New releases official statement

The Christmas Discs Boxed Set, retailing for €72.99 from the European Beatles store

From TheBeatles.com:

We Are Ringing In The Holidays with New Global Beatles Releases

“HAPPY CHRISTMAS, BEATLE PEOPLE!”
THE BEATLES RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH ‘THE CHRISTMAS RECORDS’ LIMITED EDITION SEVEN-INCH VINYL BOX SET TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 15

The Beatles’ Festive Fan Club Holiday Recordings Presented Together on Seven Colored Vinyl Singles with Original Artwork

Acclaimed ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ Expanded Deluxe Anniversary Edition to be Released in HD Digital Audio

‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ 2017 Stereo Mix to be Released on 180-Gram Vinyl LP and Limited Edition Picture Disc Vinyl LP


London – November 2, 2017 – Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe are wrapping up new, global Beatles releases for the holiday season, and a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

All these can now be yours! From Apple Corps Ltd.

The Beatles’ annual holiday tradition of recording jolly Christmas messages for fan club members was an important part of the band’s relationship with their most ardent supporters, affectionately referred to by them as “Beatle People.” Spanning 1963 to 1969, The Beatles’ holiday recordings were originally pressed on flexi discs and mailed to fan club members each December. Never released beyond the fan club until now, The Beatles’ seven holiday messages have been newly pressed on a rainbow of seven-inch colored vinyl singles for The Christmas Records box set, to be released worldwide on December 15. The limited edition collection presents each vinyl single with its original flexi disc sleeve artwork, accompanied by a 16-page booklet with recording notes and reproductions of the fan club’s National Newsletters, which were mailed to members with the holiday flexi discs.

Preorder The Beatles’ limited edition The Christmas Records box set: http://TheBeatles.lnk.to/ChristmasRecords


Also on December 15, the Deluxe Anniversary Edition of The Beatles’ 1967 masterwork, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, will debut worldwide in high definition digital audio (96kHz/24bit). The Deluxe Anniversary Edition features the album’s acclaimed 2017 stereo mix, plus 18 additional tracks, including complete alternate takes for the groundbreaking album’s 13 songs, newly mixed in stereo. The expanded edition also features the 2017 stereo mix and an instrumental take of “Penny Lane” and the 2015 stereo mix and two complete alternate takes for “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

The new Sgt pepper picture disc design.

On the same date, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s 2017 stereo mix will be released in two distinct 1-LP vinyl editions: a 180-gram black vinyl LP and a limited, collectible picture disc vinyl LP. Produced by Giles Martin for this year’s universally heralded ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Anniversary Edition releases, the album’s new stereo mix was sourced directly from the original four-track session tapes and guided by the original, Beatles-preferred mono mix produced by Giles’ father, George Martin. Praised by fans and music critics around the world, The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Anniversary Edition is 2017’s most celebrated historical music release and an ideal gift for Beatle People here, there, and everywhere.

Single lP version of Sgt Pepper with the new stereo remix

Preorder Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 180-gram black vinyl LP: http://TheBeatles.lnk.to/SgtPepperAnniversary1LP

Preorder Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band limited edition picture disc vinyl LP: http://TheBeatles.lnk.to/SgtPepperAnniversaryPictureDisc

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Apart from these new releases, the press statement also talks about the PBS premiere of the "Eight Days A Week" documentary, but as it has been shown on TV for months in other countries, this is hardly news for a seasoned Beatles fan.

What we notice is that the picture disc seems to be based on the old US picture disc of Sgt Pepper from the 80's with the bass drum logo on one side of the disc. This of course, different to the UK picture disc of olde, which had the same cover photo on each side.

Also, no mention about how limited the Christmas singles boxed set will be, although the use of words like "worldwide distribution" indicates a market driven approach to the word "limited".

What probably is very limited, is the new Sgt Pepper jukebox for vinyl singles that Apple Corps Ltd has licensed.

Sgt Pepper jukebox - an addition to your good old Yellow Submarine jukebox

Link to the Sgt Pepper jukebox:
https://thebeatlesstore.com/pages/sgtpepperjukebox