Beatles’ rock band gets a release date.

Fire up your XBOX 360’s and get ready to rock the wiimote Rickenbakcers and Casios my friends.  The Beatles are coming soon to a video game console near you.  It looks like I may need to finally upgrade my video game system because of this.  I am still running an Nintendo 64 and an XBOX. 

The time has come to upgrade and this may be the thing that pushes me to do it.  9.9.09 catchy.  John’s lucky numbers just seem to pop up everywhere even after he’s gone.

Here’s what we’ve read.

The music of the Beatles will arrive as a playable video game for the first time on September 9, 2009 when The Beatles: Rock Band hits stores in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The game, which will be available for Xbox, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii on the same day, “takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career,” according to a press release issued by the title’s makers, Apple Corps, Harmonix and MTV Games. While there’s no playlist or word about venues and avatars, there will be a limited number of instruments issued that are modeled after guitars, basses and drums John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr used (regular Rock Band peripherals will be compatible, too).

Three offerings will be released on September 9th: The Beatles: Rock Band software; standalone guitars; and a limited edition premium bundle that will presumably include the game and some configuration of instruments. And there’s an incentive to pre-order now: the game’s makers say exclusive content will be accessible to those who reserve the game in advance through major retailers over the next few months. The game’s official Website is active and promises updates.

McCartney releases “Amoeba Secret Show” on CD.

It looks like Paul McCartney will have a new EP coming out in a week or two.  Yes sir, the Paul McCartney vinyl-only EP from Paul’s secret Amoeba gig last year is finally coming out on CD.

The CD tracks will be the same as the vinyl EP — “Only Mama Knows,” “C Moon,” “That Was Me” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” The bonus tracks from the show used on the “Ever Present Past” CD and vinyl singles will not be on the CD, Henderson said. The artwork will also be the same as the EP, he told us. Two of the tracks are nominated for Grammys — “That Was Me” for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance and “I Saw Her Standing There” for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance. The Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 8.

Paul McCartney’s “Amoeba Secret,” the vinyl EP recording of his live show at Los Angeles’ Amoeba Records on June 27, 2007, that’s nominated for two Grammy Awards, is quietly coming out on CD Jan. 27, according to a listing at Amazon.com and other online retailers. That’s just in time for the Grammy Awards show Feb. 8, likely the only reason this is coming to CD at all.

The Grammy nominees from the disc are “That Was Me” for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance and “I Saw Her Standing There” for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance. Those two tracks comprise half of what was on the original vinyl EP release — “Only Mama Knows” and “C Moon” were also on it.

One listing we saw said the CD will contain just the four tracks of the vinyl, though two other tracks from the show, “House of Wax” and “Dance Tonight,” were added to the vinyl and CD single releases, respectively, of “Ever Present Past” from the album “Memory Almost Full.” Here’s an idea: Why not release the whole show?

Several online sources explicitly rumored that the EP would never come out on CD or digitally. I guess that truly was only a rumor.

• Check out the amazon.com listing for the CD.  It looks like you can make a pre-order at the site.

Another year and no Beatles under the Christmas tree.

We all hope that Santa Claus brought you several Beatle goodies under the Christmas tree this year, and you all were able to ring in the New Year with a loved one.  The end of this year was a bit odd.  As of late, Beatle fans have had a few items to put on their Christmas wish-list.  This year was a bit unique.  We were treated to a new, and stellar, McCartney album, a Beatles monopoly game, a White Album puzzle, and the All Together Now DVD.  But really, there was no truly HUGE gift worthy item under the tree that really got us going.

There wasn’t a new album that was released as a Christmas item, there really was no big item officially from the Fabs to make us reorganize our Christmas lists. We do hope that Santa was good to you this year, and that you had a wonderful New Year, and that 2009 is a truly good one for you and yours.  We have a lot to look forward to as Beatle fans as we face a new year.  We still have the possibility of  the remastered back catalog being released and you all know how much that gets us speculating and drooling.

• Let us know all of those goodies that Santa left under your tree. We’d love to hear in the comments below.

Here’s what we’ve read.

If you still believe in Santa Claus, you might also have expected to wake up on Christmas morning and find an iPod stocked with the long-promised reissues of all the Beatles albums. But if you know the shocking truth about Santa, you probably know that the vaunted Beatles reissues don’t exist either, outside the vaults of EMI, the group’s record label, and Apple, the company the band set up in 1967 to oversee its interests.

