THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - 13 LP series
COMMENTS
Starting in October 1986, a very important series of 13 LPs appeared, realized by Dutch producers. These albums included the great majority of BBC recordings available at the time, with a large number of previosuly unavailable programs and in the best possible sound quality. Most of the material was supplied to the producers by a Danish collector, who specialized in BBC programs. The LPs were packaged to look like official albums, with laminated covers, detailed track listings and extensive liner notes, signed by a "Andy Laakso'' (obviously, no relation with the producer of the Shea Stadium film).
Nowadays, almost all of the Beatles BBC programs are available, more complete, including some of the guest musicians, with intros and Beatles chat, and usually in better quality, but back in the late 80s this series represented an amazing collection for all the Beatles fans.
The records had a first pressing of 3000 copies, plus a second run of 2000 copies. Some titles had a further pressing, so that at least 5000 copies were pressed for each title. The reissues had the same cover and labels as the first pressing.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 1
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB-2172/S
Matrix Number: BC 0163-A1 / BC 0163-B1
Release date: October 1986
Country: Holland
SIDE A
1. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
2. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET
3. BOYS
4. LONG TALL SALLY
5. FROM ME TO YOU
6. MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT)
7. SIDE BY SIDE
8. TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS
9. BOYS
10. I’LL BE ON MY WAY
11. FROM ME TO YOU
SIDE B
12. SOME OTHER GUY
13. A TASTE OF HONEY
14. THANK YOU GIRL
15. FROM ME TO YOU
16. TWIST AND SHOUT
17. FROM ME TO YOU
18. PLEASE PLEASE ME
19. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono
Source:
#1 to 6: BBC radio "Saturday Club", May 25, 1963
#7 to 11: BBC radio "Side By Side", June 24, 1963
#12 to 15: BBC radio "Easy Beat", June 23, 1963
#16, 17: BBC radio "Swingin’ Sounds ‘63", April 18, 1963 (G)
#18, 19: BBC radio "Steppin’ Out", June 3, 1963 (VG)
​
COMMENTS
This LP contains at least two precious gems: I’ll Be On My Way, one of the most enjoyable “Beatles for others’’ tunes, previously available from inferior quality tapes, and a version of Some Other Guy, performed live in front of a BBC audience.
RELEASES
This LP was copied in the U.S.A. in 1987 with a different cover and with track 7 edited to exclude Dunn’s intro. Together with Volume 2, it was also released as a 2 LP set, THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB Vol. 1 & 2, with a gatefold cover reproducing the two original covers and with custom labels; these 2 LPs were included in the 12 LP box GOLDEN SLUMBERS by Max Hammer Records, with Max Hammer labels, on matrix 7001-A / 7001-B + 7002-A / 7002-B).
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 2
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2173/S
Matrix Number: BAB 061-A1 / BAB 061-B1
Release Date: March 1987
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. I GOT TO FIND MY BABY
2. MEMPHIS TENNESSEE
3. FROM ME TO YOU
4. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
5. LONG TALL SALLY
6. A TASTE OF HONEY
7. CHAINS
8. THANK YOU GIRL
9. BOYS
SIDE B
10. TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS
11. I GOT TO FIND MY BABY
12. YOUNGBLOOD
13. TILL THERE WAS YOU
14. BABY IT’S YOU
15. LOVE ME DO
16. EVERYBODY’S TRYING TO BE MY BABY
17. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET
18. YOU REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono
Source:
#1 to 4: BBC radio "Saturday Club", June 29, 1963
#5 to 9: BBC radio "Side By Side", May 13, 1963
#10 to 15: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", June 11, 1963
#16 to 18: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", June 4, 1963 (G)
COMMENTS
Volume 2 in the series offers more BBC rarities in excellent quality. The highlight is represented by the three songs starting off side B, all officially unreleased at the time, great rock ‘n’ roll performances.
RELEASES
Together with Volume 1, it was released in the USA as a 2 LP set, THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB Vol. 1 & 2, with a gatefold cover reproducing the two original covers and with custom labels; these 2 LPs were included in the 12 LP box GOLDEN SLUMBERS by Max Hammer Records, with Max Hammer labels, on matrix 7001-A / 7001-B + 7002-A / 7002-B).
