I remember at 8 years old seeing the cover for the first time in a department store back in ‘76. I pointed it out to my mom and said, “Hey, it’s the guy from Wings”!
At the time this LP was released, my chums and I were running a dance DJ business, playing music at school dances, weddings, company parties, et cetera. This album was a godsend for us, because it put all the danceable Beatles songs in one package. The mix was perfect for the kind of portable PA systems we used: very compressed, just enough stereo without the silly over-separation of the early stereo mixes. (Note: when playing "stereo remixes" of older music, we would often switch our mixing desk to Mono, because otherwise the dancers closest to the 'left' channel speakers would not hear any vocals, which had been hard-panned to the right. This LP solved that problem.)
I stumbled across this album in a record shop a few years ago and bought it. I had never seen it before! The cover art is just so hideous (particularly those oversized hands that are meant to be holding the record) 😂
This album helped get "Hey Bulldog" the recognition it deserved, and I'm thankful for that! During the Bicentennial party in downtown Manhattan on July 4, 1976, someone put two huge speakers on a balcony over Broadway by Courtlandt Street & played this album loud, resulting in an impulse dance party on Broadway! That was one of many highlights of that magical day.
If you have to ask if it’s a cash grab… 😂. But the funny thing about the Beatles is that these compilation albums were SOMEONE’S first foray into the band, just like when I was a kid, my first Beatle “album” was the Red Album on cassette. Meaning that track listing and order will forever live in my heart. So there’s really not any Beatle release that doesn’t live in someone’s memory.
Red album on cassette was the first Beatle compilation I heard too! I was 7 or 8 on a long road trip with my grandmother and I was hooked, we must’ve listened to it two or three times on the way there and back.
When I was maybe 10 year old or so, "Rock n Roll Music" (the 2 cassette version with the colorized photo cover) was the first Beatles "album" I ever bought. It was my gateway into Beatles mega-fandom and, even though it was of course a cash grab, it will always have a special place in my heart.
Thanks Andrew; excellent as always. 👌 It’s worth noting that the tracks George Martin ”narrowed” are: ‘Twist And Shout’ ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ ‘Boys’ ‘Roll Over Beethoven’. Also, I contend (based on aural evidence alone) that *some* of Martin’s remixes of these tracks were used on the 1976 UK version, but with the stereo orientation corrected. Comparing these five 1976 UK mixes with their 1963 counterparts shows that: ‘Twist And Shout’s vocal track is closer to centre; Ditto for ‘Beethoven’s instrumental track; Ditto for ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’s vocal track. The other two songs appear to be the 1963 mixes. 😊 Also, the US stereo mix of ‘I Call Your Name’ (from ‘The Beatles Second’) is the March 10, 1964 mix. The one on ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Music’ is the June 22, 1964 mix. Aurally, they’re quite different: the former is reverb-wet, the latter dry. On the former the cowbell enters on “call”, on the latter the beat before “but”. 😊
I didn't realize the rock 'n' roll revival was an actual thing, even though I experienced it. In high school, my best friend was a huge Little RIchard fan (and Beatles too). In 1971, Milwaukee's Summerfest music festival had on one stage: Bo Diddley, The Coasters, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. Quite a treat.
This album was my gateway to The Beatles. My dad gave me his copy when I was still at school, over 30 years ago. I still have it, and I think it's a great compilation. I agree the cover's a bit naff, but it doesn't bother me even now. It's all part of the nostalgia for me.
Mine too, as well as a lot of other kids in my junior high. People who weren't around then miss the impact this had on the future Gen X. Might have been a cash-in, but it got the music to the next generation.
@@tonys9102 Something I remember from when this was released was the top 10 success of 'Got to Get You Into My Life' (how good are the Beatles that that wasn't a single in 1966?) - it was up against 'Silly Love Songs' and Philadelphia soul/disco hits of the time - and it sounded contemporary to them. Which led 11 year old me to start wondering if I should dig a little deeper into this group from another era I knew little about.....so I saved my pocket money, picked a Beatles album on cassette entirely on the basis of what pictures/text were on the back cover (because you lost that via cassette - and I didn't have a record player in my room) and picked something I'd never heard of called....Revolver. It was a good call....😃
I was 14 when this album was released and it remains a favourite, along with ‘Love Songs’ & ‘Ballads’. I already had the Red & Blue albums and most of their UK albums on vinyl or cassette mostly funded by my paper round! Although loving The Beatles since I was a toddler it wasn’t until the Red & Blue in ‘73 that I owned my own ‘hard copies’ of Beatles albums. For me ‘Rock n Roll’ was a great introduction to the ‘Long Tall Sally’ EP tracks. 1976 was a great year for 2nd generation Beatles fans. Their UK singles had been ‘re-marketed by EMI, with many tracks entering the top 50. ‘New’ singles ‘Yesterday’ & ‘Back In The U.S.S.R’ were released too. Exciting times! Like many Beatles fans I’d love to see these albums receive an official release along with ‘The Beatles Box’ & ‘Oldies’. It’s mainly for reasons of nostalgia of course but to me these albums were cherished. Like many Beatles fans I’m sure I’ve created my own iTunes files for these albums but there’s something about owning and holding a vinyl album, cassette or CD. Totally agree about the cover though! A great compilation however. Another superb video Andrew. Great research and presentation as ever. Always look forward to your next release. Many thanks. 👏
Just out of curiosity I was listening to the track list the other day, and I must say that I had a similar issue as with the Oldies album: it doesn't really play well as an album to me. Maybe it's because most of the tracks are from their early period and they're all in a similar style, since they're all Rock & Roll songs, and because of that lack of variety it does get a bit redundant. One thing I remember standing out positively though was that segue between Birthday and the Let It Be version of Get Back. That sounded pretty cool.
@Andy1962 I totally agree with you. 1976-77 was a period which saw what US Beatle discographers Castleman and Podrazik called a mild wave of Beatlemania resurfacing. I was always, and remain, of the opinion that the compilations as well as the archive releases do have their place in the group's history/catalogue and thus should be added to future Collection box sets. I mean, wasn't it the 1 album that put up a new sales record at the very start of the new millenium?? I am pretty optimistic that we will eventually see just that: the release of a new Beatles Collection box set with anything. Group releases, compilations, archive releases, UK releases, US releases, ANYTHING!!!
One other thing that George Martin did to the stereo mixes - he filtered the low frequencies to the center to make it sound like the bass and kick were coming from there and not to the side.
I bought this album in 1976 on cassette to play in the car. It was the first time I heard the stereo version of Helter Skelter as I owned the mono White Album. So first time I heard Ringo shouting at the end!!!!
I turned 21 in the summer of '76 and wrote a column about "Rock 'n' Roll Music" for the University of Maryland student newspaper, the Diamondback. While I decried Capitol's packaging, noting Marilyn Monroe had died before "Love Me Do" was released, I also commented that John Lennon's vocal on "Rock and Roll Music" completely eclipsed the Beach Boys' cover, then currently on the charts at the time. But I was most ecstatic to see "I'm Down," which I labeled one of the "forgotten Beatle gems," finally issued on an album; it's brilliant, and no wonder McCartney performs it to this day (when he's up to it - the song requires plenty of exertion!) So where I wasn't keen on the marketing, I wrote the Beatles' sheer musicianship more than compensated... and nearly 47 years later, it still does. Thank you, Fab Four (and George Martin for boosting the sound quality on the U.S. album pressing).
From my point of view, the Rock n Roll revival lasted a lot longer - in the UK, at least, we had hit singles by The Jets, Stray Cats, Shakin’ Stevens, Matchbox and Dave Edmunds right into the middle eighties, though it probably peaked around 1982. Behind all of this was a vibrant Rockabilly pub and club scene that persists to this day in Europe.
My favorite themed Beatles comp. I had the two volume US set when I was a kid in the 80s, and I just picked up a NM silver foiled gatefold (love the foil, hate the art) a couple of years ago. I just really like the flow of the tracklist on this one - it's a party album. These comps were, as others have said, excellent gateways into the catalog (especially for kids with limited disposable income) at the time. Thanks for another great vid, Andy!
