Welcome back to TheBeatlesRarity.com. My name is Happy Nat and it’s time for another Beatles Rarity Of The Week.

One of the factors that tends to complicate the Beatles recording catalog for the completist is the mono vs. stereo issue. When The Beatles showed up on commercial vinyl in the early sixties, mono was certainly king. Beatles albums were released in both mono and stereo versions, but the stereo albums cost more (usually about a dollar more in the U.S.) and let’s face it – most of the people that were in the Beatle-audience didn’t have the right equipment to play stereo records anyway. That was for “old people” who were into symphonic music and had the money for expensive “hi-fi” equipment. Yet, one need only listen and compare to hear hundreds of differences between the mono and stereo versions of many Beatles songs. They can occur in the pitch, overdubs, vocal tracks, fade-out times, etc. To cite just one example, “From Me To You” has harmonica in the intro in mono and this is completely missing in stereo.

Another complicating factor for the completist is the differences in the way the songs were compiled (or sequenced) on LPs in various countries (primarily the U.S. and U.K). In the U.K., they generally aimed for about 14 songs per album with singles tracks not included on albums. In the U.S., albums did contain the singles tracks and usually totaled around 11 songs. So after two albums came out in the U.K., there were enough “leftovers” in the U.S. to create a third album. Another complication is that often, U.S. versions had different mixes and edits than the U.K. versions. A good example of this is “I’ll Cry Instead”. The U.S. Capitol single version has an extra verse that is not included on either the mono or stereo U.K. version.

A third complicating factor is sort of a hybrid of the above two. Since single were only issued in mono until 1969, stereo mixes of them would often not be bothered with. This presented a problem in the U.S. Capitol Records would need a stereo mix of a track for their stereo edition of an album that was only issued on a single in the U.K. A good example of this might be the single “I Feel Fine” and it’s b-side “She’s A Woman”. These songs were recorded during the sessions for the U.K. album Beatles For Sale, but no stereo mix was made because they knew those two songs were going to be issued on the mono single. However, in the U.S., Capitol Records made their shortened version of Beatles For Sale called Beatles ’65 and wanted to include both “I Feel Fine” and “She’s A Woman” on the stereo album. So what was their solution?

The answer is “fake stereo!” Fake stereo, also referred to as “rechanneled stereo” or “mock stereo” is nothing more than duplicating the single channel mono recording to produce two identical channels and then enhancing the high frequency sounds in one of them (the treble) and the low frequency sounds in the other (the bass). Of course, this isn’t really stereo because the same sounds are still heard in both speakers, but it enhances the sound a bit. Fake stereo was used often in cases like this in the sixties, and even on compilation albums in the seventies, where a mono mix needs to “pass” for a stereo mix. After this period though, fake stereo was frowned upon and avoided.

This week’s BROW feature is a recording that became a victim of fake stereo not only once, but twice. In the case of “Yes It Is”, the mono mix was prepared on February 18, 1965 for use as the b-side to the upcoming “Ticket To Ride” single. It had been recorded two days earlier with take 14 being selected as the master.

Beatles VI, released in US on June 14, 1965

Even though it was intended for a single, a stereo mix was made five days later, but apparently tucked away and forgotten about afterwards. This might have been because of an audio dropout tape defect in verse 1 on the word “I” in “remember what I said tonight”. Or it might have been due to the extraneous tone-pedal under the word “if” in the first line of the song. For whatever reason, this stereo mix was not given to Capitol in the U.S., who could’ve used one for the U.S. only Beatles VI album they were piecing together. This is why stereo pressings of Beatles VI contain a “fake stereo” mix of “Yes It Is”. Some 12 years later Capitol prepared a theme compilation album called Love Songs and decided to prepare a new “fake stereo” mix of “Yes It Is” for inclusion on the double-LP, likely still unaware that a real stereo version even existed.

So, you may ask – when did the stereo mix of “Yes It Is” get re-discovered? Well, it must have been in the mid-eighties because – would you believe? – it first surfaced on a promotional cassette tape offered by Heineken Beer in 1986! In June 1986, Heineken launched a promotion in which you could order an exclusive Beatles compilation (on cassette only) in exchange for beer can ring pulls. The tape was titled Only The Beatles and included the previously unreleased true stereo version of “Yes It Is.” Within weeks of the offer first being made, EMI/Apple sued and the tapes were quickly withdrawn. This resulted in Only The Beatles becoming perhaps the most collectable Beatles cassette of all.

Fortunately two years later in 1988, when the Past Masters Volume 1 CD made it’s appearance, the stereo “Yes It Is” made it’s debut on CD and thus, finally became part of the mainstream Beatles catalog. It was also included on the 2009 remastered version of the Past Masters CD set.

