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Beatles forums => The Beatles => Topic started by: Wolf on March 19, 2004, 08:18:02 PM

Title: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Wolf on March 19, 2004, 08:18:02 PM

From The Beatles On Apple    by Bruce Spizer (2003):

Beatles historians and collectors have always assumed that Capitol Records was the driving force behind the "Hey Jude" album. This, however, is not the case. Allen Klein was anxious to have another Beatles album delivered to Capitol under the terms of the lucrative new contract signed between the parties. In late November, 1969, he asked Allan Steckler, an Abkco employee assigned to manage Apple, if there was any material available to put into a Beatles album.

Steckler reviewed the Capitol catalog to determine what songs had yet to appear on an American album. He selected ten songs covering the Beatles` almost entire career and programmed the running order. This information was forwarded to EMI with instructions to compile a stereo master tape for the LP. Four of the pre-1969 songs had never appeared on a British album and needed to be mixed for stereo. Existing stereo mixes were used for the other selections.

"Can`t Buy Me Love" and "I Should Have Known Better" were mixed for stereo on June 22, 1964, for inclusion on the stereo version of the Parlophone album "A Hard Day`s Night" (PCS 3058). EMI used these mixes for the new LP. As the stereo version of the United Artists soundtrack LP contains mono mixes of these songs, the "Hey Jude" album marked the stereo debut of these songs in America.

"Paperback Writer" was mixed for stereo on October 31, 1966, for the British hits album "A Collection Of Beatles Oldies (But Goodies)" (Parlophone PCS 7016). For the "Hey Jude" LP, EMI used an alternate stereo mix with reversed stereo and louder backing vocals. Because the single`s flip side, "Rain", had only been issued in mono, EMI had to create a stereo mix. On December 2, 1969, George Martin, assisted by engineers Geoff Emerick and Phil McDonald, made a stereo mix of "Rain" from Take 7. A stereo mix of "Lady Madonna" from Take 5 was also made that day.

On December 5, the same crew, along with second engineer Neil Richmond, created a stereo mix for "Revolution" from Take 16. Although "Hey Jude" had been mixed for stereo on August 2, 1968, a new stereo mix was made from Take 1 on December 5. The remaining three tracks for the album had previously been mixed for stereo. EMI assembled the master tape for the LP on December 8 and sent the tape to Abkco`s New York Headquarters.

At the time the album was conceived in late 1969, Apple, through Abkco, was taking a more active role in the production and promotion of its releases. Apple had become increasingly frustrated with Capitol`s handling of Apple product. According to Steckler, "Capitol was doing things in Capitol`s best interests, not the Beatles. Advertising and release dates centered around Capitol`s schedule, so things weren`t getting done when Apple wanted them done." In response, Apple began placing its own advertisements in the trades and directly handling production matters previously handled by Capitol.

Although Capitol had its own mastering facilities in the Capitol Tower and in its New York studios, Steckler began taking the tapes of all Apple releases to Bell Sound Studio, Inc., 237 W. 54th Street, New York, New York, for mastering. He personally supervised the mastering, which was done by Sam Feldman. His relationship with Bell Sound dated back to 1961.

On December 11, 1969, Sam Feldman mastered two reference dubs of the album. The following day, 41 sets of lacquers, also cut by Feldman, were sent to Capitol. An additional two sets of lacquers, numbers 42 and 43, were sent to Capitol on January 21, 1970. The trail off areas to the records generated from these lacquers have the Bell Sound Machine stamped script logo and the hand etched initials "sf" for Sam Feldman.

By the time Capitol began pressing copies of the album, its new factory in Winchester, Virginia, had come on line and the Scranton plant was being phased out. First pressings of the album were manufactured by all four of Capitol`s factories.

Capitol initially assigend catalog number SO-385 to the record. The "S" stands for stereo and the "O" indicates a list price of $6.98. Although "Abbey Road" had a then-high list price of $6.98, Capitol and Apple had second thoughts about charging an extra dollar for an album containing no new songs. Prior to its release, the LP was numbered SW-385, with the "W" indicating a $5.98 list price. The trail off areas to the records generated from the original Bell Sound lacquers have the "SO" prefix. Some of the Winchester pressings have a "W" written over the "O" in the "SO" prefix.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Ssarah on March 19, 2004, 10:10:26 PM
That was very interesting, Thank you.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: on March 20, 2004, 02:16:32 AM
Indeed, quite interesting.  Just when you think you know everything.... ;-)

(And Bruce Spizer is a highly regarded Beatle author...his books are very detailed and accurate, which is always high praise for a Beatle book.)

