FEATURE: Now, Then and Everywhere… The Final Beatles Song, and the Mix-Filled ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ Hits Collections

FEATURE:

 

 

Now, Then and Everywhere…

PHOTO CREDIT: Apple Corps Ltd.

 

The Final Beatles Song, and the Mix-Filled ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ Hits Collections

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THERE is a real treat…

 PHOTO CREDIT: Apple Corps Ltd.

in store for fans of The Beatles. Two in fact! So close to Christmas, news broke that the iconic ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ albums that compiles the best of the band from their start to end, is to be reissued fifty years after the original editions. With new mixes and extra tracks, I wonder how new fans of The Beatles will react. Those of us who grew up with these compilations and this was almost a first point of call had a distinct impression and arc regarding The Beatles and their music. With the extra tracks, young listeners will have a different view and narrative. Out on 10th November, here is the pre-order link. With various different format options alongside merchandise, it is a chance to explore a new version of the career-spanning collection from The Beatles. Before then, tomorrow (2nd November) as it happens, the ‘final’ song from the band, Now and Then, is released. With assistance from AI and support from Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, it is this finalisation of a John Lennon song. The fact that we get this a week before The Beatles’ ‘1962-1966’ (The Red Album) and ‘1967-1970’ (The Blue Album) collections with expanded tracklists is a real bonus! Here are some details from Variety:

“Although the material, apart from “Now and Then,” is all familiar, these aren’t just fresh playlists. All of the songs on these two collections that had not been previously remixed by Giles Martin for previous deluxe editions have gotten the full treatment now — adding up to a total of 36 brand-new remixes across audio formats: 30 on “1962-66” and six on “1967-70.” (Additionally, a Dolby Atmos release has its own new, immersive mixes of those same 36 tracks, plus another seven remixed for songs Martin had previously updated only in stereo.)

Collectors who say “I wanna hold my physical single” will be happy to know that “Now and Then” is getting a stand-alone release on vinyl, and even cassette, apart from its place as an addition to the reconfigured “1967-70” album. The newly completed track will come out on vinyl in four different 7-inch or 12-inch variants. It’s being described as a “double A-side single,” with the new stereo remix of the Fabs’ first single, “Love Me Do,” on the flip side. (Note, however, that some variants of the single and two hits collections will only be available via the Beatles’ own webstore.)

A 12-minute documentary about the making of “Now and Then” will premiere on Nov. 1. Written and directed by Oliver Murray, the mini-doc includes footage of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the late George Harrison, Sean Ono Lennon and Peter Jackson (whose technology was put to use in the track’s unique creation). A 34-second teaser for the mini-doc went up on YouTube today. Watch that trailer here:

Beatles fans have been curious about the credits for the “Now and Then” song, and those were released in full Thursday. As was previously known, the tune has its origins in a John Lennon solo demo from the ’70s that Yoko Ono made available when the surviving members decided to add fresh tracks to the “Anthology” collections in the mid-’90s. While Paul, George and Ringo finished “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” with producer Jeff Lynne at the time, they set aside “Now and Then,” in part because Lennon’s rough home-cassette vocal lacked the fidelity to easily mesh with what the other members were attempting to graft on two decades later.

IMAGE CREDIT: Apple Corps Ltd.

It was McCartney’s idea last year to re-approach “Now and Then” and pull a usable version of Lennon’s vocal using the same technology that’d been used to separate music or conversation from background noise for Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” documentary film. The new single has a telling credit for the New Zealand company WingNut Films Productions Ltd. for “source separation”; the press announcement notes that Jackson’s sound team was led by Emile de la Rey, who was charged with taking Lennon’s low-fi demo and setting his vocal apart from his piano and other noise.

Otherwise, most of the “Now and Then” credits read straightforwardly, leaving fans to figure out which parts were recorded in the ’70s, ’90s and 2022. McCartney and Giles Martin are credited as the producers, with an additional production credit for Lynne. Lennon and McCartney are credited with primary vocals; all four members are credited with background vocals, McCartney’s and Starr’s being new additions. Harrison, who died in 2001, has electric and acoustic guitar parts recorded in 1995 on the track — although a slide guitar solo that bears an unmistakable similarity to his trademark style was actually laid down by McCartney, “inspired by George,” during the 2022 sessions. McCartney also is credited with brand new bass, piano and electric harpsichord, and Starr’s drum playing is a fresh addition as well … and both get credit for playing shakers.

