The Beatles 1964 US Albums Review: Those Whacky American Versions

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Very nice reviews! Yes, for years I always though the American/Canadian albums were "real" Beatles albums. I didn't realize the difference with the UK albums until the early 80's.

[@harveycan5820]

In the 60s the Capitol albums weren't "the real" Beatles albums, the were "the only" Beatles albums! There were some odds & ends but it was Meet the Beatles, Beatles Second, Beatles '65, Something New, Early Beatles (my favorite!), etc. I didn't know about the UK records until maybe 1977/78. I still like the Capitol sound better!

[@fidelios_frequency]

Thank you Mazzy for your honest take on this. I always enjoy hearing you talk about The Beatles and the memories you have about growing up in that time. ✌🏻🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you Sir. They do sound good. Different than the uk but may be jarring to people who only know the UKs

[@ChrisThoms-v5x]

So happy to finally find someone else who loves Mr. Moonlight

[@goplad1]

Why the Beatles ever chose to cover such a dreadful song is a mystery for the ages. I know it was a chestnut from their club days. A much, much better choice would have been "Soldier Of Love", an Arthur Alexander song the Beatles performed on a BBC broadcast. Or perhaps an Everly Brothers song. Anything but "Mr. Moonbeam"!

[@larryjenkins9638]

One of my earliest memories was listening to my Brother's copy of Beatles 65, Mr. Moonlight May be hard to hear sometimes, but I won't skip it because of the history, "Soldier Of Love" is on Live At The BBC, and it's not a favorite of mine either, (John's or Marshall Crenshaw's!)

[@icm65]

It’s terrible. Almost as bad as What Goes On…

[@josmanzi2209]

Love John voice on that record that make's it 3 of us.

[@CharlyDS]

@@goplad1 Absolutely agree, Soldier Of Love is fantastic, in fact many of the songs in those BBC recordings (as per the bootleg "Pop Go The Beatles") would have been awesome inclusions in For Sale.

[@drbryant23]

The Beatles Second Album. In retrospect, the best vocal performances by two of the greatest vocalists in rock music history - Lennon (“Money”) and McCartney (“Long Tall Sally”)

[@birdy1numnum]

I'm glad I bought this so Paul and Ringo won't go hungry.

[@mazzysmusic]

@@birdy1numnum exactly 🤓😆

[@sundance8744]

The both Beatles surely not, however , I will have just a bread and water for a whole week 😅

[@ralex3697]

Not forced to buy it.

[@fordy701]

Neither will all the employees of the record company, pressing plants, raw materials suppliers, printers, transport, shops etc. It's feckin' free market economics. Paul/Ringo and the Lennon/Harrison estates will barely notice.

[@sundance8744]

What a wonderful world…😉

[@mattgregory971]

Great review Mazzy! I bought all six individually! They rock! I played them all yesterday! My favorites are The second album and Beatles 65. They are very bright and clear sounding!! Have a great weekend!

[@patriciablyler6484]

Well Mazzy, you convinced me! What the hell, it’s only money😂

[@SanAntoneRose]

I was 5-6 years old when Meet The Beatles was released. This album had quite the impact on me as a kid. The songs, the vocals, the image of the boys on the cover. I fell in love with the band. To this day I still remember playing that album on my little portable record player with the built-in speaker. It was such a great time in my life. I’ve been a record collector ever since. Always looking for that ultimate joy. I’m buying the box set.

[@matts9064]

Love the review Mazzy, and the wonderful enthusiasm you have whenever you talk Beatles. You are like an excited teenager! Awesome!

[@jasonwhiton174]

Fun! My copies just arrived! Of course, I wish we were together and Coleman could be with us and we could listen through together. Can't wait to dive in. I also have such vivid memories of getting these records as a kid at age 6 (from a family friend in 1971) and seeing the graphic designs and hearing the tracks ALWAYS bring me right back to that early excitement. The best! These records are like time machines. I'm glad you mentioned the James Bond vibe on the Hard Days Night soundtrack- it was indeed Vic Flick (James Bond Theme guitarist) playing on the instrumental "This Boy" :)

[@mjanovec]

We likely owe the Beatles success in America because Dave Dexter resisted releasing their records until “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” While he didn’t do it by design, he ensured that Capitol waited for a sure fire hit AND have enough back catalog to satisfy the appetites of fans. Timing is everything. And as you pointed out in the video, he knew how to market the Beatles with attractive album covers. The track listing for the Second Album was more necessity than design, as it was the remaining tracks Capitol had at their disposal, including the leftovers from With the Beatles, the She Loves You single, the From Me to You B-side, and two of the newly-recorded Long Tall Sally EP tracks. The well was nearly dry when Second Album was released.

[@goplad1]

At first Lennon was thrilled with Dexter's treatment of the Beatles songs and he personally told him as much. Since the original Parlophone tracks were "dry" it was a thrill for the Beatles to hear the echo effect on their songs. Eventually Lennon didn't appreciate Capitol Records for tampering with their original recordings and the "butchering" of their original British releases.

