Skip to content

In Defense Of The Beatles US Releases

butcher_promotional_poster_large



Here’s a bone of contention I’ve been meaning to address for many years.

This entry to my blog is very long, confusing, filled with punctuational/grammatical errors, and will make your head hurt.

First, you may want to dig around this Wikipedia entry on the US / Canadian Beatles releases:

 

Click here:

The Beatles North American Releases

 

After that, you may want to read one section of this blog at a time.....just to give your brain a rest.

 

Remember.......you've been warned.

 

Now, for my opinion on this…..

Whenever the subject of the Beatles’ US Capitol Records releases is brought up, it never fails to morph into the stale concept of the company being greedy. This usually occurs with fans who are either misinformed or just like to follow the status quo. Granted. Most foreign fans had the releases as they were intended. Most Yankees were not that fortunate and the music was gleaned from what was released in the USA. With that, no one is at fault, but, that all changes when people claim:

 “Capitol Records destroyed their music! They ruined the sound on EVERYTHING!”.

Then, there’s my favorite:

“The Beatles always gave good value for the fans' money! They kept the singles separate from the albums!” 

🙄

What people continuously fail to recognize is the main objective of every record label is to make money. Plain and simple. To think otherwise is downright silly. So, in early 1963, when Capitol US turned down the Beatles, it was due to the fact they’d been burned before, as- 99.9% of the acts they signed from the UK- bombed. With that in mind, why should they take a chance on an unknown English band, who’s music was a complete radical departure from all the safe and stale songs of the day? Thankfully, when they heard “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, they gave the green light.

I forgot to mention, once Capitol USA did sign them, they poured $50,000.00 into promotion for the band. In 1963-64, that was an unprecedented amount of cash. Did anyone else do that for them? Please let me know. Thanks. 😴

 

Meanwhile, in early 1963, Capitol Of Canada did sign them……

 

…………but the first three singles all bombed. Perhaps, the US affiliate took notice?

 

Let’s take a look:

 LMDCanPPMCanFMTYCan

“Love Me Do”, the version with Ringo Starr on drums, supposedly sold a staggering 78 copies. Awesome!

“Please Please Me” fared much better by selling an incredible 180 copies. Amazing!

“From Me To You” broke all records by selling a whopping 500 copies. Incredible!

 

Combined, all three Canadian singles sold less than 1,000 copies.

 

Wow! That’s great! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

So, in Canada, where Capitol Records signed them in 1963- Beatlemania really took off with a bang!

Sure it did. 🙄

Also, Canadian radio stations refused to play these three 45’s, but, I guess, they are exempt as they weren’t “American” radio stations. 🙄 

Because all three singles bombed so terribly, Capitol Of Canada didn’t even consider releasing The Beatles first album, “Please Please Me”.

Huh?! What?! How?! Why?! Who?! Where?! When?! 

Anyway, Paul White, who served as the Canadian label’s marketing manager and worked in the Artists & Repertoire Department, was the reason they were signed. He liked their “fresh, new sound”, and- after the three 45’s bombed- was asked by the higher ups: 

 

“Why are you releasing these records? They are all stiffs!”

White responded:

“Quite frankly, I like them. This group is dynamite, plus they’re selling zillions in England and they can’t all be wrong”. 

The higher ups said: 

“We’ll give you one more chance, but get on something different!”

 

So, thankfully, to Paul White’s credit, Capitol Of Canada stuck it out through three dud releases by the Beatles. Had he not insisted, the head honchos would’ve dropped them like a pair of old underwear. So, even in Canada- where so many are quick to mention Beatlemania first took full swing in North America- the Beatles were on borrowed time.

Anyway, it was with the fourth single, “She Loves You”,  the label realized they were onto something different and special. Capitol US wasn’t so optimistic. OK. Big deal. It happens. If you are up on your Beatles history, Decca UK, Columbia UK and a bunch of other British labels all said “no” as well. It was a gradual thing, and- a few months later- Capitol US woke up and made the right decision. How dare they take so long to catch on?! To this day, the silly reaction is that Capitol US was supposed to know, straight off, that this band would be as huge as they were. Yet, no one says a word about how close they came to being dumped in Canada.......and how many UK labels told them to "bugger off". See what I’m getting at here, hmm?

By the way, for whichever silly reason, Capitol Of Canada decided releasing these two LP’s- with identical artwork- was a good idea. “Long Tall Sally” was released in May, 1964, deleted and replaced, in 1967, by the April, 1964 US-created “Second Album” and reissued in 1971. From there on, along with the reissued-Canada-only albums: “Beatlemania: With The Beatles” and “Twist And Shout” – plus all the US LP’s- it remained in print well into the 1980’s.

LTS 2nd

NOTE: Both albums share SEVEN songs:

    You Really Got A Hold On Me
    Devil In Her Heart
    Roll Over Beethoven
    Long Tall Sally
    I Call Your Name
    Please Mister Postman
    I’ll Get You

 

Let’s not forget that Capitol Of Canada- the label which first signed the Beatles in North America- had also released this one as well. Notice they didn't tamper with the artwork at all.....🤣🤣🤣🤣
 

Canada only album: “Beatlemania: With The Beatles” (11/25/63):

 BWTBCan

That one shares FOUR songs from each of those albums.

Um…………..

I would like someone to show me, one instance- between 1964 and 1971- where Capitol USA did such a thing.

I’m waiting………

……..and still, I wait………

 

😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴

 

It was shortly after the “Long Tall Sally” LP that Capitol US sent a directive to their Canuck subsidiary stating that all future releases will coincide with those released in the United States. I’ve never liked this as I enjoy the notion of exclusive albums and 45’s for different lands.

 

Yes. I’m “that guy”.

 

And, just for the sake of it, here’s the front jacket to Canada’s “Twist And Shout” LP. “Anna (Go To Him)” opens this album. Really?

 

Canada only album: “Twist & Shout” (2/3/64):

 TSLPCan

Anyway, we've made our point about the Canadian releases. Let’s get back to the American records….

 

Just because “procedure” may be handled a certain way in a certain land, doesn’t mean it’s going to gel in other regions of the world. Here’s a prime example:

 

In the UK, royalties are paid per album.

In the USA, it’s per song.

 

Yes, people. That’s big.

 

Because of this, it would cost Capitol a lot more in royalty payments. Hence part of the reason the US albums were recompiled to feature 11 or 12 songs instead of the 14 which is the norm in the UK. Of course, the company wanted to create “more product” and why not? They would keep songs off albums, add some left off previous LP’s, and throw in a current hit single, which- at the time- was common practice in the USA. With this approach, “more product” was achieved. This, of course, was not conducive to what the band intended, but- as a fan who collects records- it means more stuff for me to enjoy. This, I like. Another bonus for us Western Hemisphere types is- many of the tapes sent to Capitol- featured alternate mixes/edits of songs not available anywhere else. I love that.

