The Beatles Ballads

THE BEATLES BALLADS

Parlophone PLAY 1005

Released 3 April 1981
Original recommended retail price: $8.99

Released locally on 3 April 1981 following strong demand after John Lennon’s death, The Beatles Ballads became a major Australian success, spending seven weeks at No. 1, selling more than 200,000 copies, and showcasing EMI Australia’s Maxicut mastering process.

Pressing & Mastering

First Issued	Side 1	Side 2	Parts
3-Apr-81	✎PCS 7214A MAXICUT OR	✎PCS 7214 B MAXICUT OR	AU
Jul-81	✎PCS 7214A MAXICUT OR	MAXICUT PCS 7214 B - 2 ✎DB	AU
81	MAXICUT PCS 7214 A - 2 ✎DB	MAXICUT PCS 7214 B - 2 ✎DB	AU
~83	MAXICUT PCS 7214 A - 2 ✎DB	✎PCS 7214 B MAXICUT OR	AU

Sleeve Information

Code	Circulated	Comments
AU1	Apr-81	Front and back laminated

Overview
First issued in Britain in October 1980, The Beatles Ballads reached Australia during a sudden surge of interest in the group’s recordings. Following John Lennon’s death in December, demand was initially met with British imports; Australian manufacture did not begin until April 1981.

Once the local edition appeared, EMI (Australia) supported it with an aggressive television campaign. By October 1981, the album had spent seven weeks at No. 1 and sold more than 200,000 copies, making it one of EMI’s strongest performers of the year. Its chart run ultimately extended to twenty-six weeks.

The Australian package included an album-sized insert promoting The Beatles’ LP catalogue, encouraging buyers attracted by the compilation to explore the original albums.

Otto Ruiter mastered the local release at Studios 301 using Maxicut. Don Bartley subsequently undertook further mastering.