Abbey Road (50th anniversary boxset)

Track list

Disc 1

1. 2019 Stereo Mix

1. Come Together

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   4:20 • Studio version • F • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Electric piano, Harmony vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Maracas John Lennon : Handclaps, Harmony vocals, Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 21, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: 22, 23, 25, 29, 30 Jul 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 07, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   

2. Something

   Written by George Harrison

   3:02 • Studio version • E • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Piano George Harrison : Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer, String arrangement Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Glyn Johns : Recording engineer Billy Preston : Hammond organ Sam Okell : Mix engineer Unknown musician(s) : Four cellos, Four violas, One double-bass, Twelve violins

   Session Recording: May 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: May 05, 1969 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London

   Session Overdubs: 11,16 Jul, 15 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 19, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   

3. Maxwell's Silver Hammer

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:28 • Studio version • C • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Guitar, Moog synthesiser, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Anvil, Backing vocals, Drums George Harrison : Backing vocals, Bass, Lead guitar George Martin : Hammond organ, Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 09, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: 9, 10, 11 Jul, 6 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 12, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 14, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

4. Oh! Darling

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:27 • Studio version • C • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Guitar George Harrison : Backing vocals, Bass George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Apr 20, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   Session Recording: 20, 26 Apr, 23 Jul, 8, 11 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 12, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   

5. Octopus's Garden

   Written by Ringo Starr

   2:51 • Studio version • D • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Effects, Percussion, Vocals John Lennon : Guitar George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Synthesiser George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Apr 26, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs & mixing: Apr 29, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs & mixing: Jul 18, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

6. I Want You (She's So Heavy)

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   7:47 • Studio version • C • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Congas, Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar, Moog synthesiser, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Tony Clark : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Glyn Johns : Producer Billy Preston : Hammond organ Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Feb 22, 1969 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK

   Session Overdubs: Apr 18 and 20 and Aug 11, 1969 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK & EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 20, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

7. Here Comes The Sun

   Written by George Harrison

   3:06 • Studio version • C • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Handclaps Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Handclaps, Harmonium, Moog synthesiser, Vocals George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 07, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: 7, 8, 16 Jul, 6, 11, 15, 19 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 19, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   

8. Because

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   2:46 • Studio version • D • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals John Lennon : Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Moog synthesiser, Vocals George Martin : Electric spinet baldwin harpsichord, Producer Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Aug 01, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: Aug 04, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: Aug 05, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 12, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

9. You Never Give Me Your Money

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   4:03 • Studio version • B • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Chimes, Guitar, Piano, Tape loops, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Backing vocals, Guitar George Harrison : Backing vocals, Guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Glyn Johns : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: May 06, 1969 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London

   Session Overdubs: 1,15,31 Jul, 5 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Aug 13, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

10. Sun King

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:26 • Studio version • B • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Harmonium, Harmony vocals, Piano, Tape loops Ringo Starr : Bongos, Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Guitar, Maracas, Vocals George Harrison : Harmony vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Lowrey organ, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

    Session Recording: Jul 24, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: Jul 25, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: Jul 29, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

    Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

11. Mean Mr. Mustard

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    1:07 • Studio version • C • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Fuzz bass, Harmony vocals, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Guitar, Maracas, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

    Session Recording: Jul 24, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: Jul 25, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: Jul 29, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

    Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

12. Polythene Pam

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    1:13 • Studio version • D • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric piano, Lead guitar, Piano Ringo Starr : Cowbell, Drums, Maracas, Tambourine John Lennon : 12-string acoustic guitar, Handclaps, Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

    Session Recording: Recording & overdubs • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Recording: Overdubs • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    Session Recording: Overdubs & mixing • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

13. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    1:59 • Studio version • D • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Electric piano, Lead guitar, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Cowbell, Drums, Maracas, Tambourine John Lennon : 12-string acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Handclaps, Rhythm guitar George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

    Session Recording & overdubs: Jul 25, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: Jul 28, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs & mixing: Jul 30, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

14. Golden Slumbers

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    1:32 • Studio version • B • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

    Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: 3, 4, 30, 31 Jul, 15 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    Session Recording: Aug 18, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

