A new song to open all these archival tapes is a nice touch. Listening back to the original three Anthology releases from The Beatles is a chance to hear early takes and the songs that informed their future. Open with Real Love and listen well. It’s those instrumental flourishes backing a John Lennon vocal tape the remaining band members were given after his death that highlight the heart found on Anthology. Volume two concerns itself with the glory days of the band. Anthology Vol. 1 is a look at their earliest years and ends around the time the Fab Four carved out a sound of their own. Anthology Vol. 2 brings on a two-hour collection with valuable insight into how the band’s instrumental work changed. Rapidly is a word for it, but Lennon, along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, were pursuing interests which would, in turn, bring together the best of their album work. From the final years of their pop-rock and upbeat instrumental style to the psychedelic switch-up, which would bring us the band’s first truly outstanding album.
It’s a transition worth hearing and the extra context of early takes and deep cut performances on Anthology Vol. 2 is, like the first, vital listening. Solid material from the Help! recording sessions, treading the waters of historical interest more than anything. Brilliant quality recordings at least mean this is a song listeners can revisit for entertainment value too, unlike, unfortunately, early numbers from The Quarrymen. Hearing McCartney explain the cord transition of Yesterday, for instance, is beautiful. He has the vocals where he wants them, just some minor changes to the acoustic guitar on his first take and that’s it, a classic in the bag. Hearing how quick The Beatles were not in their takes, but in nailing a final version and how different the takes before it were, highlights an artistic efficiency and clarity few have.
Anthology Vol. 2 offers a fine selection of live songs too, with opportunity knocking for McCartney to highlight his strengths as a solo performer. Those screaming audience members underscore just how volatile Beatlemania was becoming. Once the band begins their Revolver material, the compilation takes a strong turn. Got to Get You into My Life sounds better here than it does on the album. This is a frequent occurrence of Anthology Vol. 2. Early takes, which are frankly stronger than the album version. Solid versions all round and all of it interesting to those hardened Beatles fans. Where the real interest lay in Anthology Vol. 2 is in the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band material. A triple of Strawberry Fields Forever from Magical Mystery Tour, too, is essential listening. Take One is staggering; Take 7 is very close to the final version. Hearing that process is a sincere treat.
That’s what Anthology offers time and again. Early versions of these songs are not thrown out just for the sake of hearing them, but because listeners who are well-versed in the band’s work will pick up on the subtle changes, those details which were replaced or evolved into a defining style. The Beatles’ work is exceptionally well-documented here. Jeff Lynne’s production and ability to clear up the sound is nothing short of masterful. Like any compilation of cuts, be it from Bob Dylan or Pink Floyd, this is one for the hardened fan, the listener who must get their hands on every piece of work from the artist. Those who want that are served brilliantly here. Anthology Vol. 2 comes into its own in the latter songs, where Across the Universe and Hello, Goodbye appear. It’s the perfect tee-up to Anthology Vol. 3, but this instalment more than stands on its own merit.