A Hard Day's Night - Back To Basics

The Beatles


A Hard Day's Night - Back To Basics - Front Artwork	A Hard Day's Night - Back To Basics - Back Artwork

Label Helter Skelter

Catalogue No. HSR 08/09/10/11

Release Date 30th May 2011

Total Time Disc 1 - 73.27
Disc 2 - 65:32
(Discs 3 & 4 not analysed)

Comments:
(from the release notes) All available studio sessions and rare mixes from the A Hard Day's Night era.
All recordings have been taken from the best and most complete sources, and remastered to remove drop-out, and to correct pitch, phase and audio levels.
Included for the first time are several new studio chats and recordings, all three Movie soundtracks, and also the Original Odeon Mono Single (0 22 671) - containing a rare and unique mix of the German single tracks. That release had a very high vocal level (almost distorted) - a very different mono mix to the one widely available on commercial discs. There are also several other tracks that have not been released in AHDN compilations in the past.
Some parts of this release have been treated with minor hiss reduction.
This has been done at very low level and only on certain frequencies using 'Algorithmix' Industry Standard Software to ensure that the original audio was not compromised. Nothing has been lost (the Helter Skelter policy) during this process - only minor hiss removed for better listenability on studio chat.
No noise reduction has been applied to any music elements.
ALL HELTER SKELTER ALBUMS ARE NON-PROFIT PRODUCTIONS FOR FANS, MADE BY FANS - DO NOT BUY OR SELL THIS ALBUM
JPGR Comments :
This four CD set was the third Back To Basics set from Helter Skelter made available for free as a download.
The downloads arrived as lossless FLACs and include full artwork and recording notes.
The second two-disc set (HSR10/11) I really couldn't see the point of, so although I have the download I haven't played it nor checked it out.
It contains the VHS Video soundtrack in stereo and mono, plus the soundtrack of a fake stereo Miramix DVD issue.
All are out there and available for downloads for the completeist.
The amount of times I've thought about collecting together the available takes for an album and sequencing them properly together and now I don't have to as Helter Skelter has done it for me. And very good it is too.
Everyone would do it differently I'm sure, but for me I would have left out the alternate later mixes such as Rockband. I'd have arranged all session takes then the final mix version and of course, being as one presses one's own finished disc this is exactly what you can easily do.

C.D. One

Note: The track timings include the studio chat and the Control Room's Take calls.

No Tracklisting Information Time

Tracks 1-16 all from session of 16th April 1964

1 A Hard Day's Night Take 1 (Mono)
Control Room call, "A Hard Day's Night, Take 1"
A cough and a 1-2-3-4 count-in from John.
A laugh and feedback at the very end. 2:48

2 A Hard Day's Night Take 2 (Mono)
Control Room call, "Take 2"
Just the opening chord, wildly mis-played
John, "What was that !? .. that's not it !"
0:10

3 A Hard Day's Night Take 3 (Mono)
Control Room call, "3"
John says, "still playing This Boy"
Open chord, then embarrassed cough from John, "I missed the beat" 0:08

4 A Hard Day's Night Take 3 (Mono)
No control room re-call, just straight into re-take of take 3
A laugh and "What's that" can be heard at the end. 2:33

5 A Hard Day's Night Take 4 (Mono)
Control Room call, "Take 4"
At end George says, "I never know how many it ends" 2:36

6 A Hard Day's Night Take 6 (Mono)
Control Room call, "Take 6"
1:27

7 A Hard Day's Night Take 7 (Mono)
Control Room call, "Take 7"
Still talking of the previous attampt, John says, "I heard a funny chord"
George Martin, "So did I". John, "Not 'arf you didn't !" 2:59