[@jamesdickinson1397]

@@goplad1 John was so fickle changing with the wind. But he sure has the right to say how he feels each and everyday. I love John.

[@UnclePaulsBeatlesPopPlayhouse]

Very nice mazzy, wonderful review, got the blue 💙 vinyl of mtb. Nice quality job. Cheers from the playhouse!

[@TheHutt]

Very nice review! You have a very sympathetic, positive way. :) As for the boxset: it is a cashgrab in the way it's priced compared to the separate releases (volume discounts work the other way round) but I was able to profit from a German amazon deal where the boxset was actually cheaper. So far, I listened to MTB (for the first time in my life, actually - I am a UK albums guy) and it was great fun, both acoustically and in terms of the album sequencing. Great mastering, top pressing quality by MPO. :)

[@mazzysmusic]

Thanks for the info!

[@JonManos]

The guitarist on Ringo's Theme was Vic Flick, who also played guitar on the original James Bond theme and passed away this past week

[@skipperhus7506]

It started in Hamburg, Germany 1960..."Mach Schau!" 1960 I was in Hamburg.I was 3 years old. 4 years later I bought my first 5 Beatles singles for 1 Mark each and had my best Birthday Party ever, dancing to the music with my friends.

[@edwardrussell5989]

Great review Mazzy. I’m in UK and delighted these are getting a release. Only a fool would compare these to the UK albums. America loved them back then and now the world can love them now

[@felixlusash]

Mazzy, Love your videos. I don’t know how Bruce Spizer could possibly know more about the Beatles than you. Seriously, you are so thorough!!!

[@goplad1]

Spizer knows all the minutia about the Beatles recordings, much of which most people aren't interested in. It's nice to have that information for the ages but the basics are what most Beatles fans are concerned with.

[@Bruce-w5i9o]

Norm, a great review as always. I’m sure they sounds great in Mono. I’m about 10 years younger than you and I first got into the Beatles (at least as far as purchasing them) by purchasing the reprocessed Stereo versions. You’re point it extremely salient: The early Beatles really rocked! We forget that. Sure from Rubber Soul on, they make unbelievable strides in songwriting & production. However, those early LP’s gives us a glimpse of the Fabs as Leather clad “bad boys” that played in Hamburg. Keep up your fine work.

[@goplad1]

The "Fabs"? I would much rather use "The Beatles" when describing them. Fabs sounds so boy band-ish.

[@eartraffic]

I LOVE your excitement here. It reminds me of ME in 1964. Same deal btw. Playing kick the can one day, and life changed the night they were on Sullivan. Everything changed! I remember listening to Meet The Beatles at a friends house. I was in freakin heaven! I could only afford singles and had them all back then. My first lp purchase was Something New, followed by Beatles '65. Saw them at Shea (thanks mom) and life changed again in the same vain only that much more intense! Being the author of the APPLELOG series of publications, of course my hearts sits with that label.. for MANY reasons that I won't go into here, but having these mono albums back on the shelf is mind blowing for me. I want to see them again on store racks :) And YES... a 2nd box id REQUIRED as a follow up (PLEASE include a butcher over as well). I saw AHDN with my cousin Janey Sue in St Louis in 64. When dad picked us up after the film he asked me if I had a good time. I pouted and said "Well all the girls were screaming thru the whole movie". He asked again "But did you have fun?" I said "Yeah... that's what I want to do when I grow up". Luckily for me, a lot of that came true for me. I'm glad to be alive to FINALLY see this happen once again. Thanks for the video and your excitement. The world will NEVER understand why we love these chopped up albums. Simple answer: They are OUR YOUTH based in sight AND sound. I can smell the air of those times when I listen to these. I can recall all my friends again. It's the fountain of youth in a box :)

[@hauskahirvi]

The first Beatles album I ever got was the Beatles' Second Album (US version) when I was in 4th or 5th grade back in the mid 70s. It was a new copy and it is a pressing from 1971. I still have it and I like it. It was my first experience listening to the Beatles. I even had a decent stereo system as a hand me down from my older brother. My brother had a first pressing (or an early pressing) of Meet The Beatles (US version). I used to listen to that one as well. The next Beatles album I got in the mid 70s was the 1963-1966 "Red" album. I still have that one as well and I really like that one too. Again, these were my introduction to the Beatles and I really like the Bond style music at the beginning of Help on the US versions.

[@davepounds8924]

Nice! I grew up listening to the American versions of these albums and this started my love for the music! I love the way these sound even though the British versions were always the way the Beatles intended them to sound Can’t wait for mine to show up!!

