GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) Beatles / BBC Broadcasts 1962-1964 Joe Pope Reels / 3CD / Non Label
Joe Pope’s unreleased reel containing material originally broadcast on the BBC Light Programme.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the broadcast, we dedicate this edition to Joseph Pope.
click image To Enlarge
Both the official and the underground world have been competing against each other, and a shocking upgrade sound source will appear from the Beatles’ BBC live sound source that seemed to be exhausted. A literally exclusive sound source that enthusiasts obtained at overseas auctions and provided for this release. What was recorded there was the BBC studio live from before the debut until around August 1963 when the popularity exploded. The original owner of this reel is Joe Pope. If you’re an old enthusiast, he’s probably the name of the person who spread the Beatles’ Decca audition tape to the world. Pope is a person who was active as the presiding officer of the fan club “STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER” in the United States.
He seems to be in such a position, and he is also the person who got the Decca tape in 1977 and sold the same sound source as a single under the name of “DECCAGONE”.
What’s more, the “DECCAGONE” single became a big bestseller and spread to elaborate copy boards, which is an American development. In fact, when a used “DECCAGONE” single comes out, the frequency of copy boards is high. Therefore, this sound source was a copy of the sound source of the early Beatles BBC radio appearance owned by Pope, who can be called an expert of mania, to a friend with Reel To Reel. What’s amazing is the sound quality, especially when it comes to appearances in 1962 and early ’63, better than any version on the market today!
It’s unavoidable, but there are no masters left on the BBC for the appearances during this period. There is only an air check sound source that fans picked up from the radio speakers at that time. Therefore, it is hard to say that the sound quality is high, and it is easy to guess that Pope would have hesitated to release it even though it was a valuable sound source.
Even so, in the 1980s, the sound sources of this period gradually began to be released. Among them, for the appearance in 1987, around 1987, a release was realized with LPs such as “AT THE BEEB W / PETE BEST”. After that, the sound quality gradually improved in the age of CD, but the sound source this time is exactly the same as the one used in such past releases. In other words, the tapes owned by Pope for the 1987 broadcast were circulating, or the genes were repeatedly dropped and even released.
The air check sound source of these times, which was particularly rough in the LP era, is now much easier to hear, and last year Lord Reith just released the latest version of the BBC compilation “THE BBC ARCHIVES”. However, the reels provided this time of the early BBC sound source, which was thought that the sound would not improve any more, were recorded with a clear upper feeling that was easier to hear, so all the staff were noisy.
In particular, the sound quality of the 1987 broadcast when Pete Best was enrolled was clear, and the state where the roughness was removed from that “THE BBC ARCHIVES” was clearly brought about by the good condition of the tape. Of course, the items from the LP era and the Great Dane box that swept the 90’s are at an incomparable level, and the sound is clearly better than the items in recent years. Even so, the fact that the sound is captured to the point where the sound is interrupted even after the performance, which was faded out with past items, shows the good condition.
And I often see the Beatles playing a rare repertoire that can only be heard before their debut, such as Roy Orbison’s “Dream Baby” and George’s best friend Joe Brown’s “A Picture Of You”. I can’t help but think that it was recorded.
In that respect, the appearance at the beginning of 1963 was officially “LIVE AT THE BBC Vol.2”, and some takes were bravely recorded from the air check sound source, but especially the rare cover of “Beautiful Dreamer” This time is much clearer and more natural. The song used for “BBC Vol.2” was not the sound source of this time, but the announcement at the beginning was cut, so the name is “BEAUTIFUL DREAMER”, which is the origin of the LP.・ It seems that the tape was used. Thanks to this, the basic sound quality is lower than this time, and the equalization is a disappointing finish.
The only program “EASY BEAT” known for playing “A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues” in front of the audience was the contraband “STOCKHOLM” in the LP era, and the wizard “ORIGINAL AUDITION TAPE” borrowed from it. , CIRCA 1962 ”was recorded in a sloppy quality, but the LP“ AT THE BEEB ”series, which prevailed in the 1980s, has finally been upgraded. The sound source has been used until now, but this time it can be called the centerpiece of this release with a feeling of upper that greatly exceeds it. It has become quite clear. As an aside, “ORIGINAL AUDITION ~” borrowed the only Decca sound source “Love Of The Loved” that had been leaked at that time from the contraband “L.S. BUNBLE BEE”.
The order is reversed, but the “From Me To You” that was unveiled in April of “EASY BEAT” that became known in the previous “AT THE BEEB W / PETE BEST” etc. is also at once in this version. It is clear. In addition, “POP GO THE BEATLES” was broadcast on June 18th, and “Memphis Tennessee”, which was only heard in poor sound quality, finally achieved a significant improvement in sound quality. It will be the centerpiece of.
