Apple by the Numbers
U.S. album releases
NOTE: Selecting on a highlighted number will display a picture of the item.
From the collection of Andre Gardner of NY, NY
(nicknamed "The White Album")
In stark contrast to the cover to Sgt. Pepper's LHCB, the
cover to this two record set was plain white, with writing
only on the spine and in the upper right hand corner of the back
cover (indicating that the album was in stereo). This was the
first Beatles US album release which was not available in mono.
The mono mix, available in the UK, Australia, and several
other countries, sounds quite different from the stereo mix.
The album title was embossed on the front cover. Inserts
included a poster and four glossy pictures (one of each Beatle).
The pictures were smaller in size than those issued with the
UK album. A tissue paper separator was placed between the
pictures and the record. Finally, as in every EMI country,
the albums were numbered. In the USA, over 3,200,000 copies
of the album were numbered. These albums were numbered
at the different Capitol factories, and there are differences in
the precise nature of the stamping used on the covers. Also,
several copies of album #1 exist. Allegedly, 12 were made.
I know of one copy that is simply stamped "1" (pressed in LA)
and another copy that is stamped "A 0000001" (pressed in
Scranton).
SI = 2
|
ST 3350
| Wonderwall Music
| George Harrison
| Released: 03 Dec. 1968 |
issued with an insert bearing a large Apple on one side.
Normal Copy: SI = 2
"Left opening" US copy or copy with Capitol logo: SI = 7
|
T-5001
| Two Virgins
| John Lennon & Yoko Ono |
Released: January, 1969 |
(a.k.a. "Unfinished Music No. 1")
Capitol Records refused to distribute this first Apple album, due
to its controversial cover. Tetragrammaton Records issued the
album inside a brown wrapper which was sealed with a white
"dot". Even so, many copies were seized as "pornographic."
Although the album material leaves much to be desired, the
album has reached legendary status. At the time, some people
circulated rumors that the upcoming Beatles album was to
feature this cover.
Genuine: SI = 3
Counterfeit or reissue: SI = 2
|
SW 153
| Yellow Submarine
| The Beatles |
The Beatles wanted this album to be issued as an EP. They
did not get their way. "All You Need Is Love" makes its first
stereo appearance on this album.
SI = 2
| ST 3351
| Post Card
| Mary Hopkin
| Released: 03 Mar. 1969 |
"Those Were the Days" appears in true stereo on this album.
Available for a time through Capitol's record club.
SI = 2
| SKAO 3352
| James Taylor
| James Taylor
| Released: 17 Feb. 1969 |
James Taylor's introductory release--and his only l.p. on Apple.
Features his single, "Carolina In My Mind," on which Paul Mc
Cartney plays bass. Note: the US copyright claims for the songs
were placed directly on top of a finished slick from the UK. In
one place, the "7" from (c) 1967 April Music can be seen peeking
through (c) 1967 Blackwood Music.
SI = 2
| ST 3353
| Under the Jasmin Tree
| Modern Jazz Quartet
| Released: 17 Feb. 1969 |
The Apple albums by THE MJQ have a different feel than their
Atlantic albums. Available for a time through Capitol's record
club.
SI = 4
| ST 3354
| Is this What You Want?
| Jackie Lomax
| Released: 19 May 1969 |
A cool psychadelic cover. The album features Paul, George,
Ringo, Klaus Voormann, Eric Clapton, and others.
SI = 3
| ST 3355
| Maybe Tomorrow
| The Iveys
| Album Cancelled |
This album by the group which was to become Badfinger was
slated for issue but was never released in the USA. It consisted of
the following songs:
Side One
- See-Saw Granpa
- Beautiful and Blue
- Dear Angie
- Think About the Good Times
- Yesterday Ain't Coming Back
- Fisherman
|
Side Two
- Maybe Tomorrow
- Sali Bloo
- Angelique
- I'm in Love
- They're Knocking Down Our Home
- I've Been Waiting
|
Label copy for the album was generated, and a front cover design
was created, but the LP was pulled.
