Paul McCartney Band On The Run 50th Anniversary Edition Announced! 

Pre-order link - paulmccartney.lnk.to/BandOnTheRun50thEM!UMGUK37683-1074233?vvsa_consumer_id=35201996&vvsa_tracking=_vvsa_2lt8vgNm562616

May 1973, I got Red and Blue for my 10th birthday. Christmas '73, I got Band on the Run, Mind Games and Ringo (the self titled album.) With my new little stereo, I was in heaven. My dad was the coolest.

So sad that only hours after this wonderful news do we hear of the passing of Denny Laine. Not only was he an incredibly talented musician and singer-songwriter, but as a member of Wings his importance was hugely underrated. Tonight the music world has lost a giant of the industry.

This is exciting. Early mixes/outtakes have never really been released from these sessions, so to get a whole vintage "alternate Band on the Run" with this is stellar. Never thought I'd see the day!

Good vid as always thank you! ✌️❤️

Yeah, I’ll be getting the 2CD version. Be a nice complement to the Archive Collection box I think. I agree the Scotland demos would have been even more interesting than the underdubbed mixes. Guess they aren’t available any more.

Thanks Andrew for announcing this wonderful news. I am like you not sure about that Obi strip so have ordered the 2 lp, the half speed master and the 2 CD versions. Really glad Paul is doing something extra for the 50th besides just making it a half speed master. Looking forward to your future reviews once this arrives. Take care!

How many versions of Band on the Run do we need? Where’s London Town and Back to the Egg?

Hi Andrew , just heard the sad news of Denny Laine passing , he passed away today aged 79 . Denny laine died on 5 December 2023, aged 79, after a lengthy battle with interstitial lung disease. His wife announced his death on his official Facebook and Instagram pages.[21] Laine died on the 50th anniversary of the US release of Band on the Run .

Classic album great info thanks

Hey Andrew Great video, I only own the original US cd release maybe I’ll get the 2 cd set I don’t know right now So much coming up with the Beatle fest and other item that I have to save for. Time will tell. Thanks for the video take care.

This will be my first vinyl copy of Band on the Run (I have the 25th anniversary on cd) and love the half speed master series! I had to get both the single and double vinyl versions, for one to ensure I get the OBI strip! Can’t wait to hear the under dubbed versions, too.

I rate this album that highly that it's in my top 20 albums of all time. Standout tracks for me include Band On The Run , Mrs Vanderbilt , Let Me Roll It , Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five.

I think we love these re-issues and anniversary releases because The Beatles accomplished so much in such little time, we need to appreciate it all again. Dad took me to see Yellow Sub when it opened in NYC in 1969. In just 5 years, you have all The Beatles releases and all the solo releases up to....Band on the Run, Mind Games, Ringo, and Living in the Material World. How is that even possible? I remember my dad saying not to be sad they had broken up (I was 7 and crying.) because now we would have much more coming out from them. "They are just too talented for one record."

I'll be getting the two CD set to begin with, what I'd like to see is London Town and Back to the Egg becoming part of the archive collection box sets canon, and maybe a wings live box set, as there are some very well recorded gigs out there, love to hear the live version of Coming up from Glasgow in '79 that was a B-Side back in the day remastered....

To my ears Helen Wheels fits perfectly on the album and strengthens it.

I'm looking forward to getting it but disappointed that the Atmos mix is again streaming only.

I'm intrigued by it, will probably ask for the vinyl for my birthday in February and buy the 2 cd version. RIP Denny Laine, sad news to hear.

RIP Denny Laine. One of the greatest! 😢

I pre-ordered it earlier today, but I debated whether I should or not. I have too many copies of Band on the Run already.

Will be buying the 2LP version as I only have a second-hand copy of Band on the Run. I am happy with this, and the fact it's not a huge release and the early 2024 release date gives me hope that we'll get an Archive release later in the year!

