Customer Reviews

Meet The Beatles

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Here's the track list for the CD....

1. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND (2;25)
2. I SAW HER STANDING THERE (2:55)
3. THIS BOY (2:15)
4. IT WON'T BE LONG (2:13)
5. ALL I'VE GOT TO DO (2:04)
6. ALL MY LOVING (2:09)
7. DON'T BOTHER ME (2:29)
8. LITTLE CHILD (1:47)
9. TILL THERE WAS YOU (2:15)
10. HOLD ME TIGHT (2:33)
11. I WANNA BE YOUR MAN (2:00)
12. NOT A SECOND TIME (2:11)

No you guys! The reason there are two different covers and two different song lists are because "With The Beatles" was their second UK release. Capitol released a similar album entitled, "Meet The Beatles". The UK version had 14 songs. The US version had had 12. "With The Beatles" was the Beatles second LP in the UK. "Please, Please Me" was their first. "Meet The Beatles" was the first Capitol release in the US. The only relationship in similarity between the UK's "With The Beatles" and the USA's "Meet The Beatles" are the following songs: 1. It Won't Be Long 2. All I've Got To Do 3. All My Loving 4. Don't Bother Me 5. Little Child 6. Till There Was You 7. Hold Me Tight 8. I Wanna Be Your Man 9. Not A Second Time. Those are 9 songs that the UK and US versions share on both albums. Now the U.K. version has these additional songs: 1. Please Mr. Postman 2. Roll Over Beethoven 3. Devil In Her Heart 4. Money 5. You Really Got A Hold On Me.

The rumor was that Capitol didn't want to pay royalties to other songwriters whose music appeared on the UK version. The other rumor is that Capitol wanted to hold back the US versions of Beatle albums to eleven or twelve tracks apiece so they could compile those tracks for another US version only album. Most of the world were getting the UK versions of "With The Beatles", but Capitol Records had a completely different vision for marketing the Beatles.

Additional tracks the appeared on the US's "Meet The Beatles" that didn't appear on the UK's "With The Beatles" were two monster singles, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "I Saw Her Standing There".

When Capitol released "Meet The Beatles" on CD, it released twelve tracks in stereo and following those tracks, mono versions as they were mixed on the original Capitol master tapes. Some of the songs were in true stereo while other tracks were in simulated stereo. This is probably the reason that the UK CD version, "With The Beatles" is in mono. It seemed that the band didn't take kindly to Capitol's fake stereo mixing and they wanted the same song list on the US version as the UK version. Not only that, but the UK stereo version of "With The Beatles" had a combination of true mono and stereo tracks on different songs. There wasn't any fake stereo on any of their mono tracks.

The overwhelming impact in America of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" backed by the superb joyful rocker "I Saw Her Standing There" cannot be disputed. The Beatles new revolution of modernizing rock & roll begins here. But this record is much more than the power of that double-sided single.

The music matters first here with its inventive chord changes, switching from major to minor and back again. But close behind, this record allows the listener to glimpse into the personalities of each band member. Paul provides eternal optimism in "All My Loving". George's moody "Don't Bother Me" is a valid reflection of the man who has that loner-type image. Ringo sings the fun throwaway, "I Wanna Be Your Man" that remedies the wimp-out that is "Till There Was You". His vocal spotlight (and George's too) increases the dimension to the Beatles sound. You get sweet harmonizing on "This Boy" and exuberance on the breathtaking "It Won't Be Long". Then there's that hidden gem of John's, "All I've Got to Do", sung and played with a haunting undercurrent that compliments its lyric of subtle manipulation.

Anything too polished sounding wouldn't be rock and roll. This is imperfection at its most historic and exciting.

I'm confused because there are two Beatles covers that are the same but they have different tracks. MEET THE BEATLES and WITH THE BEATLES. What's the deal with that? Which one was the real release? Why two albums with the same cover but different songs? I rate all Beatles albums or CD's 5 stars.

The quality was everything that it was supposed to be. Very happy with turnaround and shipping. A very good experience.

My first Beatles Album! Every song is great! Don't miss this! What a great gift for anyone! John ~ Paul ~ George ~ Ringo

I ordered this in 'good' condition, but when I got it, it wasn't. First of all, the cover was only attached by one of the three sides that should be sealed. Then, there was all sorts of gunk on the actual record that made it impossible to play. I had to work for a good 5-10 minutes to get it off, and it still wasn't completely off, but is for the most part, playable. I was very disappointed.

Purchased for 15 year old grandson who loves the old rock-n-roll music and began collecting same a year or so ago. He's thrilled w/ this, especially since it's one that's not seen around a lot.

The cover was worn, as described in the description, but there were ink markings on the back that I didn't expect. The vinyl record was NOT "Meet The Beatles", but was "Rubber Soul". I was very disappointed but, as it was a gift that I had framed, I kept it anyway. HOWEVER, I do want to mention that the seller was sincerely apologetic, and refunded all of my cost. I would order from them again.

This is the fresh sound of the four as they came on the scene my senior year in high school. Lots of life and enthusiasm! Nothing quite like it, IMO.
***check out Sgt. Pepper and Abby Road as other giant classics***