Also, people continuously fail to look to the releases from countries like Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, all the Scandinavian countries, Japan, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand etc. Take a meander at those discographies and you’ll see the practice of re-configuring / creating albums and singles was far from exclusive to Capitol Records USA/Canada. Dig around and see what I’m talking about.

One thing is for sure, The Beatles never refused the royalty payments from any of these “dreaded” US releases, did they?

Now, when it comes to the sound, this is where Capitol did screw up but it wasn’t all the time like so many want to believe. The 45’s were definitely pressed way too “hot”. The only excuse is they were mastered this way so they’d “work well for AM radio”. I agree. It’s lame, but, many US labels mastered their singles in this same irritating manner. One cool aspect of the US Capitol 45’s is the company created picture sleeves for each and every one of them (when Apple showed up, the picture sleeves slowed a bit). Each single was like a celebration. In the UK, there were only two picture sleeves. Boring! 😴

As for the US LP’s, Capitol Records honcho, Dave Dexter, most certainly went too far with the added reverb, but, this was usually exclusive to the stereo pressings only.

He was also attempting to do his job.

Dexter tried to make these “foreign recordings” sound “big” and, how, he thought, Americans would prefer the music to sound. Yup. He screwed up a few times. No argument there. Again, this applies to the stereo mixes. Remember, this was during that Phil Spector “Wall Of Sound” era. I’m sure that had quite an influence. 

 

Then there’s the subject of “fold down” mixes….

 

For most of the first two US Capitol albums, “Meet The Beatles” and “The Beatles Second Album” plus “The Early Beatles”, the soundtrack of “Help!”, and, possibly, a few tracks on “Yesterday…And Today”, EMI UK sent stereo dubs only. Why did this occur? Was it Capitol’s fault? No one knows, but, it resulted in the label having to create crummy “fold-down” mixes for most of the songs on those mono albums (look up “fold down mixes”). Until a proper answer says otherwise, that blame falls directly on EMI in the UK. The non-fold-down-mono albums all sound pretty good (yes people…..it’s true).

 

Then, there are those dreaded “fake stereo” mixes……..

 

These rotten mixes are the result of attempting to create a stereo image from mono recordings. It was nothing new and most labels followed the same procedure (look up “fake stereo”). Do these “duophonic stereo” mixes sound good? Hell, no. They suck and should have simply been kept in their original mono format. The “worst case award” for this irritating practice has to go to “I Feel Fine” and “She’s A Woman” from the stereo pressing of “Beatles’65”. How these two sonic abominations made it past Capitol’s quality control still baffles fans. Aside from the embarrassment factor, they are extremely painful to hear. However, IMO, the US mono version of “I Feel Fine”– mixed with extra reverb by George Martin- is eons better than the doinky, dry UK mono version. Note: I’ve read that Capitol added further reverb to those two mono mixes. Until that’s confirmed, I’m sticking with the George Martin story, thank you.

Another dumb move by Capitol was to create a fake stereo mix of “Ticket To Ride” for the “Help!” soundtrack. When it came time to fold the album down to mono, they lazily used that fake stereo mix which further killed the sound. Now, that is a good reason to call out the label on a screw up. I’m not sure if they ever pulled that stunt on any other songs, but, to mix it that way, was really stupid.

Anyway, record labels in other countries made their own fake stereo mixes as well. This includes Parlophone UK who created fake stereo mixes for “Love Me Do”, “PS I Love You”, “She Loves You”  and “Only A Northern Song”….and they all suck too. Except for the latter, the reason these crappy mixes were created? Well, get a load of this…

The rocket scientists at EMI destroyed and/or erased the multi-track tapes for “PS I Love You”, “She Loves You”, “I’ll Get You”, both versions of “Love Me Do” plus two entire reels from the ”Please Please Me” 45 and album sessions. Yet, the blame always falls on Capitol Records for screwing things up.

 
Now for the one I stated earlier is my favorite…

 


“The Beatles always kept singles separate from the albums”.

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

This notion is the most laughable. Why? Because, starting with their first UK LP, “Please Please Me”, they added both sides of TWO singles. This means, FOUR songs meant for 45’s were placed on their very first album.

Yeah…OK! Nice way to start things off! 

🙄🙄🙄🙄

Granted, they utilized the version of “Love Me Do” with Andy White on drums and Ringo Starr on tambourine…as if, at the time, most fans could tell the difference……..🤣 Regardless, it’s still the same song! To top it all off, later, in 1963- the “Ringo drums” version- was deleted with the Andy White rendition replacing it on the 45.

Then, just to make sure there would be no confusion……,

…..are you ready?

…….EMI purposely destroyed the original master tape featuring the version with Ringo drumming!

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Remember, they had already destroyed the multi-track tape as well! With that, George Martin defiantly stated:

 

“We had enough trouble storing masters, let alone multi-tracks!”

 

Well, as long as old George gave us that amazing justification, it’s all ok!

😴

Funny, no one complains about that dopey move. I guess it was, somehow, Capitol’s fault.

So, out of the twelve original UK LP’s, the Beatles fulfilled their “no-singles on albums” promise five times.

FIVE times!

Also, each year, Parlophone/EMI had a very irritating habit of breathing down the band’s neck to have product available for the “Christmas rush”. Why? Could it be they wanted more revenue? Nah. Not at all! They were merely getting into the Yuletide spirit!

 

🙄🙄🙄🙄

 

Then, there’s the case of the “single-on-steroids” known as the “Extended Play Record”…..

These SEVEN INCH, 45RPM SINGLES featured four songs taken off the band’s latest album or combining hit tracks from previously released 45’s. Supposedly, the justification for this was they were sold as “poor man’s albums”.

Really? 😳

OK. Granted. Younger fans across the globe were usually low on funds and would settle for buying these nifty little creations with the unique picture sleeves (I love every one of them). However, the EP was never embraced in the USA. Again, yes, that’s a fact. Pardon us! That aside, younger American fans were just as broke as the kids in the UK and every other country, but, they always found a way to buy their records. I can’t count how many times I bought them using nothing but pennies (Mom and Dad always helped me…that’s because they were great parents).

I’ve been told by experienced Brits the four-song UK EP’s usually cost about 14-15 shillings and fourteen-song LP’s were 25 shillings. In comparison, doesn’t that seem a bit pricey for a supposed “poor man’s album” that only offered four tracks? What of the instances where two EP’s were pulled from the same album? If fans went that route, they’d dish out 30 shillings for eight songs. Of course, in the UK, there were “coupons” known as “record tokens”, but, how many purchases had to be made to earn one those thingies? 