15. Carry That Weight

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    1:37 • Studio version • B • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Harmony vocal, Lead vocal, Piano, Rhythm guitar Ringo Starr : Chorus vocal, Drums, Timpani George Harrison : Bass, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Unknown musician(s) : Bass trombone, Cellos, Double bass, Horns, Trombone, Trumpets, Violas, Violins

    Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: 3, 4, 30, 31 Jul, 15 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    Session Mixing: Aug 18, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

16. The End

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:22 • Studio version • C • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Lead guitar, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar George Harrison : Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Unknown musician(s) : 1 bass trombone, 1 double-bass, 1 trombone, 12 violins, 3 trumpets, 4 horns, 4 violas

    Session Recording: Jul 23, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

    Session Overdubs: 5, 7, 8, 15, 18 Aug 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    Session Mixing: Aug 19, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

17. Her Majesty

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    0:26 • Studio version • B • Stereo • 2019 Stereo Mix

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

    Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Disc 2

1. Sessions

1. I Want You (She's So Heavy)

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   7:00 • Alternate take • D • Trident Recording Session & Reduction Mix. For an overnight session on February 22, 1969, The Beatles were joined at London’s Trident Studios by producer George Martin and engineer Glyn Johns to record “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” Abbey Road’s new edition combines a take from that session with the concluding part of the Trident master’s eight-track reduction mix made later at the EMI studios, revealing for the first time Billy Preston’s thrilling overdubbed organ solo.

   Giles Martin : Mix engineer, Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Chris Sheldon : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Feb 22, 1969 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK

2. Goodbye

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:24 • Demo • C • Home Demo

   Paul McCartney : Guitar, Lead vocal Giles Martin : Mix engineer, Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Chris Sheldon : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: February 1969 • Studio Home studio, Cavendish Avenue, St.John's Wood

3. Something

   Written by George Harrison

   3:37 • Demo • F • Studio Demo. Although previously released on Anthology 3 in a version featuring guitar and vocal, the new anniversary mix of George’s “Something” demo features for the first time vocal, guitar and piano.

   George Harrison : Guitar, Two piano parts, Vocal Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Feb 25, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   

4. The Ballad Of John And Yoko

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:38 • Alternate take • C • Take 7

   Paul McCartney : Drums John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Chris Sheldon : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Apr 14, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

5. Old Brown Shoe

   Written by George Harrison

   3:16 • Alternate take • C • Take 2

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums (?), Piano (?) Ringo Starr : Drums (?) John Lennon : Backing vocals, Piano (?) George Harrison : Guitars, Lead vocal George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Chris Sheldon : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Apr 16, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

6. Oh! Darling

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:31 • Alternate take • D • Take 4

   Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Guitar George Harrison : Bass Giles Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Engineer Billy Preston : Hammond organ Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Apr 20, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   

7. Octopus's Garden

   Written by Ringo Starr

   1:43 • Alternate take • E • Take 9

   Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Apr 26, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

8. You Never Give Me Your Money

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   5:18 • Alternate take • C • Take 36

   Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: May 06, 1969 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London

9. Her Majesty

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   1:34 • Alternate take • C • Takes 1–3

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Vocals Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Chris Sheldon : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

2. Sessions - Medley

1. Golden Slumbers

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:21 • Alternate take • C • Takes 1-3 - Medley with "Carry That Weight"

   Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

2. Carry That Weight

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:21 • Alternate take • C • Takes 1-3 - Medley with "Golden Slumbers"

   Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

3. Sessions

1. Here Comes The Sun

   Written by George Harrison

   3:41 • Alternate take • D • Take 9

   Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 07, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

2. Maxwell's Silver Hammer

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   4:44 • Alternate take • D • Take 12

   Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 09, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

3. Come Together

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:30 • Alternate take • G • Take 5

   Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Handclaps, Lead vocal, Tambourine George Harrison : Guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 21, 1969 • Studio Abbey Road Studios, London, UK

   

4. The End

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   2:11 • Alternate take • D • Take 3

   Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 23, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

5. Come And Get It

   Written by Paul McCartney

   2:43 • Demo • B1 • Studio Demo. The version issued on Anthology 3 in 1996 had been remixed from the multi-track tape 12 years earlier for a completed - but never released - album of previously unissued tracks. [This track] is the original mix made, with John and Paul present in the control room, immediately after 'Come And Get It' had been completed.

