1968 Apple Records, Mispress
From Discogs:
"A mispressing from the original rejected Capitol master. When mastering the White Album for the U.S., Capitol Records had applied much more dynamic limiting in the mastering process than the U.K. release. When George Harrison (who was in the U.S. at the time) heard this unreleased version, he demanded Capitol remaster the album to reflect the U.K. mastering before the album's official U.S. release. However, stampers taken from the original rejected Capitol master did make it out to the Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton by mistake and were used in pressings at Scranton before being retired and replaced with George Harrison's approved U.S. master.
First pressing has "MFD. BY CAPITOL...." in white rim text on sides 2 and 4, with various title mistakes and unique number on the front cover.
This pressing has minor spelling variations on the labels: A4: "OBLADI OBLADA", A6: "BUNGALOW BILL", B7: "WHY DON'T WE DO IT IN THE ROAD" (without question mark) , D1: "REVOLUTION NO. 1", D5: "REVOLUTION NO. 9" and D6: "GOODNIGHT".
Cover has "The BEATLES" embossed, located towards the lower right corner, and sequentially numbered.
Pressed at Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton, as identified by the "IAM" in a triangle stamp in the run-outs.
Comes with fold-out lyric poster and 4 glossy portrait photos on card stock."
Clarity: 3
Dynamics: 3
Tonality/Balance: 3
Soundstage/Image: 4
Pressing: 3
Found a copy yesterday in Harrisburg PA (two hours from Scranton) from an antique vendor who had a small box of records. I noticed the low number A1600042 so had to check out the deadwax, and that's when my jaw hit the floor. I was looking for a nice stereo pressing as a companion to my 2014 Mono which is sublime. I didn't expect to find this rare version! Matrix confirmed and it includes the 4 photos and poster/lyrics. Vinyl in VG.
So how does this cut sound?
WOW!! This is fucking hot and loud. Believe it or not, this reminds me of the RL Zeppelin II cut. This is intense and aggressive with HUGE bass and guitars that may melt your tweeters. I would bet that many contemporary record players would jump right out of the groove (like the RL Zep). Detail and clarity are perfect and vocals crystal clear and pushed hot. Yet midrange has a deep 3D image, and it just sounds gigantic. I can understand why George Harrison wanted these lacquers destroyed as this is a sledgehammer of sound, but I'm glad it exists. I fucking love this pressing!!
Final Grade: 3.2