Name: Anthology 2
Brand: The Beatles

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CDPCSP728

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2013-06-02

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

CDx2

Artist

The Beatles

Genre GB

Classic

Label GB

Emerging from Liverpool, England in 1960, The Beatles were a seminal British group that evolved from rock/pop origins into pioneers of musical experimentation. The band solidified its iconic lineup in 1962, featuring John Lennon (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion), George Harrison (guitar, vocals, sitar), and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals, percussion) after signing a recording contract with EMI.Initially recognized for their Merseybeat style, The Beatles soon ventured into uncharted musical territories. They explored psychedelia and pioneered innovative production techniques that incorporated tape loops and other effects. Over their active years they created a legacy of 12 studio albums.Their profound impact on rock and roll was acknowledged in 1988 when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame as a group. By 2015 each member had also received individual recognition for their contributions as solo artists within the Hall of Fame.

Anthology 2 features the Beatles' working tapes from their most fertile period—the years in which they abandoned touring, retreated into the studio, and recorded some of their most enduring music. This isn't a survey of Beatles hits, but a treasure trove of rough drafts and near misses. An early take of "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" finds John Lennon still working out his vocal phrasing; a run-through of "Got To Get You Into My Life", recorded before the brass section was brought in, has the band trying all sorts of harmonies and an alternate bridge. "Your Mother Should Know", with a marching snare-drum beat, is nearly unrecognisable from the released version, and "Good Morning Good Morning", stripped of the heavy Sgt Pepper psychedelic makeup, rocks with Stones-like ferocity.

There is also lots of clowning around on the album - most prominently, John and Paul giggling their way through an early vocal take of "And Your Bird Can Sing". But the bulk of this isn't genius at play; it's genius at work. There are three takes of "Strawberry Fields Forever" that see this rock classic evolving from Lennon demo to bare-bones practice arrangement to full-blown production. Also featured are McCartney's solo demos for two of the Beatles' best. To hear him showing the band the chords to "Yesterday", and sitting alone at his piano, still fooling with the words to "Fool On The Hill", is to hear pop history quite literally in the making.

Anthology 2

Music GB

Discover Anthology 2 by The Beatles. This CD features their working tapes from their most fertile period, with rough drafts and near misses of their enduring music.