Why The Beatles Revolver 1st Mono Pressing was WITHDRAWN

The 1st UK mono pressing of 'Revolver' with matrix XEX 606-1 contains a unreleased mix of one of their greatest tracks, 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. In this video we find out how this Beatles rarity was born, why it was withdrawn and how many were pressed.

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[ericgendell]

Tomorrow Never knows was the Beatle's greatest accomplishment, because perhaps more than any other song recorded, encapsulates the Tibetan Book of the Dead and is as close a representation of the Enlightened state of bliss as has ever been created in the human condition. The Beatles, George Martin and acid are pure genius, about as close to perfection as yet achieved.

[LOEVALENTINE]

I just stumbled across your channel and now I’m binge watching and I just found out that I have this record in my collection (given from my grandads collection) I learnt some very interesting things in this video! Thank you!

[eldiablo]

I love this guy's voice. It's so soothing. Great for videos

[TheVinylGuide]

This is a wonderful summary, thank you for this! One other bit to add to the story; according to the late Bruce Hamlin ("Beatles Bruce" - the Beatles vinyl guru of Australia), there were some XEX 606-1 copies pressed in Australia. He believed this was due to the shipment of metal parts from the UK to Australia after the UK presses were exhausted. A similar thing happened for the Rubber Soul 'Loud Mix' where the the 579-1 and 580-1 stampers were retired early, but somehow Australia kept stamping them out for some time afterward. I hope this helps and even inspires another great video, cheers!

[OldMod]

Really enjoyed this, thanks. I got my stereo copy from my order brother in 1979 (black/silver label) but in 1980 my eldest brother's mate taped four of his original Beatles LPs for me. A very pleased 13 year old, three of them were mono editions. A couple of years later I picked up a sixties mono copy, and then discovered this mix difference. The taped copy was from the withdrawn mix. Wish I'd known that in 1980, I would have made him an offer!

[pllenpny]

No idea why this channel only has around 30, 000 subscribers. Criminally undersubbed.

[michaelainge]

Ten minutes went by in a flash, love this stuff, more please.

[nrod]

It is always good to hear a Beatles connoisseur like you Andrew. Cheers, Nelio.

[paperblitz]

I'll put my two penneth in here, which ties in somewhat with the comments at 9.53 (ish). During 1992 / 93 I had an advert in the local Coventry papers advertising for records wanted, as I wanted to set up a record selling business. By 1993 I'd built up a fair stash of 50s / 60s records, including multiple copies of most Parlophone Beatles albums. Being a fan since childhood I often played those Beatle spares, and one day in 92 / 93 I played a copy of 'Revolver' I'd bought. When 'Tomorrow Never Knows' came on it very soon became apparent it was different to my own copy, accenuated effects etc and then the longer fade out and I thought wow! I mentioned this to some of the major dealers at the NEC record Fair in 93, such as Neil Roddis and Peter Rice, who didn't know of any different mix. Not very long after I remember it making the news page in Record Collector mag or the new RC Price Guide I'm not sure which, so hey it could've been me who first mentioned it to a dealer and it got to RC!

[KBTime]

Another excellent video! I recall when you could still find these for only a few dollars more than XEX-2 -- as recently as 2009. Perhaps if Apple releases a 60th anniversary edition for Revolver, this will be included

[PaulinaAngel]

WoW, now I’m curious to hear that mix. Surprised Mark Lewisohn didn’t go in-depth on it in his book. Your videos are truly a great resource, marvelous job!!

[GustavoLovato]

How I wish the fair use copyright rules on YouTube would allow you to play segments of the two to highlight the differences.

[GustavoLovato]

Excellent video, research and execution as usual!

[MattHayesVinyl]

Finally picked up a 606-1 a few weeks ago. The condition is okay... a bit noisy but plays without skipping. It was also a really good price so can't complain! The mix of Tomorrow Never Knows is an interesting one, especially the extra piano near the end. In terms of the *quality* of the mix, you're not missing anything if you don't have a 606-1. It's a nice collector's piece and worth hearing remix 11 of TNK but it's not the be all end all.

[jacquescousteau]

Andrew your knowledge in respect to Beatles recordings amazes me to no end. I thought that I knew just about everything there was to know about the UK pressings on Parlophone, and Apple. I knew how to read the matrices, mothers, and stampers as well as label variations from 1963-1969-70 . I have no idea how Parlogram came up on my screen as something other than a seller of very good condition Beatles albums - I didn’t get into the forty fives - I know I had bought at least one or two albums from Parlogram over a few years, but generally I had Beatles UK albums given to me going back to the lste sixties, early seventies . I can’t recall which episode I first saw where you were commenting on a given Beatles recording, but I was apparently impressed enough to watch your videos in the future . This is 10-7-2022 now. You put me to shame . The minutiae you get into is mind boggling . It looks like you have a Studer - Revox behind you possibly an A 77 ? — Great machine I Alison once owned a twin track - but there was one that looked like an older Studer as well. There is no one I can think of - even Mike Fremer whom I used to send rarer pressing UK Beatles albums to critique on his possibly million dollar playback system - He’s very opinionated, and not a musician, but he does have a good ear . The one album he wanted to buy from me was Please, Please Me Decca pressing . Sorry I digress . In any event you have an encyclopedic knowledge that no one else has. The fact that you certainly must have a very good playback system is obvious by your comments .
Have you thought of showing your playback system or explaining to people what exactly what system components you’re using to listen to playbacks on ? One other issue . Maybe consider playing back your first episode, I’m sure many would like to see how your show has evolved over time .
Lastly . I just had a dental appointment, and the doctor gave me a strong analgesic-opioid- which makes one rather verbose . My apologies.
Ps. Spizer gets a hands down from me

[scottsteele]

After seeing this I looked at my Revolver albums. I have one on Odeon from Venezuela with this same XEX 606-1 in the run out. I never really noticed the song being different, but on listening it does seem to fit what he describes. The album is in average condition but is from South America. Is this worth anything other than being a curio? I agree that this presentation was well done and interesting, excellent story and factual explanation. More of these kind of stories please! It isn't every day there is new info on the most studied and scrutinized band in the world.

[bengtl]

I found this when visiting a classic car exhibition in the mid 1990's. A vendor there had a few records and among them a UK mono Revolver. The alternate mix of TMK was not well known among collectors at the time but somehow I did know. He wanted the equivalent of 10 pounds for it, which was just about what I had in cash on me. Couldn't wait to get home and play it. The original owner had written his name and a date on the back side upper flap, he had bought it in Gothenburg, Sweden, in early August 1966, so some copies were sold outside the UK. Fortunately it sounded great, still have it. Mother / stamper on my copy is 1 / AT.

[daveeaglestone]

Hi friend love the videos on the Beatles
I have this LP I payed 50p at the carboot many years ago fantastic love it.

[chriscampanozzi]

Andrew, I missed this episode. Fantastic information as always. Thank you.

[jonathanyork]

Thank you. You've finally cleared up that mystery for me! I'm still waiting for a remix/ boxset so hopefully we can hear the different mixes. Since it's my favourite lp of all time! And an edit was done on both mono and stereo mixes of Doctor Robert. What was cut out?