{"id":956,"date":"2024-07-06T14:22:32","date_gmt":"2024-07-06T14:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/?page_id=956"},"modified":"2024-07-07T09:17:12","modified_gmt":"2024-07-07T09:17:12","slug":"help-legacy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/shootouts\/legacy-shootouts\/help-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Help! (Legacy)"},"content":{"rendered":"<a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"957\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/shootouts\/legacy-shootouts\/help-legacy\/covers_1600-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?fit=1600%2C1175&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1175\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"covers_1600\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?fit=300%2C220&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C752&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-957\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C752&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C752&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?resize=300%2C220&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?resize=768%2C564&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1128&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/covers_1600-1.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>First published: Jun 6, 2021<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Contestants:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"2\/\">UK 6th Pressing (1978)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"3\/\">UK 7th Pressing (1980)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"4\/\">German 3rd Cut (1977)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"5\/\">Japanese Pressing (1973)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"6\/\">The Verdict<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The UK pressings are specified according to <a href=\"http:\/\/thebeatles-collection.com\/wordpress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TheBeatles-Collection<\/a>, the German cuts are specified according to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/beatles-german-cuts-list\/\">German Matrix Database<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><b><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"959\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/shootouts\/legacy-shootouts\/help-legacy\/help_labels_0003_layer-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?fit=1600%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"help_labels_0003_Layer 1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-959\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=80%2C80&amp;ssl=1 80w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?resize=320%2C320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0003_Layer-1.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>UK 6th Pressing (1978)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>PCS 3071<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discogs.com\/release\/2595641-The-Beatles-Help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discogs<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/thebeatles-collection.com\/wordpress\/2011\/07\/16\/help-parlophone-pcs-3071\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TheBeatles-Collection<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Matrix:<br \/>\nSide A: YEX 168-4\u00a0 \u00a0HTM<br \/>\nSide B: YEX 169-3\u00a0 \u00a0HTM<\/p>\n<p>This copy was in my BC13 box from 1978. Though TBC doesn\u2019t list this combination of matrices for this particular version, the label design identifies it as 6th pressing. Both sides are cut by Harry T. Moss.<\/p>\n<p>The -4 cut of Side A is really a pleasant listening experience. Already the title track shows the strengths of this version: very nice balance between basses, voices and trebles. The stereo separation is also well-done, the vocals have great presence in the center, the instruments are distributed in the stereo panorama. Bass is not overblown, but well-defined and has notable substance. Trebles, like the tambourines on \u201cYou\u2019ve Got to Hide Your Love Away\u201d or the maracas on \u201cThe Night Before\u201d, are nice and clear. \u201cAnother Girl\u201d shines as far as instrumentation is concerned \u2013 just a pleasant, smooth experience. And the trebles are really great on \u201cTicket to Ride\u201d. Generally, just a really nice, harmonic cut where nothing is too in your face or, on the other hand, buried in the mix.<\/p>\n<p>Side B has the -3 matrix. If there is one word to describe this side, it would be \u201cexciting\u201d. Very nice detailed basses (once again, without being overblown), good trebles, good harmonic embedding of the vocals. For example, \u201cAct Naturally\u201d has some good, punchy bass and trebles, although there is quite some sibilance on the vocals (\u201cWell, I hope you come and\u00a0<b>th<\/b>ee me in the movie\u201d). This tendency to sibilance is also very present on \u201cIt\u2019s Only Love\u201d (\u201cwhen you\u00a0<b>th<\/b>igh my mind inside just flies\u201d). The stereo separation on \u201cYou Like Me Too Much\u201d is really good. What really shines on this side are the acoustic guitars: \u201cI\u2019ve Just Seen A Face\u201d and especially \u201cYesterday\u201d \u2013 the acoustic guitar really breathes here! \u201cDizzy Miss Lizzy\u201d, for a rock n\u2019 roll tune, is rather noisy with cymbals and sounds compressed, but the details are still there, good and audible.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall:<\/strong>\u00a0Apart from some sibilance on Side B, I really enjoyed both sides of this version. It sounds just exciting, with good bass, trebles and good vocal presence.