Thursday , March 28 2024
Still no iTunes, but 'new' versions of classic albums are on the way...

The Beatles Discography Remastered, On Sale Sept. 9th

Yesterday Apple Corps. Ltd and EMI announced that The Beatles' entire catalog has been remastered and will be re-released on CD on September 9, 2009.

Music lovers will have a variety of purchasing options when the albums are released in September.  There will be two box set editions and, of course, fans will be able to buy the albums separately.  Not yet resolved is the potential digital distribution of the music.  Negotiations between The Beatles' Apple Corps. and Apple Computers' iTunes Music Store have been ongoing, but thus far the most important catalog of the 20th century remains conspicuous in its absence. 

All CD packages will contain the original vinyl artwork and the original liner notes that accompanied each CD.  In addition, archival photos and additional historical and recording notes will be added to the packaging.  Each CD with the exception of Past Masters will have an embedded QuickTime mini-documentary about the album.  The Past Masters compilation, which was initially released as separate CDs, has been combined.  The Beatles catalog of 14 titles, spread across 16 CDs:

  • Please Please Me (CD debut in stereo)
  • With The Beatles (CD debut in stereo)
  • A Hard Day's Night (CD debut in stereo)
  • Beatles For Sale (CD debut in stereo)
  • Help!
  • Rubber Soul
  • Revolver
  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band* (also includes 1987 notes, updated, and new intro by Paul McCartney)
  • Magical Mystery Tour
  • The Beatles (aka The White Album)
  • Yellow Submarine (also includes original US liner notes)
  • Abbey Road
  • Let It Be
  • Past Masters (contains new liner notes written by Kevin Howlett)

These albums will be sold separately, but those opting to get them all at once will be able to buy a box set that will also include a DVD of documentary footage.  Audiophiles who long for the original mono mixes of the The Beatles catalog can buy a Mono Box Set, comprised of:

  • Please Please Me
  • With The Beatles
  • A Hard Day's Night
  • Beatles For Sale
  • Help! (CD also includes original 1965 stereo mix)+
  • Rubber Soul (CD also include original 1965 stereo mix)+
  • Revolver+
  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band+
  • Magical Mystery Tour+
  • The Beatles+
  • Mono Masters               
    + = mono mix CD debut

About Josh Hathaway

Check Also

Blu-ray Review: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: In Concert: Encore

This continuing Rock HOF induction video series comes highly recommended set (3.5 stars out of four), as many musicians perform some rare and very memorable works. Enjoy 44 live performances from four induction ceremonies (2010-2013).