The Beatles share previously unreleased recording "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second Version - Take 2)"

I am actually loving this early previously-unreleased recording of The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" that has just been released...Robert Kinsler 

The Beatles, Rubber Soul Cover Shoot, 1965.
Photographer Robert Freeman. 
Photo Credit: Apple Corps Ltd

THE BEATLES

RELEASE RARE RECORDING

"NORWEGIAN WOOD (THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN) (SECOND VERSION - TAKE 2)"

 ALTERNATE VERSION OF “NORWEGIAN WOOD (THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN)” CAPTURES AN EARLY ARRANGEMENT OF THE SONG AND GEORGE HARRISON’S PIONEERING USE OF THE SITAR

 

TAKEN FROM NEW RUBBER SOUL SPECIAL EDITION OUT OCTOBER 2 VIA APPLE CORPS LTD./CAPITOL/UMe

 

AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW ON MULTIPLE LP, CD, AND BLU-RAY FORMATS

UMG and Apple Corps Ltd. have released “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second Version - Take 2)” from the forthcoming expanded Special Edition of The Beatles’ landmark 1965 album Rubber Soul.

 

The first version of what was then called “This Bird Has Flown” was recorded during the first day of sessions for Rubber Soul and featured George Harrison’s new discovery, the sitar. The band were not happy with this version, so nine days later they taped three more performances.

 

On take two, track one featured John Lennon’s acoustic guitar, Paul McCartney’s bass, Ringo Starr on drums and George playing drone notes on sitar. George added more sitar on tracks two and three, with John and Paul’s vocals also recorded on track three. Rather than starting with an instrumental version of the verse melody, as the final version does, this arrangement opens with double-tracked sitar playing the tune of the bridge section.

 

George had first been exposed to the sound of the sitar during the filming of Help! and became increasingly curious about Indian music. During a meeting with members of The Byrds in Los Angeles, David Crosby spoke about the music of Ravi Shankar, which prompted George to explore his recordings.

 

George explained how the instrument came to be used: “It felt very familiar to me to listen to that music. Around that time I’d bought a cheap sitar in a shop called Indiacraft in London. When we were working on ‘Norwegian Wood’, it just needed something and it was quite spontaneous. I picked the sitar up and kind of found the notes. We put it on and it seemed to hit the spot and that was it.”

“Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second Version - Take 2)” is included in the forthcoming Rubber Soul Special Edition, newly mixed by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell. The expanded collection opens the studio doors on the making of Rubber Soul, bringing together 24 early session recordings, including 20 previously unreleased takes and three previously unreleased home demos, alongside the album’s new stereo mix, original mono mix, original Capitol U.S. album version and the contemporary “Day Tripper” / “We Can Work It Out” single.

Following the release of “Michelle (Take 1)” at the time of the Special Edition announcement, followed by “Day Tripper (Songwriting Work Tape),” “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second Version - Take 2)” is the latest recording to be made available ahead of the release on October 2.

 

First released on December 3, 1965, Rubber Soul marked a pivotal moment in The Beatles' evolution. Arriving at the end of a remarkable year that saw John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr reach artistic and commercial heights, the album revealed a band pushing beyond the conventions of pop music and embracing a more adventurous approach to songwriting and recording.

 

The Rubber Soul Special Edition will be released on October 2 and is available to pre-order now across multiple LP, CD and Blu-ray formats. “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second Version - Take 2)” features on both the Super Deluxe and Deluxe editions.

 

The Beatles remain the most successful and influential rock acts in history. More than five decades after their split, their music continues to resonate across generations, from fans who lived through Beatlemania in the 1960s to new audiences discovering “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be” through streaming and social media. Beyond record sales, they reshaped fashion, youth culture, songwriting and album production, sparked the “British Invasion” in America, and redefined popular music with groundbreaking albums like Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

 

Their legacy continues to draw millions of visitors to landmarks such as Abbey Road Studios, where fans still flock to recreate the iconic Abbey Road crossing photo. In an announcement made earlier this month, 3 Savile Row, the location of their iconic rooftop concert, is to be made into the first official fan experience, opening in 2027. Looking ahead, an eagerly anticipated four-film Beatles cinematic event is set for release in April 2028 through Sony Pictures Entertainment and Neal Street Productions. The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film. Directed by Sam Mendes, it will star Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney) and Joseph Quinn (George Harrison).

