UPDATE TO BELOW STORY......
In 1995 and '96, The Beatles made headlines with the release of their Anthology collection — a three-volume set of unreleased songs and outtakes presented in roughly chronological order.
It was supported by a three-part documentary on ABC in November of '95, which was expanded to eight episodes when released on VHS, LaserDisc and DVD, and a massive coffee-table book followed in 2000. Both the documentary and book featured John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr telling their own story, warts and all.
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the album has been remastered and expanded by Giles Martin, son of their producer George Martin, who curated the original collection. Set for release on November 21st, Anthology Collection contains 13 previously unreleased demos, session recordings and other rarities including never-heard versions of “In My Life,” “Nowhere Man,” “If I Fell,” “I’ve Just Seen a Face” and an unreleased rehearsal for the BBC broadcast of “All You Need Is Love” (full track list below). It also includes new mixes of the two John Lennon demos that Paul, George and Ringo finished for Anthology 1 and 2 — “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” — featuring Lennon's vocals being de-mixed. The “Free as a Bird” video has also been restored and it's out now on YouTube.
The reissue of Anthology now contains 191 tracks spread over eight CDs, 12 LPs and digitally. Both box sets include the original sleeve notes, and Anthology 4 includes track notes and an introduction compiled from 1996 interviews recorded with the late Derek Taylor, The Beatles’ close friend, adviser and publicist. The Beatles Store’s exclusive editions for both box sets add four 12-inch band photo art cards in a numbered envelope.
The documentary adds a ninth episode that includes unseen behind-the-scenes footage of Paul, George and Ringo coming together between 1994 and 1995 to work on Anthology and reflecting on their shared life as The Beatles. It will start streaming on Disney+ on November 26th. There is no physical release date.
And finally, The Beatles Anthology book "The 25th Anniversary Edition" will be published on October 14th. It has not been updated and will be published this time with a softcover.
Anthology Volume 4 track list:
- “I Saw Her Standing There” (Take 2)
- “Money (That’s What I Want”) (RM7 undubbed)
- “This Boy” (Takes 12 and 13) – Free as a Bird CD single (currently unavailable)
- “Tell Her Why” (Takes 4 and 5) – previously unreleased
- “If I Fell” (Take 11) – previously unreleased
- “Matchbox” (Take 1) – previously unreleased
- “Every Little Thing” (Takes 6 and 7) – previously unreleased
- “I Need You” (Take 1) – previously unreleased
- “I’ve Just Seen a Face” (Take 3) – previously unreleased
- “In My Life” (Take 1) – previously unreleased
- “Nowhere Man” (First Version – Take 2) – previously unreleased
- “Got to Get You Into My Life” (Second Version – unnumbered mix)
- “Love You Too” (Take 7)
- “Strawberry Fields Forever” (Take 26)
- “She’s Leaving Home” (Take 1 – Instrumental)
- “Baby, You’re a Rich Man” (Takes 11 and 12) – previously unreleased
- “All You Need Is Love” (Rehearsal for BBC broadcast) – previously unreleased
- “The Fool on the Hill” (Take 5 – Instrumental) – previously unreleased
- "I Am the Walrus” (Take 19 – Strings, brass, clarinet overdub) – previously unreleased
- “Hey Bulldog” (Take 4 – Instrumental) – previously unreleased
- "Goodnight” (Take 10 with a guitar part from Take 5)
- "While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (Third Version – Take 27)
- “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care” (Studio Jam)
- “Helter Skelter” (Second Version – Take 17)
- “I Will” (Take 29)
- “Can You Take Me Back” (Take 1)
- “Julia” (Two Rehearsals)
- “Get Back” (Take 8)
- “Octopus’s Garden’s” (Rehearsal)
- “Don’t Let Me Down” (First Rooftop Performance)
- “You Never Give Me Your Money” (Take 36)
- “Here Comes the Sun”(Take 9)
- “Something” (Take 39 – Instrumental – strings only)
- “Free as a Bird” (2025 Mix) – new mix
- “Real Love” (2025 Mix) – new mix
- “Now and Then”
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The Beatles are releasing Anthology 4, 30 years after Anthology 1, 2 and 3.
They're teasing the release with a post on social media that's captioned, "Let's Gooooo!!!!!"
In November 1995, and March and October 1996, they released the three-volume set, a collection of unreleased performances and outtakes presented in roughly chronological order.
It was supported by an three-part ABC-TV special in November of '95 as well as a massive coffee-table book.
The highlight of Anthology 1 and 2 were the two John Lennon demos that Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr completed -- "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love".