Beatles / Complete Recording Sessions Vol. 1 New Edition

The “COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS” series, which compiled the surprisingly vast number of early Beatles recordings in chronological order, was highly praised by fans as an extremely convenient and easy-to-listen-to compilation. However, nearly a decade has passed since its release. During this time, many upgraded recordings have been unearthed, and it’s undeniable that the 2017 release now feels outdated. A new version of this compilation of early recordings, which had been eagerly awaited, has finally arrived! This is a rebirth that goes beyond the realm of a simple re-release. As a result of a major overhaul of both the audio and content, this “Vol. 1” is a new version that combines the previous “Vol. 0” and “Vol. 1”. Therefore, while the previous version started with sessions with Tony Sheridan, this one starts with two acetate tracks by The Quarrymen. These two tracks were officially released in demixed versions at the end of last year, which brought out the contours of the performance and John’s vocals more clearly than before on the old acetate. However, it’s also true that reverb was added to the 1957 recording, giving it a pseudo-stereo feel. So this time, based on the 2025 remaster, the reverb has been removed and it has been recorded in mono. The contours are clearer, while the texture and sound quality characteristic of the 1957 self-produced acetate have been restored. As for the Decca auditions, the previous release was based on the file “NEVER MIND THE TREMELOES” from 15 years ago, but this time we’ve used “UNPROCESSED DECCA AUDITION TAPE,” the first release which was a huge hit and sold out quickly as the best version of the Decca auditions (only the slight distortion in the intro of “Money” has been corrected). Not only is the sound quality improved, but for those who missed out on the previous release which sold out, this is an unparalleled, and even a great bargain (lol). And for “Besame Mucho” from the EMI audition, this time the 2011 official remastered version, which was previously only available digitally, is combined with the original ending that could only be heard on “1,2,3,4!”, the prototype for “SESSIONS”. However, the hiss noise after the connection was noticeable in the previous version, but this time, thanks to the latest technological advancements, it has been remastered and completely eliminated. Paul’s voice, which rises towards the end, can now be heard more clearly and distinctly. These changes mean that Disc 2 starts with the sessions for their debut single, which took place in September 1962. The sessions for their first album, “PLEASE PLEASE ME”, which make up the majority of this disc, are also compiled using the latest 2026 files that MasterJedi just released, ensuring that the entire recording is in the best quality. Not only are Roger Scott’s recordings used, but the lossless version of “Bootleg Recordings 1963”, which was previously only available on iTunes, and “Take It Off (HMC)” are also used to construct the longest and best session recordings, leaving no stone unturned. “I Saw Her Standing There [take 2],” which first appeared on “ULTRA RARE TRAX Vol.1” and has now become a major hit as the opening track of “ANTHOLOGY 4,” has been remixed and remastered, resulting in a sound that makes you feel as if you’re listening to the performance from the control room. However, this version offers a raw, visceral feel that makes you feel like you’re listening to the Beatles perform right in front of you. What was impossible with the previous release in 2017 is the pre-overdubbed versions of “Misery” and “Baby It’s You.” These are based on files created by the familiar Lord Reith, recreating the original band performance before George Martin added piano and celesta. By including these, the album has been reborn as a more complete compilation of early Beatles recording sessions. Needless to say, the entire album is recorded in perfect sound quality, and it even incorporates the masterpiece “UNPROCESSED DECCA AUDITION TAPE,” making it an even more comprehensive collection. This is the ultimate collection of Beatles recording sessions for a new generation! Changes from the previous release: Disc 1 adds “That’ll Be The Day” and “In Spite Of All The Danger” from the Quarrymen era. Mono version based on the 2025 Anthology 1 source. 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. Tape hiss at the “1,2,3,4!” part of the ending has been made less noticeable. Disc 2 incorporates the Disc 1 portion of the previous Volume 1 release. The source has been replaced with the latest version of MasterJedi “Complete Recording Sessions Vol 02 (V4)” updated in 2026. “Misery [take 11]” and “Baby It’s You [take 3]” are 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 Halle, 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 *24th May 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 Besame Mucho 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]