Paul McCartney announces new reissues of four live albums.

By Steve Marinucci

 Paul McCartney has confirmed updated releases of four live albums with performances spanning from 1975 to 1976. The albums — Amoeba Gig, Paul Is Live, Choba B CCCP, Wings Over America — will be released July 12, 2019 via MPL/Capitol/UMe digitally, on CD and on both black and limited edition color vinyl. Notably, the full 21-song set from the Amoeba show will be released for the first time legally. Paul Is Live also has some tracks added to the original lineup. 

Order them through the links below from Amazon.com. (Also at Amazon.co.uk for Great Britain.)

Amoeba Gig has been newly remixed by Paul’s engineer Steve Orchard and will be available in configurations including CD, 2 x 180g black vinyl, and limited edition color vinyl (LP1 - clear, LP2 - hazy amber transparent).

Amoeba Gig vinyl
Amoeba Gig CD

Amoeba Gig (CD)
1. Drive My Car
2. Only Mama Knows
3. Dance Tonight
4. C Moon
5. The Long And Winding Road
6. I’ll Follow The Sun
7. Calico Skies
8. That Was Me
9. Blackbird
10. Here Today
11. Back In The USSR
12. Nod Your Head
13. House Of Wax
14. I’ve Got A Feeling
15. Matchbox
16. Get Back
17. Baby Face
18. Hey Jude
19. Let It Be
20. Lady Madonna
21. I Saw Her Standing There
 
Amoeba Gig (LP)
Side A:
1. Drive My Car
2. Only Mama Knows
3. Dance Tonight
4. C Moon
5. The Long And Winding Road
6. I’ll Follow The Sun
 
Side B:
1. Calico Skies
2. That Was Me
3. Blackbird
4. Here Today
5. Back In The USSR
6. Nod Your Head
 
Side C:
1. House Of Wax
2. I’ve Got A Feeling
3. Matchbox
4. Get Back
 
Side D:
1. Baby Face
2. Hey Jude
3. Let It Be
4. Lady Madonna
5. I Saw Her Standing There
6. Coming Up [Soundcheck]

Paul Is Live has been newly remastered at Abbey Road Studios and will be available in configurations including CD, 2 x 180g black vinyl, and limited edition color vinyl (LP1 - opaque baby blue, LP2 - plush peach white opaque).

Paul Is Live (CD)
1. Drive My Car
2. Let Me Roll It
3. Looking For Changes
4. Peace In The Neighbourhood
5. All My Loving
6. Robbie's Bit (Thanks Chet)
7. Good Rockin' Tonight
8. We Can Work It Out
9. Hope Of Deliverance
10. Michelle
11. Biker Like An Icon
12. Here, There And Everywhere
13. My Love
14. Magical Mystery Tour
15. C'mon People
16. Lady Madonna
17. Paperback Writer
18. Penny Lane
19. Live And Let Die
20. Kansas City
21. Welcome To Soundcheck (link)
22. Hotel In Benidorm (soundcheck)
23. I Wanna Be Your Man (soundcheck)
24. A Fine Day (soundcheck)
 
Paul Is Live (LP)
Side 1:
1. Drive My Car
2. Let Me Roll It
3. Looking For Changes
4. Peace In The Neighbourhood
5. All My Loving
6. Robbie's Bit (Thanks Chet)
 
Side 2:
7. Good Rockin' Tonight
8. We Can Work It Out
9. Hope Of Deliverance
10. Michelle
11. Biker Like An Icon
12. Here, There And Everywhere
13. My Love
 
Side 3:
1. Magical Mystery Tour
2. C'mon People
3. Lady Madonna
4. Paperback Writer
5. Penny Lane
6. Live And Let Die
 
Side 4:
7. Kansas City
8. Welcome To Soundcheck (link)
9. Hotel In Benidorm (soundcheck)
10. I Wanna Be Your Man (soundcheck)
11. A Fine Day (soundcheck)

Paul Is Live vinyl
Paul Is Live CD

Choba B CCCP has been newly remastered at Abbey Road Studios and will be reissued as the original 11-track Russian release. It will be available in configurations including CD, 180g black vinyl, and limited edition opaque yellow vinyl.

