Beatles Unsurpassed Masters Series

Overview: First appearing in 1990, Yellow Dog’s CD series “Unsurpassed Masters” was manna for Beatles collectors old, new & future. Near master tape quality & sounding much, much better than the Parlophone / Capitol official CDs on the market & one of the best places to hear ( at the time ) officially unreleased tracks for the Beatles cannon. Allegedly correlated from tapes once owned by British DJ Roger Scott from EMI tape archivist Roger Barrett & firstly partly bootlegged by Swingin’ Pig Records from Germany, Yellow Dog, another European label & one that had been producing high quality vinyl Beatlegs for a number of years, managed to serve up a glut of tapes & joined the CD revolution. Where as many earlier Beatlegs were BBC sessions marketed as the same or, shorn of their chatter & interviews, released as “Unreleased Studio Sessions” these were the real things. The initial issue of his CD was fraught with problems – released in the U.S. on two different labels ( possibly to deflect customs from picking up on a lead on one particular label ) as Yellow Dog on the East Coast & Sphinx in the West, the CDs were mastered with one channel wiped out so while the tracks could be heard through both speakers then, for instance, the vocal track may have been eliminated but the musical track would be heard intact but in mono making these expensive karaoke disks at best ( a theme Yellow Dog would later come back to on their Beatles & Rolling Stones “Karaoke” CD which may have been one of their worst ideas but when dealing with a Beatles market money is king & anything should have been tried once .. ) this was later rectified & the CDs were re – issued in full, dynamic stereo again in their pseudonyms over each coast. A collection of various studio takes comprising edit pieces, different tracks & remakes from the original versions.

While once it may have been the top of it’s field then many more upgrades have come along & surpassed this ‘Unsurpassed Master’ but i intend this review to be a track by track analysis of this classic bootleg & one that paved the way for the bulk of the better Beatlegs that can be found today. Source: https://classicrockreview.wordpress.com/category/the-beatles-unsurpassed-masters-vol-1/

Wiki: In 1981, in-house engineer John Barrett was given the task of cataloguing the complete collection of tapes from the band's seven-year career with EMI. This led to two projects: a public audio-visual presentation at Abbey Road Studios called The Beatles Live at Abbey Road (which opened on 18 July 1983) and a planned outtakes album which was to be called Sessions. In addition to some of the songs included on the previously leaked compilation tape, Sessions added "Not Guilty", "What's the New Mary Jane", "How Do You Do It?", "Bésame Mucho", "Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (demo), and early takes of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" and "I'm Looking Through You".[34] Shortly before the album's scheduled 1985 release, it was vetoed by the surviving members of the band; but both audience recordings of the Abbey Road presentation and the leaked promos of Sessions became available to bootleggers. These songs appeared on bootleg series such as Ultra-Rare Trax and Unsurpassed Masters, along with other material presumably copied while preparing these projects. Most of the aforementioned tracks were officially released on the Anthology albums in 1995 and 1996.


Unsurpassed Masters vol. 1

The first in the most recognized series of Beatles bootlegs ever, Unsurpassed Masters vol. 1 was mastered incorrectly in its first run and the stereo and cues were wrong. Tracks are from 1962-1963 recording sessions.

1. Besame Mucho
   Features Pete Best on drums, from their first Abbey Road recording sessions. Unknown take recorded on June 6, 1962.
2. How Do You Do It
   Take 2 recorded on September 4, 1962
3. There’s A Place
   Takes 5 and 6, both false starts, recorded on February 11, 1963
4. I Saw Her Standing There
   Takes 6-9 recorded on February 11, 1963
5. Do You Want To Know A Secret
   Take 8 recorded on February 11, 1963
6. A Taste Of Honey
   Take 6, featuring a vocal overdub on take 5, recorded on February 11, 1963
7. There’s A Place
   Takes 12 and 13 recorded on February 11, 1963
8. I Saw Her Standing There
   Takes 11 and 12, featuring handclapping overdubbed onto take 9, recorded on February 11, 1963
9. Misery
   Takes 2-6 recorded on February 11, 1963
10. From Me To You
    Takes 1 and 2 recorded on March 5, 1963
11. From Me To You
    Takes 8-13 featuring some edit piece overdubs, recorded on March 5, 1963
12. Thank You Girl
    Takes 2-4 recorded on March 5, 1963
13. Thank You Girl
    Takes 7-13 featuring some drum overdubs, recorded on March 5, 1963
14. One After 909
    Reversed stereo takes 1 and 2, recorded on September 11, 1963
15. Hold Me Tight
    Takes 22-24, recorded on September 12, 1963
16. Don’t Bother Me
    Takes 11-13 featuring some harmonica overdubs onto take 10, recorded on September 12, 1963

