Records, CDs and Music:

Okay folks, if you’re not into Beatles vinyl geekdom then this blog post is not for you.

While I get an endless thrill (some say obsession) out of hunting down and listening to every sort of pressing minutiae most sane people I know don’t. At least you’ve been warned.

Anyway, today I thought I’d share with you some of the most prized and best sounding Beatles pressings that I’ve managed to track down over the years. I know others have talked about these same pressings but I thought I’d share some thoughts I had as I’ve been going through and doing some digital transfers of these particular Beatles pressings below.

(Note: this is the first of many in a series of my favorite Beatles pressings that I own)

First off I have to say that there’s something really special about hunting down original first pressings of The Beatles albums especially the British versions. For most of the 1960s these pressings were mastered with tube equipment which has a distinct sound of its own and can’t be reproduced with modern mastering.

That’s not to say the original pressings are the best sounding (however most times they are) but there’s a certain warmness and mid-range sound on these pressings that you can’t get on later issues. I like to experience these records as they were issued in the ’60s as that’s what the records sounded like at the time thus these original pressings, flaws and all, are a true time capsule for me which I quite enjoy.

Here are three pressings from my collection which I think are each superb sounding and should be tracked down by any true Beatles fan:

• Please Please Me – UK gold label mono first pressing
• A Hard Day’s Night – UK mono first pressing
• “Yesterday” … And Today” – lime green label record club true stereo pressing

Here’s a few quick thoughts on each.

Please Please Me – UK gold label mono first pressing:

This very first pressing of The Beatles very first album is special in more ways than one.

Firstly it’s the only pressing that features the old style gold label Parlophone label, that in itself is really cool. But it is also one heck of a great sounding disc as even if you have a beat up copy these early British pressings were made to last and even a worn looking copy probably sounds great.

Since my pressing is a fairly early copy I think (Matrix/Stampers: Side One XEX 421-1N 1P and Side Two XEX 421-1N 1L) the sound on this pressing just shines; it’s full of life and has a clarity that isn’t on later pressings.

I prefer the mono mix of this album though I do enjoy the stereo one as well. This first mono pressing is nice and punchy and jumps out of the speakers and hits on all cylinders. I also own a 1982 repress of this mono mix and while it sounds great this first pressing has a life and excitement that other pressings lack.

I know it’s becoming harder and harder to find a decent copy of this first pressing mono that won’t break the bank but if you can manage to swing it this copy does not disappoint. Even though many of the second issue UK mono copies sound great as well there’s just something special about this first issue that’s well worth seeking out.

A Hard Day’s Night – UK mono first pressing:

Here’s a case where the sound of the vinyl is way better than the way the album looks. I found this first UK mono pressing at a record store a few years ago and hemmed and hawed about buying it because the vinyl looked really worn. Since the price was right, under $20, I bit the bullet and hoped that a good cleaning would help and maybe it would at least sound decent.

I have to say that even after one quick clean my jaw hit the floor as even though it looked like this album was kicked around the floor a bit it played absolutely great and it sounded incredible! I’ve always been a fan of this album but the stereo pressings I own tend to sound a bit tinny and/or distorted on some songs – even the first pressings.

The mono mix of this album however sounds incredible and no other pressing of this albums sounds as alive and dynamic as this first mono pressing. The two songs that really stand out to me are “And I Love Her” and “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” as they are both perfection on this pressing.

For some reason “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” on all my stereo pressings seems to have a bit of sibilance that’s not on this or any other mono pressing.

I have to say that while I like the stereo mix as well there’s just something special about the mono mix. From start to finish this is my favorite early Beatles album.

“Yesterday” … And Today” – lime green label record club true stereo pressing

Okay, most of the records I’m mentioning here are British pressings but this Capitol stereo pressing is an exception and truly sounds great.

This lime green record club pressing came out in about 1969 I think, years after the first pressing from 1966.

What makes this lime green pressing so special is that unlike the first 1966 stereo pressing, EVERY song on this album is in true stereo. On true first pressings the songs “Dr. Robert”, “And Your Bird Can Sing”, and “I’m Only Sleeping” were not in true stereo but reprocessed or simulated stereo made from the mono mixes.

It wasn’t until this 1969 lime stereo pressing I believe that true stereo versions of these songs were used on the album. Not only were the songs true stereo but these mixes were exclusive to Capitol Records and the US.

There are slight differences to the UK 1966 stereo mixes which makes these stereo version unique and interesting. Not night and day just different and much better sounding than the fake stereo version on the 1966 stereo pressing.

Well that’s it for the first installment of my favorite Beatles pressings. I don’t want to over geek on the first one so I thought I’d keep it to three pressings.

Above you can see the labels of these three pressings and below there’s a photo of the cover of the mono “Please Please Me” Lp.

There’s more to come so until then I hope you are well and healthy.

See you soon …