Good Humour

I Feel Fine – Article Published

Alan — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:44:35 +0000

I Feel Fine (R 5200) was The Beatles final 7″ offering for 1964. Recorded during the somewhat hectic sessions for the album that was to become ‘Beatles For Sale’, the single was released with two variations of label. Selling 800,000 copies within five days of release it went on to pass the magic million prior to the end of the year. In this new 8 page article, we look at the recording of the two songs and the immense pressure the boys were under. Featuring high quality depictions of the label variations and revamped 7″ Parlophone bag. View the article

A Hard Day’s Night – Article Published

Alan — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:37:40 +0000

The Beatles second release of 1964 and the title track from their debut film. The single has only one known version which indicates that EMI was able to produce the single without additional help. In the 10 page article, we look at the origin of the phrase ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, how ‘Things We Said Today came to be written on a snatched holiday away from the UK. The article depicts high quality photographs of the labels including the demo which features a double ‘A’ side prompting the question, was it intended to be their first double ‘A’ sided single? View the article.

Please Please Me Album – Article Published

Alan — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:12:20 +0000

The Beatles first LP, ‘Please Please Me’ PMC 1202 and PCS 3042 was available for a few short weeks featuring the fabulous black and gold Parlophone label. Read about how these labels were manufactured and why print minders working on them qualified for free milk!!! We look at all aspects of production including the labels, the photography, artwork and plate production. A fascinating story of how it all begun! View the article.

Can’t Buy Me Love – Article Published

Alan — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:01:34 +0000

The Beatles first release of 1964 and a single that had advance orders of 1 million copies! ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ b/w ‘You Can’t Do That’ (R 5114) was unique in that the ‘A’ side was the only single record release that was recorded outside of the UK. With initial orders of 1 million copies and first release sales of 1.2 million it is surprising that there are only 2 variations. We look at both in detail in this 12 page article and feature them in superb high quality photographs.

We also discuss how the songs came to be written and recorded. How the factory meet huge advance orders in such a short time (with a little help from their friends!) and why was ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ recorded in Paris in the first place. View the article

I Want To Hold Your Hand – Article Published

Alan — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:05:02 +0000

With the final single release of 1963, The Beatles not only hit the top of the UK hit parade, but also broke into the United States of America. I Want To Hold Your Hand b/w This Boy, Parlophone R 5084 was never deleted from the EMI catalogue. We look at the original release and re-issues from 1964, post 1966 and 1969. All featured in superb quality in our 15 page article. View the article here.

She Loves You – Article Published

Alan — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:04:25 +0000

She Loves You b/w I’ll Get You, Parlophone R 5055, The Beatles third single release from 1963. Advance orders of a quarter of a million copies guaranteed a chart topping record. We have identified three versions of the single and we look at each in detail in our 13 page article.View the article here.

She Loves You

Alan — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:57:11 +0000

Currently working on She Loves You. I have identified three different versions with the earliest resembling what I have termed the house style. Has anyone got an unusual variant of this, I don’t mean contract pressings, just unusual typographic variations? If you have, I’d love to hear from you and will credit any used submissions. Thanks, Alan

From Me To You – Article published

Alan — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:06:51 +0000

The Beatles second release from 1963 and the single that confirmed them as Britain’s newest Chart Toppers! ‘From Me To You’ b/w ‘Thank You Girl’ (R 5015) sold double the quantity that Please Please Me achieved and yet there are only three black label versions. We look at each in detail in our 12 page article each featured in superb high quality.

How the songs came to be written and recorded. How the factory meet huge advance orders in such a short time and how the factory press men used this to their advantage? The first UK single to feature the newly formed ‘Northern Songs’, find out how the original share capital was split and why George Martin doubled The Beatles royalty payment during the singles No.1 Chart run. View the article here.

Please Please Me – Article published

Alan — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:06:30 +0000

The Beatles first No. 1 (depending on which chart you subscribe to), ‘Please Please Me’ b/w ‘Ask Me Why’ can be found in two red label Parlophone versions (45-R 4983) and four black label versions (45-R 4983 & R 4983). Our article looks at each version in detail and offers high quality photographs taken from the best sources available.

We explain subjects such as the influence of tax codes, 78rpm records, music publishing and production issues, this 16 printed page article takes a forensic look at this release. Each article features a ‘check list’ that depicts each variation with a unique identifying code and also confirms the original Parlophone bags that the singles were loaded into when originally offered for sale. View the article here.

Love Me Do – Article published

Alan — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:04:50 +0000

The Beatles debut single originally released in 1962 has no fewer than 5 variations of label. There are two red versions (45-R 4949) and three black versions (R 4949) of ‘Love Me Do’ b/w ‘P.S. I Love You’, all depicted from the best sources available and shown in stunning detail. The 15 printed page article enables you to identify these variations and explains the reasons behind the production changes.

In addition, we look at the Parlophone paper sleeves that the singles were originally loaded at the factory with high quality printed examples. A must for completists and casual collectors alike, Love Me Do is the first in the series that will become the standard reference work for original UK Beatles records released between 1962 and 1970. View the article here