Excellent job Andrew! I have the EP collection along with both mono and stereo MMTs and the Baby It's You EP. My dream Beatles EP will always be the 4 songs they recorded in Feb '68. The 2 piano rockers Lady Madonna and Hey Bulldog on Side 1, with Across The Universe and The Inner Light on Side 2.
Great video! Regarding the She's A Woman count in. It's genuin. The session tape is available. Being a musician I know what's confusing about it. The guitar starts on beat of two, playing on beat of two and four throughout the song. But when you're listening to the song your brain automatically thinks the first hit on the guitar is the first beat but it's not, it's actually second beat. So you have to think about it like this, the guitar stabs being in capital letters: one two three four, one TWO three FOUR, one TWO three FOUR...etc
I heard this song on a US album as a kid (early 80s so unless you sought it out you got the US mixes) and with all the reverb on the US version those guitar stabs really obscure the details of drums and bass.
Without the count in, one assumes the guitar begins by playing on the first and third beats as mentioned above. However this creates an awkward entrance for the drums and bass as it seems they stumble to find the beat when they make their entrance. However with the count in, and understanding that the guitar is playing on the second and fourth beats, the drums and bass fall neatly into place and it all makes sense musically! The count in is correct and not spliced in.
The count in for She’s A Woman is correct, it’s simply double time compared to the guitar riff in the left channel. The count is in time with the double time shaker you hear in the right hand channel.
Thanks Andrew! I bought a copy of MMT from this boxset last week. It looks and sounds great, but i did wonder how it compared to an original stereo from '67 - Now i know! Very helpful.
Highly insightful. Thinking about it, excluding Magical Mystery Tour, all of the EPs I own seem to be from 1963-64, which very much supports your analysis on the format. Would you perhaps consider doing a video on the Beatles' Japanese pressings? I've long seen them held in high regard, but the few copies I have sound rather strange, in truth.
This upload is one of my favourites you've made, talking about my favourite format the 45 EP. I have many myself, Beatles, Elvis, Duane Eddy, Johnny Hallyday, it's a fantastic format, all with fabulous picture covers with 4 to 6 songs. I have all these '81 EP which I bought in Our Price about '85. I remember the salesman saying Beatles EP's were always available. Always wondered where that 'jumping' (Twist and Shout EP) shot was done, love all the info, fascinating. I know you were making comparisons but there was another 45 EP issued '95, 'Baby It's You' with the sepia cover.
I just had to click a like because the like number count was stalled at 666. Yet another interesting and informative video as always Andrew. This Yank thanks you so much. Cheers!
As always, this was a great video to watch. Thanks a lot! Made me really happy wathing your review while I am waiting for my recently bought set to arrive. Greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴
Thank you Andrew for the original and box EP information...I've been collecting (hopefully) original first pressing versions. I figured you'd have a video on the subject... Thanks again!
I am playing catch up with some of your old videos Andrew (you may have noticed!!) After watching this I have managed to get hold of a copy of the CD set after your glowing review, at a very reasonable price as well. Actually it is half the price I have seen anywhere else and after getting the Capitol Albums Vol 1 as well, I am a very happy bunny. Thanks!!! 😁 The thing is, as a kid (in the 70's) I remember my pals older brother having so many of these original EP's, plus the singles and albums as well so they are burned into my memory bank anyway. His collection would be worth a small fortune now and I know how well he still looks after all his old vinyl.
@@Parlogram The CD box arrived yesterday. It is in mint condition so very happy. It sleeves almost all state that the majority are mono but I have not had a chance to listen to them yet. Is that correct Andrew?
Another great video that I’ve just found. I bought the first three EPs when they were released, but didn’t buy another until Magical Mystery Tour. I’ve recently bought both the Singles and EP CD box sets and they both sound superb. Mint condition sets turn up on both EBay and Discogs. My favourite EP other than Magical Mystery Tour was 1964’s Five by Five by the Rolling Stones.
Although I was a Beatles fan in the 60's and started actually 'collecting' their singles and albums in the 70's, I was pretty much unaware of these UK EP's until their re-release in 1981. The attractive covers and the oddness of seeing the long gone EP format compelled me to buy them. Not in the box (don't even recall the box) but individually. They were inexpensive too. Mine have laminated covers and some with the eggshell covers. At the time - 1981 - being of course the height of new wave / punk / power pop etc. The Beatles were going thru a resurgence on the local college and indie stations. But mainly their pre-Pepper stuff only. I guess because that clean 4-piece power pop jangly sound of the early Beatles fit nicely in playlists with The Jam, Devo, The Clash, XTC, Loverboy, etc. Anyway I still have them, almost as pristine as when I bought them. Glad to hear I don't need to hunt down originals.
Just picked one of these up for the sheer novelty and because it was a very good deal money wise, but after watching this video I’m pretty excited to hear it.
I have a CD set of this. But only one vinyl copy. That would be The Beatles Hits EP. I love Tony Barrow's write up in the back of it. The "middle of 1973" saw the release of the Red and Blue Beatles's albums sets.
I had all of the originals,which were to tough to pick up here in the States.Mine were from a British guy that brought them into a store in Bucks County,Pa.I used to go to.The first 4 were Hayes inhouse text fonters,and NOT Decca farmouts,then HMV fonted farmouts were the rest of the copies,as HMV were the primary contractors for the EPs for EMI in the mid-60's.The one exception was Long Tall Sally,which was exclusively contracted,like Can't buy Me Love was,with Decca/Oriole.I had to sell everything in 2016,and the EP originals are on my reclaim list.I have the bulk of the 45's and lps back.
Great video. I did own this set back in the late 1980s but I foolishly sold a decade later. I do remember the disc with She’s a Woman, The Inner Light, This Boy and Baby You’re a Rich Man as that was the first time hearing any of those in true stereo and being from the U.S. I had never heard She’s a Woman without the echo and reverb. I do think the count in at the beginning sounds off....sounded a little fast if I remember. Thanks for posting!