Other long-anticipated Apple projects, such as DVD versions of the Beatles’ Shea Stadium concert and the Let It Be film, also failed to turn up for the holidays. If you put any faith in Paul McCartney’s passing mention, in November, that the 1967 avant-garde track “Carnival of Light” might be released, don’t hold your breath: This track has been dangled before (about 10 years ago, when McCartney used it as the soundtrack of an unreleased “photofilm,” made from photographs of the Beatles taken by his first wife, Linda).

Indeed, whenever McCartney releases a new album (as he did the week “Carnival of Light” was mentioned), reports of “long-lost” Beatles tracks that “might be released” suddenly surface, but the recordings themselves do not.

Even the most believable of reports, floated by EMI insiders, proved fruitless last year. During the summer EMI was said to be preparing a deluxe remastered edition of the The Beatles (popularly known as The White Album) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its release. The anniversary came and went, with no sign of the reissue.

New McCartney/Fireman album to be re-issued.

Folks, if you have not already purchased, or gotten Paul’s newest album, Electric Arguments, then you may have a reason to hold off.  Or,  if you are a collector of all-things Beatle related, then you may have an excuse to get a second copy for your shelf.  It looks like Paul is, yet again, re-issuing his album in another format.  Do we really need another version of the same album?

Probably not, but this album is so good, we just may have to buy it twice.  Yeah, we really do like it that much!

Here’s what we’ve read.

Save up those pennies, folks. The Paul McCartney-Youth Fireman album “Electric Arguments,” already available on CD, in mp3 form and on vinyl LP, has been in stores on CD just about a month and we’re told it’s already being reissued. McCartney’s press office tells us the slipcase is changing and new copies will be in stores, either in the UK or U.S.,  this coming week.

12 Days of Beatle Christmas: First Day – Beatles Monopoly

Christmastime is here again my friends!  We all have wish lists for Santa Claus, and for most that wish list is topped by Beatle memorabilia galore.  This is the time of year that it’s always easy to shop for a Beatle-maniac.  There is a bevy of items that any Fab Four fanatic would love to own.  Some of these items are collectible, and some will become collectibles in the near future.  Others still are fun things that any Beatle fan can score for a loved one and not break the bank at all.

On the first day of X-mas my true love gave to me…a copy of Beatles monopoly.

Not since the 1960’s, with the Flip Your Wig Game, have Beatle fans had the opportunity to participate in family game night together.  Most parents in the 1960’s wouldn’t hold any interest in Flipping their Wigs, but the folks at USAopoly have combined two cultural instituions into one game that’s fun for Beatle and monopoly fans alike.

We were most impressed with the way the gane incorporated the look and feel of the songs and albums of The Beatles without spoiling the fun of playing monopoly at the same time.  We had “tested” out the game by playing with hardcore Beatle fans and people that just loved board games.  The novelty of playing a Beatles game was a delight.  It was a joy to delve back into the Beatles catalog by collecting albums at the same time with game pieces that felt like memorabilia itself.  Several folks laughed every time their turn came up and someone asked “who’s the walrus?”

The game is a great way to crack out family game night and put a rock and roll feel to it.  We have now hosted a family game night, but never before had a listening party, as the game’s “houses” are so aptly named.  Each time a monopoly was made we switched the ipod to a Beatles song from that album.  It was a great way to listen to the back catalog as we played along to the game.  We were able to stay away from the “Taxman” until late in the game, and even watched concert videos on youtube each time a concert ticket was landed on.  The game really allowed us new avenues to celebrate all things Beatle.  The references aren’t that obscure either.  Most everyone playing, Beatle fan or not, got the references.

Like most of the collector’s editions of the Monopoly games, the Fab Four edition is nothing short of fun.  The game presents its own sense of style with beautiful artwork, song-related pewter pieces, and Beatles-related artwork galore.  If you are looking for that gift for the Beatles’ fan that has it all, then this is a nice place to start.  In the Christmas card with this gift, though, promise to play a game or two with them as a condition of buying them the game.  It’s loads of fun for the entire family.  Unless of course, you’re one of those fans that likes to keep their copy of the game sealed.  We’ve bought two copies in our household, just in case it becomes a rarity in the near future.

You can purchase your copy of the Beatles monopoly game at the Beatles official website, amazon, and at your local retailer in the games section.  For a modest $39.99 it a fine addition for family game night in any household.

Here’s what we’ve read.

The Beatles Collector’s Edition of Monopoly celebrates the music that revolutionized rock-n-roll in the 20th century. This Completely customized game features Apple and Abbey Road Studios along with every album released by the Beatles allowing fans to create their own private music anthology. Enjoy and sing along to the timeless music that has transcended generations as you collect the White Album, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and more.

