The Beatles: 40th Anniversary Abbey Road Deluxe Vinyl Box -- Coming November 7, 2009

Now that September 9, 2009 has come and gone--and we've had an opportunity to see and hear the stereo and mono Beatles remasters on compact disc, anticipation for the remastered vinyl continues to build. With the originally rumored release date of November 14, 2009 only two weeks away, and still nothing announced regarding their release, it seems highly unlikely that we'll see anything in the way of remastered vinyl by then.

Nonetheless, in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the original release of Abbey Road, there will be a special vinyl edition of the album released on November 7, 2009. The Beatles Abbey Road Deluxe Vinyl box will include a vinyl copy of the album, a t-shirt featuring the original artwork from the 7" single Come Together/Something, and a corresponding poster. This boxset will be released on Vinyl Saturday, which is sposored by the folks behind Record Store Day and will be limited to 5,000 copies worldwide.



(The Beatles)

Unfortunately, there is no indication that the vinyl featured in this box will be remastered vinyl. Abbey Road is the one Beatles title that has consistently remained in print on vinyl over the last twenty years and is sourced from the same digital master as the 1987 compact disc. If this box contains that same vinyl pressing, which at this point seems likely, then it should prove to be little more than a curio and should be for Beatles completists only. Nevertheless, if you happen to be one of those completists, this box will be available through select independent record shops as well as through the Amazon link following this article.

Even if you don't plan on buying this box, why not stop by your local independent record store on Vinyl Saturday, November 7, 2009. While there, you can browse new and used vinyl and check out this box for yourself. If you're in the Philadelphia area, I'd recommend stopping by Main Street Music in Mannayunk, PA. Recently, during a visit to the Philadelphia area, I stopped by their shop for the first time in a few years and was pleasantly surprised to find a vinyl section. Although small, it was well stocked with a mixture of new and used mostly rock titles, including a healthy number of European imports and more than a few audiophile reissues. Many interesting titles, plus a friendly no-attitude staff made for a fun hour of browsing vinyl and chatting about music--and they advised me that they'll be carrying the Abbey Road vinyl box. I'll be visiting my local shop as well--and if this box turns out to be anything beyond a curio, you'll be sure to hear about it here.




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