What a great album

Hey Andrew I will be picking up the 2 cd version on February 2nd, 2024. Cheers

Was also surprised (briefly until I remembered it's indeed 50 years already!) about the announcement and bought the 2LP in a heartbeat. Now I'm thinking there'll probably be different colours, special editions for indie shops, etc, but I'm happy enough with what I got. So sad to hear about Denny's passing today. Maybe the announcement was a way of sending him some love before the time came. Playing "No Words" will be so painful now 😪

Thanks! You are great on the detail. If underdubbed versions are in season - referred to as "Naked" for the Let It Be de-Spectered album, then what about George's All Things Must Pass boxed set? We're told most of the orchestrations were added late to make the album "more commercial." So, George as nature intended would be interesting!

I have the CBS master sound half speed from the eighties, it also includes Helen Wheels and sounds incredible

Got the email. There was already a hi-rez release with some nice bonus tracks. I was hoping for a different archival release.

I guess that answers the question whether we’ll get a reboot of the Archive Series! I will go for the single LP plus the 2CD set. That way I can keep my half-speed masters collection consistent. If I fall in love with the underdubbed version, then I may need the 2LP set someday. But generally I find myself playing things like this once or twice before going back to the original version. It will be interesting to see how long they continue the half-speed LP series. At a minimum, I’d like to see it continue through the 70s LPs, if only to get nice remasters of London Town and Back to the Egg.

I plan on getting the CD set I no longer have a proper hi-fi system 😢 I have the 25th anniversary edition on CD as well looking forward to this.

Thanks for video! Timing is so interesting: sad passing of Denny Laine (BOTR has really highlights for me how Denny was one point of the Wings triangle with Paul and Linda... the 3 pillars of the group)... also why they didn't release in December, 50th year, who knows... bet it has to do with insane red/blue/Now Then. My all time favourite is the 1986 cd (with Helen Wheels): my various LP and cds (though don't have 25th) don't match that for sound. With regards Helen Wheels, people have 2017 LP if they want it - how many freakin' copies do you need? (I'm going to buy new one, who said that? well, yes, thinking if obi only on 1LP, will get that plus double CD: unplugged not essential on LP, but I like the 2LP slip cover.

Andrew My Friend, Band on the Run Awesome, that is fantastic I love that album, the two record deluxe box, and the two cd version, can’t wait to hear it all, the under dub sounds interesting, Andrew thank you for the news, My Friend TakeCare, BeSafe, Steve

I'll certainly go for the 2-cd edition. Interesting release... until the long overdue Archive re-issues of "London Town" and "Back to the egg"?

I got 25th anniversary set and every one since, because they always add bonus material. I'm not sure I can go for an early stripped-down mix. Andrew, I might have to enjoy this vicariously through you.

HEY THANK YOU GREAT NEWS! 🍏

I still have my original vinyl copy of the album, some amazing albums released in 1973. "Stranded" by Roxy Music and of course "Dark Side Of The Moon".

I've already bought the White album 6 times in different formats/mixes, a little bit of me is dying at the thought of closely following suit with Band on the Run, not least because I know it's almost inevitable... ;-)

I'm very happy about "Helen Wheels." It adds a bit more rock n' roll to the album that I think it sorely misses without that song. The "underdubbed" mix sounds promising!

a definite for the collection....be interesting to compare prices (Paul's website and other music retailers)

Looks interesting, I'll get the 2 CD -since I already own 2 vinyl copies. Thanks for the scoop once again, Lord Andrew!

I ordered the 1 LP version. The price for the 2LP combined with what would seems to be the content of the 2nd LP doesn't do it for me. Plus the advert says that the underdubbed version will be made available on digital platforms. So, I guess, Ill still be able to listen to it!

Band on the Run 3 London Town/ Back to the Egg 0. However I am curious about the undubbded mixes, sounds like it's more interesting than previous bonus content on the 25th anniversary set and the archive set. So yes I will be getting it. Only have a poor dutch pressing, so I will be certainly getting this new vinyl pressing. Even though I have a few cd versions I will be picking up the cd version as well. Nice bonus content and nice to have Helen Wheels on there as well.

Does the story of the making of the album, and the theft of the cassettes keep the masters of those demos from being released. In spite of disappointment in what isn't here, thos is an instant pre-order. Love that this announcement seemingly came out of nowhere. Lastly, Merry Crimble, Andrew!