[@rachelsghost]

Enjoyed every minute of this, Mazzy. Still at the top of your game. Informative and entertaining. Beatles forever! ❤️🥰❤️

[@mazzysmusic]

😵‍💫😆🐰🥓

[@GoonyBoxes]

As a UK 70's teen I didn't know these existed until I bought a discography book in the 80's. I love them. I have the Capitol CD's 1 and 2 and the US Albums box from 2014, and I also have one vinyl copy of each of the original albums from the 60's. The standardisation in 1987 was a complete nonsense. These albums are an important part of music history in the world's biggest market and should always have been available. I'm already broody for Beatles VI, Help!, Rubber Soul and Yesterday and Today. 😃 I think "cash grab" is the most pathetic term ever. No one is grabbing anything. People can buy it if they want it and not buy it if they don't. I didn't want last years expanded Red and Blue so didn't buy it - no one came around to grab my cash. 😃

[@gregoryfeo6837]

The MEET THE BEATLES albums were cut for vinyl from the original master tapes using a completely analog signal path and with constant reference to first generation pressings of the original albums. They were made using a Studer A80 master recorder with analog preview & program paths, and an Neumann VMS70 cutting lathe originally installed in Capitol Studios in 1971. This specific all-analog cutting technique allows faithful representation of the full musical range and dynamics present on the original tapes.

[@paulcassidy953]

What a great review Mazzy! I’m in the UK and for me, it’s the UK versions. You have tempted me though, but I’ll stick with my Mono Boxset. All the best!

[@Stuck_in_the_70s]

Fantastic quality set if you ask me, and they sound incredible! These albums sound so much better than my original copies. Got the box set for £229 and I don’t think that’s unreasonable.

[@susanransdell5239]

i grew up with all those records and i loved them. we weren't even aware they were different from the UK versions.

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

I always like your narrative style, and this is an enjoyable video, as you take us through the albums. If I were to buy just one, I might get the UA "A Hard Day's Night." It's interesting how Capitol was able to "milk the cow," as you said, to get more LPs out, by including non-album single songs, plus having less tracks on each one. Instead of 14 songs, they usually had only 11 (Meet the Beatles and Rubber Soul had 12), and they even included the 4 "Long Tall Sally" EP songs. It's funny that they put the B-side "Thank You, Girl" on the 2nd album, but forgot about the A-side "From Me to You." Other songs, like "Misery," "There's a Place" and "I'm Down," were overlooked, too. In any case, these are all very great albums (how could they not be great- these are all Beatles songs!).

[@AlanKPet]

Thank you for the excellent review. I was 16 in 1964, saw Ed Sullivan, my parents brought home Meet the Beatles from the grocery store, I started a band and then USAF. My records were destroyed while I was away in the service. I’ve waited my entire life to hear the original Capitol releases again. Bought the blue box and was disappointed that they weren’t right. I have the 6 single LPs coming from Mike at The In Groove. I’m very excited now!!

[@timothygibbs9578]

I received my Beatles 64 box set two days ago. I’ve listened to all the records except for Beatles 65 and the Early Beatles. So far the most enjoyable record for me has been the hard days night soundtrack. I have never had access to a clean version of this album before. I think it’s just terrific. The sound quality is noticeably better versus the two earlier records in the set. I listen on some very high-end vintage audio equipment and yes, I can hear the differences between these records and the UK mono set which is superior and I consider definitive in terms of sound quality. But from my perspective, these records are vital to Beatle fans everywhere. I don’t like the fact that you have to pay an extra $120 for the box set, but that’s what I have and I’m happy with it. Some of the artwork for the album covers is not as good as the originals, but that’s pretty common in today’s marketplace. Most of the reissue vinyl that you can find in the stores has what appears to be scanned images from the original albums that don’t really look right, to say the least. But the vinyl itself in this box set is superior quality, very quiet, and I’m very satisfied with that (and I am very very picky in this department). I am partial to the early Beatles records versus their later work. As far as I’m concerned from Sergeant Pepper on, they were jumping the shark. Anybody can throw eggs at me for saying that, but that’s the way I feel. Certainly, they made some incredible music from 67 to 70, I just prefer their early work when they were functioning more as a cohesive band and Lennon and McCartney were collaborating more and Lennon was still fully engaged with the band. Overall, Me Pleased Pleased with Beatles 64 Box Set. 😁

[@jimhines5145]

Great video. I love your enthusiasm. I didn't buy the box set, but I bought everything else except for "The Beatles Story" and "The Early Beatles". My "Meet the Beatles" is the Target exclusive on blue vinyl. Didn't even know about that one until the morning it was released. I just happened to see a review of it. I was like WOW MAN! So I checked my local store and they had 4 in stock. Hallelujah, holy shit! So I had to buy it, of course. lol Thanks for the review.

[@alanabentrod3963]

Great review so many condemned these albums before seeing or hearing them. Thanks.

[@bacarandii]

When "Hard Day's Night" was released in the 1980s, I went to see it on the Big Screen at Seattle's Cinerama theater (still there -- now the SIFF Cinema Downtown), where it was playing in a newly remastered Dolby Stereo sound mix. I was with a friend who was my mother's age, and her daughter who was about 15 years younger than me. My friend stopped to acknowledge a man she recognized: "Mr. Shenson?" I would never have spotted him. But Mr. Walter Shenson proved to be a delightful, charming fellow. We talked to him for a few minutes until we had to get inside to choose our seats. I will now always think of that weekend matinee whenever I think of "A Hard Day's Night."

