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This incredible triple CD box set from Midnight Beat (Luxembourg) was no doubt the hottest bootleg CD released in 1997, with original pressings difficult to find in the USA but more common in Europe. Housed in an attractive deluxe box set with booklet and serial number card, this limited numbered edition of 3,000 copies is similar in size and packaging to the 1995 quadruple CD box sets from Yellowdog (who, by the way, are thanked for their "assistance" in the liner notes). These must-have recordings comprising 34 tracks of studio quality outtakes from George's landmark album run 2 hours and 40 minutes in length.
It was The 910 Newsletter's Editor's Choice after it was released -, "hands down" (see back issues for a review and their Guide to the All Things Must Pass Outtakes, with track-by-track descriptions and best source listings).
910 Editor Doug Sulpy described it as "One of the most important
bootlegs ever. Surely anyone who's ever enjoyed George's All Things Must Pass
album has wondered what these performances would sound like sans the multiple
overdubs and echo effects that Phil Spector thrust upon the mix...". For great insight
into Phil's influences of and ideas on this album, see the letter that Phil wrote to George during the early recordings of the sessions.
Triple jewel box CD-R copies on the Repro Man label soon appeared, with asking prices of $60 - $80.00 (U.S.). Several other different bootleg CD-R copies of this have since followed, and have been selling for around $50.00. The stunning sound quality, high desirability, and lack of the original Midnight Beat box sets has created great demand. If you can find a copy, it's definitely worth picking up. For sound quality of an outtakes release, this is certainly among the best bootlegs ever put out...an incredible job was performed in the digital transfer - absolutely no question this is from the original masters. Simply unbelievable!
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