BEATLES – ESSEN 1966 SOUNDBOARD (1CD + DVD-R)
$35.00
MERSEYSIDE – CD (First 260 copies include DVD-R)
Description
Grugahalle, Essen, West Germany 25th June 1966 (Evening Show)
Circus-Krone-Bau, Munich, West Germany 24th June 1966
Circus-Krone-Bau, Munich, West Germany 24th June 1966
This year’s biggest hit sound source is now available on the Merseyside label! The Beatles’ 1966 Essen performance, which has suddenly appeared after nearly 60 years, is a completely unreleased and completely recorded sound board that is causing a stir among enthusiasts around the world. It was truly surprising that so many recordings of the 1966 German performance, which had already been limited in sound sources, had remained asleep until now.
The sound source itself had been hinted at in fragments on YouTube for several years, but as soon as HMC Label announced the release last month, a maniac who had kept the sound source secret released the complete version on YouTube. It spread in an instant, as is typical of 2025, but contrary to that trend, the original uploader stopped releasing the sound source after just one day.
Other videos currently available on YouTube have had their audio compressed when they were released, and the sound quality has been degraded to some degree, such as being cut off at 16kHz. In fact, compared to the original, the sound is thin or has become distorted.
For the release from Merseyside, the same sound source as the now-disappeared original YouTube was recorded. In particular, the sound quality is clearly different from the currently available version, such as the depth of the sound. This is a super valuable sound board that was excavated with great care, and it is natural to record it in the best version. Of course, there is no dull imitations such as equalization. You can enjoy the complete sound board of Essen, which has become a historic excavation, with peace of mind.
Unlike the TV recordings of Circus Krone and the Budokan, this Essen recording is a PA-out soundboard, which was rare at the time. There are several similar recordings of the Beatles, such as Vancouver in 1964 and Atlanta in 1965, but the fact that such a recording existed in Germany in 1966 is surprising. Until now, the only recording that existed in Germany in 1966 was Circus Krone, but this is a complete soundboard.
There are many photos from the day in Essen, and it can be seen that only one drum microphone was placed a little away from Ringo’s cymbals. This setting probably led to the low drum volume in this recording. However, it was a blessing in disguise that the balance was not such that the drums could not be heard, as in the 1964 Adelaide radio broadcast. Apparently
the recording staff noticed this, and even during the performance of “If I Needed Someone”, they touched the microphone and tested it. Thanks to this, the drum balance improved after “Day Tripper”, and it became even louder in “I Wanna Be Your Man”, where Ringo’s vocal microphone picked up the sound of the snare. After that, the balance of the performance was much better than at the beginning of the live show.
the recording staff noticed this, and even during the performance of “If I Needed Someone”, they touched the microphone and tested it. Thanks to this, the drum balance improved after “Day Tripper”, and it became even louder in “I Wanna Be Your Man”, where Ringo’s vocal microphone picked up the sound of the snare. After that, the balance of the performance was much better than at the beginning of the live show.
And speaking of PA sound boards, they are recordings that bring out the direct feeling of the performance familiar to ZEP enthusiasts, but the performance of the Beatles in Essen that can be heard on this is really wild. In particular, the power of the rough performance of the first three songs is unique to the PA sound board. And yet, the overall momentum is typical of Germany in 1966. The fact that it was a stage after the daytime performance may have also been a success. It seems like a dream that the complete sound board starting with the host’s announcement has appeared here, as if it were a lie that I have been gratefully listening to Circus Krone, which is only half live, for decades.
Due to the new discovery of such a topic, items have already been released, but it seems that everyone is having a hard time matching them, and although it is a 1963 Bournemouth performance from a different era, or the Essen afternoon part, which is chronologically accurate, is coupled, it is true that there is a large discrepancy in sound quality because it is an audience recording.
In that respect, Merseyside chose the classic Circus Krone as the coupling. Of course, simply recording it is too classic and not entertaining. This time, the highest quality version ever recorded was directly copied from the original 2-inch VTR, which is not a net source. In fact, the sound quality is excellent, and the difference is clear compared to the many past items. As a result, not only was the topic of the Essen night sound board recorded in the best version, but the strongest coupling of the 1966 German sound board, which was held before the performance in Japan, was realized!