[@jodygoeler586]

Always great content! I hope to get mine soon. I should stop purchasing from the Beatles and the individual Beatle sites. I finally received George’s box yesterday, and the 64 box won’t be delivered until Friday. Thanks for your great posts!

[@thomashertl3037]

Many thanks for your encouraging detailed review. Since I have the Mono boxset and a couple of MFSL stereos from the 80s, I was not inclined to buy the entire US boxset but one or two individual albums. I guess I will go with the Hard Day’s Night soundtrack which is somewhat different and would be a nice addition to my Beatles collection.

[@simonbnyc]

I'm a Brit who has never heard any of the US albums but I completely understand where you're coming from. When I was 7 years old in 1964 everything was about the sheer excitement of the Beatles' music in any format regardless of how it sounded! Most of the time I heard my beloved pop music on a cheap, tiny transistor radio so an audiophile I certainly wasn't! Of course I was astonished when I first heard my very own copy of the UK "With The Beatles" on my parents' record player but it could have been the US "Meet The Beatles" and I'm sure I wouldn't have cared. And I hold my hands up guilty, but I do prefer the earlier, raw "rock n roll" Beatles albums over the "serious" later ones. By the way, the guitarist who played "Ringo's Theme" (aka "This Boy") on the soundtrack of "A Hard Day's Night" was Vic Flick, a legendary British session musician who passed away just a few days ago. He also played the famous "James Bond" theme.

[@mazzysmusic]

Perfect about the guitar player. Thank you

[@pollyhewitt5413]

Thanks Mazzy, so happy you were so pumped! Ordered from Beatles Store. Can’t wait now for arrival and to hear it after your Great review. Hopefully, will be delivered tomorrow.

[@tomgray6093]

Very exciting for all you guys across the Atlantic, something of a curiosity for us Brits! I’m intrigued to hear them though, maybe I’ll buy one just to experience the sound. Another great video Mazzy, thank you again 🎶🎶👍

[@ronfeenstra3659]

Seen several of your Beatles videos during the last few years. Really enjoyed this one!

[@jake105]

Thank god. I've been watching unboxing's most of the day. So glad you went straight to the review. I didn't buy the box set. I did buy Meet The Beatles, but it hasn't arrived yet. It's great to hear you like it and are happy with the way they sound. So exciting. Great review!

[@markcorcoran482]

I LOVE the track listing of Meet The Beatles. The highlight of The Beatles Story, as I recall, is the lads being asked if they’re millionaires, and in the course of things the queen is mentioned, and George notes that “SHE’S a millionaire.”

[@johnalello9233]

This is a great looking box set The Beatles Capitol mono they sound great just a different mix I believe Dave Dexter did a good job enjoyed your unboxing

[@johntyndall1373]

Like you, Mazzy, I went potty for Beatles '65 in December 1964. I was worried when Michael Fremer didn't like the new pressing, but thanks to your description I'm going to get it. Maybe Meet the Beatles, Second Album, and A Hard Day's Night, too.

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

About "Mr. Moonlight," I think maybe the thing that most people don't like about it is that is a musical style that sounds "square" or uncool. It sounds like the kind of music that an earlier generation (that mostly didn't like rock and roll) would have listened to. Of course, it demonstrates how the Beatles had all listened to a lot of different kinds of music. If John hadn't liked the song and its style, he never would have sung it, and the recording never would have been made. Side note: in the Star Club recording of them doing the song, they sing, "Here I am, on my nose..."

[@jimhankins3865]

great info Norman ! The early Beatles are most near and dear to my heart . They were IMO at the peak of their " initial " sound in 1964 probably with Hard Days Night . I still will offer She Loves You as my favorite track . The verse still makes hairs stand up on my arms.

[@rogercole4061]

Great review of this new Capitol versions box set! It Looks like the album covers are glossy. I still have mine that I bought in the 70s and they were not glossy, and they only came with a cheap plain paper sleeve with the Apple label on the record.

[@fordy701]

Great review Mazzy, yes they sound great for what their original intention was i.e. booming out of mono car radios/jukeboxes/cheap record players, they're not meant for pretentious audiophiles. As a UK fan I like the US mono versions as well, not the Stereos (already got the 2004 Capitol CD long boxes) except 'I Feel Fine'/'She's A Woman' where the reverb is overdone and sounds like it was recorded in an empty swimming pool. I believe George Martin had already put some reverb on the orig. UK Parlophone Single so Dexter 'ballsed it up'. Unfortunately my box has 4 discs that skip in places but looked clean. Good cosmetic quality though and sturdy. P.S. The U.S. Rubber Soul is not 'better' 😆but I agree it should be re-mastered and re-cut in analogue Mono (no Stereo panning) for the U.S. version in any future Box Set, and available on it's own, as it's so well-loved.

