From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Beatles released twelve original albums, twelve EPs (featuring mostly otherwise available material), one double EP, and twenty-two singles (featuring mostly otherwise unavailable material) in eight years (1962-1970) in their native United Kingdom. Their international discography is complicated, however, due to sometimes different versions of their albums released in other countries, particularly in their early years on Capitol Records in the United States. In addition, most of their releases are available in both mono and stereo mixes.
[edit] Original EMI releases
[edit] UK singles
[edit] UK EPs
[edit] UK albums
This is a listing of the official studio albums released in the UK by The Beatles (not including compilations and the like).
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| With the Beatles (#1 for 21 weeks, plus another 10 weeks at #2; 53 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Parlophone PMC 1206 (Mono)/PCS 3045 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1963-11-22 |
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| Beatles for Sale (#1 for 11 weeks, plus another 11 weeks at #2; 48 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Parlophone PMC 1240 (Mono)/PCS 3062 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1964-12-04 |
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| Help! (#1 for 9 weeks – debut at #1, plus another 6 weeks at #2; 41 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Parlophone PMC 1255 (Mono)/PCS 3071 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1965-08-06 |
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| Rubber Soul (#1 for 8 weeks, plus another 11 weeks at #2; 47 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Parlophone PMC 1267 (Mono)/PCS 3075 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1965-12-03 |
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| Revolver (#1 for 7 weeks – debut at #1, plus another 6 weeks at #2; 46 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Parlophone PMC 7009 (Mono)/PCS 7009 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1966-08-05 |
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| The Beatles ("The White Album") (#1 for 8 weeks – debut at #1, plus another 2 weeks at #2; 24 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Apple/Parlophone PMC 7067-7068 (Mono)/PCS 7067-7068 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1968-11-22 |
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| Abbey Road (#1 for 17 weeks – debut at #1, plus 1 week at #2; 92 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Apple/Parlophone PCS 7088 Albums in stereo only from this point on. |
| Released: |
1969-09-26 |
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| Let It Be (#1 for 3 weeks – debut at #1, plus another 4 weeks at #2; 60 weeks on chart) |
| Label: |
Apple/Parlophone PXS 1 (Box Set)/PCS 7096 (Regular LP) |
| Released: |
1970-05-08 (Box Set)
1970-11-06 (Regular LP) |
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[edit] Compilations and other releases
[edit] U.S. albums
In the United States, as noted above, The Beatles albums were rearranged, retitled and remixed. Some of the U.S. releases were nearly identical to their UK counterparts, often only varying by one or two songs. Most releases contained songs that were also found on other records, which made things difficult for the American Beatles fan trying to purchase the band's entire catalogue. By 1967, beginning with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, all U.S. releases matched the UK releases exactly (with the exception of the UK double EP Magical Mystery Tour (1967), which was released as an LP in the U.S. and included extra tracks not found on the UK release).