In The USA, Capitol released two EP’s and Vee Jay Records released one. All three releases bombed. That’s that. At least each company gave the format a shot. Indeed, they did. Good try.

 

US Vee Jay EP:

VJEP


US Capitol EP’s:

FourEPUS4bytheBeatlesEPcover

 

So, via the UK EP’s, Parlophone pulled TWELVE of the FOURTEEN songs from “Please Please Me”, TWO from “With The Beatles”, EIGHT from “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Beatles For Sale” and FOUR from both “Help!” and “Rubber Soul”.

 

🤪😳😜🤓🤔🤭🙄🤥🥴

 

And…..they repeated TWELVE songs which had already been issued on regular 45’s. They even repeated a track which was included on the clunky double-EP, “Magical Mystery Tour”.

So, after all that, they kept “singles” separate?

No! They did not!

😡😡😡😡 

No matter what your opinion of the EP may be, they are still seven-inch 45’s, and- outside any exclusive releases- were filled to the rim with ALBUM and SINGLES tracks! That’s that. If the Beatles had really tried to live up to their promise, there would be nothing from any album available in seven-inch form. That’s that…..again.

Just because Parlophone, or fans, or whomever, decided to brand EP’s “off limits” to scrutiny, doesn’t change the fact the UK market was slammed with a ton of repeated songs. That’s EXACTLY what they did. Yet, Capitol’s approach gets tarred and feathered. 

Yeah……OK. 🙄

So, in the UK, every album through “Revolver”  had songs available on seven-inch records. Same applies to the last three LP’s the Beatles released. Fact.


Aside from attempting to make as much revenue as possible, I get the feeling Parlophone justified packing album tracks and 45 hits onto EPs by stating how “convenient” they were. Well, so did Capitol Records USA, but, they did it their own way via singles and albums. Different procedures for different lands. 

In the end, the usual approach to this subject is to dissect all the US releases, but, I’m not going to do that. Instead, I will dissect the UK releases so everyone can see the facts which are always conveniently ignored.

 

Here we go……

 

45: “Love Me Do / P.S. I Love You” (10/5/62):   

 

LMDUK1PSUK1


45: “Please Please Me / Ask Me Why” (1/11/63):


PPMUKAMWUK
 


Album: “Please Please Me” (3/22/63)

“Love Me Do”, “PS I Love You”, “Please Please Me” and “Ask Me Why” were all available on 45’s. 

PPMLP

 
EP’s pulled from LP:

“Twist And Shout” (7/12/63): “Twist And Shout”, “A Taste Of Honey”, “Do You Want To Know A Secret”, “There’s A Place”
“The Beatles No. 1″ (11/1/63): ” I Saw Her Standing There”, “Misery”, “Anna (Go To Him)”, “Chains”

    TSEPUKBHEPUKB1EPUK

The “Twist And Shout” EP was released four months after the LP. “The Beatles No.1”? This thing came out EIGHT MONTHS after the album and that’s OK?! In between these two extended singles, Parlophone released “The Beatles Hits” EP (9/6/63). This extended single featured “From Me To You” and “Thank You Girl” in their SECOND UK appearance within 4 1/2 months, plus, “Please Please Me” and “Love Me Do“....each for a THIRD TIME. After all was said and done, between the two singles and two EP’s, TWELVE of the fourteen songs from the “Please Please Me” LP were made available on 7” discs. This is supposed to appease those with lower funds? Yeah, right. No singles from albums and no greed there! 

 

45: “From Me To You / Thank You Girl” (4/11/63):
FMTYUKTYGUK1
 

45: “She Loves You / I’ll Get You” (8/23/63):

SLYUKIGYUK

 
45: “I Want To Hold Your Hand / This Boy” (11/29/63):

IWTHYHUKTBUK

 

Album: “With The Beatles” (11/22/63):

WTB

Hooray! They got it right! The LP was released in time for all that glorious extra cash for Christmas ‘63, and, no singles are featured!

 
But, wait……..

 
EP’s pulled from LP:

“All My Loving” (2/7/64): “All My Loving”, “Ask Me Why”, “Money (That’s What I Want)”, “PS I Love You”.

AMLEP

Oh look! Only TWO songs pulled from the LP! Wasn’t that nice of Parlophone? Should I mention, with this release, both “Ask Me Why” and “PS I Love You” were released in the UK for a THIRD TIME within a year and a half? Nah. I won’t say anything about that. It must’ve been Capitol Records up to its old tricks. Appropriately, this EP contains “Money (That’s What I Want)”.

 

Just for the hell of it, let's take a quick trip to the land down under......Australia.

 

For whichever stupid reason, during the 1960s, there was some dumb union law which demanded no foreign negatives could be used for album covers released in Australia. If the original images were to be used, they must be photographs of said original images.

😳😳😳😳

Really? Protecting those Aussie photographers, are we?

Anyway, in the case of "With The Beatles", EMI Australia couldn't reproduce a useable copy of the classic album cover. With that, the company was forced to create a new design.......

 

........and the best they could do was this thing.........

 

Australia LP (2/64):

WTB-1

 

What the hell is THAT?!

 

😳😳😳😳

 

You mean to tell me they couldn't conjure up something more original than this goofy looking hack job? When the Beatles toured Australia in June, 1964, John Lennon saw this doinky concoction and went ballistic. He threatened to call up the head of EMI, Sir Joseph Lockwood, and "have them all sacked!" 

 

Then, there's this.....

It's the Australian "All My Loving" EP.......

Somehow, it utilizes the original artwork from "With The Beatles".

Is it because it's a 7" 45 RPM size sleeve, they were able to use the image? One can see it's a copy of a copy. Either way, it's all silliness and that dumb law is beyond ridiculous. I think it ended a while back. At least, I hope so....

Side note: I think the blue border is 3,978,555,171,323 times better than the wimpy, Pepto-Bismol-puke-pink version from the UK. So, that's a plus.

 

Australian EP:

EDAB2DAB-146F-4617-88CF-A5FAFC5FB660

 

 

Meanwhile.....back in the UK...

 

 

45: “Can’t Buy Me Love / You Can’t Do That” (3/20/64):

CBMLUKYCDTUK


 
EP: “Long Tall Sally” (6/19/64):

LTSEPUK

With “Long Tall Sally“, the Beatles and Parlophone gave the fans an EP featuring exclusive material. Four songs recorded during the sessions for “A Hard Day’s Night” which were only available in the UK via this disc.

But wait! Two of those songs were released earlier in the USA!

What? Who? Why? How? When? Where?

