France "Sing & Play The Beatles" (MPD 026) - 1976 (?)
At first glance this LP appears to be a duplicate of the UK album in a different sleeve. The type-setting on the title is identical, but
here the words "Beatles hits" have been switched to lower case, and, it
will be noted, the word "Golden" has been dropped altogether.
But the really interesting part of this release is the song tagged onto the end of the list, "Yellow Submarine". It wasn't included on the UK pressing since it was not recorded until later - made especially for Top of the Tots Volume 2 in 1972, but its use here shows a keen resourcefulness from the French office, and it neatly balances the sides at six tracks each.
Although the UK release dates to 1971, this edition is much later, as proven by the advert on the back for the Discotheque Hits compilation, which is sourced from 1975 recordings.
There was a wave of Beatles interest in 1976 fuelled by a re-issue campaign at EMI, and it seems likely therefore that this was the time the LP was issued, Pickwick cashing in on the boom.
But the really interesting part of this release is the song tagged onto the end of the list, "Yellow Submarine". It wasn't included on the UK pressing since it was not recorded until later - made especially for Top of the Tots Volume 2 in 1972, but its use here shows a keen resourcefulness from the French office, and it neatly balances the sides at six tracks each.
Although the UK release dates to 1971, this edition is much later, as proven by the advert on the back for the Discotheque Hits compilation, which is sourced from 1975 recordings.
There was a wave of Beatles interest in 1976 fuelled by a re-issue campaign at EMI, and it seems likely therefore that this was the time the LP was issued, Pickwick cashing in on the boom.