BEATLES – COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS VOLUME 1 (2 CD)

Description

　The “Complete Recording Sessions” series, which chronologically compiled the surprisingly large number of early Beatles recordings, was highly praised by enthusiasts as a convenient and accessible compilation. However, nearly a decade has passed since its release. Many upgraded recordings have been discovered during that time, and the 2017 release feels outdated. A long-awaited update of this compilation of early recordings has finally arrived from the Merseyside label!

　This has been reborn into something that goes beyond a re-release. As a result of a major overhaul of both the sound source and the content, this “Vol. 1” is a new version that combines the previous “Vol. 0” and “Vol. 1.” While the previous version started with a session with Tony Sheridan, this time it starts with two acetate tracks by The Quarrymen.

　Officially demixed versions of these two tracks were released at the end of last year, which allowed the performance and John’s vocals to emerge more clearly than ever before on the old acetates. However, it’s also true that reverb was added to the 1957 recordings, creating a pseudo-stereo effect. So, for this release, we’ve taken the 2025 remaster as a base and removed the reverb to convert them to mono. While retaining their crisper definition, they’ve restored the texture and sound quality of the 1957 self-released acetates.

　The previous Decca Audition release was based on the 15-year-old “Never Mind the Tremeloes” file, but this time we’ve used the “Unprocessed Decca Audition Tape,” the first release from the Merseyside label and the hugely popular “best version of the Decca Audition” that sold out (with the exception of the crooked intro to “Money”). Not only has the sound quality been improved, but this release is a great value for those who missed out on the previous version, which sold out.

　And for the EMI Audition track “Besame Mucho,” the original ending, previously only heard on “1,2,3,4!”, the prototype for “SESSIONS,” has been spliced ​​into the official 2011 remaster, which was previously only available digitally. The hiss that was noticeable after splicing on the previous release has been completely eliminated this time thanks to the latest advances in technology, allowing Paul to sing more clearly and articulately as he approaches the ending.

　As a result of these changes, Disc 2 begins with the sessions for the debut single, which took place in September 1962. The sessions for the first album, “PLEASE PLEASE ME,” which make up the majority of this disc, are also based on the latest 2026 files recently released by MasterJedi, ensuring the entire disc is recorded in the best possible quality. Not only does it use Roger Scott’s recordings, but it also includes a lossless version of “Bootleg Recordings 1963,” previously available only on iTunes, as well as “Take It Off (HMC),” creating the longest and best session recordings available.

　”I Saw Her Standing There [take 2]” first appeared on “ULTRA RARE TRAX Vol.1” and has now become a major hit as the opening track of “ANTHOLOGY4.” While the original track has been remixed and remastered to sound like you’re listening to a performance from the control room, this track is so vivid and different that you’ll almost feel as if you’re listening to the Beatles perform right in front of you.

　And what wasn’t possible on the previous 2017 release was the pre-overdubbing of “Misery” and “Baby It’s You.” These tracks are based on files created by the well-known Lord Reith, recreating the original band performance before George Martin added piano and celesta.

　By including these recordings, the album has been reborn as a comprehensive compilation of the early Beatles recording sessions. Not only is the entire album recorded with perfect sound quality, but the inclusion of the classic “Unprocessed Decca Audition Tape” further enhances the content. This is the culmination of a new generation of Beatles recording sessions!

Changes from the previous version:

Disc 1
adds “That’ll Be The Day” and “In Spite Of All The Danger” from the Quarrymen era. Converted to mono based on the source material from the 2025 Anthology 1. The Decca audition has been replaced with the audio from “Unprocessed Decca Audition Tape (Merseyside 001)”
instead of “NEVER MIND THE TREMELOES.”
Track 22, “Besame Mucho,” has been remastered. The tape hiss in the “1, 2, 3, 4!” sound at the end has been reduced.

Disc 2:
This disc incorporates the first disc from Volume 1.
It has been replaced with the latest source material from MasterJedi’s “Complete Recording Sessions Vol 02 (V4),” updated in 2026.
“Misery [take 11]” and “Baby It’s You [take 3]” have been added from Lord Reith’s “FABRACADABRA! Vol 1.”

Disc 1(72:35)
*spring-early summer 1958 – P. F. Phillips Studio, Liverpool
01 That’ll Be The Day
02 In Spite Of All The Danger

*22nd-23rd June 1961 – Friedrich Ebert Hall, Hamburg
03 My Bonnie (German intro)
04 My Bonnie (English intro)
05 The Saints
06 Why (Can’t You Love Me Again)
07 Cry For A Shadow

*24th June 1961 – Studio Rahlstedt, Hamburg
08 Ain’t She Sweet

09 Take Out Some Insurance On Me, Baby
10 Nobody’s Child

*1st January 1962 – Decca Studios, London
11 Money (That’s What I Want)
12 The Sheik of Araby
13 Memphis, Tennessee
14 Three Cool Cats
15 Sure To Fall (In Love With You)
16 September In The Rain
17 Take Good Care of My Baby
18 Till There Was You
19 Crying, Waiting, Hoping
20 To Know Her Is To Love Her
21 Besame Mucho
22 Searchin’
23 Like Dreamers Do
24 Hello Little Girl
25 Love of The Loved

*May 24, 1962 – Studio Rahlstedt, Hamburg
26 Sweet Georgia Brown [7th June 1962 vocal]
27 Sweet Georgia Brown [3rd Jan 1964 vocal]

*6th June 1962 – EMI Studio 2, London
28 Kiss Me Much
29 Love Me Do

Disc 2(75:14)
*4th September 1962 – EMI Studio 2, London – 7:00PM-10:00PM
01 How Do You Do It [take 2]
02 Love Me Do [single version]

*11th September 1962 – EMI Studio 2, London – 10:00AM-1:00PM
03 Please Please Me [unknown take]

*26th November 1962 – EMI Studio 2, London – 7:00PM-10:00PM
04 Please Please Me [single version]
05 Ask Me Why [single version]

*11th February 1963 – EMI Studio 2, London – 10:00AM-1:00PM
06 There’s A Place [take 1]
07 There’s A Place [take 2]
08 There’s A Place [take 3-4]
09 There’s A Place [take 5-6]
10 There’s A Place [take 7-8]
11 There’s a Place [take 9]
12 There’s A Place [take 10]
13 I Saw Her Standing There [take 1]
14 I Saw Her Standing There [take 2]
15 I Saw Her Standing There [take 3-5]
16 I Saw Her Standing There [take 6-8]
17 I Saw Her Standing There [take 9]

*11th February 1963 – EMI Studio 2, London – 2:30PM-6:00PM
18 Do You Want To Know A Secret [take 7]
19 Do You Want To Know A Secret [take 8]
20 A Taste Of Honey [take 6]
21 A Taste Of Honey [take 7]
22 There’s A Place [take 11]
23 There’s A Place [take 12-13]
24 I Saw Her Standing There [take 10]
25 I Saw Her Standing There [take 11-12]
26 Misery [take 1]
27 Misery [take 2-5]
28 Misery [take 6]
29 Misery [take 7]
30 Misery [take 8-9 (incomplete)]
31 Misery [take 11]

*11th February 1963 – EMI Studio 2, London – 7:30PM-10:45PM
32 Baby It’s You [take 3]