The CD version of "Band on the Run" when it came out on CD in the "25th Anniversary Edition" is IMHO, one of the best mastered CDs I've ever heard. It's sonics, fidelity and signal to noise-presence is perfection! I'd go for the LP - !/2 Speed remaster on the LP version but as far as the CD goes, for me, the "25th Anniversary Edition" CD was so good, to get another newer version would just be redundant or maybe it could be not as good as the "25th Anniversary Edition". It's hard to improve on perfection!

I was wondering if the two LP version had the OBI strip to match the earlier releases but as it wasn’t shown opted to buy the 1 LP as well as the two LP and CD just to match the others....their photos don’t ever seem incorrect so I don’t think the 2 LP will have the OBI but who knows!! I wish they would hurry up for the rest of his catalogue who knows how long we all have left...!

Hi Andrew, The U.S. Albums box set did not have OBI strips but if you bought the CD's individually you got the OBI. Wondering if it's the same with this set. Have a great day!

I ordered the 2 LP version, and yeah, I'm having the same obi crisis. I mean, it IS half-speed mastered, and that's the main reason I've bought the previous ones, so a piece of paper shouldn't matter. But it does. Still, I'm not getting my hopes up, since it's not in the image and MPL is usually pretty good about telling you what's in the box. Anyhow, the MPL email also plugs the Wings Fun Club email list, so I bet we'll be hearing about some additional BOTR merch pretty soon.

Hi mate, Really looking forward to this release. The OBI strip was the first thing that came to my mind. So I'm gonna buy the both: the 2 vinyl and the 1 vinyl. So ..... the OBI Is guaranteed.😂. I am in doubt about the CD. Take care.

Great new release! RIP Denny Laine

I'd much rather them have reissued the Archive Collection version, but since I don't have it, I'll pick up this version.

I still have the excellent 25th Anniversary 2 CD edition from 1999 and am more than happy with it, but this underdubbed version sounds fun and is quite tempting. After a half-lifetime of a frankly Lennon and slightly more modest Harrison bias, I am belatedly, assidiously starting to plug the McCartney-sized holes in my CD collection, albeit via the more modestly budget-priced single or deluxe double disc editions, as opposed to the $200.00 + blowout boxsets with beer coasters, keyrings, etc.

Andrew, this is good news!! I love that different track order. I prefer it that way. I think that works really well - even without "Helen Wheels" !! The released version has probably the greatest side one IN HISTORY of any album. Unfortunately that leaves side 2 a bit underwhelming in comparison.

I do hope Paul pays tribute to the late Denny Laine. A major contributor to "Band On The Run" RIP Denny

Hi Andrew, As we are just days away from Christmas would a look at the Beatles Christmas fan club records given away to members in the 60s be a interesting vlog? I have a original one from 1966 when I was a member "Pantomime " everywhere its Christmas. But I also have a bootleg containing all the greetings. I think a official release is long overdue.

I read somewhere that the title track is released digitally on Friday

Australia always had Helen Wheels on the original release, so we didn't know any different.

Very glad this is happening. Pretty sure there is no Obi with the 2 LP set. I got one of each just because I want my set to look uniform. Do you think by the time Venus and Mars rolls around in 2025 they’ll do similar to this, or just go back to the half speed master?

2LP version for me, and I'm also hoping for an OBI - if not on the slipcase then at least on the 1LP inside it.

Pedants corner here. Thank you for this announcement Andrew, but will the B side of 'Helen Wheels', 'Country Dreamer' feature somewhere on the set? Should it? Yours remembering the original single when singles were what I could afford most.

I'm in two minds. As much as I love 'Band On The Run' I have no real desire to buy it a 4th time, though I am very eager to hear the "Underdubbed" mixes so I will give those a good few plays on spotify. If the "lost/stolen" demos WERE a part of the 50th edition then I would indeed be ready to spend some cash!

Andrew do you think the vinyl and cd versions will have the Giles remix or will it only be on the streaming version? I’m wondering if the actual album will be the same sound as the archive edition or will it be remixed or will the only way you can hear it be the streaming version? What are your thoughts?

