Back on November 25th, I made a post alerting everyone of Ringo’s upcoming new album Ringo 2012 and giving some details about it (check that out here). Since we are coming up on the release date in 10 more days, I thought it a good time to give everyone a sneak preview.

The lead single for the album, “Wings” is actually a remake of an earlier single made in 1977, that was taken from his Atlantic album Ringo the 4th. Since this was released digitally back on January 10th (2012), I’ve decided to share another of the nine tracks on the disc.

“Anthem” is the album opener and a good representation of the upbeat nature of the entire collection. Co-written with Glen Ballard, Ringo delivers a good driving beat behind lots of punchy guitar, effectively giving it an overall “feel good” kind of sound.

One may want to think of Ringo 2012 as a continuation of his highly successful 1973 album Ringo. Although, unlike that offering, there are no “guest Beatles”, the new album does feature a remake performance of one of the 1973 Ringo tracks – a song written by Ringo himself called “Step Lightly.” In keeping with the feel of the new album, the re-make version has been injected with a lot more beat and liveliness. And, like the Ringo album, Ringo 2012 has our famous drummer joined in the studio with an impressive list of fine musicians that you’ve likely heard of before, to include (in alphabetical order): Michael Bradford, Ann Marie Calhoun, Matt Cartsonis, Steve Dudas, Charlie Haden, Amy Keys, Kelly Moneymaker, Richard Page, Van Dyke Parks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Stewart, Bruce Sugar, Benmont Tench, Joe Walsh , Don Was, and Edgar Winter.

For more details about Ringo 2012, check out my earlier post. See below, to pick up your copy.

Ringo 2012, released on January 31, 2012

Here is a list of all available formats of Ringo 2012 with Amazon links to read more on, or purchase:

1) Ringo 2012 – Ringo 2012 9-track standard CD.

2) Ringo 2012 – Ringo 2012 9-track MP3 digital download.

3) Ringo 2012 [Amazon.com Exclusive CD+DVD Version] – Ringo 2012 Deluxe version: 9-track CD + DVD with over 15 minutes of commentary and live performance footage.

4) The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Back on December 7th (2011), TheBeatlesRarity.com reported on Paul McCartney’s upcoming St. Valentine’s holiday release. At the time, the title of the CD was to be My Valentine after one of only two McCartney-penned tracks on the disc. The latest, however, is that the CD will be titled Kisses On The Bottom.

A few weeks back, Paul spoke with French radio station RTL, and described the new record as “old-fashioned.” He said: “This will sound like the years between 1920-1940, the time when my father was 20. These are songs I heard – my family, my uncles, everybody sang. And there will be pieces I wrote, but in this style.”

In addition to enlisting the help of producer Tommy LiPuma, Paul recruits backing vocals from Diana Krall and even welcomes a guest appearance by Stevie Wonder. The disc marks the first time Paul has recorded without playing bass, guitar or piano.

Paul explains: “I always thought artists like Fred Astaire were very cool. Writers like Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, all of those guys – I just thought the songs were magical. And then, as I got to be a songwriter I thought it’s beautiful, the way they made those songs.”

Determined to approach the record in a new and unique manner, Paul requested the help of LiPuma and Krall and her band – who delivered ultra-high quality musicianship and were completely in tune with Paul’s restraint and feel for the music.

Paul says: “It was very spontaneous, kind of organic, which then reminded me of the way we’d work with the Beatles. We’d bring a song in, kick it around, when we found a way to do it we’d say ‘OK, let’s do a take now’ and by the time everyone kind of had an idea of what they were doing, we’d learned the song. So that’s what we did, we did the take live in the studio.”

The album was recorded at the legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, New York and London throughout 2011.

As a special New Year’s treat, here is a preview track. “My Valentine” was recorded live in the studio and features some great guitar work by Eric Clapton and piano by Stevie Wonder.

Happy New Year!

Paul McCartney

Here is a link to order/pre-order the CD through Amazon.com:

Kisses on the Bottom – Paul’s 2012 “Kisses On The Bottom” CD (released Feb. 7, 2012).