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Drums, Maracas, Piano, Vocals Giles Martin : Mix engineer, Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Chris Sheldon : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 24, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

6. Sun King

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:14 • Alternate take • Take 20

   Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 24, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

7. Mean Mr. Mustard

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   1:34 • Alternate take • Take 20

   Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 24, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

8. Polythene Pam

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   1:39 • Alternate take • E • Take 27

   Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 25, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

9. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   2:06 • Alternate take • E • Take 27

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Acoustic guitar George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 25, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

10. Because

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:08 • Alternate take • E • Take 1 – Instrumental

    Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Handclaps John Lennon : Guitar George Martin : Electric harpsichord, Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

    Session Recording: Aug 01, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Disc 3

1. The Long One

   Trial edit & Mix - 30 July 1969

1. You Never Give Me Your Money

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   16:10 • Alternate take

   Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969

2. Sun King

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   16:10 • Alternate take • From the original mix of "The Long One"

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969

3. Mean Mr. Mustard

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   16:10 • Alternate take • From the original mix of "The Long One"

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969

4. Her Majesty

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   0:26 • Studio version • A • Stereo • From the original mix of "The Long One", the cut of "Her Majesty" made out of it was released on "Abbey Road"

   Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

5. Polythene Pam

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   16:10 • Alternate take • F • From the original mix of "The Long One"

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969

6. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   16:10 • Alternate take • F • From the original mix of "The Long One"

   Session Recording: Jul 30, 1969

7. Golden Slumbers

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   16:10 • Alternate take • D • From the original mix of "The Long One"

   Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: Jul 03, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: Jul 04, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969

8. Carry That Weight

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Alternate take • D • From the original mix of "The Long One"

   Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: Jul 03, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Overdubs: Jul 04, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969

9. The End

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   2:11 • Alternate take • E • Part of the first version of the "Long One"

   Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Engineer Giles Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Engineer Sam Okell : Mix engineer

   Session Recording: Jul 23, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969

2. Sessions

1. Something

   Written by George Harrison

   2:42 • Alternate take • G • Take 39 – Instrumental – Strings Only

   Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Unknown musician(s) : Four cellos, Four violas, One double-bass, Twelve violins

   Session Recording: Aug 15, 1969

   

3. Medley

1. Golden Slumbers

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:17 • Alternate take • E • Take 17 - Instrumental - Strings & Brass only - Medley with "Carry That Weight"

   Giles Martin : Producer Sam Okell : Mix engineer Unknown musician(s) : Four cellos, Four horns, Four violas, One bass trombone, One double-bass, One trombone, Three trumpets, Twelve violins

   Session Recording: Aug 15, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

2. Carry That Weight

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:17 • Alternate take • E • Take 17 - Instrumental - Strings & Brass only - Medley with "Golden Slumbers"

   Unknown musician(s) : Four cellos, Four horns, Four violas, One bass trombone, One double-bass, One trombone, Three trumpets, Twelve violins

   Session Recording: Aug 15, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

I think before the Abbey Road sessions it was like we should put down the boxing gloves and try and just get it together and really make a very special album.

Paul McCartney

From TheBeatles.com, August 8, 2019:

It was 50 years ago today, on August 8, 1969, that the world’s most famous band stepped out from London’s EMI Recording Studios to stride, single-file, across the black and white stripes of Abbey Road’s nearby zebra crossing. With photographer Iain Macmillan balanced on a stepladder and one policeman stopping the street’s light traffic, The Beatles crossed back and forth three times, led by John Lennon, followed by Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. Just six photos were taken, with the fifth selected as the cover shot for The Beatles’ penultimate studio album, Abbey Road, named after the tree-lined street in which the studios are located. Released September 26, 1969, Abbey Road was not The Beatles’ final album, as Let It Be followed in 1970, but it was the last one John, Paul, George, and Ringo recorded together as a band. The Beatles will celebrate Abbey Road’s anniversary with a suite of beautifully presented packages to be released worldwide on September 27 by Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. Now available for preorder, the album’s 17 tracks are newly mixed by producer Giles Martin and mix engineer Sam Okell in stereo, high res stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos, accompanied by 23 session recordings and demos, most of which are previously unreleased.

“The Beatles recording journey had gone through many twists and turns, learning curves and thrilling rides. Here we were – still wondering at the magic of it all,” McCartney recalls in his written foreword for Abbey Road’s anniversary edition packages.