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| Something New (#2 for 9 weeks; 41 weeks on chart) (8/15/1964) |
| Label: |
Capitol T 2108 (Mono)/ST 2108 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1964-07-20 |
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| Beatles '65 (#1 for 9 weeks; 71 weeks on chart) (1/9/1965-) |
| Label: |
Capitol T 2228 (Mono)/ST 2228 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1964-12-15 |
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| Beatles VI (#1 for 6 weeks, plus another 2 weeks at #2; 41 weeks on chart) (7/10/1965) |
| Label: |
Capitol T 2358 (Mono)/ST 2358 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1965-06-14 |
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| Help! (#1 for 9 weeks, plus another week at #2; 44 weeks on chart) (9/11/1965) {The Movie Soundtrack} |
| Label: |
Capitol MAS 2386 (Mono)/SMAS 2386 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1965-08-13 |
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| Rubber Soul (#1 for 6 weeks, plus another 2 weeks at #2; 59 weeks on chart) (1/8/1966-) |
| Label: |
Capitol T 2442 (Mono)/ST 2442 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1965-12-06 |
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| Yesterday… and Today (#1 for 5 weeks, plus another 2 weeks at #2; 31 weeks on chart) (7/16/1966) |
| Label: |
Capitol T 2553 (Mono)/ST 2553 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1966-06-20 |
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| Revolver (#1 for 6 weeks, plus another 2 weeks at #2; 77 weeks on chart) (9/10/1966) |
| Label: |
Capitol T 2576 (Mono)/ST 2576 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1966-08-08 |
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| Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (#1 for 15 weeks, plus another 6 weeks at #2; 175 weeks on chart) (6/24/1967) "Grammy Award Winner for the Album of the Year in1967" |
| Label: |
Capitol MAS 2653 (Mono)/SMAS 2653 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1967-06-02 |
| Track listing is identical to the UK release. It should be noted, though, that the two seconds of gibberish placed on the concentric groove of the UK release was left off the U.S. release. |
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| Magical Mystery Tour (#1 for 8 weeks; 91 weeks on chart) (12/30/1967+) (1/6/1968-) {The Movie Soundtrack & 1967 singles} |
| Label: |
Capitol MAL 2835 (Mono)/SMAL 2835 (Stereo) |
| Released: |
1967-11-27 |
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| The Beatles (#1 for 9 weeks, plus another 2 weeks at #2; 155 weeks on chart) (12/14/1968) |
| Label: |
Apple/Capitol SWBO 101 (All albums in stereo only from this point on) |
| Released: |
1968-11-25 |
| Track listing is identical to the UK release. |
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| Yellow Submarine (#2 for 2 weeks – kept off the top spot by The White Album; 25 weeks on chart) (2/15/1969) |
| Label: |
Apple/Capitol SW 153 |
| Released: |
1969-01-13 |
| Track listing is identical to the UK release. |
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| Abbey Road (#1 for 11 weeks, plus another 7 weeks at #2; 129 weeks on chart) (10/25/1969) |
| Label: |
Apple/Capitol SO 383 |
| Released: |
1969-10-01 |
| Track listing is identical to the UK release. |
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| Let It Be (#1 for 4 weeks, plus another 4 weeks at #2; 59 weeks on chart) (6/6/1970) {The Movie Soundtrack} |
| Label: |
Apple/United Artists AR 34001 |
| Released: |
1970-05-18 |
| Track listing is identical to the UK release. |
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[edit] Canadian albums
The division of Capitol Records in Canada released three unique albums and nine singles in 1963 and 1964 before aligning with the American division and releasing the same albums as in the U.S. The first Canadian release was the "Love Me Do" single (72076) on 1963-02-04.
After this album, Capitol of Canada synchronised its catalogue production with the U.S. market, beginning with United Artists' A Hard Day's Night and concluding with Apple's Hey Jude. Notably, the albums Something New and The Beatles' Story were only produced in mono when originally released. In 1967 the American back catalogue was released in Canada:
- The Beatles' Second Album, ST 2080 (Stereo)/ T 2080 (Mono), February 1, 1967
- Meet The Beatles, ST 2047 (Stereo), February 1, 1967
- Something New, ST 2108, February 1, 1967
- The Beatles' Story, STBO 2222 (Stereo), August 1, 1968
- The Early Beatles, ST 2309 (Stereo), August 1, 1968
[edit] UK compilations and other releases
- Note: Two double compilation albums, featuring as covers an alternate shot of the photograph originally taken for Please Please Me and a 1969 re-creation (originally for Get Back, which evolved into Let It Be) based upon that photograph.
- Rock 'n' Roll Music Parlophone Records (1976-06-10) #11
- Magical Mystery Tour Parlophone Records (1976-11-19) [sic] (Official UK issue of the American album using the Capitol masters, except for "Penny Lane," "Baby You're a Rich Man," and "All You Need is Love," which were the German mixes released on the Hör Zu! label in 1971. It became part of the official catalogue with its release on CD with every track in true-stereo. As an American import, the album peaked at #31 in 1968. Continued sales of the album as an import led to this release.)