3356 was an unissued number, possibly the third Zapple
album. See 3366 below.
|
ST 3357
| Life With the Lions
| John & Yoko
| Released 26 May 1969 |
(a.k.a. "Unfinished Music No. 2")
The first of two releases on the Zapple subsidiary. These were
intended by the Beatles to be budget priced records, and the
prefix "SN" in the matrix indicates that Capitol knew this. But
at some time, somebody decided to price the Zapple releases
at the same price as mainstream issues.
SI = 2
|
ST 3358
| Electronic Sound
| George Harrison
| Released: 26 May 1969 |
As above, intended as a budget release. Bernie Krause, of
Beaver & Krause, plays the music on this album, which George
"produced." In fact, Bernie's name appeared on the original
artwork for the cover. As it currently appears, silvering covers
over Bernie's name--but you can still see it.
SI = 3
| ST 3359
| That's the Way God Planned It
| Billy Preston
| Released: 10 Sep. 1969 |
Originally issued with a cover which featured four images of Billy
(full body shots); this is the more common cover. The album was not
selling well. Consequently, when Billy's appearance in the Concert
for Bangla Desh raised some eyebrows, both the single and album were
reissued. At that time, the LP was given a new cover, featuring a
shot of Billy's
head that had been taken at the concert. This second cover is
harder to find. The album was produced by George Harrison. Note: the album features "Parts 1 & 2"
of the title song.
Multi-image cover: SI = 3
Bangla-Desh photo cover: SI = 8
|
SO 383
| Abbey Road
| The Beatles
| Released: 01 Oct. 1969 |
It was planned that (as in the UK) the last song on the album,
"Her Majesty," not be listed on the cover or label. People at
Capitol apparently thought it had been left off. Copies of the
album with label, cover, or both, listing "Her Majesty" can be
found until c.1974, when the error was corrected.
SI = 1
| STAO 3360
| Space
| Modern Jazz Quartet
| Released: 03 Nov. 1969 |
MJQ's other Apple album. Available through Capitol's record
club for a time. The album was "supervised" by Peter Asher.
SI = 4
|
SMAX 3361
| The Wedding Album
| John & Yoko
| Released: 20 Oct. 1969 |
(a.k.a. "Unfinished Music No. 3")
Apple's first boxed set. Features 9 inserts, including an
inner cover. I have heard that a two record set promo exists
of this album, of which two sides are blank grooves. I read
this in a review of the album which was contemporary to the
album's release. However, no copies of the promo have
surfaced.
SI = 3
|
SW 3362
| Live Peace In Toronto
| Plastic Ono Band
| Released: 15 Dec. 1969 |
First pressings on the east coast featured a 13 month 1970
calendar with a plastic spiral binding. First pressings on the
west coast featured the calendar with a metal spiral binding.
Some time in early 1970, Capitol replaced the calendar with
a post card. If you mailed in the post card, they would send
you a free calendar. This was done since the calendar was
difficult to package. Post cards exist from each of the four
Capitol factories. All later copies feature neither calendar nor
post card.
Album: SI = 2
Poster: SI = 3
Postcard: SI = 6
This album was originally to be titled The Beatles Again.
In some countries (such as Spain), this is the album title.
The original title appears on all early labels of the album.
There have been several alternate cover slicks found for this
album. The album was apparently supposed to cost more,
since early copies feature an SO prefix on the label.
SI = 2
| ST 3364
| Magic Christian Music
| Badfinger
| Released: 19 Feb. 1970 |
This album and a soundtrack (released by Commonwealth
United) accompanied the release of the Peter Sellers &
Ringo Starr film "The Magic Christian," in which Guy Grand
attempts to show that everyone has his price. A great album
too, and Badfinger's first in the US.
SI = 2
|
STAO 3363
| McCartney
| Paul McCartney
| Released: 17 Apr. 1970 |
Early covers feature Capitol's Hollywood address on the
back cover. Most copies feature Apple's New York address.
