THE BEATLES BALLADS

I don't believe I have ever seen a copy of this compilation, new or used, in any record store, most likely because it was not released in the US.  EMI put this collection together in time for the Christmas market in 1980, but perhaps Capitol Records, in a rare show of restraint, thought that this package was too much like the 1977 release Love Songs.  This is pure speculation on my part, of course, but Sean Egan does note the great similarity between the two albums in The Mammoth Book of the Beatles, saying "this replicates most of the contents of Love Songs."

Actually, he is only half right.  Of the twenty tracks on this single album, ten had appeared on the twenty-five track double album Love Songs and ten had not.  My comments will be limited to the "new" additions.

SIDE ONE

Yesterday

Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

Do You Want to Know a Secret - George's maiden vocal outing from Please Please Me.

For No One

Michelle

Nowhere Man - A great song from Rubber Soul as well as the title track of an EP.

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

Across the Universe - The World Wildlife Fund version.

All My Loving - A rollicking tune from With the Beatles and also the title track of an EP.

Hey Jude - The monster hit single from the summer of '68. 

SIDE TWO

Something

The Fool on the Hill - A well-known track from Magical Mystery Tour

Till There Was You - This Broadway show tune was covered by the group on With the Beatles.

The Long and Winding Road

Here Comes the Sun - George's other great composition from Abbey Road.

Blackbird - A solo recording by Paul from the "White Album."

And I Love Her

She's Leaving Home

Here, There and Everywhere

Let It Be - The final UK single, the version produced by George Martin.

Putting ten tracks on one side of a vinyl album (not to mention the seven-minute Hey Jude) surely must have compromised the sound quality of the record.  It was released in the UK on October 13th, 1980 and did not perform well in the charts until John Lennon's untimely murder.  In Australia, it hit number one.