- The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl Parlophone Records (1977-05-06) (Live performances from 1964-08-23 and 1965-08-30 at the Hollywood Bowl) #1
- Love Songs Parlophone Records (1977-11-19) #7
- The Beatles Collection Parlophone Records (1977-11-02) (A 14-record box set containing all of The Beatles' original Parlophone/Apple LPs along with Rarities)
- Rarities Parlophone Records (1978-12-02) (B-sides, songs in German ("Sie Liebt Dich" and "Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand") and others) #71
- Hey Jude Parlophone Records (1979-05-11) (Official UK issue of American album)
- The Beatles' Ballads Parlophone Records (1980-10-13) (compilation) #17
- Reel Music Parlophone Records (1982-03-29) (compilation of tracks from The Beatles' films) Did not chart
- The Beatles Mono Collection Parlophone/Apple (1982-10-??) (box set - 10 chronological mono Beatle albums from Please Please Me to Yellow Submarine excluding A Collection of Beatles Oldies. Intended for export, originally in a red box similar to The Beatles Collection, reissued later in black)
- 20 Greatest Hits Parlophone Records (1982-10-18) #10
- Past Masters, Volume One Parlophone Records (1988-03-07) (singles from 1962-1965 and other songs that were left off earlier albums) #49
- Past Masters, Volume Two Parlophone Records (1988-03-07) (singles from 1965-1970 and other songs that were left off later albums) #46
- Note: The reason for the Past Masters compilations are so that every song The Beatles released in 1962-1970 could be on a CD. They include singles and B-sides, two songs sung in German, the contents of an EP released in 1964 that had four additional songs, the "single" versions of the songs "Get Back" and "Let It Be", and a version of "Across the Universe" that had bird-like sound effects. Past Masters was also issued as a 2-LP set on 1988-11-10.
- The Beatles Box Set Apple/Parlophone Records (1988-12-05) (contains the official Apple/Parlophone Beatle catalogue on CD including the two Past Masters volumes along with a soft cover book by Mark Lewisohn describing every track in this collection which is contained in a roll top wooden box)
- Live at the BBC Apple Records (1994-11-30) (Contains 69 songs The Beatles recorded for various BBC radio shows that never were recorded for Parlophone/Capitol/EMI. #1
- Anthology 1 Apple Records (1995-11-21) (Containing early performances, live shows, demos, out-takes in the period 1958 to 1964 and the first "new" Beatles song since the band broke up in 1970) #2
- Anthology 2 Apple Records (1996-03-18) (Containing unreleased tracks, live shows, demos, and out-takes from 1965 to 1968) #1
- Anthology 3 Apple Records (1996-10-28) (Containing unreleased tracks, demos, and out-takes in the period 1968 to 1970) #4
- Yellow Submarine Songtrack Apple Records (1999-09-13) #8
- The Beatles 1 Apple Records (2000-11-13) (A collection of The Beatles' #1 hits on the Billboard [U.S.] and Record Retailer [UK] charts, including both sides of their double-A sided singles if both hit the top slot. The collection has 27 songs in it.) #1
- Let It Be… Naked Apple Records (2003-11-17) (Remastered and remixed cut from the original sessions, devoid of arrangements by "re-producer" Phil Spector. The first copies released shipped with a 21-minute Fly on the Wall bonus disc.) #7
- The Capitol Albums, Volume 1 Apple/Capitol/Parlophone Records (2004-11-15) (A re-issuing of the first four Beatles albums that Capitol released in the U.S. Both versions, mono and stereo)
