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Tracklisting & More Information
This legendary debut 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 six 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 sixteen hours.
The album took exactly six months to pass the sales figure of 250,000, and went on to sell over half a million in the UK, with world sales of almost two million.
It still holds the record for the longest continuous stay at Number One in the UK album charts.
The cover photo was taken at EMI's Manchester Square 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. This is not heard in the mono version.
CONDITION
Labels - The labels are in fantastic condition. There is no excessive spindle wear or marks, nor any writing on either side of the labels - the gold print is striking and clearly legible. This is the second batch first press with 'Northern Songs Ltd' label publishing credit for the songs I Saw Her Standing There, Misery, Do You Want To Know A Secret & There's A Place, but retains the "Dick James Mus. Co" credit for Please Please Me.
The matrices are machine stamped in the run-outs & read:
Side One: XEX 421-1N
Side Two: XEX 422-1N
Sleeve -
The "Emitex" inner is present & correct, albeit with a couple of small tears.
The front of the Ernest J Day laminated flipback picture sleeve is in nice condition with rich, vibrant colours and minimal fading. It features a large MONO logo on the far right hand side of the sleeve & the 'Angus McBean' photo credit starting under the second 's' in 'songs'. There are some areas of mild laminate creasing, but nothing too obtrusive. The four corners show scuff marks & there are some splits around the edges including a little paper loss to the top & bottom flipbacks, not the spine's flipback. The flipbacks are otherwise secure. There is a small thumbnail tear in the backing opening & a few hairline marks, with very little discolouring & there is no writing which is remarkable for this particular album's jacket. A better than average example.
The vinyl is visually in VG/VG- condition but plays VG+ & has received a deep cleanse on a top of the line Matrix machine. There are several light hairlines & surface scuffs with a few raised scratches both sides, however due to the deep grooves and superior quality of the 1960's vinyl pressings, their effect is minimised when played. Playback revealed mostly just a little light surface most noticeable inbetween tracks but non intrusive. The record does play cleanly with no major pops or clicks. Some level of 'burring' is occasionally evident in the more vibrant passages, but there is no excessive distortion & no jumps & surface noise is kept to a minimum.
All in all, a desirable VG copy, enabling you to complete your collection at a competitive 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
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