A Hard Day's Night
(US Format)

8T.3006.UA1.1 is the first 8-Track issue of A Hard Day's Night, and unlike other Capitol releases, it was seemingly prepared by Compo in 1968 (although it seemed to use a similar Ampex Datapck shell) - Source: Piers Hemmingsen's Beatles Discography vol. 3. These are recognized by their two separate slicks (front and back), rather than the more common "wraparound" slick that covers both the front and the edge (but not the back).

Availability

8T.3006.UA1.1 would have been available between 1968 and 1970, but it is probable that very few copies were made or sold as it is extremely scarce today.

General Information

8 track tapes were introduced in 1968, so even though companies did reissue the Beatles' back catalogue, older titles were by then of less interest to fans, so they sold much less than current titles from the late 60s. A Hard Day's Night is also different as it was not managed (released) by Capitol, so this United Artist release was different from all the other Beatles titles. This particular tape was prepared by Compo and features a different design. It was most likely promoted and marketed differently as well (no yet being promoted by Capitol).

Like its vinyl counterpart, the "stereo" tape features only true stereo of the instrumental tracks, while true Beatles track were either mono or rechannelled stereo.

Pressing Information

This "pressing" was released in 1968 and could have theoretically been available until approximately 1970 when the new format was introduced (see next entry).

It seems to be an Ampex Datapack shell, but it was produced at the Compo plant in Cornwall, Ontario, who "wrapped" them up differently, with both a front and a back slick, like they did in the USA (Capitol on the other hand, used a one-slick design from the start).

Cover and packaging

There is no known cardboard cover or slipcase prepared for this tape. It is probably that United Artists used a generic Carboard slip case instead, but this needs to be confirmed.