"1" by THE BEATLES – Twenty-Seven UK and US No. 1 Single-Sides on Parlophone, Tollie, Swan, Vee Jay, Capitol and Apple Records (3 in Mono, 24 in Stereo, Many Remixed and Remastered in Stereo For The First Time). Featuring Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr with Guests Billy Preston and Phil Spector (November 2015 UK Apple/Universal CD+BLU RAY 2-Disc Compilation with Remixed Stereo, 5.1 Mixes and HD Restoration of all 27 Videos) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Ticket To Ride..."

 

There have been some seriously classy twofers emanating from Camp Fab in these last few decades - but this 2015 combo of CD and BLU RAY for the "1" compilation (originally issued November 2000 as a single-CD and Double-LP) is a genuinely stunning reissue.

 

I cannot imagine the amount of hours and labour that went into restoring and synching 27 film clips, but the impact of the gorgeous Audio on the CD with the Sixties imagination-gone-wild colour palette on the BLU RAY is almost overwhelming (and that is before you hear the 5.1 mixes). The Beatles and the music contained here are going on 60-years now in our lives and still they wipe the floor in terms of musical jaw-drop. Much to mutter about (UK and US 45-single catalogue numbers provided) - to the details...

 

UK 6 November 2015 - "1" by THE BEATLES on Apple/Universal 0602547567710 (Barcode 602547567710) is a CD + BLU RAY 2-Disc Reissue that Adds 27 Restored Video Clips on the BLU RAY to visually compliment the Remixed and Remastered 27-Track Audio on the CD (also has 5.1 Dolby Surround mixes on the 110-minutes BR). It plays out as follows:

 

CD (79:14 minutes):

1. Love Me Do

5 October 1962 Debut UK 7" single on Parlophone R 4949

27 April 1964 USA on Tollie 9008

This mix has Ringo on the drums - the album version has sessionman Andy White – this 45-cut is sometimes referred to as the "Original Single Version"

BLU RAY: Stage Clip filmed 27 Aug 1963 at The Little Theater, Southport, UK

 

2. From Me To You

11 April 1963 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5015

6 May 1963 USA Vee Jay VJ 522

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 4 Nov 1963 at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London (Royal Variety Performance, broadcast 10 Nov 1963)

 

3. She Loves You

23 August 1963 4th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5055

16 September 1963 USA on Swan 4152

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 30 Oct 1963 at the Narren-Teater, Grona Lund, Stockholm, Sweden

 

4. I Want To Hold Your Hand

23 November 1963 5th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5084

26 December 1963 USA on Capitol 5122

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 25 Nov 1963 in Studio Four, Granada TV Centre, Manchester, UK

 

5. Can't Buy Me Love

20 March 1964 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5114

16 March 1964 USA on Capitol 5150

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 28 April 1964 at Studio 5 A/B, Wembley Stadium, London

 

6. A Hard Day's Night

10 July 1964 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5160

13 July 1964 USA on Capitol 5222

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 20 June 1965 (evening performance) at the Palais des Sports, Paris, France

 

7. I Feel Fine

27 November 1964 8th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5200

23 November 1964 USA on Capitol 5327

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 23 Nov 1965 at Twickenham Film Studios, Middlesex, UK

 

8. Eight Days A Week

No UK release as a 45, was on the "Beatles For Sale" LP in Mono

15 February 1965 USA 7" single on Capitol 5371

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 20 Feb 1965 at Shea Stadium, New York City, USA

 

9. Ticket To Ride

9 April 1965 9th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5265

19 April1965 USA on Capitol 5407

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 23 Nov 1965 at Twickenham TV Studios, Middlesex, UK

 

10. Help!

23 July 1965 10th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5305

19 July 1965 USA on Capitol 5476

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 23 Nov 1965 at Twickenham TV Studios, Middlesex, UK

 

11. Yesterday

No UK release as a 45, was on the "Help!" LP in Mono

13 September 1965 USA on Capitol 5498

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 14 Aug 1965 in Studio 50, New York City, US

 

12. Day Tripper

13. We Can Work It Out

2 December 1965 11th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5389 (Double-A)

6 December 1965 USA on Capitol 5555

BLU RAY: Both stage clips filmed 23 Nov 1965 at Twickenham TV Studios, Middlesex, UK

 

14. Paperback Writer

10 June 1966 12th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5452

30 May 1966 USA on Capitol 5651

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 20 May 1966 at Chiswick House, Chiswick, London, UK

 

15. Yellow Submarine

16. Eleanor Rigby

5 August 1966 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5493

8 August 1966 USA on Capitol 5715 (Double A-sided single)

BLU RAY: Undisclosed location, created in 1968

 

17. Penny Lane

17 February 1967 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5570

13 February 1967 USA on Capitol 5810

BU RAY: Clips filmed 5 and 7 February 1967 at Stratford, London and Knole Park in Sevenoaks, Kent, UK

 

18. All You Need Is Love

7 July 1967 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5620

7 July 1967 USA on Capitol 5964

BLU RAY: First video with invited audience filmed 25 June 1967 at Studio One, Abbey Road Studios in London, UK

 

19. Hello, Goodbye

24 November 1967 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5655

27 November 1967 USA on Capitol 2056

BLU RAY: Stage clip filmed 10 Nov 1967 at the Saville Theatre, London, UK

 

20. Lady Madonna

15 March 1968 17th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5675

18 March 1968 USA on Capitol 2138

BLU RAY: Video clip filmed 11and 14 February 1968 at Studio Three, Abbey Road Studios and Chappell Studios, both in London, UK