Great video as always. I really hope Apple releases a EP vinyl box in the future as a companion to the singles set. And since this time they will have original art to use they can avoid all the people who complained about all the non UK pic sleeves included in that set (still so glad we didn’t get 20 generic Parlophone sleeves plus SFF/PL and LiB/YNMN., sure it would have been more accurate but not as visually interesting, and let’s face it we all have the music several times over so if they can give us something different I’m all for it)But,I’m sure if they do it it will still be called a cash grab, but for me it will be the opposite, a more affordable, quicker way to get all the EPs (which like the original singles I do not own)in one shot, with hopefully great sound as well. And then they can do a U.S. albums vinyl box too!
I did have the blue page original Hayes(not Phillips farmouts on the mono and stereo MMT originals.I need those back,too.Flat edges are the difference on these,too.All '60's pressings have a flat disc edge on them,whether 45 or EP.
Another great video... As usual...The knowledge that's offered with these videos is indeed invaluable... Always learning more things with each video... EPs are great for collecting as they do have proper sleeves with great photos unlike the 45s...The problem with them though, was that they were actually redundant (with the exception of "Long Tall Sally")... And if the formula worked in 1963 because Beatlemania in the UK was on the rise and fans would buy anything, by 1965 it was purely seen as a cash grab... What was the point in buying 4 songs you already had acquired months earlier by buying the LP? It's the same reason why this format never really took off in the US... Only if the EPs were released before the LPS or if they stayed with the "Long Tall Sally" formula there might had been be a chance for them... But then again releasing an EP before the LP would hurt the LPs' sales and the big profit was in LP selling...
I already have an, "Beatles Hits" EP and plan to buy a, "Let It Be" EP on vinyl as soon as I can. I bought the iTunes tracks already. On the singles, Thank You Girl and Don't Let Me Down both reached #35 on the Billboard charts.
Great video Andrew. I own the EP box and You've piqued my curiosity regarding the count in on "She's A Woman". I can't say that I recall hearing it before so I will relisten to it. I have the CD box version too and it's great that the MMT CD includes both stereo & mono versions over the 2 discs to replicate the vinyl version. Cheers mate 👍✌😎
@@Parlogram ok so the count in is a tad mysterious. Trying to recall if I heard it somewhere on the Anthology albums. Also noticed the sitar on "The Inner Light" seems drowned out by the flute/trumpet.
without a doubt, the finest Beatles EP release was and still is the Magical Mystery Tour 2-disc double EP from December of 1967. reason being is because it is the only EP issued in both Mono AND Stereo. both versions sound great
I've been dying to get this box set since I was 6 or 7 years old, my dad was a collector and had it a couple of times during the late 80's/early 90's. Every time I try getting it, some bounder always outbids me.
Excellent video, Andrew. As for SGE 1 EP, I have two copies, with a significant difference info on the label, one missing the credit to George Martin as producer (I believe the early issue). By the way, does anyone know when EMI stopped pressing the box? Also, it would be interesting to get a video on the first TRUE STEREO pressing in UK of some rarities (if any) like Love me do, PS I love you, Thank you girl, i’ll get you ...
I've always found the EP format a very fascinating one, certainly by the Beatles, albeit kinda from afar. Physically in my own posession I have only one, the Baby It's You EP from 1994 with BBC Radio stuff on it. A chance to lay hands, looks and ears on I've had with a further two at my older brother's, namely the My Bonnie thing with Tony Sheridan and the Magical Mystery Tour EP set. Now I know - or at least I think I know - that there are countries where interest in EPs, including ones by the Beatles, went beyond 1968, like Latin American or Mediterranean, not forgetting the Communist Block, all of which consequently went their own sweet ways of putting stuff out on EPs. So I would be very very interested in a story looking at EPs worldwide, if there's a chance!
Yes, the discographic chapter to Hunter Davies's authorized Beatles biography also states it. Should have had the four Yellow Submarine exclusive tracks, but was never released. Maybe they thought it awkward to have a Yellow Submarine EP without the song by that name...
The Beatles Hits EP was released on the 6th September 63. It seemed very unusual that Parlophone released EPs on a Wednesday when the standard release day for new product was a Friday.
A wonderful and enjoyable video as always. I actually own two EP titles...Long Tall Sally and Million Sellers, which I bought at Tower Records as imports. I have to find them again, but I'm assuming they're 70's reissues depending on the label. I also own the EP CD box set...I got lucky with that. I think it's out of print now. The sound is quite good on that as you mentioned. Will you be doing any videos on the U.S. releases...as I'm from here, I'd love to see profiles of those issues. Thanks again...
I would love to own a copy of the Beatles EP collection. What is interesting is that in the Beatles hits you don’t hear the harmonica there at the end of thank you girl. I’ve never had a piece before but I’ve had 45s so adding this box it would be great.
Are you American, or Canadian? Because for us in Europe the TYG version WITHOUT the harmonica bit at the end has always been the commonly available one. Or so I think - although I'm not sure about the German The Beatles Beat album, which I've never heard, although being from Germany...I never even KNEW about that extra bit until I first heard The Beatles' Second Album on CD on that Capitol albums box set.
@@maxmeister5064 I am American, and theMono mix does not have the harmonica mix and thank you girl like a dozen stereo mix And I checked out some other versions of like and I love her the 4 to 6 minute measure which is the unedited version off of the German a hard days night album and I love the harmonica but at the end and there is the harmonica but but after John and Paul saying that’s the kind of love that is too good to be true and then you hear the harmonica and the stereo mix I think that’s what gives that song it’s a charm it’s still a great songs out. And you can find that thank you girl version with a harmonica bed at the end on the Capitol albums volume one from the Beatles second album or you can find it on the Beatles stereo box set remastered from 2009 and the final version from 2012 which was sourced from digital going from CD to vinyl.
I never heard any EPS before I don’t even have any EPS but it would be great to on the EP collection. I do have the Beatles singles collection which is a fantastic box set of 7 inch 45s. Also on the Beatles Capitol albums volume one in the mono mix there is a version of I’ll cry instead in which the verse was used the first verse is repeated but I just added it out in the album hard days night no things like that which I love.
