The Beatles - On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2

On Air - Live At The BBC Volume 2 is a live compilation album by British rock band The Beatles, released in November 2013 via Apple Records.

Nearly two decades after the first volume, the second installment of The Beatles BBC recordings arrived and, like its predecessor, On Air - Live At The BBC, Volume 2 condenses the Fab Four's voluminous BBC sessions into an easily digestible double vinyl LP of highlights.

The generous 63-track running length is slightly misleading as this, more than the 1994 set, is peppered with dialogue, interviews, and silly sketches - a total of 24 of them, to be exact.

The third LP of this set contains the "Pop Profile" interviews with each of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Side 1 of this interview disc showcases John and George on the eve of the release of Rubber Soul, and Side 2 Paul and Ringo prior to the release of Revolver.

Such a heavy emphasis on on-air banter winds up cementing On Air as something like a documentary, capturing a specific moment in The Beatles history.

Specifically, this moment is 1963, with three quarters of the collection dating from that year. It was a momentous year, of course, the beginning of Beatlemania in Britain and, appropriately, there's a greater emphasis on original Beatles music than there was on the covers-laden 1994 set.

The early Beatles originals are treated with exuberance and, at times, the enthusiasm is intoxicating (they punch hard on "I Saw Her Standing There", "You Can't Do That" retains a glinting, hard edge, and Paul's Little Richard impression always dazzles).

Some of the really interesting material however is hearing The Beatles tear into the rock & roll classics that were staples of their club set; not only does their kinetic interplay leap alive, but it's possible to appreciate just how good McCartney and, particularly, Lennon were as interpretive singers (John’s brilliant on the Chuck Berry songs "I'm Talking About You" and "Memphis, Tennessee").

Crucially, the banter contains a similar sense of excitement; as this concentrates on 1963, The Beatles have yet to grow tired of their shtick, so it's fun to hear them trade barbs with the BBC hosts and with each other. When the dialogue is combined with those wonderful performances, On Air - Live At The BBC Volume 2 helps paint a portrait of The Beatles just reaching the peak of their powers.

This triple album 3LP record set is on 180 gram heavyweight vinyl housed in a tri-fold sleeve with printed inner sleeves, featuring remastered audio, pressed in Europe.