Later copies have the additional words "an Abkco managed
company" and have the prefix changed to SMAS. Recorded
at Paul's home studio in Scotland which mimicked studio
2 at Abbey Road. Yes, McCartney II was done the same way.
Regular copy: SI = 2
Capitol logo copy: SI = 4
The label was red because this was the last Beatles record.
Released through United Artists, the album didn't feature
any of the special packaging that it did in nearly every other
country but did feature a gatefold cover. Paul used producer
Phil Spector's treatment of "Long and Winding Road" as
partial grounds for dissolvement of the partnership, Beatles
Inc.. Soundtrack to the film "Let It Be."
Regular copy: SI = 2
Copy listing publishing credits beyond just "PD" for "Maggie Mae": SI = 7
|
SW 3365
| Sentimental Journey
| Ringo Starr
| Released: 24 Apr. 1970 |
Ringo released an album of songs for his mother, with the
songs produced by various people. Some of them sound
rather pleasant, but people weren't much interested in an
ex-Beatle singing pop.
SI = 3
It could be that 3366 was supposed to be the third Zapple
release, Listening to Richard Brautigan. In the UK, this was
assigned the number Zapple 03, but was not released as such.
In the US, it appeared on another EMI subsidiary, Harvest Records
(ST 424). There were other unreleased Apple albums
(Delanie and Bonnie, Around Grapefruit, White Trash [by Trash],
and the legendary Celtic Requiem by John Tavener),
so it is impossible to pinpont exactly which catalog numbers
were reserved for which records.
Some covers have one prefix, and some have the other.
A fantastic album by a fantastic group, including their original
version of "Without You," later made famous by Harry Nilsson.
SI = 2
|
SMAS 3368
| Beaucoups of Blues
| Ringo Starr
| Released: 28 Sep. 1970 |
Ringo's country album, and not a bad one, either. In fact,
many country music fans I met in the South liked it when I
played it. None of them could guess who was singing! People
weren't much interested in a country album by Ringo, either,
even though some of country's greats are featured.
SI = 2
|
STCH 639
| All Things Must Pass
| George Harrison |
George's first post-Beatles album was a huge triple.
Great tracks the whole way through. I even like the Apple
Jam album. A monster seller. Issued with a poster.
Orange labels...George's favorite color for the apple.
SI = 1 or 2
| SMAS 3369
| The Whale
| John Tavener
| Released: 19 Oct. 1970 |
Ah, a change of pace. Experimental modern classical.
The cover mentions his "Celtic Requiem," which was recorded
and due for release but which was never issued in the USA.
SI = 6
| ST 3370
| Encouraging Words
| Billy Preston
| Released: 19 Oct. 1970 |
Another album by Billy Preston, and a decent one at that.
George Harrison co-wrote one song with Billy for the album. In
addition, Billy sings two songs from All Things Must Pass and
"I've Got a Feeling," from Let it Be.
SI = 4 or 5
| ST 3371
| Doris Troy
| Doris Troy
| Released: 19 Oct. 1970 |
Doris had better success off of Apple than with Apple.
This was her only Apple album. The LP features one song
co-written with George, one song co-arranged with him, one
song co-written with Klaus Voormann, one song co-written
with Jackie Lomax, and two songs co-written with George,
Ringo, and Steven Stills (all together). Faithful Mal Evans
took the cover photo.
SI = 5
|
SBC 100
| Beatles Christmas Album
| The Beatles |
This album was available for $2 from the Beatles USA
Ltd. official fan club. It contains all of their Christmas
records from 1963 to 1969. Since the 1963 Christmas
flexi was released in the US in 1964, this is the first USA
release of the 1964 message. The album has been
widely counterfeited. A fun album to have.
SI = 4
Counterfeit: SI = 1 or 2
|
SW 3372
| Plastic Ono Band
| John Lennon
| Released: 09 Dec. 1970 |
A gut-wrenching expression of John's feelings. Custom
white apple labels...John's favorite color.
