BEATLES – PHILADELPHIA 1964: SOUNDBOARD REEL TO REEL (1 CD)

Description

Live at Convention Hall, Philadelphia, PA, USA 2 September 1964 SBD (UPGRADE & LONGER!)

　”Whiskey Flat” is to the Stones what “Nasty” is to the Beatles, and even non-fans have likely heard it at least once. It’s a staple of The Beatles’ 1964 US tour. It’s been released under the name “Whiskey Flat” since the vinyl era, and has spawned countless recordings, including the supposedly original WARLUS version and the most popular TMOQ version. However, some recordings have been released under the titles “ALIVE AT LAST” or “IN CONCERT AT WHISKEY FLAT,” and the venue and date/time from the ’64 US tour were unclear from the start.

　With the advent of the CD era, it was tentatively agreed that the September 2nd Philadelphia recording was made at Convention Hall, and releases, including this one, have generally continued to be released under the Philadelphia name. However, with the unearthing of not only the recording but also various footage from the ’64 US tour, including footage from September 2nd, the previously accepted theory was overturned: apparently “Whiskey Flat” was not Philadelphia. Discussion of the recording date and venue for this recording continues among enthusiasts worldwide, and while several venues have been suggested, no definitive conclusion has yet been reached.

　Despite this, “Whiskey Flat” remains beloved to this day because it is a superior mono soundboard recording that combines both sound quality and performance. Of course, it cannot match the quality of the official Hollywood Bowl recording, which was a three-track stereo recording. However, the secret to this is the sound quality that more than makes up for it: the energetic performance and the unique power of mono.

　As a result, many titles have continued to be released on CD, but the most popular in recent years seems to be the IMP label’s “PHILADELPHIA 1964 OFF REEL.” However, there are some sections that are slightly shorter than the WARLUS LP, and the question of whether the disc was actually based on that was raised by the release of “ALIVE AT LAST PLUS,” which was recorded from the same LP. However, it is certain that “PHILADELPHIA 1964~” (hereinafter referred to as the “previously released version”) is generally more popular, and it is likely that many enthusiasts were introduced to the classic “Whiskey Flat” through it.

　However, this past June, without any warning, an upgraded version of “Whiskey Flat” was released. It was released by the familiar Krw_co. The fact that he even covered Beatles recordings was surprising enough, but what’s even more impressive is the upgraded feel. First of all, the sound itself is incredibly clean and natural. Compared to this version, various previous CD versions, including previously released versions (excluding “ALIVE AT LAST PLUS”), have noticeable hiss and hum, especially between songs. The hiss in particular seems to have been significantly more pronounced in previous releases. Furthermore, the slight imperfections that seem to have arisen from using the LP version on previously released versions (for example, the ending doesn’t fade out, and this time there’s a slightly longer feedback loop) are also absent. Above all, the upgraded feel of the reduced hiss sound quality is truly wonderful.

　That’s why it’s so surprising that the upper version of this legendary ’64 US tour soundboard has finally been unearthed in 2022. It’s no surprise, as this version clearly states that it was owned by the late Joe Pope. He’s a renowned Beatles fan, known for his recent releases of “The Complete Joe Pope Tapes” and “BBC Broadcasts 1962-1964: Joe Pope Reels.” Given that he led a fan club and released the Decca tapes, it’s no surprise that he would have kept the upper version of “Whiskey Flat” secret. The quality is quite impressive.

　And above all, the performance was amazing. The official stereo recording from Hollywood Bowl is fantastic, but the Beatles’ performance was even more energetic. The solid sound quality of the mono recording makes it even more realistic. The enthusiasm of the day…or rather, the passionate performance, which was so intense it was impossible to let it be drowned out, is the enduring charm of the long-loved “Whiskey Flat.”

　On the other hand, there’s also the famous moment when John and Paul burst out laughing during “If I Fell,” a song sung with just one microphone, evoking a time when they were more relaxed and motivated to perform live. Still, the performance never faltered. Rather, the moment they launched into “I Want to Hold Your Hand” without the MC, a staple of their ’64 US tour, was a vivid example of how exciting the crowd was. It’s no exaggeration to say that this moment speaks volumes about the energy onstage that day. The sharpness of their performances, perhaps even surpassing the Hollywood Bowl, made “Whiskey Flat” a staple.

　This classic recording has been unexpectedly upgraded in 2022. While it’s frustrating that the venue and date are still unclear, this is a masterpiece that will undoubtedly rank among the best not only of the 1964 American tour, but also of The Beatles’ entire career. A new classic has been born! Please enjoy it thoroughly.

(30:36)
1. Opening
2. Twist And Shout
3. You Can’t Do That
4. All My Loving
5. She Loves You
6. Things We Said Today
7. Roll Over Beethoven
8. Can’t Buy Me, Love
9. If I Fell
10. I Want To Hold Your Hand
11. Boys
12. A Hard Day’s Night
13. Long Tall Sally
14. Thank You