Release date : Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Magical Mystery Tour (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)”
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Revolver (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Magical Mystery Tour (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "The Beatles (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Yellow Submarine (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
2:50 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Lead vocals, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Percussion (?) John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Percussion (?) George Harrison : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Percussion (?) George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mal Evans : Percussion Neil Aspinall : Percussion David Mason : Trumpets Elgar Howarth : Trumpets Roy Copestake : Trumpets John Wilbraham : Trumpets Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 25, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 25 & 26 & 27, May 3, Nov 7, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Nov 06, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Nov 07, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
2:59 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Recorder, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Finger cymbals John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Harmonica, Piano George Harrison : Harmonica, Maracas George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Christopher Taylor : Flutes Richard Taylor : Flutes Jack Ellory : Flutes Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Ray Thomas : Harmonica (?) Mike Pinder : Harmonica (?) Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 26, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 27, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 20, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Nov 01, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Written by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison
2:16 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Maracas, Sound effects, Vocals John Lennon : Mellotron, Organ, Sound effects, Vocals George Harrison : Guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 08, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 28, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Nov 07, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
3:55 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Backing vocals, Organ George Harrison : Hammond organ, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Peter Willison : Cello Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 06, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 07, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 06, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Nov 07, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
2:28 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Tambourine, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Organ George Harrison : Backing vocals, Guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Timperley : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Aug 22, 1967 • Studio Chappell Recording Studios, London UK
Session Overdubs: Aug 23, 1967 • Studio Chappell Recording Studios, London UK
Session Overdubs: Sep 29, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Nov 06, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
4:33 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Tambourine Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Electric piano, Mellotron, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Conductor, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Jack Rothstein : Violin Ken Scott : Recording engineer Sidney Sax : Violin Peggie Allen : Backing vocals Wendy Horan : Backing vocals Pat Whitmore : Backing vocals Jill Utting : Backing vocals June Day : Backing vocals Sylvia King : Backing vocals Irene King : Backing vocals G Mallen : Backing vocals Fred Lucas : Backing vocals Mike Redway : Backing vocals John O'Neill : Backing vocals F Dachtler : Backing vocals Allan Grant : Backing vocals D Griffiths : Backing vocals J Smith : Backing vocals J Fraser : Backing vocals Ralph Elman : Violin Andrew McGee : Violin Jack Greene : Violin Louis Stevens : Violin John Jezzard : Violin Jack Richards : Violin Lionel Ross : Cello Eldon Fox : Cello Bram Martin : Cello Terry Weil : Cello Gordon Lewin : Clarinet Neill Sanders : Horn Tony Tunstall : Horn Morris Miller : Horn Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Ray Thomas : Backing vocals (?) Mike Pinder : Backing vocals (?) Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator The Mike Sammes Singers : Backing vocals
Session Recording: Sep 05, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 06, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Orchestra overdubs: Sep 27, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One and Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Sep 28-29 & Nov 06 & 17, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:27 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Lead vocals, Piano Ringo Starr : Congas, Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Organ George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Tambourine George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Kenneth Essex : Viola Leo Birnbaum : Viola Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator Unknown musician(s) : Bongos, Maracas
Session Recording: Oct 02, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 19, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 20 & 25 & Nov 2, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Nov 06, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
4:07 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Bongos, Electric guitar, Mellotron, Timpani Ringo Starr : Drums, Percussion John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Bongos, Mellotron, Piano, Vocals George Harrison : Electric guitar, Maracas, Svarmandal, Timpani George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mal Evans : Tambourine Derek Simpson : Cello Norman Jones : Cello Neil Aspinall : Guiro Terry Doran : Maracas Tony Fisher : Trumpet Greg Bowen : Trumpet Derek Watkins : Trumpet Stanley Roderick : Trumpet Joy Hall : Cello Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording Take 7: Nov 29, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording Take 26: Dec 08, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Dec 09, 15 and 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Dec 29, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
3:00 • Studio version • C2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Handclaps, Harmonium, Pianos, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine, Tubular bells John Lennon : Backing vocals, Congas, Guitar, Handclaps, Piano George Harrison : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Handclaps George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer David Mason : Piccolo trumpet Ray Swinfield : Flute P Goody : Flute Manny Winters : Flute Dennis Walton : Flute Leon Calvert : Trumpet Freddy Clayton : Trumpet Bert Courtley : Trumpets Duncan Campbell : Trumpets Dick Morgan : Cor anglais, Oboes Mike Winfield : Cor anglais, Oboes Frank Clarke : Double bass Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator Unknown musician(s) : Flugelhorn, Two piccolos
Session Recording: Dec 29, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Dec 30, 1966 and Jan 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 17, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Sep 30, 1971 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