Yup. Both “Long Tall Sally” and “I Call Your Name” were released in the USA TWO MONTHS PRIOR than the UK. Why? Because Capitol Records requested them for inclusion on "The Beatles Second Album" and EMI London said "YES".

For future reference, please keep that in mind.

This happened a few times for us Yankees, and, I must say, I love getting stuff before everyone else! Thank you, Capitol Records! 😃


45: “A Hard Day’s Night / Things We Said Today” (7/10/64):

AHDNUKTWSTUK


Album: “A Hard Day’s Night” (7/10/64):

AHDN

“Can’t Buy Me Love”, “You Can’t Do That” were already available on 45.

The single, “A Hard Day’s Night / Things We Said Today”, was PULLED FROM THE LP and released the same day as said LP.

“No singles on albums”, huh?

 
But, wait! Parlophone couldn’t help themselves…

 
EP’s pulled from LP:

“Extracts From the Film ‘A Hard Day’s Night'” (11/4/64): “I Should Have Known Better”, “If I Fell”, “Tell Me Why”, “And I Love Her”.

EFTFAHDNEPUK


“Extracts From The Album ‘A Hard Day’s Night'” (11/6/64 or late December, 1964): “Anytime At All”, “I’ll Cry Instead”, “Things We Said Today”, “When I Get Home”.

EFTAAHDNEPUK

Some sources say these two EP’s were released at the same time, but, the second was most likely released two months after. If not, then, they came out TWO DAYS apart! Um…….

Speaking of the second disc, see the track titled “Things We Said Today”?

Yes, that one.

With the release of this EP, that song was issued in the UK for the THIRD TIME within FIVE MONTHS!

Are you kidding me? 😳 

Hello?! In the 25+ years the Capitol releases were available, the label released that version of the song ONCE.

ONE TIME!

Yet, within 5 months, Parlophone practically saturates the market with it? No greed, huh? Wow! 🙄

 

I can see them all sitting around, drinking tea, in the Abbey Road Studios canteen………..

 
“Sure! We said no singles on albums, and, out of three LP’s, we’ve already screwed up twice!

However! We never said anything about EPs! BWAAHAHAHAHA!”


Canteen


Anyway, between the two singles and two EP’s, ELEVEN of the thirteen songs from this UK LP were made available on 7” 45rpm discs!

😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

If poorer fans followed suit, and bought only the singles and extended singles, they’d wind up spending more than it would’ve cost for all three Beatles LP’s they supposedly couldn’t afford.

Nice! No singles on or from albums! 

Great marketing there, EMI/Parlophone! Of course, this is not greed. How could anyone suggest such a thing? Obviously, it’s a conspiracy conjured up by Capitol Records......

 

 

45: “I Feel Fine / She’s A Woman” (11/27/64):

IFFUKSAWUK


Album: Beatles For Sale” (12/4/64):

BFS

Hooray! For the fourth album, they got it right for the second time! They even released it, plus the non-LP 45, in time for Christmas ‘64! Think of all that extra Yuletide revenue! Congratulations, guys!

But, wait! Again, “thoughtful” Parlophone was there to help the not-so-well-off types……


EP’s pulled from the LP: 

“Beatles For Sale” (4/6/65): “No Reply”, “I’m A Loser”, “Rock And Roll Music”, “Eight Days A Week”.

BFSEPUK

“Beatles For Sale No. 2” (6/4/65):

I’ll Follow The Sun”, “Baby’s In Black”, “Words Of Love”, “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party”.

BFS2EPUK

The first EP was released FIVE MONTHS after the LP. The second? SEVEN MONTHS after. By the time both were released, the Beatles were already well into working on the “Help!” project. Why continue to milk the previous album for what it’s worth? Momentum? Yeah, Ok. Money? Of course!

I guess Parlophone finally noticed that “Eight Days A Week” was a huge hit for Capitol Records and other labels in other countries. With that, they figured they should celebrate by pulling EIGHT of the fourteen songs from the LP for EP single release! I say! Good show!

 

Speaking of other countries, let's zip back down to Australia......

 

Here we go again. This is the Australian “Beatles For Sale”. That dopey union law which required all negatives to be produced in Australia forced the EMI affiliate down under to create this alternate cover. Not only could they not recreate the original sleeve but they couldn't even make gatefold jackets either! What the hell is that?

Unlike the Australian "With The Beatles", I like this one. It features images from one of their two shows in Sydney in June of that year (1964).

 

Australia LP (12/64):

BFS-1

 Hey! While we are visiting Australia again, get a load of this........

 

Remember that goofy image created for the Aussie "With The Beatles" album which ticked off John Lennon?

 

Well........

 

TWELVE MONTHS LATER, on 2/4/65, EMI Australia decided it was time they released their unique "With The Beatles" EP with the SAME STUPID IMAGE THEY CREATED FOR THE ALBUM!

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yes! ONE FULL YEAR year after the album first came out in that land, here comes the EP! 

This unique single-on-steroids.......and Australia had plenty of unique singles-on-steroids......features 1963's "Devil in Her Heart", "Not A Second Time", "It Won't Be Long" and "Don't Bother Me" ...............all in glorious fold-down-mono and just what every Australian Beatles fan needed!

They must've been very proud of that image, they felt compelled to reuse it. Wouldn't be laziness, would it? Also, why the hell was this thing released at all? Mind you, a full year after the album?

What astonishes me is, even after Lennon wigged out over the lollipop-head artwork, they had the gall to plaster it again on a redundant EP..........12 months later. 

Wow. Just, wow.

Who cares if Lennon hated it, correct? Guess they were playing catch up? Nothing wrong with that, right? Only Capitol USA screwed with the releases, yes? 

 

Australia EP (2/65):

WTBEP

 

 

Meanwhile....back in the UK.......

 


45: “Ticket To Ride / Yes It Is” (4/9/65):

TTRUKYIIUK
 

45: “Help! / I’m Down” (7/23/65):

 HUKIDUK

 

 

Album: “Help!” (8/6/65):

HelpUK

“Help!“ and “Ticket To Ride” were both available on 45’s. Let’s not forget they used “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” to fill out side two. Why was this track recorded? Well, in May, 1965, the band went into the studio to record two Larry Williams tunes specifically for that dreaded Capitol US album “Beatles VI”. Since “If You Got Trouble”, “Wait” and “That Means A lot” were deemed not worthy of release, plus “Yes It Is” and “I’m Down” were both banished to “flip side status”, “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” conveniently filled that last void on the UK LP.

We’ll talk about the other song, “Bad Boy”, soon enough.

Had Capitol Records not requested those two extra tracks, one can’t help but wonder what the band would’ve conjured up to fill out side two of this UK LP.

