The Capitol Years - The Beatles Box Set Review

Box Set Review

It’s the greatest story in popular music folklore – the rise and demise of The Beatles. Much has been chronicled about the Fab Four. This, the rise, just scrapes the surface, but it’s a very important part of their world domination, particularly in America. Cracking the States was important to any group’s development. Brian Epstein tried landing them a record contract, but almost every label in Europe rejected the group. Then in May 1962, their producer George Martin secured a deal with EMI’s Parlophone subsidiary. They cut two originals – Love me Do / P.S. I Love on 11 September 1962. Things moved quickly from then on, three UK number ones in 1963 – From Me To You, She Loves You and I Want To Hold Your Hand. At the time, American’s were thriving on acts like Elvis, and Motown acts like Little Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, and The Miracles. On 16 January1964 The Beatles were in Versailles performing at the Olympia. It wasn’t a good night – their gear broke down three times. Sabotage was even suspected. The French crowd and press were frosty towards the group. The band weren’t really bothered. Returning to their suite at the George V hotel, they received some unexpected news.

It was a telegram with advance news of the following week’s singles chart in American journal Cashbox – I Want To Hold Your Hand had leaped from 43 to number one. It was the breakthrough Epstein and the boys had been waiting for. Apart from some isolated cases, like The Tornados’ Telstar, Acker Bilk’s Stranger On The Shore, and Kenny Ball’s Midnight In Moscow, no other British act had broken big in the USA. After 3 days it sold ¼ million copies across the country. They were on a roll : things would never be the same.

All this happened, purely by coincidence; before they were due to appear on nationwide television via the Ed Sullivan Show. 70 million people would watch each show on Feb 9 and 16. In the post JFK assassination gloom, America opened its arms in a welcomed diversion. On 7 February, 1.20pm local time, Pan American Boeing 707, PA 101 landed at JFK airport in New York. Three thousand screaming fans turned out to greet them – Beatlemania had arrived in America. It sent shock waves around the world – seismic ones.

This collection is released to coincide with that momentous occasion. EMI’s American label Capitol eventually decided to release its fourth single I Want To Hold Your Hand and Meet The Beatles (identical to their second UK album With The Beatles ), both becoming their first US chart – toppers. These releases were the versions the Yanks heard. Adjustments were made for the USA market – reduced tracklisting because of cost, and echo was added. Capitol Records president Andrew Slater said, “These are the records that introduced The Beatles to America… these were the audio mixes and sequence of songs that found their way into our homes.” He added, “In the sixties, American record labels often chose to reformat British records to suit the needs of the US market. Higher music publishing costs in the US also made it impractical to include as many songs on American albums…some of the recordings on American albums were given more echo than the British versions, to ‘ Americanize ‘ their sound.” The American public were none the wiser over the differences, and the group were never consulted either. They were, apparently annoyed, at the rapidity of these releases – January, April, July and December. Back home in ’64, they had only released two albums – A Hard Day’s Night and Beatles For Sale. In effect, Capitol played catch – up, and bombarded the market. Controversial it may have been, but it worked. Brian Epstein said, “We knew that America would make us or break us as world stars. In fact, she made us.” What you get here are both stereo and mono recordings crammed onto each disc, which are presented in mini-LP jackets with the original artwork. It’s a fantastic addition to their collection, which is long over due on CD. Enjoy the American experience all over again.

Elly Roberts