Choba B CCCP vinyl
Choba B CCCP CD

Wings Over America will be available in configurations including double CD, 3 x 180g triple vinyl, and limited edition color vinyl (LP1 - transparent red, LP2 - transparent green, LP3 - transparent blue) both come with original souvenir poster.

Wings Over America vinyl 
Wings Over America CD

A must read: Paul McCartney's tender letter to the son of Harry Nilsson

Paul McCartney (MJ KIM/MPL Communications Ltd.)

Zak Nilsson, the oldest son of the late singer Harry Nilsson’s seven children, posted Feb. 16 on social media that he had received a letter from Paul McCartney after the former Beatles bassist had learned Nilsson was being treated for cancer. The letter was dated Feb. 4.

“I got this letter from Paul McCartney the other day. He heard I had cancer and sent me this note. I was very touched that Harry’s friendship meant this much to Paul,” Nilsson wrote on Facebook.

You can read the rest of the story that we wrote on Medium.

Beatles News Briefs 2-part series: The Week The Beatles Hit America

 

"The Week the Beatles Hit America"

A two-part Beatles News Briefs series on YouTube

(Also available on iTunes, Google Play, Podbean and wherever you get your podcasts.)

Part 1

Part 2

The Beatles and 'The Big Bang Theory'

Latest "Beatles News Briefs" podcast -- an exclusive interview with Gay Linvill, the associate director on "The Big Bang Theory," who reveals how the show's biggest Beatles fans and Sirius/XM came together for "Big Bang Beatles."

Listen now!!

Very special Beatles News Briefs show looks into new White Album set

Our Beatles News Briefs podcast has a new special show on the 7-disc White Album deluxe set out today (Nov. 9). The show features three Beatles authors, including new Contributing Editor to the show Candy Leonard ("Beatleness"), plus Brian Southall ("The White Album: Revolution, Politics and Recording: The Album, the Beatles and the World in 1968") and Ken Mansfield ("The Roof: The Beatles Last' Concert") plus a very special interview with set producer Giles Martin conducted at Capitol Records in Hollywood. 

Lots to hear and lots of information. Please let us know what you think and subscribe to the show.

Special free Beatles White Album streaming event with Giles Martin Wednesday on YouTube

Giles Martin to lead special White Album
streaming event on Wednesday. 

Capitol Records/Universal Music Group released the details today of the special streaming event taking place on The Beatles' YouTube channel Wednesday to promote the release of the 7-disc (6 CD and 1 Blu-ray) White Album box set and other 50th anniversary releases of the album this Friday.

The panel event, to be streamed live from London at 7 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT) will feature Martin, plus several British journalists and musicians. They are Dan Stubbs, Commissioning Editor for New Musical Express; Felix White, former guitarist of The Maccabees; Andy Bell, guitarist of Ride; Miles Kane from The Last Shadow Puppets; and Georgie Rogers, presenter, DJ and music journalist from BBC 6 Music, Soho Radio and Foundation FM. The moderator will be Matt Everitt of BBC 6 Music. Miles Kane will also perform a live acoustic version of "I'm So Tired."

The panel will talk about the new anniversary edition, its influence and whether an album as diverse as it is could be released in today's musical environment. Fans online will be able to ask questions and make comments.

(Please share this.)

Beatles News Briefs #18 now online

Beatles News Briefs #18 - McCartney set lists, Lennon birthday news, new Yoko interview, McCartney's DJ CD, White Album books.  Available here.

Album with Paul McCartney DJ, Chris Holmes, to be re-released with bonus tracks

Omnivore Recordings will reissue Yum-Yum's Dan Loves Patti album with ten bonus tracks on Nov. 2. One of the members is Chris Holmes, who has done the McCartney pre-shows for over a decade.