[@thomasdudley6514]

What I love is how you guys went from the monkees to deep purple then to the clash in a way we did the same in the 90s we went with bands of our own generation nirvana etc but I grew up with silent and boomers tastes 50s 60s 70s

[@chaffsalvo]

Ill buy the individual copies. I still have a good copy of the beatles story i bought in the 70s. I have fond memories of Meet the Beatles, 2nd album and Beatles 65

[@bacarandii]

I, too, love "Mr. Moonlight" -- an eccentric Lennon performance that ranks with "Money" and "Twist & Shout" (if not quite up there with "God" off "Plastic Ono Band"). You're right: The American versions were remixed for AM radios! That was a whole different world. Music was mostly in mono and the fanciest home hi-fi audio equipment at the time was maybe a Fisher 500C tube receiver -- while turntables had ceramic cartridges, not moving magnet or moving coil ones. Recorded/reproduced music sounded different then. It had to. I also have original and re-release (stereo and mono) LPs of most of these records on the black Capitol label with the rainbow rim (which I remember from Beatles albums up to "Magical Mystery Tour"). I will always treasure these American releases (I bought the mono/stereo mixes in the CD box sets that came out years ago), but I must admit I don't listen to them much. But I do think the Capitol "Rubber Soul" (without "Drive My Car" -- and not included in this 1964 set) makes for a more coherent proto-"folk rock" album than the Parlophone release!

[@kiel-tube4394]

Great video, Mazzy! I really like how you explain why these albums are interesting and important for every Beatles Fan, don't matter if he's American or not. I'm from Germany and I love to empathize how the Americans became acquainted with the Fab Four.

[@mazzysmusic]

Just a different style 🚀✌🏼

[@catherine6653]

Thank you, Mazzy. I'm glad these pressings turned out okay. I appreciate the Capitol records records. My My mom bought bought the originals in 64 when she was a teenager. I heard these in childhood and didn't know there was UK pressings. .

[@Brewin62]

These American and UK releases are a testament to the amazing power of the human brain. It can easily relearn the track listings on the respective releases. That said, I still associate I’ve Just Seen a Face with my Rubber Soul American release (it still plays/sounds great all these years later) and not Help. I’m with you on Beatles 65 too. No Reply and I’m a Loser are a phenomenal one two punch to lead off an album. No matter the configuration, the music speaks for itself.

[@michaelstirling1]

Mazzy, in agreement. Couldn’t shell out enough coin for the box, but 3 single discs arrived today. Meet, Second & Early. Great sounding records. Listened straight through all of them. Pretty loud. They simply sound great. Thanks for your video!

[@mazzysmusic]

Crank em up 🚀🤓🤠

[@3DBlastDotCom]

@@mazzysmusicTotal agreement on “Rubber Soul” sequencing. I’ve always referred to it as the Beatles country-folk album. “Drive My Car”, “Nowhere Man” on RS? Get ‘em outta there!

[@mazzysmusic]

@@3DBlastDotCom and they fit in Yesterday & Today 🤓🤠😆

[@SMPandanic]

glad to hear that these pressings are nice and flat! I just got the white vinyl of A Hard Day's Night and that was also the flattest record I currently own and cannot wait for these to get to me so I can play them! I own two mono pressings of these albums, an original pressing of Meet the Beatles (with the credits) and The Beatles' Second Album, Meet the Beatles album is highly scratched but sounds amazing and the Beatles' Second Album has hardly any scratches and still has it's shrink wrap from the 60's along with it's original inner sleep to keep the record in which my Meet the Beatles copy doesn't have. (also from what I heard the American Albums were being pressed into the 90's) I wonder if they have the original negative's for the album art as it doesn't seem like it with how darker they look

[@BrandonGates]

I was skeptical about these, so I only have Beatle’s 65 so far, but very impressed. I have never bothered even listening to these albums before. I got my first full set of Beatles CDs in 94 or 95 so I’ve only ever heard the UK stuff. Even my Beatles records are new represses or older stuff after Sgt.Pepper. It’s fun listening to these songs, definitely getting at least a couple more.

[@Palosrob]

Mazzy, would you consider doing a video teaching those of us who don't understand the appeal of mono how to come about and appreciate it? I'm totally open to learning, but right now I just don't get it. Thank you. Do you have a separate monophonic cartridge for when you listen to mono?

