The Beatles Now and Then closes an era with endearing and enduring group unity.
We’ve listened to the song ahead of its release and have some thoughts.
In a most dignified way,The Beatleswill release their last song this year.
All the rumors are true.
The song is Now and Then, and it is beautiful, bittersweet, timeless, and completely natural.
It will be issued as a double-A side single with Love Me Do, the bands first release.
Yes, it will be the version with Ringo on drums, not tambourine.
These will be the last records the group will issue.
The Beatles scored several lasts.
Many have been misleading.
The last song on their last album, The End, is followed by another song, Her Majesty.
Its global online premiere will be hosted on The Beatles YouTube channel at 3:30 pm ET.
The Beatles were the first rock band to use these instruments for commercial releases.
The new song uses cutting-edge audio technology.
They werent finished, and the sound quality was the lowest fidelity.
Lynne separated the parts the best he could, and arranged them so they flowed.
These were added toAnthology 1andAnthology 2.
The cassette demo was demixed by filmmakerPeter Jacksonwith the same technology he used onGet Back.
He was able to separate the vocals from the piano and remove extraneous sound.
We get Johns voice up front and center, completely naked.
This alone warrants attention.
Much like how the real reason to hear Mr. Moonlight is because Lennon never sang that way again.
Hes not doing it here, but something tangential, and much more intimate.
McCartney plays the guitar solo, his sustained slide notes echo the essence of Harrisons style with minimal movement.
The lingering tones evoke melancholy but allow subtle shades of longing.
For example, Ringos entire drum set was recorded on one microphone.
Jackson separated each snare, tom, and cymbal onto five separate tracks.
Sadly, there are no plans for this in the foreseeable future.
So, The Beatles last song is Now and Then, a sad tune underlined with hope.
The band is renowned for false endings, however.
Apple Records will release The Beatles Now and Then/Love Me Do on digital/streaming platforms on Thursday, Nov. 2.
The new music video for Now And Then will debut on Friday, Nov. 3.
The Beatles Red and Blue Anniversary Editions, officially titled1962-1966and1967-1970, will be available on Nov. 10.