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Paul McCartney’s next studio album is expected to be released on Feb 6th 2012 and will be entitled My Valentine, after the St. Valentine’s Day holiday the following week.

Paul spoke with French radio station RTL, and described the new record as “old-fashioned”. He said: “This will sound like the years between 1920-1940, the time when my father was 20. These are songs I heard. My family, my uncles, everybody sang. And there will be pieces I wrote, but in this style. ”

Updates will be posted here as the info comes in.

Paul McCartney

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If you happen to be out shopping the Black Friday deals today, you may be interested in a limited edition Beatles box set that includes 4 vinyl singles, all with the original (U.S.) picture sleeves. The box also contains a 21″ x 21″ poster and an adapter for playing singles on your turntable (see photo below). Each set is exclusively numbered and the music on the singles is all taken from the recent 2009 remastered versions. The discs include the following:

1) “Ticket To Ride” c/w “Yes It Is”
2) “Yellow Submarine c/w “Eleanor Rigby”
3) “Hey Jude” c/w “Revolution”
4) “Something” c/w “Come Together”

It’s a great selection of re-issues as you get to hear a lead vocal from each Beatle at least once. If you want one, you better hurry though because supplies are limited.

The Beatles Black Friday/Record Store Day Exclusive Singles 4-pack, 2011

The Beatles Black Friday/Record Store Day Exclusive Singles 4-pack, 2011 (back)

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, other Beatles-related music:

The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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It’s hard to believe that it has already been nearly two years since Ringo Starr’s last album, Y Not, hit the stores, but it has, and now he has another coming up that is due to be available at your favorite music retailers on January 30, 2012.

The album has the simplistic title Ringo 2012 and is expected to be the product of what Ringo told us in various press coverage since last April about preferring to make his music autobiographical in nature as opposed to publishing an autobiographical book, as he has been approached about doing several times. The album will be available on CD, vinyl and via direct download. Like, Y Not it will be distributed through Hip-O Records. I’ve included a link below if you would like to pre-order your copy through Amazon.

The album was produced by Ringo, and recorded in Los Angeles. It was mixed in England by Ringo and Bruce Sugar. Of the 9 tracks, two are covers, “Think It Over,” and “Rock Island Line”. Two others are new versions of his own songs, “Wings” and “Step Lightly.”

The track listing:
1. Anthem (Richard Starkey/Glen Ballard)
2. Wings (Richard Starkey/Vince Poncia)
3. Think It Over (Buddy Holly/Norman Perry)
4. Samba (Richard Starkey/Van Dyke Parks)
5. Rock Island Line (Arrangement by Richard Starkey)
6. Step Lightly (Richard Starkey)
7. Wonderful (Richard Starkey/Gary Nicholson)
8. In Liverpool (Richard Starkey/Dave Stewart)
9. Slow Down (Richard Starkey/Joe Walsh)

Joining Ringo in the studio for Ringo 2012 were musicians (in alphabetical order): Michael Bradford, Ann Marie Calhoun, Matt Cartsonis, Steve Dudas, Charlie Haden, Amy Keys, Kelly Moneymaker, Richard Page, Van Dyke Parks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Stewart, Bruce Sugar, Benmont Tench, Joe Walsh , Don Was, Edgar Winter.

Ringo Starr

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, music related to this post:

1) Ringo 2012 – Ringo’s new album, pre-order only until Jan. 24, 2012

2) Y Not – Ringo’s last studio CD, released in January 2010, containing the hit “The Other Side Of Liverpool”.

3) The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Apple Records will release John Lennon’s Imagine album in a 40th anniversary vinyl box set as part of Black Friday this week (Nov. 25, 2011). The release, which is limited to 5,000 copies in the United States, is the remastered album on a white vinyl disc. You’ll also receive a poster with the purchase. The album will include tracks from the original Imagine LP, recorded at John’s Ascot Sound home studio and at the Record Plant in New York. Bonus tracks include session outtakes of classic songs “How Do You Sleep,” “Jealous Guy,” “Oh My Love,” “Baby Please Don’t Go,” “I Don’t Wanna Be A Soldier” and “Imagine (take 1).” The original album was released on Sep. 9, 1971.

