The Beatles Anthology Vol.3 - Is The Last One The Best One? (The Beatles Anthology Vol.3 - The Beatles)

Member Name: Caveat-Emptor

Product:	The Beatles Anthology Vol.3 - The Beatles
Date:	25/06/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Valuable Insight Into The Beatles, Great Alternate Versions

Disadvantages: Not As Directly Accessible As Many Other Beatle Albums

My review of The Beatles Anthology Vol.3

Accompanying the popular television series a while back, were the Anthology releases. This is Volume 3 of what became a very popular short run of albums.

Unlike the usual Beatles compilations -the Anthology ones go a little more left field - being full to the brim with rare recordings. Moving on from Volume two (which was mainly concerned with the mid years) Volume three moves into chaotic and brilliant world of the fractured, soon to be split up Beatles.

Yoko was pulling John in to conceptual art, George was under the spell of Eastern mysticism, Paul had one already firmly on a solo career, and George was apparently, in his own words 'down to his last £50,000' lol!!

Because it was such a volatile time in the Beatles career, the creativity on offer here is often 1st rate, though often a little weird (but interestingly so!!). This was after all the era of the White Album, and the argumentative Let It Be project, rescued only by Phil Spector's intervention (who was non too popular with Paul).

Album highlights include - John's Happiness Is a Warm Gun out takes (the finished version is on the White Album) -inspired by John seeing the disturbing phrase in a magazine...

The Long And Winding Road - a classic ballad by Paul (released on Let It Be), but this is the version before Phil Spector added the strings (violins, cellos etc) - which Phil apparently did without Paul's consent. But here on Anthology Vol. 3 is Paul's preferred version of his song. (Incidentally, despite Paul's criticism of Spector's mix, it as this same version complete with strings that won Paul a Grammy -lol!!).

Also in evidence are George Harrison's demos of Something and (worth buying the album for this track alone) While My Guitar Gently Weeps (later on the finished version, George would bring in Eric Clapton to play lead guitar on it).

CONLUSION (IN MY OPINION)
Much like volumes 1 & 2 of Anthology... Vol 3 while being fascinating and addictive listening; is not the kind of album you'd normally expect from the fab four.

It's just too obscure to request at discos -lol! But as a treat for fans - Anthologies' third volume is second to non; if you see what I mean :-)

Definitely one for the fans - and a 'something to consider getting'' album for every one else... Arguably the best of the 3 volumes!

Hope you found my review of some help, and good luck with your bargain hunting!!

Best wishes,

Summary: Beatle Fans Will Want To Complete the Collection, Others May Be Tempted Too!!