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 3
Company: Beeb Transcription rec. BB 2174/S
Matrix Number: BAB 062 A1 / BAB 062-B1
Release Date: March 1987
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. POP GO THE BEATLES (short)
2. A SHOT OF RHYTHM AND BLUES
3. MEMPHIS TENNESSEE (incomplete)
4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL
5. A TASTE OF HONEY
6. SURE TO FALL(IN LOVE WITH YOU)
7. MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT)
8. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
9. ANNA (GO TO HIM)
10. BOYS
11. CHAINS
SIDE B
12. P.S. I LOVE YOU
13. TWIST AND SHOUT
14. THAT’S ALRIGHT MAMA
15. THERE’S A PLACE
16. CAROL
17. SOLDIER OF LOVE (LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS)
18. LEND ME YOUR COMB
19. CLARABELLA
20. POP GO THE BEATLES (long)
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono
Source:
#1 to 7: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", June 18, 1963
#8 to 13: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", June 25, 1963
#14 to 20: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", July 16, 1963 (14: VG)
COMMENTS
This is probably the best “Beeb’’ volume, featuring a splendid version of Arthur Alexander’s A Shot of Rhythm and Blues and the most exciting programme in the “Pop Go The Beatles’’ series, the July 16 show, which had no less than five unreleased cuts.
RELEASES
This LP was included in the 12 LP box GOLDEN SLUMBERS by Max Hammer Records, with Max Hammer labels, on matrix 7003-A / 7003-B.
Together with Volume 4, it was released in the USA as a 2 LP set, THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB Vol. 3 & 4, with a gatefold cover reproducing the two original covers and with custom labels.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 4
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2175/S
Matrix Number: DW 87-I-A1 / DW 87-I-B1
Release Date: September 1987
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN
2. NOTHIN’ SHAKIN’ (BUT THE LEAVES ON THE TREES)
3. LONESOME TEARS IN MY EYES
4. SO HOW COME (NO ONE LOVES ME) (incomplete)
5. MEMPHIS TENNESSEE
6. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET
7. TILL THERE WAS YOU
8. MATCHBOX
9. PLEASE MR. POSTMAN
10. THE HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE
SIDE B
11. POP GO THE BEATLES (short)
12. I’M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOWN AND CRY (OVER YOU)
13. CRYING, WAITING, HOPING
14. KANSAS CITY/HEY- HEY-HEY-HEY!
15. TO KNOW HER IS TO LOVE HER
16. THE HONEYMOON SONG
17. TWIST AND SHOUT
18. POP GO THE BEATLES (long)
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono
Source:
#1 to 4: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", July 23, 1963 (VG)
#5 to 10: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", July 30, 1963
#11 to 18: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", August 6, 1963
COMMENTS
Once again, great BBC rarities in an LP featuring more of the "Pop Go The Beatles" programs. The highlights are I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) and Crying, Waiting, Hoping, both of which are among their best BBC performances. The sound quality on this LP is slightly inferior to that of the first three volumes.
RELEASES
Together with Volume 3, it was released in the USA as a 2 LP set, THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB Vol. 3 & 4, with a gatefold cover reproducing the two original covers and with custom labels.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 5
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2176/S
Matrix Number: 87-11-A / 87-11-B
Release Date: October 1987
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. POP GO THE BEATLES (short)
2. LONG TALL SALLY
3. PLEASE PLEASE ME
4. SHE LOVES YOU
5. YOU REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME
6. I’LL GET YOU
7. I GOT A WOMAN
8. POP GO THE BEATLES (long)(incomplete)
9. SHE LOVES YOU
10. WORDS OF LOVE
SIDE B
11. GLAD ALL OVER
12. I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND
13. (THERE’S A) DEVIL IN HER HEART
14. SLOW DOWN
15. OOH! MY SOUL (incomplete)
16. DON’T EVER CHANGE
17. TWIST AND SHOUT
18. THERE’S A PLACE
19. HONEY DON’T
20. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono (tape hiss)
Source:
#1 to 8: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", August 13, 1963
#9 to 14: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", August 20, 1963 (VG)
#15 to 17: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", August 27, 1963 (VG)
#18 to 20: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", September 3, 1963
COMMENTS
More Pop Go The Beatles programmes, even if incomplete; the sound quality is slightly inferior overall. The renditions of I Got a Woman and Honey Don’t (sung by John) are among the most interesting items of this LP.