Imagine cover art, 1971

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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The Love We Make, a film directed by Albert Maysles Gimme Shelter) and Bradley Kaplan, follows Paul McCartney as he journeys through the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. It’s hard to believe that this was already ten years ago, and Paul felt it to be a good time to remember how we as a country came through it. McCartney was actually en route out of the country on that fateful day and had his plane grounded when air traffic was shut down. The film also chronicles the planning and performance of the benefit concert that took place less than six months after the attacks: The Concert For New York City.

“It was an honor to be able to help New York and America at that time in its history,” said McCartney of the concert. “There was a feeling of shock and fear in the air that I thought we could help alleviate with music and the fact that so many people stepped up to join us made for a very uplifting evening for us all.”

The film features performance clips from the benefit concert and backstage moments with many of the performers and other famous attendees such as The Who, Billy Joel, Jay-Z, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Elton John, James Taylor, Mick Jagger and many more.

A trailer for the film is now viewable on PaulMcCartney.com by clicking here.

I have included links below to order/pre-order Blu-Ray or DVD versions below (pre-order only until Dec. 6, 2011).

The Love We Make (DVD) released on Dec. 6, 2011

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, the releases related to this post:

1) The Love We Make – DVD version (pre-order only until Dec. 6, 2011)

2) The Love We Make [Blu-ray] – Blu-ray version (pre-order only until Dec. 6, 2011)

3) The Concert For New York City – original January 2002 2-DVD set of the benefit concert featuring Paul McCartney, The Who, Billy Joel, Jay-Z, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Elton John, James Taylor, Mick Jagger and many more.

4) The Concert for New York City – original 2001 2-CD set of the benefit concert featuring Paul McCartney, The Who, Billy Joel, Jay-Z, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Elton John, James Taylor, Mick Jagger and many more.

5) Find more Beatles-related music on Amazon: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Beatles First Recordings Cover Art, 2011

Some good news for you Beatles historians. On November 8, 2011 The Beatles earliest recordings with singer/guitarist Tony Sheridan have been compiled for a new 2-CD package, marking the 50th anniversary of The Beatles on record. The recordings in this set precede Ringo Starr’s admission into the group by nearly a year and instead feature Pete Best in the drummer’s seat.

The CD set will be titled The Beatles With Tony Sheridan: First Recordings and will feature tracks the band performed with Sheridan as Polydor artists after bandleader and music executive Bert Kaempfert discovered them performing in a German nightclub, during their Hamburg stint in early 1961.

The CD packaging will include a booklet full of rarely seen photographs, taken by one-time Beatles bass player Stuart Sutcliffe’s fiancee, Astrid Kirchherr. The booklet will also show band contracts, poster art for early shows and handwritten biographies by each member of the group.

The track listing will include various mixes of eight songs. Six of these feature lead vocals by Tony and include The Beatles first single “My Bonnie”, the disc that made future manager Brian Epstein aware of them. One song, “Cry For A Shadow”, is an rocking instrumental that was the only Beatles track composed by the team of John Lennon and George Harrison. There is also John’s rocked up cover of the 1920′s standard, “Ain’t She Sweet”.

Much more info on these recordings along with a few listenable samplings can be found throughout this website and most notably here.

Top Ten Club photo (Hamburg) L-R: Stuart Sutcliff, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney (on piano behind Tony), Tony Sheridan

Buy this CD set on Amazon by clicking here.

More Amazon links for your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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A new clip from the Martin Scorsese film George Harrison: Living In The Material World is now viewable on GeorgeHarrison.com (starring Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr).

Click to view the video clip

The documentary itself will debut in about a week!

Here is more info on the documentary showtimes and the upcoming CD, DVD/Blu-Ray and bonus goodies:

In the US:
October 5 & 6 – The film will be broadcast exclusively on HBO October 5 (Part 1) and 6 (Part 2). A US home video release will follow in the Spring.

