Beatles Bootlegs

Full disclosure: major Beatlemaniac here, okay? Their music is one of my most deeply cherished possessions. The joy from that music is unspeakable. In this I am one of tens of millions, which is not all that indie or nichy. So. During my prowlings one night a year or two ago, I came across a website called Beatlegs. Although I’m not down with site names that combine words in an oh-so-clever way, the name became irrelevant when I found what was there. Somehow the owner has collected a stash of rare Beatles bootlegs. Here are my two favorites, and you will find many more at the site itself. These are .zip files, so go through the clicking process until the song launches. “Bad to Me” was a top ten hit for Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas. Through his association with Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, Kramer was allowed to record and had hits with several Lennon & McCartney songs The Beatles themselves did not release. According to Richie Unterberger at Allmusic, The Beatles gave away songs they considered inferior. Perhaps by Maclen standards they were. I am moved by the power of tender emotions simply and beautifully expressed. It wasn't all screaming and jelly babies, fun though that must have been, too.

The Beatles
Bad to Me (Demo) (.zip)
I'm in Love (Demo) (.zip)