US Albums

The Beatles on Capitol Records:1964-1982.

Out of fear that the original American Beatles albums will be forgotten by the new generation of fans, I've decided to write this brief overview of the discs, so you can go into a used record store and know whats rubbish and what's worth a few bucks. These were some great albums, all in all, and many beat their CD counterparts by a mile. So lets take a look at these small masterpieces, shall we?
Note: The first albums, up to and including "Yesterday and Today",have little or nothing in common with British releases (i.e, 11 tracks to 14, covers,etc.).Often they sported very different mixes. So we'll point out, where warranted, the differences between contemprary CD's and the US LP's.

The album that started it all here in America. You can hardly beat an album that kicks off with "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "I Saw Her Standing There". Holds together suprisingly well, despite being patched together. Most tracks from English "With the Beatles", including the striking cover. Ever seen the film "The Rock"? Then you know how legendary this LP is. The only mix differences are due to Capitols 're-balancing' and addition of echo. And why did Capitol (or Dave Dexter) insist on this? Because they felt American audiences wouldn't care for such 'dry' sounding recordings, probably due to the wealth of reverb found on the eras Motown singles.

"Meet The Beatles" released Jan. 20, 1964

What do you get when you patch together an EP, a few singles, and some album tracks? Well, apparently one incredible rock and roll LP. Let me drop some names: "Roll Over Beethoven". "Long Tall Sally". "You Can't Do That". "I Call Your Name". "She Loves You". Need I say more? Capitol really did some 'mixing' on this one, adding lots of reverb. But thats not bad, seeing how HUGE it makes some tracks sound! A must have. Ever wonder why "Roll Over Beethoven" is mentioned so prominently on the cover? Its because Capitol had planned to release it as a single, due to the success of Capitol Canadas imported copies of their "Beethoven" 45 here in the states. The mono LP, curiously, has much less reverb.

"The Beatles Second Album": released April 10, 1964

We add this one just out of completeness. It was released here as a soundtrack to the film by United Artists, featuring the putrid instumentals of Fab tunes. Keep in mind, by the way, that whether you have a mono or stereo copy of the US version, the Beatles own songs are the stereo mixes 'folded-down' to mono...with some odd stereo 'effects' thrown in for no good reason. Nice cover though.

The American (United Artists) and British "Hard Day's Night" albums. 1964.

Little new. Capitol took this chance to release most of the Hard Day's Night tracks on their own album, complete with the leftovers from the English "HDN" album. That said, the movie songs are actually in stereo here,(with "I'll Cry Instead" in its shorter edit) and it does make a nice mix of tunes. However, the addition of "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" at the end does seem a strange choice. Some double tracking differences are evident in the U.S. mono version of "When I Get Home".

"Something New" released July 20, 1964

A double disc from Capitol that could have fit onto a single. Short interview clips(it's mostly narration of the lads' story), even shorter song clips. A bit of "Twist and Shout" from the Hollywood Bowl, and a haphazard medley of Fab hits. Stay away from this one unless you must have it all. Possibly created to win away sales from the 500 other interview LPs out at that time.

"The Beatles Story" released Nov.23, 1964

Bits and pieces of UK "Beatles For Sale" as well as the single "I Feel Fine" b/w "She's a Woman". One of the ugliest examples of Capitol 'mixing', resulting in some really muddy songs. Yet again, whoever sequenced these albums did a good job.

"Beatles '65" released Dec.15, 1964

Well, it certainly took long enough. Capitol had finally quashed Vee-Jay Records ("Introducing the Beatles"), so took it upon themselves to re-release the tracks from the U.K. "Please Please Me" album yet again here in America. Again, the mono album features simple reductions of the stereo mix, and fake stereo for "Love Me Do". Missing "Misery" and "There's a Place", not to see the light of day on Capitol until 1980! "From Me To You" was overlooked by Capitol altogether, not appearing on their label here until the "1962-1966" LPs.

"The Early Beatles": released March 22, 1965

Capitol pulls another album out from singles and "Beatles For Sale" tracks. Stereo has better mix of "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" with more audible lead guitar. Was the first release anywhere of 2 future UK "Help!" tracks, as well as "Bad Boy' and "Dizzy Miss Lizzie", supposedly recorded soley for Capitol. People have always wondered where the cover shot comes from. It's from the sessions that produced the "Beatles '65" cover, and Paul is holding an umbrella! A pretty good Rock 'n Roll album, and possibly more fondly recalled than "Beatles For Sale" is!

