The Beatles Anthology 4, set to be released today, Nov. 21, is, for me, purely a token for the hardcore fans and must not be taken as a historic release. In fact, without overthinking it, it is just a package to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the three-set compilation released in the mid-90s.
In other words, some people just want to bank on it, knowing there will always be a market for something branded The Beatles. There’s nothing wrong with that.
There’s no point in criticizing it, as I read some fans do, in particular because the content is mostly composed of previously released tracks.
Well, what do we expect from a band that has already labeled “Now and Then” as their last single? And it must be. There’s no new or not properly recorded song that will authentically put together the voices and playing of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The world was lucky enough that Harrison contributed guitar work to that track, which he vetoed initially due to technical reasons. Otherwise, that record would not have qualified as a legit Beatles track. Let’s appreciate that.
And before we ask for that lost avant-garde piece from the psychedelic-era Beatles, let’s focus on the 13 previously unreleased tracks on this latest Anthology, including “I’ve Just Seen a Face (Take 3)” and “In My Life (Take 1),” which were already made as singles prior to this Friday’s compilation release.
Personally, “In My Life (Take 1)” gives the impression of how locked in the group was. I was expecting that Ringo had yet to figure out his much-discussed drum part on the song, which is hailed as a classic example of the drummer putting in just the right groove for what a gentle song requires. His delicate touch is already there right on the first take, as John’s voice caresses raw and roaring. Goosebumps!
Likewise, I’m quite excited to hear what Take 11 of “If I Fell” sounds like. I always thought that McCartney’s singing of the phrase “was in vain” when it gets repeated in the master record could have been improved. Same with the first version—Take 2 of “Nowhere Man.” Lennon’s singing during the Rubber Soul sessions is, to me, his high point as a lead singer, so I won’t get tired of hearing his naked vocals from this period in the Beatles’ run.
If you are a collector of Beatles releases, this record gathers the three reunion songs once and for all. Add the fact that “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” are presented here in 2025 mixes, which means they should sound even better.
If I may say so, this new Anthology should serve the young generation well. If it becomes the thing that introduces them to The Beatles, so be it. I’m excited for that kid to hear The Beatles for the first time via their outtakes, where they are showcased uncooked—essentially authentic without the help of studio trickery.
When The Beatles Anthology came out in 1995, I was in early college. I didn’t see it as revealing the Fab Four as mere mortals, prone to mistakes and at times oddly crude. Nope. I took the outtakes as proof of them being truly a cut above the rest.
Think about the fact that they felt the sublime acoustic demo of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was not releasable for decades. Now, I’m afraid the song’s version on the Love album—with orchestral work by George Martin backing up the bare acoustic take, mainly performed by Harrison—has somehow outmatched the one heard on The White Album featuring Eric Clapton.
Simply put, Anthology 4 is another reason for us Beatles fans to feel excited, in addition to the remastered and expanded documentary series The Beatles Anthology that’s premiering on the 26th of this month, right on Disney+. If there is an act deserving of new releases cashing in on their work in whatever form, it’s The Beatles. There’s no better discography. Not even close.
