Anthology 1

The Beatles
 
Anthology 1 - Front cover Anthology 1 - Rear Cover
Anthology 1 - Front Cover Anthology 1 - Rear Cover
Anthology 1 - Inside Cover Anthology 1 - Inside Gatefold
Anthology 1 - Inside Cover Anthology 1 - Inside Gatefold

Label Apple
Catalogue No.'s PCSP 727 (Vinyl - Triple L.P.)
CDPCSP 727 (C.D. - Double)
Release date 21st November 1995
Total time 2 hours 2 minutes 58 seconds.
U.K. Album Chart Detail :
Entry Date :2nd December 1995
Highest Position :2
Weeks in Chart :10
Detail : At last, after years of shoddy repackaging of previously available material, and years of ignoring the fans pleas for the release of unreleased material ... here it is, The Beatles first official bootleg !

This Anthology set follows the Beatles chronologically from the birth of the Quarrymen, through to the end of 1964 ... except that it begins with "Free As A Bird". It contains previously unreleased versions by the Beatles (mostly in mono) from the archives of E.M.I., Polydor and Decca. Plus some live material from radio and T.V. broadcasts. It is augmented with a couple of interview segments that discuss the relevant times.

The producer and project leader was George Martin.

From 22nd May 1995 George Martin with occasional assistance from Paul, George and Ringo began to re-listen, and mix tracks intended for The Beatles Anthology albums.
George Martin said, "I am trying to tell the story of the Beatles lives in music, from the moment they met to the moment they split up in 1970. I have listened to everything we ever recorded together. Every take of every song. every track of every song, virtually everything that was ever committed to tape and labelled "Beatles". I have heard about 600 items in all"

Additional research was by Mark Lewisohn, a local man from Essex who is responsible for the two most essential books about the Beatles ... "The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions", and "The Complete Beatles Chronicle".

This release was a triple L.P. or on a double C.D. set with the cover design by Klaus Voorman.


Side 1

Track Composer Recording Information Time
Free As A Bird Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starr John piano demo recorded New York circa 1977. Mono recordings of this demo are available on a number of bootlegs, and normally run to about 3:25
Paul, George and Ringo took John's demo and enhanced the song from February 11th 1994 to the end of the month. These sessions take place at Paul's Mill studio's in Sussex.
4:23
"We were four guys, that's all" (Speech) John talking to Jann Wenner of "Rolling Stone" on 8th December 1970 in New York. 0:13
That'll Be The Day Allison-Holly-Petty Quarrymen recording of 1958.
John, Paul and George plus John Lowe (piano) and Colin Hanton (drums).
Anxious to hear how they sounded, the Quarrymen paid 17/6d to Percy Phillips (who had a small home studio), to create an acetate of their sound.
Paul has the one and only copy.
Paul had played a segment on T.V. in 1984 from which many bootlegs feature a snatch, but here we can hear this historic recording in full for the first time.

Paul's priceless acetate of "In Spite Of All The Danger" is 3 minutes 25 seconds long, unfortunately we have an edited version here.

2:07
In Spite Of All The Danger McCartney-Harrison 2:44
"Sometimes I'd Borrow" (Speech) Paul speaking to Mark Lewisohn 3rd November 1994 in London. 0:18
Hallelujah, I Love Her So Charles Early 1960, recorded at Paul's house,
featuring Stu Sutcliffe with John, Paul and George.
These tracks had been bootlegged from low quality tapes, but in early 1995 Liverpool welder Peter Hodgson found the source tape for these recordings. He made a private sale to Paul, who confirmed their authenticity, and here we hear them in better quality for the first time.
1:12
You'll Be Mine Lennon-McCartney 1:38
Cayenne McCartney 1:13
"First Of All" (Speech) 27th October 1962 - Paul speaking to Malcolm Threadgill during a hospital radio interview, recorded backstage at Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Cheshire. 0:16
My Bonnie Trad. arr. Sheridan 22 June 1961 - Recording session with Tony Sheridan on Lead vocal. George on lead guitar, Paul on bass and backing vocals, John rhythm guitar, Pete Best on drums.
This and the next two recordings are the least exciting tracks on this package, as they have been regularly released since 1964.
2:38
Ain't She Sweet Ager-Yellen 22 June 1961 - Recording session with Tony Sheridan, but this time John on lead vocal. George on lead guitar, Paul on bass and backing vocals, John rhythm guitar, Pete Best on drums. 2:12
Cry For A Shadow Harrison-Lennon 22 June 1961 - Recording session with Tony Sheridan, Beatles only instrumental. George on lead guitar, Paul on bass and backing vocals, John rhythm guitar, Pete Best on drums. 2:22