SI = 2
| SW 3373
| Plastic Ono Band
| Yoko Ono
| Released: 09 Dec. 1970 |
A parallel expression of Yoko's being. Custom white
apple labels.
SI = 3
|
SMAS 3375
| Ram
| Paul McCartney
| Released: 17 May 1971 |
One cover photo features two beetles. Another features Paul
and Linda in clown costumes which John saw as representing
himself and Yoko. By this time, Paul was getting fed up
with Apple altogether. Both the cassette and the eight track
do NOT feature an apple logo. From this point on, his
releases for the next couple of years tended to avoid the
apple as much as possible. Some copies exist with both
sides of the Apple "unsliced."
Normal copy: SI = 2
Capitol logo or "unsliced b-side" copy: SI = 3
This is a promo album featuring intro spots for the songs
on the Ram album. The label features the "RAM" logo.
Accompanying the album were two letters from McCartney
Productions. The cover was plain white, although some have
been found in the Ram cover. This album has been widely
counterfeited.
SI = 7
Promo only mono release of the Ram album. Several
record companies were doing that sort of thing. The cover
is the regular stereo cover. Very rare.
SI = 10
| SKAO 3376
| Radha Krishna Temple
| Radha Krishna Temple
| Released: 17 May 1971 |
An album by George's friends at the RKT in London, complete
with an insert advertising the Krsna trilogy. The liner notes
give a biography of Iskcon founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta (a.k.a.
Srila Prabupada).
SI = 4
| SW 3377
| Come Together soundtrack
| Released: 17 Sep. 1971 |
The soundtrack from an obscure film. "Games People Play,"
by Joe South, is featured on the album.
SI = 3
| 3378?
| unreleased album
| Badfinger |
Acetates exist of a Badfinger album between No Dice and
Straight Up. The acetate contains the following songs:
Side One:
- Suitcase
- I'll Be the One; No Good At All
- Sweet Tuesday Morning
- Baby Please
- Mean Mean Jemima
- Loving You
|
Side Two:
- Name of the Game
- Money/Flying
- Sing for the Song
- Perfection
|
|
SW 3379
| Imagine
| John Lennon
| Released: Sept. 1971 |
Issued with a poster and one of two pictures. The first
photo featured John's take-off of Paul's "Ram" cover. The
second featured John & Yoko as Pan and a nymph. Available
in quad on eight track.
SI = 2
A two record set, featuring experimental fare from Yoko.
This album features "Hirake," which is a retitling of "Open
Your Box," a song that caused quite a stir elsewhere.
SI = 3
| SMAS 3381
| Earth Song/Ocean Song
| Mary Hopkin
| Released: Oct. 1971 |
Mary herself picked the selections for this album. The
album could not possibly match the success of her earlier
efforts, but Earth Song/Ocean Song fares well as a
collection.
SI = 3
3382 and 3383 were issued as tape one and tape two of Yoko's
two album set (3380). The tapes were numbered separately,
whereas the albums were not. Thus, the tapes required
separate numbers.
| SWAO 3384
| Raga soundtrack
| Released: Nov. 1971 |
An interesting work featuring famed Indian musician (and
George's friend) Ravi Shankar. The album sketches Ravi's
appeal to mass audiences, featuring informative liner notes
written by Ravi himself. The film (in which George appears)
accomplishes a similar task.
SI = 6
|
STCX 3385
| Concert For Bangla Desh (various artists)
| Released: Dec. 1971 |
Issued with custom labels and a color photo book. Features
George, Ringo, and others (including Bob Dylan). This
predates efforts like Live Aid by many years. Due possibly
to its connections to Columbia and to the charity drive,
the album went out of print in 1975. There was an effort to
revive it as a two record set in 1982, but due to legal problems
this effort failed (although copies exist). The release on CD was
the first time this triple album had seen the light of day in over 12
years.
SI = 2
The first album by Paul's new group. No singles were issued
off of the album. "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" came out at
around this time. Custom labels.
