The Beatles are streaming the first recorded take of “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” ahead of the May 26 release of a series of reissues of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in sync with the landmark album’s 50th anniversary.
Captured in session at London’s Abbey Road Studios on February 28, 1967, the audio begins with some instrument noodling and chattering amongst the group before the tune opens with its iconic organ riff.
The early “Lucy” session follows an unreleased outtake of the title track as the latest preview to the “Sgt. Pepper’s” reissues.
The project will be available as CD, 2CD, 2LP, 6-disc Super Deluxe Edition and digital packages, all featuring a new stereo mix of the landmark album by Giles Martin and Sam Okell following the original work by the legendary George Martin.
The expanded 2CD package adds a second disc of 18 tracks, including previously unreleased alternate takes of each of the album’s 13 songs, newly mixed in stereo and sequenced in the same order as the album. The second CD also includes a new stereo mix and a previously unreleased instrumental take of “Penny Lane,” and the 2015 stereo mix and two previously unreleased alternate takes of “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
The expanded 180-gram 2LP vinyl package features the new stereo album mix on the first LP and adds a second LP with previously unreleased alternate takes for each of the album’s 13 songs, newly mixed in stereo and sequenced in the same order as the album.
The expansive, 6-disc Super Deluxe Edition delivers four audio discs – including the new stereo mix, two CDs featuring 33 tracks from the sessions, and the original 1967 mono mix plus bonus tracks (including three previously unreleased mixes). Two Blu-ray/ DVDs also offer 5.1 surround sound and hi-res stereo mixes, the fully restored 1992 documentary, “The Making Of Sgt. Pepper”, posters, restored promo videos and a 144-page hardback book featuring an introduction by McCartney.
The Beatles’ eighth album, “Sgt. Pepper’s” remains one of the best-selling albums in history with more than 32 million copies sold worldwide.
Full track lists for each version can be seen here.
See also:
The Beatles channel coming to SiriusXM
The Beatles stream unreleased outtake of Sgt. Pepper’s title track
The Beatles detail Sgt. Pepper’s 50th anniversary reissues
VIDEO: The Beatles preview expanded Sgt. Pepper’s 50th anniversary reissue
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