I loved the album primarily because it featured “I’m Down” on an album. For me the album came out at an exciting time. Wings was on tour, “Got to Get You into My Life” was played continually on the radio along with “Silly Love Songs”.
I was 7 in '76 - my aunts uncles were there for the first wave of Beatlemania. I got their hand-me-down late 60s Beatles records in the early 70s. Rock and Roll Music was my first, "very own" Beatles album. From the first track to the last, I was fascinated. I became a BIG Beatles fan then. They are still my favorite band today. Thanks for this wonderful installment. :)
Great video, as usual! Just a quick clarification - "Long Tall Sally" and "I Call Your Name" had been available in true stereo in the US on "The Beatles' Second Album" although heavily drenched in reverb. They weren't subjected to Capitol's Duophonic treatment that they gave to "You Can't Do That," "I'll Get You," and "She Loves You" from the same LP.
I remember having this on tape on the MFP label in the 80s and played it until it wore out. I haven't listened to it in years, but remember enjoying it. Keep up the good work 👍
Great video Andrew! I remember mom buying it for me at a department store in Nashville when it was released. I got the red and blue albums when I turned 10 in late 1975 and everything in life changed (lol). I simply had to have anything Beatles! Over the next few years I bought all the Capital albums and still have them. So yes, I can say firsthand, those 70's reissues were important for those of us that missed out the first time. Never cared about the sound quality back then, now I just shake my head...cheers!
Ignacio Gomez was related to a friend of the family so I was able to get my copy autographed. A couple of years later he did the iconic posters of Edward James Olmos as "El Pachuco" for the play "Zoot Suit".
I bought it when it came out, I was 13 and, I think it was a good release, giving fans Beatles rock songs, and giving Hey Bulldog, a chance to shine, it was the first time I had heard it, and it’s a great song! I say it turned a lot of kids onto the Beatles, who were just a little too young the first time!
When I was in the military serving at RAF Upper Heyford, I had copies of Rock and Roll Music Volumes 1 & 2, I believe on the Odeon label. My history with the album goes back to 1976 when my sister bought a copy of the original American issue. She walked through the living room holding the LP over her head in a type of victory gesture. Prior to Rock and Roll Music, the only other Beatles albums I had heard were the Red and Blue albums and Sgt Pepper. Not long after my sister brought home Rock and Roll Music, I bought a copy of the White album, making it my second regular Beatles album purchase. Somewhere along the lines my two volume Rock and Roll Music collection disappeared. I didn't worry too much about it as the first issues of Beatles CDs were coming out. In 2012 I bought the new pressings of the Beatles British titles and some of the mono pressings as well. In the current era I have all of my Beatles 2009 CDs ripped to iTunes and I made a playlist of Rock and Roll Music. That playlist made me appreciate the album again, and I completed the cycle by tracking down a copy of the American edition vinyl.
I created a CD version of my own, which was 1 mono disc and 1 stereo disc, based on the 2009 masters. I replaced the album version of "Get Back" with the single version.
Ahh memories! I still have my MFP cassettes stored away with all the others up there in the attic. Nice compilation...an easy way for 9 year old me to collect some vital album tracks on the cheap! Great video as always! 👍
Vol. 1 on cassette was one of my early introductions to The Beatles. My first exposure to most of those songs came via that tape. To this day, whenever I hear "Long Tall Sally" or "Kansas City", it brings back memories. Anyhow, a good pressing of the original UK version has been on my list for some time.
Thanks again fir the great video. My first official Beatles album purchase was Rock N Roll Volume 2. I was 10 and obsessed over everytrack. I knew then that it was a little unlike other hits packages. Its inclusion of Hey Bulldog and I'm Down alone made it one of the most eclectic items in the store. I'm so glad my first deep dive into fandom included this project. As I would eventually get all the studios releases, most of the hits packages, etc... i never forgot the impact of that first album with all its diversity. But i never really knew the story behind this album series until this video. Thanks for the great info.
I never really thought much of these compilations back when I was collecting Beatles albums in the early 80s. It's nice to get some background on the Rock 'n Roll albums. I often wondered back then why EMI bothered since there wasn't anything new on them. I was more interested in getting the "souce" albums than buying compilations. This helps me understand the spirit of the time they came out, and the reception they received that clearly made the project worthwhile. I look forward to your presentations on the others, Andrew. Excellent stuff, once again.
Thanks for the info and yet another great video Andrew, I bought the album on the day of release but haven't spun it in a very long while, I shall give it a whirl!
I remember this being an album of the week on bbc radio one, which is where I heard “you can’t do that” for the first time. The wit of “I’m gonna let you down and leave you flat” blew me away as a kid. Loved that track ever since
I so loved this complication when it came out, I was just getting into the Beatles and had already the red & blue I had gotten the Xmas before, along with capitols second album my first introduction to the Beatles were their strong Rick and roll songs
I think this is better than it's follow up LOVE SONGS. The track listing is in near Chronological order which I wish LOVE SONGS had been. Starting with Twist and Shout and finishing with the Let It Be version of Get Back. You get all four songs from the LONG TALL SALLY ep. The first time they appeared here together until the British version of RARITIES and then PAST MASTERS.
I have always loved this album from the day of its release. I was knocked out by the remixes and first time stereo. With headphones all anomalies show up (good or bad) but it is still the one album set I will listen to always with headphones! The cover art never made sense to me period. It was well done but was just not the sensible era to represent. Great show! Thanks again Andrew!
My parents owned volume 2 of this collection, which featured Hey Bulldog and also the Yellow Submarine LP which also featured Hey Bulldog. Considering they didn't own any other Beatles LPs, I find it extremely curious that I had access to two copies of one of the Beatles most obscure rockers, Hey Bulldog
This reminds me of all the "best of" compilations that were made in the 70's. Cash grabs indeed, but often the best way to get most of the "hits" and some obscurities as well. Most of them are long out of print now too, like my favorite, The Doors "13" which was one of the gateways into rock music that my parents listened to, hence i did as well.
I Truly think RNR Music is an important compilation, I bought the capitol double album during the summer of 1976 and the remixes sound fabulous, cheers mate
The re-release versions of this compilation issued as "Vols 1&2" were the first Beatles records I bought in the 80s and were my gateway to the rabid Beatlemania I developed as a teen then....I then proceeded to purchase and listen to all their albums chronologically
My parents had the red albums on 8-track, and I wore them out being carted around in my mother's AMC Concord woody wagon in the early 80s. We also had the Rock 'N' Roll album at home, which I listened to a few times before my older brother decided to swipe it for his own record collection. I had totally forgotten about this album until I saw the cover online in the late 90s. All great memories.
Another great show! I was a big fan of this LP as a teenager in the 70s, and a vintage copy I recently acquired confirmed my memory of the set having a very sharp sound.
A great video Andrew, I first saw a copy of the album on a market stall while on holiday with my parents in Scarborough in 1976. I wanted to buy the album and I remember my father telling me that it wasn't a genuine Beatles album because the cover 'looked nothing like them'. I had to take the album out of the inner sleeve and show him the record label to convince him. I think that I paid something like £2.99 for it. I still enjoy listening to it, as I was hearing all the tracks in stereo for the first time. Gordon Taylor, Scotland.
This album introduced me to Beatles music post Help album. I was 16 or 17 when it was released and I bought it. I was amazed with tracks new to me like Hey Bulldog, Taxman, Helter Skelter… I was blown away and led to The Beatles double album and so on. I never looked back. Listening to that album for the first time alone in my room just opened my eyes to The Beatles post Help and I wish I could live that moment of discovery again! So this album will always have a place in my heart.
