The Beatles’ Christmas Album (Dr. Ebbett DBM-037)
“The Beatles’ Christmas Record” [Recorded October 20, issued December 6, 1963] – 5:00
“Another Beatles’ Christmas Record” [Recorded October 26-28, issued December 18, 1964] – 4:05
“The Beatles’ Third Christmas Record” [Recorded October 19, issued December 17, 1965] – 6:26
“The Beatles’ Fourth Christmas Record – Pantomime: Everywhere It’s Christmas” [Recorded November 25, issued December 16, 1966] – 6:40
“Christmas Time is Here Again!” [Recorded November 28, issued December 15, 1967] – 6:10
“The Beatles’ 1968 Christmas Record” [Recorded separately, in the autumn of 1968, issued December 20] – 7:55
“The Beatles’ Seventh Christmas Record” [Recorded separately, in the autumn of 1969, issued December 19] – 7:42
The Beatles’ Christmas Albumis a collection of the seven Christmas message flexidiscs that were sent to members of the UK fan club. After the band has broken up in 1970 they were collected onto one LP and released on December 18th, 1970 in the United States only. It marked the first time the 1964 and 1965 messages were available in the states. This transfer is excellent and provides a fascinating glimpse into a time when bands engaged in this kind of self-promotion. The musicians read poems, sing carols, and wish their fans a Merry Christmas while performing goofy little skits. For Beatle collectors who absolutely need every note of original music written by the group, there are some original songs such as McCartney’s “Happy Christmas, Happy New Year” in 1968 and his “This is to Wish You a Merry, Merry Christmas” in 1969. For a complete transcript of each record, please visit this site.
