Beatles For Sale...A Personal Memoir

 

I no longer have my original 1964 UK vinyl

I am sure any Beatles fan will agree that when asked which album is their favorite a certain bewildering panic sets in as if we must choose between which child to save. As soon as one album is determined the others will haunt the mind with doubt and second guessing.

   Each of the albums contain moments of excellence, surprise, unique achievement of technical expertise, mystique and elements that connect the album to some moment in our lives.

Highly as I regard all of the albums, my choice as favorite is Beatles For Sale.

Each time I listen to the album I am reconnected with my nine-year old self and remember the innocence of the moment and my optimism for the future.

I will describe my impressions of the album later.

But for the moment allow me to recall the event of my having come into possession of it in its original release when I was nine years old.

Being an enthusiast since seeing them on the Ed Sullivan show, I was compelled to own each album as released in the UK.

    My step-father, George Eckenrode, was kind and generous enough to accommodate my childish taste in what he considered an ephemeral phenomenon empty of any authentic musical value. His idea of music worthy of an intelligent person was Frank Sinatra or perhaps Andy Williams. Oh, I should not forget Petula Clark in whom we both agreed was great talent.

George was always trying to show kindness. Knowing that I preferred the UK version of the album over the American version “Beatles 65” he drove me and my mom from Detroit into Windsor Ontario one Saturday in December 1964 so as to purchase the record. Canada always released the UK versions before the American version was available in the United States.

George knew of an independent record store in Windsor.

I felt pretty important I tell you that we visited a different country to make this purchase. I would have the UK version before any of my friends would have even the US version.

In the store and on the sidewalk toward the car I held the album as if I had discovered the map of the whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant. The album carried an almost sacred effect.

We then went to a restaurant in Windsor to enjoy a celebratory dinner.

As we waited for our dinners to be delivered I could no longer wait to open the album to hold in my hand. I pulled the vinyl from its paper sleeve. I carefully held it between the palms of my hands allowing the light from the suspended incandescent globes to reflect off of the shiny blackness. I read the labels, front and back. Each title, word, letter, font imprinted upon my mind an anticipation of the sounds that they announced.

    This was quite a Christmas gift! I considered not only possession of the album, but also the visit to Windsor, the atmosphere of the record store, and also the dinner as perhaps the best Christmas gift I had ever received.

I was familiar with “Eight Days A Week” as that was the song played on CKLW radio station. But the other titles grabbed my imagination. What would they sound like…what would be the subject? I could hardly wait to place the album on my turntable and gently place the diamond needle on the fresh stereophonic vinyl.

And then, when I did, auditory excellence painted every surface and substance of the room, including my eagerly embracing intellect.

And so, I shall, from imprinted memory, try to describe my impressions which linger and reverberate over the past fifty-six years.

The most dominant impression was the intensely precise quality of the vocals. The melodies and harmonies, given much echo and fullness, seemed to contain more fullness of presence than previous recordings. Acoustic guitar chords mixed with electric sound and soft timpani punctuation introduced me to a deeper appreciation of studio technique and promise of what yet may be to come in the future.

   As the vinyl revolved on the turntable the music seemed to levitate from the surface of the album and circle around the room in much more than mere stereophonic effect. But perhaps I use psychedelic description before it’s due for the group.

Whatever description, Beatles For Sale continues to be my favorite.

The vocals, the echo affect, the precision of recording gave me the impression of a group very mature in their talents and strength of composition with more impact than the “bubblegum” level talent and product of other groups.

   The lyrics addressed some fresh topics and feelings. They also seemed well written and welcoming of a new audience.

Perhaps that was the greatest talent of the group, each succeeding album provided invitation and relevance to a wider audience to entertain, intrigue, and convert.

The Beatles, much more than an ephemeral phenomenon of 1964, continue to inspire succeeding generations of fans and those who are curious as to their cultural longevity.