12 Days of Beatles Christmas begins tomorrow.

Ladies and gentlemen it’s a good time to be a fan of the Fab Four.  I’m not ashamed to admit that I enjoy the treasure trove of Beatles-related products.  Yes, it’s a bit money grubbing, and capitalistic of the Beatle-clan to be hawking goods that most of us do not need at all, but that’s always been part of the fun of being a Beatle fan.

Admit it to yourself, you collect the goods.  Yes, some of this stuff may cost an arm and a leg sometimes. Yes, you have bought the same albums over and over, but there’s something alluring about having to collect it all.

Over the course of the next few days leading up to Christmas we will post our own reviews of the latest Beatle products to fill your xmas stockings.  I wish we were able to report on new remastered releases, but that will have to wait for next year.  We are a few days short of 12, so we will have more than one item on a few different days, so stay tuned.

For now though, these latest Beatle goods will have to suffice for our next Beatle fixes.  Stay tuned tomorrow for the first in our series of the 12 Days of Beatle Christmas.

Here’s what we’ve read.

You’re not putting the porno in the paper are you?”

The comment, by the collector’s wife, pipes into the basement from upstairs. She’s joking, kind of.

Her husband has amassed one of the most comprehensive privately owned collections of Beatles paraphernalia. He keeps it in the basement of their Kansas City-area home. The ever-expanding bounty is an ongoing source of jovial consternation.

“The porno” is a reference to a prized item among his thousands — a framed line drawing by John Lennon.

Beatles’ Help! DVD Deluxe edition price drops on amazon.com

This could be a typo folks, or a major major post-Black Friday blowout, so get it while it’s hot.

The deluxe editition DVD set of The Beatles’ Help! DVD is 85% off on amazon.com.  Get it while the price is under 20 dollars.  I couldn’t afford it while the price was well above the $100 dollar mark.  Who knows how long it will last?

• Get the set at the drastic price cut here: http://www.amazon.com/Help-Deluxe-Beatles/dp/B000VPUIA6

Just to refresh your memory, here’s all of the goodies that this set has in store for you.

Product Description
Tracklisting:

Disc 1 (96 minutes)

-HELP! Theatrical Movie

Digitally restored and newly created 5.1 soundtrack.
Disc 2 (57 minutes)

– The Beatles in Help! 30 minute documentary about the making of the film with Richard Lester, the cast and crew. Includes exclusive behind the scenes footage of The Beatles on set.

– A Missing Scene Featuring Wendy Richard

– The Restoration of Help! An in depth look at the restoration process

– Memories of Help! The cast and crew reminisce

– Theatrical Trailers 2 US trailers and 1 Spanish trailer

– 1965 US Radio Spots – Hidden in disc menus
Deluxe Package also includes:

– a reproduction of Richard Lester s original annotated script

– 8 lobby cards

– poster

– 60-page book with rarely seen photographs and production notes from the movie

40 Years later: The White Album

I was not a first generation Beatles fan, as most of you know.  My mother ingrained the Fab Four in my brain from an early age.  My first recollection of The White album was a strange one.  It was well into my late teens (mid-1990’s) that I had even seen the album itself.  I hadn’t seen the poster or photos that accompanied it, until I sought it out in my mom’s collection specifically, but I digress.  I remember first hearing it on my mom’s dubbed cassette when I was about 10 years old.

Those first few listens really weirded me out actually.  I remember Honey Pie really not settling well with me.  I was fascinated though, that a rock group would make up an album full of songs about animals.  I would as my mom to play the “Beetles” album about the animals for me all the time.  There were racoons, mother nature, blackbirds, a weird guy named Bill running through the jungle hunting tigers, airplane sounds, raccoons, piggies…anyway you get the idea.

That phase passed quickly as I became consumed with The Beatles, but that album with it’s kaleidoscope of sounds, tape loops, rock and roll, and animals will always hold a fond memory. 

On the 40th anniversary of its release, CRANK it up loud, and enjoy the sounds of the White Album again.  I have my mono-Purple Chick Deluxe edition set queued up to play.

What are you recollections of The White album?  We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories about the Beatles’ masterpiece in the comments below.

Here’s what we’ve read.

The culmination of the year that was 1968 was the release of the Beatles album familiarly known as the White Album. A collection of songs with roots in a myriad of musical styles, this two-disc collection would be the soundtrack to the individual and collective lives of millions of people for the next several months. From the hippie ghettos of western civilization to the suburban bedrooms of America’s youth and even to the arid hills east of Los Angeles where a megomaniacal manchild named Chares Manson raised in the California prison system was creating a family bent on murder and mayhem, the White Album would become a totem of the cultural changes that shattered the known western world. It’s not that the White Album was the best rock album to come out that year. Indeed, other works could just as easily claim that title: Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland; Cream’s Wheels of Fire; Big Brother’s Cheap Thrills; or event the first Creedence Clearwater disc. No, it was because the White Album was from the top of the rock pantheon–the Beatles.

