MUSIC NEWS - Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music have announced plans to release the original Beatles catalogue (full list below), digitally re-mastered for the first time, for worldwide CD release on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 (9-9-09). That's the same day the anticipated " The Beatles:Rock Band" video game will be out (see Beatles RockBand video game ordering details) . Each of the CDs are packaged with replicated original UK album art, with expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos. For a limited time, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. Also on 9/09/09, date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will be released. The albums have been re-mastered by a team of engineers at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London over a four year period using state of the art recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analogue recordings. The result of this process is said to be the highest fidelity the catalogue has seen since its original release. The collection includes all 12 Beatles albums in stereo, with track listings and artwork as originally released in the UK, and 'Magical Mystery Tour,' which became part of The Beatles' core catalogue when the CDs were first released in 1987. In addition, the collections 'Past Masters Vol. I and II' are now combined as one title, for a total of 14 titles over 16 discs. This will mark the first time that the first four Beatles albums will be out in stereo in their entirety on compact disc. These 14 albums, along with a DVD collection of the documentaries, will also be available for purchase together in a stereo boxed set. Order your Beatles Remastered today!



With each CD's new packaging, booklets include detailed historical notes along with informative recording notes are included. With the exception of the 'Past Masters' set, newly produced mini-documentaries on the making of each album, directed by Bob Smeaton, are included as QuickTime files on each album. The documentaries contain archival footage, rare photographs and never-before-heard studio chat from The Beatles, offering a unique and very personal insight into the studio atmosphere.



A second boxed set has been created with the collector in mind. 'The Beatles in Mono' gathers together, in one place, all of the Beatles recordings that were mixed for a mono release. It will contain 10 of the albums with their original mono mixes, plus two further discs of mono masters (covering similar ground to the stereo tracks on 'Past Masters'). As an added bonus, the mono "Help!" and "Rubber Soul" discs also include the original 1965 stereo mixes, which have not been previously released on CD. These albums will be packaged in mini-vinyl CD replicas of the original sleeves with all original inserts and label designs retained.



No word yet on the digital distribution of the catalog, though George Harrison's son, Dhani, recently commented that a "self distribution" by Apple Corps is a possibility (see MNN story here) ! In the meantime, complete your Beatles cd collection here.



Release Details -



The Stereo Albums (available individually and collected in a stereo boxed set), have been remastered by Guy Massey, Steve Rooke, Sam Okell with Paul Hicks and Sean Magee. All CD packages contain original vinyl artwork and liner notes with extensive archival photos. Additional historical notes by Kevin Howlett and Mike Heatley and additional recording notes by Allan Rouse & Kevin Howlett.



* = CD includes QuickTime mini-doc about the album

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*

Yellow Submarine* (also includes original US liner notes)

Abbey Road*

Let It Be*

Past Masters (contains new liner notes written by Kevin Howlett)



'The Beatles in Mono' (boxed set only), have been remastered by Paul Hicks, Sean Magee with Guy Massey and Steve Rooke. Presented together in box with an essay written by Kevin Howlett .



+ = mono mix CD debut

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