Hi Andrew , well this is fantastic news , I’m looking forward to this release on February 2nd 2024 , I have so far ordered the 1Lp version of Band on the run ( 50th Anniversary Half speed Master ) can’t make my mind up whether to get the 2Lp version of band on the run , but knowing me , I will probably buy it in the end . Can’t wait for February now . Which version are you going to get Andrew , are you pleased to hear this news ?😊

I’m ashamed to say the big hits apart I dismissed Wings as I still wanted The Beatles! I will stream Band On The Run this week based on your recommendation

Band on the run Naked essentially by the sound of the undubbed

Without the demos or the Lagos studio sessions this is about the end of the road for contents. Not sure the Geoff mixes will be that big of a deal for the price. Was hoping, at this stage, for London Town expanded and Back to the Egg - yes, we have reached that point.

2 LP vinyl for me. RIP Denny 😢

OK, so I have the 25th anniversary set and the Archive set. So Andrew what should I do? I guess it reminds me of a post I saw on a Neil Young site a long time ago. "If Neil Young were to shit into a paper bag I'd probably buy it" 😊

Truth be told I don't plan on buying this but it got my curiosity when I saw "50th Anniversary." 50 years? Say it ain't so Joe. All these milestones remind me how time speeds up the older you get.

The underdubbed version does sound interesting. Like you, I would have liked to have had the original demos, and perhaps a surround mix too. In an ideal world a budget priced clamshell with a new album remix, the demos, the underdubbed version and a 5.1 mix. However, I suspect they would have been heavily criticised if there had been a revamped Archive Edition when everyone has been waiting forever for ever for London Toen and Back To The Egg in that format.

Is the outer cover white on both vinyl & CD versions - or have I got this wrong (wouldn't be the first time).

RIP Denny Laine 12/5/2023❤

Oh my, how many versions of "Band on the Run" do I have? I have lost count. I will buy the single LP and the 2-CD set. I don't need the "underdubbed" version on vinyl. The first time I bought this album was in 1973, when it was originally released.

I was excited to hear about this release ,but as the days go by my intention of buying the 50 year anniversary edition has faded. Firstly ,how many copies do you need,I have 3 cd versions and I used to have the original vinyl. The half cut album does interest me because I stupidly got rid of my old vinyl copy. These outakes and acoustic versions and underdubbed copies are interesting but how many times do you honestly play them? I don’t play these outtakes much and have to say I’ve been a bit disappointed with some of the demos etc on the super deluxe box sets although I was impressed with the extras on the double white album. People will say you don’t have to buy which is true ,but the price of the double vinyl is overpriced. Finally ,all I can say is come on Paul get the prices down!

What does "half speed" mix mean?

I just watched the video about replacing the word Jude for the word Jane (Asher) in Hey Jude and the song makes a different narrative about the demise of Paul's relationship with Jane. Well, here's another clue for you all ... If you play the refrain "Band on the Run" backwards (and what Beatlemaniac hasn't???) Paul sings the word "Marijuana". Now admittedly, the word "Marijuana" is such a strange word, it probably lends itself to becoming audible when songs are played backwards ... HOWEVER!!! Replace the words "Band on the Run" with the word "marijuana" ... and suddenly the song makes a different narrative ... Flying into a city, standing in line at customs ("I hope you're having fun") and imagining if you get caught with the weed ... I know Macca was caught in Japan in 1980 - 7 years after the writing and recording of Band on the Run - but if you do the word substitution, the song almost becomes prophetic about that Japan Airport bust. ("And we fell in to the 'Sun' " - the Empire of the Sun King perhaps??) And as for a version of Band on the Run without Helen Wheels???? Are you serious???? Admittedly, it's not my favourite song on the album, but it's not the Top-5-Album-of-All-Time 'Band on the Run', without Helen Wheels. (Here in Australia BotR has always featured Helen Wheels). And PS - Thanks to Denny Laine for putting up with Paul all those years. Very sorry to hear of his passing. I saw Wings in 1975 in Sydney and Denny was a real champ lugging that twin-neck-guitar around all night. That thing is frickin' HEAVY!!! I think only Paul and Joe English now remain from that classic Wings line up. I'll never forget that night in Nov 75 - still the best concert I've ever been to. I had just turned 16 - which means if you're good at maths you might realize, Now and Then was released on my 64th birthday. So it seems the Beatles still bring me, still sing me a song when I'm 64! (bomp bomp) Hoo!