A new string arrangement was written for the song by McCartney, Martin and Ben Foster and overseen by McCartney at Capitol Studios in L.A. The press announcement says that “Paul and Giles also added one last, wonderfully subtle touch: backing vocals from the original recordings of ‘Here, There and Everywhere,’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Because,’ woven into the new song using the techniques perfected during the making of the ‘Love’ show and album.” Spike Stent mixed the McCartney/Martin production.

“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear,” McCartney said in a statement. “It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023 to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.” Added Starr, “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room, so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”

Olivia Harrison co-signed on the effort to revive the track. She said, “Back in 1995, after several days in the studio working on the track, George felt the technical issues with the demo were insurmountable and concluded that it was not possible to finish the track to a high enough standard. If he were here today, Dhani and I know he would have whole-heartedly joined Paul and Ringo in completing the recording of ‘Now and Then.’” Sean Ono Lennon added his imprimatur to the project, too, saying: “It was incredibly touching to hear them working together after all the years that Dad had been gone. It’s the last song my dad, Paul, George and Ringo got to make together. It’s like a time capsule and all feels very meant to be.”

What choices do collectors have in picking up “Now and Then” (and B-side “Love Me Do”) in stand-alone, physical form? Apart from its online digital release in both stereo and Dolby Atmos, retail outlets will be selling it in both 7-inch and 12-inch form on black vinyl, along with light blue and clear 7-inch variants. A cassette version is exclusive to the Beatles’ store. A blue-and-white marbled 7-inch was also announced as a Beatles webstore exclusive, although it will apparently be available at independent record stores too, as those retailers were solicited on the release Thursday morning.

The sleeve art for the single was designed by the noted artist Ed Ruscha.

As for the 2023 editions of the “1962-66” and “1967-70” albums, choices abound there, too. Retailers everywhere will offer both collections as separate two-CD or three-LP 180g black-vinyl sets. But if you want them bundled together in a slipcase, and/or want colored vinyl, those are limited to the Beatles’ store and described as limited editions. The webstore offers a four-CD set that bundles the two collections together in a slipcase. More tantalizingly, the Beatles’ store offers the “red” album on red vinyl and the “blue” one on, yes, blue — either individually or bundled together in a slipcase as a six-LP set. A bundled six-LP set on standard black vinyl in the slipcase is also exclusive to the Beatles’ store.

The track listings for the vinyl editions are in a different order than what appears on the CD and digital/streaming versions. In the case of the three-LP “1962-66” and “1967-70” sets, the first two records in the set follow exactly the same order of the sequence that appeared on the 1973 double albums, with the third LP devoted to all the material that has been added for 2023. Those who want to remember the song orders as they existed for 50 years will surely be pleased by that decision, while still getting the additional material. However, the editions that do not break things up by sides — that is, the digital and CD versions — dispense with that and present all the material in chronological order, with the fresh additions sprinkled in along the way instead of segregated.

In answer to the question that inevitably comes from many audiophile fans: No, there is no BluRay audio option; the Atmos mixes are not being issued on discs but are available for download or streaming.

Although the printed material is not expected to be as elaborate as what accompanied the “Sgt. Pepper,” White Album, “Abbey Road,” “Let It Be” and “Revolver” deluxe editions, the new red and blue hits editions will include new essays written by author John Harris.

Many fans had expected “Rubber Soul” to be next in what has become a mostly annual series of deluxe sets, if the Beatles were to start working backward from last year’s “Revolver.” But they’ll get an awfully good head start on that anticipated project via “1962-66,” since it includes brand new Giles Martin remixes of no fewer than seven of the 14 tracks from the original U.K. version of “Rubber Soul”: “Drive My Car,” “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” “Nowhere Man,” “Michelle,” “In My Life,” “If I Needed Someone” and “Girl.”