Thanks!
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Fool_on_the_Hill on March 20, 2004, 12:44:45 PM
Good post... good info!
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Jopn on March 20, 2004, 01:36:06 PM
can you get the hey jude album on cd?
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Crazy Diamond on March 20, 2004, 03:38:28 PM
No; it's only on tape and vinyl. :(
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Ssarah on March 20, 2004, 05:00:27 PM
Why don't they put it on CD?
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: on March 20, 2004, 06:22:55 PM
Because there is no new music on it, everything is on other CD's (like Past Masters).
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Crazy Diamond on March 20, 2004, 06:44:14 PM
Please don't talk about Past Masters! :(
LOL.
I saw Vol. 2 in a CD store today, but they didn't have the CD!!! :(
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: on March 21, 2004, 04:10:49 AM
Must not be much of a CD store!  ;-)
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: zipp on March 21, 2004, 10:03:24 AM
Past Masters are essential CDs but not visually very interesting.
Hey Jude is just a compilation but with a really nice cover.
Do you buy an album for the music or for the photos?
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Wayne L. on March 21, 2004, 11:48:39 AM
Even though it's just another Beatles compilation the Hey Jude album cover with some of the last photographs of the Beatles is the best.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Ssarah on March 21, 2004, 05:13:48 PM
I like early pictures the most hehe.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Patton on March 22, 2004, 02:11:55 PM
[quote by=Ssarah link=Blah.pl?b=cc,m=1079727482,s=6 date=1079802027]Why don't they put it on CD?
[/quote]

If I could get it on tape i know some one who could put it on CD. it would be like a burned copy though! :P
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: The End on March 22, 2004, 02:15:45 PM
Brilliant post as ever Wolf! :)

There are UK export copies of this LP too - that is they were pressed in the UK for export to the US, on the Parlophone label as opposed to Capital/Apple. The Beatles' export records are very highly sort and in some cases worth a HELL of a lot of money. The existance of an export copy of the 'Butcher Sleeve' Yesterday and Today LP is unconfirmed!!!
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: bizmopeen on April 01, 2004, 08:04:50 PM

Unfortunately, I believe the Y&T Export butcher has been confirmed NOT to exist, though it had theorized to have been possible within the sequence of CPCS numbers (PCS standing for the standard Parlophone catalog number, with the prefix "C" standing for Capitol, as it mirrored a Capitol configuration)

There's a great thread on the Steve Clifford Beatles website about these export issues (sorry, don't remember the URL), with most of them being ultra-rare as noted.  However, I believe the most common is the CPCS "Hey Jude", which I believe was on Apple (not Parlophone) only, whereas the rest received Parlophone labels.

That said, you're still lucky if you have a copy.  According to the Steve Hoffman website:

www.stevehoffman.tv

...a brilliant place for all lovers of Beatles (or any) mix/release minutae, the export issue of this LP is one of the best SOUNDING releases of this material:  the American version used 3rd & 4th generation dubs, whereas the British version used much better tapes! 

So jump on EBay and grab a copy while you can!  I got mine for about $25 American, which is a much better deal than the hundreds (or even thousands) you'd spend on the other export issues.  Make a copy onto CD or have a friend do it, and enjoy the great music...
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: The End on April 01, 2004, 09:27:20 PM
Welcome Bizmopeen! GREAT post :)

I do have an export copy of Hey Jude, but I've never played it! Which is probably why I forgot it's on Apple not Parlophone! DOH!

Excellent info though, thanks :)
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: bizmopeen on April 02, 2004, 07:47:49 PM
[quote by=The_End link=Blah.pl?b=cc,m=1079727482,s=16 date=1080854840]Welcome Bizmopeen! GREAT post :)

I do have an export copy of Hey Jude, but I've never played it! Which is probably why I forgot it's on Apple not Parlophone! DOH!

Excellent info though, thanks :)[/quote]

Thank you!  I just discovered this site, and there seems to be a lot of great info here.  Thanks for the welcome, and I look forward to digging in and enjoying...! :)

Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Patton on April 02, 2004, 08:02:42 PM
[quote by=bizmopeen link=Blah.pl?b=cc,m=1079727482,s=17 date=1080935269]

Thank you!
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Moogmodule on May 08, 2022, 08:18:42 AM
Is the Hey Jude album the most bizarre compilation the Beatles ever released? I understand it was a money making venture by Allan Klein to take advantage of the new EMI royalty rates, but to have Hard Days Night material mixed with Revolver era and 1969 A and B sides makes for a very curious collection. 
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: blmeanie on May 08, 2022, 10:49:44 AM
A friend had the vinyl of this, great collection of songs
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Moogmodule on May 08, 2022, 11:15:22 AM
Well of course they’re all good songs. It’s the Beatles after all.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Normandie on May 09, 2022, 01:11:15 AM
Is the Hey Jude album the most bizarre compilation the Beatles ever released?

