HEY JUDE

Since the Beatles catalog was finally reissued on vinyl in 2012, a dated collection like this may seem like it has no worth...but nothing could be further from the truth. Though the majority of these songs are available on Past Masters, Hey Jude is a relatively cheap and easy way to grab a 100% analog Beatles compilation domestically. Some of the selections are a bit puzzling, but keep in mind many of these tracks were unavailable on LP at the time, either being singles or omitted from Capitol's US versions of the Beatles' early albums. For a compilation, the album sequence flows surprisingly well. As an added bonus, the cover features one of the last known photographs of the Fab Four ever taken, and it looks great in a frame or on the shelf.

My copy of Hey Jude is titled "The Beatles Again" on the label, but the runout area is machine- stamped Bell Sound, telling me this is a second pressing. Regardless, the sound is fantastic, much better than the majority of my domestic Beatles vinyl collection, and in exceptional condition considering the age. For $10-15 you really can't go wrong with this LP. Of course we all know the songs, but some highlights include the title track, "Rain" and "Lady Madonna." The lively sound practically jumps off the turntable and fills the room with Beatles goodness. The album length is just right too, the final songs on each side not suffering from the fidelity problems of many longer LPs. Given the well-documented pressing issues with some of the new Beatles vinyl, you could certainly do a lot worse than Hey Jude.