The other parts of “POP GO THE BEATLES” heard here can now be heard with the highest sound quality that is not air check with recent items and official “LIVE AT THE BBC”, and the rest of the two discs. It is undeniable that the sound source is for enthusiasts. However, it is rather valuable, such as the air check sound source for the June 18 broadcast, which is familiar from the previous official to single cut “Baby It’s You”. The LP “AT THE BEEB” series swept the market while Joe Pope and his friends were rushing out, and it’s the first sound source that has been buried to this day, so it can’t be ridiculous. In addition, the sound quality is also quite good for an air check in 1963, and it is guaranteed that the depth of taste that conveys the atmosphere of the time can be felt fresh.
It is such a reel this time, but of course if you are a maniac, it is natural that you want to have it as it is if it is such a valuable sound source. Of course, it is summarized in Disc-3 as “Unprocessed Version”. Here, not only hiss noise, but also noise that occurs everywhere in the case of air check and damage to the tape are recorded as they are. If you listen to this, you should be able to realize how carefully the original features have been extended and restored.
By the way, in the latter half of Disc-2 and 3, we summarized the takes with a remarkable upper feeling, and also recorded the remaster of different approaches as a bonus. Enjoy the difference, such as Disc-2 version if you prefer higher treble, Disc-3 if you prefer no hiss noise, and so on.
And there’s a reason to announce today the release of the upper version of Pope’s own Beatles’ precious early BBC sound source, which no core enthusiast would ever know existed. Because their first BBC appearance was broadcast on March 8, 1962, and today is the 60th anniversary. A new excavation BBC sound source with a shock suitable for such a memorable day. Above all, the upper feeling that the veil was removed from their lively performance from before their debut to immediately after the popular explosion is exceptional!
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★ About Joe Pope
He is the owner of the reel closest to the master of the Decca audition sound source, and is known as the first person in the world to bring that sound source to the world. His full name is Joseph Pope.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he published the douujinshi “Strawberry Fields Forever” in 1972. In 1974, the first Beatles Convention was held in Boston. In 1976, he produced his first 7-inch boot for “How Do You Do It / Revolution”. The following year, in 1977, he obtained a production master copy of the Decca sound source, pressed a 7-inch color board under the Deccagone brand, and sold it through a doujinshi. In 1999, he died of cancer at the age of 51.
★ Upgrade location
[Teenager’s Turn –Here We Go / Broadcast twice in 62 years]
Sound quality is improved compared to the previous one. Natural sound quality with a relaxed high range. The front and back of the existing board are faded, but here it is evidence of low generation that the front and back of the track are also cut out and no extra processing is done.
★ Mastering memo
Discs 1 and 2 contain a remastered version of all the disjointed sound sources recorded on the reels rearranged in the BBC broadcast order. Since the outflow process is different for each, the sound quality of the original tape is different (it seems that there are multiple sound source providers). Therefore, when mastering to alleviate the sense of discomfort, reduce hiss and adjust the EQ to make the sound quality as uniform as possible. The BBC sound source currently on the market tends to concentrate the band at 1kHz, and the sound image is blurred and hard to hear, so I made EQ processing with that in mind. The tape hiss is reduced, but there is no excessive noise reduction that makes the sound hum. Emphasis is placed on naturalness.
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★ Impact upgrade sound source! Two works featuring historical excavation sound sources will be released at the same time! !!
