The Beatles' Album Releases: Capitol vs. Parlophone
The release of The Beatles' music in the United States is a complex story, marked by significant differences between the albums released by Capitol Records and those by Parlophone in the UK. This article explores these differences, focusing on the albums released and the unique variations Capitol created.
Album Sequencing: Capitol Records
The earliest Capitol Records album to hit the American market was "Meet The Beatles," which actually comprised two Parlophone singles: "With The Beatles" and "Please Please Me." Some time after the Ed Sullivan Show appearance, Capitol released "Beatles Second Album" (or "The Beatles' New Album"). This was followed by "Something New," "The Beatles Story," and "Beatles '65."
Evolution of Album Content
Capitol went on to release a series of albums that were significantly altered from their original Parlophone counterparts. "Early Beatles," for instance, featured tracks entirely different from the original "With the Beatles" album. "Beatles VI" was yet another shuffling of album content, consisting of half of the tracks from "With the Beatles" and half from "Beatles for Sale."
A notable example is "Help!", which was released with additional instrumentals to pad out the album. Rubber Soul and Revolver, while retaining a semblance of their original presentations, still featured shortened track lists, a practice that continued throughout their album releases.
Specific Album Differences
Some albums, like "Help!", "Rubber Soul," and "Revolver," kept their original track order more or less intact, but Capitol Records often re-arranged and re-mixed the songs. For example, Capitol might have taken the first half of a Parlophone album and divided it among three Capitol albums, adding new material from other albums or singles.
Backstory and Legacy
The origins of Capitol's album revisions can be attributed to their desire to maximize profits. By reducing the number of tracks from the standard 14 on Parlophone to 11 or 12, Capitol could release more albums, thereby earning more revenue. Additionally, they included many singles and B-sides from the UK on US albums, further expanding their catalog.
Dr. Robert Redding, a fan and scholar, highlights that this process resulted in a collection of great songs rather than the intended albums. The artistry of song selection and placement was significant to The Beatles and Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr), and this was often lost in the Capitol collections. For instance, the opening chords of "Yesterday" on the rubber stamp album are noticeably different, a testament to the altering process.
Importance of Original Releases
With the advent of CD technology, fans and musicians alike began to appreciate the original Parlophone releases. The import versions of these albums became highly sought after, leading to a reevaluation of the Capitol releases. It is worth noting that while the Capitol albums could be enjoyable, they lacked the cohesive and artistic integrity found in the original Parlophone releases.
Comparison to Other Releases
In addition to Capitol's releases, there were other initial releases of Beatle music in America. Veejay Records' "Introducing The Beatles" was the first to hit the U.S. market. Similarly, United Artists released "A Hard Day’s Night." These albums, along with the subsequent Capitol releases, had a profound impact on how Beatles music was received and appreciated in America.
Conclusion
The release of The Beatles' albums in the United States is a testament to the unique marketing and record-keeping practices of the time. While Capitol Records sought to maximize profits through strategic album releases, these practices often came at the expense of the integrity and coherence of the original recordings. Fans and music enthusiasts today often prefer the standard Parlophone versions, appreciating the original album artistry and song sequencing.