ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY – Apple Records to Release Remastered Albums by James Taylor, Billy Preston and Badfinger

By Clark Collis

The Beatles’ music label Apple is set to release 15 remastered versions of albums by, amongst others, James Taylor (1968′s James Taylor), Billy Preston (1969′s That’s the Way God Planned It, 1970′s Encouraging Words), Badfinger (1970′s Magic Christian Music, the same year’s No Dice, and 1972′s Straight Up), and classical composer John Tavener (1970′s The Whale and 1971′s Celtic Requiem, which will be available on the same CD). Apple are putting out the collections on October 26.

Apple acts didn’t always enjoy the greatest success during their time with the label. But history has proven that, in addition to their other talents, the Beatles’ track record as talent spotters was pretty decent. Welsh rockers Badfinger are now regarded as one of the great, tragic, cult bands and their song “Without You” has been much covered over the decades; John Tavener was twice nominated in the ’90s for the presitigious UK award, the Mercury Prize; and I believe that James Taylor kid found some success in the ’70s. The slate of reissues will also include albums by Mary Hopkin, Jackie Lomax, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. They are the first Apple releases to be available by digital download.

Will you be buying any of the reissues? Do you have a favorite Apple act (who don’t have members called John, Paul, George, and Ringo)? And do you think this is is the first step towards Apple making you-know-who’s albums available to buy digitally? Let us know!