オフィシャルとアンダーグラウンド界の双方がしのぎを削りあい、もはや出し尽くしたかに思えたビートルズのBBCライブ音源から衝撃のアップグレード音源が登場します。マニアが海外オークションにて入手し、今回のリリースに向けて提供されたという文字通りの独占音源。そこに収録されていたのはデビュー前から人気が爆発した1963年8月あたりまでのBBCスタジオ・ライブ。このリールですが、元の持ち主はジョー・ポープという人物。古くからのマニアであれば、彼こそがビートルズのデッカ・オーディション・テープを世に広めた人物の名前としてピーンと来るはず。ポープはアメリカでファンクラブ「STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER」の主宰として活動していた人。
そういった立場の人物らしく、1977年にデッカ・テープを入手して「DECCAGONE」という名の下で同音源をシングルで切り売りした人でもあります。
おまけに「DECCAGONE」シングルは大ベストセラーとなって精巧なコピー盤まで広まってしまったのが何ともアメリカらしい展開ではありませんか。実際、中古で「DECCAGONE」シングルが出てくるとコピー盤の頻度が高いです。よってマニアのエキスパートと呼べるポープが所有していたビートルズ初期のBBCラジオ出演の音源を友達にReel To Reelでコピーしてあげていたのが今回の音源。驚くべきはその音質で、特に1962年分と63年序盤の出演に関しては、現在出回っているどのバージョンよりも音質が良かったのです！
仕方のないことではありますが、この時期の出演分はマスターがBBCにも残っていない。かろうじて当時の放送をファンがラジオのスピーカーから拾ったエアチェック音源が現存するのみ。それ故に高音質とは言い難く、これが原因でポープが貴重な音源ながらリリースをためらっていたであろうことは容易に推測できるもの。
それでも1980年代に入ると徐々にこの時期の音源がリリースされ始めます。中でも62年の出演分に関しては、1987年辺りで「AT THE BEEB W/PETE BEST」を始めとしたLPでまとまったリリースが実現。その後CDの時代を迎えてゆっくりと音質が向上していったのですが、そうした過去のリリースに使われたものと今回の音源はまったく同じもの。つまり、ポープが所有していた62年放送分のテープが巡り巡って、あるいはジェネ落ちを重ねてリリースにまで漕ぎつけていたのでした。
LP時代は特に粗さの際立っていたこれらの時期のエアチェック音源も現在はかなり聞きやすくなり、昨年もかのLord ReithがBBC集大成「THE BBC ARCHIVES」の最新版を公開してくれていたばかり。ところが、これ以上は音が良くならないと思われていた初期BBC音源の今回提供されたリールはさらに聞きやすい、はっきりとしたアッパー感で収録されていたものだからスタッフ一同、騒然となったのです。
特にピート・ベスト在籍時の62年放送分はクリアーな音質でして、かの「THE BBC ARCHIVES」から粗さが取れたような状態は明らかにテープの状態の良さがもたらしてくれたもの。もちろんLP時代のアイテムや90年代を席捲したグレート・デーンのボックスなど、まるで比較にならないレベルですし、なおかつ近年のアイテムよりもはっきり音が良くなっている。それでいて過去のアイテムでフェイドアウト処理されていた演奏後なども音が途切れるところまでしっかり捉えられている点が状態の良さを物語っています。
そしてロイ・オービソンの「Dream Baby」、後にジョージの親友となるジョー・ブラウンの「A Picture Of You」など、デビュー前だからこそ聞けるレアなレパートリーを初々しさ一杯に演奏してみせるビートルズの姿をよくぞ録音してくれていたものだと思わずにはいられません。
その点1963年初頭の出演分はオフィシャルでも「LIVE AT THE BBC Vol.2」でいくつかのテイクがエアチェック音源から勇猛果敢に収録されていましたが、特に「Beautiful Dreamer」のレアなカバーは今回の方が俄然クリアかつナチュラル。そもそも「BBC Vol.2」に使われていた同曲は今回の音源でなく、冒頭のアナウンスがカットされていたところからして、その名も「BEAUTIFUL DREAMER」というLPの元になったエアチェック・テープを使用していたと思われます。おかげで基本的な音質が今回よりも落ちる上、イコライズが何とも残念な仕上がりとなっていました。
唯一、観客の前で「A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues」を演奏したことで知られる番組「EASY BEAT」7月分はLP時代にコントラバンドの「STOCKHOLM」、そこから拝借したウィザードの「ORIGINAL AUDITION TAPE, CIRCA 1962」などでゲロゲロなクオリティにて収録されていましたが、80年代に一世を風靡したLP「AT THE BEEB」シリーズにて遂にアップグレードが実現。現在までその音源が使われていましたが、今回はそれをも大幅に上回るアッパー感で今回のリリースの目玉と呼べるもの。随分クリアーになってくれました。余談ですが「ORIGINAL AUDITION～」はその時点で流出していた唯一のデッカ音源「Love Of The Loved」をこれまたコントラバンドの「L.S. BUNBLE BEE」から拝借していたのでした。
順序は逆になりますが、先の「AT THE BEEB W/PETE BEST」などで知られるようになった「EASY BEAT」4月分で披露された「From Me To You」も今回のバージョンで一気にクリアーになっています。さらに「POP GO THE BEATLES」6月18日放送分の中でただ一つ、音質の劣る状態でしか聞けなかった「Memphis Tennessee」が遂に大幅な音質の向上を遂げてくれた点も今回のリリースの目玉でしょう。
ここで聞かれる「POP GO THE BEATLES」他のパートは近年のアイテムやオフィシャルの「LIVE AT THE BBC」などでエアチェックでない最高音質で聞けるようになり、二枚のディスクに収められている残りの音源がマニア向けである点は否めません。ですが、先のオフィシャルからシングルカットまでされた「Baby It’s You」などでおなじみ6月18日放送分のエアチェック音源など、むしろ貴重なもの。ジョー・ポープやその友人が出しあぐねている間にLP「AT THE BEEB」シリーズが市場を席巻してしまい、今日に至るまで埋もれていた初登場音源だから馬鹿にできません。それに音質も63年のエアチェックとしてはかなり良好な状態で、むしろ当時の空気感を伝えてくれる味わい深さが新鮮に感じられること請け合いです。
そんな今回のリールですが、もちろんマニアであればこれほど貴重な音源であれば生のままの状態で持っていたいのも当然でしょう。そこはもちろん「Unprocessed Version」としてDisc-3にまとめまています。ここではヒスノイズだけでなく、エアチェックであれば随所に生じるノイズやテープのダメージまでそのままの状態で収録。これを聞けば元々の素性をいかに引き伸ばした上で丁寧にレストアされているかを実感してもらえるはず。