I remember buying this in 1976. The new stereo mixes by George Martin were great and much needed. Finally, you could get true stereo mixes for a number of early songs such as "I'm Down" & "You Can't Do That" & "Long Tall Sally"(which at the time were never released on an LP in stereo). There is some incongruity with the 1950s style cover, but I still enjoy the silver backdrop. An important LP at the time, it led to the single "Got to Get You into My Life' becoming a hit in the fall of '76. Capital had a big advertising blitz on tv & radio and both album & single did well. This led to more important reissues and created a new generation of fans!
As someone who 'missed' the Beatlemania craze as in too young to buy records (I was 3 years old when they hit America), I came to appreciate and buy Beatles albums around the time this album was released (already a fan of McCartney solo output). Kids my age felt that the Beatles were bubblegum and were ill-informed that the Beatles didn't rock. Sure it was a cash grab and the album cover sucked, but it became the pefect album to slap in the face my colleages and say 'yes the Beatles did ROCK!'
As always thanks Andrew. I bought the Rock and Roll Music double LP when it was released on Capitol in 1976. Unfortunately the chrome like cover has oxidized over the decades. You mentioned you got this record for your 9th birthday. On my 9th birthday (or maybe it was for Christmas 1969) I received a requested album of the just released Abbey Road, from my Father and his girlfriend. I still have it.
I bought Volume 2, on cassette, sometime in the 90s as a curiosity but never listened to it. About 6 years ago I learned it had been remixed, so I digitized it and separated into tracks. I enjoyed the remix but I also like hearing all Beatles remixes. Luv Yellow Submarine Songtrack., especially Nowhere Man.
I remember the string of album covers at the Kmart I shopped at. 1976 was kind of a renewal of Beatlemania with that album, it's advertising on TV coupled with the Wings tour of America. Also many rumors of a Beatle reunion. I believe they also showed Yellow Submarine on TV that year around if not on the 4th of July.
Great video as always! I really love that you go into great detail, especially when you talk about where stereo mixes of certain songs first appeared. This album (or double album, if you like) is kinda weird, but I still love it! It’s the album that started my vinyl hobby, and nothing can beat that! Looking forward to future videos! :)
Another fascinating video, Andrew! I bought this album when it was released and then bought the MfP versions four years later which I prefer. It's a shame that Capitol didn't take up John Lennon's offer of designing the cover!
I bought this in 1976 when it came out. The Beatles albums I had were my sisters from 1964 on up so they were well played, scratched up and old. This LP sounded bright, crisp and fresh and I played it non stop throughout the record player era until CD’s took over.
Absolutely spot on to refer to Rock n Roll Music as a gateway album, because that's exactly what it was for me. For some reason my dad only had one Beatles album, Hard Day's Night, but loads of compilations, including Rock n Roll. We had them on the MFP cassettes as separate releases, with those weird part cardboard/part plastic cassette sleeves that only MFP seemed to use. They were the first Beatles albums I loved, and was soon followed by Red and Blue.
It was definitely a gateway album for me when I bought it in 1981. Lots of fond memories, although it’s been ages since I’ve listened. Thanks for the great videos!
I had the the Vol 2 MFP disc as a kid. Was a cheap way to get a bunch of great Beatles songs for a Christmas. Was my first experience of Helter Skelter and I’ve loved the song ever since. I recently picked it up again cheap (with one of the Tijuana Beatles MFP albums) just for nostalgia but sometimes it’s nice to throw on to freshen up the Beatles running order.
To me it's a classic because it was the first Beatle album I owned at age 11, I loved the album, the sound and the cover and still own my U.K copy today I think people miss the point of the gatefold sleeve - was it Ringo that said it has nothing to do with us we were a 6o's band, maybe so but Rock 'n' Roll music started in the 50's and influenced The Beatles and some of the tracks were 50s hits originally like Long Tall Sally, Matchbox, Roll Over Beethoven, Rock 'n' Roll Music, Kansas City e.t.c so I get the relevance of the cover I believe I remember seeing the Rock 'n' Roll revival concert at Wembley 1972 being shown on the t.v also around this time featuring Little Richard and Chuck Berry so I guess it's how you say it depends how much you knew of The Beatles at the time and how old you were in 1976 that dictates whether you love or loathe this album.
I still have this LP, and it was the fourth Beatles compilation double LP like The Beach Boys’ “Endless Summer” became the best compilation double album to date. It also includes a single called “Got To Get You Into My Life”, a track which was originally from “Revolver” became a Top 20 hit in 1976 which was covered two years later by Earth Wind & Fire in 1978 for the soundtrack to a horrible movie called “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, and it was the first of so called Jukebox Musicals featuring the music of the Beatles.
This album was the first official album I ever owned, admittedly on cassette, and I purchased a vinyl copy in 1979 when I started working. I still really like it. I did also buy a Dutch copy of Love Songs when it came out, which is fantastic, and the Beatles Ballads album, which was a mistake. I didn't buy the Reel Music album because the Ballads album was so disappointing.
I got the album at a record store for next to nothing, I liked the cover (lol). Nice break down Andrew! Love getting all the information and history. Very interesting. I also have love songs, hope you break down the other albums you mentioned today. I'm going to listen to them when I get home from the bar later tonight, oops sorry Andrew the pub (lol). Another great video, keep up the excellent content! It's been a hard days night🍾 keep it popping everybody🍾
In the 1960s, no group bigger than the Beatles transitioned rock and roll from the 1950s to the present day. It seemed fitting that this compilation to be put together, because the Beatles were the pop music bridge from the 1960s on to the 1970s. The concepts behind the album, with the cover being that of a 1950s pop art motif made sense, to me anyways. That nostalgia feel, and the chrome shine of the US cover just seemed to work...somehow. I was very pleased with the sound quality and mixes on it, and I could see that it made sense for Capitol and EMI to put it out. ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC, combined with the red and blue albums, made for a great anthology set. You see, for the most part, the concepts of "box sets" of records - back then - was more geared for sets of older music, advertised in magazines for mail order.
I still have my copy from 1976 (when I was 10)! It is the oldest Beatle LP purchase that I still have, and to be honest, this album is what transformed me into a serious fan of The Beatles. I don't necessarily care much about how cheesy the LP cover is--OK, it is, but I knew the band was all about rock and roll, and the fact is, they were brought up during the 50's, so it makes sense you have a compliation that celebrates their rock and roll roots, and especially coming out when the Beatles and the 1950's are both getting a 70's-era renaissance
This is a great episode. This was the first Beatles album I bought with my own money. It was Vol. 2 on tape. I remember a guy at school telling me it was crap and I should only buy the studio albums. 😂😂
Having been born in 1964, by 74 I was enjoying the 2nd wave of "Beatlemania" and was fully immersed in everything Beatles. My parents and sister had the original albums, that I cut my teeth on, but the Red and the Blue albums were released in my time, and felt like My Beatles albums. I liked the Rock & Roll compilation, because it reinforced the argument I was having with my contemporaries, that the Band wasn't R&R enough for the times, which were heading back in that direction, with Punk Rock. By this time I was going back and buying all the albums but still enjoyed the Rock and Roll comp.
This was my first Beatles record that I owned myself. I was 8 years old when it came out and my cousin who was a big Beatles fan bought it for me. I just picked up a very nice copy at a record show yesterday to upgrade my original. It is worn out. I'm going to put my original in a frame for nostalgic reasons. I always liked this record a lot and it was cool to learn the story around it. You really make great videos Andrew!
I've always loved this album because it marks the first stereo appearance on an UK album of songs like Slow Down, I call your name, Matchbox and I'm down .. I agree, the cover is not a great thing...but the content is really OK. The red and blue albums however are the top!!! As for future videos, Andrew, I have always been interested in finding "TRUE" STEREO versions of some early recordings apparently only available in mono, as far as I know. For example, does a true stereo version of the following songs really exist? - Love me do (both versions) - P.S. I love you - Thank you girl - I'll get you - I am the walrus (apart from the Love version) Also, what's the story behind the master of "She loves you"? Would you please consider making this a subject of a next video? Thanks for another fantastic video.
