1960s Vinyl & CDs

Review: Following their 15 part BBC radio series Pop Go The Beatles, the legendary Liverpool group returned for a set of two-hour holiday specials titled From Us To You. The first was recorded on December 18 at the BBC Paris Studio and aired on Boxing Day, December 26, 1963. Somewhat randomly hosted by Australian television personality - turned national pariah - Rolf Harris, the show included a special performance where the Beatles joined him for his 1960 hit 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down.' Also featured was the group's favourite British rocker, Joe Brown, accompanied by his band, the Bruvvers, who brought an extra dose of British rock 'n' roll to the event.

Review: On March 31, 1964, The Beatles recorded seven songs for the BBC's Saturday Club. Three of them were covers of American rock 'n' roll and country songs. The final segment aired on the BBC's General Overseas Service and earlier that day, the band filmed a live performance at the Scala Theatre in Kings Cross for their upcoming film, A Hard Day's Night. This EP includes 'The Hippy Hippy Shake', recorded for Saturday Club and originally broadcast on February 15, as well as the catchy 'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby' and 'Long Tall Sally'. The band's tight musicianship can be heard throughout this record, which serves as a great example of The Beatles' dynamic early sound during their rise to global fame.

Review: While reappraisal and retrospect have given The Kinks' 1968 LP, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, a well-deserved boost in the court of public opinion, which now rates the record among the finest of its decade, from any band, anywhere, this wasn't always the case. Originally released to a rather subdued reception, sales started poorly and went downhill from there. Some blame has been levelled at Ray Davies, who refused to allow any singles to be released in the UK or US and steered his band away from publicity events to promote the long player. They did, however, perform live on folk singer Julie Felix's Saturday night BBC TV programme, to rapturous applause. Both the songs they sang, and the audience response, are featured on this rare EP.