Release history

• Yellow Dog YD001
  
  You can listen to this collection here:
  https://archive.org/details/beatlesunsurpassedmasters1
  

Unsurpassed Masters vol. 2

Demo, outtake, and remix recordings from the prolific 1964-1965 sessions, featuring 3 songs recorded for Rubber Soul but unissued.

1. A Hard Day’s Night
   Takes 6 and 7 recorded on April 16, 1964
2. Leave My Kitten Alone
   Take 5 recorded on August 14, 1964
3. She’s A Woman
   Take 7 with an extended jam session, recorded on October 8, 1964
4. I Feel Fine
   Stereo reversed takes 6 and 7 recorded on October 18, 1964
5. Yes It Is
   Stereo reversed takes 1 and 2 recorded on February 16, 1965
6. If You’ve Got Trouble
   Stereo reversed, unedited take 1 mix, recorded February 18, 1965
7. That Means A Lot
   Take 1 recorded on February 20, 1965
8. Help!
   Stereo reversed takes 1, 2,and 5 recorded on April 13, 1965
9. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
   Take 1 recorded on October 12, 1965
10. Day Tripper
    Takes 1-3 recorded on October 16, 1965
11. We Can Work It Out
    Takes 1 and 2 recorded on October 20, 1965
12. 12-Bar Original
    Take 2 recorded on November 4, 1965
13. I’m Looking Through You
    Take 1 with no chorus and all instruments and vocals on a single track, recorded on October 24, 1965

Release history

• Yellow Dog YD002
  
  You can listen to this collection here:
  https://archive.org/details/beatlesunsurpassedmasters2
  

Unsurpassed Masters vol. 3

Featuring a cover photo from the ‘Our World’ broadcast, Vol. 3 features demos, outtakes, and rarities from 1966 and 1967.

1. Paperback Writer
   Take one with no vocals (and a slide guitar solo where the vocals should be) which breaks down after the first verse, recorded on April 13, 1966, couple with take 2 featuring incomplete vocals.
2. Rain
   Mostly instrumental take 7, recorded on April 14, 1966.
3. Tomorrow Never Knows
   Listed incorrectly in the linear notes as “Mark 1”, but is just a poorly transcribed take 3. Recorded on April 6, 1966.
4. Strawberry Fields Forever
   Stereo mix of take 1 recorded on November 24, 1966.
5. Strawberry Fields Forever
   Takes 2-4, showing the evolution from light to rough as used on the eventual master, recorded on November 28, 1966.
6. Strawberry Fields Forever
   Takes 5-7, recorded on November 29, 1966.
7. Strawberry Fields Forever
   Remix of take 25, featuring an orchestral overdub, some ‘cranberry sauce’ chatter, and a drum solo onto a mix of takes 15 and 24, recorded on December 9, 1966.
8. Strawberry Fields Forever
   Take 26 featuring further overdubs onto take 25, recorded on December 15, 1966.
9. A Day In The Life
   Three failed remixes of takes 4 (a reduction mixed into takes 5, 6, and 7) and takes 5-7. Recorded on January 20, 1967.
10. All You Need Is Love
    Takes 57 and 58 from the ‘Our World’ broadcast with some studion chatter by Mal Evans and audience noise. Recorded on June 25, 1967.
11. I Am The Walrus
    Take 9, a stripped down take recorded days after Brian Epstein’s death. Monitor mix recorded on September 5, 1967.
12. Aerial Tour Instrumental
    Take 8 and remix 4; and alternate mix of ‘Flying’. Recorded on September 8, 1967.
13. Hello Hello
    Take 1 of “Hello Goodbye” introduced as “Hello Hello” by Geoff Emerick. Complete take with no vocal or guitar overdubs, recorded on October 2, 1967.
    
    
    

Release history

• Yellow Dog YD003
  
  You can listen to this collection here:
  https://archive.org/details/beatlesusurpassedmasters1

Unsurpassed Masters vol. 4

Focuses on recordings from 1968, encompassing demos, outtakes, and unreleased versions and entire songs recorded during the White Album sessions as well as versions of several successful singles.

