Beatles For Sale - Album Discussion

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[@PeKe999]

Hi.
The song No Reply got me into The Beatles. Thanks to my heighbor.
In 1976, 13 years old, i was listening top 40 radio like I did for a few years with Slade being ny favorite band. My neighbor, about 10 years older than me, came to me and said that there was better music than the top 40 music of that time. So a few days later he introduced me into the album Bewtles For Sale. The moment the needle hit the vinyl and I heard No Reply I was hooked.
So Beatles For Sale has a special place in my heart and made me become the Beatles nerd I am today.

[@BrianBringelson]

That's so rad! Yes it's always been one of my favorites, especially "No Reply". One of John's best songs in my opinion. Thanks for the comment!

[@blaster1093]

Terribly underrated album. But it's always been one of my favorites. What an opening from John with "No reply". Some amazing covers in there too.

[@richardz6049]

I agree. An underated album, and one of my favoriete Beatles albums. The stereo version sounds amazing.

[@ernestturriziani2489]

One of my favorite albums

[@mickyholland1281]

At least someone else thinks it's so overlooked. The Beatles always sounded very tired and calm on the album, but it was peaceful and I loved it. It was always the album that I listened to during long car rides. Even if Mr. Moonlight is hard to listen to, I feel like Words of Love is one of the most underrated Beatle's songs as well! I always enjoyed it and it was always my favorite. Also, the stereo mix for this album is actually pretty good, I always enjoyed the stereo version more

[@BrianBringelson]

Hi Micky, yes always nice to know someone else appreciates Beatles For Sale. Have you heard the BBC recording of "Words Of Love" on Live At The BBC Vol 2? Worth checking out. Thanks for the comment!

[@CaitlinLarkin]

Beatles For Sale is probably one of my all-time favorite Beatle records, and I've never understood why it gets overlooked by other fans. Also, the album cover (and other photo's from the shoot) are my favorite pix of the boys. I hope I can get my hand on an original someday.

[@BrianBringelson]

I agree Caitlin, it's always been high on my list of favorites as well. By the way you inspired me to make this video with your excellent comment on my last one about if the copy I had on my site was a UK original or not. So thanks for the inspiration!

[@CaitlinLarkin]

Brian Bringelson hell yeah! Glad to be a muse of sorts. I understood that when you wrote 1964 on your site that it was the year the album came out but you didn’t have the date of the pressing so I was confused. I hope I can find an original one in the UK when I go.

[@CalicoSilver]

I agree 100%. Great album with marvelous folk-rock elements and some of their greatest covers also. When I reviewed this album several months ago, I said some similar things as you've said, Brian - very very underrated album! I never could quite understand why, even when Beatles fans try to explain it to me, haha!

[@TheAymsa]

Just got my hands on one 🤩original and in absolutely mint condition.

[@MattTC1028]

The one you listed on the website appears to have a laminated sleeve so you know its no later than 1976. The very very first pressings of all these albums were pressed using all tube equipment. Then a few later stampers were made on solid state equipment. These stampers were all used at random and continued to be used through the 1980s. The reason the one you listed sounded "warmer" and had more bass was probably because it used the stampers from the tube equipment aka very first press. The real secret is you can get a pressing from the 80s that sounds IDENTICAL to an original Yellow Parlophone press. You just have to know the stampers. The label doesn't always mean better sound when it comes to Parlophone Beatle records.

[@BrianBringelson]

Great info Matthew. Yes I think that's one of the biggest misconceptions about records. Lots of people assume that just because it's a early or first pressing that it sounds the best. But that isn't always the case, and even when it is true, you can still find later pressings that are just as good. All about what you know and how much time you are willing to spend searching. Thanks for the comment!

[@daytonsMusicRoom]

My Names Matthew

[@spaceengineer1452]

Australian version had a different cover. Yellow B.Ground, live shot on cover.

[@jackx.cassway]

I used to play the American version, Beatles ‘65 a whole lot.