Really enjoyed this, thank you. I got the EP box (Ep's?) for Christmas 1981. The only one I had up until then was my copy of MMT, given to me by my brother in the late 70s. This was stereo, so I always wanted it to be the Mono in the box, never mind. Great to know the set compares well. I've long assumed the She's A Woman count-in was an edit popped in (not very well!). Look forward to the next video. PS, regarding MMT: The one my brother have me, circa 1978 he'd bought 'back in the day' - much older than me, I was born the year it came out, has 'sold in the uk' on record one only. Solid centres, -1 matrix on all but Walrus, -2. The rear sleeve has a white paste on sticker over the cat.no stating Stereo in pink. Covering unused mono sleeves maybe? Thanks again!
Re She's A Woman: why would they have popped in an edit for this version? Rather, they had to cut the count-in from the released versions because it would have given the trick away. The guitar starts on the off-beat, but when you listen to the record you assume it's the on-beat until the drums set in. That's a nice surprise which wouldn't work with the count-in. The count-in tells you what the first beat actually is: "1 (on), 2 (off), 3 (on), 4 (off)" (Paul's count-in), 1 (silent), 2 (first guitar note), etc. I believe everything is exactly as it should be.
@@aureliande2659 In the intervening 39 years, the bonus ep is undoubtedly the least played, but I've just dug it out again. I certainly 'got' the offbeat, being so striking when you first year the song as I already had the single, but it still sounds a bit fake to me anyway.
@@Parlogram The count-in is right. They very cleverly count the 4 times of the bar (1,2,3,4) and, when the song starts, they apply a pause on 1 and 3, which should have a bass-drum kick, but Ringo only plays the snare-very clever- and therefore, silence on 1 and 3 - and the guitar and snare-drum strike on 2 and 4. (One(bass-drum), Two (snare), Three (bass drum), four (snare). That's how it goes.
Very interesting. So I checked my box set and a single Magical Mystery Tour. What I found was interesting.(Got these in 81 or 82.) Box has Matrix on Walrus -2, Blue Jay-1, others are -3. They are punch out centers with Black sleeve's . My stand alone copy has same matrix's punch outs and white sleeve's. Also I have a NZ copy ,no booklet, but the cover is much brighter colors.
Used to be the same to me, as MMT was the very first album I could call my own - at age 3, when the album in its US form was to be had in Germany only as an import or, as in my case, if you had an American relation with one copy to give away 😄 recently however I'm somehow beginning to feel that the MMT album side 2 doesn't really belong there. Now some 15 years ago the MMT box set was - for a while - available again in my country, containing the 2 EPs as well as the film on DVD. I didn't go for it then nor do I think I would now, for I've always felt that four sides of only circa 5 minutes each is a bit laborious. And moreover I somehow don't like EPs to have only 3 songs. It doesn't do the format justice. I'd rather like the songs from the film on a 12 Inch 45 or short album (i. e. like Ultravox's Monument The Soundtrack), with the EP set's cover art including the book. Maybe even in the original movie running order, which would make Your Mother Should Know last. And maybe even, to make it fit that role better, with the coda of Hello Goodbye attached to it, as it was in the film. That would be great. Record Store Day people, do you hear me??
They corrected the stereo This Boy for the CD EP's box set. However the stereo mixing (to me) does not sound like a 1966 EMI stereo mix with the vocals all in the right channel. Perhaps this was really done in 1963 and author Mark Lewisohn was mistaken. Anyway, I enjoy your videos and keep 'em coming.
Hallo again. As regards the She's a Woman count-in--since you ask--Pauls' counting 8th notes (I can never remember the British term for rhythmic values--semi-quavers?) and John's guitar is playing the "ands" of each beat, i.e. the second half of the beat, therefore half a beat is missing after the count-in, because John's chords aren't on the beat. So actually, the tempo of the count-in is accurate--which doesn't necessarily mean it still wasn't flown in for the mix. Also, since you say the Japanese red ep of MMT is indeed the dedicated mono, any thoughts on comparison to Parlophone's?
I have just two vinyl EPs. They are The Beatles' Hits and Million Dollar Hits. I plan the buy a third when the remastered Let It Be hits the market. I understand there will be an EP with that set. I hope a separate vinyl will be sold, and I plan to buy one if that is the case.
Bit late in the day as with busy lives we lead but I recently copied the cd ep collection onto my phone that sounds not bad..and I did notice the tracks do actually sound great especially without any compression straight from the original analogue tapes back in 1992? Was it.. ?...seem to sound more full bodied and dynamic...funny how it slips by without noticing..especially after buying the 2009 remasters on cds....sounds more enjoyable to listen to somehow...nearly sold cd ep box set so really glad I kept them...😊
Regarding the count-in in "She's A Woman". I think Paul's counting is genuine. When you listen to Beatles live recordings, he counts in the same way. I play drums in a Beatles tribute band, and Paul's counting doesn't feel strange to me as an interpretation of the rhythm.
Would you ever consider doing a video about the scoring of the song and score for Live and Let Die? Since the score was George Martin and the song was Paul McCartney, it would be a good fit for the channel.
So I bought this box set in cd type and album MMT coming with two versions Mono and Stereo.Are good the box set and bought because found different and the sleeves too.Uchino of Japan.Thank you.
The EP is a viable format nowadays, as it is often more feasible/practical for artists to put out a couple 5-song EPs within a year or so as opposed to one full-length album.
great videos however i watch on youtube on tv and the gasp for air sound before each sentence really stands out ,often louder than each following sentence is this due to compression or ducking used during editing ? its really anoying on some videos and this one is a good example ,,,hopefully this is editied out more on future videos
I was recently given The Beatles EPS collection and one of the eps has a solid centre “Extracts From The Album A Hard Day’s Night” the rest of them are pop out why is this? Great video. Just subscribed. It’s the BEP 14 set.
I bought the 1981 set when released, but upon discovering that three of the discs used badly recycled vinyl with paper fragments imbedded in them (producing loud pops), I replaced those discs with vintage "Sold in the Uk subject to resale price conditions" pressings.
I have a copy of the Twist & Shout EP which I think is from this collection . I picked it up as part of a collection and it looks unplayed and has a factory sample sticker on it. Would samples have been issued for individual singles from this box or could it be a reissue from another time?