SI = 2
| SW 3387
| Straight Up
| Badfinger
| Released: Dec. 1971 |
Many call this Badfinger's finest effort. "Day After Day,"
"Baby Blue." Nuff said.
SI = 3
| SAPCOR 20
| Celtic Requiem
| John Tavener
| Released in the UK: Dec. 1971 |
Held up for some time, this legendary LP was released in
England and other countries, but not in the United
States.
SI = 7
| SWAO 3388
| El Topo soundtrack
| Released: Dec. 1971 |
I've never seen the Alexandro Jorodowski film, but it must
be a bizarre one, judging by the photos with the album. This
was "an ABKCO film," and the credits start with "Allen Klein
presents." Apparently, there wasn't any connection to the
Beatles.
SI = 5
| SMAS 3389
| Elephant's Memory
| Elephant's Memory
| Released: Sept. 1972 |
A group that played with the Plastic Ono Band on occasion
and enjoyed an identity all their own. Produced by John &
Yoko.
SI = 4
| SMAS 3390
| Brother
| Lon & Derrek VanEaton
| Released: Sept. 1972 |
Issued with paper carousel insert. Produced by Klaus
Voormann.
SI = 4
| SW 3391
| The Pope Smokes Dope
| David Peel
| Released: 03 Apr. 1972 |
An album of David's political, caustic humor, which touched on
several hot issues, including birth control, drug use, and
"foul" language.
SI = 3 or 4
|
SVBB 3392
| Some Time in New York City
| John & Yoko |
Costing more than a single record set, but less than a typical
double, this was the first John & Yoko album in almost
three years. A single, "Luck of the Irish," was nearly issued
but never materialized. "Woman is the Nigger of the World" was issued
instead. Album issued with custom inner sleeves, one of which
was taken from a Mothers of Invention album cover, and with
inserts promoting John's fight to immigrate to the USA. A
white label promo exists.
SI = 3
3393 and 3394 were tape numbers for the John & Yoko album.
| SW 3395
| Those Were the Days
| Mary Hopkin
| Released: Sept. 1972 |
"Those Were the Days" appears in mono on this album,
which is Mary's greatest hits album in the US. The album
ends, appropriately, with "Goodbye" (one of her early hits),
for this was her farewell from Apple.
SI = 3
| SVBB 3396
| In Concert 1972
| Ravi Shankar
| Released: 08 Jan. 1973 |
This two record set is sought-after by Ravi listeners. The
concert and album were dedicated to Ravi's musical and
spiritual guru, who died in September of 1972. As Apple was
fading, Ravi would
quickly sign on with Dark Horse. In 1974, Shankar Family
and Friends was released on that label--the label's first.
SI = 6
3397 and 3398 are tape numbers for the Ravi Shankar album.
| SVBB 3399
| Approximately Infinite Universe
| Yoko Ono
| Released: Jan. 1973 |
A double album from Yoko, but no Lennon album. This
was the beginning of John's separation from Yoko and his
time with Harry Nilsson (and sometimes Ringo). The liner
notes call for equal roles of men and women: "We definitely
need more positive male participation in childcare. But how
are we going to do this? We have to demand it by force."
Yoko's thoughts on childcare were WAY ahead of her time.
SI = 3
| SW 3400
| Phil Spector's Christmas Album
| (various artists)
| Released: Dec. 1972 |
Reissue of an album from Phil's Philles label. Later reissued
on Warner Brothers. On the cover, Phil sports two "Back to
Mono" pins.
SI = 5
3401 and 3402 were tape numbers for Yoko's album (3399).
These albums were issued in response to the unauthorized
release of two four record sets and one two record set called
The Beatles, Alpha Omega volumes 1-3. There is a statement
indicating that they are the only authorized compilations of
the Beatles' works; this appears on the insert. Since
Capitol had not issued an album containing "Hard Day's Night"
or "From Me to You," they are shown as from the Help! album,
where instrumentals of those songs appear.