- The Capitol Albums, Volume 2 Apple/Capitol/Parlophone Records (2006-04-11) (A re-issuing of The Beatles albums that Capitol released in the U.S. in 1965. Both versions, mono and stereo)
- Love Apple Records (2006-11-20) #3 (A soundtrack to the Cirque du Soleil production Love, featuring remastered and remixed versions of the Beatles' songs by Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin)
[edit] U.S. compilations and other releases
- The Beatles' Story, Capitol TBO 2222 (Mono)/STBO 2222 (Stereo (1964-11-23) #7 (12/19/1964+) (1/2/1965-)
- Hey Jude, Apple/Capitol SW 385 (1970-02-26) #2(4) (3/21/1970)
- In the Beginning (Circa 1960), Polydor Records 24-4504 (1970-05-04) #117
- 1962–1966 (the "Red Album"), Apple SKBO-3403 (1973-04-02) #3 (4/21/1973)
- 1967–1970 (the "Blue Album"), Apple SKBO-3404 (1973-04-02) #1(1) (4/21/1973)
- Rock 'n' Roll Music, Capitol Records (1976-06-07) #2(2) (6/26/1976)
- Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962, Lingasong (May 2, 1977) #111
- The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, Capitol Records (1977-05-04) #2(2) (5/21/1977)
- Love Songs, Capitol Records (1977-10-21) #24 (11/19/1977)
- The Beatles Collection, Capitol Records (1979-12-01) (Unlike the British release, the American issue was a limited edition with only 3000 copies made. The British release which was not a limited edition became a popular import for the U.S. market as a result.)
- Rarities, Capitol SHAL-12060 (1980-03-24) #21 (4/19/1980)
- Rock 'n' Roll Music Vol. 1, Music For Pleasure (1980-10-27)
- Rock 'n' Roll Music Vol. 2, Music For Pleasure (1980-10-27)
- Reel Music, Capitol Records (1982-03-22) #19 (4/10/1982)
- 20 Greatest Hits, Capitol Records (1982-10-11) #50
- Please Please Me, Parlophone/Capitol Records (1987-02-26)
- With the Beatles, Parlophone/Capitol Records (1987-02-26)
- A Hard Day's Night (British version), Parlophone/Capitol Records (1987-02-26)
- Beatles for Sale, Parlophone/Capitol Records (1987-02-26)
- Help! (British version), Parlophone/Capitol Records (1987-04-30)
- Rubber Soul (British version), Parlophone/Capitol Records (1987-04-30)
- Revolver (British version), Parlophone/Capitol Records (1987-04-30)
- (The above 1987 CD releases mark the first official releases for The Beatles' early British albums in the U.S.)
- (Past Masters as a 2-LP set was issued by Capitol Records on 1988-10-24)
- The Beatles Box Set Parlophone/Capitol Records (1988-11-15)
- Live at the BBC, Capitol Records (1994-12-06) #3 (12/24/1994+) (1/8/1995-)
- Anthology 1, Capitol Records (1995-11-21) #1 (12/9/1995+) (1/13/1996-)
- Anthology 2, Capitol Records (1996-03-19) #1 (4/20/1996)
- Anthology 3, Capitol Records (1996-10-29) #1 (11/23/1996+) (1/3/1997-)
- Yellow Submarine Songtrack, Capitol Records (1999-09-14) #15 (10/2/1999)
- The Beatles 1, Capitol Records (2000-11-14) #1 (12/2/2000+) (1/6/2001-)
- Let It Be… Naked, Capitol Records (2003-11-18) #5 (12/13/2003+) (1/17/2004-)
- The Capitol Albums, Volume 1, Capitol Records (2004-11-16) #35 (12/4/2004+) (1/1/2005-)
- The Capitol Albums, Volume 2, Capitol Records (2006-04-11) #46
- Love, Capitol Records (2006-11-21) #4 (12/16/2006+) (1/20/2007-)
[edit] Canadian compilations and other releases
All post-Beatles albums were released exactly the same in Canada as in the U.S., with the exception of:
[edit] Extended plays (EPs)
During the years that the Beatles were together and recording, album tracks were not customarily released as singles, and vice versa. Instead, EMI would release album tracks as EPs, long singles with two songs per side. With two exceptions, the EPs feature songs also available on Beatles albums, rather than original material.