@@Parlogram referencing Beatles Million Sellers. Were there contract pressings? I just picked up one that the seller says is PYE. I wonder if if it might be Decca?
@@Parlogram I have to say you are right - I was very pleasantly surprised by how good they sound. Managed to pick up the CD singles box and EP box recently.
Damn :( Where were you 10 years ago when I was looking for OG Beatles vinyl. I think I bought a few lemons thinking they were worth more. I wish I could trade them and go shopping on Parlogram Auctions! lol
Another excellent and informative video! One question - were the EPs recuts sold outside the box like the Albums Box contents were, or is the box the only place to get these?
I like the McCartney-Lennon labeling on some of the early records, like all of the tracks on the Beatles' Hits EP. I guess the Lennon-McCartney labeling started with the She Loves You single. But I notice the red Love Me Do single has the Lennon-McCartney label. So which records have the McCartney-Lennon labeling? That seems more authentic and historic.
A rather odd release I remember a friend's dad having had the same cover photo as Million Sellers, but it was Strawbery Fields Forever and Penny Lane. Seemed like such an odd choice considering that photo was 2 years out of date.
Yeah you did have that occasionally. I know of a Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane edition with a shot of the Beatles looking on from inside a car, 1963. Or Hey Jude and Revolution with a kinda mock onstage shot from the Revolver period - but that was actually leaning very smartly towards both the Hey Jude and Revolution promo clips. Mind you, in those days it must have taken a while for the idea to catch on that the mop top Beatles were already gone by 1967.
So what do you think of the Let It Be EP now that its out? Yesterday I bought all the Glyn Johns mixes including the ones from the EP. I also bought Don't Let Me Down and Let It Be single tracks from the EP.
I started buying Beatles EPs in 1978. Were they re released then? It seems Discogs has 1978 releases. What is odd is I've been checking mine of late and they look to be from pressings done in 1969. Is that possible?
Great video. I started collecting these via eBay over the UK lockdown period. Any ideas as to why the Beatles’ Hits EP has a lower catalogue number that Twist and Shout? Apologies if you already mentioned it and I missed it
Beatles's Hits was scheduled to be released first but such was the demand for 'Twist & Shout', its release was brought forward. Good luck with your collecting.
The record label is the biggest give-away...... If it has the rim-text stating that it's a Parlophone, or Gramophone record then it's more likely that you're in the original ballpark..! If if the rim-text states EMI Records, then it's definitely a later 70's pressing. The Rim-Text being that text that goes around the edge of the label.... ;-) There are a few copies of Magical Mystery Tour EP that are from the early 70s that still have the original 'Gramophone Company' text on them, but they don't have the "Sold In UK" text across the centre of the label, so you know it's not an original 67 pressing..... (plus the lyric sheet in side the booklet is yellow , and not blue, as with the original copies). As for earlier EPs, just look at the rim-text, for a quick visual check...if it says "EMI Records" at the start of the text, it's a later copy!
Compression .. does anyone remember the compilations of the late 70s and the 80s? Especially in Australia, there were single LPs of the years hits and they had so many tracks on the album it just sounded horrible. I remember my parents getting the same 80s hits album on CD and even on the early CD masters of the 80s sounding a million times better
I really enjoy your videos. No fuss, all competence! But if you don't mind -- a minor mistake crept in at 6:01. The Beatles' Hits doesn't contain the two sides of their first two singles, obviously. It's the A-sides of their first two singles and both sides of their third one. Just nitpicking, sorry! Looking forward to your future videos!
Interestingly, despite the fact that This Boy was remixed in stereo in 1966, the version that appears on Past Masters is the original 1963 stereo mix.
Excellent job Andrew! I have the EP collection along with both mono and stereo MMTs and the Baby It's You EP. My dream Beatles EP will always be the 4 songs they recorded in Feb '68. The 2 piano rockers Lady Madonna and Hey Bulldog on Side 1, with Across The Universe and The Inner Light on Side 2.
I take it you’re a bit of a Beatles fan ;)
Great video! Regarding the She's A Woman count in. It's genuin. The session tape is available. Being a musician I know what's confusing about it. The guitar starts on beat of two, playing on beat of two and four throughout the song. But when you're listening to the song your brain automatically thinks the first hit on the guitar is the first beat but it's not, it's actually second beat. So you have to think about it like this, the guitar stabs being in capital letters: one two three four, one TWO three FOUR, one TWO three FOUR...etc
I heard this song on a US album as a kid (early 80s so unless you sought it out you got the US mixes) and with all the reverb on the US version those guitar stabs really obscure the details of drums and bass.
Without the count in, one assumes the guitar begins by playing on the first and third beats as mentioned above. However this creates an awkward entrance for the drums and bass as it seems they stumble to find the beat when they make their entrance. However with the count in, and understanding that the guitar is playing on the second and fourth beats, the drums and bass fall neatly into place and it all makes sense musically! The count in is correct and not spliced in.
All you have to do to know the count-in is correct is to continue counting in your head after Paul has finished. It will lign up perfectly.
I don't own anything you show on this channel except some of the 2014 mono albums, yet I find it so interesting! Keep 'em coming! 🙂
Thanks for watching, James. There's more to come!
@@Parlogram would be interested to see you do a review of the 2012 vinyl set, and/or the De Agostini set from 2017! 🙂
The count in for She’s A Woman is correct, it’s simply double time compared to the guitar riff in the left channel. The count is in time with the double time shaker you hear in the right hand channel.
Thanks Andrew! I bought a copy of MMT from this boxset last week. It looks and sounds great, but i did wonder how it compared to an original stereo from '67 - Now i know! Very helpful.
Nice one, MrSteve! Thanks for watching.
Highly insightful. Thinking about it, excluding Magical Mystery Tour, all of the EPs I own seem to be from 1963-64, which very much supports your analysis on the format.
Would you perhaps consider doing a video on the Beatles' Japanese pressings? I've long seen them held in high regard, but the few copies I have sound rather strange, in truth.
Thanks for watching. A video on Japanese vinyl is coming.
