The contributions of George Martin, as the Beatles musical director and producer of almost all of the Beatles’ recordings, have influenced many to consider him as “the Fifth Beatle” (though others have given that title to Pete Best and Stu Sutcliffe, too). His contributions to many Lennon-McCartney compositions and his instrumental accompaniments to their LPs are beyond measure and too numerous to list here. Martin’s extensive musical training and sophisticated guidance in the studio are often credited as fundamental contributions to the work of the Beatles.

Only by reading his autobiography All You Need Is Ears, The story of the recording genius who created the Beatles by George Martin (St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1979) can one truly understand and appreciate the talent/skill he employed and the ingenuity that Martin used in converting “raw” Beatles tunes into the Beatles’ masterpieces that ended up on the finished vinyl.

In this auction:

• “A HARD DAY’S NIGHT Instrumental Versions of the Motion Picture Score” LP by George Martin & His Orchestra

• George Martin, the Beatles Recording Director, was considered “the 5th Beatle” due to his influence on so many Lennon-McCartney compositions.

• This LP is United Artists UAS 6383.

• It was released November 2, 1964.

• This is a STEREO PRESSING.

• The LP contains instrumental versions of the 7 Beatles songs appearing in the film, “A Hard Day’s Night” plus 5 tracks that previously appeared on George Martin’s United Artists’ LP “Off The Beatle Track” that was released in early August of 1964.

• This LP has the Beatles pictured on the front cover. Very few U.S. record companies outside of Capitol Records, Apple Records and Vee Jay Records had the legal rights to show the Beatles’ image on their LP covers.

• The COVER IS NEAR MINT & IN ITS ORIGINAL SHRINK WRAP. There is a small 1 ½-inch X ½-inch tear on the front shrink wrap near the spine in front of the “a” before “HaRD”. There is also a 12-inch X about 5-inch semi-circular piece of shrink wrap missing on the rear near the opening. There is an original price sticker on the shrink wrap at the top right corner.

• It has become almost impossible to find this primarily-white cover without soiling or stains; HOWEVER, the shrink wrap has protected this one quite well for almost 60 years!

• The VINYL is in VERY NICE/STRONG VG+ CONDITION with just a few very light/slight surface hairlines/scuffs (none of them “feel-able”).

• This LP comes with its ORIGINAL UNITED ARTISTS PAPER INNER SLEEVE.

  This is an EXCEPTIONALLY NICE COPY OF THIS BEATLES-RELATED GEORGE MARTIN LP. PERHAPS ONLY A STILL-SEALED COPY WOULD BE BETTER THAN THIS ONE!!!

Thanks to the Price Guide for the Beatles American Records, 6th Edition by Perry Cox and Frank Daniels for some information about this LP.

FYI: I use the COVER/SLEEVE GRADES and RECORD GRADES listed and described on page 8 of the Price Guide for the Beatles American Records, 6th Edition. These grades are Poor (P), Fair (F), Good Minus (G-), Good (G), Good Plus (G+), Very Good Minus (VG-), Very Good (VG), Very Good+ (VG+), Near Mint Minus or Very Good++ (NM- or VG++), Near Mint (NM), Mint Minus (M-), and Mint (M or MT) to VISUALLY GRADE this LP, so please know the descriptions of these grades before bidding. Please ask any questions BEFORE bidding. And please check my other auctions for more vinyl you may want to add to your collection. Be high bidder on several and combine shipping on auction items that finish the same day. (NOTE: If more than 1 vinyl item is won by the same bidder, please do NOT make payment until I send an invoice with combined shipping cost.) Winning bidder must remit payment within 5 days of auction close. Add $4.50 for shipping via USPS Media Mail to a U.S. address with tracking.