SI = 2
3405 - 3408 were tape numbers for the above Beatles albums.
|
SMAL 3409
| Red Rose Speedway
| Paul McCartney and Wings |
Apple was in the process of moving its offices when this album
was issued. The album features a braille message, "We
love ya, baby," for Stevie Wonder. Custom label; no apples for
Paul.
SI = 2
|
SMAS 3410
| Living in the Material World
| George Harrison |
Some copies feature a heavy laminated cover. George's
hit "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" appears here.
I like the b-side, though, "Miss O'Dell," which is NOT on
this album.
SI = 2
| SW 3411
| Ass
| Badfinger
| Released: Nov. 1973 |
Their last album for Apple, and the one that features
"Apple of My Eye."
SI = 2
| SW 3412
| Feeling the Space
| Yoko Ono
| Released: Sept. 1973 |
A truly feminist album by Yoko. The men who play on
the album have their vital statistics listed, including their work
numbers, as though they were slaves. John O'Cean's number
is not listed. Instead, he is marked "not for sale." Nearly
all of the songs promote the feminist outlook. If you like
Yoko's message, do not pass this one by.
SI = 4
Featuring a booklet, with drawings by Klaus Voormann and
all four Beatles on one album for the first time since 1970.
Later copies feature the correct title to "Have You Seen My
Baby?" on the cover. Ringo had had a hot single ("It Don't
Come Easy") since the breakup, but this was his first top
selling album. Some promotional copies and all tapes
feature an extended version of "Six O'Clock," which was
Paul's contribution to the album. Linda sings backup on
it too, for you Linda lovers.
SI = 2
A much-maligned album by John, which contains some
very good work. The secret message in "Meat City" is
different on the album than on the single.
SI = 2
|
SO 3415
| Band on the Run
| Paul McCartney & Wings |
A monster hit for Paul. Issued with a poster and
custom inner sleeve. Custom label, too. Available in
quad on eight track.
SI = 2
|
SW 3416
| Walls and Bridges
| John Lennon |
The feel of several songs on the album changed completely
when Elton John and J.L. got together. Its original,
folksy sound eventually came out on Menlove Avenue.
Here, the album was a smash hit. Issued with booklet and
multi-fold cover. Available in quad on eight track.
SI = 2
|
SW 3417
| Goodnight Vienna
| Ringo Starr |
Ringo's singles were still selling well. The cover, as most
people know, was taken from a scene from "The Day the
Earth Stood Still." Available in quad on eight track.
SI = 2
Recorded after George had strained his vocal cords preparing
for his 1974 tour. Therefore, it is sometimes nicknamed
"Dark Hoarse." If you don't expect it to sound like George,
it's not a bad album. The inside photo features George with
actor Peter Sellers.
SI = 2
This is what emerged after John's disaster with Phil
Spector. Some demo tapes surfaced as Roots on the
Adam VIII label (results of John's lawsuit over "Come
Together"), which came out just before this album. At one
time, Phil absconded with the tapes and held them
'captive'.
SI = 3
|
SW 3420
| Extra Texture (Read All About It)
| George Harrison |
(original title, ONOTHIMAGEN)
Label features an apple core, George's view of what was happening
to the label, which was not far from demise in America. George's
voice was still recovering from its strain.
SI = 2
John's greatest hits album, to close out his Apple career and
mark his entry into "retirement". The "Give Peace a Chance
Reprise" at the end of "Happy Xmas" was previously
unreleased. On the first issues, John deliberately (or so he said)
had them put "mastication" instead of "masturbation" on the
lyric sheet. The front cover proclaims John's victory over the
forces who would have kept him from becoming a US citizen.
SI = 2
|
SW 3422
| Blast From Your Past
| Ringo Starr |
A greatest hits album from Ringo to conclude his tenure at Apple.
He would go on next to Atlantic Records. This last Apple album
also featured a red label, as Let It Be had. The album sold poorly,
even though it featured several huge hits, some of which were not
available on any album. Both labels are "unsliced." The end of an era.