[@rocky-o]

hey mazzy..love the original inner sleeves..i used to look at those back and forth and back again..and i have to admit..back in the 60s, the album i listened to most was 'the beatles story'..possibly not a surprise with my love of spoken word albums, but i always loved the 'behind the scenes' books and magazines we had back then..sadly, that's one of the few beatles albums i purged along the way.. hope you have a great thanksgiving..i just had back surgery, but i'm hoping it'll help..peace always my friend..rocky

[@jeffreyroedel9804]

I'd love a pristine new copy of the US Rubber Soul, good call! And actually, Hey Jude too. If for nothing else than the cover art. That Hey Jude cover and the back photo are iconic, in my opinion, and would love a brand new copy. If they don't do another batch of US albums next year (because maybe this one was only for a tie-in with the documentary?), then they could put the US Rubber Soul LP into the box set for that album. Maybe that could have - LP1 New Stereo Remix, LP2 Session Outtakes, LP3 US Mono version + 7" Daytripper/We Can Work it Out single.

[@jamesdickinson1397]

Great review and love your kid opening gifts wide eyed happiness. I was the same way in 1973 when I started getting Beatles singles and albums. My Beatlemania was 1973-75 period when I loaded up on Beatles/solo anything. I got the MTB blue vinyl yesterday and it looks cool. I played it and it seems solid. I am not a fan of mono so I never really got goo goo over mono like so many do today. When I hear mono I do not really hear what others hear or think they hear. I am afraid many today are just trying to be hip when they say I want it in mono. Maybe my hearing is messed up. My first copy of this album was a early 70s Apple stereo and I always loved it and still have it. I ordered The Second album and Beatles 65 so I look forward to having them later today. Great review as you are the first video I have seen that actually talks about the quality of the records, pressing, masters and most important of all, the sound. I never knew this first album mono was a fold down of a stereo mix so that is a another American fubar. I do agree that Dexter knew what the kids wanted and how to sell this new band. I look forward to hearing the other albums and who knows I may get the other three albums. And I know if I wait to long then the ebay sellers will be asking $100 for each album.

[@yourworstnightmare5902]

Beatles 65 has always been my favorite. 14 years old and I wore those grooves out. Still have it :-)

[@kerryturner46]

I just paid $300 to confirm my previous belief that the mono versions of these recordings are vastly inferior to the stereo. I had all the original pressings and played them over and over and over until I sold them all to buy the stereo pressings in 1969, and the stereo sounded so much better. The mono mixes were made to sound good on a 3 iinch or 5 inch AM radio speaker, so the low-end and high-end of the frequency range was basically cut off. On the stereo mixes, the sparkle of things like acoustic guitar strings and the crashing of cymbals could be heard clearly. I've only listened up to Beatles '65 from my box set. It's a little better than the first three records, but still sounds llike crap compared to my 1980's (pre-digital era) copy of Beatles '65. The low end is indeed improved on these issues. But it's definitely not hi-fi. There's good lo-fi and bad lo-fi. This is bad lo-fi. But it's cool to have all these great covers and original sleeves. Takes me back. The track sheets are cool too. Also, there was a nasty skip in one spot on one of the records so far.

[@noahbody9747]

I bought all the US versions back in the early 70s, so obviously not original pressings from the mid-60s. I have to agree with you that the US version of Rubber Soul is more acoustic by removing the electric tracks. Plus there are 12 songs rather than the customary 11 songs. I like that the song, "It's Only Love" was included on the US version (which was actually on the UK version of Help). Lennon said he hated the song, but I love it. I also enjoy Lennon's singing Mr. Moonlight. Not sure why it's considered a bad cover, but to each their own.

[@750drums]

Nice review, Mazzy; thanks. Always appreciate your honest overviews.

[@revelry1969]

Cool thanks for jumping in Mazzy. Maybe I will get a couple of these. Hope they do some of the other US albums like Help! Soundtrack. Box set is allocated yet fully available on Amazon LOL 🤘🏻

[@hamlinsondra]

I got Beatles 65 for Christmas 1964 - not quite Hanika. In Detroit, in late1962, a local DJ had just returned from England. He played two versions of 'From Me To You" - one by the Beatles, the other by Del Shannon. Unsurprisingly, for the time, the DJ preferred Shannon's version. This is, to me, the earliest known playing of the Beatles in the US. It's difficult not to get caught up in your enthusiasm for the Beatles, Mazzy.

[@Onteo1]

I thought I would pass on these but now I fear I may have FOMO. Like you I saw them on Ed Sullivan’s show and wanted the meet The Beatles lp. Mom and dad weren’t keen on buying it for 8 year old me, so I learned those songs from the chipmunks lp they bought instead. I understand the attachment we have of these lps. My first was 65 and then yesterday and today. Both bought 6 or so months after release for $1.57 with my allowance. Regular new release purchases began with pepper onward. I caught up later on the missed ones with the apple releases. I’m going to see about a box set later as they will most likely repress them. For now the target Meet the Beatles will suffice. Great review as always.

[@tokyorecordstyle]

Fun review, Mazzy! Appreciate seeing your passion!

[@alangodby6147]

Mazzy I’m a bit younger than you but old enough to have grown up with listening to the Beatles with my older brother on our parents console stereo in the living room. I can remember watching them on Ed Sullivan. In our home we never missed an episode. The Capital reissues which I’m listening to right now are just as I remember them only sonically better. I love all the reissues of recent years even All Things Must Pass (which I believe is better than the original pressing). I have them all. This is how I remember the Beatles.