"Beatles VI": released June 14, 1965

Like Ken Thorne instrumentals? Then you'd like this LP, since it's full of the little buggers. Features only the songs in the film; and again, mono is stereo. Nice gatefold sleeve though. Capitol thought so too, charging a buck more than usual for this one! Don't bother me.

"Help!": released Aug. 13, 1965

The 'smoke and wood' version that influenced Brian Wilson to write "Pet Sounds". Even tho' a hatchet job, holds together like a real album. Capitol, of course, removed the more electric songs ("Drive My Car"), and replaced them with more folksy "Help!" leftovers. Features false intro on "I'm Looking Thru You" found nowhere else. Very much worth the price; still not quite as good as UK version.

"Rubber Soul": released Dec. 6, 1965

"Yesterday and Today": released June 15, 1966 (Butcher cover); June 20th new cover.

Capitol insisted on a new album but hadn't enough tracks to scrape together. So they petitioned EMI for a few new ones, and got three from the ongoing "Revolver" sessions. As a result, "I'm Only Sleeping", "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "Dr. Robert" appear here first, and sport differing mixes. The original 'butcher cover' was 'released', but never made it to stores. And its in these first pressings (and in the pasted over covers) that you'd get 'mock stereo' versions of the three "Revolver" tracks. This was rectified on all subsequent releases. Further differences include the utterance of "OK, Herb" at the ending of the mono "Dr. Robert", and the fake mono "Drive My Car". Features leftovers from "Help!", "Rubber Soul" and a single!! Please don't go looking for a butcher sleeve at the used disc shop. I would think they're all taken (but who knows?).

Here's whats leftover from the Capitol raid on the Beatles new tracks. Although why they didn't include "Paperback Writer" and "Rain" while at it is a mystery. No real mixing differences in mono or stereo versions, other than the ones already on the UK LPs.

"Revolver": released Aug. 8, 1966

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band": released June 2, 1967. Pictured w/ gatefold sleeve.

Only major difference? No dog noise or 'inner groove'. And contrary to popular belief, was released in mono in US (MAS-2653).

Since EP's never went over in America very well, Capitol padded out the British double EP songs with recent singles. Last 3 tracks are in fabricated stereo, and sound awful for the trouble. Capitol didn't want to bother waiting for the stereo mixes to arrive. Originally came with a photo booklet; Capitol did away with this in the 80's. Was a big import seller; EMI finally released this LP on Parlophone in 1976.

"Magical Mystery Tour": released Nov. 27, 1967

Rumour has it that George Harrison re-mixed the US release after hearing it at Capitol's HQ. But if he did (which no one believes), theres really no difference in US and UK versions, except for limiting and compression (needless on already bass-weak tracks), and a huge drop-out in the stereo "Cry Baby Cry".Not as elaboratley packaged here in first pressings as in England, with no black inner sleeves or a top loading cover.First Beatles album not released here in mono. Isn't it a pity.

"The Beatles" (aka The White Album): released Nov. 25, 1968

What a delightful noise! Only US difference is back cover text. Of course, there is no true mono version of this album, with only the stereo being released here in America. Went to #2 on the charts in 1969...right behind the powerful "White Album".

"Yellow Submarine": released Jan. 13, 1969

Identical, except no one told US execs not to list "Her Majesty" on the back cover, so very early (and some transitional) copies have this oversight. Capitol copies seemed to have less dynamics and bass than other versions however. The swan song? Not quite yet...

"Abbey Road": released Oct. 1, 1969

Perhaps the most well-liked of the Capitol concoctions. Side 2 has a wonderful flow to it. Only problem, Capitol discovered they hadn't enough tracks for a full album (curiously overlooking "The Inner Light", B-side of "Lady Madonna"). So, lets pull out some "Hard Day's Night" tracks! It won't sound odd, what with moving from early '64 tracks to late '68 on one album side! Original labels read "THE BEATLES AGAIN"; also the LP title in many European markets. Worth the find, so fire up that E-bay!!

"Hey Jude": released Feb. 26, 1970.

"Let It Be": released May 18, 1970

The bitter end, though a better album than many would have you believe. Compare the dead-sounding "Anthology 3" version of "I Me Mine" to this LP. Phil Spector did make a difference, good and bad. No boxed set for us Yanks, but a gatefold sleeve. Red Apple label, signifying the end of the Fabs.This red Apple not seen again until the last of the labels (original) albums, Ringos' "Blast From Your Past".