SI = 2
Not counting the reissues of 1962-1966 and 1967-1970
which contained no new material (although they DID feature
the new mixes of certain songs and they WERE the first
issue of ANY Apple album on colored vinyl in the USA),
this was the first Apple album since 1975. And what an album
it is! I don't like the new "sliced side" label, but since they
"lost" the old one, oh well. The album goes a long way in
reviving Beatlemania. The first US Apple four song 45, "Baby It's You"
+3, followed the album's release (March 1995).
SI = 4
This three-record set features material from the Quarrymen
as well as Beatles material through 1964. Live selections, such
as the Royal Command Performance, are included, as well as
alternate takes of old favorites ("No Reply", "Eight Days a Week,"
etc.) and previously unreleased songs (such as "Leave My Kitten
Alone"). Most of the songs are in mono, and a few seem to fade
out before their conclusion, but as a whole the album sounds
very good. Not only did Anthology 1 debut at the #1 position on
Billboard's Hot 100, but also it broke the one-day and one-week
sales records, becoming the only album to date to "go Platinum"
in one week.
This three-record set features material from 1965 until 1968.
For the first time, "Only a Northern Song" and "You Know My Name"
appear in stereo. Other much-bootlegged song versions, such as
a mix of "I am the Walrus" without the Shakespeare (and in stereo)
and an early mix of "A Day in the Life" appear here in better quality.
SI = 3
Another three-record set of previously unreleased Beatles material,
including works from 1968 to 1970. Paul's "unvarnished" mixes of
"Let It Be" (an alternate take) and "Long and Winding Road" highlight
this album.
SI = 3
| C2-21481
| Yellow Submarine Songtrack
| The Beatles
|
A great deal of talk began to emerge in 1998 and 1999 about
the rerelease of the Yellow Submarine film, which had been scarce
on video. Even as the film received a complete digital face lift,
so also the Songtrack (containing 15 Beatles songs from the film)
was entirely remixed. About some songs there were complaints
that the remixing was not done well, but for the most part, fans
jumped at the chance to hear modern mixes of some of their
favorite songs. The complete "Hey Bulldog" video was also
released, to promote the album and video. The CD sold well,
and a yellow vinyl release from England sold out almost immediately.
The Beatles had already scored with five platinum albums in the
1990's. With this greatest hits collection, they began the 2000's
with perhaps their top-selling album to date. Beating out the
most recent N'Sync CD as "fastest selling album of all time," 1
topped the charts almost immediately and for several weeks around
Christmas.
SI = 4 (on LP)
Albums released after this include Let it Be...Naked, two volumes
of The Capitol Albums, and Love. That last record consists
of reworkings of familiar tunes, mash-ups, and some occasional new material --
in conjunction with the show of the same name by Cirque du Soleil in Las
Vegas.
About the Scarcity Index
A Scarcity Index has been introduced to indicate the relative rarity of records. The
rating ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being "very common" and 10 indicating that fewer
than 20 copies are known to exist.
An SI of 10 warrants the term "very rare."
An album with SI = 8 or 9 will turn up on eBay once per year or so. These
levels of scarcity warrant the term "rare."
An album with SI = 6 or SI = 7 will turn up on eBay two to four times per year.
They warrant the term "scarce."
An album with SI = 4 or SI = 5 has an average level of scarcity, showing up
perhaps monthly on eBay.
Albums with SI = 1 to SI = 3 are "common." Several copies per month appear on
eBay. SI = 1 and SI = 2 records probably appear every week.
With few exceptions, then, all of the ex-Beatles' Apple albums "went gold,"
and original copies can be easily found (although not always in "near mint" condition).
Their Scarcity Indices are normally 2, with
slightly less common albums like Rock n' Roll
rating a 3. With the exceptions noted in the listings, all solo Beatles albums should be considered
plentiful in average grades.
US Apple Albums
Frank Daniels
EgwEimi@aol.com
Page last modified 20 Fe 08.
© 1999, 2002, 2007, 2008 Frank Daniels
The Donaldson Corporation
