THE BEACH BOYS/BEST OF THE BEACH BOYS T 20856 (-66) UK MONO

Issued as a British version of the homonymous US 12 track Capitol compilation (T/ST 2545). But apart from title and sleeve design they don't have a lot in common. This has 14 tracks and only five coinciding - Surfin USA/Little Deuce Coupe/In My Room/Fun Fun Fun/You're So Good To Me. So even if the wrapping is about the same tracking makes it a unique album. As I understand the UK tapes was first prepared by EMI as a DJ sampler for radio play only. But as imported US copies started to show up they decided to make it public, then five months after the US version. I wonder if the aiming for radio play is what makes the audio so great on this - clear and naural with top separation. In any case it's all good listening making it impossible to pick any favorites. This is sixties Beach Boys sounding so good to me and every track is fun fun fun. To my knowledge the 14 track version was originally UK only while the rest of the world used the US 12 track, not to be confused with any of the about a zillion later Beach Boys compilations. Premiere UK had structured label with Capitol logo on the left as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (PÖP*) (BÅB*) (CPYC*)