Side 2

Track Composer Recording Information Time
"Brian was a beautiful guy" (Speech) 25th October 1971 - John talking to David Wigg of the Daily Express and Radio 1. This interview was broadcast during November on "Scene And heard". 0:10
"I Secured Them" (Speech) 13th October 1964 - Brian Epstein reading an extract from his autobiography, "A Cellarfull Of Noise" for a planned album which was never completed. 0:18
Searchin' Leiber-Stoller 1st January 1962 - The Decca audition.
See the release detail of The Silver Beatles for more detail.
Three of these tracks have been issued many times, and all have been bootlegged, but the two Lennon-McCartney originals are heard here officially for the first time.
2:59
Three Cool Cats Leiber-Stoller 2:24
The Sheik Of Araby Smith-Wheeler-Snyder 1:41
Like Dreamers Do Lennon-McCartney 2:35
Hello Little Girl Lennon-McCartney 1:39
"Well, the recording test ..." (Speech) 13th October 1964 - Brian Epstein reading an extract from his autobiography, "A Cellarfull Of Noise" for a planned album which was never completed. 0:32
Besame Mucho Velazquez-Skylar 6th June 1962 - The Parlophone audition.
John, Paul and George ... with Pete Best on drums.
"Besame Mucho" has been heavily bootlegged over the years.
"Love Me Do" was recorded on three separate dates in 1962, and each time with a different drummer ! ... this version is a unique find having been thought lost, but located in 1994, even though it was made at the same session as "Besame Mucho".

The tape was allegedly found at the back of a cupboard by George Martin's wife, Judy.

2:36
Love Me Do Lennon-McCartney 2:31
How Do You Do It Murray 4th September 1962 - Take 2.
This track has been heavily bootlegged over the years.
1:56
Please Please Me Lennon-McCartney 11th September 1962 - initial take with Andy White on drums.
Another long lost take, found in 1994. This initial version is previously unheard.
The final song was remade 26th November with Ringo.
1:58

Side 3

Track Composer Recording Information Time
One After 909 Lennon-McCartney 5th March 1963 - Takes 3, 4 and 5 combined.
This features parts of the three takes mixed together, but they are available on bootlegs in complete form.
2:22
One After 909 Lennon-McCartney 5th March 1963 - Takes 4 and 5 edited into one master take. 2:54
Lend Me Your Comb Twomey-Wise-Weisman Live for the BBC show, "Pop Go The Beatles" - 16th July 1963.
Oddly omitted from the "Live at the B.B.C." album, this track was hinted at, as being saved for a single release.
Instead, it appears here officially for the first time, although it has been available on various bootlegs.
1:49
I'll Get You Lennon-McCartney Live on "Sunday Night at the London Palladium" - 13th October 1963.
It was this night, and this performance from where "Beatlemania" was first coined by the British press. So this is an historic inclusion.
2:08
"We were performers" (Speech) John talking to Jann Wenner of "Rolling Stone" on 8th December 1970 in New York. 0:12
I Saw Her Standing There Lennon-McCartney Live in Stockholm, Sweden - 24th October 1963.
This show has often been referred to as the Beatles finest recorded live performance, as the many bootlegs testify. These bootlegs contain seven songs in perfect quality, the two missing from this release being, "She Loves You" and "Twist And Shout" ... obviously omitted, because other versions are used on Side 4.
2:49
From Me To You Lennon-McCartney 2:05
Money Gordy-Bradford 2:52
You Really Got A Hold On Me Robinson 2:58
Roll Over Beethoven Berry 2:21

Side 4

Track Composer Recording Information Time
She Love's You Lennon-McCartney Live on "The Royal Command Performance" at The Prince of Wales theatre.
Recorded 4th November 1963, and broadcast on T.V. and radio on Sunday 10th November 1963.
Includes John's "Jewellery" comment, the complete performance is often bootlegged.

