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PopArchivist
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| Posted: 26 October 2023 at 1:16pm | IP Logged
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Set to be released November 2, 2023.
https://pitchfork.com/news/the-beatles-final-song-now-and-th en-announced/
A few key points:
Absolute last new Beatles track
A Beatles song has not charted since Real Love in 1996. Meaning it was before Billboard's late 1998 rule change.
Its the last chance for the Beatles to add to their #1's.
If it hits #1 it would be almost 60 years from their first #1 in January 1964. Not sure if that is a record but no one who had a #1 on Billboard before 1964 is likely to get another one anytime soon in this streaming age/download age
My prediction: It hits #1, stays there for many weeks.
My understanding is Love Me Do will be issued in stereo for the first time and the Blue and Red albums are going to be expanded. If anyone has any additional info I would love to know about it.
Edited by PopArchivist on 26 October 2023 at 1:17pm
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Michaeldila
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| Posted: 26 October 2023 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
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This is from today:
https://theseconddisc.com/2023/10/26/now-and-then-unheard-ou ttake-
new-mixes-added-to-classic-beatles-compilations/
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aaronk
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| Posted: 26 October 2023 at 9:52pm | IP Logged
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Interesting news. I'm not predicting it will hit #1, but anything is possible.
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Paul Haney
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| Posted: 27 October 2023 at 4:24am | IP Logged
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PopArchivist wrote:
My prediction: It hits #1, stays there for many weeks.
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While I would love to see it hit #1, it's not gonna happen. Taylor Swift's
1989 rerecording will dominate the streaming world for the next few
weeks. Even if the Beatles somehow managed to hit #1, it would only be for
a single week and it would then drop like a rock.
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Paul C
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| Posted: 27 October 2023 at 7:18am | IP Logged
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I think the ‘new’ Beatles song has a chance to reach #1 only if it features
Drake.
George Harrison considered the song ‘rubbish’.
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Brian W.
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| Posted: 27 October 2023 at 8:42am | IP Logged
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Paul C wrote:
George Harrison considered the song ‘rubbish’. |
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I thought I read that George Harrison considered the sound
quality rubbish, not the song itself.
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PopArchivist
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| Posted: 27 October 2023 at 11:16am | IP Logged
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Brian W. wrote:
| I thought I read that George Harrison considered the sound quality rubbish, not the song itself. |
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The ability now vs then to isolate Lennon's vocals via AI is the difference. Technology finally allowed them to do it. By isolating it, it allowed Paul and Ringo to actually do their part, add Harrison's additions and finish the song.
The buzz on the track from what I understand was the original complaint. Harrison was speaking of the quality of the recording. Unlike Real Love and Free As A Bird which had the three Beatles complete what was already demos that were somewhat lyrically polished by Lennon.
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LunarLaugh
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| Posted: 28 October 2023 at 3:03pm | IP Logged
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PopArchivist wrote:
[QUOTE=Brian W.] Unlike Real Love and Free As A Bird which had the three Beatles complete what was already demos that
were somewhat lyrically polished by Lennon. |
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Actually, "Real Love" was the most finished of the three tracks attempted as John had the whole lyrical structure completed. Comparitively,
John's "Free As A Bird" demo had him mumbling along during what became the bridge section which that Paul and George fleshed out (and sang on
The Beatles rendition). Going off John's demo which circulates, the lyrics for "Now and Then" were even less finished and the words John does
sing on the demo ("I know it's true, it's all because of you...") sound a bit like temporary aka 'dummy' lyrics, to me. I am eager to see how
well they pulled it off. It would be nice if they do achieve another number one. I think the public is so nostalgia hungry these days that it
wouldn't surprise me.
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PopArchivist
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| Posted: 01 November 2023 at 6:25pm | IP Logged
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Just heard and watched the 12 minute video. Incredible. Anyone who wants to see how good technology has come should watch it. Lennon's voice isolated sounded just like he was there. Amazing!
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PopArchivist
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| Posted: 02 November 2023 at 8:24am | IP Logged
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Some thoughts now that it is released:
1) John's vocal is crystal clear. Fantastic job with the new AI.
2) The orchestral arrangement was needed. It gives a nice lift to the song.
3) The count-in well I can do without that.
4) The Ringo talking at the end, could do without that.
5) It has all the classic Beatles sounds but its like I can't put my finger on it, its missing something.
Still better than most of the rubish that they put out today. There is depth to the song. Is it Strawberry Fields Forever? No. Still I see this hitting #1 shortly. Itunes and youtube views should do it.