I would say so. I hadn't been aware of this album. It's a very, um, eclectic lineup. Actually, your original word, bizarre, is the best descriptor.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 09, 2022, 01:34:10 AM
I have the Hey Jude LP but it's an early pressing and labeled The Beatles Again.  It was a release much like Past Masters later on.  We had no YouTube in 1970 and if Beatles songs were not on LPs, the only way to hear them was if they were played on the radio or if we had an old 45.  With the release of Hey Jude we were finally able to hear those songs whenever we wished.  I knew it was an odd compilation of songs that stretched over several years but I didn't care and was happy I bought the LP.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 09, 2022, 01:43:00 AM
(http://images.45worlds.com/f/ab/the-beatles-cant-buy-me-love-1970-ab.jpg)            (http://images.45worlds.com/f/ab/the-beatles-apple-366-ab.jpg)
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Moogmodule on May 09, 2022, 10:22:11 AM
It makes sense as a collection of non album tracks. It’s odd I Should Have Known Better and Can’t Buy Me Love hadn’t made it to a Capitol album til then.  Capitol grabbed pretty much everything to put on albums prior to Sgt Pepper.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Normandie on May 09, 2022, 05:29:00 PM
I have the Hey Jude LP but it's an early pressing and labeled The Beatles Again. 

I personally don't care for either of those titles. I imagine they went with "Hey Jude" because of all the songs on the disc it's likely the most commercially well known.

Seems like this release would be a good one for someone who has never heard the Beatles, or hasn't listened to them much. It's certainly diverse.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 09, 2022, 09:15:40 PM
I personally don't care for either of those titles. I imagine they went with "Hey Jude" because of all the songs on the disc it's likely the most commercially well known.

Seems like this release would be a good one for someone who has never heard the Beatles, or hasn't listened to them much. It's certainly diverse.

Remember, The Beatles Again LP was released in February 1970.  With no internet at that time, many of us weren't aware of The Beatles breaking up with the exception of those reading the various fan magazines.  The initial name of the LP was a good marketing ploy.  Even better was the name change to "Hey Jude" as this was the only way to hear the STEREO mix of Hey Jude.  The song was recorded on the 8-Track studio recorder but the 45 from late 1968 was in MONO.

I was happy to buy The Beatles Again LP and hear Hey Jude in STEREO.  I'm even happier today that I have the original pressing labeled The Beatles Again as it's somewhat of a rare find today.  As far as the songs on the LP, I mostly listened to Hey Jude, Paperback Writer, Rain, and Lady Madonna.

In February 1970 we had no idea that there would be one more Beatles album released.  Of course that LP was Let It Be.  By then we all knew that the band was history.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: zipp on May 09, 2022, 10:17:55 PM
I think Hey Jude works well as an album. It's pretty mich chronological and the tracks go well together. It has a balanced mix of songs. Paul has 4, John has 5 and George has 1.

For me the most unpalatable Beatles collection is The Beatle Ballads.

This one is all over the place, for example: Norwegian Wood - Do You Want to Know a Secret - For No One ... in that order.

The ten songs on side two are two George songs and eight Paul songs. Not a single John song in there.

In fact John has only four songs out of the album's twenty.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 10, 2022, 01:19:11 AM
I personally don't care for either of those titles.


Perhaps The Beatles didn't either.  But you have to remember who was managing The Beatles at that time...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4psuv3oFA# (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4psuv3oFA#)

 ;D
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Moogmodule on May 10, 2022, 03:49:52 AM
I think Hey Jude works well as an album. It's pretty mich chronological and the tracks go well together. It has a balanced mix of songs. Paul has 4, John has 5 and George has 1.

For me the most unpalatable Beatles collection is The Beatle Ballads.

This one is all over the place, for example: Norwegian Wood - Do You Want to Know a Secret - For No One ...

The ten songs on side two are two George songs and eight Paul songs. Not a single John song in there.

In fact John has only four songs out of the album's twenty.

I’d forgotten that one. The Beatles hated that one as well I recall.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Normandie on May 10, 2022, 09:57:43 PM

I had to do a search on what, exactly, consitutes a ballad and have found a lot of interesting material. So much to learn, still, and I genuinely love to learn about music.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Moogmodule on May 10, 2022, 10:07:34 PM
I had to do a search on what, exactly, consitutes a ballad and have found a lot of interesting material. So much to learn, still, and I genuinely love to learn about music.

I’m not sure they took a rigorous approach to what was or wasn’t a ballad. They just seem to pick softer, slower tunes (mostly). It could have simply been titled Beatles Soft and Slow. That might have opened up some crude  potential titles for the Rock and Roll album though.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: zipp on May 10, 2022, 10:10:17 PM
I had to do a search on what, exactly, consitutes a ballad and have found a lot of interesting material. So much to learn, still, and I genuinely love to learn about music.

For this Beatle compilation, ballad just has the modern meaning of romantic love song.

Historically ballads were story songs often based on specific characters.

The Beatles came nearest to this form with Rocky Raccoon and, of course, the Ballad of John and Yoko.
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 11, 2022, 04:46:16 AM
^

C'est ça
Title: Re: 'Hey Jude' - The Album
Post by: Normandie on May 11, 2022, 11:25:20 AM
I’m not sure they took a rigorous approach to what was or wasn’t a ballad.

For this Beatle compilation, ballad just has the modern meaning of romantic love song.

I guess I was overthinking the whole "ballad" thing.

It could have simply been titled Beatles Soft and Slow. That might have opened up some crude potential titles for the Rock and Roll album though.

 ha2ha  Thanks for that. Now I'll probably have potential titles running through my head all morning.