"The Beatles/ 1962-1966" and "The Beatles/ 1967-1970". Released 1973

Capitol created these discs to combat release of a bootleg box set of Fab favorites called "Alpha-Omega", being sold via TV. Unfortunately, they didn't want to bother finding (or asking for) stereo mixes of several tracks, so the first disc is especially wobbly. Even John Lennon complained about it, and publicly wished Capitol had asked him to help compile these things. As a result, the US and UK versions differ slightly even here. And can you believe, this was the first time "A Hard Days Night" appeared on a Capitol album!

Capitol, by this point, realised there would be no new Beatles albums for a while. And by 1976, the Beatles themselves had no say over how their music was re-packaged. Thus, Capitol took it upon themselves to produce what was a good idea, badly executed: All the bands raw rock songs in one double disc package. Unfortunately, what might have made a really good single LP made for a double with some questionable choices. And speaking of questionable, take a look at this cover! Both John and Ringo complained loudly about it; John had even offered to design a cover for the album (can you imagine?) but was shunned by Capitol (can you imagine?). Ringo complained the cover made the Beatles look "50's", when everyone knew they defined the 1960's! No matter, the set sold, as did the single culled from it, "Got To Get You Into My Life". The Beatles were undergoing a rennissance in the U.S., partly due to Pauls American tour and the relentless rumors about an impending reunion. As far as the music itself on the discs. the songs were NOT remixed by George Martin, but simply re-EQ'd and filtered, as well as the stereo image being accidentally reversed. Many tracks (like "Got To...") sounded all the better. The LP was eventually re-released on individual volumes, available until Capitol did away with them in the early 90s.

"Rock 'n Roll Music": Released June 7th 1976

This is the long lost live Beatles album; now longer lost than it had been when it hit #1 in 1977! Put together by long suffering George Martin from concert tapes made in 1964 and '65, this was planned to be the Christmas release (or cash-in) from Capitol in '64, but the band blocked it. Not the greatest album ever, but a LOT of fun to listen to. An additional track from the shows has since actually been released: "Babys In Black" from the Bowl showed up on the "Real Love" CD in 1996, with a very funny Lennon intro.

"The Beatles at The Hollywood Bowl": Released May 4th 1977

Capitol must have assumed Beatlemania was back to slay the disco demon. Well, not quite. And not quite as new as the live album either, a fact everyone caught onto. Ironically, this is today quite a popular album, God only knows why. Its material is self explanatory; but there IS a new mix of "Girl" on board, along with a nice lyric booklet, although, who DOESN'T know the words to these songs? Nice leather like cover, but the fabs felt it looked cheap. And THEY were anything but.

"Love Songs": Released October 21st, 1977

"Rarities" was my first Beatles album (actually bought by me, anyway) in 1981. Maybe theres a better first album than one of unusual versions of well known tracks, but I loved it. Whats better than the mono "Help!", the promo "Penny Lane", the full-length "I Am The Walrus"....AND the butcher cover on the inside sleeve? Don't confuse this, tho', with the European "Rarities" album, which is mostly tracks that had been on 45's, but never a Parlophone LP. The final Beatles album released before we lost John Lennon.

"Rarities":Released March 24th, 1980

Hey, an actual original, good idea from Capitol! Why not place all the best of the Beatles movie music on one vinyl platter? And give fans some wonderful, first ever in the U.S. stereo mixes as well? That was the marketing blitz that was "Reel Music". Record stores were inundated with posters and promos for the album, driving it to #19 in Billboard. There was even a single to promote it, "The Beatles Movie Medley", that reached #13 in the charts. Very nice packaging helped too, featuring a very cool picture book with rare shots from each fab film. Some hated the cover painting, but it WAS a clever idea. Seek out the Odeon pressing however; OUTSTANDING sound.

"Reel Music": Released March 22nd 1982

Want an example of LESS than outstanding sound? Try this LP. Capitol had a good idea (which wouldnt be fully realised or appreciated until 2000s "1"), but crammed so many songs onto both sides that the volume and overall fidelity suffered. One novel thing here was the 'edited' mix of "Hey Jude", bringing the 7:11 epic down to a 5 minute length. Yes, and lets edit out that pesky Clapton/Allman solo from "Layla" as well! Anyway, it fared poorly chartwise, making it the end of an era: this was the final Capitol Beatles compilation. The Fabs regained control over their catalog in the early 90s, bringing back Apple and phasing OUT even the cassettes of these classic LPs.

"Twenty Greatest Hits": Released October 11th, 1982.

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