Number 9, Number 9, Number 9

So, according to Sky News, here in the UK The Beatles albums will be released this year on September 9 to coincide with the release of The Beatles: Rock Band game.
The Applelites have finally got their finger out and may just have helped to save the band’s reputation (in some respects). For I believe that The Beatles name has been slightly tarnished over the last few years and quite frankly it has been an embarrassment to them that their outstanding and distinguished catalogue hasn’t been released in solid gold versions let alone the relatively simple task of re-mastering the audio! Apparently it has taken four years to put this together? I ask the question, what have they been doing? I mean it only took the boys seven to write, record and release the stuff in the first place! I will say however that I cannot wait to see the package as there are some mouthwatering prospects in store. I am particularly intrigued by the ten disc Beatles In Mono project which will stand alongside the fourteen disc set. This is something we have all clamoured for since the discs were released back in 1987. It is shocking that they haven’t been available (legally) since before now. I believe that this is the absolute core of the band’s sound. It is how the vast majority of their records were sold. It is how the vast majority of the records were mixed and it is one of the main reasons they became popular. Stereo ripped the heart and soul out of those recordings, there is no doubt about that at all in my mind. So, to get the chance to hear these recordings straight from the master, shined up to a shiny thing with today’s powerhouse technology and perhaps more importantly to play it back on today’s brilliant players, is a prospect that I for one cannot wait for.
There is a downside to all of this though.
The fact is that there can’t be much more in the can for the band and so we might be close to the actual end of the road, release wise, and it may even be part of the reason why it has taken so long to get to this point, who knows? So we may as well enjoy it as it could be the last of the really big noises The Beatles can make and it comes as something of a relief. Whilst I did kinda nearly enjoy watching the Love documentary, I definitely won’t enjoy the game, because I am not interested in it even from a nosey parker point of view. It is just not what it’s about for me.
The other zillion dollar question for those interested of course is will we see a digital release online? I have been particularly excited by the prospect that the Beatles will take matters into their own hands in this department as it once more will elevate their status beyond the norm and it shows that the band won’t be pushed around by the biggest boy in the playground. It’s a separate issue to what I’m talking about here, but why should artists be held to ransom by the other apple? So, go Beatles, go!

All of that said, fans will ALWAYS want more and hey, I’m no different.

I’ve got two words for you - Hollywood and Bowl!
So, if you’re going to do it, do it absolute Apple!