click an image to view larger
|
|
Tracklisting & More Information
This legendary first Beatles album was released on Friday 22nd March 1963 on the Parlophone label. It topped the charts on 11th May 1963 where it stayed for 30 weeks until it was knocked off the number one spot by 'With The Beatles'. Much of the album was recorded in just one day, under the guidance of George Martin. Unusually the mono edition was issued six weeks before the stereo copies. At the time of release of the album the design of the Parlophone label was in a transition period. The label was being changed from a black and gold design to a black and yellow design. Very few mono copies of Please Please Me were issued with the black and gold labels and have become highly sought after by collectors and when found they are usually in average condition at best due to the amount of parties they were taken to.
The Beatles FIRST official L.P. release. For the ONLY time, the mono version was issued 6 weeks BEFORE the stereo version.
This album contained the "A" and "B" sides of their first two singles, plus ten new songs ALL recorded in one incredible session at Abbey Road. The session cost just £400 and lasted 16 hours.
The album took exactly 6 months to pass the sales figure of 250,000, and went on to sell over half-a-million in the U.K. with world sales of almost two million.
It still holds the record for the longest continuous stay at number 1
The cover photo was taken at EMI's Manchester Sq. headquarters by Angus McBean, and the sleeve notes are by Tony Barrow.
Whilst trying to think of catchy names for their first album release, George Martin offered the title, "Off The Beatle Track", but this was bypassed. Mr. Martin clearly liked the name, and used it himself in 1964.
MONO/STEREO DIFFERENCES
"Please Please Me" The stereo version has John making a mistake in the words of the final verse, which causes him to chuckle in the final chorus ... these are NOT heard in the mono version
LABELS
This is the second pressing of the first issue with this label design. The first pressing credits "Dick James Mus. Co" for Please Please Me, I Saw Her Standing There, Misery, Do You Want To Know A Secret & There's A Place. The second pressing credits Northern Songs for I Saw Her Standing There, Do You Want To Know A Secret, There's A Place & Misery, but retains the "Dick James Mus. Co" credit for Please Please Me.
The Matrix Numbers are XEX 421 - 1N & XEX 422 - 1N.
CONDITION
Labels - The labels look nice. There is no excessive wear & you have to take a second look to spot the name penned in biro on side one, unobtrusive to the print. The gold print is striking and clearly legible.
Vinyl - The vinyl is visually in G/G+ condition but plays VG-. Visually there are several marks apparent on both sides, however due to the deep grooves and superior quality of 1960's vinyl, when played the effect is minimised with just a light crackling evident & the occasional click. As the music itself is not exclusive, this is less of an issue, but the record does play cleanly with no skips or jumps.
Sleeve - The front of the sleeve still looks the part, despite obvious scuffs & crease marks in the laminate. The colours are still impressive. The sleeve features a large 'MONO' logo on the far right hand side & the Angus McBean photographer credit appearing under the last 's' of 'songs' bottom right, which is all clearly legible. The four corners & edges have some chipping to the paper & laminate. The flipbacks are secure & there is some foxing & discolouring & a name penned on the back. The 'Printed and Made by Ernest J. Day' text & the title on the spine is clearly readable.
The original 'Emitex' inner is clean & crisp.
All in all, a better than it looks G+ copy, enabling you to complete your collection at an advantageous price
Tracklisting :-
01. I Saw Her Standing There
02. Misery
03. Anna (Go To Him)
04. Chains
05. Boys
06. Ask Me Why
07. Please Please Me
08. Love Me Do
09. P.S. I Love You
10. Baby It's You
11. Do You Want To Know A Secret
12. A Taste Of Honey
13. There's A Place
14. Twist And Shout
LP RECORD
|