"Abbey Road" Album Description:
In the world of music history, few albums stand as iconic and influential as The Beatles' "Abbey Road." Released in 1969, this masterpiece not only marked the end of an era for the legendary band but also contributed significantly to the evolution of music during that pivotal time period. Among the various editions of the album, the first issues, characterized by specific attributes, hold a special place in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts.
The Vinyl LP Attributes:
The distinguishing features of the initial pressing of "Abbey Road" are crucial for aficionados seeking a genuine piece of musical history. Firstly, attention is drawn to the dark green Apple label, the standard identifier for this edition. Unlike subsequent releases, the label notably lacks the "Sold in the U.K..." statement but proudly boasts the "Mfd. in U.K." inscription, solidifying its British origin.
A closer examination of the label reveals the significant credit, "Produced by George Martin," underscoring the collaborative brilliance between the band and their renowned producer. This detail is not merely a formality; it signifies the culmination of The Beatles' extraordinary partnership with Martin, adding depth to the album's historical context.
Matrix/Stamper Codes:
The meticulous collector understands the importance of decoding matrix and stamper codes. In the case of the early UK pressing of "Abbey Road," the matrix codes YEX 749-2 and YEX 750-1 play a vital role in authentication. These codes, etched into the vinyl, are akin to musical fingerprints, providing insight into the manufacturing process and affirming the LP's provenance.
Apple PCS 7088 / Yex. 749:
The catalog number, Apple PCS 7088, further distinguishes this edition, serving as a reference point for collectors. The alignment of YEX 749 with the matrix/stamper codes reinforces the authenticity of this specific release, adding to its allure.
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Collector Notes:
The first issues of the Beatles "Abbey Road" can be recognized by the following attributes:
Label: The standard dark green Apple label
The label does NOT have "Sold in the U.K..." statement.
The label has "Mfd. in U.K.".
The label has "Produced by George Martin"
Matrix/Stamper codes: YEX 749-2, YEX 750-1
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Music Genre:
British Beat, 60s POP |
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Album
Production information:
The Beatles album: "Abbey Road" was produced by:
George Martin.
Sir George Martin – Producer, arranger, studio architectThe quiet conductor behind the faders: tape loops, strings, and that famous Beatles sheen. Read more... Sir George Martin, the so-called 5th Beatle, was the producer who translated four Liverpool lads into studio language. I first clocked him at Parlophone in the 1950s; from 1962-1970 he shaped The Beatles' records with tape loops, strings, and ruthless edits that made pop feel like cinema. Alongside them he guided fellow Merseybeat names like Gerry & the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas (1963-1965), plus Cilla Black (1963-1966). After leaving EMI he built AIR and, in the 1970s, produced Paul McCartney & Wings (1973), America (1974-1976), and Jeff Beck (1975). He rarely shouted, but the speakers did. That is why they called him the 5th Beatle, and nobody argued.
Assistent Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons – Sound engineer, producer, musicianAlan Parsons is my go-to “how does this record sound THAT good?” answer: the studio brain behind classic-era clarity, from Pink Floyd sessions to The Alan Parsons Project’s glossy sci-fi pop-rock. Read more... Alan Parsons is the guy I picture behind the glass when a record sounds ridiculously clean, wide, and expensive (in the best way). His first big “period” is the Abbey Road years, working as a tape operator and engineer across the late 1960s into the mid-1970s, right in the era when studios were basically science labs with guitars. In 1973 he engineered Pink Floyd’s "The Dark Side of the Moon", and that alone would’ve earned him a lifetime pass to the control room. Then he moved from “genius in the booth” to “name on the cover” as co-founder of The Alan Parsons Project, active from 1975 to 1990, where he blended pristine production with big melodies and concept-album vibes. From the 1990s onward he’s kept the music alive on stage with touring lineups commonly billed as The Alan Parsons Live Project, proving he’s not just a behind-the-scenes wizard but a musician who can carry the material in the real world too.
This album was recorded at:
Abbey Road Studios, London
Album cover photography: Iain MacMillan
Thanks to George Martin, Geoff Emerick, Philip McDonald
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Record Label & Catalog-nr: Apple PCS 7088 / Yex. 749
Matrix/Stamper codes: YEX 749-2, YEX 750-1 |
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Media Format:
12" Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 210 gram |
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Year & Country:
1969 Manufactured in UK |