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><b><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"960\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/shootouts\/legacy-shootouts\/help-legacy\/help_labels_0002_layer-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?fit=1600%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"help_labels_0002_Layer 2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-960\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=80%2C80&amp;ssl=1 80w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?resize=320%2C320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0002_Layer-2.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>UK 7th Pressing (1980)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discogs.com\/release\/4058857-The-Beatles-Help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discogs<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/thebeatles-collection.com\/wordpress\/2011\/07\/16\/help-parlophone-pcs-3071\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TheBeatles-Collection<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>PCS 3071<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Matrix:<br \/>\nSide A: YEX 168-4\u00a0 \u00a0HTM<br \/>\nSide B: YEX 169-4\u00a0 \u00a0HTM<\/p>\n<p>This version was first pressed in 1980; my actual copy was manufactured in 1982. It has the same -4 side A as my BC13 copy; however, Side B is a newer HTM cut.<\/p>\n<p>Everything that was said about Side A on the previous version is also valid for this pressing. However, Side B is a later cut and needs to be reviewed separately.<\/p>\n<p>What is definitely better on this version on Side B, is the reduction of the sibilance. On \u201cAct Naturally\u201d it is mostly gone, on \u201cIt\u2019s Only Love\u201d it\u2019s considerably reduced. However, the overall impression in straight comparison is that the -4 cut has become somehow tamer compared to -3. The bass is less punchy, the treble less pronounced, everything is somehow less exciting and rather muted. The vocals feel a bit separate from the instruments, pushing those to the background. Though \u201cYesterday\u201d sounds very similar to -3, the texture of the acoustic guitar feels like it has slightly less details. \u201cDizzy Miss Lizzy\u201d feels even more compressed and flat, the voice is buried somewhere in there.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall:<\/strong>\u00a0Now, if listening to it for a longer period of time, it actually sounds quite nice \u2013 but when switching back and forth between -3 and -4, the -3 definitely feels more exciting and dynamic.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><b><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"961\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/shootouts\/legacy-shootouts\/help-legacy\/help_labels_0001_layer-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?fit=1600%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"help_labels_0001_Layer 3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-961\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=80%2C80&amp;ssl=1 80w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?resize=320%2C320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0001_Layer-3.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>German 3rd Cut (1977)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>1C 072-04 257<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discogs.com\/release\/1816876-The-Beatles-Help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discogs<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/beatles-german-cuts-list\/1962-1966\/help\/#3\">German Matrix Database<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Matrix:<br \/>\nSide A: SHZE 162 A-2\u00a0 \u00a0 04257-A-2<br \/>\nSide B: SHZE 16X2 B-3\u00a0 \u00a0 04257 B-3<\/p>\n<p>Now this version with the A-2 \/ B-3 matrix is actually considered one of the German grails, and has been released on the Apple label in the end-70s (the A-2 side is actually a bit older, having been around since the mid-70s on the Odeon label).<\/p>\n<p>Now for the sound. Side A is quite different to the UK -4 cut. The title track has somewhat more of a feeling of restlessness, the singing feels less harmonically embedded into the instrumentation. It is somehow amplified on all levels, the bass, the trebles, the vocals. On the other hand, the acoustic guitars sound somehow murky, the bass lacks detail and the trebles are a bit too sharp. \u201cThe Night Before\u201d is a different matter, it sounds more exciting than the UK counterpart, being not only louder, but also somehow widened and the voices having more presence. \u201cYou\u2019ve Got to Hide Your Love Away\u201d sounds very similar to the UK, but has slightly less bass power on the refrain. \u201cI Need You\u201d is also very similar to the UK, but has a bit more presence in the vocals, as does \u201cAnother Girl\u201d which also sounds more exciting. \u201cYou\u2019re Gonna Lose That Girl\u201d: the stereo separation is nice, the vocals have strong presence, but somehow it disintegrates compared to the more harmonic-sounding UK, as if the vocals and the instruments are independent of each other. \u201cTicket to Ride\u201d, once again, sounds more exciting, the vocals stand out stronger compared to the UK -4, while the both the trebles and bass have more energy.