But Beatles fans will be at least as curious, when “1962-66” comes out Nov. 10, to hear what Martin has done with the rest of the material dating back even further. It’s long been considered a challenging task to make full-sounding new stereo mixes of early ’60s track that essentially glued together multiple vocal or instrumental parts on one of two channels. But Martin had said recently that he believed the time and the technology for that were at hand, mentioning the kind of separation that Jackson’s “Get Back” team had been able to pull off. Now fans will get a huge sampling, all at once, of just how effective those newly realized techniques are at making stereo (or immersive!) mixes that sound far less bizarre to the modern ear.

“Love Me Do” in Dolby Atmos: It’s about to be a thing.

While the lion’s share of the previously unheard Giles Martin stereo mixes will arrive with the “red” album, it’s surprising to see how many songs on “1967-70” had not yet been given the updated treatment till know — either selections from the “Magical Mystery Tour” soundtrack EP, or assorted non-album singles or B-sides. Those new remixes for songs from the later period include “Revolution,” “I Am the Walrus,” “Magical Mystery Tour,” “The Fool on the Hill,” “Hey Bulldog” and “Old Brown Shoe.”

Among the songs making their Atmos debut next month, meanwhile, are “All You Need Is Love,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Hello Goodbye,” “Hey Jude,” “Lady Madonna,” “The Ballad of John and Yoko” and this version of “Get Back”.

I was very pleased to talk with the amazing Roxanne de Bastion about Now and Then and The Beatles’ Red and Blue album expanded reissues. As a wonderful musician and massive fan of the band, it was insightful and interesting hearing what she had to say:

Hi Roxanne. I know you are a massive Beatles fan. Do you remember when they came into your life, and whether it was a particular album or song that caught you?

My love for The Beatles precedes my memory - but my mother tells me that it all started when she showed me the animated Yellow Submarine movie when I was four. Apparently I was so enthralled with the songs that I ran to my room, got my little Fisher-Price cassette recorder and asked if I could have the songs on that (how I knew about music pirating at that age, I do not know).

What it about The Beatles that especially captivates you? Their melodic and experimental sensibilities, the kinship between the four lads - or is it just the sheer quantity and variety of their catalogue?

There is no band that comes even close to achieving the depth and breadth of creativity, quality and historical significance as The Beatles, and I don’t think there ever will be. I mean, let’s not discount Taylor Swift, yet with all her genre hopping and record breaking…but she’s just one person - the fact that The Beatles featured three brilliant songwriters, each with their own interests and sensibilities, has a lot to do with their magic. It wasn’t one thing that captivated me, it was very much the whole package: the melodies, the harmonies, the lyrics, the visuals, etc. Ultimately, I fell in love with The Beatles at such an early age and they are such a constant in my life that to me, their music is my home.

“Perhaps rather predictably, I got very emotional watching the trailer. I cannot wait to hear it”

As a musician yourself, how important have they been regarding your journey and passion for music?

They are very much the foundation to my whole life, never mind my career. But it was certainly because of The Beatles (and John Lennon in particular) that I wanted to start writing my own songs. I spent hours in my room listening to their albums on loop and trying to sing the songs perfectly - emulating every breath and memorising every word. My favourite thing to do was sit in the kitchen and sing The Beatles together with my dad - he was usually Lennon, I was McCartney.

Their final song as a band, Now and Then, is out tomorrow (2nd November). How excited were you when you heard the news?! In terms of a ‘finale’, is this going to be a perfect way to wrap things up do you think?

A NEW BEATLES SONG!! Perhaps rather predictably, I got very emotional watching the trailer. I cannot wait to hear it. One of my favourite John Lennon songs, Real Love, was released posthumously, and so I have no doubt that there’s potential for Now and Then to be very special. As for wrapping things up, I somehow don’t think this will be the last treasure to be unearthed. The four Beatles created (and continue to create) so feverishly throughout their respective lives, I think we have many more decades of surprises, unfinished songs and unheard recordings to look forward to.

Of course, the ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ albums are being reissues and remixed. Were the original albums played when you were a child?

I spent much more time listening to the original albums and the BBC live album (which was an early favourite of mine, as it captured The Beatles’ electric live energy, their charm and their humour). I did own both on CD though and have a really strong memory of hearing We Can Work It Out for the first time. I remember being fascinated by the conversational tone of the lyrics (“Try to see things my way” is such an arresting opening line). I will forever associate that song with my dad explaining to me how clever it was that the time signature changed from a straight 4/4 to a waltz at the end of the chorus.