You can also hear the first “fake stereo” mix of “Yes It Is” on the Beatles VI disc included with The Capitol Albums Volume 2 box set. The second “fake stereo” mix never appeared anywhere after the Love Songs double album, which is now an obsolete part of the Beatles catalog that is long out of print, and with no plans for re-issue. This is why I’ve included this rare Love Songs mix for this week’s BROW. Naturally, it sounds very similar to the straight mono version, but enhanced as I’ve described. Enjoy…

The Beatles "Love Songs" (US 2-LP compilation set), released Oct. 21, 1977

Extra info: A complete account of take 1 of “Yes It Is” was featured on an earlier BROW that you may check out here. A hybrid of takes 2 and the completed take 14 in stereo can be heard on the CD set Beatles Anthology 2.

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, some music related to this post:

1) Past Masters (Remastered) – 2009 remastered 2-CD set of Past Masters (Vol. 1 & 2), including re-discovered 1965 stereo mix of “Yes It Is”.

2) The Capitol Albums Vol. 2 (Brick) 4 CD box set of 2006 remastered U.S. Capitol Beatles mono and stereo LP releases of 1965. Includes mono and first fake stereo mix of “Yes It Is”.

3) Anthology 2 – 1996 collection of Beatles out-takes and extras from 1965-1968. Includes a hybrid of “Yes It Is” take 2 and the completed take 14 in stereo.

4) More Amazon links for any of your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Back on New Year’s Day in 1956, rockabilly legend Carl Perkins released his single “Blue Suede Shoes” on the world famous Sun Records label. The B-side also went down in history as a classic that was covered by a long list of rock and rollers, including T.Rex, Ronnie Hawkins, Elvis Costello and, of course, The Beatles, who were very loyal Carl Perkins fans from their beginning. “Honey Don’t” was initially sang by John Lennon when The Beatles did it, but when they recorded it for their Beatles For Sale album in 1964, vocal duties were given to Ringo Starr. Twenty-one years later, in October of 1985, at Limehouse Studios in London, an impressive assembly of musicians gathered to pay tribute to Carl, known worldwide as the ‘King of Rockabilly’. Ringo showed up at the event to sing it again, only this time instead of The Beatles backing him up, it was Carl Perkins himself on guitar. Joining him was his son, Greg Perkins, on bass, Dave Edmunds on guitar, Mickey Gee on guitar, Geraint Watkins on piano and Lee Rocker on double bass. Ringo, of course, in addition to singing, is at home on his drummer’s stool. Other appearances for the show included Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Earl Slick and Rosanne Cash.

The legendary Carl Perkins is one of the often overlooked singer-songwriter-guitar players of early rock and roll. He had one big hit in the 1950′s (“Blue Suede Shoes”) before a car crash stopped the momentum of his career, just as it was getting started. He never gained the popularity or recognition that his peers, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley, achieved. However, judging by the long list of musicians who have covered his music over the years, including both Elvis Presley and The Beatles, Carl’s status as a rock and roll legend is undisputed. Carl died on January 19, 1998 at the age of 65, from throat cancer, after suffering several strokes.

Click the image above to play the video.

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, some music related to this post:

1) Carl Perkins & Friends: Blue Suede Shoes – A Rockabilly Session – 2006 DVD of entire 60 minute performance with Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Roseanne Cash, Dave Edmunds and of course Carl Perkins himself.

2) More Amazon links for any of your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Welcome to The Beatles Rarity Of The Week. I announced here back on May 3rd that Paul McCartney would be one of many artists contributing to a Buddy Holly tribute CD, Rave On Buddy Holly due for release on June 28th. This CD promises to be a real treat. Along with Paul, their are performances by The Black Keys, Modest Mouse, She & Him, Kid Rock, Patti Smith, My Morning Jacket, Fiona Apple, Nick Lowe, Graham Nash, Lou Reed and more. And they are all doing Buddy Holly classics. To get us ready, I have put together a sort of medley combining a few snippets I have gathered over the years of Paul playing Buddy Holly songs.

Paul McCartney - Buddy Holly Medley

It’s So Easy – Live, with Wings, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on September 14, 1979, as part of the 4th annual Buddy Holly Celebration. This song will be performed by Paul on the upcoming release Rave On Buddy Holly. My apologies for the somewhat inferior audio quality. This is an old audience taped recording. It’s So Easy was originally on a single of Buddy’s released in September 1958.

I’m Gonna Love You Too – Recorded in August, 1974 for Paul’s film The Backyard, which was never released. A portion of this recording can be seen in the menu music on The McCartney Years DVD set of Paul McCartney video performances. I’m Gonna Love You Too was originally on a single of Buddy’s released in September 1958.

Bo Diddley – Live, with Wings, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on September 14, 1979, as part of the 4th annual Buddy Holly Celebration. My apologies for the somewhat inferior audio quality. This is an old audience taped recording. Bo Diddley was released on a single of Buddy’s posthumously, in April 1963 and was originally released by the Bo Diddley, Elias McDaniel, in 1955.

Peggy Sue – Paul strums a little of this song on an acoustic guitar for a few seconds and emulates Buddy Holly’s singing style (circa 1985 recording). Peggy Sue was released on a single of Buddy’s in September 1957.

Words Of Love – Covered here by Paul on acoustic guitar sometime in 1985 for the film The Real Buddy Holly Story, and also covered by The Beatles (with John, Paul & George doing 3-part harmonies) on their 1964 LP Beatles For Sale. Words Of Love was originally a track on Buddy’s album Buddy Holly, released in March of 1958.