1. Lady Madonna
   A comedy routine preceding take 3, take 3, and take 5, recorded on February 3 and 5, 1968.
2. Across The Universe
   Take 8, remix 2, known as the “Hum’s Wild” mix. Recorded and remixed just before their trip to India, on February 4-8, 1968.
3. Brian Epstein Blues
   A studio outtake by John with some lyrics about Epstein, shortly after his death. Recorded on July 19, 1968.
4. Hey Jude/Las Vegas Tune
   Take 7, recorded without George presumably due to some comments made by Paul. Features some mocking vocals by John and some studio chatter. The take ends and Paul starts singing a ditty known as “Las Vegas Tune”. Recorded on July 30, 1968.
5. St. Louis Blues
   A version of the short song also known as “I Hate To See”, recorded on July 30, 1968.
6. Back In The USSR
   From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 6, remix 1 with a longer jet intro, recorded on August 23, 1968.
7. Rocky Raccoon
   From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 10, remix 1, recorded on August 15, 1968.
8. Wild Honey Pie
   From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 1, remix 6, recorded on August 20, 1968.
9. Mother Nature’s Son
   From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 26, remix 8, recorded on August 9, 1968.
10. Sexy Sadie
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 117, remix 5 with an unedited instrumental coda, recorded on August 21, 1968.
11. Don’t Pass Me By
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 7, unknown remix featuring an additional verse and instrumental, recorded on July 12 and 22, 1968.
12. Yer Blues
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 16 and 17 with remix 3 and an edit piece, recorded on August 14, 1968. First song on second side of ‘Sellers’ tape, so there is some drop outs.
13. Good Night
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 34, remix 6, recorded on July 22, 1968.
14. Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 12, remix 1 with some extra unedited vocals and sound effects, recorded on July 23, 1968.
15. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 23, remix 21 without the chirping birds sound effects, recorded on June 11, 1968.
16. Blackbird
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 32, remix 6, recorded on August 23, 1968.
17. Not Guilty
    From the ‘Peter Sellers Tapes’, take 102, remix 1 (although Anthology notes that nowhere near that many takes were attempted), recorded on August 12, 1968.
18. What’s The New Mary Jane
    Take 4 with overdubs – an incredibly unlistenable mix of sound effects and drug references that was dropped from the White Album in favor of “Revolution 9”. Recorded on August 14, 1968.

Release history

• Yellow Dog YD004
  
  You can listen to this collection here:
  https://archive.org/details/beatlesunsurpassedmasters4
  

Unsurpassed Masters vol. 5

Vol. 5 features some supurb Abbey Road and Let It Be outtakes from 1969.

1. Octopus’s Garden
   Take 32 recorded on April 26, 1969.
2. Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight
   Take 13 recorded on July 2, 1969.
3. You Never Give Me Your Money
   Take 30 recorded on May 6, 1969.
4. Oh! Darling
   Previously listed as take 26 from July 18, 1969, then as “unknown take” (although take 26 is probably the best guess). Paul’s voice gives out midway through the song. Recorded on April 26, 1969.
5. Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
   Take 21 recorded on July 9, 1969.
6. Something
   Take 37 (reduction mix) recorded on July 11, 1969.
7. You Never Give Me Your Money/Sun King/Mean Mr. Mustard/Polythene Pam/She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
   The second remix of these songs, without orchestral, vocal, or solo overdubs. Also features “Her Majesty” between “Mean Mr. Mustard” and “Polythene Pam”. Recorded on July 24, 28, and 30, 1969.
8. Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End
   Second remix (“The End” is marked as “Ending” and featured no vocals). Recorded on July 3 and 23, 1969.
9. Her Majesty
   Take 3 recorded July 2, 1969.
10. Stand By Me
    Recorded January 24, 1969, from the Get Back sessions
11. I’ve Got A Feeling
    Recorded January 1969, from the Get Back sessions
12. Two Of Us
    Recorded January 25, 1969, from the Get Back sessions
13. For You Blue
    Recorded January 25, 1969, from the Get Back sessions
14. Let It Be
    Recorded January 31, 1969, from the Get Back sessions

Release history

• Yellow Dog YD005
  
  You can listen to this collection here:
  
  

Unsurpassed Masters vol. 6

More alternate takes, mixes, and demos from 1962-1970, some of which were originally mixed for the ill-fated Sessions project.

1. There’s A Place
   A historic inclusion, as this is the first take of the first recording from their first session with EMI. Take 1 recorded on February 11, 1963.
2. I Saw Her Standing There
   Take 2 and 3 recorded on February 11, 1963.
3. From Me To You
   Take 6 and 7 recorded on February 11, 1963.
4. Thank You Girl
   Take 1 recorded with some slight vocal variations and some rehearsing, recorded on March 5, 1963.
5. Don’t Bother Me
   Take 10 recorded on September 12, 1963 with some studio chat by George.
6. A Hard Day’s Night
   Take 3 recorded on April 16, 1964.
7. I’m A Loser
   Take 1 and 2 recorded on August 14, 1964. Mostly just a rehearsal, as Paul is heard giving instruction to John and attempts some vocal options throughout take 2.
8. She’s A Woman
   Take 2 recorded on October 8, 1964, with the songs mechanics still being worked out.
9. If You’ve Got Trouble
   Take 1 recorded on February 18, 1965. A mono version of the Sessions mix.
10. Help!
    Take 8 and 9, which was used as a basic track that the guitar and vocals were later dubbed onto. Recorded on April 13, 1965.
11. Here, There, And Everywhere
    Take 14 recorded on June 16, 1966.
12. I Am The Walrus
    Take 7 recorded on September 5, 1967.
13. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
    The mix for Sessions, which fades out before the crossfade of “Christmas Time Is Here Again”.
14. Hey Jude
    Takes 8 and 9, recorded on July 30, 1968.
15. Not Guilty
    Mix for Sessions
16. Let It Be
    Take 30 recorded on January 4, 1970.
17. Because
    A capella overdubs recorded for take 16 on August 1 and 4, 1969.
18. Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues
    Sessions mix
19. What’s The New Mary Jane
    Sessions mix

Release history

• Yellow Dog YD012
  
  You can listen to this collection here:
  https://archive.org/details/beatlesunsurpassedmasters5
  

Unsurpassed Masters vol. 7

Another career-spanning compilation, as is Vol. 6, of tracks from 1962-1970.

1. Do You Want To Know A Secret
2. Misery
   Take one without the piano overdub. Recorded February 11, 1963.
3. One After 909
   Alternate edit of takes 4 and 5. Undocumented mono edit from same mix as Anthology version. Recorded March 5, 1963.
4. Hold Me Tight
   Takes 25 and 26. Take 25 is incomplete, with some questioning by John, and take 26 is complete. Recorded September 12, 1963.
5. Can’t Buy Me Love
   Recorded in Pathe Marconi Studios, Paris, on January 29, 1964.
6. I’m A Loser
   Take 3 with some studio discussion as to the direction of the song (as well as some shushing by Ringo). Recorded on August 14, 1964.
7. I Feel Fine
   A nearly complete take 5 recorded on October 18, 1964.
8. Yes It Is
   Take 14 later used for vocal overdubs. Recorded on February 16, 1965.
9. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
   Take 4 mono mix in right channel only. Recorded on Octobe 21, 1965.
10. Penny Lane
    Take 9 – an alternate mix of the promo mix (mono). Recorded January 17, 1967.
11. Lady Madonna
    Take 4 with some laughing at the beginning. Recorded February 6, 1968.
12. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
    Outtake from take 5 recorded on July 5, 1968.
13. Not Guilty
    Take 102 – a stereo, unedited mix recorded on August 12, 1968.
14. Revolution
    A reduction or ‘bounce’ of take 15, switching to mono after the first couple of seconds. Recorded on July 10, 1968.
15. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
    An acoustic take 1, stopping before some studio chat occurs by George. Recorded on July 25, 1968.
16. Come And Get It
    Paul’s demo, the same as the Sessions version. Recorded July 24, 1969.
17. ‘Beatle Speech’
    Although the track listing has this as “Think For Yourself”, many experts agree the title is “Beatle Speech”, as it is marked that way on the tape box which Mark Lewisohn used.

Release history

• Yellow Dog YD013
  
  You can listen to this collection here:
  https://archive.org/details/beatlesunsurpassedmasters7
  
  
  
  Source: https://aboutthebeatles.com/unsurpassed-masters-series
  
  
  
  
  
  More information is available here:
  https://www.guitars101.com/threads/the-beatles-unsurpassed-masters-vol-1-7-remasters-workshop-stu-flac.214634/
  
  

Beatles Ultra Rare Trax Series

Overview: The Ultra Rare Trax series really was the start of Beatles Boots on CD and far improved quality from what was available on vinyl before. These discs were only around in short supplier with it's bright covers, this reissue was released in 1989 with a full colour sleeve of the same image. Other than that, these releases were identical to the first issue. Some of the material on these discs has remained core material and over a dozen years after it's release, they are still very pleasant discs to listen to. Unfortunately the discs are on the short side at less than 30 minutes in some cases.

It is a series of surprisingly high-fidelity bootlegs drawn from the Beatles' recording sessions. Heretofore, many of the unnamed compilers have been careful to construct highly playable compilation albums made up of fully developed alternate takes of Beatles songs ranging across their career. Others discs jump back and forth in time, from an April 1963 session for the BBC (all the other tracks come from recording sessions) to a July 1969. They contain some of the more ephemeral items from the Beatles' vault, but it is no less enjoyable for that, and, like the series as a whole, it served as inspiration for later legitimate releases. Source: www.allmusic.com

From Wiki: Ultra Rare Trax was a series of bootleg recordings of the Beatles, featuring studio outtakes, that first appeared in 1988.[1] It took advantage of a legal loophole known as the "protection gap" that allowed bootleggers to release old recordings due to ambiguous copyright laws.[2] In all, eight volumes were produced.[3] It was not the first Beatles bootleg to appear on compact disc but it was the first one to achieve widespread attention with bootleggers, because its sound quality showed what digital remastering was capable of.[4]

History
The bootleg appeared after John Barrett, an engineer at Abbey Road Studios, performed an audit of the material in the studio's archives in 1984 and made backups onto tape with the strict condition that they were not to be copied or sold. However, a Dutch collector managed to purchase some studio tapes for $20,000, which were subsequently resold to a German fan, Dieter Schubert. Schubert believed that any studio recordings made before Germany's ratification of the Rome Convention in 1966 were public domain in that country, and therefore decided to create his own bootleg label, Swingin' Pig, and released his titles on CD. The logo and name were based on the earlier Trademark of Quality bootleg label that regularly featured William Stout's artwork on its covers.[4]

One bootlegger claimed it to be "the single most important release in the history of CDs ... the quality just blew people's minds".[4] Author Clinton Heylin believes some tracks on the Ultra Rare Trax series sounded even better than the then recent CD reissues of official material from EMI.[5]

EMI Records, which held copyrights to the Beatles' studio recordings, was unhappy that somebody had effectively stolen work they held the rights to and released it. A representative was "mortified" to discover that the first volume of Ultra Rare Trax contained previously unreleased recordings of "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Strawberry Fields Forever", and the original 1963 recording of "One After 909" that was intended for Please Please Me. EMI representative Mike Heatly said in an interview with ICE Magazine that he had no idea how a bootlegger had managed to obtain such high-quality recordings.[5] The bootleg also convinced fans that there was far more unreleased material in the EMI vaults than was previously thought.[6]

Some of the material on the Ultra Rare Trax series was subsequently officially released on the Anthology series in the mid-1990s, though Michael Callucci, writing for Classic Rock magazine, claims the original bootlegs are still worth hearing as they contain material not on the official release.[3]

Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 1

 

I Saw Her Standing There
Recorded on Feb. 11th 1963 from “PLEASE PLEASE ME” session. Continued from warming up, they start a great live performance in the studio. John makes a mistake with some lyrics and Paul makes a mistake was some bass lines. No echo effects. Stereo version (take 2) taken directly from the master tapes.
One After 909
Recorded on March 5th 1963, from “FROM ME TO YOU” session. Composed by John Lennon in the late 50’s – early 60’s in the period of THE QUARRYMEN (pre-Beatles). Released on LET IT BE album in 1970, but this take is absolutely different. Stereo version (take 2) taken directly from the master tapes.
She’s A Woman
Recorded in Sept. – Oct. 1964. No lead guitar, piano, or additional overdubbed vocals. No fade-out at the end. Very primitive version. Stereo version (take 2) taken directly from the master tapes.
I’m Looking Through You
Recorded in Oct. 1965, from “RUBBER SOUL” session. No chorus made yet. Beginning with percussion, vocals on single track. No fade out at the end. Stereo version (take 1) taken directly from the master tapes.
If You’ve Got Troubles
Previously unreleased song. Recorded in Oct. 1965, from “RUBBER SOUL” session. Ringo Starr on lead vocals. Stereo version taken from an original acetate.
How Do You Do It?
Previously unreleased song by The Beatles. Recorded on Sept. 4th 1962, from “PLEASE PLEASE ME” session. Prepared as a second single, but never released. Mono version taken directly from the master tapes.
Penny Lane (Mono)
Recorded on Dec. 29th, 1966. Basically the same version as on “Rarities” album, but including dialogue, and Paul’s count in the beginning. Mono version taken directly from the master tapes.
Strawberry Fields Forever
There are two takes for STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER. The previously released version consists of take A & B with controlled speed, and it is also remixed. This version on this disc it take II, with a different mix. Recorded in December 1966. Stereo versionz taken from an original acetate.
From Me To You
Recorded on March 4th-5th 1963, beginning with Paul’s count “1,2,3,4”, no harmonica. Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
Besame Mucho
Basically unreleased song. Recorded on June 6th, 1962, with Pete Best on Drums. A different take than “Decca Tapes”.
The Fool on the Hill
Recorded in Sept. 1967, Demo version. Paul performs solo with the piano. Stereo version taken from an original acetate.
Paperback Writer
Recorded in April 1966. Beginning with Paul’s count “1,2,3,4!” on the right channel. Same as the single, but different mix, no echo effects on vocals, and no fade-out at the end. Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
Release history
Swingin’ Pig TSP CD 001

You can listen to this collection here:

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax1

Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 2

 
Can’t Buy Me Love
Recorded on Jan. 29th 1964. Absolutely different with no echo and wonderful choral vocals by John & George. Paul makes mistakes on some lyrics. Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
There’s A Place
Recorded on Feb. 11th 1963, from “PLEASE PLEASE ME” session. Absolutely different with no harmonica or piano (take 3). Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
There’s A Place
Recorded on Feb. 11th 1963, from “PLEASE PLEASE ME” session. Absolutely different with no harmonica or piano (take 4). Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
That Means A Lot
Previously unreleased song; recorded in Feb. 1965, from 2nd “HELP!” session. Paul McCartney on lead vocals. Stereo version taken from an original acetate.
Day Tripper
Recorded on Oct. 16th 1965. Begins with instrumental without tambourine or lead guitar. Absolutely different, supposed to be the first basic. Not complete. Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
Day Tripper
Take 2 starts with Paul’s count “1,2,3,4”. Basically same version as the previously released one, but no additional vocals dubbed by Paul and no fade-out at the end. Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
I Am The Walrus
Recorded in Sept. 1967, from “MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR” sessions. Un-edited long version without strings, bass guitar, choral, or side vocals. Mono version taken directly from the master tapes.
Misery
Recorded on Feb. 11th, 1963, from “PLEASE PLEASE ME” session. Absolutely different without piano or echo effects. Stereo version (take 1) taken directly from the master tapes.
Leave My Kitten Alone
Previously unreleased song; recorded on Aug. 5th 1964, from “FOR SALE” session. John Lennon on lead vocals. Mono version taken directly from the master tapes.
We Can Work It Out
Recorded on Oct. 20th 1965. Beginning with Paul’s count “1,2,3,4!” and has louder keyboards sound. Vocals on both channels with fade-out at the end. Stereo version taken from an original acetate.
A Hard Day’s Night
Recorded on April 16th, 1964, from “A HARD DAY’S NIGHT” sessions. Live performance in the studio. Absolutely different with acoustic or gat guitars, or piano. Stereo version taken directly from the master tapes.
Norwegian Wood
Recorded in Oct. 1965, from “RUBBER SOUL” sessions. Basically same as the released take, but with two false starts and John’s comment: “I showed ya!” at the end. Norman Smith replies, “Great, fine!” Un-edited version. Stereo version (take 4) taken directly from the master tapes.
Release history
Swingin’ Pig TSP CD 002

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax2

Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 3

 

Ob-La-Di-, Ob-La-Da
Tomorrow Never Knows
A Day in the Life
Yes It Is
I Saw Her Standing There
Norwegian Wood
Not Guilty
Across The Universe
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Ticket To Ride
Release history
Swingin’ Pig TSP CD-025

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax3


Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 4

 
One After 909
A Taste Of Honey
I Feel Fine
Yer Blues
Blues Jam
Not Guilty
Get Back
Mailman Bring Me No More Blues
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
All You Need Is Love
Release history
Swingin’ Pig TSP-CD-026

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax4


Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 5

 
Christmas Time Is Here Again
Because
accepella version
Revolution
I Me Mine
Strawberry Fields Forever
Hey Jude
Magical Mystery Tour
What’s The New Mary Jane?
Lady Madonna
One After 909
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Release history
Swingin’ Pig TSP CD 035

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax5

Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 6

 

Volume 6 in the Ultra Rare Trax series features material later released in better quality on Live At The BBC and Anthology. There are some gems though, such as “I Hate To See” and “Dig It”. The inside of the front cover features a mispelling of Ringo “Starrr”. Track notes are taken from the back of the CD.
Come And Get It
Previously unreleased song by the Beatles. Recorded on July 24, 1969 by Paul in just one hour (!) as a demo for Badfinger
Hold Me Tight
Recorded on September 12, 1963 during With The Beatles sessions. Different take to the previously released one.
I’ll Be On My Way
Previously unreleased song, recorded on April 1963 for the BBC.
Strawberry Fields Forever
Take 7, recorded on November 29, 1966. An overdubbed version of Take 6, again this is very interesting because completely differnt to the previosuly released ones. One of the finest Beatles songs, by the way.
It’s All Too Much
Recorded on May 25/26, 1967. Alternate version with extra verse.
12 Bar Original
Mislabeled “12 Bad Original”, later released on Anthology 2.Previosuly unreleased instrumental from the Rubber Soul sessions, recorded on November 4, 1965.
I Hate To See
Previously unreleased song, recorded sometime during “Hey Jude” session in July/August 1968.
She’s A Woman
Take 7, recorded on October 8, 1964. Extra long take, extended into a jam at the end.
What’s The New Mary Jane?
Early long mix of this previously unreleased song; recorded on August 14, 1968. Different to version on Ultra Rare Trax vol. 5!
Dig It
Recorded on January 1969. The longest known version of this song, lasting more than 8 minutes!
Release history
Swingin’ Pig TSP-CD-036

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax6

Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 7

 

Not part of the original Ultra Rare Trax series and issued by a different label.
I Saw Her Standing There
Recorded live in Stockholm at the Karlaplansstudio, Oct 24, 1963
Too Much Monkey Business
Recorded live in London Paris Stuudio (BBC), Apr 4, 1963
This Boy
Recorded live in Melbourne at the Festival Hall, Jun 16, 1964
If I Needed Someone
Recorded live in Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan Hall, Jun 30, 1966
She’s A Woman
Recorded live in London, Oct 3, 1964
I’m A Loser
Recorded live in London at the Odeon Cinema, Christmas Show 1964
Yesterday
Recorded live on the Ed Sullivan Show, New York, Aug 14, 1964
Crying, Waiting, Hoping
Recorded live at London Paris Studio (BBC), Jul 16, 1963
Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
Recorded live in Paris at the Palais des Sports, Jun 20, 1965
Shout
Recorded during “Around the Beatles” at Wembley Studios, London, Apr 28, 1964
Yer Blues
Recorded live at “The Rolling Stones Rock’n’Roll Circus” at Wembley, Dec 11, 1968. Features Eric Clapton and Keith Richards
Nowhere Man
Recorded live in Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan Hall, Jun 30, 1966
Anna (Go To Him)
Maida Vale Studios (BBC), Jun 17, 1963
Twist And Shout
Recorded live in Melbourne at the Festival Hall, Jun 16, 1964
Release history
The Genuine Pig – TGP-CD-111, released 1990

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax7

Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 8

 

Not part of the original Ultra Rare Trax series and issued by a different label.
Baby’s In Black
Recorded live in Stockholm at the Karlaplansstudio, Oct 24, 1963
You Really Got A Hold On Me
Recorded live in Stockholm at the Karlaplansstudio, Oct 24, 1963
The Fool On The Hill
Demo recorded by Paul, 1967
To Know Her Is To Love Her
Recorded live in London Paris Studio (BBC), Jul 16, 1963
A Hard Day’s Night
Recorded live in London at the Odeon Cinema, Christmas Show 1964
Day Tripper
Recorded live in Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan Hall, Jun 30, 1966
All You Need Is Love
Recorded live on the “Our World” TV Show, London, Jun 25, 1967
Till There Was You
Recorded live in Melbourne at the Festival Hall, Jun 16, 1964
And I Love Her
Recorded in the BBC Studio 52, Jul 14, 1964
Can’t Buy Me Love
Recorded live in Paris at the Palais des Sports, Jun 20, 1965
I Feel Fine
Recorded live in London at the Odeon Cinema, Christmas Show 1964
Hey Jude
Recorded live on the David Frost Show, 1968
Release history
The Genuine Pig – TGP-CD-112, released 1990

You can listen to this collection here:
https://archive.org/details/beatlesultrararetrax8

Source: https://aboutthebeatles.com/ultra-rare-trax-series

A Hard Day's Night 4K B&W Remaster & Colorized?

