Tuesday, November 30, 2010

No iTunes Here - Beatle Related 45s Found Today


Recently Apple Records announced that the Beatle catalog finally is available on Apple's (the other company) iTunes - making the leap into the 21st century for the Fab Four. Today a bit of retro smacked the 42N team with the purchase of now classic '50s, '60s and '70s pop by one Beatle, one mentor, and two students. Any artist on the Apple record label (cassette and 8-track tapes, 45s, LPs) is generally hard to find let alone in good to great condition. All of these 45 rpm records are in average condition given their age and play use.

Top row (left to right): "Without You" recorded by Harry Nilsson went to number 1 on the billboard chart. "Without You" was written and recorded earlier by the Beatle's protege band Badfinger. The next two Apple label singles here are by Mary Hopkins, one of the first artists the Beatles signed to the Apple label. She recorded "Those Were the Days", written by Gene Raskin and the Paul McCartney penned tune "Goodbye." She is best known for these two recordings. Her recording of "Those Were the Days" reached number 2 while "Goodbye" hit number 13 in the US. 

Bottom row (left to right): "Think it Over" was composed and recorded by the Crickets (Buddy Holly). McCartney highly regards Holly and purchased the entire Holly song catalog years later. "My Love" by McCartney, from the Red Rose Speedway album was issued on the Apple label in name only. The record reached number 1. The flip side contains "The Mess" which is a good rocker. And finally another copy of McCartney's "Listen to What the Man Said" was collected today - yet another number 1 song.

Granted these recordings are filled with snap, crackle and pop when played on the turntable. They also show wear on their labels from record stacking. Yet to physically hold a recording of a classic pop song is something the digital age has yet to offer outside of a CD and jacket. With iTunes a song file is purchased and downloaded for play - no physical media to scratch or label to write your name on. Know that.

2 comments:

  1. I feel that way about holding a real book in my hands.

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  2. I enjoy the digital advantages of the download form. I still have a few dozen LPs that provide my nostalgic fix. But I don't have a working LP player anymore.
    I did see a rack of LPs being sold in Best Buy the other day. I know there is "cult" following of LPs. You can find more of my thought over at A Few Clowns Short under the music tag.

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