The Beatles' Christmas Album (1970) Original Official USA Pressing
24bit/96kHz (Hi-Rez Audio)
01. Dec. 1963
02. Dec. 1964
03. Dec. 1965
04. Dec. 1966
05. Dec. 1967
06. Dec. 1968
07. Dec. 1969
All tracks Mono
All of these mixes are officially unavailable on CD.
Hardware:
- Technics 1210mk2
- Jelco SA-750D Tonearm (w/ JAC 501 cable)
- Audio Technica AT33PTG MC
- Pro-Ject Tube Box SE-2
- Yamaha CA-1010
- RME ADI-2 A/D Interface
Software:
- Audition 3.0 used for editing, (incl. manual removal of clicks and pops) & adding gain.
- Click Repair 3.9.1 used with setting Cl: 10, Cr: 0
Transfer & Restoration by Prof. Stoned
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Prof. sez:
Here's another rarity in the series "essential but not available on cd".
As you know, these 7 tracks were originally released on flexi disks to all members of the British fan club.
When the band broke up in 1970, it was decided between the band's ever loyal fan club secretary Freda Kelly,
George Harrison & Paul McCartney that the fan club was to be dissolved as well. A final present to
the club members was conceived; an album that put all seven Christmas messages together. In Britain the LP was
called "From Then to You" which first came out on the Lytone label, and then later on Apple. In the USA, the
LP was simply called "Christmas Album", and came out on Capitol/Apple. Reportedly, the release of the USA
pressing was much delayed; copies were delivered two or three months after Christmas to unsuspecting fan club
members.
Both the UK & USA versions are said to have been sourced from Freda Kelly's copies of the original flexi disks.
To my ears, 1964, 1965, 1969 and possibly 1968 may have been tape sourced, as they don't have the crackling
that's quite apparent on the other tracks, and which one would expect from such a inferior medium. However,
the sound quality is about equal for all tracks, and none of these have the same fidelity as the regular EMI
recordings.
Because the original release was limited and not for commercial purposes, demand for this LP quickly exceeded
supply, and soon enough counterfeit versions of both the UK and USA releases appeared in the early 70's.
Later on during that same decade, a counterfeit version of the USA album that faithfully copied the original
sleeve and record labels flooded the market. To this day, these are often mistaken for the real deal and in my
estimation outnumber genuine pressings on a scale of 10 to 1.
This recording was sourced from a mint original 1970 fan club copy with authentic Sam Feldman/Bell Sound
signature. The vinyl quality is good for this era and most of the surface noise actually comes from the
recordings itself. I have managed to clean up the crackling as thoroughly as possible, without harming the
sound. This might well be the best digital version so far, at least compared to all the sources I have heard.
As for the content itself, 1966 to 1968 are probably the most interesting ones. Then again, the whole series
gives an interesting glimpse into Beatleworld over the course of seven years. I think it's an essential listen
for the above-average fan (and let's face it, most of us are).
Enjoy & Happy Holidays!