The first two will never be true stereo. "Thank You Girl" was stereo on US "Second Album", although the version had slight differences from the UK b-side and it was drenched in reverb. It is stereo on "The Beatles Stereo Box" without the reverb. "I'll Get You" never stereo and the latter, well, it's been stereo since 1967 up to the 2:12 mark.
@@davidclark2618 Thanks David. As for I am the walrus, the first time I listened to this song, in the original US Capitol album, I thought the record was defective from the verse "sitting in an english garden" (it was 1982, more or less, and I was very young) and I brought back the disc pointing out to the seller that the record was defective... . In the version on the album "LOVE" the song is in true stereo until the end but, as we all know, it is slightly different from the original. I was wondering if the original version had been remixed on some other album (in true stereo of course).
"She Loves You" was recorded on a two track tape machine. Once the song was mixed to mono, EMI's policy was to erase two track master tapes once the song was mixed down to mono. Four Beatles songs were to have their two track mixes reduced to mono, and have their masters erased. She Loves You was one of them. In 1966, for the Beatles UK compilation "A Collection Of Beatles Oldies...But Goldies", engineer Geoff Emerick tried making a fake stereo version of She Loves You, but wasn't successful.
Great, insightful video. I still have my beat up copy of this album I received when I was 9 years old. It is still interesting having our American versions of their albums, and then seeing the U.K. counterparts. It just adds to the Beatles story overall.
My favourite Beatles compilation ever, and side 4 of this album is a killer! Only to think that there's an album where you have You can't do that, Boys, Long Tall Sally, Drive my car, The night before and Hey Bulldog all together... no way, this is the best! And thanks for letting me know about the German version using the US mixes! That's gonna be the one to go then.
I've got the double vinyl UK Parlophone pressing and of all my Beatles vinyl, I'd rate it as the worst. It's a nice clean copy, though I bought it second hand, it's in fine playing condition. But it sounds absolutely dreadful and I've never quite put my finger on why. It sounds harsh yet lifeless to me.
Did you ever aquire the VHS in store promo film for this album?I viewed it at national record mart in Pittsburgh. It was very cool but I can't any info of it's existence today. It even had a few seconds of the boys filming the rubber soul album shot.
It's possible that we'll never know the answer, but perhaps there's millions of people who are now in their forties whose parents introduced them to the magic of the Beatles vis these cheapo compilations. So perhaps they served a viable purpose....
We had Rock & Roll Music Vol 1 in the early 80s on cassette & later on when I started buying my own Beatle albums in 88 I get Vol 2 along with Sgt Pepper. R&R Music Vol 1 was the 2nd Beatle album I ever heard & the Red Album was the 3rd one. First was the White album. Im 43 years old & I'm a 3rd Generation Beatles fan that was introduced to them by my parents who were first generation fans.
These were a couple of my first Beatles albums circa 1981 on mfp from Woolworths, I couldn't belive how cheap they were, around £3,I badgered my mum to buy them one at a time and eventually got my own way.So good to first hear tracks like 'Birthday' 'Hey Bulldog' and 'Anytime at All'
I remember when this came out and I just had to have it, as a 10-year-old Beatle fan. All rockers, no ballads? Yes please! Eventually, I learned that this collection wasn't so well thought of, but my nostalgia for it remains strong.
This album was really important to me as a new Beatles fan in 1976 frantically trying to complete the collection. Because it contained all 4 (non-album) tracks from the Long Tall Sally EP it enabled me to complete the collection of all Beatles songs released up to that point. The singles also re-released in 1976 in the green sleeves , like the Back in the USSR one you show in the video, enabled me to mop up all the non-album b-sides. So all in all this album gets a big thumbs up from me - terrible cover though. Thanks for a great video
I remember seeing those at the grocery store around 1984. Even at 10 years old, those Beatles compilation albums after the red and blue ones looked undesirable.
I have the MFP versions and I do like George Martin's revised mixes. I find the stereo picture less disconcerting (prefer the early albums in mono) and some tracks seem clearer with a stronger bass. Well worth having.
Keep em coming Andrew so many great and informative videos on your channel brilliant👍👍👍👍, P.S would love to see some videos on the early Pink Floyd vinyl on the blue Columbia labels😉👍👍👍
My first purchased Beatles album. I was ten. By then I was familiar with my older brother's blue album (1967 - 1970) and, mysteriously and strangely enough, Beatles' version of the song "Rock And Roll Music" off of an old spinning tape recorder we had at home. The latter fact no doubt sparked my interest in getting hold of "Rock'n'Roll Music". I remember being very determined when I saw the new album in the shop Musikkhuset in Haugesund, Norway. It didn't matter that their most famous music was on the blue and red albums. "Rock'n'Roll Music" was MINE, and the way it kicked ass the moment I put the needle on the vinyl in me and my brother's room is a moment which I will never forget.
I'd forgotten about 'Reel Music'....does anyone remember the single that came out at the same time - a Stars on 45 (but without the handclaps) like 'Beatles movie medley' - but with real Beatle tracks? It was dreadful....but I've got it somewhere.....
Hey Andrew. Great video. Curious thing about the original Aussie pressing is that it has the same mixes as the US version but the channels were corrected back to their original left-right configuration. I'll need to relisten to it again to confirm. Other curiosity was that the repackaged version was reissued 3 times on the Axis label ( Aussie MFP equivalent) each with different catalogue numbers. I also understand that the "Ballads" LP was a European creation not released in the USA by Capitol. From memory I think it was the first time I'd heard "Hey Bulldog" as I don't think I owned the "Yellow Submarine" LP at that time.
I've never had this album but I use its playlist -- along with other official and non-official Beatles compilation playlists -- and substitute outtakes for the listed songs. I first saw this on Beatleg "alternate version" albums and saw it as a neat way to feature some of the great takes that deserve to be heard on a regular basis.
Wow, I had volume 2 (blue lettering and plain background version) as a teenager and loved it, lost it when everyone was changing to CD's but didn't replace it, and have never seen it since. Some of the tracks on it became and have remained some of my favourites, including Hey Bulldog and Helter Skelter. Thanks for this 👍🏻
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I remember at 8 years old seeing the cover for the first time in a department store back in ‘76. I pointed it out to my mom and said, “Hey, it’s the guy from Wings”!
At the time this LP was released, my chums and I were running a dance DJ business, playing music at school dances, weddings, company parties, et cetera. This album was a godsend for us, because it put all the danceable Beatles songs in one package. The mix was perfect for the kind of portable PA systems we used: very compressed, just enough stereo without the silly over-separation of the early stereo mixes. (Note: when playing "stereo remixes" of older music, we would often switch our mixing desk to Mono, because otherwise the dancers closest to the 'left' channel speakers would not hear any vocals, which had been hard-panned to the right. This LP solved that problem.)
Rebel k DJ's for true balanced sound, I love that.
⁰
Love that album. "Rock N Roll Music" , "Love Songs" and "Hollywood Bowl" were my introduction to the Beatles as a kid. Better days.
I stumbled across this album in a record shop a few years ago and bought it. I had never seen it before! The cover art is just so hideous (particularly those oversized hands that are meant to be holding the record) 😂
What did you think about the music/songs?
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This album helped get "Hey Bulldog" the recognition it deserved, and I'm thankful for that!
During the Bicentennial party in downtown Manhattan on July 4, 1976, someone put two huge speakers on a balcony over Broadway by Courtlandt Street & played this album loud, resulting in an impulse dance party on Broadway! That was one of many highlights of that magical day.
If you have to ask if it’s a cash grab… 😂. But the funny thing about the Beatles is that these compilation albums were SOMEONE’S first foray into the band, just like when I was a kid, my first Beatle “album” was the Red Album on cassette. Meaning that track listing and order will forever live in my heart. So there’s really not any Beatle release that doesn’t live in someone’s memory.
Red album on cassette was the first Beatle compilation I heard too! I was 7 or 8 on a long road trip with my grandmother and I was hooked, we must’ve listened to it two or three times on the way there and back.
I loved the 'red' collection. It was just one great track after another.