Thoughts anyone?
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Brian W.
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| Posted: 02 November 2023 at 10:03am | IP Logged
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Meh. I don't think it's a particularly good song, actually. If Lennon had completed the song as a solo artist, I doubt it would have ever been a single, maybe an album track. It feels like an unfinished song to me.
But the sound quality is certainly better than "Free as a Bird." They should try re-extracting his vocal from the "Free as a Bird" demo and remixing it.
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kaqueno
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| Posted: 02 November 2023 at 10:12am | IP Logged
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Amazing and emotional song.
I agree with Richie that it was a fantastic job with the
AI, I love the orchestral arrangement, it reminds me of
"real love" and "free as a bird", which in fact is from the
same time when the Lennon recorded.
I want it to reach the position at No. 1, time will tell.
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garye
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| Posted: 02 November 2023 at 10:02pm | IP Logged
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Lennon sings some very simple yet introspective lyrics.
I have read in the late 70's by John's own admission, he
was going through alot in his head.
This song seemingly born from that.
Considering the source demo, remarkable remixing job with
cutting edge software.
A great song?
No, but a good song to listen too.
Now to Love Me Do remix.
have mixed feelings about the stereo remix.
I read where Giles used Dolby Atmos in the remix.
The sound in my thought so-so.
Should have stuck with a basic mono remix.
Worked in 1962, and the sound was better in some ways
than the remix.
My 2 cents.
Edited by garye on 02 November 2023 at 10:04pm
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Paul Haney
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| Posted: 03 November 2023 at 4:11am | IP Logged
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I love The Beatles (both together and as soloists) as much as anybody, but this "new" single does nothing for me. Just plain
dull, IMO.
No way it makes #1 on the Hot 100. Streaming competition from Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Jung Kook (of BTS) will most
likely keep The Beatles out of the Top 10, let alone the #1 spot. That said, I will be interested to see just where it does
debut. Either way, the novelty will wear off quickly and it won't stay on the Hot 100 very long. Sorry, but that's the way
it is these days.
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Archives Guy
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| Posted: 03 November 2023 at 6:10am | IP Logged
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I also love The Beatles. After all of the hype for "Now &
Then," I was disappointed with the song. Not as good as
"Free As A Bird" and "Real Love." Also, I wonder why the
recording was "brickwalled."
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Hykker
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| Posted: 03 November 2023 at 6:17am | IP Logged
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Didn't do a lot for me either. To my ears it sounds like a late 70s low charter, I barely made it thru one listen.
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EternalStatic
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| Posted: 03 November 2023 at 7:49am | IP Logged
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I find "Now and Then" to be good, not great. I didn't love it at first listen although it has grown on me quickly. If you have access to the Dolby Atmos mixes via Apple Music, I did find the Atmos mix to
be superior to the standard stereo. It had a tad more clarity.
What I am excited about is the new stereo remix of "Love Me Do" on the B-side :-) ... Methinks that the upcoming reissue of 1962-1966 is a dry run to see how folks feel about new remixes of
the early Beatles material, which personally, I would love to see/hear.
If the Beatles gimmick their way into a #1 slot or a Top 10 placing, even for a single week, surely that would be something to add to the record books? Longest span between first Top 10 hit and final Top
10 hit, etc.? I think that's all they're after here. And they'll probably get it in the UK.
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mjb50
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| Posted: 03 November 2023 at 11:44am | IP Logged
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EternalStatic wrote:
| I did find the Atmos mix to be superior to the standard stereo. It had a tad more clarity. |
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With good reason. The official stereo mix is obscenely brickwalled (DR 4). Who signed off on that, I wonder? If you mix down the Atmos mix to stereo, it's quite a bit better (DR 11).
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EternalStatic
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| Posted: 04 November 2023 at 7:14am | IP Logged
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mjb50 wrote:
The official stereo mix is obscenely brickwalled (DR 4).
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That’s a real shame. I wonder if the Hi-Rez download versions will be
sourced from the same masters as for the CD-quality. Sometimes they’re a
mild improvement.
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mjb50
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| Posted: 04 November 2023 at 10:10am | IP Logged
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The DR 4 was the 24/96 stereo mastering from Qobuz, sadly.
Anyway, I kinda like the song. But I also agree it's very much got that dreary late-Lennon vibe. It would've been a decent album-ender or B-side for "Watching the Wheels". I also wish Jeff Lynne were capable of having a lighter touch.
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Topic: Beatles - Now & Then
