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Nearly two decades after the first volume, the second installment of the Beatles BBC recordings arrives and, like its predecessor, On Air: Live at the BBC, Vol. 2 condenses the Fab Four's voluminous BBC sessions into an easily digestible double-disc of highlights. The generous 63-track running length is slightly misleading as this, more than the 1994 set, is peppered with dialogue, interviews, and silly sketches -- a total of 24 of them, to be exact, including the five-minute "Pop Profile" interviews tacked onto the end of each disc (CD 1 showcases John and George on the eve of the release of Rubber Soul, CD 2 Paul and Ringo prior to the release of Revolver). Such a heavy emphasis on on-air banter winds up cementing On Air as something like a documentary: it is capturing a specific moment in the Beatles history. Specifically, this moment is 1963, with three quarters of the collection dating from that year. It was a momentous year, of course, the beginning of Beatlemania in Britain and, appropriately, there's a greater emphasis on original Beatles music than there was on the covers-laden 1994 set. This is a mild disappointment, as much of the really interesting material is hearing the Beatles tear into the rock & roll classics that were staples of their club set; not only does their kinetic interplay leap alive, but it's possible to appreciate just how good McCartney and, particularly, Lennon were as interpretive singers (John kills on the Chuck Berry songs "I'm Talking About You" and "Memphis, Tennessee"). Which isn't to say these early Beatles originals are tossed off without a care. They're also treated with exuberance and, at times, the enthusiasm is intoxicating (they punch hard on "I Saw Her Standing There," "Roll Over Beethoven" swings with purpose, "You Can't Do That" retains a glinting, hard edge, and Paul's Little Richard impression always dazzles). Crucially, the banter contains a similar sense of excitement; as this concentrates on 1963, the Beatles have yet to grow tired of their shtick, so it's fun to hear them trade barbs with the BBC hosts and with each other. When the dialogue is combined with those wonderful performances, On Air: Live at the BBC, Vol. 2 helps paint a portrait of the Beatles just reaching the peak of their powers.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Terry Henebery, Producer - Rodney Burke, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Buddy Holly, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
GEORGE HARRISON, MainArtist - Not Applicable, ComposerLyricist - Terry Henebery, Producer - Rodney Burke, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Albert Collins, ComposerLyricist - Richard Penniman, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
Paul Mccartney, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Lee Peters, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Arthur Alexander Jnr, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Lee Peters, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Peter Pilbeam, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berry, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Jimmy Grant, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Lee Peters, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Wes Farrell, ComposerLyricist - Luther Dixon, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
GEORGE HARRISON, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Lee Peters, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Carole King, ComposerLyricist - Gerry Goffin, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Meredith Willson, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ben Weisman, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kathleen Twomey, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Wise, ComposerLyricist - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - Paul Mccartney, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Rodney Burke, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Danny Romero, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berry, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
Not Applicable, ComposerLyricist - The Beatles, MainArtist - Lee Peters, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
William Garrett, ComposerLyricist - Georgia Dobbins, ComposerLyricist - Freddie Gorman, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Holland, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Robert Bateman, ComposerLyricist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Gerry Goffin, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jack Keller, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Foster, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Jimmy Grant, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Richard Drapkin, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Carl Perkins, ComposerLyricist - The Beatles, MainArtist - W E Cantrell, ComposerLyricist - Quinton M. Claunch, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, ComposerLyricist - The Beatles, MainArtist - Rodney Burke, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
BERT BERNS, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Phil Medley, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Terry Henebery, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Ian Grant, Producer - John Lennon, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, ComposerLyricist - The Beatles, MainArtist - Rodney Burke, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Pete Dauncey, Producer - Brian Matthew, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
GEORGE HARRISON, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Pete Dauncey, Producer - Brian Matthew, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
DISC 2
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Yoji Shimamura, Translator
℗ 2013 BBC
Roy Bennett, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Sid Tepper, ComposerLyricist - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - A Schroeder, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Paul Mccartney, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Brian Matthew, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chuck Berry, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gerry Conway, Arranger, Work Arranger - Pat Donaldson, Arranger, Work Arranger - The Beatles, MainArtist - Sandy Denny, Arranger, Work Arranger - Jerry Donahue, Arranger, Work Arranger - Trevor Lucas, Arranger, Work Arranger
℗ 2013 BBC
Patty Smith Hill, Author - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - MILDRED HILL, Composer
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Brian Matthew, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Ron Belchier, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Ron Belchier, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
Berry Gordy Jr., ComposerLyricist - Janie Bradford, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Bryant Marriott, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Bryant Marriott, Producer
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Brian Matthew, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
John Lennon, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Paul Mccartney, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Brian Matthew, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Renald J. Richard, ComposerLyricist - Ray Charles, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist
℗ 2013 BBC
Enotris Johnson, ComposerLyricist - John Lennon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE HARRISON, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Penniman, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Andrews, Producer - Ringo Starr, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Beatles, MainArtist - Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 BBC
Album review
Nearly two decades after the first volume, the second installment of the Beatles BBC recordings arrives and, like its predecessor, On Air: Live at the BBC, Vol. 2 condenses the Fab Four's voluminous BBC sessions into an easily digestible double-disc of highlights. The generous 63-track running length is slightly misleading as this, more than the 1994 set, is peppered with dialogue, interviews, and silly sketches -- a total of 24 of them, to be exact, including the five-minute "Pop Profile" interviews tacked onto the end of each disc (CD 1 showcases John and George on the eve of the release of Rubber Soul, CD 2 Paul and Ringo prior to the release of Revolver). Such a heavy emphasis on on-air banter winds up cementing On Air as something like a documentary: it is capturing a specific moment in the Beatles history. Specifically, this moment is 1963, with three quarters of the collection dating from that year. It was a momentous year, of course, the beginning of Beatlemania in Britain and, appropriately, there's a greater emphasis on original Beatles music than there was on the covers-laden 1994 set. This is a mild disappointment, as much of the really interesting material is hearing the Beatles tear into the rock & roll classics that were staples of their club set; not only does their kinetic interplay leap alive, but it's possible to appreciate just how good McCartney and, particularly, Lennon were as interpretive singers (John kills on the Chuck Berry songs "I'm Talking About You" and "Memphis, Tennessee"). Which isn't to say these early Beatles originals are tossed off without a care. They're also treated with exuberance and, at times, the enthusiasm is intoxicating (they punch hard on "I Saw Her Standing There," "Roll Over Beethoven" swings with purpose, "You Can't Do That" retains a glinting, hard edge, and Paul's Little Richard impression always dazzles). Crucially, the banter contains a similar sense of excitement; as this concentrates on 1963, the Beatles have yet to grow tired of their shtick, so it's fun to hear them trade barbs with the BBC hosts and with each other. When the dialogue is combined with those wonderful performances, On Air: Live at the BBC, Vol. 2 helps paint a portrait of the Beatles just reaching the peak of their powers.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 63 track(s)
- Total length: 02:09:47
- Main artists: The Beatles
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2013 Apple Corps Ltd. This Compilation ℗ 2013 BBC
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