8 A Hard Day's Night Take 8 (Mono)
Control Room call, "Take 8"
John, "I wish we had the words written out properly" 0:12

9 A Hard Day's Night Take 9 (Mono)
No Control Room call
2:38

10 A Hard Day's Night Take 1 (Stereo)
From the official Anthology release 2:39

11 A Hard Day's Night Take 1 (Monitor Mix)
Studio playback of take 1 2:48

12 A Hard Day's Night Take 2 (Mono)
Monitor Mix 0:10

13 A Hard Day's Night Take 3 (Mono)
Monitor Mix 0:08

14 A Hard Day's Night Take 4 (Mono)
Monitor Mix 2:33

15 A Hard Day's Night Take 4 (Mono)
Monitor Mix 2:36

16 A Hard Day's Night Take 6 (Mono)
Monitor Mix 0:56

17 A Hard Day's Night Take 9 Stereo Remix Version 1 (Stereo)
1984 Stereo home video mix, with screams at end 2:29

18 A Hard Day's Night Take 9 Stereo Remix Version 2 (Stereo)
1995 "Making of" mix by Ron Furmanek 2:37

19 A Hard Day's Night Take 9 RM10 (Mono)
1964 United Artists film mix 2:38

20 A Hard Day's Night Take 9 RS1 (Stereo)
2003 T.V. Anthology Mix 1:19

21 A Hard Day's Night 2009 Rockband Mix (Stereo) 2:28

22 I Should Have Known Better Take 8 (Stereo) - DVD mix
Control Room call is heard for Take 7
Brief 8 second part of song with John struggling vocally
This cuts, then "Take 9" is heard.
John, "I can't breath after that mouth organ bit, can we skip the mouth organ ?" 0:15

23 I Should Have Known Better Take 11 (Stereo) - DVD mix
Song already in progress, just John breaking down
John, "I feel as if I'm singing in a sock" 0:15

24 I Should Have Known Better Take 8 (Stereo) - VHS mix
Same as 22 0:15

25 I Should Have Known Better Take 11 (Stereo) - VHS mix
Same as 23 0:15

26 I Should Have Known Better Unknown outtake (Stereo)
Very brief harmonica and laughter 0:05

27 I Should Have Known Better Take 22 Stereo mix V1
1995 mix for "Making of" by Ron Furmanek 0:13

28 I Should Have Known Better 1992 Stereo Mix
Alternate stereo mix for U.S. "Reel Music" 2:42

29 I Should Have Known Better Take 22 Stereo mix V2 (Segment)
2003 T.V. mix for Anthology 0:18

Track 30 from session of 27th February 1964

30 If I Fell Compilation of unknown studio chat (Mono) 0:20

31 If I Fell Take 15 Stereo mix V1 (Segment)
1995 mix for "Making of" by Ron Furmanek 0:29

32 If I Fell Take 15 Stereo mix V2
2003 T.V. mix for Anthology 2:17

Track 33 from session of 25th February 1964

33 And I Love Her Take 2 (Mono)
Official Anthology issue 1:50

34 And I Love Her Take 11 (Stereo) - Anthology DVD Mix
Paul already into the song as he messes up the words.
Control Room call, "Take Twelve"
Paul, "I'm sorry"
John, "He's going to pieces again." 0:15

35 And I Love Her Take 11 (Segment) - Anthology VHS Mix
Basically same as track 34 0:15

36 And I Love Her Unknown segment (Stereo)
Paul, "Hang on, John's just broken a string" 0:04

37 And I Love Her Take 21 (Stereo) - Segments
1995 RS mix for "Making of" by Ron Furmanek 0:26

38 And I Love Her German Stereo Mix
Six guitar riffs at end. 2:35

39 Tell Me Why Take 2 - Studio Chat (Mono)
Control Room call, "2"
Paul, "I'm giving up the business"
John, "Come on George, we're doing it, we're on"
Paul "George is tuning up" 0:13

40 Tell Me Why Take 4 - Anthology DVD Mix (Mono)
1-2-3-4 count into opening bars which quickly breaks down.
0:15

41 Tell Me Why Take 4 - Anthology VHS Mix (Mono)
Same as track 40. 0:15

42 Tell Me Why Take 8 RM1 (Mono)
Mixed for home video release of "A Hard Day's Night" in 1984 1:43

43 Tell Me Why Take 8 RS1 (Stereo)
Mixed for home video release of "A Hard Day's Night in 1984 1:46

44 Tell Me Why Take 8 RS2 (Mono)
Mixed by Ron Furmanek for "Making of A Hard Day's Night" in 1995 0:16

45 Can't Buy Me Love Take 1 - Monitor Mix (Mono)
Control Room call, "Money Can't Buy Me Love - take 1"
At end John says:, "I had the wrong note" 2:22

