Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Some new releases coming out just in time for the 40th anniversary of The Beatles first visit to America! First up is "The Beatles First U.S. Visit" on DVD coming out on Feb. 3rd. It is essentially the same 80 minute film that was first released on VHS in 1991 and DVD in 1998, but this reissue contains a separate "Making of..." documentary. For those who have never seen this excellent film owe it to themselves to check it out. List price is $24.98.
Also coming out from Capitol (no release date mentioned yet) is a boxed set containing the first four AMERICAN release Beatles albums! No specific details on which four of the U.S. titles are going to be included, but my guess would be "Meet The Beatles", "The Beatles Second Album", "Something New", and possibly "Beatles 65". Although possibly the "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack and "The Beatles Story" documentary could fall into place as well. As I said, no release date yet and it looks slim that it will be out in time for the official 40th anniversary date (Feb. 7th). But, for all you folks who've been crying out for years about releasing the Capitol versions, you're finally getting your wish. The tracks on these will be remastered, but not remixed.
And finally just in time for George Harrison's upcoming birthday (Feb. 25th), Capitol will be releasing the newly acquired DARK HORSE catalog, featuring six albums that have been out of print for years. The albums will be available separetely and also in a new deluxe box set featuring an exclusive DVD. The six albums are: "Thirty Three & 1/3", "George Harrison", "Somewhere In England", "Gone Troppo", "Cloud Nine", and "Live In Japan". Each has been digitally remastered and contains bonus unreleased tracks, new 12 page booklets containing lyrics, personal commentary from George and unseen photos. No bonus tracks on "Live In Japan", but that will be issued as a double SACD hybrid in both stereo and 5.1 suround sound. The box will contain the six albums plus a book with extensive liner notes by David Fricke, accompanied by unseen photos, illustrations, and press clippings. Olivia Harrison has contributed a short history of DARK HORSE records, and further notes about the DARK HORSE logo.
The DVD runs in excess of 75 minutes, and is in four sections; highlights are archive footage of George talking about his solo career, seven promo videos with George discussing each track, four live songs from George's 1991 Japanese tour with Eric Clapton (all footage previously unreleased), and excerpts from the movie "Shanghai Surprise" featuring George in performance. The sound throughout the DVD is stereo, except the concert performances which are 5.1 surround sound. List price on the box set is $132.98, but Amazon.com is taking pre-orders for $119.49. Release date is Feb. 24th.
So, there you have it folks! Just when most of you thought that this would be another Beatles anniversary that would go un-noticed. Start saving that hard earned $$$$!

Any news if the Capitol Beatles titles are coming out on CD or on vinyl? Also, where did you get this tidbit of info?

Hi Jeff! Can you tell us where you read that about the Capitol Box Set? I can't find a press release on that ANYWHERE! That is HUGE news...

Guys I subscribe to Beatlefan/EXTRA and that is where I got the info on the Capitol box. I doubt you'll find any 'official' press release as of yet. It's also mentioned on Jorie Gracen's website The Macca Report. Don, no mention of vinyl, so I would venture to say CD only. If I get more info, I'll be more than happy to pass it along.

I'm glad to hear that the self titled "GEORGE HARRISON" album will be re-released. It is one of my favorite George albums. I will like to hear "SOMWHERE IN ENGLAND & CLOUD NINE" again as well. I'm not sure how I feel about the American Beatle albums being released. I mean how many different compilations can their be? Now don't get me wrong...I'll be there with all the Beatle people buying it, but it seems to me that just about everything is already available. Any thoughts?

I'm happy as a pig in mud that the US Beatles releases will show up on CD. They should have done that from the beginning... When they first came out back in the late 80's, I wanted to hear "I Call Your Name" - but you had to wait until Past Masters came out.. It was stupid... All those gems from the Something New and Second Albums weren't released until Past Masters was released. Oh, and lets not forget the "Yesterday and Today" album... I hope Apple releases the entire US catalog, including A Hard Day's Night and Help! with those cheezy instrumentals... Those releases remained a staple for Beatleheads for 25 years until the UK cd's were released... Sure, I would also love to see: the US Rarities on cd, and the Hollywood Bowl too!

On the George Harrison side, I'd like to see B-sides included, remember "Miss O'Dell" - the B-side to "Give me Love." - Let's not forget "I don't Want to Do it" from the Porky's soundtrack!

Rarities would be nice, but I would like to see a true rarities album. Live at the Hollywood Bowl would be awesome! That is one I would love to hear. I didn't think of that one.

Here's the bonus tracks on the new Harrison reissues: THIRTY THREE & 1/3 = "Tears Of The World", GEORGE HARRISON = "Here Comes The Moon" (demo version), SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND = "Save The World" (demo version), GONE TROPPO = "Mystical One" (demo version), and CLOUD NINE = "Shangai Surprise" & "Zig Zag".
Originally "The Concert For Bangla Desh" was supposed to start the Harrison reissue program early this year, but they elected to go with the Dark Horse catalog instead. Hopefully the Apple catalog won't be far behind, and yes Don, I'd love to see B-sides and unreleased material included on those as well.
As far as the American Beatles albums go, I think any future American album release will depend on how well these first four sell. I too would love to see "Live At The Hollywood Bowl", but don't hold your breath when it comes to Apple.

I would like to hear the Hamburg album again

Don't expect the "Live At The Star Club" material anytime soon. This was the material that the surviving Beatles sued over in court to prevent from any future release. So, unless you obtained a copy of the material when it was available in 1991 on Sony on two separate volumes, you're out of luck. It's still out there on various bootlegs, you just have to look for it.

Not to be a blue meanie, But just as well, unless they throw some magic into those recordings, they can keep them in the vault. They sound horrible! I have the original Star Club LP on Lingasong and the Ktel CD and the Sony 2 cd set, they all sound horrible...

A Tidbit: In the new Rolling Stone maggie, the Beatles are on the cover and inside there is a strange pic of them rehearsing in what looks like Miami, John is pictured with George's Gretsch Country Gent! Wow! Never saw that one.

I LOVE the Star Club tape. It's totally punk rock.