This is the first time Abbey Road has been remixed and presented with additional session recordings and demos. The album’s sweeping new edition follows the universally acclaimed remixed and expanded anniversary editions of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The BEATLES (‘White Album’) released in 2017 and 2018, respectively. To create Abbey Road’s new stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos mixes, Martin and Okell worked with an expert team of engineers and audio restoration specialists at Abbey Road Studios. All the new Abbey Road releases feature the new stereo album mix, sourced directly from the original eight-track session tapes. To produce the mix, Giles was guided by the album’s original stereo mix supervised by his father, George Martin.

“The magic comes from the hands playing the instruments, the blend of The Beatles’ voices, the beauty of the arrangements,” Giles Martin explains in his written introduction for the new edition. “Our quest is simply to ensure everything sounds as fresh and hits you as hard as it would have on the day it was recorded.”

Abbey Road’s Super Deluxe box set presents 40 tracks – including “The Long One” Trial Edit & Mix for the album’s epic Side 2 medley – on three CDs (stereo) and one Blu-ray disc (Dolby Atmos, 96kHz/24 bit high resolution stereo, and 96 kHz/24 bit DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1). The four discs are housed in a slip-sleeved 12” by 12” 100-page hardbound book with McCartney’s foreword; Martin’s introduction; insightful, in-depth chapters written by Beatles historian, author, and radio producer Kevin Howlett covering the months preceding The Beatles’ Abbey Road sessions, track-by-track details and session notes, the cover art and photo shoot, and the album’s reception upon its release; plus an essay by music journalist and author David Hepworth looking at the album’s influence through 50 years. The gorgeous book is illustrated with rare and previously unpublished photographs, including many taken by Linda McCartney; never before published images of handwritten lyrics, sketches, and a George Martin score; Beatles correspondence, recording sheets, and tape boxes; and reproduced original print ads. The Super Deluxe digital audio collection presents all 40 tracks for download purchase and streaming in standard and MFiT formats, as well as in high resolution audio (96kHz/24 bit) for download.

Abbey Road’s limited edition Deluxe vinyl box set features all 40 tracks from the Super Deluxe collection on three 180-gram vinyl LPs. The album’s new stereo mix LP is packaged in a faithfully replicated sleeve, with the two Sessions LPs paired in their own jacket, presented with a four-page insert in a lift-top box. The Deluxe 2CD set pairs the new stereo mix with versions taken from the session takes and demo recordings of its 17 songs, sequenced to match the album’s running order. The two discs are presented in a digipak with a 40-page booklet abridged from the Super Deluxe book. The album’s new stereo mix is also available in 1CD and 180-gram 1LP vinyl packages, for digital download in standard and MFiT audio, and on a limited edition picture disc vinyl LP illustrated by the album’s front and back cover art images.

Abbey Road’s Super Deluxe and Deluxe vinyl box sets’ 23 session and demo recordings are presented in chronological order of their first recording dates. “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” leads the charge:

For an overnight session on February 22, 1969, The Beatles were joined at London’s Trident Studios by producer George Martin and engineer Glyn Johns to record “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” Abbey Road’s new edition combines a take from that session with the concluding part of the Trident master’s eight-track reduction mix made later at the EMI studios, revealing for the first time Billy Preston’s thrilling overdubbed organ solo. With their amps turned up high, The Beatles received a noise complaint from one of the studio’s neighbors in the Soho area of the city. The take starts with Lennon exclaiming, “My boys are ready to go!,” before the band is told about the complaint. Lennon replies, “What are they doing here at this time of night?,” then lays it down: “Well, we’ll try it once more very loud. And then if we don’t get it, we’ll try it quiet, like it might do it the other way. OK. The loud one, last go. Last chance to be loud!”

In the same month that the raucous Trident session took place, McCartney recorded a home demo of “Goodbye” for the Apple-signed singer Mary Hopkin and Harrison recorded a solo demo of “Something” at EMI Recording Studios. Both demos are featured on Abbey Road’s new edition. “Goodbye” makes its release debut. Although previously released on Anthology 3 in a version featuring guitar and vocal, the new anniversary mix of George’s “Something” demo features for the first time vocal, guitar and piano.  

