ANTHOLOGY 2

Disc 1

Real Love ( John Lennon ) : The second 'new' Beatles song were the starter for this new double CD. Arguably better than 'Free As A Bird' but still I preferred the unedited version first heard on the soundtrack of John Lennon's Imagine movie. It's the simplicity of the song that's what makes it so appealing.

Yes It Is ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ): The B Side to 'Help!' was regarded by its writer as a horror and among his lesser work. It's definitely not his better song but still, under the banner of The Beatles, which I suspect is a giant magic mixer that managed to turn even unmelodic songs like this into something listenable..

I'm Down ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Paul McCartney trying to best Little Richards at his own game and he sure did. Only The Beatles can afford to throw away a gem like this onto a B Side. I actually preferred this version without the backing to the version first released. 

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : This version was quite identical to the original version except it don't have the flute. Quite a relevetion after having heard this song for the umpteen times.

If You've Got Trouble : ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Written for Ringo for the "Help!" album but eventually passed over in favour of 'Act Naturally'. Not a great track but still listenable.

That Means A Lot ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Yet another Lennon / McCartney original that was recorded but never released. It was given to P.J. Proby and The Beatles' version was never issused until now.. Can't say I am too thrilled by this number either.

Yesterday ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Always a pleasure to hear another version of 'Yesterday' and I would preferred this over the original any day 'cos of over exposure.

It's Only Love ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : One of my favorite tracks on the "Help!" album. This version is no less nicer.

I Feel Fine ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The Beatles performed six songs on the British television show Blackpool Night Out, four of them are featured here. Their performances are as close to the recorded version as they can.

Ticket To Ride ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : This was considered by John Lennon to be the first heavy metal but can heavy metal ever be so pleasing to the ear.

Yesterday ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : 'Yesterday' made its second appearance here. The beauty of this song is beginning to make its mark. Always nice to hear another version of this track which have been played to death.

Help ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The final track on this performance. The same can be said here. 'Help' is a fantastic song but due to over killed so I enjoyed this performance.

Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby ( Carl Perkins ) : A rare recording from their performance at the Shea Stadium.

Norwegian Wood [ This Bird Has Flown ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : A work in progress of one of their most beautiful composition. This version do not have the sitar but was added onto it in later mix. 

I'm Looking Through You : ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Another work in progress. This version do not have the bridging part. 'Why tell me why, do you not treat me right...?" Interesting to see the way the boys work.

12- Bar Original ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney / George Harrison / Ringo Starr ): An instrumental recording which was a first by The Beatles since their signing by George Martin. Sounds more as background or elevator music.

Tomorrow Never Knows ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : This last number and their most progressive yet from "Revolver" was recorded with Ringo's drumming as the domineering instrument.

Got To Get You Into My Life ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : One of my favorite tracks from "Revolver", this was clearly not a contender for the master. 

And Your Bird Can Sing ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Missing here are the lead guitar which was the main force of this tune. Constant giggling also discouraged any prospects of this becoming the master.

Taxman ( George Harrison ) : George's awesome album starter for "Revolver" which remained one of his finest offering as a Beatle. This is almost the same version as the one found in the finished track with the same  intro. Only different was the ending with the 'anybody got a bit of money' instead of the more familiar 'Mister Wilson, Mister Health" reference.

Eleanor Rigby [ Strings Only ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The instrumental only version of the song proper in "Revolver". Wasn't too much of a fan of this song but Paul did a sequence of sort called 'Eleanor's Dream' in his "Give My Regards To Boardstreet" album. Didn't care much for that one either.

I'm Only Sleeping [ Rehearsal ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Another favorite, this one is just a demo like version for the finished classic product.

I'm Only Sleeping [ Take 1 ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : This is more like it. One step closer to the finished product.

Rock And Roll Music ( Chuck Berry ) : For this number, The Beatles went back to their root. Originally found on their "Beatles For Sale" album, this was a live recording at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

She's A Woman ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The flip side of their 1964 Chritstmas No.1 'I Feel Fine' was given the same treatment.

Disc 2

Strawberry Fields Forever [ Demo Sequence ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : John alone in his room rehearsing his new song. Always a joy to listen to this earth shattering song and listening to it in its infancy state is a revelation experience indeed.

Strawberry Fields Forever [ Take 1 ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The musical backing here is considerably different from the finished version but the beauty of the melody is already intact.

Strawberry Fields Forever [ Take 7 & Edit Piece ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : This is nearer to the version that we've loved for so long except for the ending, which I suspected that they haven't yet decided what to do.

Penny Lane ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : For the uninitiated, this could be the original version. The only clear different was the horn section. I could easily slip this into one of their Greatest Hits  and nobody would be any wiser except for hard core fans like me.

A Day In The Life ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The monumental closing track to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" one of the if not THE greatest album ever recorded. Apart from the chattering during the intro, the vocal here is quite faithful to the original. And then there is the count in instead of the famous orchestral crescendos.

Good Morning, Good Morning ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : This is the straight forward version without the roster crowing and the back ground singing of 'Good Morning, Good Morning'. Strangely, I find this more appearing than the album proper version. A case of less is best.

Only A Northern Song ( George Harrison ) : Not one of The Beatles better known song, this George Harrison's composition sounded not much different from the original.

Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite ! [ Take 1 & 2 ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Another highlights from "Sgt. Pepper", this track have John Lennon famously incorporated a circle posters wholesale into the song.

Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite [ Take 7 ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Another takes of the same song.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The working of this song was a completed with John giving a guided vocal unlike the vocal that he gave in the finish product. A nice alternate version as oppose to the original that we have listened to so many times.

Within You, Without You [ Instrumental ] ( George Harrison ) : The instrumental version of this song is a wonderful experience indeed. Paul himself have said it 'Forget the lyrics, listen to the melody......'

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band [Reprise ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : This was recorded with Paul's tongue in cheek vocal as a guide without any prospect of it becoming the master.

You Know My Name [ Look Up The Number ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : A rare Lennon / McCartney number that only the hardcore would know. This is almost the original version with part and pieces mixes up.

I Am The Walrus ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Again this is quite identical to the original except for the instrumental part which were later added in. A prime cut from John that criminally ended on the B side of 'Hello, Goodbye'.

The Fool On The Hill [ Demo ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Paul's demo of this fine composition. though the lyrics are not fully flashed out, it does have a charm of its own.

Your Mother Should Know ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : The same with this song, with drums backing in the background. Sounds bared as compare to the complete version.

The Fool On The Hill [ Take 4 ] ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Yet another take of this song. Listening to it, it's clear that Paul still have yet to finalize the lyrics.

Hello, Goodbye ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : There's much different between this and the master except at the start of the song. This was also without much backing from the rest of the boys. I like to slip in a bit of this Beatles demos at the CD that I am burning for my friends just to baffled them. Something they find different just can't put a finger on them.

Lady Madonna ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : Another quite similar sounding version of the finished song except for the horn section. Non hardcore fans would probably not noticed.

Across The Universe ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : There are so many official versions of this songs that even I find it hard to tell the different. Anyway, this is yet another fine version of yet another outstanding song from the one and only John Lennon.