My US Beatles Capitol LP Collection - All Vintage Pressings

[@GoonyBoxes]

I bought one copy of all the original US albums earlier this year. As a UK 70's teen I didn't know they existed until the early 80's when discography books started coming out. I love all of them. Obviously Revolver missing three John tracks doesn't enhance it greatly, but fans at the time were used to 11 tracks on an album so I doubt they were disappointed with it or even aware of the UK version. Looking at it retrospectively the US got the three missing tracks before the UK did because of their inclusion on Yesterday and Today. I think the boffins who decided on the core catalogue albums when they were released on CD and standardised in 1987 included the Capitol Magical Mystery Tour album with a degree of reluctance. It was convenient in that it contained a lot of tracks not otherwise on a core album, so it meant there was no need for a third volume of Past Masters. 😀 I'm very pleased to see the US albums being reissued on vinyl and hope we get the rest next year. They're an important part of music history in the biggest market in the world and should always be available to anyone who wants them.

[@MattHayesVinyl]

Years ago I had told myself I wouldn't buy the US Beatles releases because they weren't what the band intended (and in many cases, the Beatles were vocally opposed to Capitol's treatment of their songs). But I started changing my mind a while back because they are still a slice of history and, without the Beatlemania that engulfed the US in 1964, it's arguable that they wouldn't have been as big globally as they became (though they were of course already huge in the UK by that point). So, I have quite a few of the Capitol albums (plus A Hard Day's Night on United) but am still missing some. I still need Yesterday and Today, Beatles Story and the US version of Revolver. While the US versions aren't what I grew up with, they are still an enjoyable listen. Particularly Meet the Beatles and The Beatles Second Album, which is really well sequenced. Like you said, perhaps they aren't "audiophile" quality in some respects but they were never intended to be. They were meant to be played by teenagers on crappy turntables where volume was more important than fidelity. Really enjoyed this video, Brian!

[@kevinlylemartin1503]

I actually really like some of their Capitol releases. A lot of these albums are how I first heard Beatles' music on vinyl when I was a kid from my mom's collection, especially the early albums and I didn't really know the difference when i was really young. I have enjoyed collecting some of these albums myself like Love Songs, Rock and Roll Music and Live At The Hollywood Bowl. I was recently surprised at how good that concert actually sounded. Anyway fun stuff.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Kevin, did you check out the "Beatles: Eight Days a Week" documentary? It's the one that Ron Howard directed, from 2016, I think. Great doc, if you haven't seen it yet, but -- what I wanted to mention is that Giles Martin (son of George) worked on the Beatles "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" album and was able to use his recording technology to give the album a great remix! They were able to isolate the music and separate it from the crowd noise and thereby balance the recording, so the music is much more on top/in front on the recording. The crowd screams are much more in a controlled position under the songs and the performance, and I highly recommend you get that CD.

[@MsSteve70]

Excellent video Brian - A real treasure trove! Very much appreciated from those of us in the UK. You're right about the White Album story - George reported the audio issue back to "Big George" in London. New mono dubs were sent back over to the States with an order from EMI not to re-eq . The source of this information comes from... the 2018 white album deluxe edition book.

[@750drums]

Another fine video, Brian. Growing up with these, I got mono and stereo first pressings of all these when they came out. Haven't listened to them since I got the UK albums in 1970. Lots of copies still around in the used record shops.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Awesome collection! 😎 I really want to complete my US collection next. Pro tip - Japanese style round bottom inner sleeves slide right into original paper inner sleeves, essentially creating a poly-lined OG inner sleeve.. It's the best of both worlds.. Protecting your records, while still using the OG inners. ;-) I've been using the Invest In Vinyl brand inner sleeves for years with no issues, 50 per pack for about $13 bucks on Amazon. Can't beat it! I dislike the square "rice paper" inners because they always crease and bunch up in the corners, making the jacket puff out. JP round bottoms FTW. 👍