As a child, I was also fascinated by the Red and Blue album artwork. Firstly, I loved how they look down and straight into the camera. It somehow made it feel as though they were smiling down and looking directly at me. To my childlike eyes, they looked so much older on the Blue cover than they actually were at the time (beards are definitely deceiving!), so to me it seemed magic that they were photographed in exactly the same spot, almost as if they were time travellers. But they may as well have been - the Red and Blue albums are extraordinary evidence to just how much the band evolved musically and visually in the span of just a couple of years.

I like the fact this reissue is a more complete and comprehensive account of their early and later career. Are there extra songs - that were not on the originals - particularly important or standout when it comes to defining or redefining their importance and brilliance?

It’s interesting that the reissue includes some cover songs (Roll Over Beethoven and Twist and Shout), but I suppose interpreting Rhythm and Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll classics was an important part of their career and their development. I’m thrilled to see that the reissue features This Boy, which is just such a stunning example of their harmony work. It’s also one of my favourite Lennon vocal deliveries ever. I’m equally excited to see Harrison’s If I Needed Someone added to the Blue Reissue and, hey, if there’s a new mix of Tomorrow Never Knows, the song responsible for the sound of countless bands that followed, I’m here for it!

“Isn’t it just amazing that sentences such as “It has been a busy past few years for The Beatles” can be totally true in 2023?”

It has been a busy past few years for The Beatles. Quite a bit to see and listen to. Why do you think the band remain so important and in demand?! I think it is also great that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are still with us and get to actively have a say in this incredible music.

Isn’t it just amazing that sentences such as “It has been a busy past few years for The Beatles” can be totally true in 2023? If I could be at a Paul McCartney concert every day of my life (like, you know, eight days a week) I would! It’s incredible that he performs three hour sets with just as much showmanship, charm and musicality as he did half a century ago. I think the answer is simple: Great music is timeless. Every generation will discover them anew (I’m sure somewhere in the world there’s a wide-eyed four-year-old watching Yellow Submarine for the first time right now) and that’s a beautiful thing. The Beatles and all their songs about love and how it is all we need are well and truly immortal and that, in today’s world of doom-scrolling and twenty-four-hour news cycle, is a very comforting thought to me.

Finally, as look ahead to next year, people might ask what album will be reissued or remixed. What would you personally like to see come out? Maybe Rubber Soul or A Hard Day’s Night expanded reissues?

The film A Hard Day’s Night is so iconic, it would definitely be fun to see what’s in the vaults, both audio and visual - perhaps some kind of mixed-media re-release? I’m here for it all :)

The final link in this feature is an interview with Will Hodge. He is the Zine Editor for vinyl reissues Bandbox and a freelance music journalist with bylines for Rolling Stone, the Grammys, No Depression, and a variety of other publications. It was fascinating and wonderfully getting his views and impressions regarding two very important Beatles releases. It is quite a seismic moment. We will never get another Beatles song! There will be reissues and new releases in terms of their albums. I am not sure what studio album will get the remix and remaster treatment from Giles Martin (perhaps Rubber Soul). I love the sixth side of The Beatles’ ‘1962-1966’ (The Red Album) and ‘1967-1970’ reissues, as you get Then and Now plus Hey Bulldog. I think one of the criticism of the original red and blue selections is that stuff was omitted. Rather than it being an update of the originals, it looks more like an expanded greatest hits. Something for new fans to get, though diehards will also want to add these reissues to their collection. I think most eyes are on the new, final track from The Beatles. Whether it is going to be any good or up to expectations. Maybe one of the most hyped or important songs of this generation, we will hear a moment of history. Regardless of how the song comes out and how people react to it, this is a moment of history. The greatest band ever might have split up over fifty years ago, yet there is no shortage when it comes to the archives and new mixes of older material! That expansive reissue that is available in various formats together with the new single – available digitally and physically – gives us a nod to the past but also the future. What now for The Beatles’ music?! We will never get another track, though there are going to be many who want a studio album reissued or a new book. It will be exciting to see what arrives next year. It is clear, though, that this year has been an exciting and huge one…

FOR fans of The Beatles.

Sam Liddicott