Ah, but, wait! It’s Parlophone to the rescue again…..


EP’s pulled from LP:

“Yesterday” (3/4/66): “Yesterday”, “Act Naturally”, “You Like Me Too Much”, “It’s Only Love”

YEPUK

With the two “A” sides plus this, the “Yesterday” EP single, SIX of the fourteen songs on this UK LP were available on 7” 45rpm discs. That aside, I’ve always liked that each Beatle gets a lead vocal on this nifty little release. You know, the EP which was released SEVEN MONTHS after the LP? Not only that, but it came out TWO MONTHS after the next album! What the hell is that all about?! Once again, EMI / Parlophone must’ve noticed- by releasing the album track known as “Yesterday” as a stand alone single in September, 1965- Capitol had a huge hit on its hands.

Wait! It was also released as a hit single in many other markets as well!

Really?! No way! 😳😳😳😳

Well, in between, Parlophone did release the EP “The Beatles Million Sellers” (12/6/65). This “greatest hits” extended single featured three songs which were already available on 45’s plus one which was available on a 45 and an album. Jolly good! Notice the date of release? Yes…..just in time for the Christmas rush of 1965! Whatd’ya know about that! Yup! More revenue and jingle bells! No greed there! You mean, Parlophone and the Beatles wanted to make money? Must’ve been “Evil Capitol-istic” thoughts.....

BMSEPUK

By the way, here’s the third variation jacket used for “Help!” in Switzerland (the first two were exported from the UK with slightly altered regular covers). As you can see, no tampering here…..🙄🙄🙄🙄

 HelpSwiss

 

45: “We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper” (12/3/65):

WCWIOUKDTUK

 
 
Album: “Rubber Soul” (12/3/65):

RSUK

Hooray! For this, their SIXTH album, they lived up to the promise for a THIRD time! Mind you, the band was rushed to finish this album. Why? Because EMI “wanted it out in time for Christmas”. On the same day, Parlophone simultaneously issued the 45 “We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper” (remember…..no singles on albums.....🙄). Then, three days later, released that “Million Sellers” EP mentioned earlier. There ya go! Lots-o-goodies under British Christmas trees that year!

But, wait! Parlophone didn’t really get what it wanted for Christmas ‘65! To make up for this, the label decided they should celebrate the Summer of ‘66…..


EP’s pulled from LP:

“Nowhere Man” (7/8/66): “Nowhere Man”, “Drive My Car”, “Michelle”, “You Won’t See Me”.

NMEPUK

Look at that! My favorite UK EP picture sleeve and only EIGHT MONTHS after the LP! What an achievement! Guess Capitol’s decision to release “Nowhere Man” six months earlier as a stand alone single, which reached #3, didn’t go unnoticed by Parlophone…….again! They must’ve still been feeling giddy from cashing in on the popularity of “Yesterday”, they forgot to release this EP SINGLE at an earlier date. Nice use of the same font featured on the Capitol LP “Yesterday…And Today” which was released a month earlier (see top of this blog). Also, notice the inclusion of “Michelle”? Keep reading and see why I just mentioned that song.

But first, one tiny pit stop in the land of Mount Vesuvius....

Here ya go. The front and back cover of “Rubber Soul” from Italy. Notice how those romantic Italians altered the font. Especially, the letter “S”. Also, for the back cover, there's nothing like using a year old photo which was already featured on the “Million Sellers” EP.

Wait. That wasn’t an Italian EP, therefore, changing the back cover with this photo is justified, yes? 🙄

“Beatles 7”? Huh? What? At least they kept the track listing intact.

RSItaly
RSItaly1
By the way, the mono pressing from Italy? It’s a crummy fold down which sounds like garbage…….but, please, keep slamming Capitol Records, USA, who’s cleverly altered “Rubber Soul” is the dedicated mono mix.

 

Note: You know how "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys, which is considered one of the all-time greatest albums, helped inspire "Sgt. Pepper"?

Well, which album do you think inspired "Pet Sounds", hmmm?

Can you say "Rubber Soul", hmmm?

One more thing......

Since Brian Wilson is American, which version of "Rubber Soul" do you think inspired him to create "Pet Sounds", hmm?

 

 
45: “Paperback Writer / Rain” (6/10/66):

PWUKRUK



45: “Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby” (8/5/66):

YSUKERUK

 

Album: “Revolver” (8/5/66):

RevolverUK

Just as they did with “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby” were pulled as a single from the LP and released the same day (8/5/66). 

 

At the time of the 45’s release, George Harrison blurted:

 

“Why should we let someone else have the hits?” 

 

Smart man, that Jorge…….

 

Why? Well, this was a lesson learned by not releasing “Michelle” as a stand alone single from “Rubber Soul”. It seems there were a few cover versions which took the glow away from the original Beatles rendition. Ah, but we do know it did come out a second time on that “Nowhere Man” EP! Hooray! So, this time around, The Beatles and Parlophone / EMI were taking no chances on losing any well earned revenue.

Really? Nah……couldn’t be!

By the way, in Scandinavia, and various other countries, “Michelle” was released as a 45 and reached #1 in some of those regions. Isn’t that nice? But, please continue ragging on Capitol Records for releasing songs that were not intended as singles. 😴😴😴😴

 

Norwegian 45 (2/66):

MNorway


From this point, the EP’s popularity began to wane, therefore, no more extended singles were pulled from the albums.

This must’ve pushed everyone at EMI to tears.

 

Or not….

 

If the company was so “aware” how important the Beatles EPs were to the less fortunate, why did they stop compiling them in 1966? Why not 1965 or ‘68, '69 etc?

Why?

Because the fans decided they were fed up with the format and stopped buying them. Don't get me wrong. I love EPs, but, they sound inferior to the 45s and albums.

Wait! I thought only Capitol released inferior sound on their Beatles releases?!?

So, what the hell happened? The format became obsolete and the company gradually stopped releasing new EP’s (the last one was "Time For Cilla" by Cilla Black in 1968). If that’s the case, then, the justification as “poor man’s album” is a complete crock. I’m sure there were still plenty of fans who had no cash through the remainder of the 1960’s, no? What happened? Did they all, suddenly, win the lottery? The Beatles didn’t break up until 1970, therefore, it should’ve remained a very popular format and there should’ve been another 73,112 EP’s- loaded with repeated songs- released from the singles and albums that followed. I’d say EMI realized, since the former cash cow was dying, this meant less revenue and such a thing is completely unacceptable, correct? With that, the UK company said “goodbye” to the extended play single with a big old silent disclaimer to the unfortunate fans:

 

“Oh well! From now on, it’s 45’s and LP’s! Get a job and get used to it!”