[@dlsmpsn]

Capital Records actually split this album into 2 albums. I think the other one was Something New, plus some singles they added.

[@MelindaMurphy]

You and Paul (FitToBe TieDyed) have taught me so much about Beatles albums. He also says the blue box albums sound amazing. Great discussion and I love checking out the new stuff on your website. Take care.

[@BrianBringelson]

Thanks Melinda!

[@kevinlylemartin1503]

Awesome Brian! Thanks for all your hard work. Very informative!

[@matae64]

I just bought the copy on your website. I was on the fence about it for the last week. But this video seal the deal. I have two copies of Beatles 65. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe those are the American version of that album. But I'm trying to collect the British versions and the Americans so I needed a copy thanks love your videos. And the website is great

[@BrianBringelson]

Nice! I'm really happy you picked this one up. Yes you are correct "Beatles 65" and "Beatles VI" are the US versions that contain the songs from Beatles For Sale. While I have a soft spot for those US versions of The Beatles albums, the UK pressings are hands down the way to go when it comes to sound and how The Beatles wanted the albums released. Of course the US albums do have some unique mixes you can only get on those pressings, such as "Beatles 65" that you have. It has the extra reverb on "I Feel Fine" and "She's A Woman". So its totally worth owning those US records for the unique mixes alone. Again, so happy you picked this UK copy up and I will get it shipped out today.

[@Vinylsearch]

Coming off the first busy year of Beatlemania, by the time they got in the studio to record this album they did not have time to write an album of original songs so they had to rely on covers. The playing is very tight and the original songs are Beatle catchy and the lyrics content more mature and yes darker. A knob to rockabilly, country and pop.

[@adrianclinch9553]

My favorite Beatles album All the critics give it a kicking what do they know peace

[@marceloperigolo9675]

They sound very country/folk on this album, there's a lot of acoustic guitars. Being all of this in just one album, makes it different from the others, that's why, I think, it is not so popular.

[@dlsmpsn]

I call them rock a billy, which they were big fans of, especially George.

[@jasonmurray6494]

I am with you. That is one of the most listened to Beatles albums that I have. My favorite album is "The Beatles" but my usual go-too records are Please Please Me, With The Beatles, and Beatles For Sale.

[@thevegangiant5589]

Yes yes! Couldn’t agree more I just got into the Beatles at 29 years old and I’m like why doesn’t anyone like the album? The reality is no one listens to it... it’s so good not 1 bad song

[@bwithrow011]

The first 2 albums, Please Please Me and With The Beatles are binaural. Those 2 tape tracks are the basic trscks for those 2 albums intended to be mixed to mono. Binaural is also referred to ping pong. I heard George Martin was furious when he discovered the 2 albums were being released in stereo. Up until The White Album, stereo mixes were unimportant

[@tonywillans7556]

Most popular music had little bass in the recording due to playback equipment not being able to cope. The stylus would jump out of the groove. Bass increased in the 70's as playback equipment had improved and overcame this problem.

[@hendrix9230]

I have the Australian repressing. Sounds great

[@tonywillans7556]

Great vid. I'm a BFS appreciator. Definitely more introspective than earlier material. Just a different vibe than the rock a long stuff of PPM, WTB and HDN.

[@colinduff2922]

The Australian original pressing of BEATLES FOR SALE in mono is great. Ditto for the stereo version. Later issues were not as good.
The absolute BEST version of WITH THE BEATLES out of all the various countries it was pressed in is the 1963 Australian mono version. It's LOUD and sounds amazing. The stereo version is terrible.

[@timshearn8203]

Very interesting discussion Brian. Very cool website too.

[@hendrix9230]

Also the 2012 remaster sounds good

[@jnagarya519]

My top LPs are "Beatles for Sale" and "The Beatles" (aka "White" LP).
It is especially war -- listen to their tender, gentle cover of Buddy Holly's "Words of Love".

[@jasonpp1973]

No Reply b/w I'll Follow the Sun would have made a great Double A side single!

