Sometimes Americans were lucky, sometimes they weren’t … released in 1967 at the hight of the psychedelic 60’s, the UK version of Magical Mystery Tour followed the path of the BBC Television format, while the American version featured five additional numbers that had not been included on any formal alums, “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Baby You’re A Rich Man,” “All You Need Is Love,” “Hello Goodbye” and the brilliant “Penny Lane.”Now the UK version, which I dearly love, was released as a double EP that contained only the six tracks from the television series, and therein lies my qualm with this collection which I never play, yet would never part with. First of all, I don’t play the vinyl because it’s rather labor intensive, comprised of those six songs on two discs, and secondly, while releasing a mere six tracks, the production could have been sonically more appealing had the songs been laid down on a single vinyl LP with larger grooves and still delivered at 45 rpms, which would have hands down increased the sound quality and ease of playing … but this wasn’t something that was being considered then, with the original recording room being set up for a mono mix.The song “Fool On The Hill” was not about Paul McCartney or any of the individual members of the Beatles, it regarded a group of Dutch artists, performers and designers (who created the splendid painting that covered the entire building of the first Apple Store in London), where here, the song revolves around Paul’s penchant for bi-weekly tarot card readings by members of Fool On The Hill. That being said, the number also references the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, with whom Paul had a sincere falling out with.All of the songs on this album are rather haunting, giving the UK version a much darker atmosphere than what was delivered in America, especially when considering “Blue Jay Way” by George Harrison, named for a street in Los Angeles, California, where George was awaiting the arrival of Eric Clapton and friends while consumed by a dense fog, though that fog may very well have been caused by the influences of drugs.Now, “Flying” is my personal theme song, a hypnotic instrumental that does contain singing, though no actual lyrics, features the voice of Ringo prominently and laces together a series of studio effects that enhance the mythical mystic nature of the song that featured Lennon’s use of a Mellotron that comes off sounding ever so much like a trombone. I’ve always wondered why this track didn’t open the EP’s (or album) and then didn’t close it as a reprise of sorts to extend the dreamlike state, carrying listeners both in and out of the tour.In retrospect, the remaining numbers are some of the strongest songs The Beatles ever penned, with the addictive melody of Paul’s duality exploration on “Hello Goodbye,” which John was not a fan of, hence it was omitted on this outing, and while perhaps not as artistically and musically sound as “I Am The Walrus,” which was perhaps one of the most lyrically and musically psychedelic songs of all time, would still have been a more cohesive addition.Of course “Magical Mystery Tour” opens the album, sets the stage, and loosely defines the nature of the trip, whereas “Your Mother Should Know” seems to be the only song that remains out of place on the collection, appearing from out of nowhere, offhandedly, a ditty, and not of the caliber or containing the internal psychic and emotional themes that moved the others, where again, “Hello Goodbye” might have resounded within the theme that was being carried forth … a song which oddly enough showed up as the A Side of the single that included “I Am The Walrus.” Both the UK and the American editions have their strong aspects and their drawbacks, yet holding this smaller packing in my hands belays on a very human scale, a sense of time and space that the full sized American package with all of its additional material does not. Nevertheless, either album ranks in my top five of all time, and should not be missed out on.Review by Jenell Kesler

MISSING TRACKS WHY?????1. Bonzo Dog Do Da Band "Death Cab For Cutie" (the cabaret number in the strip club) came out on the Bonzo's first Liberty Album should have been as an extra on here!!2 Brass Band playing the incidental to the race around the airdrome should be here part of the film! WE can just about excuse Hello Goodbye it had come out as a single still think Death Cab For Cutie should have been at least a lynetone 33.3 flexiApple and UMG need to sort this>>>>>>> The MMT missing extras ! to insert in to your ep sleeve!

Apple don't own the rights to the Bonzo's "Death Cab For Cutie"

Mine has blue lyric sheet but doesn't have any print on the pushout centres... any ideas?

Anyone know why the rights here are NCB. I thought this donated a scandinavian release. My copy does not mention NCB anywhere.

I have only sleeve from 2x45 RPM, which is made in UK, but with a pricesticker on sleeve "19 DM"!I am ready to buy 2x45 rpm 7" vinil without an inscription "Sold in UK"!!