German 1972 Reissue (1st cut)
1C 062 05200
Discogs | German Matrix Database
Matrix:
Side A: YEX 142-1 1C06204200-A-1
Side B: YEX 143-1 1C06204200-B-1
This German reissue from 1972 on blue Odeon labels uses the same first local cut that initially was released on the red-gold-white Odeon label in 1964. As most German first pressings prior to 1967 are fabled to sound rather dull and lifeless, let’s check out if this is true for this album.
Starting with “No Reply” on Side A: the vocals seem to have been more amplified compared to the UK 1st cut, but they still sound more natural and harmonical than on the UK HTM from 1978. The bass, on the other hand, is rather weak. “I’m A Loser”: the stereo panorama seems to be narrower than the UK 1st, the bass is reduced again, but the vocals and trebles have good presence. Same goes for “Baby’s In Black”. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Music” profits from a good vocal presence, but misses out on the low end. “I’ll Follow the Sun” is actually recorded louder than on the UK 1st. The lack of bass is less notable on this song, and the vocals are more present (but also have more sibilance). Now, the emphasis on the vocals on “Mr. Moonlight” is a bit too much, the accompanying chorus sounds somewhat harsh. As for “Kansas City”, it has actually more energy than the UK 1st cut (and way more than the HTM pressing), as here the heightened midrange works wonders (though the chorus on “Hey, hey, hey, hey” sounds a bit distorted).
Side B: “Eight Days a Week” is, apart from a weaker bass, very similar to the UK 1st, and a very pleasant experience, not nearly as harsh as the UK HTM. “Words of Love”: nice vocal presence, detailed hi-hats and clapping, slightly more energy than the UK 1st and less brittleness than the UK HTM. “Honey Don’t” – While the reduced bass is less prominent here, Ringo’s vocals have actually slightly more presence – which is very nice. On “Every Little Thing” the narrower stereo panorama is quite noticeable. The vocals are more pronounced, the reduced bass is notable on the timpani – but the overall impression is quite pleasant. “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party”, however, lacks a bit of substance, and the vocals are actually less present than on the UK 1st. The entering drums on “What You’re Doing”, once again, lack the bass punch of the UK 1st, here the emphasis is on the vocals. Now as for “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby”, it sounds a bit on the thin side, but not as shrill as the UK HTM.
Overall: this stereo pressing, cut in 1964, is actually quite nice – and probably the best-sounding of the first German cuts made before 1967! Despite its weak bass, it has more presence in the vocals that feels more natural than the late 70s HTM cut. And due to its wide availability throughout the 60s and 70s, it can be had for very little money in excellent condition.