Back catalogue: 50s/60s

Review: Bailey's Nervous Kats was a teenage dream who combined surf, rock n' roll, exotica, and r&b in their music. They operated in the rural fringes of Northern California in the 1960s and released only one long player, sadly. The Nervous Kats is it and it now gets reissued by the quality Numero Group. It came right at the end of the band's time together and was released by the Emma imprint in 1965. It's a real doozy of the era and will take you to a time and place you didn't live but make you wish you had.

Review: Josephine Baker was born just after the turn of the last century and lived until 1975. In that time she rose to bocce a celebrated Parisian star but also an iconic global performer. This superb The Very Best Of album encapsulates her illustrious career on the mic and shows that she was a truly original and pioneering talent. Baker broke down barriers and crossed genres with her work and significantly shaped the jazz sound of her era. This compilation includes iconic songs from her peak, such as 'C'est La Le Vrai Bonheur', the risque 'Don't Touch My Tomatoes' and the wonderful 'De Temps En Temps' which together make for a comprehensive introduction to the music of this legendary star.

Review: Beyond her role as an on-screen icon of French cinema, Brigitte Bardot is often remembered musically for her collaborations with Serge Gainsbourg, but she had a strident solo career of her own through the 60s that kicked off in earnest with Brigitte in 1963. It's an album as playful and forthright as the characters she portrayed, loaded with humour and rich in the chanson style of the era. From the light-footed 'Invitango' to surfy beat jaunt 'L'appareil a sous', Bardot is having a whale of a time on this record, much like you will when you pop it on for a pure slice of 60s French culture.

Review: This is real catnip for hardcore fans of The Beatles (is there any other kind)? It is a long awaited, much talked about, often delayed 50th anniversary edition of the Liverpool band's Let It Be album. It is a super special package on 180-gram, half-speed vinyl across four different slabs. There is also a a 45rpm 12-inch vinyl EP as well as a large 105-page book in its own tasty die-cut slipcase. There are 57 tracks in all, all of which are in new stern mix format thanks to some great work by Giles Martin and Sam Okell. What else is there to say other than make suer you cop this true collector's masterpiece?

Review: The 1964 U.S. Albums in Mono vinyl box set commemorates the Beatles' meteoric rise in the U.S. with a collection of seven landmark albums, including Meet The Beatles!, The Beatles' Second Album, and A Hard Day's Night soundtrack. Capitol and United Artists reshaped the UK releases, crafting albums for American audiences eager for the Beatles' fresh sound. This 8LP set (adding the The Beatles' Story 2LP documentary) is expertly remastered from original master tapes using an all-analog process, ensuring a faithful recreation of the original vinyl experience while enhancing sound quality. Each album is housed in its original artwork and includes essays by Beatles historian Bruce Spizer. From 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' to 'She Loves You', this collection will help you relive Beatlemania at its height, presenting a stunning audio experience that pays homage to the band's U.S. chart dominance in 1964. Perfect for both collectors and new fans.

Review: Today, pop stars use visual vehicles to further their reach, image and reputation every day, but back when A Hard Day's Night arrived, the idea of casting a band in a musical movie in which they played themselves, produced simultaneously with a studio album, was still more than novel. Largely unproven territory, the runaway success of this concept would go on to set a precedent. 36 hours in the lives of the group as they prepare for a TV performance, it not only breaks the theatrical fourth wall, it speaks to what was then an emerging appetite among fans to see more rounded, 3D renditions of their idols - now mainstreamed. Inspiring countless TV and cinema releases, from Ferry Cross The Mersey with Gerry and the Pacemakers, to the Monkees' series, A Hard Day's Night remains one of the best examples of the Beatles as revolutionary pop stars.

Review: If you use the online network-cum-existential-need-to-know community Reddit, then it won't surprise you to learn there's a vast and almost unfathomably broad sub group dedicated to The Beatles. Within this, at least a handful of people have posed the question: "if the Beatles had done an MTV Unplugged concert in approx 1968 what stripped down classics might be in the resulting brilliant Unplugged Album?" Forgive the grammar - we took the speculative quandary verbatim from an internet that long-since descended into a linguistic void. Nevertheless, those stumped by this query will be delighted to know that such a record does exist for us to use as a touchstone. Albeit without the MTV bit. And what tracks made the cut? Well, 'Why My Guitar Gently Weeps', 'Revolution', 'Julia', 'Cry Baby Cry', and 'The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill', among others.