"Twist & Shout" has 0:27 of the house band theme following it (total track time 3:05)

2:49
Till There Was You Wilson 2:54
Twist And Shout Russell-Medley 2:38
This Boy Lennon-McCartney Live on the "Morecambe and Wise Show".
Although recorded at ATV's Elstree T.V. studio's on Monday 2nd December 1963, the 35 minute show was not broadcast until over four months later on Saturday 18th April 1964 (8.25 pm)
2:21
I Want To Hold Your Hand Lennon-McCartney 2:36
"Boys, what I was thinking ..." (Speech) 2:05
Moonlight Bay Madden-Wenrich 0:49
Can't Buy Me Love Lennon-McCartney 29th January 1964 - Take 2 (with guitar solo from take 1).
Four takes were made, with the final release being overdubs onto take 4.
The first two takes were in a slightly different style than the second more familiar two.
2:09

Side 5

Track Composer Recording Information Time
All My Loving Lennon-McCartney 9th February 1964 - Live on the "Ed Sullivan Show".
In front of a studio audience of just 728, this legendary performance set broadcasting history by being beamed to 23,240,000 homes, reaching an estimated 73 MILLION people.
Shown between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. (EST) the Beatles performed five songs, of which this was the first.
2:19
You Can't Do That Lennon-McCartney 25th February 1964 - Take 6.
The master version was take 9, this take is an attempt at the basic track, with John performing a guide vocal.
An unreleased out-take.
2:41
And I Love Her Lennon-McCartney 25th February 1964 - Take 2.
The song was re-made on 27th Feb. in a more gentle style, this take is a full group version two days earlier.
An unreleased out-take.
1:51
A Hard Day's Night Lennon-McCartney 16th April 1964 - Take 1.
The master version was take 9, this version has numerous vocal and instrumental variations, and is much bootlegged (although often it is incorrectly labelled as take 2)
2:41
I Wanna Be Your Man Lennon-McCartney Live for the ITV show, "Around The Beatles".
Recorded 19th April 1964, these are in stereo for the first time from the original 3-track tapes. The Beatles recorded these in advance of the T.V. show upon which they appeared miming to these versions. The show was taped in front of an audience on the evening of Tuesday 28th April, and networked on Wednesday 6th May 9:45 to 10:45 p.m.
"Boys" was NOT included in the broadcast, so this is heard here for the first time.
1:48
Long Tall Sally Johnson-Penniman-Blackwell 1:44
Boys Dixon-Farrell 1:49
Shout R.Isley-O.Isley-R.Isley 1:29
I'll Be Back Lennon-McCartney 1st June 1964 - Take 2.
The master version was take 16, this version is an example of the Beatles fondness of the waltz, being in 3/4 time.
1:13
I'll Be Back Lennon-McCartney 1st June 1964 - Take 3.
As you can hear from the previous take, the tempo has switched to the more familiar 4/4 time, which demonstrates how quickly the Beatles could adapt their ideas.
1:57

Side 6

Track Composer Recording Information Time
You Know What To Do Harrison 3rd June 1964 - Demo version without Ringo.
Ringo had been taken ill, and after John, Paul and George practised their stage set with temporary replacement Jimmy Nicol, they stayed on at Abbey Road and laid down three songs. These are NOT mentioned in Lewisohn's "Complete Recording Sessions", as the tape of this session had been mis-filed and lay un-discovered until 1993 when it was found by engineer Allan Rouse !
This first song is the only recording made of George's second composition, and was therefore unheard until this release.
1:57
No Reply Lennon-McCartney 3rd June 1964 - Demo version without Ringo.
See previous track for the background.
Another unheard demo recording.
1:45
Mr. Moonlight Johnson 14th August 1964 - Takes 1 & 4 combined.
The song was re-made two months later on 18th October, these original takes were not used.
2:46
Leave My Kitten Alone John-Turner-McDougal 14th August 1964 - Take 5.
Unreleased song recorded in 5 takes, which was left off of "Beatles For Sale".
2:52
No Reply Lennon-McCartney 30th September 1964 - Take 2.
The master version was take 8.
2:27
Eight Days A Week Lennon-McCartney 6th October 1964 - Takes 1, 2, and 4 combined.
The master version is take 13. These takes here demonstrate the different approaches to the intro.
1:25
Eight Days A Week Lennon-McCartney 6th October 1964 - Takes 5.
The master version is take 13, but here is a complete earlier take.
2:47
Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey Leiber-Stoller-Penniman 18th October 1964 - Take 2.
The master version was take 1. The version here could not compete with another classic Beatles one-take performance, and was unissued.
2:44



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