Vinyl: BEATLES HELP 1st UK PRESS N.MiNt AuDiO ARCHIVE Y/B PARLOPHONE BEAT 60S ROCK !

Beatles fifth Album ''Help!, is the soundtrack album from their film of the same name, Help!.

Produced by George Martin for EMI Records, the album (in its original British form) contains seven songs that appeared in the movie of the same name, and seven that did not, including the most recorded song in history, the Paul McCartney ballad "Yesterday".

The critically acclaimed album also features two trans-atlantic number-one singles: "Ticket to Ride" and the title song. The album shows John Lennon being influenced by Bob Dylan and folk music, with Lennon's "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" in particular indicating an obvious Dylan influence. In later years Lennon said that the title track of the album was a sincere cry for help, as the pressures of the Beatles' fame and his own unhappiness (what he later called his fat Elvis stage) began to build, and that he regretted turning it from a downbeat Dylanesque song to an upbeat, poppy song because of commercial pressures.

McCartney contributed "Yesterday"; "Another Girl", a fast-moving congo-esque beat pop song; "The Night Before", a standard rock & roll song; and "I've Just Seen a Face", a rollicking Dylanesque folk song often overlooked by fans (and which, along with It's Only Love, appeared on the Rubber Soul album in the U.S.).

George Harrison contributed the low-key "I Need You" and the head-strong "You Like Me Too Much". These were Harrison's first song compositions to be included on a Beatles album since "Don't Bother Me", from 1963's With the Beatles.

Side one

All songs on side one appear in the movie.

1. "Help!"
2. "The Night Before"
3. "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"
4. "I Need You" (George Harrison)
5. "Another Girl"
6. "You're Going to Lose That Girl"
7. "Ticket to Ride"

Side two

1. "Act Naturally" (Johnny Russell/Vonnie Morrison)
2. "It's Only Love"
3. "You Like Me Too Much" (George Harrison)
4. "Tell Me What You See"
5. "I've Just Seen a Face"
6. "Yesterday"
7. "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (Larry Williams)

The Vinyl

This is the original thicker , heavier chunky slab of vinyl only found like this on the earliest original pressings! (Later press are much more flimsier and less robust)!

The vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable and is free of any warps. The vinyl has retained its original sheen from new in my opinion on initial inspection this looks like it has obviously not been played that much in my opinion! On close inspection any marks that could possibly be seen would be very light sleeve removal only but importantly no audio sounding marks or needle marks that would cause any clicks or pops that I heard at all! (Too be honest I find it hard to even see a blemish at all)

The audio quality

I have played this track for track at very loud volume prior to listing at very loud volume, importantly using a dedicated mono cartridge! From the moment that the needle hits the playing surface , it is obvious that this vinyl not only visually but audibly has only had very very minimal play only! The audio is stunning cristal clear and vibrant, very bright and clear throughout without any signs of distortion at all and plays with a lovely deep bassey feel only found like this on early pressings! I would grade the audio at least excellent plus to near as mint in my opinion! (I don't think that you will find better very rich and vibrant through out)

Please note! I always add this disclaimer! Please allow for isolated static minor background in between tracks only, and not consistant through out the audio. Please remember that this is a genuine 47 year old record that would have originally been played on a 47 year old system.

The Labels

These are the original Parlophone labels feature ''Sold In The UK....'' text across the labels (only early UK press.) The K.J.T tax code can just roughly be made out on side one but difficult to see (Only Earliest press see photos) ''The Parlophone Co...'' rim text (only early press) The labels are rich in colour and are very clean with very minor rubbing ware to mention! all text is fully readable. It is obvious to me that this vinyl has only had barely been played only by the limited spider marks that can be seen around the spindle hole, the spindle hole is free of any ware and of course is perfectly round!

The Record Sleeve

This is the original EMITEX poly lined sleeve no splits or tares just light creasing with age.

The Cover

This Is The Original 1st issue Garrod & Lofthouse flip back cover in absolutely stunning condition through out! No splits or tares. The original pinched ended spine all text is readable! There is just very light bottom edge scuffing only noticed if looked for but no real nasty creases to report so rare to find like this! very minor and small wyspy type creases in the laminate at the edges & near spine only noticed if looked for can just be seen in photos but not really noticed unless looked for in my opinion. No nasty ringware that is normally seen on these! The cover has always been seperated from the vinyl and sleeve since purchased from new! The rear is also lovely and clean with slightest fading with age only, no nasty names written. Light creases on the flipbacks but nothing too bad. no ringware or nasty grubbyness! Unbeleivably rare like this! Graded at better than excellent to excellent plus in my opinion!

An Audio Archive copy!