Here's the tracklist:

1. I'm Not Telling
  2. Apiary
  3. Dan Loves Patti
  4. Doot-Doot
  5. Train of Thought
  6. Sister
  7. Cross My Heart
  8. Ring
  9. Jealous of the Stars
  10. Uneasy
  11. Words Will Fail
  12. Lament
  13. When You Were Mine
  14. Baby I Love You
  15. The Rainbow Connection
  16. Uneasy (Fuzz Mix)
  17. Holding Out For Love (Demo) [Bonus Track]
  18. Summertime (Demo) [Bonus Track]
  19. I Took Advantage Of The Spring (Demo) [Bonus Track]
  20. Automatic Blues (Demo) [Bonus Track]
  21. Magic Back In Our Lives (Demo) [Bonus Track]
  22. Teaching The Mockingbird To Sing (Demo) [Bonus Track]

"Egypt Station" hits multiple Top 10s in first chart positions

"Egypt Station" (Copyright MPL Communications)

Paul McCartney's “Egypt Station” has hit the top 10 on nine different charts in its first chartings. It hit #1 in Germany, #2 in The Netherlands and on Ultratop Flanders in Belgium, #3 in Norway, on Official Charts.com in the UK, and on Ultratop Wallonia in Belgium, #4 in Sweden, #5 in Italy, #7 on Ireland, and #12 in New Zealand. And a story on Billboard.com says that it looks like the album will make a #1 debut In the U.S.

Paul is about to play some of those songs in concert as he begins his Freshen Up tour Sept. 17 in Quebec. You can get tickets to shows on the tour here.

New McCartney songs, album - info, order links

"I Don't Know"
https://amzn.to/2tcgvOW

"Come On to Me"
https://amzn.to/2M5JISK

"Egypt Station" (14 tracks. Coming Sept. 7)
https://amzn.to/2MFxRfn

Double vinyl deluxe limited edition
https://amzn.to/2K7YCHi

Paul McCartney invites you on a musical journey to Egypt Station, estimated time of arrival September 7, 2018 by way of Capitol Records.

Sharing a title with one of Paul’s own paintings, Egypt Station is the first full album of all-new McCartney music since 2013’s international chart-topping NEW. Preceded by two of its tracks just released as double A-sides--plaintive ballad  “I Don’t Know” and raucous stomper  “Come On To Me”—Egypt Station was recorded between Los Angeles, London and Sussex, and produced (with the exception of one track) by Greg Kurstin (Adele, Beck, Foo Fighters).

Of the forthcoming album’s enigmatic title, Paul says, “I liked the words ‘Egypt Station.’ It reminded me of the ‘album’ albums we used to make.., Egypt Station starts off at the station on the first song and then each song is like a different station. So it gave us some idea to base all the songs around that. I think of it as a dream location that the music emanates from."

True to the inspiration behind its title, Egypt Station’s 14 songs combine to convey a unique travelogue vibe. Between the opening and closing instrumentals “Station I” and “Station II,” each song finds Paul capturing a place or moment before transporting the listener seamlessly to the next destination. Stops along the way include an acoustic meditation on present day contentedness (“Happy With You”), a timeless anthem that would fit on virtually any album of any McCartney era (“People Want Peace”), and an epic multi-movement closer clocking in at seven minutes with a song suite structure harkening back to the days of Paul’s previous combos (“Despite Repeated Warnings”). The result is a kaleidoscopic journey through myriad musical locales and eras, yet firmly rooted in the here and now--with Paul’s singular unmistakeable melodic sensibility serving as guide.

Confirmation of Egypt Station’s release puts an end to speculation about a new Paul McCartney album that began with the whiting out of his Instagram account as Paul turned up at various landmarks in Liverpool. The capper was a June 9 surprise gig at Liverpool’s tiny Philharmonic Pub, during which “Come On To Me” was debuted alongside a set of classics spanning Paul’s career. Further details to come…

Pre-order link for McCartney new album, possible release date, and 'Egypt Station' McCartney auctioned item

Amazon had a link to pre-order the forthcoming McCartney album, which they called "Egypt Station." The link has since been removed. Said it would be out Sept. 7, but that's not entirely reliable.

Original "Egypt Station" McCartney litho

Heritage Auctions sold this Egypt Station lithograph above in the past. It somewhat resembles the cover of one of the singles (see below) that will be out tomorrow.

Picture of two singles to be released June 20. 

