Capitol Records to celebrate 75th anniversary with vinyl release of five Beatles LPs, plus solo albums

Capitol Records is celebrating its 75th birthday starting this month with an extensive slate of music, film and book projects - including the vinyl release of five Beatles albums.

These include Meet the Beatles, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, the "White Album and Abbey Road.

Also on the list are George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, John Lennon's Imagine, Ringo Starr's Ringo (yeah!) and Paul McCartney and Wings' Band on the Run. Plus many other great albums by other Capitol artists.

Many Beatles fans will likely be disappointed by the choices, as the track lineups of Pepper, the "White Album" and Abbey Road are the same as the UK versions, which are already available in both stereo and mono formats.

But all the Beatles' albums on Capitol prior to Pepper feature different track listings and, in many cases different mixes and added reverb. Yet, of those only Meet the Beatles and Revolver are getting the vinyl treatment.

Not every fan likes Capitol's Beatles' albums, but for those of us who grew up on them, they carry a nostalgic and historic interest.

Given, this is a celebration of the label, it would've been nice to see all of those records included in this campaign. At the very least, Capitol's version of Rubber Soul would be a nice inclusion - as it's Capitol's sequencing is quite enjoyable with its emphasis on acoustic tracks.

Here is Capitol's complete news release:

Capitol Records, one of the world's preeminent music companies and the first record label established on the West Coast, will launch its 75th Anniversary Celebration in November with an extensive slate of music, film and literary projects that will pay tribute to Capitol artists spanning the past eight decades and shine a spotlight on their historic contributions to music and popular culture.  
Capitol Music Group (CMG) Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett today announced three of the company's planned  endeavors:  A year-long major vinyl reissue campaign – The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection, 75 albums that illustrate the unparalleled artistry of Capitol Records throughout its history – launched in partnership with leading home furnishings destination Crate and Barrel; the publication of a deluxe photograph and essay book from TASCHEN, 75 Years Of Capitol Records, on December 15, and the development of a Capitol Records docuseries being produced by Nigel Sinclair/Whitehorse Pictures (The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years, No Direction Home: Bob Dylan), with individual episodes to be directed by music luminaries and Capitol artists, past and present.
The year-long celebration will commence on Tuesday, November 15 when Capitol becomes the first record company to receive a star of recognition from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which will be installed in front of the landmark Capitol Tower and adjacent to the internationally-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame.  At the star's unveiling, the State the Los Angeles City Council will present Capitol with a resolution declaring November 15 Capitol Records Day in the city.  Beginning that evening, the spire on top of the Capitol Tower that has always emitted "Hollywood" in Morse code will change to "Capitol 75," and will continue to flash in that manner for the next 12 months.
The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection – Vinyl Reissue Program
To select 75 albums that represent the best of Capitol Records from among literally thousands of works the company has released over the past 75 years, the label convened an advisory board of noted music journalists, authors and renowned creative figures to decide on the final list of albums that comprise The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection.  The result spans myriad Capitol eras and musical genres, and includes best sellers, influential works and lesser-known gems (see below).  The reissue program begins this month, and titles will be available through music retailers throughout 2017.
Crate and Barrel & American Airlines Partnerships
Leading home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel has partnered with Capitol for its 75th Anniversary celebration to feature The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection in stores nationwide.  The collection can be found within The Listening Room, where consumers can find an exclusive collection of furniture, accessories and cutting edge audio equipment.  American Airlines continues their partnership with Capitol Records and Universal Music Group to celebrate a Hollywood Icon and its contribution to music around the world.  In 2017, American Airlines will continue their commitment to the industry by launching, "Fly to the Beat" – a Global Music platform, connecting consumers to their favorite musicians – including Capitol artists --- and moments across five continents.
75 Years of Capitol Records – TASCHEN Release in December
To commemorate Capitol's extraordinary history of recorded music, TASCHEN is publishing the official account of Capitol Records from its founding year of 1942 through to today. To be released December 15, 75 Years of Capitol Records follows the label's evolution and the making of some of the greatest music of the 20th and 21st centuries.  The book includes hundreds of images from Capitol's extensive archives, as well as a foreword by Beck and essays by cultural historians and music and architecture criticsThis photographic and musical history includes the label's most commercially successful, creative and important artists whose work has defined Capitol Records, music and popular culture for the past eight decades.  75 Years of Capitol Records is also available at Capitol's online store.
Capitol Records Docuseries – Produced by Nigel Sinclair / Whitehorse Pictures
This series – planned for release in the autumn of 2017 – will tap into the creative passions of Capitol's artists, the hidden glories of the company's extensive archives and the many stories that have taken place within the Capitol Tower throughout its 75-year as one of the world's premiere music companies.  But it will be more than just the illustrious history of such a storied label; it will also tell the story of America's love affair with popular music and an exploration of how Capitol's
artists and their music have helped shaped social movements, transform our popular culture and helped define our lives.  This docuseries will be produced by Nigel Sinclair's Whitehorse Pictures, the creative team involved  in numerous music-centered documentaries, including the award-winning No Direction Home: Bob Dylan and the just-released The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years.  Each episode in this docuseries will be directed by a past or present-day Capitol artist or other cultural luminary who will bring a unique and knowledgeable perspective to the stories being conveyed.


The Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Collection(alphabetical by artist)
1
Ashford & Simpson
Solid
1984
2
Beastie Boys
Paul's Boutique
1989
3
Beck
Morning Phase
2014
4
Blind Melon
Blind Melon
1992
5
Bob Seger
Night Moves
1976
6
Bobbie Gentry
Ode To Billy Joe
1967
7
Bobby Darin
You're The Reason I'm Living
1963
8
Bonnie Raitt
Nick of Time
1989
9
Bonnie Raitt
Luck Of The Draw
1991
10 
Buck Owens
Buck Owens
1961
11
Cannonball Adderley
Mercy Mercy Mercy
1966
12
Coldplay
Parachutes
2000
13
Crowded House
Crowded House
1986
14
Dean Martin
Dino: Italian Love Songs
1962
15
Duke Ellington
The Duke Plays Ellington
1953
16
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
1994
17
Frank Sinatra
In The Wee Small Hours
1955
18
Frank Sinatra
Songs for Swingin' Lovers!
1956
19
Frank Sinatra
Come Fly With Me
1958
20
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely
1958
21
Freddie Jackson
Rock Me Tonight
1985
22
Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps
Bluejean Bop
1956
23
George Clinton
Computer Games
1982
24
George Harrison
All Things Must Pass
1970
25
Glen Campbell
By the Time I Get to Phoenix
1968
26
Grand Funk Railroad
We're an American Band
1973
27
Heart
Heart
1985
28
James Taylor
James Taylor
1968
29
Joe South
Introspect
1968
30
John Lennon
Imagine
1971
31
Johnny Mercer
Accentuate the Positive
1957
32
Judy Garland
Judy at Carnegie Hall
1961
33
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream
2010
34
Kingston Trio
Kingston Trio
1958
35
Knack
Get The Knack
1979
36
Les Paul and Mary Ford
Les and Mary
1955
37
Linda Ronstadt
Heart Like a Wheel
1974
38
Louie Prima
The Wildest
1956
39
Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
1977
40
Mazzy Star
So Tonight That I Might See
1993
41
MC Hammer
Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
1990
42
Megadeth
Peace Sells
1986
43
Merle Haggard
Mama Tried
1968
44
Miles Davis
Birth Of The Cool
1957
45
Nancy Wilson
How Glad I Am
1964
46
Nat King Cole
Unforgettable
1953
47
Natalie Cole
Unpredictable
1977
48
Neil Diamond
The Jazz Singer
1980
49
Norah Jones
Come Away With Me
2002
50
Peggy Lee
Is That All There Is
1969
51
Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon
1973
52
Radiohead
OK Computer
1997
53
Raspberries
Raspberries
1972
54
Richard Thompson
Rumor & Sigh
1991
55
Ringo Starr
Ringo
1973
56
Robert Glaspar
Black Radio
2012
57
Rosanne Cash
Black Cadillac
2006
58
Sam Smith
In The Lonely Hour
2014
59
Steve Miller Band
Fly Like an Eagle
1976
60
Tavares
In The City
1975
61
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Sixteen Tons
1960
62
The Band
Music From Big Pink
1968
63
The Band
The Band
1969
64
The Beach Boys
Surfer Girl
1963
65
The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
1966
66
The Beatles
Meet The Beatles
1964
67
The Beatles
Revolver
1966
68
The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1967
69
The Beatles
The Beatles
1968
70
The Beatles
Abbey Road
1970
71
Tina Turner
Private Dancer
1984
72
Various
Oklahoma
1955
73
Various
Funny Girl
1968
74
Wanda Jackson
There's a Party Goin' On
1961
75
Wings
Band on the Run
1973

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