When I was maybe 10 year old or so, "Rock n Roll Music" (the 2 cassette version with the colorized photo cover) was the first Beatles "album" I ever bought. It was my gateway into Beatles mega-fandom and, even though it was of course a cash grab, it will always have a special place in my heart.
Thanks Andrew; excellent as always. 👌
It’s worth noting that the tracks George Martin ”narrowed” are:
‘Twist And Shout’
‘I Saw Her Standing There’
‘I Wanna Be Your Man’
‘Boys’
‘Roll Over Beethoven’.
Also, I contend (based on aural evidence alone) that *some* of Martin’s remixes of these tracks were used on the 1976 UK version, but with the stereo orientation corrected. Comparing these five 1976 UK mixes with their 1963 counterparts shows that:
‘Twist And Shout’s vocal track is closer to centre;
Ditto for ‘Beethoven’s instrumental track;
Ditto for ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’s vocal track.
The other two songs appear to be the 1963 mixes. 😊
Also, the US stereo mix of ‘I Call Your Name’ (from ‘The Beatles Second’) is the March 10, 1964 mix. The one on ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Music’ is the June 22, 1964 mix. Aurally, they’re quite different: the former is reverb-wet, the latter dry. On the former the cowbell enters on “call”, on the latter the beat before “but”. 😊
I didn't realize the rock 'n' roll revival was an actual thing, even though I experienced it. In high school, my best friend was a huge Little RIchard fan (and Beatles too). In 1971, Milwaukee's Summerfest music festival had on one stage: Bo Diddley, The Coasters, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. Quite a treat.
I know! I graduated from HS in '76 and I'm just hearing about it now! Very strange.
Rock & Roll Revival was very popular in the 1970’s. Thanks to the success of “American Graffiti” and “Grease”.
This album was my gateway to The Beatles. My dad gave me his copy when I was still at school, over 30 years ago. I still have it, and I think it's a great compilation. I agree the cover's a bit naff, but it doesn't bother me even now. It's all part of the nostalgia for me.
Mine too, as well as a lot of other kids in my junior high. People who weren't around then miss the impact this had on the future Gen X. Might have been a cash-in, but it got the music to the next generation.
@@tonys9102 Something I remember from when this was released was the top 10 success of 'Got to Get You Into My Life' (how good are the Beatles that that wasn't a single in 1966?) - it was up against 'Silly Love Songs' and Philadelphia soul/disco hits of the time - and it sounded contemporary to them. Which led 11 year old me to start wondering if I should dig a little deeper into this group from another era I knew little about.....so I saved my pocket money, picked a Beatles album on cassette entirely on the basis of what pictures/text were on the back cover (because you lost that via cassette - and I didn't have a record player in my room) and picked something I'd never heard of called....Revolver.
It was a good call....😃
I was 14 when this album was released and it remains a favourite, along with ‘Love Songs’ & ‘Ballads’. I already had the Red & Blue albums and most of their UK albums on vinyl or cassette mostly funded by my paper round! Although loving The Beatles since I was a toddler it wasn’t until the Red & Blue in ‘73 that I owned my own ‘hard copies’ of Beatles albums. For me ‘Rock n Roll’ was a great introduction to the ‘Long Tall Sally’ EP tracks. 1976 was a great year for 2nd generation Beatles fans. Their UK singles had been ‘re-marketed by EMI, with many tracks entering the top 50. ‘New’ singles ‘Yesterday’ & ‘Back In The U.S.S.R’ were released too. Exciting times! Like many Beatles fans I’d love to see these albums receive an official release along with ‘The Beatles Box’ & ‘Oldies’. It’s mainly for reasons of nostalgia of course but to me these albums were cherished. Like many Beatles fans I’m sure I’ve created my own iTunes files for these albums but there’s something about owning and holding a vinyl album, cassette or CD. Totally agree about the cover though! A great compilation however. Another superb video Andrew. Great research and presentation as ever. Always look forward to your next release. Many thanks. 👏
Thanks for watching and commenting, Andy.
Just out of curiosity I was listening to the track list the other day, and I must say that I had a similar issue as with the Oldies album: it doesn't really play well as an album to me. Maybe it's because most of the tracks are from their early period and they're all in a similar style, since they're all Rock & Roll songs, and because of that lack of variety it does get a bit redundant. One thing I remember standing out positively though was that segue between Birthday and the Let It Be version of Get Back. That sounded pretty cool.
Great story. Thanks!
My experience exactly - I mean EXACTLY. I am 57 by the way.....Still LOVE this collection to THIS day!
@Andy1962 I totally agree with you. 1976-77 was a period which saw what US Beatle discographers Castleman and Podrazik called a mild wave of Beatlemania resurfacing. I was always, and remain, of the opinion that the compilations as well as the archive releases do have their place in the group's history/catalogue and thus should be added to future Collection box sets. I mean, wasn't it the 1 album that put up a new sales record at the very start of the new millenium??
I am pretty optimistic that we will eventually see just that: the release of a new Beatles Collection box set with anything. Group releases, compilations, archive releases, UK releases, US releases, ANYTHING!!!
One other thing that George Martin did to the stereo mixes - he filtered the low frequencies to the center to make it sound like the bass and kick were coming from there and not to the side.
Ah! That confirms my thoughts in my comment. Thanks for that info. 👍
I bought this album in 1976 on cassette to play in the car. It was the first time I heard the stereo version of Helter Skelter as I owned the mono White Album. So first time I heard Ringo shouting at the end!!!!
I turned 21 in the summer of '76 and wrote a column about "Rock 'n' Roll Music" for the University of Maryland student newspaper, the Diamondback. While I decried Capitol's packaging, noting Marilyn Monroe had died before "Love Me Do" was released, I also commented that John Lennon's vocal on "Rock and Roll Music" completely eclipsed the Beach Boys' cover, then currently on the charts at the time. But I was most ecstatic to see "I'm Down," which I labeled one of the "forgotten Beatle gems," finally issued on an album; it's brilliant, and no wonder McCartney performs it to this day (when he's up to it - the song requires plenty of exertion!) So where I wasn't keen on the marketing, I wrote the Beatles' sheer musicianship more than compensated... and nearly 47 years later, it still does. Thank you, Fab Four (and George Martin for boosting the sound quality on the U.S. album pressing).
From my point of view, the Rock n Roll revival lasted a lot longer - in the UK, at least, we had hit singles by The Jets, Stray Cats, Shakin’ Stevens, Matchbox and Dave Edmunds right into the middle eighties, though it probably peaked around 1982. Behind all of this was a vibrant Rockabilly pub and club scene that persists to this day in Europe.
My favorite themed Beatles comp. I had the two volume US set when I was a kid in the 80s, and I just picked up a NM silver foiled gatefold (love the foil, hate the art) a couple of years ago. I just really like the flow of the tracklist on this one - it's a party album. These comps were, as others have said, excellent gateways into the catalog (especially for kids with limited disposable income) at the time. Thanks for another great vid, Andy!
I loved the album primarily because it featured “I’m Down” on an album. For me the album came out at an exciting time. Wings was on tour, “Got to Get You into My Life” was played continually on the radio along with “Silly Love Songs”.
I was 7 in '76 - my aunts uncles were there for the first wave of Beatlemania. I got their hand-me-down late 60s Beatles records in the early 70s. Rock and Roll Music was my first, "very own" Beatles album. From the first track to the last, I was fascinated. I became a BIG Beatles fan then. They are still my favorite band today. Thanks for this wonderful installment. :)
Thanks for watching Alex and sharing your memories.
Great video, as usual! Just a quick clarification - "Long Tall Sally" and "I Call Your Name" had been available in true stereo in the US on "The Beatles' Second Album" although heavily drenched in reverb. They weren't subjected to Capitol's Duophonic treatment that they gave to "You Can't Do That," "I'll Get You," and "She Loves You" from the same LP.
I remember having this on tape on the MFP label in the 80s and played it until it wore out. I haven't listened to it in years, but remember enjoying it.