 

21. Hey Jude

30 August 1968 18th UK 7" single on Apple R 5722 (1st on Apple)

26 August 1968 USA on Capitol 2276

BLU RAY: Video clip filmed 4 Sep 1968 at Twickenham TV Studios, Middlesex, UK

 

22. Get Back

11 April 1969 19th UK single on Apple R 5777

5 May 1969 USA on Apple 2490

Credited to THE BEATLES with BILLY PRESTON – the single release of "Get Back" is a different version to one on the "Let It Be" LP

BLU RAY: Film footage taken 30 January 1969 on top of the Apple Offices rooftop in Saville Row, London

 

23. The Ballad Of John And Yoko

30 May 1969 20th UK 7" single on Apple R 5786 [1st UK 7" in STEREO]

4 June 1969 USA on Apple 2531

Features vocal lead by John Lennon with backup from Paul

BLU RAY: Filmed between January and April 1969, undisclosed locations

 

24. Something

25. Come Together

31 October 1969 UK 7" single on Apple R 5814

6 October 1969 USA on Capitol 2654

Double-A single – both tracks on the "Abbey Road" LP

BLU RAY: Something filmed October 1969 in Berkshire, Mull of Kintyre and Surrey – no details for Come Together

 

26. Let It Be

6 March 1970 22nd UK 7" single on Apple R 5833

11 March 1970 USA on Apple 2764

Credited to THE BEATLES with Billy Preston - features a different guitar solo by George Harrison than the album cut on "Let It Be"

BLU RAY: Filmed 31 January 1969 at Apple Studio in Saville Row in London

 

27. The Long And Winding Road

Not issued as a 45 in the UK, included on the May 1970 LP "Let It Be"

11 May 1970 USA on Apple 2832

BLU RAY: Filmed 31 January 1969 at Apple Studio in Saville Row in London

 

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 were all Non-LP tracks in the UK at the time of their release

Tracks 8, 11 and 27 not issued as 45-singles in the UK – issued USA

Tracks 1 to 3 Remixed into MONO - 4 to 27 Remixed into STEREO

All original British 60ts singles were released in Mono right up to "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" which became their first STEREO release – so Tracks 4 to 22 are new in STEREO for the "1" compilation.

 

BLU RAY (110 minutes, All Regions)

PCM Stereo Mixes, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 Mixes

For details on Film Clips see CD entries 1 to 27

 

The 2015 Audio Restoration, Mixing and Mastering was carried out by GILES MARTIN, SAM OKELL, MILES SHOWELL and TIM YOUNG at Abbey Road Studios whilst the colossal work done on Picture Restoration involved a team of almost 13 headed by MARK BENNICI (all are listed in the booklet). The remaining Beatles - PAUL McCARTNEY and RINGO STARR - also provides new Audio Commentaries and Video Introductions.

 

The 24-page booklet has new liner notes from MARK ELLEN of Old Grey Whistle Test and Mojo magazine fame, their Producer GEORGE MARTIN gets a page and there is an exceptionally detailed discography for every track that includes the visuals too. Alongside period photos of the Fabs, Worldwide Picture Sleeves from the collections of two uber-fans and the usual credit pages that go on for days – it’s an impressive display and reeks of class. To the tunes and visuals...

 

While you are missing cool flipsides like "This Boy" and "Yes It Is" from the early years where their three-part harmonies were so fresh, mid period songwriting leaps like George Harrison's B-side "The Inner Light" ("Lady Madonna" was the A) on to the stunning later material - John Lennon's fabulous riffage on "Revolution" (the "Hey Jude" B-side) or his lead vocal on "Don't Let Me Down" – what you get is a seriously great listen. You're struck with awe at how good they were. Most of these tracks were only SINGLES back in the day - yet most bands in 2023 would kill a beloved granny for 10% of such craft and talent.

 

I would admit that It is kind of a shock to go into STEREO come Track 4 onwards - "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "Eight Days A Week" and "Help!" – so used to the MONO from before – but I am loving it. The separation is evened up – not the crude a-bit here and a-bit-there version we used to get on Stereo vinyl LPs. The 2015 STEREO remixes of "Paperback Writer" and "Day Tripper" packs a mean left hook too and that string quartet on "Eleanor Rigby" juxtapositioned to Ringo Starr going all kiddy on "Yellow Submarine" is a stroke of mood-play genius.

 

So by the time you get to "Hey Jude", the Harrison ballad "Something", John getting all Walrus Gumbo and Toe Jam football on "Come Together" – it is hard not to allude to the oft said description – surely this man is the Son of Good – or they were the 'best band ever in the history of the world'. None of it feels like an accolade too far. But as a 1970 teen, it will always be "Let It Be" and the American single "The Long And Winding Road" that move me still and reduce me to mush. Soundwise literally everything seems up for grabs here - and in a thrilling new way too.

 

The footage is almost overwhelming too - we have seen clips of New York City Shea Stadium and the Saville Row January 1969 Apple Studios rooftop footage in London (the "Let It Be" film) - but wow what a treat to see them in this mind-blowing definition. I've never seen the Swedish foot either for "She Loves You" - the US clip for "Yesterday" and the montages for "Ballad" etc. Wow. 

"1" was a sensation when it was first issued November 2000, fifteen years prior to this update in November 2015 - but the Footage effort here is phenomenal and a truly worthy upgrade. Mother Mary came to me and said to "Let It Be" - amen to that....