The Beatles on Apple Records

Rating:
Summary: Painstaking look at Apple Records releases by the fabs
Review: I remember The Beatles Alpha and Omega. I wondered why they and Apple would repackage The Beatles classics (along with some solo songs as well) in such a cheap way during the 70's. The collection featured 60 songs and I ordered it. It's no surprise to find out that Bruce Spizer's excellent book mentions this collection even though it was authorized or put out by Apple.

I used to be a collector. That was before children, a mortgage and life changed things. Unfortunately, a lot of what I had was destroyed or lost over time with moving, etc. Which is why Bruce Spizer's account of Apple Records is so fun. It's like having every single conceivable Beatles Apple release available. He discusses the making, mastering and marketing of various Beatles albums and releases in the US.

Bruce has done a terrific job with this sequel to his three previous volumes on The Beatles (The Beatles On Vee Jay, The Beatles Singles and The Beatles Story on Capitol Records). This book is packed with sharp observations about the band, Apple and their releases and all with glorious color illustrations on high quality paper. I had always wondered, for example, why the album Hey Jude (aka The Beatles Again) was created and by whom. Bruce digs out the information as to the who, what where and whys.

My only disappointment is the lack of information on the CD reissues by EMI & Capitol during the 80's through today. While I got sucked into the CD vaccum (like many people)I do enjoy the convenience of the smaller format for the car. Yes, the artwork leaves much to be desired but it has it's uses. I understand that there's less artwork and variation involved in the manufacturing of CDs (perhaps). I'm sure Bruce might address these in the future (along with the eventual release of The Beatles' catalog on either DVD or SACD).

As it stands, Bruce has done a great job and the book is exacting and well researched (as usual). I'm hoping someone can talk him into doing a book on the other releases for Apple (The Beatles solo albums and all the artist's they signed). Although this book appears quite pricey, the quality of the paper, binding and the material make it well worth the cost.

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for Apple volume 2
Review: I'll keep this simple. If you are a Beatles collector and you don't have everthing Bruce Spizer publishes on them, you are missing the best books on the subject matter. Period. With full color beautiful reproduction on every page, it's just like having the real item in front of you. Informative and essential text too, don't think twice, get them while you can.

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Summary: Bruce just keeps getting better and better! Incredible book!
Review: That's it!!!... I'm never going to say... "It just can't get any better" anymore.... I've said that about Bruce's previous offerings of "The Beatles Story On Capitol Records: Part One, The Singles" and "The Beatles Story On Capitol Records: Part Two, The Albums". I have to stop saying that because Mr. Spizer continues to improve his already phenomenal books with each successive volume he releases! So I'll retire that line until he's sure he's written his last book which I hope is not for a good long time! Bruce has already raised the standards for all record history publications to lofty heights, but with his new release titled perfectly, THE BEATLES ON APPLE RECORDS, he has shot the standard to the stratosphere!
The book truly captures the look and spirit of Apple, from its cleverly stunning cover, which mimics a Hey Jude single in its sleeve, to the titles of the sections, A is for Apple, S is for Singles, L is for LPs, etc. These nice touches highlight the attention to detail found in all of Bruce's books.
Also retained with this new offering, is the quality cover construction. And the nice large 9 1/4" x 12 1/4" size is a perfect companion to his previous offerings making all his books together a great matched and chronolized set! This was certainly great early planning on Bruce's part. Indeed, he has a great knack for consistency, and you can clearly see this most enjoyable and useful characteristic in all of his books. Inside is simply more photos and information on the Beatles U.S. (and some Canadian Apple Records) than has ever been in any of the next 10 books ever done put together! I'd love to detail the many incredible photographs and listings and stories for you, but I simply don't have the space here for it! Suffice it to say you will see and read about items you never knew existed before and see them showcased so beautifully and brilliantly that you won't be able to put this book down till you have seen it all! While reading and viewing the incredible high quality pictures, you feel as if somehow Bruce was able to put the actual records in this book! You get the sense you want to lift them off and put them in your collection! And that's just the main titles.... He also has filled these high gloss pages with hundreds of supporting pictures and details.
Bottom line, this book is simply the best book I've seen ever seen or read on Beatles records and I'm sure it will remain that way until his next book! To Bruce I say... "Go get em buddy! Keep up the good work and I'm proud to call you my friend and colleague in the Beatles record world! To fans and collectors everywhere I say....."For [the price], you're getting a real treasure trove of information and stunning photography you simply could not compile yourself for 100 times that amount!." Mr. Spizer has set the same standard on his books that the Beatles did on their music! Sensational and the best there is!!!

Rating:
Summary: Buy It, Buy It, Buy It, Buy It, Buy It, Buy It
Review: There is not much more I can add to the other reviews here. Just buy this book now and it's companion being published sometime in March, 2004. It is aptly titled "The Solo Beatles on Apple Records".

Rating:
Summary: Bruce Spizer is batting 1000- 4 Books, 4 Hits
Review: This is Bruce Spizer's fourth book on the Beatles Records and music. Each edition has been better than the last. In this installment Bruce details the story of the Beatles and their music, released on the Beatles own label, Apple Records. I am the creator of a radio show exploring the creation of the Beatles music and Bruce's books are my #1 source for information. Bruce was kind enough to send me an advanced copy of his chapter on the White Album, to help me create one of my best shows.
If you like the Beatles, these books will bring you great pleasure and educate you. If you love the Beatles, then Bruce's books should be your bible. Start with this book or start at the beginning with his Vee-Jay Records book, but start reading Bruce's books today.

Rating:
Summary: WE'VE GOT THIS THING CALLED APPLE
Review: This is now the 4th time I've gushed over another of Bruce Spizer's books. As usual the Apple book is as complete as the VJ and Capitol books. Even though I own the majority of the singles pictured in this book, looking at them in print still gives me the excitement I experience when I look and hold the actual discs. plus I don't have to dig the originals out of the Beatle vault. Besides the cool graphics, The information is extremely interesting. Bruce covers all of the Apple artists and Apple releases up to and including the recent Beatles #1 recording. If you are a Beatles collector or just dig neat Beatles books, this is an excellent book to own.
BUY THE OTHER 3 AS WELL. Again well done Bruce.