Anthology 2: Introduction
“Anthology 2” is an album that is part of the The Beatles Anthology Series. It contains rarities and outtakes, together with live performances from the 1965 sessions of Help! Not only that, but it has other material up to 1968.
However, there is further material from the years 1979 and 1995. With this in mind, let us explore the “Anthology 2” album in detail. Moreover, to sample the album, click the play button further down.
In Detail
- Release Date: March 18, 1996
- Recorded: February 16, 1965, to April 30, 1969; then around 1979 & February 1995
- Album Duration: 127:54
- Label: Apple (UK), Capitol (US)
- Genre: Rock and pop
- Producers: George Martin, also for the “Real Love” single; Jeff Lynne, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Performers
Anthology 2 CD Tracks**
Disc One
Tracks
Place & Date
01) Real Love
02) Yes It Is
03) I’m Down
04) You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
05) If You’ve Got Trouble
06) That Means A Lot
07) Yesterday (Take 1)
08) It’s Only Love
09) I Feel Fine
10) Ticket To Ride
11) Yesterday
12) Help!
13) Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
14) Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
15) I’m Looking Through You
16) 12-Bar Original
17) Tomorrow Never Knows
18) Got To Get You Into My Life
19) And Your Bird Can Sing
20) Taxman
21) Eleanor Rigby (Strings Only)
22) I’m Only Sleeping (Rehearsal)
23) I’m Only Sleeping (Take 1)
24) Rock And Roll Music
25) She’s A Woman
01) The Dakota, US & Hogg Hill Mill, UK (1979 & 1995)
02) EMI Studios, London, UK (1965)
03) ” ” “
04) ” ” “
05) ” ” “
06) ” ” “
07) ” ” “
08) ” ” “
09) ABC Theatre, Blackpool, UK (1965)
10) ” ” “
11) ” ” “
12) ” ” “
13) Shea Stadium, New York City (1965)
14) EMI Studios, London, UK (1965)
15) ” ” “
16) ” ” “
17) ” ” “
18) ” ” “
19) ” ” “
20) ” ” “
21) ” ” “
22) ” ” “
23) ” ” “
24) Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan (1966)
25) ” ” “
Disc Two
Tracks
Place & Date
01) Strawberry Fields Forever (Demo Sequence)
02) Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 1)
03) Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 7 & Edit Piece)
04) Penny Lane
05) A Day In The Life
06) Good Morning Good Morning
07) Only A Northern Song
08) Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite! (Takes 1 and 2)
09) Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite! (Take 7)
10) Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
11) Within You Without You (Instrumental)
12) Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
13) You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
14) I Am The Walrus
15) The Fool On The Hill (Demo)
16) Your Mother Should Know
17) The Fool On The Hill (Take 4)
18) Hello, Goodbye
19) Lady Madonna
20) Across The Universe
01) Kenwood, Weybridge, UK (1966)
02) EMI Studios, London, UK (1966)
03) ” ” “
04) EMI Studios, London, UK (1966/67)
05) EMI Studios, London, UK (1967)
06) ” ” “
07) ” ” “
08) ” ” “
09) ” ” “
10) ” ” “
11) ” ” “
12) ” ” “
13) EMI Studios, London, UK (1967–69)
14) EMI Studios, London, UK (1967)
15) ” ” “
16) ” ” “
17) ” ” “
18) ” ” “
19) EMI Studios, London, UK (1968)
20) ” ” “
**Due to space restrictions, the CD has two discs, while the LP release has three. There are also two cassette releases.
Anthology 2: Album Cover
“Anthology 2” is a compilation of rare Beatles material from 1965, when Beatlemania was at its peak, of course.
However, the anthology covers the period up to 1968 as well. Therefore, this covers some of their psychedelic-era stuff too. However, the images on the disc cover reflect more of the Beatlemania period.
Be that as it may, as with Anthology 1, the cover shows ripped-up images of their albums to form a collage.
Of course, those that stand out instantly are “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Rubber Soul,” and “Help!” Since “Anthology 2” doesn’t cover the 1964 period, just why the 1964 album “A Hard Day’s Night” is on the cover may remain a mystery.
All in all, though, the cover by Klaus Voormann does reflect the overall Anthology feel—peeling back the years!
Anthology 2: Chart Success
The “Anthology 2” album did reach number one in both the UK and the US. However, in Canada and Australia, it didn’t quite peak at number one, taking the number 3 and 2 spots, respectively. But, in most other countries, the album was high up in the top 10.
Like on “Anthology 1,” we also get a single release from this album, “Real Love.” Jeff Lynne has done a good job producing “Free As A Bird” on “Anthology 1,” and he produced yet another winner here.
Real Love, although not as successful as “Free As A Bird,” still managed to get into the top 10 in Australia, the country that adored The Beatles. It also charted in similar positions in the UK, Europe, and the US.
Take A Listen
Click the play button below and listen to the songs; then perhaps you could leave a comment or two.
