The Beatles - Anthology 4??

[FORD]

It's been about 30 years since the Beatles opened the vaults and released the three double CD "Anthology" volumes, featuring alternate versions of songs you already knew, other songs previously unknown, assorted live performances, and of course the two John Lennon "home demos" from the late 70s which were converted into full band performances by the other three Beatles (unfortunately with Jeff Lynne production making them sound more like Travelling Willburys outtakes)

In the decades since, there have been "super deluxe remasters" of many of the Beatles albums, and most recently, the AI-assisted completion of "Now and Then", the third song to originate from Lennon's late 70s demo tape. Hard to imagine what could be left in the Beatles vault to compile another 2 CDs or 3 LPs worth of music. Maybe we will finally see that 24 minute version of "Helter Skelter" or the long rumored song "Carnival of Light", which (to my knowledge) hasn't even circulated as a bootleg yet?

Currently the Beatles website has this graphic on the front page.....



The "canvas" is identical to the one used on the artwork of the Anthology albums, and the number "4" pretty much implies the release of a new volume to add to this collection.

And then there's this.....



That photo hasn't been "authenticated" yet, but if it's fake, it's not a bad job.

As the message on the beatles.com says.... stay tuned.

[FORD]

Now it's official... there's definitely a "4"

[FORD]

Seems they did a reboot of "Free As A Bird" using the same technolology they used on "Now and Then" last year. John's vocals sound much better on this version. Think the harmony vocals and guitars are a little "clearer" than the 1995 version too

I'm guessing "Real Love" will get the same treatment.

[FORD]

ANTHOLOGY 4
CD Disc One:
1: I Saw Her Standing There (Take 2)
2: Money (That’s What I Want) (RM7 undubbed)
3: This Boy (Takes 12 and 13)
4: Tell Me Why (Takes 4 and 5)
5: If I Fell (Take 11)
6: Matchbox (Take 1)
7: Every Little Thing (Takes 6 and 7)
8: I Need You (Take 1)
9: I’ve Just Seen A Face (Take 3)
10: In My Life (Take 1)
11: Nowhere Man (First version – Take 2)
12: Got To Get You Into My Life (Second version – unnumbered mix)
13: Love You To (Take 7)
14: Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 26)
15: She’s Leaving Home (Take 1 – instrumental)
16: Baby, You’re A Rich Man (Takes 11 and 12)
17: All You Need Is Love (Rehearsal for BBC broadcast)
18: The Fool On The Hill (Take 5 – Instrumental)
19: I Am The Walrus (Take 19 – strings, brass, clarinet overdub)

CD Disc Two:
1: Hey Bulldog (Take 4 – instrumental)
2: Good Night (Take 10 with a guitar part from Take 5)
3: While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Third Version – Take 27)
4: (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care (Studio jam)
5: Helter Skelter (Second version – Take 17)
6: I Will (Take 29)
7: Can You Take Me Back? (Take 1)
8: Julia (Two rehearsals)
9: Get Back (Take 8)
10: Octopus's Garden (Rehearsal)
11: Don't Let Me Down (First rooftop performance)
12: You Never Give Me Your Money (Take 36)
13: Here Comes The Sun (Take 9)
14: Something (Take 39 – instrumental – strings only)
15: Free As A Bird (2025 mix)
16: Real Love (2025 mix)
17: Now And Then

Well, with 17 tracks on the second disc, I'm guessing the "Helter Skelter" included here is NOT the "holy grail" 27 minute version. And no sign of "Carnival of Light" either? Would have been more interesting than instrumental takes, mostly featuring unknown string musicians hired by George Martin.

[Mushroom]

It’s as if the Beatles and the Stones are still competing. But now it’s about scraping the bottom of the barrel.

[Terry]

It’s as if the Beatles and the Stones are still competing. But now it’s about scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Reading the song selections, it's all ...like, alternate takes or new mixes. One of them was Take 10 with guitar from Take 5.

Beyond bonkers.

I recall a reviewer maybe 15 or so years ago talking about some new box set that had original and new mixes of an album, and saying as if one listening to it through earbuds could tell the difference anyway re: remixes.

Finally, the long-sought 26th take of Strawberry Fields Forever!

Maybe I'm not enough of a 'real' or 'proper' Beatle fan to appreciate this treasure trove, but if I do want to listen to The Beatles I'm more than fine with listening to the original recordings.

[Mushroom]

Yeah, this one, I just can't. I have the original anthologies, BBC radio broadcasts, and everything else ad nauseam. Even the CD remasters of the British versions in miniature LP sleeves. I think I'm done.

[Terry]

Yeah, this one, I just can't. I have the original anthologies, BBC radio broadcasts, and everything else ad nauseam. Even the CD remasters of the British versions in miniature LP sleeves. I think I'm done.

I mean, I understand really, really, REALLY liking a particular band or solo recording artist.

I really, really, REALLY liked Van Halen. I bought the 6-pack once on vinyl. Then on cassette. Then on cd.

The 6 pack cds I bought, many of which were versions that were released late into the 1990's ...I mean, if I have the urge now to listen to any of those albums on cd, those late-1990's versions will be just fine. I'm not gonna feel like I'm missing out since I don't have the latest/most recent official WB cd releases.

Shit, I already bought the same 6 Van Halen albums in three different formats: I think I've paid enough, ya know?

Now, granted, those three formats were all the same album with no extras, or alternate takes or demos or whatever. But even so, does any Beatle fan NEED this Anthology 4? If they never hear Take 9 of Here Comes The Sun will that make them appreciate the originally released recorded version less? Anthology 4 feels less like fan appreciation and more like compulsion.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch my 4k UHD blu ray of Halloween 2 (1981). Yeah, I had it on vhs, and three different dvd releases of it (and a pirated copy of a 1980's Japanese laserdisk version) and a regular blu ray version of it, but CLEARLY my life wasn't going to be complete without that 4k UHD version of it.

Beatles fans. What a bunch of obsessive weirdos.

[FORD]

Geezus, Paul. Turn the reverb down a little!

[FORD]