Review: The Beatles: The Red Album: 1962-1966 encapsulates the iconic band's early years with a dynamic selection of tracks that have now all been remastered at half speed so they sound extra good. This compilation showcases the evolution of their sound from the exuberant energy of 'Love Me Do' to the groundbreaking creativity of 'A Hard Day's Night' and beyond. There are also timeless hits like 'Twist and Shout' and 'Yesterday,' which means this collection serves as a definitive journey through the first part of the The Beatles' legendary catalogue. Each song is a direct portal back to the 60s and to the vibrant era of Beatlemania at the peak of its powers.

Review: The newly reissued A Hard Day's Night captures The Beatles at the height of their early brilliance. Released during the frenzy of Beatlemania, the album shows John Lennon and Paul McCartney's unstoppable songwriting partnership. From the iconic opening chord of the title track to the infectious energy of hits like 'Can't Buy Me Love' and 'I Should Have Known Better', it brims with youthful exuberance and sheer musical craftsmanship. While Rubber Soul marked a shift towards experimentation, A Hard Day's Night thrives on its confidence and irresistible pop-rock melodies. The film songs on Side-1 deliver unforgettable moments, but the overlooked gems on Side-2 reveal the band's deepening musical sophistication. With tight harmonies, catchy hooks, and electrifying performances, this is a reminder of The Beatles' unparalleled ability to blend fun with musical mastery. Even today, A Hard Day's Night stands as a landmark album that is always a welcomed reissue to press and enjoy.

Review: When John, Paul, Ringo and George put their minds to it, they made incredibly romantic tracks. While some of their most groundbreaking efforts as The Beatles would be steeped in surrealism and psychedelia, even at their trippiest there's plenty of sentimentality to make us stop and consider how much that person means to us. Whoever that is. Love Songs is a compilation that really takes that idea and runs with it, made up of the band's most amorous singles and album tunes recorded between 1962 and 1970. 'Yesterday', 'I Follow The Sun', 'Something', 'If I Fell' and 'Norwegian Wood' reflect the scope of what's here, both in terms of songwriting credits but also era and - as a result - sound. One of the less obvious ways to remember one of the greatest groups in British pop history.

Review: This 1964 release encapsulates the Beatles' remarkable evolution during their busiest year. Featuring tracks from the British Beatles for Sale alongside singles like 'I Feel Fine' and 'She's a Woman', it showcases their unparalleled ability to balance raw energy with introspective songwriting. Songs such as 'No Reply' and 'I'm A Loser' highlight the growing lyrical depth of Lennon and McCartney, while 'Rock and Roll Music' and 'Honey Don't' pay homage to their rockabilly roots. The inclusion of 'I Feel Fine', credited with pioneering guitar feedback in pop music, and the vibrant 'She's a Woman' bring a cutting-edge feel to the album. Meanwhile, gentle gems like 'I'll Follow the Sun' and 'Baby's in Black' add emotional range. The combination of its vibrant mix of acoustic textures, rock 'n' roll covers and groundbreaking singles ensures it remains a testament to the Beatles' brilliance at a pivotal point in their career.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


If you use the online network-cum-existential-need-to-know community Reddit, then it won't surprise you to learn there's a vast and almost unfathomably broad sub group dedicated to The Beatles. Within this, at least a handful of people have posed the question: "if the Beatles had done an MTV Unplugged concert in approx 1968 what stripped down classics might be in the resulting brilliant Unplugged Album?" Forgive the grammar - we took the speculative quandary verbatim from an internet that long-since descended into a linguistic void. Nevertheless, those stumped by this query will be delighted to know that such a record does exist for us to use as a touchstone. Albeit without the MTV bit. And what tracks made the cut? Well, 'Why My Guitar Gently Weeps', 'Revolution', 'Julia', 'Cry Baby Cry', and 'The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill', among others.

Review: Famously first released in 1973 and transferred to CD in the 1980s with no significant remastering, the Beatles two colour-coded 'best of' collections have long been in need of an overhaul. Apple has typically gone all-out on this 50th anniversary re-issue, not only remastering everything (or at least those tracks that hadn't already been tweaked by Giles Martin in recent years), but also expanding each collection to three discs via the addition of other fan favourites and tracks that missed out first time round. As for the vinyl itself, it has been half-speed remastered to guarantee superior sound quality. This boxed edition boasts both compilations, plus an insert with fresh liner notes from music journalist-turned-Guardian scribe John Harris.

Review: Dave Clark Five, Manfred Mann, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers. To say the New Musical Express pulled together an impressive line up for the magazine's celebratory concert, at which the winners of a reader's poll were revealed, would be an understatement. And this is before we even mention the fact The Rolling Stones were also involved, only beaten to the top of the bill by The Beatles. On the day, Liverpool's Fab Four were presented their award by none other than Roger Moore, and then proceeded to play their first live show in 15 weeks. 'She Loves You', 'You Can't Do That', 'Long Tall Sally', and 'Can't Buy Me Love' were among the highlights, with an audience of 10,000 packing out the Empire Pool in Wembley for the entire day. This recording captures the energy of that set and the spirit of the time.