This upload is one of my favourites you've made, talking about my favourite format the 45 EP. I have many myself, Beatles, Elvis, Duane Eddy, Johnny Hallyday, it's a fantastic format, all with fabulous picture covers with 4 to 6 songs. I have all these '81 EP which I bought in Our Price about '85. I remember the salesman saying Beatles EP's were always available. Always wondered where that 'jumping' (Twist and Shout EP) shot was done, love all the info, fascinating. I know you were making comparisons but there was another 45 EP issued '95, 'Baby It's You' with the sepia cover.
Yesterday's EP has an interesting track list, each of the 4 songs has a different lead singer. Paul, Ringo, George and then John.
I just had to click a like because the like number count was stalled at 666.
Yet another interesting and informative video as always Andrew.
This Yank thanks you so much.
Cheers!
Excellent and fascinating as always. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it, Reuven.
My original copy of Twist and Shout has the side 2 label printed on both sides.
Another awesome video. I really love all the tiny details. Keep em coming please.
I love you guys! Learning more and more every new upload! Keep the great work :)
Thank you! Will do!
As always, this was a great video to watch. Thanks a lot! Made me really happy wathing your review while I am waiting for my recently bought set to arrive. Greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴
Glad you enjoyed it, Alejandro.
Thank you Andrew for the original and box EP information...I've been collecting (hopefully) original first pressing versions. I figured you'd have a video on the subject...
Thanks again!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I am playing catch up with some of your old videos Andrew (you may have noticed!!) After watching this I have managed to get hold of a copy of the CD set after your glowing review, at a very reasonable price as well. Actually it is half the price I have seen anywhere else and after getting the Capitol Albums Vol 1 as well, I am a very happy bunny. Thanks!!! 😁 The thing is, as a kid (in the 70's) I remember my pals older brother having so many of these original EP's, plus the singles and albums as well so they are burned into my memory bank anyway. His collection would be worth a small fortune now and I know how well he still looks after all his old vinyl.
Congratulations and thanks for watching!
@@Parlogram The CD box arrived yesterday. It is in mint condition so very happy. It sleeves almost all state that the majority are mono but I have not had a chance to listen to them yet. Is that correct Andrew?
Another great video that I’ve just found. I bought the first three EPs when they were released, but didn’t buy another until Magical Mystery Tour. I’ve recently bought both the Singles and EP CD box sets and they both sound superb. Mint condition sets turn up on both EBay and Discogs.
My favourite EP other than Magical Mystery Tour was 1964’s Five by Five by the Rolling Stones.
Thanks Andrew. Hope you're enjoying that CD EP set. It's superb!
Thanks for this. You are the go-to!
Although I was a Beatles fan in the 60's and started actually 'collecting' their singles and albums in the 70's, I was pretty much unaware of these UK EP's until their re-release in 1981. The attractive covers and the oddness of seeing the long gone EP format compelled me to buy them. Not in the box (don't even recall the box) but individually. They were inexpensive too. Mine have laminated covers and some with the eggshell covers. At the time - 1981 - being of course the height of new wave / punk / power pop etc. The Beatles were going thru a resurgence on the local college and indie stations. But mainly their pre-Pepper stuff only. I guess because that clean 4-piece power pop jangly sound of the early Beatles fit nicely in playlists with The Jam, Devo, The Clash, XTC, Loverboy, etc. Anyway I still have them, almost as pristine as when I bought them. Glad to hear I don't need to hunt down originals.
Just picked one of these up for the sheer novelty and because it was a very good deal money wise, but after watching this video I’m pretty excited to hear it.
Hope you enjoy it, Nathan!
Awesome knowledge you have, Andrew! Thanks for another great video. Nelio.
Thanks Nelio, glad you enjoyed it.
I have a CD set of this. But only one vinyl copy. That would be The Beatles Hits EP. I love Tony Barrow's write up in the back of it. The "middle of 1973" saw the release of the Red and Blue Beatles's albums sets.
Great video! I would love to see these EPs reissued as exact replicas of the originals.
Great video as usual...I have a few original EPs (Twist and Shout, Long Tall Sally, MMT)....the 81 box looks excellent
Wonderfully entertaining and informative as usual.The Beatles eps both look and sound excellent Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian, glad you enjoyed it.
Brilliant video as always. Superb analysis and presentation. Congratulations!
Thanks very much, Gustavo! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I had all of the originals,which were to tough to pick up here in the States.Mine were from a British guy that brought them into a store in Bucks County,Pa.I used to go to.The first 4 were Hayes inhouse text fonters,and NOT Decca farmouts,then HMV fonted farmouts were the rest of the copies,as HMV were the primary contractors for the EPs for EMI in the mid-60's.The one exception was Long Tall Sally,which was exclusively contracted,like Can't buy Me Love was,with Decca/Oriole.I had to sell everything in 2016,and the EP originals are on my reclaim list.I have the bulk of the 45's and lps back.
Thanks so much Andrew!!!
You are so welcome!
I have a full collection of FRENCH EPS. All with very cool unique covers. You should do a video on it. LOVE your channel!
Send them to me and I will 😉
Great video. I did own this set back in the late 1980s but I foolishly sold a decade later. I do remember the disc with She’s a Woman, The Inner Light, This Boy and Baby You’re a Rich Man as that was the first time hearing any of those in true stereo and being from the U.S. I had never heard She’s a Woman without the echo and reverb. I do think the count in at the beginning sounds off....sounded a little fast if I remember. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for watching!
Great video as always. I really hope Apple releases a EP vinyl box in the future as a companion to the singles set. And since this time they will have original art to use they can avoid all the people who complained about all the non UK pic sleeves included in that set (still so glad we didn’t get 20 generic Parlophone sleeves plus SFF/PL and LiB/YNMN., sure it would have been more accurate but not as visually interesting, and let’s face it we all have the music several times over so if they can give us something different I’m all for it)But,I’m sure if they do it it will still be called a cash grab, but for me it will be the opposite, a more affordable, quicker way to get all the EPs (which like the original singles I do not own)in one shot, with hopefully great sound as well. And then they can do a U.S. albums vinyl box too!
Really would love to see these EPs reissued in their original form.
I did have the blue page original Hayes(not Phillips farmouts on the mono and stereo MMT originals.I need those back,too.Flat edges are the difference on these,too.All '60's pressings have a flat disc edge on them,whether 45 or EP.
