The Quarrymen - April 1960 - June 1961 (Part Two).

This is the second of two releases that surfaced on CD as a series 'The Complete Beatles' and captures some of the transistion period from The Quarrymen through to The Beatles.

Material includes some longer home taped improvised instrumentals that are quite listenable however in reality more of a historical collectors item than one for your mp3 player.

The studio material is very good quality and marks another milestone on the road to The Beatles.

Credit and respect should be given to Tony Sheridan who was also clearly part of this era of the bands development, it remains ironic that Polydor Records viewed him as the talent and artist to go with and tended to 'bury' members of The Beatles involvement.

Source: Studio and home (reel tapes).

Sound Quality: Listenable home recording to studio quality mp3@variable bit rates.

Genre: Skiffle, Rock & Roll.

Set: Various home & studio recordings.

Recording List:


April - May 1960: The Beatles - Pauls home and possibly other Liverpool locations.

1. Instrumental Improvisation 11.50
2. Instrumental Improvisation 7.45
3. Instrumental Improvisation 11.12
4. That's The End (?) 17.52

June 22nd - 23rd 1961: Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers (except track 9 The Beatles) Friedrich Ebert Halle Hamburg.

5. My Bonnie (German Intro) 0.36
6. My Bonnie (lies over the ocean) 2.41
7. When The Saints Go Marching In 3.18
8. Why (cant you love me again) 2.58
9. Cry For A Shadow 2.23
10. Nobodys Child 3.55

June 24th 1961: Track 11 The Beatles - Track 12 Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers, Studio Rahlstedt Hamburg.

11. Ain't She Sweet 2.10
12. Take Out Some Insurance On Me 2.53

Links: Wikipedia Quarryman History HERE. Tony Sheridan Wikipedia HERE.

Comments:

OK lets be upfront on this, some of this material with careful searching can be found on what appears to be official versions of Tony Sheridan with The Beatles, however the majority seem to be 'imports' or on highly spurious record labels, and the prices for some are outrageous, it is one thing to pay a small fortune for a genuine collectors item, another to cash in and rip off fans.

So we feature some material for purchase below that is nearly all realistically priced (spot the odd one out) and remember you will probably find it is the same or similar songs on each release so please check the track listings.

Reloaded - 25/May/2015 - download link in comments.

The Quarrymen - 1957 to 1960 (Part One).

This is another selection of material from The Quarrymen dating back to 1957.

Some of this material is a duplication on the first Quarryman bootleg featured on Beehive Candy, however this is from an alternative CD source and the sound quality is much cleaner.

With the amount of interest generated by John Lennon's first band (joined by Paul McCartney & George Harrison along the way) it is not surprising that many versions of the same material have surfaced down the years. The obvious historical nature of the recordings continues to fascinate fans over four decades on.

This is the first of three features and inevitably the sound quality is average (but quite listenable) and their will be some more duplication of material.

Art work from the CD boots is included in the download files.

Source: Live, studio and home (reel tapes).

Sound Quality: Very Listenable mono mp3@variable bit rates.

Genre: Skiffle, Rock & Roll.

Set: Various home & live recordings.

Recording List:

July 6th 1957.

1. Putting on the Style

Spring - Summer 1958.

2. That'll Be The Day
3. In Spite Of Danger

April - May 1960.

4. I'll Always Be In Love With You
5. Matchbox (?)
6. Somedays (?)
7. I Dont Need No Cigarette Boy (?)
8. One After 909
9. One After 909
10. Cayenne
11. Hallelujah - I Love Her So
12. Johnny Johnny
13. Hello Little Girl
14. Thas Whwen Your Heartaches Begin
15. Well Darling (?)
16. You'll Be Mine
17. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
18. I'll Follow The Sun
19. You Must Write Everyday (?)
20. Movin' N' Groovin' - Ramrod
21. Wild Cat
22. Wild Cat
23. Turn The Bitches Off (?)
24. An Important Number (?)

Links: Wikipedia Quarryman History HERE.

Comments:

Better quality versions of tracks two and three are also included on the official Beatles album Anthology One.

Reloaded - 25/May/2015 - download link in comments.

A Trip Before The Beatles - The Quarrymen 1960

If you are not familiar with The Quarrymen, John Lennon's 'skiffle' group, that eventually became The Silver Beatles, and then of course The Beatles, the Wikipedia article HERE is really interesting.

I thought of just providing some selected parts within this posting, but the whole article provides excellent background to this recording.

This rehearsal recording was made just four weeks before they changed name to The Silver Beetles, and John Lennon's friend Stuart Sutcliffe made up the quartet.

This recording was made at Paul McCartney's home early in 1960, prior to Pete Best joining as drummer, and of course the Hamburg, Germany era.

This is obviously a wonderful piece of musical history, and the audio quality reflects the historical aspect, home taping circa 1960, likely on one microphone, and with a muffled sound and hiss, that an old tape would retain however much you try to clean it up.

That said I find it fascinating, and a must have for any Beatles fan, and for anyone who values rock and pop musics heritage.

Track listing:

1 I Love Her So - vocals Paul McCartney
2 The One After 909 - vocals John Lennon and Paul McCartney
3 I'll Always Be In Love With You - vocals John Lennon
4 You'll Always Be Mine - vocals John and Paul
5 Match Box - vocals George Harrison
6 You Just Don't Understand - vocals Paul
7 Some days - vocals Paul
8 Thinking Of Linking - Instrumental
9 I'll Follow The Sun - vocals Paul
10 The One After 909 - Version Two vocals John & Paul
11 Hey Darling - vocals George and Paul
12 You Must Lie Everyday - vocals unknown
13 Guitar Bop - Instrumental
14 That's When Your Heartaches Begin - vocals John
15 Hello Little Girl - vocals John and Paul
16 That'll Be The Day - vocals John

OK so the audio ain't brilliant, but as collectors items go this has to be right up there - enjoy!

The Beatles merchandise HERE

Reloaded - 25/May/2015 - download link in comments.