[edit] U.S. EPs
[edit] Singles
The UK Singles Chart is compiled solely from sales figures; airplay statistics are not used. For this reason the chart positions for the UK Singles are indicated per disc, not per song. Pos column indicates the peak position in the charts.
[edit] U.S. singles
The Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. is compiled from sales and airplay statistics, so the individual songs on any given disc can be charted separately.
[edit] Canadian singles
As appeared on the "CHUM Hit Parade" charts between the weeks of Monday 6 January 1963 and Saturday 8 January 1977.[1] Capitol of Canada said yes to The Beatles from day one and issued early Beatle singles in their 72000 series of Canada only releases before aligning with the American company's numbering system when the American company began issuing Beatle singles.
[edit] Christmas records
The Beatles also recorded annual Christmas records for their fan club members. From 1963 to 1969 these were released as 7" flexidiscs on LYN. In 1970 the 7 previous records were put onto a 12" vinyl record, From Then to You. These remain largely unavailable today, with the exception of one track, "Christmas Time Is Here Again", which was edited and released on the Free As a Bird CD single in 1994:
- The Beatles Christmas Record, LYN 492 (1963)
- Season's Greetings from The Beatles, LYN 757 (1964)
- The Beatles 3rd Christmas Record, LYN 948 (1965)
- Everywhere It's Christmas, LYN 1145 (1966)
- Christmas Time Is Here Again, LYN 1360 (1967)
- Beatles 1968 Christmas Record, LYN 1743/4 (1968)
- Happy Christmas 1969, LYN 1970/1 (1969)
- From Then to You, (UK) Apple LYN 2154 / The Beatles' Christmas Album (U.S.) Apple SBC 100 (1970)
[edit] Sales figures
US Sales figures.
| Album |
RIAA |
Soundscan |
| The Beatles |
19x Platinum (Diamond plus nine) |
3,057,000 |
| 1967–1970 |
16x Platinum (Diamond plus six) |
2,568,000 |
| 1962–1966 |
15x Platinum (Diamond plus five) |
2,214,000 |
| Abbey Road |
12x Platinum (Diamond plus two) |
3,813,310 |
| Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band |
11x Platinum (Diamond plus one) |
3,703,429 |
| The Beatles 1 |
10x Platinum (Diamond) |
10,946,124 |
| Anthology 1 |
8x Platinum |
3,666,000 |
| A Hard Day's Night |
6x Platinum |
1,161,000 |
| Magical Mystery Tour |
6x Platinum |
1,525,000 |
| Rubber Soul |
6x Platinum |
2,274,000 |
| Meet The Beatles! |
5x Platinum |
50,000 |
| Revolver |
5x Platinum |
1,867,000 |
| Help! |
4x Platinum |
1,232,000 |
| Let It Be |
4x Platinum |
1,149,000 |
| Live at the BBC |
4x Platinum |
1,518,000 |
| Anthology 2 |
4x Platinum |
1,739,000 |
| Beatles '65 |
3x Platinum |
24,000 |
| Hey Jude |
3x Platinum |
68,000 |
| Love Songs |
3x Platinum |
94,000 |
| Anthology 3 |
3x Platinum |
1,363,000 |
| 20 Greatest Hits |
2x Platinum |
821,000 |
| The Beatles' Second Album |
2x Platinum |
20,000 |
| Something New |
2x Platinum |
11,000 |
| Beatles for Sale |
Platinum |
594,000 |
| Beatles VI |
Platinum |
10,000 |
| Let It Be… Naked |
Platinum |
1,147,000 |
| Past Masters, Volume One |
Platinum |
826,000 |
| Past Masters, Volume Two |
Platinum |
1,164,000 |
| Please Please Me |
Platinum |
772,000 |
| Rock 'n' Roll Music |
Platinum |
216,000 |
| Rock 'n' Roll Music Vol. 1 |
Platinum |
Not available |
| Rock 'n' Roll Music Vol. 2 |
Platinum |
Not available |
| The Beatles Box Set |
Platinum |
Not available |
| The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl |
Platinum |
11,000 |
| The Capitol Albums, Volume 1 |
Platinum |
230,000 |
| The Early Beatles |
Platinum |
19,000 |
| Yellow Submarine |
Platinum |
1,090,000 |
| Yesterday...and Today |
Platinum |
26,000 |
| Love |
Platinum |
1,507,006 |
| Rarities |
Gold |
10,000 |
| Reel Music |
Gold |
16,000 |
| The Beatles' Story |
Gold |
3,000 |
| The Capitol Albums, Volume 2 |
Gold |
78,000 |
| With the Beatles |
Gold |
