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Tracklisting & More Information
This was the Beatles' first official LP release. For the one and only time, the mono version was issued six weeks prior to the stereo version, with the stereo version available by special order only. Music shops were only shipped mono copies by default as this was then the far more common format in the UK, with stereo being the province of classical, Jazz & Hi-Fi buffs with very little penetration into the mass market.
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 U.K. with world sales of almost two million. It still holds the record for the longest continuous stay at number one.
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.
MAIN MONO/STEREO DIFFERENCES
For all the single release tracks, indeed the entire album, an alternate stereo mix was created. As the singles were often composites of several takes, this led to the stereo version of the album being different to the mono. For the mono LP, the single mixes were used.
This is most notable in the stereo version of Please Please Me, where John makes 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.
One for the Anoraks: The stereo version, unlike the mono, was mastered at the correct speed. All the mono presses were slightly fast.
SLEEVE
All first sleeves were made by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd, with large block 'stereo' on the front. The initial printing of sleeves, such as this one, had the 'Photo: Angus McBean' credit to the right of the 's' in 'songs'. The subsequent printings moved this across to a point under the 'g'.
CONDITION
The all important black and gold Parlophone labels are in superb condition. There's no writing or other blemishes, the gold text is striking and clearly legible. There are very few visible spindle marks around the centre hole.
This pressing has Dick James Music Co credit for Please Please Me, Misery, I Saw Her Standing There, There's A Place & Do You Want To Know A Secret.
The machine stamped matrix numbers and stampers in the dead vinyl confirm that this was one of the first pressed as both sides end -1.
The matrix numbers are as follows:
Side One YEX 94-1/G
Side Two YEX 95-1/R
Many copies of this album, when released, were taken to parties and played endlessly, often scratched until they were unplayable. This copy, although well loved, plays through very well & has no flaws that would cause any skips.
On close inspection, the heavyweight vinyl exhibits a number of paper scuffs, faint cosmetic blemishes and light hairlines in places. Upon playtesting, there is some minor noise between tracks and Love Me Do has a visible mark which causes a couple of 'pops' on rotation but otherwise the audio quality of this first pressing is nothing short of astonishing. Twist & Shout does not distort the way it can on most worn copies, really raising the roof. The vinyl is graded Very Good. An incredible testament to the quality of the vinyl used & the pressing quality.
The sleeve is graded Good & does show many signs of its sixty years of age, however still holds up well. The top flipback has torn with paper loss visible underneath. However, the other flipbacks are secure with just some corner scuffing. The spine also shows some wear and paper loss in places. The reverse shows minimal discolouration with all text legible.
The front of the sleeve is in great shape with rich, bright colours, very minimal laminate rippling and that all important large block 'stereo' standing proud. Both the front and reverse are free from writing which often bedevils sleeves of this period. There is a very small [but fantastic] vintage shop sticker on the reverse [Ron's Music Shop, Ilford] which we have left on but could easily be removed.
The vinyl is housed in a poly-lined EMITEXT inner.
A healthy G/VG example that plays far better than it looks, thanks to the quality of vinyl in the Sixties; this legendary album rarely surfaces and it is estimated that only around 800/1500 copies were manufactured [with this number split between 1st and 2nd press stereo variants]. This copy is a great one-owner example of a diminishing number still left in the wild. It is a great investment item as is.
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. PS 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 & Shout
LP RECORD
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