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THE BEATLES RE-MANIA
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THE BEATLES 1 -- A "greatest hits" CD, compiling 27 of the Beatles' #1 hit songs. Released in 2000.
THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY on DVD -- An eight-part television documentary that was broadcast in 1995 and accompanied by three double CDs of rare and previously unreleased music. Originally released on VHS in 1996; the DVD came out in April 2003.
LET IT BE ... NAKED -- A revamped version of the last Beatles studio album to be released, LET IT BE, that seeks to amend the controversy surrounding Phil Spector's last-minute production work, particularly the syrupy strings and choir he added, much to Paul McCartney's dismay, to "The Long and Winding Road." Released on CD in October 2003.
THE BEATLES: THE FIRST U.S. VISIT -- Originally released in 1964 as WHAT'S HAPPENING! THE BEATLES IN THE U.S.A., a film by Albert and David Maysles that documents the band's arrival in America. The updated DVD was released on February 3, 2004.
What's marvelous about this new digitized material is that all of it has been available for years, if in slightly different, arguably less robust formats. Certainly the band's #1 hits have never all been collected on one disc, and LET IT BE has been treated to a rejuvenating makeover. The Maysles' documentary includes bonus footage that is reputedly better than the original film, but by and large, these changes constitute mere tinkerings that are nevertheless eagerly reincorporated into the group's evolving legend. That all these pieces have been able to adapt to the changing nature of media bodes well for the band's long-term legacy. George Harrison and John Lennon may be gone, but John, Paul, George, and Ringo endure; indeed, the Beatles exist, and will remain, on a plane all their own.
Top banner photos: George Harrison; Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Dhani Harrison perform at the tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall (photo by Richard Young - Oops Publishing Ltd. 2002). |
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Paul McCartney performs Harrison's "Something," which was originally featured on the Beatles album ABBEY ROAD. |
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Billy Preston was among the musicians who played with Harrison on his first solo U.S. tour in 1974. |
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This program is available on DVD and music from the concert is available on CD. |
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