[@SuperWolfey]

why is it that every Beatles for sale front jacket cover has a - emi - logo between parlophone ( to the left ) & Beatles for sale ( to the right ) and mine doesn`t ? is a MONO-1964 capitol stamped EMI....rainbow record itself .

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Brian, Yes, " Beatles For Sale" has been regarded as the poor relation down the years. But I saw a comment from Mark Lewisohn ( who knows more about the Beatles than the rest of us put together.) Who said, " Over the last few years he finds himself going back to this L.P. more and more." The Buddy Holly track on here the Beatles don't add any extra's, they just play it note for note the same. Like they could'nt or would'nt change a thing in their respect for they had for the man.Cheers, Chris Perry.

[@jnagarya519]

Count the number of John songs on side 1.

[@WilG082]

The stereo mix of money is awesome and better than the mono IMHO

[@BrianBringelson]

Wil C-137 totally agree. That’s the one exception on the With The Beatles Stereo mix. The rest is very uneven and not a very pleasant listening experience. The mono mix really packs a punch.

[@invisibleray6987]

love that album

[@juanmarte3298]

BRIAN WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE 2012 STEREO VINYL REMASTERED OF BEATLES FOR SALE ? THANK YOU .

[@BrianBringelson]

Hi Juan, while I enjoy the 2012 stereo remaster, I think they it lacks a little bit of magic that the original pure analog recordings had. That being said I think everyone that loves The Beatles should own the 2012 remasters simply because they are easy to still get, and they do sound very nice. If you can get you hands on one of the mono remasters I also would recommend any of those as well. For the price it's a great deal.

[@fenderguy82]

I have the opportunity to buy a mono 1st pressing or a Harry T Moss blue box copy. I can’t decide on which one.

[@jnagarya519]

The early "Beatles" were MONO ONLY. The "stereo" is actually PRE-MIXED MONO. The latter were only released after "The Beatles' hit in Britain. Martin was pissed because they were NOT stereo.
George Martin explains all that in his ""All You Need is Ears". He also explains the "lack" of bass: if it were ore substantial, it would jump the stylus out of the groove.
I wish those who believe they are really knowledgeable about "The Beatles" recordings would simply read Martin's book: it would eliminate a lot of bullshit that passes for knowledge.

[@jnagarya519]

Nice listening copy: CD.

[@TheMotoDoug]

I wonder if you might list the first and second place sounding versions as well maybe with a lower rating and of course cheaper price, that way those of us who weren’t able to grab the best version can still buy the other available options. Just an idea, keep up the good work!

[@BrianBringelson]

MotoDoug this is actually a great idea and already in the works! Stay tuned!

[@PrettyGreenVinylGuy]

I was checking out your website and I notice it doesn't state which pressing/country your actually buying. Is that on purpose or an oversight. I'll be watching your Jazz section for upcoming additions. Bummed I missed the Cannonball Adderley. Cheers E

[@BrianBringelson]

Thanks for checking out the site. Within the description of each album we try to give an idea of what country the pressing comes from. We also on occasion will mention specifics when it comes to certain albums, but we don't include anything like that in the titles as it can get a bit confusing to some people. But I'm always happy to chat about any questions you might have before picking up any of the records on the site. Feel free to e-mail me any time: [e-mail]

[@joshualieder7524]

I just got the stereo Japanese EMI pressing for $30.00. Is it inferior or wonky in any way?

[@j.alice.gale.]

What about the 1977 French pressing?

[@BrianBringelson]

Jessica8461 unfortunately most of the French pressings don’t sound that great. It’s really a shame because there a lots of cool French pressings out there. In fact I own one of the 1977 French pressings you are talking about. Def a cool collectors item.

[@j.alice.gale.]

@@BrianBringelson okay thanks!

[@MrSurfindad]

hello uncle

[@MrSurfindad]

first comment and first like\view

[@BrianBringelson]

nice!

[@jnagarya519]

Vinyl sucks. And regardless how light the stylus arm, it begins to wear on the first playing.

[@adamfindlay7091]

Not that good.