1964 Beatles Capitol Records 45 RPM 8-Inch Acetate of “I Want to Hold Your Hand”

Beatles acetates are exceedingly rare in the marketplace--they just didn't make it out of the studios like the acetates of some bands. The offered Capitol Records 45 RPM double-sided acetate is interesting because the labelled side has the song "More Soul" by Capitol saxophonist King Curtis, with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles on the other, unmarked side. The reason for the lack of label is because the Beatles track is missing a portion near the end of the song. There may have been a malfunction in the studio while cutting the acetate, but regardless of how it happened, the disc wouldn't have been usable as a final master for the pressing plant (or a review copy). The engineer, not wanting to waste the vinyl, used the other side to cut Curtis' track. The two singles' Capitol Records catalog numbers are only three numbers off: "More Soul" is 5109, and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" is 5112. This supports the idea that the two recordings were being processed at Capitol at the same time, leading to this incredibly interesting artifact. The Beatles recorded "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on October 17, 1963, at EMI Studios in Studio B. The song was completed in 17 takes, and it was the first songs the band recorded with four-track technology. It was released in the States on December 26, 1963, with "I Saw Her Standing There" as its b-side. At the 1:41 mark, the acetate cuts out for 24 seconds, and then the track resumes to finish at the normal length of 2:25. Also accompanying the acetate is its original "Audiodisc" sleeve and a copy of the Kind Curtis 45 single. The acetate measures 8 inches in diameter and presents in playable condition with some moderate scuffing. Even though someone physically attempted to scratch out the Beatles side of the acetate, it plays just fine. Very Fine condition.