<\/p>\n<p>Now for Side B. \u201cAsk Naturally\u201d sounds really nice, very similar to both UK cuts, having slightly less sibilance than -3 and slightly more than -4. \u201cIt\u2019s Only Love\u201d is similarly exciting to the UK -3, also having some sibilance. Now \u201cYou Like Me Too Much\u201d is even more dynamic than the UK -3 (and much more than the tame -4), both the bass and the trebles being more present. \u201cTell Me What You See\u201d has more substance on the low end (while still having great trebles), making it again more exciting than the UK -3. \u201cI\u2019ve Just Seen a Face\u201d is again very similar to the UK -3, with slightly more of the high midrange and treble (guitar and maracas). Again, very pleasant to listen to. On \u201cYesterday\u201d there is again somewhat of a separation between the guitar, the strings and the vocal, as if they are detached from each other \u2013 it just sounds slightly more harmonic on both UK cuts. As for \u201cDizzy Miss Lizzy\u201d, it really shines on this cut: a wider, better separation of instruments and vocals as well as some great dynamics.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall:<\/strong>\u00a0Is it a grail? I think it deserves this title. Some songs sound unusually bright (\u201cHelp!\u201d), but for the most part, the German version is just exciting: good bass, good trebles, energetic vocals and a good instrument separation.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><b><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"962\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/shootouts\/legacy-shootouts\/help-legacy\/help_labels_0000_layer-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?fit=1600%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"help_labels_0000_Layer 4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-962\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=80%2C80&amp;ssl=1 80w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?resize=320%2C320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beatles-shootouts.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/help_labels_0000_Layer-4.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Japanese Pressing (1973)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>AP-8151<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discogs.com\/release\/11124260-The-Beatles-Help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discogs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Matrix:<br \/>\nSide A: YEX 168 2S<br \/>\nSide B: YEX 169 2S2<\/p>\n<p>This Japanese version from early 70s comes in a gatefold copying the original Odeon release (which I also own, but it has too worn-out grooves, thus not qualifying for the shootout) Anyhow, with 1973 this is the earliest cut of the lot.<\/p>\n<p>Side A. The title track already reveals the problem of this Japanese version. It sounds somehow dull, as if covered with a blanket. Even though the trebles are nice and detailed (refrain of \u201cHelp!\u201d), the rest is somehow murky and lacking definition, especially the bass and the midrange. This is sometimes more, sometimes less pronounced: on \u201cHelp!\u201d or \u201cI Need You\u201d rather more, on \u201cThe Night Before\u201d or \u201cYou\u2019ve Got to Hide Your Love Away\u201d a bit less. \u201cAnother Girl\u201d is slightly louder on the Japanese. \u201cYou\u2019re Gonna Lose That Girl\u201d is once again, weaker on the low end. And on \u201cTicket To Ride\u201d the characteristic guitar riffs are buried in the mix, though the singing has more presence.<\/p>\n<p>Side B: \u201cAct Naturally\u201d: nice bass groundwork and trebles, but the voice and the guitar are a bit buried in the mix. \u201cIt\u2019s Only Love\u201d misses some substance in the low region. At least there are no problems with sibilance, and the trebles are nice. \u201cYou Like Me Too Much\u201d also lacks a bit in bass and midrange, the voice is slightly buried. \u201cTell Me What You See\u201d is also lacking somewhat in the bass area. \u201cI\u2019ve Just Seen A Face\u201d is seriously muted, the maracas are just a shadow of themselves, and Paul seems to sing through a pillow. Same goes for \u201cYesterday\u201d, the guitar and Paul\u2019s voice are muffled. \u201cDizzy Miss Lizzy\u201d: bass is lacking, voice is muffled and everything is just murky.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall:<\/strong> the Japanese often features good detailed trebles, but other than that it lacks substance in the low midrange (making vocals sound muffled) and bass.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Verdict:<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>0th Place:<\/strong>\u00a0UK 6th Pressing (1978). Side A is a great and pleasant listen, and Side B is both harmonic and exciting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>1st Place:<\/strong>\u00a0Germany (1977). Really a close call. While it has some issues, I still prefer most of the EQ choices for this German version which makes it an exciting listen with great bass, singing and details. So for me, it\u2019s a tiny bit better than the\u2026<\/li>\n<li><strong>2nd Place:<\/strong>\u00a0UK 7th Pressing (1982). While Side A is of the same goodness as 1st Place, Side B is just too tame and reserved for my taste.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3rd Place:<\/strong>\u00a0Japan (1973). This version is seriously lacking in lower midrange and bass, and sounds rather muffled in comparison.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":934,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-956","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=956"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/956\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":965,"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/956\/revisions\/965"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beatles-shootouts.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}