The Beatles’ legacy. Should Paul just let it be?

With all of this talk about The Beatles releasing the long-lost, long-rumored track “Carnival of Light”, the question about their legacy comes up.  There are two camps.  Preserve it in a bottle, and live with the tracks that we have.  Those tracks conjure up memories and emotions well enough that they are imprinted on our fabric as people.

There is another camp of Beatle fans that want it all.  They want the outtakes, they want Paul McCartney farting into a microphone.  The more Beatle stuff that’s out there, the better.  For better or worse.  Back in the 1990’s the Anthology set brought a lot of old skeletons out officially.  To me, it was nice to hear the studio noodling for better or worse.  It gave the Fabs a new angle, and a new interest for many people.  I’d rather have a track that may not be them at their best then no new music at all.

I don’t think there’s anything they can do, with John sadly gone, that will totally tarnish their legacy with the release of a new track.  It’s not like Carnival of Light was re-recorded recently with two members of the Beatles playing over tapes.  It is a track, no matter how off the wall, with our four beloved Beatles playing to their madness.  It’s about time the public has heard it again.

• What are your thoughts surrounding the flurry of activity/rumor about Carnival of Light.  Please let us know in the comments below.

Here’s what we’ve read.

For one whose place in history is not so much secure as gloriously, unquestionably assured, Paul McCartney behaves as though there is some doubt. He is, lest we forget, not just any old ex-Beatle, but the Beatle. At least since John departed.

That insecurity is why he decided to rewrite history by bowdlerising Let It Be when he removed Phil Spector’s production-rescue job, the one thing that made the album listenable. And it’s surely why he engineered that silly hullaballoo about having some Beatles songs credited to McCartney/Lennon rather than Lennon/McCartney.

UK White Album mono #0000005 up for bids on eBay.

You find a rarer than this on eBay: a UK White Album mono with the serial number #0000005. Ahhh, if money were no object.  This would be tops on my list.

Here’s a description from the item’s ebay listing.

‘The Beatles’ (more commonly known as ‘The White Album’ ) was released exactly 40 years ago on 22nd November 1968. Widely held to be one of the most influential albums of all-time, it was recently given the number one position in the ‘200 Rarest Records of All Time’ by ‘Record Collector’ magazine. The two-record set, housed in a plain white cover was designed by Richard Hamilton and each carried its own unique number stamped on the front cover. Copies numbered 0000001 to 0000004 were originally given to the members of The Beatles themselves and as yet, none of these first four numbers have emerged onto the market.

 

This auction for mono No.0000005 is the lowest number to emerge to date and represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the lowest numbered mono copy which may ever be offered for sale.

The Beatles reportedly were given the first four numbered copies. So how did the album get in someone else’s hands in the first place? This text, from the album’s history on the page, may or may not explain it:

“Some years ago, this album was taken into the collectors shop named ‘Vinyl Revival Records’ in Newbury, Berkshire, England by a musician (they did not disclose who) who had visited John in the flat that he shared with Yoko in late 1968 that was owned by Ringo at 34 Montague Square, Marylebone, London W.1. The musician saw a pile of White Albums on a table and asked for one. John readily agreed, but said ‘Don’t take No. 1. I want that.’ Instead he took No. 5′.” The album then passed into the hands of Beatles specialist dealer ‘Good Humour’ who then sold it to its current owner who has now commissioned me to sell it on his behalf.
The album looks in very very good condition for its age.

Here’s the complete history of the album as taken from the page:
The History of No.0000005

Some years ago, this album was taken into the collectors shop named ‘Vinyl Revival Records’ in Newbury, Berkshire, England by a musician (they did not disclose who) who had visited John in the flat that he shared with Yoko in late 1968 (that was owned by Ringo) at 34 Montague Square, Marylebone, London W.1. The musician saw a pile of White Albums on a table and asked for one. John readily agreed, but said ‘Don’t take No.1 – I want that’. Instead he took No. 5′.

The album then passed into the hands of Beatles specialist dealer ‘Good Humour’ who then sold it to its current owner who has now commissioned me to sell it on his behalf.

This unique, complete copy is UK 1968 MONO 1st pressing on the dark green Apple labels: PMC 7067 & PMC 7068

All labels carry the ‘Sold in UK..’ texts but omit the ‘An EMI Recording’ text found on later editions.