RELEASES
Together with Volume 6, it was released in the USA as a 2 LP set, THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB Vol. 5 & 6, with a gatefold cover reproducing the two original covers and with custom labels, from matrix TR-12176 A / TR-12177 B + TR-12177 C / TR-12177 D.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 6
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2177/S
Matrix Number: 87-10-A1 / 87-10-B1
Release Date: October 1987
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS
2. LOVE ME DO
3. SHE LOVES YOU
4. I’LL GET YOU
5. A TASTE OF HONEY
6. THE HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE
7. CHAINS
8. YOU REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME
SIDE B
9. MISERY
10. LUCILLE
11. FROM ME TO YOU
12. BOYS
13. SHE LOVES YOU
14. ASK ME WHY
15. (THERE’S A) DEVIL IN HER HEART
16. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
17. SURE TO FALL (IN LOVE WITH YOU)
18. TWIST AND SHOUT
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono (slight tape hiss)
Source:
#1 to 6: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", September 10, 1963
#7 to 12: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", September 17, 1963
#13 to 18: BBC radio "Pop Go The Beatles", September 24, 1963
COMMENTS
This volume includes the last unbootlegged segments from the "Pop Go The Beatles" radio series. The Beatles offer here great performances of Too Much Monkey Business, Hippy Hippy Shake and Lucille.
RELEASES
Together with Volume 5, it was released in the USA as a 2 LP set, THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB Vol. 5 & 6, with a gatefold cover reproducing the two original covers and with custom labels, from matrix TR-12176 A / TR-12177 B + TR-12177 C / TR-12177 D.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 7
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2178/S
Matrix Number: LOR 19-02-A1 /
Release Date: December 1987
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
2. MEMPHIS TENNESSEE
3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SATURDAY CLUB
4. FOOLS RUSH IN
5. SALLY ANN
6. AUTUMN LEAVES
7. TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY
8. WALK RIGHT BACK
9. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM
10. A PICTURE OF YOU
11. BYE BYE LOVE
12. LUCILLE
SIDE B
13. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
14. PLEASE PLEASE ME
16. FROM ME TO YOU
17. SHE LOVES YOU
18. TWIST AND SHOUT (incomplete)
19. FROM ME TO YOU
20. SHE LOVES YOU
21. TILL THERE WAS YOU
22. TWIST AND SHOUT
23. FINAL THEME (incomplete)
24. TWIST AND SHOUT (incomplete)
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono
Source:
#1 to 12: BBC radio "Saturday Club", October 5, 1963 (4 by Ricky Nelson; 5, 6 & 10 by Joe Brown and the
Bruvvers; 7 by Bobby Vee; 8, 9 & 11 by The Everly Brothers)
#13 to 17: BBC radio "Easy Beat", October 20, 1963
#18 to 23: BBC TV "Royal Variety Command Performance", November 4, 1963 (VG)
#24: BBC radio "The Beat show", July 4, 1963 (VG)
COMMENTS
Side A features the 5th anniversary edition of “Saturday Club’’, and also includes the other artists’ performances. For this special event, The Beatles played their own (Lennon-arranged) version of Happy Birthday. On side B we have the first appearance of the October 20, 1963 “Easy Beat’’ and the best (though not top quality) tape of the Royal Variety Show for that time.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 8
Beeb Transcription Records BB 2179/S
Matrix Number: BL-888-1-A1 / BL-888 1-B1
Release Date: January 1988
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. THIS BOY
2. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A BEATLE
3. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
4. TILL THERE WAS YOU
5. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
6. SHE LOVES YOU
7. Medley: LOVE ME DO / PLEASE PLEASE ME / FROM ME TO YOU / SHE LOVES YOU / I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND/RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
