The Beatles Anthology Collection Returns in Lavish New Box Set
The legendary Beatles Anthology series, originally released in 1995, is receiving a comprehensive reissue treatment just in time for the restored television documentary's debut on Disney+. This ambitious project sees the three original Anthology albums, packed with demos and out-takes, meticulously remastered by Giles Martin, son of the band's original producer George Martin.
A Sprawling and Spasmodic Collection
This new Anthology Collection is a monumental undertaking, presenting 191 tracks across multiple formats. Available as a 12-LP vinyl box set priced at £310, an 8-CD set for £95, and digitally, the release is both fabulously detailed and, at times, overwhelming. Even the most devoted Beatles enthusiast might wonder if the archival barrel is being scraped, given the sheer volume of material.
The Fourth Album: The Crown Jewel for Collectors
The most significant addition to this reissue is a brand-new fourth album, featuring 13 previously unreleased session recordings. This disc is included in the lavish box sets but is also available as a more accessible standalone purchase. Fans can acquire it as a triple vinyl LP for £70 or a double CD for £23, making these new rarities available to a wider audience without the premium price tag.
The newly unveiled material offers a fascinating, fresh perspective on the band's iconic sound. It doesn't represent a radical departure but rather illuminates the creative process behind familiar classics. The collection spans the band's transformative five-year journey, opening with John Lennon's 1964 girl-group homage 'Tell Me Why' and concluding with a rollicking 1969 instrumental version of 'Hey Bulldog', dominated by Lennon's pounding piano.
Among the other highlights are intimate takes on Lennon-sung ballads like 'If I Fell' and 'In My Life', the latter missing its famous speeded-up baroque piano solo. A version of 'I've Just Seen A Face', sung by Paul McCartney, features such urgent acoustic guitar that Lennon jokingly suggested it belonged with UK skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.
The collection also delves into the band's later, more turbulent years. Listeners are treated to a live rehearsal of 'All You Need Is Love', a frenzied instrumental take on 'I Am The Walrus', and a hard-rocking 'Baby, You're A Rich Man' stripped of its studio effects. These tracks powerfully demonstrate that, whatever conflicts occurred outside the studio, The Beatles remained an unparalleled creative force once the recording tape began to roll.