Another great video... As usual...The knowledge that's offered with these videos is indeed invaluable... Always learning more things with each video...
EPs are great for collecting as they do have proper sleeves with great photos unlike the 45s...The problem with them though, was that they were actually redundant (with the exception of "Long Tall Sally")... And if the formula worked in 1963 because Beatlemania in the UK was on the rise and fans would buy anything, by 1965 it was purely seen as a cash grab... What was the point in buying 4 songs you already had acquired months earlier by buying the LP? It's the same reason why this format never really took off in the US...
Only if the EPs were released before the LPS or if they stayed with the "Long Tall Sally" formula there might had been be a chance for them... But then again releasing an EP before the LP would hurt the LPs' sales and the big profit was in LP selling...
You make some excellent points, Dimitri. Thanks again for watching.
I already have an, "Beatles Hits" EP and plan to buy a, "Let It Be" EP on vinyl as soon as I can. I bought the iTunes tracks already. On the singles, Thank You Girl and Don't Let Me Down both reached #35 on the Billboard charts.
Hi friend
Love the videos on the best band in the world keep them videos coming I have the first pressing of the EP box set fantastic man Dave.
Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed it. More soon.
Great video Andrew. I own the EP box and You've piqued my curiosity regarding the count in on "She's A Woman". I can't say that I recall hearing it before so I will relisten to it. I have the CD box version too and it's great that the MMT CD includes both stereo & mono versions over the 2 discs to replicate the vinyl version. Cheers mate 👍✌😎
Cheers, Peter. Let me know what you think about the count.in.
@@Parlogram ok so the count in is a tad mysterious. Trying to recall if I heard it somewhere on the Anthology albums. Also noticed the sitar on "The Inner Light" seems drowned out by the flute/trumpet.
very informative! thx for the info.
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
without a doubt, the finest Beatles EP release was and still is the Magical Mystery Tour 2-disc double EP from December of 1967. reason being is because it is the only EP issued in both Mono AND Stereo. both versions sound great
I've been dying to get this box set since I was 6 or 7 years old, my dad was a collector and had it a couple of times during the late 80's/early 90's. Every time I try getting it, some bounder always outbids me.
Update: I was able to finally get this set two weeks ago, got the first version of the set.
Excellent video, Andrew. As for SGE 1 EP, I have two copies, with a significant difference info on the label, one missing the credit to George Martin as producer (I believe the early issue). By the way, does anyone know when EMI stopped pressing the box?
Also, it would be interesting to get a video on the first TRUE STEREO pressing in UK of some rarities (if any) like Love me do, PS I love you, Thank you girl, i’ll get you ...
I've always found the EP format a very fascinating one, certainly by the Beatles, albeit kinda from afar. Physically in my own posession I have only one, the Baby It's You EP from 1994 with BBC Radio stuff on it. A chance to lay hands, looks and ears on I've had with a further two at my older brother's, namely the My Bonnie thing with Tony Sheridan and the Magical Mystery Tour EP set.
Now I know - or at least I think I know - that there are countries where interest in EPs, including ones by the Beatles, went beyond 1968, like Latin American or Mediterranean, not forgetting the Communist Block, all of which consequently went their own sweet ways of putting stuff out on EPs. So I would be very very interested in a story looking at EPs worldwide, if there's a chance!
I have all of these EPS on CD.
There was talk about a planned Yellow Submarine EP, but that idea was shelved.
Yes, the discographic chapter to Hunter Davies's authorized Beatles biography also states it. Should have had the four Yellow Submarine exclusive tracks, but was never released. Maybe they thought it awkward to have a Yellow Submarine EP without the song by that name...
The Beatles Hits EP was released on the 6th September 63. It seemed very unusual that Parlophone released EPs on a Wednesday when the standard release day for new product was a Friday.
A wonderful and enjoyable video as always. I actually own two EP titles...Long Tall Sally and Million Sellers, which I bought at Tower Records as imports. I have to find them again, but I'm assuming they're 70's reissues depending on the label. I also own the EP CD box set...I got lucky with that. I think it's out of print now. The sound is quite good on that as you mentioned.
Will you be doing any videos on the U.S. releases...as I'm from here, I'd love to see profiles of those issues.
Thanks again...
Thanks for watching, Jess. I hope to be doing something on the U.S. albums somewhere down the line.
I would love to own a copy of the Beatles EP collection.
What is interesting is that in the Beatles hits you don’t hear the harmonica there at the end of thank you girl.
I’ve never had a piece before but I’ve had 45s so adding this box it would be great.
Are you American, or Canadian? Because for us in Europe the TYG version WITHOUT the harmonica bit at the end has always been the commonly available one. Or so I think - although I'm not sure about the German The Beatles Beat album, which I've never heard, although being from Germany...I never even KNEW about that extra bit until I first heard The Beatles' Second Album on CD on that Capitol albums box set.
@@maxmeister5064 I am American, and theMono mix does not have the harmonica mix and thank you girl like a dozen stereo mix
And I checked out some other versions of like and I love her the 4 to 6 minute measure which is the unedited version off of the German a hard days night album and I love the harmonica but at the end and there is the harmonica but but after John and Paul saying that’s the kind of love that is too good to be true and then you hear the harmonica and the stereo mix I think that’s what gives that song it’s a charm it’s still a great songs out. And you can find that thank you girl version with a harmonica bed at the end on the Capitol albums volume one from the Beatles second album or you can find it on the Beatles stereo box set remastered from 2009 and the final version from 2012 which was sourced from digital going from CD to vinyl.
I never heard any EPS before I don’t even have any EPS but it would be great to on the EP collection.
I do have the Beatles singles collection which is a fantastic box set of 7 inch 45s. Also on the Beatles Capitol albums volume one in the mono mix there is a version of I’ll cry instead in which the verse was used the first verse is repeated but I just added it out in the album hard days night no things like that which I love.
Really enjoyed this, thank you. I got the EP box (Ep's?) for Christmas 1981. The only one I had up until then was my copy of MMT, given to me by my brother in the late 70s. This was stereo, so I always wanted it to be the Mono in the box, never mind. Great to know the set compares well. I've long assumed the She's A Woman count-in was an edit popped in (not very well!).