[@larryjenkins9638]

Great review! I was wondering about what you said about the box set "The U. S. Albums, being a disapointment? Weren't they produced from the original Capitol original tapes? I think you implied they were just copies of the 2009 remasters done by Apple? Thanks, great hearing your views, I will most likely buy individual pressings, (already have " The Beatles Story" 2 disc album on box set CD)

[@CharlyDS]

Down here we got the British albums (except for the quite essential Magical Mystery Tour LP) so I knew the US albums many years later. I really cherish them now, worst case they are compilations, and Beatles compilations are always great. Meet The Beatles is one classic after the other; but Second might be my favourite, including I Call Your Name and I'll Get You, two favourites. I prefer in general Beatles VI to '65, with Yes It Is, Bad Boy, and it's where I really came to appreciate You Like Me Too Much, I disregarded it a bit in Help!

[@jnagarya519]

I first heard "The Beatles" on Chicago radio in October, 1963. And on a New England and New York stations in November-December, 1963. I was 15. So I was somewhat prepared for their first appearances on "Ed Sullivan".

[@goplad1]

Throughout 1963 the Beatles did get regional airplay but nothing broke out nationally. "She Loves You" did get national exposure when Dick Clark previewed it on his "American Bandstand" show in the fall of '63. The kids on the show generally didn't care much for it stating you really couldn't dance to it. Within months the Beatles were the talk of the music world.

[@jnagarya519]

@@goplad1 On December 31, 1963, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was "Bubbling Under" the Top 20 of a New York radio station. The next day, January 1, 1964, it was #1 on that same station.

[@michaellauri]

Lovely in details and devotion to the work. Maybe a little less sleeve-shaking, it's not a tennis racket after all, and makes me go for my bromo fizzy. But enjoyed it all very much, thank you. Shortlisted your review.

[@timshearn8203]

Great video Mazzy. Couldn't justify the box set but did buy a couple of them individually. Think they sound great.

[@mossas1970]

Thanx for a great and honest review...I’m happy to say you made me not regretting preordering this set 😉

[@y0us3rn4m3]

I was struck by the cover of 'Meet the Beatles' which, as you pointed out, is quite different from the original version, and when you held up both versions, the difference was obvious. The replica almost looks more like 'With the Beatles' with more detail in their faces. . The other covers do look more faithful to the originals, except they are much glossier, like the UK versions.

[@gregoryfeo6837]

Mazzy Is there a breakdown of true monos and fold down? So the premise of these being Mono is not really the case?

[@michaelpdawson]

100% agree about “Mister Moonlight” and the American Rubber Soul. Not so sure about Frijid Pink!

[@mazzysmusic]

You may be the only person that reacts to my Frijid Pink comment

[@jamesdickinson1397]

@@mazzysmusic I was going to say something...I did not say anything because I do not know Frijid Pink so I can't say anything about them. ;-)

[@marklacam9748]

I love the look of that set ,I will definitely be getting that. Thanks for all the info, great as usual. Luv the show.

[@mazzysmusic]

@@marklacam9748 thank you 🤠

[@davidstanton1261]

Nice one Mazzy! Thanks for all the info and the walks down memory lane... ps I was born in 64' Hey, we have the same Rega!! I LOVE mine, how bout you??

[@jnagarya519]

I first heard "The Beatles" on Chicago radio in October, 1963. From the VJ "Introducing The Beatles" release, which was released in August-September, 1963. It was rereleased in early 1964, then rereleased a few more times in different packaging including a two-LP with a "Four Seasons" LP.

[@jnagarya519]

And in November-December, 1963, a New England radio station began playing "I Want to Hold Your Hand"; increasingly as it began getting requests. The DJ then began playing the beginning of what he represented as the B"-side of that single -- the "1-2-3-FAH" at the beginning of "I Saw Her Standing There" -- which was actually, as it turns out, the beginning of that track on the VJ LP. (Because of requests he eventually began playing that whole track.) So those who claim "Introducing The Beatles" was released in January 1964, with none of that prior history, get it wrong.

[@sharonevans6864]

Thank you Mazzy for telling it like it is. A great set, bought the box and the individual copies. People will be sorry if they pass these by. Take care and love your channel ✌ 💖

[@TheGlawton]

Great review Mazzy. Listened to B 65 today - really enjoyed it. Too Bright? Maybe. But really good. I’ll be buying more. Next purchase? HD’sN.

[@Onteo1]

The attention to detail on these pressings is amazing. Did anyone notice the BMI and ASCAP credits were missing on Meet The Beatles?

[@Igotyournumber]

The first pressing of Meet the Beatles in 1964 did not have the BMI or ASCAP credits, making it an expensive collectable over the years. Later pressings added them, but those also varied, but are not nearly as rare as the first pressing.

