand, much of the material differs from the official cuts in fairly minute gradations and will be of greater interest to scholars than general listeners (although discoveries like a different solo on 'Penny Lane' are fascinating). The seven live tracks on disc one, from the waning days of Beatlemania, are better than many would have assumed, showing the group still capable of generating heat on-stage.
1. Real Love
2. Yes It Is
3. Im Down
4. Youve Got To Hide Your Love Away
5. If Youve Got Trouble
6. That Means A Lot
7. Yesterday
8. Its Only Love
9. I Feel Fine
10. Ticket To Ride
11. Yesterday
12. Help!
13. Everybodys Trying To Be My Baby
14. Norwegian Wood This Bird Has Flown
15. Im Looking Through You
16. 12 Bar Original
17. Tomorrow Never Knows
18. Got To Get You Into My Life
19. And Your Bird Can Sing
20. Taxman
21. Eleanor Rigby Strings Only
22. Im Only Sleeping Reheasal
23. Im Only Sleeping Take 1
24. Rock And Roll Music
25. Shes A Woman
26. Strawberry Fields Forever Demo Sequence
27. Strawberry Fields Forever Take 1
28. Strawberry Fields Forever Take 7 & Edit Piece
29. Penny Lane
30. A Day In The Life
31. Good Morning Good Morning
32. Only A Northern Song
33. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! Takes 1 And 2
34. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! Take 7
35. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
36. Within You Without You Instrumental
37. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts