The roll-out of Beatles music into the digital music realm continues as their acclaimed Anthology, Volumes 1-3 compilations become available for streaming worldwide today (4/4). Originally released in two-CD volumes in 1995 and ’96, Anthology’s three chronological collections of rare and previously unreleased Beatles recordings include studio outtakes and alternate versions.
The “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” singles, from Anthology, Volume 1 and Anthology, Volume 2, respectively, were completed in 1995 by George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr from 1977 demos recorded by John Lennon. Anthology, Volume 3 includes “A Beginning,” an instrumental orchestral arrangement originally recorded for The Beatles (aka The White Album).
The three albums were first released in conjunction with the Anthology documentary TV series that debuted in the U.S. on ABC-TV in November ’95. The first disc included music recorded by the Quarrymen, the band’s Decca Records audition tapes, and various outtakes and demos from their first four albums. The second collection compiled outtakes and demos from the sessions for Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour. Anthology 3 featured outtakes and demos from The White Album, Abbey Road and Let It Be as well as several Harrison and McCartney songs that became post-Beatles tracks.
On their original release, Anthology, Volumes 1-3 topped charts and went multi-platinum in several countries around the world. “Free as a Bird” became The Beatles’ 34th Top 10 hit in the U.S., winning the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Anthology, Volumes 1-3 were remastered at Abbey Road Studios by the same team of engineers responsible for The Beatles’ Grammy-winning 2009 studio album remasters, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analog recordings. The collections are accompanied by original collage artwork created by Klaus Voormann from classic Beatles imagery.
On Christmas Eve last year, The Beatles finally made much of their catalog available for online streaming: 13 U.K. studio albums and the collections Past Masters (Volumes 1 & 2), The Beatles 1962-1966, The Beatles 1967-1970, and The Beatles 1.