CBS announces McCartney's 'Carpool Karoake'

Courtesy CBS

We announced the "Carpool Karaoke' segment broadcast news on Variety the other day. Here's the CBS press release today (6/13/18) with some more details: 

Legendary musician Paul McCartney will join James Corden in an all-new “Carpool Karaoke” during the London broadcasts of THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN, to be broadcast from Central Hall Westminster, Monday, June 18–Thursday, June 21 (12:37-1:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

During the “Carpool Karaoke,” Paul gives James a tour of his hometown of Liverpool as they sing his hits, have an exclusive sing-along to brand new material, and surprise unsuspecting locals.

UPDATE: The "Carpool Karaoke" segment with Paul McCartney will air June 21, CBS announced June 14.

*Thursday, June 21

Broadcast from London featuring guests Foo Fighters and “Carpool Karaoke” with Paul McCartney (n)

*Thursday, June 21

Broadcast from London featuring guests Foo Fighters and “Carpool Karaoke” with Paul McCartney (n)

Free Kindle Beatles book worth at least a look

Happened to catch this book "Life on Two Legs" in the Amazon Kindle store yesterday. It's written by the founder of Trident Studios. The foreward is by Paul McCartney. The opening chapter talks about the recording of "Hey Jude." It's free, at least for now. (Prices are known to change without warning in the Kindle store, from my experience.) Worth at least checking out since it's free. 

Paul McCartney announces four new reissues for 2018

Paul McCartney announced today catalog upgrade reissues of "Chaos and Creation In the Backyard," "Wings Greatest," "NEW" and "Thrillington" with single CDs and colored vinyl due May 18. All four titles will be issued in single CD digipak and 180 gram black vinyl single LP formats and be made available for the first time in limited edition 180gram color vinyl pressings. All vinyl LPs will include a download card. Here are ordering links from those that are currently available on Amazon.

• "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" 2018 CD
• "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" 2018 vinyl
• 'NEW" 2018 CD
• "NEW" 2018 vinyl
• "Thrillington" 2018 CD and vinyl
• "Wings Greatest" 2018 CD (Amazon.co.uk)

Full 'Music of the Spheres' 'Destiny' video game soundtrack with McCartney vocal leaked online

On Christmas Day, some enterprising soul leaked the unreleased full musical "Music of the Spheres" suite composed for the "Destiny" video game by Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori and Paul McCartney. The music, which is mostly choral and symphonic, includes McCartney singing "Hope For the Future," which was released on "Pure McCartney," at the end.

You can hear it on Soundcloud and YouTube. Download links are said to be floating around the internet. A great writeup on this is on Ars Technica. (Thanks, John Bezzini.)

Paul McCartney releases new Meat Free Monday film

Copyright MPL Communications Ltd. 

Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 23) next week, Meat Free Monday has released a short film about a huge contributor to climate change that is often left out of conference discussions – animal agriculture.

“There’s a simple but significant way to help protect the planet and all its inhabitants”, says Paul McCartney to the camera. “And it starts with just one day a week. One day without eating animal products can have a huge impact in helping maintain that delicate balance that sustains us all.”

The film is narrated by Paul McCartney, with additional appearances from Mary and Stella McCartney, Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone. You can see the film below. 

Official announcement and ordering links for new Christmas Beatles product

The Christmas Records (7" vinyl limited edition box) (U.S.)
The Christmas Records (UK)

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" picture disc (U.S,)
"Sgt. Pepper" picture disc (UK) 

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" black vinyl (U.S.)
"Sgt. Pepper" black vinyl (UK)

Official announcement:

The Beatles’ Festive Fan Club Holiday Recordings Presented Together on

Seven Colored Vinyl Singles with Original Artwork

Acclaimed ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ Expanded

Deluxe Anniversary Edition to be Released in HD Digital Audio

‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ 2017 Stereo Mix to be Released on

180-Gram Vinyl LP and Limited Edition Picture Disc Vinyl LP

PBS Premieres Ron Howard’s Emmy® and GRAMMY®-Winning Film,

‘The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years,’ Saturday, November 25

London – November 2, 2017 – Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe are wrapping up new, global Beatles releases for the holiday season, and a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