(45:59)
Grugahalle, Essen, West Germany 25th June 1966 (Evening Show)
Grugahalle, Essen, West Germany 25th June 1966 (Evening Show)
01. Introduction
02. Rock And Roll Music
03. She’s A Woman
04. If I Needed Someone
05. Day Tripper
06. Baby’s In Black
07. I Feel Fine
08. Yesterday
09. I Wanna Be Your Man
10. Nowhere Man
11. Paperback Writer
12. I’m Down
02. Rock And Roll Music
03. She’s A Woman
04. If I Needed Someone
05. Day Tripper
06. Baby’s In Black
07. I Feel Fine
08. Yesterday
09. I Wanna Be Your Man
10. Nowhere Man
11. Paperback Writer
12. I’m Down
Circus-Krone-Bau, Munich, West Germany 24th June 1966
13. Tuning (Evening Show)
14. Rock And Roll Music (Evening Show)
15. Baby’s In Black (Afternoon Show)
16. I Feel Fine (Afternoon Show)
17. Yesterday (Afternoon Show)
18. Nowhere Man (Evening Show)
19. I’m Down (Evening Show)
14. Rock And Roll Music (Evening Show)
15. Baby’s In Black (Afternoon Show)
16. I Feel Fine (Afternoon Show)
17. Yesterday (Afternoon Show)
18. Nowhere Man (Evening Show)
19. I’m Down (Evening Show)
SOUNDBOARD RECORDING
★★Special Event
★Only the first limited edition of The Beatles’ “ESSEN 1966 SOUNDBOARD” with the numbered sticker will come with a special bonus video titled “CIRCUS KRONE MASTER DIRECT”, which is the same as the CD, and is a direct video master recording of the Munich concert on June 24th, recorded in the best quality ever.
THE BEATLES – CIRCUS KRONE MASTER DIRECT(Ltd Bonus DVDR)
Circus-Krone-Bau, Munich, West Germany 24th June 1966 PRO-SHOT(from Original Masters)
★UPGRADE!!!
　Coupling with the “ESSEN 1966 SOUNDBOARD,” which was a dream find for Beatlemaniacs around the world, was the Circus Krone from the previous day, which had been the only decent sound source in Germany in 1966 before this Essen.
　The sound recorded directly from the master video was brilliant, but of course the original was a video. Therefore, the live video itself is perfect for attaching only to the first delivery with the numbering sticker.
　This is one of the few Beatles live performances from 1966 that has been blessed with good quality versions for a long time, and in recent years, Circus Krone has finally become a place where you can see versions with excellent image quality.
　However, the image quality of this master video is simply stunning. The entire program, including the opening act, was a 45-minute program that was easy to watch, so I think there are many fans who watched it from the opening to the ending.
　However, this recording is from the master, but just by looking at the opening “Die Beatles” subtitle, you will be overwhelmed by its sharpness.
　Currently on YouTube, enthusiasts have created versions that look like modern 4K remasters, but this version has none of the unnatural sharpness of the image. It is overwhelmingly clear and has the natural video feel that only a master can have.
　As a shocking Essen coupling sound source this time, the bonus is the undisputed definitive version of Circus Krone, which made me feel such an upgrade. The super clear classic Circus Krone would not be surprising if it were released on a press DVD. This makes the first delivery of this title a perfect German 66 set. Don’t miss it!
★A beautiful video was uploaded to YouTube two years ago, but this is not a download from YouTube, but a recording from an undistributed original video! This is the highest quality video that is not from an internet source.
(43:20)
01.Stage Setting
-Evening Show-
*CLIFF BENNETT & THE REBEL ROUSERS
02. Good Good Feeling
03. You Can’t Love’em All
04. C.C. Rider
02. Good Good Feeling
03. You Can’t Love’em All
04. C.C. Rider
*THE RATTLES
05. Love Of My Life
06. Come On And Sing
07. Sha-la-la-la Lee
08. Shout
09. Auf Wiedersehen
05. Love Of My Life
06. Come On And Sing
07. Sha-la-la-la Lee
08. Shout
09. Auf Wiedersehen
-Afternoon Show-
*PETER AND GORDON
10. Woman
11. Let It Be Me
10. Woman
11. Let It Be Me
*THE BEATLES
12. Tuning (Evening Show)
13. Rock And Roll Music (Evening Show)
14. Baby’s In Black (Afternoon Show)
15. I Feel Fine (Afternoon Show)
16. Yesterday (Afternoon Show)
17. Nowhere Man (Evening Show)
18. I’m Down (Evening Show)
12. Tuning (Evening Show)
13. Rock And Roll Music (Evening Show)
14. Baby’s In Black (Afternoon Show)
15. I Feel Fine (Afternoon Show)
16. Yesterday (Afternoon Show)
17. Nowhere Man (Evening Show)
18. I’m Down (Evening Show)
PRO-SHOT B&W NTSC Approx.43min.