Keep up the good work 👍
Great video Andrew! I remember mom buying it for me at a department store in Nashville when it was released. I got the red and blue albums when I turned 10 in late 1975 and everything in life changed (lol). I simply had to have anything Beatles! Over the next few years I bought all the Capital albums and still have them. So yes, I can say firsthand, those 70's reissues were important for those of us that missed out the first time. Never cared about the sound quality back then, now I just shake my head...cheers!
Thanks for watching Robert and for sharing your memories.
Ignacio Gomez was related to a friend of the family so I was able to get my copy autographed. A couple of years later he did the iconic posters of Edward James Olmos as "El Pachuco" for the play "Zoot Suit".
I bought it when it came out, I was 13 and, I think it was a good release, giving fans Beatles rock songs, and giving Hey Bulldog, a chance to shine, it was the first time I had heard it, and it’s a great song! I say it turned a lot of kids onto the Beatles, who were just a little too young the first time!
When I was in the military serving at RAF Upper Heyford, I had copies of Rock and Roll Music Volumes 1 & 2, I believe on the Odeon label. My history with the album goes back to 1976 when my sister bought a copy of the original American issue. She walked through the living room holding the LP over her head in a type of victory gesture. Prior to Rock and Roll Music, the only other Beatles albums I had heard were the Red and Blue albums and Sgt Pepper. Not long after my sister brought home Rock and Roll Music, I bought a copy of the White album, making it my second regular Beatles album purchase. Somewhere along the lines my two volume Rock and Roll Music collection disappeared. I didn't worry too much about it as the first issues of Beatles CDs were coming out. In 2012 I bought the new pressings of the Beatles British titles and some of the mono pressings as well. In the current era I have all of my Beatles 2009 CDs ripped to iTunes and I made a playlist of Rock and Roll Music. That playlist made me appreciate the album again, and I completed the cycle by tracking down a copy of the American edition vinyl.
Tdy r.a.f. sculthorpe.. bowling alley with only 2 lanes.. bike rides to huntstaten on the wash.
@@alholdway2003 sounds like RAF Sculthorpe was a GSU from a larger installation.
This left and right channel error was actually corrected on the Australian release of the album.
I created a CD version of my own, which was 1 mono disc and 1 stereo disc, based on the 2009 masters. I replaced the album version of "Get Back" with the single version.
Was just watching a video of yours, and then a new one pops up. Your timing is excellent, especially given you upload on Sundays.
Enjoy!
Ahh memories! I still have my MFP cassettes stored away with all the others up there in the attic. Nice compilation...an easy way for 9 year old me to collect some vital album tracks on the cheap! Great video as always! 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Vol. 1 on cassette was one of my early introductions to The Beatles. My first exposure to most of those songs came via that tape. To this day, whenever I hear "Long Tall Sally" or "Kansas City", it brings back memories.
Anyhow, a good pressing of the original UK version has been on my list for some time.
Thanks again fir the great video. My first official Beatles album purchase was Rock N Roll Volume 2. I was 10 and obsessed over everytrack. I knew then that it was a little unlike other hits packages. Its inclusion of Hey Bulldog and I'm Down alone made it one of the most eclectic items in the store. I'm so glad my first deep dive into fandom included this project. As I would eventually get all the studios releases, most of the hits packages, etc... i never forgot the impact of that first album with all its diversity. But i never really knew the story behind this album series until this video. Thanks for the great info.
Thanks for watching, Bob.
I never really thought much of these compilations back when I was collecting Beatles albums in the early 80s. It's nice to get some background on the Rock 'n Roll albums. I often wondered back then why EMI bothered since there wasn't anything new on them. I was more interested in getting the "souce" albums than buying compilations. This helps me understand the spirit of the time they came out, and the reception they received that clearly made the project worthwhile. I look forward to your presentations on the others, Andrew. Excellent stuff, once again.
Thanks for the info and yet another great video Andrew, I bought the album on the day of release but haven't spun it in a very long while, I shall give it a whirl!
Thanks for watching , Chris. Enjoy revisiting it.
This is the type of detail I love. Fascinating! Thank you Andrew.
My pleasure, David.
I remember this being an album of the week on bbc radio one, which is where I heard “you can’t do that” for the first time. The wit of “I’m gonna let you down and leave you flat” blew me away as a kid. Loved that track ever since
I so loved this complication when it came out, I was just getting into the Beatles and had already the red & blue I had gotten the Xmas before, along with capitols second album my first introduction
to the Beatles were their strong Rick and roll songs
I think this is better than it's follow up LOVE SONGS. The track listing is in near Chronological order which I wish LOVE SONGS had been. Starting with Twist and Shout and finishing with the Let It Be version of Get Back. You get all four songs from the LONG TALL SALLY ep. The first time they appeared here together until the British version of RARITIES and then PAST MASTERS.
I have always loved this album from the day of its release. I was knocked out by the remixes and first time stereo. With headphones all anomalies show up (good or bad) but it is still the one album set I will listen to always with headphones! The cover art never made sense to me period. It was well done but was just not the sensible era to represent. Great show! Thanks again Andrew!
My parents owned volume 2 of this collection, which featured Hey Bulldog and also the Yellow Submarine LP which also featured Hey Bulldog. Considering they didn't own any other Beatles LPs, I find it extremely curious that I had access to two copies of one of the Beatles most obscure rockers, Hey Bulldog
I'd be willing to bet a lot of second and third Gen fans heard Bulldog on this comp first, (myself included).
This reminds me of all the "best of" compilations that were made in the 70's. Cash grabs indeed, but often the best way to get most of the "hits" and some obscurities as well. Most of them are long out of print now too, like my favorite, The Doors "13" which was one of the gateways into rock music that my parents listened to, hence i did as well.
I Truly think RNR Music is an important compilation, I bought the capitol double album during the summer of 1976 and the remixes sound fabulous, cheers mate
The re-release versions of this compilation issued as "Vols 1&2" were the first Beatles records I bought in the 80s and were my gateway to the rabid Beatlemania I developed as a teen then....I then proceeded to purchase and listen to all their albums chronologically
Exactly the same for me!
@@richardk1ify ,and me.
My parents had the red albums on 8-track, and I wore them out being carted around in my mother's AMC Concord woody wagon in the early 80s. We also had the Rock 'N' Roll album at home, which I listened to a few times before my older brother decided to swipe it for his own record collection. I had totally forgotten about this album until I saw the cover online in the late 90s. All great memories.
Great compilation
I bought this album with Christmas gift money when it was released in early '76. I had just turned 12. Loved it.
Another great show! I was a big fan of this LP as a teenager in the 70s, and a vintage copy I recently acquired confirmed my memory of the set having a very sharp sound.
Needle on the record..... Great Sunday for everyone around the globe seeing this, a hug from Brazil....Let's Rock !!!!!
One other significant point of note is that the Back In The USSR/Twist And Shout single was the first time a cover version was put out on a UK 45.
A great video Andrew, I first saw a copy of the album on a market stall while on holiday with my parents in Scarborough in 1976. I wanted to buy the album and I remember my father telling me that it wasn't a genuine Beatles album because the cover 'looked nothing like them'. I had to take the album out of the inner sleeve and show him the record label to convince him. I think that I paid something like £2.99 for it. I still enjoy listening to it, as I was hearing all the tracks in stereo for the first time. Gordon Taylor, Scotland.
This album introduced me to Beatles music post Help album. I was 16 or 17 when it was released and I bought it. I was amazed with tracks new to me like Hey Bulldog, Taxman, Helter Skelter…
I was blown away and led to The Beatles double album and so on. I never looked back.
Listening to that album for the first time alone in my room just opened my eyes to The Beatles post Help and I wish I could live that moment of discovery again! So this album will always have a place in my heart.
these albums basically introduced me to them in the 70s ,i love them ,,,
I bought this when it came out and played it loads. Really interesting to hear the history of this comp. Thank-you.
Glad you enjoyed it, Will.