8. FROM US TO YOU
9. SHE LOVES YOU
10. ALL MY LOVING
11. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
12. TILL THERE WAS YOU
13. BOYS (incomplete)
SIDE B
14. MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT)
15. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
16. TIE ME KANGAROO DOWN, SPORT!
17. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
18. FROM US TO YOU
19. MURRAY THE K INTERVIEW
20. MURRAY THE K SWEATSHIRTS AD
21. J.F.K. AIRPORT: FANS INTERVIEW
22. PLAZA HOTEL: FANS INTERVIEW
23. BEATLES INTERVIEWS (excerpts)
​
Sound Quality: VG-mono
Source:
#1 to 7: BBC radio "Saturday Club", December 21, 1963
#8 to 18: BBC radio "From Us To You", December 26, 1963
#19 to 23: BBC radio "Saturday Club", February 8, 1964 (G)
COMMENTS
By now The Beatles had almost completely stopped performing numbers which didn't appear on their legitimately issued LPs. Every track here appears on official records, with the exception of two off-the-cuff performances: the Crimble Medley (actually, a version of Duane Eddy’s Shazam! with parody lyrics) and the very funny rendition of Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Spot! (sung by Rolf Harris and backed by The Beatles). The LP ends with a news report about how The Beatles conquered America in February 1964. Most of the tracks included here were new to the bootleg market at the time this LP was issued.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 9
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2180/S
Matrix Number: BL-888-2-A1 / BL 888 2-B1
Release Date: January 1988
Country: Holland
​
SIDE A
1. ALL MY LOVING
2. MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT)
3. THE HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE
4. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
5. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
6. I WANNA BE YOUR MAN
8. PHONE INTERVIEW
SIDE B
9. FROM US TO YOU
10. YOU CAN’T DO THAT
11. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
12. TILL THERE WAS YOU
13. I WANNA BE YOUR MAN
14. PLEASE MR. POSTMAN
15. ALL MY LOVING
16. THIS BOY
17. CAN’T BUY ME LOVE
18. FROM US TO YOU
​
Sound Quality: EX-mono (slight distortion)
Source:
#1 to 7: BBC radio "Saturday Club", February 15, 1964
#8: BBC radio "Saturday Club", February 22, 1964 (VG)
#9 to 18: BBC radio "From Us To You", March 30, 1964
COMMENTS
There are only two tracks here thatThe Beatles never recorded for commercial release: Hippy Hippy Shake and Johnny B. Goode, available on earlier bootlegs in lesser quality. The March 30, 1964 “From Us To You’’ show had previously been bootlegged in part (except tracks 9 and 10). Here it is complete, with more chats between Allan Freeman and The Beatles.
The Dutch producers of this series were busted right after the release of this LP, which caused a delay in the issue of the next volumes in the series, which, moreover, had to be pressed in the USA.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 10
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2181/S
Matrix Number: BEEB 10-A L-31026 / BEEB 10-B L 31026 X
Release Date: July 1988
Country: Holland / USA
​
SIDE A
1. EVERYBODY’S TRYING TO BE MY BABY
2. I CALL YOUR NAME
3. I GOT A WOMAN
4. YOU CAN’T DO THAT
5. CAN’T BUY ME LOVE
6. SURE TO FALL (IN LOVE WITH YOU)
7. LONG TALL SALLY
​
SIDE B
8. FROM US TO YOU
9. WHIT MONDAY TO YOU
10. WHIT MONDAY TO YOU (fast)
11. I SAW HER STANDING THERE
12. KANSAS CITY/HEY-HEY-HEY-HEY!
13. I FORGOT TO REMEMBER TO FORGET
14. YOU CAN’T DO THAT
15. SURE TO FALL (IN LOVE WITH YOU)
16. CAN’T BUY ME LOVE
17. MATCHBOX
18. HONEY DON’T
19. FROM US TO YOU (incomplete)
​
Sound Quality: VG-mono (tape hiss)
Source:
#1 to 7: BBC radio "Saturday Club", April 4, 1964
#8 to 19: BBC radio "From Us To You", May 18, 1964
COMMENTS
The “Beeb’’ is back! The "Andy Laakso" tapes are making a voyage across the Atlantic for the joint venture Holland/USA. This LP, subtitled Crinsk Dee Night? (supposedly A Hard Day's Night in an improbable Portuguese, as suggested by John answering a question by Brian Matthews) has a cover made up of outtakes from that LP’s cover photo session. It features a few officially unreleased songs, which had already appeared in previously bootlegs, and Honey Don't which, despite claims to the contrary on the liner notes (and in some books too...), is sung by John rather than Ringo.
