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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
The Ernest J Day laminated flipback picture sleeve is Very Good. The sleeve has some corner scuffing and light edgewear. The unlaminated rear has a little discolouration with some creasing evident on the flipbacks - however, the front cover image is still clear and bright and the colours remain rich & vivid.
The front cover 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'. The bottom flipback has 'Printed and Made by Ernest J. Day' text. These original E.J. Day covers are so tricky to find in better condition.
Labels - The labels are in nice condition with only a little cosmetic age wear. There is no excessive spindle wear nor any flaking or writing on either side. The gold print is striking and clearly legible and the 'M/T' tax code is embossed either side of the Side 1 spindle hole. This is the first pressing with this label design and 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 vinyl is visually in VG+ condition but plays to an Excellent standard. There are a fewl surface marks, paper marks & scuffs apparent on both sides, the largest being a faint hairline across Side 1, however due to the deep grooves and superior quality of the 1960's vinyl pressings, when played the effect is minimised & barely apparent.
As the music itself is not exclusive, this is less of an issue, but 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 & surface noise is kept to a minimum, especially when kept on a correct mono playback setting.
We have play tested and can confirm this is a really fantastic sounding example & it was a joy to play grade.
The Matrix Numbers are XEX 421 - 1N on side one & XEX 422 - 1N on side two.
Complete with the use 'Emitex' poly lined inner sleeve.
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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