Packaged together on CD for the first time, 'Past Masters Vol.1 & 2' gathers singles, oddities and B-sides, saving the dedicated Beatlemaniac considerable time. VOLUME ONE covers the first half of the Beatles career from 1962 to 1965, while VOLUME TWO deals with 1965 to 1970.
Such was the enormous success of the Fab Four's breakout singles "She Loves You" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" that their vocals were recut for German versions ("Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" and "Sie Liebt Dich" respectively), which were originally slated for the West German market (and are included on this collection) before being released in the States. Always mindful of their influences, the Beatles in their early phase were also notable for their choice of cover songs. Carl Perkins, Larry Williams and Little Richard were all paid tribute to eventually. While Ringo Starr sang "Matchbox" and John Lennon handled "Slow Down" and "Bad Boy," Paul McCartney channelled Richard Penniman. His take on "Long Tall Sally" induces goosebumps and the influence clearly carried over to "I'm Down."
During the time period covered by VOLUME TWO, the Fab Four stopped touring and focused their energies on studio recordings. The results included some of the Beatles' more experimental forays, like their first use of backwards tape ("Rain") and the breaking of the singles time barrier ("Hey Jude"). There are also alternate versions of well-known songs ("Get Back," "Across The Universe"), and songs influenced by Fats Domino ("Lady Madonna") and Indian culture ("The Inner Light") featured here. The most unusual tune included on this collection is "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)." This highly unusual recording was started in May 1967 and shelved before getting completed in November 1969. The result was an avant-cabaret number conceived by John Lennon, featuring mumbled vocals, Brian Jones' saxophone playing and sound effects replicating the inside of an after-hours club.

Sep 2009

The biggest band in rock history sees their original catalogue digitally remastered for the first time with improved packaging, including extra rare photographs, expanded and new essays and all enhanced with a video mini-documentary on the making of each album in the Beatles own words.

The previous two Past Masters albums have been combined into one pack as a double CD.

• Paste - "It remains the most comprehensive Beatles singles anthology....It's an essential set for completists and casual fans alike."

PAST MASTERS VOLUME ONE is a compilation of singles, B-sides and other tracks that did not appear on the Beatles' original British albums. The Beatles as a general rule did not include their singles on their albums in the UK.
PAST MASTERS VOLUME ONE is available with PAST MASTERS VOLUME TWO on one cassette on Parlophone (91135).
The Beatles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr.
Producer: George Martin.
Compilation producer: Mark Lewisohn.
Recorded between September 4, 1962 and June 14, 1965. Includes liner notes by Mark Lewisohn.
Audio Remasterers: Sam Okell; Sean Magee; Steve Rooke; Guy Massey; Paul Hicks.
Liner Note Authors: Mike Heatley; Kevin Howlett.
Along with its sister volume, PAST MASTERS VOL. 1 gathers singles, oddities and B-sides together and saves the dedicated Beatlemaniac considerable time and money hunting down this uncommon material. Like the "Red Album," VOLUME ONE covers the first half of the Beatles career from 1962 to 1965. Such was the enormous success of the Fab Four's breakout singles "She Loves You" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" that their vocals were recut for German versions ("Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" and "Sie Liebt Dich" respectively), which were originally slated for the West German market (and are included on this collection) before being released in the States.
Always mindful of their influences, the Beatles in their early phase were also notable for their choice of cover songs. Carl Perkins, Larry Williams and Little Richard were all paid tribute to eventually. While Ringo Starr sang "Matchbox" and John Lennon handled "Slow Down" and "Bad Boy," Paul McCartney channeled Richard Penniman. His take on "Long Tall Sally" induces goosebumps and the influence clearly carried over to "I'm Down."