This LP was mastered at the famous Greg Lee Processing, but, unfortunately, the sound quality, though still acceptable, is not as good as on the early volumes in the series, with a noticeable tape hiss.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 11
Company: Beeb Transcription Records 2182/S
Matrix Number: BEEB-11-A L 31025 / BEEB-11-B L 31025 X
Release Date: July 1988
Country: USA, Holland
​
SIDE A
1. LONG TALL SALLY
2. THINGS WE SAID TODAY
3. A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
4. AND I LOVE HER
5. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER
6. IF I FELL
7. YOU CAN’T DO THAT
8. TOP GEAR
SIDE B
9. FROM US TO YOU
10. LONG TALL SALLY
11. IF I FELL
12. I’M HAPPY JUST TO DANCE WITH YOU
13. THINGS WE SAID TODAY
14. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER
15. BOYS
16. KANSAS CITY / HEY-HEY-HEY-HEY!
17. A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
18. FROM US TO YOU
​
Sound quality: Ex mono (tape hiss)
Source:
#1 to 8: BBC radio "Top Gear", July 16, 1964
#9 to 19: BBC radio "From Us To You", August 3, 1964
COMMENTS
We are now getting towards the end of The Beatles' BBC career, so there's little that's very interesting in this LP. Track 5 is taken from the legitimate release. The actual rehearsal session for the August 3 “From Us To You” show was released in 1978 on FROM US TO YOU. Also this LP was produced at the Greg Lee Processing.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 12
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2183/S
Matrix Number: TR 2183-A / TR 2183-B
Release Date: late December 1988
Country: USA, Holland
​
SIDE A
1. I’M A LOSER
2. HONEY DON’T
3. SHE’S A WOMAN
4. EVERYBODY’S TRYING TO BE MY BABY
5. I’LL FOLLOW THE SUN
6. I FEEL FINE
SIDE B
7. ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC
8. I’M A LOSER
9. EVERYBODY’S TRYING TO BE MY BABY
10. I FEEL FINE
11. KANSAS CITY/HEY-HEY-HEY-HEY!
12. SHE’S A WOMAN
​
Sound Quality: VG-mono
Source:
#1 to 6: BBC radio "Top Gear", November 26, 1964
#7 to 12: BBC radio "Saturday Club", December 26, 1964
COMMENTS
At this point in their BBC career, The Beatles didn’t feel like recording the same song twice, so most of the cuts here duplicate between the two programs. The pressing plant changed once again, and there is more hiss and a worse pressing than in the previous entries in this series.
THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB - VOL. 13
Company: Beeb Transcription Records BB 2184/S
Matrix Number: TR 2184-A / TR 2184-B
Release Date: Late December 1988
Country: USA, Holland
​
SIDE A
1. TICKET TO RIDE (incomplete)
2. EVERYBODY’S TRYING TO BE MY BABY
3. I’M A LOSER
4. THE NIGHT BEFORE
5. HONEY DON’T
6. DIZZY MISS LIZZIE
7. SHE’S A WOMAN
8. TICKET TO RIDE
SIDE B
9. SHE’S A WOMAN
10. TICKET TO RIDE
11. LONG TALL SALLY
12. SHE LOVES YOU
13. YOU CAN’T DO THAT
14. TWIST AND SHOUT
15. LONG TALL SALLY
​
Sound Quality: VG-mono
Source:
#1 to 8: BBC radio "The Beatles (invite you to take a ticket to ride)" June 7, 1965
#9 to 11: Wembley Empire Pool, April 11, 1965; NME Pollwinners’ concert
#12 to 15: Wembley Empire Pool, April 26, 1964, NME Pollwinner’s concert
COMMENTS
The final volume in the “Beeb’’ series, featuring the last Beatles appearance (partly unbootlegged at this point) and, on SIDE B, two previously unreleased NME tapes. Again, tape hiss and inferior pressing.
INTEREST. Even though the Beatles BBC tracks are now available in better quality, and more complete, this series remains an indispensable addition to every beatles bootleg collection. ***