563,000 |
| Yellow Submarine Songtrack |
Gold |
756,000 |
| Total |
172 Million |
53,922,000[citation needed] |
[edit] Singles sales figures
[edit] Historical background
The first seven Beatles albums appeared in very different versions in the U.S., where Capitol Records mixed UK album tracks with UK single tracks to create different albums altogether, with different titles, track listings, and often different audio mixes. The first eight of these records have been released on CD as The Capitol Albums, Volume 1 (2004) and The Capitol Albums, Volume 2 (2006). The Capitol release of Rubber Soul is preferred by some over its UK counterpart, due to its more folky flavour[citation needed]; it was this version of the album that greatly influenced the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, who "answered" it by releasing Pet Sounds in 1966[citation needed]. Upon the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, the Beatles albums had the same track listing in both the U.S. and the UK (The only exception to this is Magical Mystery Tour, which was released as a double EP in the UK, and a longer LP in the U.S.).
The first ten (of twelve) Beatles albums were released in both mono and stereo mixes. However, stereo record players were rare at the time, so producer George Martin and the Beatles gave more time and attention to preparing mono mixes of their recordings, particularly for their early records. Therefore, the mono versions are considered by many to be the "official" versions, as opposed to the stereo releases. In fact, when the Beatles discography was released on CD in the 1980s, the mono mixes of the first four albums were used, rather than the stereo mixes. However, the last two albums, Abbey Road and Let It Be, were mixed and released in stereo only.
The Beatles UK discography was released on CD in the late 1980s. However, the sound of the digital transfers of the current discs, produced by George Martin in 1987 and 1988 using the best equipment available during the early days of the format, no longer meet standards achievable using current techniques in Direct Stream Digital, HDCD, and others. The sound on the remastered catalogues of Bob Dylan, the Bee Gees, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones, among other heavyweights from the 1960s, have been greatly enhanced using technological developments that have occurred since Martin's initial digital mastering, and as of 2007, similar work for the Beatles is long overdue. In addition, many Beatles enthusiasts feel that the CD releases of the albums are inferior because the recordings were originally mastered to be played on vinyl, which, when played back, arguably possess a warm sound which CDs are not able to reproduce. Many purists today still listen to Beatles albums only on vinyl.[citation needed]
Olivia Harrison recently stated that the Beatles songs and albums had been remastered, and were in the final production stage. However, Harrison did state that she feels these may not be released until the end of 2008, possibly due to changes that may need to be made. [2]
[edit] Bootlegs
See The Beatles bootlegs for a run down of some of the more popular unauthorized bootleg material.
[edit] Bibliography
- Castleman, Harry and Walter J. Podrazik (1975). All Together Now: the only Complete Beatles Discography 1961-1975. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-29794-6.
- Wallgren, Mark (1982). The Beatles on Record. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0-671-45682-2.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?artist=7600
- ^ http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/beatles_online_deal_seen_for_2008.html
[edit] External links
[[Category:The Beatles|Discography]] [[Category:The Beatles albums| ]] [[Category:The Beatles songs| ]] [[Category:Discographies|Beatles, The]]