[@sjbang5764]

Who cares, no one, but I had all of these in mono back in 1964, including the Beatles Story. My mother was a huge fan and bought all of these back then Of course, in those days the only thing available (to me anyway) were these Capitol albums. I never heard of the imports. It never occurred to me that there was even an import. Import? What's an import? Anyway, I loved these records.

[@terrykeenan4308]

American balls rather than British balls, 😂. I love your excitement, Mazzy. I only bought A Hard Day’s Night because it was the first album I bought in the 70’s on 8 track and now I can appreciate those George Martin instrumentals to enjoy with a cocktail and feel like Austin Powers. Yeah Baby! After your review I may need to also pick up the second album, it’s one of my favorites and I only have a stereo reissue from the 80’s I bought back in the day.

[@fabfour19641]

Hi Mazzy! Of course I don’t need these records as I have the complete catalog in various formats. I am going to buy individual albums excluding Hard Days Night. It would have been great to get a complete box set with all the US albums up to Revolver. That would have been at least comparable to the 2014 Mono box set? If they release the rest of the albums? The price would be around $600?? The Uk albums in the mono box set was $350 in 2014

[@denniswood1437]

In a little over 30 minutes Mazzy captures the specific production, the sound, the album designs, the stories behind, and most of all the sheer joy and excitement of the 1964 US albums. I can't wait to get my copy of this set!

[@mazzysmusic]

I try 🤠✌🏼

[@jamesdickinson1397]

@@mazzysmusic You don't even have to try. It just flows out of you. Thanks.

[@DavidRoberts-p6d]

Thank you so much for your video. I’ve been holding off ordering these as I wanted to have a reliable opinion as to the sound quality. I wasn’t just going to buy for the packaging alone. I have the 2005 Capital CD issues and could have been happy just to stick to those. But you’ve convinced me that this new release is worth getting. Expensive? Of course, especially here in the UK. But it’s the Beatles!

[@mazzysmusic]

Try a few individuals.

[@DavidRoberts-p6d]

Thanks, Mazzy.

[@Fnortner01]

I agree about The Beatles Second Album. It's always been my favorite. I thought maybe I was alone in that opinion.

[@68wrko]

As they are mono, do you play them on your stereo in "Stereo", or do you put your system in "Mono". I wish, but I do not have a dedicated mono cartridge. Any recommendations?

[@MoneyCrespin]

One of the best review vids I’ve seen on KZbin in a while, good job! But my comment is more on the fact that you’re one of few (actually only one) that has spoken of DD jr. positively! As a second generation Beatles fan I grew up with the British versions new mastered on CD, and wasn’t til I was an adult that American and British releases were that different. But what is the honest consensus out there people, was Dave Dexter Jr that much of a bad guy??

[@mazzysmusic]

@@MoneyCrespin honest question with no easy answer. He did the job he had to do in 1964-65. Prepared the Beatles records for Americans audiences and American tastes. Would they have worked as they originally were crested ? Maybe, who knows. Until we heard the uk versions I don’t recall anyone questioning Dexters decisions ✌🏼

[@shapilier793]

I’m glad that after years of ignoring these albums, Apple is finally reissuing the US versions. Hopefully they release a 65/66 set, poor Yesterday and Today has never had a proper reissue since the 80’s

[@false_binary]

Enjoyed your coverage on this. EMI owned 96% of Capitol in the buyout. As a small business owner and committed "Parlophone Only" 😉 I have always wondered why Capitol had any first right of refusal? Vee-Jay had sold 1.3m copies by by late '64 when the rights were pulled back (Dexter heard 'I want to hold your hand' visiting London and then 'got it'). Curious if Vee-Jay really planted the seeds for Capitol to succeed and from what I can tell Capitol would have made the same mixing choices with any pop/rock act at the time (Dexter was just the executor?).

[@mazzysmusic]

Capitol supposedly knew the American market . A lot of EMI releases weren’t released by Capitol

[@kev5621]

Great review! Got mine. Blown away by the sound! Absolutely phenomenal. Hoping for a 1965 box!!

[@mazzysmusic]

Surprising good

[@Onteo1]

And I hope we get an exact replication of the butcher LP too. I’m tired of the bootlegs and their quality

[@Bondrkmz]

We have a Romy and Michelle sighting Lol Great review as always Mazzy

[@mazzysmusic]

#postits

[@rocket69218]

I'd be really interested to hear these, being a Brit I wasn't really even aware of them (other than magical mystery) until people started talking about them on KZbin. It would be cool to hear a different track listing that I'm not used to.

[@CR-Q107]

Mazzy , great Beatles video of the mono records. I enjoyed it . I found out they were made in France. It says it on the back of the box .Why is that if the recordings was from capital records shoulded they be pressed in American instead of France .

[@thinkbeatles]

I agree with you 100% dude but I wish they also put it out on CD too I love both formats. 👍

[@JohnMorton-ud6rm]

Hi, thanks for the review. Where do you get your hats?