Look forward to the next video.
PS, regarding MMT: The one my brother have me, circa 1978 he'd bought 'back in the day' - much older than me, I was born the year it came out, has 'sold in the uk' on record one only. Solid centres, -1 matrix on all but Walrus, -2. The rear sleeve has a white paste on sticker over the cat.no stating Stereo in pink. Covering unused mono sleeves maybe?
Thanks again!
Thanks for watching and for sharing your memories. EMI was always using up old covers/labels etc. which is just what happened on your brother's copy.
Re She's A Woman: why would they have popped in an edit for this version? Rather, they had to cut the count-in from the released versions because it would have given the trick away. The guitar starts on the off-beat, but when you listen to the record you assume it's the on-beat until the drums set in. That's a nice surprise which wouldn't work with the count-in. The count-in tells you what the first beat actually is: "1 (on), 2 (off), 3 (on), 4 (off)" (Paul's count-in), 1 (silent), 2 (first guitar note), etc. I believe everything is exactly as it should be.
@@aureliande2659 In the intervening 39 years, the bonus ep is undoubtedly the least played, but I've just dug it out again. I certainly 'got' the offbeat, being so striking when you first year the song as I already had the single, but it still sounds a bit fake to me anyway.
@@Parlogram The count-in is right. They very cleverly count the 4 times of the bar (1,2,3,4) and, when the song starts, they apply a pause on 1 and 3, which should have a bass-drum kick, but Ringo only plays the snare-very clever- and therefore, silence on 1 and 3 - and the guitar and snare-drum strike on 2 and 4. (One(bass-drum), Two (snare), Three (bass drum), four (snare). That's how it goes.
I never think of Magical Mystery Tour as anything but a double extended single and wished they they had added Hello Goodbye and Baby Your
Happily EPs reappeared from about 1977. I love Nick Lowe's 'Bowi' EP, for example.
Very interesting. So I checked my box set and a single Magical Mystery Tour. What I found was interesting.(Got these in 81 or 82.) Box has Matrix on Walrus -2, Blue Jay-1, others are -3. They are punch out centers with Black sleeve's . My stand alone copy has same matrix's punch outs and white sleeve's. Also I have a NZ copy ,no booklet, but the cover is much brighter colors.
Magical Mystery Tour to me, will always be an album.
Used to be the same to me, as MMT was the very first album I could call my own - at age 3, when the album in its US form was to be had in Germany only as an import or, as in my case, if you had an American relation with one copy to give away 😄 recently however I'm somehow beginning to feel that the MMT album side 2 doesn't really belong there. Now some 15 years ago the MMT box set was - for a while - available again in my country, containing the 2 EPs as well as the film on DVD. I didn't go for it then nor do I think I would now, for I've always felt that four sides of only circa 5 minutes each is a bit laborious. And moreover I somehow don't like EPs to have only 3 songs. It doesn't do the format justice.
I'd rather like the songs from the film on a 12 Inch 45 or short album (i. e. like Ultravox's Monument The Soundtrack), with the EP set's cover art including the book. Maybe even in the original movie running order, which would make Your Mother Should Know last. And maybe even, to make it fit that role better, with the coda of Hello Goodbye attached to it, as it was in the film. That would be great. Record Store Day people, do you hear me??
There's A Place on the Twist & Shout EP sounds better than any other pressing, including the PPM album. It just hits all the pins for me
I won´t be surprise in the future apple release another EP box set
They corrected the stereo This Boy for the CD EP's box set. However the stereo mixing (to me) does not sound like a 1966 EMI stereo mix with the vocals all in the right channel. Perhaps this was really done in 1963 and author Mark Lewisohn was mistaken. Anyway, I enjoy your videos and keep 'em coming.
Hallo again. As regards the She's a Woman count-in--since you ask--Pauls' counting 8th notes (I can never remember the British term for rhythmic values--semi-quavers?) and John's guitar is playing the "ands" of each beat, i.e. the second half of the beat, therefore half a beat is missing after the count-in, because John's chords aren't on the beat. So actually, the tempo of the count-in is accurate--which doesn't necessarily mean it still wasn't flown in for the mix. Also, since you say the Japanese red ep of MMT is indeed the dedicated mono, any thoughts on comparison to Parlophone's?
I have just two vinyl EPs. They are The Beatles' Hits and Million Dollar Hits. I plan the buy a third when the remastered Let It Be hits the market. I understand there will be an EP with that set. I hope a separate vinyl will be sold, and I plan to buy one if that is the case.
Excellent!!!
Bit late in the day as with busy lives we lead but I recently copied the cd ep collection onto my phone that sounds not bad..and I did notice the tracks do actually sound great especially without any compression straight from the original analogue tapes back in 1992? Was it.. ?...seem to sound more full bodied and dynamic...funny how it slips by without noticing..especially after buying the 2009 remasters on cds....sounds more enjoyable to listen to somehow...nearly sold cd ep box set so really glad I kept them...😊
Ha ! I bought this box set when it was released...
Regarding the count-in in "She's A Woman". I think Paul's counting is genuine. When you listen to Beatles live recordings, he counts in the same way.
I play drums in a Beatles tribute band, and Paul's counting doesn't feel strange to me as an interpretation of the rhythm.
Would you ever consider doing a video about the scoring of the song and score for Live and Let Die? Since the score was George Martin and the song was Paul McCartney, it would be a good fit for the channel.
So I bought this box set in cd type and album MMT coming with two versions Mono and Stereo.Are good the box set and bought because found different and the sleeves too.Uchino of Japan.Thank you.
Thank you for watching, Uchino.
The EP is a viable format nowadays, as it is often more feasible/practical for artists to put out a couple 5-song EPs within a year or so as opposed to one full-length album.
great videos however
i watch on youtube on tv and the gasp for air sound before each sentence really stands out ,often louder than each following sentence is this due to compression or ducking used during editing ?
its really anoying on some videos and this one is a good example ,,,hopefully this is editied out more on future videos
Our sound editing has improved since this video was first published.
