ANTHOLOGY 2

This is my favourite of the 3 Anthologies. Most of these songs are of course already well known, but this CD features alternate versions, mainly early ones that didn't make it to the finished LP at the time. The highlights are -

"Real Love" - another Lennon solo effort completed by the remaining Beatles as per "Free as a bird". The original solo version can be found on the Lennon box set.

"That means a lot" - originally intended for Ringo, but eventually a single for P J Proby. An undiscovered Beatles gem.

"Tomorrow never knows" - a completely different early version, much slower.

"I'm looking through you" - McCartney's demo, a bit slower than the released version and without the "Why tell me why" middle eight.

"Got to get you into my life" - again very different to the Revolver version and without the brass section.

"And your bird can sing" - Lennon dissolves into hysterical laughter. "Strawberry Fields Forever" - there are 3 versions here which show how the final version we all know was constructed from the gentler acoustic version and the more manic version with the strings and brass. Fascinating.

"You know my name look up the number" - the full stereo version as opposed to the shorter mono version of Past Masters volume 2.

As with all releases of this type, most are of historical interest rather than something that you would play all the time, but few groups have unreleased material as good as this.