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Beatles entire back catalogue to set new chart record
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Correspondent03.09.09
The Beatles are set to dominate the music charts next week when their entire back catalogue of albums is re-released in a new remastered form.
Experts say the Fab Four could set a new chart record, with all 14 CDs expected to enter the top 20.
As well as their 12 studio LPs, from Please Please Me to Let It Be, two other albums are being re-released - the soundtrack to Magical Mystery Tour and the Past Masters compilation.
The CDs will be available separately for around £10 each, as well as in two box sets - one in stereo and one in mono.
However, a spokeswoman for Apple, The Beatles' record company, said "discussions were continuing" regarding the release of the Beatles music online.
Currently the band is one of the few remaining which has not sanctioned official online versions of their songs through Apple or another download service.
According to Gennaro Castaldo at HMV, the CD re-release will see the band take over the charts.
"We feel there's every chance that The Beatles will dominate the top 20 next week, even with only four days sales compared with other artists.
"Chances are Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road will battle it out for the No.1 spot against the current incumbents - The Arctic Monkeys."
The re-release is also set to create a new chart record. "All the albums being re-issued next week will comfortably make the top 40, which will create a new record for the Official Charts," said Mr Castaldo.
"We've had fantastic pre-orders online, but we know many Beatles fans will view this release as a very special occasion, and will want to buy their copies in-store, so they can savour the experience."
Engineers at Abbey Road have spent four years making the new CDs, which were created from the bands original master tapes, which had been held in a steel vault.
The remaining Beatles have also signed up to create a game based on their career, also released on the 9th.
It allows players to use replica drums and guitars to virtually play along.
Reader views (3)
It seems a pointless exercise apart from making money for the record company,its also very unlikely that the Beatles will ever tour again whilst Lennon and Harrison persist in remaining dead!!!
- Retired Speed Dater., Canterbury Marxist England
Did someone mention the Rolling Stones ? You may as mention The Pretty Things that were the real deal. For me the Beatles were summed up by the flexi discs they made every Christmas for their fan club. Just what other group would bother with that and what discs they were. A shame they were not an extra disc in the boxed collections.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey
As a 59 year old chap, a Beatles 45 was the first I ever owned and it was at least 7 years later that my mother threw it away, along with many Manfred Mann 45's to 'tidy up' my bedroom, but do we really want to buy another version of the same old stuff. Surely, the Rolling Stones have achieved more ... and at least they are still touring!
- Steve Morton, Cirencester, UK
