Customer Reviews

The Beatles on Apple Records

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I received this book a couple of days ago with it's Vee-Jay companion (see my seperate review of that one). Like his other books including the Capitol Volumes, Bruce Spizer takes us where no one has gone before. You get a real history lesson with his works. This particular volume answers a lot of questions. The "Hey Jude" LP's release was always mystery especially as it was released here in Australia as part of The Beatles regular catalogue. I've wondered why 1964's "Can't Buy Me Love" & "I Should Have Known Better" had been included as they seemed out of place on that LP next to the other 8 tracks as those recordings came from 1966-69 era and particularly at the expense of "The Inner Light" & "Get Back". Bruce answers that question and so many more. The depictions of the originally planned "Get Back" covers are wonderful and it's kind of a pity that that cover wasn't retained when "Let It Be" was released eventually. Skipping ahead to the Anthology stuff and while I'm glad I bought CD & the vinyl 45's of "Free As A Bird" & "Real Love", I now wish I'd done the same with the Anthology LP's instead of just buying the CD's. I'll have to hunt around now. Overall Bruce Spizer has outdone himself yet again especially with his massive attention to detail which is never an issue with this author. However Bruce, how about a section somewhere (or even another book!) on the Capitol/Parlophone compilations of the 70's & 80's after Apple was suspended/ceased in 1976 - Namely "Rock 'n' Roll Music", "Love Songs", The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl" (though this was probably covered in the Capitol Albums book) "Rarities" (US Version), "Reel Music", "Beatles Ballads" & "20 Greatest Hits". These particular albums probably merit something of a mention in their own right. In the meantime I really look forward to his "Apple - The Solo Years Book" in 2004. As I've said elsewhere, if you're a diehard Beatles fan or a just a collector of great Rock Music books, then you should have this one gracing your collection.

I remember The Beatles Alpha and Omega. I wondered why they and Apple would repackage The Beatles classics (along with some solo songs as well) in such a cheap way during the 70's. The collection featured 60 songs and I ordered it. It's no surprise to find out that Bruce Spizer's excellent book mentions this collection even though it was authorized or put out by Apple.

I used to be a collector. That was before children, a mortgage and life changed things. Unfortunately, a lot of what I had was destroyed or lost over time with moving, etc. Which is why Bruce Spizer's account of Apple Records is so fun. It's like having every single conceivable Beatles Apple release available. He discusses the making, mastering and marketing of various Beatles albums and releases in the US.

Bruce has done a terrific job with this sequel to his three previous volumes on The Beatles (The Beatles On Vee Jay, The Beatles Singles and The Beatles Story on Capitol Records). This book is packed with sharp observations about the band, Apple and their releases and all with glorious color illustrations on high quality paper. I had always wondered, for example, why the album Hey Jude (aka The Beatles Again) was created and by whom. Bruce digs out the information as to the who, what where and whys.

My only disappointment is the lack of information on the CD reissues by EMI & Capitol during the 80's through today. While I got sucked into the CD vaccum (like many people)I do enjoy the convenience of the smaller format for the car. Yes, the artwork leaves much to be desired but it has it's uses. I understand that there's less artwork and variation involved in the manufacturing of CDs (perhaps). I'm sure Bruce might address these in the future (along with the eventual release of The Beatles' catalog on either DVD or SACD).

As it stands, Bruce has done a great job and the book is exacting and well researched (as usual). I'm hoping someone can talk him into doing a book on the other releases for Apple (The Beatles solo albums and all the artist's they signed). Although this book appears quite pricey, the quality of the paper, binding and the material make it well worth the cost.