Is there a Dolby Atmos mix???

Such a classic album- if only they somehow had the original tapes that got stolen from Paul to include on this release.

This is pretty stupid but i always look forward to these 1/2 speed masters solely to find out what color the obi strip is

My resistance is weakening!

Another Mix after another mix, after another and another mix. We’ll mix it for you, if you’ll buy it! No.. not for me! ( Great album though, must say👌🏽if not.. one of the best Beatles solo album after All things must pass from George)

nothing on Denny's passing?

I’m getting the CD version it’s on Amazon pre order for 19.95 it should have been 19.85 lol 😂

WELCOME BACK OLD FRIEND. Helen Wheels is back where it belongs- on the Band On The Run album!

Oh no, Denny Laine passed away😰😰😰

Once again, no blu-ray. Is Scott Rodgers trying to drive away a chunk of Paul's fanbase? Or is it McCartney himself?

I'm happy they are releasing it, mainly because they are continuing the series, but I'm not interested in buying it. On the other hand I'm sad there is no new Archive collection, as that I would buy (not the expensive box set, but the 2 CD version,which I can afford). Any album not already released as Archive would be fine, but Back to the Egg and/or London Town would be super.

So weird with the passing of Denny 😔

I dont need another copy of this album. 1st UK on LP plus the Steve Hoffman remastered CD are what you need for this album.

I'll just stick to my old copy of botr, and listen to the underdubs on Spotify I gave up been a McCartney fan since off the ground

Many comments viewing these releases as “cash grabs”. My view is these releases keep the music out there for newer listeners to find and embrace. I for one hope MPL continues with more re-releases!

A shame these underdubs seem to be all we're getting - the original demo tapes would've been nice to hear, if Denny Laine has a copy of those laying around!

Band on the Run Naked

...and so No London Town or No Back To The Egg Archive Collection😞

I'm going to skip this one. I have the 2 disc archive version. I'll listen to the underdubbed mixes on streaming. I am a little disappointed to be honest. I always thought the archive versions would be the "definitive" versions of these albums, but they are still finding recordings to justify reissued anniversary editions. What does that say about either how comprehensive the archive versions are, or the value of those extras if they didn't make the cut for the archive version. And does this set a new precedent? I've enjoyed collecting the two disc archive versions, but I'm not about to start replacing them with 50th anniversary versions. I'd have been much happier with some kind of book or Bluray release of something from the period to celebrate the 50th anniversary - One Hand Clapping maybe? Or nothing at all, and a return to the archive releases. I'm crying out for London Town, Back to the Egg and Press to Play

I grew up with the American version of BOTR, so I've always felt Helen Wheels was an integral part of the album - both musically and thematically. I'm not sure why it's even minorly controversial to include it - for me it fits so well with the other tracks. I wish Country Dreamer and Zoo Gang was thrown on as well at the end, even if they don't fit the album thematically. Plenty of room for them.

I struggle to see the merit of this release if I'm honest. For a start, why would I pay to hear a version of the record with stuff taken off it (OK, maybe there was an argument for doing that with Let it Be because of Spector's 'interventions', but I don't recall anyone ever complaining about Tony Visconti's magical arrangements on BOTR); and secondly, why on earth is the only 'proper' version of the album the US one, containing a song that clearly doesn't belong on the album and which McCartney strenuously (and quite rightly) kept off the original British release?

Denny Laine RIP

In the yank Republic with Helen wheels....not in Canadian part of North America.

And you will get the Scotland demos eventually.....for the 60th anniversary......when Paul wants more of our money 😂😂

Another BOTR re issue for fans to get excited about - NOT. How many re issues now? Anyone who bought the Archive version must feel a bit mugged. This is proof that Beatle fans will just lap up whatever they are given…..and proclaim it to be amazing. And as for the Archive Collection…..dead. Be honest you wanted London and Egg……and you got this.

Very underwhelming and will not replace the archive collection version for me. How about a new 2023 remix of the entire album, and to have the 5.1 on a disc!