Something New

Blue Spine J-Cards were the first tapes released in Canada. The series ran from mid 1969 and housed white shell cassettes, first with white paper labels and later, around 1978, with yellow paper labels. Early releases prior to mid 1969 were imported to Canada from the USA and are usually found without the three white bars.

The copy documented here is the late, yellow-label incarnation: a white shell carrying yellow paper labels, in the blue spine J-card. It dates from around 1978.

Availability

The blue spine series ran from mid 1969. The copy documented here carries the yellow paper labels that came in around 1978, at the very end of the run, so this particular incarnation was available for a short window before the design changed. Whether Something New was also issued earlier on the blue spine with white paper labels has not been confirmed. Any information would be appreciated.

The Blue Spine design in Canada

Early cassettes had a blue spine and white paper labels on a white plastic shell. Blue Spine tapes are found until around 1978 with white paper labels, and later with black shells with silver print. This first series of tapes most likely overlapped with the black spine (see variation 3) series as some titles from up until 1978 were found on this variation.

It is not known what made a title be released on a blue or black spine J-Card, but some remained on the blue spine and never switched to the black spine like other albums did. Generally speaking, the blue spine design made way for the black spine sometime in the 70s. Some titles were simultaneously released on both designs, while others were only found on either design. More information on this would be appreciated.

Early tapes prior to mid 1969 were imported from the USA and are found without the three white bars. After this point, Canadian manufactured tapes were introduced with three white bars on the spine of the J-Card, and although some early 1969 tapes still retain the "MADE IN USA" stamped in the shell, they were most likely made in Canada from US moulds.

Pressing Information

This copy has a white plastic shell carrying yellow paper labels printed in black. Each label shows the Capitol target logo at the left, "THE BEATLES / SOMETHING NEW" across the top with the programme track listing beneath, and the side letter (A or B) with the catalogue number 4XT-2108 at the right. The lower third of the label carries the Capitol warranty text, addressed to the Quality Control Centre, Capitol Records (Canada) Limited, 3109 American Drive, Malton, Ontario - the pre-Mississauga address.

Different types of shells were often used simultaneously and seemingly, also interchangeably. There is no clear timeline based on the types of shells that were used.

Cover

The cover (or J-card) featured the USA "blue spine" design: a generic layout where the spine of the J-Card is blue with three white bars. Some titles were released on a light blue J-card, but these were usually reserved for half price budget releases and compilations (see variation number 2). This title was only released on the blue J-card format.

The front panel is orange, with "The Beatles / SOMETHING NEW" and a short track teaser above the live Ed Sullivan Show photograph used on the album cover. The blue spine carries the Capitol logo, the title and the catalogue number 4XT-2108. The back panel is light blue and, unlike the tape itself, carries USA text: "MANUFACTURED BY CAPITOL RECORDS, INC., A SUBSIDIARY OF CAPITOL INDUSTRIES, INC., HOLLYWOOD AND VINE STREETS, HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. - FACTORIES: SCRANTON, PA., LOS ANGELES, CALIF., JACKSONVILLE, ILL." over the PROGRAM 1 (12:43) and PROGRAM 2 (12:39) listings. The J-card was therefore imported or printed from USA artwork while the cassette itself was made in Canada.

The inside of the J-Card repeats the warranty and "FOR BEST OPERATING RESULTS", but in its USA form, directing returns to "Tape Service; Kernstown Route 652 Shawnee Dr., Winchester, Virginia 22601", and is marked PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Packaging

Tapes were sold in a black back jewel case, and sealed in a firm wrap that was folded shut.