EMI/PARLOPHONE's album of

(PCM 1001), originally a bonus LP in a

, was a year later issued as a stand alone. In 1980, CAPITOL released this American RARITIES LP (SHAL-12060) with a quite different playlist (a notorious habit of that company dating back to 1964, but well justified in this instance). To my Yankee ears, the US "Rarities" is superior (EMI's is mostly Beatlemania songs in mono) and the packaging is hands down the winner.

Instead of a flimsy generic plain blue outer jacket, CAPITOL's heavier gatefold is packed with numerous visual delights, not least of which is a full-sized repro of the uncropped "butcher smock" photo that was briefly cover art for

compilation. There's also an unairbrushed snapshot of the hotel room picture (with Paul in steamer trunk) that soon replaced it. Additionally, the glossy paper LP sleeve is nicely adorned with a total of 32 square-shaped b&w "snaps" that casually chronicle the band's career.

SIDE ONE NOTES

1.) On the group's first session with George Martin, the producer was unsure of Ringo Starr's abilities so he hired Andy White to play drums, with Ringo relegated to tambourine. This alternate version of "Love Me Do" has Ringo at the sticks, and no tambourine. 2.) "Misery" is an early track on VEE-JAY's mono

album, and was also released on pre-CAPITOL 45s. 3.) Ditto #2. 4.) In the U.S., a SWAN label 45, in Germany it was partnered with "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" on a 45 issued in January of '64. 5.) Alternate take with a six-bar ending. 6.) A different vocal from the stereo LP track. 7.) Final UK mix for the

album, its verses are in a different order and there's additional overdubbed guitar sounds. 8.) An amalgam of US singles and UK album mixes. This created "Walrus" has a six-bar intro and extra beats before "Yellow matter custard..." The transition to rechanneled mono which occurs two minutes in is done as an easy segue rather than an abrupt shift, as it is on

.

SIDE TWO NOTES

1.) This dub of the German stereo version ncludes a tagged on piccolo trumpet at the end that was only on US and Canadian radio station promo singles. 2.) From the unique mono mix WHITE ALBUM, not available in the US. There's laughing at the start, beeps heard throughout and different drumming at the end. The track ends at the first fade, thus eliminating Ringo's "I've got blistahs on mah fingahs!" 3.) Another mono WHITE ALBUM cut, it's sped up and includes alternate violin riffs. 4.) Liner notes indicate there's no known stereo mix of this "Lady Madonna" 'B' Side, but the PAST MASTERS: VOLUME TWO track is a slightly different true stereo version. 5.) Stereo "World Wildlife Fund" mix (pre-Phil Spector's overdubbed strings) has birdwing SFX at the beginning. 6.) Released 3/70 as the flip of "Let It Be," this zaniest of all Fab Four tracks was originally planned for an 'A' side, also inclusion on the

. Paul and John cut up like schoolboys here, putting on voices, making weird noises, crooning too close to the mike and generally acting the clown. An LP highlight. 7.) Stereo out-track from the British

is missing an initial 15 khz tone.

All songs are stereo, unless [M] mono, as indicated.

SIDE ONE

[2:22] Love Me Do [M]

[1:46] Misery

[1:47] There's a Place

[2:16] Sie Liebt Dich

[2:36] And I Love Her

[2:16] Help! [M]

[2:59] I'm Only Sleeping

[4:32] I Am the Walrus

SIDE TWO

[3:00] Penny Lane

[3:38] Helter Skelter [M]

[3:45] Don't Pass Me By [M]

[2:32] The Inner Light [M]

[3:44] Across the Universe

[4:17] You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) [M]

[0:02] Sgt. Pepper Inner Groove

TOTAL TIME: 41:31