 

 

“Poor Man’s album”…yeah…OK…🙄

 

 

Onward, we go……

 

…….and speaking of cash cows…….

 

What have we got here?

 

Parlophone had another ace up it’s sleeve…..

Drum roll, please…….

Ladies and gentlemen! Direct from the inner sanctuary of EMI’s tape vaults, Parlophone UK proudly presents:

 

Compilation album: “A Collection of Beatles Oldies…But Goldies” (12/9/66):

ACOOBGUK

 


Here we go! No greed here! Parlophone UK “wanted product for Christmas ’66”, and, they got it! You see, the Beatles were taking their time working on their next LP. This annoyed the generous folks at EMI so much, they dug into their archives to compile this, the greatest hits album known as “A Collection Of Beatles Oldies…But Goldies”!

I am quite interested in hearing the “purists” justification for Parlophone releasing this blatant cash-cow.

 

My question for said “purists” is this:

 

You are aware that Capitol USA completely passed over this greed-driven greatest hits compilation, no?

 

Even the Beatles were against it, but, essentially, EMI / Parlophone said, “Screw you! It’s coming out!” 

 

So, in the USA, Capitol bravely waited out the six month lull between “Revolver” and “Strawberry Fields Forever”. While I love “Oldies But Goldies”, ya gotta stop accusing Capitol for being the only record company who wanted to make a buck…or a pound…or a Kroner etc.

So, again, in the USA, Capitol Records completely ignored this album. Why is this fact never mentioned?

Actually, Capitol/Apple would not release a compilation until 1970’s “Hey Jude” (AKA: “The Beatles Again”). Also, since the “Hey Jude” LP was such a big selling US import, it was finally released in England in 1979. Why? Because, instead of “greedy” Capitol US, Parlophone UK felt they should make cash off this money maker created for the American market by Allen Klein. Only took them nine years to do it.

Hey! That’s pretty good! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Anyway! Let’s check the track listing of “Oldies…But Goldies”. Just because I can, I’ll load it up with useless but factual info.

 


Here we go……

 

Side 1:

    She Loves You – now available in the UK three times in three years.
    From Me To You – ditto.
    We Can Work It Out – now available in the UK two times within one year.
    Help! – now available in the UK three times in 1 1/2 years.
    Michelle – now available in the UK three times within one year.
    Yesterday – now available in the UK three times in 1 1/2 years.
    I Feel Fine – now available in the UK three times in two years.
    Yellow Submarine – now available in the UK three times within four months (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

 

Everyone following me here? Getting cross eyed? Good. Please, continue…

 

Side 2:

   Can’t Buy Me Love – now available in the UK four times in 2 3/4 years.
    Bad Boy – Hooray! Something new for the UK! 1 1/2 years earlier, the Beatles recorded this for the US market!
    Day Tripper – now available in the UK two times within one year.
    A Hard Day’s Night – now available in the UK three times in two years.
    Ticket To Ride – now available in the UK three times in 1 1/2 years.
    Paperback Writer – now available in the UK two times within seven months.
    Eleanor Rigby – now available in the UK three times within four months (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).
    I Want To Hold Your Hand – now available in the UK three times in three years.

 

Did you get all that?

 

Once again, I must mention Capitol Records US completely ignored this “greedy cash-in for Christmas” release. Also, a batch of the early UK singles went out of print in the mid-sixties, which means, songs like “I’ll Get You”, were nowhere to be found until the big UK reissue campaign of 1976.

Hmmm.

Please note that all the regular issue US Capitol 45’s remained in print straight through the late 1980’s-early 90’s. Such greed!

 

Side Note: On October 10, 1965, Capitol released “Misery”, “There’s A Place” and “From Me To You” as part of their green label “Starline” series. There were six reissue Beatles 45’s, with all but one song in stupid fold-down monophonic mixes. They remained in print for two months (that’s just dumb). In 1971, “Misery” reared it’s cute little face again when it was reissued by Capitol’s Jacksonville, Illinois record plant……on my favorite “target label”. That didn’t stay in print for long either. So, to be fair- for a while- those three songs were nowhere to be found, legitimately, in the USA.

 

US reissues:

B8F8B16B-1C88-48F5-97B3-12E34350F977 A3D5EB43-0DA0-42E6-A6EE-50DC1715BA88 52B6BE49-34BE-455C-9177-36531FF0F4FC                                                                               A58C2C0D-4B58-4ABF-881E-80BBBA40A589


Side note again: In 1971-72, when “Oldies But Goldies” was finally issued in Germany, in stereo only, it featured “Ticket To Ride” with a ridiculous edit of the 12-string Rickenbacker intro as well as a terrible, Odeon/Apple created fake-stereo mix of “We Can Work It Out”. Again, no one complains. Why?

 

German pressing:

CDCA37F5-87C5-46E0-8DA3-A4719CA056E6 BEB4C1DD-958C-4C98-BDF0-3B098A15F028


Yet, another side note: By cramming sixteen tracks onto one record, the fidelity of this album suffers. The original, now-not-so-common-mono-pressing is worse than the stereo and really sounds like crap. But, please, just keep ragging on Capitol for releasing their records with inferior sound.

 

About now, I’m sure, your head is spinning……..

 

……….we will now pause for intermission……….

 

 

Click here:

 

Intermission

 

Well, that was refreshing…….

 

OK. Onward, we go…

 

It was early 1967 when The Beatles re-negotiated their contract with Capitol Records. Part of the deal was the label could no longer take liberties with their releases. “Sgt. Pepper” was the first of the lot not to be tampered with, and rightfully so. And they lived happily ever after…

 

…but, not before we check out the rest of the UK discography…

 

45: “Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane” (2/17/67):

Ooh! Look! The UK gets its first picture sleeve for a regular Beatles single! Goodie!

SFFUKSFFUK1
SFFUK2PLUK

 


Album: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (scheduled: 6/1/67 rush released: 5/26/67):

SPUK

Speaks for itself.

 

 

45: “All You Need Is Love / Baby. You’re A Rich Man” (7/7/67):

AYNILUKBYARMUK
 

 

45: “Hello, Goodbye / I Am The Walrus” (11/24/67):

HGUKIATWUK

 

 

Woah! What is this? Just when we thought the extended single was part of yesteryear…..

 

Double EP: “Magical Mystery Tour” (12/8/67):

Disc 1 / Side 1: “Magical Mystery Tour”, “Your Mother Should Know”.

Disc 1 / Side 2: “I Am The Walrus”.

Disc 2 / Side 1:  “Fool On The Hill”, “Flying”.

Disc 2 / Side 2: “Blue Jay Way”.