This is Bruce Spizer's fourth book on the Beatles Records and music. Each edition has been better than the last. In this installment Bruce details the story of the Beatles and their music, released on the Beatles own label, Apple Records. I am the creator of a radio show exploring the creation of the Beatles music and Bruce's books are my #1 source for information. Bruce was kind enough to send me an advanced copy of his chapter on the White Album, to help me create one of my best shows.
If you like the Beatles, these books will bring you great pleasure and educate you. If you love the Beatles, then Bruce's books should be your bible. Start with this book or start at the beginning with his Vee-Jay Records book, but start reading Bruce's books today.

Bruce Spizer's latest book about Beatles records answers so many questions. How and by whom was the Hey Jude album compiled? How did Phil Spector get the female voices off of "Across the Universe?" How many numbering schemes were there for the White Album, and when were they used? What about reissues of Capitol onto Apple? Filled with interesting anecdotes, there are both broad generalities and the interesting details that are typical of Spizer's careful research. The book also wows you with visuals. As usual, there are many color photos, including shots of unusual items that you're unlikely to see anywhere else. Plus, this book doesn't stop at 1970 but continues all the way through "1", including both versions of the legendary Get Back album. Whatever you're looking for regarding the group's Apple records efforts, it's here. It's filled with neat surprises for everyone.

This is now the 4th time I've gushed over another of Bruce Spizer's books. As usual the Apple book is as complete as the VJ and Capitol books. Even though I own the majority of the singles pictured in this book, looking at them in print still gives me the excitement I experience when I look and hold the actual discs. plus I don't have to dig the originals out of the Beatle vault. Besides the cool graphics, The information is extremely interesting. Bruce covers all of the Apple artists and Apple releases up to and including the recent Beatles #1 recording. If you are a Beatles collector or just dig neat Beatles books, this is an excellent book to own.
BUY THE OTHER 3 AS WELL. Again well done Bruce.

I just received my long-awaited edition of "The Beatles On Apple". This is the fourth book by Beatles expert Bruce Spizer that details the recorded history of The Beatles on their various record labels....Vee Jay, Capitol (singles and albums) and now Apple. The latest edition continues the excellence that Spizer has brought to all his books. Intense research has allowed Spizer to bring to light more facts about the Beatles recorded history than any of us thought possible. It's very difficult to pick up this book and not learn something new each time you read a section of it. It's high quality from start to finish, printed on glossy stock with high resolution color pictures of the band, their record labels and lots of extras. There are a ton of Beatles books on the market, and if you're unsure which ones to buy, pick any one of these four, or better yet, all of them. They will be among the best Beatle investments you will ever make. For the casual fan, you'll learn more than you ever imagined about The Beatles and their records. For the avid collector, this is absolute core material that you will refer to again and again. It's fascinating reading, and hard to put this book down once you get started. I highly recommend it (or them).

I'll keep this simple. If you are a Beatles collector and you don't have everthing Bruce Spizer publishes on them, you are missing the best books on the subject matter. Period. With full color beautiful reproduction on every page, it's just like having the real item in front of you. Informative and essential text too, don't think twice, get them while you can.

Amazing book, massive amounts of information on all of the band's Apple releases (from Hey Jude on). This is for the HARDCORE collector, with info on label copy, different pressings, etc. You can skip through a lot of that if it doesn't matter to you, but there's a ton of great info in here. After I bought this one and read through it I had to buy Spizer's other Beatles books. Good lord they're heavy... And absolutely necessary.

I love this book. I met Bruce twice. hes very insightful and knows what hes talking about. Fabulous book, if you want a real deep education in the later 60's beatles albums and conflicts. Once, i thaught i would sit and read it for 5 minutes and i was so caught up in the book, an hour had passed by, didn't even know it. great book. get this!!!

I could not put this book down. It was like reading a mystery novel. Strange thing to say about a "coffee table" book. It not only covers the tiniest details for the avid collector (such as record number, label typeface, and pressing location), but also covers details about when and how the music was made (such as what recording studio was used, the dates the recordings were made, who was in the studio, who played what, etc.). I was lucky to have met Bruce Spizer and get an autographed copy. I look forward to reading his other books.