Collectors Music Reviews

New Year’s Day:  The Decca Audition (Dr. Ebbett DBM-048)

(35:06):  Like Dreamers Do, Money (That’s What I Want), Till There Was You, The Sheik Of Araby, To Know Her Is To Love Her, Take Good Care Of My Baby, Memphis Tennessee, Sure To Fall (In Love With You), Hello Little Girl, Three Cool Cats, Crying Waiting Hoping, Love Of The Love, September In The Rain, Besame Mucho, Searchin’

The Beatles produced a half-hour long, fifteen song demo tape for Decca on January 1st, 1962.  With the track selection chosen by manager Brian Epstein, they played twelve cover tunes and three originals, “Like Dreamers Do,” “Hello Little Girl,” and “Love Of The Loved.”  It was recorded live on 2 track mono at Decca Studios in West Hampstead in north London with original drummer Pete Best in the band.  Based on this recording Decca rejected signing the band with the infamous statement “guitar groups are on the way out” and the label chose to sign a band called The Tremeloes instead.

The earliest release of these songs can be found on the DeccaGone label, who released seven 7″ singles in 1976.  There is a semi-legit release called The Complete Silver Beatles (Audio Fidelity AFELP 1047), released on September 10th, 1982 on LP with the twelve cover tune but omitting the three Lennon/McCartney tracks.  This DBM release is a silver pressed version of Dr. Ebbett’s 2007 pressing, which many consider to be the definitive version of the tape.  It is clear, sharp and very enjoyable and this is a great way to obtain a silver pressed version of this interesting tape.  

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