MMTEPUK

Ah yes. The clumsy, double-EP “Magical Mystery Tour” which gives us a whopping six songs spread out over two seven inch discs (yeah….real convenient). One track, known as “I Am The Walrus”, gets a second release within two weeks as it was also the flip-side of “Hello, Goodbye”

Hey! At least they released this zwonky thing in both mono and stereo!

The goofy little film aired on Boxing Day (12/26/67), and, again, on New Year’s. Notice the double-EP and 45 were both released in time for the Christmas ’67 sales. Money! Money! Money! Must be funny....in the rich man's world!

By the way, because EPs were not embraced in America (huh?! what?!), Capitol created a full-fledged album for "Magical Mystery Tour". They placed all the film songs on side one and filled up side two with the three non-LP 45s released in 1967. Superior? Got that right! The mono pressing is best (and rather scarce). I love knowing this far superior US album, which, conveniently, has since become part of the Beatles official discography, was so popular in the UK, it wound up charting. In 1976, Parlophone realized it was still selling well, they finally released the stereo version and used the same crappy Capitol tapes. This means, the crappy duophonic mixes of "Penny Lane", "Baby, You're A Rich Man" and "All You Need Is Love" were used. It’s fascinating to note, in 1971, George Martin had created fresh true stereo mixes of three songs for the German release of the US Capitol creation. “All You Need Is Love” had already been mixed to stereo in 1968 for the "Yellow Submarine" soundtrack and he created a brand new mix for "Strawberry Fields Forever". Great job there, Parlophone!

 

45: “Lady Madonna / The Inner Light” (3/15/68):

LMUKTILUK

 
 

45: “Hey Jude / Revolution” (8/30/68):

 HJUKREVUK

 


Album: “The Beatles” (11/22/68):

 WhiteUK1

Hooray! Again, they got it right and in time for Christmas ‘68! Even Capitol followed the renegotiated contract! What a great way to celebrate the band’s new company, Apple……with a big, two record set album including a poster and pin ups!

Hmm…..makes one wonder how those less fortunate ones- who once relied on the now defunct EP- acquired this release…..

Ah….but, what is this? In some distant lands, “Back In The USSR / Don’t Pass Me By” and “Ob la Di, Ob la Da / While My Guitar Gently Weeps” were released as separate singles! Isn’t that peachy?! Well, not so much for us Yankees as Capitol didn't pull any singles from the album. Imagine that. Aw, shucks……

 

Norwegian (5/15/69) (Dedicated mono mixes):

BITUSSRNorwayDPMBNorway

 
New Zealand (2/20/69):

OLDOLDNZWMGGWNZ

 

 

….and just for the hell of it, I’d thought I’d add this:

 

“On mixing “Helter Skelter”, Ken Scott recalls that Paul McCartney ordered him to fade out the stereo mix, then fade back up and down and with a final blast before Starr’s line “I’ve got blisters on my fingers.” Scott explained:

 

“Paul said ‘we've had lots of letters from fans about the differences between mono and stereo mixes so we thought if we made lots of differences we would sell twice as many records.”

 

Well! Well! Well! The Beatles wanted more revenue? What a shock! However, it must’ve really annoyed everyone back at the office in England that- in 1968- Capitol Records discontinued pressing albums in mono. With that decision, how much revenue did the label lose in America, hmm? But, the slobs at Capitol are the “greedy” ones……

 

🙄🙄🙄🙄

 

Onward……. 

 

Album: “Yellow Submarine” (1/13/69):

YSUKLP

“Yellow Submarine” and “All You Need Is Love” were both available on 45’s. The former was already available as a single, an album track, and, a compilation album track. Now, it gets to be re-released in the UK for the FOURTH time in just over two years....

There ya go! Awesome! 🙄🙄🙄🙄

Even though most waited until 1972, in some markets, record labels took liberties and decided to issue “All Together Now” / Hey Bulldog” as a single. Take a guess as to which country that 45 was not released? Can you say USA?

 

Sweden 45 (2/72):

ATNSweden

It’s interesting to note that the Beatles were concerned that this LP only featured four new songs with side two devoted to George Martin’s film score. They considered, and- nearly issued- what would’ve been a very cool UK EP playing at 33 1/3RPM. A mono master tape was compiled but that was as far as it went. In 2009, these far superior dedicated monaural mixes finally saw the light of day as part of “The Beatles In Mono” box set.

The track listing would’ve been:

Side 1:

1. Only A Northern Song

2. Hey Bulldog

3. Across The Universe

Side 2:

1. All Together Now

2. It’s All Too Much

Now, that would’ve been a nice, unique EP single. However, since all the less-fortunate fans, who relied on EP’s, had — somehow — struck it rich in ‘66, this nifty little thingie never saw the light of day. EMI stuck with the half-hearted LP.

Anyway, notice the two previously released tracks are nowhere to be found and a bonus song, “Across The Universe”, has been added. Note: The latter is the sped up rendition with the animal effects. Difference is, it’s a dedicated mono mix with a shorter fade and the animal effects on the coda are placed differently.

“Yellow Submarine” was the last UK Beatles LP to be released in monophonic. Even though there were far superior dedicated mono mixes available, and the format was being phased out, the gang in England chose to fold down the stereo version into mono. Yeah. Great idea! Note: I have the 1981 mono reissue and it sounds “lifeless”. Why? Because laziness took over the mixing desk in London!

By the way!

Nice “stereo” mixing job on “Only A Northern Song”! Only took 31 years to create one in true stereo! Good show, London!

......and one more thing.....

Have you ever compared the liner notes of the UK album versus the USA? No? Well, as we all know, this LP is a soundtrack to a very clever, animated Beatles movie. The goofy liner notes on the back of the US album jacket start off with a pseudo history lesson, and, then- appropriately- describes said movie. They also identify the major characters. Meanwhile, the stupid liner notes on the UK jacket reviews the previous album “The Beatles” (AKA: “The White Album”)! What the hell is that?! Yet another silly factor everyone forgets to mention. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

 

45: “Get Back / Don’t Let Me Down” (4/11/69) (Last UK mono and first US stereo single):

GBUKDLMDUK

 

 

It was at this point, save for one goofy flip-side, Apple/Parlophone discontinued mono Beatles releases. 

 

 

45: “The Ballad Of John & Yoko / Old Brown Shoe” (5/30/69):

TBOJAYUKOBSUK

 


Album: “Abbey Road” (9/26/69):

ARUK

 

45: “Something / Come Together” (10/6/69):

SUKCTUK


“Something / Come Together” were pulled as a single from the LP. Same in the USA. I guess, whenever it suited their fancy, it was ok to release a 45 from an LP and still insist “no singles on albums”. I’m sure there’s a justification for that……somewhere. 🙄

What about that Japanese single “Oh Darling / Here Comes The Sun” (6/5/70)?