I remember buying this in 1976. The new stereo mixes by George Martin were great and much needed. Finally, you could get true stereo mixes for a number of early songs such as "I'm Down" & "You Can't Do That" & "Long Tall Sally"(which at the time were never released on an LP in stereo). There is some incongruity with the 1950s style cover, but I still enjoy the silver backdrop. An important LP at the time, it led to the single "Got to Get You into My Life' becoming a hit in the fall of '76. Capital had a big advertising blitz on tv & radio and both album & single did well. This led to more important reissues and created a new generation of fans!
As someone who 'missed' the Beatlemania craze as in too young to buy records (I was 3 years old when they hit America), I came to appreciate and buy Beatles albums around the time this album was released (already a fan of McCartney solo output). Kids my age felt that the Beatles were bubblegum and were ill-informed that the Beatles didn't rock. Sure it was a cash grab and the album cover sucked, but it became the pefect album to slap in the face my colleages and say 'yes the Beatles did ROCK!'
As always thanks Andrew. I bought the Rock and Roll Music double LP when it was released on Capitol in 1976.
Unfortunately the chrome like cover has oxidized over the decades.
You mentioned you got this record for your 9th birthday.
On my 9th birthday (or maybe it was for Christmas 1969) I received a requested album of the just released Abbey Road, from my Father and his girlfriend.
I still have it.
I bought Volume 2, on cassette, sometime in the 90s as a curiosity but never listened to it. About 6 years ago I learned it had been remixed, so I digitized it and separated into tracks. I enjoyed the remix but I also like hearing all Beatles remixes. Luv Yellow Submarine Songtrack., especially Nowhere Man.
My very first Beatles album! I received it as a birth present when I turned 8.
I remember the string of album covers at the Kmart I shopped at. 1976 was kind of a renewal of Beatlemania with that album, it's advertising on TV coupled with the Wings tour of America. Also many rumors of a Beatle reunion. I believe they also showed Yellow Submarine on TV that year around if not on the 4th of July.
Great video as always! I really love that you go into great detail, especially when you talk about where stereo mixes of certain songs first appeared.
This album (or double album, if you like) is kinda weird, but I still love it! It’s the album that started my vinyl hobby, and nothing can beat that!
Looking forward to future videos! :)
Another fascinating video, Andrew! I bought this album when it was released and then bought the MfP versions four years later which I prefer. It's a shame that Capitol didn't take up John Lennon's offer of designing the cover!
Glad you enjoyed it, Nick!
I bought this in 1976 when it came out. The Beatles albums I had were my sisters from 1964 on up so they were well played, scratched up and old. This LP sounded bright, crisp and fresh and I played it non stop throughout the record player era until CD’s took over.
I got this album when I was 13 years old and still have It to this day my mother bought it for me and it was my introduction to the beatles properly
Cool. 👍
As always, lots of interesting information Andrew. I will probably grab a Japanese "Country Flag" Series version of this album at some point.
these videos are such a delight, thank you
Absolutely spot on to refer to Rock n Roll Music as a gateway album, because that's exactly what it was for me. For some reason my dad only had one Beatles album, Hard Day's Night, but loads of compilations, including Rock n Roll. We had them on the MFP cassettes as separate releases, with those weird part cardboard/part plastic cassette sleeves that only MFP seemed to use.
They were the first Beatles albums I loved, and was soon followed by Red and Blue.
It was definitely a gateway album for me when I bought it in 1981. Lots of fond memories, although it’s been ages since I’ve listened. Thanks for the great videos!
I had the the Vol 2 MFP disc as a kid. Was a cheap way to get a bunch of great Beatles songs for a Christmas. Was my first experience of Helter Skelter and I’ve loved the song ever since. I recently picked it up again cheap (with one of the Tijuana Beatles MFP albums) just for nostalgia but sometimes it’s nice to throw on to freshen up the Beatles running order.
To me it's a classic because it was the first Beatle album I owned at age 11, I loved the album, the sound and the cover and still own my U.K copy today I think people miss the point of the gatefold sleeve - was it Ringo that said it has nothing to do with us we were a 6o's band, maybe so but Rock 'n' Roll music started in the 50's and influenced The Beatles and some of the tracks were 50s hits originally like Long Tall Sally, Matchbox, Roll Over Beethoven, Rock 'n' Roll Music, Kansas City e.t.c so I get the relevance of the cover I believe I remember seeing the Rock 'n' Roll revival concert at Wembley 1972 being shown on the t.v also around this time featuring Little Richard and Chuck Berry so I guess it's how you say it depends how much you knew of The Beatles at the time and how old you were in 1976 that dictates whether you love or loathe this album.
I still have this LP, and it was the fourth Beatles compilation double LP like The Beach Boys’ “Endless Summer” became the best compilation double album to date. It also includes a single called “Got To Get You Into My Life”, a track which was originally from “Revolver” became a Top 20 hit in 1976 which was covered two years later by Earth Wind & Fire in 1978 for the soundtrack to a horrible movie called “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, and it was the first of so called Jukebox Musicals featuring the music of the Beatles.
This album was the first official album I ever owned, admittedly on cassette, and I purchased a vinyl copy in 1979 when I started working. I still really like it. I did also buy a Dutch copy of Love Songs when it came out, which is fantastic, and the Beatles Ballads album, which was a mistake. I didn't buy the Reel Music album because the Ballads album was so disappointing.
The first for me too. And also on cassette.
I got the album at a record store for next to nothing, I liked the cover (lol). Nice break down Andrew! Love getting all the information and history. Very interesting. I also have love songs, hope you break down the other albums you mentioned today. I'm going to listen to them when I get home from the bar later tonight, oops sorry Andrew the pub (lol). Another great video, keep up the excellent content! It's been a hard days night🍾 keep it popping everybody🍾
In the 1960s, no group bigger than the Beatles transitioned rock and roll from the 1950s to the present day. It seemed fitting that this compilation to be put together, because the Beatles were the pop music bridge from the 1960s on to the 1970s. The concepts behind the album, with the cover being that of a 1950s pop art motif made sense, to me anyways. That nostalgia feel, and the chrome shine of the US cover just seemed to work...somehow. I was very pleased with the sound quality and mixes on it, and I could see that it made sense for Capitol and EMI to put it out. ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC, combined with the red and blue albums, made for a great anthology set. You see, for the most part, the concepts of "box sets" of records - back then - was more geared for sets of older music, advertised in magazines for mail order.
I still have my copy from 1976 (when I was 10)! It is the oldest Beatle LP purchase that I still have, and to be honest, this album is what transformed me into a serious fan of The Beatles. I don't necessarily care much about how cheesy the LP cover is--OK, it is, but I knew the band was all about rock and roll, and the fact is, they were brought up during the 50's, so it makes sense you have a compliation that celebrates their rock and roll roots, and especially coming out when the Beatles and the 1950's are both getting a 70's-era renaissance
This is a great episode. This was the first Beatles album I bought with my own money. It was Vol. 2 on tape. I remember a guy at school telling me it was crap and I should only buy the studio albums. 😂😂
Having been born in 1964, by 74 I was enjoying the 2nd wave of "Beatlemania" and was fully immersed in everything Beatles. My parents and sister had the original albums, that I cut my teeth on, but the Red and the Blue albums were released in my time, and felt like My Beatles albums. I liked the Rock & Roll compilation, because it reinforced the argument I was having with my contemporaries, that the Band wasn't R&R enough for the times, which were heading back in that direction, with Punk Rock. By this time I was going back and buying all the albums but still enjoyed the Rock and Roll comp.
This was my first Beatles record that I owned myself. I was 8 years old when it came out and my cousin who was a big Beatles fan bought it for me. I just picked up a very nice copy at a record show yesterday to upgrade my original. It is worn out. I'm going to put my original in a frame for nostalgic reasons. I always liked this record a lot and it was cool to learn the story around it. You really make great videos Andrew!
Thank you, Bill!
I had this vol one. ... I've really enjoyed going into detail about this comp. Wonderful.
Always been my favorite Beatles compilation .. after the Double Red and the Double Blue of course.
