Anthology 2 [Original recording remastered]

Anthology 2 is less a historical document than 1, but the sound here is of better quality, even if the takes sometimes break down. The two disk set covers the period from 1965-1968, so we get a lot of studio experimentation and alternate takes of familiar songs.
The set kicks off with "Real Love" which I think is a stronger and more complete tune than "Free as a Bird." Lennon's voice is stronger, there are melody changes, and no added sentimental verses. Great slide work by George.
The second song is "Yes It Is" and I like the way they tricked this up, starting with a rather thin sounding guide vocal by John, nearly collapsing into some silly nonsense singing, then suddenly blossoming full of three-part harmony. That is the strength of this set, showing the progression of early demos and song fragments to the finished versions we all know.
A couple unreleased tracks, "If You've Got Trouble" and "That Means a Lot" have appeared on bootlegs, and when you listen you can understand that while they weren't bad songs, they just lacked that Beatle magic.
Other interesting bits are "Tomorrow Never Knows" without that cool backbeat that Ringo used to propel the song. Here it merely drones. "And Your Bird Can Sing" has a very different guitar instrumental track and the Fabs cutting up in the vocal booth. "Got To Get You Into My Life" is minus the horns and with a much more martial feel. "Eleanor Rigby" strings only gives an interesting contrast to how a song is put together and the timing involved. "I'm Only Sleeping" has a mellow vibe intro, then changes to something more like the released version.
Disk 2 features a number of "Strawberry Fields" edits, in different time signatures and keys, and with a final edit. Again, following the process is fascinating here. So it continues with alternates and outtakes from the Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour period. The set closes with an early version of "Across the Universe" in which Lennon's vocals are spotty, but this piece is still moving and the strings absolutely shimmer.
I like this set very much, but suggest newcomers to familiarize themselves with the studio work first before delving in here.

The attraction to the Anthology Collection is the use of alternative takes of old Beatles standards. While I have heard "Strawberry Fields" and "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" countless times, these alternate takes are interesting because they make you listen carefully for any differences. The new song, "Real Love" has a serene feel that makes one wish they were still releasing albums to this day. On another note, however, the record doesn't bring much more than the same material we've all heard numerous times back to life, only in an incomplete form. I think highly of this record because I am a die hard Beatles enthusiast. But I only listened to it a few times because I was interested in how these takes differed from the ones placed on the U.K. official releases. "Anthology 2" is a nice collector's item for Beatleheads, but those interested in their hits should look into picking up "1" or even one of their classic U.K. releases such as "Revolver" or "Rubber Soul" first. If you want to hear "Free as a Bird," download it off the web.

As many other reviewers have stated, these CDs contain many demos and alternate versions of Beatles' songs. Among all of this material there is also some previously unreleased material which is very good. But this isn't just a matter of raiding the vaults to give Fab Four Junkies a fix; this material is a series of revelations about the band's most fertile period.

The live versions of 1965 material start the first disc off and then it moves to the more inventive songs from "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver." There are several very interesting alternate takes here, but the real excitement is on the second disc. Here one sees the evolution in sound during the making of "Sgt. Pepper," and it becomes very clear that the Beatles could have gone many different directions with their new songs. The "Magical Mystery Tour" material is first rate; unfortunately, many people have forgotten this over the past 30 years.

The absolute highlight of the collection for me is the sparse version of 'Across the Universe' that closes the second disc. It is light years better than the half-baked version that turned up on "Let it Be" three years later. "Anthology 2" shows the Beatles at the height of their powers, and in this it pleases Fab Four Fanatics or general music fans alike.