[@ronmartin4212]

I've only collected Scranton's on Capitol,the ARP Michigan(VJ's flagship plant)45's and LPs on Intro,along with the Allentown lp copy,VJ and Tollies Southampton,Pa(right near where I grew up!!)Yellow thin box Tollies and"VJ -first line-Vee Jay Records"-second line/black labels(copies of both labels are opposite colors,too.VJ(yellow) and Tollie(black labels)

[@ronmartin4212]

Hey,Brian,you are right on the Capitols being grainy,but the issue is with ,unfortunately for you,those LA pressings.I had a mono Pepper LA copy. and could see the graininess innyhe vinyl.Reconstitued,for sure.I could hear it,too.Traded it off and I'm in Eastern PA.near Allentown and Scranton is an hour and a half from here(even reissues were pressed in the '80's at Specialty in Oliphant,just east of Scranton,where the Capitol plant was)and Allentown's record plant in the early '60's contracted with VJ,so our region is well Beatle covered on decent originals around our area.I would shop with east coast dealers and start collecting up the Scranton Capitol colorbands and maybe selling off your LA's(you do have an immediate family,I know,can add up price wise.)Might want to look for vinyl VJ,Tollies and Swan copies,too,as Monarch in LA pressed mostly on really flimsy styrene.Beatles on styrene?!???Blasphemous!!!They wear easier,too.

[@ConglomerationCat]

Hey, great video and hope your little one is doing well Have you ever noticed that some the Apple pressings of their earlier album has the EQ kind of flat sounding? I've had some Meet The Beatles, Rubber Soul and some others sound flat on one side. Mainly a side two. Just curious. I've had a critical ear for these kinds of hits and misses.

[@davidholiday4494]

Hi Brian - i always enjoy your videos. i also really like the "Hey Jude/Beatles Again" album but always wonder why "The Inner Light" was not included. Have any ideas?

[@BrianBringelson]

@@davidholiday4494 that’s a great question. The other missing song is “I’m Down”. Both are amazing b-sides that would been great additions. I have no idea honestly. Perhaps they couldn’t find the master tapes in the US? But honestly I don’t know. Missed opportunity for sure.

[@phillipanderson7398]

Yes, I have heard the George Harrison/ White Album story before. He decided to remaster it after hearing his four songs.

[@Onteo1]

A36/B37/B35/A34 sides 1 - 4 matrix numbers on the white album were scrapped after George heard a copy. Some did get out before it was noticed, unsure how many but they are worth money. I bought my first copy several weeks after it was released but don’t have that or any of the noted label errors. I’ve seen a variation of the hey Jude lp with the back photo is on the front. Might be Mexican or Venezuelan?

[@mjanovec]

I don’t view The Beatles Story as being a Beatles album. It’s an album ABOUT the Beatles not an album BY the Beatles. That distinction saves me any concern that I need to have it in my collection. 🙂

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Yes, I grew up with that album, along with MTB, SN, Beatles 65, Help!, and Beatles VI. It is an entertaining album -- it's a documentary thing with snips of songs mixed in. So, from a collectors POV, it's worth getting. But, in my experience, it is a must have: the thing is, it's one of the albums I had as a kid, when I first discovered their music. I was a kid with headphones on and the commentary and "theatrics" of the album really opened me up to the world of the Beatles, you know? Hey, for all its "dated" style and some of the content, you can't deny that The Beatles are a phenomenon because both their music and their backstory. So, their individual stories really hit home with my soul, back when I was a kid growing up in a small town in Maryland. Plus, just the sound of the audience reaction they play near the beginning of the album really blew my mind! I was astonished by that. I did end up getting the "Beatles U.S. Albums" box set and I now have a CD copy of this album (I don't own a record player), so that's fun. I don't listen to it that often; I own a lot of Beatles documentary films, and I've read several books, so I am well-versed in much more of the details of their lives and career now, but it does truly have sentimental value for me.