In the UK:
4th October – The film will be IN CINEMAS for one day only!
View theater listing and find a showing near you.

10th October – The film is released on home video in the UK on DVD, Blu-Ray and Deluxe Edition versions.

The limited-edition Deluxe version is packaged in a custom-made picture frame box with easel back for photo display. It includes:

1) 2 DVDs and one Blu-ray featuring the film & 11 bonus features
2) 10-track CD of previously-unreleased recordings
3) 2 exclusive lithographs
4) 96-page book

CD Tracklist:
My Sweet Lord (demo) 3:33
Run Of The Mill (demo) 1:56
I’d Have You Any Time (early take) 3:06
Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind (demo) 3:04
Let It Be Me (demo) 2:56
Woman Don’t You Cry For Me (early take) 2:44
Awaiting On You All (early take) 2:40
Behind That Locked Door (demo) 3:29
All Things Must Pass (demo) 4:38
The Light That Has Lighted The World (demo) 2:23

Bonus Features (*exclusive to Deluxe Edition):
George plays the Uke* 1:37
Deep Blue* 1:11
Here Comes The Sun 2:38
Dispute and Violence 5:12
Growing Up In Liverpool* 4:20
Paul McCartney 2:23
Neil Aspinall* 3:31
The Inner Light* 2:31
Jeff Lynne 2:56
Gordon Murray* 4:17
Damon Hill 4:21

Buy at Amazon UK
or check your local retailer.

Not yet available on Amazon.com (US). Stay tuned for updates. But the book is (see below) –

George Harrison: Living in the Material World – A new book by Olivia Harrison. Drawing on George Harrison’s personal archive of photographs, letters, diaries, and memorabilia, Olivia Harrison reveals the arc of his life, from his guitar-obsessed boyhood in Liverpool, to the astonishment of the Beatles years, to his days as an independent musician and bohemian squire. Here too is the record of Harrison’s lifelong commitment to Indian music, and his adventures as a movie producer, Traveling Wilbury, and Formula One racing fan. The book is filled with stories and reminiscences from Harrison’s friends, including Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and many, many others. Among its previously unpublished riches are photographs taken by Harrison himself beginning in the mid-1960s. It is a rich tribute to a man who died far too young, but who touched the lives of millions.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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For those of you who are into collecting Beatles records, I want to let you know about a new price guide that just came out this month (Sep. 2011). Introducing The Beatles… Record Price Guide is a 232 page large paperback covering all of various pressings of The Beatles American records, their near mint worth based on today’s market, and lots of full color photos that show nice samples of most of the releases. There is also plenty of information to help you determine the authenticity of each record.

The book is authored by Stanley Panenka, who is himself the holder of one of, if not the finest Beatles collection in existence today. Stanley enlisted the help of a few friends including John Tefteller, a well-know dealer in rare vinyl records for 35 years. The editor-in-chief, Jerry Osborne, is also the publisher for the guide. Jerry, an avid Beatles collector himself, has been publishing price guides and reference books since 1975.

The book serves as a welcome update to a similar price guide by Frank Daniels and Perry Cox titled Price Guide For The Beatles American Records, which, as great a reference as it is, was put out in 2007. Any collector of Beatles will tell you, the value of original Beatles vinyl changes every year. The value of each release in Stan’s book is generally twice as much as it was in 2007, and often more. Perry has even seen fit to assist Stan with the new book, and offers a few words about Stan and his approach to each record’s valuation in the introductory pages. Stan’s book has also added a few more releases that were missed in the Perry Cox/Frank Daniels volume and covers Beatles releases from 1962 through 1996 (up to Beatles Anthology 3).

The cost of Introducing The Beatles…Record Price Guide is only $39, and if you’d like a copy, I’ve included a convenient Amazon link below.

Introducing...The Beatles Price Guide

Introducing … The Beatles Record Price Guide – Stanly Panenka’s new price guide published in 2011 with valuations on all of the Beatles American releases up to 1996.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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