ちなみにDisc-2と3の後半にはアッパー感の著しいテイクをまとめ、それぞれまた違ったアプローチのリマスターもボーナスとして収録しました。より高音の抜けを好む方であればDisc-2のバージョンを、ヒスノイズが一切ない状態を好むのならDisc-3を…といった具合に違いを楽しんでください。
そして今までどんなコアなマニアですらその存在を知らなかったであろう、ポープ所有のビートルズの貴重な初期BBC音源のアッパー版のリリースを本日発表するのには訳があります。何故なら彼らのBBC初出演が放送されたのが1962年3月8日であり、今日が正に60周年。そんな記念すべき日に相応しい衝撃の新発掘BBC音源。何よりデビュー前から人気爆発直後までの躍動感あふれる彼らの演奏ぶりからベールの取り払われたようなアッパー感は格別！
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★Joe Popeについて
デッカ・オーディション音源の最もマスターに近いリールの所有者で、世界で初めてその音源を世に出した人物として知られています。フルネームはジョセフ・ポープ。
フロリダ州ジャクソンビルで生まれで72年に同人誌「Strawberry Fields Forever」を発行。74年にはボストンで初のビートルズコンベンションを開催。76年、初めて「How Do You Do It / Revolution」の7インチ・ブートを制作。翌年77年に彼はデッカ音源のプロダクションマスター・コピーを入手し、Deccagoneブランドにて7インチのカラー盤をプレスし、同人誌を通じて販売。1999年、癌により51歳でこの世を去る。
★アップグレード箇所
[Teenager’s Turn – Here We Go / 62年2回放送分]
既発より音質向上。高域が伸びやかでナチュラルな音質。既発盤は前後がフェード処理されていますが、ここではトラックの前後もカットアウトで余計な処理がされていないのがロージェネの証拠かと。
★マスタリングメモ
ディスク1・2にはリールに収録されているバラバラな音源をBBCの放送順にすべて並べ直して整理したリマスター版を収録。それぞれ流出過程が異なっているので、元テープの音質はバラバラ（音源提供者が複数いる模様）。そこで違和感を緩和すべくマスタリングの際、ヒス軽減とEQ調整をして音質をなるべく均一化。今流通しているBBC音源は1kHzに帯域が集中しがちで音像がぼやけて聴き苦しいので、そこを意識してEQ処理しました。テープヒスは低減していますが、音がヒュルヒュルになるような過剰なノイズリダクションは行っていません。ナチュラルさを重視しています。
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★衝撃のアップグレード音源！歴史的発掘音源をフィーチャーした2作品を同時リリース！！
DISC 1: REMASTERED VERSION (76:30)
Teenager’s Turn – Here We Go
REC 7TH MARCH / AIRED 8TH MARCH 1962
01. Dream Baby
02. Memphis Tennessee
03. Please Mr. Postman
Teenager’s Turn – Here We Go
REC 11TH JUNE / AIRED 15TH JUNE 1962
04. Ask Me Why
05. Besame Mucho
06. A Picture Of You
Saturday Club
REC 22ND JAN / AIRED 26TH JAN 1963
07. Some Other Guy
08. Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
09. Beautiful Dreamer
Saturday Club
AIRED LIVE 16TH MARCH 1963
10. I Saw Her Standing There
11. Misery
12. I’m Talking About You
13. Please Please Me
14. The Hippy Hippy Shake
Easy Beat
REC 3RD APRIL / AIRED 7TH APRIL 1963
15. Gerry Marsden and Brian Matthew
16. From Me To You
Side By Side
REC. 1ST APRIL / AIRED 22ND APRIL 1963
17. Side By Side (The Beatles with The Karl Denver Trio)
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 24TH MAY / AIRED 4TH JUNE 1963
18. Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 1ST JUNE / AIRED 11TH JUNE 1963
19. Too Much Monkey Business
20. Till There Was You
21. Baby It’s You
22. Love Me Do
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 1ST JUNE / AIRED 18TH JUNE 1963
23. A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
24. Memphis Tennessee
25. A Taste Of Honey
26. Money (That’s What I Want)
Side By Side
REC. 4TH APRIL / AIRED 24TH JUNE 1963
27. Boys
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 17TH JUNE / AIRED 25TH JUNE 1963
28. I Saw Her Standing There
29. Anna
30. Chains
31. P.S. I Love You
32. Twist And Shout
Saturday Club
REC. 24TH JUNE / AIRED 29TH JUNE 1963
33. Roll Over Beethoven
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 2ND JULY / AIRED 16TH JULY 1963
34. That’s All Right Mama
DISC 2: REMASTERED VERSION (79:55)
Easy Beat