[@MichaelBoltonsEntireCatalog]

That Beatles '65 Stereo is a 1968 pressing. Early Beatles is a 1983 pressing. Supposedly, US albums had a 12-song limit because of publishing rights. Again, supposedly. If anyone had any better info...

[@ronmartin4212]

Your Meet is an RCA plant copy.Second Album is an LA pressing.Something New is and LA,as well.Your '65 is the first LA copy with the stereo wording tight-spaced.Beatle VIis an LA pressing and the last on your side of the country to be issued with the label,glossy side printed.Starting with Help,the flat matte side was used.Beatles VI here in the east was the first with the flat side printed. Your Help is LA,Rubber Soul is a second press(artist label listing included)Scranton.Y&T is LA,stereo mixes on that one were initially introduced for the3 Revolver tracks on the Record Club copies from '68 on,in true stereo.Revolver is a '68 Scranton.The Pepper stereo is a Jacksonville copy.Mono wasnt shown.Mono MMT is an LA,stereo,you didn't show.The Apples should be LA pressings if the Apple color is light yellowish green.I had figured you're out on the West Coast,Brian.Yeah,George had heard the compressed mix in the White Album and had it cancelled and replaced with a better mix.Pre B-29(dead wax numbers)I believe we're those pressings and they were also Scranton's initial run involved only.

[@BrianBringelson]

@@ronmartin4212 you are amazing! Thanks for the info.

[@ronmartin4212]

@@BrianBringelson Your welcome,Brian!1st Generation fanatic,and only 62!!!Was there for the Sullivan TV watches,the cartoons on Sat.morning,we had the records,the Remco dolls,great time we saw Help in '67 on TV,(wanted to go with my brothers to see it a drive in ,in '65,wasn't allowed to go,at 3 years old.)along with the ABC showing of Shea in Jan.Did see Yellow Sub when it came out,though,first run!!

[@denniswood1437]

I prefer the Capitol single & Beatles'65 versions of "I Feel Fine"/"She's a Woman" than the UK Parlophone versions of those particular songs. The Dexter reverb really fill out the sound more on these tracks. That's not true of all the Dexter tracks though.

[@mjanovec]

Those two songs are the most extreme examples of what Dexter did. If you grew up with the UK single, the Capitol versions sound really messed up. Likewise, if you grew up with the Capitol versions, the UK single sounds dry and unexciting. I’ve learned to enjoy both versions over the years for what they are.

[@ronmartin4212]

George Martin did those mixes,not Dave Dexter.I thought he did,too,until I got the Recording Sessions book by Mark Lewisohn.They were purposely mixed for the North American market.Listed as RM either 3 or 4 for the US market(his text)

[@denniswood1437]

@@ronmartin4212 Wow, that explains why at least those two songs sound really good. Thanks!

[@ronmartin4212]

@@denniswood1437 You're welcome ,Den!!I did a true stereo mix of the '65 mixes for both for the UA Help!all vocal soundtrack,for the Capiphone project,for Universal's approval,hopefully next year.Was hoping this year,but the lp run due in Nov.negates that,for now.A lot better than the messes that are on the stereo '65 of those two.

[@denniswood1437]

@@ronmartin4212 Ron, I checked the Lewisohn Sessions book and you're absolutely right. I hope your Help project gets the greenlight next year!

[@djchancla2451]

I’m surprised you keep them in paper sleeves I have mine in Mofi sleeves

[@BrianBringelson]

@@djchancla2451 my other Beatles albums are in better sleeves. I explain later in this video why I don’t worry too much about it.

[@SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand]

@@BrianBringelsonI’ve personally found that being careful with each play (i.e. cleaning and brushing your record with each play, and then putting it in a poly lined sleeve) can improve the sound quality significantly of any record, even beatles US albums. I had an early 1970s copy of Something New on the apple label and on first play, it sounded awful but by second play after it had been cleaned, played through and put in a poly sleeve, it played NM.