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The Age of Reissue/Remaster/Re-release

This has become the age of reissue/remaster/re-release Beatlemania. Hard on the heels of the success of 1, comes the reissue of All Things Must Pass and the somewhat strange compilation of Ringo's Anthology . . . So Far.

 

Undoubtedly these are exciting releases. George's All Things Must Pass is especially intriguing. But you would think there would be an end to it all. Apparently not.

 

Word has it that Yoko has authorized the re-release of expanded versions of two Lennon "classics": "Two Virgins" and "Life With the Lions". According to Yoko, the original LP configurations didn't come close to allowing enough space for all the material she and John recorded.

 

The "new" albums will include material that was left off the original albums, and the recently reissued versions of about 2 years ago. Pieces such as "Intestinal Piece" will leave every Beatles fan's mouth watering for more. Basically, it is an audio journey of a hamburger from the lips of John's mouth to its final destination.

 

It was supposedly recorded with the same equipment that John used to record "Baby's Heartbeat" on the original Life With The Lions. The journey of the burger apparently took over 5 hours to record, but don't be too excited, the edited version only comes in at about 20 minutes. Sorry, but I can't resist: Word has it that the piece has a crappy ending. Enough said!

 

A second cut is called "Myself Play," reportedly a monologue by Yoko during a love making session with John, who just happened to leave the tape running. Fortunately, the 2 hour and 45 minute piece has been edited down to about 25 minutes, give or take a grunt and a groan. For the most part, it is said to be a Yoko diatribe on herself, her plans, herself, her career, herself, and so on. The expected release date is February 28. Uh, that would be the album, not the hamburger.

 

The point of all this is that eventually you run out of stuff to put out there. Now, I have no doubts that there will be a Beatles 2 come next Christmas season. There is also a Wings Anthology in the works. Both should be wonderful albums that take Beatles fans, both young and old, back to better days when music wasn't just about death, drugs, and suicide. Well, most of it wasn't. Okay, forgetting Revolver, most was just clean fun. Wasn't it?

 

At any rate, there will also be some very good new stuff coming out. Paul has promised us a new album and so has George. Paul will probably continue to search for his rock 'n' roll roots, and George will surprise us all -- I'm guessing an acoustic album featuring his son Dhani. Now that would be very cool!

 

As for Yoko, the keeper of John's past, who knows what tapes she still has stored away for our education and appreciation. What's that? You haven't heard of the Celery Tapes??? You livin' under a rock or what???

 

Yes, this is the age of reissue/remaster/re-release. And for some, the golden era of regurgitate.

Paperback writer

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