The Beatles’ annual holiday tradition of recording jolly Christmas messages for fan club members was an important part of the band’s relationship with their most ardent supporters, affectionately referred to by them as “Beatle People.” Spanning 1963 to 1969, The Beatles’ holiday recordings were originally pressed on flexi discs and mailed to fan club members each December. Never released beyond the fan club until now, The Beatles’ seven holiday messages have been newly pressed on a rainbow of seven-inch colored vinyl singles for The Christmas Records box set, to be released worldwide on December 15. The limited edition collection presents each vinyl single with its original flexi disc sleeve artwork, accompanied by a 16-page booklet with recording notes and reproductions of the fan club’s National Newsletters, which were mailed to members with the holiday flexi discs.

Preorder The Beatles’ limited edition The Christmas Records box set:  http://TheBeatles.lnk.to/ChristmasRecords

Watch / embed a brief video for The Beatles’ The Christmas Records box set:  https://TheBeatles.lnk.to/ChristmasRecordsTrailer

Also on December 15, the Deluxe Anniversary Edition of The Beatles’ 1967 masterwork, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, will debut worldwide in high definition digital audio (96kHz/24bit). The Deluxe Anniversary Edition features the album’s acclaimed 2017 stereo mix, plus 18 additional tracks, including complete alternate takes for the groundbreaking album’s 13 songs, newly mixed in stereo. The expanded edition also features the 2017 stereo mix and an instrumental take of “Penny Lane” and the 2015 stereo mix and two complete alternate takes for “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

On the same date, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s 2017 stereo mix will be released in two distinct 1-LP vinyl editions: a 180-gram black vinyl LP and a limited, collectible picture disc vinyl LP. Produced by Giles Martin for this year’s universally heralded ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Anniversary Edition releases, the album’s new stereo mix was sourced directly from the original four-track session tapes and guided by the original, Beatles-preferred mono mix produced by Giles’ father, George Martin. Praised by fans and music critics around the world, The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Anniversary Edition is 2017’s most celebrated historical music release and an ideal gift for Beatle People here, there, and everywhere.

 On Saturday, November 25, PBS presents the U.S. television broadcast premiere of The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years, Ron Howard’s Emmy® Award and GRAMMY Award®-winning documentary film about The Beatles’ phenomenal early career. The premiere broadcast, from 8:00-10:30 pm ET, will be followed by PBS’ encore broadcast ofSgt. Pepper’s Musical Revolution  (10:30-Midnight ET), which continues the story beyond The Beatles’ touring years, during the months the band spent creating Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

The Beatles Channel on SiriusXM will also present special programming. “The Fab Fourum,” hosted by Dennis Elsas and Bill Flanagan, will air a special ‘Eight Days A Week’ episode on Wednesday, November 15 at 9:00-11:00 pm ET, ahead of the film’s PBS broadcast premiere. For more information, visit www.siriusxm.com/thebeatles

.

Happy Crimble, with love from us to you.

thebeatles.com

The Beatles: The Christmas Records [limited edition box set: seven 7” colored vinyl singles]

1963: “The Beatles' Christmas Record” (one-sided, 5:00 TRT)

Recorded: 17 October 1963 - Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London

1964: “Another Beatles Christmas Record” (one-sided, 3:58 TRT)

Recorded: 26 October 1964 - Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London

1965: “The Beatles' Third Christmas Record” (one-sided, 6:20 TRT)

Recorded: 8 November 1965 - Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London

1966: “Pantomime - Everywhere It's Christmas: The Beatles' Fourth Christmas Record” (one-sided, 6:36 TRT)

Recorded: 25 November 1966 - Dick James Music, New Oxford Street, London

1967: “Christmas Time (Is Here Again): The Beatles’ Fifth Christmas Record” (one-sided, 6:06 TRT)

Recorded: 28 November 1967 - Studio Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London

1968: “The Beatles' Sixth Christmas Record” (two-sided, 7:48 TRT)

Recorded: 1968, various locations

1969: “The Beatles' Seventh Christmas Record” (two-sided, 7:39 TRT)

Recorded: 1969, various locations