Early favorable review of new fourth volume from member Popsicle at hoffman forum:
I realize Carnival Of Light is terrible, but why not include it in this release? Where else can that song exist?
forums.stevehoffman.tv
Here is my review of the new material conatined on Anthology 4. If anyone has any specific questions feel free to ask!
Tell Me Why takes 12 & 13: this starts with George wondering about how best to sing his harmony part with some guidance from John. Quite a lot of conversation and then a really rip roaring take that is similar to the album version but with the odd mistake in the lyrics. I'm reminded of just how great these guys could sing! Really fantastic take. A tiny bit was heard in the TV series back in the day.
I I Fell take 11: 'we're on the air folks' says John at the start of this take which is pretty similar to the released version except that the introduction is played slightly differently on guitar. Also more great singing!
Matchbox take 1: this one is a highlight for me and I much prefer it to the one they issued. Ringo is in fine voice and the whole track has a terrific swinging feel to it, much more country than the familiar version.
Every Little Thing takes 6 & 7: similar to the album version but where there would be an intro Paul instead counts quietly. Take 6 ends when Paul gulps and messes up the lyrics causing John to stop and ask what is wrong. John then tells Norman Smith the engineer that he can't get close enough to the microphone. Take 7 is a full take but ends when John sings a bum note and laughs.
I Need You take 1: another highlight for me. This take is a bit faster and more lively, with a shaker played by John it would seem. George sings well but Paul and John are laughing in the background which causes him to corpse at one point. They sure had a lot of fun on these early sessions.
I've Just Seen A Face take 3: wow! This is an amazing performance with John saying at the start that Lonnie Donegan should do it. Great live performance with two guitars and drums and a sensational vocal from Paul. I like this better than the released version.
In My Life take 1: very similar to the released version except for some different chords. A nice gentle vocal from John and Paul. Effective but not a patch on the finished take.
Nowhere Man take 2: starts in the same way as the album version in three part harmony except that the rhythm is different. It then cuts straight away to the chorus instead of going into a verse, but there's no more vocals. Otherwise it is reminiscent of the familiar version except for a 12 string electric guitar. Sounds a bit like take 2 of And Your Bird can Sing.
All You Need Is Love rehearsal: this is literally a rehearsal for the tv broadcast with the announcer and George Martin saying the same lines but The Beatles are joking around a lot and laughing. John is very funny and makes a joke about Princess Margaret. They then play the whole song and it sounds like everything is different from the released version apart from the backing vocals. Good track.
Baby You're A Rich Man takes 11 & 12: I couldn't even recognise this at first. Take 11 doesn't last long before Paul suggests that they just track the piano and drums and voice and John agrees and says something disparaging about the guitar. Take 12 is the released take but with a lot fewer overdubs. Some of the singing is the same but the choruses are different and John sounds very aggressive. At the end it continues for quite a while instead of fading out.
The Fool On The Hill instrumental: a backing track to the releasedversion but with less overdubs and also it goes on for much much longer instead of fading. Quite good.
I Am The Walrus instrumental: George Martin's score for the record. Quite interesting to hear on its own.
Verdict? Really fabulous. If anyone thinks this is not worth getting, think again. It's the most exciting release since the Revolver set. Very entertaining and with lots of great humour and fine singing.
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