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles first movie "A Hard Day's Night", plans are rumoured to release a new a 4K Blu Ray B&W restoration 2022 release. There also been rumours of a colorized release to movie theaters and later Blu Ray release. Below are teaser clips and more photos. Although many folks prefer the black & white original, I find I really enjoy seeing these movie clips in color. Will Lionsgate or someone else release the colorized 4K version in movie theaters prior/after to retail Blu Ray disc release? Will the 4K Blu Ray disc version be released for Christmas 2021 or early 2022? We will have to wait and see. Below is more information:

From http://webgrafikk.com/blog/news/a-hard-days-night-in-4k-for-the-us-market/

In early 2021, The Beatles’ first film, “A Hard Day’s Night” was made available in Japan for the home video market for the first time in 4K (Ultra High Definition disc) by Dreamusic. A USA edition in 4K (Combo: Ultra High Definition + standard Blu-ray disc) has now been announced for that market with a release date of January 18, 2022, by the Criterion Collection (Amazon link).

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, approved by director Richard Lester, with three audio options—a monaural soundtrack as well as stereo and 5.1 surround mixes supervised by sound producer Giles Martin at Abbey Road Studios—presented in uncompressed monaural, uncompressed stereo, and DTS-HD Master Audio.
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray disc with the film and special features.
• Audio commentary featuring cast and crew.
• In Their Own Voices, a program featuring 1964 interviews with the Beatles and behind-the-scenes footage and photos.
• “You Can’t Do That”: The Making of “A Hard Day’s Night,” a 1994 documentary by producer Walter Shenson including an outtake performance by the Beatles.
• Things They Said Today, a 2002 documentary about the film featuring Lester, music producer George Martin, screenwriter Alun Owen, and cinematographer Gilbert Taylor.
• Picturewise, a program about Lester’s early work, featuring a 2014 audio interview with the director.
• The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film (1960), Lester’s Oscar-nominated short.
• Anatomy of a Style, a 2014 program on Lester’s methods.
• Interview from 2014 with Beatles biographer Mark Lewisohn.
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
• PLUS: An essay by critic Howard Hampton and excerpts from a 1970 interview with Lester.

Hopefully, the “You Can’t Do That” feature will end with the full song, it has been known to be missing on earlier releases. And one other thing: So far, only bootleg editions of the film have been able to speed correct the songs. We must admit that we are not counting on an official edition to accomplish the same thing.

So when will we see a 4K edition for the European market and elsewhere?

A popular thing to do these days, is to apply colours to original black and white films. It was done professionally by Ron Howard for his “Eight Day’s A Week” documentary. On YouTube, fans have been having fun colourising scenes from “A Hard Day’s Night”.

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Photos below Source: https://yerdoingreat.wordpress.com/2014/07/08/a-hard-days-night-wasnt-shot-in-a-black-white-world/

>Vanity Fair interview

via The Gilly tumblr

via Get Back

via messageboard thread at Beatlelinks.net

via Belgian Beatles Site

via Beatles Virtual Museum

via The Truth About the Beatles’ Girls

“I think George is single” via Ring of Star

colourized lobby cards via THE BEATLES-RARE PARAPHERNALIA

via DrSwany22


via Seven of Cups (MORE COLOURIZED SHOTS)

If you know of any other colour photos from the set of A Hard Day’s Night, do send them our way via Facebook.  We’d love to add more.

HERE COME THE UPDATES….
c/o Joe Soccodato

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CHECK OUT OUR “BEATLESS GALLERY” WITH A TON OF COOL FABBY PICS.

Peter Jackson on The Beatles: Get Back & Technology Invented for the Docuseries

Peter Jackson explains the magic of The Beatles: Get Back | Newshub

 

Unseen footage of The Beatles revealed in new documentary, directed by Peter Jackson - BBC News