Review: They say that in life, we only regret the things we don't do. So imagine how you'd feel having sat in on The Beatles' 1962 audition for Decca Records if you then simply thanked the Fab Four for coming in and told them, through a smile of pure dishonesty, that they would be hearing from your assistant. A call that would never come. The label's loss was EMI and Parlophone's gain, in the end, and now we have the evidence to prove just how short sighted Decca execs were. The Decca Tapes, as it sounds, is a full setlist of everything that was played on that fateful morning. More so, it's a document of what could be the greatest misjudgement and oversight in 20th Century pop history. Still, you can't win 'em all.

Review: The Beatles were quite possibly at their peak already by the time 1964 came around, certainly in terms of the adoration of their fans and the wild energy they brought to live shows. This set from that year captures that in mono and despite it only being one record it is packed with more than 20 early tunes from the Liverpudlian outfit. Plenty you will know like 'She Loves You' and 'I Saw her Standing There' but many you may not. Either way it is a fine reminder of the greatness of this band back from their earliest era.

Review: .Just like Ronseal says on the tin, Live In Stockholm 1964 features live recordings from The Beatles' second venture to Sweden in the one year, where they would perform four shows over two days on July 28-29 at Stockholm's Johnneshov Isstadio. Broadcast on Swedish TV, the performance is known for technical issues including neither John nor Ringo's mics working, meaning you've to go with just backing vocals for 'You Can't Do That', and 'I Wanna Be Your Man', while both John and Paul would receive electric shocks from ungrounded microphones. The live collection also boasts cuts taken from their earlier 1964 visit, including the four-minute medley version of all five of their UK hit singles from 1962-1963, while marking the final time either 'Love Me Do' or 'Please Please Me' would ever be performed live on stage.

Review: Meet The Beatles!, we meet again! Using the original 1964 master of the fab four's breakout second album, UMR have successfully surmounted yet another reissue campaign of The Beatles' second-most star moment. Having topped the popular album chart in 1964 and remaining at number one for over 11 weeks, it was as of the ensuing superstardom of the band was fated; originals like 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'I Saw Her Standing There' lay among its greats. And, by constantly referring to the original first pressing, this reissued album is faithful to the original release while also enabling more musical information to be heard than was possible before. Featuring faithfully replicated artwork and a new four-panel insert with essay by American Beatles historian, Bruce Spizer. 180gram audiophile pressing.

Review: The Beatles' second album, came out in April 1964, just two months after their iconic appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Filled with high-energy rock 'n' roll and r&b, it's a lively collection that delivers non-stop excitement. Unlike its predecessor, Meet The Beatles!, this release features a mix of Lennon-Mccartney originals and six cover tracks, including classics like 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'Please Mister Postman'. This all-analogue reissue of The Beatles' second album uses the original 1964 mono master to create a faithful recreation of the iconic release. the lacquers, ensure the sound remains true to the original pressing, while revealing more musical details than ever before. The 180-gram audiophile pressing brings a warmth and clarity to tracks, In addition to the meticulously replicated artwork, the release includes a four-panel insert with an essay by American Beatles historian Bruce Spizer, giving fans an added glimpse into the album's history. whether you're a lifelong beatles fan or someone discovering their music for the first time, this reissue is a great opportunity to experience a classic in its original form. As with many Beatles reissues, the second album is a fantastic way for newer generations to discover the band's early work. the mix of electrifying hits and unique covers makes it an exciting chapter in their ever-evolving discography.

Review: This calls LP from The Big Three Trio is a lively showcase of pre-rock & roll rhythm and blues, swinging boogie-woogie and rich vocal harmonies. Led by Willie Dixon whose bass playing and songwriting would later shape Chicago blues, the trio delivers plenty of direct energy and storytelling charm. Not least with the title track, a playful take on a classic folk tale that highlights their wit and musicianship. With vibrant piano work and smooth guitar licks, the tight vocal arrangements are allowed to soar and help to capture the spirit of 1940s r&b. A great trip back in time.

Review: This is one of a couple of The Big Three Trio albums that are being reissued right now. The threesome in question was a pioneering blues group led by Willie Dixon whose influence shaped Chicago blues in the early years. I Feel Like Steppin' Out captures the trio's smooth harmonies and neat rhythms as well as being united by Dixon's signature bass playing. Blending jump blues, boogie-woogie and early r&b, this one has a lively, feel-good energy and tracks like the title cut are a fine example of the trio's polished yet raw sound which laid the foundation for modern blues and rock. Their sophisticated style and rich vocal harmonies paired with top songwriting would stand them apart today as much as they did back in the 50s.