46 Can't Buy Me Love Take 2 (Stereo)
Control Room call, "Take, 2" 2:32

47 Can't Buy Me Love Take 3 (Stereo)
Control Room call, "Take 3" 0:40

48 Can't Buy Me Love Take 3 - Monitor Mix(Stereo)
Control Room call, "Take 3" 0:43

49 Can't Buy Me Love Take 4 Monitor mix (Fragment)
Control Room call, "Take Four" 0:07

50 Can't Buy Me Love Takes 1 & 2 (Mono)
Anthology mix (official) 2:09

51 Can't Buy Me Love Take 4 RS1 (Stereo)
Mixed by Ron Furmanek for "Making of A Hard Day's Night" in 1995 0:31

52 Can't Buy Me Love Take 4 RS2 (Stereo)
TV Mix for Anthology series - includes John speaking midway through 1:11

53 Can't Buy Me Love Rockband Mix (Stereo)
Mixed for the video game in 2009 2:11

54 Any Time At All Take 11 RS (Stereo)
TV mix for Anthology series 0:34

55 Things We Said Today Take 3 RS (Stereo)
TV mix for Anthology series 2:33

C.D. Two

Note: The track timings include the studio chat and the Control Room's Take calls.

No Tracklisting Information Time

Tracks 1-2 from session of 25th February 1964

1 You Can't Do That Take 6 (Mono)
Starts with count-in from John with a strange emphasis on "Four" 2:37

2 You Can't Do That Unknown Take - Fragment (Stereo)
John, "ok ready ? ... Paul ? ... they're running 0:08

3 You Can't Do That Alternate Stereo Mix
U.S. mix for Rock 'n' Roll Music in 1976 2:34

4 You Can't Do That Take 9 RS (Stereo)
Mixed by Ron Furmanek for "Making of A Hard Day's Night" in 1996 2:35

Tracks 5-17 all from session of 1st June 1964

5 I'll Be Back Take 2 (Mono)
John counts in abruptly, the breaks down 1 minute into song. 1:13

6 I'll Be Back Take 3 (Mono) 1:55

7 I'll Be Back Take 2 (Stereo)
Anthology DVD mix, otherwise same as track 5 1:13

8 I'll Be Back Take 3 (Stereo)
Anthology DVD mix, otherwise same as track 6 except faded out early 1:17

9 I'll Be Back Take 12 (Stereo)
At start John says, "Rhythm and blues part 9"
Breaks down after 6 seconds as John says, "Paul forgot to sing !"
From Anthology DVD 0:12

10 I'll Be Back Take 13 (Stereo)
Control room call, "13"
At start Paul is apologising for Take 12 breakdown
Abrupt cut after first two words of song
From Anthology DVD 0:12

11 I'll Be Back Take 14 (Stereo)
Control room call, "14"
At song starts, John is clearly not ready and stops everyone with, "Hold on, hold on"
From Anthology DVD 0:04

12 I'll Be Back Take 15 (Stereo)
Control room call, "15"
No sound of music, just a bit of chat as to reasons for breakdowns
From Anthology DVD 0:07

13 I'll Be Back Take 12 (Mono)
Same as track 9.
From Anthology VHS 0:12

14 I'll Be Back Take 13 (Mono)
Same as track 10.
From Anthology VHS 0:12

15 I'll Be Back Take 14 (Mono)
Same as track 11.
From Anthology VHS 0:04

16 I'll Be Back Take 15 (Mono)
Same as track 12.
From Anthology VHS 0:07

17 I'll Be Back Take 16 (Stereo)
Segment of stereo mix of take 16 cut with interview piece with George 1:21

18 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Take 1 (Segment - Mono)
Control Room call, "I Want To Hold Your Hand - German Version - Take 1"
Just a brief whisper or two as the boys practice German words, no "take" heard 0:09

19 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Take 2 (Segment - Mono)
Control Room call, "Take 2"
Just a brief whisper again as a taped backing track starts 0:07

