Release date : Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Abbey Road (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
By The Beatles • Official album • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The Original Studio Recordings (2009)”
Release date : Wednesday, September 9, 2009
By The Beatles • Official album • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The Original Studio Recordings (2009)”
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Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Abbey Road (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
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Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Past Masters (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
The Beatles’ mono and stereo remasters announced
Apr 07, 2009
4:20 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
Written by George Harrison
3:02 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Glyn Johns : Recording engineer Billy Preston : Hammond organ Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator 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
3:28 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
3:27 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Guitar George Harrison : Backing vocals, Bass George Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
Written by Ringo Starr
2:51 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
7:47 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Chris Thomas : Producer Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer Glyn Johns : Producer Billy Preston : Hammond organ Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
Written by George Harrison
3:06 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Handclaps Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Handclaps, Harmonium, Moog synthesiser, Vocals George Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
2:46 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals John Lennon : Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Moog synthesiser, Vocals George Martin : Electric spinet baldwin harpsichord, Producer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
4:03 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Glyn Johns : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
2:26 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
1:07 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
1:13 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
1:59 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
1:32 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
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
1:37 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator 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
2:22 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
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 Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator 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
0:26 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Phil McDonald : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jul 02, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jul 30, 1969 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
From the liner notes:
Historical Notes
Released on 26th September, 1969, Abbey Road was The Beatles’ eleventh UK album and, although not their final LP, it did feature the last songs they recorded together.
For the first and only time, the front cover of a Beatles album included neither their name nor a title – just the now iconic picture taken by lain Macmillan. He photographed the group walking across Abbey Road in North London, a few yards away from the entrance to EMI’s studios where the majority of their songs had been recorded since 1962.
However, The Beatles had begun work in 1969 not at Abbey Road but on a vast sound stage at Twickenham Film Studios, surrounded by cameras as they rehearsed songs for a televised concert. This plan was eventually abandoned and an album containing recordings made in their own Apple studio was much delayed until a documentary film of the January sessions was ready. However, two of the songs – ‘Get Back’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ – were released on The Beatles’ nineteenth single in April. It was a worldwide number one and was soon joined in the charts by its follow-up ‘The Ballad Of John And Yoko’. Their recently launched Apple label was also proving successful with hits by Mary Hopkin and Billy Preston and the regular creative contribution of The Beatles for a growing roster of artists.
In addition to their demanding commitment to running Apple, The Beatles worked intensively on their next album during the summer. In contrast to the earliest sessions of 1969, which were done ‘as live’ with no overdubs, they had returned to Abbey Road studios to create with George Martin carefully crafted recordings with ambitious musical arrangements. Interestingly, twelve of the seventeen songs recorded for Abbey Road were played during the filmed rehearsals and sessions in January.
Abbey Road entered the British album chart at number one in October and stayed there for a total of seventeen of its 81 weeks in the chart. The LP also reached number one in the USA and spent eleven weeks at that position.
Its initial stay in the list of 200 best selling albums lasted for 83 weeks until May, 1971.
In the UK, Abbey Road was the only Beatles LP from which tracks were issued on a single after the album had been released. Their third hit of the year coupled ‘Something’ and ‘Come Together’ and, in the States, both titles were shown at number one in November, 1969.
__________________________________________________Recording Notes
Produced by George Martin
Orchestrations by George Martin
Additional production: Chris Thomas
Principal Engineers: Phillip McDonald and Geoff EmerickThe Beatles’ recorded legacy was completed in a little over seven years. During this prolific period, their collaboration with producer George Martin and the engineers at Abbey Road had challenged the way that popular music was created. Indeed, on many occasions this team re-wrote the rule book and set a new standard to which their contemporaries had to aspire. How fitting then that their last recordings together should be included on an album named after the road where EMI’s studios are located.
In the early part of 1969, the Beatles had recorded in their own studio in the basement of the Apple office building and also at independent studio Trident.
However, from April onwards, all the remaining Beatles recordings were made at Abbey Road. Work intensified on their new album in the summer and Studio Two was booked from 1st July to the end of August. In fact, such was their productivity, Studio Three was sometimes used simultaneously.
Even though they were now using eight-track machines, they still ran into the perennial problem of having an insufficient number of tracks to cope with the ambitious arrangements. This was solved by copying – or ‘bouncing down’ – to a second eight-track tape, while at the same time mixing some of the tracks together. In this way, free tracks were created on the new tape to overdub additional instruments or vocals and seven songs required this process. To five of those an orchestra was added, which was recorded on 15th August during nine and a quarter hours in Studio One.
Remaining true to the spirit of musical adventure on their previous albums, The Beatles were one of the first pop acts to use a newly invented instrument. George Harrison had purchased one of only a few Moog synthesizers in existence and this large, unwieldy contraption was transported to Abbey Road in August. The electronically generated sound of the ‘Moog’ can be heard on ‘Because’, ‘Here Comes The Sun’, ‘I Want You (She’s so heavy)’ and ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’.
When their first two albums – Please Please Me and With The Beatles – were recorded on twin-track tape, it was primarily to allow the mono mix to be focused on at another time. Still in its infancy in 1963, stereo was not given the same significance. Even in 1967 when making Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, mono was still viewed as the dominant format. However, two years later, mono was completely disregarded and the Abbey Road LP was mixed solely in stereo.
A few years after the album was released, the name of EMI Recording Studios was officially changed to ‘Abbey Road’ and tourists dodge London traffic every day to have their photos taken on the pedestrian crossing adjacent to the building!
__________________________________________________This remastered album has been created from the original stereo analogue master tapes.
Remastered by Guy Massey and Steve Rooke
Project Co-ordinator: Allan Rouse
Thanks to Simon GibsonHistorical Notes: Kevin Howlett and Mike Heatley
Recording Notes: Allan Rouse and Kevin Howlett
Project management for EMI Records Ltd: Wendy Day and Guy HaydenAll songs published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC except tracks 2 and 7, Harrisongs Ltd and 5, Startling Music Ltd.
Digital Remaster ® 2009 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by EMI Records Ltd. © 2009 EMI Records Ltd. This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.
Artwork © 2009 Apple Corps Ltd. All photographs © Apple Corps Ltd.
__________________________________________________Album Redesign: Drew Lorimer
Photo retouching: Gavin O’Neill
Photo editing and research: Aaron Bremner and Dorcas Lynn
Solid State: The Story of "Abbey Road" and the End of the Beatles
Acclaimed Beatles historian Kenneth Womack offers the most definitive account yet of the writing, recording, mixing, and reception of Abbey Road. In February 1969, the Beatles began working on what became their final album together. Abbey Road introduced a number of new techniques and technologies to the Beatles' sound, and included "Come Together," "Something," and "Here Comes the Sun," which all emerged as classics.
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