3:01 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Rhythm guitar, Tambourine Ringo Starr : Backing vocals, Drums, Handclaps (?) John Lennon : Clavioline, Handclaps (?), Lead vocals, Piano George Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps (?), Lead guitar, Maracas George Martin : Producer Keith Grant : Recording engineer Mick Jagger : Backing vocals (?), Handclaps (?) Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: May 11, 1967 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Overdubs: May 11, 1967 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Mixing: Oct 22, 1971 • Studio AIR Studios, London, UK
4:02 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Double bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Banjo, Harpsichord, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Guitar, Violin George Martin : Piano, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Eric Clapton : Backing vocals, Handclaps Mike McCartney / McGear : Backing vocals, Handclaps Mal Evans : Backing vocals, Handclaps Sidney Sax : Violin Pattie Boyd / Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps Marianne Faithfull : Backing vocals, Handclaps David Mason : Trumpet Lionel Ross : Cello Eddie Kramer : Recording engineer Mick Jagger : Backing vocals, Handclaps Patrick Halling : Violin Eric Bowie : Violin John Ronayne : Violin Jack Holmes : Cello Rex Morris : Tenor saxophone Don Honeywill : Tenor saxophone Stanley Woods : Trumpet Evan Watkins : Trombone Harry Spain : Trombone Jack Emblow : Accordion Keith Richards : Backing vocals, Handclaps Jane Asher : Backing vocals, Handclaps Keith Moon : Backing vocals, Handclaps Hunter Davies : Backing vocals, Handclaps Gary Leeds : Backing vocals, Handclaps Mike Vickers : Conductor Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator Rose Nash : Backing vocals, Handclaps
Session Recording: Jun 14, 1967 • Studio Olympic Sound Studios, London
Session Overdubs: Jun 19, 23, 24, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 25, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 29, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
From the liner notes:
The Beatles devised, wrote and directed a television film called Magical Mystery Tour, which was broadcast on BBC TV at Christmas, 1967. It featured six new songs and these were released in the UK on the unique format of a double- EP on 8th December. Two seven inch records with three songs on each – were presented in a gatefold sleeve with a 28- page booklet of photos from the film, lyrics and the story told in a comic strip. As with albums, record buyers were offered the choice of a mono or stereo version. However, in the USA and some other countries, the EP format was no longer considered viable. Instead, the film songs appeared on one side of a twelve inch disc with the reverse side’s five tracks drawn from recent singles that had never surfaced on an LP. The album was eventually released in the UK in November, 1976 and was added to the ‘core’ Beatles catalogue when their music was transferred to CD in 1987.
A perfect companion to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Magical Mystery Tour album rounds up all the other songs released in 1967. The double A -sided single ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ /’Penny Lane’ was released in February – the first new Beatles material for six months. ‘All You Need Is Love’ followed it in July – issued five weeks after Sgt. Pepper. An anthem for ‘the summer of love’, it was first heard on 25th June, 1967 by a massive global audience watching the historic TV programme Our World the first satellite link-up between countries from all five continents. Their sixteenth single ‘Hello, Goodbye’ had arrived in the shops at the end of November, 1967.
By Christmas, The Beatles were at number one with ‘Hello, Goodbye’ and at number two with Magical Mystery Tour. ‘I Am The Walrus’ was on the flip-side of the single and also part of the EP package and so, for three weeks, the same song occupied the top two positions of the British chart. In the States, the Magical Mystery Tour album reached number one in the first chart of January, 1968 and stayed there for eight weeks. Its initial run in the Top LPs chart lasted for 59 weeks and it re-entered the list several times until the summer of 1970.
Magical Mystery Tour contained the colourful recordings of what is often described as The Beatles’ ‘psychedelic’ period. At the end of 1968, the stark white cover of their new album signalled they had, once again, overturned any expectations of what they might do next …
_____________________________________________________________Recording Notes
Produced by George Martin
Orchestrations by George Martin
Principal Engineers: Geoff Emerick & Ken ScottThe title track of Magical Mystery Tour was started on 25th April, 1967 – five weeks before the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and only four days after that LP was finished. The other songs on this album were recorded over a long period. The earliest ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ – dates from November 1966; the last – ‘Hello, Goodbye’ – from October of the following year. However, work on five of the six songs featured in the film was concentrated between August and October, 1967.
The sessions for the film songs continued the experimentation evident throughout the recording of Sgt. Pepper. The Beatles’ ideas for arrangements were often a step ahead of what technology could provide. But it was a challenge that George Martin and the Abbey Road engineers rose to as ambitious ideas were converted into reality. Not surprisingly, the intricacy of their songs demanded more tracks than were available on a four-track tape and so extra ones were created by ‘bouncing down’. This process involved copying the first four tracks to another tape and simultaneously combining some of them to leave free as many tracks as were needed for additional overdubs. ‘Bouncing down’ was repeated several times to accommodate a complicated arrangement and, on this album, all the titles needed the procedure. Three songs even required copying to a fourth tape.
One of these was ‘I Am The Walrus’, which evolved over nine unique tracks. These consisted of drums with tambourine, bass and additional drums, guitar, electric piano, lead vocal, eight violins, four cellos, three horns with contra bass clarinet and a choir of sixteen voices. There was a final overdub, which was only added during the mono mix. The sound of dialogue from a live radio broadcast being faded in and out of the song was not recorded on the four-track tape and so it meant it could not be replicated during the mix to stereo.
The solution was to edit to the mono mix at the point where the radio effect first occurs but change the mono to fake stereo using ADT (Artificial! Automatic Double Tracking). The mock stereo continues until near the end of the song when it returns to mono and is panned between left and right.
During 1967, there were a few occasions when The Beatles were unable to use Abbey Road at short notice and so they moved to independent studios in London. Despite visits to Olympic, De Lane Lea and Chappell, they still spent most of their time working in Studios Two and Three at Abbey Road.
This remastered album has been created from the original stereo analogue master tapes.
Remastered by Guy Massey and Steve Rooke
Project Co-ordinator: Allan RouseThanks to Simon Gibson
Historical 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.
copyright protection. All rights reserved.
Artwork © 2009 Apple Corps Ltd. All photographs ©Apple Corps Ltd.Album Redesign: Drew Lorimer
Photo Retouching: Gavin O’NeillPhoto editing and research: Aaron Bremner and Dorcas Lynn
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