Great stuff Andrew! Lots I never knew again! Kudos!
Glad you enjoyed it, Tyrone!
I've always loved this album because it marks the first stereo appearance on an UK album of songs like Slow Down, I call your name, Matchbox and I'm down .. I agree, the cover is not a great thing...but the content is really OK. The red and blue albums however are the top!!!
As for future videos, Andrew, I have always been interested in finding "TRUE" STEREO versions of some early recordings apparently only available in mono, as far as I know. For example, does a true stereo version of the following songs really exist?
- Love me do (both versions)
- P.S. I love you
- Thank you girl
- I'll get you
- I am the walrus (apart from the Love version)
Also, what's the story behind the master of "She loves you"?
Would you please consider making this a subject of a next video?
Thanks for another fantastic video.
Thanks for the suggestions, Luca. I'll look into them.
The first two will never be true stereo. "Thank You Girl" was stereo on US "Second Album", although the version had slight differences from the UK b-side and it was drenched in reverb. It is stereo on "The Beatles Stereo Box" without the reverb. "I'll Get You" never stereo and the latter, well, it's been stereo since 1967 up to the 2:12 mark.
@@davidclark2618 Thanks David. As for I am the walrus, the first time I listened to this song, in the original US Capitol album, I thought the record was defective from the verse "sitting in an english garden" (it was 1982, more or less, and I was very young) and I brought back the disc pointing out to the seller that the record was defective... . In the version on the album "LOVE" the song is in true stereo until the end but, as we all know, it is slightly different from the original. I was wondering if the original version had been remixed on some other album (in true stereo of course).
@@lucacastegini4473 I should add that both the Anthology DVD and the reissue of the MMT film on DVD have nice stereo. TMK, not available on CD.
"She Loves You" was recorded on a two track tape machine. Once the song was mixed to mono, EMI's policy was to erase two track master tapes once the song was mixed down to mono. Four Beatles songs were to have their two track mixes reduced to mono, and have their masters erased. She Loves You was one of them. In 1966, for the Beatles UK compilation "A Collection Of Beatles Oldies...But Goldies", engineer Geoff Emerick tried making a fake stereo version of She Loves You, but wasn't successful.
Great, insightful video. I still have my beat up copy of this album I received when I was 9 years old. It is still interesting having our American versions of their albums, and then seeing the U.K. counterparts. It just adds to the Beatles story overall.
My favourite Beatles compilation ever, and side 4 of this album is a killer! Only to think that there's an album where you have You can't do that, Boys, Long Tall Sally, Drive my car, The night before and Hey Bulldog all together... no way, this is the best! And thanks for letting me know about the German version using the US mixes! That's gonna be the one to go then.
I've got the double vinyl UK Parlophone pressing and of all my Beatles vinyl, I'd rate it as the worst. It's a nice clean copy, though I bought it second hand, it's in fine playing condition. But it sounds absolutely dreadful and I've never quite put my finger on why. It sounds harsh yet lifeless to me.
Love this album, great collection of The Beatles more rocking tracks, albeit with a few key tracks missing
Did you ever aquire the VHS in store promo film for this album?I viewed it at national record mart in Pittsburgh. It was very cool but I can't any info of it's existence today. It even had a few seconds of the boys filming the rubber soul album shot.
It's possible that we'll never know the answer, but perhaps there's millions of people who are now in their forties whose parents introduced them to the magic of the Beatles vis these cheapo compilations. So perhaps they served a viable purpose....
We had Rock & Roll Music Vol 1 in the early 80s on cassette & later on when I started buying my own Beatle albums in 88 I get Vol 2 along with Sgt Pepper. R&R Music Vol 1 was the 2nd Beatle album I ever heard & the Red Album was the 3rd one. First was the White album.
Im 43 years old & I'm a 3rd Generation Beatles fan that was introduced to them by my parents who were first generation fans.
These were a couple of my first Beatles albums circa 1981 on mfp from Woolworths, I couldn't belive how cheap they were, around £3,I badgered my mum to buy them one at a time and eventually got my own way.So good to first hear tracks like 'Birthday' 'Hey Bulldog' and 'Anytime at All'
I remember when this came out and I just had to have it, as a 10-year-old Beatle fan. All rockers, no ballads? Yes please! Eventually, I learned that this collection wasn't so well thought of, but my nostalgia for it remains strong.
Andrew, great information. Loved this album on cassette in the USA. When I listen to past masters vol I it always reminds me of Rock and Roll.
I loved that one. I wish it were available on CD.
I wish too.
They should release it on CD.
This album was really important to me as a new Beatles fan in 1976 frantically trying to complete the collection. Because it contained all 4 (non-album) tracks from the Long Tall Sally EP it enabled me to complete the collection of all Beatles songs released up to that point. The singles also re-released in 1976 in the green sleeves , like the Back in the USSR one you show in the video, enabled me to mop up all the non-album b-sides. So all in all this album gets a big thumbs up from me - terrible cover though. Thanks for a great video
I think its a well put together album. The tracks are in near chronological order compared to the follow up Love Songs which was all over the place!
Loving the Beatles videos Andrew! Really great stuff!
Glad you like them!
I had this on 8 track
I was 7
I got hooked on it
Didn’t even know who they were
I loved rockabilly and this sounded like a rockabilly band
I remember seeing those at the grocery store around 1984. Even at 10 years old, those Beatles compilation albums after the red and blue ones looked undesirable.
I have the MFP versions and I do like George Martin's revised mixes. I find the stereo picture less disconcerting (prefer the early albums in mono) and some tracks seem clearer with a stronger bass. Well worth having.
Keep em coming Andrew so many great and informative videos on your channel brilliant👍👍👍👍,
P.S would love to see some videos on the early Pink Floyd vinyl on the blue Columbia labels😉👍👍👍
My first purchased Beatles album. I was ten. By then I was familiar with my older brother's blue album (1967 - 1970) and, mysteriously and strangely enough, Beatles' version of the song "Rock And Roll Music" off of an old spinning tape recorder we had at home. The latter fact no doubt sparked my interest in getting hold of "Rock'n'Roll Music". I remember being very determined when I saw the new album in the shop Musikkhuset in Haugesund, Norway. It didn't matter that their most famous music was on the blue and red albums. "Rock'n'Roll Music" was MINE, and the way it kicked ass the moment I put the needle on the vinyl in me and my brother's room is a moment which I will never forget.
Good times, Bengt!
Reel music, Red and blues and these were my introduction and I still hold real love and affection for them
My introduction to The Beatles was 20 Greatest Hits from 1982. That was the first Beatles album I bought.
@@michaelconsuegra7316 In Australia the '20 Greatest Hits' came with an extra EP - because Australia had 25 No.1s.
I'd forgotten about 'Reel Music'....does anyone remember the single that came out at the same time - a Stars on 45 (but without the handclaps) like 'Beatles movie medley' - but with real Beatle tracks? It was dreadful....but I've got it somewhere.....
Hey Andrew. Great video. Curious thing about the original Aussie pressing is that it has the same mixes as the US version but the channels were corrected back to their original left-right configuration. I'll need to relisten to it again to confirm. Other curiosity was that the repackaged version was reissued 3 times on the Axis label ( Aussie MFP equivalent) each with different catalogue numbers. I also understand that the "Ballads" LP was a European creation not released in the USA by Capitol. From memory I think it was the first time I'd heard "Hey Bulldog" as I don't think I owned the "Yellow Submarine" LP at that time.
I've never had this album but I use its playlist -- along with other official and non-official Beatles compilation playlists -- and substitute outtakes for the listed songs. I first saw this on Beatleg "alternate version" albums and saw it as a neat way to feature some of the great takes that deserve to be heard on a regular basis.
Wow, I had volume 2 (blue lettering and plain background version) as a teenager and loved it, lost it when everyone was changing to CD's but didn't replace it, and have never seen it since. Some of the tracks on it became and have remained some of my favourites, including Hey Bulldog and Helter Skelter. Thanks for this 👍🏻
Thanks for watching, Steven.