I was recently given The Beatles EPS collection and one of the eps has a solid centre “Extracts From The Album A Hard Day’s Night” the rest of them are pop out why is this? Great video. Just subscribed. It’s the BEP 14 set.
The set was made up using old and new stock. The pop out centred ones date from the late 70's/ early '80's. The solid centre ones are c.mid-80's.
@@Parlogram Thank you I appreciate the info.
I bought the 1981 set when released, but upon discovering that three of the discs used badly recycled vinyl with paper fragments imbedded in them (producing loud pops), I replaced those discs with vintage "Sold in the Uk subject to resale price conditions" pressings.
The Beatles No.1 cover tells me that Ringo asks for someone to catch him for falling
I have a copy of the Twist & Shout EP which I think is from this collection . I picked it up as part of a collection and it looks unplayed and has a factory sample sticker on it. Would samples have been issued for individual singles from this box or could it be a reissue from another time?
Thank you!
You're welcome!
@@Parlogram referencing Beatles Million Sellers. Were there contract pressings? I just picked up one that the seller says is PYE. I wonder if if it might be Decca?
Just got the little CD version of this box set. From the 1990’s. Not sure how it compares in sound quality but all the sleeves look the same.
The CD box sounds great, probably better than the vinyl on the right system.
@@Parlogram I have to say you are right - I was very pleasantly surprised by how good they sound. Managed to pick up the CD singles box and EP box recently.
Damn :( Where were you 10 years ago when I was looking for OG Beatles vinyl. I think I bought a few lemons thinking they were worth more. I wish I could trade them and go shopping on Parlogram Auctions! lol
Huh, I just purchased this set today. Wasn't cheap, but there really isn't a source for English EPs where I live. Nice look at the EP history.
Thanks for watching. Enjoy the set!
Another excellent and informative video! One question - were the EPs recuts sold outside the box like the Albums Box contents were, or is the box the only place to get these?
All were available separately except the 'SGE1' bonus EP. Thanks for watching!
I like the McCartney-Lennon labeling on some of the early records, like all of the tracks on the Beatles' Hits EP. I guess the Lennon-McCartney labeling started with the She Loves You single. But I notice the red Love Me Do single has the Lennon-McCartney label. So which records have the McCartney-Lennon labeling? That seems more authentic and historic.
A rather odd release I remember a friend's dad having had the same cover photo as Million Sellers, but it was Strawbery Fields Forever and Penny Lane. Seemed like such an odd choice considering that photo was 2 years out of date.
Yeah you did have that occasionally. I know of a Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane edition with a shot of the Beatles looking on from inside a car, 1963. Or Hey Jude and Revolution with a kinda mock onstage shot from the Revolver period - but that was actually leaning very smartly towards both the Hey Jude and Revolution promo clips.
Mind you, in those days it must have taken a while for the idea to catch on that the mop top Beatles were already gone by 1967.
So what do you think of the Let It Be EP now that its out? Yesterday I bought all the Glyn Johns mixes including the ones from the EP. I also bought Don't Let Me Down and Let It Be single tracks from the EP.
Have you ever come across an original Yesterday EP with no labels on either side? I just got one in a bundle.
I went to a garage sale and found all of the original singles
I started buying Beatles EPs in 1978. Were they re released then? It seems Discogs has 1978 releases.
What is odd is I've been checking mine of late and they look to be from pressings done in 1969. Is that possible?
Is that box of MMT EP's for sale?
I'm surprised a revamped EP set hasn't been made yet. They got the new singles set, why not EPs?
Great video. I started collecting these via eBay over the UK lockdown period. Any ideas as to why the Beatles’ Hits EP has a lower catalogue number that Twist and Shout? Apologies if you already mentioned it and I missed it
Beatles's Hits was scheduled to be released first but such was the demand for 'Twist & Shout', its release was brought forward. Good luck with your collecting.
@@Parlogram Ah, I’ve been trying to find that out for ages! Thank you
how does the cd ep box compare to the cd mono box from 2009 ?
Can I tell a first issue EP from a later issue by the sleeve? Or do I have to check the record?
The record label is the biggest give-away...... If it has the rim-text stating that it's a Parlophone, or Gramophone record then it's more likely that you're in the original ballpark..! If if the rim-text states EMI Records, then it's definitely a later 70's pressing.
The Rim-Text being that text that goes around the edge of the label.... ;-)
There are a few copies of Magical Mystery Tour EP that are from the early 70s that still have the original 'Gramophone Company' text on them, but they don't have the "Sold In UK" text across the centre of the label, so you know it's not an original 67 pressing..... (plus the lyric sheet in side the booklet is yellow , and not blue, as with the original copies).
As for earlier EPs, just look at the rim-text, for a quick visual check...if it says "EMI Records" at the start of the text, it's a later copy!
Thank you Steve's Stuff :)
@@retrogameruk : You're very welcome :-)
Please review the Let It Be EP.
what red box set is that in the background?
It's 'The Beatles Mono Collection' from 1982.
Compression .. does anyone remember the compilations of the late 70s and the 80s? Especially in Australia, there were single LPs of the years hits and they had so many tracks on the album it just sounded horrible. I remember my parents getting the same 80s hits album on CD and even on the early CD masters of the 80s sounding a million times better
I have an Australian Beatles compilation with 20 tracks
@@Luke-1296 hah yep that’s the sort of thing. I never saw Beatles ones. The main ones I saw were the end of the year biggest hits that they made.
I really enjoy your videos. No fuss, all competence! But if you don't mind -- a minor mistake crept in at 6:01. The Beatles' Hits doesn't contain the two sides of their first two singles, obviously. It's the A-sides of their first two singles and both sides of their third one. Just nitpicking, sorry! Looking forward to your future videos!
I always throw in a couple, just for fun ;)
12:31 who is the 5th person (sitting on a branch) in the Nowhere Man ep cover? Someone has to know out there.
mVm
I don't know, but it would be cool to find out.
I got rid of my EP box when I bought the EP CD box. Now I get rid of nothing!
If you were a musician you would know the count-in is right....😳
Way too many commercials...makes it hard to watch.
"Alternative", please - not "alternate", which in Great Britain has an entirely different meaning!