20 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Take 7 (Segment - Mono)
Control Room call, "7" as John sounds like he is saying "What's up Doc ?" 0:03

21 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Take 9 (Segment - Mono)
Control Room call, "I Want To Hold Your Hand - German Version - Take 1"
John, "ok, let's get it, let's get it" 0:03

22 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Take 10 (Segment - Mono)
Control Room call, "Edit Piece - Take 10" 0:03

23 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Unknown Take (Segment - Mono)
Just a bizarre shout 0:06

24 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Odeon single mix (Mono)
Much louder vocals and handclaps 2:25

25 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand U.S. Stereo Mix (RS1)
For "Something New" album
(An extraneous word can be heard at over the opening note ?) 2:24

26 Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand This track would download, but would NOT write to disk for me ! 2:26

Tracks 27-30 from session of 29th January 1964 in Paris

27 Sie Liebt Dich Unknown Take (Segment) (Stereo)
Taken from Anthology DVD 0:10

28 Sie Liebt Dich Unknown Take (Segment) (Stereo)
Taken from Anthology VHS 0:11

29 Sie Liebt Dich German Odeon single mix (Mono)
Over loud vocal mix 2:16

30 Sie Liebt Dich Alternate Mix (Stereo)
For U.S. Rarities album 1980 2:12

31 I Call Your Name Studio Chat Segment (Mono)
Taken from Liverpool Sound Collage 0:03

32 I Call Your Name Alternate Stereo Mix (Stereo)
Mixed for U.S. Rock 'n' Roll Music album in 1976 2:07

33 Long Tall Sally Alternate Stereo Mix (Stereo)
Mixed for U.S. Rock 'n' Roll Music album in 1976 2:02

34 Long Tall Sally Stereo Mix
Mixed in 2003 for Anthology TV series 2:01

Tracks 35-39 all from session of 5th March 1963

35 Slow Down Alternate Stereo Mix (Stereo)
Mixed for U.S. Rock 'n' Roll Music album in 1976 2:54

36 Train Music Composed for Hard Day's Night movie 0:06

Around The Beatles studio session of 19th April 1964

37 Twist And Shout Mono 2:33

38 Roll Over Beethoven Mono 1:28

39 I Wanna Be Your Man Mono 1:48

40 Long Tall Sally Mono 1:45

41 Medley:
     Love Me Do
     Please Please Me
     From Me To You
     She Loves You
     I Want To Hold Your Hand Mono 4:01

42 Can't Buy Me Love Mono 2:06

43 Shout Mono 2:02

44 I Wanna Be Your Man Stereo - from Anthology 1 1:47

45 Long Tall Sally Stereo - from Anthology 1 1:44

46 Boys Stereo - from Anthology 1 1:49

47 Shout Stereo - from Anthology 1 1:28

48 Medley:
     She Loves You
     I Want To Hold Your Hand Stereo
From American Music Awards video of 2005 2:24

49 No Reply Demo Take - Mono - from Anthology 1 1:45

50 You Know What To Do Demo Take - Mono - from Anthology 1 1:57

Label	Helter Skelter
Catalogue No.	HSR 08/09/10/11
Release Date	30th May 2011
Total Time	Disc 1 - 73.27 Disc 2 - 65:32 (Discs 3 & 4 not analysed)
Comments: (from the release notes)	All available studio sessions and rare mixes from the A Hard Day's Night era. All recordings have been taken from the best and most complete sources, and remastered to remove drop-out, and to correct pitch, phase and audio levels. Included for the first time are several new studio chats and recordings, all three Movie soundtracks, and also the Original Odeon Mono Single (0 22 671) - containing a rare and unique mix of the German single tracks. That release had a very high vocal level (almost distorted) - a very different mono mix to the one widely available on commercial discs. There are also several other tracks that have not been released in AHDN compilations in the past. Some parts of this release have been treated with minor hiss reduction. This has been done at very low level and only on certain frequencies using 'Algorithmix' Industry Standard Software to ensure that the original audio was not compromised. Nothing has been lost (the Helter Skelter policy) during this process - only minor hiss removed for better listenability on studio chat. No noise reduction has been applied to any music elements. ALL HELTER SKELTER ALBUMS ARE NON-PROFIT PRODUCTIONS FOR FANS, MADE BY FANS - DO NOT BUY OR SELL THIS ALBUM JPGR Comments : This four CD set was the third Back To Basics set from Helter Skelter made available for free as a download. The downloads arrived as lossless FLACs and include full artwork and recording notes. The second two-disc set (HSR10/11) I really couldn't see the point of, so although I have the download I haven't played it nor checked it out. It contains the VHS Video soundtrack in stereo and mono, plus the soundtrack of a fake stereo Miramix DVD issue. All are out there and available for downloads for the completeist. The amount of times I've thought about collecting together the available takes for an album and sequencing them properly together and now I don't have to as Helter Skelter has done it for me. And very good it is too. Everyone would do it differently I'm sure, but for me I would have left out the alternate later mixes such as Rockband. I'd have arranged all session takes then the final mix version and of course, being as one presses one's own finished disc this is exactly what you can easily do.