Buddy Holly & Paul McCartney

Want to make a suggestion for a future Beatles Rarity of the Week? If so, I will do my best to deliver, so let me hear from you. To browse for ideas, check out this search-able listing of thousands of Beatle-related recordings to choose from. Then let me hear from you here.

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, some music related to this post:

1) Rave On Buddy Holly – currently only available for pre-order until Jun. 28, 2011. This is a tribute to Buddy Holly featuring cover performances by The Black Keys, Modest Mouse, She & Him, Kid Rock, Patti Smith, My Morning Jacket, Fiona Apple, Nick Lowe, Graham Nash, Lou Reed and Paul McCartney performing It’s So Easy.

2) Maybe Baby: Original Soundtrack Featuring Music From And Inspired By (2000 Film) – 2000 soundtrack featuring Paul McCartney’s cover of Buddy Holly’s Maybe Baby

3) The Real Buddy Holly Story – 2004 DVD of 1987 narrative film about the life of Buddy Holly. Hosted by Paul McCartney, who performs a few of Buddy’s songs including some heard in the medley above.

4) Beatles For Sale (Remastered) – 2009 remaster of original 1964 Beatles album, featuring Buddy Holly cover Words Of Love with incredible three-part harmonies by John, Paul and George.

5) The McCartney Years – 2007 3-DVD set of Paul McCartney videos and concert performances. Includes some Buddy Holly covers in the menu music.

6) More Amazon links for any of your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Welcome to your Christmas-week BROW!

The Beatles Christmas Message Flexi-Disc issued on Dec. 18, 1964

As most fans are aware, each year from 1963 through 1969, The Beatles recorded a special Christmas greeting for their fans. The Official Beatles Fan Club in England sent flexi-discs containing the Christmas messages to its members each holiday season. Last year, I featured the 1963 message and so this year I shall post the 1964 message, simply titled Another Beatles Christmas Record. It was recorded on October 26, 1964, which was the same day they recorded What You’re Doing and Honey Don’t for their Beatles For Sale album. It was also the only flexi to play at 45rpm insead of 33 1/3 (for those of you who remember turntable settings).

Of course a newsletter was issued with the flexi-disc. It was written by The Beatles press officer Tony Barrow (who’s idea it was, by the way, to do the Christmas recordings each year, in the first place). Here is what it read:

Just a year ago The Beatles made their first Christmas record for exclusive distribution to fan club members. Now at the end of another splendid period of world-wide pop supremacy our fabulous foursome have made a second equally precious recording as a Christmas gift to the club’s 65,000 Beatle People. This disc will not be in the hit parade. Additional copies will never be pressed. The contents of this sleeve will make each fan club member the envy of numerous friends. Money can’t buy ANOTHER BEATLES CHRISTMAS RECORD – but with membership of the most with it fan club in Britain, the disc comes through your letter-box free of charge in time for yuletide parties and holiday record sessions. This is the uniquely pleasant way in which John, Paul, George and Ringo choose to say Thank You to thousands of their loyal fans throughout the nation. The Official Beatles Fan Club of Great Britain operates from special offices in Central London. National Secretaries Anne Collingham and Bettina Rose have a hard-working staff of full-time assistants to help run the club affairs. And in every country throughout the British Isles there is a local Area Secretary to look after members’ queries on a voluntary basis. Overseas you’ll find a branch of the club in more than a score of countries scattered around the globe. Each branch is run quite independently but with the authorisation and supervision of Anne and Bettina in London.

The four boys find time to pop into the club headquarters despite their hectic schedule of tours, television appearances, recording sessions, film work and broadcasts. The girls in the office still retain vivid memories of the morning Paul dropped in for a chat, joined in with the gang to stamp up a batch of membership cards and then treated the entire staff to an excellent lunch in a nearby steakhouse!

TONY BARROW

It’s been fun bringing you the BROW this year and I thank you all for being a part of my new web site home for these tributary posts. Fab holiday wishes go out to you all from me to you.

Want to make a suggestion for a future Beatles Rarity of the Week? Then let me hear from you. Read about more Beatles rarities and suggest one for me to post. You can begin by searching for different versions of specific tracks right here.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

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Wow, it’s that time of week again. TGIF everyone…

Beatles VI, US LP cover, 1965

For this weeks BROW I want to ask how many Moggers out there are old enough to remember the album Beatles VI? The featured track for this week hailed from that album here in the States but since the days of CDs (which are based on the UK albums) it’s on Beatles For Sale.

This exciting version of What You’re Doing is take 11 and was recorded on September 30, 1964. It was temporarily marked “best” until the Beatles re-made the song on October 26th. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but features a slate call, studio chat, full vocals from Paul and John, and includes a false ending which was not utilized in the final version. Enjoy…

The Beatles, 1965

Want to make a suggestion for a future Beatles Rarity of the Week? Then let me hear from you. Read about more Beatles rarities and suggest one for me to post. You can begin by searching for different versions of specific tracks right here.
Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

No related posts.