Yeah, OK. Never mind. 

ODJapan


 
45: “Let It Be / You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)” (3/6/70):

LIBUKYKMYNUK
LIBUK1YKMNUK1
Flip side is mono.

Ooooh look! One more picture sleeve for the UK! That makes a grand total of TWO! Goodie!

 

 

Album: Let It Be” box and LP (5/8/70):

LIBUKBoxLIBUKLP

“Let It Be” and “Get Back” were both available as 45’s. Yes, I know. They are different edits/mixes, but they are still the identical takes/recordings! They are the same songs!

 
It was at this point, as a band, the Beatles called it quits.

 

In 1970, Paul sued George, John and Ringo. Ringo sued Paul, John and George. John sued Ringo, Paul and George.........and George, sued himself....accidentally.
 

However!


As an added bonus, I am including the following compilation:

 

 

Compilation: “The Beatles 1” (11/13/00):

B1

Why, you ask, am I including this thing? Well, this colorful, and best selling album, compiles all The Beatles’ number 1 hits from the UK and the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Some tracks are in monophonic!


Really?! No way! How can that be?!

 
Why not the number ones from Norway? Why not the number ones from Chile? Why not the number ones from Australia? Why not the number ones from Japan? Why not the number ones from Germany? Why not the number ones from Greece? Why not the number ones from New Zealand? Why not the number ones from Sweden? Why not the number ones from Brazil? Why not the number ones from Mexico? Why not the number ones from Belgium etc etc etc, blah blah blah blah…….. 

 
BECAUSE THE TWO BIGGEST MARKETS FOR THE BEATLES ARE THE UK, AND, THANKS TO CAPITOL RECORDS, THE USA! 


Mind you, in November, 2000, this album was released WORLDWIDE, and, once again, just in time for Christmas ($$$). It reached the top of the charts in THIRTY FIVE COUNTRIES with no one as much as whispering a tiny complaint. Especially, from the three living Beatles. Since the US releases are such a thorn in the side of so many, where’s the outcry? How is it, a compilation of hits from the UK AND THE USA, is still selling well more than twenty years after it’s release? Also, this album has been remixed and reissued, and, as an added bonus, it’s been compiled as a phenomenal video blu-ray set which includes the audio CD. Mind you, there are 3 or 4 different versions of the set available. You know……..just like the UK EP’s provided for those with low funds? I guess Capitol Records wasn’t so bad after all.

 

I’d like to add that TWENTY of the TWENTY SEVEN TRACKS were #1 hits in the USA. That’s including singles made exclusively for the US market, one double "A" side (which is cheating) and some which failed to reach the top in the UK:

 


“Love Me Do” (#17 in the UK)

“Eight Days A Week” (Released as part of an EP in the UK)

“Yesterday” (Released as the title track of a UK EP)

“Penny Lane” (The double ‘A’ side with “Strawberry Fields forever” reached #2 in the UK)

“Something” and “Come Together” ( #4 in the UK. Due to Billboard discontinuing charting flip-sides separately, both sides charted at #1 in the US)

“Let It Be” (#2 in the UK)

“The Long And Winding Road” (Not a single in the UK).

 

In the UK, NINETEEN of the TWENTY SEVEN TRACKS reached #1. That’s including both sides of two “double ‘A’ side” singles.....again, cheating. Even with that, The Beatles had less #1 hits in their home country than the USA. NOTE: This collection is slowly on it’s way to outselling every album in history. It will take some time, but, I believe, eventually, it will and that’s fine by me. With that in mind, I’d like to thank Capitol Records USA for releasing all the extra albums and 45’s which made such a huge impact on us American fans. A job, well done, guys!

 

 

Just when you thought I was finished babbling.......

 

 

I must mention, in 2004 and 2006, Apple gave the thumbs up for "The Capitol Years Volumes 1 & 2" CD sets and went full force behind 2014's "The US Albums"  CD box set. The first two boxes used the actual dreaded tapes Capitol used in the 1960s. The latter? Well! The powers that be were "going to put things right!" Yes! They were dead set on killing off any fold down/duophonic mixes created by Capitol USA! They accomplished this which actually does improve the listening experience. However, they also went out of their way to include any "exclusive mixes/versions" of songs which were only available in the Western Hemisphere.

They nearly got it all correct too.

Except, for "Yesterday...And Today".

Indeed. The quality control at Apple were asleep at the wheel and used the WRONG true stereo mix of "I'm Only Sleeping". Somehow, some way, they used the now-common stereo mix from the UK "Revolver".

You see, in 1966, at Capitol's request, EMI sent them early rough mono mixes of three songs from the upcoming "Revolver" album. The former needed these songs to flesh out their unique "Yesterday...And Today" LP (hmmmm...Capitol got the "OK" to create even more product, huh?). Because rough monos were sent, Capitol had to create duophonic mixes for the stereo pressing of the album. Shortly after, EMI sent true stereo mixes of said three songs including a completely different, alternate true stereo mix of "I'm Only Sleeping". For "The US Albums" box, the rocket scientists at Apple completely overlooked it. It was one of the main reasons I looked forward to that set (they never made a Volume 3 of "The Capitol Years"). Annoying!

 

All that aside, my question is this:

 

If the US albums were such a thorn in everyone's side, why were these sets released?

 

Could it be more revenue? Nah! None of those guys wants to make money! It's all "peace and love"!

 

Speaking of "Yesterday...And Today", along with a removable sticker version of the "trunk cover", the US albums includes the infamous "butcher cover"....

 

😳😳😳😳 

Butcher

 

Oh really?

 

I thought Sir Paul McCartney was "Mr. Gung Ho-PETA-Save-The-Seals-Whales-Cows-Pigs-Dogs-Cats-Birds-Frogs-Worms-Fish-Mosquitos-Parameciums Etc"? One would think he'd do his best to distance himself as far as possible from that debacle, no?

 

I get it!

 

"It's part of the Beatles' history! It's fun to replicate the 'let's peel the trunk and see if we have a butcher' fandango and has nothing to do with wanting to make more money!"

 

Now I understand! 🙄🙄🙄🙄

 

Hey! Don't get me wrong! I am VERY HAPPY it was included! I'm just making a point here!

 

"The Capitol Years Volumes 1 & 2" (2004 and 2006):

Capitol

 

 The U.S. Albums (2014):

USAlbums

 


…..and that’s all she wrote.

 

There you have it. I’m sure I will be adding to this blog, so, keep an eye out for additional sarcasm, yelling in caps, terrible punctuation, run-on sentences, spelling and grammatical errors from me. Have a nice day.