No	Tracklisting	Information	Time
Tracks 1-16 all from session of 16th April 1964
1	A Hard Day's Night	Take 1 (Mono) Control Room call, "A Hard Day's Night, Take 1" A cough and a 1-2-3-4 count-in from John. A laugh and feedback at the very end.	2:48
2	A Hard Day's Night	Take 2 (Mono) Control Room call, "Take 2" Just the opening chord, wildly mis-played John, "What was that !? .. that's not it !"	0:10
3	A Hard Day's Night	Take 3 (Mono) Control Room call, "3" John says, "still playing This Boy" Open chord, then embarrassed cough from John, "I missed the beat"	0:08
4	A Hard Day's Night	Take 3 (Mono) No control room re-call, just straight into re-take of take 3 A laugh and "What's that" can be heard at the end.	2:33
5	A Hard Day's Night	Take 4 (Mono) Control Room call, "Take 4" At end George says, "I never know how many it ends"	2:36
6	A Hard Day's Night	Take 6 (Mono) Control Room call, "Take 6"	1:27
7	A Hard Day's Night	Take 7 (Mono) Control Room call, "Take 7" Still talking of the previous attampt, John says, "I heard a funny chord" George Martin, "So did I". John, "Not 'arf you didn't !"	2:59
8	A Hard Day's Night	Take 8 (Mono) Control Room call, "Take 8" John, "I wish we had the words written out properly"	0:12
9	A Hard Day's Night	Take 9 (Mono) No Control Room call	2:38
10	A Hard Day's Night	Take 1 (Stereo) From the official Anthology release	2:39
11	A Hard Day's Night	Take 1 (Monitor Mix) Studio playback of take 1	2:48
12	A Hard Day's Night	Take 2 (Mono) Monitor Mix	0:10
13	A Hard Day's Night	Take 3 (Mono) Monitor Mix	0:08
14	A Hard Day's Night	Take 4 (Mono) Monitor Mix	2:33
15	A Hard Day's Night	Take 4 (Mono) Monitor Mix	2:36
16	A Hard Day's Night	Take 6 (Mono) Monitor Mix	0:56
17	A Hard Day's Night	Take 9 Stereo Remix Version 1 (Stereo) 1984 Stereo home video mix, with screams at end	2:29
18	A Hard Day's Night	Take 9 Stereo Remix Version 2 (Stereo) 1995 "Making of" mix by Ron Furmanek	2:37
19	A Hard Day's Night	Take 9 RM10 (Mono) 1964 United Artists film mix	2:38
20	A Hard Day's Night	Take 9 RS1 (Stereo) 2003 T.V. Anthology Mix	1:19
21	A Hard Day's Night	2009 Rockband Mix (Stereo)	2:28
22	I Should Have Known Better	Take 8 (Stereo) - DVD mix Control Room call is heard for Take 7 Brief 8 second part of song with John struggling vocally This cuts, then "Take 9" is heard. John, "I can't breath after that mouth organ bit, can we skip the mouth organ ?"	0:15
23	I Should Have Known Better	Take 11 (Stereo) - DVD mix Song already in progress, just John breaking down John, "I feel as if I'm singing in a sock"	0:15
24	I Should Have Known Better	Take 8 (Stereo) - VHS mix Same as 22	0:15
25	I Should Have Known Better	Take 11 (Stereo) - VHS mix Same as 23	0:15
26	I Should Have Known Better	Unknown outtake (Stereo) Very brief harmonica and laughter	0:05
