The Beatles – Abbey Road (50th Anniversary Edition - US)

50 years "Abbey Road" - How the classic is celebrated

The cover is one of the most famous in music history, the same applies to the album: 50 years ago "Abbey Road" by the Beatles was released. For the birthday, various 50th anniversary editions are now coming with new mixes and previously unreleased session and demo recordings.

"Abbey Road" is the rock legends' 11th studio album. It was originally released on September 26, 1969 in Great Britain and Germany and on October 1, 1969 in the USA. With songs like "Come Together" or "Here Comes The Sun" it landed at the top of the charts in all three countries.

It is also the last longplayer that John, Paul, George and Ringo recorded together. The successor "Let It Be" was largely played before "Abbey Road".

To mark the anniversary, there are now various "Abbey Road - 50th Anniversary" editions available. All contain a new stereo mix of the album, created directly from the original 8-track tapes.

In addition to the standard CD and a 180 g LP, there is a limited edition Picture Disc LP with the cover pictures of the front and back of the album.

In addition, several limited deluxe editions are waiting for you: The double CD in digipak combines the new stereo mix with sessions and demo versions of the 17 songs in the same order as on the original album. A 40-page booklet with a shortened version of the contents from the super deluxe book completes the package.

The limited Super Deluxe Edition includes the stereo mix on CD as well as two additional CDs with 23 previously unreleased session and demo recordings. In addition, a Blu-ray Audio awaits you with the album as Dolby Atmos, 96 kHz / 24 Bit High-res Stereo and 96 kHz / 24 Bit DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1.
Packaged in a 12" × 12" slipcase, it includes a 100-page hardcover book with a foreword by Paul McCartney, an introduction by Giles Martin, detailed chapters by Beatles historiographer Kevin Howlett, a track-by-track, rare, previously unpublished photos, lyrics, sketches and other highlights.

For vinyl fans there is also the limited Deluxe 3 LP box set with all 40 tracks of the Super Deluxe Edition on three 180 g LPs in true-to-original sleeves with a four-sided insert in a box with lid.

There is no better way to celebrate this anniversary: The "Abbey Road - 50th Anniversary" editions take an exciting look at this milestone in rock and pop history. Whether Reissues or extended Deluxe Editions, there is something for every music fan.

Reviews

"'Abbey Road' by the Beatles is a masterpiece. But it has never sounded as stunning as it does in the new anniversary edition." (audio, December 2019)

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