"The pop world at that time loved The Beatles and that north-western English sound was something that America wanted, when they put together the so-called Pre-Fab Four, " he said, referring to the nickname given to The Monkees.

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Moreover, Apple Corps is also planning a long-needed overhaul of the Beatles CD catalog with remastered sound, something that might hold greater appeal for older listeners than downloading.

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The recording's overall mood, recalling the manic days of the 1960s, is something like a hyperactive Beatles album, an impression heightened by liner notes with a comic-strip layout and larky photographs.

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"Some time ago, the media came up with the idea that Michael Jackson was going to leave his share in the Beatles songs to me in his will which was completely made up and something I didn't believe for a second, " McCartney said.

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"Beatles fans just think they've seen it all so to have the opportunity to bring something to market that was never seen before was great, " she said.

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What everyone has been waiting for is something as rare as a simultaneous eclipse of the sun and the moon: a time when the four Beatles (and their widows), both Apple companies and EMI are all on the same side.

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