The discs are housed in a thick card stock, fully laminated, top-loading ‘Garrod & Lofthouse printed mono cover numbered: No.0000005 This copy is 100% complete with both its matt black die-cut inner-sleeves, 4 colour portrait photos, matt UK printed poster and white paper photo spacer.

Matrix numbers: YEX 709-1, 710-1 & YEX 711-1, 712-1
Stamper numbers: 33,3/R, 1/M & 1/RD, 3/RR
Disc weights: 1. 150g 2. 151g CONDITION Cover: VERY GOOD PLUS

This rarest example is contructed from heavy card stock and has survived the past 40 years well and is overall extremely presentable, having sustained no major faults to any part. The panels do have some inevitable natural age-toning to them but are all clean and glossy & retain their high-gloss laminates throughout and remain fully intact over the raised ‘THE BEATLES’ wording.

The front panel is clean & bright with just a faint disc impression from storage and a few small indentation lines visible at a certain angle, but no ‘thumbnails’ or any other creasing or wear.

Although it has lost a little of its original ink, the all-important number – ‘No.0000005’ – is clearly visible and is undamaged. All corners are clean and free from any major bumps with just a slight shelfwear rub to the lower left and a tiny bruise to the lower right.

All of the top-opening edges are straight and very clean with no large ‘pushes’ or any tears or feathering. The inside of the gatefold is clean, glossy and unworn and apart from slight toning around the edges, displays no significant marks or wear.

The rear panel is as clean and bright as the front and again has no ‘thumbnails’ creases or any other significant signs of wear. The spine is a little squashed but is overall clean & straight with just a few small splits to the laminate. However, most is still intact and all of the test is present and readable.

Both lower and side seams are strong, smooth with no missing laminate or any splits or stresses.

No repairs or restoration have been carried out to any part of the cover.

The Records

Disc 1
Labels: EXCELLENT PLUS. An extremely bright and clean pair with just some light spindle marks around each centre-hole. Visual: EXCELLENT
Both surfaces are amazingly clean & bright and retain all of their ‘as new’ deep gloss shines on both sides, with no clouding or dulling to any area.

Close inspection in strong daylight reveals just a single 2.5cm light surface mark on side 1 and just three 2mm light marks towards the edge of side 2. However, these minor blemishes are not deep or feelable and have no effect on the sound. Careful examination directly under my halogen desk lamp reveals a few insignificant wispy hairlines consistant with infrequent removal from their matt-black inner-sleeves, but no further marks or wear. Both sides lie 100% flat on the turntable with no signs or dishing or warping.

Audio: EXCELLENT PLUS

This barely played disc sounds clear, clean & warm throughout and my careful play-check at volume revealed no evidence of groovewear distortion or playwear on any track. Side 1 sounds pristine, even the exposed introduction and fade-out of ‘Dear Prudence’ is free from any crackle or interference. Side 2 begins with an unspoilt introduction to ‘Martha My Dear’, and no other traces of wear to any other track. There are no clicks, pops or any othersuch fault any where on this outstanding disc.

Disc 2
Labels: EXCELLENT PLUS

Another beautiful set with just some tiny spindle trails around the hole on side 4.

Visual: EXCELLENT

Again, both surfaces are clean, bright and glossy and bear no significant or major marks when viewed in strong daylight. Careful inspection directly under my halogen desk lamp reveals just some light marks and hairlines consistent with inner-sleeve storage and removal but certainly nothing I would call a scratch. Both sides of this disc also lie 100% flat on the turntable with no signs or dishing or warping.

Audio: EXCELLENT PLUS

This disc is also in terrific audio condition and has only received less than a handful of careful plays on top quality equipment, the audio reproduction throughout is first-class. All of the ‘loud’ tracks on side 3 play perfectly with no traces of groovewear distortion. Even the delicate ‘Mother Nature’s Son’ plays without any ticks or clicks. Side 4 is its equal with just no perceptible wear to any track.

Inner-sleeves: EXCELLENT PLUS

So hard to find in this condition, these two are clean and flat with just the inevitable faint disc impression but no seam splits to either. Photos: MINT

All are as new.

Photo Spacer: NEAR MINT

Clean & bright with just a few tiny handling marks but no creasing or tears.

Poster: NEAR MINT

Clean, crisp & white, this copy has opened just a few times but never hung. All folds are intact and there is no foxing or discolouration to any area.

Here’s what we’ve read.

One of the earliest and most sought-after numbered versions of the Beatles’ ‘White Album’ has been put up for auction on eBay.

The album – no. 0000005 – was given by John Lennon to a close friend before it entered the public domain.

Number’s 1-4 of the album, which went 19 times platinum, were given to the four members of the Beatles.