REISSUES

The Beatles

Abbey Road Super Deluxe Edition UMC

50th anniversary reissue, with bonus demos and session recordings.

In contrast to The White Album and Let It Be, Abbey Road sees The Beatles operating relatively cohesively; in step with one another, as represented on the famous cover image, as opposed to drifting off individualistically, dreaming solo dreams. Indeed, a tape has emerged of Lennon, of all Beatles, hosting a meeting with McCartney and Harrison enthusing over the prospect of a follow-up album. However, while Abbey Road is a largely fabulous album, it also shows signs of tiredness, of whimsy and of a group on the point of being sonically eclipsed by their emerging rock counterparts.

The original album, remastered by a team co-headed by George Martin’s son Giles, is presented with a freshness and immediacy that makes a mockery of the passage of half a century. George Harrison is at the summit of his powers, the temporary equal of Lennon and McCartney with and possessing a light and intensity occasionally lacking elsewhere, qualities evident even