REC. 17TH JULY / AIRED 21ST JULY 1963
01. I Saw Her Standing There
02. A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 10TH JULY / AIRED 30TH JULY 1963
03. Do You Want To Know A Secret
04. Matchbox
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 16TH JULY / AIRED 6TH AUG. 1963
05. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)
06. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
07. Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
08. The Honeymoon Song
09. Twist And Shout
10. Pop Go The Beatles (long version)
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 16TH JULY / AIRED 13TH AUG. 1963
11. Long Tall Sally
12. She Loves You
13. You Really Got A Hold On Me
14. I’ll Get You
15.. I Got A Woman
16. Words Of Love
17. Glad All Over
18. I Just Don’t Understand
19. Devil In Her Heart
20. Slow Down
Pop Go The Beatles
REC 1ST AUG / AIRED 27TH AUG 1963
21. Ooh! My Soul
22. Don’t Ever Change
Pop Go The Beatles
REC 1ST AUG / AIRED 3RD SEPT 1963
23. Honey Don’t
24. Roll Over Beethoven
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 3RD SEPT. / AIRED 17TH SEPT. 1963
25. Lucille
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 3RD SEPT. / AIRED 24TH SEPT. 1963
26. Pop Go The Beatles
Saturday Club
REC. 17TH DEC. / AIRED 21ST DEC. 1963
27. Christmas Medley
From Us To You
REC. 18TH DEC. / AIRED 26TH DEC. 1963
28. I Want To Hold Your Hand
Saturday Club
REC. 7TH JAN. / AIRED 15TH FEB. 1964
29. Johnny B. Goode
From Us To You
REC. 1ST MAY / AIRED 18TH MAY 1964
30. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
Bonus Tracks – Remastered Version 2
31. Dream Baby
32. Memphis Tennessee
33. Please Mr. Postman
34. Ask Me Why
35. Besame Mucho
36. A Picture Of You
37. Beautiful Dreamer
Disc 3: Unprocessed Version (70:12)
Teenager’s Turn – Here We Go
REC 7TH MARCH / AIRED 8TH MARCH 1962
01. Dream Baby
02. Memphis Tennessee
03. Please Mr. Postman
Teenager’s Turn – Here We Go
REC 11TH JUNE / AIRED 15TH JUNE 1962
04. Ask Me Why
05. Besame Mucho
06. A Picture Of You
Saturday Club
REC 22ND JAN / AIRED 26TH JAN 1963
07. Some Other Guy
08. Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
09. Beautiful Dreamer
Saturday Club
AIRED LIVE 16TH MARCH 1963
10. I Saw Her Standing There
11. Misery
12. I’m Talking About You
13. Please Please Me
14. The Hippy Hippy Shake
Easy Beat
REC 3RD APRIL / AIRED 7TH APRIL 1963
15. Gerry Marsden and Brian Matthew
16. From Me To You
Side By Side
REC. 1ST APRIL / AIRED 22ND APRIL 1963
17. Side By Side (The Beatles with The Karl Denver Trio)
Pop Go The Beatles
REC. 1ST JUNE / AIRED 18TH JUNE 1963
18. A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
19. Memphis Tennessee
20. A Taste Of Honey
21. Money (That’s What I Want)
Easy Beat
REC. 17TH JULY / AIRED 21ST JULY 1963
22. I Saw Her Standing There
23. A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
Bonus Tracks – Remastered Version 3
24. Dream Baby
25. Memphis Tennessee
26. Please Mr. Postman
27. Ask Me Why
28. Besame Mucho
29. A Picture Of You
30. Some Other Guy
31. Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
32. Beautiful Dreamer
