I've only listened through it once, and I've done no a/b-ing or deep analysis, but here's my take on the "new" tunes included on the Beatles Anthology 4 album, out today.
As you likely know, there are 13 previously unreleased tracks on the collection, along with new mixes of "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love." The rest of the release includes tunes that have popped up on the Fabs' boxsets, on the "The Beatles Bootleg Recordings 1963" online release, or on the "Free as a Bird" EP. "Now and Then," from 2023, rounds things out.
So, here's what's new:
"Tell Me Why (Takes 12 and 13)" — This is a really fun outtake that captures the group practicing their harmonies and then launching into the tune with a guitar intro, which was later lopped off. The band is having fun clowning around. Their voices sound great and the overall fidelity, like every tune on the album, is vivid and lively. It's like you're sitting in the studio with them.
"If I Fell (Take 11)" — Fun to hear a different version of John and Paul singing these lovely, tricky harmony parts. An interesting feature that stood out to me is John or George (I presume) "tapping" rather than strumming the strings of his acoustic guitar to play the chords featured in the instrumental backing.
"Matchbox (Take 1)" — Ringo turns in a solid lead vocal on this early, stripped-down take of the Carl Perkins' cover. His voice isn't drenched in echo as on the official release and there's no piano.
"Every Little Thing (Takes 6 and 7)" — Fun performances of this Beatles for Sale standout, with nice harmonies from John and Paul, which collapse into laughter near the end.
"I Need You (Take 1)" — George stays the course as he sings lead on his tune, even while his bandmates murmur and laugh in the background. There's some cool stuff going on with Paul's bassline, too.
"I've Just Seen a Face (Take 3)" — John says "Sorry Paul" during a false start, but then we hear a fairly complete version of this folky, bluegrassy gem. Paul's lead vocal has a Dylan-ish edge not present on the officially released version. This tune and the next are the big highlights of this release for me.
"In My Life (Take 1)" — A lovely, spare take. Nice lead vocal from John. No piano.
"Nowhere Man (First Version - Take 2)" — Cool vocals in the opening moments and a fun listen overall, although the lead guitar part is mixed too low. This is an annoying tendency in Giles Martin's work: He often keeps lead parts mixed at around the same volume as everything else on the track, rather than giving them a boost. This dulls the effect of the sparkling Stratocaster sounds that are such a highlight of the officially issued version of this tune.
"Baby, You're a Rich Man (Takes 11 and 12)" — This one stands out also. John asks Mal or Neil for a Coke at the beginning and Paul chimes in with a request for cannabis resin, a reference to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' then-recent drug bust. John turns in a great vocal, switching back and forth from falsetto to his natural voice and Paul's bass sounds supercool. John jokingly rolls his Rrrrs near the end, keeping himself entertained.
"All You Need is Love (Rehearsal for BBC Broadcast)" — Another bit of history, this is from the "Our World" worldwide TV broadcast and features the announcer's intro. Lots of joking from the Beatles as they "practice" their vocal parts.
"The Fool on the Hill (Take 5 - Instrumental)" — Some listeners may feel cheated by the inclusion of instrumental backing tracks, but I love hearing them. This one is especially pretty, bringing flute and Paul's recorder part to the fore. It also reveals lots of hidden details in the arrangement, including acoustic guitar and Mellotron parts that I'd not tuned into before.
"I Am the Walrus (Take 19- Strings, Brass, Clarinet Overdubs)" — This is also pretty cool. Lots of swooping cello and energetic horn parts. It showcases George Martin's inventiveness as an arranger and is testament to his crucial contribution to the Beatles' music.
"Hey Bulldog (Take 4 - Instrumental)" — Hey! It's another instrumental. But how can you complain when it includes one of the Fabs' coolest guitar riffs (could be louder, Giles) and some nice, pounding piano.
"Free as a Bird (2025 Mix)" — This one is truly miraculous in its use of MAL "de-mixing" technology to restore John's voice to near-studio quality. He sounds clear as a bell. Paul and George's latterday backing vocals also are provided with greater clarity. Nice. It nearly seems like a real Beatles song now.
"Real Love (2025)" — John's voice is much-improved on this too, but it's not nearly as clear as it is on "Free as a Bird." Even MAL can only do so much. I still find the Threetles' backing arrangement overly busy and cluttered. Of the three Lennon tunes completed by his bandmates, I still rank this one third.
So there you have it. For me, this release is less interesting as an addition to the "Anthology" audio series as it is a preview of what, I hope, is still to come: Box sets dedicated to the remainder of the Beatles' catalog — Please Please Me through Rubber Soul, plus Magical Mystery Tour.
But I'm always grateful to hear unheard Beatles music, no matter where I find it.
Here's a look at Anthology 4's complete track list:
1. I Saw Her Standing There (Take 2)
2. Money (That’s What I Want) (RM7 undubbed)
3. This Boy (Takes 12 and 13)
4. Tell Me Why (Takes 4 and 5)
5. If I Fell (Take 11)
6. Matchbox (Take 1)
7. Every Little Thing (Takes 6 and 7)
8. I Need You (Take 1)
9. I’ve Just Seen A Face (Take 3)
10. In My Life (Take 1)
11. Nowhere Man (First version – Take 2)
12. Got To Get You Into My Life (Second version – unnumbered mix)
13. Love You To (Take 7)
14. Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 26)
15. She’s Leaving Home (Take 1 – instrumental)
16. Baby, You’re A Rich Man (Takes 11 and 12)
17. All You Need Is Love (Rehearsal for BBC broadcast)
18. The Fool On The Hill (Take 5 – Instrumental)
19. I Am The Walrus (Take 19 – strings, brass, clarinet overdub)
20. Hey Bulldog (Take 4 – instrumental)
21. Good Night (Take 10 with a guitar part from Take 5)
22. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Third Version – Take 27)
23. (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care (Studio jam)
24. Helter Skelter (Second version – Take 17)
25. I Will (Take 29)
26. Can You Take Me Back? (Take 1)
27. Julia (Two rehearsals)
28. Get Back (Take 8)
29. Octopus's Garden (Rehearsal)
30. Don't Let Me Down (First rooftop performance)
31. You Never Give Me Your Money (Take 36)
32. Here Comes The Sun (Take 9)
33. Something (Take 39 – instrumental – strings only)
34. Free As A Bird (2025 mix)
35. Real Love (2025 mix)
36. Now And Then
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