 

More than six decades after its original release, Rubber Soul remains a defining moment in The Beatles' story as an album that bridged the craze of Beatlemania and the experimentation that would follow on Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and beyond.

 

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2027 Stagecoach Festival Lineup Announced; Passes on sale on Friday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. (Pacific Time)

Goldenvoice has just announced the full lineup for the much-anticipated 2027 Stagecoach Festival, coming to Indio, CA, Friday-Sunday, April 23 - 25, 2027.

The ambitious, wide-ranging lineup includes headliners Riley Green, Zach Top, Garth Brooks and Florida Georgia Line, as well as a slew of other top-tier artists including Brothers Osborne, Willie Nelson, Charley Crockett, Turnpike Troubadours, Cody Jinks, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jo Dee Messina, The Fray, Stephen Wilson Jr., Journey, Matchbox Twenty, Carín León and Gretchen Wilson.

Tedeschi Trucks Band performing at Doheny Blues
Festival in Dana Point, CA in May 2013.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Over the years the Stagecoach Festival has been an ideal place to catch legendary names as well as rising artists across several stages positioned across the Empire Polo Club in Indio (located in the Coachella Valley east of Palm Springs, CA). This year again brings that kind of celebrated approach with a mix of country, Americana and rock acts slated to perform. 

A limited time payment plan is available for $49 down. Currently, GA passes start at $589. Visit stagecoachfestival.com for details on the upcoming event.

Micky Dolenz celebrates The Monkees' 60th Anniversary at MIM Music Theater

Micky Dolenz

What: 60 Years of the Monkees

Where: The MIM Music Theater, located inside the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, AZ

When: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026

Next: The United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, Sept. 12

Information: mickydolenz.com

Review and Photos by Robert Kinsler

As the sole surviving member of the influential made-for-TV group The Monkees, singer/actor/multi-instrumentalist Micky Dolenz continues to champion the beloved quartet via winning live appearances. That was proven throughout his wonderful two-hour show at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

"The Monkees" TV show made its debut on September 12, 1966, so this coming Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of the series' first episode's airing on NBC-TV. Dolenz has a winning sense of humor first displayed on that groundbreaking series, and what's more his signature vocals impressed at the MIM Music Theater whether he was performing soaring power pop, garage rock or emotive ballads. While many of his classic rock contemporaries have lost their ability to sing well, Dolenz delivered top-tier vocals to an enthusiastic crowd.

Backed by a terrific six-member troupe (including his sister / singer Coco Dolenz), the 81-year-old Dolenz performed a mix of songs from across The Monkees' wide-ranging discography bolstered by insightful stories about his television co-stars/bandmates (Davy Jones, Peter Tonk and Michael Nesmith), the production of the TV series, 1968 Monkees film "Head" and even his memorable invitation to hang out with The Beatles during a Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band recording session. A rear projection screen displayed vintage images and film footage artfully in sync with the specific selections being performed. 

The night opened with his band performing an instrumental version of The Monkees' theme song heard at the beginning of the show before Dolenz came out on stage to offer up a rousing performance of "Last Train to Clarksville." And it was quickly clear that it didn't matter whether Dolenz and company were performing well-known hits or more under the radar tracks, the energy and delivery were inspired. 

The parade of Monkees favorites was offered up in chronological order, with early standouts including the sublime psychedelic folk rocker "Take a Giant Step," the tender "Sometime in the Morning," Americana-styled "You Just May Be The One," Baroque gem "Shades of Gray" featuring Micky and Coco sharing lead and harmony vocals, a rollicking tear through The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" and rousing "Pleasant Valley Sunday." 

The second half of the concert featured outstanding versions of "Different Drum" (a Nesmith original that marked the first hit for Linda Ronstadt), sumptuous "Porpoise Song" (the theme from "Head"), the infectious power pop-styled Paul Westerberg-penned "Terri" off Dolenz' new commercial release Timeless, gorgeous "Me & Magdalena," bona fide sing-along "Daydream Believer," high-octane rocker "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" and night-ending "I'm a Believer." 

