Sixty-one years ago today on November 22, 1963 The Beatles released their second album in the UK called “With the Beatles”.

That day of course may be better remembered to history as the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas but still nonetheless for Beatles fans it was a day of celebration, at least in the United Kingdom.

As for US fans, many of the songs from the “With the Beatles” weren’t released in the States until January 1964 when The Beatles American record label Capitol Records issued the album “Meet the Beatles” setting off a cultural explosion that still reverberates to this day over sixty years later.

Today I am, along with Capitol Records, celebrating the January 1964 release of “Meet the Beatles” with a brand spanking new vinyl reissue of the mono version of that Capitol album that’s been released today in honor of The Beatles taking America by storm in 1964.

Also being reissued today are mono versions of “The Beatles’ Second Album”, “A Hard Day’s Night” (UA Soundtrack), “Something New”, “Beatles ‘65” and “The Early Beatles”. There’s also a limited edition box set being issued called “The Beatles: 1964 Albums in Mono” that collects all of the above albums and throws in an exclusive reissue of the 1964 double vinyl album called “The Beatles Story”.

(Note: all of these albums except “The Early Beatles” were first issued in the States in 1964. “The Early Beatles” was issued by Capitol Records in 1965 but contains songs that were issued on the 1964 Vee Jay album “Introducing the Beatles” but I’m guessing Capitol Records didn’t have the rights to issue the artwork and label for that album so they chose to reissue “The Early Beatles” instead to fill its place for the 1964 US Beatles albums)

This time I didn’t splurge for the expensive box set and have only acquired the Target exclusive blue vinyl issue of “Meet the Beatles” … so far. But I have to say this new blue vinyl version from Target sure is purdy.

The cover is also well done with sturdy card stock that has a glossy finish. There’s also a nice card stock replica of the original Capitol inner sleeve as well as a terrific small booklet that features excellent notes and photos supplied by author Bruce Spizer.

As for the sound, this newly remastered mono album sounds really nice. In fact the album practically explodes from the speakers from the first few beats of “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. There’s definitely a lot more bass than the original mono pressings from 1964 and there’s a nice clarity and punch especially to the two songs in true mono.

Most of the mixes on this mono version are fold-downs from the stereo mix meaning they weren’t dedicated mono mixes but the combination of the left and right channels mixed down from the stereo. They still pack quite a punch and the vocals are nice and clear as well.

I think the original 1964 mono pressings sound more lifeless than this particular version. You don’t notice the deficit in the folded down mixes as much on this version because the bass is much nicer. The couple of dedicated mono mixes (“I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “This Boy”) here still pack a bit more punch than the fold-downs but overall this is a much better listening experience of this mono Capitol album than the original pressing.

I think I will definitely add the new versions of “Something New” and “Beatles ’65” or maybe “A Hard Day’s Night” as those all contain true mono mixes and should sound great. You can still tell the fold-down mono mixes aren’t quite as full of life as the true mono mixes but they are improved sound wise for sure.

I do have to say this particular blue vinyl pressing is very impressive and very quiet and clean and sounds terrific; what more could you ask for?

(Note 2: the Capitol rainbow label on this new issue is the first label “Meet the Beatles” was released with without BMI or ASCAP – nice touch courtesy of Mr. Spizer)

Of course if you’re hoping for the same dynamics as the true UK mono mix of the “With the Beatles” songs that are on this album well they aren’t the same. The Capitol mixes were designed to be heard loud and clear over old portable record players and this new mastering definitely improves that sound and is actually a really nice listen.

If you want to listen to the mono Capitol 1964 albums, these are the way to go for sure.

Time will tell if I add a few more of these new pressings, and I’m guessing that I probably will, but until that time I have to say this is really a great way to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Beatles arriving in America.

Also next week a new documentary will be premiering on Disney+ called “Beatles ’64” which is a perfect tie-in for these albums and also the perfect way to experience what it was like first hand to view Beatlemania in the US in 1964.

That’s all for now and as usual you can see photos of this groovy new blue vinyl version above.

More to follow if I purchase any of the other 1964  albums that were reissued today – who am I kidding lol, I will.

Take care and be well and see you soon.