I have all three anthologies and the BBC discs.
The BBC set is outstanding, not only for it's historical value, but for the songs and entertainment value too. As an example "I'll Be On My Way," a John & Paul collaboration, was never recorded in the studio by the Beatles although they gave it to Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas. The lyrics ares silly (they have the nerve to rhyme "moon" and "June") which maybe the reason they gave it away. But it's fun and a fine performance. I'll have to check the date but I think this live track was done even before they came to America. Most of these songs were recorded especially for radio but not played live on the air. To explain why this was done please see the quote below taken from liner notes written by jazz impressario Michael Cuscuna for CD I have of the Nat Cole Trio who used the same process.
"In the 1930's, when radio featured live music, the playing of commercially available 78 rpm recordings was frowned upon on the premise that the listener was less likely to go out and buy a record that he or she could hear over the airwaves for free. Many records issued in the 30s and 40s even stated on the label: "not licensed for broadcast".
Still, local stations needed more than network shows and local affairs programming to fill their broadcast day. Out of this vacuum came a number of transcription services that took bands into studios and recorded material that would be edited segments for broadcast purposes only. These sessions were usually a little more informal than phonograph record dates and often boasted a higher level of material because artists were not trying to cut the latest song-pluggers tripe in search of a hit." The liner notes are terrific with much detail.
Here is what much of the 2 CD set sounds like.
Regarding the 3 anthologies. They are loaded with alternate versions, rehearsals, and some rare material. Even if you are a huge Beatles fan you won't listen to this stuff a lot but they are must have for huge fans like me. Their historical value is outstanding. What I did is burn a CD of all of the best stuff I wanted to hear on a regular basis.
Here is just a little of what you get spread throughout these sets.
1 -The 2 "reunion" songs, "Real Love" and "Free As A Bird."
2 -The solo acoustic demo of George's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" which is just as wonderful as the full band version.
3 -Other alternate versions include a full band version of "Yesterday," a take of "You Won't See Me" that is superior to the version on
Rubber Soul, and an acapella take of "Because" from
Abbey Road. There are dozens more.
4 -There are several completely finished songs that they decided to relegate to the vaults that were never released until the anthologies came out. Among them are a Harrison rocker, "Not Guilty" intended for
The White Album, Paul's finished "Come and Get It" which was given to Badfinger and became a hit, a Lennon rocker form the Beatlemania days, "Leave My Kitten Alone," and several more.
5 -An acetate 78 RPM of 2 songs that The Quarrymen recorded back in Liverpool in 1957.
6 - Much of a live concert from Sweden in the Beatlemania Days.
7 - Their entire Decca Records session recorded on January 1, 1962 which were the demos that company eventually turned down but were the same ones George Martin heard to sign them for Parlophone/EMI.
As with the BBC set the liner notes are terrific with much detail.
I'll let you look on
Amazon and
All Music Guide to see what tunes are on what discs but they are essential for Beatles completists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT07Eq3-vnQ&feature=related