This was a wonderful concert featuring timeless songs delivered with love and perfection. 

The Cranberries' 'Live At The London Astoria II, 1994' available now

The Cranberries are back courtesy of a new concert recording out now...Robert Kinsler

“Playing the Astoria after returning from the States was a real buzz. We’d started playing small clubs in London a few years earlier, so coming back to headline the Astoria felt like a huge show for us. Seeing so many familiar faces who’d supported the band over the years made it even more special. It was an exciting time for the band.” - Noel Hogan, guitarist for The Cranberries Release The Highly Anticipated Live Album  LIVE AT THE LONDON ASTORIA II, 1994 September 4, 2026   AVAILABLE NOW ON 2LP LIMITED EDITION MOLTEN LAVA VINYL, STANDARD BLACK VINYL, CD AND DIGITAL "A brilliant mix of strong, stirring emotions and ecstatic enthusiasm" - GLIDE The Cranberries’ highly anticipated Live At The London Astoria II, 1994 has been released for the first time via Island/UMe on multiple formats, including 2LP Limited Edition Molten Lava Vinyl, standard black vinyl, CD, and digitally for streaming and download. Featuring seven tracks from their debut from their debut Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, including “Pretty,” “Linger,” and “Dreams,” and six from their follow-up No Need to Argue, including “Dreaming My Dream,” “Daffodil Lament,” “Empty” and, of course, “Zombie,” 15-track live album also features two non-studio album tracks - “Liar” which was originally released on the Empire Records Soundtrack (1995) and “So Cold In Ireland,” a B-side for their single “Ode to My Family.”   “It was such a buzz playing in The Astoria,” remembers drummer Fergal Lawler. “We had returned from the U.S. and taken a bit of time off for Christmas. This was our first concert back in London after achieving such success in America. We were delighted to see a few of our hardcore fans at the front of the stage, I think we felt proud that all our hard work had finally come to fruition.” Recorded between their widely celebrated debut Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993) and soon-to-be-released commercial breakthrough No Need to Argue (1994), this special performance found the Irish band at the pivotal moment before they would become worldwide stars. Feeding off the excitement from their chart-topping first album which spawned the massive hits “Linger” and “Dreams,” The Cranberries played to an intimate crowd at the legendary venue London Astoria II.  Chosen by NPR as a "Best New Album" upon release, the reception for the album has been heralded by NME, DORK, MXDWN, ABC News, among many others. Glide Magazine praises, "Despite still being a relatively young band, they played that show with the confidence many groups take decades to develop. More than 30 years later, it’s remarkable to hear those songs when they were still new, played by a band seemingly unaware of just how massive they, and those songs, were about to become." SPIN notes "before No Need to Argue made them one of the biggest bands in the world, this performance finds the band road-testing songs that would soon become cornerstones of its catalog.”  Live at The Astoria II, 1994 offered the attending fans an inside peek at never-before-released music, including a one-of-a-kind performance of “Zombie.” Seven months later, the single would be released, achieving worldwide chart-topping status in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland and was #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US. Currently amassing over 1.8 billion views on YouTube, it remains one of the most streamed ‘90s songs globally to this day. A snapshot of the band before becoming one of the biggest bands from Ireland, Live at The London Astoria II, 1994 captures all the early excitement of a band on the verge of superstardom and bottles it in this special live recording. It was released on Friday, September 4, 2026 via Island/UMe as 2LP limited edition molten lava vinyl, standard black vinyl, CD and digital and is available HERE. hi-res artwork   THE CRANBERRIES LIVE AT THE LONDON ASTORIA II, 1994 TRACKLISTING Pretty Dreaming My Dreams Linger Ridiculous Thoughts Daffodil Lament How Everything I Said Not Sorry Waltzing Back Dreams Zombie Liar So Cold in Ireland Empty Still Can’t… "Zombie (Love at London Astoria)" Link: https://youtu.be/bG5gqx1953s?si=ZEB_7stCA8PKHMvy

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