27	I Should Have Known Better	Take 22 Stereo mix V1 1995 mix for "Making of" by Ron Furmanek	0:13
28	I Should Have Known Better	1992 Stereo Mix Alternate stereo mix for U.S. "Reel Music"	2:42
29	I Should Have Known Better	Take 22 Stereo mix V2 (Segment) 2003 T.V. mix for Anthology	0:18
Track 30 from session of 27th February 1964
30	If I Fell	Compilation of unknown studio chat (Mono)	0:20
31	If I Fell	Take 15 Stereo mix V1 (Segment) 1995 mix for "Making of" by Ron Furmanek	0:29
32	If I Fell	Take 15 Stereo mix V2 2003 T.V. mix for Anthology	2:17
Track 33 from session of 25th February 1964
33	And I Love Her	Take 2 (Mono) Official Anthology issue	1:50
34	And I Love Her	Take 11 (Stereo) - Anthology DVD Mix Paul already into the song as he messes up the words. Control Room call, "Take Twelve" Paul, "I'm sorry" John, "He's going to pieces again."	0:15
35	And I Love Her	Take 11 (Segment) - Anthology VHS Mix Basically same as track 34	0:15
36	And I Love Her	Unknown segment (Stereo) Paul, "Hang on, John's just broken a string"	0:04
37	And I Love Her	Take 21 (Stereo) - Segments 1995 RS mix for "Making of" by Ron Furmanek	0:26
38	And I Love Her	German Stereo Mix Six guitar riffs at end.	2:35
39	Tell Me Why	Take 2 - Studio Chat (Mono) Control Room call, "2" Paul, "I'm giving up the business" John, "Come on George, we're doing it, we're on" Paul "George is tuning up"	0:13
40	Tell Me Why	Take 4 - Anthology DVD Mix (Mono) 1-2-3-4 count into opening bars which quickly breaks down.	0:15
41	Tell Me Why	Take 4 - Anthology VHS Mix (Mono) Same as track 40.	0:15
42	Tell Me Why	Take 8 RM1 (Mono) Mixed for home video release of "A Hard Day's Night" in 1984	1:43
43	Tell Me Why	Take 8 RS1 (Stereo) Mixed for home video release of "A Hard Day's Night in 1984	1:46
44	Tell Me Why	Take 8 RS2 (Mono) Mixed by Ron Furmanek for "Making of A Hard Day's Night" in 1995	0:16
45	Can't Buy Me Love	Take 1 - Monitor Mix (Mono) Control Room call, "Money Can't Buy Me Love - take 1" At end John says:, "I had the wrong note"	2:22
46	Can't Buy Me Love	Take 2 (Stereo) Control Room call, "Take, 2"	2:32
47	Can't Buy Me Love	Take 3 (Stereo) Control Room call, "Take 3"	0:40
48	Can't Buy Me Love	Take 3 - Monitor Mix(Stereo) Control Room call, "Take 3"	0:43
49	Can't Buy Me Love	Take 4 Monitor mix (Fragment) Control Room call, "Take Four"	0:07
50	Can't Buy Me Love	Takes 1 & 2 (Mono) Anthology mix (official)	2:09
51	Can't Buy Me Love	Take 4 RS1 (Stereo) Mixed by Ron Furmanek for "Making of A Hard Day's Night" in 1995	0:31
52	Can't Buy Me Love	Take 4 RS2 (Stereo) TV Mix for Anthology series - includes John speaking midway through	1:11
53	Can't Buy Me Love	Rockband Mix (Stereo) Mixed for the video game in 2009	2:11
54	Any Time At All	Take 11 RS (Stereo) TV mix for Anthology series	0:34
55	Things We Said Today	Take 3 RS (Stereo) TV mix for Anthology series	2:33