The Beatles reconvened at EMI’s studios and Olympic Sound Studios for sessions spanning mid-April to early May. On April 14, Lennon and McCartney recorded the single “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” in EMI’s Studio Three, with Geoff Emerick as the balance engineer. Two days later, the single’s B-side, “Old Brown Shoe” was recorded. Session recordings for these tracks, as well as three more songs started during this period, “Oh! Darling,” “Octopus’s Garden,” and “You Never Give Me Your Money,” are featured in Abbey Road’s anniversary edition.

The remainder of Abbey Road’s sessions took place in July and in August with George Martin producing, and with principal engineers Geoff Emerick and Phil McDonald taking turns at EMI’s groundbreaking new mixing console, the TG12345. On July 2, 3, and 4, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr recorded “Golden Slumbers”/“Carry That Weight” as a medley (Lennon was hospitalized in Scotland, recuperating after a car accident). A sequence of Takes 1-3 from the first day’s session is featured in the anniversary edition. Take 9 from McCartney, Harrison, and Starr’s backing track session for “Here Comes The Sun” on Starr’s July 7 birthday is also included.

On July 21, 22, and 23, The Beatles were in-studio to record “Come Together,” followed by additional sessions on July 25, 29, and 30. The anniversary edition features Take 5. On July 23, The Beatles began recording “The End,” which, along with McCartney’s timeless couplet – “And in the end, the love you take / Is equal to the love you make” – features Starr’s only drum solo on a Beatles recording. Take 3 is included in Abbey Road’s new edition. The next day, just before the band’s 34-take session for “Sun King” and “Mean Mr Mustard,” McCartney cut a quick studio demo for “Come And Get It” – later a hit for the Apple-signed band Badfinger. The demo’s original 1969 stereo mix, made with McCartney and Lennon present in the control room, is released for the first time in the new edition, as is Take 20 from The Beatles’ “Sun King” and “Mean Mr Mustard” session. On July 25, two more songs, “Polythene Pam” and “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window,” were recorded as one for inclusion in the album’s epic medley. Take 27 from that session is featured on the new edition.

After Harrison had transported his rare and cumbersome Moog synthesizer to the studios, four songs received Beatle-played synthesizer parts: “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” (Lennon), “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” (McCartney), and “Here Comes The Sun” and “Because” (Harrison). This was a very early use of the newly-invented instrument on a pop record. George Martin wrote arrangements for several tracks that were recorded in Studio One toward the end of the sessions in August 1969. The original overdubbed recordings of Martin’s scores for “Something” and “Golden Slumbers”/“Carry That Weight” are included in Abbey Road’s anniversary edition.

August 20, 1969 was the last time The Beatles were together as a band at the EMI studios, for an evening session to compile Abbey Road’s master tapes. The album’s sides were sequenced, with “Come Together” opening Side 1, and with the medley of “You Never Give Me Your Money,” “Sun King,” “Mean Mr Mustard,” “Polythene Pam,” “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window,” “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight,” and “The End” placed on Side 2. “The Long One,” a different trial edit and mix of the medley, including “Her Majesty” (ultimately placed 14 seconds after “The End” as an unlisted, hidden track) is included in Abbey Road’s new edition.

A few weeks before Abbey Road’s release on September 26, 1969, Apple’s press officer Derek Taylor revealed that the album was “recorded at nice, workmanlike sessions which usually began at 2pm and continued until the end of the evening.” Millions of Abbey Road LPs were pressed at manufacturing plants around the world. The album was another blockbuster release for The Beatles, holding the No. 1 spot on the U.K. albums chart for a total of 17 weeks and topping Billboard’s U.S. albums chart for 11 weeks. For their work on Abbey Road, Geoff Emerick and Phil McDonald won the year’s GRAMMY Award® for Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical. In 1995, Abbey Road was inducted into the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Hall of Fame, recognizing “recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.” The Beatles’ best-selling studio album, Abbey Road’s universal popularity and influence have continued to grow since its debut.

Since Abbey Road’s release, the street’s zebra crossing has been one of the most celebrated and photographed sites in the world, protected as an historic landmark and visited by thousands of Beatles fans each year. Due to the success of The Beatles’ album, EMI Recording Studios was renamed Abbey Road Studios. Owned and operated by Universal Music Group, Abbey Road Studios is the most famous recording studio in the world and a global music icon.

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